Category: News

Lightning Strikes Mt. Pleasant Home

On July 17, 2023 at 2:15 a.m. the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department (MPFD) responded to a house fire in the 1300 block of Crestwood Drive in Mt. Pleasant.

Upon arrival, crews observed a single-story home with heavy smoke and fire protruding from the garage and east side of the structure. The fire was brought under control at 3:23 a.m. The house sustained smoke, heat and fire damage. The occupants were not home at the time of the fire.

Neighbors report being awakened by a lightning bolt and smelled smoke shortly after.

MPFD investigated the cause of the fire and have ruled it to be from a lightning strike.

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

Air Quality Information Available Through MDHHS

As a result of the Canadian wildfires, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has established a hotline for individuals to ask their air quality questions. Residents can call 800-648-6942, Monday – Friday (excluding holidays) from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Air quality information can also be found at https://www.airnow.gov/. If you wish to receive alerts visit https://www.enviroflash.info/.

Summary of Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting Minutes – July 10, 2023

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, July 10, 2023, 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 the following items on the Consent Calendar:

6) Minutes June 26, 2023 City Commission Meeting.

7) Minutes June 26, 2023 City Commission closed session.

8) Resolution in support of TCO #4-2023.

9) Extension to the contract with Nutrigro Environmental Solutions, Inc. of Olivet, MI for biosolids services.

10) Set a public hearing for July 24, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. for DDA License for Valhalla Indoor Axe Throwing.

11) Pass-through MEDC funding for architectural and engineering services for Broadway Land Management and authorized the City Manager to sign the necessary documentation.

12) Payrolls and Warrants.

Approved the buyout of 18 vehicles in the purchase-buyback program with Krapohl Ford.

Approved the resolution to authorize the issuance of Water Resource Recovery System Revenue Bonds for Phase II WRRF upgrades.

Conducted a work session on Property Maintenance Standards and International Property Management Code (IPMC).

Adjourned at 7:39 p.m.

Topics to Watch at the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – July 10, 2023

Here are the topics to watch at the next in person, as well as virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, July 10, 2023 at 7 p.m.

  • Presentation on air quality by Jennifer Morse of the Central Michigan District Health Department.
  • Consider setting a public hearing for July 24, 2023, for Development District (DDA) License for Valhalla Indoor Axe Throwing.
  • Consider resolution to authorize the issuance of Water Resource Recovery System Revenue Bonds for Phase II Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) upgrades.
  • Work Session regarding Property Maintenance Standards and International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC).

To view the entire meeting packet visit: 

Click to access Updated%20E-Packet%20for%20Monday,%20July%2010,%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/82349664872?pwd=T0VNZVJZTkRMQ1JUaWtINklPWFp1Zz09

Meeting ID: 823 4966 4872

Passcode: 950014

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 – June 26, 2023

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, June 26, 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:

6) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held June 12, 2023.

7) One-year extension to the Municipal Recycling Curbside Collection Services contract with MMI of Mt. Pleasant, MI.

8) Contract with Gateway Refrigeration of Clare, MI for replacement of two boilers serving the Public Safety Building and accompanying budget amendment.

9) Payrolls and Warrants.

Awarded contract for Phase II WRRF upgrades to RCL Construction, of Sanford, MI and authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the contract contingent on available financing and pending value engineering.

Approved and conducted closed session to consult with the city attorney regarding trial or settlement strategy in connection with City of Mt. Pleasant v Michelle Lange, et al, Court of Claims Case No. 23-000034-MB, because an open meeting would have a detrimental financial effect on the litigating or settlement position of the City.

Adjourned the meeting at 8:13p.m.

Mt. Pleasant Police Investigating Pedestrian Fatality

On June 24, 2023 at 1:45 AM, officers from the Mt. Pleasant Police Department responded to a vehicle/pedestrian incident in the area of W. High St. and S. Henry St.  Upon arrival, officers found a 31-year-old female deceased as a result of being struck by a vehicle.  The driver of the vehicle, a 19-year-old male from Mt. Pleasant, was not injured.

