A newsletter for City residents January-March 2014

Mt. PleasantCity of

ConnectionsConnections

Center demolition project continuesThe first phase of demolition at the Mt. Pleasant Center continues. Hazardous material abatement and demolition began on two buildings at the former Mt. Pleasant Center the week of November 18. Abatement continues, with crews working seven days a week. Work is going well, despite an unusually cold December.

This phase of demolition includes the

Business owners: Take note of Michigan Personal Property Tax changesAs of December 31, 2013, some eligible personal property in the state of Michigan is exempt from taxation. This exemption is based upon numerous Public Acts from 2012 and 2013, however, these acts DO NOT provide for the complete exemption of business personal property.

For 2014, eligible personal property must meet all of the following conditions to be exempt:

• A property owner must claim the exemption by filing an Affidavit of Owner of Eligible Personal Property Claiming Exemption from Collection of Taxes, and

• the personal property must be classified as either industrial personal or commercial personal property by the local assessing department, and

• the combined true cash value of all the personal property owned by, leased by or in the possession of the owner claiming the exemption is less than $80,000 and is located within the City of Mt. Pleasant, and

(continued on page 3)

Removal of Building 4 complete

Yost Park reconstruction nearing completion

removal of building 40, which was the hospital administration building, and 4, the residential building closest to Pickard Street. The abatement work in building 4 was completed December 13 and demolition of the building began December 19. The removal of the building and associated debris has gone very smoothly.

Abatement continues on sections of building 40. Demolition on the building is scheduled to begin soon.

Continue to stay updated on this project at www.mt-pleasant.org/thecenter.

Final touches are being placed on the Yost Park reconstruction project.

The project began in 2012 with neighborhood and stakeholder meetings to discuss needs. The final design was then developed with these concepts in mind. This long-awaited update to the park, located on Henry Street, included a new baseball field with higher fencing and backstop to protect spectators and the surrounding neighborhood. The field update also includes new dugouts and irrigation designed for safer play and reduced maintenance on the field and turf.

A much-needed parking lot was a major part of the project. A new restroom and shelter facility was also added. (continued on page 2)

Recycling remindersThe Division of Public Works would like to remind City residents who participate in curbside recycling of the following guidelines:

• Recycle bins must be placed in the designated area by 7:30 a.m. per City Ordinance.

• The contractor may vary the collection routine as needed, which is why the bins must be out by 7:30 a.m.

• For safety reasons, the contractor cannot cross the street to collect recyclables. Recycling is collected on one side of the street at a time.

• The following items are not accepted at curbside: Pizza boxes; kitty litter pails; clamshell plastic, such as cracker or cookie packaging; plastic bags; and Styrofoam packing peanuts.

• Due to the recycle truck’s capacity limitations, all cardboard boxes, must be flattened and cannot exceed 2 feet by 3 feet in size for collection at curbside. Extra large boxes, such as appliance or TV boxes, or large amounts of moving boxes should be flattened and taken to the Material Recovery Facility (MRF). The MRF is located at 4208 East River Road.

• If you believe your recycling was missed on your collection day, please contact the Public Works office as soon as possible that day. The contractor will be contacted to find out why your recycling was not collected.

If you have any questions, please contact the Division of Public Works at 989-779-5401.

How to know if your project needs a building permitAs a homeowner or business owner, it is necessary for you to obtain a building or zoning permit prior to any construction project. The permitting process allows staff to verify that a project conforms to the building code and zoning ordinance of the City.

It also creates a record of changes made to the property for future owners. Normal maintenance or repairs, such as painting or installing new wall or floor coverings, do not require a permit, but a building or zoning permit should be obtained for the following jobs:

• All new construction• Changes to existing buildings• Sheds over 6’ x 6’• Attached & detached garages• Fences 3’ and above• Demolition or moving of buildings• Roofing• Siding• Signs• Windows• Decks• Pools

If your project does not appear on the above list, please contact the Community Services Division to see if a permit is necessary. In addition to obtaining a permit, it is important to contact the community services division when you are ready for an inspection. Some projects will require multiple inspections, however, ALL permits require a final inspection. Please remember to contact us at 989-779-5347 when your project is complete.

