CITY COMMISSION RESOLUTIONS

[2. Resolution approving compensation and fringe benefit changes for non-represented and executive employees for the period of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028]

I'M SORRY. MOTION. SO MOVED.

SUPPORT. OKAY. COMMISSIONER PERDUE, YOU WANT TO JUST EXPLAIN THE RESOLUTION? ABSOLUTELY. THIS THIS RESOLUTION SUMMARIZES RECOMMENDED CHANGES OR ADJUSTMENTS AND NON-REPRESENTED EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS.

THESE ADJUSTMENTS WERE DESIGNED TO BE COMPARABLE TO THOSE IN OTHER ALREADY APPROVED EMPLOYEE AGREEMENTS. AND THE AGENDA PACKETS HAS MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE HAS MORE DETAILS, INCLUDING THE THREE YEAR STEP INCREASE OF FIVE FOR AND 4%.

ANY DISCUSSION I WILL POINT OUT FOR THE PUBLIC THAT THIS ACTUALLY DOES TRIGGER THE PAY FOR PEOPLE ON COMMISSION ACTUALLY TRACKS THIS AGREEMENT.

AND SO I THINK THIS MAY BE THE THE DEFINITION OF A CONFLICT DILEMMA BECAUSE IT DOES AFFECT ALL OF US, BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO VOTE ON IT.

SO I'M NOT SURE HOW WE I'M NOT SURE HOW YOU TECHNICALLY GET AROUND THAT, EXCEPT BY ACKNOWLEDGING THE ACKNOWLEDGING THE ALIGNMENT THERE.

HOW ABOUT COMMISSIONER? WELL, WE'RE GOVERNED BY THE LOCAL OFFICERS COMPENSATION COMMITTEE. SO SINCE THEY HAD MADE THAT DECISION THAT WE WOULD FOLLOW THE

[00:10:03]

APPOINTED, I THINK WE'LL BE OKAY.

YEAH. YOU'RE NOT YOU'RE NOT VOTING ON YOUR OWN COMPENSATION? YES.

AND WE DON'T AND WE DON'T HAVE CONTRACTS. FINE.

WE DON'T NEED TO BEAT THIS TO DEATH.

I WAS JUST I WAS JUST POINTING OUT.

AND JUST SO THE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDS THE IMPLICATION OF THIS IS THAT RATHER THAN INFLATION ERODING THE EARNING POWERS OF ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES, WHICH IS WHY WE GIVE THEM HOPE RAISES THAT GENERALLY WARD OFF INFLATION.

THE SAME THING IS TRUE OF THIS CONTRACT.

SO ALL IN FAVOR OF THE RESOLUTION APPROVING THIS? SEEING. IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION I SHOULD HAVE ASKED.

I'M SORRY. SEEING NONE.

ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE AYE.

ALL OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES.

THAT BRINGS US TO ORDINANCES TO BE ADOPTED.

[1. Motion to suspend the rules.]

CAN I HAVE A MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES FOR THE TWO ORDINANCES WE ARE GOING TO BE DISCUSSING? SO. MOVED.

SUPPORT. THANK YOU. AND PARDON? VOTE. RIGHT. I WAS GETTING THERE.

OH, SORRY. ALL IN FAVOR OF SUSPENDING THE RULES? SAY AYE. AYE. ALL OPPOSED.

MOTION CARRIES. NOW, I'D LIKE A MOTION FOR THE SALARY ORDINANCE FOR NON-REPRESENTED AND

[2. Salary Ordinance for Non-Represented and Executive Employees of the City of Grand Rapids]

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYEES. THE CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS. CAN I HAVE A MOTION? SO MOVED. SUPPORT. ANY DISCUSSION? THIS IS THE THING WE JUST DISCUSSED 10S AGO, SO THAT MAKES SENSE.

BUT THIS IS A ROLL CALL VOTE, MR. CLERK. COMMISSIONER SASSY.

YES. COMMISSIONER ROBBINS. YES.

COMMISSIONER. PURDUE. YES.

COMMISSIONER. KNIGHT. YES. COMMISSIONER BOUCEK. YES.

COMMISSIONER. KILGORE. YES. MAYOR. LA GRANDE. YES.

CAN I HAVE A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE EFFECT?

