City Receives MSHDA Grant for Home Exterior Improvement Projects

The City has been awarded a $75,000 Neighborhood Enhancement Program (NEP) grant through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). The purpose of this grant is to boost neighborhood aesthetics, improve property values, and enhance safety and quality of life for residents. The City has also contributed $45,000 to this program, resulting in a total of $120,000 available for home exterior projects.

Since the program’s inception in 2020; 27 household improvement projects, totaling $233,511.41, have been completed. Finished projects include roof repairs, porch and deck replacements, as well as window and door installations.

Project selection criteria includes:

Homes must be located within the boundaries of Pickard, Bradley High and Mission Street.
Single-family, owner-occupied homes whose taxes are up to date.
Exterior projects only.
Household income at or below 120% median income.
No outstanding code violations.
No prior tax foreclosure on property within the city limits.
Properties who were awarded funds in 2022 are not eligible.
Minimum funding for a project is $1,000.
City funding, increasing the project cost to $10,000 or above, will require the homeowner to make a $250 contribution, or file a lien.

Deadline for homeowners to apply is April 25, 2023. Grant funding applications can be found at

www.mt-pleasant.org/neighborhoods.

Two Fires Plague Same Property

On April 3, 2023 at 8:58 p.m. the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department (MPFD) responded to a shed fire in the 3300 block of S. Isabella Road in Mt. Pleasant. This outbuilding was located behind the home that burned on April 2, 2023.

Upon arrival, crews observed the shed fully engulfed in flames. The fire was brought under control quickly. No injuries were sustained.

The MPFD is investigating the cause of the house and shed fires with the assistance of the Michigan State Police. If you have any information regarding these two incidents, please contact the Michigan State Police at (989) 773-5951.

The Mt. Pleasant Fire Department was assisted by the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Fire Department, Mt. Pleasant Police Department, Michigan State Police, Isabella County Sheriff Department and Isabella County Central Dispatch.

Fire Damages Mt. Pleasant Home

On April 2, 2023 at 8:52 p.m. the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department (MPFD) responded to a house fire in the 3300 block of S. Isabella Road in Mt. Pleasant.

Upon arrival, crews observed a single-story residence fully engulfed in flames. The fire was brought under control at 10:00 p.m. The house sustained heavy smoke, heat and fire damage, and is a complete loss. No one was in the structure at the time of the incident.

The MPFD is investigating the cause of the fire.

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 and Isabella County Central Dispatch.

Election Day – May 2, 2023

On May 2, 2023 an election will be held to elect one individual to the Mt. Pleasant City Commission.

The candidate on the ballot is: Bryan Chapman

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

Precinct Consolidation:

Please note precinct locations for the May 2, 2023 election.

Precincts 1 & 2: Ganiard Elementary School, 101 S. Adams
Precincts 3 & 4: Pullen Elementary School, 251 S. Brown
Precinct 5: Vowles Elementary School, 1560 S. Watson

Permanent Absentee Voters:

Permanent absentee voters have been mailed an application for a ballot. If you wish to vote in this election you must return the application by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 28, 2023. A ballot will then be mailed to you. Ballots can be mailed to the City Clerk’s office (320 W. Broadway Street) 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 (clerk@mt-pleasant.org). This must be completed by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 28, 2023.

Absentee voting at the Clerk’s Office is available beginning Thursday, March 23, 2023 during regular business hours with additional hours on Saturday, April 29, 2023 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. and on Monday, May 1, 2023 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Voter Registration:

If you are currently not registered to vote, you can register online at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/ or mail in the voter registration application found online. This must be completed by April 18, 2023.

After April 18, 2023 voter registration will be available at the City Clerk’s office. Please bring a proof of residency and a photo ID. This can be done until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.

Election Day Information

Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. Need a ride to and from the polls? I-Ride is offering free rides. Call (989) 772-9441 to schedule.

E-Scooters to Offer Another Transportation Option in Mt. Pleasant

In October 2022, the Mt. Pleasant City Commission approved an ordinance allowing electric scooters (e-scooters) to operate within the city, offering residents another transportation option.

In the near future, these two-wheeled devices, designed to transport one person at a time, will be available for the general public to rent, via a QR Code displayed on the unit. The city licensed third-party vendor’s contact information will also be affixed to the e-scooter. Reports of safety concerns, parking issues, or unsafe and inoperable scooters, shall be made directly to the scooter vendor, via the provided phone number.

E-Scooter Rental Sites:

There are currently multiple deployment sites where individuals can pick-up a scooter to rent.

227 S. Main Street

(Next to the bench in front of Listening Ear.)

201 S. Main Street

111 E. Michigan Street

220 W. Michigan Street

118 W. Broadway Street

(SE Corner of Michigan and Washington)

320 W. Broadway Street

Town Center – Location 1

(Corner of Main and Broadway)

Town Center – Location 2

(Corner of Main and Broadway)

200 E. Broadway Street

301 E. Broadway Street

NE Corner of University and Illinois

Drop-Off Sites:

E-scooters must be parked upright and left in the city’s right-of-way (between the sidewalk and the street, or back at a deployment site.)
The e-scooter vendor will pick-up all units within 24 hours.

Operating Regulations:

Users 18 years-old and younger must wear a helmet.
E-scooters may only be operated on city streets which have a speed limit of 25 mph or less.
No open alcohol containers are allowed while operating an e-scooter.
E-scooters are only to be used outdoors.
Users cannot charge the e-scooters.

