A Message from Mt. Pleasant City Manager Aaron Desentz

Since I joined the City of Mt. Pleasant as City Manager on October 18, I am blown away by the support and outreach of this extremely welcoming community. Each day I am more impressed with the City, and happy I made the decision to call Mt. Pleasant home.

A little bit about me, I graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 2013, with a Master’s in Public Administration. Shortly thereafter, I was appointed as the Village Manager of Shelby, Michigan. Since then I have worked in local government for a number of other Michigan communities, with the most recent being Eaton Rapids. My wife Samantha and I have two dogs, Zander and Fenrir, and are excited to be moving into our new home in Mt. Pleasant.

As you can imagine, the past two weeks have been filled with meetings and I have met a number of great people in the community. I look forward to continuing the quality services our City of Mt. Pleasant organization provides, and welcome the opportunity to talk with residents. Please feel free to contact me, email: adesentz@mt-pleasant.org, phone: (989) 779-5321.

Summary of Minutes of the Mt. Pleasant City Commission 8/21 Special Meeting and 8/23 Regular Meeting

Summary of Minutes of the special meeting of the City Commission held Saturday, August 21, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. in the City Commission Room at the Mt. Pleasant City Hall, 320 W. Broadway St., Mt. Pleasant.

The Commission conducted interviews of candidates for City Manager position and adjourned the meeting at 1:50 p.m.

Summary of Minutes of the electronically conducted regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, August 23, 2021, at 7:00 p.m.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

1) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held August 9, 2021.

2) Minutes of the closed session of the City Commission held August 9, 2021.

3) Bid of F & K Tree Services of Mt. Pleasant, MI for 2022 and 2023 tree trimming and removal services.

4) Bid of Green Scene Landscaping of Mt. Pleasant, MI for 2022 and 2023 grounds mowing.

5) Bid of Shults Equipment of Ithaca, MI for the purchase and installation of plow truck equipment and lighting.

6) Bid of Thomas Scientific of Swedesboro, NJ for replacement of the Fume Hood Replacement at the WRRF.

7) Resolution for final approval for TCO #5-2021.

8) Resolution for final approval for TCO #6-2021.

9) Confirmed appointment of Vice Mayor Amy Perschbacher as the voting delegate, representing the City of Mt. Pleasant at the MML annual member’s meeting and appointed Commissioner Mary Alsager as the alternate.

10) Set a public hearing for September 13, 2021 on the application to transfer the existing IFT from DAYCO to MAC LTT for the remaining three years.

11) Received proposed Ordinance to amend Chapter 51: Sewers, of the Mt. Pleasant City Code of Ordinances and set a public hearing for September 27, 2021 on the IPP and the proposed ordinance amendment.

12) Set a public hearing for September 13, 2021 on the request from TNC Holdings for a Redevelopment Liquor License at 203/205 W. Broadway.

13) Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the lighting agreement with the Friends of the Dog Park.

14) Warrants and Payrolls.

Held a Public Hearing and passed, ordained and ordered published Ordinance 1073, an Ordinance to amend Chapter 97: Parks and Recreation, Section 97.99 Penalties of the Mt. Pleasant Code of Ordinances to add penalties for violations of the ordinance.

Held a Public Hearing and postponed action on S.A. #1-21 until a review of the zoning is completed.

Held a Public Hearing and approved resolutions #3 and #4 and set a public hearing for September 13, 2021 regarding said roll for S.A. #2-21 regarding PSD.

Supported the reconfirmation of the regular meetings with the Director of Public Safety and the MPADG and the HRC to accomplish the activities as presented.

Second interviews were extended to City Manager candidates Aaron Desentz and John Hanifan.

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

Approved labor agreements with TPOAM, POLC and COAM.

Adjourned the meeting at 10:34 p.m.

Home Builders Car Show slated for July 10, 2021; road and parking lot closures

A City parking lot and several streets will be closed to accommodate the Home Builders Association of Central Michigan Car Show. Closures will take place on Saturday, July 10, 2021 between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Cars left in Parking Lot #3 and on the streets specified below will be towed, starting at 6 a.m. on July 10, to the City Hall parking lot, (320 W. Broadway Street.)

