Summer city commission meetings to begin at earlier time
Mayor Allison Quast-Lents reads a proclamation recognizing Greeks Clean the Streets at the Mount Pleasant City Commission meeting on April 23. Greeks Clean the Streets is a group of Central Michigan University sorority and fraternity members who annually clean trash and litter north of campus.
In preparation for the summer months, the Mount Pleasant City Commission voted during its April 23 meeting to change the meeting time from 7 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. from May 28 to Sept. 3.
The change was meant to give commissioners more time to enjoy their summer evenings, as discussed by the commissioners. The 4-3 decision was opposed by Commissioners Kathy Ling, Lori Gillis and William Joseph.
“When I became a commissioner, I knew that two Mondays of the month were going to be taken up by meetings and I devoted my time for that slot of time,” Gillis said.
Gillis said she wasn’t confident the half hour change in time would make any difference. Commissioner Tony Kulick was all for the change.
“Summer in Michigan seems so short — it just gives us an opportunity to have an extra half hour at the end of the evening that we can enjoy it, so I’ll support the motion,” Kulick said.
Branding project
Mount Pleasant will undergo a community branding project that will help to shift perception or stereotypes about the Mount Pleasant community and provide a consistent representation of the area, City Manager Nancy Ridley said.
The project consists of creating slogans, logos and packaging what makes the community unique to share with the rest of the world.
The commission approved a contract to Darwin, LLC at a not-to-exceed cost of $35,000 plus $5,000 for travel costs. Darwin, LLC bid to be the management group who will oversee the project, and the commission approved their offer.
Gillis was the only vote against the motion, saying the project would be too costly.
“This only entails $15,000 from us city taxpayers, but eventually when this branding becomes more implemented through our community it’s going to cost tens of thousands of dollars to try and redo signs and try to implement the slogan,” Gillis said.
Six community partners and the city will contribute funds to the project, as well as a $15,000 grant from Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
Quast-Lents encouraged community members to get involved with the project as it unfolds.
The commission also recognized the “Greeks Clean the Streets" program, presented awards to Mount Pleasant Citizens' Academy participants and handed out the 2017 Community Improvement Awards.
Greeks Clean the Streets
Every spring since 2012, members of Central Michigan University sororities and fraternities to clean trash and debris north of campus.
Several members of the Greek community were present as Mayor Allison Quast-Lents read the proclamation recognizing the sixth consecutive year that Greek Life has contributed to the community.
Citizen’s Academy
There were 22 participants in the third annual Mount Pleasant Citizens' Academy this year and each was recognized and awarded a certificate at the meeting.
The academy gives participants an inside look at municipal government in Mount Pleasant, including presentations from staff and tours of the city’s facilities, over the course of seven, two-and-a-half-hour sessions. The last session took place April 17.
The next academy is scheduled to begin in February 2019.
Community Improvement Awards
Since 1979, the Planning Commission has presented the Community Improvement Awards acknowledge property owners for their investment in the community.
This year, the three awards were given to McLaren Central Michigan for its expansion of the emergency department, a commercial property at 1221 South Drive; Dennis and Carrie Stephenson for a remodel to their single-family residence at 1103 Lyons St.; and Main Place Apartments, LLC for exterior updates made to the multi-family/non-family residential apartments at 908-912 S. Main St. and 905-907 S. Washington St.
The awards were designed by the students in the graphic arts program at Gratiot-Isabella Technical Education Center.
Upcoming City Commission meeting dates:
- May 28 (at 5:30 p.m.) – Special Joint meeting with Planning Commission
- May 29 – Public hearing on the Medical Marijuana Facilities ordinance
- June 4 (at 6:30 p.m.) – Special meeting for a work session to discuss medical marijuana
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