Grand Rapids City Commission Meeting - October 6, 2026

The Grand Rapids City Commission met on October 6, 2026, beginning at approximately 2:00 PM. The meeting included public comments on several contentious issues, routine approvals, and a postponed vote on a tax exemption certificate. Key topics included noise complaints from the Acrisure Amphitheater, calls to cancel the Flock Safety contract and address ICE collaboration, and concerns from Black developers about the city's emerging developers program.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes from the previous meeting.
• Received and filed communications: one regarding the Grand Rapids Police Department, four noise complaints against the Acrisure Amphitheater, one regarding the annual financial statement audit, and one resignation from the Community Relations Commission.
• Received and filed the Comptroller's warrant report ($37,060,657.57 for September 8–21, 2026), monthly travel report, and Treasurer's report for September 9–22, 2026.
• Approved the consent agenda (items passed unanimously out of committee and not removed).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Karen Henry Stokes (Plaza Towers resident): Expressed strong opposition to the noise from the Acrisure Amphitheater, describing the October 2 concert as an "invasion" with persistent bass that disrupted her home. She noted she had recently returned from Tokyo, a city of 14 million, where sound was not bothersome.
• Dan Hibb (Plaza Towers): Argued that the sound projections for the amphitheater were inaccurate, stating that the planning commission was told sound would be under 45 decibels at Plaza Towers but actual levels exceed 90 decibels. He cited that only 4 of 348 U.S. cities with populations over 100,000 have a downtown amphitheater of at least 6,000 seats. He urged the commission not to exempt the amphitheater from the noise ordinance and to require mitigation such as a sound wall.
• Peter Steensman (Plaza Towers, 22nd floor): Claimed measured sound levels at Plaza Towers from the amphitheater are 500 times the limits that would be loud in New York City, and that bass easily passes through windows. He stated sound travels up to eight miles upriver due to atmospheric conditions. He asked the commission to choose mitigation over exempting the venue.
• Kara Wood (Executive Director of Grand Action 2.0, Plaza Towers resident): Supported the proposed ordinance amendment, stating it provides clarity, predictability, and fairness. She noted the amphitheater represents significant public and private investment and that most of her neighbors love it. She argued the amendment respects residents by providing transparency and strikes a balance between quality of life and economic activity.
• Mark (Grand Rapids resident): Questioned the Class C resort liquor license for the proposed soccer stadium (8,500 seats), asking about space for premium amenities and whether the venue could be retrofitted.
• D. Jones: Spoke on agenda item two (fiscal committee), urging the city to use a $70,000 PR contract to promote colleges and universities with strong job placement rates, and to advertise the child and scholars program. He also highlighted an esports regional finals event at DeVos Place, supported by a $10,000 sponsorship from the CAA, and mentioned a 3D printing construction company looking to partner with the city.
• Sine Gantt Jordan (born and raised in Grand Rapids, business owner): Addressed the state of Black Grand Rapids, stating that the emerging developers initiative has not delivered meaningful participation for historically excluded developers. She cited the 2015 Forbes report on black economic disparities and the city's 2022 declaration that racism is a public health crisis. She asked for a clear engagement structure, measurable objectives, and accountability, and called for mobilizing $10 million in public-private-philanthropic investment.
• Yolanda Wilson (Sisters in Development): Continued the theme, saying the city announced opportunities but left participants without clarity or a pathway forward, leading to financial setbacks and institutional betrayal.
• Tanner (resident near site of Mario Coronado Juarez's death): Called for canceling the Flock Safety contract, banning ALPRs, and passing sanctuary city policies. He alleged GRPD collaborated with ICE to arrest family members of Mario Coronado Juarez after the mayor said ICE is not welcome. He quoted Leviticus 19:33-34.
• Stephanie Vogue (First Ward resident): Opposed Flock cameras, citing a federal judge's ruling that warrantless month-long use of ALPR databases is unconstitutional. She argued the cameras are a backbone for a pay-per-mile tax system and that data centers enable prediction of human behavior for insider trading.
• Kyle (First Ward constituent): Spoke against Flock and ICE, stating GRPD shares Flock data with 287G deputized agencies. He noted the Oklahoma federal judge's ruling and that the wife and family of Mario Coronado Juarez were abducted by ICE with GRPD support. He demanded action.
• Mark (returning): Urged voter registration and high turnout (70–80%), criticizing disruptions at the previous meeting.
• Kyle (returning): Claimed he was harassed by GRPD, pulled over twice for noise violations while playing NWA's "Fuck the Police."
• Steve Bennett (Third Ward resident): Addressed the surveillance camera issue, reading from the federal judge's opinion that persistent dragnet surveillance violates the Fourth Amendment. He asked if the city can wait until the contract expires in June.
• Dan Hibb (returning): Responded to a letter from the deputy city manager, arguing enforcement is possible via sound walls and mixing boards, and that the city cannot amend the special land use without CAA concurrence. He urged tabling the ordinance amendment until real protections are built in.
• Shiona Nadewski (Community Relations Commission): Invited commissioners to the CRC meeting on October 8, 2026, and discussed work on disability inclusion, early childhood trauma, and LGBTQIA issues.

Discussion Items

• Resolution Establishing Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District (1956 Eastern LLC): Commissioner Purdue introduced the resolution under Act 146 of 2000 for a project at 1956 Eastern Avenue to create eight one-bedroom apartment units with a $1,564,351 investment. A public hearing was held September 22. The resolution passed unanimously.
• Resolution Approving 11-Year OPRA Exemption Certificate (same project): Commissioner Purdue moved to postpone action indefinitely because the applicant still needs to meet full eligibility (including a tax deferral repayment timeline aligning with project completion). The motion passed unanimously.
• Commissioner Responses: Several commissioners addressed public comments. Commissioner Purdue acknowledged the concerns of Black developers, stating she hears them and is committed to working on small business and wealth creation. She also responded to activists on Flock and ICE, noting she has held deep-dive meetings and invited pointed conversations. Commissioner Belcher emphasized civility and respect for First Amendment rights, expressing disappointment over disruptions at the previous meeting. Commissioner Knight reported speaking with Congresswoman Scholten about the death of Mario Coronado Juarez and stated that none of his family was arrested in Wyoming (contrary to some claims). Commissioner Carr highlighted the emerging developers program, noting that the Economic Development Project Team discussed millions in potential funding, and urged continued relationship-building.
• Mayor's Comments: The mayor discussed working with the ACLU on sanctuary policies but cautioned against unintended consequences. He stated the Flock/ALPR conversation is not done, and that placing it under the surveillance policy was a necessary step. He reiterated that ICE is not welcome in the city but cannot be kept out entirely. He announced the city is exploring Cure Violence, a public health approach to violence reduction, and noted over 10 murders in the city this year, calling for zero murders.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Minutes, consent agenda, resolution establishing obsolete property rehabilitation district for 1956 Eastern LLC.
• Postponed Indefinitely: Resolution approving the 11-year OPRA exemption certificate for the same project, pending full eligibility.
• Public Hearing: Set for a future date on the amphitheater noise ordinance amendment (referenced but not voted on).
• Next Steps: The city clerk provided election updates: 33,000 absentee ballots mailed, 4,400 returned; early voting begins October 20 in Grand Rapids (four locations). The city manager noted the ALPR policy review by OPA, and the economic development department will announce another city-owned property for riverfront development.