CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS CITY COMMISSION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2025 2:00 PM | ||||
Welcome to the Grand Rapids City Commission Meeting. This session is the final process in the consideration of the items listed on the following agenda. All of these agenda items have been thoroughly reviewed and discussed in the various Standing Committees of the City Commission which meet on Tuesday morning. To view supporting documents for agenda items, please visit: www.grandrapidsmi.gov/commission.
Persons who need reasonable accommodation to participate, are asked to contact the City Clerk’s Office at 616-456-3010 or [email protected]. | ||||
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| Expected Meeting Procedures |
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| 1. | Depending on the meeting there can be multiple opportunities for public comment. |
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| - | The First is limited to items on the Commission’s agenda that are slated to be voted on |
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| - | The Second is for specially scheduled required public hearings |
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| - | The Third is for any issue you would like to bring to the attention of the Commission |
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| 2. | You may only speak once on each issue. |
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| 3. | All comments are to be limited to 3 minutes. |
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| 4. | City Commission meetings are to be a safe place for everyone involved, as such: |
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| - | No clapping, cheering, or holding up of signs |
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| - | Please refrain from swearing, name calling and/or making derogatory comments. The City’s Human Rights Ordinance prohibits discrimination against any individual in the exercise of civil rights because of actual or perceived color, race, religion or creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, nation of origin, genotype, age, marital status, familial status, medical condition, disability, height, weight, or source of lawful income. |
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| 5. | Do not request or expect comment from the Commission. |
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| 6. | Please silence mobile phones and devices. |
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I. | CALL TO ORDER |
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II. | MOMENT OF SILENCE |
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III. | PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE |
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IV. | ROLL CALL |
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V. | PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS – Prior to consideration of the official business, citizens may speak to subjects on today's agenda which are slated to be voted on. The items to be addressed during this time are located in the highlighted section headings. (Please limit comments to 3 minutes.) |
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VI. | APPROVAL OF MINUTES |
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1. | Minutes of 05/13/2025 7:00 PM |
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2. | Minutes of 05/20/2025 2:00 PM |
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VII. | PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS – Communications addressed to the City Commission are distributed to all members and are acknowledged for information, or are referred to a committee or staff for follow up. |
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1. | Communication received from Lisa Freiburger regarding her resignation from the SmartZone Local Development Finance Authority. |
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2. | Communication received from Chet Falkowski regarding political violence |
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3. | Communication received from Jon O'Connor regarding his resignation from the Uptown Corridor Improvement Authority and the Uptown Business Improvement District. |
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4. | Communication received from Scott Atchison regarding the Kent County Hotel Tax increase and a downtown information system |
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5. | Communication received from Jacqueline Solis urging the City Commission to support youth mental health services |
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6. | Communications (3) received expressing opposition to the President's 2026 Fiscal Year budget proposal to eliminate Job Corps and the halt on required background checks for prospective students |
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7. | Communication received from Nikki Bass, Director of the Office of Federal Acknowledgment, regarding the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians petition |
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8. | Communication received from Russ Boersma, General Manager of Arrowaste, expressing concerns regarding the proposal to implement a single-hauler refuse system in Grand Rapids |
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9. | Communication received from Zach MacGraw regarding ongoing code violations in the Lake Eastbrook area |
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VIII. | REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS – The City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk, City Treasurer, and City Comptroller may submit reports or information directly to the City Commission for consideration. |
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1. | Comptroller's Warrant Report for the period of May 6, 2025 through May 19, 2025 in the amount of $23,277,746.60 and Monthly Travel |
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2. | Treasurer’s Report for Period of May 8, 2025, through May 27, 2025 |
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3. | Report of Bond Sale – $122,270,000 Series 2025 Capital Improvement Bonds for Soccer Stadium & Amphitheater |
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IX. | CONSENT AGENDA AND REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES |
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A. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL |
