Author: mpcityblog

Mt. Pleasant Fire Department Responds to House Fire

On July 5 at 6:57 p.m., the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department (MPFD) responded to a house fire at the 1700 block of West Broadway Street. 

Upon arrival, crews observed a two-story residence with flames and smoke coming from the rear of the structure. The fire was brought under control at 7:15 p.m. The house sustained heavy smoke, heat and fire damage.

The occupants of the residence were home at the time of the incident and safely exited the structure.

The MPFD is investigating the cause of the fire.       

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

Election Day – August 2, 2022

On August 2, 2022 a primary election will be held to narrow the candidates for the November ballot. Voters must vote either Democrat or Republican in this primary election.

Offices on the ballot include: Governor, Representative in the 2nd District for Congress, State Senator for the 34th District, Representative in State Legislature for the 92nd District, County Road Commissioner, County Commissioner and Delegates to the County Convention.

A proposal for the Medical Care Facility’s Operations, Maintenance and Capital Cost Millage is also on the ballot.

Voter ID Cards Mailed:

In late May/early June every registered voter in the City received a new voter ID card in the mail. These cards include the updated voting precinct, congressional, legislative and county district information. On Election Day, Tuesday, August 2, 2022 voters should go to the precinct noted on this updated ID card.

City of Mt. Pleasant Voting Precincts (Effective August 2022):

Precinct 1: Ganiard Elementary School, 101 South Adams Street

Precinct 2: Kinney Elementary School, 720 North Kinney Street

Precinct 3: Pullen Elementary School, 251 South Brown Street

Precinct 4: Fancher Elementary School, 801 South Kinney Avenue

Precinct 5: Vowles Elementary School, 1560 South Watson Street

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

Mt. Pleasant High School is no longer a voting precinct due to the high amount of scheduled extracurricular activities and limited convenient parking. 

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 July 18, 2022 to vote in the August 2, 2022 primary election. Residents may also visit www.mi.gov/vote to confirm voting precincts.

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, July 29, 2022. 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 (clerk@mt-pleasant.org). This must be completed by 5 p.m. on Friday, July 29, 2022.  Visit https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us to request an absentee ballot online.

Absentee voting at the Clerk’s Office is now available during regular business hours with additional hours on Saturday, July 30, 2022 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. and on Monday, August 1, 2022 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Election Day Information

Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. Need a ride to and from the polls? I-Ride is offering free rides. Call (989) 772-9441 to schedule.

Visit www.mi.gov/vote to confirm where you are registered to vote.

Summary of Minutes of the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – June 27, 2022

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, June 27, 2022, 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.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

4) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held June 13, 2022.

5) Airport Joint Operations and Management Board Meeting Minutes.

6) Bid of Prolime Corporation of Washington, MI for 2022 Lime Residuals Removal and budget amendment.

7) Awarded contract for planning services to McKenna Associates and authorized the Mayor to sign same.

8) Adopted resolution approving the transfer of the adult-use marihuana retailer license currently located at 1005 Corporate Drive to 1207 E. Pickard St.

9) Adopted resolution approving the transfer of adult-use marihuana retailer license to H & G Ventures LLC.

10) Warrants and Payrolls.

Approved resolution approving charter amendment ballot language to change the term of office for City Commission members and hold elections on even years.

Conducted a work session discussion on Downtown parking.

Adjourned the meeting at 7:56 p.m.

Important Plumbing Reminders

Your home’s plumbing, and the City’s sewage collection system are designed to handle water, human waste, and toilet tissue only. Clogged pumps lead to equipment failure and can cause the sewer to backup. Repairing these pumps and cleaning up any damage caused by backups is costly. To avoid these unwanted repairs and expenses follow the guidelines listed below.

Do not dispose of these items down drains or toilets:

  • Mop heads of any kind (recently found at the pump station).
  • Baby wipes, disposable personal wipes, towelettes, disinfecting wipes, or cloth wipes of any kind, even if the container indicates they are “flushable.”
  • Paper (other than toilet paper).
  • Medications: (Prescription or over-the-counter.) These may be dropped off for free at the City’s Public Safety Building, 804 E. High Street.
  • Feminine hygiene products of any kind.
  • Beauty products, Q-Tips, dental floss, makeup sponges.
  • Plastics of any kind.
  • Food
  • Grease of any kind, especially grease from cooking. Grease quickly congeals and clogs private sewer lead pipes and municipal sewer mains.
  • Garden supplies, such as pesticides or herbicides, paint, varnish, paint remover, nail polish remover, or chemicals of any kind.
  • Motor oil, gasoline, or any explosive material.

