Grand Rapids City Commission Meeting - May 12, 2026: Budget Hearing, Ordinances, and Public Testimony
Grand Rapids City Commission Meeting - May 12, 2026
The City Commission met on May 12, 2026, for a regular meeting that included a public hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget and fees, several ordinance amendments, and extensive public testimony on police funding, traffic safety, immigration policies, and affordable housing. Mayor LeGrand presided, and an interpreter was present for Spanish-language public comment.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously: Consent agenda items including approval of previous meeting minutes (April 27, 2026) and the consent agenda (items passed unanimously from committee).
Public Comments & Testimony
- D. Jones (entrepreneur, pastor) urged the city to continuously fund 3D-printed construction, highlighted workforce development partnerships with GRPS, and requested investment in the Stockton School hub. He also asked federal and state governments to increase community funding.
- Colette Crowley (15-year-old student) demanded budget shifts from policing to community-based safety, sanctuary policies per Movimiento Cosecha, and an independent investigation into the killing of DaQuan Johnson. She spoke on behalf of students.
- Karina Rodriguez (GRPS senior) described fear of ICE and police, called for adoption of Cosecha’s sanctuary policies, and accountability for GRPD in the DaQuan Johnson case.
- Lisette Gallardo Nunes (GRPS senior) urged investments in affordable housing, mental health services, youth programs, and community organizations.
- Abby (student) asked for local police to focus on public safety rather than federal immigration enforcement and called for transparency in surveillance tools.
- Lisa (GRPS freshman) dedicated her time to students whose parents were deported.
- Senior at City High Middle stated that the $75.4 million police budget is too large while affordable housing and mental health crises persist.
- Sharon Smith (First Ward resident) expressed concern that the 80% area median income threshold for affordable units in the Indiana Avenue project is disproportionate to the neighborhood and requested a lower threshold (40% or 60%).
- Hema (Spanish, with interpreter) opposed the Indiana Avenue Brownfield project, stating she was displaced from the area by rising rents, and opposed police cooperation with ICE.
- Deb Van Dynan (Oakdale Park Church, Together West Michigan) requested a four-way stop at Adams Street and a flashing crosswalk at Hancock on Kalamazoo Avenue from the budget.
- Champagne (Third Ward resident, Oakdale Neighbors) described dangerous speeding on Kalamazoo Avenue, crashes into buildings, and fear for pedestrians.
- Peter T. Winkle (Third Ward resident) criticized the commission for prioritizing billionaire developments over traffic safety, and asked that the budget fund safety measures on Kalamazoo.
- Daniel Van Muir (bicyclist, resident) noted that bicycle lanes are less important than pedestrian safety on Kalamazoo.
- Mike Colby (GVSU student) called the GRPD budget excessive and demanded sanctuary policies and action on police violence.
- Michael Sequonzo (GVSU student, Grand Rapids native) asked for sanctuary policies and accountability for DaQuan Johnson’s death.
- Satory Spicer (Sudden Enlightenment founder) encouraged the commission to meet community members where they are and fund prevention-based safety.
- Scott Acheson sang a song about taxes, then criticized the $75.4 million police budget, called for participatory budgeting and community control over police.
- Jasmine (East Town) joked about oversized traffic lights and asked for traffic safety funds to go to Kalamazoo.
- Bukelwa (disabled business owner, Taste of Africa Michigan) asked for safer crosswalks on Kalamazoo and support for small businesses.
- John (Second Ward) praised clerk staff, requested a better precinct map, and noted inadequate public transit in Creston.
- Mark (resident) warned about gerrymandering and urged voter mobilization.
- Hema (second comment) reiterated sanctuary policy demands, stating the mayor is incorrect that the city cannot implement 287(g) prohibitions.
