0:00 I think that's a good question.
0:03 I think that's a good question.
1:04 You know, urban stormwater flooding.
1:09 Um, any questions, colleagues?
1:12 Hearing and seeing none.
1:18 Item number two is a resolution accepting a 4.3 million dollar grant and authorizing the execution of an agreement with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for the Michigan talent partnership uh grant program.
1:32 Moved and supported.
1:33 Renero, come on down.
1:43 Uh this is the acceptance of the dollars.
1:47 Uh so this is a grant ask of the state at approximately seven million dollars.
1:53 And this is the project in Monroe North that's going to address the reconvert or the conversion of uh division in Ionia.
1:59 Uh the stairs, the Fairbank stairs, and then also mobility improvements between the hill and the river.
2:08 This is, you know, these are I think we applied for this last year, and so this is how long these sorts of things take.
2:14 Um, but glad to see this on here.
2:16 I know that it was very narrow and competitive, um, but glad that Grand Rapids was able to capture this award.
2:21 Colleagues, any questions on this one?
2:23 Hearing and seeing none.
2:24 All those in favor, aye.
2:29 Item number three is a resolution approving a grant agreement with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the amount of uh 12,000 12 million 900,000 dollars for the Grand River revitalization project for the lower reach.
2:43 Do you have a motion?
2:44 I'll make the motion.
2:46 Moved and supported.
2:52 And we've been talking about this for a minute, right?
2:55 We just had some celebrations, and you know, I was joking about the last grant being a minute, but this has been a while too.
3:02 So thank you so much.
3:04 I'll turn it over to you.
3:08 Okay, sorry, I couldn't remember.
3:10 All right, thank you.
3:13 We've had this um out there with NRCS for a while.
3:17 They actually came through with more money than originally thought.
3:20 We thought we'd come in at about eleven million, and they um brought forward twelve point nine million to support the project.
3:26 We're gonna hear about this again in CD as we uh add that into the project.
3:31 Um, and just another another partner stepping forward to help us reimagine the river.
3:38 Colleagues question from Ms.
3:41 I don't know if it's a question so much, as I just want to say thank you for everyone's work on this.
3:45 This is a big big endeavor over the last 18 years or more, and it was nice to be at the riven river rock ceremony, I guess, for starting the project.
3:56 I'll call the question.
3:57 All those in favor, aye.
4:00 Item carries, thank you.
4:01 Item number four is a resolution approving a professional services agreement with the Greater Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation through housing next for housing practices lead services and an amount not to exceed 100,000.
4:14 Moved and supported.
4:15 Kane is approaching to discuss this item.
4:18 I've approached and now I am here.
4:23 Barns is uh waylaid uh this morning, so I'm here to speak on this if you have any questions.
4:27 This is an agreement that we've done for a number of years.
4:30 This uh provides the city of Grand Rapids some additional support in uh getting towards its housing goals.
4:36 I can answer any questions if you have any.
4:38 And this is not a new item, this is a reoccurring item.
4:40 I can't remember how many.
4:42 Yeah, this is uh housing next, uh Ryan Kilpatrick.
4:45 Colleagues, uh questions on this item for Mr.
4:47 Kane who's appro or arrived, apparently.
4:52 Hearing and seeing none, all those in favor?
4:55 Any opposed item carries, thank you.
5:00 You know, it is 616 day.
5:02 So I guess you have jokes today, Mr.
4:58 Kane, but uh thanks for bringing the the humor.
5:07 Item number five is a resolution approving a contract between ITERA US and the City of Grand Rapids for managed services related to the Oracle ERP project for fiscal year 2027 and an amount not to exceed 200,000.
5:21 Moved and supported, and I'm not seeing Ms.
5:23 Pal, so I'm gonna turn it over to Ms.
5:27 Um, yeah, this is a uh resolution uh to approve a contract with ITRIA.
5:33 They are going to come in um and help us with the list.
5:37 The top uh 12 things are in the agenda item, um, just to really help us use Oracle to its fullest potential.
5:46 Um so if if there's any questions, I can try to answer them or certainly get with our project manager or CFO and give and get back to you any answers that you would have.
5:58 Colleagues questions on this item.
6:01 So really ensuring the kind of those final pieces, projects, yeah.
6:06 Um so making sure that impact occurs.
6:10 Get some things running smoother and and some better business practices in place using the system that that we know is a great system.
6:17 I think city manager also talked to us a little bit about this item and some one-on-one.
