Committee of the Whole Meeting - May 12, 2026: Public Works Week, Budget Briefings, and Resolutions
Committee of the Whole Meeting – May 12, 2026
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.
Consent Calendar
- National Public Works Week Proclamation: Mayor David LeGrand read a proclamation declaring May 17–23, 2026, as National Public Works Week in Grand Rapids, recognizing the contributions of public works professionals.
- On-Premises Tasting Room License (738 Wealthy St.): The commission approved a license for the former WooSa Outfitters location. The applicant’s main brewery is in Holland, MI. Motion passed unanimously.
- Special Assessment Roll #8806: A resolution approving the special assessment roll. Commissioners noted ongoing coordination with the Downtown Improvement District (DID) on cleanliness and snow removal issues. Motion carried.
- Brownfield Plan Amendment – Plymouth Flats (1225 Plymouth Ave. NE): Approved a brownfield plan amendment for a new 48-unit development behind the fire station at Plymouth and Leonard. 20% of units will be affordable at 90% of Area Median Income (rents: $1,610 for one-bedroom, $1,901 for two-bedroom). The project is located on major corridors with transit access. Motion carried.
- Neighborhood Investment Plan & 2027 Action Plan: Approved $9,542,000 in federal funding awards for community projects, including CDBG, HOME, and ESG funds. The plan is the first year of a five-year consolidated housing and community development plan. Contingency funds were allocated to home repair services. Motion carried.
- Closed Session Motion: Approved (by roll call: Commissioners Belchak, Purdue, Asassi, Knight, Kilgore – all yes) to enter closed session following briefings to discuss pending litigation.
Discussion Items
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Economic Prosperity & Affordability Budget Briefing: Led by Assistant City Manager Kate Berens and Economic Development Director Sarah Renero. Highlights included:
- Third Ward Equity Fund: The manager’s budget recommends $1 million in FY27, with a soft allocation of $50,000 for Rx for Kids, programming support (Grow 1000, youth engagement), and pedestrian/traffic safety improvements. Prior years’ funds were used for rapid flashing beacons, Kalamazoo corridor safety, and a Southtown CIA partnership position. Commissioners Purdue and Kilgore advocated for additional support for neighborhood associations within the Third Ward and a pilot trauma response program. Mayor LeGrand and other commissioners expressed support for using a portion of the fund for neighborhood associations in the Third Ward.
- Emerging Developer Support: Staff reported $3.1 million awarded across 22 projects (10 in Ward 1, 8 in Ward 3, 4 in Ward 2). An evaluation is underway, and staff are seeking other funding sources for 11 pending applications. Commissioner Belchak urged accelerating funding.
- Downtown Boards & Authorities: Tim Kelly presented budgets for the DDA, DID, Monroe North TIFA, and DGRI. Priorities include finishing design on Division Ave realignment, Calder Plaza redesign, Canal Street Park, and downtown activation. The DID focuses on the ambassador program. A presentation on Mel Trotter storage program funding is scheduled for June.
- Zoo & Museum Millage Renewal: Dale Robinson (Grand Rapids Public Museum) reported that the Kent County millage committee voted to recommend Scenario Two, which would provide the museum approximately 33-39% of expected revenue (down from the previous 50-50 split). The full county commission will consider the ballot language on Thursday, May 14. Several commissioners expressed concern about the reduced share for the museum.
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Health & Environment Budget Briefing: Covered climate action, environmental health, community health, and parks/utilities.
- Climate & Sustainability: Investments in car share, tree canopy, food waste diversion, renewable natural gas from wastewater treatment, low-emission fleet, and solar development at Butterworth landfill.
- Lead Service Line Replacement: Reported 17,000 lead service lines remaining. Lead levels are well below action levels (7 ppb vs. state 12 ppb). $9 million requested in FY27; 1,300 awareness kits distributed via Healthy Homes Coalition.
- Parks: $5.7 million for improvements, including $2.4 million for nine park projects (82% in neighborhoods of focus), outdoor pools, summer day camps, and MLK community center programming.
- Stormwater Oversight: Dan Tabor and commission chair Jack Barr reviewed level-of-service goals, green infrastructure achievements (241 million gallons infiltrated, 441 acres treated), and capital plans (~$1.4 million/year). A potential stormwater utility fee is under consideration after recent court rulings. The city is also in discussions with the drain commissioner about asset transfers.
- Wastewater & Water: Plans for effluent reuse, biogas expansion, sludge processing agreement with Wyoming, and continuation of lead service line replacement.
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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:
- Commissioner Kilgore supported disaster relief increase and mediation coordinator deferral, but did not support enhanced communications contract or commission support contract.
- Commissioner Purdue supported grant positions, disaster relief increase, and mediation deferral, but preferred to bring communications work in-house and expressed mixed views on commission support.
- Commissioner Asassi supported mediation deferral, did not support enhanced communications, and did not see value in the commission support pilot; suggested redirecting funds to neighborhood associations.
- Commissioner Belchak supported commission support and communications contracts, favored mediation deferral, and needed more time on grant positions.
Key Outcomes
- Votes Taken: All four resolutions on the consent calendar passed unanimously (tasting room license, special assessment roll, brownfield amendment, neighborhood investment plan). Closed session motion approved.
- Budget Direction: The city manager will adjust the FY27 budget based on commissioner feedback. The transfer of $7 million to the budget stabilization fund and $50,000 for Rx for Kids received no objections and will proceed.
- Third Ward Equity Fund: There was consensus to allocate a portion of the FY27 Third Ward Equity Fund for neighborhood associations in the Third Ward, with additional exploration of trauma response programming.
- Emerging Developers: Staff will continue evaluating the program and seek additional funding sources; a report will come to EDPT.
- Dashboard/Dash Shuttle: The city manager noted a shuttle pilot for amphitheater performance nights is being planned with corridor improvement authorities. Commissioners requested a presentation on early feedback from the Dash route changes.
- Millage Renewal: The city will monitor Kent County’s decision on the Zoo/Museum millage; the museum’s share may drop to 33-39%.
- Stormwater Utility Fee: Staff will begin exploring a potential fee, with legal barriers reduced by recent court decisions. Further commission discussion expected.
- Next Steps: Final budget adoption is scheduled for the following week. City Manager will meet with commissioners individually to resolve outstanding items.
Meeting Transcript
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.
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