City Clerk, if you can call the role.

Commissioner Kilbar.

Present.

Commissioner Knight.

Present.

Commissioner Balchak.

Present.

Commissioner Purdue.

Present.

Commissioner Sasi.

Present.

Mayor LeGrand.

Present.

Are we expecting Commissioner Robbins?

Uh I have not heard from Commissioner Robbins.

I don't know if anyone else has, so I I hope he's on his way.

Yeah, uh I haven't heard from him, but he did say he'll be back tonight.

Okay.

Uh and for the first time in my tenure as mayor, I'm going to remember to uh invite the interpreter up before I'm prompted to or after I just try to do something else.

So if the interpreter could uh please come up and introduce themselves.

Uh we provide interpretation services, uh Spanish to English and English to Spanish, but no other language live.

So my name is Victoria.

I'm going to be interpreting Spanish to English, English to Spanish.

So my nombre is Victoria.

We start interpretando inglés, Espanola, Spanola English, estamos a la ordin.

Thank you.

And uh with that, I would uh ask invite anyone who has public comment on agenda items to please come forward and um speak with us.

And Mr.

Jones certainly knows the rules.

So Mr.

Jones, you're first in the Lord.

I hope it's not the broken.

How y'all doing?

I'm D.

Jones, passionate entrepreneur and visionary.

Uh first off, I want to speak on the resolution of David appointing people to the uh economic development and uh Brownford Authority.

Uh I'm not saying anything negative, but I hope in the future I can uh be on one of those boards to be able to give some good feedback to push the city for uh if you guys seen I gave you guys a handout, uh print out.

I spoke to uh David and you guys have an amendment also about the uh budget amendment, and uh you guys are also contracted with um Ed Hard Construction for the Oxford Trail.

Um what I'm speaking on is basically the handout that I gave you guys is a handout for uh from Brian Kilpatrick.

I actually got him to speak to the company that actually 3D print houses, and as you guys see, there's actually a real progress being made to 3D print houses here in Kent County in our city.

So uh what I'm asking for is if you guys ever have an amendment or a budget amendment or you guys go back and redo some policies, that you guys uh be sure that the policies include being able to invest into uh 3D printed housing or housing.

We have a housing crisis here, and I've been able to go to uh Mayor Le Grand's mayor Mondays and speak to him about affordable housing and uh 3D printing housing.

So you guys see that Brian Kilpatrick has actually spoken to Lee, and we're looking to get that early uh 2026.

So hopefully uh this is a future invite and also an invite for the future for you guys to actually come uh to the through groundbreaking of the 3D printed housing because we have a housing crisis here.

We need to be innovative to be able to attack the housing crisis.

So I ask you guys as you guys do these uh as you guys legislate for our city uh as we think about innovation, as you guys look at amendments and different things and looking at policies.

I ask that you guys uh change some of those policies so we can invest in the 3D printing houses.

You guys see it firsthand.

I gave you guys a printout.

I told you last time that I'm gonna have an update, and uh uh I'm very passionate about this.

I've been uh I've done my due diligence and uh is this is real, this isn't fake.

Uh this is reality, and this is gonna be a reality here in King County to attack the housing crisis.

So as you guys are giving these huge uh seven-figure contracts to these construction companies for trails for bikes, I asked that you guys look into do this for 3D printed housing and attacking the outer housing crisis.

There is an amendment on there, so and you guys do have it on for Air Hard uh construction to actually where you have the Oxford trails for uh nine million.

So I'm asking that you guys, as you guys have the amendment too, that you guys also change your amendments and look into those to the investing in 3D processing.

I know that's it is cool.

I know as I'm a black person that's gonna solve the housing crisis, and as I was actually footing it here, walking here from where I live at, I seen people sleeping under the bridge.

So beautiful things are coming to Kent County, and this is a future invite to come to the groundbreaking because I'm not gonna stop.

I'm gonna be passionate and fears and pears and fierce until I get this housing crisis thinking we see 3D printed houses here.

Thank you.

Hello friends, Mark from Grand Rapids.

Committee to Hall Number Five Resolution approving our price of the special event center and especially event from September the 18th to October 20 to October 4th.

I won't talk about our price in general.

Since festival is no longer around.

School will be out during that time.

Then you have a lot you have a lot more visitors.

Whether it'll be warmer.

And you won't have to deal with football.

I think you should think about this.

The time is right to move this event.

A lot more people means a lot more revenue.

And in turn, Grand Rapids will be well for it.

So think about it.

And if you and if you know you don't want to change the dates, that's fine, but I think this is a this is this is this is something that it should happen.

Because there's a go because it's the weather because the weather in the football is going to dampen, has dampened our prize in itself.

Warmer weather means warmer visitors and warmer vis and and more visitors means more money to the city of Grand Rapids.

Thank you.

Hi, Aiden Wysackey.

I live in the second ward.

Uh I just want to briefly make a comment to say thank you to Anita Hitchcock for her service as our city attorney.

Uh this is regarding the agenda item to appoint uh Philip Strom as the interim city attorney.

Uh that it's just I'd watched the the uh city um committee of the whole earlier on the live stream, and there were many kind words shared about Miss Hitchcock and her service to the city of Grand Rapids.

Uh working as an attorney that there you have to deal with words and choose your words very carefully and craft words and words are like the swords of the 21st century.

They they carry a lot of weight and they they make change possible.

So uh just please I want to recognize uh Miss Hitchcock for her hard work.

Thank you.

Uh seeing no other uh individuals, I will move us to approval of the minutes.

Can I have a motion?

So moved.

Support.

All in favor of approving the minutes, say aye.

Aye uh brings us to petitions and communications.

Mr.

Clerk.

Communication received from Reverend L.

Haystack regarding the July 28th City Commission meeting.

Received and filed.

Communication received from Stormy and Napier, licensed drone pilot and public safety technology specialists providing input and requesting legal review of the proposed Grand Rapids drone parking project.

Received and filed.

Adopted expressing support for the Sylvan Area neighbors.

Communication received from Mary Barr expressing opposition to single holler program.

See in file.

Eight communications received expressing support for the climate action add updates adaptation plan.

And communication received from Del Buxton expressing opposition to the climate action adaptation plan.

Stephen filed.

This takes us to report of city officers.

Comptrollers warrant report for the period of July 22, 2025 through August 11th, 2025 in the amount of 48 million one hundred and seventy thousand, eight hundred and eighty-five dollars and seventy-nine cents in the monthly travel report.

Treasurer's report for period of July 31, 2025 through August 11, 2025.

And city manager submitted an update from the assistant city manager on the next steps of the CAP implementation.

This brings us to our consent agenda.

Uh, and these are items which passed unanimously in committee and were not pulled for further discussion.

And uh with the permission of my colleagues, I would like to pull out of Section E item four, and that's the resolution appoint uh approving the appointment of the interim city attorney, uh, which passed unanimously, and he's here, so don't sweat, Phil.

Um, but I did uh I do want to take a moment and uh as a commission acknowledge um the retirement of Ms.

Hitchcock.

And so this was triggered by the ending of a long and faithful service to the city, uh, which I know we all appreciate, and there were um sentiments expressed at the uh at the um meeting this morning.

But uh, if anyone any of my colleagues uh want to re-emphasize that, I will happily go last.

But um if anyone wants to say anything uh I'll I'm pulling it off consent so we can uh say goodbye to Ms.

Hitchcock, our city attorney.

So Mrs.

Sassy, uh Commissioner, see you want to decide.

Yep, so we're gonna oh you're right.

So you're right.

We'll pass the go well, we'll pass consent, but I'm I want to pull that from consent.

So if I could have a motion for the consent agenda with that item polled.

So move.

All in favor passing the consent agenda with that exception.

All in favor, say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

That motion carries.

Um and uh that brings us to our item uh removed from consent.

So Commissioner Sasi.

I'm sorry, we need a motion.

Support Commissioner Sassy.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, you know, I think this morning was so full of that that I appreciate you pulling this item so that we could have this for the the larger body and and those that are here uh watching the 7 p.m.

versus the the 10 a.m.

meeting.

Um I just want to share a couple of my comments.

The one that uh was really highlighting Anita's work.

