2021

Summary of Minutes of the electronically conducted regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, September 27, 2021, at 7:00 p.m.

Mayor Joseph read a proclamation recognizing October 10, 2021 as Bowlers Hall of Fame Day.

Public Safety Director Paul Lauria introduced and swore in Mt. Pleasant Police Officer Brandon Crawford.

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 September 13, 2021 with corrections to recess of closed session and comment of Commissioner Tolas.

2) Minutes of the closed session of the City Commission held September 13, 2021.

3) Bid of Greenscene Landscaping of Mt. Pleasant, MI for Downtown Sidewalk Snow Removal 2021-2022 snow season.

4) Authorized the Mayor and Clerk to sign the contract with Consumers Energy for the Water Treatment Plant rate change as presented.

5) Accepted ownership of three properties designated on the quit claim deed from the Economic Development Corporation as presented.

6) Authorized the Mayor to sign the three-year contract extension for third party administration (TPA) with Trustmark.

7) Approved Resolution Extending Conditional Approval of a recreational marihuana microbusiness for Rio’s Happy Tree, LLC.

8) Warrants and Payrolls.

Held a public hearing and approved the Industrial Pretreatment Program (PPI) including Ordinance 1074, an Ordinance to amend Chapter 51: SEWERS of the Mt. Pleasant Code of Ordinances.

Approved Resolution to set fees related to the Industrial Pretreatment Program (PPI).

Approved amended Capital Project Special Assessment Policy.

Approved resolutions #3 and #4 for Special Assessment District #1-21 regarding pedestrian lighting and set a public hearing for October 11, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. on same.

Commissioners each identified their top 5 priorities for Fall 2021 Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe 2% funding requests from City Departments.

Authorized the Mayor and Clerk to sign the purchase agreement with Pat Jarman for land in Industrial Park South.

Held a work session discussion on report from Ad Hoc Committee regarding local businesses.

Adjourned the meeting at 9:03 p.m.

Lieutenant Sytsema Retires After 26 Years; Sergeant Bliss Promoted

Lieutenant Don Sytsema will be retiring on October 8, after more than 26 years of service to the Mt. Pleasant Police Department (MPPD). Don began his career as an Officer, advanced to Detective in 2012, and was promoted to Lieutenant in 2017.

During his tenure, Don served as the Youth Services Unit officer, field training officer, evidence technician and forensic interviewer where he would interview children who were victims of physical abuse and sexual assault. Don also supervised the field training unit, road patrol, detective bureau and public information function.

Reflecting on his career with the MPPD, Don observed, “My fondest memory is not an isolated incident, time or place. Rather, it is more than 26 years of working together as a team and accomplishing a shared vision, goal and mission. That is what resonates with me most.”

Sergeant Brandon Bliss has been promoted to Lieutenant and will assume his new duties upon Don Sytsema’s retirement in early October.

Brandon possesses more than 16 years of law enforcement experience, with 13 of these years with the MPPD. During his time with the MPPD, Brandon has served as Youth Services Unit Officer, team leader for the Emergency Services Team, lead Sergeant for the Field Training Program and held union leadership roles with the Police Officers Association of Michigan and the Command Officers Association of Michigan.

Brandon obtained a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Saginaw Valley State University and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Central Michigan University. Throughout his career he has also completed Michigan State University’s First Line Supervision Program as well as attending various other supervisory and leadership schools.

Topics to Watch at the VIRTUAL Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – September 27, 2021

Here are the topics to watch at the next virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, September 27, 2021 at 7 p.m.

Public hearing on Industrial Pretreatment Program (IPP) and sewer ordinance amendments and consider approval of the same.
- Consider resolution to set fees related to the Industrial Pretreatment Program.

Consider amended Capital Infrastructure Special Assessment Policy.

Consider resolution #3 to proceed with improvements; consider resolution #4 to accept the special assessment roll and set a public hearing for October 11, 2021 regarding said roll for Special Assessment District #1-21 regarding pedestrian lighting.

Consider sale of property in Industrial Park South.

Consider acceptance of ownership of properties from Economic Development Corporation.

To view the entire meeting packet visit:

http://www.mt-pleasant.org/docs/board/city.commission/agendas/2021/9-27-21_Packet.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/81099467992?pwd=MHZTUWhMc0txSzBzZE9nQllTZGNBdz09

Meeting ID: 810 9946 7992

Passcode: 647840

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@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.

2021 Fall Leaf Collection Information (Updated 11/24/21)

UPDATED 11/24/2021 8:20 A.M.:

Due to the high volume of leaves which were out for collection the week of November 22, 2021, the final leaf collection for High and Pickard Streets ONLY will be on Monday, November 29, 2021.

High Street collection: Between Washington and Mission Street and Mission to Isabella (homes within the city limits only.)

Pickard Street collection: Between Ashland and Mission Street and Mission to Russell Street.

ORIGINAL POST:

As the temperatures cool, and the trees start to show their vibrant colors, residents and landscaping companies are reminded to not rake leaves into the streets until the week of October 25. City staff will make one sweep through the entire City during pick up weeks. Therefore, leaves should be raked into low piles before Monday of pick up weeks and not cover catch basins.

On High and Pickard Streets, where high traffic volume prohibits leaves in the gutter; residents and landscaping companies should rake the leaves onto the rights-of-way, between the curb and sidewalk. Those who live on streets other than High and Pickard must place their leaves in the street. If you live on a boulevard, do not place leaves in the median, place them in front of your home.

Yard waste bags should not be used; this collection is for leaves only. Leaf piles must not contain garden or shrubbery clippings, dead grass, branches, trim board or other material.

