Author: mpcityblog

President of Strong Towns to speak in Mt. Pleasant

Strong Towns 2017 Flyer

See the Strong Towns 2017 Flyer

Charles Marohn, president of Strong Towns, a national nonprofit working to strengthen financial resilience in America’s towns and cities, will lead a series of activities in the City of Mt. Pleasant on Thursday, April 13. During this interactive event, participants will learn Strong Towns’ principles of financial solvency, incremental development, local economic growth and bottom-up activism as they apply to the City of Mt. Pleasant and the surrounding region.

“We are excited to welcome Strong Towns to our community and share their message,” said City Planner Jacob Kain. “Mr. Marohn is a leading national advocate for strong communities and I believe members of our community will find his message resonates and provides a framework for planning for our future.”

All are encouraged to attend the April 13 events, including public officials, local change-advocates, business owners and residents.

First, Mr. Marohn and City officials will lead attendees on two walking tours in the community. The first tour begins at 2 p.m. and will focus on Mission Street. Interested participants should meet at the northwest corner of S. Mission Street and Fairfield Drive. The second tour will focus on Downtown Mt. Pleasant. Interested participants should meet at Town Center (northwest corner of Main and Broadway).

Later, a public Curbside Chat will take place at 6 p.m. at Mt. Pleasant City Hall (320 W. Broadway) and will focus on the question, “Why, despite all the growth America has experienced, do our cities struggle financially just to accomplish basic tasks?” This stunning presentation is a game-changer for communities looking to grow more resilient and obtain true prosperity during changing times. In the second half of the presentation, Mr. Marohn will speak about issues specific to Mt. Pleasant and open the floor for discussion with attendees.

As part of his visit, Mr. Marohn will also lead meetings with City staff and officials.

Information about the event can also be found on the City’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mtpleasantmi.

About Strong Towns:

Strong Towns is a national media organization whose mission is to advocate for a model of development that allows America’s cities, towns and neighborhoods to grow financially strong and resilient. Strong Towns reaches an audience of more than 80,000 readers and listeners per month, and has over 1,600 members. Learn more at http://www.strongtowns.org.

 

5 things to watch at the next City Commission meeting

2016 Annual Report reduced_Page_01

Here are five things to watch at the March 27 City Commission meeting…

  1. Receipt of 2016 Annual Report: The City Commission will receive the 2016 Annual Report, a 14-page packet documenting the highlights of 2016. To read the 2016 edition, click here.
  2. Ad-hoc committee on Michigan Medical Marijuana Facilities Act (MMMFLA): The City Commission will consider the proposed composition of the MMMFLA ad-hoc committee, specific charge of the committee and a timeline for their work to be completed. The committee will research MMMFLA and provide a recommendation to the City Commission on suggested parameters and elements to include in a draft ordinance(s).
  3. Timber Town 2.0 donation funds: The City Commission will consider allocating $53,800 of Timber Town 2.0 donations to cover costs from the demolition; add signage, rubberized walkways and patio areas; and renovate the original wooden lodge and covered seating areas. It is also recommended the Commission approves the purchase of a wheelchair accessible play feature if additional in-kind donations are received. 
  4. Public hearings on rental house licensing rates/fees: There will be two public hearings regarding changes to rental housing license fees and fines. Members of the community may provide input on the proposed fee increase for rental housing licenses as well as the proposed ordinance amendment to increase the penalty for owners and property managers who fail to obtain rental housing licenses. 
  5. City Hall security cameras: The Commission will consider the purchase and installation of a security camera system that would cover the exterior of City Hall, including the parking lot and public entrance. 

To see the full City Commission agenda and packet for March 27, 2017, click here. 

Mount Pleasant City Commission meetings are held at City Hall on the second and fourth Monday of every month. Meetings begin at 7 p.m.

