Month: September 2022

Summary of Minutes of the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – September 26, 2022

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, September 26, 2022, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Commission Room, 320 W. Broadway St., Mt. Pleasant, Michigan with virtual options.

Approved the Agenda as presented.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

5) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held September 12, 2022.

6) Minutes of closed session of the City Commission held September 12, 2022.

7) Warrants and Payrolls.

Approved the establishment of an Industrial Development District (IDD) and adopted a Resolution to be submitted to the State Department of Treasury for the creation of the district.

Awarded contract for 2023 City Hall Retaining Wall Replacement Engineering Services to Williams and Works of Grand Rapids, MI and approved a budget amendment.

Received Commissioners’ top rankings for Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe two percent allocations.

Received proposed ordinance to add a Chapter 116 to Title XI: Business Regulations of the City of Mt. Pleasant Code of Ordinances entitled “Electric Scooters/Skateboards” and set a public hearing for Monday, October 10, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. on same.

Appointed Bryan Chapman to fill the partial City Commission seat.

Adjourned the meeting at 7:57 p.m.

City Residents to Vote on Changing City Commissioner Term Lengths

On November 8, 2022 in addition to the gubernatorial, senate and house races, voters within the City limits will vote on changing the length of terms for City Commissioners, as well as electing two Commissioners.

The proposed Charter Amendment would:

  • Increase the term of each City Commission office from 3 to 4 years.
  • Require City Commission elections to take place in November on even years, coinciding with presidential and gubernatorial races.
  • Change the staggering of City Commission elections to one group of three and one group of four.

The four candidates running for the two City Commission seats are:

Mary Alsager

Daniel Hess

Mike Kostrzewa

Boomer Wingard

For detailed voter registration and ballot information visit www.mi.gov/vote.

Precinct Consolidation:

Please note precinct locations which went into effect August 2022.

  • Precinct 1: Ganiard Elementary School, 101 S. Adams
  • Precinct 2: Kinney Elementary School, 720 N. Kinney
  • Precinct 3: Pullen Elementary School, 251 S. Brown
  • Precinct 4: Fancher Elementary School, 801 S. Kinney
  • Precinct 5; Vowles Elementary School, 1560 S. Watson

Permanent Absentee Voters:

Permanent absentee voters have been mailed an application for a ballot. If you wish to vote in this election you must return the application by 5 p.m. on Friday, November 4, 2022. 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:

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 Friday, November 4, 2022.

Absentee voting at the Clerk’s Office is available on Saturday, November 5, 2022 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. or Monday, November 7, 2022 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 October 24, 2022.

After October 24, 2022 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 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 8, 2022.

Election Day Information

Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Need a ride to and from the polls? I-Ride is offering free rides. Call (989) 772-9441 to schedule.

Visit http://www.mi.gov/vote to confirm where you are registered to vote.

Juvenile in Custody After Bringing Gun to MPHS Football Game – No Risk to the Public

On September 23, 2022 at approximately 7:19 p.m. officers from the Mt. Pleasant Police Department (MPPD) Youth Services Unit were contacted by a Mt. Pleasant Public Schools Administrator. This administrator informed officers that a juvenile spectator at the Mt. Pleasant High School (MPHS) football game may have a gun in their possession.

Youth Services Unit Officers immediately made contact with the 17-year-old male suspect and asked him to step outside of the stadium. Once outside of the stadium gates, the male juvenile engaged in a physical fight with officers. A gun was located on the suspect and he was immediately placed into custody.

The juvenile suspect is not a student of the Mt. Pleasant Public Schools System.

This was an isolated incident and there is no risk to the public.

Anyone with further information are asked to contact the Mt. Pleasant Police Department’s Anonymous Tip Line at 989-779-9111 or Isabella County Central Dispatch 989-773-1000. This is an ongoing and open investigation.

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

Topics to Watch at the Hybrid Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – September 26, 2022

Here are the topics to watch at the next in-person, as well as virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, September 26, 2022 at 7 p.m.

