Summary of minutes of the February 25, 2019 City Commission meeting and the joint City and Planning Commission meeting

A joint meeting of the City Commission and the Planning Commission was held Monday, February 25, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Room.

The Commissioners reviewed the Planning Commission’s 2018 Annual Report and discussed the Planning Commission’s 2019 priorities.

The meeting adjourned at 6:34 p.m.

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, February 25, 2019, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Commission Room.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

1) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held February 11, 2019.

2) Minutes of the closed session of the City Commission held February 11, 2019.

3) Contract with Prein & Newhof of Grand Rapids, MI for the design and construction engineering for the 2020 Brown Street Reconstruction Project.

4) Bid of American Athletix of Muskegon, MI for the steel structure of the amphitheater project.

5) Authorize amendment to the airport snow removal contract with Pat McGuirk and authorize a budget amendment for same.

6) Authorize amendment to the contract with R & T Murphy Trucking, LLC for the 2018-2019 snow season and authorize a budget amendment for same.

7) Resolution to Adopt Collins Drive between Mission Street and East Campus Drive as a City street.

8) Approved appointment of Cory Friedrich as the representative of the Planning Commission to the Zoning Board of Appeal for a one-year term as recommended by the Planning Commission.

9) Warrants and Payrolls

Held a public hearing on Special Assessment Roll for Special Assessment District 1-19 and approved Resolution #5 as presented.

Approved the bid of C & R Electric LLC of Shepherd, MI for the 2019 Pedestrian Street Lighting Project.

Directed staff to redesign reconstruction of Maple Street at the existing width of 41 feet.

Postponed action on resolution authorizing an amendment to the Standard Lighting Contract between the City and Consumers Energy for new LED street lighting on Maple Street and budget amendment for the same until completion of redesign of the reconstruction of Maple Street at the existing width of 41 feet.

Approved a budget amendment for the Parks and Public Spaces Department for a nine-month seasonal skilled position for 2019 only, and provide for the evaluation of this staffing for effectiveness in the parks and public spaces operations.

Adjourned at 8:24 p.m.

Topics to watch at the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting scheduled for February 25, 2019

Here are the topics to watch at the Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. on February 25, 2019 at City Hall, 320 W. Broadway Street. Please note that a joint meeting of the City Commission and Planning Commission begins at 6:00 p.m.

-City Commission and Planning Commission joint meeting (start time 6:00 p.m.) to discuss the 2018 Annual Report and 2019 priorities.

-Discuss reconstruction design of Maple Street and confirm current design.

-Consider resolution authorizing an amendment to the Standard Lighting Contract between the City and Consumers Energy for new LED street lighting on Maple Street and budget amendment for the same.

-Consider Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) resolution adopting Collins Drive into the local street system.

-Consider amendment to airport snow removal and snow hauling contract and budget amendment for the same.

Summary of minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, February 11, 2019

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, February 11, 2019, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Commission Room.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

1) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held January 7, 2019.

2) Bid of C&I Building Maintenance, Inc. of Sparta, MI for roof restoration services at DPS plus insulation repair.

3) Purchase of a John Deere Gator from Bader & Sons of St. Louis, MI.

4) Purchase of a Toro Groundsmaster 4000-D Mower from Spartan Distributors of Sparta, MI.

5) Contract with Plas-Tanks Industries of Hamilton, OH for Chemical Storage Tank Rehabilitation project.

6) Authorized an amendment to the copier contract with CMU.

7) Authorized amendment to the engineering contract with Rowe Professional Services for the 1 MG Reservoir Bypass design.

8) Warrants and Payrolls

Held a public hearing and approved the adoption of Resolution Nos. 3 and 4 to proceed with the improvements; accept special assessment roll and set a public hearing for Monday, February 25, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. for final review of the special assessment roll for Special Assessment District 1-19.

Approved a pilot project for storm drain painting in Chipp-A-Waters Park and Island Park.

Appointments to various City Boards and Commissions as recommended by the Appointments Committee.

Appointments of City Commissioners to City standing and special committees and to
applicable City Boards and Commissions.

Set a special meeting for Monday, February 25, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. for a joint meeting between the City Commission and Planning Commission.

Approved a pilot program for igloo seating at 105 East Broadway from February 12, 2019 to March 15, 2019 using the existing outdoor dining policy, a pro-rated fee of $30 and the staff considerations agreed to by the applicant.

Approved and conducted a closed session pursuant to subsection 8(c) of the Open Meetings Act for strategy and negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement.

