Month: March 2025

City of Mt. Pleasant 2050 Master Plan Update

The City of Mt. Pleasant is preparing to update its 2050 Master Plan. Every five years (per Public Act 33 of 2008), all Michigan cities are required to have their Planning Commissions review their Master Plans and determine if amendments are necessary, or if the city should adopt a new document.

Master Plans

Master Plans chart the direction of the City’s development for the next 30 years.

Master plans are critical policy documents. They are the primary way for the community to answer the following questions:

  • What do we want our community to look like in 2050?
  • How do we get there?
  • How can we ensure our community is resilient by avoiding or mitigating risks or threats that we may face?

The plan will continue to address land use, transportation, housing, downtown, economic development, and public safety.

Suggested Updates

The city’s current 2050 Master Plan reflects the need for more housing options in the community. Proposed updates are as follows:

  • Add information from the Mission Street Improvement Plan project. This plan, approved by the Mission Street Improvement Plan Steering Committee, and the Mission/Pickard DDA, focuses on roadway improvements, zoning updates, and strategic investments along the Mission Street Corridor.
  • Other suggested updates include incorporating results from the recent Parks & Recreation public outreach efforts, as well as the completed Town Center redevelopment.

Public Input Needed

Public input is imperative during this amendment process. The public is invited to participate in a series of open meetings, which will be held at City Hall, 320 W. Broadway Street. The public will have an opportunity to share their thoughts during the public comment section of each meeting. This can be done in-person or virtually, in some cases.

April 3: Planning Commission – 7 p.m. – City Hall/Hybrid

April 22: Parks & Recreation Commission – 6 p.m. – City Hall (no hybrid option)

April 28: City Commission – 7 p.m. – City Hall/Hybrid

City of Mt. Pleasant Master Planning History

Major projects and policy changes often result from a master planning process. The city adopted its first Master Plan in 1946 with subsequent plans being adopted in 1965, 1987, 2006, and 2020. For instance, the 1965 Master Plan led to the development of “Town Center” and the creation of a new 1971 zoning ordinance. The 1987 Master Plan led to significant investments in park accessibility for individuals with disabilities; facility investments to improve drinking water quality; and extensions of Bellows and Preston Streets.

For more details regarding the 2050 Master Plan Update visit www.mt-pleasant.org/masterplan.

For information about the Mission Street Improvement Plan visit www.mt-pleasant.org/missionstreet.

Summary of Minutes of the 3/24/2025 City Commission Meeting

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, March 24, 2025, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Commission Room, 320 W. Broadway St., Mt. Pleasant, Michigan with virtual options.

Item #12 “Appointment of Interim Clerk” was added to the agenda.

Approved the Agenda as amended.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

5) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held March 10, 2025.

6) Minutes of the special meeting of the City Commission held March 13, 2025.

7) Three-year contract with MMDC Contract for Economic Development Services in the amount of $281 per year plus 2.5% annual increase.

8) Removed from the Consent Calendar.

9) Budget Amendment for Internship Programs.

10) Payrolls and Warrants dated March 7 & 20, 2025 totaling $838,204.27.

Approved a five-year contract with HydroCorp of Troy, MI for Cross Connection Control Program and Water Meter Installation.

Prioritized and approved submission of City requests for Spring 2025 Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe 2% allocations.

Appointed Marilyn Wixson as Interim Clerk.

Conducted a work session discussion on trail/pathway speed limit ordinance.

Conducted Closed Session pursuant to subsection 8(c) of the Open Meetings Act for strategy and negotiation sessions connected with negotiation of collective bargaining agreements and subsection 9(a) of the Open Meetings Act for personnel evaluation of the City Manager.

Approved the contract between the City and the Paid On-Call Fire Fighters.

Approved the contract between the City and the Police Officers Labor Council (Firefighters) (POLC).

Approved a 4.5% increase to the City Manager’s wages retroactive to January 1, 2025.

Adjourned the meeting at 10:27 p.m.

Fire at Edgewood Apartments

On March 25, 2025, at 4:50 a.m. the Mount Pleasant Fire Department (MPFD) responded to a structure fire at Edgewood Apartments located within the city limits.

Upon arrival, crews observed smoke and fire coming from the rear of the three-story apartment building. The building sustained smoke and fire damage.

No injuries were reported. Apartment occupants were alerted by smoke alarms and exited safely.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.        

The Mt. Pleasant Fire Department was assisted by Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Fire Department, Mt. Pleasant Police Department, Michigan State Police, and Isabella County Central Dispatch.

Election Day – May 6, 2025

On May 6, 2025, an election will be held to renew the Mt. Pleasant Public School’s millage.

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

Precinct Locations:
Please note precinct locations for the May 6, 2025, election.

• Precincts 1: Ganiard Elementary School, 101 S. Adams
• Precincts 2: Pullen Elementary School, 251 S. Brown
• Precinct 3: Fancher Elementary School, 801 S. Kinney
• Absentee Voter Counting Board: Mt. Pleasant City Hall, 320 W. Broadway Street

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, May 2, 2025. 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 (vote@mt-pleasant.org). This must be completed by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 2, 2025.

