The city is once again on the prowl and ready to ’round up’ our feral feline friends. Established in 2021, our Trap Neuter Release (TNR) program stabilizes the feral cat population by humanely trapping, sterilizing, and vaccinating cats before they are returned to their outdoor habitat. The TNR program runs from April – October. Call (989) 779-5105 to report feral cat issues.
Category: News
Juvenile in Custody After Bringing Gun to School
On April 24, 2024, at 8:18 a.m. officers from the Mt. Pleasant Police Department (MPPD) Youth Services Unit (YSU) were contacted by a Mt. Pleasant Public Schools Administrator. This administrator informed officers that an Oasis High School student may have a gun in their possession.
The YSU officer immediately made contact with the 17-year-old male suspect without incident. A gun was located in the suspect’s backpack, and he was placed into custody.
The suspect is cooperating with police who are currently investigating. Once completed, the results of the investigation will be sent to the Prosecutor’s office.
This was an isolated incident and there is no potential risk to students or the public.
Anyone with further information regarding this incident are asked to contact the Mt. Pleasant Police Department’s Anonymous Tip Line at 989-779-9111 or Isabella County Central Dispatch 989-773-1000.
The Mt. Pleasant Police Department was assisted by the Isabella County Sheriff’s Office and Isabella County Central Dispatch.
Barn Fire in Union Township
On April 23, 2024, at 6:28 p.m. the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the 4300 block of South Isabella Road in Union Township.
Upon arrival, crews observed heavy smoke and fire coming from a free-standing barn.
The structure was a complete loss. No injuries were sustained.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The Mt. Pleasant Fire Department was assisted by the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Fire Department, Michigan State Police, Isabella County Sheriff Department, and Isabella County Central Dispatch.
Summary of Minutes of the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – 4/22/2024
Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, April 22, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Commission Room, 320 W. Broadway St., Mt. Pleasant, Michigan with virtual options.
Mayor Perschbacher read and presented a proclamation recognizing Workers Memorial Day April 28, 2024.
Planning & Community Development Director Manuela Powidayko and Mayor Perschbacher presented Certificates of Completion to the 2024 Mt. Pleasant Citizens’ Academy participants.
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 April 8, 2024.
7) Resolution authorizing a 2024 Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation (MPACF) grant application for Town Center civic space amenities.
8) Resolution in support of final approval of TCO #1-2024.
9) Set a public hearing for May 13, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. for Development District (DDA) License for Narrativality Artisan Coffee Roasters, LLC..
10) Contract with Bornor Restoration, Inc. of Lansing, MI for DPS – Masonry Screen Wall project.
11) Warrants and payrolls.
Approved a contract with Placer.ai for one year of access and a budget amendment for the same and a budget amendment for the internship program.
Adopted the 2025 Goals and Objectives.
Director Lauria provided an overview of suggested changes to the current draft Managed Natural Landscaping Ordinance. Commissioner consensus ruled against any form of registration and the term “Managed” versus “Planned.”
Appointed Mayor Perschbacher as the City representative to the County Tax Allocation Board.
Conducted work session discussions on 2025-2030 Capital Improvement Plan and on Refuse and Recycling Pickup Services.
Adjourned the meeting at 9:42 p.m.
Mt. Pleasant Youth Police Academy Accepting Applications
The 23rd Youth Police Academy is scheduled for July 8 – 25, 2024, (Monday – Thursday) from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. This free program offers youth, going into grades 6-8, who have an interest in law enforcement, an up-close view of the skills and necessary training needed for law enforcement officials.
Mt. Pleasant Police Officers conduct the program in the manner of a real police academy with values such as teamwork, integrity, compassion, and discipline being stressed. Cadets are required to participate in physical training and complete the same agility tests given to recruits during a standard police academy.
In addition to physical training, the daily curriculum includes hands-on learning, field trips and demonstrations by specialized units such as the SWAT Team, K-9 and DNR. Classroom topics encompass crime scene investigations, traffic stops, marine patrol activities, firearms safety, first aid and CPR, and much more.
Applications are now available at Mt. Pleasant Public Schools and the Division of Public Safety, 804 E. High Street, from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The application deadline is June 3, 2024.
Topics to Watch at the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – 4/22/2024
Here are the topics to watch at the next in person, as well as virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, April 22, 2024, at 7 p.m.
- Presentation recognizing 2024 Mt. Pleasant Citizens’ Academy participants.
- Consider approval of purchasing one-year access to Placer.ai software for $18,000 and consider budget amendment for the same.
- Consider adoption of 2025 Goals and Objectives.
- Discuss Managed Natural Landscaping Ordinance
- Consider appointment to the County Tax Allocation Board.
- Presentation and discussion on 2025-2030 Capital Improvement Plan.
- Discussion on Refuse and Recycling Pickup Services.
To view the entire meeting packet visit:
How to follow public meetings:
The City Commission 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/82962983280?pwd=Q05ES3BadHpJN3NkT1hMNXhFV0I5UT09
Meeting ID: 829 6298 3280
Passcode: 091593
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.
– Project Steering Committee Meeting Open to the Public–
The City of Mt. Pleasant has contracted with Progressive Companies, based in Grand Rapids, to lead development of an improvement plan for Mission Street. Addressing traffic congestion, pedestrian and bicycle safety, universal accessibility and enhancing access to businesses along Mission Street have been identified as priorities in city plans and strategies going back more than 20 years.
