Nate Plath

This Five-Year Parks and Recreation Plan for Carson City and Bloomer Township, spanning 2026-2030, aims to guide the enhancement of existing facilities and the development of new recreational opportunities. The plan focuses on five key goals: enhancing park identity and visitor experience, improving accessibility, safety, and connectivity, supporting community health, recreation, and engagement, ensuring stewardship, sustainability, and maintenance, and facilitating long-term growth and vision. It seeks to address community needs, foster collaboration among stakeholders, and ensure eligibility for grant funding by aligning with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources guidelines.

The meeting included department reports from the Fire Department, DPW, City Administrator, and Police Department. The Fire Department reported on calls, training, and equipment updates. The DPW discussed completed concrete work at the splash pad, pavilion installation, park renovations, street work, and the new DPW building. The City Administrator discussed the fall cleanup day, denial of WRI Funding for the Main Street water project, issues with flushable wipes at the lift station, and the Wellhead protection plan committee. The Police Department reported on complaints, tickets, warnings, business checks, school threat charges, virtual training, body camera deployment, in-car camera deployment, taser training, and Frontier's Day coverage. Public comments were made.

The City Council meeting included department reports from the Fire Department, DPW, and CCPD. The Fire Department responded to 2 calls, attended township and committee meetings, hosted a CPR/AED class, and helped with Frontier Days. The DPW completed concrete work at the splash pad, installed a new pavilion, ordered picnic tables, started renovations at Haradine Park, and completed street work for the 25/26 FY. The city is planning a shred-it day and fall cleanup day. The CCPD made 16 complaints, issued 17 tickets, gave 35 warnings, and conducted 30 business checks. Both patrol cars have been upgraded to the new CAD system, and the records bureau is being reorganized.

The meeting included department reports from the Police Chief and Fire Chief, covering complaints, citations, business checks, training, and responses to calls. The DPW Director reported on prep work for Frontier's Day, striping of streets, updates on park improvements, and the hiring of a new employee. Clearbrooke presented information on wastewater treatment. The City Administrator discussed the MML convention, portajons for Frontier Days, and the expiration of the Wellhouse Protection Plan, Capital Improvement Plan, Master Plan, and Recreation Plan. The council approved a Wellhead Protection Update Proposal, City Ordinances #67 and #68, Taco Bell's request to hook up to city water and sewer, an appointment to the Library Board, an increase in pay for a DPW employee, and bids for a pressure washer and skid unit for the Fire Department. Budget amendments were also approved. A Montcalm County Commission representative reported on a public hearing for a Brownfield plan.

The City Council conducted a public hearing and council meeting. Discussions included the presentation of the CBDG Grant and the DWSRF Loan, and the proposed budget for FY 2025-2026. The council discussed department reports from the Police Chief, Fire Chief, and DPW Director. They also discussed lagoon treatment, purchasing a side-by-side vehicle, and ballfield improvements. The Legacy Park ribbon cutting ceremony was scheduled. The council approved increasing various fees on the fee schedule, adopted the budget resolution, approved a 3-year employee raise schedule, and adopted resolutions to apply for the CDBG Grant, the DWSRF loan, and the TEDF Category B Grant. The council also approved street closures for Frontier Days Weekend and discussed the first introduction of the proposed Ordinance to adopt the motor carrier safety act and the proposed ordinance to establish a police reserve.