Speed Limits:

While traveling on a sidewalk or on Central Michigan University’s campus, e-scooters cannot exceed 10 mph. Operators must give an audible notice when coming up on pedestrians, and yield the right of way in all instances.

When traveling on streets, e-scooters must remain close to the curb, and abide by all traffic rules.

The full e-scooter ordinance and Michigan Vehicle Code can be found at:

https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/mtpleasant/latest/mtpleasant_mi_code/0-0-0-10719

http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-257-660

Armed Robbery Suspects in Custody

On March 30, 2023 at approximately 7:48 p.m., officers from the Mt. Pleasant Police Department responded to an armed robbery at the 300 block of Oak Street.

Two male suspects, ages 19 and 17 years-old were placed into custody. No injuries were sustained, and there is no risk to the public.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department was assisted by the Isabella County Sheriff’s Department, Michigan State Police, Central Michigan University Police, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police, and Isabella County Central Dispatch.

Summary of Minutes of the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – 3/27/2023

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, March 27, 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 March 13, 2023.

3) Purchase of 500 tons of road salt for the 2023-2024 season through the State of Michigan MiDeal Extended Purchasing Program.

4) MDOT Resolution authorizing a five-year contract for continued operation and maintenance of the AWOS system at the Mt. Pleasant Airport.

5) Received proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 110: General Licensing of the Mt. Pleasant Code of Ordinances and set a public hearing for Monday, April 10, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. on same.

6) Bid of McGuirk Sand and Gravel of Mt. Pleasant, MI for the 2023 Local Streets Reconstruction Project and budget amendments.

7) Purchase of a 2022 Ford Transit Van from Krapohl Ford of Mt. Pleasant, MI for the City’s Recreation Department.

8) Warrants and payrolls.

Authorized City staff to seek funding opportunities of approximately $10,000 to construct a universally accessible community garden/orchard at Horizon Park and approved resolution to set the rental fee for plots.

Approved submission of City requests for Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe two percent allocations with a summary of the Commission’s top priorities.

Held a work session discussion on Central Michigan University Strategic Planning.

Adjourned the meeting at 8:37 p.m.

Animal Ordinance and TNR Reminders

In July 2021, the City Commission approved an amended animal ordinance to address the increasing number of complaints regarding stray cats. These concerns include noise, sanitary issues, child safety, and the growing stray cat population afflicting certain areas of the city.

Over the past several years, Code Enforcement has worked to deal with these issues in a humane and compassionate manner. Thetrap, neuter/spay and release (TNR) methodhas been utilized, but with limited success due to the feeding and harboring of these animals by some residents.

The amended ordinance provides Code Enforcement personnel with additional tools to address health and safety issues created by animals. As in the past, the first enforcement step is education. The second step involves working with local partners to: (1) humanely impound the animal(s); (2) have the animal(s) trapped, spayed/neutered; (3) released/adopted if possible. Neither the original or amended ordinances allow stray animals to be euthanized, except as determined by a licensed veterinarian.

A total of 100 cats have gone through the TNR program since its inception two years ago. This program is ongoing and is determined by the current feral and stray cat population.

The amended ordinance does not change the number of household pets permitted (up to three cats/dogs). This has been in effect for decades.

Please remember to not feed stray cats, and get your cats spayed and neutered. If you have noticed a problem regarding stray cats, contact Code Enforcement Officer Susan Sanderson (989) 779-5104 or by email ssunderman@mt-pleasant.org.

Topics to Watch at the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – March 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, March 27, 2023 at 7 p.m.

Consider authorizing City staff to seek funding opportunities for a universally accessible community garden/orchard at Horizon Park and consider resolution to set the rental fee for plots.

Prioritize and approve submission of City requests for Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe 2% allocations.

To view the entire meeting packet visit:

Click to access 3-27-23.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/87140018742?pwd=S1QyL0VvTG9lN1FIUHp2ZTdLNWR1dz09

Meeting ID: 871 4001 8742

Passcode: 175006

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 – March 13, 2023

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, March 13, 2023 at 7:00 p.m., in the City Commission Room, 320 W. Broadway St., Mt. Pleasant, Michigan with virtual options.

New records office professional Terrie House was introduced and Officer Dave Coffman was introduced and sworn in.

Approved the Agenda as amended.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

8) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held February 27, 2023.

9) Minutes of the special meeting of the City Commission held March 6, 2023.

10) Amendment to purchase authorization for police vehicles.

11) Resolution to purchase, acquire and construct improvements to the Water Resource Recovery System and to publish notice of intent to issue revenue bonds.

12) Contract for reimbursement with Isabella County Road Commission for the Pickard-Bradley traffic signal.

13) Contract with G.A. Hunt Excavating, LLC of St. Johns, MI for the 2023 storm sewer extension project.

14) Contract with PlanIT Geo, Inc., of Arvada, CO for tree inventory services.

15) Purchase of Aktivov Asset Management Software and budget amendment for same.

16) Received City requests for Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe 2% allocations.

17) Warrants and payrolls.

Approved waiver of audit requirement for Mid-Michigan Aquatic Recreation Authority.

Approved proposal for comprehensive analysis of fire services from the Center for Public Safety Management and budget amendment for same.

Approved resolution for The Care Store in regards to a State of Michigan Gaming License.

Adjourned the meeting at 7:38 p.m.