City parking lot and several streets closed this weekend for Classic Car Show

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A City parking lot and several streets will be closed this weekend to accommodate the Classic Car and Motorcycle Show presented by the Home Builders Association of Central Michigan.

PARKING LOT CLOSURE:

  • Lot #3 (Town Center) will be closed on Friday, July 14 at 5 p.m. until Saturday, July 15 at 6 p.m. Overnight permit holders should use parking lot #2, located behind Max and Emily’s. Cars left in parking lot #3 lot will be towed to parking lot #12 across from City Hall (320 West Broadway).

STREET CLOSURES:

The following streets will be closed Saturday, July 15 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cars left on streets will be towed to parking lot #12 across from City Hall (320 West Broadway).

  • Broadway from Washington to Franklin
  • Main from Mosher to Lansing (Please note: Michigan will remain open to through traffic.)
  • Court from Broadway to Mosher (Please note: Access to parking lot #2 will remain open.)
  • University from Michigan to Broadway
  • Franklin from Michigan to Mosher

Mosher and Michigan will remain open to move traffic traveling east and west. Washington will remain open until the roundabout for north and southbound traffic.

Questions may be directed to Downtown Development Director Michelle Sponseller at msponseller@mt-pleasant.org or (989) 779-5348.

 

5 things to watch at the next City Commission meeting

Here are 5 things to watch at the July 10 City Commission meeting:

  1. Introduction of new Water Superintendent: Jamie Hockemeyer, the new Water Treatment Plant Superintendent, will be introduced to the City Commission.
  2. 2017 Solar LED Flashing School Crossing Signs bid: The City Commission will consider approving a contract with Traffic Safety Corporation for 14 Solar LED Flashing School Crossing Signs to be installed at the crossing guard locations. Funds for this purchase are made available by the Tribal 2 percent grant.
  3. Confirmation of emergency curbside pickup contract: The City Commission will be asked to confirm the contract with Republic Services for the July 1 curbside pickup of flood-damaged items.
  4. July Board of Review date: The City’s July Board of Review was scheduled to be held on July 18, 2017. Two of the three Board of Review members have conflict with the schedule and have requested the date be moved to Thursday, July 20, 2017. The City Commission will consider supporting the request to modify the July Board of Review date.
  5. Extension of MDOT Contract:  The City Commission will consider extending the contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation for continued operation and maintenance of the Automated Weather Observation and Data Dissemination System at the Mt. Pleasant Municipal Airport until July 31, 2018.

To see the full City Commission agenda and packet for July 10, 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.

FEMA teams to survey flood damage

img_2572.jpgThroughout Friday, July 7, representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Michigan State Police and the City will be out in the community to review the reported flood damage to public infrastructure, and private residences and businesses.

These teams will be wearing recognizable shirts with logos and are carrying identification. If your home is visited by a team, please allow them to complete a damage assessment as this is an important step in applying for state and/or federal aid.

We will keep you informed of next steps as we learn more. Please remember, financial assistance is not guaranteed.

NOTE: Teams will only visit a handful of private residences and businesses that were impacted by the flood, so do not be concerned if your property is not visited.

City to present draft character-based zoning code on July 27

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Character-Based Code Presentation and Public Comment

The City will present a draft of the proposed character-based zoning code to the public on Thursday, July 27 at 7 p.m. at City Hall. The project consultant, Town Planning & Urban Design Collaborative (TPUDC), will introduce the new code and kick-off a four-week period for public review and comment. The presentation will air on Channel 188 and will be available on the City’s YouTube page.

Following the presentation, a copy of the draft code will be accessible on the City’s website, and hard copies will be available at City Hall and Veterans Memorial Library. Comments on the draft code should be submitted to the City no later than Thursday, August 24, so a revised code can be prepared for adoption.

Developing the Character-Based Code

The creation of the new zoning ordinance began in September 2016 when TPUDC visited Mt. Pleasant to hear from stakeholders and community members about the current zoning regulations and the development patterns that have occurred in the City as a result. In November, the City hosted its first ever “Planapalooza.” During this four-day event, more than 300 community members participated in discussions and shared their ideas regarding City planning.

“The new code was not only specifically created for Mt. Pleasant, it was really created by Mt. Pleasant,” said Mt. Pleasant City Planner Jacob Kain. “The hundreds of residents and business owners who participated throughout this process provided the direction that has shaped the draft code. We are excited to continue moving this process forward with the introduction of the draft code to the community.”

Purpose of a Character-Based Code

The goal of a character-based code is to create a new city-wide zoning ordinance that would emphasize form and function while updating standards for development throughout the community. This type of code would preserve and enhance the unique character of Mt. Pleasant and improve walkability, bikeability and safety along roads such as Mission Street.

The formal adoption process is expected to begin in October with implementation of the new code occurring in December.

For more information, go to www.mt-pleasant.org/character.

Summary of the June 26 City Commission Meeting

The video of the June 26, 2017 City Commission meeting is available here.

