Summary of Minutes of the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – February 22, 2021

Summary of Minutes of the electronically conducted regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, February 22, 2021, at 7:00 p.m.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

1) Minutes of the electronically conducted regular meeting of the City Commission held February 8, 2021.

2) Bid of Central Asphalt of Mt. Pleasant, MI for the 2021 DPS Parking Lot Mill and Resurface project.

3) Authorized the confirmation of the MERS Agreement Addendum for deferred compensation plans by Finance Director Mary Ann Kornexl as presented.

4) Appointment of Cory Friedrich as the representative of the Planning Commission to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a one-year term as recommended by the Planning Commission.

5) Received proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 52: WATER, §52.12 Cross Connections and §52.29 Right of Entry of City Employees of the Mt. Pleasant City Code of Ordinances and set a public hearing for Monday, March 8, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. on same.

6) Received proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 154: ZONING ORDINANCES, §154.203F Residential/Dwelling Use Restriction, §154.410.B Special Uses and Table 154.410.A Building and Lot Principal Use of the Mt. Pleasant Code of Ordinances to permit residential/dwelling uses under certain circumstances as recommended by the Planning Commission; and set a public hearing for Monday, March 22, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. on same.

7) Warrants and Payrolls.

Authorized the Mayor to sign the appropriate documents for a drain easement across Mission Creek Park as presented.

Confirmed the appointment of Heather Bouck as City Clerk and Chris Saladine and Mary Ann Kornexl as Deputy City Clerks.

Conducted a work session discussion on goals/objectives.

Conducted a work session discussion on work session schedule.

Adjourned the meeting at 9:32 p.m.

May 4 Special Election Voter Information

On May 4, 2021 Mid-Michigan College will be holding a special election for a millage proposal. There are a few important items to keep in mind for this election.

Precinct Consolidation:

Please note precinct location changes for this May 4, 2021 election.

Precinct 2 (City Hall): Voters from Precinct 1 (Ganiard) and Precinct 2 will vote at City Hall.
Precinct 3 (Pullen): Voters from Precinct 4 (High School) and Precinct 3 will vote at Pullen.
Precinct 6 (Vowles): Voters from Precinct 5 (Kinney) and Precinct 6 and Precinct 7 (Fancher) will vote at Vowles.

Permanent Absentee Voters:

Permanent absentee voters will be mailed an application for a ballot. If you wish to vote in this election you must return the application by 5 p.m. on April 30, 2021. A ballot will then be mailed to you. Ballots can be mailed to the City Clerk’s office (320 W. Broadway Street) or placed in the ballot drop box located in the City Hall parking lot.

Absentee Voting:

Due to COVID-19, absentee voting is encouraged. For those not on the Permanent Absentee Voter list, you can submit a request for an absentee ballot to the City Clerk’s office by mail, or email (clerk@mt-pleasant.org). This must be completed by 5 p.m. on April 30, 2021. It is recommended individuals who choose to mail their application do so at least 15 days prior to Election Day.

Absentee voting at the Clerk’s Office is available on Saturday, May 1, 2021 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. or Monday, May 3, 2021 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Voter Registration:

If you are currently not registered to vote, you can register online at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/ or mail in the registration voter application found online. This must be completed by April 19, 2021.

After April 19, 2021 voter registration will be available at the City Clerk’s office. Please bring a proof of residency and a photo ID. This can be done until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 4, 2021.

Topics to Watch at the Virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – February 22, 2021

Here are the topics to watch at the next virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, February 22, 2021 at 7 p.m.

Consider additional drain easement to the Isabella County Drain Commissioner for Mission Creek.

Receive an ordinance to amend sections 52.12 and 52.29 of City Code regarding cross connections and set a public hearing for March 8, 2021.

Receive an ordinance to amend sections 154.203.F and 154.410.B and Table 154.410.A of the Mt. Pleasant Zoning Ordinances to permit residential/dwelling uses under certain circumstances and set a public hearing for March 22, 2021 on the same.

Consider confirmation of appointment of City Clerk.

To view the entire meeting packet visit:

http://www.mt-pleasant.org/docs/board/city.commission/agendas/2021/2.22.21.pdf

How to follow public meetings during 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 Public Act 254 of 2020, allowing public bodies to meet remotely. City Commission Chambers will be closed to the public.

