Grand Rapids City Commission Meeting: October 27, 2026

The Grand Rapids City Commission met on the evening of October 27, 2026, to consider three rezoning ordinances, a wage settlement ordinance, a budget amendment, a contested noise ordinance amendment for the Acrisure Amphitheater, and a litigation settlement. The amphitheater noise exemption dominated public comment, drawing dozens of residents for and against the measure. All agenda items passed, with the noise ordinance amendment passing 6-0 by roll call vote.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the previous meeting's minutes and passed the consent agenda unanimously.
• Received and filed the comptroller's warrant report for September 22 through October 12, 2026, in the amount of $71,680,271.61, along with the small claims report.
• Received and filed the treasurer's report (September 23 - October 12, 2026) and the supplemental fiscal year 2026 year-end investment portfolio summary as of June 30, 2026.
• Received and filed petitions and communications, including 17 communications opposing the proposed Section 9.66 noise amendment, 8 communications supporting it, FOIA appeals, a Community Relations Commission resignation, and a sewer backup claim of $17,000.

Public Comments & Testimony

First public comment period (specific agenda items):

Opponents of the Acrisure Amphitheater noise exemption:

• Lucas urged commissioners to vote no, calling the project a "giant sellout to greedy corporate interests," criticizing the sound study, Live Nation, and Legends Global, and proposing a 10 p.m. weeknight / 11 p.m. weekend compromise for all entertainment venues.
• Gabby Mells (Second Ward, Eastern and Cherry Street) said the noise "invades our spaces, our minds, and our peace" and argued the venue should not bypass the ordinance.
• Kane Farrier (First Ward, up the hill from the zoo) said a variance is not the answer and the venue should be held to the law's noise limits and hours.
• Hannah White said her two-year-old son Felix was kept awake by a concert near Leonard and Fuller.
• Tom Flickinger (First Ward, under two miles away) said the existing limits "worked" after the court ruling, urged protecting the 11 p.m. cutoff, and asked the commission to vote no or postpone the decision.
• Giles Hoffren (First Ward) said the disparity between the city's urgency to accommodate the venue and its reluctance to address resident concerns was "impossible to ignore," adding that residents are asking the city "to govern."
• Danny Hipmer (Plaza Towers) described failed attempts to work with Grand Action 2.0 and the planning director since 2023, called the 2023 hearing "illegitimate" due to false sound-study projections, and asked the commission to table or vote no.
• Kip Paul (retired Army sergeant, downtown senior building) said the noise bounces off apartment walls, noted the future soccer stadium will add more noise and traffic, and asked commissioners to "vote like you live there."
• Alyssa (West Fulton and Southwest Seward) said she hears the amphitheater inside her ground-floor apartment with windows closed and demanded the venue follow the noise ordinance: "no one is above the law."
• Peter Steensma (Plaza Towers) used a measurement analogy, arguing the amphitheater was designed using a "speech ruler" for a full-spectrum music problem.
• Gavin Frodi (near the zoo, cellist) said amplified sound in an amphitheater is "overkill" and asked that the venue follow the same rules as everyone else.
• Nick (Second Ward, Monroe Northeast, four miles away) said he attended about 10 shows but should not hear concerts inside his home with windows closed; "same rules for everybody."
• Adam Fuller (Creston, Ward 2, over three miles away) presented data from Surveyofsound.com: 114 resident reports, 90 describing hearing sound indoors (nearly four out of five), 44 rated high or extreme (nearly half), spanning 15 separate evenings, with reports coming from neighborhoods several miles away and residents as far as eight miles away. He asked the city to retain ordinance protections and establish enforceable standards before next season.
• Marco Sadini Johnson said he moved from Bridge Street because of noise, hired an attorney, and spent $20,000 on sound-blocking windows. He said the community's biggest concern, noise, was never mentioned when the ordinance extension was discussed, and urged "people over profit."
• Mindy said the pattern showed everyday citizens opposing the exemption while business-oriented speakers supported it, and asked who the commission is making decisions for.
• Hal Fruth (Plaza Towers) said he has direct line of sight to the stage, must raise his voice and turn up the TV to hear over concerts, criticized the lack of concern shown by officials on October 6, and demanded transparency on sound-monitoring data.
• Susan Ward (Second Ward, Knapp and Plainfield, 32-year resident) said her windows rattled and her cat growled during a Wednesday night concert; she loves the facility but asked for noise control.
• Blake Edmonds (First Ward) said voting no or tabling would show residents they have been heard.
• Andrew Thiel (Northeast Side) said, "If it's 10 o'clock for us, 10 o'clock for them."
• Another speaker said the amphitheater should not be exempt, cited $16 concession drinks, and argued the commission represents Grand Rapids residents, not out-of-town visitors.