[3. Motion to give Salary Ordinance for Non-Represented and Executive Employees of the City of Grand Rapids immediate effect. ]

SO MOVED. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

AYE. MOTION CARRIES. THAT BRINGS US TO SALARY ORDINANCE FOR APPOINTED OFFICIALS FOR THE

[4. Salary Ordinance for Appointed Officials of the City of Grand Rapids]

CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS. CAN I GET A MOTION? SO MOVED. SUPPORT. COMMISSIONER.

OH. I'M SORRY. I'M SORRY. YEAH, YEAH. GO AHEAD. THANK YOU.

THIS IS THE SALARY ORDINANCE FOR APPOINTED OFFICIALS, AS PREVIOUSLY NOTED. THEY WILL FOLLOW THE THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE.

5% INCREASE EFFECTIVE THIS YEAR OF 2025.

SO RETROACTIVELY, 4% JULY 1ST OF 2026 AND 4% ON JULY 1ST OF 2027.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE AGAIN. THIS IS A ROLL CALL VOTE, MR. CLERK. COMMISSIONER. ROBINS.

YES. COMMISSIONER. PURDUE.

YES. COMMISSIONER. KNIGHT. YES.

COMMISSIONER. BOUCEK. YES.

COMMISSIONER. KILGORE. YES, COMMISSIONER. SASSY. YES. MAYOR. LEGRAND.

YES. AND CAN I HAVE A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE EFFECT?

[5. Motion to give Salary ordinance for the Appointed Officials of the City of Grand Rapids immediate effect. ]

SO MOVED. SUPPORT. ALL IN FAVOR OF GIVING THIS IMMEDIATE EFFECT.

SAY AYE. AYE. AYE. AYE. OPPOSED.

MOTION CARRIES. THIS BRINGS US TO PUBLIC HEARINGS.

WE SKIPPED ONE. I THINK SO, NUMBER ONE.

HE JUST DIDN'T TURN IT OVER TO YOU.

OKAY. THANK YOU. OH. I'M SORRY.

YEAH, SORRY ABOUT THAT.

I WAS LIKE, WHAT HAPPENED? OKAY. I EXPLAINED IT AND DIDN'T GIVE YOU THE COURTESY.

I'M SORRY. I APOLOGIZE FOR THE FOR THE LAPSE.

SO THAT BRINGS US TO PUBLIC HEARINGS.

[1. City Commission will convene a public hearing to sit as Board of Review to hear appeals on Special Assessment Nuisance Roll 8800]

AND FIRST PUBLIC HEARING WE'RE GOING TO HAVE IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO SIT AS BOARD OF REVIEW TO HEAR APPEALS OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS, NUISANCE RULES.

AND OUR ASSESSOR IS COMING UP AS WE SPEAK.

GOOD AFTERNOON. SO BACK IN JULY OF 29TH THIS YEAR, THE CITY COMMISSION ISSUED AN ORDER FOR THE ASSESSOR TO CREATE THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ROLE OF UNPAID CHARGES OR CODE VIOLATIONS ISSUED BETWEEN JANUARY 2025 THROUGH JUNE OF 2025, AND THESE CHARGES STEM FROM MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES SUCH AS HOUSING AND YARD VIOLATIONS, RENTAL CERTIFICATIONS, AND BLIGHT MONITORING.

MONITORING. PROPERTY OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED OF THE CHARGES AND SENT NOTICES ON AUGUST 8TH.

INCLUDED THE AMOUNT OF THE CHARGE, AS WELL AS INFORMATION ON THE APPEAL PROCESS, AND THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ROLE HAS BEEN OPEN FOR PUBLIC VIEWING FOR AT LEAST TWO WEEKS STARTING AUGUST 8TH AND THROUGH TODAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH.

AND IN ADDITION, THE ASSESSMENT ROLL HAS BEEN POSTED ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE.

WE'VE RECEIVED SIX APPEALS TO DATE, AND TODAY IS THE FINAL DATE THAT THE CITY COMMISSION CONVENES TO HEAR APPEALS OF THESE ASSESSMENTS.

AND I WILL BE IN ROOM 921 IN ORDER TO TAKE IN ANY OTHER APPEALS.

ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO BE HEARD.

THEN THIS HEARING. SEEING NONE.

THIS HEARING IS NOW CLOSED. THAT BRINGS US TO PUBLIC COMMENT ON ANY ITEM.

[PUBLIC COMMENTS]

SO ANYONE WISHING TO BE HEARD BY THE COMMISSION CAN COME UP TO THE MICROPHONE, MR. JONES. AGAIN? THANK YOU.

[00:15:02]

HOW Y'ALL DOING? I'M DEE JONES, PASSIONATE ENTREPRENEUR AND VISIONARY.

SO I WANT TO GIVE YOU GUYS A HANDOUT.

SO I'VE BEEN SPEAKING TO YOU GUYS ABOUT THIS STREAMING PLATFORM PARTY PARTY THAT'S ON THE BLOCKCHAIN. THAT HAS THE DIGITAL FINANCE AND THE POINTS THAT YOU EARN THAT CAN BE CONVERTED INTO CRYPTOCURRENCY.

THEY'LL BE LAUNCHING THEIR COIN AT THE END OF THE YEAR. BUT I'M ACTUALLY VERIFIED ON THE SOCIAL PLATFORM BECAUSE OF THE STREAMING PLATFORM.

SO I'M ACTUALLY AN INFLUENCER TO VERIFY ON X BECAUSE OF THIS.

SO CELEBRITY STATUS, FAMOUS STATUS.

AND THEN THE SAME STREAMING PLATFORM THAT I'M SPEAKING TO YOU GUYS ABOUT, THE SECOND HANDOUT, THEY'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO BE SPONSORING THE ESPORTS FINALS AFTER THE PLAY. SO THE STREAMING PLATFORM THAT'S BASED IN DUBAI THAT HAS THESE BIG FAMOUS STREAMERS THAT LIVE A LUXURIOUS LIFE, THEY'RE ALSO GOING TO BE SPONSORING THE ESPORTS FINALS HERE IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY.

SO I WAS ABLE TO GET A BIG TECH COMPANY.

AS WE KNOW, LINKEDIN POSTED AN ARTICLE THAT THIS IS THE NUMBER ONE CITY RISE FOR TECH.

AND SO I GOT A TECH COMPANY TO DIRECTLY INVEST INTO THE YOUTH BECAUSE THE NONPROFIT, THE 501 C3 THAT'S GOING TO BE BRINGING THIS ESPORTS FINALS, THEY PAY THE STAFF NOTHING.

THE COACHES, EVERYONE GETS PAID NOTHING TO PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR STUDENTS TO BE ABLE TO ADVANCE. AND THE COOL THING ABOUT THIS ESPORTS FINALS AT THE DEVOS PLACE, NOT ONLY ARE COLLEGES, HIGH SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES ARE GOING TO BE THERE, BUT 50% OF THE PARTICIPANTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE COMPETING AT THIS IS ESPORTS FINALS AT THE DEVOS PLACE ARE GOING TO BE STUDENTS FROM KENT COUNTY. SO WE'LL REALLY BE ABLE TO BUILD THAT INFRASTRUCTURE AND BE ABLE TO GET THAT SOCIAL IMPACT AND INVESTMENT THAT WE NEED FOR OUR COUNTY TO GROW AND ETHICALLY AND EQUITY, BE ABLE TO HELP THEM GROW.

AND THEN THE THIRD HANDOUT I JUST LEARNED TODAY, BECAUSE I FOLLOW A LOT OF CRYPTOCURRENCY ORGANIZATIONS, AND I FOUND OUT THAT DONALD TRUMP, HIS SOCIAL PLATFORM, THE TRUTH PLATFORM THAT HE DEVELOPED, EVEN THOUGH HE LIES ON THIS PLATFORM A LOT, HE JUST ACTUALLY ADOPTED THE SAME TYPE OF POINT SYSTEM THAT PARTY ALREADY HAD THAT WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO USE TO ETHICALLY GROW THE COMMUNITY, TO ACTUALLY GROW THE UNITED STATES, AND EVENTUALLY THE UNITED NATIONS, BECAUSE I JUST GOT ANOTHER INVITE A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO TO ANOTHER COUNTRY FOR THIS UNITED NATIONS THING. AND SO THE SAME POINT SYSTEM THAT I SPOKE TO YOU GUYS SEVERAL TIMES AT CITY HALL. DONALD TRUMP JUST ADOPTED THE SAME POINT SYSTEM, DIFFERENT VALUES, DIFFERENT COMPANIES. BUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A SOCIAL IMPACT ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. AND THIS TECH COMPANY IS ALREADY INVESTING INTO THIS ESPORTS FINALS, SO WE CAN HAVE THAT TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENT AND DIGITAL EQUITY.