  • Presentation on Mt. Pleasant city landfill finding study by David Adler of Mannik Smith Group.
  • Presentation by Building Official Brian Kench on sustainability efforts/plans.
  • Public hearing on the establishment of an Industrial Development District for DL Wilson Properties located at 1219 N. Mission Street and consider resolution on the same.
  • Receive and ordinance to add a Chapter 116 to Title XI: Business Regulations of the City’s Code entitled, “Electric Scooters/Skateboards” and set a public hearing for October 10, 2022 on the same.
  • Consider recommendation from the Appointments Committee for the City Commission vacancy.

To view the entire meeting packet visit: 

Click to access 9-26-22.pdf

How to follow public meetings:

In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, the City Commission Meeting will be held in person in the City Chambers/City Hall (320 W. Broadway Street) with virtual attendance options as well. Non-voting participants 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.

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.

To participate via Zoom:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81042677480?pwd=WGEvOWpWN2o3cS94YXhDUWtSN3JUZz09

Meeting ID: 810 4267 7480

Passcode: 241648

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.

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

  • Members of the public are asked to provide their name and address with any comments.
  • Comments/Questions may be sent ahead of the meeting, or during the meeting via email to comment@mt-pleasant.org. Comments sent via email will be read aloud to the Commission during the public comment period.

Individual commissioners can be contacted at the following email addresses:

Mary Alsager               malsager@mt-pleasant.org

Brian Assmann            bassmann@mt-pleasant.org

Elizabeth Busch           ebusch@mt-pleasant.org

Maureen Eke               meke@mt-pleasant.org

Amy Perschbacher       aperschbacher@mt-pleasant.org

George Ronan             gronan@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.

Topics to Watch at the Hybrid Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – September 12, 2022

Pumpkin Promenade and Trick or Treating Information

The Pumpkin Promenade is scheduled for Monday, October 31 from 4-6 p.m. in downtown Mt. Pleasant. Children 12 years and under are invited to dress in their Halloween costumes, trick-or-treat at downtown businesses, and enjoy kid-friendly outdoor activities at Town Center.

The City of Mt. Pleasant’s Trick-or-Treating hours are 6 – 8 p.m. on October 31. Please remember the following safety tips.

  • Remain on well-lit streets, and use sidewalks.
  • A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children.
  • Look both ways before crossing the street, and use crosswalks.
  • Carry a flashlight and/or wear reflective clothing.
  • Always stay in front of a residence, and never enter a house when Trick or Treating.
  • Inspect all treats collected, and discard any item that is not sealed.

Summary of Minutes of the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – September 12, 2022

Mayor Perschbacher acknowledged Vice Mayor Olivia Cyman’s resignation from the City Commission.

Commissioner Alsager was elected Vice Mayor for the remainder of 2022 by a majority vote of the Commission.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

5) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held August 22, 2022.

6) Appointed voting delegate and alternate for the MML 2022 Annual Convention.

7) Contract extension with MMI of Mt. Pleasant, MI for municipal recycling curbside collection services for one year.

8) Contract with OHM Advisors of Mt. Pleasant, MI for design and oversight of the M-20 Bridge project.

9) Received Fall 2022 Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribal 2% funding requests from City Departments. 10) Received proposed 2023 Annual Operating Budget and set a public hearing for Monday, November 14, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. on same.

11) Received resolution to amend 2022 operating budget.

12) Support and approval of MPACF grant application submission for automatic CPR machines for the Fire Department.

13) Warrants and Payrolls.

Cancelled the scheduled public hearing on David Wilson’s request to consider establishing an Industrial Development District and set a new public hearing for Monday, September 26, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. on the same.

Approved resolution supporting land acknowledgement statement.

Staff directed to conduct community outreach and research signage for local roadways in regards to jake braking being prohibited within the City.

Mayor Perschbacher designated Commissioners Assmann and Eke to the Appointments Committee.

The Appointment Committee recommended and the Commission unanimously approved Jim Catlin to the LDFA Board to fill a vacancy with a term ending 12/31/24.

Approved and conducted a closed session pursuant to subsection 8(1)(h) of the Open Meetings Act.

Adjourned the meeting at 8:57 p.m.

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 October 10, 2022. Brush chipping will be completed at curbside only, no alleys. Reservations will be accepted beginning September 26 at 8:00 a.m. until September 30 at 4:30 p.m., or until all spots are filled.  

