City of Mt. Pleasant Recognized for Supporting Business in their Community

The City of Mt. Pleasant has been recognized for its success and effort in contributing to Michigan’s entrepreneurial growth and economic development in the annual eCities study conducted by researchers at iLabs, University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Center for Innovation Research. Mt. Pleasant was honored as a four-star community along with 90 other communities across the state. This is the sixth time the City has been recognized by UM-Dearborn.

According to City Manager Aaron Desentz, “This eCities recognition is tangible evidence that the City of Mt. Pleasant continues to focus on all forms of economic development, including growth in the entrepreneurial arena. It is an honor for our city to be recognized in this way.”

The eCities study analyzed publicly available data from 277 communities from 54 counties in Michigan. Researchers focused on the five-year changes in property values, community assets, and tax rates, which can demonstrate the growth, investments and cost of doing business within the community. For example, over the five-year period of 2016-2020, these communities increased their capital assets by an average of 2.9 percent per year by investments such as park facilities, emergency vehicles, water, and sewage infrastructure projects, while property tax rates increased by less than 3 percent on average per year.

Although accounting for less than 20 percent of the State’s cities and townships, the 277 communities analyzed are home to 71 percent of Michigan’s population and 86 percent of the state’s commercial property. “Each year, the eCities project aims to highlight the successes and continued commitment of cities and townships to grow business and support entrepreneurship within their communities,” said Kari Kowalski, iLabs project manager.

City Awarded Financial Certificate of Achievement for 34th Year

For the 34^th year in a row, the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) awarded Mt. Pleasant the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. GFOA established this recognition program in 1945 to encourage and assist state and local governments to go above the minimum requirements of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The award acknowledges municipalities that clearly communicate its financial story while motivating potential users and user groups to read the Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports (CAnFR).

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting. The CAnFR was prepared by the city’s dedicated Finance Division staff. Budget preparations that led to this award were spearheaded by Mary Ann Kornexl, Director of Finance and Chris Saladine, Assistant Director of Finance.

Topics to Watch at the Hybrid Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – February 28, 2022

Here are the topics to watch at the next in-person, as well as virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, February 28, 2022 at 7 p.m.

Consider setting a public hearing for March 14, 2022 as required for Green Tree Cooperative Grocery, Inc. through the Michigan Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

Consider approval of spending plan for PEAK Childcare Stabilization Grant funds and consider budget amendment on the same.

Correspondence from City Engineer Stacie Tewari regarding downtown alley reconstruction project fire suppression evaluation.

To view the entire meeting packet visit:

http://www.mt-pleasant.org/docs/board/city.commission/agendas/2022/2-28-22.pdf

How to follow public meetings:

In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, 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.

Zoom Meeting instructions via computer, phone, or dial-in number are as follows:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83780406267?pwd=amd3WSswNU5PWUJxaEx4VURNTFlqQT09

Meeting ID: 837 8040 6267

Passcode: 551598

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

Olivia Cyman ocyman@mt-pleasant.org

Maureen Eke meke@mt-pleasant.org

Amy Perschbacher aperschbacher@mt-pleasant.org

George Ronan gronan@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 regular meeting of the City Commission meeting held February 14, 2022 at 7 p.m.

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, February 14, 2022, at 7:01 p.m., in the City Commission Room, 320 W. Broadway St., Mt. Pleasant, Michigan with virtual options.

Officer Darryl Johns was introduced as the City’s newest Police Officer and sworn in by Chief of Police Lauria.

Removed Item #11 from the agenda.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

(8) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held January 24, 2022, as amended.

(9) Minutes of the closed session of the City Commission held January 24, 2022.

(10) Received recommended text change to Section 154.414 of the City of Mt. Pleasant Zoning Ordinances to update band sign standards and delete reference to downtown Mt. Pleasant signage design guidelines and set a public hearing for Monday, March 14, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. on same.

(11) Removed from the agenda.

(12) Bid of Insight Pipe Contracting of Harmony, PA for the 2022 Sewer Relining Project and budget amendment for same.

(13) Warrants and Payrolls.

Held a public hearing on Special Assessment District 1-22, reconstruct the alley in the block between Michigan, Main, Broadway & University in the City and adopted Resolution #5 as presented.