This is an open and on-going investigation.  Anyone with information regarding this incident are asked to contact the Mt. Pleasant Police Department’s Anonymous Tip Line at (989) 779-9111 or Central Dispatch (989) 773-1000.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department was assisted by the Michigan State Police, Mobile Medical Response, Isabella County Central Dispatch, Isabella County Medical Examiner’s office, and Mt. Pleasant Fire Department.

City of Mt. Pleasant 4th of July Holiday Hours and Firework Safety Reminders

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the Isabella County Material Recovery Facility being closed for asphalt repairs on July 7 and 8, there will be no city curbside recycling collection for residences on the regular Thursday route.

City Offices Closed

City offices will be closed on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. Refuse and recycling pick-up will be delayed one day all week.

Fourth of July Firework Safety and Ordinance Reminders

A person may only discharge or use consumer fireworks on private property on June 29 – July 4 from 11 a.m. – 11:45 p.m.

Individuals should not ignite, discharge, or use consumer fireworks, homemade fireworks, articles pyrotechnics or display fireworks on public property, school property, church property, or the property of another person without permission to do so.

Violations shall be punishable with fines of $500 up to $1,000.

Additionally, a minor shall not possess, ignite, discharge or use consumer fireworks. Fireworks shall not be used while a person is under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, or during times when a burning ban has been established by the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids, MI. For a list of burning restrictions by county, visit http://www.dnr.state.mi.us/burnpermits/.

Safety Tips

For those planning on discharging fireworks this July Fourth holiday, please follow the City regulations as stated above, and practice these safety tips:

1.    Read and follow all warning and instructions.

2.    Never allow children to play with fireworks of any kind.

3.    Wear protective clothing, including eye wear.

4.    Only light devices on smooth, flat surfaces away from residential areas, dry leaves and flammable materials.

5.    Always keep a hose or bucket of water nearby in case of malfunction.

6.    Never try to re-light fireworks that have not fully functioned.

The best way to protect your family is to avoid the use of fireworks at home entirely. 

Summary of Minutes of the City Commission Meeting – June 12, 2023

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, June 12, 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:

8) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held May 22, 2023.

9) 2024-2029 Capital Improvement Plan.

10) Resolution granting a nine-month extension of Rio’s Happy Tree’s conditional authorization.

11) Payrolls and Warrants.

Discussed possibility of a City information and engagement booth at the Mt. Pleasant Farmer’s Market. City Manager Desentz will work with staff to develop a plan.

Director of Planning & Community Development Manuela Powidayko gave a presentation and led a discussion on owner-occupied residential incentive program. Commission agrees to not bring back the program.

Adjourned the meeting at 7:48 p.m.

Topics to Watch at the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – June 12, 2023

Here are the topics to watch at the next in person, as well as virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, June 12, 2023 at 7 p.m.

  • Consider approval of the proposed 2024 – 2029 Capital Improvement Plan.
  • Consider resolution extending conditional approval of a Class A Adult-Use Marihuana Grower and Adult Use Marihuana Retailer for Rio’s Happy Tree, LLC at 1012 N. Landing Street.
  • Discussion on Owner-Occupied Residential Incentive Program.

To view the entire meeting packet visit: 

Click to access E-Packet%20for%20June%2012,%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/88222114197?pwd=NlBOS09laWh1OWU0RUF6QWJHZE9RZz09

Meeting ID: 882 2211 4197

Passcode: 016166

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.

Handheld Cellphone Use Banned While Driving

The use of handheld cellphones while driving will be outlawed in Michigan, effective June 30, 2023. Motorists will still be able to use hands-free devices. This new law expands Michigan’s ban on texting, placing calls and scrolling on social media while driving.

To avoid a ticket, listen to Public Safety Director Paul Lauria’s summary of this new legislation.

Penalties for distracted driving will increase and are as follows:

  • First Offense: $100 and/or 16 hours of community service.
  • Subsequent Offenses: $250 and/or 24 hours of community service.
distracted-driving-legislation-june-2023-1Download