How to follow public meetings during social distancing:
In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, the City of Mt. Pleasant is following federal, state and county health officials’ recommendations while still providing valuable City services.
Even though the City Commission meeting will take place as scheduled, it will be an electronically conducted meeting as allowed by the Governor’s Executive Order and the City Commission Chambers will be closed to the public.
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. Any citizen desiring to make a public comment on an agenda item must email their comments.
On Thursday, September 10, 2020 there will be a series of road closures due to a Legalize Being Black: Our Lives Matter Too March. This event begins at 6:00 p.m. at Bovee University Center on the campus of Central Michigan University (CMU).
The march route is as follows:
-East on Preston Street to Mission Street.
-North on Mission Street to Michigan Street.
(Partial Mission Street closure will take place between 6:15 and 6:45 p.m.)
-West on Michigan Street to Main Street.
-North on Main Street to Town Center.
A short program will take place in Town Center at approximately 6:45 p.m.
The march will then return to CMU’s campus by traveling south on Main Street to Bellows Street.
All event participants are reminded that face coverings are required. Individuals must also adhere to social distancing measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which include remaining at least six feet from people outside the person’s household.
Events such as this are permitted under the United States Constitution’s First Amendment Rights and cannot be prohibited by the Governor’s Executive Order 2020-176, or the Central Michigan District’s Public Health Emergency Order.
Due to a sanitary sewer lead being relocated, Broadway Street will be closed to through traffic between Harris and Main Street beginning September 9 through approximately September 23, 2020. Local traffic access to all businesses and properties between Harris and Main Street will be maintained.
This closure is in addition to Broadway Street being closed from Main to University Street to promote social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During construction, access to the City Hall parking lot will be reduced to one lane.
Through traffic will be detoured to Harris, Pickard and Fancher Streets.
Dependent on the weather, two separate traffic signals in the City of Mt. Pleasant will be receiving upgrades during the week of September 7, 2020.
The traffic signal at Main/Pickard Street will be upgraded with LED retrofits and have a dedicated left turn signal added. This work will begin on September 8. The intersection will function as a three-way stop on September 9.
On September 10, LED retrofits will be installed on the Brown/Broadway Street traffic signal. At times, the signal will be down and the intersection will function as a four-way stop.
The City is offering up to 150 households within the City limits 30 minutes of no fee brush chipping during the week of September 28. Brush chipping will be completed at curbside only, no alleys. The service is first come, first served, and residents must make a reservation by contacting the Division of Public Works beginning at 8:00 a.m. September 14 through September 18 at 4:30 p.m.
To make a reservation or to learn more, contact the Division of Public Works at (989) 779-5401, email publicworks@mt-pleasant.org, or visit the office at 320 W. Broadway Street.
If you need assistance disposing of yard waste, the Materials Recovery Facility located at 4208 E. River Road, is an option. Cost to drop off yard waste at the MRF is $1 per bag or $12.50 per cubic yard.
First of all, thank you for your involvement in Mt. Pleasant Parks and Recreation programming. We are thrilled to have our community’s youth outdoors and staying active as we enter into the Fall season. As always, the health and safety of our community – especially those involved in our programs – remains our top priority. Our department is taking steps to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, but this is a community effort, and one which requires the support and assistance from all of us to be effective.
As most of you are aware, the Central Michigan District Health Department recently issued a public health emergency order in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This order reinforces the importance of all participants adhering to our program safety guidelines. To host our programs, the guidelines below must be followed:
Equipment and supplies for outdoor athletic practices are shared to the minimum extent possible and are subject to frequent and thorough disinfection and cleaning as outlined in Executive Order 2020-160.
The gathering is designed to ensure that persons not part of the same household maintain six feet of distance from one another at all times.
The gathering must continue to comply with mask wearing provisions of Executive Order 2020-153.
Soccer and flag football practices take place in public spaces, and are highly visible to the general public. All it takes is one person to voice a concern or complaint putting both programs in jeopardy. Therefore, we must ALL remain vigilant and keep interactions to a minimum, wear a face covering, and maintain proper social distancing. If we all do our part, we can continue to keep our kids active and engaged this Fall. In addition, we can be an example to our community that these programs can operate in a safe and responsible manner.