Supporters of the Acrisure Amphitheater noise exemption:

• Sue Brown (downtown, less than a mile away) said she has no problem with the noise, loves the energy, and wants to "keep it as it is. Loud for some."
• Michael Cagen (Plaza Condominiums, 15th floor, 28-year downtown resident) supported the exemption, noted out-of-town visitors spending money, and said police, fire, and ambulance sirens are louder than the venue.
• Paul (downtown business owner and DeVos Place trade show host) supported the exemption and cautioned against lowering decibel limits, noting every six decibels halves sound pressure.
• Kara Wood (Plaza Towers resident and executive director of Grand Action 2.0) said the overwhelming sentiment from her neighbors has been excitement and pride, and that the amendment protects the original intent of the exemption and provides certainty for residents, businesses, and event organizers.
• Rick Wynne (chair of the Convention Arena Authority and city resident, blocks from the venue) supported the amendment, citing 48 shows and 400,000 attendees in the opening season, plus free community events including a world-record closing ceremony.
• Josh Lunger (Second Ward resident, senior vice president of advocacy, Grand Rapids Chamber) urged support, citing positive feedback from businesses on Bridge Street, Leonard Street, Uptown, Easttown, and Division.
• Tanya Price (Third Ward, recently moved from Colorado near Red Rocks) supported the amphitheater and the city's balance of community and business development, while suggesting mitigation such as a 10 p.m. rather than 11 p.m. end time.
• Russell Mstead (West Side, musician and music lover) said the noise is not a nuisance to him and he loves the venue, but acknowledged others are adversely affected and proposed compromises: earlier end times, tree buffers, and acoustical engineering work.

Other first-period comments:

• Pastor Walter Slaughter was redirected to the general public comment period because his topics (Islam in the area, crime) were not agenda items.
• Daniel opposed the $12,000 grant from the "Voters Not Politicians Education Fund," questioned Clerk Hondorp about dead people and non-citizens voting, and opposed three liquor license resolutions on religious and moral grounds, citing scripture and decades of ministering in a hard-side neighborhood.
• Shiona Nodewski and Sheena Woss (Community Relations Commission) asked whether funds from the United Way Rapid Response Fund (fiscal item 5) could be used to help residents in each ward prepare emergency kits, citing an Indiana blackout event.
• Cindy Hicks (First Ward) expressed disappointment that leadership does not listen to constituents and said her calls to the mayor and city manager about gun violence were not returned.

Second public comment period (general comments):

