Grand Rapids City Commission Regular Meeting - October 7, 2025

The Grand Rapids City Commission met on October 7, 2025, at 9:15 AM. After waiting briefly for quorum, the commission considered 17 agenda items, including resolutions for contracts, easements, public hearings, and a discussion on a street renaming request. All voting items were approved unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• Fireworks Discharge Permit: Approved a permit for Image Engineering Special Effects for indoor effects at Van Andel Arena on November 9, 2025 (Matt Rife Stay Golden Tour).
• Project Management Agreement Amendment: Extended the agreement with the Grand Rapids Public Museum for three years for engineering support on renovations.
• Professional Engineering Services Extension: Approved a three-year, $15 million increase (total not to exceed $30 million) for agreements with 19 firms for engineering services, supporting parks, traffic safety, water plant, and wastewater projects.
• Lead Service Line Replacement Contract: Awarded $647,759.80 to Brick Plumbing LLC for replacing ~200 private lead service lines on the northwest side; total project cost not to exceed $769,540. The city has replaced 8,200 lead service lines, with ~17,600 remaining; targeting 1,900 per year.
• Lake Michigan Filtration Plant Repairs: Awarded $1,215,678.23 to Kent Companies for facade repairs; total not to exceed $1,662,799. Work is safety-priority from asset management plan.
• Elder Reservoir Cleaning and Painting: Approved $100,000 increase (total not to exceed $297,050) for additional repairs discovered during cleaning of the 5-million-gallon reservoir (built early 1970s).
• Street Resurfacing Increase: Added $930,000 to Nagel Construction contract for additional resurfacing locations; total project cost not to exceed $6,423,360.
• Fire Training Facility Construction Management: Approved $11,862,000 increase to Clark Construction agreement; total not to exceed $40,097,754. The new Kendall Fire Station opened October 3. The burn building will be bid separately. Total state/federal grant $16.5 million.
• Grand River's Edge Trail East Easement: Approved $460,000 for a trail connection from Leonard to Ann Street, using ARPA funds that must be spent by end of 2026.
• Utility Easement (943 Godfrey Ave SW): Approved $5,520 for a permanent easement for sanitary sewer replacement.
• Utility Easement (2787 Coy Ave NE): Approved $1,650 for a sidewalk and utility easement for a roundabout at Three Mile and Coy.
• Easement (3300 36th St SE): Accepted an easement for fire hydrant relocation from Wedgewood Christian Services for $1.
• Brownfield Plan Amendment – 123 Ottawa Redevelopment: Scheduled a public hearing for an amendment to the Brownfield plan for redevelopment of office space into 36 residential units (8 at ≤60% AMI), with $11.4 million eligible investment. DDA passed revenues on Sept 10.
• Consolidated Housing and Community Development Plan: Scheduled a public hearing for November 18, 2025, on the draft FY2026-2030 consolidated plan required by HUD. The plan guides CDBG, HOME, ESG, and other funds. Staff noted process improvements and upcoming outreach sessions.
• Unity Park Naming: Scheduled a public hearing for October 21, 2025, to name the park at 680 Cesar E. Chavez Ave SW as Unity Park. Community engagement second round resulted in 232 votes for Unity Park vs. 183 for Nibaro Plaza.
• Special Assessment Nuisance Roll #8800: Confirmed the roll with adjustments for three appeals (total reduction of $803.50), resulting in $359,231.98.

Discussion Items

• Request to Rename Delaware Street to Amelia Pennway: The commission discussed a request to rename a portion of Delaware Street after Amelia Pennway, a 15-year-old victim of gun violence. After a prior public hearing where neighbors opposed, the original motion was not passed. The father, Corey Penn, submitted a new request for a different street. Commissioners expressed that they would not support the street renaming under current policy (which requires contributions during lifetime) and instead want to work with Mr. Penn on alternative memorialization, such as a city proclamation during Gun Violence Awareness Month (June) or partnering with arts organizations. Commissioner Barrens will reach out to establish a process. The commission decided to not further process the street renaming request.

Key Outcomes

• All 16 resolutions were approved unanimously by voice vote.
• The commission directed staff not to proceed with the Delaware Street renaming request and instead to develop alternative ways to honor victims of gun violence, with follow-up from Commissioner Barrens.
• Public hearings were scheduled for the Brownfield plan (date not specified in transcript), consolidated plan (Nov 18), and Unity Park naming (Oct 21).
• Staff noted that lead service line replacements continue with operating funds; a federal grant application (Dec 2024) is pending.
• The commission thanked staff and the community for engagement on the Unity Park naming process.