City Commission thanks MPPD, fire departments during meeting


Kudos went out to the city's police and fire forces during Monday's Mount Pleasant City Commission meeting.
Director of Public Safety Bill Yeagley said he was pleased with the work of the Mount Pleasant Police and Fire departments in dealing with the fire that occurred downtown last week.
"I'm very proud of both the police and fire (departments) and their quick thinking," he said.
Yeagley said he was grateful for the help of the Clare, Shepherd and Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribal fire departments as well as the Red Cross.
"It was quite an effort by members of our community to do an excellent job," he said.
The commissioners voted to support the Michigan Municipal League's "Let Local Votes Count Initiative."
During the April 12 meeting, commissioners had decided to table the decision until they could learn more about the initiative.
The league is proposing an amendment to the Michigan constitution that would require a two-thirds vote, as opposed to the majority vote needed now of each chamber of the Michigan Legislature on any bill that would restrict the power of cities, villages, townships or counties.
This would limit state intervention in local government. The proposed amendment would be on the ballot Nov. 7.
"What we're doing is supporting 'let the people decide'," said Vice-Mayor Gerald Cassel.
Commissioner Mike Pittsley also said he wants to let voters decide on the issue.
The commissioners voted to accept a resolution on hand-gun control written by Central Michigan Health Policy Council.
The resolution urges the Michigan governor and representatives in the State Legislature and U.S. Congress to introduce hand-gun control legislation.
"Youth seem to feel that the violence mode is the way to solve issues," said Commissioner Sharon Tilmann.
"We've seen some tragic events."
The Department of Public Works has planned a Trade Your Treasurers Program for May 13 and 14.
The program allows residents to exchange unwanted items such as furniture or refrigerators by placing them by the curb during the two days, said Director of Public Works Duane Ellis.
This will allow residents to eliminate items that the city will normally not pick up as trash. If the item is not picked up by another resident in the two days the city, in cooperation with Green's Towing, will discard it.
Most items will be discarded for a fee of $10. If the item contains freon, such as a refrigerator or an air conditioner, the cost will be $25.
In order to participate, residents must register before May 12 at City Hall, 401 N. Main St., or the Division of Public Works, 1303 N. Franklin St.
Mayor Al Kaufmann issued a proclamation in support of May as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month and in support of May 7-13 as Arson Awareness Week.
The commissioners voted to hire Wakely Associates of Mount Pleasant to design the expansion of the Public Safety building. Wakely Associates will be paid a total of $250,800.
The commissioners voted to spend $6,976 to study the police department's record operation procedures and record management practices.
The results of the study will be used to improve the police records function.
Public hearings scheduled for May 22 will concern vacating an area on Illinois Street east of Greenfield and an alley bounded by Pickard, Mission, Palmer and Arnold streets.

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