24: The Snow Emergency has now been lifted for the City of Mt. Pleasant.) City of Mt. Pleasant Declares Snow Emergency

Due to the significant winter weather forecast, the City of Mt. Pleasant has declared a Snow Emergency. All vehicles must be removed from the streets by 5 p.m. on Friday, January 12, 2024, so crews can safely and effectively clear the roadways.

Failure to remove vehicles from the street will result in a ticket. Towing may be utilized if ticketing has proven ineffective and/or the vehicles parked on the street cause a delay in snow removal.

Notice of when a snow emergency is declared, and later lifted, is provided through the city’s social media channels, website www.mt-pleasant.org, blog https://mpcityblog.com/, community information phone line (989-779-5320), local media notification, and an email alert.

To receive an email notification, individuals must sign up to receive the city’s monthly eConnections newsletter by visiting www.mt-pleasant.org.

Parking ordinance reminders:

Downtown Overnight Parking Permit Holders: Will be informed via email or text on when and where you need to move your vehicle.
Overnight street parking is allowed throughout the City of Mt. Pleasant year-round, except for the Downtown area.
Downtown street parking is prohibited from 4 – 6 a.m. year-round.
When a snow emergency is declared, all cars must be removed from the street.

Summary of Minutes of the City Commission Meeting – 12/14/2020

Summary of Minutes of the electronically conducted regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, December 14, 2020, 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 November 23, 2020.

2) Minutes of the electronically conducted closed session held November 23, 2020.

3) Bids for 2021 Waste Water Treatment Plant treatment (bulk) chemicals.

4) Bid of Greenscene Landscaping of Mt. Pleasant, MI for the 2020-2021 snow season.

5) Resolutions supporting amended rates, fees and charges:

a. Water Service Fees

b. Sewer Demand

c. Water Demand

6) Resolution to approve the final amended 2020 Operating Budget.

7) Authorized the Mayor or City Manager to sign the interlocal agreement for the designated assessor as presented.

8) Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute an addendum to the existing contract with Mr. Ervin for an additional one year ending December 31, 2021.

9) Set the first City Commission meeting of 2021 for January 11, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.

10) Warrants and Payrolls

Held a Public hearing on Michigan Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program application for GreenTree Cooperative Grocery, Inc. and approved the resolution in support of same.

Approved resolution approving the final 2021 Operating Budget and set the millage rate.

Authorized the Mayor to sign a three-year contract with MMDC for economic development services and the appropriate 2021 budget amendment.

Received and discussed report by City Planner Kain on review of medical and adult-use marihuana ordinances. No action by the Commission required at this time.

Failed motion to consider each appointment to various city boards and commissions as recommended by the Appointments Committee individually.

Approved appointments to various city boards and commissions as recommended by the Appointments Committee.

Reviewed report on City Manager evaluation and determined no wage adjustment would be made at this time.

Cancelled the meeting of the Mt. Pleasant City Commission scheduled for December 21, 2020.

Authorized Finance Director Mary Ann Kornexl to approve the issuance of payrolls and warrants from December 15, 2020 through January 11, 2021.

Adjourned the meeting at 10:07 p.m.

Be a Good Neighbor – Keep Sidewalks Clear of Snow and Ice

For All Residents: In May 2019, the City Commission decided to expand city residential sidewalk snowplowing from approximately 13 miles to approximately 25 miles within three years, and adding at least five miles each year thereafter with the goal of clearing all, or a majority of the 46 miles of city residential district sidewalks. An evaluation of the effectiveness will be conducted after the first three years.

To provide more time for evaluation of the expanded process, City staff will begin sidewalk snowplowing along 25 miles of residential sidewalks this season. No salt will be used. The expanded areas are based on an evaluation of school locations, parks, other assumed high walking areas where pedestrian lighting exists, and contiguous areas to the extent practical. Sidewalk snowplowing by City staff will generally not start until the City streets, alleys and parking lots have been cleared.

For a map on which sidewalks will be plowed visit: www.mt-pleasant.org/maps. For those sidewalks not currently being plowed by City staff, please keep the safety of your family and neighbors in mind and remove the snow from your sidewalk and mailbox approach as soon as practical after inclement weather.

For Commercial and Industrial Property Owners: City ordinance requires commercial and industrial property owners to clear sidewalks within 18 hours after sleet, freezing rain or snow stops falling, with the exception of Sundays and holidays (Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day). In this case, snow must be cleared by noon the day following the Sunday or holiday. If the snow or ice is too hard to remove, the owner must spread enough sand or other abrasive material to make travel safe and as soon as weather permits, must clear a path of at least 48 inches in width.

