Broadway Central to Feature Festive Atmosphere

In response to the Coronavirus pandemic, changes in current business operations, and positive feedback from business owners and residents, Broadway Street between Main and University Streets will once again be closed for restaurant and merchant use. This closure will take place from May 1 – October 17, 2021.

This year, “Broadway Central” will feature additional picnic tables and umbrellas and visitors will be able to utilize the space in a variety of ways. To assist in easy, social-distancing ordering and food delivery, QR codes will link to downtown restaurant menus.

The Saturday Farmers’ Market as well as Art Reach’s Paint the Intersection are just a few of the activities planned to take place in this new, festive space.

More information and offerings will be shared in the near future. If you have questions, please contact Michelle Sponseller, Downtown Development Director at msponseller@mt-pleasant.org or (989) 779-5348.

Summary of Minutes of the Virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – April 26, 2021

Summary of Minutes of the electronically conducted regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, April 26, 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 April 12, 2021.

2) Bid of Pro Surfaces of Harrison, MI for the Island Park Pickle Ball Courts project.

3) Bid of Smart Homes/Offices, Inc. of Mason, MI for the Commission Chamber Audio/Visual Replacement project.

4) Authorized the Mayor to sign a contract extension with Brown and Brown for all broker services to December 31, 2023.

5) Resolution in support of final approval of Traffic Control Order #1-2021.

6) Resolution authorizing the City Manager to digitally sign the contract with MDOT for funding for airport crack sealing.

7) Received proposed Ordinance to amend Chapter 97: PARKS AND RECREATION and set a public hearing for May 10, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. on same.

8) Warrants and Payrolls.

Received Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act (OPRA) Policy and approved same as presented. (CC Exh. 4-2021)

Received the request to create an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act (OPRA) District to include the Central Business District TIFA boundaries and set a public hearing for May 24, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. on same.

Set an additional public hearing on proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 154: ZONING ORDINANCES of the Mt. Pleasant City Code of Ordinances, to rezone 1024 & 1026 S. University from CD-3 (Sub-Urban) to CD-4 (General Urban).

Confirmed support of the recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Commission to decommission the Horizon Park softball field to allow for future additional uses.

Approved the Resolution Extending Conditional Authorization for Class C Medical Marihuana Grower License for Stash Ventures at 210 W. Pickard as presented.

Referred the proposed request for contributing funds for lighting at Hannah’s Bark Park to the Parks and Recreation Commission for review and recommendation.

Conducted work sessions on

1) Potential 2021 millage adjustment.

2) Presentation on the 2022-2027 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

3) Discussion on 2022-20227 Capital Improvement Plan.

Adjourned the meeting at 9:44 p.m.

Topics to Watch at the VIRTUAL Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – April 26, 2021

Here are the topics to watch at the next virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, April 26, 2021 at 7 p.m.

Receive request to create an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act (OPRA) District to include the Central Business District TIFA boundaries and set a public hearing for May 24, 2021 on the same.
Set an additional public hearing for May 24, 2021 on rezoning request from CD-3 (Sub-Urban) to CD-4 (General Urban) for 1024 & 1026 S. University due to insufficient public notice for the prior public hearing.
Consider approval of recommended re-use of Horizon Park ball field.
Consider resolution extending conditional approval of a Class C medical marihuana grow operation for Stash Ventures at 210 W. Pickard.
Receive an ordinance to amend Chapter 97: Parks and Recreation and set a public hearing for May 10, 2021 on the same.

To view the entire meeting packet visit:

http://www.mt-pleasant.org/docs/board/city.commission/agendas/2021/4-26-21.pdf

How to follow public meetings during social distancing:

In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, as allowed under the Open Meetings Act and consistent with the Isabella County Declaration of a State of Emergency (Resolution No. 20-12-03 effective 12-15-20), the City Commission Meeting will be held virtually. The public may view the meeting live on the City’s YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/MtPleasantMi/, on Spectrum Charter channel 188 or via Zoom.

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

Zoom Meeting information

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87890827954?pwd=aHEzUXBxaGdheGFYS09WSGZvYUIvZz09

Passcode: 529697

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.

City to offer no fee brush chipping

The City of Mt. Pleasant is offering 150 households, within the City limits, up to 30 minutes of no fee brush chipping during the week of May 10, 2021. Brush chipping will be completed at curbside only, no alleys. Reservations will be accepted beginning April 26 at 8:00 a.m. until April 30 at 4:30 p.m. First-come, first-serve.

To make a reservation or to learn more, contact the Division of Public Works at (989) 779-5401 or email publicworks@mt-pleasant.org.

City of Mt. Pleasant offering home exterior improvement funding for second year

The City of Mt. Pleasant currently has $90,000 available for home exterior improvement projects. $60,000 is available to owner-occupied homes located in the city’s West Side Neighborhood which is bordered by the Chippewa River, Pickard Street, High Street/M-20 and the western city limits. The remaining $30,000 is available to all other neighborhoods located within the city limits.

