Topics to Watch at the Hybrid Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – June 27, 2022

Here are the topics to watch at the next in-person, as well as virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, June 27, 2022 at 7 p.m.

Introduce and swear in Mt. Pleasant Police Officer Mason Nash.

Consider approval of contract with McKenna for planning services.

Consider resolution approving the transfer of adult-use marihuana retailer license location to 1207 E. Pickard.

Consider resolution approving the transfer of adult-use marihuana retailer license to H & G Ventures LLC.

Consider resolution approving charter amendment ballot language to change the term of office for City Commission members and hold elections in even years.

To view the entire meeting packet visit:

Click to access 6-27-22.pdf

How to follow public meetings:

In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, the City Commission Meeting will be held in person in the City Chambers/City Hall (320 W. Broadway Street) with virtual attendance options as well. Non-voting participants 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.

If a virtual option becomes unavailable due to technical difficulties, the meeting will continue as scheduled. Residents who would like to provide a comment during the appropriate time are welcome to come to the meeting at City Hall, or email their statement to comments@mt-pleasant.org.

To participate via Zoom:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88962935714?pwd=pI6VEbcL2GfHnxrJPMBlH0wsypGfKR.1

Meeting ID: 889 6293 5714

Passcode: 262066

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.

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

Members of the public are asked to provide their name and address with any comments.
Comments/Questions may be sent ahead of the meeting, or during the meeting via email to comment@mt-pleasant.org. Comments sent via email will be read aloud to the Commission during the public comment period.

Individual commissioners can be contacted at the following email addresses:

Mary Alsager malsager@mt-pleasant.org

Brian Assmann bassmann@mt-pleasant.org

Elizabeth Busch ebusch@mt-pleasant.org

Olivia Cyman ocyman@mt-pleasant.org

Maureen Eke meke@mt-pleasant.org

Amy Perschbacher aperschbacher@mt-pleasant.org

George Ronan gronan@mt-pleasant.org

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.

Mt. Pleasant Division of Public Safety Pays Tribute to Marty Trombley

Marty Trombley, former Mt. Pleasant Director of Public Safety and Police Chief, passed away peacefully from heart failure on June 3, 2022. Marty joined the Mt. Pleasant Police Department (MPPD) as Director and Police Chief in September 1980, a position he held until his retirement in 1998.

During his 18-year tenure, Marty was known for his innovative thinking, dedication to continuous training, relationship building, mentoring and unwavering tenacity. Always committed to making the Mt. Pleasant Division of Public Safety a strong and industry-leading organization, Marty was constantly reviewing the division and providing his officers with the best training and educational resources available. This included expanding experiences for officers through special assignments, like BAYANET. Marty assisted the State of Michigan in developing this unit and was instrumental in establishing the unit’s protocols.

Partnerships and open communication were a cornerstone of Marty’s operational philosophy. He established weekly Chiefs meetings where heads of the area’s five police agencies would meet to share critical information and coordinate efforts. He also formed the Isabella County Traffic Unit, comprised of multiple local law enforcement agencies, which was funded by the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe.

Marty was ahead of the curve regarding the benefits when police officers demonstrate a strong, open and honest rapport with youth. He consistently met with school officials to discuss the importance and implementation of placing officers in schools. This ultimately led to the formation of the Youth Service Unit (YSU), which is still in existence today.

CMU students were also recruited by Marty to assist in the containment of the End of World parties. He was a groundbreaker in getting CMU students and Greek organizations involved. Marty served as the original liaison between these groups and developed the CMU Student Neighborhood Watch programs.

Marty’s passion to get the community what it needed led to the construction of a new Division of Public Safety building, located at the intersection of High and Mission Street. This project involved many community conversations and the ultimate move from the constricted University Street location.

Marty maintained strong law enforcement connections across the state. Even after his retirement in 1998, he was still dedicated to law enforcement. Marty conducted state-wide seminars, workshops and assessment centers; work-based scenario exercises used for the advancement of law enforcement officials. He thus freely gave back to the profession years after retirement and served as a mentor to many. As former Mt. Pleasant Public Safety Director and Police Chief Bill Yeagley recalled, “Marty’s mentoring, teaching, and encouragement played a vast role in the positive development of so many law enforcement professionals, myself included. Marty was all about others.”

“Marty reshaped the culture of the Mt. Pleasant Division of Public Safety,” observed current Director of Public Safety and Police Chief Paul Lauria. “Many of us were hired by Marty and were thereby fortunate to play an active role in this transformative period. He has positively influenced not only those of us that worked with him, but the law enforcement profession as a whole.”

