Grand Rapids City Commission Committee of the Whole Meeting – April 28, 2026
Grand Rapids City Commission Committee of the Whole Meeting – April 28, 2026
The Grand Rapids City Commission met as a Committee of the Whole on April 28, 2026, to address a range of administrative items, recognize public service employees, and receive the preliminary fiscal year 2027 budget presentation. The meeting included votes on several resolutions, a discussion of proposed amendments to historic preservation enforcement, and a presentation of the city’s financial plan.
Proclamation & Recognition
- Mayor David LeGrand read a proclamation declaring the week of May 3–9, 2026, as Public Service Recognition Week, honoring over 1,700 full-time and 1,000 part-time/seasonal city employees, as well as appointed and elected officials.
- City Manager highlighted the ACE (Above Customer Expectations) award program; over 150 employees have been recognized since May 2025.
- Ken Godwin, President of the Association of Public Administrators union, offered remarks on behalf of all collective bargaining units, thanking employees for their dedication.
Consent Calendar
- Resolution authorizing special events for 2026 – Approved by voice vote. All events must submit insurance and action plans approved by risk management, police, and fire.
- Resolution recommending approval of a social district permit for MRA Vandenberg Enterprises (Sugar Bar) at 132 Monroe Center – Approved by voice vote. The bar will opt into the existing downtown social district.
- Resolution for a Brownfield Plan Amendment at 528 Bridge Street – Approved by voice vote. The project includes 710,831 in Brownfield TIF for demolition, site prep, and infrastructure, with 2.7 million in private investment for commercial office space and a pub.
- Resolution for a 12-year Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate for Falk Sheep Metal at 1782 Northbridge NW – Approved by voice vote. The 5.4 million project adds a 50,000 sq. ft. production facility; the property tax abatement totals approximately 1.1 million over 12 years.
Discussion Items
Historic Preservation Enforcement Amendments
- Planning Director Kristen Turkleson presented two companion resolutions to set a May 12, 2026 public hearing on amendments to Chapter 28 (Historic Preservation Commission) and related municipal civil infractions. The amendments would allow civil infractions for preservation ordinance violations instead of automatic misdemeanors.
- Several commissioners expressed reluctance to retain a misdemeanor option even for a fourth violation. Commissioner Sasi stated the current draft “kicks the misdemeanor down the road but still leaves it on the books” and voiced a preference for purely civil fines, citing equity concerns. Commissioner Kilgore supported alignment with decriminalization goals. Commissioner Knight suggested reviewing past enforcement history before finalizing.
- City Manager noted the amendment would require further commission direction. The city attorney indicated both legal paths are viable. The resolutions to set hearings were approved by voice vote, with the understanding that further refinement would occur before final adoption.
Fiscal Year 2027 Preliminary Budget Presentation
- City Manager and CFO Molly Claren presented the FY27 preliminary budget: a citywide appropriation of 785 million and a general fund of 206.7 million. Key highlights include:
- Continuation of all basic services; no new general fund positions (except two grant-funded positions pending commission decision).
- Proposed property tax millage rate decrease due to increased property values, with an average residential impact of 51.
- No increase in on‑street meter parking rates; monthly parking rates rise about 3%.
- 8.5 million in state road funding expected (not yet received); discussion on uses to include pedestrian safety and mobility.
- 7 million transfer to the budget stabilization fund (“rainy day fund”) to buffer economic uncertainty.
- 1.7 million in state public safety revenue sharing expected in September; 400,000 of that allocated for crime prevention programs (community‑oriented services and mediation).
- Over 200 million investment in water/wastewater/stormwater systems; 125 million for public safety (police 75.4M, fire 48.3M).
- Funding for employee compensation: 236 million total personnel services.
- Continuation of the ARPA‑funded personal belongings storage program with 100,000 from the refuse fund.
- 50,000 (expandable to 100,000) for a local disaster relief fund in partnership with United Way.
- No changes to the Dash bus circulator; changes reduce capital costs by 7 million over five years and avoid operating cost increases.
- Commissioners discussed priorities:
- Commissioner Belshack asked about clarity on state road funding eligibility and uses, and expressed disinterest in continuing the commission support pilot, preferring to invest in neighborhood associations for communication.
- Commissioner Sasi urged deliberate, imaginative use of new road funding, noting the budget is largely a continuation.
- Commissioner Kilgore requested deeper review of fees with increases greater than cost of living (Code C) and continued support for the Vital Streets oversight commission as that millage sunsets.
- Commissioner Knight raised concerns about police resource allocation for new downtown venues and supported neighborhood associations as communication bridges.
- Commissioner Purdue added interest in strengthening neighborhood associations, using late fee revenue from water/sewer for assistance, and using Third Ward Equity Fund for neighborhood support.
- Commissioner Koger asked about leveraging community partnerships for the Third Ward Equity Fund and urban forestry implementation.