Approved labor agreements with employees represented by the Command Officers Association and Patrol Officers Association to expire on December 31, 2021 as recommended and authorized the Mayor and Clerk to sign all necessary documents.

Adjourned meeting at 8:38 p.m.

UPDATE (12:47 p.m.) – Status of City of Mt. Pleasant’s medical marihuana random draw lottery

Mt. Pleasant, MI – In accordance with Section 112.03(d) of the City Code of Ordinances, a public meeting to conduct a drawing to randomly select applications for conditional authorization and to establish a waiting list for potential medical marihuana provisioning centers was scheduled for Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at 1:00 pm in the City Commission Chambers at 320 W. Broadway Street.

Court Filings
On February 12, 2019, the City of Mt. Pleasant Clerk’s office received copies of two Ex Parte Restraining Orders signed by Circuit Court Judge Paul Chamberlain preventing the City from conducting the random draw (lottery) at the public meeting until further order of the Court. These orders were based on motions filed by Green Peaks Industries, LLC and Deborah Cary on Monday, February 11. The City will file its written responses to both motions with the Court later this afternoon.

The Circuit Court has scheduled a hearing on the motions for Wednesday, February 13 at 10:30 a.m.

Status of Lottery Drawing

Based on the Orders issued by Judge Chamberlain, the scheduled February 13, 1:00 p.m. lottery draw could not occur until further order of the Court.

UPDATE: Court Hearing Progress

The court hearing is in process and will resume at 2:00 p.m. The 1:00 p.m. lottery meeting will be recessed and reconvened upon opinion of the court.

Status of City of Mt. Pleasant’s medical marihuana random draw lottery

Court Filings

On February 12, 2019, the City of Mt. Pleasant Clerk’s office received copies of two Ex Parte Restraining Orders signed by Circuit Court Judge Paul Chamberlain preventing the City from conducting the random draw (lottery) at the public meeting until further order of the Court. These orders were based on motions filed by Green Peaks Industries, LLC and Deborah Cary on Monday, February 11. The City will file its written responses to both motions with the Court later this afternoon.

The Circuit Court has scheduled a hearing on the motions for Wednesday, February 13 at 10:30 a.m.

Status of Lottery Drawing

Based on the Orders issued by Judge Chamberlain, the scheduled 1:00 p.m. lottery draw cannot occur until further order of the Court. The public meeting has been properly noticed and remains scheduled. Once the court hearing on Wednesday morning is concluded, the City will determine whether the lottery will occur at the public meeting or whether the public meeting and lottery drawing will be cancelled or rescheduled for a later date. The outcome of the motion hearings and updates will be placed on the City’s website, http://www.mt-pleasant.org/mmmfla, blog, social media channels, and the Community Information phone line (989-779-5320).

City of Mt. Pleasant 2/12/19 Winter Storm Update: Cancellations and Street Parking Reminder

Due to the winter storm, below is a list of current closures and reminders from the City of Mt. Pleasant.

Updates to this list will be posted on the following social media accounts, City of Mt. Pleasant Blog and the Community Information Line:

City of Mt. Pleasant @mtpleasantmi Facebook page

City of Mt. Pleasant Public Safety @mtppublicsafety Facebook page

City of Mt. Pleasant Twitter @MtPleasantMI

City of Mt. Pleasant Public Safety Twitter @mtppublicsafety

City of Mt. Pleasant Blog; mpcityblog.com

Community Information Line (989) 779-5320

CANCELLATIONS for 2/12/19:

–Mt. Pleasant Fire Department Job Fair scheduled for from 6-8 p.m.

–Historic District Commission Meeting scheduled for 5:00 p.m. Rescheduled for 3/12/19 at 5:00 p.m.

STREET PARKING: Please remember to not park on City streets. This will help our Street Department clear our streets quickly and efficiently during this winter storm.

As a reminder, from Dec. 1, 2018 to April 1, 2019, on-street and City lot parking is prohibited in non-downtown areas from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. On-street parking is prohibited downtown from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. throughout the year.

UPDATE 2/7/2019: “The Store” Robbery

Mt. Pleasant, Mich., – On January 22, 2019 at approximately 12:36 a.m. “The Store” located at 2128 S. Mission Street in the City of Mt. Pleasant was the victim of a robbery.

The suspect, a black male, believed to be in his late 20’s, entered “The Store” and engaged in a conversation with the lone clerk.

