Saginaw City Council Meeting - May 8, 2026

On the evening of Thursday, May 8, 2026, the Saginaw City Council convened at the Anderson Center. The meeting included a proclamation, a public hearing on federal grant programs, two detailed presentations (the Five-Year Consolidated Plan and the FY2027 Budget), council member remarks, and the adoption of three resolutions. Seven council members were present (Young, Seals, Balls, Garcia, Wiggins, Hammond, Moore); Ostash arrived later in the meeting and Braddock was absent.

Proclamation: Mental Health Month

• Councilwoman Hammond read a proclamation declaring May 2026 as Mental Health Month in the City of Saginaw. The proclamation highlighted that one in five adults and children experience mental illness annually, two-thirds do not receive needed help, and untreated illnesses cost $300 billion annually.
• Anna, a consumer with services, spoke on behalf of the consumer leadership group, reading their mission statement about supporting people living with mental illness.

Public Hearing: 2026–2027 CDBG, ESG, and HOME Programs

• Alexis Farrell (McKenna Associates) presented as the main speaker (10 minutes). She explained that the consolidated plan guides federal funding from HUD (CDBG, ESG, HOME) over five years. The plan is in draft form with written comments accepted through May 21st. She reviewed community outreach conducted in December 2025.
• Valerie Tony, chairperson of the Human Planning Commission, presented funding recommendations, including $90,000 to the Saginaw Housing Commission for high-rise Wi-Fi, $210,000 for Maplewood Manor fire alarm updates, $20,000 for the Cannes Council's youth program, $120,000 for Compassionate Care Network (new construction/rehab), $73,634 for Building Poder, $25,000 for Mustard Seed Foundation, and $40,000 for Restoration Community Outreach men's shelter.
• Kana Franklin (city staff) noted the plan is online and encouraged written comments by May 21st. She acknowledged the Human Planning Commissioners.
• A citizen (name not provided) expressed support for the plan but urged more focus on new housing construction rather than rehabilitation of old housing stock.
• The public hearing was closed by motion.

Public Comments (Non-Hearing)

• Jessica Chandler: New resident (moved Nov. 2025). Received four parking tickets in 35 days due to the 3–6 a.m. no-parking ordinance on neighborhood streets. She questioned the ordinance's relevance (enacted in the 1950s) and noted challenges for multi-family homes and visitors. She asked council to reconsider the restriction on neighborhood streets.
• Melanie Velasco: Voiced concerns about homelessness, citing a 70-year-old woman exposed to cold weather; criticized abandoned houses; urged boarding up structures and creating tiny homes. Also addressed domestic violence and parking tickets. She advocated for tiny home construction, noting she had a van on private property and received a ticket.

Council Remarks

• Councilwoman Wiggins: Encouraged community participation in the May 9 cleanup event; suggested developing ongoing neighborhood cleanup commitments with churches and schools.
• Councilwoman Hammond: Explained that the agenda includes the FY2027 budget and the five-year consolidated action plan; noted the three resolutions for this year's HUD allocations. She also addressed the parking ordinance, calling it "unnecessary and superfluous" and suggesting a survey might be warranted. She would ask later about parking ticket revenue in the budget.
• Councilman Young: Thanked a resident who reported an unboarded home near the rescue mission; he visited and saw activity at the property. He is distributing the city's vacant property list to potential developers and meeting with the housing commission about homeowner gap assistance.
• Councilwoman Seals: Attended the B Well Public Health Summit at the Temple Theater; highlighted keynote speakers including the state's chief medical executive and Dr. Pruitt, and Dr. Shaheen. Approximately 150 people attended.
• Councilman Balls: Thanked staff for work on Ojibway Island (Jibway) park; celebrated his 40th wedding anniversary; noted the health organization now has a counselor for youth and families; called homelessness linked to addiction a mental illness; celebrated a new building under construction on Hamilton Street.
• Councilman Ostash (arrived after roll call): Acknowledged the parking issue, noting narrow streets may require parking on only one side; thanked councilwoman Wiggins for cleanup urging; praised Ojibway Island park improvements; toured the GM plant with council colleagues and reported a $150 million investment in next-generation V8 engines, saving and potentially adding jobs (current 300 employees); promoted the Michigan Banners Heart of the City Awards on June 4.
• Mayor Pro Tem Garcia: Thanked public speakers; noted she serves on the advisory board for Bayside; praised the parade and K Onda event; promoted upcoming events (Latino resource fair) and food giveaways (Radiant Church, Saginaw CAC).
• Mayor Moore: Thanked public speakers; met with Ontario Premier Doug Ford (Saginaw's sister city Barrie) at SVSU; celebrated 100-year anniversary of Elks Lodge; corrected that the city cleanup is a citizen event, done twice a year; visited 100+ and 105-year-old residents.

City Manager's Report

• City Manager noted the GM plant tour, police award ceremony (May 13), and a housing/open house workshop at Hoyt Library (May 19, 5–7 p.m.). He also mentioned a sign-up form for neighborhood cleanups will be improved online.

Presentation 1: Five-Year Consolidated Plan Update

• Alexis Farrell delivered a slide presentation. Key points:
  • The plan covers CDBG, HOME, ESG funds (about $3 million/year).
  • Community engagement in December 2025 included focus groups and an open house.
  • Housing crisis has worsened; missing middle housing needed.
  • Data: 43% of renters experience severe housing problems (cost burden >50%), 22% of owners. No housing units affordable for households earning 0–30% of area median income ($24,000/year).
  • Plan goals largely unchanged; "increase quality and affordability of rental housing" moved to higher priority.
  • $500,000 in reprogrammable funds available.
• Council discussion:
  • Councilwoman Hammond questioned methodology (census data vs. sample). Farrell explained HUD uses 2016–2020 ACS data.
  • Councilman Balls asked about solutions; discussion of Building Poder's youth apprenticeship program for new construction.
  • Councilwoman Hammond noted the strategic plan includes rental housing assistance but it was not funded this year due to concerns about benefiting landlords.

Presentation 2: FY2027 Budget Overview

• Budget Director Yolanda Bland presented the proposed budget. Highlights:
  • Total citywide budget: $230.65 million (13% decrease from FY2026, largely due to completion of ARPA and capital projects).
  • General fund: $46.18 million (2% increase).
  • Key challenges: rising health care costs, pension/OPEB liabilities, population loss.
  • Major funds: Enterprise (52%), Special Revenue (23%), Internal Service (5%), Fiduciary (<1%).
  • Rubbish collection fee increase from $240 to $250 per year; fund balance used to offset costs.
  • New division of Parks and Recreation ($112,000).
• Council discussion:
  • Councilman Balls questioned the rubbish fee; Phil Carwat explained increased costs for packer trucks and need to maintain 10% fund balance.
  • Councilwoman Hammond noted major streets revenue increase (marijuana tax and state law changes).
  • Debt service payments reduced because debts matured; positive.

Key Outcomes

• Proclamation: May 2026 declared Mental Health Month in Saginaw (unanimous voice vote).
• Public Hearing: Closed; written comments on the consolidated plan accepted until May 21, 2026.
• Resolutions Approved:
  1. Resolution approving the 2026–2027 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program submission – adopted.
  2. Resolution approving the 2026–2027 HOME Investment Partnerships Program submission – adopted.
  3. Resolution approving the 2026–2027 Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program submission – adopted.
• Rubbish Collection Fee: Increased from $240 to $250 per year effective FY2027 (included in budget; not separately voted but presented as part of budget).
• Budget: First discussion; public hearing and adoption scheduled for May 18, 2026.