Summary of Minutes of the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – July 24, 2023

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, July 24, 2023, 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:

6) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held July 10, 2023.

7) Three-year contract renewal with Brown & Brown of Central MI, Inc. for insurance broker services.

8) Trade-in of a Ford F-250 and purchase a 2023 Ford Edge for MPPD.

9) Resolution in support of Michigan Arts & Culture Council 2024 Arts Project Mini-Grant-Paint the Pavement application.

10) Received proposed Ordinance to adopt the 2021 IPMC and amend Chapter 96. NUISANCES; Chapter 150. BUILDING REGULATIONS, §150.30 Property Standards and Chapter 152. HOUSING LICENSING CODE of the Mt. Pleasant City Code to align with the new property maintenance standards and set public hearing on same for Monday, August 14, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.

11) Payrolls and Warrants.

Held a public hearing on Application for DDA License for JCB Entertainment (Valhalla Indoor Axe Throwing) at 1711 S. Mission St. and adopted the Resolution in support as presented.

Held a Work Session discussion on Payment in lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program.

Approved and conducted a closed session pursuant to subsection 8(c) of the Open Meetings Act to discuss the strategy and negotiation sessions connected with negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement.

Adjourned the meeting at 9:19 p.m.

Topics to Watch at the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – July 24, 2023

Here are the topics to watch at the next in person, as well as virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, July 24, 2023 at 7 p.m.

Presentation on energy efficiency by Community Services Department intern, Mason Squillets-Peterson.
Receive an ordinance to amend City Code regarding International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) and consider setting a public hearing for August 14, 2023 on the same.
Public hearing on Development District (DDA) License for JCB Entertainment (Valhalla Indoor Axe Throwing) and approve resolution for the same.
Discussion on Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program.

To view the entire meeting packet visit:

Click to access E-Packet%20for%20July%2024,2023.pdf

How to follow public meetings:

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/83866548665?pwd=UGRzc2FaZkxlYnhkdForckIvUFZlUT09

Meeting ID: 838 6654 8665

Passcode: 005272

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

Bryan Chapman bchapman@mt-pleasant.org

Maureen Eke meke@mt-pleasant.org

Amy Perschbacher aperschbacher@mt-pleasant.org

Boomer Wingard bwingard@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.

Coneys for a Cause Scheduled for August 14-17

The community can enjoy $1.99 coney dogs while helping the youth of Isabella County during Coneys for a Cause. This event is scheduled for August 14-17, 2023 at the Pixie Restaurant (302 N. Mission Street).

In honor of their 75^th anniversary, the Pixie will donate 75 cents for every coney sold to the Mt. Pleasant Police Youth Services Unit (YSU) and the Isabella County Child Advocacy Center.

Customers can purchase individual coney dogs for $1.99 at the restaurant, or they can pre-order a minimum of one dozen coney dogs to be delivered. All delivery orders must be submitted before 3 p.m. on August 7 and emailed to GMstore100@inspiredcpts.com. Delivery times are between 10 a.m. and noon, August 14 – 17. Event organizers will do their best to meet desired delivery time.

Order forms can be found at www.mt-pleasant.org/ysu.

The “Pixie Pig Out” is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, August 18, 2023 at the Pixie. Stop by to watch this friendly coney-eating competition between law enforcement agencies.

Youth Services Unit (Mt. Pleasant Police Department)

This valuable program involves police positively interacting with youth at an early age. Two YSU Officers service more than 3,000 K-12 students in the Mt. Pleasant Public Schools (MPPS), providing guidance and support for students, ultimately forming lifelong bonds. The popular Youth Police Academy, as well as Shop with a Cop, are just a few of the programs YSU hosts.

Isabella County Child Advocacy Center

This non-profit serves children in Isabella County who are alleged victims of sexual abuse, severe physical abuse or witness to violence. Potential child abuse victims are referred by local law enforcement or children’s protective services, where a non-leading, non-threatening forensic interview is conducted. The ICCAC brings community agency professionals together to work in a collaborative approach that results in effective, efficient and child-centered case work.

