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.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Peace March and Vigil – Road Closures 1/17/22

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Peace March and Vigil will take place from 3 – 5 p.m. on Monday, January 17, 2022. Periodic street closures will occur during this time.

The march begins on the campus of Central Michigan University with the route continuing on Washington, Bellows and Main Streets. The march will end at Town Center in Downtown Mt. Pleasant. All are welcome to take part in this event.

City offices are open on Monday, and there will be no delay in trash/recycling collection.

Summary of Minutes of the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – 11/9/2020

Summary of Minutes of the electronically conducted regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, November 9, 2020, at 7:00 p.m.

Central Michigan University (CMU) President Robert Davies gave a presentation on the status of various aspects of activity at Central Michigan University.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

1) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held October 26, 2020.

2) Authorized contract with Tokio Marine HCC for health insurance stop loss coverage.

3) Awarded the Industrial Park South Detention Pond expansion project to The Isabella Corporation contingent upon EDA approval.

4) Continuation of the purchase-buyback program with Krapohl Ford for the purchase of 14 trucks.

5) Approved resolution extending the temporary permitting of outdoor business activities to March 14, 2021.

6) Received an ordinance to amend Chapter 150 of the Mt. Pleasant City Code to create a new division entitled “Property Standards” to regulate property conditions, to amend Section 150.99 and to repeal and relocate the regulations in Section 96.09 pertaining to inoperable vehicles and set a public hearing for November 23, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. on same.

7) Received an ordinance to amend Chapter 50 of the Mt. Pleasant City Code to amend the regulation of accumulation of solid waste and associated penalties and set a public hearing for November 23, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. on same.

8) Warrants and Payrolls.

Held a public hearing on proposed 2021 Annual Operating Budget. No action required by the Commission at this time.

Held a public hearing and passed, ordained and ordered published Ordinance 1059, an ordinance to rezone 623 S. Fancher from CZ (Civic Zone) to CD-3 (Sub-Urban).

Held a public hearing and passed, ordained and ordered published Ordinance 1060, an ordinance to amend table 154.405.A to update district density in the CD-4 General Urban Character District.

Held a public hearing and approved the resolution to adopt the final version of the 2050 Master Plan as presented.

Failed motion to approve contract with Enterprise Fleet Management for the purchase of four trucks.

Failed motion to approve lowering the Building, Fire & Sanitary Sewer Board of Appeals application fee to $175 to cover costs.

Denied the request to waive the Building, Fire & Sanitary Sewer Board of Appeals application fee.

Tabled action on recommendation from Principal Shopping District Board regarding special assessment billing until 2021 when more information would be available on snow removal options and costs in the Principal Shopping District.

Failed motion to adjourn the meeting and postpone the work session.

Work Session discussion on the proposed 2021 Operating Budget.

Adjourned the meeting at 10:35 p.m.

CMU ‘Greeks Clean the Streets’

Thirty student members of the Greek community at Central Michigan University joined the City of Mt. Pleasant’s Neighborhood Resource Unit (NRU) on Oct. 15 to clean the streets of the neighborhood north of Bellows Street. 30 bags of trash were collected from Bellows Street to High Street, and from Douglas Street to Lansing Street.

Sunday marked the first “Greek Clean the Streets” event since the retirement and passing of former City Code Enforcement Officer Jeff Pickler. Pickler established the “Greeks Clean the Streets” program six years ago, creating volunteer opportunities for Greek students to get involved in the community. “Jeff was always extremely proud of the students who volunteered their time to make the City of Mt. Pleasant a cleaner place for everyone to enjoy,” said Mt. Pleasant Police Officer Jeff Browne.

Asst. Fire Chief Mike Dunham added, “Jeff’s contributions will live on through the programs he initiated and friendships he made. We will always be thankful to Jeff for his dedicated work ethic and his desire to improve the organization’s success.”

Mt. Pleasant Police Department statistics from start of the fall semester at Central Michigan University

This weekend, thousands of student residents arrived to the area for the start of the fall semester at Central Michigan University. The Mt. Pleasant Police Department responded to several calls for service and generated a number of citations from 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24 to 7 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 27. Please see the weekend’s statistics below:

Arrested or Received Citation:

8 Disorderly Conduct
1 Disturbing the Peace
1 Driving While License Suspended
40 Minor in Possession of Alcohol
3 Nuisance Party-Attending
9 Nuisance Party-Hosting
64 Open Intoxicants
6 OWI
3 Possession of Drugs
11 Traffic Citations
3 Warrant Arrest

Calls for Service:

There were 97 calls for service from 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24 to 7 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 25.
There were 199 calls for service from 7 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 25 to 7 a.m. on Saturday,
Aug. 26.
There were 145 calls for service from 7 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26. To 7 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 27.

In 2014, the City of Mt. Pleasant developed a multi-year plan to address the history of violations and increasing tension among residents in the neighborhood north of Central Michigan University’s campus where owner-occupied properties and student rentals are intermingled. To decrease disruptive behavior and improve relationships between the full- and part-year residents, City officials have worked to improve partnerships with local landlords, CMU and its students, as well as enforce ordinances on a more consistent basis.

“We are proud to be home to Central Michigan University. The students are a great asset to our community and the energy and diversity they bring strengthens the City as a whole,” said Mt. Pleasant City Manager Nancy Ridley. “The students are also City residents, and all residents are expected to uphold our community standards, which include respecting your neighbors and taking care of each other to ensure Mt. Pleasant continues to be a safe and desirable place to live and visit.”

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department and Fire Department were assisted by the Central Michigan University Police Department, Central Michigan University Dispatch, Michigan State Police – Mt. Pleasant, and Lakeview Post, Isabella County Central Dispatch, Department of Corrections, Mobile Medical Response, Alma Police Department, Gratiot County Sheriff’s Department, Clare Police Department, Midland Police Department, and Midland County Sheriff’s Department.