Summary of Minutes of the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – 9/25/2023

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, September 25, 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:

2) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held September 11, 2023.

3) Contract with Wonsey Tree Service of Alma, MI for 2024-2025 tree trimming and removal.

4) Authorized Grant Application Assurance form for Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation grant to replace thermal imaging units used in the Fire Department.

5) Resolution authorizing an amendment to the Standard Lighting Contract with Consumers Energy for the Pickard-Bradley intersection.

6) Resolution authorizing MI-DNR Urban and Community Forestry Program Grant Application – Town Center Civic Space Project.

7) Received proposed ordinance to amend Title IX: General Regulations, Chapter 98. Streets and Sidewalks §98.37 Snow and Ice Removal From Sidewalks of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Mt. Pleasant to require snow and ice removal from sidewalks 24 hours after a snow or ice event and set a public hearing on same for Monday, October 9, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.

8) Received proposed ordinance to amend Title VII: Traffic Code, Chapter 71. Parking Regulations of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Mt. Pleasant and set a public hearing on same for Monday, October 9, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.

9) Budget amendment to authorize the purchase of network firewall equipment in the current fiscal year.

10) Received proposed ordinance to amend Table 154.405.A District Standards: CD-4 General Urban and CD-5 Urban Center Character Districts of the Mt. Pleasant Zoning Ordinances regarding driveway widths and set a public hearing for Monday, October 23, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. on same.

11) Received proposed ordinance to amend Table 154.410.A Building and Lot Principal Use, Section 154.410.B Special Uses and Article VII of the Mt. Pleasant Zoning Ordinances regarding institutional uses and set a public hearing for October 23, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.

12) Received proposed ordinance to amend Table 154.405.A District Standards: CD-3L Sub-Urban Large, CD-3 Sub-Urban, CD-04 General Urban Character Districts regarding the ratio of houses versus garage at frontage and set a public hearing for October 23, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.

13) Payrolls and Warrants.

The City Commission prioritized and approved submission of City requests for Fall 2023 Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe 2% allocations.

Conducted a work session discussion on 2024 proposed Operating Budget.

Approved and conducted a 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.

Terminated the third-party administrator contract with Trustmark Health Benefits.

Authorized staff to sign a sole source contract with Insight Benefit Administrators for the oversight, processing and administration of the City’s health insurance benefit plans.

Adjourned the meeting at 8:53 p.m.

2023 Fall Leaf Collection

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 23. 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 street, 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 2023 leaf collection schedule is as follows:

  • Week of October 30: Staff will collect leaves in a City-wide sweep.
  • Week of November 13: Staff will collect leaves in a City-wide sweep.
  • Week of November 27: 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. 

Topics to Watch at the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – September 25, 2023

Here are the topics to watch at the next in person, as well as virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, September 25, 2023 at 7 p.m.

  • Receive an ordinance to amend the City Snow and Ice Removal from Sidewalks ordinance and set a public hearing for October 9, 2023 on the same.
  • Receive an ordinance to amend the City Parking Ordinance and set a public hearing for October 9, 2023 on the same.
  • Receive an ordinance to amend Table 154.410.A Building and Lot Principal Use, Section 154.410.B Special Uses and Article VII of the Mt. Pleasant Zoning Ordinances Regarding Institutional Uses and set a public hearing for October 23, 2023 on the same.
  • Consider prioritization and approval of submission of City requests for Fall 2023 Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe 2% allocation.

To view the entire meeting packet visit: 

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/83335395663?pwd=Sm1UUk15MGt0M2NiaXFlbUFUV1h6dz09

Meeting ID: 883 3539 5663

Passcode: 887060

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.

City Commission Adopts International Property Maintenance Code

City Commissioners recently adopted the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), which establishes minimum and consistent maintenance requirements for existing residential, rental and commercial buildings.

History and Implementation of IPMC

Established in 1999 by the International Code Council, the IPMC is widely used in more than 40 states as well as the following comparable Michigan communities: Allendale, Alma, Ann Arbor, Bay City, Brighton, Charlevoix, Grand Rapids, Iron Mountain, Kalamazoo and Royal Oak. In Mt. Pleasant, the IPMC has been in effect for rental properties since 2007.

Benefits

The IPMC ensures consistency across all building types, and is compatible with International and State Codes. This provides clear expectations for property owners and occupants and specifically defines the Code Official’s role. With the IPMC, additional grant funding may be available.

Notification, Education and Enforcement

If a property has an exterior maintenance issue, city staff will contact the resident and/or property owner directly. The city will then follow these steps:

  • Provide education regarding property standards and responsibilities.
  • Suggest how to remedy the situation.
  • Share grant funding information, if applicable.
  • Issue a citation if the matter is not rectified.
  • Appeals are heard and ruled upon by the Building, Fire and Sanitation Sewer Board.
  • Appeals of board decisions go to Isabella County Court.

With IPMC, what property maintenance ordinances will remain the same?

  • Tall Grass Ordinance (96.05)
  • Solid Waste Ordinance (50.02)
  • Lighting Standard (96.13)

For more information regarding the IPMC and examples of exterior maintenance issues visit: www.mt-pleasant.org/IPMC

Summary of Minutes of the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – 9/11/2023

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, September 11, 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:

10) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held August 28, 2023.

11) Resolution in support of final approval of Temporary Traffic Control Order #5-2023.

12) Amendment to bond counsel contract with Dickinson Wright.

13) Contract with R & T Murphy Trucking of Mt. Pleasant, MI for 2023-2024 leaf hauling.

14) Contract with R & T Murphy Trucking of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan for 2023-2025 snow hauling.

15) Contract with Fleis & Vandenbrink of Midland, MI for Professional Engineering Services – Mill Pond Park Weir & Pedestrian Bridge Repairs and Chipp-A-Waters Park Riverbank Restoration.

16) Received Fall 2023 Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe 2% funding requests from City departments.

17) Received proposed 2024 Annual Operating Budget and set a public hearing for Monday, November 13, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.

18) Resolution to amend 2023 Operating Budget.

19) Payrolls and Warrants.

Approved appointments to the LOCC as recommended by the Appointments Committee.

Approved the purchase of three Netzsch Peripro peristatic pumps and one set of replacement parts from Kerr Pump & Supply of Oak Park, MI.

Adjourned the meeting at 8:54 p.m.

Topics to Watch at the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – 9/11/2023

Here are the topics to watch at the next in person, as well as virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, September 11, 2023 at 7 p.m.

  • Receive Fall 2023 Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe 2% funding requests from City departments.
  • Receive proposed 2024 Annual Operating Budget and set a public hearing for November 13, 2023 on the same.
  • Consider resolution to amend 2023 Operating Budget.
  • Consider approval of a sole source purchase of peristaltic lime pumps.

To view the entire meeting packet visit: 

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/84631896529?pwd=WURUdGRwOU1zSGFKQWNEYUw1eDZ0Zz09

Meeting ID: 846 3189 6529

Passcode: 068270

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.

City to Offer No Fee Brush Chipping

The City is offering 150 households, within the City limits, up to 30 minutes of no fee brush chipping during the week of October 9, 2023. Brush chipping will be completed at curbside only, no alleys. Reservations will be accepted beginning September 25 at 8:00 a.m. until September 29 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.