Category: News

Topics to Watch at the 05/07/26 Mt. Pleasant Planning Commission Meeting

Here are the topics to watch at the next in person, as well as virtual Mt. Pleasant Planning Commission meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 7 p.m.

  • Review of the 2027–2032 Capital Improvement Plan
  • Introduction of a new Planning Commission member

To view the entire meeting packet visit: 

Thursday May 7th E-Packet

How to follow public meetings:

The Planning 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/82846354357?pwd=78K3ZiWA0dzJCSq3EGzSydEODXuCqF.1

Meeting ID: 893 0229 8475
Passcode: 026095
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 at 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.

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.

Does your homeowner’s insurance cover sewer backups?

Homeowner’s insurance helps protect your home, but sewer backups are often not covered under a standard policy. A sewer backup can cause serious damage to floors, walls, furniture, and personal belongings, and repairs can be expensive. Reviewing your coverage now, before a problem occurs, is a simple way to avoid an unwelcome surprise.

In most cases, sewer or drain backup coverage is an optional add-on to your homeowner’s insurance. If you are not sure what your current policy includes, the easiest step is to call your insurance agent and ask.

It is also worth knowing the difference between sewer backup coverage and flood insurance. Flood insurance covers water entering your home from outside, such as heavy rain or rising water levels. Sewer backup coverage applies when wastewater comes up through drains or toilets inside the home. They address different situations, and some households may benefit from having both.

You may also want to ask your agent about service line coverage, sometimes called sewer lateral coverage. The sewer lateral is the pipe running from your home to the City’s main sewer line, and homeowners are generally responsible for the portion on their property. Repairs to that pipe can be costly, and some insurers offer this protection as an add-on.

When you speak with your insurance agent, consider asking:

  • Does my policy cover sewer or drain backups?
  • If not, how much does it cost to add?
  • Do I have flood insurance, and how is it different from sewer backup coverage?
  • Is there coverage available for my sewer lateral?

Sewer backups can happen for a variety of reasons, including heavy rainfall, aging infrastructure, or items that were flushed or poured down drains. The City is committed to maintaining the public sewer system and works to address issues as they arise. Even so, backups can occasionally occur, and having the right coverage in place is one of the best ways to protect your home and your finances.

To learn more about preventing sewer backups, visit www.mt-pleasant.org/sewer

Youth Police Academy Enrollment Open for Summer 2026

The 25th Youth Police Academy is scheduled for July 13 – 30, 2026, (Monday – Thursday) from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. This free, fun, and interactive program offers youth going into grades 6th-8th, 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 Emergency Services 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 5, 2026.

Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market Returns with New Saturday Evening Hours

For more than 50 years, the Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market has brought fresh in-season fruits and vegetables while creating a welcoming space to gather, connect, and support local farmers. The 2026 season brings exciting changes, including a new Saturday evening market, while continuing the traditions that residents have counted on for decades.

The Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market kicks off the 2026 season on Thursday, May 7, at Island Park’s South Shelter. The Thursday Market will run from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. through October 29, offering fresh produce, live entertainment, cooking demonstrations, and an unforgettable experience for customers of all ages.

New This Year: Saturday Evening Market

The Saturday Farmers’ Market is moving to evenings in 2026, running from 4 to 8 p.m. at Town Center (Main & Broadway), June 13 through September 26.

This change follows feedback gathered from vendors, shoppers, and community stakeholders. The updated hours reflect that input and are designed to better fit residents’ schedules, while creating a lively downtown atmosphere on Saturday evenings.

2026 Market Hours at a Glance

  • Thursday Market:
    Island Park’s South Shelter
    7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    May 7 – October 29
  • Saturday Market
    Town Center (Main & Broadway)
    4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
    June 13 – September 26

Making Healthy Food Accessible for All

The Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market is committed to making healthy, locally grown food accessible to residents of all incomes. In 2025, the market processed more than $34,000 in food assistance transactions, and 171 residents used food assistance programs for the first time.