I mean it's been a long career with the city um, but really recognizing the this role of city attorney that she took on and took on a department that really needed some reshaping and culture building and connection points, and so I think that is really your legacy, Anita is leaving behind a team that um will miss you, but is also ready to continue the work even if you're not gonna be there on a day-to-day basis.

So we will miss you.

There's been a lot of uh positives, there's been a lot of hard conversations.

You know, I said there's some meals, we had some cupcakes today, um, and I know you're you know just committed to just ensuring the success in that, you know.

She has her purse out here, she's ready to go, but you know.

Um but we're gonna, you know, we're gonna we're gonna talk about you for a little bit longer.

And um to Mr.

Strom to Phil, we're um I think um I can speak and say, I think just really um excited for your leadership in this next chapter of the City of Grand Rapids.

You've led a number of important issues for the city.

Um I think you know, you're a a neighbor in the third war, which I also think is just a really positive thing.

You've you've made an investment to be in the city, and you know, your colleagues speak very highly of you.

So I'll look forward to working with you in that expanded capacity.

So um thank you both very much and congratulations.

Anyone else want to make any comments?

Uh Commissioner Belchak.

I just want to say that I have not had the opportunity to work with uh Ms.

Hitchcock very long.

Um as a new commissioner, however, she has been invaluable in steering the conversation, um, a little bit of encouragement behind the scenes and um a positive attitude that has just been really remarkable.

I'm actually very sad not to have our time extend together longer, but I do know she has big dreams and we'll take action on them going forward.

And uh I look forward to living vicariously through her update.

But um I really want to say on behalf of all the people that uh may not know all the work that you do, certainly people that I know that I've talked to in the city, uh in the residents and everything.

I am going to be passing on how much work is done and how it's not just what you see here on these meetings.

And so thank you for all your advice, your literal counsel, and all the things you do.

I appreciate you, and to Phil.

Um I am very much looking forward to how we can learn and grow together as we both step into these roles.

So thank you so much for your leadership.

And I think it's fair to say that uh part of a tribute to Anita is that we've had a nice we're gonna have a nice seamless transfer here.

Um because uh Phil, who we're appointing, so all of you know, has been acting as uh deputy city attorney for some time now.

So to have the number two person able to able, ready and willing to step up and uh take on uh this role as interim is really really a testament uh to the to the department you've built.

And so it's it's uh a blessing for us all to have that seamless transition so now we can do the hard work of uh looking for our next generation of leadership in the attorney's office.

Um so I am I will say that maybe of all of the people up here I've known Anita the longest.

Um I've been practicing law in this town for about 35 years, and I sort of feel like there wasn't ever a time when Anita wasn't uh part of that mix.

I I look back and turns out I have been practicing longer than she's been working for the city.

Um but uh we had cases together wow decades ago.

And uh it was always a pleasure to work with her then, and it's been just a uh joy and a privilege to be able to work with her for this uh last eight or nine months and uh to see her in action and to you know have a get a sense of what our standard should be for our next attorney because I think our ne our the standard for our next attorney should be who our last attorney was.

So couldn't be prouder of you and and the work you've done and on behalf of the city uh just really really want to thank you.

And I said this morning too that um public service is hard work as everybody up here knows, and uh it's uh you know you get you get stress moments, you get you're very much in the public eye in ways that you wouldn't be if uh if Ms.

Hitchcock had chosen to just be in the private sector.

Um she wouldn't be a lightning rod for issues in ways that it's sometimes unavoidable.

Um and her firm uh her clear direction and her firm hand on the tiller uh for legal operations has been really really uh made all of our lives better.

So um thank you for your work.

So um I guess technically now we uh because I pulled it off consent, we have to vote again.

We can reconsider our decision on whether we want to uh vote for Mr.

Strong as uh our new uh uh interim uh city attorney, but I'd ask for a vote on that motion.

All in favor of oh, I'm sorry, uh Commissioner?

Okay, all in favor of uh appointing Mr.

Strong as our uh uh interim city attorney, say aye.

Aye, motion carries.

Thank you.

Uh that being the only item removed from consent, we now move to ordinances which we're gonna adopt.

There are a number of them.

Uh the first is uh city clerk, if you could introduce it.

Uh ordinance rezoning the southernly southerly 40.50 feet of 1362 Leonard Avenue Northwest Street anyway um to the MCN LDR traditional neighborhood low density residential zone district.

Can I have a motion?

So moved.

Uh Ms.

Uh Commissioner Belchak.

Okay, so this one and the next item will be related.

Um on August 12th, 2025, the commit City Commission established August 26th as the date to reconsider to consider the request to rezone the southerly 40.5 feet of the address at 1362 Leonard Street from Northwest from the traditional neighborhood, traditional business area zone district to the mid-20th century zone um low density residential zone district.

The rezoning will allow a cemetery to make improvements located on this property, um, which will be incorporated into the adjacent Mount Calvary Cemetery property at 1630 excuse me, 1364 Leonard Street Northwest, which is located in that mid-century neighborhood low density zone.

So um this is owned by the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids from 1922 until um 2015, and based on the dates of the headstone, this southerly 40 and a half feet of the property um located at the South Chain Linked Fence fence has actually functioned as part of the Mount Calvary Cemetery since last at least 1928.

So the encroachment of the improvements came into light only recently in association with a survey conducted as part of a property sale.

And for those of us who drive by or visit this cemetery, there is actually this is a home that we're talking about sharing their um space with the cemetery at that border.

Thank you.

Any further discussion from colleagues?

Seeing none, uh I'd call for this a roll call vote, so city clerk.

Commissioner Asassi.

Yes.

Commissioner Robbins.

Yes.

Commissioner Knight?

Yes.

Commissioner Paul Jack Belchak?

Yes.

Yes.

Mayor Illagrand.

Yes.

And uh our next item is related as uh Commissioner Beltrick pointed out, but City Clerk.

Ordinance rezoning the northeasterly 19 1,916 square feet of 1364 Leonard Street Northwest to the TNTBA traditional neighborhood, traditional business area zone district.

That can have a motion.

So moved.

Uh Commissioner Beltrick.

Okay.

So once again on August 12th, 2025, the City Commission established today, August 26th, as the date to consider a request to rezone the northeasterly section of about 1,916 square feet at 1364 Leonard Street, the home.

Um to move it from the mid-century neighborhood low density residential into the traditional neighborhood, traditional business zone, so that it can accommodate the Mount Calvary Cemetery that is located next door.

The driveway and a portion of a two-stall garage associated with this property has encroached 21 feet into the cemetery's property, and thus we are asking for this rezoning at this time.

Any discussion?

Seeing none.

Yes.

Commissioner Knight?

Yes.

Commissioner Belchek?

Yes.

Commissioner Kilgore?

Yes.

Commissioner Asassi?

Yes.

Mayor Legrand?

Yes.

This brings us to our next ordinance, Mr.

Clerk.

Ordinance amending section one of the budget ordinance 2025-11 for fiscal year 2026.

Amendment number one.

Can I have a motion?

Support.

Commissioner Robbins.

Yeah, thanks, Mayor.

These items came before us this morning at our fiscal committee.

So uh for reverse sake, I'll just read the the titles of each item.

Um there's uh for fiscal services department, there's a debt services payment for the soccer stadium uh an amphitheater bonds.

Uh police department, there was a generator replacement and miscellaneous expense.

Uh for parks and rec department, there was an environmental justice grant exception, um, as well as um an item for Roosevelt Park and Plaza Roosevelt grant uh for 61st district court, there was a drug sobriety uh court grant for the Office of Oversight and Public Accountability.

There's a community's community-based violence intervention and prevention grants uh for the police department.

There was a uh 2020 cops uh hiring program grant that was accepted.

Uh and then lastly for the executive office, uh the city commission meeting streaming indexing and captioning item, um which I'll make note on that one.

Uh we had a little demo from Mr.

Canfield this morning.

It was uh really really great, so encourage people to go check that one out.

Um do you want to add any uh items for budget uh for elevator repairs?

Sorry, yes, thank you.

Um so uh commissioner Robbins was late because there was we have an elevator uh that's giving us trouble today.

Yes, it did it did let me up with my badge, so I want to make sure everyone could could get here.