The suspect suddenly jumped over the counter knocking the cash register to the floor and verbally threatened the clerk as he removed an undetermined amount of cash from the register. The suspect then threatened the clerk with a bottle before fleeing the store in an unknown direction.

Using various investigative tools, Mt. Pleasant Police Detectives were able to identify the suspect and on February 5, 2019 obtained an arrest warrant for Leonardo Bernard Parker III.

Parker was believed to be traveling between Mt. Pleasant and Saginaw on a regular basis.

Mt. Pleasant Detectives worked closely with surrounding law enforcement agencies surveilling several locations in both Mt. Pleasant and Saginaw.

Parker was located in Saginaw and arrested on the robbery warrant. Parker was transported from Saginaw to the Isabella County Jail where he is currently lodged.

Parker is scheduled for arraignment later this afternoon (02/07/19).

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department was assisted by the Isabella County Sheriff Department, Michigan State Police, Michigan State Police Tech. Services, Saginaw Township Police, and the Bay Area Narcotic Enforcement Team.

Video from the robbery can be viewed at www.facebook.com/mtppublicsafety/

the store 1222019

Wayside Bar Assault – Request for public assistance in identifying person of interest

Mt. Pleasant, MI – The Mt. Pleasant Police Department (MPPD) is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying a person of interest in an assault case.

On February 2, 2019 the MPPD received information of an assault which occurred at 2000 S. Mission Street. (The Wayside Bar).

The victim in this complaint reported being assaulted inside The Wayside Bar between the hours of 12:30 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. on February 2, 2019.

After viewing surveillance video from inside the bar, Mt. Pleasant Police Officers determined the person of interest is a white male, medium build with short dark hair, between the ages of 18 and 24.

There is no safety risk to the public and no further details of the assault will be released at this time.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department is requesting anyone who can help identify the subject in the attached photographs to please call the Anonymous TIP Line at (989) 779-9111.

Nominations for Historic Preservation Improvement Awards due March 31

The City of Mt. Pleasant’s Historic District Commission (HDC) is currently seeking nominations for the 2019 Historic Preservation Improvement Awards.

The awards are presented each year to honor exterior improvements of residential and commercial properties in the City of Mt. Pleasant in four areas – Preservation, Restoration, New Construction or Downtown Historic District Choice. Nominated properties must be at least 25 years old, and improvements must have been completed between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2018.

The HDC will evaluate applications that best reflect the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Details can be found at http://www.mps.gov/tps/standards.htm. Winners will be announced on May 13 as part of National Historic Preservation month.

Michelle Sponseller, Downtown Development Director shared, “These awards offer individuals an opportunity to recognize and express appreciation to their fellow residents who not only take pride in maintaining their property, but are dedicated to retaining its historic character.” She added, “Over the past three years we have honored three commercial properties which have safeguarded the historical charm of our downtown area and in 2019 we are hoping to receive nominations for residential properties as well. This impressive commitment to preserving the past while offering modern amenities continues to be a draw to our many year-round visitors.”

Nominations are due by 4:30 p.m. on March 31, 2019. Nomination forms can be found on the City’s website at http://www.mt-pleasant.org/boards_and_commissions/HDC.asp.

For more information, contact Downtown Development Director Michelle Sponseller at (989) 779-5348 or msponseller@mt-pleasant.org.

City of Mt. Pleasant Winter Storm Update: Closures, City Commission Meeting Cancelled for 1/28/19 and Street Parking Reminder (11:30 a.m.)

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – Due to the winter storm, below is a list of current closures from the City of Mt. Pleasant.

Updates to this list will be posted on the following social media accounts:

City of Mt. Pleasant @mtpleasantmi Facebook page

City of Mt. Pleasant Public Safety @mtppublicsafety Facebook page

City of Mt. Pleasant Twitter @MtPleasantMI

City of Mt. Pleasant Public Safety Twitter @mtppublicsafety

CLOSURES:

-All city offices will close at 12 noon on Monday, January 28, 2019.

-All City of Mt. Pleasant Parks

-Cemetery

-Hannah’s Bark Park

CANCELLATIONS:

-Tonight’s City Commission meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. at City Hall has been cancelled, per Vice Mayor Lori Gillis. The agenda from the January 28 meeting will be combined with the agenda of the February 11, 2019 City Commission meeting.

STREET PARKING: Please remember to not park on City streets. This will help our Street Department clear our streets quickly and efficiently during this winter storm.