Meeting colors

OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Saginaw City Council Meeting – September 15, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, September 15, 2026

BodySaginaw, Michigan

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, September 15, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:46:46

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:00

Prayer will be led by Mayor Pro Tim Garcia and the place by Calwoman Hammond.

0:08

If you'd like to participate, you may bow your head now.

0:10

Thank you, Lord, for this beautiful evening.

0:14

Thank you, everybody, for being here this evening.

0:17

Um, just continue to guide us in the right direction, lead us as a city and make the best decisions for our citizens and for us to continue to hear their concerns, Lord, just guide us in the right path in Jesus' name and pledge allegiance and still nation under God with liberty and justice.

0:55

Welcome, Madam Clerk.

0:57

Councilmember Young.

0:58

Present.

0:58

Councilmember Seals.

1:00

President.

1:00

Councilmember Ball.

1:02

Mayor Pro Tem Garcia.

1:03

President.

1:04

Councilmember Ostache.

1:05

Present.

1:05

Councilmember Braddock.

1:07

Present.

1:07

Councilmember Wigan.

1:08

Present.

1:09

Councilmember Hammond.

1:10

Present.

1:11

And Mayor Moore.

1:12

Present.

1:12

You have all members present.

1:15

This is a public meeting for City Council.

1:18

Honest.

1:18

I asked that you remain from booing clapping at any obnoxious behavior.

1:24

Umbers, can you please put your phones on Badway as well as your computers?

1:34

Madam Clerk, do we have any announcements?

1:37

I don't have any announcements, Mayor.

1:38

It takes us right to public hearings.

1:44

The purpose of the public here is for the public to address council as a whole and for council to hear the comment from the speakers regarding a Pacific action being requested.

1:56

Speakers must limit their remarks to the subject of the public hearing.

2:02

Please state your name and say if you are in support or opposition of the subject of the public hearing.

2:09

The main designated speaker has 10 minutes.

2:14

Each additional member who speaks has three minutes.

2:20

This is not a question or answer period for city council.

2:23

There will not be a dialogue back and forth.

2:27

Madam Clerk.

2:28

Our first public hearing is regarding the amendment to the Brownfield plan for the City of Saginaw to include 230 South Washington Avenue.

2:38

I didn't have to say it.

2:39

Thank you, ma'am.

2:42

Good evening, Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia and members of the Council.

2:46

My name is Grace Smith and I'm an economic development coordinator at Saginaw Future.

2:50

I'm here this evening to speak in support of the Brownfield plan for the Spicer Building Rehabilitation Project at 230 South Washington in downtown Saginaw.

2:58

This project represents approximately 2.2 million dollars in private investment into an existing 400,000 square 40,000 square foot facility, three-story office building, uh which was constructed in 1926.

3:12

This investment will address a significant building deficiencies and make the property safe, functional, and viable for continued use.

3:20

Spicer Group currently operates out of the building, and this project will help preserve that important downtown presence while retaining approximately 150 full-time jobs.

3:30

What makes this project unique is the way the property qualifies for the Brownfield assistance through function functional obsolescence.

3:38

We while we often associate Brownfield projects with environmental contamination, Michigan's Brownfield Rehabilitation Financing Act, Public Act 381, also provides tools to address properties that have become functionally obsolete.

3:51

As a core community, the city of Saginaw has access to these expanded Brownfield tools, which are intended to encourage investment and redevelopment.

3:59

In this case, the building has experienced substantial deterioration over time, including serious and unsafe deficiencies with the exterior facade and the building envelope.

4:08

Ongoing water infiltration, obsolete mechanical systems, asbestos-related materials, and other conditions that impact the building's safety, functionality, and long-term viability.

4:18

The proposed project will address these issues through eligible activities including demolition, asbestos-related work, site preparation, and infrastructure improvements.

4:27

This is simply not a cosmetic renovation.

4:30

It is a significant rehabilitation effort intended to restore a nearly century-old building into a safe, efficient, and productive condition that can continue to serve as a valuable downtown asset for years to come.

4:43

Spicer Group has maintained a presence in Saginaw since its founding in 1945.

4:47

And this project will help ensure that major set this major Saginaw-based employer is well positioned to maintain its downtown headquarters and retained its highly skilled workforce.

