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.

K-Kids Mulch Potter Playground

Warm weather means mulch season! The K-Kids of Sacred Heart Academy spent Saturday morning spreading mulch at Potter Playground. In collaboration with the City Parks Department, thirteen elementary students of the club, advisers, family members, and a few Kiwanians turned the mountain of mulch into a flat playground surface. Thank you, K-Kids for serving your neighborhood and school!

Fun ways to keep active this summer

Summer is right around the corner and it’s not too early to start planning on how you or your children are going to keep active! Get outside with Mt. Pleasant Parks & Recreation to enjoy the nice weather and some summer fun.

Kids Sports

No matter the age or interests, Parks & Rec. offers something perfect for any kid this summer! From tee-ball to flag football, golf or tennis, you’re sure to find a program to get your child up and out of the house! Start Smart™ tee-ball, flag football and golf: The Start Smart™ program is designed to assist parents in the development of their child’s basic motor skills and confidence in a specific sport. If you’re looking for a program both you and your child can experience together, this is the one for you! You’ll learn sportsmanship and skill development while having a blast together.

Does your child want to improve their tennis game? Ranging from beginners to advanced players, tennis lessons are offered throughout the summer for kids ages 3 to 14. Receive a racquet after registration and get out on the court for this month-long camp.

Adult Sports

Kids aren’t the only ones who get to have fun this summer…grab a group of friends, family members or even co-workers and sign up for an adult league! A fun twist on all the sports you used to love, Parks & Rec. offers kickball, sand volleyball or softball adult leagues. Pacific Champs - Pleasant Hills

Tennis lessons are also offered to adults age 15 and above focusing on learning the essentials of the game.

Register Today!

For more information or to register, visit http://www.mt-pleasant.org/recreation. Or use the MP City Link app to register right from your mobile device!

Parks 7 Rec 8.5x11 reduced

Great Egg Scramble is March 24

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Hop your way to Finch Fieldhouse (Campus of Central Michigan University – between Bellows and Preston streets) and join Mt. Pleasant Parks & Recreation, 95.3 WCFX and Graff of Mt. Pleasant for the Great Egg Scramble on Saturday, March 24. The celebration begins at 12:30 p.m. and admission is free. Canned goods will be collected for the Isabella Community Soup Kitchen.

Youth ages 2-10 will scramble for plastic eggs, candy and prizes. The event will also include crafts, games, refreshments and the opportunity to meet Peter Cottontail!

Scramble times are scheduled by age group: Ages 2-3 at 1 p.m., ages 4-5 at 2 p.m., ages 6-7 at 2:30 p.m., and ages 8-10 at 3 p.m.

The Great Egg Scramble is made possible by Mt. Pleasant Parks & Recreation, 95.3 WCFX, Graff of Mt. Pleasant, Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel, Isabella Bank, Morey Courts, DuHadaway Dance Dimensions, Cornerstone Church and Celebration Cinema.

For more information, call (989) 779-5331 or visit www.mt-pleasant.org/recreation.

City parks director receives top state award

Chris Bundy, director of parks and public spaces for the City of Mt. Pleasant, is the 2018 recipient of the Park Resource Leadership Award.

Presented by mParks – Michigan Recreation and Park Association – the award is among the highest of individual honors granted by the statewide organization and recognizes professionals who demonstrate outstanding contributions in the area of maintenance practice, equipment management and resource development.

Chris has served the City for nearly 30 years, beginning his career as the director of recreation, and later assuming the role of director of parks and public spaces.

Throughout his tenure, his leadership has resulted in extensive growth and improvement within the City parks system. Chris was instrumental in the original build of the Timber Town playscape at Island Park in 1994, as well as the rebuild of the playground in 2017, working with the volunteer committee to secure hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations and coordinate hundreds of volunteers.

In 2009, he led the design and construction of the Access to Adventure Trail, which is part of the GKB Riverwalk that connects five of the City’s parks along the Chippewa River.

In 2013, Chris spearheaded the Green Maintenance Bike Initiative, reducing the use of motorized carts and introducing bicycles with trailers for the daily maintenance tasks in City parks. This effort produced a significant cost savings, reduced noise and air pollution, and gained statewide recognition.

“The list of opportunities and facility improvements Chris has made is extensive, but more impressive is his ability to plan, maintain, and think to the future sustainability of projects that will impact future generations,” said City Recreation Coordinator Steve Hofer.

Chris has also dedicated much of his career to preserving the community’s natural resources, specifically the Chippewa River and the riverbank corridor. In 2016, Chris worked in coordination with the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe to obtain Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funds to improve the corridor connected to City park lands. These efforts protected much of the riverbank during the flood in June of 2017.

“Chris strives to set a good example and be an out-of-the-box thinker,” said City Manager Nancy Ridley. “He is most certainly deserving of recognition for the tremendous support and exemplary leadership he provides for all things related to parks and recreation in our community.”

Chris was honored at the 2018 mParks conference earlier this month. He is also the 1994 winner of the mParks Recreation Leadership Award.

Award recipients are selected based on their development of innovative programs and services, community affiliations and volunteer experiences, contributions to the profession, and more.

mParks created the video below as a tribute to Chris!