AND THEN THE LAST ONE I AM SPEAKING AT THE COMPUTER SCIENCE FOR MICHIGAN CONFERENCE IN LANSING, SEPTEMBER 23RD.

SO I KNOW THAT'S GOING TO BE AT 7 P.M..

I'LL BE SPEAKING AT 8 P.M., GIVING A PRESENTATION ON HOW ESPORTS AND GAMING CAN DESCRIPTION HERE.

EDUCATION, EDUCATING EDUCATORS AND INSTITUTION HOW ESPORTS AND TECHNOLOGY AND GAMING CAN CREATE DIGITAL EQUITY FOR STUDENTS AND INSTITUTIONS.

SO I'LL BE THERE IN LANSING THE DAY THAT WE ACTUALLY HAVE TO HAVE CITY HALL.

SO I'LL COME BACK AND I'LL SPEAK TO YOU GUYS ABOUT HOW I WAS ABLE TO NETWORK, GIVE THIS PRESENTATION, AND HOW ARE WE GOING TO TAKE OVER THE GLOBE EQUITABLY. THANK YOU. HI, MY NAME IS AARON.

I MISSED A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT.

AND I WAS WONDERING, BECAUSE I GOT A VIOLATION FOR $1,000 AND $138.90 CENT FOR HAVING A SECONDARY RESIDENCE.

AND THEY SAID THAT MY SECONDARY RESIDENCE.

HAD TO BE A RENTAL. AND SO I WAS WONDERING, HOW DOES A SECONDARY RESIDENCE HAVE TO BE A RENTAL? AS I'M THE ONE TO LIVE THERE. THAT'S ALL.

HELLO, FRIENDS. MARK FROM GRAND RAPIDS.

I KNEW THIS WAS BOUND TO HAPPEN.

THANKS TO LAWRENCE FALLIN.

THE SUPREME COURT IS ALLOWING IS GOING TO ALLOW RACIAL PROFILING OF ALL LATINOS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. DOESN'T MATTER IF THEY'RE HERE LEGALLY, LEGALLY OR ILLEGALLY. THEY'RE GOING TO PROFILE THEM.

THEY'RE GOING TO PULL THEM OVER. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THEY'RE DRIVING, WALKING, WHATEVER. WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN? NOBODY KNOWS. BUT IT WILL.

BUT IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

IT'S ALREADY BEEN LAID DOWN.

SO IF YOU OR ANY LATINO, YOU BETTER KEEP YOUR HEAD ON A SWIVEL.

[00:20:06]

BECAUSE Y'ALL ARE IN FOR A RUDE AWAKENING.

AND IN ADDITION TO THAT.

THE ASIANS ARE IN FOR A RUDE AWAKENING AS WELL.

BECAUSE ICE HAS ROUNDED UP ICE ROUNDED UP OVER 400 ASIAN PEOPLE.

THE HYUNDAI PLANT DOWN IN GEORGIA.

THAT INCLUDED A BUNCH OF HYUNDAI EXECUTIVES FROM HYUNDAI INTERNATIONAL AND SOUTH KOREA WHO FLEW WHO FLEW IN. AND AS SOON AS THEY TOUCHED GROUND, THEY WERE ALSO ROUNDED UP.

I WILL NOT BE SURPRISED IF HYUNDAI INTERNATIONAL WILL MOVE ALL THEIR MANUFACTURING PLANTS OUT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND THE DEALERSHIPS WHO SELL THEM VEHICLES COULD BE OUT OF BUSINESS.

THIS IS THE REASON WHY.

Y'ALL EFFING AROUND AND YOU'RE FINDING OUT THAT SOME FARMERS IN ARKANSAS WHO VOTED FOR HIM, THEY'RE FINDING OUT BIG TIME THEIR FARMS ARE GOING TO GO BELLY UP.