Below is the Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, June 26, 2017, at 7 p.m., in the City Commission Room

1. Removed “Worksession: Goals discussion for 2018” from the agenda.
Received petitions and communications.

2. Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

  • Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held June 12, 2017
  • Authorized the purchase of a 2017 Ford F-150 from Krapohl Ford and authorized the Mayor and Clerk to sign the purchase-buyback contract
  • Resolution in support of the Sean Stanton Memorial Community Slow Roll
  • Received draft of Fee/Charges Policy Guidelines
  • Payrolls and warrants

3. Held a public hearing on Special Assessment #01-17. Approved Resolutions #3 and #4
regarding Principal Shopping District Special Assessment #01-17 as presented.

4. Confirmed contracts with W&B Underground of Indian River, MI and Block Electric, of Weidman, MI to perform emergency electrical repairs at Island Park as well as the appropriate budget amendment for this work.

5. Adjourned the meeting at 7:28 p.m.

July 6 Farmers’ Market to take place at Morey Courts

20160609_074952_resizedThe Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market on Thursday, July 6 will take place in the parking lot at Morey Courts from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The July 6 market was originally canceled due to the flooding that has closed Island Park indefinitely.

“We are incredibly grateful to all of the organizations that offered to help, and to Morey Courts for ultimately hosting us,” said Farmers’ Market Manager Carol Moody. “We feel very fortunate to be part of a community filled with generous people who are more than willing to help one another during difficult times.”

The Farmers’ Market held on Saturdays will continue as scheduled at City Hall.

Several City parks closed and events canceled following flood

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UPDATE: The Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market on Thursday, July 6 will now take place in the parking lot at Morey Courts from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (This market was originally canceled due to the flooding that closed Island Park indefinitely.)

Due to extensive flood damage, the City of Mt. Pleasant has closed all of Island Park and Nelson Park, as well as portions of several other City parks until further notice. Additionally, the USA Softball State Tournament scheduled for June 29-July 2 in locations throughout Mt. Pleasant has been canceled; and the Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market at Island Park is canceled for both Thursday, June 29 and Thursday, July 6.

The parks partially closed include:

  • Chipp-A-Waters Park (bridge and trails)
  • Mill Pond Park (trails)
  • Mission Creek (various locations)
  • Pickens Field (lower fields)

“Although the flood waters are starting to recede, there are still many locations throughout our parks that are unsafe to access,” said Director of Parks and Public Spaces Chris Bundy. “We are asking the community to please abide by these closings so we can focus on recovering and repairing our parks and facilities as quickly as possible.”

Additional information and scheduling changes for upcoming events will be posted as they become available at www.mt-pleasant.org and on the City’s social media pages.

See a video update regarding the City parks at https://vimeo.com/223335251.

City to provide special heavy item collection July 1; Regular refuse and recycling collection to remain on schedule

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In response to the flooding event, the City of Mt. Pleasant is offering its residents and property owners a special curbside collection of water-damaged heavy items on Saturday, July 1. Disposal instructions are as follows:

  • Items should be placed curbside, without blocking the roadway or storm drains.
  • Please do not place regular refuse and recycling with the flood-damaged items.
  • Collection is curbside only (no alley collection).
  • Residents do not need to use City refuse bags or tags. Residents may use regular garbage bags, if necessary, to contain flood-damaged items.
  • Residents may set out items now, but no later than 7 a.m. on Saturday, July 1. (Items set out now may be collected before Saturday.)
  • There is no cost for the collection.
  • Acceptable items include, but are not limited to: Carpet, padding, drywall, tile, wood flooring, furniture and cardboard.
  • Items not eligible for collection include tires, fuel-based power tools, anything containing Freon or fuel, and household hazardous waste such as pesticides and paint cans.

Regular refuse and recycling collection will remain on schedule this week. Large Item Stickers are not needed for the July 1 collection of flood-damaged items. There is no cost for the collection.

Please do not attempt to remove flood-damaged items from a basement until water has receded and the space can be safely accessed. All flood-damaged items should be considered contaminated and unsafe for use. City officials strongly discourage scavenging items placed at the curb for disposal.

For more information, call Public Works at (989) 779-5401.

Flooding Update

Due to the flooding overnight, the City storm drain system is at capacity, and as the rain stops, some of the flooding is receding. City crews are checking storm drains for blockages.  

We are working to compile a list of streets in the City that are closed.                

If you have sewage backing up, please call 779-5401 and Street Department staff will respond as soon as possible. 

The City can be reached at the following phone numbers: 779-5401, 779-5100, 779-5101.

FLOODING SAFETY: 

  • Avoid entering standing water as there may be many unforeseen hazards.
  • Please stay away from the river. It is very high and fast-moving, and poses a great danger to those who get too close. 
  • Do not drive on roads covered with water.
  • Avoid driving on roads with water along the sides. While it may appear passable, the road could be damaged and not safe to drive on.