Saginaw City Council Meeting – October 27, 2026

The Saginaw City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, with Mayor Moore presiding and all councilmembers present. The meeting opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance and included public comment, council and mayor remarks, a city manager report, approval of a consent agenda (with one item pulled), and adoption of two ordinances.

Consent Calendar

• A motion was made to approve the consent agenda ‘leaving room for exception.’ Councilmember Hammond pulled item No. 5, the real estate purchase agreement with MyMichigan Medical Center Saginaw for 306 Hoy Avenue, for separate discussion. The remaining consent items were approved by voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jack Taney, chair of the Saginaw County Board of Commissioners, thanked the city and Public Works for completing Cass and Harrison Streets and nearby roads around the county governmental center/courthouse. He noted about 1,500 people come through the courthouse door daily and said the improvements ‘look like a million bucks.’ (Position: appreciation.)
• Donovan Monte Gomez criticized the council’s advance sign-up requirement for public speakers, cited high crime in the city, and raised unrelated concerns about traffic light timing, a library flag, and other grievances.
• Melanie Velasco, a Saginaw resident, urged the city to repair broken sidewalks, trim trees hanging over lights, open warming centers for homeless residents, and consider using vacant Rite Aid buildings as warming or late-night study centers. She also pressed council members to respond more quickly with care to residents in crisis.
• Ben Yang, a Saginaw Township resident and immigrant from China, strongly objected to the American Communist Party operating in Saginaw. He described childhood hunger and famine under a Chinese commune and argued communism has been a disaster; he asked the council not to allow it to ‘poison our community.’ (Position: opposition.)
• Terracina Jackson asked the council to improve emergency response and coordination for people with disabilities who elope or go missing. She reminded the council she had spoken on August 17, 2026 about her son Malik Jackson, and said that on September 28 her mother called 911 for her bonus dad, the response took a long time, and he could not be resuscitated. She reported that her team has worked with Saginaw County Community Mental Health, local law enforcement, and community partners and plans to propose adopting Saginaw Township’s autism alert form, Carter kits, and related 911 dispatch policy changes. (Position: urging action.)
• Keandra Riley, an environmental health project manager, expressed support for economic development but urged the council to scrutinize proposed data centers. She asked about water use, wastewater, energy demand, infrastructure costs, permanent job and tax benefits, and enforcement of ordinance protections including the 500-foot residential separation and 55-decibel noise standard. (Position: concerned; wants responsible development.)
• Sharkeesha Hines, a registered nurse and Saginaw resident, encouraged the council and community to keep asking hard questions about who is not being reached and what services can be improved. (Position: advocacy for continued community conversation.)

Council and Mayor Remarks

• Council members thanked public speakers and expressed condolences to Terracina Jackson.
• Several members celebrated the visit of the Tokushima, Japan sister-city delegation, marking the 65th anniversary of the relationship established in 1961 and the 40th anniversary of the Japanese Cultural Center.
• Councilmember Hammond noted the city recently passed a data-center regulatory ordinance and invited Keandra Riley to share feedback with the planning commission. Hammond also called for comprehensive land-use planning, use of the land bank and right of first refusal, and consideration of a community land trust so public land transfers benefit residents.
• Councilmembers discussed youth violence, trauma, job training, affordable housing and homeownership, and mentoring; one member cited his work teaching neighborhood children pipe fitting and electrical skills.
• Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, just back after brain surgery, reported that a trunk-or-treat event with the Mayor drew more than 1,000 children. Mayor Moore encouraged the young public speakers to apply for city boards, reminded residents to be safe during Halloween and the election, and said the city had no prior knowledge of an ‘appalling’ situation at a commune on Brockway.

City Manager’s Report and Q&A

• The city manager recognized Fire Engineer Madison Gonzalez as the Saginaw Fire Department’s Firefighter of the Year. Gonzalez has served four years, is a certified fire inspector, and has saved the city thousands of dollars through maintenance projects.
• The manager reminded the public that Saginaw’s trick-or-treating hours on Halloween are 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and advised motorists to watch for children.
• The city is accepting applications for 2027-28 Community Development Block Grant, HOME, and Emergency Solutions Grant funds. ESG and HOME applications are due Friday, November 6 at 4 p.m.; CDBG applications are due Monday, November 16 at 4 p.m.; late applications will not be accepted.
• In response to council questions, the manager said the company that removed a blockage during a water-related event was not the same company performing work in that area. He also explained that the city learned of the CSX/Washington Avenue closure after contacting MDOT; State Street is still expected to be done by the second week of November, and the Weiss crossing in the third week of November.

Discussion Items

• The council separately considered the pulled consent item: approval of a real estate purchase agreement with MyMichigan Medical Center Saginaw for 306 Hoy Avenue. Councilmember Hammond said she was initially concerned about HUD involvement because of a 2005 grant, but was satisfied by a closing contingency requiring HUD approval. Staff said the grant originally funded purchase of railroad-owned properties for a St. Mary’s project that never happened; MyMichigan owns adjacent property; one additional parcel will come before council later. The item was approved by voice vote.
• The council adopted two ordinances.

Ordinances and Votes

• Ordinance 1: An ordinance amending Section 14.34 (bids and bonds) of Chapter 14 of the City Code was adopted by voice vote with no announced opposition.
• Ordinance 2: An ordinance amending Sections 117.03 and 117.09 of Chapter 117 to require no-loitering signs at businesses affected by the surveillance camera ordinance with on-site parking was adopted by voice vote. Businesses have six months to comply; enforcement is part of annual police inspections, with a 30-day notice before a Class C civil infraction is issued.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved, with item No. 5 pulled and later approved separately.
• Real estate purchase agreement with MyMichigan Medical Center Saginaw for 306 Hoy Avenue approved.
• Both ordinance amendments adopted by voice vote.
• No miscellaneous business was considered; the meeting adjourned.