Saginaw City Council Meeting Summary - December 16, 2025

The Saginaw City Council convened on December 16, 2025, to address public health concerns, discuss regional infrastructure developments, and vote on key ordinances. The meeting featured significant public testimony regarding new state regulations on marijuana licensing, the potential introduction of data centers, and sidewalk maintenance obligations. Council members also received a financial audit report from ONYO CPAs and engaged in detailed discussions regarding the revised Central Michigan University (CMU) medical education project and the broader Medical Diamond initiative.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the standard consent agenda items, including appointments to various boards and commissions, without exception.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Melanie Velasco expressed personal safety concerns regarding the flu, COVID, and shingles, urging residents to maintain hygiene and health records. She also expressed a position of support for businesses clearing sidewalks, warning she would sue owners who fail to shovel and cause injury, and noted the presence of surveillance cameras in the city.
• Unidentified Speaker (Medical Diamond Advocate) expressed full support for including public comment and community buy-in in all future Medical Diamond developments. They expressed strong opposition to data centers, stating they bring pollution and noise without creating jobs. They also expressed support for Kevin Jones regarding his pool remediation issue.
• Cynthia Oland (Premier Cannabis) presented as a representative of existing recreational facilities and expressed support for allowing medical marijuana licensing within those facilities to mitigate the upcoming 24% state wholesale tax.
• Unidentified Speaker (Marijuana Regulation Advocate) expressed support for the state legislature's imposition of caps on marijuana retailers, noting the new rules are stricter than previously recommended local caps.
• Celine Manan expressed strong opposition to the existence of liquor stores and drug houses, characterizing them as destructive to the community. She expressed opposition to an abatement of these establishments and instead urged the council to support closing them down entirely.

Discussion Items

• Medical Diamond & CMU Investment: Council members discussed the recent announcement by Central Michigan University to locate its medical school across the street from the previously planned site. Staff clarified that the project is not cancelled; rather, CMU is bringing the same number of students and faculty, potentially expanding services to include behavioral health, occupational therapy, and primary care. Council members expressed interest in formalizing a partnership to collaborate on transportation studies with MDOT. Councilman Ball suggested that while the location changed, the project remains viable and will still generate jobs and housing demand.
• Data Centers: Councilmember Hammond expressed concern regarding the potential impact of data centers on the city's water supply and electrical grid, noting that while residents want the technology, they do not want it in their "backyard." The City Manager confirmed that planning staff and the City Attorney are reviewing the issue. Councilmember Hammond noted that the city provides water to over 20 communities, so the impact extends beyond city limits.
• Sidewalk Plowing: Councilmembers raised concerns regarding unplowed sidewalks on the bridge structures over Jefferson and Genesee streets, noting a safety hazard for students. The City Manager stated that while ordinances exist, enforcement is limited for residences; however, the city will reach out to businesses specifically to ensure warnings are issued.
• Water and Wastewater: The City Manager discussed the ongoing City Hall construction, which is on track for a April completion, and updates on the wastewater treatment facility tour. Councilwoman Hammond highlighted the importance of the upcoming December 17th open house for the five-year consolidated plan.

Key Outcomes

• Motion Approved (5-4): Directed staff to draft moratorium language regulating the construction of data centers to allow time for information collection and strategic outreach to stakeholders. The vote tally was: Aye (Councilmembers Ostash, Braddock, Wiggins, Hammond, Mayor Moore? No, Mayor Moore voted Nay. Correction: Aye: Ostash, Braddock, Wiggins, Hammond, Ball. Nay: Seals, Garcia, Yao, Moore. Wait, let's re-verify the transcript roll call: "Councilmember Yao (Aye), Councilmember Seals (Nay), Councilmember Balls (Yes), Mayor Pro Tem Garcia (Nay), Councilmember Osash (Nay), Councilmember Braddock (Yes), Councilmember Wiggins (Aye), Councilmember Hammond (Aye), Mayor Moore (Nay)." The transcript later states: "You have five yes and four no."
• Motion Approved (Vote on Letter to CMU): The motion to direct staff to draft a letter inviting collaboration and partnership with the CMU Board of Trustees was approved unanimously.
• Ordinances Adopted:
  • Introduction of the ordinance to create the Baringer Building Historic District (laid over per charter).
  • Adoption of the objection to the transfer of tax-reverted properties.
• Audit Reporting: The City of Saginaw received a Certificate of Achievement from the Government Finance Officers Association for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. The audit opinion was unmodified (highest assurance).
• Financial Updates: The auditor noted a decrease in intergovernmental revenue due to a reduction in one-time pension grants compared to the previous year, while city income tax revenue increased by approximately $650,000.