Held a public hearing on Special Assessment District 2-22, reconstruct the alley between Broadway and Michigan from University to 115.5 feet east of Franklin in the City and adopted Resolution #5 as presented.

Held a Work Session discussion on the City’s Medical Marihuana Facilities and Adult-Use Marihuana Establishments ordinances.

Held a Work Session discussion on Childcare Stabilization Grant expenses.

Adjourned the meeting at 9:13 p.m.

City of Mt. Pleasant’s 2021 Annual Report

Enhanced services and partnerships, desirable neighborhoods, new housing options, public safety, sustainable infrastructure, recreational activities and more are highlighted in the City of Mt. Pleasant’s 2021 Annual Report. To view the detailed report visit: https://issuu.com/mtpleasantmi/docs/annual_report_2021_ae09cb3c5a079a

Zoning Ordinance Variance Information

Ordinance History and Statistics

Lately there has been a significant amount of conversation regarding the City of Mt. Pleasant’s restaurant drive through vehicle stacking requirements. Therefore, what better time to review and share the history and process of zoning ordinance and variance information. The City’s zoning ordinance requires 200 feet of stacking space to enable safe traffic flow and avoid any backups on City streets and sidewalks. This standard, adopted by the City Commission in 1984, applies to all restaurant drive throughs established since that time. There are currently 22 drive through restaurants in the City averaging 227 stacking feet. The average amount of stacking plus additional on-site overflow is 319 feet.

The Process

Businesses wishing to establish a drive through must:

Apply to the Planning Commission and receive approval of a special use permit. This process includes a review ensuring all ordinance requirements are met and a public hearing is held. In general, special use permits are established to address potential impacts on neighboring properties and the general public.
If a business does not believe they can meet one or more of the requirements for a drive through they can apply to the City’s Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) and request a variance (a modification of requirement).

Per the State of Michigan’s Zoning Enabling Act, the ZBA acts as a quasi-judicial body reviewing local zoning ordinance cases. The ZBA is a separate entity from the Planning Commission, City Commission and City staff. The ZBA must review a request for variance against criteria related to practical hardship (that is, the need for a variance arises from a circumstance unique to the property which is not the result of actions taken by the applicant.) A variance cannot be granted in situations where the standards of the ordinance can be met.

Variances require the approval of a majority of the members of the ZBA, which for the City of Mt. Pleasant’s ZBA is three affirmative votes. As specified by the State of Michigan’s Zoning Enabling Act, applicants who wish to appeal a ZBA decision may do so at Circuit Court. ZBA decisions are not appealable to any other board or public body under state law.

Recent Variance Request

On December 15, 2021 the ZBA reviewed a request for two variances from the City’s standards for drive through restaurants. One was a variance related to screening, which was approved. The second was a reduction of the required vehicle stacking from 200 feet to 120 feet which failed to receive the three votes required for approval.

The City Commission discussed this specific case at its January 24, 2022 meeting. Per State of Michigan law, the City Commission is unable to hear an appeal of any ZBA decision, nor is it able to refer the ZBA to review the same issue again. However, the City Commission did direct the Planning Commission to review the City’s drive through stacking requirement standard and provide options, if any, for the City Commission to consider. This review will occur at the Planning Commission’s March 3, 2022 meeting.

The City has not issued any tickets or halted drive-through operation through this process, and the City Commission has directed City staff to continue to stay enforcement related to the drive through stacking requirement while this ordinance is being reviewed.

Topics to Watch at the Hybrid Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – February 14, 2022

Here are the topics to watch at the next in-person as well as virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, February 14, 2022 at 7 p.m.

Receive recommended text change to Section 154.414 to update band sign standards and delete reference to downtown Mt. Pleasant signage design guidelines and set a public hearing for March 14 on the same.

Consider award of contract to Insight Pipe Contracting for the 2022 Sewer Relining Project and consider budget amendment for the same.

Two separate public hearings on Special Assessment District #1-22 and #2-22 roll and consider approval of Resolution #5 to approve the roll and set the payment terms for Special Assessment District #1-22 and #2-22.