“Bingo Bash” to offer fun for all ages on Feb. 24

Community members of all ages – from the very young to the young at heart – are invited to the Isabella County Commission on Aging on Feb. 24 for “Bingo Bash,” presented by Mt. Pleasant Parks & Recreation, Commission on Aging and McDonald’s. This free event will allow players as many rounds of Bingo as they desire, with winners advancing to the Bonus Bingo rounds!

Prizes and free refreshments will be available. Bingo Bash will take place from 2 to 4 p.m.

The Isabella County Commission on Aging is located at 2200 S. Lincoln Road in Mt. Pleasant. For more information, click here or call (989) 779-5331.

Family-friendly event “Under the Big Top” is Jan. 20

Local families are invited to Finch Fieldhouse on Jan. 20 for “Under the Big Top,” a free circus-themed event presented by Mt. Pleasant Parks & Recreation, the Chippewa River District Library, MY1043 and AM 830 WMMI. From 12 to 1:30 p.m., enjoy exciting performances, midway activities, games and refreshments. Special guests include Ringmaster Big Top Joel Tacey who will display amazing juggling acts on stilts, as well as the Central Michigan University Cheer team!

Free goodie-bags will be provided to first 400 families.

For more information, click here or call (989) 779-5331.

PEAK to provide Day Camp for students during holiday break; register today!

Registration is open for the PEAK program’s “Recess – School’s Out Day Camp.” The all-day program is designed to entertain and enrich local youth in grades K-6 when school is not in session over the holidays. Offered Dec. 22, 27, 28 and 29 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., PEAK Day Camp includes dynamic sports, lively games, arts and crafts, and team-building activities. Camp is held at Mt. Pleasant Middle School.

Registration fees are as follows:

City Resident / MPPS Student: $30 per day
Non-City Resident / Non-MPPS Student: $35 per day

Scholarship rates are also available:

Scholarship – City Resident / MPPS Student: $15 per day
Scholarship – Non-City Resident / Non-MPPS Student: $20 per day

(Scholarship rate is based on free/reduced lunch income guidelines)

The Mt. Pleasant PEAK program is administered by the City of Mt. Pleasant Parks & Recreation Department in partnership with Mt. Pleasant Public Schools. PEAK provides all school-age children with educational, enrichment and recreational activities in a fun and safe environment.

For more information or to register, call Mt. Pleasant Parks & Recreation at (989) 779-5331 or visit www.mt-pleasant.org/PEAK and click on “Specialty Camps.”

Registration for 2018 Man Vs. Mountain now open; sign up early for discounted rates

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Registration is now open for the City of Mt. Pleasant Parks & Recreation’s Man Vs. Mountain challenge on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018.

This unique winter 5K dares participants to embrace the cold of winter while running, climbing, jumping and crawling their way to the finish. The race is electronically timed and wave times begin at 9:30 a.m. Sign up early to receive the best registration rates. Event pricing starts at $50 and will gradually increase to $80 as the race day approaches. A $35 student rate is also available.

The course, set through Mt. Pleasant’s picturesque park system, is filled with more than 15 strategically placed manmade obstacles that complement the natural elements of Michigan winters, such as snow and the cold temperatures. Each obstacle is designed to accommodate multiple skill levels.

“Man Vs. Mountain is challenging, exhilarating and overall a lot of fun,” said Recreation Coordinator Steve Hofer. “This race was created to provide an additional recreational opportunity during the winter months. If you like to be active and you have a sense of adventure, this one-of-a-kind event is perfect for you.”

Following the event, join fellow Man Vs. Mountain 5K challengers at Mountain Town Station for a warm beverage, hearty meal and the chance to exchange stories from the experience. Challengers take home memories, bragging rights and race swag.

For additional information and to register, go to www.mt-pleasant.org/mvm or call the Parks and Recreation Office at (989) 779-5331.

Hop your way to Finch Fieldhouse on April 8 for the Great Egg Scramble

Join Mt. Pleasant Parks & Recreation, 95.3 WCFX and Graff of Mt. Pleasant for the Great Egg Scramble on Saturday, April 8 at Finch Fieldhouse (Campus of Central Michigan University – between Bellows and Preston streets). The celebration begins at 12:30 p.m. and admission is free. Canned goods will be collected for the Isabella Community Soup Kitchen.

Youth ages 2-10 will scramble for plastic eggs, candy and prizes. The event will also include crafts, games, face painting, refreshments and the opportunity to meet Peter Cottontail! Rain or shine, you don’t want to miss the fun and festivities.

Scramble times are scheduled by age group: Ages 2-3 at 1 p.m., ages 4-5 at 2 p.m., ages 6-7 at 2:30 p.m., and ages 8-10 at 3 p.m.

The Great Egg Scramble is made possible by Mt. Pleasant Parks & Recreation, 95.3 WCFX, Graff of Mt. Pleasant, Sam’s Club, Isabella Bank, Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel, and Celebration Cinemas.

For more information, call (989) 779-5331 or visit www.mt-pleasant.org/recreation.