City of Mt. Pleasant Releases 2024 TNR Program Census

Established in 2021, the city’s Trap Neuter Release (TNR) program stabilizes the feral cat population by humanely and compassionately trapping, sterilizing, and vaccinating cats before they are returned to their outdoor habitat. This comprehensive process involves setting up cat feeding stations and specific feeding times. Cats then receive a health assessment by a licensed veterinarian who spays/neuters, vaccinates, and ear-nips or micro-chips the animals. Cats are released into their outdoor habitat and adopted, if possible. This program runs annually from April-October.

In 2024, the city hired a part-time public safety employee, who is TNR certified, to administer the program. This commitment resulted in a total of 100 cats receiving aid, with 47 of those cats being adopted.

Per city ordinance, animals are not allowed to be euthanized except when determined by a licensed veterinarian. Out of the 233 cats only one has been euthanized after (3) days of hospitalization.

Community Cat Program Worker Susan Sanderson shared, “I am proud and thankful to be involved with the City of Mt. Pleasant’s effort in controlling the community cat population. Considering the number of cats involved in the TNR program, and the number who have been adopted, this was a successful season, for both the community cats, and our city.”

Residents are reminded not to feed stray cats and get their cats spayed and neutered.

Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/EapseqBrvjoyqmaK/

Laser Light Show Added to Downtown Mt. Pleasant Christmas Celebration Line-Up

Downtown Mt. Pleasant will be filled with holiday spirit at the December 6-7 Christmas Celebration.

The festivities kick off on Friday, December 6 from 5 to 8 p.m. A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Town Center will begin at 5 p.m. near the community tree.

The Winter Market will once again feature specialty crafts and food vendors and Candy Cane Lane will host a variety of children’s games, activities, and live performances.

Visits with Santa are as follows:

Friday, December 6, 5-8 p.m. Town Center’s Santa House
Saturday, December 7, 3-6 p.m. & 7-8 p.m.: Coldwell Banker/Mt. Pleasant Realty, 304 E. Broadway Street
December 14 & 21, 1 – 4 p.m.; Coldwell Banker/Mt. Pleasant Realty

New this year, a laser light show will illuminate the skies over Town Center at 8 p.m. This show, choreographed to holiday music, will be the closing act to Friday’s activities.

Saturday, December 7 highlights include the Jingle All-The-Way Kids Fun Run, and the adult 5K and 5 Mile Run, all starting at Max & Emily’s. Registration must be completed online. Advanced registration is required. Races begin at 8:00, 8:25 and 8:30 a.m.

After the races, a pancake breakfast with Santa is scheduled from 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Parish Hall. Admission is $11 for adults, $5 for children under 10, and children under 4 are free. Proceeds benefit the Sacred Heart Academy Athletic Association. Tickets will be sold at the door.

The celebration continues at 6 p.m. on Saturday with the lighted parade traveling down Main and Broadway Street.

Registration forms for the Jingle All-The-Way Kids Fun Run, 5 Mile Run and 5K Walk/Run, volunteer opportunities, Winter Market Vendor Application, and parade entry applications can be found at: www.mt-pleasant.org/christmas. November 8 is the deadline for market vendors and parade entry applications are due on November 20.

LIGHTED PARADE ROUTE AND ROAD CLOSURES – December 7, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.

The parade starts at Main and Washington Streets.
Travels north on Main to Broadway Street.
East on Broadway to Lansing Street.
South on Lansing to Michigan Street where the parade ends.

Parade Safety Note: For the safety of parade-goers and participants, please do NOT venture out into the street during the parade. Stay on the sidewalk during the entire duration of the parade.

Summary of Minutes of the 10/28/2024 City Commission Meeting

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, October 28, 2024, 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 items on the Consent Calendar:

6) Minutes of the regular session of the City Commission held on October 15, 2024.

7) Minutes of the closed session of the City Commission held October 15, 2024.

8) MDOT Contract 2024-0364 for State Trunkline Maintenance.

9) Contract with GameTime c/o Sinclair Recreation for the 2024 Horizon Park and Chipp-A-Waters Park Playground Replacement and 2025 Installation.

10) Warrants and payrolls.

Contract for Phase I DWSRF Design and Construction Engineering to Fishbeck Engineering of Grand Rapids, MI.

Approved Deer Cull as discussed.

Conducted a Work Session discussion on Proposed 2025 Operating Budget.

Approved and Conducted 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 9:53 p.m.

Topics to Watch at the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – 10/28/2024

Here are the topics to watch at the next in person, as well as virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, October 28, 2024, at 7 p.m.

Consider approval of MDOT Contract 2024-0364 for State Trunkline Maintenance.

Consider Contract with Fishbeck Engineering for Phase I DWSRF Design and Construction Engineering and Associated Budget Amendment.

Consider Information Related to Deer Cull.

Proposed 2025 Operating Budget Work Session.

To view the entire meeting packet visit:

Click to access E-Packet%20for%20Monday,%20October%2028,%202024.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 comment@mt-pleasant.org.