5:00

With approximately 150 employees based at just this location, the company provides an important source of employment and contributes positively to the city's income tax and broader economy.

5:08

As Spicer Group continues to expand its presence throughout the Midwest, now operating more than fifty at more than 15 locations.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Public Safety██████████████████████████26%

Procedural██████████████14%

Miscellaneous██████████10%

Brownfield Remediation█████████9%

Engineering And Infrastructure█████████9%

Public Engagement████████8%

Historic Preservation█████5%

Economic Development████4%

Technology and Innovation███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Saginaw City Council Meeting – September 15, 2026

The Saginaw City Council met on September 15, 2026 at 5:26 PM to conduct three public hearings, receive public input, discuss consent agenda items, hear council remarks and the city manager’s report, and vote on multiple resolutions. Key actions included approval of two Brownfield plans, a grant application, a cost-sharing agreement, and a referral to draft an amendment to the surveillance ordinance.

Public Hearings

1. Amendment to Brownfield Plan for 230 South Washington Avenue (Spicer Building)

Grace Smith, Economic Development Coordinator at Saginaw Future, spoke in support. She stated the project represents approximately $2.2 million in private investment into a 40,000 square-foot, three-story office building constructed in 1926. The investment will address building deficiencies and preserve approximately 150 full-time jobs. The Brownfield eligibility is based on functional obsolescence under Michigan’s Brownfield Rehabilitation Financing Act (Public Act 381).
Miles Saxaw, Finance Director of Spicer Group, also spoke in support, noting the company’s 80-year history in Saginaw and the need to address critical safety issues including facade and building envelope problems, boiler failure, and asbestos. He stated total investment over the last four to seven years approaches $5 million.
No other speakers. The hearing was closed and the resolution later approved.

2. Amendment to Brownfield Plan for 833 South Washington Avenue (Tri-Star Trust Redevelopment Project)

Grace Smith again spoke in support. The project involves approximately $8 million in private investment to transform a 16,000 square-foot two-story commercial building into Tri-Star Trust’s new headquarters, including a 56-space parking lot and plaza. Construction is slated to begin fall 2026 with completion expected early 2028. The site has documented environmental contamination from historical uses (junkyard, truck repair, scrap metal, underground storage tanks). The project will retain 50 full-time employees and generate more than 60 temporary construction jobs.
No other speakers. Hearing closed; resolution later approved.

3. Comprehensive Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) for Fiscal Year 2025-2026

Kaina Franklin, Deputy Director of Community Services, presented. The report covers CDBG, CDBG-CV (COVID), HOME, HOME ARP, and Emergency Solutions Grants. Key statistics: 585 people were provided shelter (32 fewer than last year); all ESG shelters met 100% match requirement; 48 rental households received rapid rehousing or homeless prevention assistance; electrical panel upgrades at Elmwood Manor completed; no funds were returned. The report is available for written public comment until September 23, 2026. The Human Planning Commission will hold an overview meeting on September 16 at 6 PM at the Morley Building.

Public Comments & Testimony

Donovan Monte Gomez expressed concerns about ICE, cameras, sidewalk conditions, tree branches blocking lights, and unsightly ATT boxes. He urged improvements.
Lark Allen spoke on behalf of the late Naisha Clark Young and others, demanding accountability for an unprovoked attack at Celebration Skate Park one year ago. He questioned the lack of arrest or ban for the alleged assailant and called for stronger penalties against those who interfere with city-approved projects.
Nicholas Williams asked questions about the use of a “dispersal agent” (denied as tear gas by the sheriff) by police, referencing an ongoing investigation. He inquired why the public cannot know the substance and when the decision to use it was made.
Veronica Vella, President and Founder of La Mission, addressed grant accountability and Hispanic representation. She criticized the lack of verification of grant recipient qualifications and called for transparency, fairness, and a broader representation of the Hispanic community beyond a single organization.
Sarah Kiger opposed data centers planned for Saginaw. She described a town hall as a “charade” and cited a study titled “Capital Without Labor: Data Centers and the Local Economy” that found no increase in local employment or financial health and increased borrowing costs. She urged council to read the study and reconsider data center development.

