City to Offer Hybrid Meeting Option

Starting January 2022, the City of Mt. Pleasant will be offering a combination of in-person and virtual attendance (hybrid meeting option) for its City Commission, Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals meetings. This is an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Meetings will take place in the City Chambers/City Hall (320 W. Broadway Street). The virtual attendance options for non-voting participants include viewing on the City’s YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/MtPleasantMi/, on Spectrum Charter channel 188, or via Zoom.

If a virtual option becomes unavailable due to technical difficulties, the meeting will continue as scheduled. Residents who would like to provide a comment during the appropriate time are welcome to come to the meeting at City Hall, or email their statement to comments@mt-pleasant.org.

Meeting agendas, packet materials, and step-by-step instructions on how to virtually attend a meeting are available under City Updates on the City’s website at www.mt-pleasant.org.

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.

Sidewalk Snow Plowing Reminders

Sidewalk snowplowing by City staff does not start until the City streets, alleys and parking lots have been cleared. City staff snowplows 25 miles of residential sidewalk, no salt is used.

For a map on which sidewalks are plowed visit: https://bit.ly/3JwVpAu. For those residential sidewalks not currently being plowed by City staff, please keep the safety of your family and neighbors in mind and remove the snow from your sidewalk and mailbox approach as soon as practical after inclement weather.

For Commercial and Industrial Property Owners: City ordinance requires commercial and industrial property owners to clear sidewalks within 18 hours after sleet, freezing rain or snow stops falling, with the exception of Sundays and holidays (Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day). In this case, snow must be cleared by noon the day following the Sunday or holiday. If the snow or ice is too hard to remove, the owner must spread enough sand or other abrasive material to make travel safe and as soon as weather permits, and must clear a path of at least 48 inches in width.

City of Mt. Pleasant Christmas Tree Collection

City of Mt. Pleasant Street Department staff will be picking up discarded Christmas trees from January 3-14, 2022. This curbside collection can be utilized by attaching two refuse tags to the tree for a total cost of $6.30. Individual tags are available at GreenTree Grocery. Multiple tags can be purchased at Meijer, Ric’s, and City Hall.

Trees are to be placed at the curb, even in areas where normal trash collection is in the alley. If you know you will be using this service, please call (989) 779-5401 or email publicworks@mt-pleasant.org with the date the tree will be curbside. All tinsel and plastic bags must be removed, and the trunk ends of the trees face the street. Evergreen wreaths will not be collected. After January 14 trees may be taken to the Materials Recovery Facility or disposed of through the City’s brush chipping program.

Mt. Pleasant Police Department Retirements and Promotions

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department is pleased to announce the latest retirement and promotion news.

Sergeant Shawn Paull will be retiring on December 28, after more than 27 years of service to the Mt. Pleasant Police Department (MPPD). Shawn began his career as an Officer in 1994, and was promoted to Sergeant in 1999. During his time with the MPPD, Shawn was a member of the Emergency Services Team, a leader of the Honor Guard, oversaw all maintenance for the Bike Patrol Unit, and was in the Youth Services Unit.

Shawn shared he will miss the comradery with his fellow officers, as well as the sense of purpose and personal pride that comes from serving the community.

Officer Justin Nau has been promoted to Sergeant and will assume his new duties on December 26. Justin possesses more than 13 years of law enforcement experience with 9 of those years with the MPPD. During his MPPD tenure, Justin has served as a Defensive Tactics Instructor, Firearms Instructor, Youth Services Unit Officer, Field Training Officer, and was a team leader on the Emergency Services Team.

Officer Joshua Theisen has been named Youth Services Unit Officer. This sole position has many responsibilities which include serving as the liaison between the Mt. Pleasant Public Schools, business community, private organizations, law enforcement agencies, juvenile and adult courts, PEAK and Central Michigan University. In addition, this position takes a proactive approach to reducing and preventing crime by being involved with the community’s youth at a young age, and serving as a role model and providing guidance and support when needed. When school is not in session, the YSU Officer manages summer programs, such as the Youth Police Academy, and is on bike patrol.

Joshua joined the MPPD in 2015 and has worked road patrol. He is also a Motor Officer and is a member of the Emergency Services Team.

Summary of Minutes of the Virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – 12/13/2021

Summary of Minutes of the electronically conducted regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, December 13, 2021, at 7:02 p.m.

Approved the December 13, 2021 City Commission Agenda.

Introduced Kevin Thrusher as the City’s newest paid on-call firefighter.

Received petitions and communications.

Item #21 “Consider motion to cancel City Commission meeting scheduled for December 20, 2021.” was removed from the Consent Calendar.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

1) Minutes of the electronically conducted regular meeting of the City Commission held November 22, 2021.

2) Bids for 2022 Water Treatment Plant treatment (bulk) chemicals.

3) Resolution for 2021 Final Amended Budget.

4) Resolution to waive the penalty and fees associated with Property Transfer Affidavits (PTA).

5) Resolution extending conditional approval of a Recreational Marihuana Class C Operation for Absolute Royale, Inc.

6) Set first meeting of 2022 for Monday, January 10, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.

7) Authorized Finance Director Mary Ann Kornexl to approve the issuance of payrolls and warrants from December 13, 2021 through January 9, 2022.

8) Warrants and Payrolls.

