Lansing meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Lansing committees approve ward-based boards, $1.5M fountain grant

Lansing's Committee of the Whole approved three ordinance amendments aligning boards and commissions with the new City Charter's ward structure, including the Board of Water and Light and reducing the Arts and Culture Commission from 12 to 8 members. The committee also approved a fireworks permit for Frances Park. In other action, the Committee on Ways and Means approved a $1.5 million grant for the Reutter Park fountain, and the Committee on Development & Planning approved five development resolutions.

Ward structure changes

The Committee of the Whole voted 6-0 on Aug. 10 to approve three ordinance amendments:

• Amending Chapter 247 to align boards and commissions with the ward structure
• Amending Chapter 248 for the Board of Water and Light's ward structure
• Amending Chapter 266 to reduce the Arts and Culture Commission from 12 to 8 members

All three passed 6-0. The committee also approved a fireworks permit for Frances Park (6-0) and minutes from July 27, 2026 (6-0).

Development approvals and grants

The Committee on Development & Planning approved five resolutions on Aug. 17, all by 2-0 votes:

• OPRA certificate for 2231 W. Willow Street, AM Land Holdings LLC
• Brownfield Plan No. 91 for 6420 S. Cedar Street
• Setting a public hearing for an OPRA certificate at 418 Baker Street, Ron Holdings LLC
• Setting a public hearing for Brownfield Plan #92 at 416 N. Cedar Street
• Act-5-2026 for use of right-of-way and air rights at 200 block S. Grand Avenue, New Vision Lansing LLC

The Committee on Ways and Means approved two grant acceptances on Aug. 20, both 3-0: a Certified Local Government grant for a Westside Neighborhood survey and a $1.5 million RAP 2.0 grant for the Reutter Park Fountain. It also set public hearings for Sept. 14 on adding Chapter 245 (Office of the Independent Internal Auditor) and amending Chapter 230 to add Section 230.02 for Supportive Housing Services, with an amendment to include 'County' in the ordinance.

Public safety and other actions

The Board of Public Service approved a parking prohibition on the west side of Darby Drive between Cumberland Road and Tecumseh River Drive on school days from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The motion carried. The board also adopted Department Priorities and approved minutes.

The Committee on City Operations approved a noise waiver for Leavitt & Starck Excavating for the CSO 015 South project (2-1), reappointed Jerrod LaRue to the Board of Fire Commissioners (3-0), and recognized Next Generation Family Services for a gaming license (3-0).

The Committee on Public Safety voted 0-3 against setting a show cause hearing for 6546 Mercantile Way, after the new owner obtained a tear-out permit. It approved minutes from Aug. 6 (3-0) and removed the resolution from the table (3-0).

The Board of Police Commissioners approved July minutes and departmental reports (6-0).

Coming up

The Lansing City Council will meet Aug. 24 to consider a resolution to terminate all agreements with Flock for automated license plate reader cameras, an ordinance to allocate funding for Supportive Housing Services, and an ordinance creating an Office of the Independent Internal Auditor. The agenda also includes OPRA certificates, brownfield plans, and grant acceptances.

The Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority will meet Aug. 25 to review the FY26 Qualitative Incentive Evaluation and approve June minutes.

Lansing committee approves demolition orders; council to weigh tax change

The Lansing Committee on Public Safety approved demolition orders for four properties at its Aug. 6 meeting, all by 3-0 votes. The orders include a show cause hearing for 920 Long Blvd. and make-safe-or-demolish orders for three other addresses.

Demolition orders

The committee approved a show cause hearing for 920 Long Blvd. on Aug. 24, 2026. It also issued 21-day make-safe-or-demolish orders for 431 S. Francis Ave. and 1217 N. Grand River Ave., and a 60-day order for 4507 Devonshire. A resolution for 6546 Mercantile Way was tabled until Aug. 20 to allow the new owner to present plans.

