Summary of Minutes of the Virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – June 14, 2021

Summary of Minutes of the electronically conducted regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, June 14, 2021, at 7:00 p.m.

Mayor Joseph read a proclamation recognizing June 19, 2021 as Juneteenth Celebration Day.

Introduced recently hired City employee Leanne Walker, Office Professional 1, PEAK.

Presentation by Lieutenant Don Sytsema on Recovery, Independence, Safety & Empowerment (RISE) partnership.

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 May 24, 2021.

2) Resolution in support of Temporary Traffic Control Order #2-2021.

3) 2022-2027 Capital Improvement Plan.

4) Received a proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 10 GENERAL PROVISIONS, §10.5 DEFINITIONS and Chapter 91 ANIMALS of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Mt. Pleasant and set a public hearing for Monday, June 28, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. on the same.

5) Authorized the Mayor and Clerk to execute a three-year assessing contract with Sunrise Assessing Services from July 1, 2021 to March 31, 2024 as presented.

6) Appointed Ruth Scott, MMAO Assessor of Record in accordance with State law and City Charter and appointed Heather Bouck Deputy Assessor.

7) Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to sign each of the five agreements as presented and further provide authority to the City Manager to sign future annual agreements provided the terms and conditions are the same.

8) Rescinded the Residential Alley Paving, Reconstruction and Resurfacing Financing Policy of April 9, 2018 and approved the Capital Projects Special Assessment Policy as presented.

9) Warrants and Payrolls.

Awarded contract for the 2021 City Manager Search to Walsh Municipal Services of East Lansing, MI.

Approved the resolution as presented for the one-time reduction in the payment from Charter Township of Union for fire protection costs.

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

Conducted a Work Session to have preliminary discussion on American Rescue Plan funding.

Adjourned the meeting at 8:53 p.m.

Summary of Minutes of the VIRTUAL Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – May 10, 2021

Summary of Minutes of the electronically conducted regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, May 10, 2021, 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 April 26, 2021.

2) Set a public hearing for Monday, May 24, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. on the CDBG Water Related Infrastructure Grant for the Water Resource Recovery Facility.

3) Set a public hearing for Monday, May 24, 2021 at 7:00 to consider revocation of the Dayco Industrial Facilities Tax (IFT) abatement effective January 1, 2022.

4) Authorized the Mayor to sign a contract extension with RBS for custodial services at the current rates, retroactive to January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2022.

5) Warrants and Payrolls.

-Held a Public Hearing and passed, ordained and ordered published Ordinance 1068, an Ordinance to amend Chapter 97: PARKS and RECREATION, of the Mt. Pleasant City Code of Ordinances to make various changes which include: 1) Bicycle use in Parks and Cemetery; 2) Removal of wording referring to the Nelson Park Zoo; 3) Prohibition of animals in the cemetery and designated sports fields; 4) Use of unmanned aircraft in parks (drones) and various minor updates.

-Appointed members to the ad hoc committee for preliminary review of executive search firm proposals.

-Approved a budget amendment of $7,200 for a Neighborhood Enhancement Program intern.

-Approved and conducted a closed session pursuant to subsection 8(e) of the Open Meetings Act to consult with counsel regarding pending litigation.

-Conducted a Work Session discussion on 2022-2027 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

-Adjourned the meeting without objection at 10:11 p.m.

Recreational (adult-use) Marihuana Information

Under the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act (MRTMA), it is legal for adults, 21 years of age or older, to grow, possess and use marihuana within certain limitations. This act also creates a commercial market for recreational (adult-use) marihuana. Local regulations related to the commercial market for recreational marihuana were adopted by the City Commission (City Commission Approved Marihuana Establishments Ordinance). A citizen initiative ordinance has also been approved for the November 5, 2019 ballot (Citizen Initiative Recreational Marihuana Establishments Ordinance).

A timeline and detailed information about the two ordinances are described below in the document below.

Recreational Marihuana Background Flyer

Public hearing on snow and ice removal scheduled – October 8, 2018

The City Commission is seeking public input on the draft ordinance to amend Section 98.37 of the Mt. Pleasant City Code regarding snow and ice removal for commercial, industrial and residential properties.

After numerous City Commission work sessions, a draft still requiring commercial and industrial properties to clear the sidewalks within 18 hours, would also include the following provisions:

Utilizes the definitions from the General Property Tax Act to identify commercial, industrial and residential properties.
Provides 48 hours after the cessation of snow for clearing of residential sidewalks.
Includes provisions for clearing sidewalks in the event of continuous snow fall.
In addition to the ability to issue a municipal civil infraction, the language includes a provision for costs to be added as a lien on the tax bill if the City clears the sidewalk.
Indicates that enforcement for residential properties would begin in November 2019, providing one year to educate residential property owners on the change.

The City Commission will hold a public hearing on the draft ordinance on Monday, October 8 at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 320 W. Broadway Street. After the hearing, the City Commission will determine the next preferred steps.

If you are unable to attend the public hearing, opinions can be expressed by mail or email to City Manager Nancy Ridley, 320 W. Broadway Street, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858 or manager@mt-pleasant.org.

Current City ordinances and other information can be found at www.mt-pleasant.org/.