Reservations can be made in person at City Hall, online, calling the Division of Public Works, 989-779-5401 or emailing publicworks@mt-pleasant.org.

Topics to Watch at the Hybrid Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – September 12, 2022

Here are the topics to watch at the next in-person, as well as virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, September 12, 2022 at 7 p.m.

  • Presentation on the Boil Water Advisory issued Thursday, September 1, 2022.
  • Quarterly update from Jim McBryde of Middle Michigan Development Corporation (MMDC).
  • Receive proposed 2023 Annual Operating Budget and set a public hearing for November 14, 2022 on the same.
  • Public hearing on the establishment of an Industrial Development District for DL Wilson Properties located at 1219 N. Mission Street.

To view the entire meeting packet visit: 

Click to access 9-12-22.pdf

How to follow public meetings:

In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, the City Commission Meeting will be held in person in the City Chambers/City Hall (320 W. Broadway Street) with virtual attendance options as well. Non-voting participants 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.

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.

To participate via Zoom:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83985724037?pwd=ZWo2aVc5cjRjVHZGNmtsdTNzUlRZUT09

Meeting ID: 839 8572 4037

Passcode: 902399

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.

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

  • Members of the public are asked to provide their name and address with any comments.
  • Comments/Questions may be sent ahead of the meeting, or during the meeting via email to comment@mt-pleasant.org. Comments sent via email will be read aloud to the Commission during the public comment period.

Individual commissioners can be contacted at the following email addresses:

Mary Alsager               malsager@mt-pleasant.org

Brian Assmann            bassmann@mt-pleasant.org

Elizabeth Busch          ebusch@mt-pleasant.org

Maureen Eke              meke@mt-pleasant.org

Amy Perschbacher      aperschbacher@mt-pleasant.org

George Ronan            gronan@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.

Mt. Pleasant City Commission Vacancy

The Mt. Pleasant City Commission has one vacancy due to Vice Mayor Olivia Cyman relocating to East Lansing. Applications for this open position are being accepted now through September 14, 2022. The Appointments Committee will consider applications and make a recommendation to the full City Commission at the September 26, 2022 meeting. This appointed term would expire on May 2, 2023. Application information is available at the City Manager’s Office as well as http://www.mt-pleasant.org/boards_and_commissions/.   

Nominating petitions to run for this open seat, which term runs from May 3, 2023 – December 31, 2023, are available at City Hall, office of the City Clerk, 320 W. Broadway Street, from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday will be available in mid-November. Completed nominating petitions which require a minimum of 50, and a maximum of 80 certified signatures may be filed with the City Clerk starting Monday, December 19, 2022.  The deadline to file is 4 p.m. on Tuesday, January 17, 2023. For nominating petition information visit: https://bit.ly/2YLFvzs 

The City election will take place on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.

Boil Water Advisory Lifted for City of Mt. Pleasant

PLEASE NOTE: The City of Mt. Pleasant’s boil water advisory was issued out of an abundance of caution, due to a regulatory exceedance of turbidity. There was never any contamination of water as the testing/sampling proved. Therefore, water lines do not have to be flushed.

The Boil Water Advisory for the City of Mt. Pleasant has been lifted and consumption of the drinking water can resume immediately.

The city’s water supply has successfully completed two rounds of testing and all samples have passed. For a short period of time, residents may notice a chlorine smell. This is due to Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) request for an elevated chlorine residual during the boil water advisory. This smell raises no safety concerns and will dissipate in the next few days.

The boil water advisory was issued on September 2, 2022 out of an abundance of caution. We thank our city residents for their understanding and patience. Appreciation is also extended to our community partners: Isabella County 911 Central Dispatch & Emergency Management, the Central Michigan District Health Department, Central Michigan University and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe for their assistance.

If you have not done so already, please register for Smart911 to receive future emergency notifications via phone, text and/or email. This can easily be done by visiting www.Smart911.com. Isabella County previously replaced CodeRed with Smart911. Therefore, individuals who were signed up for CodeRED need to register for Smart911 to receive timely and actionable emergency alerts.

For detailed information about this enhanced emergency notification system please visit, https://mpcityblog.com/2021/11/19/isabella-county-enhances-9-1-1-services-and-emergency-notification-with-smart911-replacing-codered/