The items listed above should be thrown away in the trash, or disposed of at a recycling center or during a community household hazardous waste collection. Please share this information with all members of your household and any contractors that come in to clean your home.

Topics to Watch at the Hybrid Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – June 27, 2022

Here are the topics to watch at the next in-person, as well as virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, June 27, 2022 at 7 p.m.

  • Introduce and swear in Mt. Pleasant Police Officer Mason Nash.
  • Consider approval of contract with McKenna for planning services.
  • Consider resolution approving the transfer of adult-use marihuana retailer license location to 1207 E. Pickard.
  • Consider resolution approving the transfer of adult-use marihuana retailer license to H & G Ventures LLC.
  • Consider resolution approving charter amendment ballot language to change the term of office for City Commission members and hold elections in even years.

To view the entire meeting packet visit: 

Click to access 6-27-22.pdf

How to follow public meetings:

In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, 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/88962935714?pwd=pI6VEbcL2GfHnxrJPMBlH0wsypGfKR.1

Meeting ID: 889 6293 5714

Passcode: 262066

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

Olivia Cyman               ocyman@mt-pleasant.org

Maureen Eke               meke@mt-pleasant.org

Amy Perschbacher       aperschbacher@mt-pleasant.org

George Ronan             gronan@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.

Summary of Minutes of the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – June 13, 2022

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, June 13, 2022, 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 May 23, 2022.

7) 2023-2028 Capital Improvement Plan.

8) Bid of Revize of Troy, MI for the 2022 Website Redesign Project.

9) Resolution setting fees associated with use of the airport courtesy vehicle.

10) Received proposed Ordinance to amend §154.410.B.4 and Table 154.410.A of the Mt. Pleasant Zoning Ordinance regarding child care centers and group day care homes and set a public hearing for Monday, July 11, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. on same.

11) Warrants and Payrolls.

Rejected the proposed agreement with MRP and directed City Attorney Homier to continue negotiations.

Approved an amendment to the WRRF Rehabilitation contract with Fishbeck Engineering.

City Attorney Homier presented the proposed Charter Amendment which changes the City Commission terms to four years and eliminates odd year city commission elections. A proposed resolution and ballot language for the November, 2022 election will be brought before the Commission at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

Adjourned the meeting at 8:07 p.m.

City of Mt. Pleasant 4th of July Holiday Hours and Firework Safety Reminders

City Offices Closed

City offices will be closed on Monday, July 4, 2022. Refuse and recycling pick-up will be delayed one day all week.

Fourth of July Firework Safety and Ordinance Reminders

A person may only discharge or use consumer fireworks on private property on June 29 – July 4 from 11 a.m. – 11:45 p.m.

Individuals should not ignite, discharge, or use consumer fireworks, homemade fireworks, articles pyrotechnics or display fireworks on public property, school property, church property, or the property of another person without permission to do so.

Violations shall be punishable with fines of $500 up to $1,000.

Additionally, a minor shall not possess, ignite, discharge or use consumer fireworks. Fireworks shall not be used while a person is under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, or during times when a burning ban has been established by the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids, MI. For a list of burning restrictions by county, visit http://www.dnr.state.mi.us/burnpermits/.

Safety Tips

For those planning on discharging fireworks this July Fourth holiday, please follow the City regulations as stated above, and practice these safety tips:

1.    Read and follow all warning and instructions.

2.    Never allow children to play with fireworks of any kind.

3.    Wear protective clothing, including eye wear.

4.    Only light devices on smooth, flat surfaces away from residential areas, dry leaves and flammable materials.

5.    Always keep a hose or bucket of water nearby in case of malfunction.

6.    Never try to re-light fireworks that have not fully functioned.

The best way to protect your family is to avoid the use of fireworks at home entirely. 

Parking Lot #3 Saturday Closures – Farmers’ Market

Beginning June 18 – October 8, 2022 parking lot #3, located at the NW corner of Main and Broadway will be closed on Saturday’s for the weekly Farmers’ Market. Overnight permit holders are requested to park in lots #2, #4 or #5 on Friday nights during this time. Cars left in parking lot #3 will be towed, at no cost to the vehicle owner, to parking lot #10, located at the NW corner of Broadway and Mosher.

The Farmers’ Market runs from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

In addition to on-street parking, other free daytime parking options include:

PARKING LOT #1

Located at the NW corner of Michigan and Franklin, behind the Broadway Theatre, Stan’s and Grays Furniture and Boutique.

PARKING LOT #2 (AKA JOCKEY ALLEY)

Located on Mosher, between Main and Court.

PARKING LOT #4

Located on Washington between Michigan and Broadway, behind Curtiss Pro Hardware and the Upper Cut.

