The Mount Pleasant City Commission will decide on the proposed 2010-2014 Capital Improvement Plan at their meeting Monday, encompassing the next five years of city projects.

Large proposals include the replacement of all mobile and portable radios for the Mount Pleasant Fire Department, new records management software for the Mount Pleasant Police Department, and various improvements to the city including street renovations.

The fire department requires the replacement of all mobile and portable radios, as well as the base station and repeater in order for the department to comply with federal standards, the report said. The federal government has required all communication technologies to run on a narrow bandwidth by 2012.

Current fire equipment is more than ten years old, the report stated and was handed down from the police department.

The project will be split into two phases. Phase one will occur in 2010 with a total cost of $23,400 and phase two will occur in 2011 with a total cost of $13,420.

The fire department is also requesting thermal imaging cameras, finishing a female locker room and a permanent trench training facility.

The police department in Mount Pleasant is asking for new records management software in order to better communicate with dispatch, jail, and local, state and national law enforcement agencies. The state of Michigan was expected to provide a statewide system but the plan has been discontinued, according to the proposal.

The new system will allow all area agencies to communicate more effectively, said William Yeagley, the director of public safety.

“(It will) save a lot of time and (will be) much more efficient,” Yeagley said. “It also provides more information between agencies.

Total costs are currently uncertain for the department and $250,000 has been requested from the city’s general fund for 2011 for the new software.

Many other proposals are included in the packet, including new bike racks, downtown renovations, a plan to renovate and rent old buildings in the city and street construction projects.

The decision on the proposal was delayed due to concerns that residents had not been able to review the plan. All residents are welcome to attend the next meeting to voice their comments, at 7:00 p.m. June 8 in the Borden Building, 320 West Broadway St.

Commissioner Kathleen Ling said at the meeting the delay would provide an opportunity for the community to voice their concerns.

“I would like to encourage people who have concerns on how the government spends money,” she said. “I would encourage anyone with strong feelings to come to the next meeting.”

Commissioner Jon Joslin said city projects such as park development will not happen unless they are in the plan.

“If (the residents) want to see these things done, it has to be in the plan,” he said.

The 2010-2014 Capital Improvement Plan is available for review at www.mt-pleasant.org.

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E-mail the author: Hilary Farrell