• Lucas again criticized the "layers of corporatism" in Grand Rapids, called the amphitheater a case study, urged attendance at the CAA meeting on November 6 and the Kent County Commission meeting on November 19, and criticized the handling of the First Ward vacancy.
• Hal Fruth asked the city to require the CAA to engage directly and meaningfully with affected residents on noise solutions.
• Chloe (volunteer, Grand Rapids Rapid Response to ICE) said ICE is taking at least five people a day, including 10 the prior day and 9 that day (19 people within two days), that GRPD has arrested at least six protesters, and asked the commission directly: "What are we going to do about it?"
• A resident of 1150 Plymouth Avenue NE said the landlord has not shoveled the public sidewalk in 10 years despite 10 complaints, endangering an 81-year-old electric wheelchair user and an 82-year-old who fell, and asked the city to compel the property owner.
• Matthew Scott made religious remarks, said he and his group vote according to scripture, and thanked the commission.
• An unnamed speaker criticized two September "insurrections," questioned whether protesters were paid, made statements about abortion and the election, and addressed Commissioner Kilgore directly.
• Jennifer, from Wyoming, Michigan, said police are part of the community family, asked for positive officer stories to be shared, and used a "time out" analogy for disruptive meeting behavior.
• Shiona Nadevsky returned to promote free "Know Your Rights" presentations, veteran art programs, and Community's Children programs, sharing her daughters' educational and career successes.
• A taxpayer advocate said local billionaire oligarch families control local government, listed grievances (amphitheater, affordable housing, soccer stadium, ICE, Flock and ALPR surveillance), and urged passage of the "Privacy, Safety, and Dignity for All" ordinance.
• Griffin criticized GRPD behavior at a vigil for Mario David Coronado Juarez, said ICE and GRPD collaborate, and asked the commission to pass the six sanctuary policies.
• Cindy Hicks returned to discuss unlisted Flock cameras near her home, data storage, trauma from police violence, and the murder of her neighbor following her previous warning.
• An unnamed speaker identified five intersections with Flock or ALPR cameras, reiterated the D-Flock coalition's four demands (cancel the contract, remove hardware, sign no new ALPR contracts, adopt a future ban), and supported Cosecha's six sanctuary policies.
• Joshua (First Ward) said he is a tired civil rights activist, cited Mario Coronado Juarez's cousins being taken, and demanded productive action on ICE and Flock rather than "half-assed attempts."
• Kim (Third Ward) urged voting for Abdul El-Sayed, criticized the county's detention millage passed on primary day, and asked how the city is preparing for the new First Ward commissioner.
• Alex (Rapid Response to ICE volunteer) said GRPD directly protected ICE as it transported Mario's family to the Baldwin detention center, accused GRPD of illegally closing public sidewalks during protests, and said, "Every single day there's a delay, blood is on your hands."
• Brielle (First Ward) listed powers the city has (banning 287G agreements, opposing detention centers, ending Flock, passing the Privacy, Safety, and Dignity ordinance) and asked whether the commission will "do your job."
• An unnamed speaker described 13 years of accompaniment work in Guatemala, said he stood in front of a GEO Group van to block the transport of Mario's cousins, and argued GRPD collaboration makes the city complicit in "state terrorism."
• Another unnamed speaker linked Flock and Axon cameras to Trump, Jeffrey Epstein, and Peter Thiel, and defended the MN 15 and Michigan 8.
• John said "we will get through this" is an abdication of responsibility, described conditions at the Baldwin detention facility, and urged ordinances prohibiting GRPD assistance to ICE and use of Flock data.
• Mary (Third Ward) urged the six sanctuary policies as a mental health prevention measure for trauma, anxiety, depression, and suicide risk.
• Matt (Third Ward) called Flock cameras an "80-20 issue," noted hundreds of cities have removed them, and said policing "is supposed to be hard."
• Dustin asked the city to help coordinate a cleanup of city-owned property around the Norton Indian Mounds, saying he has sponsorship from his employer, MDOT, Kent County, Republic Services, and the Grand Rapids Public Museum, but had not received a call back in three weeks.
• Rachel (Second Ward) urged support for the sanctuary policies and asked how many seats will be empty at holiday tables because of deportations.
• Phyllis (Ward 1) called the city's surveillance policy a "gesture," cited cities that removed Flock cameras, and demanded the contract be canceled.
• Sharon Smith (First Ward, off Cesar Chavez) discussed her white privilege, police discretion, and asked the city to stop GRPD collaboration with ICE.
• An unnamed speaker condemned GRPD racism and brutality, mass public surveillance, and urged adoption of the sanctuary policies.
• Mark returned to urge everyone to vote, criticized the Trump rally in Port Huron, and warned against complacency.
• Shannon Tannis said she was pulled over on 28th Street, discovered the speed limit has not changed since 1983, and plans an audit of traffic citation revenue, noting judges receive 24% (about $9.6 million) from traffic citation revenue.

