City commission discusses permitting business activities, city clerk position
The sun sets on City Hall August 25 in downtown Mount Pleasant.
Mount Pleasant City Commission extended permitting of outdoor business activities until Nov. 30 with a unanimous vote, and appointed acting city clerk and deputy clerk at an Aug. 24 meeting over Zoom.
Commissioners addressed the Sep. 30 deadline that gave businesses a resolution for outdoor expansion to comply with COVID-19 regulations.
“The goal (of this resolution) was to try to have businesses comply with the executive orders by providing expanded spaces for them, but also in a safe environment for their patrons,” City Manager Nancy Ridley said.
This resolution extended the ability of outdoor space for businesses. Some businesses have been able to utilize public frontage or expand into privately-owned space of the business.
The resolution, which was approved in May, allowed for an expedited process for review and a waiver of certain fees for outdoor use of public space and for tent permits.
Fourteen businesses have used the resolution, and some commissioners have seen this resolution in action. Ridley shared some public comments from businesses expressing gratitude for the resolution.
“I do appreciate hearing from manager Ridley some of those specific comments that match with what we have noticed as we have traveled downtown,” Commissioner Mary Alsager said.
At the meeting, commissioners also addressed former City Clerk Jeremy Howard’s, who recently started doing city management for Clare.
With Howard’s absence, the commissioners appointed Chris Saladine as acting city clerk and Mary Ann Kornexl as deputy city clerk with an unanimous vote.
As this is an election year, the commissioners have chosen to appoint existing city staff by reassigning certain duties, Ridley said.
“We really don’t feel it’s practical to recruit, hire and onboard a new city clerk during this time,” she said. “We would instead like to focus all of our efforts on making sure our existing staff is able to focus on their efforts in making sure we have a well run election in November.”
Some of the commissioners showed gratitude for Howard and his work. Commissioner Petro Tolas not only thanked Howard, but wanted to also commend the city for its ability to fill his position.
“I would like to thank Jeremy for his great service for the city of Mount Pleasant," Tolas said. "Also, I would like to commend the city for having people that are qualified to step up in this position until we can get someone."
The entire city commission meeting can be viewed on the city's Youtube channel.