To view the entire meeting packet visit:

http://www.mt-pleasant.org/docs/board/city.commission/agendas/2022/2-14-22.pdf

How to follow public meetings virtually:

Zoom Meeting instructions via computer, phone, or dial-in number are as follows:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85451634185?pwd=N3ZQTGRVYnhlY3FQVlZnWGp2ZW5vQT09

Meeting ID: 854 5163 4185

Passcode: 984276

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

Brian Assmann bassmann@mt-pleasant.org

Elizabeth Busch ebusch@mt-pleasant.org

Olivia Cyman ocyman@mt-pleasant.org

Maureen Eke meke@mt-pleasant.org

Amy Perschbacher aperschbacher@mt-pleasant.org

George Ronan gronan@mt-pleasant.org

Residential Fire Extinguished

At 10:04 p.m. on Friday, January 28, 2022 the Mount Pleasant Fire Department responded to a house fire at 1512 W. Granger Street. Upon arrival, crews observed flames and smoke coming from the rear of the single story residence.

The home was occupied at the time of the fire, but all individuals were able to exit safely without injury. The fire was brought under control by 10:43 p.m. The structure sustained heavy smoke, heat and fire damage. The family who occupied the home has been provided food and shelter by the American Red Cross.

The fire remains under investigation. The Mt. Pleasant Fire Department was assisted by the Mt. Pleasant Police Department, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Fire Department and Isabella County Central Dispatch. The fire remains under investigation.

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held January 24, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.

Item #29 “Waiver of Conflict” was added to the agenda.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

7) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held January 10, 2022.

8) Minutes of the closed session of the City Commission held January 10, 2022.

9) Resolution in support of final approval of TCO #2- 2022.

10) Resolution for final approval of TCO #3-2022.

11) Resolution for final approval of TCO #4-2022.

12) Resolution for final approval of TCO #5-2022.

13) Resolution authorizing MDOT Contract Number 21-5404 (maintenance of new sidewalk at US-127BR/Mission Street and Corporate Drive).

14) Resolution in support of a Redevelopment Liquor License for Pleasant City Coffee and Books.

15) Set special meeting of the City Commission for Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at 5:45 p.m.

16) Set special meeting of the City Commission for Monday, April 18, 2022 at 5:30 p.m.

17) MDOT Resolution contract amendment for Phase II of the Runway 9 Approach Slope Clearing Project and budget amendment.

18) Contract with Alpine Tree Service of Newaygo, MI for Phase II of the Runway 9 Approach Slope Clearing Project.

19) Mayor Perschbacher made appointments of City administrative officials to various boards and commissions.

20) Warrants and Payrolls.

Held a public hearing and adopted resolution #3 to proceed with improvements; and resolution #4 to accept the special assessment roll and set a public hearing for Monday, February 14, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. regarding said roll for Special Assessment District #1-22.

Authorized the purchase of 800 MHz (megahertz) radios from ProComm Inc; radio programming by MPSCS as well as approved a budget amendment for the project cost and Capital Improvement Fund Transfer.

Authorized a contract extension with The Mannick & Smith Group of Canton, MI to perform environmental consulting services at the former city landfill and budget amendment.

Approved airport staffing and fee changes and budget amendment.

Appointed City Commissioners to City standing and special committees.

Appointed City Commissioners to City boards and commissions.

Referred drive-thru stacking requirements to the Planning Commission for review and options.

Denied the Waiver of Conflict from Clark Hill.

Approved and conducted a 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 8:25 p.m.

Youth Outdoor Exploration Program Launch Successful

The City of Mt. Pleasant’s Parks and Recreation Department recently partnered with Central Michigan University’s Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services Department (RPL) to form an exciting indoor rock-climbing class for area youth. The program, led by RPL Instructor Jordan Bruursema, and trained CMU student facilitators, is designed to build participant’s self-confidence and social skills through climbing, bouldering and other group activities. Attendees also learn about harnesses, knots and proper safety techniques to help them meet their rock-climbing goals.

The Youth Outdoor Exploration program offers rock climbing classes for kids 6-9 years old and 10-13 years old. Classes take place at the indoor climbing wall located in Finch Fieldhouse on CMU’s campus on Monday and Wednesdays, January 24 – February 23.

Initial sessions, which began in Fall 2021, have been met with great interest. The goal is to offer year-round programming not only on CMU’s campus, but in the City’s expansive park and river trail system where outdoor education and nature-based sessions will take place.

Spring sessions will be offered in mid-March. Follow the Mt. Pleasant Recreation Department on Facebook for registration information as it becomes available. www.mt-pleasant.org/recreation.