AND IN REALITY, I HAVE NO SYMPATHY FOR THEM BECAUSE THAT'S WHO THEY VOTED FOR.

SO THEY HAVE TO SUCK IT UP AND DEAL WITH IT.

BOYCOTT TESLA. MR. WALSH, GOOD AFTERNOON.

GOOD TO SEE YOU. MAYOR.

SO, MR. KILGORE AND SOME OF THE OTHER FOLKS I KNOW UP HERE, PETE WALSH, I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT OF THE CITY FOR ALMOST 50 YEARS.

I'VE BEEN AN ATTORNEY IN WEST MICHIGAN FOR ALMOST 50 YEARS.

I LIVE OVER ON PLYMOUTH NEAR BOSTON.

THE SYLVAN ADAMS SITUATION IS OF GREAT CONCERN TO ME.

I'VE KEPT MY MOUTH SHUT NOW FOR ALMOST A YEAR AND A HALF AND DECIDED I'VE WAITED LONG ENOUGH. ESPECIALLY WHEN I SAW THAT OTHER NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS ARE JUMPING IN.

I'M FAMILIAR WITH THESE TYPES OF CASES BECAUSE IN MY LEGAL CAREER, I SUCCESSFULLY SUED THE CITY OF EAST GRAND RAPIDS OVER A SIMILAR SITUATION BACK IN THE 1980S. I UNDERSTAND THAT IN 2002, THE MICHIGAN SUPREME COURT REVERSED WHAT WAS THEN WHAT WAS CALLED TRESPASS NUISANCE DOCTRINE, EXCEPTION TO QUALIFIED IMMUNITY.

AND THAT HAS REMAINED THE LAW SINCE THEN.

THERE'S FOUR POINTS I WANT TO MAKE.

FIRST OF ALL, WITH REGARD TO THIS INCIDENT, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED.

I COULD NOT FIND THE RECORD OF THE FIRST TIME.

IT'S HAPPENING UNTIL TODAY.

JUST BEFORE I CAME DOWN HERE, I SAID, I'LL TAKE ONE MORE CRACK AT THAT AND SEE IF I CAN FIND IT. JANUARY 23RD, 2013.

AT THE CORNER OF ADAMS AND GLADSTONE, THERE WAS A WATER BREAK.

THE WATER ROLLED DOWN GLADSTONE.

IT APPARENTLY FLOODED EIGHT HOUSES.

THIS IS FROM MLIVE THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS.

IT FLOODED EIGHT HOUSES.

I KNOW FOR A FACT IT INUNDATED THE HOUSE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL, AND THEY ALMOST TORE IT DOWN AT THAT TIME.

RATHER THAN RATHER THAN FIX IT.

WITH REGARD TO THIS INCIDENT, FROM MY OBSERVATIONS, THERE'S MORE TO IT. NOT ONLY DID THE CITY GET OUT THERE AND FIX THE WATER MAIN BREAK, THEY DUG UP A HUGE HOLE OVER THE SILVER CREEK DRAIN BECAUSE IT APPEARS TO ME THAT FOR SOME REASON, THAT WATER WENT DOWN THE HILL TO THE TO THE SILVER CREEK DRAIN AND HAD NO PLACE TO GO. I HAVE I DON'T KNOW WHY, BUT YOU CAN GO.

YOU DRIVE DOWN THE STREET NOW.

THERE'S A HUGE PATCH RIGHT OVER THE SILVER CREEK DRAIN FROM THE WORK THEY DID RIGHT AFTER THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED.

RIGHT. THE THE CITY APPEARS TO BE RELYING ON, GOVERNMENTAL IMMUNITY.

GOVERNMENT IMMUNITY DOES NOT BAN YOU FROM PAYING THESE CLAIMS. I'VE HEARD THAT SEVERAL TIMES.

IT IS NOT TRUE, ALTHOUGH IT'S THERE'S SOME TECHNICALITIES TO IT, AND IT'S MORE COMPLICATED THAN THIS.

GOVERNMENTAL IMMUNITY IS AN AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE THAT THE CITY CAN RELY ON.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO RELY ON IT.

