City of Mt. Pleasant eConnections June 2025

June 17, 2025

Community

June 2025

Upcoming Events

Full Calendar

Thursday Market

May 1 - October 30

7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Island Park-South Shelter

Saturday Market

June 21 - October 11

9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Town Center (Main & Broadway)

Regular Meeting/Public Hearing - City Commission

June 23

7 p.m.

City Hall/Hybrid

Regular Meeting - Parks and Recreation Commission

June 24

6 p.m.

City Hall

City Offices Closed - 4th of July

July 4

Regular Meeting/Public Hearing - City Commission

July 14

7 p.m.

City Hall/Hybrid

Youth Police Academy

July 14 - 31

Monday - Thursday

9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Airport Joint Operations Board Regular Meeting

July 17

3:30 p.m.

Airport

City Delegation Travels to Sister City – Okaya, Japan

A group of City of Mt. Pleasant officials and a city resident recently traveled to Okaya, Japan to sign documents and reaffirm Mt. Pleasant’s sister city status. This year marks the 60^th anniversary of this Sister City partnership.

The delegation who traveled to Okaya included City Manager Aaron Desentz, Vice Mayor Maureen Eke, City Commissioners Mary Alsager, Liz Busch and Amy Perschbacher and resident, Donna Kriss.

Besides the formal partnership reaffirmation ceremony, the delegation visited the Okaya Silk Museum, various temples, government buildings and the Friendship Zone, a park where past sister city gifts (including trees and sculptures) are on display.

City Manager Aaron Desentz shared, “This trip was both educational and inspiring. I gained meaningful insight into the Japanese culture and their approach to civil service, which shares many of the same values we uphold.” He continued, “I believe this trip was a true success and underscored the importance of international partnerships.”

4^th of July Holiday Hours and Firework Safety Reminders

City offices will be closed on Friday, July 4, 2025.

A person may only discharge or use consumer fireworks on private property on June 29 – July 5 from 11 a.m. – 11:45 p.m.

Individuals should not ignite, discharge, or use consumer fireworks, homemade fireworks, pyrotechnics or display fireworks on public property, school property, church property, or the property of another person without permission to do so.

Violations shall be punishable with fines of $500 up to $1,000.

Additionally, a minor shall not possess, ignite, discharge, or use consumer fireworks. Fireworks shall not be used while a person is under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, or during times when a burning ban has been established by the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids, MI. For a list of burning restrictions by county, visit http://www.dnr.state.mi.us/burnpermits/.

Safety Tips

For those planning on discharging fireworks this July Fourth holiday, please follow the City regulations as stated above, and practice these safety tips:

Read and follow all warnings and instructions.
Never allow children to play with fireworks of any kind.
Wear protective clothing, including eyewear.
Only light devices on smooth, flat surfaces away from residential areas, dry leaves, and flammable materials.
Always keep a hose or bucket of water nearby in case of malfunction.
Never try to light fireworks that have not fully functioned.

The best way to protect your family is to avoid the use of fireworks at home entirely.

Downtown Parking Lot Construction Projects

During the summer, various downtown parking lots will be undergoing reconstruction. Please refer to www.mt-pleasant.org/construction for a detailed schedule, FAQ and alternative parking options.

Please Note: The City Hall parking lot entrance will be repositioned, and a utility pole moved. The utility pole will not remain in the middle of the driveway, as it may appear during construction. Entrance to the City Hall parking lot will be one lane until the end of September.

Water Meter Replacement FAQ

The city is working with technicians from HydroCorp to install new water meters for properties within the city limits. If you have received a letter from HydroCorp, please call (800) 315-4305 to schedule a water meter installation appointment. The installation takes less than 45 minutes, and you must be home for the appointment.

Detailed information on installation and why the city is conducting this replacement program can be found in a FAQ at www.mt-pleasant.org/water.

Election Work is Never Done

Recently, voting equipment from all precincts was inspected and cleaned to ensure accurate and efficient elections. These preventative maintenance sessions are scheduled every other year and include a test run.

Election Day - Two Individuals Running for One City Commission Seat

On August 5, 2025, an election will be held to elect one individual to the Mt. Pleasant City Commission.

The candidates on the ballot are Seth Blackey and Ryon Skalitzky.

For detailed voter registration and ballot information visit www.mi.gov/vote.

Precinct Locations:

Precinct 1: Ganiard Elementary School, 101 S. Adams
Precinct 2 Pullen Elementary School, 251 S. Brown
Precinct 3: Fancher Elementary School, 801 S. Kinney
Absentee Voter Counting Board: Mt. Pleasant City Hall, 320 W. Broadway Street

Permanent Ballot Recipients:

Please notify the Clerk’s office with an alternate mailing address if you are on the Permanent Ballot list and will be away from your registered address between June 21 and August 1, 2025. Election mail cannot be forwarded, and your ballot will be returned to the Clerk’s office as undeliverable.

Permanent Absentee Voters:

Permanent absentee voters have been mailed an application for a ballot. If you wish to vote in this election, you must return the application by 5 p.m. on Friday, August 1, 2025. A ballot will then be mailed to you. Ballots can be mailed to the City Clerk’s office (320 W. Broadway Street) or placed in the ballot drop box located in the City Hall parking lot.

Absentee Voting:

For those not on the Permanent Absentee Voter list, you can submit a request for an absentee ballot to the City Clerk’s office by mail, or email (vote@mt-pleasant.org). This must be completed by 5 p.m. on Friday, August 1, 2025.

Absentee voting at the Clerk’s Office is available beginning Thursday June 26, 2025, during regular business hours with additional hours on Saturday, August 2, 2025, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. and on Monday, August 4, 2025, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Voter Registration:

If you are not registered to vote, you can register online at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/ or mail in the voter registration application found online. This must be completed by Monday, July 21, 2025.

After Monday, July 21, 2025, voter registration will be available at the City Clerk’s office. Please bring proof of residency and a photo ID. This can be done until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

Election Day Information:

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. Need a ride to and from the polls? I-Ride is offering free rides. Call (989) 772-9441 to schedule.