Grand Rapids City Commission Meeting: September 22, 2026

The Grand Rapids City Commission met on September 22, 2026, to consider a budget amendment, hear public testimony on housing and community development, approve three obsolete property rehabilitation projects, and receive extensive public comment on immigration enforcement, police surveillance, and other community concerns. The meeting began with a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included routine approvals and items that passed out of committee without objection.
• The comptroller's warrant report for August 25 to September 7, 2026, in the amount of $23,778,750.89, and the treasurer's report for August 26 to September 8, 2026, were received and filed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Education Grant Support: D. Jones expressed support for a $300,000 grant from the Community Foundation for the “to college” program, emphasizing the importance of higher education and continuous city investment in such initiatives.
• Opposition to Substance Spending: A resident (Daniel) opposed the city’s budget allocation for a drug sobriety court grant, arguing that allowing marijuana stores and breweries while spending on sobriety programs is hypocritical; he urged prevention over remediation.
• Housing & Community Development (CAPER):
  • D. Jones advocated for 3D-printed housing as a future affordable housing innovation.
  • Jim Davis (Family Promise of West Michigan) urged stronger explicit funding for family homelessness prevention, noting a 39% increase in family homelessness nationally and rising local calls.
  • Nancy Haynes (Fair Housing Center of West Michigan) thanked the city for increased support ($90,000) and detailed services: 188 hours of education, 52 discrimination tests, and opening 1,420 housing units.
  • Anna Diaz (Community Rebuilders) reported on the HOME TBRA program: $400,000 in city funding served 61 households, 99% exited to permanent housing.
• Amphitheater Noise: Dan Hibma and Ted Roseboom (Plaza Towers residents) complained about excessive noise from the Acreshir Amphitheater, including low-frequency bass that carries for miles. Hibma presented a poll showing 74% support for a sound wall; both urged mitigation measures. The planning commission was criticized for relying on inaccurate noise studies.
• Affordable Housing Crisis: Amy Brock and Julie Hauk (Grand Rapids for Affordable Housing) and Martha Cooper highlighted the severe shortage of affordable units—6,990 rental and 6,333 owner-occupied units needed by 2030—and criticized large public subsidies for luxury developments (e.g., $560 million for Three Towers) while affordable housing gets far less. They proposed tiny home villages, portable tenant applications, bans on algorithmic rent-setting, and a vacancy tax.
• Bicycle & Pedestrian Infrastructure: Multiple speakers (Jacob Warner, Adam Williams, Laura Sessa, Andrew Carley, Anna Carly) called for better maintenance, connectivity, and investment in bike lanes and walkable infrastructure, emphasizing safety, economic benefits, and alignment with previous city plans. They requested interdepartmental coordination and funding for traffic calming.
• Sanctuary City & ICE Collaboration: Numerous speakers (Matt, Tanner, Jacob Christophori, Chloe Mulder, Kyle, Alex, John Haynes, and others) demanded adoption of the six sanctuary policies proposed by Movimiento Cosecha, an end to GRPD cooperation with ICE, and cancellation of all ALPR (Flock) camera contracts. They cited the September 12 arrest of five peaceful protesters outside the ICE field office and the death of Mario David Coronado Juarez on September 20, who died in a crash allegedly during an ICE pursuit. Speakers claimed GRPD shares Flock data with 1,656 agencies, including at least 127 with ICE 287G agreements, and that GRPD actively assists ICE operations.
• First Amendment & Hate Speech: A speaker (traveling advocate) educated the commission on First Amendment protections, arguing that hate speech is legal and that the city’s decorum rules may be unconstitutional. Another speaker (Michael Thompson) condemned the earlier anti-Islam remarks as hateful.
• Police Conduct & Transparency: Lucas (former West Grand Neighborhood VP) criticized Chief Trigg’s social media post depicting violence and alleged city interference. Several speakers (Chloe Mulder, Teresa, Jasmine’s statement) described GRPD’s physical force during the September 12 protest.
• Other: Matthew Scudigan and Daniel spoke on religious themes; Kim promoted a school board candidate forum.

Discussion Items

• Budget Amendment (Ordinance): Commissioner Sauci introduced a batch of budget adjustments, including grants for community development (CHIP lead hazard control), Michigan Indigent Defense Fund, 61st District Court drug and sobriety court grants, engineering items (Scribner capital bond, fire department training facilities), police auto theft prevention grant, parks and recreation (Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund for river edges trail), and substance abuse/mental health services. The ordinance was adopted by unanimous roll call (all commissioners voting yes). Immediate effect also approved.
• Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER): Mr. Tucker presented the CAPER covering July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026, required by HUD. Funding sources included CDBG, HOME, ESG, JAG, opioid settlement funds, and affordable housing fund. Key outcomes: 222 households prevented/resolved homelessness; 31,600 people received fair housing education; 135 affordable units completed; 3,400 code compliance cases; 531 housing units repaired. The public hearing was opened and closed; written comments accepted until September 23.
• Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Districts: Three projects were presented and referred to the Committee of the Whole for further consideration:
  1. 2130 Plinyfield: Rehabilitation of 3,000 sq ft building plus 1,600 sq ft commercial space, four one-bedroom units at 100% AMI, total cost $1.19 million. Includes 82% aspirational inclusion goals for micro/local/WMBE businesses.
  2. 1024 MLK: Rehabilitation of 5,300 sq ft into child care and after-school programming, total cost ~$1 million. Applicant Latrice Hampton spoke of her passion for the community.
  3. 1956 Eastern SE: Rehabilitation of 8,000 sq ft into eight one-bedroom units at 80% AMI, total cost $1.5 million. Term extended to 11 years due to affordability commitment.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved unanimously.
• Budget Amendment adopted by unanimous roll call (Commissioners Belchak, Kilgore, Asasi, Purdue, Knight, Mayor Legrand all yes). Immediate effect also carried.
• CAPER Public Hearing closed; final written comments due September 23.
• Board of Review (Special Assessment) hearing closed; two appeals received.
• Three Obsolete Property Projects referred to Committee of the Whole for final action.
• No votes taken on sanctuary city policies, ALPR contracts, amphitheater noise mitigation, or bike infrastructure proposals. These remain open topics.
• Meeting recessed after a public commenter refused to yield time and the room became disorderly; no further business was conducted.

Note: The death of Mario David Coronado Juarez (allegedly during an ICE pursuit on September 20) was repeatedly referenced by public commenters, who called for accountability and the adoption of sanctuary policies. The commission did not respond directly to these demands during the meeting.