The Grand Rapids City Commission met as a Committee of the Whole on May 12, 2026, to recognize National Public Works Week, approve several routine items, and conduct a detailed budget review for Fiscal Year 2027 covering economic prosperity, affordability, health, environment, and stormwater management. Commissioners also discussed emerging developer support, the Third Ward Equity Fund, the Dash shuttle pilot, and the upcoming renewal of the Zoo and Museum millage. The meeting concluded with direction on budget adjustments and a motion to enter closed session for pending litigation.
Economic Prosperity & Affordability Budget Briefing: Led by Assistant City Manager Kate Berens and Economic Development Director Sarah Renero. Highlights included:
Health & Environment Budget Briefing: Covered climate action, environmental health, community health, and parks/utilities.
Considerations for Budget Amendments: City Manager Mark Washington outlined funding gaps of approximately $300,000 surplus. Unfunded items included grant-funded positions (energy/carbon specialist, administrative services officer), $50,000 additional disaster relief fund, and commission support/communications contracts. Commissioners gave varying input:
I call this meeting of Committee of the Whole to order. And our first item of business is recognition of National Public Works Week, May 17, 23. So I often say that our country was founded with a declaration of independence. And it's about time we had a declaration of interdependence. And when I make that point, I always point out that people in cities can't possibly get through a day without help from other people. And the example I always use is when you every time you turn on your faucet, you are relying on other people to deliver you water. Every time you flush your toilet, you're relying on people to deal with what happens to the stuff that goes down the toilet. Every time you drive down a street and you're dealing with roads and dealing with lighting, you're dependent on the other people. So today is recognition of those people, some of whom are in the room. So I'm gonna go to the uh podium now and read the declaration. Mr. John Gorney's gonna join you along with other staff. I'll come back. So I'll hand this over to Mr. Gourney when I'm done reading the proclamation. I was trying to get them all to fill out. Just so you all understand you're not getting three minutes each at the microphone, right? Alright, everybody standing who wants to stand, great. Whereas public works infrastructure and services are of vital importance to sustainable communities and to the health, safety, and well-being of the citizens of Grand Rapids, and whereas the support of an understanding and informed citizenry is vital to the efficient operation of public works infrastructure and services. And whereas public works infrastructure facilities and services could not be provided without the dedicated efforts of skilled prof uh public works professionals who plan, design, build, operate, and maintain the transportation system, water supply, sewer collections, public buildings, grounds, and fleets, and whereas 2026 marks the 66th annual National Public Works Week, sponsored by the American Public Works Association. Now, therefore, I, David LeGrand, Mayor of Grand Rapids, declare May 17 to 23, 2026 as National Public Works Week in Grand Rapids, and encourage all citizens and civic organizations to familiarize themselves with the effort involved in providing public works services and to recognize the contributions made every day by public works professionals that impact our health, safety, comfort, and quality of life. The mic is yours. Thank you, Mayor, and thank you, City Commission. It really is a great honor to be able to recognize all the dedicated staff from public works and across many departments that represent public works type um operations throughout the city. The people that you have here are a small sampling of hundreds of individuals that are dedicated to the city, dedicated to the work that they do, and so thank you for the opportunity to recognize them and all of their hard work. Appreciate it. Get in the picture. Come on. Come around here. Oh, wait. Yeah. Try to make sure that you're in between. The two heads in front of you. And then you move next to Laura. So I will put a second. See, here we go. There we go. Okay. Absolutely. Sorry. What it is. Oh, tomorrow. Okay. It's a lesson twelve. Okay. Wow. So everybody but me. On to more pedestrian business. Our next item is a resolution. Which is located at 738 Wealthy for an on-premises tasting room license.