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Thanks for checking out the East Lansing City Council Recap. This publication is sent out after each regular and discussion-only City Council meeting. Plan for future meetings by viewing the 2019 meeting schedule here: https://cityofeastlansing.com/997/2019-Meeting-Dates
Readers are encouraged to contact the East Lansing City Manager's Office with questions: (517) 319-6920
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Highlights from the June 4 Meeting
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The East Lansing City Council began their meeting on June 4, 2019 with communications from Councilmembers and East Lansing City Manager George Lahanas. East Lansing Mayor Mark Meadows praised the groundbreaking ceremonies at Pinecrest and Whitehills elementary schools, which celebrated the start of construction of the new schools. "It is great that we are headed forward with two new schools to be built in the City of East Lansing," said Mayor Meadows.
Lahanas' report included reminding community members of the D-Day Final Salute program taking place Sunday, June 9 at 2 p.m. at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road. The ceremony is in observance of the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion and will pay tribute to those who served in World War II.
There was also a special presentation by East Lansing Police Chief Larry Sparkes, who introduced the East Lansing Police Department’s (ELPD) three newest police officers: Jason Cotton, Matt Heffelfinger and Kristy Schwalm, who are all graduates of the Mid-Michigan Police Academy. Pictured above are police officers Schwalm (front, left), Cotton (front, center), Heffelfinger (front, right) and fellow officers from ELPD who came out in support of the new police officers.
City Manager Entering into Certain Contracts
City Council discussed and approved a policy resolution that codifies the City Manager's purchasing authority.
This item was originally on the consent agenda, but Council made a motion to place it on the business agenda to discuss it further. Lahanas explained that he is currently authorized to enter the City into contracts of up to $20,000 without prior approval from Council, per the previous policy resolution. With the approval of this new policy resolution, that previous authorization remains in place and the City Manager can also enter into contracts of more than $20,000 during City emergencies (i.e. natural disasters where immediate relief to residents is necessary) and can enter into contracts for previously budgeted information technology and City vehicle/fleet purchases without prior approval from Council. All purchases will continue to be communicated to Council on a weekly basis and, if a contract is executed during an emergency, it would be brought to Council after the fact.
"This policy reaffirms a policy that gives the city manager authority for contracts under $20,000," said Councilmember Shanna Draheim. "This is very standard practice in government and the private sector."
Temporary Development Moratorium in the DDA District
Council postponed voting on a temporary moratorium in the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) district. This item was originally on the consent agenda (see previously posted memo and policy resolution), but Council moved it to next week's discussion-only meeting in order to have more discussion on the item.
Council previously discussed the moratorium during their discussion-only meeting on May 14. At that meeting, Mayor Meadows voiced concerns about changes being made to the form-based code as development projects were being proposed where the form-based code would be applied. The form-based code would be applied within the following areas: the Grand River Avenue and Michigan corridor, from the west edge of the City to just east of Hagadorn Road; the southwest corner of the Bailey Neighborhood (diagonally going up toward Burcham Drive); and Valley Court Park. The moratorium, if approved, would not apply to the properties on Evergreen Avenue that are a part of the proposed Park Place project. Mayor Meadows recommended a moratorium be placed on development projects within this area until the form-based code is finalized.
“This has nothing to do with an election. It has a lot to do with the fact that over the next couple of months, the public, Planning Commission and City Council will be considering a radical change to the way that we have done business in the DDA district in particular. Based on the length of time that the current laws have been in effect, we're looking at something that we will be enacting and which will probably be the guideline for development in the downtown area for the next 50 years, so it's extremely important. I think it would be unfair to anybody who is planning on redeveloping the downtown area to put something in right now and then find out out requirements are going to completely change as they go forward with their process," said Mayor Meadows. "That's the real motivation with regard to a moratorium. It just makes sense at this point and time."
Council also has expressed interest in a housing study being conducted during the moratorium, if it is put into place.
Resolutions Approved by Council
Council approved multiple resolutions during last night's meeting, including a resolution declaring the month of June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month. "It is really important for us to have Pride Month in the City of East Lansing," said Councilmember Aaron Stephens. "Equality is a constant fight and we should be constantly working towards greater equality on this front."
Council also approved a resolution declaring the first Friday in June as Gun Violence Awareness Day "I am proud of our City for passing this resolution. I think it's important for our state and federal legislative bodies to see when cities and individuals support these types of policy resolutions," said Councilmember Draheim. "I hope they understand that, for a city like East Lansing, that we want to protect the health and welfare of our citizens and that maybe they will take the necessary state and federal action."
Additionally, Council approved a resolution welcoming Dr. Samuel Stanley Jr. as Michigan State University's 21st president and declaring the month of June as Men's Health Month.
Bailey Park Improvement Project
Council approved a resolution accepting the Development Project Agreement for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) grant for the Bailey Park Improvement Project in the amount of $219,000. In March 2019, the City submitted a grant application to the DNR requesting MNRTF funds for improvements to Bailey Park. The grant request was awarded, and with Council's approval of the resolution, the project can move forward. The park improvements are tentatively scheduled to begin this fall and include installing a new play structure, constructing a concrete plaza, removing the existing fence, installing a 10-foot concrete pathway loop around the park and additional improvements.
In addition to the grant, the project is being funded by four additional sources: $35,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds, $25,000 contributed by the Capital Area Housing Partnership, $14,000 raised by the Bailey Community Association and $3,000 from the general fund. Mayor Pro Tem Erik Altmann praised the East Lansing Department of Parks, Recreation & Arts and the fundraising efforts of the Bailey Community Association.
"I think this grant is a big deal and it reflects some very skilled and strategic grantsmanship from our Parks and Recreation Department," said Mayor Pro Tem Erik Altmann. "I also wanted to acknowledge and thank the Bailey Community Association for the work they put into it. They took this really seriously and worked really hard to contribute to this and I'm very proud of my neighborhood tonight." Staff hopes to begin construction this fall on this exciting neighborhood park project. View the staff memo here and site development plan here.
Public Safety Review Board
Council referred Ordinance 1463 to the East Lansing Human Relations Commission (HRC) and set it for the business agenda at the Council meeting on July 16. The ordinance, which would establish a Public Safety Review Board for the City, was originally scheduled to be introduced at the June 18 Council meeting, but Councilmember Aaron Stephens made a motion to move it to a later date to allow more discussion by the HRC and public.
Council previously discussed the ordinance during their discussion-only meeting on May 14, where Councilmember Stephens explained that the HRC and East Lansing Police Department leadership were considering the creation of a Public Safety Review Board to review internal and external complaints against public safety personnel. The board would include members from the HRC, University Student Commission and public, who would have oversight on the investigative process. If the review board had an issue with the way a complaint was being investigated, they could request that the city manager review the complaint.
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Other Items
- Council approved a contract with Universal Sign Inc., in the amount of $32,920, for the Center City Parking Structure Wayfinding Signage. View the staff memo here.
- Council approved a bid for the Grand River Alley Water Maine Project, Bogue Street to Cedar Street, to Verlinde Construction, Inc. in the amount of $108,026. View the staff memo here.
- Council approved a bid for the Fiscal Year 2019 Water Main Replacement Project to Dunigan Bros, Inc. in the amount of $1,849,454. View the staff memo here.
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Next Meeting: Tuesday, June 11 Discussion-Only
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Additional Information
Regular meetings and discussion-only meetings begin at 7 p.m. Meetings take place at 54B District Court, Courtroom 2, 101. Linden St. Meeting agendas, minutes and recordings can be found here. Recorded meetings are also televised and replayed on Channel 22 (WELG).
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