Summary of Minutes of the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – April 27, 2020

Summary of Minutes of the electronically conducted regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, April 27, 2020, at 7:00 p.m.

City Manager Ridley announced Interim Director Jason Moore as the new Division of Public Works Director.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

1) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held April 13, 2020.

2) Authorized amendment to construction engineering and design services contract with Rowe Professional Services Company for 1MG Reservoir Bypass Project and budget amendment on same.

3) Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Resolution authorizing the approval of a contract for partial reimbursement of funds for 2020 M-20 (High Street) Pump Station Rehabilitation Project.

4) Warrants and Payrolls.

Approved the resolution regarding recreational marijuana establishment license deadlines as presented. (CC Exh. 2-2020)

Conducted a work session on potential options for local relief to City residents and businesses due to COVID-19.

Adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m.

Mt. Pleasant Police Department Investigates Felonious Assault

On April 29, at 5:17 p.m. officers of the Mt. Pleasant Police Department responded to a call of an altercation at Tall Grass Apartments located in the 1200 block of E. Broomfield Street.

Upon arrival officers determined a firearm was pointed at a sole victim during the altercation. Through victim and witness statements, and further investigative leads, a suspect was immediately identified and lodged in the Isabella County Jail. This suspect is currently pending arraignment. There was no risk to the public.

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with additional information regarding this incident are asked to contact the Mt. Pleasant Police Department’s Anonymous Tip Line at 989-779-9111 or Central Dispatch at (989) 773-1000.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department was assisted by the Isabella County Sheriff’s Department and Central Michigan University Police.

Fees Waived, Second Leaf Pick Up and Sod Repair Scheduled

The last few weeks have been trying in many ways. COVID-19 has altered our daily lives, our methods of interaction with others, and has expanded our vocabulary. We are now frequently using terms such as social distancing, flattening the curve, personal protection equipment (PPE) and mitigating the spread. As we adjust to these many changes our City Commissioners and City staff have been committed to identifying potential ways to assist our residents and businesses. Therefore, we have some good news to share with you in regards to fee waivers and City services being offered.

The recycling fee will once again be removed from your next utility bill due to the closure of the Materials Recovery Facility and curbside recycling being suspended. The City has also delayed utility bill due dates from April 15 to May 15 without penalty. Payments may be made online, by mail, or dropped off at the drop box located in the City Hall parking lot.

Large item pick-up will be reinstated beginning May 4, 2020. Tags can be ordered online at http://www.mt-pleasant.org/residents/online_service_center/. In the City of Mt. Pleasant – Water Sewer Account # field, enter Large Item. After you complete your online purchase call the Treasurer’s Office at 989-779-5387. Once payment is received your tag will be delivered to your door.

Starting May 4, 2020, weather permitting, street crews will be doing sod repair to the areas affected by last winter’s sidewalk snow plowing.

Since landscaping companies are now operating, a second leaf pick-up is scheduled for the week of May 11, 2020. Please note all leaves must be out and ready for pick up by 6 p.m. on May 10. There will be one collection through each neighborhood starting on May 11. High and Pickard Street residents should rake leaves into low piles in the right-of-way. All others should place leaves in low piles in the street gutter. As always, please do not cover catch basins.

The City of Mt. Pleasant is hosting public meetings virtually as allowed by the Governor’s Stay at Home Executive Order. Citizens may watch these meetings live on Spectrum Charter Channel 188 or webstreamed at https://www.youtube.com/user/MtPleasantMi/. Any citizen desiring to make a public comment must email their comments on agenda items to comment@mt-pleasant.org.

Information is constantly changing. All updates will be shared via the City’s website (www.mt-pleasant.org), Blog (mpcityblog.com), Facebook and Twitter accounts, MACTV Charter Spectrum Channel 188, and the Community Information Phone Line (989) 779-5320.

We ask you continue to follow the recommended guidelines from our health officials, adhere to Governor Whitmer’s Executive Orders, and please, stay safe and be well.

Update from Director of Public Safety, Paul Lauria Stay the course. Wear a face mask. Safeguard our community.

To combat the spread of COVID-19 in Michigan, Governor Whitmer extended the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order 2020-59 requiring Michiganders to stay at home through May 15, 2020. Progress has been made in our battle against this virus but we must stay the course to assure our communities are safe and healthy.

In addition to continuing our social distancing practices of keeping a 6ft. physical distance between ourselves and others, all individuals must now wear a cloth face mask which covers their nose and mouth when they are out in enclosed public spaces which includes stores and workplaces. Surgical and N95 masks must be reserved for healthcare workers and first responders. It is also imperative to keep up the practice of going to the store alone, which mitigates the spread of the virus.