PARKING LOT #5

Located at the SE corner of Michigan and Washington, behind the old Ward Theatre.

PARKING LOT #6

Located at the NW corner of University and Illinois, behind Listening Ear and The Bird Bar and Grill.

PARKING LOT #9

Located on Mosher, between Court and Franklin.

PARKING LOT #10

Located at the NW corner of Broadway and Mosher.

PARKING LOT #11

Located on Franklin, between Broadway and Mosher.

PARKING LOT #12

Located at the SW corner of Oak and Broadway.

CITY HALL PARKING LOT (#13)

Located behind City Hall, at 320 West Broadway.

Topics to Watch at the Hybrid Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – June 13, 2022

Here are the topics to watch at the next in-person, as well as virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, June 13, 2022 at 7 p.m.

  • Introduce and swear in Mt. Pleasant Police Officers Mason Nash and David Wheaton.
  • Presentation on the 2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.
  • Consider approval of the proposed 2023-2028 Capital Improvement Plan.
  • Receive an ordinance to amend section 154.410.B.4 and table 154.410.A of the Mt. Pleasant Code of Ordinances regarding child care centers and group day care homes and set a public hearing fur June 27, 2022 on the same.

To view the entire meeting packet visit: 

Click to access 6-13-22.pdf

How to follow public meetings:

In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, 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/87325306734?pwd=djQ2by9HVGMrbnlWd0FHUElyYTNPZz09

Meeting ID: 873 2530 6734

Passcode: 903442

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

Olivia Cyman              ocyman@mt-pleasant.org

Maureen Eke              meke@mt-pleasant.org

Amy Perschbacher      aperschbacher@mt-pleasant.org

George Ronan            gronan@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.

Mt. Pleasant Division of Public Safety Pays Tribute to Marty Trombley

Marty Trombley, former Mt. Pleasant Director of Public Safety and Police Chief, passed away peacefully from heart failure on June 3, 2022. Marty joined the Mt. Pleasant Police Department (MPPD) as Director and Police Chief in September 1980, a position he held until his retirement in 1998.

During his 18-year tenure, Marty was known for his innovative thinking, dedication to continuous training, relationship building, mentoring and unwavering tenacity. Always committed to making the Mt. Pleasant Division of Public Safety a strong and industry-leading organization, Marty was constantly reviewing the division and providing his officers with the best training and educational resources available. This included expanding experiences for officers through special assignments, like BAYANET. Marty assisted the State of Michigan in developing this unit and was instrumental in establishing the unit’s protocols.

Partnerships and open communication were a cornerstone of Marty’s operational philosophy. He established weekly Chiefs meetings where heads of the area’s five police agencies would meet to share critical information and coordinate efforts. He also formed the Isabella County Traffic Unit, comprised of multiple local law enforcement agencies, which was funded by the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe.

Marty was ahead of the curve regarding the benefits when police officers demonstrate a strong, open and honest rapport with youth. He consistently met with school officials to discuss the importance and implementation of placing officers in schools. This ultimately led to the formation of the Youth Service Unit (YSU), which is still in existence today.

CMU students were also recruited by Marty to assist in the containment of the End of World parties. He was a groundbreaker in getting CMU students and Greek organizations involved. Marty served as the original liaison between these groups and developed the CMU Student Neighborhood Watch programs.

Marty’s passion to get the community what it needed led to the construction of a new Division of Public Safety building, located at the intersection of High and Mission Street. This project involved many community conversations and the ultimate move from the constricted University Street location.

Marty maintained strong law enforcement connections across the state. Even after his retirement in 1998, he was still dedicated to law enforcement. Marty conducted state-wide seminars, workshops and assessment centers; work-based scenario exercises used for the advancement of law enforcement officials. He thus freely gave back to the profession years after retirement and served as a mentor to many. As former Mt. Pleasant Public Safety Director and Police Chief Bill Yeagley recalled, “Marty’s mentoring, teaching, and encouragement played a vast role in the positive development of so many law enforcement professionals, myself included. Marty was all about others.”

“Marty reshaped the culture of the Mt. Pleasant Division of Public Safety,” observed current Director of Public Safety and Police Chief Paul Lauria. “Many of us were hired by Marty and were thereby fortunate to play an active role in this transformative period. He has positively influenced not only those of us that worked with him, but the law enforcement profession as a whole.”

For funeral and memorial information visit: https://www.charlesrlux.com/

Current and retired law enforcement officials from the Mt. Pleasant Division of Public Safety and surrounding local law enforcement agencies, paid respects at retired Public Safety Director/Chief of Police Marty Trombley’s funeral on June 8, 2022. Marty served the City of Mt. Pleasant from 1980-1998.