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B. COMMITTEE ON APPOINTMENTS The Committee considers and makes recommendations on appointments to the City's various boards and commissions. |
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1. | Resolution recognizing Commissioner Kilgore's appointment of Sherlynn James to the Public Safety Committee. |
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2. | Resolution approving the City Commission's appointment of Michelle Eddie to the Kent Hospital Finance Authority. |
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3. | Resolution confirming Mayor LaGrand's appointment of Christina Vandam to the North Quarter Corridor Improvement Authority |
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4. | Resolution confirming Mayor LaGrand's appointment of Patrick Hilton to the Michigan Street Corridor Improvement Authority |
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C. FISCAL COMMITTEE The Committee considers and makes recommendations on matters referring to bids, claims, and other financial matters of the City. |
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1. | Resolution to amend City Commission Policy 400-01 titled “Statement of Investment Policies, Procedures, and Objectives” |
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2. | Resolution approving a no cost amendment to a Joint Funding Agreement with the United States Geological Survey |
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3. | Resolution accepting a $5,000,000 grant award from the State of Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity for improvements at Plaza Roosevelt and Roosevelt Park |
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4. | Resolution authorizing FY2026 insurance renewals with various providers for a total cost of $3,249,378.00 |
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5. | Bid List Resolution for June 10, 2025 |
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D. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE The Committee considers and makes recommendations on matters concerning public service, public improvements, streets, traffic and public buildings. |
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1. | Resolution approving a Fireworks Discharge Permit for Strictly FX, LLC. for indoor special effects at the Van Andel Arena in connection with WWE Smackdown on June 20, 2025 |
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2. | Resolution approving a Fireworks Discharge Permit for Arthur Rozzi Pyrotechnics for outdoor special effects at the Gillette Bridge in connection with the 4th of July Celebration on July 5, 2025 |
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3. | Resolution consenting to the Vacation of Summer Avenue from Lake Michigan Drive to Blumrich Street, Allen Street from Summer Avenue to Mount Vernon Avenue, Blumrich Street from Summer Avenue to Mount Vernon Avenue, and Mount Vernon Avenue Alley from Allen Street to Blumrich Street (Amway Stadium) |
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4. | Resolution approving a special Community Enhancement Grant Agreement with the State of Michigan for 30 Division Avenue Areaway Abandonment in the amount of $527,000 |
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5. | Resolution approving an increase of $150,000 for LaGrave, Bridge, and Chester Fire Station Façade Improvements for a total not-to-exceed $679,570 |
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6. | Resolution awarding an agreement with Owen-Ames-Kimball Company for Calder Plaza Enhancements and Waterproofing and authorizing services in the amount of $66,046 with total amount not-to-exceed $1,825,630 |
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7. | Resolution awarding a contract with Superior Asphalt Inc. for As-Needed Surface Lot Services with total amount not-to-exceed $500,000 |
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8. | Resolution awarding a contract with J.Ranck Electric, Inc. for Traffic Signal and Rectangular Rapidly Flashing Beacon Improvements at various locations in the amount of $2,048,999.20 with total amount not-to-exceed $2,932,000.00 |
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9. | Resolution awarding as-needed contracts with Abatement & Demolition Services LLC, Pro-Tech Environmental Inc., and Demolition Contractors Inc. dba Pitsch Wreaking Company/Pitsch Companies for Hazardous Materials Abatement and Demolition Services at various facilities with total amount not-to-exceed $1,500,000 |
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10. | Resolution awarding As-Needed contracts with BVR Restoration, LLC and M One Limited, Inc. dba Mark 1 Restoration Services, Inc. for As-Needed Concrete and Façade Restoration at Various Locations with total amount not-to-exceed $2,000,000 |
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11. | Resolution awarding Dave Bultsma & Associates Inc. dba Bultsma, EV Construction Co., McGraw Construction, Inc., Owen-Ames-Kimball Co., Ram Construction Services of MI, Inc., and Wieland Corporation dba Wieland for As-Needed General Construction Services at Various Locations with total amount not-to-exceed $2,000,000 |
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12. | Resolution accepting a Sidewalk and Utility Easement at 415 Sheldon Avenue SE for One Dollar ($1.00) |
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13. | Resolution granting a Gate Valve Easement to DTE at 850 Pannell Street NW for One Dollar ($1.00) |
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14. | Resolution Confirming Uptown Business Improvement District Special Assessment Roll Number 8796 |
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15. | Resolution setting Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at 2:00 pm as the date for the public hearing for the City Commission to sit as the Board of Review to hear appeals on Special Assessment Downtown Improvement District Roll 8798 |
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16. | Resolution scheduling a public hearing for July 15, 2025, to consider a Brownfield Plan Amendment for the Robinson Flats Redevelopment Project located at 1407, 1409 & 1417 Robinson Road SE |
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E. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE The Committee considers all matters that are desired to be deliberated in committee by the full City Commission. Most ordinances and licensing matters are brought before this committee. |