Residents who wish to rake their yards ahead of the City’s collection schedule may bag and dispose of the leaves for a fee at the Material Recovery Facility, located at 4208 E. River Rd., Mt. Pleasant. Leaves may also be mulched with a mulching lawnmower.

The City’s 2021 leaf collection schedule is as follows:

Week of October 25: Staff will collect leaves in a City-wide sweep.
Week of November 8: Staff will collect leaves in a City-wide sweep.
November 22: Final collection of leaves in a City-wide sweep. Any leaves left in the street after the crews have made their final pass will not be collected and are the responsibility of the homeowner.

Questions may be directed to the Division of Public Works, 989-779-5401.

Downtown Parking Lot Closures

Several downtown parking lots will be closed at 6 a.m. on Sunday, September 19, 2021 for restriping. At this time, the lots are scheduled to be open on Monday, September 20, 2021.

Please make sure your vehicle is removed before 6 a.m. on September 19.

Parking lots being restriped:

PARKING LOT #1

Located at the NW corner of Michigan and Franklin, behind the Broadway Theatre, Stan’s and Grays Furniture and Boutique.

PARKING LOT #2 (AKA JOCKEY ALLEY)

Located on Mosher, between Main and Court.

PARKING LOT #3 (AKA TOWN CENTER)

Located at the NW corner of Main and Broadway.

PARKING LOT #4

Located on Washington between Michigan and Broadway.

PARKING LOT #5

Located at the SE corner of Michigan and Washington, behind the old Ward Theatre.

PARKING LOT #9

Located on Mosher, between Court and Franklin.

PARKING LOT #10

Located at the NW corner of Broadway and Mosher.

PARKING LOT #11

Located on Franklin, between Broadway and Mosher.

PARKING LOT #12

Located at the SW corner of Oak and Broadway.

Summary of Minutes of the Virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – 9/13/2021

Summary of Minutes of the electronically conducted regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, September 13, 2021, at 7:00 p.m.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

1) Minutes of the special meeting of the City Commission held August 21, 2021.

2) Minutes of the electronically conducted regular meeting of the City Commission held August 23, 2021.

3) Minutes of the closed session of the City Commission held August 23, 2021.

4) Minutes of the special meeting of the City Commission held August 26, 2021.

5) Bid of Pat McGuirk Excavating, Inc. for 2021-2024 Airport Snow Removal.

6) Bid of Escon Group for the purchase of two motor control center replacements and the appropriate budget amendment.

7) Contract amendment with JCI Jones Chemicals for sodium hypochlorite purchases.

8) Authorized the Mayor to sign the amendment to the parking enforcement agreement with CMU as presented.

9) Confirmed contract amendment with Isabella Corporation for storm sewer construction and the appropriate budget amendment.

10) Received proposed 2022 Annual Operating Budget and set a public hearing for November 8, 2021.

11) Resolution to amend the 2021 Operating Budget.

12) Received fall 2021 Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribal 2% funding requests from city departments.

13) Warrants and Payrolls.

Held a public hearing and approved the resolution for a Redevelopment Liquor License for TNC Holdings, LLC at 203/205 W. Broadway St.

Held a public hearing and postponed action on PSD S.A. District #2-21 until the October 25th regular meeting to permit UUFCM time to reach a parking agreement with the library.

Held a public hearing and approved the resolution to rescind the recommendation for revocation of the Dayco Industrial Facilities Tax (IFT) abatement; and approved the resolution in support of transferring the Dayco Industrial Facilities Tax (IFT) abatement to MAC Liquid Truck Trailer (MAC LTT).

Authorized the Mayor and Clerk to sign a three-year agreement with Infosend, Inc. of Downers Grove, IL, for bill data processing, printing and mailing services.

Approved the employment agreement for City Manager position with Aaron Desentz.

Approved the amended Outdoor Dining Policy.

Approved Resolution Temporarily Permitting the Approval of Permanent Outdoor Dining Areas under Administrative Review. (CC Exh 12-2021)

Approved the scheduling of a work session discussion on the possibility of an outdoor ice rink at Island Park in the immediate future.

Approved and conducted closed session pursuant to subsection 8(h) of the Open Meetings Act to consider material exempt from discussion or disclosure by state or federal statute.

Approved and conducted closed session pursuant to subsection 8(e) of the Open Meetings Act to consider material exempt from discussion or disclosure relating to 3 Is Enough v. City Clerk, COA Case No. 358405; Isabella Circuit Court Case No. 21-017193-AW.

Postponed the work session discussion on report from Ad Hoc Committee regarding local businesses to a future work session.

Adjourned meeting at 10:02 p.m.

Update (9/13/2021) – Two Injured in Shooting

On September 12, 2021 at approximately 2:22 a.m. officers from the Mt. Pleasant Police Department responded to multiple shots fired in the area of Kinney and High Streets. The individuals injured in this incident have been identified as Fred McNelly, a 20-year-old-male and Kobe Holliday, a19-year-old-male both from Warren, Michigan.

No arrests have been made at this time. This is an active and on-going investigation.

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.

Updates will be provided when available.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department was assisted by Central Dispatch, Isabella County Sheriff’s Department, Central Michigan University Police, Michigan State Police and Clare County Sheriff’s Department.

Two Injured in Shooting

On September 12, 2021 at approximately 2:22 a.m. officers from the Mt. Pleasant Police Department responded to multiple shots fired in the area of Kinney and High Streets. Two males in their 20’s are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries at a local hospital.