Code enforcement officers can write a municipal civil infraction ticket to commercial and industrial property owners who do not fulfill this requirement of the ordinance. For further information, contact Assistant Fire Chief Doug Lobsinger at (989) 779-5123 or dlobsinger@mt-pleasant.org.

Winter Reminders: Snow Removal and Parking

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – With the arrival of winter, the City of Mt. Pleasant is reminding community members of the following snow removal and parking practices.

SNOW REMOVAL

For All Property Owners: For the safety of your family and neighbors, please clear your sidewalk of snow, including your mailbox approach, within 24 hours after inclement weather.

For Commercial and Industrial Property Owners: Commercial and property owners are required to clear sidewalks within 18 hours after snow, sleet, or freezing rainfall, with the exception of Sundays and holidays (Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day). In this case, snow must be cleared by noon the day following the Sunday or holiday.

If the snow or ice is too hard to remove, the owner must spread enough sand or other abrasive material to make travel safe, and as soon as weather permits, must clear a path of at least 48 inches in width.

Code enforcement officers can write a municipal civil infraction ticket to commercial and industrial property owners who do not fulfill this requirement of the ordinance. For further information, contact Assistant Fire Chief Michael Dunham at (989) 779-5123 or mduhnam@mt-pleasant.org.

OVERNIGHT PARKING

From Dec. 1, 2018 to April 1, 2019, on-street and City lot parking is prohibited in non-downtown areas from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. On-street parking is prohibited downtown from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. throughout the year. Those found in violation are subject to a fine.

Enforcement of this parking restriction may not occur each night, but will be enforced at times to help keep the streets clear and safe.

For those with overnight parking permits, several City parking lots have designated areas where overnight parking is allowed. For more information about parking permits, please contact the Division of Community Services at (989) 779-5347.

Public hearing on snow and ice removal scheduled – October 8, 2018

The City Commission is seeking public input on the draft ordinance to amend Section 98.37 of the Mt. Pleasant City Code regarding snow and ice removal for commercial, industrial and residential properties.

After numerous City Commission work sessions, a draft still requiring commercial and industrial properties to clear the sidewalks within 18 hours, would also include the following provisions:

Utilizes the definitions from the General Property Tax Act to identify commercial, industrial and residential properties.
Provides 48 hours after the cessation of snow for clearing of residential sidewalks.
Includes provisions for clearing sidewalks in the event of continuous snow fall.
In addition to the ability to issue a municipal civil infraction, the language includes a provision for costs to be added as a lien on the tax bill if the City clears the sidewalk.
Indicates that enforcement for residential properties would begin in November 2019, providing one year to educate residential property owners on the change.

The City Commission will hold a public hearing on the draft ordinance on Monday, October 8 at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 320 W. Broadway Street. After the hearing, the City Commission will determine the next preferred steps.

If you are unable to attend the public hearing, opinions can be expressed by mail or email to City Manager Nancy Ridley, 320 W. Broadway Street, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858 or manager@mt-pleasant.org.

Current City ordinances and other information can be found at www.mt-pleasant.org/.

Seasonal reminders from the City of Mt. Pleasant

With the arrival of winter, the City of Mt. Pleasant is reminding community members of the following:

Clear sidewalks following winter weather:

FOR ALL PROPERTY OWNERS – For the safety of your family and neighbors, please clear your sidewalk of snow, including your mailbox approach, within 24 hours after inclement weather.
FOR COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OWNERS – Commercial property owners are required to clear sidewalks in business districts within 18 hours after snow, sleet or freezing rain fall, with the exception of Sundays and holidays (Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day). In this case, snow must be cleared by noon the day following the Sunday or holiday.
If the snow or ice is too hard to remove, the owner must spread enough sand or other abrasive to make travel safe, and, as soon as weather permits, must clear a path of at least 48 inches in width.

Code enforcement officers can write a municipal civil infraction ticket to commercial property owners who do not fulfill this requirement of the ordinance. For further information, contact Asst. Fire Chief Michael Dunham at 779-5123 or mdunham@mt-pleasant.org.

Overnight parking:

From Dec. 1, 2017 to April 1, 2018, on-street and City lot parking is prohibited in non-downtown areas from 2 to 5 a.m. On-street parking is prohibited downtown from 4 to 6 a.m. throughout the year. Those found in violation are subject to a fine.
For those with overnight parking permits, several City parking lots have designated areas where overnight parking is allowed. For more information about parking permits, please contact the Division of Community Services at (989) 779-5347.