Saginaw City Council Meeting - September 9, 2025

The Saginaw City Council met on September 9, 2025, at the Anderson Enrichment Center. The meeting opened with a moment of silence and prayer for the passing of Mayor Ham, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call. Six members were present (Seals, Garcia, Ostash, Wiggins, Ham, Moore) and two absent (Balls, Braddock). The agenda included six public hearings, public input, council remarks, a manager's report, and several resolutions and ordinances.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved with the exception of Item 4. Item 4 was pulled for discussion and later approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mike Thompson expressed a compliment on the council's fiscal stewardship and criticized the absence of a property tax cap removal and income tax proposal on the November ballot. He urged the council to place such measures on a future ballot, noting the current strategic plan relies on state legislation that may stall under Republican control.
• David Schmidt, a Hemlock resident, raised concerns about the Saginaw VA Medical Center, reporting loss of collective bargaining, staffing shortages, and low morale. He urged the council to advocate for veterans and employees, stating that local leadership has been silent.
• Dante Davis (Saginaw STEM) updated the council on ARPA-funded programs, reporting nearly 3,000 children served in STEM Saturday programs, a solar car trip to Michigan Tech, and a new facility for after-school programming. He invited council to an open house and distributed t-shirts.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearings:

  1. Comprehensive Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) FY 2024-2025 – Kana Franklin (Deputy Director of Community Services) presented accomplishments: 8 jobs created, 17 properties demolished, 344 seniors served in Y Senior Connect, 5,800 children in youth programs, 3 new houses built, support for 4 homeless shelters serving 621 people, and 64 households assisted with rapid rehousing. The 15-day comment period ends September 22.
  2. Neighborhood Enterprise Zone Covenant 3 – A presentation described a third NEZ near Covenant’s campus to allow tax abatements on new or rehabbed homes built with Habitat for Humanity. No public speakers.
  3. Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Certificate for 301 N Hamilton (Shook Hotel) – Kyle (Metro Multi Property Management) requested a 12-year tax abatement to renovate the historic building into a first-floor bar and grill and 12 residential units on upper floors. A $3.5 million project. Steve Hensley (Saginaw Future) spoke in support, noting the building was constructed in 1867 and is a Saginaw landmark. The abatement is necessary for feasibility.
  4. Brownfield Plan Amendment for 400 Federal Avenue – Grace Smith (Saginaw Future) described a $2.1 million redevelopment of a vacant two-story building into a packing and receiving warehouse, including environmental remediation. The project is expected to create logistics and administrative jobs.
  5. Brownfield Plan Amendment for Adams Street Project – Grace Smith presented an $11 million project to demolish existing structures and build a four-story mixed-use building with 15 one-bedroom and 15 two-bedroom apartments, plus two-story townhomes, ground-floor commercial space, and public improvements. Expected to support 10 full-time jobs.
  6. Termination of Brownfield Plan for 2205 N Michigan Avenue (Dispensary Project) – The developer did not proceed; no demolition or construction occurred. The plan is abolished to allow future investment.

• Manager's Report:

  • Announcement of a parks and recreation plan survey online until October 3, with a community input session October 9, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
  • Team Up to Cleanup thanked; city staff assist neighborhood cleanup groups.
  • Police front porch roll call September 18 at 6 p.m. at Saginaw Housing Commission.
  • County administrator meeting this week to discuss animal control and parks/recreation partnerships.
  • Discrepancy noted: roll call initially stated Councilmember Balls absent, but later Councilman Ball spoke and voted. The transcript may contain an error; council proceeded with six members present initially, but later seven voted on resolutions.

• Councilmember Remarks:

  • Councilmember Braddock (absent from roll call but later present via video?) – spoke about checking on elderly, supporting tax cap discussion, and advocating for veterans at the VA based on his military experience. He praised Saginaw STEM.
  • Councilmember Wiggins thanked speakers and noted Mr. Thompson’s tax cap ideas.
  • Councilmember Ostash appreciated citizen engagement on VA issues and agreed council should speak out.
  • Councilmember Seals praised Dante Davis and Saginaw STEM, reminded drivers to stop for school buses, and invited community to the Friends of Rucky open house on September 13.
  • Councilmember Ball thanked speakers, noted his granddaughter’s STEM involvement, reported a $40,000 award for a mentoring group, and participated in a neighborhood cleanup.
  • Councilmember Nashtash (likely Ostash) offered condolences for Mayor Ham’s family, shared recycling tips (styrofoam at zoo, plastic bags at Meyer Corp), thanked cleanup volunteers, and offered to teach coding for STEM.
  • Mayor Pro Tem Garcia thanked Mike Thompson and Dante Davis, noted his work with disabled seniors, supported VA advocacy, and expressed excitement about new developments (Water Street, Shook Hotel).
  • Mayor Moore thanked cleanup volunteers, reiterated the city’s cleanliness, acknowledged Mr. Thompson’s tax suggestion but noted elderly homeowners’ burden, and pledged to sit down and discuss expanding the tax cap conversation.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance Introduced – Low-Income Housing Tax Exemption for Harrison Manor: Introduced with unanimous support (laid over under charter provision). Councilmember Ham expressed full support, calling it a needed tool for senior housing.
• Ordinance Adopted – Vacate Part of Thompson Street: Adopted unanimously.
• Resolution 1 – Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Certificate for 301 N Hamilton: Adopted unanimously.
• Resolution 2 – Brownfield Plan Amendment for 400 Federal Avenue: Adopted on roll call 7-1 (Councilmember Hammond voted nay). Amendment clarified council approval is contingent on DDA approval of an interlocal agreement.
• Resolution 3 – Brownfield Plan Amendment for Adams Street Project: Adopted on roll call 7-1 (Councilmember Hammond voted nay). Same contingency clause.
• Resolution 4 – Terminate Brownfield Plan 19 for 2205 N Michigan: Adopted unanimously.
• Resolution 5 – Authorize Amplifying Equipment for Community Event: Adopted unanimously.
• Consent Item 4 – Purchase of DDI Inspector for $27,500: Approved after discussion about cybersecurity (two ransomware attacks were mitigated).
• Meeting Adjourned at approximately 6:30 p.m. (estimated).