6:22 So um, all those in favor?
6:27 Item number six is a resolution authorizing execution of a contract with CFERT PR for public relations services in an amount not to exceed $50,000.
6:37 Moved and supported, Mr.
6:42 Good morning, commissioners.
6:43 Uh, so this is basically if you recall during your budget deliberations, um, we uh allocated $50,000 to continue those services uh on the communication side of the enhanced communications uh for commissioners and this contract.
6:56 Uh just make sure that we can do that through the end of the calendar year.
6:59 Thank you for confirming that.
7:00 Colleagues, you have a any questions on this item.
7:05 All right, I'll just say, you know, I think um we had some conversations around budget and you know, sort of what were the uh best uses.
7:13 We know that uh the communications department is is very busy with a lot of the efforts across the city.
7:18 This was something new.
7:19 Um again, it's through the calendar year, and I look forward to you know finding all the ways to optimize this relationship too.
7:26 So I I really appreciate um CFERT being open to those conversations as well.
7:31 So and we do intend to come back to you in the fall with a recommendation on on continuation or discussion then.
7:37 Just wanted to highlight that since that was uh a topic in our budget a couple times.
7:41 So colleagues, any comments or questions on this item?
7:46 Hearing and seeing none, all those in favor?
7:52 Um item number seven is a resolution authorizing fiscal year 2027 insurance renewals with various providers for a total of uh three million two hundred nine thousand two hundred and forty one dollars.
8:05 Support moved in support.
8:07 Hello, good morning.
8:10 Good morning, commissioners and colleagues.
8:13 Uh, my name is Daniel Aday, and I'm the risk manager for the city.
8:16 Um I've had the privilege of overseeing the risk management office since I started four months ago.
8:20 Uh the city of Grand Rapids uses a combination of insured approaches, including a uh high deductible self-insured retention, uh, commercial insurance and other insurances to manage the city's risks and exposures.
8:32 Uh the city sees cost savings through a self-insured approach when possible by avoiding heavy insurance premiums for traditional fully insured programs.
8:41 Uh, our approach to determine the determination of self-insured versus a fully insured is built upon risk exposure and costs.
8:47 Uh, where risks are generally known and predictable, we will self-insure.
8:51 However, where unknowns could occur, we will seek to transfer these risks to an insurance policy.
8:57 Uh the risk management office oversees these policies which are up for renewal.
9:01 Uh our total cost for insurance renewals for these coverages is three million two hundred and nine thousand, two hundred and forty-one dollars.
9:09 Included in these premiums are property insurance through Chubb, terrorism policies through Lloyd's of London, uh, special events insurances through Western Worlds, uh, excess Workers' Comp through Midwest employers, uh liquor liability through USL for the city's golf course, uh, governmental crime for uh through Hanover Insurance, contractors pollution liability with Beasley, excess liability through MMRMA, and our workers' comp uh TPA through Comp 1 and AJ Gallagher, which is our agent of record.
9:29 Collectively, our sum of insurance renewals cost is about 2.5% less than last fiscal year, but we saw changes across most policies.
9:50 Our special events insurance went from $3,925 to $6,810 as we continue to offer more coverage for city-sponsored events, which takes the liability off those who help organize these events.
10:04 The largest increase we saw was our general liability excess carrier, which is MMRMA, the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority.
10:13 This increase was an 8.3% increase, which is about $112,000.
10:18 This increase is due to exposure changes, such as additional staff, additional vehicles, and the increase in liabilities.
10:26 Although our total insured values for properties increased, meaning that we have more properties to insure, our property insurance overall decreased from last year, giving us a much better rate of 5.22 cents per 1,000 insured to 4.75 cents per 1,000 insured.
10:44 Collectively, our insurance limits the financial risks to the city and allows us to continue to operate and best serve the city while transferring risks to appropriate where appropriate and reducing exposures.
10:56 If you have any questions regarding these insurance renewals, I would be happy to answer them to the best of my ability.
11:03 Questions, colleagues?
11:05 Thank you for that overview.
11:06 You know, it happens, and it's you know good to hear.
11:10 I know uh the cost of insurance, and then certainly we're a large organization, so thanks for highlighting those.
11:15 Um, here and seeing on all those in favor?
11:19 Item carries, thank you.
11:21 Um item number eight is a resolution authorizing a budget substitution of one hundred and seventy thousand five dollars for pedestrian hybrid beacons at uh at Lyon Street, pardon me, and Fuller Avenue.