Top 5 reasons to love spring in Mt. Pleasant

We love this City all year-round, but there’s just something about spring that gets us excited to go outside and explore! Here are the top 5 reasons why we love spring in Mt. Pleasant so much:

1. The scenery

Mt. Pleasant always manages to look beautiful… But especially so in the spring! With flowers in full bloom and grass as green as can be, the City looks postcard perfect. Stroll downtown on a crisp spring day or explore CMU’s campus in the peak of springtime. Post a pic on Instagram and use the hashtag “#mtpleasantmi” to give us the chance to repost on our page. We love seeing spring in Mt. Pleasant!

2. The parks

Whether you want to play tennis, go for a run or just take a walk with your friends, there is always something to do at the City’s beautiful parks. Now that the snow will be gone for good, take advantage of the many trails in our parks! Our recommendation? Check out the GKB Riverwalk Trail. It’s 1.8 miles long and connects five of Mt. Pleasant’s most popular parks. We even have a map.

3. The start of spring sports

Whether you’re looking to watch a college baseball game or sign your child up for some tee-ball, there’s no shortage of spring sports in Mt. Pleasant! CMU baseball and softball games are already underway, or check out a CMU women’s lacrosse game! If you have little ones, register them for the Chippewa Kids Club to score a free ticket to select CMU sporting events.

As for Mt. Pleasant youth sports, spring soccer and tee-ball both start April 29. The “Start Smart” tee-ball for youth ages 3-5 starts May 2. Click here for more information on youth athletics and activities in the City.

4. Easter activities

This year, Easter falls on April 16– and we have a couple of fun (and free!) activities for kids leading up to it! On April 8, come to CMU’s Finch Fieldhouse for The Great Egg Scramble. Between 12:30 and 3:30 p.m., children ages 2-10 scramble for plastic toy and candy-filled eggs, candy and prizes. Crafts, games and refreshments are all part of the festivities as well. For the older kids, check out the Teen Flashlight Egg Hunt on April 9th at 8:30 p.m. The event taking place at Island Park South Shelter will feature hundreds of candy-filled eggs and the chance to win cool prizes!

5. Timber Town 2.0

Mark your calendars: the community build of Timber Town 2.0 starts May 17!  We’re very excited for the new playground… It has some really cool features we think you and your family will love! However, we can’t build it without your help. To sign up to volunteer, go to www.uwgic.org/timbertown. For more information and pictures of the new design, check out www.timbertownmp.org or www.facebook.com/TimberTown2.0.

 

Happy spring, Mt. Pleasant!

Volunteers needed for Timber Town 2.0 community build in May

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The City of Mt. Pleasant is seeking volunteers for the construction and installation of the Timber Town 2.0 playscape at Island Park.

“Community Build Week” will take place May 17-21 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Throughout the week, professional builders will guide community members through a variety of tasks, accommodating all levels of skill.  Participants may attend the entire day or sign up for a five-hour shift – 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 12 to 5 p.m. Lunch will be provided for the morning shift, and dinner will be provided for the afternoon shift.

On Saturday and Sunday, May 20 and 21, activities will be available onsite for the children of those volunteering. The activities planned are suitable for children ages 5-12.

Sign up to volunteer at http://www.uwgic.org/timbertown. Additional project information can be found at www.timbertownmp.org and www.facebook.com/timbertown2.0.

The community build of Timber Town 2.0 is possible because of the generosity of several community members, businesses and organizations. Earlier this year, the City of Mt. Pleasant reached its $156,000 fundraising campaign goal for the playground project. Timber Town 2.0 is a one-of-a-kind, universally accessible play structure that will replace the original 1994 version of the playground.

Latham named captain of Mt. Pleasant Police Department

Andy LathamAndy Latham has been named captain of the Mt. Pleasant Police Department. Latham began his career with the City as an officer more than 20 years ago, and has since served as sergeant and lieutenant.

In his new role, Latham is looking forward to the opportunity to connect with community members. “I hope to continue our tradition of excellent police work while making our department more personable and approachable,” said Latham.  He hopes this will lead to more interaction between officers and the community on a social level.

