Topics to Watch at the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – January 8, 2024

Here are the topics to watch at the next in person, as well as virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, January 8, 2024, at 7 p.m.

Administer Oath of Office to Commissioners Chapman and Rollins

Election of Mayor and Vice Mayor

Consider setting a public hearing for January 22, 2024, on a Community Development Block Grant Housing Improving Local Livability (CHILL) Grant Application as required by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA).

To view the entire meeting packet visit:

Click to access E-Packet%20for%20Monday,%20January%208,%202024.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 comments@mt-pleasant.org.

To participate via Zoom:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83245133239?pwd=VGlMVmQvQ0R4eklMVk5rZEtvSUU5Zz09

Meeting ID: 832 4513 3239

Passcode: 952681

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

Elizabeth Busch ebusch@mt-pleasant.org

Bryan Chapman bchapman@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

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. 48-hour advance notice is necessary for accommodation.

City to hold Citizens’ Academy of Mt. Pleasant; accepting applications now

The eighth Citizens’ Academy is now accepting applications. Presented by the City of Mt. Pleasant, the academy is designed to engage members of the community and to expand their knowledge of the structure and functions of local government.

Participants will attend seven weekly sessions beginning Tuesday, February 20, 2024. Each session will offer an in-depth look at the fundamentals of the City’s administration and budget; public works and utilities; parks and recreation; public safety; and community development. Additional topics covered include the basics of local government, elections and more.

The Citizens’ Academy is open to anyone living, working, owning property, or attending school in the City of Mt. Pleasant. Director of Planning & Community Development Manuela Powidayko shared, “The Citizens’ Academy is an opportunity for residents to capture a close-up view of how a municipality operates and the many services the city provides on a daily basis.”

Registration for the academy is free and space is limited. Sessions will occur on the following Tuesdays from 6 – 8:30 p.m.: February 20, February 27, March 12, March 19, April 2, April 9, and April 16. Graduates of the academy will be recognized at the April 22 City Commission meeting.

Applications are available at City Hall or online and are accepted until February 5, 2024. Find the application and learn more at www.mt-pleasant.org/citizensacademy.

Summary of Minutes of the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – 12/11/2023

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, December 11, 2023, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Commission Room, 320 W. Broadway St., Mt. Pleasant, Michigan with virtual options.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

2) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held November 27, 2023.

3) Minutes of the closed session of the City Commission held November 27, 2023.

4) Bids for 2024 Water Treatment Plant treatment (bulk) chemicals.

5) Contract with Yeo & Yeo for 2024 Network Switch Replacement project.

6) Sole source purchase of in-car camera systems, body worn cameras and tasers from Axon Enterprise, Inc. of Scottsdale, AZ.

7) Resolution for 2023 Final Amended Budget.

8) One-year Agreement with the Charter Township of Union for fire protection services.

9) Cancelled the City Commission meeting scheduled for December 18, 2023.

10) Authorized Finance Director Chris Saladine to approve the issuance of payrolls and warrants from December 12, 2023 through January 8, 2024.

11) Set first meeting of 2024 for Monday, January 8, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.

12) Warrants and Payrolls.

Appointments to various boards and commissions as recommended by the Appointments Committee.

Adjourned the meeting at 7:19 p.m.

Prop 2-22 Prompts Changes in City of Mt. Pleasant Voting Precincts

Due to the passage of Prop 2-22, municipalities may now increase precinct sizes to 4,999 registered voters. Therefore, the City of Mt. Pleasant will have three precincts, rather than five. This action will significantly reduce the cost of elections, assist with election worker recruitment, and streamline precinct logistics.

City of Mt. Pleasant Voting Precincts (Effective February 2024):

Precinct 1: Ganiard Elementary School, 101 South Adams Street

Precinct 2: Pullen Elementary School, 251 South Brown Street

Precinct 3: Fancher Elementary School, 801 South Kinney Avenue

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

New Voter ID Cards to be Mailed:

New voter ID cards, including updated voting precinct information, will be mailed to every registered voter in the City on December 15, 2023. On Election Day, Tuesday, February 27, 2024, voters should go to the precinct noted on this updated ID card.

Should you receive a card for a voter no longer at your address, please return the card via the U.S. Postal Service and mark it “unknown.” The Clerk’s office staff will then begin the process of removing the voter from the rolls.

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 February 12, 2024, to vote in the February 27, 2024, primary election.

Residents may also visit www.mi.gov/vote to confirm voting precincts.

Topics to Watch at the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – December 11, 2023

Here are the topics to watch at the next in person, as well as virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, December 11, 2023 at 7 p.m.

Consider resolution approving the final amended 2023 Operating Budget.

Consider contract with Charter Township of Union for fire protection services.

Consider resolution to authorize the Finance Director to approve the issuances of payrolls and warrants from December 12, 2023 through January 8, 2024.

To view the entire meeting packet visit:

Click to access E-Packet%20for%20December%2011,%202023—-.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 comments@mt-pleasant.org.