PARKING LOT CLOSURE:

Lot #3 (Town Center)

STREET CLOSURES:

Broadway from Mosher to Lansing

Main from Mosher to Illinois (Michigan will remain open to through traffic.)

Court from Broadway to Mosher (There will still be access to parking lot #2.)

University from Michigan to Broadway

Franklin from Michigan to Mosher

Mosher and Michigan will remain open to move traffic traveling east and west. Washington will remain open for north and southbound traffic.

Questions may be directed to Ryan Longoria, Director of Recreation and Sports at rlongoria@mt-pleasant.org or (989) 779-5329.

Michigan State Police Homicide Investigation – UPDATE (Updated 6/8/21)

UPDATE FROM THE MICHIGAN STATE POLICE (MSP) 6/8/2021 – In the early morning hours of June 8, 2021 Isaiah Gardenhire was taken into custody without incident. Due to the ongoing nature of this investigation, no further information is available at this time. The MSP will continue to share information with our media partners as it becomes available.

UPDATED: 6/7/2021 3:15 p.m.: The Michigan State Police (MSP), who is leading this investigation, is asking Mt. Pleasant area residents to keep their homes, outbuildings and vehicles locked. If you see this individual do not approach, and call 911 immediately. Due to the ongoing nature of this investigation, the MSP has no further information available at this time. The MSP will continue to share information with the media as it becomes available.

On Sunday, June 6, 2021, at 3:15 a.m., troopers from the Michigan State Police Mt. Pleasant Post responded to a residence on S. Isabella Road in reference to the report of a stabbing involving juveniles. Upon arrival, troopers discovered a teenage female had suffered a stab wound. She subsequently succumbed to the fatal stab wound. Additional investigation revealed an adult female had been sexually assaulted.

Investigative resources and personnel from multiple agencies were deployed to search the area for the suspect identified as Isaiah Gardenhire. A warrant for open murder and Criminal Sexual Conduct First Degree with a weapon was authorized by the Isabella County Prosecutor’s Office.

The suspect in this case has been identified as Isaiah Gary Gardenhire, also known as “Zeke”. Gardenhire is a black male, 40 years of age, 6’-1”, 180lbs. He has black hair and brown eyes with a distinctive star shaped tattoo on the right side of his neck. He has a large circular tattoo on the left side of his neck. He is believed to be driving a stolen, dark colored, 2014 Ford Fusion bearing a Michigan plate of “CTBMIKE”.

The public is asked remain aware of your surroundings, keep your doors, outbuildings and vehicles locked, and do not approach this individual. If you see this person or have any information regarding the whereabouts of Gardenhire please contact 911 immediately.

Michigan State Police Media Contact:

Spl/Lt. Michelle Robinson, Michigan State Police 6th District Public Information Officer, 517-230-3818, Email: RobinsonM16@michigan.gov

Topics to Watch at the Virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – April 12, 2021

Here are the topics to watch at the next virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, April 12, 2021 at 7 p.m.

Public hearing on recommended rezoning request from CD-3 (Sub-Urban) to CD-4 (General Urban) for 1024 & 1026 S. University and consider approval of ordinance on the same.

Public hearing on recommended text change to Table 154.410.A to permit music, art and dance studios in the SD-I District and consider approval of ordinance on the same.

Receive proposed 2022-2027 Capital Improvement Plan and set a public hearing for May 24, 2021 on the same.

Consider contract amendment with environmental firm for additional landfill evaluation services.

Receive information on Neighborhood Enhancement Grant Liens and consider update to program parameters.

To view the entire meeting packet visit:

http://www.mt-pleasant.org/docs/board/city.commission/agendas/2021/4-12-21.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/83686157671?pwd=dUhPUjIzMEVhVjVaT0hPWk0yVEhPdz09

Passcode: 632003

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 held June 10, 2019

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, June 10, 2019, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Commission Room.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

1) Bid of JCI Jones Chemical, Inc. of Riverview, Michigan for 2019 Water Treatment Plant Caustic Soda.

2) Resolution recognizing Isabella Community Restoration House (ICRH) as a non-profit organization for the purpose of obtaining a charitable gaming license as presented.

3) Warrants and Payrolls.

Approved the Minutes of the May 28, 2019 regular meeting of the City Commission as amended to reflect that “Mayor Joseph called the meeting to order and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited, led by a local Boy Scout troop.”

