OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Grand Rapids City Commission Meeting - September 8, 2026

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, September 8, 2026
BodyGrand Rapids, Michigan
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, September 8, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:17:40

Transcript — Verbatim
0:03

Call this meeting of City Commission order.

0:05

Thank you all for being here.

0:06

And we will begin their meeting as is our habit with a moment of silence.

0:18

Please join us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:27

And to the Republic.

0:28

For which it stands under God with liberty and justice.

0:38

Thank you, Mr.

0:39

Clerk.

0:40

If you could call the roll.

0:41

Commissioner Belchak.

0:43

Present.

0:44

Commissioner Purdue.

0:45

Good afternoon.

0:45

Commissioner Yasasi.

0:47

Present.

0:47

Commissioner Kilgore.

0:48

Present.

0:48

Commissioner Knight.

0:49

Here.

0:49

Mayor Le Grand.

0:50

Yes.

0:51

And if our interpreter could come up and explain her job.

1:09

My name is Sandra Nickel, and I'm here to help you.

1:13

Um anyone who needs interpretation from English to Spanish or vice versa.

1:18

I'm here to serve you.

1:19

Gladly we'll do that to come up here or from the Mac.

1:22

Thank you.

1:24

Thank you.

1:25

Um and next item on our agenda is approval of minutes.

1:28

Can I have a motion?

1:28

So moved.

1:29

Support.

1:30

Uh for that.

1:31

Oh, I'm sorry.

1:32

I missed.

1:32

I'm I'm sorry.

1:33

So this is our that now we have our first opportunity for public comment.

1:37

This is specifically on agenda items.

1:39

The agendas are available on the hall.

1:40

So if you want to adjust something that's specifically an agenda item, please come up and address us.

1:45

Tell us who you are, where you're uh where you live, that would be nice.

1:49

Uh and the two things I will say, and I'll say this again later.

1:52

Um please be aware there's a clock, it's very visible, and you have a three-minute time limit.

1:57

Um I will give people a little grace to finish their thought if they're in the middle of a thought when the second ends, but please try to respect uh the common use of time.

2:06

Uh and also be aware, please remember you're addressing the commission, so it's not a it's not a public speech.

2:12

It's uh you it's addressing us on concerns.

2:16

Uh okay.

2:17

Seeing no one for our first public comment, thank you.

2:19

Uh now we'll move on to approval of the minutes, which I think I have a motion already on the table for.

2:24

Uh so that's specifically minutes of our last meeting on August 25th.

2:29

Um, any all those in favor of uh approval minutes?

2:33

No, we already had that, but okay.

2:35

Yeah, that's okay.

2:37

First time for everything, Commissioner.

2:38

Uh all in favor, say aye.

2:40

Aye.

2:40

Aye.

2:41

All opposed.

2:43

Motion carries.

2:43

That brings us to petitions and communications.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Technology and Innovation███████████████15%
Public Engagement██████████████14%
Public Safety██████████████14%
Economic Development██████████████14%
Community Engagement██████████████14%
Procedural███████7%
Noise Ordinance███████7%
Racial Equity███████7%
Personnel Matters███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Grand Rapids City Commission Meeting - September 8, 2026

The meeting was called to order with a moment of silence, Pledge of Allegiance, and roll call. Commissioners Belchak, Purdue, Yusasi, Kilgore, Knight, and Mayor LeGrand were present. An interpreter for Spanish/English was introduced. The minutes of the August 25 meeting were approved unanimously.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes of August 25, 2026.
  • Received and filed petitions and communications, including noise complaints about the Acrisure Amphitheater, communications regarding automatic license plate reader (ALPR) technology, a bond sale report, comptroller's warrant report, treasurer's report, and the city manager's report on bringing ALPR under the city's surveillance policy.
  • Consent agenda adopted unanimously.

City Manager's Report on Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR)

  • City Manager Washington announced that effective September 7, 2026, by administrative order, ALPR (Flock) technology has been placed under the city's existing surveillance policy. Any expansion or change in use require approval from the Public Safety Committee and City Commission. At the contract's conclusion (June 2027), the Office of Public Accountability will conduct a surveillance report and recommend whether to renew. Citizens can report suspected misuse to OPA.