City Completes Stakeholder Economic Development Discussions

Why pursue business development in Mt. Pleasant?

For the past few months city staff posed this question to more than 20 area developers, real estate brokers and financial professionals. Topics discussed in these one-on-one economic development conversations included the city’s current building and zoning policies, processes, and infrastructure.

Information stemming from these valuable dialogues will be forwarded to the Planning Commission for their review over the next year.

Topics include (but are not limited to):

Applications requiring special Planning Commission approval.
Alterations/expansions of current buildings.
Special rules for large or auto-oriented businesses, such as drive-throughs, gas stations and big box retailers.
More design requirement flexibility within commercial and residential districts.
Allowing multi-uses within single lots.
Rules that regulate what types of businesses can be conducted within homes.
E-commerce fulfillment centers.
Wholesale versus retail zoning requirements.

The Planning Commission meets every fourth Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at City Hall (320 W. Broadway Street). Meetings can also be viewed on Zoom, the City’s YouTube Channel or live on Channel 188. Meetings are rebroadcast daily at 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. (two weeks following the meeting date).

For complete meeting agendas, packets and public hearing information visit:

www.mt-pleasant.org/plancomm.

Lightning Strikes Mt. Pleasant Home

On July 17, 2023 at 2:15 a.m. the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department (MPFD) responded to a house fire in the 1300 block of Crestwood Drive in Mt. Pleasant.

Upon arrival, crews observed a single-story home with heavy smoke and fire protruding from the garage and east side of the structure. The fire was brought under control at 3:23 a.m. The house sustained smoke, heat and fire damage. The occupants were not home at the time of the fire.

Neighbors report being awakened by a lightning bolt and smelled smoke shortly after.

MPFD investigated the cause of the fire and have ruled it to be from a lightning strike.

The Mt. Pleasant Fire Department was assisted by the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Fire Department, Deerfield Township Fire Department, Shepherd Tri-Township Fire Department, Mt. Pleasant Police Department, Michigan State Police, Mobile Medical Response, Consumers Energy and Isabella County Central Dispatch.

Air Quality Information Available Through MDHHS

As a result of the Canadian wildfires, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has established a hotline for individuals to ask their air quality questions. Residents can call 800-648-6942, Monday – Friday (excluding holidays) from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Air quality information can also be found at https://www.airnow.gov/. If you wish to receive alerts visit https://www.enviroflash.info/.

Summary of Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting Minutes – July 10, 2023

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, July 10, 2023, 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:

6) Minutes June 26, 2023 City Commission Meeting.

7) Minutes June 26, 2023 City Commission closed session.

8) Resolution in support of TCO #4-2023.

9) Extension to the contract with Nutrigro Environmental Solutions, Inc. of Olivet, MI for biosolids services.

10) Set a public hearing for July 24, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. for DDA License for Valhalla Indoor Axe Throwing.

11) Pass-through MEDC funding for architectural and engineering services for Broadway Land Management and authorized the City Manager to sign the necessary documentation.

12) Payrolls and Warrants.

Approved the buyout of 18 vehicles in the purchase-buyback program with Krapohl Ford.

Approved the resolution to authorize the issuance of Water Resource Recovery System Revenue Bonds for Phase II WRRF upgrades.

Conducted a work session on Property Maintenance Standards and International Property Management Code (IPMC).

Adjourned at 7:39 p.m.

Topics to Watch at the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – July 10, 2023

Here are the topics to watch at the next in person, as well as virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, July 10, 2023 at 7 p.m.

Presentation on air quality by Jennifer Morse of the Central Michigan District Health Department.
Consider setting a public hearing for July 24, 2023, for Development District (DDA) License for Valhalla Indoor Axe Throwing.
Consider resolution to authorize the issuance of Water Resource Recovery System Revenue Bonds for Phase II Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) upgrades.
Work Session regarding Property Maintenance Standards and International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC).