A newsletter for City residents November/December 2013 Mt. Pleasant City of Connections Connections Proposed budget provides action plan for 2014 e 2014 proposed operating budget is a great indication of what direction our city is moving in. e proposed budget, which was submitted to the City Commission in September, sets an action plan for the next year. e budget is a mathematical and narrative portrait of the City’s action plan for 2014. Once passed, it becomes a contract between City staff, residents, businesses and stakeholders that the taxes collected will be used wisely. It also captures what is most important to us as a community by spelling out how funds will be spent for specific projects and ongoing operations. It is a tool to determine the financial health of the City. As we plan now to move into 2014, several positive notes can be acknowledged: • For the third year in a row, Mt. Pleasant will log true increases in taxable value in real property • Downtown vacancies are at 2.89%, an unusual low when compared to many other Michigan cities • Our surplus savings account now contains approximately $980,000 • Business in the City is rebounding • e Economic Development Fund still holds $1 million dollars to assist in further expansion and improvement of our tax base and business climate. Overview of the 2014 proposed budget: • No proposed increase in the millage to cover operations. • A .5 mill increase to be dedicated solely to capital infrastructure projects, for a total millage of 16.25 mills • Use of the surplus savings account to fill a gap between revenue and expenditures; surplus savings account with a sufficient balance to meet that need exists • A debt load remaining at less than .01% (continued inside) Mt. Pleasant Center demolition to begin Nearly three years aſter the City purchased more than 300 acres that was home to the former Mt. Pleasant Regional Center, demolition of some of the abandoned buildings will take place. e City Commission agreed to the abatement and demolition of the two southern most buildings on the property along Pickard Street. For this demolition, the City will utilize a $800,000 grant from the Michigan Land Bank Authority and nearly $200,000 in low interest loan funds provided by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. A contribution of $420,000 from the City’s economic development funds also will be used. It was always expected that the full reuse and redevelopment of this property could take many years, if not decades. e demolition of these two buildings, scheduled to begin this fall or winter, is a major step toward making the property attractive to potential developers. Continue to follow the progress on the Center property at www.mt-pleasant.org/thecenter. Over the past two years, you have received this newsletter every two months. e City has a great deal of information, reminders and events to share with you, and strives to continue to provide this information to you efficiently and effectively. To reduce costs and effectively utilize resources, the Connections newsletter will be mailed to your house every three months beginning in January 2014. You will receive the same information, only on a quarterly basis. Communication efforts continue to progress with an active social media presence on Facebook and Twitter, as well as regular monthly electronic newsletters. You are urged to sign up for our e-newsletters. By signing up, you will get your City news more quickly and more oſten. ere are three easy ways to sign up: • Visit www.mt-pleasant.org/news • Text MPNEWS to 42828 • Scan the QR code with your mobile device Look for Connections newsletter quarterly in ‘14
Transcript
A newsletter for City residents November/December 2013
Mt. PleasantCity of
ConnectionsConnections
Proposed budget provides action plan for 2014The 2014 proposed operating budget is a great indication of what direction our city is moving in. The proposed budget, which was submitted to the City Commission in September, sets an action plan for the next year.
The budget is a mathematical and narrative portrait of the City’s action plan for 2014. Once passed, it becomes a contract between City staff, residents, businesses and stakeholders that the taxes collected will be used wisely. It also captures what is most important to us as a community by spelling out how funds will be spent for specific projects and ongoing operations. It is a tool to determine the financial health of the City.
As we plan now to move into 2014, several positive notes can be acknowledged:• For the third year in a row, Mt. Pleasant will log true increases
in taxable value in real property• Downtown vacancies are at 2.89%, an unusual low when
compared to many other Michigan cities
• Our surplus savings account now contains approximately $980,000
• Business in the City is rebounding• The Economic Development Fund still holds $1 million
dollars to assist in further expansion and improvement of our tax base and business climate.
Overview of the 2014 proposed budget:• No proposed increase in the millage to cover operations.• A .5 mill increase to be dedicated solely to capital
infrastructure projects, for a total millage of 16.25 mills• Use of the surplus savings account to fill a gap between
revenue and expenditures; surplus savings account with a sufficient balance to meet that need exists
• A debt load remaining at less than .01%
(continued inside)
Mt. Pleasant Center demolition to beginNearly three years after the City purchased more than 300 acres that was home to the former Mt. Pleasant Regional Center, demolition of some of the abandoned buildings will take place. The City Commission agreed to the abatement and demolition of the two southern most buildings on the property along Pickard Street.
For this demolition, the City will utilize a $800,000 grant from the Michigan Land Bank Authority and nearly $200,000 in low interest loan funds provided by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. A contribution of $420,000 from the City’s economic development funds also will be used.
It was always expected that the full reuse and redevelopment of this property could take many years, if not decades. The demolition of these two buildings, scheduled to begin this fall or winter, is a major step toward making the property attractive to potential developers.
Continue to follow the progress on the Center property at www.mt-pleasant.org/thecenter.