To participate via Zoom:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83595010853?pwd=V3Q3ZlpiZHZUREgxTWNSZWVVWUovZz09

Meeting ID: 835 9501 0853

Passcode: 222844

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

Bryan Chapman          bchapman@mt-pleasant.org

Maureen Eke               meke@mt-pleasant.org

Amy Perschbacher      aperschbacher@mt-pleasant.org

Boomer Wingard        bwingard@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 – 11/27/2023

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, November 27, 2023, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Commission Room, 320 W. Broadway St., Mt. Pleasant, Michigan with virtual options.

Deleted Item #10 regarding S.A. #1-23 Principal Shopping District from the Agenda; and approved the revised Agenda.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

6) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held November 13, 202.

7) Contract with Tokio Marine HCC for 2024 stop loss coverage insurance.

8) Revised fee schedule for building permits.

9) Warrants and payrolls.

Approved the addition of replacement WRRF Clarifiers to Phase II of the WRRF Rehabilitation Project.

Conducted a Work Session on trash and recycling programs.

Approved and held a closed session pursuant to Section 8(c) of the Open Meetings Act for strategy and negotiation sessions connected with the negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement.

Approved collective bargaining agreement with TPOAM and authorized staff to execute necessary documents.

Adjourned the meeting at 8:31 p.m.

Christmas Celebration Parade Route and Road Closure Information

It is time to visit Downtown Mt. Pleasant and enjoy the Christmas Celebration slated for December 1-2, 2023. Please note the following street closures. For detailed event information visit: www.mt-pleasant.org/christmas

Thursday, November 30 starting at 5 p.m. – Saturday, December 2 at 10 p.m.

Broadway St. closed from Main to Franklin.
Court St. closed from Jockey Alley to Broadway St.
University St. closed from Broadway to Michigan St.
Franklin St. closed from Broadway to Michigan St.

Beginning November 30 at 4 p.m., cars left on the streets noted above will be towed to the City Hall parking lot.

Saturday, December 2

6 a.m. – 10 p.m. No street parking on Main St. from Broadway to High St.

Cars left on Main St. will be towed to the City Hall parking lot.

2 p.m. – 10 p.m. Main St. closed to through traffic from Broadway to High St.
(In addition to the Broadway Street closure.)

The lighted parade which begins at 6 p.m. on December 2, starts at the First United Methodist Church, travels north on Main Street, east on Broadway Street, south on Lansing Street to Michigan Street. The Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation’s Women’s Initiative will serve as parade Grand Marshal in honor of their 20^th anniversary supporting women and girls in Isabella County.

PARADE SAFETY NOTE: For the safety of parade-goers and parade participants; please do not venture out into the street during the parade. Stay on the sidewalk during the entire duration of the parade.

Snow Emergencies and Downtown Overnight Parking Information

If a snow emergency is declared by City staff, on-street parking will NOT be permitted.

During a snow emergency, failure to remove vehicles from the street will result in a ticket. Towing may be utilized if ticketing has proven ineffective and/or the vehicles parked on the street cause a delay in snow removal.

Notice of when a snow emergency is declared, and later lifted, will be provided through the city’s social media channels, website (www.mt-pleasant.org), blog https://mpcityblog.com/, community information phone line (989-779-5320), local media notification, and an email alert.

To receive an email notification, sign up to receive the city’s monthly eConnections newsletter by visiting www.mt-pleasant.org.

Parking ordinance reminders:

Downtown Overnight Parking Permit Holders: Will be informed via email or text on when and where you need to move your vehicle.

Overnight street parking is allowed throughout the City of Mt. Pleasant year-round, except for the Downtown area.

Downtown street parking is prohibited from 4 – 6 a.m. year-round.

When a snow emergency is declared, all cars must be removed from the street.

Topics to Watch at the City Commission Meeting – 11/27/2023

Here are the topics to watch at the next in person, as well as virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, November 27, 2023 at 7 p.m.

Presentation by Public Works Director Jason Moore on 2023 Year-End Review of Major Public works and Utilities Project.

Public hearing on the necessity of the public improvement, consider resolution #3 to proceed with improvements; consider resolution #4 to accept the special assessment roll and set a public hearing for December 11, 2023, regarding said roll for Special Assessment District #1-2023.

Consider the addition of replacement WRRF Clarifiers to Phase II of the Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) Rehabilitation Project.

Discussion on trash and recycling programs.

To view the entire meeting packet visit:

Click to access E-Packet%20for%20November%2027,%202023—-.pdf

How to follow public meetings:

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/82983866332?pwd=MXlPVWROQThMZ2lPQ3VUNmdlRVF5QT09

Meeting ID: 829 8386 6332

Passcode: 135113

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.

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

Bryan Chapman bchapman@mt-pleasant.org

Maureen Eke meke@mt-pleasant.org

Amy Perschbacher aperschbacher@mt-pleasant.org

Boomer Wingard bwingard@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 Fire Department Responds to Appian Way Apartment Fire

On November 21, 2023 at 12:55 a.m., the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department (MPFD) was dispatched to an apartment fire on Appian Way.

Upon arrival to the scene, fire crews observed a multi-unit apartment building with smoke coming from a second story window. Upon entry, firefighters extinguished a fire in the apartment’s bathroom/laundry room.

The apartment sustained moderate to heavy smoke damage and heavy fire damage to the bathroom/laundry room. Occupants were home at the time of the incident, but exited safely with no injuries sustained.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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