For funeral and memorial information visit: https://www.charlesrlux.com/

Current and retired law enforcement officials from the Mt. Pleasant Division of Public Safety and surrounding local law enforcement agencies, paid respects at retired Public Safety Director/Chief of Police Marty Trombley’s funeral on June 8, 2022. Marty served the City of Mt. Pleasant from 1980-1998.

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

Isabella County Enhances 9-1-1 Services and Emergency Notification with Smart911; Replacing CodeRED

Isabella County public safety officials announced Smart911 is now available for free to all residents. Individuals who were previously signed up for CodeRED will need to sign up for Smart911 to receive timely and actionable emergency alerts via email, text or voice message. This should be completed before the CodeRED system is discontinued on December 6, 2021.

Smart911 not only informs citizens of emergencies, but allows individuals to create a Safety Profile for their household, if they wish. These profiles include detailed information citizens want 9-1-1 representatives and response teams to know in the event of an emergency. Profiles can be completed by visiting www.smart911.com or downloading the Smart911 App.

With this new system, when an individual makes an emergency call their Safety Profile is automatically displayed for the 9-1-1 representative, enabling the proper response team(s) to be dispatched to an exact location with detailed information. Examples include fire crews knowing how many people reside in a household, EMS staff being informed of allergies or specific medical conditions, or police having a photo of a missing child in seconds, rather than minutes or hours.

Accepting Applications for 20th Youth Services Police Academy

The 20^th Youth Services Police Academy is scheduled for July 12 – 29, 2021, (Monday – Thursday) from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. This free program offers youth, going into grades 6-8 who have an interest in law enforcement, an up-close view of the skills and necessary training needed for law enforcement officials.

Mt. Pleasant Police Officers conduct the program in the manner of a real police academy with values such as teamwork, integrity, compassion and discipline being stressed. Cadets are required to participate in physical training and complete the same agility tests given to recruits during a standard police academy.

The curriculum also includes hands-on learning, field trips and demonstrations by specialized units such as the SWAT Team, K-9 and DNR. Classroom topics encompass crime scene investigations, traffic stops, marine patrol activities, firearm safety, first aid and CPR, and much more. Appropriate program adjustments will be made to follow COVID-19 safety protocols.

Applications are now available at the Division of Public Safety, 804 E. High Street, during 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The application deadline is June 11, 2021.

Second breaking and entering suspect arrested

Additional investigation by the Mt. Pleasant Police Department (MPPD) led to a second breaking and entering suspect being identified and arrested.

On July 23, 2018 MPPD received a call of breaking and entering at Movement Vehicles on 210 W. Pickard Street, Mt. Pleasant. This was in addition to two separate breaking and entering incidents which MPPD responded to on July 20, 2018 at Freddie’s Tavern and a July 24, 2018 at The Cabin, both in the City of Mount Pleasant.

Evidence collected from all crime scenes was gathered by the MPPD and shared with the Isabella County Sheriff’s Office and the Michigan State Police. Further investigation by the MPPD determined Kyle Wilson, identified as a suspect for the July 20 and July 24 breaking and entering incidents was not the suspect responsible for the July 23 incident.

On August 1, 2018 a search warrant was obtained for a residence in the Rosebush area. The search warrant was executed by MPPD detectives and members of the Bay Area Narcotics Team. Property stolen from the July 23 incident which included a welder and other high value tools were recovered. As a result of this search warrant, 25-year-old Michael Spanne was arrested and is currently lodged at the Isabella County Jail on a four count warrant: Breaking and Entering – a building with Intent, Larceny – $1,000 or more but less than $20,000, Stolen Property – Receiving and Concealing- $1,000 or more but less than $20,000, and Larceny in a Building.

Officer David VanDyke of the Mount Pleasant Police Department explained, “Through additional investigative work, the MPPD was able to identify the incident at the Movement Vehicles business was not related to the other breaking and entering’s.” He continued, “MPPD was able to pinpoint a new suspect, recover property stolen from Movement Vehicles, and take the suspect into custody.”

Mount Pleasant Police were assisted by the Bay Area Narcotics Team, Central Michigan Drug Enforcement Team, and the Michigan State Police K-9 Unit.

Police arrest suspect in theft of tip jar

On July 8, 2018, officers of the Mount Pleasant Police Department were dispatched to 110 N. Main St. (Pisanello’s Pizza) for a larceny of a “tip jar.”