Thank you once again to our participating families and volunteer coaches for doing your part in keeping our community safe and providing our youth with a rewarding outdoor experience this Fall. Please stay safe and healthy and we will see you on the field.
The Mt. Pleasant Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying a male suspect who was at EZ Mart, 1911 South Mission Street at approximately 03:00 a.m. on August 22, 2020. Video footage shows the suspect walked around the exterior of the store and shattered the front door. The suspect then entered the building and came out a short time later with a bag full of items.
The suspect is described as a white male in his 20’s or early 30’s with dark hair, glasses and a slim build. The suspect was wearing a light red shirt, cargo shorts and black tennis shoes with a face mask underneath his chin.
There are no safety concerns for the City of Mt. Pleasant.
If you have any information in regards to the identification of this subject, please contact the Mt. Pleasant Police Department’s anonymous tip line at 989-779-9111.
Summary of Minutes of the electronically conducted regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, August 24, 2020, at 7:00 p.m.
Representative of Michigan Department of Transportation Aeronautics gave a presentation on Mt. Pleasant Airport.
Downtown Development Director Sponseller gave a departmental presentation.
Received petitions and communications.
Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:
1) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held August 10, 2020.
2) Referred proposed ordinance to amend Table 154.405.A of the Mt. Pleasant Zoning Ordinance to update standards in the CD-3L, CD-3 and CD-4 zoning districts regarding residential housing standards to the Planning Commission for review and recommendation.
3) Authorized a one-year contract extension with Republic Services until December 31, 2024 for solid waste pick up.
4) Resolution setting fee for trash carts.
5) Warrants and Payrolls.
Approved the resolution temporarily permitting outdoor business activities as presented. (CC Exh. 10-2020)
Approved the appointment of Chris Saladine as acting City Clerk and Mary Ann Kornexl as Deputy City Clerk for the City of Mt. Pleasant.
Approved the appointment of Vice Mayor Amy Perschbacher as the voting delegate, representing the City of Mt. Pleasant at the Michigan Municipal League annual member’s meeting and appoint Mayor Will Joseph as the alternate.
Approved and conducted a closed session pursuant to subsection 8(c) of the Open Meetings Act for strategy and negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement.
Conducted a work session discussion on Airport Partners Agreement.
UPDATE: On May 14, 2021, Central Michigan District Health Department (CMDHD) rescinded its local Emergency Order that limited public gatherings in Isabella County in the City of Mt. Pleasant and Union Township. This local order limited outdoor gatherings and events to 25 or fewer people and applied to residential and non-residential venues.
Please reference the State of Michigan’s page here for current information about capacity limits, guidance, and frequently asked questions.
10/7/2020 UPDATE: The Central Michigan District Health Department has updated and reissued the local public health order to coincide with applicable Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Emergency Orders issued on 10/5/2020. You can view the updated order here:
8/24/2020: Central Michigan District Health Department is issuing a public health emergency order to limit the size of social gatherings or events within Union Township and the City of Mt. Pleasant. No more than 25 people may gather at outdoor events. The local order enhances existing state orders and further restricts social gatherings in areas at increased risk for COVID-19 outbreaks since the student population returned to the local community. The order takes effect on August 24, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. and will remain in effect until amended or rescinded.(Updated 10/7/2020)
“We have seen a large increase in cases since students returned to the Mt. Pleasant area. Our investigations have shown that the majority of these cases had attended large social gatherings. Restrictions on the size of outdoor gatherings, along with other preventive measures will help us reduce the spread of this virus” said Steve Hall, R.S., M.S, health officer for the Central Michigan District Health Department.
The local order reduces the size of allowable outdoor social gatherings from 100 down to 25. Indoor gatherings remain limited to 10 or fewer people not of the same household, as per Michigan Executive Order 2020-160. At any gathering or event, inside or out, individuals not living in the same household should keep a minimum of 6 feet distance from one another.