Government access channel changing January 14Digital upgrade to affect service, channels

Charter Communications will upgrade its TV service to 100% digital this month. Due to this change, any TV that is not connected to a digital device will lose Charter Business TV service when the upgrade occurs.

This change, which is scheduled to take place January 14, also affects the current channels you’re used to. Our local government access channel, currently channel 96, will change to channel 188. This is the dedicated government access channel for City of Mount Pleasant, Charter Township of Union, and Village of Shepherd public information announcements and broadcasts. This change also affects your public and education access channels.

Call Charter Business with any questions on these changes at 855-287-3413 or visit CharterBusiness.com/DigitalNow for more information.

These will allow for increased access for the neighborhood and will help reduce the high use on other existing park facilities. The restroom and shelter design mirrors the City park style facilities in all the Mt. Pleasant parks. Facility lighting features new LED technology and touch-free faucets to keep utility costs low.

In addition to the new amenities, 40 to 50 trees and park landscaping will be added in the spring. This will bring much-needed shade and enjoyment to the surrounding neighborhood and newly updated park space.

This park project was funded by the City’s capital improvement fund, as well as a $15,000 donation from the Friends of the Mt. Pleasant Baseball Association, which was matched by the City’s Park Partnership fund.

Yost Park reconstruction(continued from front page)

Learn more and register: www.mt-pleasant.org/recreation

A new year of fun ahead with Mt. Pleasant Parks & Recreation

Under the Big Top – Free Kids Carnival/MidwayDate: Saturday, January 18 Time: 12 to 1:30 p.m. Location: Spinning Wheels Arena

Winter Classic - Adult Coed Kickball TournamentDate: Saturday, January 25 Time: Games begin at 9 a.m. Location: Island ParkRegistration Deadline: January 17Register as a team (10 player minimum)

Program Registration NightDate: Thursday, February 20Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.Location: City Hall Commission ChambersA special registration night for area youth sports providers and Mt. Pleasant Parks & Recreation spring and summer programs. Providers include Mt. Pleasant Little League, Union Township Little League, Mt. Pleasant Girls Softball and Mt. Pleasant Soccer Club.

Winter Kids ExpoDate: Saturday, February 22Time: 4 to 6 p.m.Location: Finch Fieldhouse (CMU Campus)Cost: Free

Daddy-Daughter Date Night 30th AnniversaryDates/times: February 9: 2 to 4 p.m. OR 6 to 8 p.m. February 10: 7 to 9 p.m.Location: Mt. Pleasant Comfort Inn & SuitesFee: $30/coupleIn 2014, Daddy-Daughter Date Night will celebrate its 30th Anniversary! A special evening of music, dancing, prizes and shared activities awaits young ladies of all ages and their dads or other favorite escort.

Recess School’s Out Day CampDates: Monday, January 20 and Friday, February 28 Location: Vowles Elementary, 1560 S. Watson Road Registration deadline: January 13 for January 20 camp; February 21 for February 28 campMPPS fee: $30 Non-MPPS fee: $35

Start Smart™ TennisDates: Thursdays, January 23 through February 27 Times: 5:30 to 6:20 p.m. or 6:30 to 7:20 p.m. Location: Morey Courts, 5175 E. Remus Road Resident fee: $40 Non-resident fee: $55 Registration deadline: January 16 or when full

Youth Bowling ClubDates: Saturdays, January 25 through March 15 Times: 10 a.m to 12 p.m. Location: Riverwood Bowling Center, 1313 E. Broomfield Resident fee: $50 Non-resident fee: $60 Registration deadline: January 17 or when full

Personal Property Tax changes(continued from front page)the personal property is not leased to or used by a person who previously owned or controlled the use of the personal property.

The Affidavit of Owner of Eligible Personal Property must be filed with the City Assessor’s office by February 10, 2014.

