Topics to Watch at the Mt. Pleasant City Commission – February 27, 2023

Here are the topics to watch at the next in-person, as well as virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, February 27, 2023 at 7 p.m.

Consider acceptance of $75,000 from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) for a neighborhood enhancement grant, authorize the Mayor to execute the necessary documents and approve the allocation of additional funds.

Consider approval of budget amendments for projects carried forward from 2022.

Discussion on downtown parking. (Work Session)

To view the entire meeting packet visit:

Click to access 2-27-23_Agenda.pdf

How to follow public meetings:

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.

To participate via Zoom:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86289429646?pwd=T2pxRGhSbXM1clRZaVNGV1BYV2FXUT09

Meeting ID: 862 8942 9646

Passcode: 957710

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

Bryan Chapman bchapman@mt-pleasant.org

Maureen Eke meke@mt-pleasant.org

Amy Perschbacher aperschbacher@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. A 48-hour advance notice is necessary for accommodation.

Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market Receives Grant for Food Safety Educational Programming

The Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market is one of ten markets statewide to receive a food safety programming grant from the Michigan Farmers Market Association.

This summer staff from the Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market and the MSU Extension Office will host three educational food safety sessions. These programs occur once a month at both the Thursday and Saturday markets during June, July and August.

The programming schedule is as follows:

Thursday, June 2 Time and Temperature Island Park

Saturday, June 18 Time and Temperature Town Center/Downtown

Thursday, July 14 Food Preservation Island Park

Saturday, July 16 Food Preservation Town Center/Downtown

Thursday, August 4 Preventing Cross-Contamination Island Park

Saturday, August 6 Preventing Cross-Contamination Town Center/Downtown

Sessions run continuously from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and feature cooking demonstrations, recipes, and a variety of food safety educational resources. All sessions are free and are conducted under the Parks & Recreation and MSU-Extension tents. Pre-registration is not required.

Summary of Minutes of the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – 4/25/2022

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, April 25, 2022, at 7:00 p.m.

Approved the agenda with the cancellation of Item #23, “Public hearing on the CDBG Water Related Infrastructure Program; Postponement of Item #24 “Consideration of Broadway Central” to May 9, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.; addition of Item #21a to the Consent Calendar “Set a public hearing for Monday, May 9, 2022 for the CDBG Water Related Infrastructure Grant”.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

9) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held April 11, 2022.

10) Minutes of the closed session of the City Commission held April 11, 2022.

11) MDOT performance resolution for governmental agencies for the purpose of representing the City in transactions. (CC Exh 2-2022).

12) Bid of Fisher Transportation of Mt. Pleasant, MI for the 2022-2023 Street Sweepings Disposal Project.

13) Bid of McGuirk Sand & Gravel of Mt. Pleasant, MI with budget amendment for the Crapo Street Reconstruction Project.

14) Resolution Establishing Fee for Minor Site Plan Review.

15) Received proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 110. GENERAL LICENSING to add a new Section 110.30 PEDICABS to allow for and regulate the operation of pedicabs within the City and set a public hearing on same for May 9, 2022.

16) Set a public hearing for May 9, 2022 to obtain public input on the MEDC Revitalization and Placemaking Grant proposal.

17) Received proposed amendment to Chapter 112. Medical Marihuana Facilities of the Mt. Pleasant Code of Ordinances and set a public hearing for May 9, 2022 on same.

18) Received proposed amendment to Chapter 115 Recreational Marihuana Establishments of the Mt. Pleasant Code of Ordinances and set a public hearing for May 9, 2022 on same.

19) Received proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 154.410.B.4. of the Mt. Pleasant Zoning Ordinances and set a public hearing for May 23, 2022 on the same.

20) Budget amendment in Major Street fund and Water fund for the 2022 Brown Street Reconstruction project.

21) Warrants and Payrolls

21a) Set a Public hearing for Monday, May 9, 2022 on the CDBG Water Related Infrastructure Grant.

Held a public hearing and approved the resolution approving a redevelopment liquor license to Jib-Bob, LLC at 214 N. Franklin St.

Work session presentation and discussion on 2023-2028 Capital Improvement Plan.

Work session discussion on Housing Study next steps.

Adjourned the meeting at 9:09 p.m.

Topics to Watch at the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – March 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, March 28, 2022 at 7 p.m.

Introduction of Social Crisis Advocate Krysta Carabelli.

Public hearing on the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant application and consider approval of resolution on the same.