Other recent meetings

The Committee of the Whole approved minutes from its July 13 meeting by an 8-0 vote on July 27. The session included progress reports on the new City Hall, the Public Safety Complex, and the NOVA MODPod temporary housing project.

The City Council met July 27 with an agenda that included a proposal to repeal the current multifamily tax exemption chapter and replace it with a new chapter imposing a 4% service charge on annual shelter rents for eligible housing projects. No vote was taken; the item remains pending. The council also set public hearings on brownfield plans for 6420 S. Cedar St. and 416 N. Cedar St., and on noise permits.

Several other boards met with no final decisions. The Human Relations and Community Services Advisory Board discussed ethics training and new appointees. The Arts and Cultural Commission discussed art for the new City Hall and a partnership with the Michigan Institute for Contemporary Art. The Board of Fire Commissioners discussed the annual report, budget, and a sick leave request. The Planning Commission held a procedural meeting with no substantive items. The Lansing Economic Development Corp., Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, and Tax Increment Finance Authority all met Aug. 7 with agenda items including a Corner Parcel repurchase resolution, a budget amendment, and bank account updates, but no votes were recorded.

Coming up

• **Committee of the Whole** (Aug. 10): Presentations on CATA service changes and BWL rate proposals; resolutions on a fireworks permit for Frances Park and ordinances transitioning boards to ward structure.
• **City Council** (Aug. 10): Public hearings and votes on a brownfield plan for 6420 S. Cedar St., an OPRA certificate for 2231 W. Willow St., noise permits, a charter amendment to create a healthcare advisory board, and ward-based board ordinances.
• **Board of Ethics** (Aug. 11): Review of the Ethics Ordinance, proposed edits to the financial interest form, and review of BWL General Manager Richard Peffley's financial interest statement.
• **Board of Public Service** (Aug. 13): Parking regulation on Darby Dr. and an informational report on traffic calming for Clemens Ave.
• **Board of Zoning Appeals** (Aug. 13): Public hearings on a carport setback variance at 1724 W. Rundle Ave. and a sign variance at 2801 E. Michigan Ave. Staff recommends approval for the carport and denial for the signs.

Lansing committee approves $62,034 snow removal assessment; council weighs multifamily tax change

A Lansing committee approved a $62,034 snow and ice removal special assessment roll, the most concrete decision among recent city meetings. The Committee on City Operations voted 3-0 on July 23, 2026 to finalize the winter 2025-2026 assessment after reviewing appeals.

Snow removal assessment and appointments

The Committee on City Operations approved the $62,034 snow and ice removal special assessment roll on a 3-0 vote. The committee denied a snow removal assessment appeal for 653 Vernon (3-0) and denied an appeal for 101 E. Miller Road (2-0).

The committee also appointed Colleen Cole to the Lansing Public Media Authority (3-0) and Kalman Mate to the Human Relations & Community Services Advisory Board (3-0). It approved non-profit recognition for DAP Services & Resource Center (3-0).

Two public hearings were set on noise waivers for sewer projects: one for Hoffman Bros. Inc. related to the Ottawa Street project (3-0), and one for Leavitt and Starck Excavating, Inc. related to the CSO 015 South project (3-0).

City Council considers multifamily tax change

The Lansing City Council has scheduled public hearings on repealing Chapter 886 (Tax Exemptions for Multifamily Dwelling Projects) and replacing it with a new Chapter 886 imposing a 4% service charge on annual shelter rents for eligible housing projects (PEND-4485, PEND-4487). Minutes from the July 27, 2026 meeting have not yet been published, so no vote outcome is available.

The council also set public hearings on amending Chapters 247, 248, and 266 to align boards and commissions with a ward structure as required by the charter (PEND-4504, PEND-4506, PEND-4508). Additional items on the agenda included the snow and ice removal special assessment for winter 2025-2026 (PEND-4478), public hearings on Brownfield Plan #91 at 6420 S. Cedar St. and #92 at 416 N. Cedar St. (PEND-4516, PEND-4547), and orders to make safe or demolish properties at 431 S. Francis Ave. and 1217 N. Grand River Ave. (PEND-4512, PEND-4502).