Face coverings continue to be required in public indoor settings and any crowded outdoor settings under Executive Order 2020-153.
Isabella County has reported a total of 297 confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date. County data shows that in the third week of August there was a 350% increase in the number of COVID-19 cases compared to the previous week. During that week, 92% of reported cases were among those 18 to 24-years-old. This is compared to the first 2 weeks of August in which 39% of cases were among this age group. With thousands of students returning to Central Michigan University in Isabella County, many from states with high rates of COVID-19, living in congregate settings, and traditionally disposed toward socializing in large groups, further restrictions need to be put in place to prevent outbreaks related to large social gatherings and organized events. Large social gatherings have demonstrated an increased public health risk with potential for further outbreak, including super-spreading events.
“We wholeheartedly support the Central Michigan District Health Officer’s order further limiting outdoor gatherings to protect our community from the spread of COVID 19,” says Nancy Ridley, Mt. Pleasant City Manager. “These are not normal times and it takes all of us working together to mitigate the spread of this virus. This includes the consistent wearing of face masks and changes in how we interact and gather. Putting these safety measures in place increase the chances of our schools and businesses staying open, as well as protecting all of our residents, our community’s visitors, and our valued frontline workers.”
“Union Township supports the Central Michigan District Health Department’s Health Officer’s social gathering limitation 100% and thank him for his leadership,” says Union Township Manager Mark Stuhldreher. “Whether permanent residents, students, or visitors to our community we all are the key to slowing the spread of COVID-19. If we all follow the guidance of our public health officials, we can keep ourselves, first responders, and our neighbors as safe as possible. It’s up to each of us to do our part.”
State law provides local health officers with the authority to issue orders to protect the public health under Section 2453 of the Public Health Code (MCL 333.2453). Those who disregard the order could be subject to a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than six months and/or a fine of up to $200.
To reduce the spread of illness in our community, the Health Department recommends wearing a face covering, maintaining a minimum of 6 feet distance from others not in your household and washing your hands frequently. Testing is recommended for anyone reporting to work in person, with known exposure or with any mild or unusual symptoms. Symptoms may take up to 14 days after exposure to appear, and individuals are considered contagious two days before symptoms appear.
The number of local cases, guidance for employers, prevention information, testing options and more are available at https://www.cmdhd.org/novel-coronavirus. Health Department staff are also available to answer questions. CMDHD has established a Coronavirus Message Center line at 989-773-5921 extension 1444. Leave your name, phone number, county of residence, and a brief message. Staff will return calls as soon as possible.
This article has been brought to you by Central Michigan District Health Department, which serves the counties of Arenac, Clare, Gladwin, Isabella, Osceola and Roscommon. Visit our website at http://www.cmdhd.org, LIKE Central Michigan District Health Department on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @CMiDHD.
The City of Mt. Pleasant Adult-Use Marihuana Establishment Selection Committee has selected three applicants to receive conditional authorization to operate a Retailer establishment in the City:
Entity
Location
Lume Cannabis Co.
901 E. Broomfield
Lume Cannabis Co.
1207 N. Mission
House of Fire Provisioning
1005 Corporate
The Mt. Pleasant City Commission adopted ordinances related to the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act (MRTMA) on September 9, 2019. These ordinances “opt in” to the state law allowing adult-use marihuana establishments to operate within the City subject to certain limitations.
In February 2020, the City received ten applications for three available Retailer licenses. Since more applications were received for Retailers than licenses available, the City held a competitive selection process intended to select applicants who are best suited to operate in compliance with the MRTMA in the City. Applicants submitted supplementary applications which were reviewed and scored by a selection committee comprised of City Clerk Jeremy Howard, City Planner Jacob Kain, and Director of Public Safety Paul Lauria.
At this time, the City is no longer accepting additional applications for Provisioning Centers or Retailers. But, applications for Growers, Processors, Secure Transporters, Safety Compliance Facilities, and Microbusinesses are still being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until numerical limits, where applicable, are reached.
City of Mt.Pleasant 
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