Consider approval of Broadway Central for the 2022 season and consider budget amendment for the same.

Consider approval of street closure with conditions.

Receive an ordinance to amend Chapter 115 of the Mt. Pleasant Code of Ordinances to update standards for adult-use marihuana establishments and set a public hearing for April 11 on the same.

To view the entire meeting packet visit:

http://www.mt-pleasant.org/docs/board/city.commission/agendas/2022/E-Packet%20for%20March%2028,%202022_reduced.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.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88283075778?pwd=VjlQaEJCMSs2Tyt6ZHRyQ1J3ZXpWZz09

Meeting ID: 882 8307 5778

Passcode: 410939

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

Sleepy Dog Books – Make It Mt. Pleasant Rental Subsidy Recipient

Sleepy Dog Books, a boutique bookstore, is scheduled to open on May 6^th at its 120 E. Broadway Street location. Sleepy Dog Books is the third recipient of the Make It Mt. Pleasant rental subsidy program. Launched in 2020, this grant program is offered to new or expanding downtown Mt. Pleasant businesses.

Fully funded by Lake Trust Credit Union, and administered by the City’s Downtown Development Office, the Make It Mt. Pleasant Program is designed to support new retail, dining, arts and entertainment businesses. The program focuses on first floor commercial spaces within the downtown TIFA district.

Up to two businesses per year are accepted for funding. Selected applicants receive 12 months of rental assistance, not to exceed $4,200, as well as a waiver of City fees and charges not to exceed $2,500. This waiver includes costs associated with building, sign, outdoor merchandising and outdoor dining permits.

Michelle Sponseller, Downtown Development Director shared, “Mt. Pleasant is fortunate Lake Trust Credit Union offers the Make it Mt. Pleasant rent subsidy program and continues to lead by example in assisting new and expanding small businesses.” She added, “Sleepy Dog Books is a model for creating a retail experience while enabling community engagement. It is very exciting they chose downtown for their store location.”

Riley and Jenifer Justis, owners of Sleepy Dog Books said, “Our May 6^th grand opening is planned as a Community Block Party, complete with live music, activities and much more.” They continued, “Through this amazing grant program we were able to take the time and build a bookstore following and community even before the physical opening of our storefront.”

Businesses interested in the rental subsidy program should schedule a pre-application meeting with City staff prior to applying. Contact Michelle Sponseller at (989) 779-5348 or msponseller@mt-pleasant.org to schedule an appointment.

To download a copy of the Make It Mt. Pleasant guidelines and application please visit:
http://www.mt-pleasant.org/departments/division_of_community_services/downtown_development/

Summary of Minutes of the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – February 28, 2022

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, February 28, 2022, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Commission Room, 320 W. Broadway St., Mt. Pleasant, Michigan with virtual attendance options.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

3) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held February 14, 2022.

4) Reappointment of Rachel Blizzard to the TIFA Board.

5) Authorized contract for 2022 Pavement Marking Project to M&M Pavement Marking of Grand Blanc, MI and approved budget amendment.

6) Set a public hearing for Monday, March 14, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of receiving public comments related to Green Tree Cooperative Grocery, Inc.’s performance as required under the CDBG-RLF program.

7) Amendment to the 2022 budget for engineering services for the WRRF rehabilitation project.

8) Warrants and Payrolls.

Approved the spending plan for PEAK Childcare Stabilization Grant funds as presented.

Awarded contract to The Isabella Corporation of Mt. Pleasant, MI for the 2022 Sidewalk Project and approved budget amendment.

City Engineer Stacie Tewari reviewed Downtown Alley Reconstruction Fire Suppression Evaluation.

Conducted a Work Session Discussion on development philosophy.

Adjourned the meeting at 8:16 p.m.

City Receives Grant and High Achiever Bonus Funds for Home Exterior Improvements

In 2021, the city had $100,000 available for home exterior improvement projects. Of this sum, $60,000 was provided by the city and $30,000 was funded by a Michigan State Housing Development (MSHDA) grant. Due to the city’s previous success with this program, a ‘high achiever’ bonus of $10,000 was also awarded by MSHDA so additional projects could be completed.

Since the program’s inception in 2020, ten household improvement projects have been completed. Six in the city’s west side neighborhood bordered by the Chippewa River, Pickard Street, High Street/M-20 and the western city limits, and four in other areas of the city. An additional 2-3 projects are expected to be added due to the high-achiever bonus. Finished projects include roof repairs, porch and deck replacements, as well as window and door installations.