So he was here on time, he just wasn't in the room on time.

Yes.

Uh so uh this is uh any discussion of this item?

Okay, seeing none, uh city clerk, commissioner Purdue, yes, Commissioner Knight, yes, Commissioner Belchak?

Yes, Commissioner Kilgore, yes, Commissioner Asassi, yes, Commissioner Robbins, yes, Mayor Le Grand, yes.

Uh and uh can I have a motion to give this immediate effect.

So moved support.

All in favor, say aye.

Aye, motion carries.

Uh and next we have an ordinance, uh city clerk.

Ordinance amendment to Article 5, Chapter 7, Title 1 of the Grand Rapids City Code pertaining to the police and fire retirement system in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028.

Uh and can I have a motion?

Support.

Thank you.

Commissioner Sasi.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, this item is uh just following the final contract with uh Grand Rapids Police Officers Association with the officer and sergeant unit and the command unit.

Um this ordinance is related to the pension escalator for these respective pensions, and it needs to be amended.

Um the agre the agreed to terms effectively change the pension escalator to increase to one and a half percent compounding benefit to be applied after five years of retirement for employees who retire on or after uh July 1st, 2025.

Thank you.

Uh any discussion, colleagues?

Seeing none, uh City Clerk, call the role.

Commissioner Knight.

Yes.

Commissioner Belchak?

Yes.

Commissioner Kilgore?

Yes.

Commissioner Asassi?

Yes.

Commissioner Robbins?

Yes.

Commissioner Purdue?

Yes.

Mayor Le Grand.

Yes.

I can have a motion for median effect.

So moved.

Support.

All in favor of mini effect, say aye.

Aye.

All opposed.

Motion carries.

Uh next uh is another uh labor.

Yep, next one is a salary ordinance for emergency communication supervisors.

Can I have a motion?

So moved.

Support.

Uh Commissioner Purdue.

Yeah, so this this ordinance would implement the provisions of the labor agreement reached between the city of Grand Rapids and the Teamsters Local 406 emergency communication supervisors.

This unit represents five employees.

This ordinance will provide for the following wage increases for emergency supervisors.

Um 5% effective, 5% increase effective July 1, 2025, followed by 4% July 1, 2026, followed by 3%, July 1, 2027.

Thank you.

Um discussion?

Seeing none.

Uh this is a roll call vote, so city clerk.

Commissioner Belchak.

Yes.

Commissioner Kilgore?

Yes.

Commissioner Asassi.

Yes.

Commissioner Robbins?

Yes.

Commissioner Purdue.

Yes.

Commissioner Knight?

Yes.

Mayor LeGrand.

Yes.

Can I have a motion for immediate effect?

I'll move.

Support.

All in favor of immediate effects, say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

All opposed.

Motion carries.

Uh that brings us to our next ordinance.

It's a salary ordinance for employees represented by the association of public administrations administrators of Grand Rapids, the APAGR.

Uh and can I have a motion?

So moved.

Support.

Uh Commissioner Knight.

Yes, Mayor.

This um is implementing the provisions of the labor agreement reached between the City of Grand Rapids and the Association of Public Administrators of Grand Rapids.

It provides for the following wage increases 5% for the first year, then 4% the second year, and 4% for the third year.

Thank you.

Seeing none.

Commissioner Kilgore.

Yes.

Commissioner Asassi.

Yes.

Commissioner Robbins?

Yes.

Commissioner Purdue.

Yes.

Commissioner Knight.

Yes.

Commissioner Belchak.

Yes.

Mayor LeGrand.

Yes.

Can have a motion for immediate effect.

So support.

Thank you.

This brings us to a package of city resolutions that relieve.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

All opposed.

Motion carries.

This brings us to a next set of resolutions which uh relate to collective bargaining.

And uh a noise ordinance variance and um a public hearing.

And uh I'd ask for a motion to consider I'm perfect me to suspend the rules to consider those resolutions.

So moved.

Support uh thank you.

And uh all in favor say aye.

Aye aye.

Motion carries.

Uh Commissioner uh City Clerk, if you can't.

Yeah, so first resolution is a resolution approving collective bargaining agreement with emergency communication supervisors for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028.

Uh thank you.

And did I yeah, can I have a motion, please?

So moved.

Support.

Commissioner Purdue.

Yes, the emergency communications supervisors have advised the city's bargaining team that their membership has ratified the contract covering the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30th, 2028.

The resolution outlines the terms of the settlement of the agreement.

Thank you.

And that was refers back to an item that you just introduced for us.

So if I could have a motion, uh pardon me, we already have a motion.

Um any discussion?

Seeing none, all in favor of adopting, say aye.

Aye.

All opposed.

Motion carries.

Mayor.

Just for clarification, I have the language of the ordinance, the salary ordinance.

Uh would ask the clerk just for record, just make sure uh it's not a vocal vote.

Sorry.

Resolution.

Actual resolution.

I don't have it in my packet.

You so make sure we don't have done this before we had to re-vote on uh yes, I have the resolutions.

All right, then move salary ordinance.

I have the ordinances.

I have the I have the ordinances in the walk on resolutions from closed.

Yeah, that that's what I'm saying.

I I clearly see the ordinances.

I don't see the accompanying resolutions for those items.

You have them though.

Well, each of the commissioners that are introducing them have a copy of them.

Yeah, but you like me make get copies for everybody?

I'd I'd just like to see a copy, but they can vote to pass it down, please.

Thanks.

Thank you.

Uh were we about to vote?

Or did we vote?

I'm sorry.

Vote.

We voted on that item.

Okay.

Um did we vote on it?

And just commissioner produce item on item uh is that's where resolution number one.

Yes, yes, that's for it again just to make sure we have it.

Okay.

Well, we can vote twice.

That's better like measuring twice and cutting once.

Um so uh I just to make sure we did.

Um all in favor of the resolution, please say aye.

Aye, aye, all opposed.

Motion carries.

That brings us to our next item.

Um the next one will be a resolution approving the collective bargaining agreement with the association of public administrators for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028.

Can I have a motion?

Uh Commissioner Kilgor.

Thanks, Mayor.

The Association of Public Administrators have advised the city's bargaining team that their membership has ratified the contract covering the period of July 1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2028.

The resolution outlines the economic terms of the settlement of the agreement.

Thank you.

Um Mark.

Any discussion sideum?

Seeing none.

Uh all in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Uh all those opposed.

Motion carries.

That brings us to, and I should I misspoke actually.

Um we were there are five of these that we um so we're gonna so moving on is um a resolution authorizing entry of participation agreements in partial settlement of the national prescription opiate litigation and entry of state local government interest state agreement concerning allocation of settlement proceeds.

Can I have a motion?

So moved.

Support uh commissioner Robins.

Yeah, thanks, Mayor.

Um we've had a few of these items come before us uh previously as the city's entered into um litigation against certain defendants uh in regards to the opial um opiate epidemic.

So this one in particular uh is a proposed national settlement settlement with defendants elegant inc and new pharmaceuticals, epitech incorporated, HICMA pharmaceuticals, um divier incorporated Mylan Pharmaceuticals, Sun Pharmaceuticals, and Zidis Pharmaceuticals.

Um and the expected uh or estimated uh recovery amount would be 128,877.87 cents.

And that is spread out over 15 years of correct.

Yep, yep, thank you.

15 years.

Um okay.

Uh any discussion?

Seeing none.

Um extra money for the city is always good.

Um, all those in favor of adopting the resolution say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

All opposed.

Motion carries.

Um next city clerk.

Uh next one is AB2 LLC versus City of Grand Rapids City Commission resolution approving a settlement.

Uh can I have a motion?

So moved.

Support.

And Commissioner Saucy.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, on August 11th of 2022, this matter of AB2 LLC versus the City of Grand Rapids uh regarding an alleged breach of lease case was presented to us as uh in our executive session.

And um, and upon recommendation of counsel, a settlement of this matter was recommended on terms that included provision by the city without a cost of plaintiff or its customers of the first item being parking validations for the months of August, September, and October, and a total aggregate amount of up to three thousand dollars eat each month.

Uh the second item was hooding of four parking meters uh located on each side of Ottawa Avenue, Northwest.