YOU FOLKS FIX POTHOLE DAMAGE.

I THINK THAT YOU PROBABLY DON'T HAVE TO FIX AS A COURTESY COURTESY TO THE CITIZENS, BUT YOU DON'T PROBABLY DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT.

SO YOU'RE NOT BANNED FROM SETTLING THIS CASE.

AND WITH REGARD TO GOVERNMENTAL IMMUNITY, THAT CASE IN 2002, I THINK IT'S POHOLSKY VERSUS ALLEN PARK THAT WAS DECIDED BY A HEAVILY.

DID I RUN OUT? YOU DID RUN OUT.

I'M SORRY. I LOOKED UP AND I SAW YOU WERE A LAWYER,

[00:25:02]

SO I'M GOING TO HOLD YOU TO YOUR THREE MINUTES. PARDON? YOU SAID YOU WERE A LAWYER, SO I'M GOING TO HOLD YOU TO THREE MINUTES. BUT WON'T WE BE HAPPY TO TALK TO YOU AFTERWARDS? THAT'S FINE. I LOOKED UP AND I THOUGHT I SAW A MINUTE.

55. I MUST HAVE KILLED IT.

I THOUGHT. I'LL PUT IT IN.

RIGHT. SEEING NO FURTHER COMMENTS.

THAT BRINGS US TO COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES.

[COMMENTS BY COMMISSIONERS]

COMMISSIONER MAYOR. I'M SORRY, IF I MAY, ON ON IN LINE WITH THE MR. WALSH COMMENTS. YOU CAN GO FIRST, THEN.

MR. COMMISSIONER, I JUST.

DO WE HAVE AN UPDATE ON THAT ON THAT CASE? MR. TRUMP ON THE WATER MAIN BREAK CASE AT ALL? NO CHANGES FROM MY PERSPECTIVE SINCE THE LAST TIME WE HAD BEEN COMMUNICATING AND EXPECTING AND HOPING FURTHER COMMUNICATION FROM THE ADVERSE COUNSEL THAT WE WERE WORKING WITH PROACTIVELY. BUT TO MY KNOWLEDGE, WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY ADDITIONAL COMMUNICATIONS. OKAY. THANK YOU.

AND YEAH, I HAVE NO COMMENTS TONIGHT. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THIS AFTERNOON. COMMISSIONER.

KNIGHT. COMMISSIONER. ROBBINS.

THANKS, MAYOR. JUST TWO QUICK THINGS.

FIRST OF ALL, I APPRECIATED OUR FOLLOW UP ON THE DISCUSSION OF THE FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE PROCESS THAT WE'VE BEEN DELIBERATING ABOUT THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.

I THINK TO YOUR POINT IS, AS YOU MENTIONED TRUST IN PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS, BUT SPECIFICALLY IN GOVERNMENT HAS CERTAINLY WANED OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS. AND SO IN MY OPINION, IF THIS IS, YOU KNOW, ONE THING WE CAN DO TO HELP REBUILD TRUST WITH THE PUBLIC ABOUT WHO WE ARE, WHERE WE COME FROM, AND WHY WE'RE IN THIS ROLE, I THINK THAT'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT WOULD BEHOOVE US TO DO SO, LOOKING FORWARD TO HELPING FACILITATE THAT CONVERSATION. WHEN IT COMES BEFORE US AT FISCAL COMMITTEE IN THE COMING WEEKS.

AND THEN SECOND OF ALL, I WANTED TO LIFT THAT SEPTEMBER AS SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH SERVING IN THE MILITARY.

I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I'VE PERSONALLY BEEN IMPACTED BY.

EVEN IN MY, MY RESERVES UNIT, WE'VE HAD A COUPLE INDIVIDUALS WHO BECAME VICTIMS OF SUICIDE. AND SO JUST ALWAYS WANTED TO LIFT TO THE PUBLIC THAT, YOU KNOW, IF THERE'S EVER ANYTHING YOU NEED, WE ARE A COMMUNITY THAT'S VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE A LOT OF GOOD RESOURCES AS IT PERTAINS TO MENTAL HEALTH.

THERE'S ALWAYS ADDITIONAL ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT IN THAT AREA, BUT I THINK NOW IS MORE AN IMPORTANT TIME THAN EVER TO TO LIFT THAT DISCUSSION UP.

