City to hold Citizens’ Academy; accepting applications now

The seventh Citizens’ Academy is now accepting applications. Presented by the City of Mt. Pleasant, the academy is designed to engage members of the community and to expand their knowledge of the structure and functions of local government.

Participants will attend seven, weekly sessions beginning Tuesday, February 21. Each session will offer an in-depth look at the fundamentals of the City’s administration and budget; public works and utilities; parks and recreation; public safety; and community development. Additional topics covered include the basics of local government, elections and more.

The Citizens’ Academy is open to anyone living, working, owning property or attending school in the City of Mt. Pleasant. Director of Planning & Community Development Manuela Powidayko shared, “The Citizens’ Academy is an opportunity for residents to capture a close up view of how a municipality operates and the many services the city provides on a daily basis.”

Registration for the academy is free and space is limited. Sessions will occur on the following Tuesdays from 6 – 8:30 p.m.: February 21, February 28, March 14, March 21, April 4, April 11, and April 18. Graduates of the academy will be recognized at the April 24 City Commission meeting.

Applications are available at City Hall or online, and are accepted until January 17, 2023. Find the application and learn more at www.mt-pleasant.org/citizensacademy.

City of Mt. Pleasant’s 2021 Annual Report

Enhanced services and partnerships, desirable neighborhoods, new housing options, public safety, sustainable infrastructure, recreational activities and more are highlighted in the City of Mt. Pleasant’s 2021 Annual Report. To view the detailed report visit: https://issuu.com/mtpleasantmi/docs/annual_report_2021_ae09cb3c5a079a

Topics to Watch at the VIRTUAL Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – February 8, 2021

Here are the topics to watch at the next virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, February 8, 2021 at 7 p.m.

Consider allocation of funds for 2021 Parks Projects.
Receipt of 2020 Tax Increment Finance Authority (TIFA) marketing incentives report and consider request for 2021 funding.
Receipt of information from City Attorney regarding scope of legal authority regarding recent social media post and consider next steps.

To view the entire meeting packet visit:

http://www.mt-pleasant.org/docs/board/city.commission/agendas/2021/2.8.21.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 254 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/83393590577?pwd=aVhHSXN4d0k1Zm9oY2VDM3JaVm9qQT09

Passcode: 054310

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.

City of Mt. Pleasant Park and Outdoor Facilities Update

As has been done during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Mt. Pleasant continues to follow recommendations of federal state and county health officials as we navigate through the reopening process. Below is the current reopen schedule for City parks and outdoor facilities.

This timeline is subject to change based on updated information from health officials. Failure to follow social distancing protocols and posted occupancy levels may lead to facility closures.

June 11, 2020: Island Park Skate Park and Hannah’s Bark Park will reopen. Both parks will have capacity limits and visitors must adhere to social distancing guidelines.

June 22, 2020: Island Park Spray Park and the following park restrooms and ballfields to open.

Island Park Spray Park: Capacity limits will be posted and visitors must adhere to social distancing guidelines.

Park Restrooms: Island Park South, Pickens, Yost

Ballfields: Pickens, Yost

July 1, 2020: Opening of additional park restrooms and limited park shelter reservations.

Park Restrooms: Island Park North, Nelson, Chipp-A-Waters

Park Shelters Available for Reservations: Island Park, Chipp-A-Waters, Yost, Nelson Park Gazebo open with limited occupancy and seating capacity. Visitors must adhere to social distancing and occupancy guidelines.

Facilities Currently Closed:

Lower Pickens Field closed due to Spring flooding.

Island Park Softball fields closed due to Spring flooding.

Restrooms at Horizon, Mill Pond, Mission Creek and Sunnyside Parks.

Shelters at Horizon, Mill Pond, Mission Creek Park and Sunnyside Parks.

Information Updates

Information regarding facilities reopening will be updated and shared via the City’s website (www.mt-pleasant.org), Blog (mpcityblog.com), Facebook and Twitter accounts, MACTV Charter Spectrum Channel 188, and the Community Information Phone Line (989) 779-5320.

COVID-19 and City of Mt. Pleasant Services Update (4/10/2020)

In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, the City of Mt. Pleasant continues to follow recommendations of federal, state and county health officials while still providing vital City services.