Discussion Items
- Ordinance Amendments: The Commission adopted two ordinances: (1) amending Chapter 68 to allow civil infractions for historic preservation violations instead of a direct misdemeanor; (2) amending Chapter 170 to add Chapter 68 to the civil infractions ordinance with fines ($100 first offense, $200 first repeat, $400 second repeat, then misdemeanor). Both passed unanimously by roll call. Commissioner Purdue expressed that incarceration should be reserved for serious harms and that this is a step forward but not far enough.
- Resolution – Special Events: Authorized the Armed Forces Thanksgiving event including a CH-47 flyover. Passed unanimously.
- Resolution – Settlement: Approved a $90,000 settlement for the estate of Janice Wilson (incident date November 1, 2023). Passed unanimously.
- Public Hearing – Uptown BID: One appeal received; the assessment roll will be presented for confirmation on June 2, 2026.
- Public Hearing – Indiana Avenue Brownfield Plan & NEZ: Presented by Sarah Renero (Economic Development), developer Ross Bacon, and Jared Lutz (Michigan Growth Advisors). The $6 million project will create 29 residential units (20% at 80% AMI for 18 years) and small commercial space. Approval of the Brownfield plan and a 15-year Neighborhood Enterprise Zone was requested. Public comment included opposition from a displaced resident (Hema) and concern about AMI definition (Sharon Smith). Commissioners expressed strong support.
- Public Hearing – FY2027 Budget & Fees: City Manager Mark Washington presented the $785 million budget ($206 million general fund). Highlights: millage rate reduction from 8.85 to 8.75 mills; average homeowner increase of $37 due to rising property values; $201 million for water/wastewater; $125 million for public safety ($75.4 million for GRPD); $19.8 million for economic prosperity; $48 million for streets; $40 million for parks; $10 million transferred to the Affordable Housing Fund; $7 million to the budget stabilization fund; $700,000 for traffic safety/mobility improvements (in FY27). The public hearing included extensive testimony (see above). No vote was taken; the budget will be adopted at a future meeting.
- Commissioner Closing Comments:
- Commissioner Purdue thanked the public and recognized student speakers from Kids Speak. She emphasized continued work on traffic safety and accountability.
- Commissioner Kilgore confirmed that $600,000 from the Third Ward Equity Fund is allocated in FY26 for traffic calming on Kalamazoo Avenue, and that an annual allocation is being explored. The next economic development project team meeting is June 2.
- Commissioner Knight expressed gratitude, noted the Rapid controls bus stops, and mentioned Mobile GR is exploring shuttles to supplement scaled-back Dash service.
- Commissioner Sassi thanked attendees, discussed the co-response model, a recent shooting at Roosevelt Park, traffic stop study (2017), and the deadlock on the First Ward commissioner appointment—meaning the seat will remain vacant until the November election. He defended the decision to scale back Dash to avoid parking rate increases. He also addressed sanctuary policy demands, stating the mayor would elaborate further.
- Commissioner Balchak thanked the young speakers, spoke about the need for community healing and therapeutic services, highlighted investments in Roosevelt Park Lodge, Lincoln Park, and Sullivan Field, and celebrated the fire department graduation.
- Mayor LeGrand defended GRPD against accusations of malice, referenced his 36-year career in criminal justice reform, and enumerated the six sanctuary policy demands from Movimiento Cosecha, arguing that all six are already in place or impracticable: (1) prohibiting detention on civil immigration warrants – already policy; (2) preventing GRPD collaboration with ICE – already policy; (3) prohibiting sharing of Flock data – already practice; (4) banning 287(g) agreements – already prohibited by multiple policies; (5) opposing detention centers – none exist in the city; (6) preventing contracts with entities that contract with ICE – deemed unenforceable. He called for respectful dialogue.
Key Outcomes
- Approved ordinances amending chapters 68 and 170 (civil infractions for historic preservation violations).
- Approved resolution authorizing the Armed Forces Thanksgiving special event.
- Approved settlement of $90,000 for the Janice Wilson estate.
- Budget hearing concluded; the FY2027 budget will be considered for adoption at a future meeting.