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) recently awarded the City of Mt. Pleasant a grant totaling $30,000 to specifically assist homeowners in the city’s West Side Neighborhood. MSHDA provides financial and technical assistance through public and private partnerships to create and preserve safe and decent affordable housing, engage in community economic development activities, develop vibrant cities, towns and villages, and address homeless issues. The remaining $60,000 of funding is being provided by the City of Mt. Pleasant.

Selection criteria includes:

Single-family owner-occupied homes whose taxes are up to date.
Exterior projects only.
Household income at or below 120% median income.
No outstanding code violations.
No prior tax foreclosure on property within the city limits.
Properties who were awarded funds in 2020 are not eligible.
Minimum funding for a project is $1,000.
Maximum funding with no monetary contribution by owner is $7,499.
Maximum funding of $10,000 with 25% of monetary contribution by owner above $7500.

Deadline to apply is May 19, 2021. Grant funding applications can be found at www.mt-pleasant.org/neighborhoods

Summary of Minutes of the Virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – April 12, 2021

Summary of Minutes of the electronically conducted regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, April 12, 2021, at 7:00 p.m.

Introduced recently hired City employees Christina Parrish, Reice Hart and Heather Bouck to the Commission.

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 March 22, 2021.

2) Bid of Spartan Distributors of Sparta, MI for the purchase of a Toro Groundsmaster mower and attachments.

3) Bid of ATI Group of Flushing, MI for the City Hall HVAC ductwork and both City Hall and DPS HVAC control systems and appropriate budget amendments.

4) Purchase of a plow truck cab and chassis through the MIDeal extended purchasing program.

5) Bid of Denali Construction of Mt. Pleasant, MI for the Mill Pond Park Fishing Deck Replacements.

6) Resolution to amend the water meter installation kit fee.

7) Received the 2022-2027 proposed Capital Improvement Plan and set a public hearing for May 24, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. on same.

8) Authorized the City Manager to sign the sub-recipient agreement with Northern Initiatives and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation allowing the use of loan funds through June 30, 2024.

9) Resolution Extending Conditional Authorization for Recreational Marihuana Class C Grower License for Absolute Royale, Inc. at 801 Industrial Dr.

10) Authorized the Mayor and Clerk to sign the license agreements with CMU for two additional wayfinding signs placed in the right-of-way.

11) Authorized the Mayor and Clerk to sign the release of easement for land at Industrial Park North as presented.

12) Authorized the City Manager to sign MDOT contract #2021-0560 for reimbursement for the easement purchases and the related engineering work for the slope clearing project.

13) Allocation of funds from the WRRF to complete the carryover projects in 2021.

14) Warrants and Payrolls.

Held a Public Hearing and passed, ordained and ordered published Ordinance 1066, an Ordinance to amend Chapter 154: ZONING ORDINANCES of the Mt. Pleasant City Code of Ordinances, to rezone 1024 & 1026 S. University from CD3 (Sub-Urban) To CD-4 (General Urban).

Held a Public Hearing and passed, ordained and ordered published Ordinance 1067, an Ordinance to amend Chapter 154: ZONING ORDINANCES, Table 154.410.A of the Mt. Pleasant City Code of Ordinances, to permit music, art and dance studios in the SD-1 District.

Authorized a contract with Green Tech Systems LLC for the 2021 Parking Lots #6 and #8 Reconstruction Project, and appropriate budget amendments.

Authorized a contract extension with MSG of Lansing, MI for environmental consulting services at the former landfill and the appropriate budget amendments.

Approved the Resolution as drafted in support of final approval for traffic control order #2-2020.

Approved a budget amendment from the Economic Initiatives Fund for Broadway Street closure appearance and activity improvements as presented.

Authorized staff to contact property owners with projects greater than $7,500 with an offer of not filing the lien if a 25% owner contribution is paid on the project portion over $7,500 within one month of the contract.

Approved adding a program parameter for the current Neighborhood Enhancement Program which would indicate that properties funded in the first-round of grant awards would not be eligible to apply in the second round.

Approved appointments to various boards and commissions as recommended by the Appointments Committee.

Conducted Work Session discussion on

Water Resource Recovery Facility bonding next steps; and 2) OPRA District and Policy.

Adjourned the meeting at 10:06 p.m.

Topics to Watch at the Virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – April 12, 2021

Here are the topics to watch at the next virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, April 12, 2021 at 7 p.m.

Public hearing on recommended rezoning request from CD-3 (Sub-Urban) to CD-4 (General Urban) for 1024 & 1026 S. University and consider approval of ordinance on the same.

Public hearing on recommended text change to Table 154.410.A to permit music, art and dance studios in the SD-I District and consider approval of ordinance on the same.

Receive proposed 2022-2027 Capital Improvement Plan and set a public hearing for May 24, 2021 on the same.

Consider contract amendment with environmental firm for additional landfill evaluation services.

Receive information on Neighborhood Enhancement Grant Liens and consider update to program parameters.