To participate via Zoom:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88537608720?pwd=3ZTk5Tcya57mqXcUCta2cawQbz4m5u.1

Meeting ID: 885 3760 8720

Passcode: 421293

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 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 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 of the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – 10/15/2024

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 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. Motion unanimously adopted.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

4) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held September 23, 2024.

5) Warrants and payrolls.

Approved a $90,000 Funding Allocation for 200 E. Broadway University Lofts Revitalization (Old Isabella Bank Building) and Placemaking (RAP) Grant Application.

Approved and conducted a Closed Session pursuant to subsection 8(c) of the Open Meetings Act for strategy and negotiation sessions connected with negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement.

Adjourned the meeting at 9:27 p.m.

Mission Street Conceptual Design Survey – Public Input Requested

Earlier this year, the City of Mt. Pleasant contracted with Progressive Companies to lead the development of an improvement plan for Mission Street. In collaboration with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and with funding from the State of Michigan Redevelopment Ready Communities program, the city convened a local steering committee and solicited public input through in-person events and an online survey.

Information received from these outreach efforts helped formulate design concepts which were presented to the community on September 26 through appearances at the Farmers’ Market, CMU’s campus, and an Open House at City Hall.

For those community members who were unable to attend these events, a survey has been developed to capture your insight. Visit https://s.alchemer.com/s3/eb01215e5300. Survey deadline is October 31, 2024. Please do not complete the survey if you have already shared your feedback at the September 26 events.

For detailed information regarding this project visit, www.mt-pleasant.org/missionstreet

Topics to Watch at the 10/15/2024 City Commission Meeting

Here are the topics to watch at the next in person, as well as virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for TUESDAY, October 15, 2024, at 7 p.m.

Consider Request for $90,000 Funding Allocation for University Lofts Revitalization (Old Isabella Bank Building) and Placemaking (RAP) Grant Application.

Discussion on Lost and Found Bronze Statue Program

To view the entire meeting packet visit:

Click to access E-packet%20for%20Tuesday,%20October%2015,%202024..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.

To participate via Zoom:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84036854399?pwd=QW2sJsiHUFGyNUTEjdWbNU61as7Agd.1

Meeting ID: 840 3685 4399

Passcode: 825809

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.

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

Fire Damages Union Township Home

On October 8, 2024, at 4:14 p.m. the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department (MPFD) responded to a house fire in the 5000 block of Brindle Lane in Union Township.

Upon arrival, crews observed a two-story home with heavy smoke coming from both the front and back of the dwelling. The fire was brought under control by 4:36 p.m.

The occupants were outside in the front yard when they heard the home’s interior smoke alarms sound. When they opened the front door, black smoke poured out of the doorway. The house sustained smoke, heat, and fire damage.

No injuries were sustained by the home’s occupants or first responders.

The MPFD is investigating the cause of the fire.

The Mt. Pleasant Fire Department was assisted by the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Fire Department, Mobile Medical Response, Mt. Pleasant Police Department, Michigan DNR, and Isabella County Central Dispatch.

2024 Fall Leaf Collection Schedule

As the leaves start to fall, residents and landscaping companies are reminded to not rake leaves into the streets until the week of October 28. City staff will make one sweep through the entire City during pick up weeks. Therefore, leaves should be raked into low piles before Monday of pick-up weeks and not cover catch basins.

On High and Pickard Streets, where high traffic volume prohibits leaves in the street, residents and landscaping companies should rake the leaves onto the rights-of-way, as close to the curb as possible. Those who live on streets other than High and Pickard must place their leaves in the street. If you live on a boulevard, do not place leaves in the median, place them in front of your home.

Yard waste bags should not be used, this collection is for leaves only. Leaf piles must not contain garden or shrubbery clippings, dead grass, branches, trim board, or other material.

Residents who wish to rake their yards ahead of the City’s collection schedule may bag and dispose of the leaves for a fee at the Material Recovery Facility, located at 4208 E. River Rd., Mt. Pleasant. Leaves may also be mulched with a mulching lawnmower.

The City’s 2024 leaf collection schedule is as follows:

Week of November 4: Staff will collect leaves in a City-wide sweep.
Week of November 18: Staff will collect leaves in a City-wide sweep.
Week of December 2: Final collection of leaves in a City-wide sweep. Any leaves left in the street after the crews have made their final pass will not be collected and are the responsibility of the homeowner.

Questions may be directed to the Division of Public Works, 989-779-5401.

Apartment Building Fire – No Injuries

On October 5, 2024, at 4:16 p.m., the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department (MPFD) responded to a fire at a multi-family housing unit in the 1800 block of South Crawford Road.

Upon arrival, crews observed a two-story, 16-unit apartment building partially engulfed in flames extending from the entry door to the roof of the second floor. The fire spread quickly up the walls and into the attic. The building sustained heavy fire damage to the attic and water damage throughout most of the building.

All occupants were able to exit the building safely. Tenants from the 16 units are displaced and working with apartment complex managers to find temporary housing.

Fire personnel remained on scene to try and salvage as many occupant belongings as possible.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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