Month: December 2023

Mt. Pleasant Home Sustains Fire Damage

On December 27, 2023, at 5:44 p.m., the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department (MPFD) responded to a house fire in the 1100 block of E. Michigan Street.

Upon arrival, crews observed a single-story residence with fire exiting one window and heavy smoke coming from the eaves of the structure. The house sustained light smoke damage with heavy fire, smoke, and heat damage to the room where the fire originated.

The resident was not at home at the time of the fire. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The MPFD was assisted by the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Fire Department, Mobile Medical Response, Mt. Pleasant Police Department, and Isabella County Central Dispatch.

UPDATE: Due to the recent winter storm, Christmas Tree Collection will be extended to 2/2/2024.

City of Mt. Pleasant Street Department staff will be picking up discarded Christmas trees from January 8- February 2, 2024. This curbside collection can be utilized by attaching two City refuse tags to the tree. 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 February 2 trees may be taken to the Materials Recovery Facility or disposed of through the City’s brush chipping program.

City to hold Citizens’ Academy of Mt. Pleasant; accepting applications now

The eighth Citizens’ Academy is now accepting applications. Presented by the City of Mt. Pleasant, the academy is designed to engage members of the community and to expand their knowledge of the structure and functions of local government.

Participants will attend seven weekly sessions beginning Tuesday, February 20, 2024. Each session will offer an in-depth look at the fundamentals of the City’s administration and budget; public works and utilities; parks and recreation; public safety; and community development. Additional topics covered include the basics of local government, elections and more.

The Citizens’ Academy is open to anyone living, working, owning property, or attending school in the City of Mt. Pleasant. Director of Planning & Community Development Manuela Powidayko shared, “The Citizens’ Academy is an opportunity for residents to capture a close-up view of how a municipality operates and the many services the city provides on a daily basis.”

Registration for the academy is free and space is limited. Sessions will occur on the following Tuesdays from 6 – 8:30 p.m.: February 20, February 27, March 12, March 19, April 2, April 9, and April 16. Graduates of the academy will be recognized at the April 22 City Commission meeting.

Applications are available at City Hall or online and are accepted until February 5, 2024. Find the application and learn more at www.mt-pleasant.org/citizensacademy.

Summary of Minutes of the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – 12/11/2023

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, December 11, 2023, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Commission Room, 320 W. Broadway St., Mt. Pleasant, Michigan with virtual options.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

2) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held November 27, 2023.

3) Minutes of the closed session of the City Commission held November 27, 2023.

4) Bids for 2024 Water Treatment Plant treatment (bulk) chemicals.

5) Contract with Yeo & Yeo for 2024 Network Switch Replacement project.

6) Sole source purchase of in-car camera systems, body worn cameras and tasers from Axon Enterprise, Inc. of Scottsdale, AZ.

7) Resolution for 2023 Final Amended Budget.

8) One-year Agreement with the Charter Township of Union for fire protection services.

9) Cancelled the City Commission meeting scheduled for December 18, 2023.

10) Authorized Finance Director Chris Saladine to approve the issuance of payrolls and warrants from December 12, 2023 through January 8, 2024.

11) Set first meeting of 2024 for Monday, January 8, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.

12) Warrants and Payrolls.

Appointments to various boards and commissions as recommended by the Appointments Committee.

Adjourned the meeting at 7:19 p.m.

Prop 2-22 Prompts Changes in City of Mt. Pleasant Voting Precincts

Due to the passage of Prop 2-22, municipalities may now increase precinct sizes to 4,999 registered voters. Therefore, the City of Mt. Pleasant will have three precincts, rather than five. This action will significantly reduce the cost of elections, assist with election worker recruitment, and streamline precinct logistics.

City of Mt. Pleasant Voting Precincts (Effective February 2024):

Precinct 1: Ganiard Elementary School, 101 South Adams Street

Precinct 2: Pullen Elementary School, 251 South Brown Street

Precinct 3: Fancher Elementary School, 801 South Kinney Avenue

Absentee Voter Counting Board: Mt. Pleasant City Hall, 320 W. Broadway Street

New Voter ID Cards to be Mailed:

New voter ID cards, including updated voting precinct information, will be mailed to every registered voter in the City on December 15, 2023. On Election Day, Tuesday, February 27, 2024, voters should go to the precinct noted on this updated ID card.

Should you receive a card for a voter no longer at your address, please return the card via the U.S. Postal Service and mark it “unknown.” The Clerk’s office staff will then begin the process of removing the voter from the rolls.

Voter Registration:

Individuals who are not currently registered to vote can register online at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/ or mail in the voter registration application found online. This must be completed by February 12, 2024, to vote in the February 27, 2024, primary election.

Residents may also visit www.mi.gov/vote to confirm voting precincts.

West Mt. Pleasant Home Suffers Fire Damage

On December 8, 2023, at 5:24 p.m., the Mount Pleasant Fire Department (MPFD) responded to a house fire in the 900 block of W. Michigan Street.

Upon arrival, crews observed a single-story residence with fire and heavy smoke coming from the rear of the home. The house sustained heavy fire, smoke, and heat damage.

The resident was at home at the time of the fire and was able to exit the structure safely.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the MPFD.

The MPFD was assisted by the Saginaw Tribal Fire Department, Mt. Pleasant Police Department, American Red Cross, and Isabella County Central Dispatch.

Topics to Watch at the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – December 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, December 11, 2023 at 7 p.m.

  • Consider resolution approving the final amended 2023 Operating Budget.
  • Consider contract with Charter Township of Union for fire protection services.
  • Consider resolution to authorize the Finance Director to approve the issuances of payrolls and warrants from December 12, 2023 through January 8, 2024.

To view the entire meeting packet visit: 

Click to access E-Packet%20for%20December%2011,%202023—-.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/83595010853?pwd=V3Q3ZlpiZHZUREgxTWNSZWVVWUovZz09

Meeting ID: 835 9501 0853

Passcode: 222844

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.