Grand Rapids City Commission Meeting – March 31, 2026
Grand Rapids City Commission Meeting – March 31, 2026
The Grand Rapids City Commission met on March 31, 2026, to address a wide range of legislative, development, and community safety issues. The meeting included approval of consent items, two ordinances, public hearings for a tax abatement project, and extensive public comment on police accountability, traffic safety, sanctuary policies, and other matters. Commissioners responded to concerns, outlined ongoing processes, and announced upcoming actions.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of prior meeting minutes.
- Received and filed communications, including concerns about Flock cameras, street renaming, a FOIA request, and support for a city attorney candidate. One communication regarding a resignation from the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority was referred to committee.
- Consent agenda adopted unanimously.
Public Hearings
- Gideon Project LLC – Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District and Tax Exemption Certificate: The commission held two public hearings for a project at 801 Oakdale. The proposal involves rehabilitating a blighted commercial building into a cafe, ice cream shop, community event space, and two housing units (one 1-bedroom and one 2-bedroom) with rent affordable to households at 50–80% AMI, plus an additional efficiency unit at 60% AMI. Total project cost is approximately $2.1 million. The developer, Tasha Cruz and Kurt Repart, noted support from the Southtown CIA and city staff. No public comment was offered. The 11-year exemption certificate was approved.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Multiple speakers demanded justice for Daquan Johnson, a man killed by GRPD, calling for release of unedited body camera footage, naming and prosecution of the officer, and independent oversight. Several referenced previous cases such as Patrick Lyoya.
- A group from the King Park Neighborhood Association and Together West Michigan requested traffic safety improvements on Kalamazoo Avenue, including a four-way stop at Adams and a flashing crosswalk at Ewing/Hancock, citing dangerous speeds.
- Speakers urged adoption of six sanctuary city policies to protect immigrant neighbors, oppose ICE cooperation, and criticized the city's current policies as insufficient.
- Concerns were raised about Flock cameras, police accountability, the process for filling a vacant commission seat, and the city's economic development priorities.
- Some speakers expressed support for the police, urged patience with investigations, and advocated for community healing.
- Additional comments touched on water pollution, 3D printing construction, youth mentorship, cannabis ordinance reforms, and charter reform.
Discussion Items
- Traffic Safety: The mayor and commissioners acknowledged the need for traffic calming, referencing a global push for 20 mph speed limits. The city manager stated that funding for Kalamazoo Avenue safety projects is being allocated, potentially crossing budget years.
- Police Accountability: Commissioners noted the morning presentation on officer-involved shootings and promised a policy review in the summer. Several commissioners expressed grief over community losses and pledged continued work on reform.
- City Attorney Selection: Commissioner Purdue reported that interviews with three candidates were held, and a vote on the appointment would occur April 1 at 9 a.m.
- First Ward Vacancy: The city clerk detailed the process: 10 candidates vetted, interviews by the Appointments Committee on April 17, and final commission interviews on April 22.
- Mayor's Comments on Sanctuary Policies: The mayor stated that several of the six proposed policies do not apply locally, that the city has no 287(g) agreements, and that GRPD has a non-cooperation policy with ICE. He encouraged reporting any violations to the Office of Oversight and Public Accountability.
- Neighborhood Investment Plan: The city manager noted over $8 million in federal funding allocated to housing, homelessness, and public safety, with a public hearing forthcoming.
Key Outcomes
- Budget Ordinance Amendment #6 (Fiscal Year 2026): Approved unanimously (roll call vote). Items included $100,000 for police recruit stipends, $2.5 million for Grand River's Edge Trail construction, $50,000 for the DID Snow Mount fund, and a $1 million+ carry forward for cloud services. Immediate effect motion carried.
- Rezoning Ordinance (3113 Plaza Drive NE): Approved unanimously (roll call vote) from NOS to MON-MDR, permitting moderate-to-high density mixed residential development.
- Obsolete Property Tax Exemption for Gideon Project: Approved after public hearing, providing an 11-year certificate to encourage rehabilitation.
- Next Steps: City attorney appointment vote on April 1; first ward vacancy interviews on April 17 and April 22; traffic safety projects on Kalamazoo Avenue to begin as soon as summer; policy review on officer-involved shootings expected later in summer.
The meeting adjourned with the mayor thanking all participants and emphasizing the city's commitment to public safety and community engagement.
Meeting Transcript
I'm going to call this meeting of the city commission to order and ask you all to join us as is our habit with a moment of silence please stand if you can and join us for the pledge of allegiance to the United States. Mr. Clerk, if you could call the roll, and while you're doing so, if our interpreter could make her way to the podium. Commissioner Asasi. Present. Commissioner Knight. Present. Commissioner Purdue. Present. Commissioner Balchak. Here. Commissioner Kilgore. Present. Mayor Legran. Yes. If you could introduce yourself for the audience. You'd say necesita interpretación in cualquier momento. Estoy aquí para ayudarle. Good evening. My name is Sandra. And I am an interpreter professional, interpreter from the Hispanic Center. We're here to serve you. I will be glad to interpret from Spanish to English or English to Spanish for anyone who needs it. Thank you. Thank you. And Commissioner Saucy. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. My apologies, colleagues. I'm not feeling well. I plan to go through the agenda that we have and vote on the appropriate items, but then I'm going to ask to be excused. We need to be back in chambers tomorrow at nine. I want to be sure I'm there for that vote. Thank you. Thank you. So uh first item of action for us tonight is approval of our prior minutes. Could I have a motion? So moved. Support support. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. That brings us to petitions and communications, Mr. Clerk. We have a few. Communication received from Garrett McTavish regarding FOIA request PD 2026-545. Received and filed. Communication received from Erica Shember expressing concerns for the growing number of flock cameras in Grand Rapids Public Roadways. Received and filed. Communication received from Kelly Woolheist, Gable Ventures LLC expressing strong opposition to the continued renaming of streets.
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