Therefore, through April 30, the City is following Governor Whitmer’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order 2020-42, and is continuing its level of building closure and only providing critical services at this time. This includes: police, fire, airport operations, water, wastewater and limited street services. Other City staff will be monitoring emails and phone calls and will attempt to answer urgent inquiries.

City Parks

City parks are currently open, but park restroom facilities are closed as well as Island Park’s Skate Park.

Trash/Recycling

City trash pick-up is still taking place, although curbside recycling has been suspended through April 30, 2020 due to the Materials Recovery Facility being closed.

As a result of building closures, the City has temporarily suspended the direct sale of recycling bins, City trash bags and tags. City trash bags and tags are available at Meijer and Ric’s. Individual tags are available at GreenTree Grocery.

Large Item Pick Up

Large item pick-up is not taking place due to the contractor suspending pick up at this time,

Spring Leaf Collection

At this time, the Spring Leaf Collection is scheduled for the week of April 27, 2020.

Leaves should not be out for collection before April 18, but all leaves must be out and ready for pick up by 6 p.m. on April 26. There will be one collection through each neighborhood starting on April 27. High and Pickard Street residents should rake leaves into low piles in the right-of-way. All others should place leaves in low piles in the street gutter. Do not cover catch basins.

Since landscaping companies are not operating at this time, a second leaf pick-up will be scheduled after the Stay at Home Executive Order has been lifted.

Public Meetings

The City of Mt. Pleasant will host its public meetings virtually as allowed by the Governor’s Stay at Home Executive Order. Citizens may watch these meetings live on Spectrum Charter Channel 188 or webstream at https://www.youtube.com/user/MtPleasantMi/. Any citizen desiring to make a public comment must email their comments on agenda items to comment@mt-pleasant.org.

-The Virtual City Commission meeting will take place on April 13, 2020 at 7 p.m.

-Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting (April 22) is cancelled due to lack of business.

-Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting (April 28) is cancelled due to lack of business.

Event Cancellations

Federal and state health officials are mandating all events be cancelled or postponed to stop the gathering of people, of any size. This guidance has caused the cancellation of the following:

-Master Plan Open House (April 23)

-PEAK activities cancelled until at least June.

-Youth Soccer Program (Registration refunds will be issued.)

-Start Smart Program (Registration refunds will be issued.)

-Youth Tee Ball (Registration refunds will be issued.)

-Farmers’ Market cancelled through the month of May.

Payments and Building Permits

Citizens can make payments via mail (320 W. Broadway Street), the City’s Drop Box located outside of City Hall, or online at www.mt-pleasant.org.

Building Permits can also be electronically submitted by visiting www.mt-pleasant.org.

COVID-19 Resources

The City will continue to monitor this situation and be guided by information provided by the Central Michigan District Health Department https://www.cmdhd.org/novel-coronavirus, the State of Michigan https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus, and the Center for Disease Control & Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

Information Updates

Information will be updated and shared via the City’s website (www.mt-pleasant.org), Blog (mpcityblog.com), Facebook and Twitter accounts, MACTV Charter Spectrum Channel 188, and the Community Information Phone Line (989) 779-5320.

Consumers Energy employees beautify Mt. Pleasant; Present $1500 grant to City

More than 160 Consumers Energy employees gathered at the Borden Building early Wednesday to present the City of Mt. Pleasant with a $1,500 grant from the Consumers Energy Foundation to enhance and maintain local park facilities. The group then spent the remainder of the morning beautifying several public spaces in Mt. Pleasant.

The volunteers completed staining projects, spread wood chips and raked pine needles at Chipp-A-Waters, Island, Mill Pond, Mission Creek and Nelson parks, as well as at Riverside Cemetery.

“Mt. Pleasant is extremely grateful for both the generous $1500 contribution from the Consumers Energy Foundation, as well as the willingness of so many Consumers Energy employees to spend the morning doing volunteer work in our parks,” said City Mayor Kathy Ling. “During a time when all cities are struggling to continue to provide services to residents with fewer resources, the work being done by these volunteers will be an enormous help in keeping our parks special places. We hope these volunteers from around the state will come back to Mt. Pleasant sometime in the future and enjoy our parks with family or friends.”

The Consumers Energy Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Consumers Energy, giving Michigan cities, towns and neighborhoods the extra support needed to build communities that they’re proud to call home. The foundation provides grants and mobilizes volunteers to strengthen local education, social services, the environment, and community, economic and cultural development.