Over the past two years, you have received this newsletter every two months. The City has a great deal of information, reminders and events to share with you, and strives to continue to provide this information to you efficiently and effectively.
To reduce costs and effectively utilize resources, the Connections newsletter will be mailed to your house every three months beginning in January 2014. You will receive the same information, only on a quarterly basis.
Communication efforts continue to progress with an active social media presence on Facebook and Twitter, as well as regular monthly electronic newsletters. You are urged to sign up for our e-newsletters. By signing up, you will get your City news more quickly and more often. There are three easy ways to sign up:
• Visit www.mt-pleasant.org/news• Text MPNEWS to 42828• Scan the QR code with your mobile device
Look for Connections newsletter quarterly in ‘14
Learn more and register: www.mt-pleasant.org/recreation
Have fun this winter with Mt. Pleasant
Winter weather brings snow removalReminders for parking and your residenceThe street crews and their snowplows will soon be out and about clearing the streets of snow. When the winter weather arrives, here are some things to keep in mind:1. Avoid parking on streets when inclement weather is
predicted. Cars parked on snow routes or on the wrong side of public parking lots during snow emergencies will be subject to ticketing and/or towing.
2. Property owners and snow removal contractors should be aware that shoveling or plowing snow from driveways onto or across the roadway is prohibited because it can present a serious traffic hazard to motorists.
3. Report concerns to the Division of Public Works at 989-779-5401, or email [email protected].
4. Check your mailbox and post. If the post is worn, rotted, or too close to the roadway, it may be damaged from the weight of the snow being thrown by the plow trucks. City crews are not responsible for mailboxes or posts damaged from the weight of the snow being thrown by the trucks.
5. Clear the sidewalks of snow, including your mailbox approach.
6. Snow plowing of residential streets will occur regularly during normal operating hours. Overnight and weekend crews will only plow residential streets when snow levels reach four or more inches.
International Games DayCelebrate International Games Day on Saturday, November 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Library. An assortment of games will be available for you and your family to play, including: 3D life-size Chutes and Ladders, tic-tac-toe, chess, Dungeons and Dragons, 3D Life Size Candy Land, as well as other assorted board and card games. Visit www.crdl.org for more information.
School’s Out Day CampNovember 15 and November 22 - 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.Vowles ElementaryPEAK’s Recess – School’s Out Day Camp provides fun, constructive and supervised activities for kids during school breaks. They get to enjoy dynamic sports, lively games, arts & crafts, team building activities and much more! Registration is required to participate; space is limited.
Candy Cane Lane Saturday, December 7 - 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.Veterans Memorial LibraryLet the magic of the holiday season come alive when you step onto Candy Cane Lane as a part of the Dickens’ Christmas Festival! Candy Cane Bingo, Reindeer Games and make and take crafts will delight children of all ages.
Youth BasketballDates: Sundays, January 26 to March 2, 2014 Location: Morey Courts, 5175 E. Remus Rd. Registration deadline: December 20 Early discount: Save $5 when registered by December 6
New public works director hiredJohn Zang has been hired as the City of Mt. Pleasant’s new Director of Public Works. Zang comes to the City with a degree in economics and a proven work history of business and public works management. He has spent the last three years as General Manager for Leoni Township, where he was responsible for three MGD MBR wastewater treatment plants which serve 13 municipalities in three counties. In addition to wastewater treatment, he was responsible for DPW management including: parks, cemetery, snow removal, fleet maintenance and facilities maintenance.
“In this role, I hope to help build citizen satisfaction while working to keep costs in control,” said Zang. “The City of Mt. Pleasant has a strong reputation as a well-run city and I am happy to be part of the management team.”
Zang began his position with the City on September 30.
Master Plan Update coming to a closeThe draft of the updated Master Plan is nearing completion. City staff, the Planning Commission, and Spicer Group have been working over the past year to update the 2006 Master Plan. Specific portions of the document were in need of revision, which included: census population data; adding portions of the Greater Mt. Pleasant Non-Motorized Transportation Plan; strategies for addressing the economic development and redevelopment of Mission Street; priorities for neighborhoods and downtown; planning for the Mt. Pleasant Center property; addition of future zoning ordinance amendments; and an implementation plan.
A public open house was held in April to gather input from the community and an online survey was conducted that received over 500 responses. Work also is currently wrapping up with additional dialogue and research into neighborhood priorities.
Once the draft is finished, it will be shared with the Planning Commission. After review it will be presented to the City Commission and shared with neighboring communities and Isabella County. It also will be available to the public for review and comment prior to the public hearing.
For more information, visit www.mt-pleasant.org/masterplan.
John Zang
Parks & Recreation!
Legislative6%
Finance14%
Comm Serv17% Public Safety
56%
Public Works7%
2014 Proposed Budget
Spend November and December downtown
Ladies’ Night Out - Saturday, November 16, 4 p.m.Reconnect with the downtown shops, do some holiday shopping and meet new people during this fun night out with, and for, the ladies. Each participant is encouraged to donate $5, which will benefit the Mt. Pleasant Women’s Initiative and Women’s Aid. The evening will begin at the Broadway Theatre and will feature giveaways and specials in downtown stores.