SO IF YOU EVER NEED TO TALK, REACH OUT TO A LOVED ONE.

AND I ASSURE YOU THAT THERE ARE FAR MORE PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD WHO CARE ABOUT YOU THAN YOU WOULD EXPECT. AND AND MANY OF THEM WOULD BE HONORED TO LEND AN EAR.

SO JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WAS MENTIONED.

AND WITH THAT, HAVE A GOOD REST OF YOUR DAY. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER.

THANK YOU MAYOR. I JUST IT'S BEEN A FULL DAY.

GLAD WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO WORK COLLECTIVELY TOGETHER ON OUR CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS.

SO, YOU KNOW I THINK I WAS ASKED, YOU KNOW, WHAT IS MOST INTERESTED IN REVIEWING TODAY? AND THIS IS OUR JOB IS TO TO KIND OF KEEP THESE THINGS GOING AND THE BUSINESS OF THE CITY GOING.

SO HAVING THOSE CONTRACTS MIGHT SEEM SMALL, BUT IT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT PART TO OUR BARGAINING UNIT UNITS, OUR LEADERSHIP AND ALL OF US UP HERE, SO I APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO CAME OUT FOR THE WELCOME WEEK PROCLAMATION.

I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF WORK THAT GOES ALONGSIDE OF THAT.

IN PARTICULAR YOU KNOW, JUST APPRECIATE THE CONNECTION POINTS WITH THE CITY AND THE COUNTY.

AND I THINK IT'S ALWAYS A GOOD TIME TO REMEMBER THAT WE SHOULD BE A WELCOMING CITY THAT OUR CITY HAS, HAS HAD A HISTORY OF BEING A WELCOMING CITY TO THOSE WHO ARE NEW AMERICANS, WHO ARE IMMIGRANT REFUGEES.

AND I HOPE THAT CAN CONTINUE.

I READ SOMETHING YESTERDAY JUST APPLYING FOR A GRANT, AND IT TALKED ABOUT, YOU KNOW, KIND OF THE IMPORTANCE OF, YOU KNOW, THIS WELCOME WEEK, WHICH, YOU KNOW, SOME MIGHT ASK, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE DOING AN EVENT, WHAT ARE THEY DOING? AND I THINK IT IS REALLY SHIFTING, SHIFTING THE NARRATIVES ABOUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN AMERICAN, REALLY TO BE A UNITED STATES CITIZEN, TO LIVE IN THIS COUNTRY.

AND THE BUTTERFLY LAB AND BUTTERFLY LAB THAT WORKS ON IMMIGRATION ISSUES TALKED ABOUT THE FACT THAT NARRATIVES MOVE FASTER THAN POLICY IN OUR COUNTRY, AND SO WE NEED TO KIND OF KEEP ON TELLING THESE STORIES, KEEP ON INVESTING IN THESE CULTURAL EVENTS, TYING THEM TO OTHER SIGNATURE EVENTS IN OUR CITY. CELEBRATING THIS WEEK FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY WILL BE THE FIESTA MEXICANA, THE OLDEST CULTURAL EVENT IN THE CITY THAT THREE GENERATIONS OF MY FAMILY HAVE PARTICIPATED IN. AND SO I HOPE PEOPLE WILL GO DOWN THERE AND SUPPORT AND DON'T TELL ANYBODY. BUT MY FAVORITE FOOD IS ITALIAN FOOD AND MEXICAN FOOD. BUT I JUST TOLD EVERYBODY BUT I WILL BE DOWN THERE SUPPORTING AND APPRECIATE CITY MANAGER AND EXECUTIVE STAFF AND ESPECIALLY OUR, OUR SPECIAL EVENTS TEAM.

MISS PITTMAN. BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON IN THE CITY RIGHT NOW.

WE'RE GETTING READY FOR OUR PRIZE. WE'RE GETTING READY TO HOST A CONFERENCE AND WELCOME OTHER MUNICIPAL COLLEAGUES NEXT WEEK.