The market accepts a wide range of assistance programs:

  • SNAP/EBT
  • Double Up Food Bucks
  • Prescription for Health
  • Credit/debit market tokens for vendors unable to process card payments

Community Programming and Partnerships

Cooking demonstrations and nutrition-focused programming will be offered throughout the season, with support from local and regional partners.

In 2025, partnerships with the Chippewa River District Library and McLaren Health Plan helped distribute 840 Cook the Kit meal kits, providing families with fresh ingredients and simple, healthy recipes.

For more information about the Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market, visit www.mt-pleasant.org/farmersmarket or follow the market on Facebook.

Summary of Minutes from the 4/27/2026 Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, April 27, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Commission Room, 320 W. Broadway St., Mt. Pleasant, Michigan with virtual options.

Presentation recognizing 2026 Mt. Pleasant Citizens’ Academy participants by Planning & Community Development Director Manuela Powidayko.

Approved the Agenda as presented.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar as presented:

6) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held April 13, 2026;

7) Contract for the 2026 Valve Replacement project to Isabella Corporation of Mt. Pleasant, MI, and budget amendment;

8) Received proposed text change to Table 154.405.A District Standards: SD-I Industrial Special District pertaining to Screens, to increase the maximum screen height not at Frontage or Adjacent to Civic Space from six feet to eight feet and set public hearing for May 11, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. on same;

9) Sole source purchase of six Watson Marlow pumps and three pump heads from Kennedy Industries of Grand Rapids, MI, and a budget amendment;

10) Contract for the WRRF Food Waste Receiving Station and Waste Gas Burner project to RCL Construction Co., Inc., and budget amendments;

11) Payrolls & Warrants.

Adopted the 2027 goals and objectives as presented.

Adopted the Economic Development plan as presented.

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

Mayor Wingard made appointments of City Commissioners to applicable City boards and commissions.

Held a Work Session discussion on 2027–2032 Capital Improvement Plan.

Adjourned the meeting at 8:37 p.m.

Topics to Watch at the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – April 27, 2026

Here are the topics to watch at the next in person, as well as virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, April 27, 2026, at 7 p.m.

  • Consider setting a public hearing on May 11, 2026 for text changes to TC-26-01.
  • Consider adoption of 2027 Goals and Objectives.
  • Consider adoption of Economic Development plan.
  • Work Session discussion on 2027-2032 Capital Improvement Plan.

To view the entire meeting packet visit: 

E-Packet for Regular Meeting on Monday, April 27th

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/83842885999?pwd=QoHakFbRz5Q9lHcMl3nsPTqo5aypiA.1

Meeting ID: 838 4288 5999
Passcode: 793131
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 at 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   

Hanna Demerath        hdemerath@mt-pleasant.org

Maureen Eke              meke@mt-pleasant.org

Amy Perschbacher      aperschbacher@mt-pleasant.org

Grace Rollins               grollins@mt-pleasant.org

Ryon Skalitzky             rskalitzky@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.

Summary of Minutes from the 4/13/2026 Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, April 13, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Commission Room, 320 W. Broadway St., Mt. Pleasant, Michigan with virtual options.

Item #19, “Special Election Resolution”, was added to the Agenda.

Approved the Agenda as amended.

Received petitions and communications.

Item #7, “Minutes of regular meeting of the City Commission held March 23, 2026” was moved to new business.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar as amended:

8) Minutes of the closed session of the City Commission held March 23, 2026;

9) Minutes of the special meeting of the City Commission held April 6, 2026;

10) Received proposed 2027-2032 Capital Improvement Plan and set a public hearing for May 26, 2026 on same;

11) Approval of permanent delegation of aviation fuel pricing authority to the airport manager, subject to City Manager approval, and authorized the shift to a minimum-floor margin structure to ensure the airport’s continued fiscal stability, and resolution for same;