Um and this was um closest to their entrance in the month of August, September, and October, with some exceptions.

There was also hooding of those same parking meters for some times in December of this um park for parking meters in December and a one-time rent reduction of uh five thousand dollars from plaintiff um from our the plaintiff's October rent.

So this is uh an alleged breach of lease and just a settlement in this case.

Thank you.

Any discussion?

Seeing none, uh all those in favor say aye.

Aye.

All opposed.

Motion carries.

Okay.

The final resolution is a resolution authorizing entry of participation agreements and partial settlement of the national prescription opiate litigation entry of state, local government, interstate agreement concerning allocation of settlement proceeds for Purdue Pharma LP.

Have a motion.

So move support.

Uh Commissioner Robbins.

Yeah, thanks, Mary.

Uh, very similar to the last one I shared about.

This one is uh in particular regarding uh Purdue Pharma as the defendant.

So uh Purdue Pharma and the sh uh m certain members of the Shacler family.

Um the estimated amount of recovery for the city in this case would be uh $824,818.39 cents.

Um again over the course of 15 years.

Um and I'll add as well that the um the national settlement restricts the use of these funds, and in both cases, um permissible uses relate to things uh pertaining to treatment prevention abatement of uh of the opioid epidemic.

Thank you.

Uh any discussion?

Seeing none, uh I'll ask for a vote.

Uh all in favor of this resolution say aye.

I all opposed.

Motion carries.

Uh this brings us to uh public comment on any item of concern for the public.

Um so anyone wants to come up to the microphone, please do.

How you doing?

I'm D Jones back like I never left.

Well, how y'all doing?

I'm excited, y'all, to speak about this 3D printing.

I told you, David, I told you I was gonna be fierce.

I told you uh I never fake who I am.

I'm I'm I'm true to who I am, true to my character, and this true to this self.

And I'm excited to be able to attack the housing crisis.

I know that I'm gonna do everything in my power.

Actually, yeah, I actually got some visuals.

Uh the guy Lee sent me and Ryan some visuals, and they actually 3D printed some duplexes also, so that's gonna be cool.

And I'll actually send y'all and bring y'all a visual of that next time the 3D printed visuals.

I'm sorry, you know, uh your thing that you speak on in next Mayor's Mondays isn't going to be affordable housing because I was the third one.

I'll be on it, David.

But you know, uh I'll be sure to uh bring y'all some visuals at the duplexes or if y'all want me to send that to you, I'll be sure to send that to y'all.

But I'm very excited to be able to attack the housing crisis and uh city attorney.

Uh thank you for your service.

I've been here coming here since 2018.

I've been here since Phil been here and everybody here before some of y'all got elected, but you've been here since I've been here.

You always told me positive things.

If you see me on TV, you told me that I made the city look good.

And uh I appreciate all of the uh kind things that you said to me, and I just wanted to say some kind things to you because I've seen people attack you.

And uh I appreciate all of the uh kind things that you said to me, and I just wanted to say some kind things to you because I've seen people attack you, I've seen people say negative things about you, but you defend our city and the constituents, and you know I understand that it's a hard job, especially as a black woman, a woman of color, being able to deal with every all of the city problems, problems that Caucasian people, Asian people, black people, all people of different ethnicities cause you would have face of that.

And so I just want to tell you thank you for your service, and thank you for telling me that I'm a celebrity, that I'm famous for being on GR uh business journal for bringing esports here.

Now I'm actually about to be on TV bringing in the boss place uh the largest uh K through twelve esports finals in the state and one of the world largest in the United States and have colleges and universities here.

And I actually got the packet from uh uh Tech Week.

So, yeah, I've seen that y'all y'all had a nice little slide, and I like to look at uh info, but y'all had a slide on uh the city on the rise, and the number one thing was tech.

And as y'all know, I'm the esports and gaming pioneer, and I know that tech is only gonna get bigger, and gaming is actually a trillion dollar industry, and I got a lot of things.

And as I actually tried to do the summer camp, I asked y'all for a thousand bucks to invest into our energy drink so we can actually have the kids be able to sell it and be able to stream and be able to have a product to sell where we don't even charge them a penny that we found off the ground.

It's literally a free opportunity, not a pyramid scheme, not a positive scheme, but truly an equitable equal opportunity.

So if we ever partner in the future and I ask y'all for some fun to actually invest because I know where the future is going, and I've been on it and I've been speaking on it, and now y'all finna see it firsthand.

I'm finna go home and get on the game and stream and talk about how I just said that we bought the 3D print this 3D printing this house and into the city until it comes to fruition.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Hi, my name is Amy Brock, and I vote in 4954A Zip Code, and I was born in Grand Rapids.

I'm here today because there's a war on the poor, and too many are busy surviving and couldn't be here to speak today.

And I'm here to beg you to be empathetic to imagine the situation of another who's lost their livelihood, their home, their freedom of existence, and now they're and their belongings, and their freedom of existence freely hangs in the balance in our country.

So imagine it was you.

Please look at people rather than through them.

I'm here today on behalf of our unhoused residents and residents with mental health and substance issues.

The same residents who can't afford present affordable housing in our city that has no rent control.

They're unfairly punished by city commission improved loitering and property ordinances that passed in 2022.

They're the same residents who find social service programs that are full.

They're the same ones where hot team intervention services have been cut that support them.

There are citizens where homeless camps are being dismantled right now with no plan of rehousing them.

They're the ones who face full or unsafe shelter conditions like lice, bed bugs, and lack of sleep right now.

And they're the humans who face an executive order to clean them up and place them in voluntary treatment or incarceration.

Imagine that.

This statement is terrifying and gives no sense of legal protection to our unhoused neighbors.

And we fund the police.

You do.

So of course, yes, I'm here for our most vulnerable for justice, and to publicly ask for a commitment from you that Grand Rapids should receive no kickbacks for participating in such an order.

Our unhouse have been dismissed and damaged by city policy.

They have suffered from a lack of services, a cycle of poverty, and a refusal to create and fully fund a long-term plan.

Hundred homes in a hundred days, as well as an expansion of Matthews House dropping is a great start.

But we must look at ideas like Lancing City Commission, relocated a homeless camp, or Dallas building pod type homes as options for people who are on house.

I ask you to think in the realm of what is possible and never in the realm of cruelty.

I hope you make a public stance on this order, as well as on past ordinances.

And you cannot do it on behalf of them or on the potential of people like me.

Then again, imagine it was you.

Please actually make Grand Rapids the cool city.

We say it is for all people, not just for the privilege.

Thank you for your time.

Good evening, everybody.

My name is Austin McFarland.

Um I vote in the 49508, but I work in the third ward at Link Up.

Um, I wanted to talk about something that's kind of been on my mind for a while.

Um, that would be like STEM education in the city of Grand Rapids.

Last year, the city of Grand Rapids up uh passed their master plan.

And you know, in that master plan, they talked about bringing you know higher skill jobs, higher paying jobs, more technical jobs to the city of Grand Rapids.

And you know, that's well in Danny, right?

It was also about like attracting outside talent and everything like that.

Um, but something that has really been on my heart is making sure that we're preparing the students and you know, the residents of Grand Rapids for those jobs and for those um those higher skilled and higher paying jobs.

Um yeah, um, you know, I'm a graduate of uh Michigan Tech, and you know I've seen the the positive influences that uh great STEM education can bring.

I understand that this isn't a GRPS meeting.

Um, but you know, I believe that there's uh things that the city can do to you know bolster initiatives like that um around STEM STEM education, you know, making sure that there are spaces um allocated and funding allocated to support those programs that are um making sure that they're helping to educate um around STEM education and making sure that we're preparing um students um all over the city of Grand Rapids for those jobs.

Grand Rapids Public Schools has a uh 17.3% uh proficiency rate when it comes to math reading and sciences or math and sciences.

Um that's abysmally low.

Um, so we really want to make sure, especially students of color when it comes to STEM education as well.

That's a very underserved um community.

Um, so I would ask the city of Grand Rapids, you know, to consider um some more STEM education initiatives and work with GRPS and these other um school uh school boards in the city of Grand Rapids to help bolster some of that.

So thank you very much.

