Tag: Public Works

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.

5 things to watch at the next City Commission meeting

Here are five things to watch at the May 14, 2018 City Commission meeting:

  1. Consumers Energy Line Clearing Project: A presentation will be given by a Consumers Energy representative about the annual line-clearing project. Trees near and around electric lines in specified areas will be trimmed or removed to continue to provide safe, reliable electric service to customers. Residents whose properties will be impacted have been notified of the work.
  2. National Public Works Week: Mayor Allison Quast-Lents will proclaim May 21-27, 2018 as Public Works Week. Sponsored by the American Public Works Association, this nationally recognized week honors the public works professionals responsible for the planning, operation and maintenance of the water treatment and distribution, solid waste systems, public properties, city streets and other facilities.
  3. West Campus Drive Parking: The City Commission will consider approving the Traffic Control Order to restrict parking on West Campus Drive between Preston and Vernon streets. If approved, Pango metered parking (pay-by-phone technology) will be installed.
  4. 2018 Millage Rate: The City Commission will consider whether a public hearing to adjust the 2018 millage rate should be held. City staff recommend leaving the millage rate at the previously approved 16.25 total mills as there are no substantial changes in the assumptions that were made when the Operating Budget was approved. If the Commission desires to change the millage rate, a public hearing will need be to set for the regular meeting on May 9.
  5. Medical Marihuana Facilities: The Planning Commission held a public hearing earlier this month on the ordinances proposed to “opt-in” and regulate medical marihuana facilities. The City Commission will receive the recommendation from the Planning Commission resulting from the public hearing. The City Commission will hold a public hearing on the updated ordinances on Tuesday, May 29 at 6:30 p.m. The recommended changes include the following:
    • Reducing the distancing requirement from a K-12 school such that properties north of Broadway within the Central Business District would be allowed. (this is similar to the change in the distancing requirement regarding the 500 feet from CMU along the east side of Mission Street).
    • Eliminating the limits on the number of facilities allowed for processors, secure transporter and safety compliance facilities.

To see the full City Commission agenda and packet for May 14, 2018, click here.

Mt. Pleasant City Commission meetings are held at City Hall on the second and fourth Monday of the month at 7 p.m., and at 6:30 p.m. from May 28-September 3.

Online signup and payment for brush chipping now available

Free brush-chipping service suspended

The City’s brush-chipping program operates year-round (weather permitting) and provides curbside or alley pick up of brush that is not eligible for collection by the City’s weekly refuse collection.

NEW! Residents now have the option to apply and pay for the service using a single online form. Find the form here.

Please note: The free brush chipping program offered to residents this summer was recently suspended. The remaining funds from the program were reallocated to support the emergency curbside debris collection that took place following the June flooding event.

City to offer free brush chipping beginning in June

UPDATE (June 6, 2017): The free brush chipping program is underway.  The Street Department is currently chipping brush for those who signed up for the week of June 5.

For those on the Wednesday or Thursday refuse/recycling collection routes who have not yet signed up for the one-time free brush chipping program, reservations are still available for the week of June 19.

For those on the Monday or Tuesday refuse/recycling collection routes, reservations for free brush chipping may be made for the week of July 10.

The program will continue until the one-time funds are depleted.

If you have any questions, please contact the Public Works office at 779-5401.

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The City has allocated funds to provide approximately 400 households with 30 minutes of complimentary brush chipping beginning in June. The service is first come, first served, and residents must make a reservation by contacting the Division of Public Works.

Brush chipping will take place during the first and third weeks of the month. After a reservation is made, the week during which the service will be provided will be based on the customer’s refuse/recycling collection day. See the table below for details:City to offer free brush chipping service beginning in June

Residents must adhere to the City’s regular brush chipping guidelines (available on the City’s website – scroll to the bottom of the webpage) and make a reservation no later than 4:30 p.m. on the Thursday prior to the brush-chipping week.

If residents have more brush than what can be chipped within the allotted 30 minutes, they have the option of being billed $1.82 per minute for each additional minute, or, at the time the reservation is made, can request crews stop at 30 minutes.

The free brush chipping service is an expanded program for 2017 only, and is made possible by one-time funding. The free service will continue during the first and third weeks of each month until funds are no longer available. One complimentary service per household is permitted.

During the month of May and after the completion of the free program, the City will offer brush chipping services for a fee. Residents may also take yard waste and brush to the Materials Recovery Facility at 4208 East River Road.

To make a reservation or learn more, contact DPW at (989) 779-5401, publicworks@mt-pleasant.org or visit the office at 1303 N. Franklin Street.