Topics to Watch at the VIRTUAL Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – April 26, 2021

Here are the topics to watch at the next virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, April 26, 2021 at 7 p.m.

Receive request to create an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act (OPRA) District to include the Central Business District TIFA boundaries and set a public hearing for May 24, 2021 on the same.
Set an additional public hearing for May 24, 2021 on rezoning request from CD-3 (Sub-Urban) to CD-4 (General Urban) for 1024 & 1026 S. University due to insufficient public notice for the prior public hearing.
Consider approval of recommended re-use of Horizon Park ball field.
Consider resolution extending conditional approval of a Class C medical marihuana grow operation for Stash Ventures at 210 W. Pickard.
Receive an ordinance to amend Chapter 97: Parks and Recreation and set a public hearing for May 10, 2021 on the same.

To view the entire meeting packet visit:

http://www.mt-pleasant.org/docs/board/city.commission/agendas/2021/4-26-21.pdf

How to follow public meetings during social distancing:

In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, as allowed under the Open Meetings Act and consistent with the Isabella County Declaration of a State of Emergency (Resolution No. 20-12-03 effective 12-15-20), the City Commission Meeting will be held virtually. The public 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.

Zoom Meeting instructions via computer, phone, or dial-in number are as follows:

Zoom Meeting information

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87890827954?pwd=aHEzUXBxaGdheGFYS09WSGZvYUIvZz09

Passcode: 529697

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. Any citizen desiring to make a public comment on an agenda item may email their comments.

Attendance to the meeting and participation during public comment periods will be conducted as follows:

• Members of the public must provide their name and address with their comments.

• Comments/Questions may be sent ahead of the meeting in writing or emailed to comment@mtpleasant.org.

• Individual commissioners can be contacted at the following email addresses:

Mary Alsager malsager@mt-pleasant.org

Olivia Cyman ocyman@mt-pleasant.org

Lori Gillis lgillis@mt-pleasant.org

William Joseph wjoseph@mt-pleasant.org

Amy Perschbacher aperschbacher@mt-pleasant.org

George Ronan gronan@mt-pleasant.org

Pete Tolas ptolas@mt-pleasant.org

• Comments/Questions can be emailed to comment@mt-pleasant.org during the meeting and during normal public comment sections of the agenda.

• Comments sent via email will be read aloud to the Commission during the public comment periods.

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.

Summary of Minutes of the City Commission Meeting – 12/14/2020

Summary of Minutes of the electronically conducted regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, December 14, 2020, at 7:00 p.m.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

1) Minutes of the electronically conducted regular meeting of the City Commission held November 23, 2020.

2) Minutes of the electronically conducted closed session held November 23, 2020.

3) Bids for 2021 Waste Water Treatment Plant treatment (bulk) chemicals.

4) Bid of Greenscene Landscaping of Mt. Pleasant, MI for the 2020-2021 snow season.

5) Resolutions supporting amended rates, fees and charges:

a. Water Service Fees

b. Sewer Demand

c. Water Demand

6) Resolution to approve the final amended 2020 Operating Budget.

7) Authorized the Mayor or City Manager to sign the interlocal agreement for the designated assessor as presented.

8) Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute an addendum to the existing contract with Mr. Ervin for an additional one year ending December 31, 2021.

9) Set the first City Commission meeting of 2021 for January 11, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.

10) Warrants and Payrolls

Held a Public hearing on Michigan Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program application for GreenTree Cooperative Grocery, Inc. and approved the resolution in support of same.

Approved resolution approving the final 2021 Operating Budget and set the millage rate.

Authorized the Mayor to sign a three-year contract with MMDC for economic development services and the appropriate 2021 budget amendment.

Received and discussed report by City Planner Kain on review of medical and adult-use marihuana ordinances. No action by the Commission required at this time.

Failed motion to consider each appointment to various city boards and commissions as recommended by the Appointments Committee individually.

Approved appointments to various city boards and commissions as recommended by the Appointments Committee.

Reviewed report on City Manager evaluation and determined no wage adjustment would be made at this time.

Cancelled the meeting of the Mt. Pleasant City Commission scheduled for December 21, 2020.

Authorized Finance Director Mary Ann Kornexl to approve the issuance of payrolls and warrants from December 15, 2020 through January 11, 2021.

Adjourned the meeting at 10:07 p.m.

Topics to Watch at the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – December 14, 2020

Here are the topics to watch at the next virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, December 14, 2020 at 7 p.m.

Public hearing on Michigan Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program application for GreenTree Cooperative Grocery, Inc. and consider approval of resolution on the same.