- CFO Claren answered questions on the GVSU income tax forecast model, noting it incorporates employment, wages, construction, work‑from‑home trends, CPI, and GDP. The FY27 forecast of 4.37% growth is the most aggressive in recent years, but out‑year projections taper.
- Overtime in public safety: a study will be conducted to understand drivers and potential mitigation; proposed FY27 overtime budgets (police 4.3M, fire 4.0M) reflect continued variability.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar items: All four resolutions were approved without objection (voice votes).
- Historic Preservation Hearing Dates: Resolutions setting May 12, 2026 as the public hearing date for both the preservation and municipal civil infraction ordinance amendments passed by voice vote. Commissioners signaled intent to further amend the provisions before final adoption.
- Budget Hearing Dates: Resolutions scheduling public hearings for the budget and service provision fees on May 12, 2026 were approved by voice vote.
- Closed Session: A motion to enter closed session (in Room 601) to discuss pending litigation passed on a roll call vote (Commissioners Knight, Kilgore, Belshack, Sasi, Perdue, and Mayor LeGrand all voting yes). No further public items were discussed.
The meeting concluded with the commission moving to closed session.
Meeting Transcript
Gonna try to call committee of the whole to order. You know, at night we have a moment of silence to make that happen. So glad you're all enjoying yourselves. Um thank you for coming. Uh the first item on our agenda, which is probably why we have such a pack room is the um our uh uh resolution on public safety uh recognition week. Pardon me, public service. What did I say? Public safety. Sorry. Uh public service recognition week. And um, I want to hand off to our city manager before I go up and read the proclamation. Um, and we usually have a photo op after this, but I do want to say um, I'm just gonna start with an anecdote. Um, I was at uh a dinner last week and sitting next to an individual who works in HR who told me that she'd been out in the private sector making more money and um looked at her life and decided that she wanted to work to make the city better. And so she came and worked in HR for the city, and that's awesome. So uh I can't say often enough how how uh grateful we all are for the vocational work that you all do, uh those of you who work for the city. Um, lots of us work in civic engagement in volunteer work and things like that, but people who show up every day and uh do the work of making our city work uh really deserve our gratitude. So I'm gonna hand it off to the city manager. Thank thank you, Mayor and Commissioners. Good morning, everyone. I too want to express my appreciation and gratitude to the over 1,700 uh regular full-time employees and the over a thousand members of our contingent part-time seasonal workforce for the work that you do day in, day out, not often celebrated and are often very often quick critiqued and criticized, but you do it very faithfully. So I really want to thank those that are here. Those that are here today are representing some of our employees who have been on it over the past year, so I look forward to hearing more about it uh after your proclamation, and we hear from our HR director, and I think we have a member of our workforce that's also going to address us this morning. Thank you, Mayor. Awesome. Thank you. So why don't I go up and read the proclamation? All right. So I'm gonna read the proclamation, then I'm gonna present it to Ovelle. Uh whereas our citizens residing in the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan are served every single day by public servants at the local government level, these are our unsung heroes. And whereas day in and day out, they provide excellent city services as expected by our residents with efficiency and integrity. The excellent level of services are pro that are provided are of vital importance to a growing, sustainable and resilient community and the well-being of citizens and visitors to Grand Rapids. And whereas without these public servants at every level of government, continuity would be impossible in a democracy that regularly changes its leaders and elected officials. Now, therefore, I, David Le Grand, mayor of the city of Grand Rapids, proclaim the week of May 3 to 9, 2026 as public service recognition week in honor of the thousands of public servants that work for Grand Rapids City as employees appointed to elected officials or on a board or a commission and call on all residents to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of government employees at all levels: federal, state, county, and city. Thank you, Mayor. In recognition of public service recognition week, we're here today to celebrate members of our city team who consistently go above and beyond in service to our community. Since May of last year, more than a hundred and fifty employees have been recognized as ACE award recipients, demonstrating what it means to deliver above customer expectations. These individuals bring to life the values of the City of Grand Rapids accountability, collaboration, customer service, equity, innovation, and sustainability. At this time, I'd like to ask all ACE award recipients who are present to please stand and be recognized. Please join me in giving them a well-deserved round of applause. Thank you and congratulations again. At this time, I'd like to invite Mr. Ken Godwin, President of the APA union to offer remarks on behalf of labor. Good morning, Mayor, City Manager, Commissioners, and members of the community. On behalf of the Association of Public Administrators of Grand Rapids, I proudly stand before you representing all of the collective bargaining units. I acknowledge in acknowledgement of public service recognition week. Union leadership would like to extend our sincere thanks to each and every employee for your continued commitment to serving our community. Your dedication, professionalism, and daily contributions do not go unnoticed. We thank you for the vital work you do every day. Thank you. Thank you, Ken.
openpublica.com