Discussion Items

Consent Agenda

Item 2 (Amendment to fees: change of use permit and preliminary site plan fee of $150) was pulled. Council debated the impact on small businesses and development. A motion to postpone to the next meeting passed by voice vote.
Item 5 (Amendment to fees for Anderson Enrichment Center) was pulled and approved after discussion that the fees remain competitive compared to market rates.
Item 13 (Purchase with WTA Architects, $100,000 for historic preservation consulting for water treatment plant) was pulled. City staff explained the need for expertise in historic preservation due to the building’s age. Approved after discussion.

Resolutions

Brownfield amendments approved: Spicer Building (230 S Washington) and Tri-Star Trust (833 S Washington).
Resolution authorizing Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant for Bliss Park Improvement approved.
Resolution approving MDOT cost agreement for Sheridan Avenue rehabilitation approved.
FOIA appeal by Alexander S. Killips – council voted to uphold the city’s amended response.

New Motion

Councilman Young motion: direct staff to research and draft amendment to Chapter 117.04 (video surveillance and no loitering signs). Passed. The amendment would require businesses subject to the camera ordinance to post no-loitering signs in their parking lots to allow police enforcement after hours.

Key Outcomes

Two Brownfield plans approved.
Resolution for Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant approved.
Resolution for MDOT cost agreement approved.
FOIA appeal upheld.
Item 2 (change of use permit fee) postponed to next meeting.
Anderson Enrichment Center fee increase approved.
WTA Architects contract approved.
Motion to draft amendment to video surveillance/no loitering ordinance passed.
City manager instructed to provide council with summary of ARPA review of Mexican American Council and closeout reports.
Next meeting scheduled for September 16 (Human Planning Commission) and upcoming events noted.

Meeting Transcript

Prayer will be led by Mayor Pro Tim Garcia and the place by Calwoman Hammond. If you'd like to participate, you may bow your head now. Thank you, Lord, for this beautiful evening. Thank you, everybody, for being here this evening. Um, just continue to guide us in the right direction, lead us as a city and make the best decisions for our citizens and for us to continue to hear their concerns, Lord, just guide us in the right path in Jesus' name and pledge allegiance and still nation under God with liberty and justice. Welcome, Madam Clerk. Councilmember Young. Present. Councilmember Seals. President. Councilmember Ball. Mayor Pro Tem Garcia. President. Councilmember Ostache. Present. Councilmember Braddock. Present. Councilmember Wigan. Present. Councilmember Hammond. Present. And Mayor Moore. Present. You have all members present. This is a public meeting for City Council. Honest. I asked that you remain from booing clapping at any obnoxious behavior. Umbers, can you please put your phones on Badway as well as your computers? Madam Clerk, do we have any announcements? I don't have any announcements, Mayor. It takes us right to public hearings. The purpose of the public here is for the public to address council as a whole and for council to hear the comment from the speakers regarding a Pacific action being requested. Speakers must limit their remarks to the subject of the public hearing. Please state your name and say if you are in support or opposition of the subject of the public hearing. The main designated speaker has 10 minutes. Each additional member who speaks has three minutes. This is not a question or answer period for city council. There will not be a dialogue back and forth. Madam Clerk. Our first public hearing is regarding the amendment to the Brownfield plan for the City of Saginaw to include 230 South Washington Avenue. I didn't have to say it. Thank you, ma'am. Good evening, Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia and members of the Council. My name is Grace Smith and I'm an economic development coordinator at Saginaw Future. I'm here this evening to speak in support of the Brownfield plan for the Spicer Building Rehabilitation Project at 230 South Washington in downtown Saginaw. This project represents approximately 2.2 million dollars in private investment into an existing 400,000 square 40,000 square foot facility, three-story office building, uh which was constructed in 1926. This investment will address a significant building deficiencies and make the property safe, functional, and viable for continued use. Spicer Group currently operates out of the building, and this project will help preserve that important downtown presence while retaining approximately 150 full-time jobs. What makes this project unique is the way the property qualifies for the Brownfield assistance through function functional obsolescence. We while we often associate Brownfield projects with environmental contamination, Michigan's Brownfield Rehabilitation Financing Act, Public Act 381, also provides tools to address properties that have become functionally obsolete.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI

TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com