Consider resolutions supporting amended rates, fees and charges.
- Water Service
- Sewer Demand
- Water Demand

Consider resolution approving the final 2021 Operating Budget and set the millage rate for 2021.

Consider resolution approving the final amended 2020 Operating Budget.

Consider extension of farming contract with Robert Ervin for a portion of Mt. Pleasant Center land.

Consider contract with Middle Michigan Development Corporation (MMDC) and appropriate budget amendment.

Receipt of report on review of medical and adult-use marihuana ordinances.

To view the entire meeting packet visit:

Click to access 12.14.20.pdf

How to follow public meetings during social distancing:

In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, the City of Mt. Pleasant is following federal, state and county health officials’ recommendations while still providing valuable City services.

Even though the City Commission meeting will take place as scheduled, it will be an electronically conducted meeting as allowed by Public Act 228 of 2020, allowing public bodies to meet remotely. City Commission Chambers will be closed to the public.

Citizens can watch the City Commission meeting live on Spectrum Charter Channel 188, web streamed at https://www.youtube.com/user/MtPleasantMi/ or via Zoom.

Zoom Meeting instructions via computer, phone, or dial-in number are as follows:

Zoom Meeting information

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82460152940?pwd=QjJKc2ROTHJPSjN3TGcyeExlNDcrZz09

Passcode: 241958

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. Any citizen desiring to make a public comment on an agenda item may email their comments.

Attendance to the meeting and participation during public comment periods will be conducted as follows:

• Members of the public must provide their name and address with their comments.

• Comments/Questions may be sent ahead of the meeting in writing or emailed to comment@mtpleasant.org.

• Individual commissioners can be contacted at the following email addresses:

malsager@mt-pleasant.org

lgillis@mt-pleasant.org

wjoseph@mt-pleasant.org

klalonde@mt-pleasant.org

aperschbacher@mt-pleasant.org

gronan@mt-pleasant.org

ptolas@mt-pleasant.org

• Comments/Questions can be emailed to comment@mt-pleasant.org during the meeting and during normal public comment sections of the agenda.

• Comments sent via email will be read aloud to the Commission during the public comment periods.

Summary of Minutes of the City Commission Meeting – January 27, 2020

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, January 27, 2020, 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 13, 2020.

2) Bid of Master Electric of Gladwin, MI for the access control system and approved the appropriate budget amendments.

3) Authorized the Mayor and Clerk to sign the Professional Services Agreement with Mead & Hunt for Phase II of the Airport Tree Abatement Project.

4) Received proposed Ordinance to amend Title XI, Chapter 112, Section 112.03 “Medical Marihuana Facilities” of the Mt. Pleasant Code of Ordinances to provide greater clarity on what materials are needed upon application and set a public hearing for Monday, February 10, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.

5) Set a public hearing on the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Infrastructure Resiliency Grant application for the Wastewater Treatment Plant for February 10, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.

6) Warrants dated January 13 & 16, 2020.

Held a Public Hearing on the necessity of Special Assessment District #1-2020. Postponed action on Special Assessment District #1-2020 until more information can be brought to the Commission from staff on further options regarding lighting design and funding.

Authorized the Mayor and Clerk to sign the Parking and Access Easement related to the 410 W. Broadway project.

Authorized an engineering services agreement with C2AE for 2020.

Appointed City Commissioners to City standing and special committees.

Appointed City Commissioners to applicable City Boards and Commissions.

Set a special meeting for April 9, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. to hold a joint meeting between the City Commission and the Planning Commission.

Set a special meeting for February 3, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. for a City Commission team building dinner.

Postponed the matter of restrictive covenant requirements associated with the Economic Development Association (EDA) Grant for Industrial Park South Detention Pond project until the next meeting on February 10, 2020 to have the City Attorney gather further information and get clarification on the restrictive covenant.

Adjourned the meeting at 8:05 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).