Approved the resolution to purchase, acquire and construct improvements and to publish notice of intent to issue municipal securities.

Approved the continuation of the purchase-buyback program with Krapohl Ford for (17) 2022 model pickup trucks and one Ford Expedition.

Waived the fees to Nottawa Township for 113 fixed REU’s starting January 1, 2022 and extend that deadline to June 1, 2022.

Confirmed the purchase of water meters from Ferguson Waterworks.

Appointments were made to various City Boards and Commissions as recommended by the Appointments Committee and correction to LOCC appointment.

Approved the appointment of Brian Assmann to fill the City Commission vacancy.

Cancelled the December 20, 2021 regularly scheduled City Commission meeting.

Adjourned the meeting at 7:47 p.m.

City Receives Grant and High Achiever Bonus Funds for Home Exterior Improvements

In 2021, the city had $100,000 available for home exterior improvement projects. Of this sum, $60,000 was provided by the city and $30,000 was funded by a Michigan State Housing Development (MSHDA) grant. Due to the city’s previous success with this program, a ‘high achiever’ bonus of $10,000 was also awarded by MSHDA so additional projects could be completed.

Since the program’s inception in 2020, ten household improvement projects have been completed. Six in the city’s west side neighborhood bordered by the Chippewa River, Pickard Street, High Street/M-20 and the western city limits, and four in other areas of the city. An additional 2-3 projects are expected to be added due to the high-achiever bonus. Finished projects include roof repairs, porch and deck replacements, as well as window and door installations.

Topics to Watch at the Virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – December 13, 2021

Here are the topics to watch at the next virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, December 13, 2021 at 7 p.m.

Consider resolution to purchase, acquire and construct capital improvements, and to publish notice of intent to issue municipal securities.

Consider purchase-buyback program with Krapohl Ford for the renewal purchase of 18 vehicles and appropriate budget amendment.

Consider waiver of fees for Nottawa Township and deadline extension.

Consider recommendation from the Appointments Committee for City Commission vacancy.

To view the entire meeting packet visit:

http://www.mt-pleasant.org/docs/board/city.commission/agendas/2021/12-13-21.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:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87440783934?pwd=UXMvbWRhQ1pGTkRwb1BidWxMUEdRZz09

Meeting ID: 874 4078 3934

Passcode: 186203

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

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.

Mt. Pleasant High School Threat Investigated by Mt. Pleasant Police – UPDATED 12/10/2021

On December 9, 2021 at approximately 7:50 a.m. officers from the Mt. Pleasant Police Department (MPPD) responded to a written gun threat found at Mt. Pleasant High School. The school was already in enhanced secure mode when officers arrived. Police conducted a complete security check of the school, and as an extra precaution brought in bomb sniffing dogs. There were no weapons or bombs found during these searches.

While on site, police spoke with the student who initially discovered and reported the threat and found inconsistencies in their statement. That same student later admitted to writing the gun threats on Tuesday, December 7 and Thursday, December 9.

The investigation report was turned over to the Isabella County Prosecutors Office which led to the detention of the 15-year-old student, who is charged with two counts of Intentional Threat to Commit Act of Violence Against the School. One count is a felony, and the other is a misdemeanor.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department was assisted by Central Dispatch and the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police Department.

Mt. Pleasant Christmas Celebration – Downtown Road Closures and Parade Safety Information

In preparation for the Christmas Celebration, the following downtown streets will be closed at various times on December 3 and 4, 2021.

Friday, December 3, 2021

6 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Parking Lot #3 (Town Center): The front two rows on the east side of the lot will be closed. All cars must be removed by 6 a.m. to avoid towing.

3 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Parking Lot #3 (Town Center): The back two rows on the west side of the lot will be closed. All cars must be removed by 3 p.m. to avoid towing.

3 p.m. – 9 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Christmas Tree Lighting and Community Sing

Main Street will be closed from the Broadway and Main Street intersection, north to parking lot #2 (Jockey Alley).

11 p.m. Island Park

In preparation for the Saturday firework display, Island Park will be closed from 11 p.m. on Friday, December 3 through Sunday, December 5 at 12 noon. Please make sure all vehicles are removed.

Saturday, December 4, 2021

6:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. 7:50 a.m. Kids Fun Run, 8:25 a.m. 5 Mile Run, and 8:30 a.m. 5k

Broadway Street will be closed from Court Street to Main Street.

12 p.m. – 8 p.m. 6 p.m. Lighted Parade

Main Street between Illinois and Mosher will be closed.

Broadway Street between Main and Lansing will be closed.

4 p.m. – 8 p.m. 6 p.m. Lighted Parade

Main Street from Cherry to Illinois will be closed.

Cars left on the street on Saturday, December 4 will be subject to towing. Please seek alternate routes during these time frames.

The lighted parade, which begins at 6 p.m. on December 4 starts at the First United Methodist Church, travels north on Main Street, east on Broadway Street, south on Lansing Street, and west on Illinois Street as it returns to the First United Methodist Church. To celebrate and honor frontline/essential workers, Jeniffer Faydenko assistant produce manager at GreenTree Grocery, will serve as the parade Grand Marshal.

PARADE SAFETY NOTE: For the safety of parade-goers and parade participants; please do not venture out into the street during the parade. Stay on the sidewalk during the entire duration of the parade.