Committee of the Whole approves minutes

The Committee of the Whole approved minutes from the July 13, 2026 meeting on an 8-0 vote. The session included progress reports on the new City Hall, the Public Safety Complex, and the NOVA MODPod temporary housing project.

Retirement boards review pensions and software

The Police and Fire Retirement System and Employees Retirement System held a joint special meeting July 20 to review a monthly investment report and a request for proposal for pension software. Minutes are not yet published.

On July 21, the Police and Fire Retirement System agenda included a June 2026 retirement allowances report totaling $3,549,734.78, a refund of accumulated contributions for Christopher Clew in the amount of $50,852.34, a regular age and service retirement application for Jwan Randle, a duty disability retirement request for Applicant #2026-P0609, and a scanner equipment request to digitize retirement records.

The Employees' Retirement System board considered regular retirement requests for Larry Ebright (UAW, 28 years 5 months service, age 57, effective 7/1/2026) and Barbara Battle (Teamsters 243 CTP, 9 years 4 months service, age 67, effective 7/18/2026). The agenda also listed duty and non-duty disability requests, and refunds of unvested contributions for Monica Baker ($18,203.70) and Karen Krish ($8,567.61).

Development & Planning Committee

The committee considered reappointing Katie Alexander as At-Large member of the Planning Commission (term expires June 30, 2030), appointing Jonah Stone as 1st Ward member of the Arts and Culture Commission (term expires June 30, 2030), and appointing Tyson Pumphrey as Business Representative of the Downtown Lansing, Inc. Board (term expires June 30, 2030). It also considered setting public hearings on Brownfield Plan #91 at 6420 S. Cedar Street and an OPRA certificate for 2231 W. Willow St., AM Land Holdings LLC. Minutes are not yet published.

Election Commission tests voting equipment

The Lansing Election Commission conducted a public test of voting equipment ahead of the August 4, 2026 election, including precinct tabulators, an early voting tabulator, a voter assist terminal, and a ballot-on-demand system. Minutes are not yet published.

Police board and ethics training

The Board of Police Commissioners held a routine meeting July 21 with an education presentation on the Explorer Program by Officer Damon Pulver, an administrative report by Chief Robert Backus, and a legal update from Chief Deputy City Attorney Lisa Hagen-Lawrence. The consent agenda included approval of June 16, 2026 minutes and June 2026 department reports.

The Human Relations and Community Services Advisory Board met July 28 to confirm annual ethics training for members and introduce new appointees. No substantive decisions were listed.

Coming up

• **Aug. 5 — Planning Commission:** Procedural meeting; next regular meeting set for Sept. 1, 2026.
• **Aug. 6 — Committee on Public Safety:** Will discuss resolutions to make safe or demolish buildings at 920 Long Blvd., 6546 Mercantile Way, 431 S. Francis Ave., 1217 N. Grand River Ave., and 4507 Devonshire Avenue.

Lansing committees approve federal grant, housing tax changes, and demolition orders

The Lansing Ways and Means Committee voted July 16 to accept a U.S. Department of Transportation Reconnecting Communities grant and to overhaul Chapter 886 tax exemptions for multifamily housing, making those the most consequential decisions across a busy two weeks of city meetings.

Housing Tax Exemptions Repealed and Replaced

The Committee on Ways and Means approved accepting the federal Reconnecting Communities grant (3-0). It then voted 3-0 to repeal Chapter 886 tax exemptions for multifamily dwellings, amended the ordinance to set a 14-day effective date (3-0), and approved adding Chapter 886 Sections 886.01-886.07, which establish a 4% service charge for eligible housing developments (3-0). The committee also approved its May 21, 2026 minutes (2-0).