You're at the microphone if you want to say your name.

Where is it?

You can put your hand down.

You're at the podium here.

All right, thank you.

Yes, my name is Sydney Deans.

Um I wasn't born in this state, but I lived in here and might as well say all of my life.

For the first two years of my life, I was not a resident of this city, of this city.

Uh but I have been speaking to this body, you know, not y'all specifically, but you know, to the city council, uh the body here.

I have been speaking concerning the water, our water problem with the river.

And I find that uh that now we have grass growing in the river, and that's a good sign, as a good sign of improvement.

Uh at least for the northern end of Grand River.

I never been south uh south since I've been blind.

But um what I'm what I'm speaking about is this.

Um there is got to be a uh uh uh uh uh a line drawn where the state at least uh the federal government put puts a uh uh uh uh what you can you know how much uh pollution you can let go, but it should be a zero tolerance there because uh there is uh fish in the Grand River that is might as well say completely wiped out just about the big carp, uh the bass, the suckers, they're gone.

Big bass is gone too, you might as well say because you can't catch a big one no more.

Um but what I you know, but what I'm trying to do, I'm trying to see if I can get this city to uh build a uh plant that would take all the the um the poisons out the air from the burning.

I have a plan for this.

I have a plan for uh water treatment, and uh the guy at the water treatment plan, he spoke with me once.

I feel that God led me to give him that answer he was looking for.

He was looking for how you take stink out of gas.

And straight away it came in my mind, and I told him.

But uh I think that my God, our God, God of all, uh wants us to put new burners in there to stop this landfill.

This landfill has too many.

You can call me a liar if you want, but this this landfill had too many bodies in it.

Somebody's child.

My cousin was cut up and put, and part of and part of the body was put into that.

Sir, we try to limit these to three minutes and night.

You probably can't see the clock, but uh that's uh the end of your three minutes is gone.

Yeah, yeah.

Oh my god.

Thank you for coming.

Okay, take my hand again.

Maybe I should have given you some warnings since you couldn't seen it, but I really wanted to say that I have these plans, and I'm supposed to give it to you.

I'm supposed to give you these plans that will put a new burner in.

And it will clean the air, and you wouldn't be burn you wouldn't be burying the residue from these uh from the plant you got now.

You're burying it in in uh in in barrels.

The one I'm talking about will eliminate that, yeah, burn it up also.

Thanks.

Thanks for coming.

Thank you for hearing me.

Yep.

Come on, this way.

The authoritarian stage.

Who in my opinion is David Caresh, Ted Bundy, son of Sam, and Charles Manson all rode in one.

The National Guard doesn't want to be in DC.

I'm telling you that right now.

They don't want to be there.

Out of spite for this and for these individuals.

And it's just, and he's gonna come and they go try to do the same crap.

He goes pull in Chicago.

Chicago don't want him.

These big cities, they don't want, they don't want National Guard there.

It's basically an attack on cities with black leadership.

That's just the bottom line.

These individuals must stop.

They have to stop.

They have to be stopped.

Because if not, it's going to continue to fester.

And we will have hate, chaos, and separatism in this country.

And for the and the last few seconds I have, I'd like to congratulate City Attorney Hitchcock on her retirement after 26 years of service for the city of Grand Rapids.

Your professionalism will be unmatched.

And I hope you and your family enjoy your retirement.

With a plum.

And happiness.

Thank you.

Boycott Tesla.

Good evening.

Oops.

Oops.

There we go.

Um, good evening.

My name is Lisa Griffin, and I am with the third ward.

I'm hello, City Manager, Mr.

Washington.

He always comes down to see us at the fellows program.

Appreciate you so much.

So I'm with the third ward and I'm with the fellows program.

And I appreciate Link Up so much.

One of the best decisions I ever made was to be a part of their organization.

And so I'm coming here.

I came last time when I came to speak.

I was speaking a little bit about how my life had changed from drug addiction until being saved and being in recovery two and a half years, and I'm a woman of God now.

And I would just a part a lot, a big part of that is because of course God, but then because of the city of Grand Rapids.

And so I always knew that this was a beautiful city, that the city had all these resources, that there were so many people that just came out of the woodwork.

They always were there to help me, but I never wanted to receive the help because of the dependence on the addiction.

But today I can see clearly, and now um I'm taking advantage of all the resources, and I'm so grateful that I have a renewed mind that I'm able to um be a part of the resources instead of taking advantage of them.

And so I go to Madison Square Church also, and I'm a part of the Bible study there called Covode, and I'm a part of a group called Overcomers.

I'm part of Link Up, and so all of these things um I'm very grateful to take advantage of them.

And so during the block um part, the black um street um there on Madison, um there was some things that came up concerning um the police and um the um gentlemen who um encountered the police that worked that were in the ward.

And so I got a chance to speak to a couple of the police officers and let them know my concerns.

And so um it got to the point where I was um very I don't know, scared, period.

And I'm I don't do any crime or anything, but it just was to the point where there's a miscommunication and um misunderstanding with the citizens, the total totality of citizens and with the police.

So I just thought maybe I would give some suggestions to them, and maybe even like a task force for a mentorship.

Um one of the days that they supposed to come to work, five or six of them get together and start mentoring.

Um we might can't do anything about a lot of them now, but we can do a something about um the future.

And so I think a mentorship would be very um good, and you can under they can understand more of the um community and the city if they come and they talk with um young teenagers and these things and become more involved with them, and so that they may be able to see um what they're going through, then they can be able to um um see what the police are going through also and just get a better communication period.

Thanks.

I can rem No.

Sorry, yes, it's okay, but thank you.

Thanks.

Thank you very much.

Hi, my name's Stephanie Hall.

I live on Philadelphia Avenue in the third ward.

Commissioner Robins, thank you very much for your assistance with the elevator.

I really appreciate it.

I've not been to a commission meeting before, so I will stay within the three minutes.

Um I am here as part of the group that was affected by the flood in 2024.

Um, June 13th, by the way, if you recall.

Anyway, um I'm really not sure what to say except please keep our group in your minds and be fair.

That is all we ask is for fairness.

Um I like I said, I'm not sure what else to say.

I'm not gonna give you any sob stories about the damages.

You've seen everything.

Um, and I'm not gonna tell you about whatever may have happened since then because I don't I feel that it will fall on deaf ears because we feel that all of our pleas and our requests for fairness from the city have fallen upon deaf ears.

But I'm really hoping going forward from today, that you will think long and hard about what is fair and what is right and what is morally right to be treating your citizens here in the city of Grand Rapids, and that's all I ask.

And I'm not a public speaker, so I'm going to leave it at that, and just thank you very much for your time.

That brings us to comments from uh the commission.

So uh Commissioner uh Belchick.

Thank you, everyone.

Um I would like to just address a couple of things that I heard in public comment, and then perhaps um others may chime in.

But um there the housing situation is a very serious one that we understand and have understood in the city for a while.

Um I do like some of the ideas.

Some of the ideas I'm hearing are um echoing ones I've thought of too, particularly when we're having our land bank discussions and having parcels of land that um may not be buildable on.

We could think of creative things and some of them may be parks, but we could also use those for possible pod housing, and I heard that comment tonight, so that was interesting.

Um, but that is all yet for further discussion.

And I did have the opportunity to um tour the next step um facilities that are being that little tiny houses that are being built by Mel Torader and next step to help move people from unhoused situations into homes, and then they're even talking about expanding and having a bigger unit that would be 800 square feet, and they're very adorable homes that are I would move in, they're completely um designed well and spacious with storage in the attic and everything.

So I really commend our our developers who are working on those sorts of things, and we have emergency or excuse me, emergent developing program developer programs.

So anyone who wants to think about helping in the housing situation, we are looking for creative and more innovative people who want to participate in that.

Um regarding public safety, we actually had a very robust conversation today by our public safety committee.

I don't sit on that, but I did attend, and I do know that we have people here who do, and there was a lot of discussion regarding um community policing and the the idea that we are almost at the point where our police officers are back staffed enough soon that we will they are strategically planning to build build and bring back the community um policing program.

So I'm excited about that because that's something I know my constituents talk about and something that I want to see.

Um the car can be a barrier, as our assistant deputy chief noted.