The surveillance video of the incident was released to the public and media outlets to help identify the two adult males and one adult female involved.

Due to several tips from the public, all three subjects have been identified. The subjects include a 30-year-old male from Farwell, Mich.; a 24-year-old male from Weidman, Mich.; and a 26-year-old female from Ithaca, Mich.

On July 17, 2018 at approximately 2:30 a.m. officers made contact with the 30-year-old male from Farwell and placed him in custody for larceny charges related to the theft. The other two subjects have not been charged.

The 30-year-old male is currently lodged in the Isabella County Jail awaiting arraignment.

The Mount Pleasant Police Department would like to thank the public and media outlets for assisting in the apprehension of this subject.

Mt. Pleasant police seek help to identify larceny suspects

On July 8, 2018, officers of the Mount Pleasant Police Department were dispatched to 110 N. Main St. (Pisanello’s Pizza) for a larceny of a “tip jar.”

The larceny occurred when two unidentified males, one unidentified female and a young child entered the restaurant at 9:35 p.m. on July 8, 2018.

One of the males went into the bathroom while the other male, female and child ordered a pizza under the name “Desirae.”

When the first male exited the bathroom, he interacted with the other male, female and child. The video shows him take the “tip jar” from the cash register counter and flee the restaurant in an unknown direction.

The amount of money taken is unknown at this time.

A witness observed the first male as he was running from the restaurant and concealing a jar under his shirt. This witness asked Pisanello’s Pizza employees if they were missing anything from the restaurant. This is when the “tip jar” was discovered missing.

The male subject is described as approximately 30 years old, short brown hair, thin mustache, wearing black-colored shorts with a red stripe and a blue button up short sleeve shirt with thin white lines.

This incident was captured on video surveillance and is available at www.facebook.com/mtppublicsafety.

Anyone with information regarding the identification of the subjects involved is asked to contact Officer Jeff Thompson of the Mount Pleasant Police Department at (989) 779-6026 or (989) 779-5100.

Police respond to suspicious situation at Island Park, no credible threat found

On June 26, 2018 at approximately 7:51 p.m., Isabella County Central Dispatch received a call that two male subjects, who appeared to be covered in blood, were seen entering a bathroom at Island Park.

Mount Pleasant City Police responded to the area and were approached by a citizen who stated they had seen two subjects in the park and one was carrying a long rifle. The citizen advised that the subjects were dressed in camouflage clothing and were last seen by the Vietnam Memorial within the park.

Mount Pleasant City Police Officers continued to search the park for the two subjects and were then contacted by a second citizen. The citizen advised officers they had also seen the two subjects in camouflage, now in Pickens Fields, walking towards the Post Office. Mount Pleasant Police evacuated both Island Park and Pickens Fields due to the two separate sightings.

Officers from the Mount Pleasant Department, Isabella County Sheriff’s Department, Michigan State Police, Central Michigan University Police, and Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police continued to search the area. Also assisting in the search was a Michigan State Police K-9.

After a thorough search, no suspects, victims or evidence of a crime were located.

The Mount Pleasant City Police would like to assure the public there is no credible threat to the community.

The Mount Pleasant City Police were assisted by: Isabella County Sheriff’s Deputies, Michigan State Police Troopers, Central Michigan University Police Officers, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Officers and Isabella County Central Dispatch.

Search continues for shooting suspect; City reminds residents to lock doors and report suspicious activity

Update – March 3, 12:50 a.m.:The suspect in the shooting on the campus of Central Michigan University has been taken into police custody without incident.

Thank you to the community for their help and cooperation throughout this situation.

At approximately 8:30 a.m. on Friday, March 2, there was a shooting on the campus of Central Michigan University. The suspect, 19-year-old James Eric Davis Jr., fled northbound and was last seen in the area near Maple and Cherry streets. He is considered armed and dangerous. Residents are encouraged to stay inside their residences and lock the doors of their homes, outbuildings, garages and vehicles.

More than 100 officers from multiple police agencies continue to search for the suspect and will be conducting door-to-door checks in the vicinity of Maple and Cherry streets until dark. Law enforcement helicopters will continue to assist in the search through the evening.

Community members are reminded to remain vigilant of their surroundings. Please do not actively search for the suspect or engage anyone matching the description of the suspect. Instead, please call 911 or 773-1000 to report suspicious activity or someone matching the description of the suspect.

For continuous updates, please sign up for CodeRed alerts. Sign up information can be found at www.mt-pleasant.org. You may also download the CodeRed app on your mobile device.