Public Safety Committee Orders Demolitions and Show-Cause Hearings

On July 8, the Committee on Public Safety approved four 21-day make-safe-or-demolish orders, each by a 2-0 vote, for properties at 813 Bement, 708 S Hayford, 2114 E Kalamazoo, and 100 W Hodge. The committee set show-cause hearings for July 27 for 1217 N Grand River and 431 S Francis (both 2-0). Three properties were tabled to allow owners more time: 1218 Gordon, 6031 S Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, and 4507 Devonshire (all 2-0). May 21 minutes were also approved.

On July 16, the same committee approved its July 8 minutes (2-0) and tabled action on the 4507 Devonshire make-safe-or-demolition issue until the August 6 meeting (2-0).

City Operations Committee Denies Snow Appeals, Approves Fireworks Permit

The Committee on City Operations on July 9 approved its June 25 minutes (2-0) and approved a consumer fireworks permit for the Country Club of Lansing (2-0). It denied a $550 trash violation claim for 1725 Donora Street (2-0). The committee denied 25 of 27 snow and ice removal appeals for the winter 2025-2026 season, each by 2-0 votes, covering addresses across the city. One appeal, for 810 Fenton Ave, was approved (2-0). Two appeals were tabled to the July 23 meeting: 653 Vernon Ave and 101 E Miller Rd.

Council Committee Sets Public Hearings on Board Structures

The Committee of the Whole on July 13 approved its June 22 minutes (8-0) and set three public hearings for July 27, 2027, each by 8-0 votes. The hearings concern amendments to Title 8 and Chapter 247 on ward structures for boards and commissions, Chapter 248 on LBWL Board membership, and Chapter 266 on the Arts and Culture Commission.

Board of Public Service Elects Leadership

The Board of Public Service elected Nancy Mahlow as Chair and Tracy Tanner as Vice Chair. The board approved its agenda, the June 11 minutes, and revised budget priorities with discussed changes. All items passed by motion.

Agenda-Only Meetings: Actions Not Yet Confirmed

Several boards met with agendas indicating planned actions, but minutes have not yet been published. The Lansing Economic Development Corp. was scheduled to act on FY2026/2027 Corridor Improvement Authority service contracts, a budget amendment, and a brownfield grant application for 2231 W. Willow St. The Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment Authority was set to act on Brownfield Plan #92 for 416 N. Cedar St. The City Council agenda included a temporary moratorium on new data centers under Chapter 878, a liquor license transfer for B&A Unicorn Inc. at 327 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave., and a fireworks display license for Pro Fireworks at the Country Club of Lansing. The Board of Ethics was scheduled to elect a chairperson for the July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027 term and review Sean Gehle's Statement of Financial Interests.

Coming Up

• **July 20 - Election Commission:** Public test of voting equipment for the Aug. 4, 2026 election, including precinct tabulators, an early voting tabulator, a voter assist terminal, and a ballot-on-demand system.
• **July 20 - Committee on Development & Planning:** Consideration of appointments to the Planning Commission, Arts and Culture Commission, and Downtown Lansing Inc. Board, plus public hearings on Brownfield Plan #91 at 6420 S. Cedar St. and an OPRA certificate for 2231 W. Willow St.
• **July 21 - Board of Police Commissioners:** Routine meeting with an Explorer Program presentation by Officer Damon Pulver, an administrative report by Chief Robert Backus, and a legal update from Chief Deputy City Attorney Lisa Hagen-Lawrence.
• **July 23 - Committee on City Operations:** Public hearings on noise permits for sewer projects by Hoffman Bros. Inc. and Leavitt and Starck Excavating, Inc., a special assessment for winter snow and ice removal, and discussion on renaming Cesar E. Chavez Avenue.

Lansing committees order four properties made safe or demolished, deny 26 snow-ice appeals

Lansing's Committee on Public Safety approved 21-day make-safe-or-demolish orders for four properties, and the Committee on City Operations denied the vast majority of snow and ice removal appeals filed over the past winter. Both committees met July 8 and July 9, respectively, with votes recorded in official minutes.