As captain, Latham says he also plans to learn new phases of police administration while working with and supporting staff in any way he can.

Latham replaces the department’s former captain, Paul Lauria, who took the helm as the City’s director of public safety/police chief in February.

5 things to watch at the next City Commission meeting

2017-city-commissionMount Pleasant City Commission meetings are held at City Hall on the second and fourth Monday of every month. Meetings begin at 7 p.m.

Here are five things to watch at the March 13 City Commission meeting…

  1. Special Meeting: Prior to the start of the regular meeting, a special meeting with the City Commission and Planning Commission will include a presentation on new regulations for medical marijuana facilities licensing, followed by a discussion of next steps for the City. (See the agenda for the Special Meeting here.)
  2. Presentation of 2016 Community Improvement Awards: Since 1979, the Planning Commission has presented Community Improvement Awards for rebuilt or renovated residential and/or commercial properties. These awards are a way for the Planning Commission to thank and acknowledge the property owners for investment in our community and making our neighborhoods better places to live.
  3. Schedule public hearings regarding housing license fees and fines: The City Commission will consider setting public hearings for March 27 on the proposed rental housing licensing fees to be implemented July 1, as well as the new penalty amounts for owners and property managers who fail to obtain housing licenses.
  4. Renewals of facility agreements with community organizations: The City Commission will consider the renewal of a five-year facility agreement with the Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan for the Jane Harris Girl Scout cabin located in Chipp-a-Waters Park. The Commission will also consider the renewal of a 10-year facility agreement with the Mt. Pleasant Lions Club for a storage building at Pickens Field.
  5. Bids and quotations: The City Commission will consider approving a number of bids and quotes recommended by City staff for the following purchases and/or services:
    • Grounds Mowing
    • Tractor
    • High Service Pump Rehabilitation
    • Primary Sludge Pump Replacement

 To see the full City Commission agenda and packet for March 13, 2017, click here. 

5 things to watch at the next City Commission meeting

2017-city-commission

Mount Pleasant City Commission meetings are held at City Hall on the second and fourth Monday of every month. Meetings begin at 7 p.m.

Here are five things to watch at the Feb. 27 City Commission meeting…

  1. Presentation of award to City’s water supervisor: A representative of the American Water Works Association will present Mt. Pleasant Water Supervisor Malcolm Fox with the Raymond J. Faust award. This award recognizes individuals for outstanding personal service in the water supply field.
  2. Upgraded lighting at crossing guard locations: The City Commission will consider an amendment to the Consumers Energy Standard Lighting contract to upgrade and increase lighting at each of the eight crossing guard locations for improved safety at crosswalks.
  3. Facility license agreements: The City Commission will consider a resolution to approve a general facility license agreement template for 2017, as well as agreements specific to 2017 Little League and Fast Pitch Softball.
  4. Hazard mitigation plan: The City Commission will consider adopting the Isabella County Hazard Mitigation Plan as an official plan of the City of Mt. Pleasant. Implementation of the plan’s recommendations assist in the reduction of injuries, loss of life and destruction of property due to natural and technological hazards.
  5. Bids and quotations: The City Commission will consider approving a number of bids and quotes recommended by City staff for the following purchases and/or services:
    • Sewer Relining
    • Sand and Gravel
    • Crack Sealing
    • Spring Trees
    • Water Meters

To see the full City Commission agenda and packet for Feb. 27, 2017, click here. 

Nominations for Historic Preservation Improvement Awards due March 31

downtowndestination-logo1The City of Mt. Pleasant’s Historic District Commission (HDC) is currently seeking nominations for the 2017 Historic Preservation Improvement Awards.

The awards are presented each year to honor exterior improvements of residential and commercial properties in the City of Mt. Pleasant in four areas – Preservation, Restoration, New Construction or Downtown Historic District Choice. Nominated properties must be at least 25 years old, and the improvements must have been completed between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2016.

The HDC will evaluate applications that best reflect the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Winners will be announced in May as part of National Historic Preservation month.

