Economic development, infrastructure upgrades, neighborhood beautification, enhanced public safety services and outreach, recreational offerings and more are highlighted in the City of Mt. Pleasant’s 2022 Annual Report. To view the detailed report, visit: https://issuu.com/mtpleasantmi/docs/annual_report_2022_2
Tag: Public Safety
Topics to Watch at the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – March 13, 2023
Here are the topics to watch at the next in-person, as well as virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, March 13, 2023 at 7 p.m.
- Receive City requests for Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe 2% allocations.
- Consider waiver of audit requirement for Mid-Michigan Aquatic Recreation Authority.
- Consider approval of a proposal for comprehensive analysis of fire services from the Center for Public Safety Management and budget amendment for the same.
To view the entire meeting packet visit:
How to follow public meetings:
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/85299221198?pwd=NktZdU8xbElXL0F5MVpLS2t2K1V4Zz09
Meeting ID: 852 9922 1198
Passcode: 943183
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
Bryan Chapman bchapman@mt-pleasant.org
Maureen Eke meke@mt-pleasant.org
Amy Perschbacher aperschbacher@mt-pleasant.org
Boomer Wingard bwingard@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.
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.
Mt. Pleasant Fire Chief Beltinck to Retire
After 25 years of service, Fire Chief Rick Beltinck will retire on December 16. Rick rose through the fire ranks, starting as a Fire Equipment Operator. He then advanced to Sergeant, Lieutenant and ultimately Chief in 2015.
In reflecting on his career with the MPFD, Rick observed, “I have had the opportunity to work with great people within our organization, and the community as a whole. It was truly an honor to be a member of a team which fostered learning and growth.”
“Rick’s dedication and hard work is evident through the numerous roles he filled within the fire department and the many initiatives he spearheaded,” said Director Paul Lauria. “Rick worked diligently on the 800Mhz statewide radio system implementation, the SCBA firefighter pack transition, successfully obtained grant funding, and developed a process for updating policy and procedures. Rick also served as the City’s Emergency Manager,” Lauria added, “and chaired the area fire chief’s board which fosters communication among the regional fire departments. Rick’s commitment to the community, the Division of Public Safety, and his invaluable institutional knowledge will be sorely missed.”
Rick’s retirement plans include spending time with family and enjoying life.
Krysta Carabelli Fills Social Crisis Advocate Role

Krysta Carabelli recently joined the Mt. Pleasant Division of Public Safety as a social crisis advocate. This is a new position resulting from an expanded partnership between the City and RISE, an agency which provides support services for survivors of both domestic violence and sexual assault.
With an overwhelming need for mental health support services, RISE and the City have entered into a one-year pilot program agreement. The purpose of this agreement is to offer networking services to individuals suffering from mental health and temporary crisis issues, as well as substance abuse and drug overdose situations.
Director of Public Safety Lauria stated, “An innovative concept for a public safety division of our size, this new position will provide further guidance to first responders in dealing with these specific types of encountered incidents.” He added, “It will also connect individuals to additional resources in obtaining specialized help. The Division of Public Safety is excited to see where this pilot program takes us as we continue to serve with pride, integrity and compassion.”
Krysta, a two-time graduate of Central Michigan University, earned her master’s degree in Clinical Professional Counseling. Previous work experience includes service as a social worker, domestic violence counselor, and a sexual assault counselor. For the past year Krysta has worked for RISE, specializing in trauma and crisis counseling.
Krysta shared, “I went into counseling to help people, and while completing my degree I decided to concentrate on trauma and crisis counseling. Trauma work is difficult, but I am honored to be a support when needed.” She continued, “You can make a drastic difference in someone’s life by being present and genuine. This integrated approach with first responders can make a noticeable difference.”
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.
Sign up for free at www.isabellacounty.org/911, www.smart911.com, or by downloading the Smart911 App.
Mt. PLeasANt 2050 – City of Mt. Pleasant begins work on a new Master Plan
Mt. Pleasant, MI – The City of Mt. Pleasant is preparing a new Master Plan, a document which will chart the direction of the City’s development for the next 30 years.
Master plans are critical policy documents. They are the primary way for the community to answer the following questions:
- What do we want our community to look like in 2050?
- How do we get there?
- How can we ensure our community is resilient by avoiding or mitigating risks or threats that we may face?
The new City Master Plan will also include an updated Parks and Recreation Master Plan as well as a subarea plan focused on Mission Street and Pickard Avenue (east of Mission). The plan will specifically address land use, transportation, housing, downtown, economic development, and public safety.
Public Input Needed
Public input is imperative during this planning process and will determine the community’s vision as well as help set specific goals, objectives and policies. The public is invited to participate in a series of events scheduled from April 8-11, 2019. All events will be held at City Hall, 320 W. Broadway Street, unless otherwise noted.
April 8
5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Kick-Off Event
April 9
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Open Charrette Studio Hours
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Downtown Pub Crawl (Starting at the Bird Bar & Grill, 223 S. Main Street.)
April 10
1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Open Charrette Studio Hours
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Charrette Open House & Work-In-Progress Presentation
April 11
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Open Charrette Studio Hours
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Charrette Final Presentation Event
Online Survey
Your input is vital to our Master Plan development process. Please take a few minutes to share your ideas and complete the online surveys, which are available until April 28, 2019. Visit: https://www.mtpleasant2050.com/surveys
City of Mt. Pleasant Master Planning History
Major projects and policy changes often result from a master planning process. For instance, the 1965 Master Plan led to the extension of Mosher Street; the development of “Town Center”; and the creation of a new 1971 zoning ordinance. The 1987 Master Plan led to significant investments in park accessibility for individuals with disabilities; facility investments to improve the quality of drinking water; and extensions of Bellows and Preston Streets.
The City adopted its first Master Plan in 1946 with subsequent plans being adopted in 1965, 1987 and 2006. The City’s current Master Plan was an update adopted in 2014. Click here to view our past and current Master Plans. All Michigan cities are required to adopt master plans in accordance with Public Act 33 of 2008.
For more details regarding the Master Plan development process visit www.mtpleasant2050.com.
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.
Coneys for a Cause is June 13
The community is invited to feast on their favorite local coney dogs while helping the youth of Isabella County at the 13th annual Coneys for a Cause on June 13 at the Pixie Restaurant. All net proceeds will benefit the Mt. Pleasant Police Youth Services Unit (YSU) and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Great Lakes Bay Region.
Customers can purchase individual coney dogs for $1.19 at the restaurant, or they can pre-order to have the coney dogs delivered by an officer of the YSU or a representative of Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
At 7 p.m., the annual “Pixie Pig Out” contest will begin. Stop by to cheer on the contestants as they compete to consume the most coneys.
The pre-order form is available here, as well as at www.facebook.com/mtppublicsafety and www.mt-pleasant.org. Forms must emailed by 3 p.m. on June 12 to ysu@mt-pleasant.org. Delivery pre-orders must total $18 or more.
Chippewa Street is currently closed to through traffic for construction work, however, both of Pixie’s Chippewa Street driveways will be open for use during the event.
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