Summary of Minutes of the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – January 22, 2024

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, January 22, 2024, 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 January 8, 2024.

7) Set special meeting for discussion on goals and objectives for Monday, April 1, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.

8) Allocated additional funding from the City’s HODAG funds for the MSHDA NEP.

9) Resolutions #1 and #2 to commence the proceedings for special assessment, tentatively determine the necessity and set a public hearing for February 12, 2024, at 7:00 pm regarding the necessity of Special Assessment District #1-2024.

10) Bid of Kawkawlin Roofing of Kawkawlin, MI for the 2024 Water Treatment Plant Reroof project.

11) Contract with American Fiberglass Tank Repair of Franklin, NH, for repairs to the Sodium Hypochlorite Tank and approved a budget amendment for same.

12) Warrants and payrolls.

Held a public hearing and approved the CHILL Grant Application as required by the MSHDA and resolution in support of same.

Approved purchase of a Pierce Aerial Ladder Truck and a Pierce Rescue Pumper Truck through Halt Fire.

Approved a professional services agreement with Mannik Smith Group for quarterly groundwater testing and reporting.

Moved to eliminate administrative fees for use of certain electronic payment forms for Farmers Market.

Moved to extend the current 6-week PEAK Summer Camp program duration from 6 weeks to 8 weeks and discontinue the Day Camp Program.

Made appointments of City administrative officials to boards and commissions; City Commissioners to City standing and special committees; and City boards and commissions.

Postponed Agenda Item #21 – Work Session Discussion on tall grass, weeds, and natural gardens.

Approved and conducted Closed Session pursuant to subsection 8(a) of the Open Meetings Act to consider a period personnel evaluation.

Approved a 9.8% raise for 2024 not having a raise for the past two subsequent years for City Manager Aaron Desentz.

Adjourned the meeting at 10:49 p.m.

Topics to Watch at the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – January 22, 2024

Here are the topics to watch at the next in person, as well as virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, January 22, 2024, at 7 p.m.

Presentation on the Aquatic Center by Lisa Diaz-Sytsema of the Mid-Michigan Aquatic Recreational Authority.

Presentation by City Manager on 2023 and 2024 Goals and Objectives.

Presentation by Isabella County Staff on February ballot proposal.

Public hearing on a Community Development Block Grant Housing Improving Local Livability (CHILL) Grant Application as required by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) and consider resolution for the same.

Discussion on tall grass, weeds, and natural gardens.

To view the entire meeting packet visit:

Click to access E-Packet%20for%20January%2022,%202024.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/86266289919?pwd=NE5UOXZRSHR6SjZ6UTZHRitLZDhLZz09

Meeting ID: 832 4513 3239

Passcode: 695612

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

Elizabeth Busch ebusch@mt-pleasant.org

Bryan Chapman bchapman@mt-pleasant.org

Maureen Eke meke@mt-pleasant.org

Amy Perschbacher aperschbacher@mt-pleasant.org

Grace Rollins grollins@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. 48-hour advance notice is necessary for accommodation.

2/27/24 Election Information: Presidential Primary, Community Aquatic Center Bond Proposal, Isabella County Operating Millage

The Presidential Primary election will be held on February 27, 2024. A millage proposal for the Community Aquatic Center Bond Proposal and Isabella County Operating Millage Proposal will also be on the ballot. Visit www.mi.gov/vote or http://www.mt-pleasant.org/election to review ballot language.

Voter ID Cards Mailed:

New voter ID cards, including updated voting precinct information, were 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 their updated ID card. Residents may also visit www.mi.gov/vote to confirm voting precincts.

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

Voter Registration:

Individuals who are not currently registered to vote can register online at www.mi.gov/vote or mail in the voter registration application found online. This must be completed on or before February 12, 2024. After February 12, 2024, you must register in person at the Clerk’s Office to vote in the February 27, 2024, primary election.

Early In-Person Voting:

For state and federal elections, qualified voters can cast their ballot during the nine day early voting period.

February 17-25, 2024; 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Powers Hall, Central Michigan University, Washington Street
Parking available in Lot 6.
I-Ride is offering free rides to the early voting center. Call (989) 772-9441 to schedule.

Permanent Absentee Voters:

Permanent absentee voters have been mailed an application for a ballot. If you wish to vote absentee in this election, you must return the application by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, February 23, 2024. A ballot will then be mailed to you. Voted ballots may 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 4:30 p.m. on Friday, February 23, 2024.

Absentee voting at the Clerk’s Office is available beginning Thursday, January 18, 2024, during regular business hours with additional hours on Saturday, February 24, 2024, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. and on Monday, February 26, 2024, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Election Day Information:

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. Need a ride to and from the polls? I-Ride offers free rides. Call (989) 772-9441 to schedule.

Island Park Ice Rink Now Open

The new Island Park Ice Rink is now open to skaters. Located on the south softball field this 54’ x 95’ rink is open daily from 8 a.m. – 11 p.m., weather permitting. There is no charge to use this facility, which is maintained by the City of Mt. Pleasant Parks Department.

As you are gathering up your skates, please review the outdoor ice rink rules before you hit the ice.

Island Park Outdoor Ice Rink Rules

Hours of Operation:

The Island Park Ice Rink is open daily from 8 a.m. to 11p.m., conditions permitting.

