Grand Rapids City Commission Meeting - August 12, 2025
Grand Rapids City Commission Meeting - August 12, 2025
The Grand Rapids City Commission met on August 12, 2025 to approve the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAP), multiple collective bargaining agreements, and several land development projects. The meeting also featured extensive public comment on downtown information systems, housing, climate action, and drone surveillance. Key votes included adoption of the CAP (6-1) and appointment to the Land Bank Authority over dissent.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of minutes, petitions, and communications.
- Controllers warrant report ($55,705,174.40) received and filed.
- Treasurers report received and filed.
- Consent agenda approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Scott Atchison supported $150,000 for Experienced Grand Rapids but urged improvements to downtown real-time information via database and QR codes.
- D. Jones supported eviction prevention funding, called for housing construction, and requested police budget increases be tied to community engagement.
- A museum representative supported the Community Archives and Research Center, noting 98% of 250,000 artifacts are community-donated.
- Terry Gates (Healthy Planet Strategies) expressed strong support for the CAP, calling it a defining effort for Grand Rapids.
- Sergio Cidar Reyes (Urban Core Collective) supported the CAP, thanking commissioners for equity commitment.
- Ken Mishovich (Plum Service Company) opposed the CAP as written, citing business burden and state preemption of building codes.
- Janet (Grand Rapids Climate Coalition) supported the CAP, urging adoption despite opposition.
- Sonny Gantt Jordan supported the CAP, called for directing resources to underserved communities.
- Kayla Snyder (Michigan Green Building Collaborative) supported the CAP, highlighted energy efficiency savings.
- Aiden Waisaki supported both the CAP and the CARC, suggested adding steel reduction goals.
- Josh Lunger (Grand Rapids Chamber) expressed concerns about mandates harming housing affordability, urged careful implementation.
- Ned Andre (Ward 3) supported the CAP, praised prioritization, and countered business concerns.
- Doug Merriam (Greater Regional Alliance of Realtors) opposed CAP actions that increase housing costs.
- Later public comments: John criticized lack of sanctuary policy; D. Jones highlighted his initiatives; a resident complained about parking signage; Vanessa Epps raised concerns about police drone use and accountability; another speaker opposed drones as surveillance; Aiden Waisaki again spoke on CAP and steel emissions.
Discussion Items
- Land Bank Authority Appointment: Commissioner Asasi and Knight dissented citing lack of diversity on the board. Mayor LeGrand noted existing diverse members and potential for future advisory board. Motion passed over dissent.
- Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAP): Commissioner Asasi presented the resolution, noting 2021 climate crisis declaration and top 20 priorities. Commissioner Robbins expressed concerns about costs and potential mandates, voting no. Commissioner Kilgore strongly supported, calling opposition fear mongering. Mayor LeGrand emphasized housing affordability. Approved 6-1.
- Collective Bargaining Agreements: Five union contracts approved: Grand Rapids Employees Independent Union (4% annual raises), Emergency Communications Operators (4%,3%,2%), Crime Scene Technicians (4% annual), Police Command Officers Association (5%,4%,2%), Police Officers Association (4% annual). Key terms include increased parental leave, pension escalator (1.5% compounding for police command and officers), and retiree health care contributions. All approved unanimously.
- Settlements: Dirtchuk sewer backup case settled for $55,000; Audriana Brown risk management claim settled for $17,128. Both approved unanimously.
- Ordinances: Rezoning for 1356 Kalamazoo Ave SE for mixed-use development approved 7-0. Salary ordinance changes for electrical inspectors and paralegal/utilities director approved unanimously. Salary ordinances for union contracts adopted on first reading with immediate effect.
- Public Hearing – Noise Variance: MDOT request for nighttime work on MLK bridge replacement (45 nights, March-November 2026). No public comment. Referred to community development committee.
- Public Hearing – Breton Meadows Brownfield Plan: 168 affordable housing units (49% income-qualified) at 4325 Breton Rd SE, $36M project. Public comment in support. Referred to committee.
- Public Hearing – 280 NW Brownfield Plan: 44 units (35% income-qualified) at 280 Ann St, $11.77M project. Supportive public comment. Referred to committee.
- Public Hearing – Drone Surveillance for Parking Data: Mobile GR proposed using drones to collect parking utilization data over three weeks. Speakers raised privacy concerns but city staff emphasized anonymization and limited use. Commissioner Purdue and Belchak asked about data retention and purpose. Mr. Davis outlined surveillance policy process. Referred to fiscal committee.
Key Outcomes
- CAP adopted 6-1 after robust debate (Commissioner Robbins dissenting).
- Land Bank Authority appointment approved over two dissenting votes.
- Five union contracts approved unanimously, covering 2025-2028 with wage increases averaging 4% annually and improved benefits.
- Two settlements approved totaling $72,128.
- Rezoning for 1356 Kalamazoo Ave SE approved 7-0.
- Salary ordinance changes for inspectors and paralegal approved.
- All public hearings referred to appropriate committees for further action.
- The meeting included roll call, moment of silence, and pledge of allegiance.
Meeting Transcript
Meeting will come to order. Thank you all for being here. We'd like to start our meetings with a moment of silence. So if you can all join us for a moment's silence. Thank you. If you could join us for the Pledge of Allegiance. One nation under God with what they're teaching justice. Thank you. So this brings us to public comment for agenda items. So if there is item, if there are items on the agenda you wish to speak to, I'm sorry. First we have to do roll call. So Mr. Ashton, give us a second. Roll call, city clerk. Commissioner Belchak. Present. Commissioner Purdue. Present. Mr. Asasi. Present and mayor. Um, as previously noted, I'll be leaving after our business to deal with a family issue. Thank you. Thank you. Commissioner Kilgore. Present. Commissioner Knight. President. Mr. Robins. Present. Mayor LeGrand. Yes. This brings us to public comments on specifically agenda items. If you have non-agenda items you wish to speak to, that there will be an opportunity for that later. And yes, uh, if the interpreter can come up and explain, uh, we have a Spanish language interpreter for those who uh need that service, and she will explain that in Spanish. Yes. Next time. Oh, okay. Hold on now. Thank you, Major. Thank you, Commissioners. Good afternoon. Uh buenas tardes. Thank you. Thank you. Now I'm gonna stretch them. Yep. My name is Scott Atchison, and there should be a handout for each one of you up there. I'm here to speak on uh fiscal committee number five that you're giving 150,000 dollars to the convention and visitors bureau.
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