Absentee voting at the Clerk’s Office is available beginning Thursday, March 27, 2025, during regular business hours with additional hours on Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. and on Monday, May 5, 2025, 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 voter registration application found online. This must be completed by Monday, April 21, 2025.

After Monday, April 21, 2025, voter registration will be available at the City Clerk’s office. Please bring proof of residency and a photo ID. This can be done until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

Election Day Information:
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Need a ride to and from the polls?
I-Ride is offering free rides. Call (989) 772-9441 to schedule.

Topics to Watch at the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – March 24, 2025

Here are the topics to watch at the next in person, as well as virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, March 24, 2025, at 7 p.m.

  • Presentation from Mid-Michigan Development Corporation (MMDC) President and CEO Kati Mora on 2024 Annual Report.
  • Consider approval of MMDC Contract for Economic Development Services.
  • Consider Budget Amendment for Internship Programs.
  • Consider prioritization and approval of submission of City requests for Spring 2025 Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe 2% allocation.
  • Work Session: Trail/pathway speed limit ordinance discussion.

To view the entire meeting packet visit: 

Click to access E-Packet%20for%20Regular%20Meeting%20on%20Monday,%20March%2024th%202025..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 comment@mt-pleasant.org.

To participate via Zoom:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89085993673?pwd=NW84pwGn9NPJ32IbY7YGsrXi06eurp.1

Meeting ID: 890 8599 3673

Passcode: 483503

Phone dial-in: (312) 626-6799

The 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

Maureen Eke              meke@mt-pleasant.org

Amy Perschbacher      aperschbacher@mt-pleasant.org

Grace Rollins               grollins@mt-pleasant.org

Boomer Wingard        bwingard@mt-pleasant.org

John Zang                   jzang@mt-pleasant.org

Persons with disabilities needing assistance to participate may call the Human Resources office on (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.

Nominating Petitions for City Commission Seat Available

Nominating petitions for the office of City Commissioner are available at the Clerk’s office at City Hall, 320 W. Broadway Street, from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Completed nominating petitions may be filed with the City Clerk starting Monday, March 24, 2025. The deadline to file is 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

One (1) City Commission position is available for the partial term August 5, 2025, through December 31, 2026. The term of appointed commissioner, John Zang expires August 5, 2025. 

The city election will take place on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

Notice of Special Meeting of the Mt. Pleasant City Commission

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE MEETINGS OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MT. PLEASANT.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a special meeting of the City Commission of the City of Mt. Pleasant will be held on the following date, time, and location:

DATE & LOCATION:

March 13, 2025

6:00 p.m.

Department of Public Safety 804 E. High St.

Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858

PURPOSE OF MEETING:

To have a discussion on 2026 goals and objectives.

Public should enter at the main entrance of the Public Safety Building.

Proposed minutes of the meeting will be available for public inspection during regular business hours at the City Clerk’s Office, 320 W. Broadway St., not more than eight business days after said meeting, and approved minutes of said meeting will be available for public inspection during regular business hours, at the same location, not more than five business days after the meeting at which they are approved.

This notice is given in compliance with Act No. 267, Public Acts of Michigan, 1976.

Summary of Minutes of the 3/10/2025 Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, March 10, 2025, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Commission Room, 320 W. Broadway St., Mt. Pleasant, Michigan with virtual options.

Clerk Bouck administered the Oath of Office to newly appointed Commissioner John Zang.

Approved the Agenda as presented.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

8) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held February 24, 2025.

9) Minutes of the Closed Session of the City Commission held February 24, 2025.

10) Received City requests for Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe 2% allocations.

11) Advanced commitment of 500 tons of road salt through the MiDeal Program.

12) Purchase of three Chevrolet Police Package Tahoe’s from Berger Chevrolet, Grand Rapids, MI.

13) Bid of Peerless-Midwest of Ionia, MI for 2025 Well Rehabilitation Project.

14) Payrolls and Warrants.

Approved a one-time allocation of funding for 120 South University for fire suppression and façade improvements with no other funding available until standardization of criteria is established.

Adjourned the meeting at 8:47 pm.

What to Watch at the 3/10/2025 Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting

Here are the topics to watch at the next in person, as well as virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, March 10, 2025, at 7 p.m.

  • Administer Oath of Office to Commissioner Zang.
  • 2024 Community Improvement Awards
  • Presentation on Events and Planning Organizational Support.
  • Presentation on the Island Park POW/MIA Memorial.
  • Request for Fire Suppression and Façade Improvement Funding Allocation for TyJorMac, LLC (120 South University) and Request for Work Session.

To view the entire meeting packet visit: 

Click to access E-Packet%20for%20Monday,%20March%2010,%202025..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 comment@mt-pleasant.org.

To participate via Zoom:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84516608752?pwd=eTqmRbbDhbVfOCEHHIZB2l4SdiVbPT.1

Meeting ID: 845 1660 8752

Passcode: 207483

Phone dial-in: (312) 626-6799

The 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

Maureen Eke              meke@mt-pleasant.org

Amy Perschbacher      aperschbacher@mt-pleasant.org

Grace Rollins               grollins@mt-pleasant.org

Boomer Wingard        bwingard@mt-pleasant.org

John Zang jzang@mt-pleasant.org

Persons with disabilities needing assistance to participate may call the Human Resources office on (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.