And I think it's really important that if you're not engaged in these conversations to watch those other move those other videos of those meetings.

Um I like the mentoring idea, so thank you for bringing that up.

And um, I won't talk on the other thing because I think we actually have someone who will talk on that later.

Um, but thank you for everyone.

And if there's anything you need, my next constituent hours are coming up in September.

So reach out to me, I'll get you the information, and I could I continue to look forward to the conversation.

Well, I add that there are opportunities to publicly engage.

The Roosevelt Park naming uh is still happening, and we have uh our poster contest for the 175th anniversary, and we also have you know different things like the trash hauler, which we get emails about every day, and I'm reading all of them, and your handwritten letters too.

So just know that there are lots of ways to get involved.

So thank you very much.

Commissioner Purdue.

Thank you, Mayor.

Good evening, everyone.

Um, thank you for all those who came and spoke and those who are watching online.

Um, you know, my my comment today really is just is uh is a broader comment.

Um, you know, we're in August, we're getting ready to go into the fall time, and a lot has happened in the last eight months, nine months um throughout our country, certainly here in the state of Michigan and Grand Rapids.

And I think it's time that, particularly after the federal bill was passed uh recently, that I I would love for this body to be briefed on what that bill means for our for our state and what changes in state funding means for our city.

Uh right now we see uh National Guard taking over Washington Washington DC.

President Trump has talked about how he wants to take that to other cities.

We need to talk about what do we will we do if the federal administration wants our police force to report to them as opposed to to us, right?

Um we have thousands of people who are at risk of use losing health care insurance.

Um, how is our community going to work together to make sure that we keep people well and on and on and on?

There's so many implications for our work here and every single thing that happens in our city, and we haven't said anything formal, been briefed formally or talked about how do we prep prepare um for what could happen uh that might harm our city and its residents.

We had a public safety uh meeting today, and there were some really great updates on things that we've worked been working on here locally, but we have to step back and see the bigger picture and see how we fit into the larger system and how that other parts of the system are going to impact us for good or for bad and prepare accordingly.

So I I'm asking publicly that we take the time to have some formal briefings here and have some discussions as a body so that we know what to expect and we know how we might be able to respond in different scenarios.

So I like to share that publicly and I ask that other folks kind of uh support uh support me in that ask.

And I I I've had a lot of conversations with you all, and I know that you all think that it's important that we pay attention and we know what's happening.

And we do have a legislative committee, but I think um the gravity of a lot of the changes that are happening in our country really um uh validate the need to have it here with the full body.

Uh so with that, um we we are kind of getting a lot done and there is a lot of movement, there's some wins, and there's still lots of opportunities to make sure our city really works for all.

Uh tomorrow I'm doing my regular let's talk third ward briefing.

It's online, it's 30 minutes, it starts at seven.

So if you haven't already planned to join, please RCP my social, my email, or send me a note, and I'll make sure you get the information.

And tomorrow I'm having a special guest um inviting members of the political leadership program to talk about their services.

Uh, they did a really great job, or I went through the program and they were a huge help in preparing me to run for office uh with the technical scales, but also the belief that I could do it.

Um just some girl from from South Side of Grand Rapids.

Um, and so they share how campaigns work, but even if you don't want to run for office yourself, um, they'll explain how these skills matter and why as we look to uh midterms and other elections, how you can be part of making sure we get really really great people elected, even if you don't want to run yourself.

So tomorrow, 7 o'clock, Wednesday, August 27th, uh, is my let's talk third war briefing and look forward to having more larger conversations here about uh what some of the the federal and even state movements mean for us.

Thank you.

Commissioner Sazi.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um thank you all for attending this evening.

It was a good meeting.

I'll give my last, like sad that it is the last meeting, Anita.

Um, but you're here for another week, so we'll expect to see you every single day.

Um no sick days, no.

Um, but thank you again.

And I know just again, I I think your team, I just felt that love and energy that they were happy for you, but also sad.

So just wanted to say that again.

Um this weekend I had the opportunity to go to one of the activations.

We talked about some of the activations in our city, um, but the return to the river um just uh just further down at 555 Monroe and Sixth Street Park.

There was a lot of different things going on from um just art installations to small businesses in my day job, a couple of the businesses we work for were also there by chance, and um I just connected with people that were from all different parts of this community and also outside of Grand Rapids.

So I think for a city is also somewhere you can take your family and young people, and it's a free event and lots of good music and entertainment.

So I'm hoping that people got to be able to connect with that.

Um I wanted to also, I know Amy uh you had brought up the issue around um homelessness, and and so, and then commissioner, you were just talking about kind of what's happened at the state and federal level.

I think on the state level, there's a lot of things to really I I don't think they know what's happening, and you know, we've got a mayor who was a past legislator and has a lot of good connection points as well, but I think that will probably be a little bit of a waiting game on the plus side on the state.

We did hear that the Michigan Strategic Fund did invest four million dollars in a hundred and seventy-one unit apartment on the in the second ward.

Um, this was uh a project that was an employer who was recognizing that the people that were working for them needed housing.

And how could they fit into you know what what is called, and there's a lot of terminology, but workforce housing, uh, those that are working for them, how they're able to be able to afford to live where they work.

Um, and so they were working with Pinnacle Construction, and so that was nice to see that investment that came out of the Michigan community revitalization program.

Mishnah put in some dollars as well as some of our tax dollars as well.

So um there was a lot of community engagement that went along with that.

The Creston Neighborhood Association was very actively involved as well, um, connection points to you know our our medical mile as well as into the downtown area.

So I was really happy to see that, and that the state is still making some of those investments, even if we might not know what the what that looks like from a whole budgetary standpoint.

But going back to what you you brought up, Amy, I think you know, um we did have those ordinances, and I mentioned before that Mr.

Strom was a part of that work um when we did that in 2022, 23.

Now I can't remember.

Um, but we were very mindful to look at the constitutionality of of you know, sort of what was being asked for us initially was uh all full out, you know, no sitter lie in the city.

And I think what we came to was sort of it is a compromise.

There was uh a desire to recognize um some of the impacts that individuals are feeling as well as the realities of where people live and how they engage in the city.

And so for me, when I think about you know, kind of how we would respond to that is I'd go back to the the legislative agenda and where we added that amendment of really pushing back.

Uh I think pushing back is not necessarily a legal term, but uh rejecting fighting against anything that would be considered unconstitutional.

And I think that would be a good example of one of those things.

So I I do agree, I think, you know, to understand because it's changing all the time.

Um, but I feel really confident, like when you brought that up.

I thought, okay, we talked about this specifically, this is how we would respond um in accordance.

And so uh thank you for bringing that up because I think right now there's a lot of different things that are happening about the state and federal level, and it is, you know, it is confusing.

Like I don't know.

I I know Taylor Swift got engaged today, but that's about it, right?

Uh because everybody's been blown up my feet about that, and I I don't know a Taylor Swift song.

But we need to be focused on you know these these other issues as well.

Um lastly, I'll just say, you know, just um today, Commissioner Knight and I had the opportunity to go meet with some um business owners and other individuals in the Monroe North area talking about um, you know, sort of what is that uh what is that community and neighborhood look like.

There's been hundred million dollar investment by Corewell Health, but also really recognizing how do we continue to support small businesses.

We know small businesses have been through COVID, they have are dealing with tariffs, they're dealing with staffing challenges, and so um just appreciate um some of the the feedback that we heard from business owners, appreciate the feedback that we've you know had from staff like working with mobile GR and different parking issues, working with our engineering department to respond to different things, planning.

Um, you know, we we added some individuals um to be able to help support some of the inspections that we wanted to get on a better cadence.

It's almost like what we had when we had the FOIA backlog, kind of have a little bit of backlog, how do we work toward that?

So I think uh, you know, it was a reminder of we can have these really big projects.

We don't want to forget like the small business that are that are existing and as we gear up for things like art price and tech week, how do we continue to support them as they you know kind of wind down from a from a summer season into the fall.

So thank you all for coming out tonight and again see ya see you soon, Anita.

Commissioner Robins.

Yeah, thanks very uh just two quick things.

Um I I wanted to call people's attention.