Festival of Trees - November 24 through December 7More than 25 businesses throughout the City, most of which are downtown, will decorate and display artifical trees from November 24 through December 7 for the United Way of Isabella County’s Festival of Trees. The public is invited to take self-guided walking tours of the Festival of Trees. They can then vote for the “People’s Choice” favorite and bid on the individual trees as part of an online silent auction.
All proceeds from the auction of the trees will benefit United Way of Isabella County’s 2013 Adopt-a-Family Holiday Wishes program, which provides holiday assistance through gifts and necessities to more than 150 local families each year.
Small Business Saturday - Saturday, November 30Visit downtown and support local businesses while finding unique holiday gifts for everyone on your list. Small Business Saturday is a day to celebrate the shop local movement to encourage shoppers to local merchants across the U.S. More than one hundred million people were a part of Small Business Saturday throughout the nation last year. Will you join in this year?
20th Annual Dickens’ Christmas Festival - Saturday, December 7For the past 20 years, visitors to the Dickens’ Christmas Festival have wandered the streets of downtown Mt. Pleasant as the glow of holiday lights settles upon the City. Come experience the 20th Annual Dickens’ Christmas Festival on December 7, with the scent of pine boughs, roasted almonds and kettle corn floating in the air. The sound of carolers and holiday merrymakers will accompany your stroll, you can take horse-drawn carriages rides, visit one of the many warming stations and take a hayride through City streets to admire the lighted houses. Don’t forget to stop by Santa’s NEW House!
For more information on these and other great things happening in Downtown Mt. Pleasant, connect with downtown on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/downtownmp
Property Taxes49%
Licenses & Permits3%
Intergovernmental24%
Chgs for Services12%
Fines2%
Other Rev10%
2014 Proposed Budget2014 Proposed General Fund BudgetSources of revenue
Other revenue 10%
Proposed operating budget (continued from front page)
Property Taxes 49%
Fines 2%
Charges for Services
12%
Intergovernmental 24%
Licenses & Permits 3%
Public Safety 56%
Legislative 6%
Finance 14%
Community Services
17%
Use of funds by division
Public Works 7%
This year’s proposal is, in many ways, the next logical step in a strategic action plan that began several years ago and is now changing the face of the community. At the same time the state’s economy went south, Mt. Pleasant decided to turn away from a “duck and cover” response and embark on an assertive strategy to invest in its own survival.
Yet, the reality is that Mt. Pleasant is in a structural deficit position. Energy, supplies, construction and other costs will undoubtedly increase in 2014 and beyond; and the likely phase out of personal property tax will impact our city with a loss of an estimated $160,000 in 2014 alone.
The Commission is currently reviewing the proposed budget and making changes they deem appropriate to meet the needs of the community for 2014.
The commissioners welcome public input on the proposed budget and on November 11 will hold a public hearing. Then, by Charter, the City Commission must adopt the budget by the last meeting in December.
A copy of the proposed budget is available to members of the community through the City’s website at www.mt-pleasant.org and in bound copy at the City Clerk’s Office in City Hall and at Veterans Memorial Library. If you should have any questions about the budget or process, please do not hesitate to call either the City Manager at 989-779-5323 or the Finance Director at 989-779-5367.
Downtown Mt. Pleasant events will continue to awe, inspire and entertain as the year begins to come to a close.
City of Mt. Pleasant Activities and EventsFor full event details, visit www.mt-pleasant.org/calendar
STAY CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITYFind the most current information about the City of Mt. Pleasant online!
11 City Commission meeting - 7 p.m. at City Hall16 Ladies’ Night Out – Downtown 23 CMU football vs. UMass – Kelly/Shorts Stadium25 Leaf collection ends25 City Commission meeting - 7 p.m. at City Hall26 Parks & Recreation Committee meeting - 7 p.m. City Hall28-29 City offices closed in observance of Thanksgiving (Thursday trash/recycling delayed one day)29 CMU football vs. Eastern Michigan – Kelly/Shorts Stadium30 Small Business Saturday
DECEMBER
7 Dickens’ Christmas Festival - Downtown9 City Commission meeting - 7 p.m. at City Hall23 City Commission meeting - 7 p.m. at City Hall24-25 City offices closed in observance of Christmas (Tuesday & Wednesday trash/recycling delayed one day)30 Christmas tree collection begins
1 City offices closed in observance of New Year’s Day (Wednesday trash/recycling delayed one day)13 City Commission meeting - 7 p.m. at City Hall (tentative)17 Christmas tree collection ends27 City Commission meeting - 7 p.m. at City Hall (tentative)28 Parks & Recreation Committee meeting - 7 p.m. City Hall
10 City Commission meeting - 7 p.m. at City Hall (tentative)24 City Commission meeting - 7 p.m. at City Hall (tentative)25 Parks & Recreation Committee meeting - 7 p.m. City Hall
FEBRUARY
JANUARY
Christmas tree collection begins December 30Christmas 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.
When the most wonderful time of the year comes to an end, the time also comes to discard your Christmas tree. City 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.