11:32 Do you have a motion?
11:34 Moved and supported.
11:38 Uh, this project came before commission in January for approval and award of contract.
11:43 Um, and now this is a budget substitution to follow up to fully fund the project.
11:49 And this adds a pedestrian hybrid beacon across crossing Fuller at Lion.
11:53 There's an existing crosswalk, um, and this is just enhancing the safety at that location.
12:01 Hearing and seeing no questions, all those in favor?
12:06 Item number 10 is a resolution authorizing a budget substitution of 491,865 for HVAC Air Handling Unit replacement at the West Side Complex.
12:20 Yeah, I would think I would.
12:24 Less amount of work, Commissioner.
12:26 Yeah, we can, you know, I can't skip number nine.
12:28 I would never skip you.
12:30 I would never skip you.
12:31 I was born in the third ward center.
12:36 Number nine is a resolution authorizing a budget substitution for 280,900 for MLK Jr.
12:42 Street East Ramp Bridge Replacement.
12:46 Moved and supported.
12:48 So this is replacing the ramp that comes up to the bridge that goes over US 131 at MLK on the east side.
12:58 Uh pretty complicated project.
13:00 Uh lots of peers that used to cross multiple rail lines, so a lot of improvements in that area.
13:07 Um, and this is an uh change to our budget of 280,000 for our um Act 51 cost share with the department.
13:16 So this is a $37 million project.
13:20 And between the investment Vital Streets made to widen the sidewalks and this uh increased cost, the city's cost is about $1.3 million for this entire $37 million dollar project.
13:31 So it's a big investment by MDOT.
13:34 Thank you for highlighting that.
13:38 Irving, do you know the um the timeline for this?
13:42 Uh how we are we on track for completion?
13:46 Well uh we are on track.
13:47 It's a very it's a very big project.
13:49 They made the decision to uh take the entire bridge down, given the complexity of the work and trying to limit it to one construction season.
13:59 Well, I'll look forward to that.
14:01 That's how I get from my parents to the north side commissioner.
14:04 So I'll remember you every time I pass that exit.
14:08 All those in favor?
14:12 Item number 10 is a is a resolution authorizing a budget substitution of 491,865 for an HVAC air handling unit replacement at the West Side Complex.
14:22 And so I will make the motion now.
14:30 This is a project, and it's essentially taking money from other projects where funds were remaining and using a budget substitution to fill out the funding to complete this investment.
14:42 Just a reminder to folks, that's our that's our uh property, and there's a number of services that operate out of there, and um, most notably the West Michigan Works, our workforce development agency.
14:55 All right, all those in favor?
14:59 Item carries item number 11, and why I guess why many of you are here today is an ordinance amending section one of the budget ordinance 2025-11 for fiscal year 2026 amendment number eight.
15:13 Moved and supported.
15:16 Good morning again.
15:18 Um, large VA today.
15:21 Um, we do have 24 items, a lot of them.
15:24 Um, as you read, I'm sure our uh, you know, fiscal year on cleanup, making sure that we have budget to finalize, going through, you know, salary expenses over time, things like that.
15:35 Um, I'm happy to try to take any questions if you have any on any specific items.
15:40 Otherwise, um, there should be people in the audience for from each department uh for any of the budget amendments that are out there.
15:48 Colleagues, questions on these items.
15:50 Again, we know there are a number of them, but they're not new or different to us.
15:55 Um, and is there anyone that you'd like to highlight?
15:59 Um, not necessarily um, it's like no, you want to highlight it.
16:04 You can yeah, um I and Molly did mention that um our income tax compliance is um coming up better than expected.
16:13 So even after all of these, um she does anticipate that the general fund is gonna land um pretty much where she had it when she projected it to use when we started that process, yeah.
16:29 And thank you for filling in.
16:30 Look at you, you got all the answers.
16:32 Trisha's often filling in for different roles, so we appreciate you.
16:36 It's nice to see you up here.
16:37 Um, I'll also just know, even though it is not on fiscal, but it's in our our packet for 7 p.m.
16:43 today, that the mayor and city manager did put together a letter.
16:47 Um, just really and I know they'll talk about it.
16:50 I want to take too much of their thunder away, but just really highlighting um just where the city is the growth, um, obviously the opportunities, but noting some of this particular investments as it relates to the budget this year.