12) Awarded contract for the 2026 Construction Services – Mill Pond Park Weir Improvements & Chipp-a-Waters Park Bank Stabilization to Glasco Construction of Lake, MI;

13) Awarded contract for the 2026 Franklin Street and Preston Street Reconstruction Project to Malley Construction of Mt. Pleasant, MI;

14) Approval of vacation of the existing ingress/egress easement across CMU property to access well site #15 and accept the new easement location and authorized the City Manager to sign the easement documents;

15) Awarded contract for 2026 Street Sweepings Disposal Project to Fisher Transportation of Mt. Pleasant, MI;

16) Payrolls & Warrants.

Held a Public Hearing and passed, ordained and ordered published Ordinance No. 1111, an Ordinance amending Chapter 10, Section 110.28(B) and (C) of the Mt. Pleasant Code of Ordinances regarding the operation of transitory food service units and the issuance of permits, licenses, or approvals for transitory food service units.

Amended the March 23, 2026 Minutes with regard to the creation of a special committee.

Awarded the contract for the 2026 City Hall Retaining Wall & Streetscape Replacement Project to McGuirk Sand and Gravel of Mt. Pleasant, MI and approved a budget amendment.

Approved Resolution for Special Election for August 4, 2026.

Conducted a work session discussion on the future of the former Mt. Pleasant Center Property.

 Adjourned the meeting at 8:51 p.m.

Riverside Cemetery Spring Cleanup Begins April 15

Spring cleanup will take place at Riverside Cemetery from April 15-30, 2026.

Please remove the following items from grave sites during this time:

  • Winter or holiday decorations
  • Decorative flowers
  • Wreaths
  • Grave blankets
  • Weathered mementos

Any items left after April 30 will be removed and disposed of by cemetery staff.

New decorations may be placed starting May 16.

To help with clean up, a dumpster will be placed at the back of the cemetery for easy disposal of items.

For questions or more information, contact the Parks and Public Spaces Field Operations Supervisor at (989) 779‑5340.

Topics to Watch at the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – April 13, 2026

Here are the topics to watch at the next in person, as well as virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, April 13, 2026, at 7 p.m.

  • Presentation by Director of Public Works Jason Moore on flooding issues.
  • Public hearing to allow for public input and to consider the amendment of section 110.28(B) regarding the operation of transitory food service units and the issuance of permits, licenses, or approvals for transitory food service units.
  • Consider awarding the contract for the 2026 City Hall Retaining Wall & Streetscape Replacement Project to McGuirk Sand and Gravel for $1,369,597 and approve a budget amendment of $60,000 in the general fund.
  • Work session discussing the future of the former Mt. Pleasant Center Property.

To view the entire meeting packet visit: 

E-Packet for Regular Meeting on Monday, April 13th

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/88322342737?pwd=kPZenkL2GXMniBnTOcEb7HExVT5aOz.1

Meeting ID: 883 2234 2737
Passcode: 300156
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 at 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   

Hanna Demerath        hdemerath@mt-pleasant.org

Maureen Eke              meke@mt-pleasant.org

Amy Perschbacher      aperschbacher@mt-pleasant.org

Grace Rollins               grollins@mt-pleasant.org

Ryon Skalitzky             rskalitzky@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.

Park Closures Due to Flooding

UPDATE 4/6/2026 – Chipp-A-Waters Park and Island Park have reopened following recent flooding. However, for safety reasons, sections of the trails remain closed and are clearly marked.

Visitors are asked to follow all posted closures and avoid entering restricted areas, as conditions may still be unstable in certain locations.

City staff will continue to monitor conditions as park trails become safe to reopen.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

_______________________________________________________________________

4/4/2026 – Due to flooding and safety concerns, Chipp-A-Waters Park and Island Park are closed until further notice. All park trails are closed and should not be used at this time. Please avoid entering these areas.

City staff are monitoring conditions and will provide updates as they become available.