5 things to watch at the next City Commission meeting

Here are five things to watch at the May 14, 2018 City Commission meeting:

Consumers Energy Line Clearing Project: A presentation will be given by a Consumers Energy representative about the annual line-clearing project. Trees near and around electric lines in specified areas will be trimmed or removed to continue to provide safe, reliable electric service to customers. Residents whose properties will be impacted have been notified of the work.
National Public Works Week: Mayor Allison Quast-Lents will proclaim May 21-27, 2018 as Public Works Week. Sponsored by the American Public Works Association, this nationally recognized week honors the public works professionals responsible for the planning, operation and maintenance of the water treatment and distribution, solid waste systems, public properties, city streets and other facilities.
West Campus Drive Parking: The City Commission will consider approving the Traffic Control Order to restrict parking on West Campus Drive between Preston and Vernon streets. If approved, Pango metered parking (pay-by-phone technology) will be installed.
2018 Millage Rate: The City Commission will consider whether a public hearing to adjust the 2018 millage rate should be held. City staff recommend leaving the millage rate at the previously approved 16.25 total mills as there are no substantial changes in the assumptions that were made when the Operating Budget was approved. If the Commission desires to change the millage rate, a public hearing will need be to set for the regular meeting on May 9.
Medical Marihuana Facilities: The Planning Commission held a public hearing earlier this month on the ordinances proposed to “opt-in” and regulate medical marihuana facilities. The City Commission will receive the recommendation from the Planning Commission resulting from the public hearing. The City Commission will hold a public hearing on the updated ordinances on Tuesday, May 29 at 6:30 p.m. The recommended changes include the following:
- Reducing the distancing requirement from a K-12 school such that properties north of Broadway within the Central Business District would be allowed. (this is similar to the change in the distancing requirement regarding the 500 feet from CMU along the east side of Mission Street).
- Eliminating the limits on the number of facilities allowed for processors, secure transporter and safety compliance facilities.

To see the full City Commission agenda and packet for May 14, 2018, click here.

Mt. Pleasant City Commission meetings are held at City Hall on the second and fourth Monday of the month at 7 p.m., and at 6:30 p.m. from May 28-September 3.

Medical Marihuana Facilities FAQs

The City of Mt. Pleasant is currently reviewing ordinances related to the Michigan Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act (MMMFLA). These ordinances would “opt in” to the state law allowing medical marihuana facilities to operate within the City subject to certain limitations.

Public input is being sought regarding the draft ordinances before the City Commission makes a final decision.

The Planning Commission held a public hearing on the draft ordinances in early May and provided the City Commission with comments and recommendations following that public hearing. The draft ordinances have been revised to reflect the recommendations made by the Planning Commission.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. City Commission Public Hearing on the proposed ordinances.
Monday, June 4, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. City Commission Work Session to discuss the outcomes of the public hearing process and next steps.

MEDICAL MARIHUANA FACILITIES FAQs

What medical marihuana facility types would be allowed in the City?

All 5 types of facilities would be allowed: growers, provisioning centers, processors, secure transporters, and safety compliance.
No more than 3 growers would be allowed.
No more than 3 provisioning centers would be allowed.
If more than 3 applications are received for a specific facility type, a public meeting will be held to randomly select 3 of the applicants to continue the approval process.

Where would medical marihuana facilities be located?

All types of facilities would be permitted in the industrial zone.
Provisioning centers would be allowed in commercial zones within designated areas, including portions of Downtown, Mission and Pickard.
A facility could not be located within 1,000 feet of a public or private K-12 school, unless the facility is located north of Broadway in the Central Business District / Tax Increment Finance Authority.
A facility could not be located within 500 feet of Central Michigan University, unless the facility is located east of the CMU main campus, east of Mission of Street.

What other regulations would be in place for medical marihuana facilities?

Each facility would be required to adhere to standards regulating odor, lighting, signage, storage, exterior and interior appearance, hours of operation and more.
On-site consumption of marihuana would be prohibited on the premises of any facility.

How would medical marihuana facilities receive approval to operate?

Applicants must complete the following steps before beginning to operate:

Apply to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) for prequalification
Apply to the City of Mt. Pleasant to operate a facility**
Obtain a special-use permit for the location of the facility
A public hearing would be held with the Planning Commission to approve the facility location. Notifications for all public hearings would be sent to property owners and occupants within 300 feet of the proposed location of the facility, as well as shared with the general public through the City’s communication channels.
Complete the state licensing process

How can I give my input?

A public hearing will be held before the City Commission on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
If you are unable to attend the public hearing, opinions can be expressed by mail, email or phone to City Manager Nancy Ridley to be shared with the City Commission. Contact the City Manager’s office by calling (989) 779-5323, emailing manager@mt-pleasant.org or visiting City Hall at 320 W. Broadway.

Where can I find additional information?

The FAQs are a summary of the draft medical marihuana facilities ordinances. The complete draft of the ordinances and other information can be found at www.mt-pleasant.org/MMMFLA.
If you have additional questions, please contact City Planner Jacob Kain at (989) 779-5346 or jkain@mt-pleasant.org.

**The City is not accepting applications for medical marihuana facilities at this time.

Updated 5/18/18