Nominations are due by 4:30 p.m. on March 31, 2017. Nomination forms can be found on the City’s website at http://www.mt-pleasant.org/boards_and_commissions/HDC.asp.

For more information, contact Downtown Development Director Michelle Sponseller at (989) 779-5348 or msponseller@mt-pleasant.org.

 

City launches mobile app to connect with citizens

The City of Mt. Pleasant has launched MP phones-and-app-square-for-websiteCity Link – a free mobile app that empowers citizens to easily report non-emergency issues located within City limits to City Staff. It also provides on-the-go access to the latest City news and information.

In a matter of minutes, the app allows users to submit a description, picture and location of a City neighborhood issue, such as a streetlight outage, pothole or park trail obstruction.

The report is automatically submitted to the respective division or department for review. The individual who submitted the service request will be notified when the issue has been acknowledged and closed. Citizens will also be able to view, comment on and vote to fix problems submitted by their neighbors.

Additional features of the app allow residents to read about the latest city news and events, pay utility bills and parking tickets, register for Parks & Recreation activities, contact City staff, and more!

“We’re always looking for new ways to increase engagement with the members of our community,” said City Manager Nancy Ridley. “With so many of us taking our smart phones and tablets everywhere we go, we are excited to offer this mobile-friendly tool for residents to both stay informed of City happenings, as well as report non-emergency issues we can address to make Mt. Pleasant the best it can be.”

The MP City Link mobile app is available for download on Android and iPhone. Simply search “MP City Link” on the App Store and Google Play. In addition to the mobile apps, citizens can send reports through the City’s website. See more at www.mt-pleasant.org.

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MP City Link was developed in partnership with SeeClickFix. SeeClickFix was founded in 2008 to empower citizens with tools to publicly document quality of life concerns in their neighborhoods. By radically improving the quantity and quality of this data, SeeClickFix was quickly adopted by local governments, who needed a better way to receive information from citizens.

This exchange helped to build one of the largest neighborhood networks in the world — upon which public agencies and public citizens engage to improve communities. Today, SeeClickFix has official partnerships with hundreds of cities, engaging hundreds of thousands of citizens in the resolution of millions of issues.

SeeClickFix has worked with government partners to develop municipal management tools on top of this citizen network. As SeeClickFix is adopted into the everyday lives of government users, the benefit of the engaged citizen base continues to grow.

5 things to watch at the next City Commission meeting

2017-city-commission

Mount Pleasant City Commission meetings are held at City Hall on the second and fourth Monday of every month. Meetings begin at 7 p.m.

Here are five things to watch at the Feb. 13 City Commission meeting…

  1. Peacemaking Recognition Day Proclamation: Every year, Mt. Pleasant Public Schools nominates students of all grade levels who promote peace through their words and actions. Mayor Ling will read a proclamation declaring Feb. 27, 2017 as Peacemaking Recognition Day in Mt. Pleasant to affirm that the peacemaking efforts of local youth are valued and contribute to the quality of life in the community.
  2. MP City Link Presentation: The Communications Department will announce the launch of MP City Link – a free mobile app that empowers citizens to easily report non-emergency issues to City staff, as well as provides on-the-go access to the latest City news and information.
  3. Tobacco Free Zone Policy Report: City Manager Nancy Ridley will provide the City Commission with a report on the effectiveness of the Tobacco Free Zone Policy in City Parks implemented in 2016.
  4. Rezoning of 205, 209-219 E Bellows and 1021 S University: Following a public hearing, the City Commission will consider a request to change the land use of three tax parcels. Two are currently zoned C-1 (Local Business) and one P-1 (Vehicular Parking). The request is to rezone all three properties to M-2 (Multiple Family Residential).
  5. Downtown Vision Plan: The City Commission will consider an amendment to the contract with the City’s zoning ordinance consultant, Town Planning & Urban Design Collaborative (TPUDC), to conduct additional design work for downtown in conjunction with the character-based code project.

To see the full City Commission packet for Feb. 13, 2017, click here.