Discussion Items

Noise Ordinance Amendment — Section 9.66 (Acrisure Amphitheater Exemption):

• The amendment clarifies that the uses and activities listed in Section 9.66, including Acrisure Amphitheater sounds between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., are exempt from any prohibition, limitation, or restriction in the noise control article. City staff and the city attorney explained that the amendment restores the original 2023 intent after a court ruling this summer produced an interpretation that was unintended and unworkable.
• Under the restored framework, the amphitheater remains regulated by its special land use permit, which includes decibel limits at specific on-site locations, a monitoring system, and city manager authority to grant limited extensions for extenuating circumstances (used once during the season).
• Commissioner Belchuk read the current and proposed language into the record, noting the change from "not prohibited noises" to "exempt from any prohibition, limitation, or restriction." She acknowledged the venue's economic and community benefits, noted the city holds bonds on the project, and said the vote was about restoring intent while broader community conversations continue.
• Commissioner Asassi, who served in 2023, affirmed the original intent and objected to characterizations of the amendment as a loophole or bypass, saying such language questions her character and ethics, and said she stands by every vote she has taken.
• Commissioner Purdue said the amendment keeps limitations and rules in place and makes them clear and predictable, and said enforcement and due diligence did occur during the season.
• Mayor LeGrand said continuity is important, that the amphitheater builds community, and that ongoing conversations with residents will continue.
• City Manager Mark Washington offered to invite CAA representatives to a future briefing before the next concert season to discuss operational plans and responses to resident feedback.

Zoning Ordinances:

• 834 Livingston Avenue NE: Rezoned the northerly 2,441.8 square feet from SD-SD Special District Open Space to TNLDR Traditional Neighborhood Low Density Residential. The parcel will be combined with 801-811 Coit Avenue NE for a multifamily development following the September 22, 2026, conveyance of 4,567 square feet of city-owned property. Passed unanimously by roll call.
• 1911 Fuller Avenue NE: Rezoned the northernmost 21,998 square feet from MCN-LDR to MCN-MDR to facilitate a multifamily development of approximately 64 dwellings combined with 1951 Fuller Avenue NE. Passed unanimously.
• 1951 Fuller Avenue NE: Rezoned from MCN-C and MCN-LDR to MCN-MDR. The roughly 2.7-acre site could support approximately 78 units; the Planning Commission approved it 7-0 on September 10, 2026, with no public testimony. Passed unanimously.

Salary Ordinance — ECO3 Wage Scale:

• Amended Appendix A following grievance settlement 26-42, adjusting the F step only of the ECO3 (Emergency Communication Operator) position after voluntary mediation with the Police Officers Labor Council, with wages retroactive to the first full pay period. Passed unanimously with immediate effect.

Budget Ordinance Amendment #4 (FY2027):

• Recognized and appropriated four fiscal initiatives: $300,000 from the Grand Rapids Community Foundation for years three and four of T2C Studio services integrated with the Challenge Scholars Program; $160,000 from Fans of Valley Field for Sullivan Field improvements; $70,000 from trustee Richenthal for the "Colleges Possible" campaign; and $300,000 from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund for the Grand River Edges Trail Leonard to Ann Segment 3. Passed unanimously with immediate effect.

Litigation Settlement — Stubbs v. Taylor and City of Grand Rapids:

• Approved as a walk-on item (rules suspended) a $60,000 settlement of a no-fault action presented earlier that day. Passed by voice vote.

Key Outcomes

• The Section 9.66 noise ordinance amendment passed 6-0 by roll call vote: Commissioners Kilgore, Asassi, Purdue, Knight, and Belchek and Mayor LeGrand all voted yes.
• All three rezoning ordinances passed unanimously by roll call.
• The ECO3 salary ordinance and the FY2027 budget amendment passed unanimously and both took immediate effect.
• The $60,000 settlement in Stubbs v. Taylor was approved.
• The city administration committed to inviting CAA representatives to a future briefing before the 2027 concert season to discuss operations and noise feedback.
• The clerk's office reported election statistics: 6,047 early votes cast and 19,535 absentee ballots returned as of 7 p.m., approximately 16% turnout, with nearly 15,000 absentee ballots already tabulated. Voter registration remains open until 8 p.m. on election night, November 3, with the clerk's office operating from DeVos Place on November 2-3.
• The city manager said he is working with the ACLU on draft sanctuary-related policies, described the draft as not ready for prime time, and shared a personal account of assisting an immigrant at the ICE office, calling the federal immigration system a humanitarian and moral crisis requiring federal legislative fixes.