City of Mt. Pleasant Now Accepting Applications for Citizens’ Academy

The City of Mt. Pleasant is now accepting applications for the upcoming Citizens’ Academy, a free seven-week program designed to help community members learn how local government and city services work.

The academy begins Tuesday, February 17, 2026, and includes weekly evening sessions that provide an inside look at various city departments and services. Topics include city administration and budgeting, public works and utilities, parks and recreation, public safety, community development, elections, and the basics of local government.

The program is open to anyone who lives, works, attends school, or owns property within the City of Mt. Pleasant. Director of Planning & Community Development Manuela Powidayko shared, “The Citizens’ Academy is an opportunity for residents to capture a close-up view of how a municipality operates and the many services the city provides on a daily basis. Participants can meet other residents and learn directly from staff about the wide range of topics that we work on every day to ensure good quality of life for our current and future residents.”

Sessions will be held on Tuesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., with dinner served at 5:30 p.m., on the following dates: February 17, February 24, March 3, March 17, March 24, April 7, and April 14. Participants who complete the program may be eligible for CMU learning credits and will be recognized at the April 27 City Commission meeting.

Applications are available at City Hall or online and will be accepted through February 3, 2026. Space is limited.

Find more details and the application at www.mt-pleasant.org/citizensacademy.

Coneys for a Cause – Support MPPD’s Youth Services Unit

The community can enjoy $1.99 coney dogs while helping the youth of Isabella County during Coneys for a Cause. This event is scheduled for August 11-15, 2025, at the Pixie Restaurant (302 N. Mission Street).

The Pixie will donate to the Mt. Pleasant Police Youth Services Unit (YSU) 100% of the profits for every coney sold.

Customers can purchase individual coney dogs for $1.99 at the restaurant, or they can pre-order a minimum of one dozen coney dogs to be delivered. All delivery orders must be submitted before 3 p.m. on August 1 and emailed to dmaclean@inspiredcpts.com. Delivery times are between 10 a.m. and noon, August 11 – 15. Event organizers will do their best to meet the desired delivery time.

Order forms can be found at www.mt-pleasant.org/ysu.

The “Pixie Pig Out” is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, August 15, 2025, at the Pixie. Stop by to watch this friendly coney-eating competition between law enforcement agencies.

Youth Services Unit (Mt. Pleasant Police Department)

This valuable program involves police positively interacting with youth at an early age. Two YSU Officers serve more than 3,000 K-12 students in the Mt. Pleasant Public Schools (MPPS), providing guidance and support for students, ultimately forming lifelong bonds. The popular Youth Police Academy, as well as Shop with a Cop, are just a few of the programs YSU hosts.

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:

Click to access E-Packet%20for%20April%2022,%202024.pdf

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.

City to hold Citizens’ Academy of Mt. Pleasant; accepting applications now

The eighth Citizens’ Academy is now accepting applications. Presented by the City of Mt. Pleasant, the academy is designed to engage members of the community and to expand their knowledge of the structure and functions of local government.

Participants will attend seven weekly sessions beginning Tuesday, February 20, 2024. Each session will offer an in-depth look at the fundamentals of the City’s administration and budget; public works and utilities; parks and recreation; public safety; and community development. Additional topics covered include the basics of local government, elections and more.

The Citizens’ Academy is open to anyone living, working, owning property, or attending school in the City of Mt. Pleasant. Director of Planning & Community Development Manuela Powidayko shared, “The Citizens’ Academy is an opportunity for residents to capture a close-up view of how a municipality operates and the many services the city provides on a daily basis.”

Registration for the academy is free and space is limited. Sessions will occur on the following Tuesdays from 6 – 8:30 p.m.: February 20, February 27, March 12, March 19, April 2, April 9, and April 16. Graduates of the academy will be recognized at the April 22 City Commission meeting.

Applications are available at City Hall or online and are accepted until February 5, 2024. Find the application and learn more at www.mt-pleasant.org/citizensacademy.

City to hold Citizens’ Academy; accepting applications now

The seventh Citizens’ Academy is now accepting applications. Presented by the City of Mt. Pleasant, the academy is designed to engage members of the community and to expand their knowledge of the structure and functions of local government.

Participants will attend seven, weekly sessions beginning Tuesday, February 21. Each session will offer an in-depth look at the fundamentals of the City’s administration and budget; public works and utilities; parks and recreation; public safety; and community development. Additional topics covered include the basics of local government, elections and more.

The Citizens’ Academy is open to anyone living, working, owning property or attending school in the City of Mt. Pleasant. Director of Planning & Community Development Manuela Powidayko shared, “The Citizens’ Academy is an opportunity for residents to capture a close up view of how a municipality operates and the many services the city provides on a daily basis.”

Registration for the academy is free and space is limited. Sessions will occur on the following Tuesdays from 6 – 8:30 p.m.: February 21, February 28, March 14, March 21, April 4, April 11, and April 18. Graduates of the academy will be recognized at the April 24 City Commission meeting.

Applications are available at City Hall or online, and are accepted until January 17, 2023. Find the application and learn more at www.mt-pleasant.org/citizensacademy.

Accepting Applications for 20th Youth Services Police Academy

The 20^th Youth Services Police Academy is scheduled for July 12 – 29, 2021, (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.

The curriculum also 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, firearm safety, first aid and CPR, and much more. Appropriate program adjustments will be made to follow COVID-19 safety protocols.

Applications are now available at the Division of Public Safety, 804 E. High Street, during 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The application deadline is June 11, 2021.