We had a really good briefing this morning at our fiscal committee about um the city controllers uh internal audit plan.

Uh we had our our deputy country, Miss Kirkland, um, there to share about uh and and internal audit team member um to talk about their their plan to assess uh various risks um within the city.

So if that's of interest, I highly encourage people to go back and watch that.

Uh there was some really good content.

And then I too wanted to add my my thanks to uh to Miss Hitchcock.

Um it's there's probably never been a more dynamic time to be involved in municipal government.

Um but just over the past two and a half years have uh very much appreciated your your level headedness, your um your care for the city, your compassion for the community first and foremost.

Um it'll be it'll be greatly missed.

So we're we're lucky to have uh Mr.

Strom as as an interim.

Um looking forward to working with him as well.

But uh yeah, I joked earlier I'll see you around at Standel Meyer uh both that both being on the west side, so looking forward to that.

Thank you, Commissioner Knight.

Um just want to echo those those sentiments.

I remember um when Miss Hitchcock um got this position.

I was not working here, and I was so proud to see uh someone that looked like me in that space.

Um it gave me hope for um the young women and people that I dealt with every day to see somebody leading in a position like that uh when you don't see that often.

So um a lot of times we don't know some of the silent things that go on behind the doors and how people are actually helped.

I mean, they they come in here and yell and scream about stuff, but they don't realize some of the stuff that she actually does off the books, off the record behind closed doors without any accolades, without any praise.

She just does it.

And so that that's what makes a hero.

And so I'm grateful for all that you've done, all you continue, you know, we almost see you, so yeah, you're not getting the bar.

But again, uh, as I said earlier, it's it's important for us to give our flowers and accolades to people while they're yet here because we could miss those opportunities.

So making sure that we kind of continually share that out and um grateful to have some of the conversations that we had, especially the one that we went about the Michigan uh talent um grant that they are talking about some work that can be done on the the north side of the city.

It's it's good to see how things are developing across our city, and yes, there's lots and lots and lots more work to be done, but we know whenever things like this uh pop up and opportunities to begin to grow and expand and do different projects, it's change and change is painful.

So making sure that we can continually share that out and um grateful to have some of the conversations that we had, especially the one that we went about the Michigan uh talent um grant that they are talking about some work that can be done on the the north side of the city it's it's good to see how things are developing across our city and yes there's lots and lots and lots more work to be done but we know whenever things like this uh pop up and opportunities to begin to grow and expand and do different projects it's change and change is painful um we want to see it but but there's a process to get there and so it it always uh kind of gives a rub but I think it's it's a great opportunity for us to look at our processes and procedures and see how we're doing things and how we're supporting small businesses how we're supporting development how we're being creative in those spaces and really beginning to look at how we can continue to help our city grow and thrive and and stay on top of the leader chart for the right things um and for the right people and I think this is a really great time even though uh we are 220 days in just want to make sure that y'all remember that um so stay vigilant and and patient and hopeful and um find your place of peace thank you yeah Commissioner Knight uh we were on the same brain wave uh this is the most like history making commission ever from the first black woman to represent the second ward first woman to represent the first ward and uh first black female uh city attorney um I I think it it is um it's remarkable I think when people talk about history it's not just for uh a really good news article it's about the stories and the lived experiences that we bring and so thank you for bringing your rich lived experience uh to this role and your heart to this role and I'm hopeful that we can and our big search that we have to uh fill the um full-time role of of yours uh we can find someone with those types of um you know attributes and uh to Mr.

Schramm I worked with Mr.

Schramm on the housing appeals board before I was elected and uh professional kind and helpful so I'm so happy to see you in the interim role.

I want to speak to the third ward uh residents who have reached out to me regarding the uh water main um it's a challenging issue and um I have been listening uh if you all can go back to our first meeting uh in January and see me talk about this and encouraging uh both uh the folks who are being represented that are neighbors to connect with and continue to talk with the city to come to find some sort of remedy and so I'm gonna do the same thing today of please um that we've done our part and from what I've heard is the balls in the court of the folks who are being represented so I'm hoping uh and I'll come and chat with you I see that I will come and say hello after um so we can share more but it it's not going on deaf ears.

I think it's something that this whole commission deeply cares about and we want to see remedied.

Also uh I had a great uh third ward listing tour stop at last mile cafe this uh past weekend August is black business uh month it was wonderful to support a black and female owned business um but folks talked about that right so they talked about the water main break and some of these challenges that we're seeing within our ward that I'm really working hard to address with my colleagues so we're I'm still continuously thinking about it and also um you know lastly I'll say we are not perfect on this commission but it uh looking at the state they finally proposed the house finally proposed a budget so the the state should have something coming down the line soon um but looking at the dysfunction in Lansing makes us look really good so I'm thankful to work with you all every day and um hopeful to continue uh to to go against the challenges as well it's not all fun stuff so um I'm right there with you all and hoping to uh remedy that water main break situation thanks city clerk um another good fruitful wonderful day thanks um for everybody that participated and had time to um share and celebrating the city attorney at um after cow today and just had a time to reflect and and think about the you know I do appreciate the frank conversations that we've had um and and struggle through things and and being able to have a very open kind open conversation open dialogues on some very tough uh on tough topics and how we're gonna move forward I really appreciate it.

Personally I'm jealous because you're gonna have time to smoke meat and uh and do some grilling so I want to I want to see how yeah I want to I want to see what you experiment with and um and just enjoy and enjoy that time and um well done faithful servant.

So um we just think we think back that you know a hundred only 105 years of um everybody being able to participate in the electoral process in this country.

And so um the things that have happened uh this table has definitely looked probably different in 1920 than it does now.

Um this this room looks different, and so um just just things to think about and th and think about the the the gravity of where we're at, where we're going, um, and just looking forward to it.

And I'm I'm glad to benef have this time with you.

So thank you.

I'm gonna let you go last, City Attorney.

So um City Manager Thank you.

Um Mayor and Commissioners for your work today.

I want to as always thank the staff for their work uh throughout the week, but particularly in preparation for this meeting uh tonight and had some very good updates.

Uh I won't go into detail on what is already been mentioned, but I do uh want to thank uh the staff for all the work regarding um Art Prize and Tech Week and not just those that um helped in the presentation today, but the employees that are not here who will be picking up the trash doing when those hundreds of thousands of people come, those who will be inspecting the various venues and who have uh participated in the permitting process and who will be patrolling and responding uh in uh uh emergency conditions.

So I want to thank you for uh making sure our city stays uh livable and as well as viable uh doing those uh big festivals that will have the attention uh not of only across the state but across the country and and across the world.

So thank you uh for that.

Secondly, um regarding the um the federal conversations, these are conversations we have been having ongoing uh both here at at the committee of the whole to whatever degree we could because as you know it it constantly evolves, but yes, within committees, legislative and public safety, and uh even today uh for just a matter of uh public record uh for the entire commission uh regarding the um executive orders related to the unhouse, uh we have uh already began uh looking forward um thinking about some of the implications uh around funding or lack of funding and have been working with uh our partner at the housing Kent.

I think we have a contract with that.

Miss Bearns indicated that uh today that we want to do some big policy work thinking about what uh those implications are, and that work is still being done, and uh once we have a good handle on it, then at the proper time we will uh be bringing uh that forward and uh also um you know legislative committee, we we constantly talk about uh as we get federal and state updates.

Uh I will continue to say uh that as a principle of local government, uh not only as Commissioner Asassi mentioned earlier, we need to make sure that we maintain uh constitutionality here within the city and state and federal government, but also local control.

And that pertains to even matters of policing under local authority.

So uh I intend uh as the public safety director to continue to direct the resources that are under me, whether it regards to any of the local ordinances that are our are passed here at the city and any other matters of law, and we prioritize the things that we want to enforce.

We have addressed that before, particularly when it comes to matter of immigration and other matters of policing that we want to focus on those areas that are important to us.

And so um, you know, without overreacting um to what is a lot of uncertainty, I I think I would want the community to know that uh we are focused on doing uh what is in the best interest of our community here in Grand Rapids and using our resources and only asking for help when needed.

And the only time I recall asking for help was uh about four or five years ago when uh we were unable to police our community on our own.