Citizens can watch the City Commission meeting live on Spectrum Charter Channel 188, web streamed at https://www.youtube.com/user/MtPleasantMi/ or via Zoom.

Zoom Meeting instructions via computer, phone, or dial-in number are as follows:

Zoom Meeting information

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88477622233?pwd=VkZLVW9ObXVDYmU3a1hZWjZBOTdmQT09

Passcode: 027237

Phone dial-in: (312) 626-6799

Audio and video will be muted for members of the public and then unmuted by the host during public comment periods.

For participants accessing via computer or smartphone please use the “Raise Your Hand” icon to indicate you would like to speak. First, click on the “Participants” icon at the bottom of your screen. Next, click on the “Raise Your Hand” icon near the bottom right corner of the screen.
To raise your hand for telephone dial-in participants, press *9.
Members of the public may be muted or removed if using abusive language or if they become disruptive to the meeting. Any citizen desiring to make a public comment on an agenda item may email their comments.

Attendance to the meeting and participation during public comment periods will be conducted as follows:

• Members of the public must provide their name and address with their comments.

• Comments/Questions may be sent ahead of the meeting in writing or emailed to comment@mtpleasant.org.

• Individual commissioners can be contacted at the following email addresses:

Mary Alsager malsager@mt-pleasant.org

Olivia Cyman ocyman@mt-pleasant.org

Lori Gillis lgillis@mt-pleasant.org

William Joseph wjoseph@mt-pleasant.org

Amy Perschbacher aperschbacher@mt-pleasant.org

George Ronan gronan@mt-pleasant.org

Pete Tolas ptolas@mt-pleasant.org

• Comments/Questions can be emailed to comment@mt-pleasant.org during the meeting and during normal public comment sections of the agenda.

• Comments sent via email will be read aloud to the Commission during the public comment periods.

Persons with disabilities needing assistance to participate may call the Human Resources office at (989) 779-5314. Persons requiring speech or hearing assistance may contact the City through the Michigan Relay Center at 711. A 48-hour advance notice is necessary for accommodation.

Suspect in Custody Following Felonious Assault

On February 18, 2021 at approximately 2:30 a.m., officers from the Mt. Pleasant Police Department (MPPD) responded to an assault call at a house located on Mt. Pleasant’s west side.

Upon arrival, officers located a 31-year-old male with a stab wound. The victim was transported to McLaren Central Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries and released. The suspect, a 33-year-old male, was swiftly apprehended by the MPPD and lodged in the Isabella County Jail. This was an isolated and targeted incident and there is no risk to the public.

Anyone with 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. This is an ongoing and open investigation. Updates will be provided as information becomes available.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department was assisted by the Michigan State Police, Isabella County Sheriff’s Department, Central Michigan University Police, Mobile Medical Response, Mt. Pleasant Fire Department and Central Dispatch.

Summary of Minutes of the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – February 8, 2021

Summary of Minutes of the electronically conducted regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, February 8, 2021, at 7:00 p.m.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

1) Minutes of the electronically conducted regular meeting of the City Commission held January 25, 2021.

2) Warrants and Payrolls.

3) Approved the bid of Central Asphalt of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan for 2021 Street Overlay Project.

4) Approved a budget amendment from the Capital Improvement Fund to the General Fund Parks Department for the Island Park tennis/pickleball courts conversion, outdoor fitness equipment and Millpond Park parking lot repair.

5) Approved budget amendment from the Economic Initiatives Fund to the TIFA-CBD to be used for marketing and promotion planned as outlined by the TIFA Board.

6) Failed resolution to censure Vice Mayor Perschbacher.

7) Approved the resolution adopting approval of poverty exemption extensions as presented.

8) Set a special meeting for Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. for parliamentary procedure training.

Work session discussion on possible Charter amendments proposed in 2020.

Adjourned the meeting at 9:40 p.m.

Topics to Watch at the VIRTUAL Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – February 8, 2021

Here are the topics to watch at the next virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, February 8, 2021 at 7 p.m.

Consider allocation of funds for 2021 Parks Projects.
Receipt of 2020 Tax Increment Finance Authority (TIFA) marketing incentives report and consider request for 2021 funding.
Receipt of information from City Attorney regarding scope of legal authority regarding recent social media post and consider next steps.