OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Grand Rapids Committee Meeting - May 19, 2026: Budgets, CPTED, Summer Programs

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, May 19, 2026
BodyGrand Rapids, Michigan
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, May 19, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:13:32
Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

I think I need to go.

0:02

Morning.

0:02

Calling uh this meeting of the committee holds order.

0:06

Our first item is a resolution approving a request from Norma Gordon, owner of 1850 room for develop uh for a development liquor license to be located at 53 Monroe Center Northwest.

0:19

So support.

0:20

I see Mr.

0:22

coming up to explain that to us.

0:23

No, maybe not.

0:24

Um I can take it.

0:27

Um this was put before the DDA board last week, and it was approved, and all the vetting has been successful here as well.

0:34

Great.

0:35

Uh any conversation colleagues?

0:37

Right.

0:38

All those in favor say aye.

0:39

Aye, aye.

0:40

Those posed.

0:41

Motion carries.

0:41

Brings us to resolve our next resolution, which is setting June 2, 2026.

0:46

Is the date to consider an ordinance amending chapter 175 crime prevention through environmental design?

0:52

Uh can I have a motion?

0:54

Support.

0:55

Okay.

0:57

Are you up here for that?

0:58

Great.

0:59

Okay, everybody.

1:00

Uh Colin Cooper.

1:01

I'm an F and analyst from the planning department.

1:05

You may remember that I worked in cannabis.

1:07

Is it really part of my job?

1:09

Oversee the uh, thank you.

1:11

You might want to Colin, can you restate that for the recognized?

1:15

I'd be happy to, sir.

1:16

Um I'm Colin Cooper.

1:19

I'm an admin analyst for the planning department.

1:22

I work primarily in cannabis oversight, but I also oversee our crime prevention through environmental design specialist.

1:31

He certifies uh specific business categories throughout the year, about 120 of the businesses uh in their use of the city uh septed code to use the built environment to create uh less appealing uh places for criminal activity, essentially.

1:53

Uh this program has been running for several years now, very successfully.

1:57

We're primarily focused on education and partnership with the businesses around the city.

2:03

Um and we will be bringing a more comprehensive update to you folks later this year, kind of talking about the successes we've seen so far, as well as what the future state is going to look like.

2:15

However, today we're talking about two more priority uh elements of the code that we need to amend, setting an a date to bring that to you for hearing.

2:25

Um specifically, we're talking about one change to a code reference to bring us into alignment with the city uh property maintenance code, so that in the future we don't need to update them side by side separately.

2:40

This will just put us into their uh jurisdiction using the International Property Maintenance Code currently 2024.

2:48

And the second element is appointing an appeals officer to handle appeals through the SEPTED program.

2:55

Originally, this was set up to be used uh with a board who would oversee any appeals that came through.

3:02

However, based on the experience of our SEPTED specialist and the recommendations internally, uh we've determined that keeping the program agile uh and being able to be responsive and timely and getting things resolved should be the priority using the same model as the uh backyard chickens ordinance, the beekeeping ordinance, essentially just having a third party who can help mediate these uh appeals.

3:31

And we do want to point out that uh there's only been one appeal in the history of this program, and it was for extended time to be able to meet the requirements.

3:42

So again, this program is mostly around education and community partnership, but we just want to bring things up to date before we move forward.

3:49

So happy to take any questions uh and thank you for your support.

3:54

Thanks.

3:54

Yeah, I think you answered my questions, which is how many appeals do we get?

3:58

And the answer is nearing zero.

4:00

Um, but can you and that was for an extension of time.

4:04

Can you can you give us that one as an example, an extension of time to do what and what were the potential consequences?

4:10

Yeah, so when we talk about uh the SEPTEB ordinance specifically, there are things like transparency for the windows.

4:16

We're talking about places that sell um alcohol, uh tobacco, cannabis, talking about bars, talking about uh body works places, late night businesses.

4:27

So there are transparency requirements depending on the zone you're in.

4:32

Uh and specifically, you know, at party stores, whatever sometimes you'll see uh posters on the windows or shelves backed up to the windows.

4:40

So that's one like low impact way or uh high impact, low effort way.

4:45

People can change, but there are things like lighting for the uh parking lots, right?

4:51

Uh, that can be a very expensive change for people if they need to put up a new poll uh or things like um excuse me.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Fiscal Sustainability████████████████████████24%
Miscellaneous████████████████████20%
Public Safety███████████████15%
Economic Development██████████████14%
Community Engagement██████████10%
Personnel Matters█████████9%
Budget Equity Analysis█████5%
Arts And Culture██2%
Cannabis Regulation█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Grand Rapids Committee Meeting - May 19, 2026: Budgets, CPTED, Summer Programs

The committee met to consider several resolutions and receive updates. Key actions included approving liquor and budget-related resolutions, advancing a crime prevention ordinance amendment, and discussing commission support allocations. The meeting also featured a presentation on summer parks and recreation safety programming.

Consent Calendar

  • Development Liquor License: Resolution approving a request from Norma Gordon for a development liquor license at 53 Monroe Center NW. Approved unanimously.
  • CPTED Ordinance Hearing Date: Resolution setting June 2, 2026 as the date to consider an ordinance amending Chapter 175 (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design). Approved unanimously.
  • Omnibus Budgets for Authorities: Resolution approving FY2027 budgets for the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, Economic Development Corporation, Land Bank Authority, Smart Zone Local Development Finance Authority, and six Corridor Improvement Authorities plus the Uptown Business Improvement District. Approved unanimously.
  • Omnibus Budgets for DDA and Related Entities: Resolution approving FY2027 budgets for the Downtown Development Authority, Downtown Improvement District, and Monroe North Tax Increment Finance Authority. Approved unanimously.
  • Property Tax Millage: Resolution establishing the 2026 property tax millage rates. Approved unanimously.
  • Service Provision Fees: Resolution authorizing service provision fees effective July 1, 2026. Approved unanimously.