Held a public hearing and passed, ordained and ordered published Ordinance No. 1044, an ordinance to add a new Chapter 115, “RECREATIONAL MARIHUANA FACILITIES” to Title XI of the Mt. Pleasant City Code to temporarily prohibit recreational marihuana establishments under Initiated Law 1 of 2018, the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act.

Held a public hearing on the necessity of the public improvement; consider Resolution #3 to proceed with improvements; consider Resolution #4 to accept the special assessment roll and set a public hearing for June 24, 2019 regarding said roll for Special Assessment #2-19 and postponed action on Special Assessment #2-19 until staff can gather information on amount of increase in assessment in previous year.

Approved an amendment to the engineering design work to C2AE for the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Approved the updated Downtown Outdoor Dining Policy and Application Procedures as presented.

Approved the 2020-2025 Capital Improvement Plan as presented with page 99 regarding Industrial Area Street Improvements being moved to 6 years out (2025).

Denied Temporary Traffic Control Order 2-2019 (Preston Street parking) and ordered “No Parking” signs be reinstalled.

Made appointments as recommended by the Appointments Committee.

Adjourned at 9:11 p.m.

Robbery at “The Store” in the City of Mt. Pleasant, MI

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.

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. The suspect 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.

This incident was reported to the Mt. Pleasant Police at approximately 1:00 p.m. on January 22, 2019.

The suspect is described as a black male in his late 20’s, over 6’ tall, with a thin beard. The suspect was last seen wearing a black hat with the #1 or #7 on the front, a black and gray hooded sweatshirt, dark gray “Nike” sweat pants, and gray and red basketball shoes.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department is asking anyone with information about this incident, or the identity of the subject, to call the Anonymous Tip Line at 989-779-9111.

Surveillance video from the robbery can be viewed at facebook.com/mtppublicsafety

the store 1222019

Topics to watch at the November 26 City Commission meeting.

To see the full City Commission agenda and packet for the November 26, 2018 meeting click here.

-Consider resolution in support of Nottawa Township sewer project.

-Consider establishment of a Citizens’ Advisory Board.

-Consider contract with Union Township for Fire Protection.

-Consider approval of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe regarding the former Mt. Pleasant Center property.

-Consider approval of fees and charges.

Mt. Pleasant City Commission meetings take place at 7 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at City Hall, 320 W. Broadway Street.

Mt. Pleasant City Commission meetings are also streamed live at the City’s YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/MtPleasantMi/ and aired on Channel 188, or viewed online at a later date on the MACTV website.

Topics to watch at the 11/12/18 City Commission Meeting

Topics to watch at the November 12 City Commission meeting. To see the full City Commission agenda and packet for November 12, 2018 click here.

-Public hearing on proposed 2019 Annual Operating Budget.

-Consider approval of an ordinance to amend Section 98.37 of the Mt. Pleasant City Code regarding snow and ice removal postponed from October 8, 2018.

-Receive and consider recommendation from Local Officers Compensation Commission on compensation of elected city officials.

-Consider approval of Downtown restructuring.

Resolution for board restructuring.
Resolution for funding and responsibilities restructuring.

-Consider Ann Arbor to Traverse City (A2TC) passenger train study funding request.

Mt. Pleasant City Commission meetings take place at 7 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at City Hall, 320 W. Broadway Street.

Mt. Pleasant police warn of money scam

On July 12, 2018, the Mount Pleasant Police Department was contacted by a citizen about a Mount Pleasant police detective’s name being used in a scam for money.

The scam uses a current Mount Pleasant detective’s name and credentials. This person has called potential victims and requested money after threatening to arrest or pursue criminal charges. The scam has been used throughout the state of Michigan.

The person impersonating a Mount Pleasant detective will avoid meeting in person and will request payment through “Green Dot” or some other form of untraceable fund transaction.

The Mount Pleasant Police Department will never ask for any payments by phone.

This incident is currently being investigated by the Mount Pleasant Police Department.

If anyone receives a phone call from someone claiming to be a Mount Pleasant police detective or officer, please contact Isabella County Central Dispatch at 989-773-1000 or 989-779-5100 during regular business hours to confirm the call is legitimate.