Recreational activities such as walking, hiking, running, cycling, and now boating and golfing without a cart are encouraged as long as social distancing is practiced.

With the change in season, landscape and lawn care companies may now operate and plant nurseries and garden centers along with bike repair shops can be open. Shopping for non-essential items may be done by curbside pickup or delivery.

This fight against COVID-19 is unlike any other. But, by staying home, practicing social distancing, and wearing a cloth face mask when we do go out in public, we can mitigate the spread of this virus and successfully keep our family and friends healthy. Thank you for the vital role you play in beating COVID-19.

COVID-19 and City of Mt. Pleasant Services Update (Posted: 4/27/2020; Updated 5/1/2020)

In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, the City of Mt. Pleasant continues to follow recommendations of federal, state and county health officials while still providing vital City services.

Therefore, through May 15, 2020 the City is following Governor Whitmer’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order 2020-59, and is continuing its level of building closure and only providing critical services at this time. This includes: police, fire, airport operations, water, wastewater and limited street services. Other City staff will be monitoring emails and phone calls and will attempt to answer urgent inquiries.

City Parks

City parks are currently open, but park restroom facilities are closed as well as Island Park’s Skate Park and Hannah’s Bark Park. (Updated 5/1/2020)

Trash/Recycling

City trash pick-up is still taking place.

Curbside recycling is currently suspended due to the Materials Recovery Facility being closed. Recycling fees will be waived on the next utility bill.

As a result of building closures, the City has temporarily suspended the direct sale of recycling bins, City trash bags and tags. City trash bags and tags are available at Meijer and Ric’s. Individual tags are available at GreenTree Grocery.

Large Item Pick Up

Large item pick-up is now reinstated. Tags can be ordered online. Once payment is received your tag will be delivered to your door.

Spring Leaf Collection

Since landscaping companies are now operating, a second leaf pick-up will be scheduled in the near future.

No Fee Brush Pick Up – UPDATE: 4/27/2020 – All 150 reservations have been filled.

The City is offering up to 150 households within the City limits 30 minutes of no fee brush chipping during the week of May 11. Brush chipping will be completed at curbside only, no alleys. Reservations will be accepted beginning April 27 at 8:00 a.m. until May 7 at 4:30 p.m. Reservations can be made online, emailing publicworks@mt-pleasant.org, or by calling and leaving a message at the Division of Public Works, 989-779-5401.

Public Meetings

The City of Mt. Pleasant will host its public meetings virtually as allowed by the Governor’s Stay at Home Executive Order. Citizens may watch these meetings live on Spectrum Charter Channel 188 or webstreamed at https://www.youtube.com/user/MtPleasantMi/. Any citizen desiring to make a public comment must email their comments on agenda items to comment@mt-pleasant.org.

-Virtual City Commission meeting will take place on April 27, 2020 at 7 p.m.

-Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting (April 28) is cancelled due to lack of action items.

-Virtual Planning Commission meeting will take place on May 7, 2020 at 7 p.m.

-Virtual City Commission meeting will take place on May 11, 2020 at 7 p.m.

-May 12 Historic District Commission is cancelled.

-May 14 DDA meeting is cancelled.

-May 14 Airport Advisory Board meeting is cancelled.

Event Cancellations

Federal and state health officials are mandating all events be cancelled or postponed to stop the gathering of people, of any size. This guidance has caused the cancellation of the following to date:

-PEAK activities cancelled until at least June.

-Farmers’ Market cancelled through the month of May.

-City of Mt. Pleasant park shelter rental reservations are cancelled for the duration of Governor Whitmer’s Stay at Home Executive Order.

Payments and Building Permits

Citizens can make payments via mail (320 W. Broadway Street), the City’s Drop Box located outside of City Hall, or online at www.mt-pleasant.org.

Building Permits can also be electronically submitted by visiting www.mt-pleasant.org.

COVID-19 Resources

The City will continue to monitor this situation and be guided by information provided by the Central Michigan District Health Department https://www.cmdhd.org/novel-coronavirus, the State of Michigan https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus, and the Center for Disease Control & Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

Information Updates

Information will be updated and shared via the City’s website (www.mt-pleasant.org), Blog (mpcityblog.com), Facebook and Twitter accounts, MACTV Charter Spectrum Channel 188, and the Community Information Phone Line (989) 779-5320.