Public Safety: demolition orders and show-cause hearings

With two members present, the Committee on Public Safety approved 21-day make-safe-or-demolish orders at four addresses, each by a 2-0 vote: 813 Bement, 708 S Hayford, 2114 E Kalamazoo, and 100 W Hodge.

The committee set show-cause hearings for July 27 for two additional properties — 1217 N Grand River and 431 S Francis — both by 2-0 votes. Three other properties were tabled to give owners more time to show progress: 1218 Gordon and 6031 S Martin Luther King Jr Blvd were tabled 60 days, each 2-0. The committee also approved minutes from its May 21 meeting.

City Operations: snow-ice appeals mostly denied

The Committee on City Operations, voting 2-0 throughout, denied 26 of 28 snow and ice removal special assessment appeals for the 2025-2026 winter season. Denied appeals covered addresses across the city, including multiple properties on Sparrow Avenue, W Barnes Avenue, S Cedar Street, and Vernon Avenue.

The committee approved one snow and ice removal appeal — for 810 Fenton Ave (2-0) — and tabled two others to its July 23 meeting: 653 Vernon Ave and 101 E Miller Rd.

In other business, the committee denied a $550 trash violation claim (claim #2244) for 1725 Donora Street (2-0) and approved a consumer fireworks permit for the Country Club of Lansing (2-0). June 25 minutes were approved 2-0.

Boards and advisory bodies: agendas only, no minutes yet

Several boards met during the week, but only agendas are available — minutes have not been published.

• **Demolition Board/Code Enforcement** (July 6): Scheduled a hearing on whether to order 1606 Reo Rd made safe or demolished, with public comment allowed at the start.
• **Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Board** (July 7): Heard updates from Interim Director Delvata Moses and Culture & Accountability Officer Michael Hopson, plus a NOVA community outreach work group update and review of a Concept/Initiative Support Form.
• **Board of Fire Commissioners** (July 8): Agenda listed election of new officers, approval of June 10 minutes, and an administration division update.
• **Downtown Lansing Inc.** (July 9): Discussed an RFP for a Downtown Outreach Team, a Streetscape Art RFQ, a Business & Property Improvement Grant Program, a CSO marketing proposal, and food trucks downtown.
• **Lansing Economic Development Corp.** (July 10): Scheduled action on FY2026/2027 Corridor Improvement Authority service contracts, a FY2026/2027 budget amendment, and a brownfield redevelopment grant application for 2231 W. Willow St.
• **Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment Authority** (July 10): Scheduled action on Brownfield Plan #92 for 416 N. Cedar St. and brownfield policy addendum updates.
• **Lansing Tax Increment Finance Authority** (July 10): Scheduled a financial update and approval of June 5 minutes.

Coming up

• **July 13 — Committee of the Whole**: Discusses resolutions to schedule public hearings on proposed charter amendments that would transition city boards, commissions, and the Board of Water and Light into a ward-based structure, plus Arts and Culture Commission membership changes.
• **July 13 — City Council**: Considers a temporary moratorium on new data centers (Chapter 878), a liquor license transfer for B&A Unicorn Inc. at 327 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave., a fireworks display license for Pro Fireworks at the Country Club of Lansing, and make-safe-or-demolish orders for the four properties approved by the Public Safety Committee.
• **July 14 — Board of Ethics**: Elects a chairperson for the July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027 term and reviews Sean Gehle's Statement of Financial Interests.
• **July 15 — Lansing Gateway North Grand River Improvement Authority**: Hears updates on a design project, ARPA funds, and coordination with Public Service and CATA.
• **July 16 — Saginaw Street Corridor Improvement Authority**: Considers a service agreement with the LEDC and reviews board procedures.
• **July 17 — Michigan Avenue Corridor Improvement Authority**: Discusses the Eastside Summer Festival and votes on a resolution for event expenses.