2024 City Commission Meeting

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, October 28, 2024, 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 items on the Consent Calendar:

6) Minutes of the regular session of the City Commission held on October 15, 2024.

7) Minutes of the closed session of the City Commission held October 15, 2024.

8) MDOT Contract 2024-0364 for State Trunkline Maintenance.

9) Contract with GameTime c/o Sinclair Recreation for the 2024 Horizon Park and Chipp-A-Waters Park Playground Replacement and 2025 Installation.

10) Warrants and payrolls.

Contract for Phase I DWSRF Design and Construction Engineering to Fishbeck Engineering of Grand Rapids, MI.

Approved Deer Cull as discussed.

Conducted a Work Session discussion on Proposed 2025 Operating Budget.

Approved and Conducted Closed Session pursuant to subsection 8(h) of the Open Meetings Act to consider material exempt from discussion or disclosure by state or federal statute.

Adjourned the meeting at 9:53 p.m.

Woman Rescued from Vehicle Fire

At 9:55 p.m. on October 27, 2024, officers from the Mt. Pleasant Police Department were dispatched to a one vehicle roll-over accident at the North Mission Road roundabout.

Upon arrival, officers observed a vehicle on its side with flames exiting the rear. Officers immediately broke the front windshield, rescuing the female driver. Seconds later the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames. No other individuals were in the vehicle.

The 22-year-old female driver from Sterling Heights was transported to a local hospital where she was treated for minor injuries.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department was assisted by Mt. Pleasant Fire Department, Isabella County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police, MMR, and Isabella County Central Dispatch.

Topics to Watch at the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – 10/28/2024

Here are the topics to watch at the next in person, as well as virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, October 28, 2024, at 7 p.m.

Consider approval of MDOT Contract 2024-0364 for State Trunkline Maintenance.

Consider Contract with Fishbeck Engineering for Phase I DWSRF Design and Construction Engineering and Associated Budget Amendment.

Consider Information Related to Deer Cull.

Proposed 2025 Operating Budget Work Session.

To view the entire meeting packet visit:

Click to access E-Packet%20for%20Monday,%20October%2028,%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 comment@mt-pleasant.org.

To participate via Zoom:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88537608720?pwd=3ZTk5Tcya57mqXcUCta2cawQbz4m5u.1

Meeting ID: 885 3760 8720

Passcode: 421293

Phone dial-in: (312) 626-6799

The 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 on (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.

Mission Street Conceptual Design Survey – Public Input Requested

Earlier this year, the City of Mt. Pleasant contracted with Progressive Companies to lead the development of an improvement plan for Mission Street. In collaboration with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and with funding from the State of Michigan Redevelopment Ready Communities program, the city convened a local steering committee and solicited public input through in-person events and an online survey.

Information received from these outreach efforts helped formulate design concepts which were presented to the community on September 26 through appearances at the Farmers’ Market, CMU’s campus, and an Open House at City Hall.

For those community members who were unable to attend these events, a survey has been developed to capture your insight. Visit https://s.alchemer.com/s3/eb01215e5300. Survey deadline is October 31, 2024. Please do not complete the survey if you have already shared your feedback at the September 26 events.

For detailed information regarding this project visit, www.mt-pleasant.org/missionstreet

Apartment Building Fire – No Injuries

On October 5, 2024, at 4:16 p.m., the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department (MPFD) responded to a fire at a multi-family housing unit in the 1800 block of South Crawford Road.

Upon arrival, crews observed a two-story, 16-unit apartment building partially engulfed in flames extending from the entry door to the roof of the second floor. The fire spread quickly up the walls and into the attic. The building sustained heavy fire damage to the attic and water damage throughout most of the building.

All occupants were able to exit the building safely. Tenants from the 16 units are displaced and working with apartment complex managers to find temporary housing.

Fire personnel remained on scene to try and salvage as many occupant belongings as possible.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The MPFD was assisted by the Deerfield Township Fire Department, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Fire Department, Shepherd Tri-Township Fire Department, Isabella Northeast Fire Department, Mobile Medical Response, Mt. Pleasant Police Department, and Isabella County Central Dispatch.

Election Day Information – 11/5/2024

On November 5, 2024, an election will be held to vote on various federal, state, and local offices as well as an Isabella County Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol Proposal. Four individuals are vying for three Mt. Pleasant City Commission seats.

The City Commission candidates are:

Brian Assmann

Liz Busch

Maureen Eke

Amy Perschbacher

For detailed voter registration and ballot information visit www.mi.gov/vote.

Precinct Consolidation:

Please note precinct locations for the November 5, 2024, election.

Precinct 1: Ganiard Elementary School, 101 S. Adams
Precinct 2: Pullen Elementary School, 251 S. Brown
Precinct 3: Fancher Elementary School, 801 S. Kinney
Absentee Voter Counting Board: Mt. Pleasant City Hall, 320 W. Broadway Street

Voter Registration:

Individuals who are not currently registered to vote can register online at www.mi.gov/vote or mail in the voter registration application found online. This must be completed on or before October 21, 2024. After October 21, you must register in person at the Clerk’s Office (320 W. Broadway Street) to vote in the November 5, 2024, election.

