City Manager Interviews Scheduled for August 21

The City of Mt. Pleasant will be conducting public interviews for the City Manager position on Saturday, August 21, 2021 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the Commission Chambers at City Hall (320 W. Broadway Street). These interviews will not be live streamed, but recorded and available for viewing on the City’s YouTube channel.

COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed. Therefore, seating will be limited due to social distancing, and face masks must be worn per guidance from federal, state and local health departments.

The following candidates will be interviewed:

Justin Lakamper, Chief Administrative Officer, Village of Edmore, Michigan
John Hanifan, City Manager, City of Chelsea, Michigan
Susan Montenegro, City Manager, City of Leslie, Michigan
Aaron Desentz, City Manager, Eaton Rapids, Michigan

As a result of current City Manager Nancy Ridley’s scheduled retirement in October, the City Commission hired Walsh Municipal Services to conduct the City Manager recruitment process. Out of 63 applications received, 10 candidates were presented to the City Commission for review. The City Commission selected four candidates to interview.

The City Commission will determine which candidate will move forward in the hiring process at their regularly scheduled virtual commission meeting, slated for 7 p.m. on Monday, August 23, 2021. As with all virtual City Commission meetings, citizens can watch this meeting live on Spectrum Charter Channel 188, web streamed at https://www.youtube.com/user/MtPleasantMi/ or via Zoom.

Current City Manager Nancy Ridley, announced her plans to retire in April 2021. She has been employed with the City for 24 years.

Summary of Minutes of the Virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – 8/9/2021

Summary of Minutes of the electronically conducted regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, August 9, 2021, at 7:00 p.m.

Item #18: “Consider action to be taken regarding Charter Amendment Ballot Language to Change the Term of Office for Commission Members.” was added to the agenda without objection.

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 August 26, 2021.

2) Bid of R&T Murphy of Mt. Pleasant, MI for 2021-2022 leaf hauling and 2021-2023 snow hauling.

3) Bid of Topcon Solutions Store of Niles, MI for the purchase of the robotic total station and approve a budget amendment.

4) Approved contract with Fishbeck of Grand Rapids, MI for design and construction engineering for WRRF upgrades and the appropriate budget amendment.

5) Received proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 97: Parks and Recreation and set a public hearing for Monday, August 23, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. on same.

6) Approved Resolutions #1 and #2 to commence proceedings for pedestrian lighting Special Assessment 1-2021, and set public hearing for August 23, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.

7) Approved Resolutions #1 and #2 to commence proceedings for PSD Special Assessment 2-2021, and set public hearing for August 23, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.

8) Warrants and Payrolls.

Held Public Hearings and passed, ordained and ordered published:

a) Ordinance 1070, to amend Section 154.410.B.4 of the Mt. Pleasant Zoning Ordinances to update special use permit conditions and requirements for two-family dwellings;

b) Ordinance 1071, to amend Section 154.410.B.4 of the Mt. Pleasant Zoning Ordinances to update special use permit conditions and requirements for accessory dwelling units;

c) Ordinance 1072, to amend section 154.410.B and table 154.410.A of the Mt. Pleasant Zoning Ordinances to permit multiple-family dwellings as a special use in the CD-3-character district.

Approved prepayment of the full special assessment amount for the Mission Creek Drain.

Assessment and the appropriate 2021 budget amendments as recommended.

Approved the resolution as drafted in support of final approval of Traffic Control Order 7-2021.

Approved the appropriate budget amendment to accept the donation of the Morey Foundation and award the prizes to Battle of the Local Voices winners.

Approved and conducted closed session pursuant to subsection 8(f) of the Open Meetings Act to review and consider the contents of an application for employment or appointment to public office if the candidate requests their application remain confidential.

Approved the Resolution to Rescind July 12, 2021 Resolution to Approve Charter Amendment Ballot Language to Change the Term of Office for Commission Members. (CC Exh 11-2021)

Approved City Manager Candidates #40, #49, #55, and #56 to be offered public interviews, to be conducted on August 21, 2021.

Adjourned the meeting at 9:30 p.m.

Face masks to be worn in City of Mt. Pleasant facilities beginning 8/11/2021

Due to Isabella County’s COVID-19 transmission rate, beginning August 11, 2021, all employees and visitors regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status, must wear a face mask when inside a City building. The City is following guidance from the CDC, MDHHS and the local health department.

There will be no change to the level of City services.

Public Meetings

The City of Mt. Pleasant will host its public meetings virtually as permitted by Public Act 254 of 2020. Citizens can watch these meetings live on Spectrum Charter Channel 188, web streamed at https://www.youtube.com/user/MtPleasantMi/ or via Zoom. Any citizen desiring to make a public comment can email their agenda item comments to comment@mt-pleasant.org or attend the virtual Zoom meeting.

Utility and Tax Payments and Building/DPW 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 and DPW Permit requests can be electronically submitted by visiting www.mt-pleasant.org. In-person inspections will follow recommendations of federal, state and local health officials. If needed, virtual inspections can be conducted through Skype or Zoom.

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 this link for more information.https://mmdc.org/our-blog/coronavirus-covid-19-resources-for-your-business/

COVID-19 Health Resources

The City will continue to 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.

COVID-19 Vaccination Information

To stay updated on the most recent COVID-19 vaccine and booster information, visit the Central Michigan District Health Department’s website at www.cmdhd.org.

Information Updates

Information will continue to 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.

Topics to Watch at the Virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – August 9, 2021

Here are the topics to watch at the next virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, August 9, 2021 at 7 p.m.

Public hearing on an ordinance to amend Section 154.410.B.4 of the Mt. Pleasant Zoning Ordinances to update special use permit conditions and requirements for two-family dwellings and consider approval of the same.

Public hearing on an ordinance to amend Section 154.410.B.4 of the Mt. Pleasant Zoning Ordinances to update special use permit conditions and requirements for accessory dwelling units and consider approval of the same.

Public hearing on an ordinance to amend section 154.410.B and table 154.410.A of the Mt. Pleasant Zoning Ordinances to permit multiple-family dwellings as a special use in the CD-3-character district and consider approval of the same.

Consider resolutions #1 and #2 to commence the proceedings for special assessment, tentatively determine the necessity, and set a public hearing for August 23, 2021, regarding the necessity of Special Assessment District #1-21 for pedestrian lighting.

Consider resolutions #1 and #2 to commence the proceedings for special assessment, tentatively determine the necessity, and set a public hearing for August 23, 2021, regarding the necessity of Special Assessment District #2-21 for Principal Shopping District special assessment.

To view the entire meeting packet visit:

http://www.mt-pleasant.org/docs/board/city.commission/agendas/2021/8-9-21_Packet_Revised.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:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88092167180?pwd=ZS9CN1BGMFpoQU5YMHBJZEVrOHNIQT09

Passcode: 816143

Phone dial-in: (301) 715-8592

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

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@mt-pleasant.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.