Small Business Relief

Are you a small business impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak? If so, you may be eligible for a grant or low-interest loan. Refer to these links for more information.

https://www.michigan.gov/Coronavirus

https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options

City to Offer No Fee Brush Chipping (UPDATE: 4/27/2020 All 150 reservations are filled.)

Topics to Watch at the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – April 27, 2020

Here are the topics to watch at the next Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for April 27, 2020.

-Consider amendment to construction engineering and design services contract with Rowe Professional Services Company for 1MG Reservoir Bypass Project and consider budget amendment on the same.

-Consider Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) resolution authorizing the approval of a contract for partial reimbursement of funds for 2020 M-20 (High Street) Pump Station Rehabilitation Project.

-Consider resolution confirming administrative actions regarding recreational marijuana licensing dates.

To view the entire meeting packet visit: http://www.mt-pleasant.org/docs/board/city.commission/agendas/2020/4.27.20.pdf

How to follow public meetings during this social distancing:

In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, the City of Mt. Pleasant is following federal, state and county health officials’ recommendations while still providing valuable City services.

Even though the City Commission meeting will take place as scheduled, it will be an electronically conducted meeting as allowed by the Governor’s Executive Order and the City Commission Chambers will be closed to the public.

Citizens can watch the City Commission meeting live on Spectrum Charter Channel 188 or web streamed at https://www.youtube.com/user/MtPleasantMi/. Any citizen desiring to make public comment must email their public comments on agenda items to comment@mt-pleasant.org.

Pickard Street Mill and Overlay Project

The Pickard Street mill and overlay project will begin on April 27 and continue until approximately June 19, 2020. The existing asphalt between Bradley and Mission Streets will be milled and a new layer of asphalt will be applied to the roadway.

Pickard Street between Bradley and Mission Streets will be closed to through traffic and only open to local traffic with access to businesses along this corridor. Once paving is finished, lanes will be remarked following the current four-lane configuration. Sidewalk ramp replacements to meet barrier-free requirements will be completed. Existing curbs and gutters will remain in place.

This civil construction project is classified as critical work as outlined in Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order 2020-42.

UPDATE: Suspects in Campus Habitat Apartment Shooting Arraigned

At 5:57 p.m. on April 20, 2020, officers of the Mt. Pleasant Police Department responded to a call of a shooting at Campus Habitat apartments located in the 700 block of Edgewood Drive.

Upon arrival officers determined the location of the shooting and secured the area. A 21-year-old male was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim was identified as Raven Tre-Von Edelen from Wyoming, Michigan.

Through witness statements and further investigative leads, a shooting suspect was quickly identified as 20-year-old male, Miykael Norfleat from Chicago, Illinois. The suspect was arrested and transported to the Isabella County Jail.

Norfleat was arraigned in the Isabella County Court on April 22, 2020 and charged with:

Homicide/Open Murder
Home Invasion in the First Degree
Possession of a Firearm
Carrying a Concealed Weapon

Norfleat is currently lodged in the Isabella County Jail on a $1,000,000 cash bond.

Further investigation also led to Justin Collins, a 22-year old male who resides in Mt. Pleasant, being charged.

Collins was arraigned in the Isabella County Court on April 22, 2020 and charged with:

Homicide/Open Murder
Home Invasion in the First Degree
Felony Firearm/Weapons Offense

Collins is currently lodged in the Isabella County Jail on a $1,000,000 cash bond.

This was an isolated and targeted incident and there was no risk to the public. Anyone with additional information regarding this incident are asked to contact the Mt. Pleasant Police Department’s Anonymous Tip Line at 989-779-9111 or Central Dispatch (989) 773-1000.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department was assisted by Michigan State Police, Isabella County Sheriff’s Department, Central Michigan University Police, Mobile Medical Response and Mid- Michigan Investigative Narcotics Team.

UPDATE: Victim Identified in Campus Habitat Apartment Shooting

At 5:57 p.m. on April 20, 2020, officers of the Mt. Pleasant Police Department responded to a call of a shooting at Campus Habitat apartments located in the 700 block of Edgewood Drive.

Upon arrival officers determined the location of the shooting and secured the area. A 21-year-old male was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim has been identified as Raven Tre-Von Edelen from Wyoming, Michigan.

Through witness statements and further investigative leads, a suspect was identified and is currently lodged in the Isabella County Jail pending arraignment. This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with additional information regarding this incident are asked to contact the Mt. Pleasant Police Department’s Anonymous Tip Line at 989-779-9111.