Early In-Person Voting:

For state and federal elections, qualified voters can cast their ballot during the nine day early voting period.

October 26 – November 3, 2024; 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Powers Hall, Central Michigan University, Washington Street
Parking available in Lot 6.

Permanent Absentee Voters:

Permanent absentee voters have been mailed an application for a ballot. To have a ballot mailed, you must return the application before 4:30 p.m. on Friday, November 1, 2024. For those individuals who previously requested a ballot, ballots have been mailed. Voted ballots may be mailed to the City Clerk’s office 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 (vote@mt-pleasant.org). This must be completed by 5 p.m. on Friday, November 1, 2024.

Absentee voting at the Clerk’s Office began Thursday, September 26, 2024, during regular business hours. Additional hours are scheduled for Saturday, November 2, 2024, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. and on Monday, November 4, 2024, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Election Day Information:

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Need a ride to and from the polls? I-Ride is offering free rides. Call (989) 772-9441 to schedule.

Public Invited to Share Feedback on Mission Street Conceptual Designs

Mt. Pleasant, MI – Earlier this year, the City of Mt. Pleasant contracted with Progressive Companies to lead the development of an improvement plan for Mission Street. In collaboration with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and with funding from the State of Michigan Redevelopment Ready Communities program, the city convened a steering committee and distributed an online survey to capture public insight.

The Mission Street steering committee is composed of local business owners, representatives from Central Michigan University, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Disability Network of Mid-Michigan, the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce, the Mt. Pleasant Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe and appointed and elected officials.

On September 26, 2024, Progressive Companies will present potential design concepts to the community based on information extracted from the online surveys and the steering committee. There are several opportunities for residents to prioritize potential Mission Street improvements and provide feedback. They are as follows:

Farmers’ Market – Island Park, 9 – 11 a.m.

o $5 tokens to be redeemed at the market will be given to the first 20 participants.

Central Michigan University – Bovee University Center, 12 – 2 p.m.

o Participants will be placed in a drawing for CMU Bookstore gift cards.

Open House – City Hall (320 W. Broadway Street), 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

o Individuals are welcome to attend at any time during these two hours.

o Participants will be placed in a drawing for gift cards from Mission Street businesses.

o Light refreshments will be provided.

Topics to Watch at the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – August 26, 2024

Here are the topics to watch at the next in person, as well as virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, August 26, 2024, at 7 p.m.

Presentation by GRS Consulting Actuary Casey Ahlbrandt-Rains on Police and Fire Pension.

Presentation by Municipal Employees’ Retirement System of Michigan (MERS).

Presentation by Data Analysis Interns Alexis Reed and Austin Benchley on Consumer Behavior Research Project.

Public hearing to consider the adoption of 96.05 Lawn Maintenance Ordinance Amendments and consider resolution for the same.

To view the entire meeting packet visit:

Click to access E-Packet%20for%20Monday,%20August%2026,%202024.pdf

How to follow public meetings:

The 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.

To participate via Zoom:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86017271383?pwd=XhS5AgfwgiZyLJTQOaD1qycY263Bpb.1

Meeting ID: 860 1727 1383

Passcode: 430815

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

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.

MPPD Reminds Drivers of the Dangers of Impaired Driving

During the busy, end-of-summer travel season that includes the Labor Day holiday weekend, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will be working alongside the Michigan State Police (MSP) and the Mt. Pleasant Police Department (MPPD) to remind drivers of the dangers of impaired driving.

In 2023, 41% of fatalities on Michigan roadways involved alcohol and/or drugs. According to the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, out of the 8,817 alcohol-involved crashes, 297 were fatalities. Whereas the 2,250 drug-involved crashes resulted in 256 fatalities.

In Michigan, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher, although motorists can be arrested at any BAC level if an officer believes they are impaired.

MPPD’s Public Information Officer David Coffman, shared, “No matter what the substance may be, if it has impaired you, you should not be driving. The MPPD wants everyone to enjoy the end of the summer. Commit to yourself and to your community that you will drive safe and sober every day.”

To increase awareness and encourage safe and sober driving, the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) is funding a statewide media campaign about the dangers of impaired driving. The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign is coordinated by the OHSP and supported with federal traffic safety funds provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation and NHTSA.

Welcome Students

Helpful information can be found in the City’s ‘home away from home’ guide composed specifically for college students.

See what Mt. Pleasant has to offer: recreation, an historic downtown, parks, trails, a rolling river and more.

The City is thrilled to welcome the students of Central Michigan University and Mid Michigan College to the Mt. Pleasant area for the 2024-2025 academic year.

As part-year residents, students have the opportunity to explore the City while immersing themselves in college life. To make that transition easier, a home away from home guide was created.

Useful information can be found at www.mt-pleasant.org/students or the “CMU & MMC Student Resident” page of the City’s blog (www.mpcityblog.com/studentresidents).

Topics include:

Things to do in Mt. Pleasant
Utility set up and billing
Parking Regulations
Parties
Property Appearance
Refuse and Recycling
Voter Registration
Safety tips and more.
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