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1. | Resolution recommending approval by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission of Social District Permit application pursuant to Public Act 124 of 2020 for Twisted Tap Distillery, LLC located at 146 Monroe Center St NW Unit 150 |
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2. | Resolution Approving a First Amendment to the Intergovernmental Agreement with the State Land Bank Authority and the City of Grand Rapids to modify the Grand Rapids Land Bank Board Authority composition |
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3. | Resolution approving Commissioner Perdue’s request to attend the National League of Cities, City Summit conference in Salt Lake City, Utah in November 2025 |
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X. | ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT |
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XI. | ORDINANCES TO BE ADOPTED |
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1. | Series Ordinance for Water Supply System Improvement Junior Lien Revenue Bonds in an Amount Not to Exceed $18 Million |
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2. | Ordinance amending Section 1 of the Budget Ordinance 2024-23 for Fiscal Year 2025 (Amendment No. 9) |
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XII. | CITY COMMISSION RESOLUTIONS – Resolutions to be deliberated by the City Commission but which come directly to the City Commission rather than from one of the Standing Committees. |
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XIII. | PUBLIC HEARINGS – Public hearings are scheduled to allow citizens to speak on subjects which will be before the City Commission for action at a future date. Speakers may address the Commission once on each hearing. |
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1. | Public hearing to consider an application for a twelve-year Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Exemption Certificate, pursuant to PA 146 of 2000, for ICCF Nonprofit Housing Corporation at 2017 Eastern Avenue, SE |
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2. | Public hearing considering the Commemorative Designation of Umatilla Street SE from Madison Avenue SE to Union Avenue SE as “Amillier Penn Way” |
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3. | Public hearing considering the Commemorative Designation at Madison Avenue SE and Alger Street SE as “Dr. MaLinda Sapp Way” |
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XIV. | PUBLIC COMMENTS – At the conclusion of the official business and public hearings, the agenda provides for public comment on any other matters citizens may wish to bring to the attention of the City Commission. (Please limit comments to 3 minutes.) |
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XV. | COMMENTS BY COMMISSIONERS |
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DOCUMENTS FILED |
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XVI. | ADJOURNMENT |
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CITY COMMISSION
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
TERM | DEFINITION |
Adjournment | To close the meeting. |
Adopt | To accept or approve; i.e., an ordinance, a resolution, a motion, etc. |
Amend | To modify; i.e., an ordinance, a resolution, a motion, etc. |
Call to Order | Formal opening of a meeting. |
City Charter | Legal document establishing a municipality (city). |
City Commission | Local form of government consisting of the Mayor and six Commissioners. |
City Officers | Includes: Mayor, President of the City Commission, City Manager, City Attorney, City Treasurer, and City Clerk. |
Closed Session | A meeting in which the proceedings are of a confidential nature.Only members and invited guests may attend, and all are honor-bound to maintain confidentiality. |
Consent Agenda | Matters listed as Consent Agenda items are considered to be routine or matters of unanimous consent by the City Commission. There will be no separate discussion of these matters, and they will be enacted by one motion. |
Motion | A proposal that the Commissioners take a specific action or stand on an item being presented to the City Commission. |
Ordinance | A piece of legislation enacted by a municipal authority. |
Postpone | A motion to postpone is made if the City Commission needs more time to make a decision. A postponement cannot go beyond the next session. |
Quorum | Number of voting members who must be present in order that business can be legally transacted. |
Recess | Short intermission within a meeting. |
Recognize / Obtain the Floor | Acknowledgment by the presiding officer of the City Commission that a member has the right to address the assembly. |
Rescind (Repeal) | Allows the City Commission to repeal an action previously taken; i.e., ordinances, etc. |
Resolution | A decision by the City Commission to do or not to do something. |
Robert’s Rules of Order | A guide to fair and orderly meeting procedures. |
Suspend the Rules | This motion is used when the City Commission wants to do something that violates its own rules. The motion does not apply to an organization’s bylaws, local, state, or national law; or fundamental principles of parliamentary law. An appropriate suspension of the rules, used on occasion by the City Commission, would be a motion to change the agenda. |
Table, Lay on the | This motion puts aside an item, and everything adhering to it, currently being presented to the City Commission.The item remains “on the table” until taken off. |
Table, Take (Remove) from the | The motion to Take from the Table is used when the City Commission wants to continue considering a motion that was Laid on the Table earlier in the present session or in the previous session of the City Commission. When a motion is Taken from the Table, it has everything adhering to it exactly as it was when it was Laid on the Table. |
Revised: 10-17-2024 | Source(s): Robert’s Rules of Order City Commission Standing Rules |
CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS COMMISSIONERS
First Ward | Drew Robbins AliciaMarie Belchak | 616-456-3035 616-456-3035 | |
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Second Ward | Milinda Ysasi Lisa Knight | 616-456-3035 616-456-3035 | |
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Third Ward | Kelsey Perdue Marshall Kilgore | 616-456-3035 616-456-3035 | |