Discussion Items

  • CPTED Ordinance Update: Colin Cooper (Planning Department) presented two amendments: aligning code references with the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code, and appointing an appeals officer (similar to the backyard chickens/beekeeping model) to handle appeals. Noted only one appeal in program history (for a time extension). Discussion centered on whether vape shops are covered (depends on tobacco sales). Commissioners asked about evidence of effectiveness; a comprehensive update is planned for late summer/early fall.
  • Budget Adjustments and Commission Support: City Manager presented proposed changes based on prior discussions. Items included: administrative services officer and administrative analyst positions funded through December 31; no consensus on enhanced commission support (administrative and communications contracts). Manager offered $100,000 in contractual services as a bridge. Commissioners debated equity, value, and constituent service. Commissioner Kilgore suggested funding an energy/carbon specialist (administrative analyst) annually; Commissioner Sassi and others preferred revisiting in September. Commissioner Belcher and Mayor supported continuing current support. City manager concluded: remove the $100,000 contractual services and develop a transition plan to phase out enhanced support.
  • Summer Parks and Recreation Safety Update: Laura Claypool (Parks Department), Shannon Harris (Grow 1000), and Brandon presented summer programming. Highlights: outdoor pools open June 6 (free passes for youth, on-site security), free day camps at four parks (500 participants expected), free fitness classes (16/week, 10,000 participants last year), free kayak weekends (June 12-14, July 10-12), roaming security downtown parks 10pm-6am, cameras in 11 parks. Grow 1000 youth employment: 141 job offers placed, 219 on waitlist, partnering with 32 work sites (11 city departments). Violence prevention programs: City Vibes (with Urban League), NightQuest (basketball-based), and new Freestyle Fridays at Muse GR (music/recording studio). Also noted new free open gym hours at MLK Park.

Key Outcomes

  • Property tax millage decrease of 0.1076 mills approved; average taxpayer increase of ~$37/year (due to rising property values).
  • Service provision fees approved: 63% unchanged, ~25% at cost-of-living adjustment, 12% above COLA.
  • Budget ordinance (item 7) moved to final roll-call vote at the night meeting.
  • Enhanced commission support (administrative and communications contracts) to be phased out; city manager will develop transition plan. The $100,000 in contractual services removed.
  • Administrative analyst (energy/carbon specialist) funded through December 31, 2026; decision on permanent funding deferred to September.
  • Mediation coordinator position deferred pending anticipated state funding.
  • Third Ward Equity Fund allocations approved: $200,000 for traffic/pedestrian safety, $50,000 for Rx Kids, $250,000 for youth violence prevention/employment, $200,000 for Southeast Grand Rapids economic development, $150,000 for trauma support farm, $50,000 for South Town arts/culture, $100,000 for neighborhood associations.
  • Summer programming and safety measures presented and acknowledged; no formal vote required.

Meeting Transcript

I think I need to go. Morning. Calling uh this meeting of the committee holds order. Our first item is a resolution approving a request from Norma Gordon, owner of 1850 room for develop uh for a development liquor license to be located at 53 Monroe Center Northwest. So support. I see Mr. coming up to explain that to us. No, maybe not. Um I can take it. Um this was put before the DDA board last week, and it was approved, and all the vetting has been successful here as well. Great. Uh any conversation colleagues? Right. All those in favor say aye. Aye, aye. Those posed. Motion carries. Brings us to resolve our next resolution, which is setting June 2, 2026. Is the date to consider an ordinance amending chapter 175 crime prevention through environmental design? Uh can I have a motion? Support. Okay. Are you up here for that? Great. Okay, everybody. Uh Colin Cooper. I'm an F and analyst from the planning department. You may remember that I worked in cannabis. Is it really part of my job? Oversee the uh, thank you. You might want to Colin, can you restate that for the recognized? I'd be happy to, sir. Um I'm Colin Cooper. I'm an admin analyst for the planning department. I work primarily in cannabis oversight, but I also oversee our crime prevention through environmental design specialist. He certifies uh specific business categories throughout the year, about 120 of the businesses uh in their use of the city uh septed code to use the built environment to create uh less appealing uh places for criminal activity, essentially. Uh this program has been running for several years now, very successfully. We're primarily focused on education and partnership with the businesses around the city. Um and we will be bringing a more comprehensive update to you folks later this year, kind of talking about the successes we've seen so far, as well as what the future state is going to look like. However, today we're talking about two more priority uh elements of the code that we need to amend, setting an a date to bring that to you for hearing. Um specifically, we're talking about one change to a code reference to bring us into alignment with the city uh property maintenance code, so that in the future we don't need to update them side by side separately. This will just put us into their uh jurisdiction using the International Property Maintenance Code currently 2024. And the second element is appointing an appeals officer to handle appeals through the SEPTED program. Originally, this was set up to be used uh with a board who would oversee any appeals that came through. However, based on the experience of our SEPTED specialist and the recommendations internally, uh we've determined that keeping the program agile uh and being able to be responsive and timely and getting things resolved should be the priority using the same model as the uh backyard chickens ordinance, the beekeeping ordinance, essentially just having a third party who can help mediate these uh appeals. And we do want to point out that uh there's only been one appeal in the history of this program, and it was for extended time to be able to meet the requirements. So again, this program is mostly around education and community partnership, but we just want to bring things up to date before we move forward. So happy to take any questions uh and thank you for your support. Thanks. Yeah, I think you answered my questions, which is how many appeals do we get?

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