Public Comments

  • Shiona Navsky (Community Relations Commission, veteran): Invited to CRC meetings, raised concerns about upcoming Medicaid changes (eligibility for non-citizens in October 2026, work requirements in January 2027) and asked what the city is doing to help residents.
  • Matthew (3rd Ward): Opposed Flock cameras, demanded cancellation. Criticized the city's action as insufficient, cited a Wisconsin sheriff recommending cancellation and Sheboygan ending contract due to unauthorized data sales. Argued Flock cannot be trusted.
  • Eric (2nd Ward): Thanked commission for bringing ALPR under surveillance policy but urged caution against moving to another vendor like Axon. Commented on jail millage meeting and asked for clearer city communications on mobile GR affordability.
  • Kyle (2nd Ward): Appreciated the step but argued Flock is inconsistent with Fourth Amendment, comparing to a DNA database. Called for requiring warrants for ALPR data.
  • Chris Crenson (West Side Corridor Improvement Authority): Thanked commission for approving West Side Gateway Signage Project.
  • Mary Malone (business owner, 1956 Eastern Ave): Requested update on her emerging developers grant application, stating the city committed to process under original program. Expressed concern about lack of communication.
  • Sine Gantt Jordan (business owner, Grand Vale Ave): Also an emerging developer waiting for information. Questioned the city's definition of emerging developer, said funding went to undeserving entities. Asked for clarity on West Side signage vs. Northwest/Southwest.
  • John Molloy: Opposed Flock surveillance, asked to freeze expansion and outside sharing, not renew contract. Emphasized trust and human dignity.
  • Steve Bennett (3rd Ward): Thanked for bringing ALPR under policy but said it's not enough. Discussed trust issues in police, sanctuary policies, and the "pesky warrants" comment by deputy chief. Urged communication on sanctuary policies.
  • Charlie Snedaker: Supported movement Cocosha (six sanctuary policy demands) and opposed Flock. Called for ceasing all surveillance technology.
  • Kara Wood (Plaza Towers resident, development team for Acrisure Amphitheater): Highlighted economic impact: 387,000 attendees, 800+ jobs, $10 million in local economic activity. Defended the project as a community asset.
  • Sam Cummings (2nd Ward, real estate): Supported amphitheater, compared to Van Andel Arena opening. Said customers are ecstatic about the vitality.
  • Ron Vanderveen (attorney for Plaza Towers condo owners): Complained that amphitheater noise exceeds 90 decibels at upper floors, violating city ordinance Section 9.65 (limit 62-69 decibels). Asked city to enforce noise limits and release sound monitoring reports. Noted court ruling that ordinance applies.
  • Michael Kagan (Plaza Towers condo owner, 15th floor): Supported amphitheater, said noise is not a problem. Claimed property values rising and businesses benefiting. Asked commission to allow the noise needed for growth.
  • Mark (Grand Rapids): Commented on growth and entertainment venues, suggested Van Andel Arena needs renovation.

Commissioner Comments

  • Commissioner Yusasi: Reminded of Fiesta Mexicana festival.
  • Commissioner Knight: Thanked for presentations, urged public to pay attention to jail millage on ballot, financial impact on residents.
  • Commissioner Purdue: Discussed jail millage concerns (financial structure, gaps), thanked city manager for swift action on ALPR transparency, highlighted upcoming public safety committee discussions. Reported on "Governing for All" conference and championed being a "14th Amendment person."
  • Commissioner Kilgore: Thanked staff, highlighted Third World Equity funds and upcoming budget amendments. Reiterated support for moratorium on Flock expansion and said he will vote no on contract renewal. Announced community conversation on public safety with Chief Trig on September 15.
  • Commissioner Belchak: Encouraged feedback, highlighted Welcoming Week proclamation, attended Punjabi sports club, African American Museum event. Asked historians about "West Side" naming.
  • City Clerk: Referred to full report on upcoming election.
  • City Attorney: Reminded of recess to closed session, expressed confidence in city lawyers.
  • City Manager Washington: Thanked employees, emphasized growth vs. decline, argued for welcoming community and placemaking. Acknowledged growing pains but committed to improvement.
  • Mayor LeGrand: Emphasized importance of face-to-face visits in jail, community conversation on millage. Thanked speakers on Flock, noted city can set reasonable limits beyond Fourth Amendment. Highlighted new bike share with baskets and crash avoidance technology. Read Wendell Berry poem "Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front" and closed meeting in recess.

Key Outcomes

  • Approval of minutes from August 25, 2026 (unanimous).
  • Consent agenda adopted (unanimous).
  • Salary ordinance for election aids (new rates: level 1 from $20 to $25 per hour) passed (roll call vote 6-0, immediate effect).
  • Salary ordinance for utility valve specialist (new classification) passed (roll call vote 6-0, immediate effect).
  • City manager's administrative order placing ALPR under surveillance policy effective September 7, 2026.
  • Meeting recessed to closed session (not adjourned).

Meeting Transcript

Call this meeting of City Commission order. Thank you all for being here. And we will begin their meeting as is our habit with a moment of silence. Please join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. And to the Republic. For which it stands under God with liberty and justice. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. If you could call the roll. Commissioner Belchak. Present. Commissioner Purdue. Good afternoon. Commissioner Yasasi. Present. Commissioner Kilgore. Present. Commissioner Knight. Here. Mayor Le Grand. Yes. And if our interpreter could come up and explain her job. My name is Sandra Nickel, and I'm here to help you. Um anyone who needs interpretation from English to Spanish or vice versa. I'm here to serve you. Gladly we'll do that to come up here or from the Mac. Thank you. Thank you. Um and next item on our agenda is approval of minutes. Can I have a motion? So moved. Support. Uh for that. Oh, I'm sorry. I missed. I'm I'm sorry. So this is our that now we have our first opportunity for public comment. This is specifically on agenda items. The agendas are available on the hall. So if you want to adjust something that's specifically an agenda item, please come up and address us. Tell us who you are, where you're uh where you live, that would be nice. Uh and the two things I will say, and I'll say this again later. Um please be aware there's a clock, it's very visible, and you have a three-minute time limit. Um I will give people a little grace to finish their thought if they're in the middle of a thought when the second ends, but please try to respect uh the common use of time. Uh and also be aware, please remember you're addressing the commission, so it's not a it's not a public speech. It's uh you it's addressing us on concerns. Uh okay. Seeing no one for our first public comment, thank you. Uh now we'll move on to approval of the minutes, which I think I have a motion already on the table for. Uh so that's specifically minutes of our last meeting on August 25th.

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