Mount Pleasant commission approves equipment purchases, amended MetroPCS lease and sets TIF public hearing

The Mount Pleasant City Commission approved a package of consent-agenda items at its Oct. 27 meeting, including equipment purchases for the street department, an amended cellular lease and the scheduling of a public hearing on a downtown tax increment finance plan.

The commission approved the purchase of a mini excavator from Michigan Cat for $95,199 and a tandem trailer from Team 1 Trailers for $11,300, and authorized a $6,500 budget amendment to cover the overage. The commission also authorized continued use of the commercial fuel program with Coin Oil through Dec. 31, 2030, and approved an amended lease agreement with MetroPCS Michigan for the cellular tower located at 1301 North Franklin Street. The commission set a public hearing for Nov. 10, 2025, to receive input on an ordinance to renew and amend the Mount Pleasant central business district development plan, a tax increment finance (TIF) plan originally adopted April 15, 1985, as amended. Payrolls and warrants were also approved as part of the consent agenda.

Commissioners asked staff about warranty and maintenance considerations for the tandem trailer, noting the proximity of an Edmore vendor versus a more distant vendor in Traverse City. Director of Public Works Jason Moore said, "I'm not sure on the details of the warranty. I know that the street department and the motor pool mechanic have looked at that trailer, and we know some local contractors that have that same trailer. And so we're pretty confident about the, you know, sturdiness and the, longevity of it." The record shows the commission proceeded with the vendor recommendation notwithstanding that warranty detail was not provided in the meeting record.

A motion to approve the consent agenda passed without recorded opposition. The agenda-approval motion earlier in the meeting was made by Commissioner Alsager and seconded by Commissioner Busch. The motion to approve the consent agenda was made by Commissioner Skalitzki and seconded by Commissioner Alsager.

The TIF public hearing will offer residents an opportunity to comment on proposed amendments to the central business district development plan; the plan was first adopted April 15, 1985, and has been amended since. No public commenters spoke during the meeting.

Details in the meeting record about warranty terms for the trailer and any longer-term maintenance agreements were not specified; the commission relied on staff representations about local contractors familiar with the trailer model.