So um I think uh we'll continue to monitor that with the help of our um uh our um our consultants and helping us look at those matters, but at the appropriate time we certainly uh be happy to take some of those conversations out of committee and or either give a report from the committee to the city commission.

Uh lastly, I I do want to um uh again commend my colleague uh city attorney uh Hitchcock for uh her work, her her professionalism that she's displayed as you you've heard earlier on some very high uh profile issues.

Uh the work of uh public administration is never easy, but particularly when you are in a position where you have the opinion of the public, which may be different all the time for matters of law.

Lastly I I do want to um uh again commend my colleague uh city attorney uh Hitchcock for uh her work her her professionalism that she's displayed as you you've heard earlier on some very high uh profile issues uh the work of uh public administration is never easy but particularly when you are in a position where you have the opinion of the public which may be different all the time from matters of law and you took an oath uh both here on this diet as well as part of your credentialing as an attorney to uphold the law and uh it's not always easy doing that in a public manner and you heard some of the uh tension that that's created where uh people may not always understand it or appreciate it and it may not always be popular but you've uh done your work as a city attorney to uphold the law and I appreciate that and you've done it uh both internally to us as well as uh on this diet and even when we didn't want to hear your opinion you were not shy giving it so thank you for calling balls and strikes like they should be uh and I do wish you uh well in your um retirement um she's not only a person of integrity but a very uh true person of faith and um what many people may not know about our city attorney she's an excellent writer not just of ordinances and opinions but I'm I'm looking forward to the book coming out someday books with yes and I'll I'll punctuate my comments with uh you know the wish that your your latter days would be better than your former days.

Well um I'm really gonna let you go last.

So um I'm gonna this you know we don't do this every day but we don't have a city attorney retire every day so um I'm gonna let you know kind of like judges you know those of us who are lawyers know you're always waiting for the judge and the judge always gets to talk last uh and that's the best place to be so I want you to have the last word tonight.

Um I do want to um obviously amen to everything that's been said um and I already said it earlier in the meeting but uh amen.

Um I do want to talk a little bit about uh where we are at this moment and as a hist as uh in our city and I think that um some things are clear and some things are less clear.

Sometimes when I I'm advising clients uh or was advising clients back when I was practicing law actively I'd say well the situation we're in is kind of like being in the fog.

I can tell you what's fifty yards down the road but I can't tell you what's a hundred yards down the road till we get 50 yards further down the road.

Um and we are in a climate right now where there are um actors in our uh political space who actually seem as far as I can see to be relishing uh creating chaos uncertainty um undoing norms unsettling practices and that makes for a very challenging environment across the country and it's gonna make a very challenging environment for us.

One of my favorite authors is uh J.R.R.

Tolkien and uh there's a point at which someone says uh a character of Frodo says I wish I didn't live now I wish I didn't live in these troubled times and and and uh the response is no one wants to live in troubled times.

The only question is how do we deal with the time we're given so as a city we are at this time and we're in this moment and we have to figure out what we're gonna do about it.

But that's the that's the the hard truth the good news is and I've said this before and I'll keep saying it cities are strong.

Cities are good solid entities that have been around for thousands of years and cities are going to be okay and this city particularly I am confident is going to be okay because we're not just any city we're a city that I know this commission and our leadership and our staff is a values driven organization.

So we don't sit around and just decide to do stuff.

We start with what our principles are and or what our values are and we try to apply those and in a moment of stress and strain we can tap back into values that we have articulated for years and we will continue to articulate and we will point to as we go forward in what's a very uncertain environment but we can we can pull back on and rely on the values and those values are to put it very very simply being a city where we try to love each other we try to support each other we try to work out what it means to be empathetic for our fellow citizens.

And that is a value that can survive stress that's a value that can survive hardship and there may be hardship and uh that hardship isn't going to be inflicted by anybody up here if we have anything to do about it.

But we are going to have to respond to an environment that has that has hardship written written on the wall um I think that cities are going to have to think about how to be more self reliant than they've been in the past.

I think that's real, and I think that we're gonna have to, as a group, think about what that means and how to do that well.

But I think we've got the I think we've got the ingredients for it.

Um I was reminded today in an earlier presentation that LinkedIn, who may not be the arbiter of everything in the universe, but they're a real organization and they're a real national organization, characterized us as the number one city in America on the rise.

And that means that if any city can be prepared to move forward and hold to our values and pull together and work for the common good, this is the city that's gonna do it, and I am absolutely confident of that.

And we will only betray those values if we give in to fear, if we give into selfish action, if we give in to individualism, if we give in to thinking about ourselves and not thinking about our neighbors.

So I know that we can be great.

I know we are great, I know we can be greater, and I know that whatever is happening at the national level, this is where I want to be right now, and there's never been a time when it's been more important for all of us, our staff or our commission, every single citizen to figure out how to make Grand Rapids a city that can touch back on those values and dig deep and commit to them, whatever storms are on the horizon and whatever is going on at other levels of government and in other places.

We are here.

This is our city.

We need to own it, and we need to own caring for each other.

So that's where I think we are, and we've got some work to do.

It's absolutely true.

And so, Commissioner Purdue, you're not wrong.

These are things we're gonna have to keep talking about.

Um, but we are also operating in fog, and that's a tough that's a tough place to be.

Um so we don't want to we don't react to every shadow we see in the fog until we know what the shadow represents.

So we're gonna have to be wise, prudent, and nimble all at the same time.

And that's a tough re that's a tough list.

That's a tough mix.

Um, but thank you all, and thanks to everyone in the city for bearing that burden with us together.

So, city attorney.

Thank you.

I gathered together.

So uh work that kept coming to mind to me was bittersweet.

It's bittersweet.

There's uh you got life is a journey, and you go through that journey and you have different seasons, and so I'm at that season where I have to realize wow, I've worked, I'm gonna tell, I've worked total 50 years, and so now I get to step into that new season that's caused senior status.

I just thought about that the other day, and I said, really?

Ooh, how'd I get there?

But um I'm I'm beginning to see it as you know, this might be cool because you go places and your hair's gotten gray, and people start to look at you that way, and I think it comes with perks, right?

They accommodate you and they're nice to you.

I said, okay, this might not be a bad season.

But um, it has been an amazing journey, one that I'm grateful that I got opportunity to to do to serve and be here.

And I I was thinking this morning when I got to work, I got in my car and I said, you know what?

It's it's hard at the beginning and hard at the end, because the beginning you step in, and that's this big job.

There's just a lot to this job, and you're right.

Behind closed doors, people don't know all of what goes on.

And so I can't remember.

I kept hoping when I started with the city that a year would go by so I would know more.

And so, yeah, it was tough stepping into this role because it it was a lot.

It was a lot the whole time.

But then now, as I get to the end, it's tough to leave too.

And so I found that I thought I would be doing cartwheels once I pulled that trigger and say I'm out of here, but it it wasn't that way.

I think I actually grieve it instead of um doing the cartwheels.

But nonetheless, um I'm thankful for um because none of you were here when I was appointed, and so I'm thankful, let me say Sanita Lanier, who made that motion one day, and then that um commission that gave me the opportunity that put their trust in me to say, and I won't name all of them, but put their trust in me to to do this.

And um I thank you all, because all of you were a part of my reappointment because as years go by and people change, but we still have to be reappointed, and so thank you all for putting that trust in me to reappoint me to this position.

So it's been awesome to serve the city as an organization, but also the city as a community, the relationships that I've built, um, and the memories, whether good, bad, or in between, like the song Sunshine, the rain, joy and pain has been all of that, but all of it goes into having great memories.

And so I I also say I'm a phone call away.

I'm not that far away.

I'll still be in this area, and I'll still be um available for a little while longer to to help out during the transition period, and um I'm thankful for Philip that he's gonna be stepping into the interim and keeping our team um you know, some consistency.

We have a great team, we want to keep it that way, and so um gosh, I want to do a drop the mic though.

I always have a vision of drop the mic, but nonetheless, I'll drop the mic there and just say thank you.

I appreciate it working with all of you because the city is big, the um number of people that work here that I've worked with, huge.

So I thank you all, but I think also all of the people in all the various departments that I've worked with.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Drop the mic.

And with that, we're adjourned.