A property owner claiming the exemption who files this affidavit is not required to also file the annual Personal Property Statement.

The annual personal property statement will be mailed to all business owners by January 10, 2014. The standard Personal Property statement is due no later than February 20, 2014, but it is important to note that the Eligible Personal Property exemption affidavits must be filed by February 10, 2014. Please remember that all businesses are required to file one or the other (affidavit or statement) but not both.

A copy of the standard personal property statement, the Eligible Personal Property Affidavit and the State Tax Commission Bulletin 11 of 2013 explaining the exemption are all available on the City’s website.

Find more information and necessary forms at www.mt-pleasant.org/assessor. Call the City Assessor’s office with questions at 989-779-5355.

Kathie Grinzinger retired December 31 after 31 years with the City. Assistant City Manager and Director of Finance, Nancy Ridley, took on the role of acting city manager on January 1.

At a work session on November 25, the City Commission discussed options for the search for a new city manager. From this discussion, the Commission decided to hire an executive search firm to assist in the search for Mt. Pleasant’s next city manager.

The search firm will likely be selected by February. The city manager search can then commence.

Ridley named acting City Manager

Local children “shop with a cop”

Wal-Mart allowed each child the opportunity to purchase $200 worth of Christmas gifts for their families.

Along with the opportunity to shop for gifts, the event provides a positive interaction with the youth of our community and law enforcement. Wal-Mart also provided food and other items to each family with children participating.

Mt. Pleasant Police Department’s Youth and Community Services Unit, together with Wal-Mart, provided a special experience to nearly 30 local children on December 10.

Officers from several local law enforcement agencies came together to help local children in need purchase gifts for their families at the annual Shop with a Cop event. A grant from

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JANUARY

13 City Commission meeting - 7 p.m. at City Hall14 Government access channel changes to channel 18817 Christmas tree collection ends18 Under the Big Top Kids Carnival/Midway - Spinning Wheels20 City offices closed to the public (no change to trash/recycle collection schedule)20 MLK Jr. march and rally - CMU campus to downtown25 Winter Classic Kickball Tournament - Island Park27 City Commission meeting - 7 p.m. at City Hall (tentative)28 Max & Emily’s Concert featuring Jeff Daniels - 7 p.m. at CMU’s Plachta Auditorium 28 Parks & Recreation Commission mtg. - 7 p.m. at City Hall

FEBRUARY9 & 10 Daddy-Daughter Date Night10 City Commission meeting - 7 p.m. at City Hall (tentative)14 Last day to pay winter property taxes without penalty24 City Commission meeting - 7 p.m. at City Hall (tentative)

25 Parks & Recreation Commission mtg. - 7 p.m. at City Hall28 Last day to license dogs without penalty; purchase licenses at City Treasurer’s office28 Last day to pay real property taxes at the City

1 Delinquent 2013 real property tax bills become payable to Isabella County Treasurer10 City Commission meeting - 7 p.m. at City Hall (tentative)10-12 Board of Review 2014 assessment appeal hearings 24 City Commission meeting - 7 p.m. at City Hall tentative)

14 City Commission meeting - 7 p.m. at City Hall (tentative) 18 City offices closed at noon28 City Commission meeting - 7 p.m. at City Hall (tentative)

City of Mt. Pleasant Activities and Events

For full event details, visit www.mt-pleasant.org/calendar

APRIL

MARCH

Christmas tree collection continues through January 17City of Mt. Pleasant staff will be picking up discarded Christmas trees from City residents, free of charge, beginning December 30, 2013. The pickup will continue through January 17, 2014.

Trees are to be placed at the curb, even in areas where normal trash collection is in the alley. All tinsel and plastic bags must be removed, and the butt ends of the trees are to face the street.

Christmas tree remnants are processed

through a wood chipper; evergreen wreaths, etc., cannot be processed through the chipper and will not be collected.

Questions may be directed to the Division of Public Works at 989-779-5401.