17:03 Um, so also point people to that item because I think that was you know, I think it was really a reflection of there's we people have opinions about I have a lot of opinions about things.
17:13 We all have opinions about how we feel things are, and um, um, but it is important for us as a city to make sure that we're putting out facts, um, especially as we get into the season of um I think uh elections where there is a lot of um news media pieces popping up or things, you know, even uh, you know, say the use of AI and things that are like is this thing real or not?
17:36 And we just don't know.
17:37 So I'm really appreciate the mayor and city manager for putting that letter together, and then when we think about you know, yes, this is some people may say, Oh, you guys aren't you know talking too much about it.
17:46 Well, it's because we bit we talked about it for you know probably four meetings and talk about it all year long.
17:52 So I will end with that and call the question.
17:55 All those in favor, aye, any opposed item carries.
18:00 Um, item number 12 is the bid list resolution for June 16th, 2026.
18:05 Do you have a motion?
18:08 Moved and supported.
18:10 And typically again, we if there's ones that we would like to highlight out of there or anything.
18:18 Nothing necessarily, the three items.
18:21 Um, the pie management is of course for all of citywide and who staff services, um, if you have other questions, the communications and environmental services have people in the report.
18:35 She's saying phone a friend.
18:38 All right, all those in favor.
18:43 Next up is our comprollers warrant report for the deputy or for the period.
18:46 I was already getting ready for you, Miss Deserie.
18:49 For the period of May 19, 2026 through June 1st, 2026, and the amount of 39,767,009 dollars seventy cents.
18:58 And I'm going to turn it over to our deputy comproller, Miss Kirkland.
19:02 Good morning, commissioners.
19:04 And as shear the warrant report for this time for the time period May May 19th through June 1st is to 39,767,000, which include 5,897,000 in payroll, 96 and 23,000 in income tax warrant.
19:22 The number of income tax refunds was 3,419 in accounts payable checks issue was 1,057.
19:29 And that's our report.
19:31 And thank you for being here.
19:34 Um that is the report is received and filed.
19:36 And last up, but certainly not least, our treasurer's report for the period of May 20th, 2026 through June 2nd, 2026.
19:45 Good morning, Commissioners.
19:46 I guess in baseball, I'm considered the closer.
19:50 So I get this done in three minutes or less possibly.
19:54 So with our report today, we do have six hundred and sixty-six million dollars invested over it earning more than 3.33%.
20:02 Doing well in that.
20:03 We've started to see rates are steady right now with the Fed.
20:08 Right now, we expect that the Fed the new Fed chair Kevin Walsh will be leaving or encouraging everyone to leave rates stable and steady.
20:17 There isn't anything really tipping the market right now that's going to cause us any immediate concern.
20:23 We are looking at the global economic picture, and hopefully we do have a peace treaty signed between the US and Iran coming up here, and hopefully that will open the Straits of Hermos.
20:34 We are seeing the effects of that in the markets because our oil prices are coming down pretty steadily right now.
20:40 I believe it's below uh $90 a barrel, probably approaching closer to $85, $84 a barrel, which is much lower than what we had seen where it was pushing north of $100.
20:50 That's obviously going to trickle into our economy, and we should see that at the gas pumps, and don't expect it right away.
20:56 Typically it's I always think of this.
20:58 It takes 90 days for a ship to get out of the Straits of Hermoose to a processing center to be refined to affect our gas pumps.
21:05 It's easier for our our retail organizations to raise the price for us.
21:10 That might not be a slower decline, but we should see that start to lower.
21:16 Really, we still are gonna be concerned about inflation.
21:18 Our market uh we still is inflation is sticky, period.
21:22 That's that's just a fact right now.
21:23 So until we start having further economic data that would prove otherwise to where the Fed would want to adjust rates, it's still pictured in that we we won't might not see a rate increase or decrease at all this entire rest of the year.
21:36 Um, but again, stable is good.
21:38 Uh helps us plan better ourselves in terms of our investments and our bond issues and everything else that we do.
21:43 Um, but with that, that's pretty much the report for the day.
21:46 You know, I'm looking forward to a nice little break, as I'm sure you are as well.
21:50 Yes, yep, need a little break, and uh thank you for that report.
21:54 And there's so much happening again.
21:57 We know that what you're reporting on, uh, all the things that are happening from a geopolitical standpoint um and what will happen as we go into you know this midterm election is watching very closely.
22:09 All right, that report is also received and filed, and with that we are adjourned at 8 52.