The city is leading this effort, in collaboration with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and with funding from the State of Michigan Redevelopment Ready Communities program. Mt. Pleasant City Manager Aaron Desentz is optimistic about the effort, “While the city has been a part of multiple efforts to enhance Mission Street in the past, this represents the first time the city is leading the charge to develop truly detailed designs and plans with an emphasis on meeting the needs of the entire community.” Jack Hofweber, the Mt Pleasant Transportation Service Center Manager for MDOT highlighted the importance of developing a plan for Mission Street now, which is under the State’s jurisdiction, “With a detailed plan that has community buy-in, MDOT will be better equipped to seek funding opportunities and plan for a future reconstruction of the corridor.”
The city is convening a steering committee to review potential designs and plans for Mission Street. The group is composed of local business owners, elected, and appointed officials, 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, and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. The planning process will conclude with a formal update to the city’s 2020 Master Plan.
To launch this effort, the city is releasing a community survey. Just follow this link:
[https://tinyurl.com/mstreetmp] or scan the QR Code below to complete it. Paper copies of the survey will be available at City Hall (320 W. Broadway Street) and information about it will be posted throughout the community. Survey deadline is May 31, 2024. There will be three $50 gift certificates from businesses located along Mission Street that will be drawn from the list of those who complete the survey and share their email address. The first meeting of the project steering committee is April 22nd at 12:30 p.m. in City Hall. The meeting is open to the public.
Summary of Minutes of the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – 4/8/2024
Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, April 8, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Commission Room, 320 W. Broadway St., Mt. Pleasant, Michigan with virtual options.
Mt. Pleasant Paid On-Call Firefighters Andrew Foster, Jordan VanAvery, and Demetrius (Eli) Walker were introduced and sworn in.
Mt. Pleasant Police Officer Tyler Hall was introduced and sworn in.
Approved the agenda as presented.
Received petitions and communications.
Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:
7) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held March 25, 2024.
8) Minutes of the closed session of the City Commission held March 25, 2024.
9) Minutes of the special meeting of the City Commission held April 1, 2024.
10) Five-year contract with Sunrise Assessing Services.
11) Received proposed 2025-2030 Capital Improvement Plan and set a public hearing for May 28, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. on same.
12) Established Mission Street Corridor Plan Steering Committee.
13) Resolution authorizing a 2024 MSHDA MI Neighborhood Program grant application.
14) Warrants and payrolls.
Authorized the purchase of two 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicles from Berger Chevrolet as well as authorized a budget amendment for the purchase of same.
Adjourned the meeting at 7:20 p.m.
Christmas Celebration Survey
It is never too early to talk about the holidays. The Recreation Department would like to get your input on the annual Christmas Celebration held downtown, during the first week in December. What do you enjoy about the event? What would you like to see or do at the event?
Please complete the brief survey by May 3, 2024.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HJ238NQ
Thank you in advance.
Town Center Project and Parking Lot 3 Reconstruction
PROJECT OVERVIEW
This downtown project will transform an underutilized space into a vibrant, multi-functional, and universally accessible area, encouraging year-round events, activities, and social interaction. See project rendering below.
Key elements of the project include:
- parking lot reconstruction with 18 additional spaces and EV charging stations,
- a multi-purpose community hub for gatherings and events, expansive green space with enhanced urban greenery, universal accessibility design, green infrastructure, and sustainability measures,
- addition of on-street parking spaces,
- upgraded electrical infrastructure,
- accessible public restrooms,
- enhanced pedestrian lighting, and comprehensive site amenities.
When will construction related to the town center project begin, and how long is it expected to last?
Construction is set to begin by April 22, 2024, with an anticipated completion date of August 29, 2024. Parking lot 3 and 10 will be closed until August 29, 2024.
Where can we park during construction?
There are 11 City parking lots for staff, customers, and renters to utilize during the construction. See the map below.
Is there a plan for accommodating ADA parking during the construction period?
Yes. All 11 City parking lots, have ADA parking spaces available as well as an on-street ADA parking space on both East Broadway and East Illinois street. Additionally, the sidewalks on the south side of Broadway and east side of Main Street will remain ADA accessible.
Are measures being taken to ensure the safety of pedestrians, drivers, and the construction team?
Yes. Access to the site will be limited during the project. The public will be able to observe the project’s progress from a safe distance.
Will there be any temporary closures or detours planned during the construction, and if so, where can we find information about them?
Construction will be contained to the site, and additional street closures will be limited, except for periodic equipment staging. Traffic from the Mosher Street “curve” or “connector” will be rerouted onto Main and Washington.
Information about the project, including temporary street closures or detours, will be provided on the City’s website, blog, and social media channels, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Are there any noise restrictions or construction hour limitations in place to minimize disturbance to residents and businesses?
Yes. Construction will be limited to Monday through Saturday, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND DELIVERIES
Will construction impact public transportation routes and stops in the downtown area?
No. Door-to-door service from I-RIDE will remain intact, with the only exception being temporary road closures during equipment staging.
Will construction impact delivery routes and stops in the downtown area?
No. Deliveries will not be impacted, except for temporary road closures during equipment staging.
Who should we contact if we have further questions or concerns about the construction project?
Stacie Tewari, City Engineer: stewari@mt-pleasant.org or 989-779-5404
Michelle Sponseller, Downtown Development Director: msponseller@mt-pleasant.org or 989-779-5348
Aaron Desentz, City Manager: manager@mt-pleasant.org or 989-779-5321
City of Mt.Pleasant 
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