- $600,000 for Kalamazoo traffic calming confirmed for FY26, with a June 2 follow-up meeting.
- First Ward commissioner appointment remains deadlocked; the seat will not be filled before the November 2026 election.
- Police chief recruitment is underway with applications due June 5; finalists will be presented for public feedback.
- No vote was taken on sanctuary policy proposals; the mayor argued existing policies already meet the demands.
- Public hearings on the Indiana Avenue Brownfield plan and NEZ will be subject to future votes.
Meeting Transcript
Call this meeting of City Commission to order and ask you all to join us as is our uh habit with a moment of silence. Please join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Um Mr. Clerk, if you could call the role. Commissioner Kilgore. Present. Commissioner Knight. Commissioner Balchak. Here. Commissioner Purdue. Good evening. Commissioner Sasi. Mayor LeGrand. Present. And uh if our interpreter could come up and introduce himself, uh and explain his role in Spanish. He's here to interpret from Spanish to English and English to Spanish as needed. Good afternoon. Um, Frank, and I'm here to assist people uh to give public comment in Spanish. But me llamo Frank is toy aquí deponibile atrás en la sala. But I darles a da su comentario público andepani. Thank you. Um, and that brings us to our first opportunity for public comment. This is for public comment on items that are on the agenda. Um, so if you could reference the item you're uh addressing and limit your comments to three minutes. Um thank you. Can I add one thing just so we're clear on what's happening tonight? We do have a public, we do have a public hearing later on the budget and on fee a budget and fees hearing. So um just so you know that there's a different time for a public hearing, because that wasn't voted on today, but we have a public hearing for the budget um later on in the meeting. All right, just for uh clarification. Uh can I speak on uh committee of the whole item number four, which is approving the neighborhood investment plan? Is that something that I can speak on? Alright, cool. How are y'all doing? I'm D Jones, and I am a passionate entrepreneur and visionary. And uh, I like for the city government as they have adopted 3D printed construction or 3D printed houses. I like for them to continuously and annually make funding available to 3D print houses. The reason I say this is because I had a conversation with the 3D printed construction company that is in Ohio. This company actually helps high schools get high school graduation credit for learning 3D printed construction. I'm going to read some of the benefits so you understand the benefits and how this plays into the community because we can actually build a workforce. You can continuously have funding available for our local community to actually 3D print houses, and the students can actually earn graduation credit that actually can go to their high school uh graduation. And so who do they serve? They serve K through 12, seeking early career paths, incumbent workers seeking skill upgrades, justice involved individuals re entering the workforce recovery for community members and displacing workers from displaced workers from declining industry. What uh what participants earn industry recognized credentials, IRCs, apprenticeship certifications, high school graduation credits, and direct employment pipeline access. The revenue sources, school districts, and workforce contracts, state and federal workforce funding and tuition and employer training agreements. So I'm going to ask uh my state government and my federal government and my city government and my county government to continuously invest into the community and make 3D printed construction on the plan continuously after 2031 because I've already connected Jennifer Brock, who's the director of curricula, and uh Eric, who's the supervisor of curricula to this 3D printed construction company that's in Ohio, and they're already having conversations about how they can actually add this into the school district's curricula so we can actually have a good infrastructure that actually starts from our local community because education is so vital and our education system is broken, and people don't believe in GRPS how they should, but I believe in the things that I've been doing and the continuous passion and energy that I've been putting into this community. Also, uh just to say I'd like to thank JL because they did recommend the West Grand Neighbor Organization to purchase the school, the stock in school. So we did uh be uh get recognized as the uh neighborhood organization to purchase the stock in school where we can actually utilize the school to educate students on 3D printed construction, uh streaming digital assets, decentralized finance. So as you guys are going to be having fiscal plans in the uh future fiscal budgets, I ask that you also consider investing into the stock and hub once we actually get to close down on this school and actually be able to truly show the community, the globe, the united nations, the united states of what the community can be and how what true grassroots efforts and what true uh stand true to yourself actually brings to the community.
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