The City of Mount Pleasant reserves the right to close the Ice Rink at any time in its sole discretion by posting a sign on the rink which states, “Rink Closed – No Skating.” Skaters shall not enter the Ice Rink area when the sign is posted.

Code of Conduct:

All Ice Rink participants, including skaters and bystanders, will be required to follow the general rules of conduct established in the City’s Parks and Recreation Ordinance (Section 97.01 – 97.21 of the City Code of Ordinances) while at the Ice Rink.

Further, all Ice Rink participants will be required to adhere to the following Ice Rink specific rules and regulations:

Skaters shall be courteous and cautious of other skaters and bystanders while using the skating area. Skaters shall not push, shove, or otherwise engage in raucous behavior while using the skating area.
Skaters shall not dig, spray, chip, throw, or otherwise expel ice or snow within the skating area.
The following shall be prohibited in the skating area:
1. Food and beverage items.
2. Tobacco products.
3. Hockey equipment, including hockey sticks, pucks, and nets.
4. Street shoes.
5. Animals
Skaters under the age of five shall be under adult supervision while in the skating area. The Ice Rink does not have designated supervisors. Skaters shall skate at their own risk.

Failure to abide by the rules and regulations of the Ice Rink could result in enforcement actions against you.

Lost Items and Reporting Misconduct:

The City of Mt. Pleasant is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items.

Report damage or acts of abuse to Mt. Pleasant Parks and Recreation at (989) 779-5331 or Police Anonymous T.I.P. Line at (989) 779-9111. In case of emergency call 911.

City of Mt. Pleasant Lifts Snow Emergency (Effective 6 p.m. on 1/13/2024)

The City of Mt. Pleasant Snow Emergency declared on January 11, 2024, has been lifted, effective 6 p.m. on January 13, 2024. On-street parking is now permitted. Thank you for your cooperation during this winter storm.

Notice of when a snow emergency is declared, and later lifted, is provided through the city’s social media channels, website (www.mt-pleasant.org), blog https://mpcityblog.com/, community information phone line (989-779-5320), local media notification, and an email alert.

To receive an email notification, individuals must sign up to receive the city’s monthly eConnections newsletter by visiting www.mt-pleasant.org.

Pedestrian Fatality Near Mission and Broomfield Street

On January 11, 2024, at approximately 7:10 p.m. officers from the Mt. Pleasant Police Department (MPPD) responded to a call involving a vehicle and pedestrian in the 2100 block of South Mission Street.

Upon arrival to the scene, MPPD officers found a male and his leashed dog had been struck by a car travelling southbound on Mission Street.

Witnesses reported that the male and his dog were attempting to cross Mission Street, in a non-crosswalk area. Witnesses shared the man initially slipped and fell, and then continued to cross the street.

The pedestrian, a 39-year-old male from Mt. Pleasant, and his dog were pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the car, an 18-year-old male from Mt. Pleasant and his 16-year-old passenger, also from Mt. Pleasant, were not injured.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department was assisted by the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department, Central Michigan University Police, Isabella County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police, Isabella County Victims Response Services, Isabella County Animal Control, Mobile Medical Response, and Isabella County Central Dispatch.

(UPDATED: 6 p.m. 1/13/24: The Snow Emergency has now been lifted for the City of Mt. Pleasant.) City of Mt. Pleasant Declares Snow Emergency

Due to the significant winter weather forecast, the City of Mt. Pleasant has declared a Snow Emergency. All vehicles must be removed from the streets by 5 p.m. on Friday, January 12, 2024, so crews can safely and effectively clear the roadways.

Failure to remove vehicles from the street will result in a ticket. Towing may be utilized if ticketing has proven ineffective and/or the vehicles parked on the street cause a delay in snow removal.

Notice of when a snow emergency is declared, and later lifted, is provided through the city’s social media channels, website www.mt-pleasant.org, blog https://mpcityblog.com/, community information phone line (989-779-5320), local media notification, and an email alert.

To receive an email notification, individuals must sign up to receive the city’s monthly eConnections newsletter by visiting www.mt-pleasant.org.

Parking ordinance reminders:

Downtown Overnight Parking Permit Holders: Will be informed via email or text on when and where you need to move your vehicle.
Overnight street parking is allowed throughout the City of Mt. Pleasant year-round, except for the Downtown area.
Downtown street parking is prohibited from 4 – 6 a.m. year-round.
When a snow emergency is declared, all cars must be removed from the street.

Isabella County Operating Millage Will Not Affect City of Mt. Pleasant Public Safety Services

Summary of Minutes of the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – 1/8/2024

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, January 8, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Commission Room, 320 W. Broadway St., Mt. Pleasant, Michigan with virtual options.

City Clerk Bouck administered the Oath of Office to Bryan Chapman and Grace Rollins for the term January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2026.

Commissioner Perschbacher was elected Mayor for 2024.

Commissioner Alsager was elected Vice Mayor for 2024.

Approved Resolution Setting Time and Day of Regular Meetings.

Mayor Perschbacher read and presented a proclamation in support of Peacemaking Recognition Day “January 15, 2024” to Laura Gourlay of Mount Pleasant Public Schools.

Accepted the agenda as presented.