SO WE HOPE THAT THEY FILL YOUR RESTAURANTS AND OUR PARKS AND SPEND SOME MONEY IN OUR

[00:30:01]

BEAUTIFUL CITY. AND JUST WANT TO ECHO WHAT YOU SAID, COMMISSIONER ROBBINS. JUST I THINK ESPECIALLY NOW MORE THAN EVER, JUST THAT REMINDER AND APPRECIATION.

JUST CHECK ON PEOPLE, SEE HOW THEY'RE DOING.

SO THANK YOU FOR SAYING THAT AS WELL. THANKS. HAVE A GOOD EVENING. THANKS.

COMMISSIONER. PERDUE. NO, I THINK AGAIN, YEAH.

COMMISSIONER BELICHICK GOOD AFTERNOON.

AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK THAT THE CITY STAFF TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT I'VE BEEN OUT IN THE CITY AND I'M REALLY APPRECIATIVE OF BELIEVE IT OR NOT, ALL THE YELLOW TRUCKS FROM THE CITY.

SO THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

I'M VERY INVESTED IN WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, AS MANY PEOPLE KNOW. AND I JUST WANT TO ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO CONTINUE TO USE OUR CITY SERVICES AND CALL WHEN YOU HAVE A QUESTION.

WE HAVE 311, BUT WE HAVE ALSO OUR ALL OF US.

AND WE ALSO HAVE OTHER PEOPLE IN OTHER STAFFS.

OPA. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THINGS GOING ON IN THE COMMUNITY AND YOU HAVE IDEAS ABOUT TRAINING THAT COULD HELP OUR PUBLIC SAFETY FOLKS AND, YOU KNOW, IF YOU WANT TO MAKE STRONG, SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS AND WE WANT TO TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER, WHICH WE ALL WHICH I HAVE BEEN SAYING FOR A LONG TIME, CARE AND COMPASSION IS WHAT WE NEED NOW MORE THAN EVER TO BUILD COMMUNITY.

IN LIGHT OF SOME OF THE THINGS MY COLLEAGUES HAVE SAID, I HAVE RECENTLY LEARNED THAT WITH THE EPIDEMIC OF ISOLATION AND LONELINESS THAT WE HAVE EXPERIENCED IN OUR COUNTRY, IT ONLY TAKES SIX PEOPLE.

IT ONLY TAKES SIX PEOPLE FOR YOU TO SAY HELLO, TO GET TO KNOW ON YOUR BLOCK, IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, AT THE CORNER CAFE THAT YOU VISIT, ETC..

SO WHO ARE THE SIX PEOPLE YOU CAN CHECK IN ON AND BUILD A RELATIONSHIP WITH OUTSIDE OF OUR OF YOUR NORMAL SPHERE? AND I THINK WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THAT AT THE NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMIT IN MAY. SO I THINK IT ALL COMES FULL CIRCLE. AND I JUST WANT TO OFFER THAT I'M HERE FOR THAT TOO.

I WILL BE INVITING FOLKS TO THE BLUE DOG TAVERN ON SEPTEMBER 25TH, THE THURSDAY AT 5:00, IF YOU FEEL LIKE MEETING SOME FOLKS WITH ME.

THAT'S IT. THANKS. CITY CLERK.

I HAVE NOTHING TODAY. CITY ATTORNEY, TAKE A MOMENT OF PRIVILEGE ON MY FIRST MEETING AS INTERIM CITY ATTORNEY TO AGAIN EXPRESS MY THANKS AND MY GRACE TO YOU ALL FOR YOUR TRUST AND YOUR COMMUNICATION.

YOU HAVE FROM ME A COMMITMENT TO BE ENGAGED, TO BE CLEAR, TO BE CONNECTED, AND TO BE CONSISTENT IN MY LEGAL ADVICE AND FROM THE LEGAL ADVICE FROM OUR DEPARTMENT. I LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING BOTH SHORT AND LONGER TERM GOALS THAT THAT I SEE IN FRONT OF US AS A, AS LEGAL ISSUES IN THE MUNICIPAL REALM.

SOME SERENDIPITOUS MOMENTS FROM TODAY.

THE WELCOME WEEK, HAVING MOVED HERE SIX YEARS AGO, KNOWING REALLY NO ONE, NOT HAVING ANY FAMILY AND MOVING TWO LITTLE KIDS DOWN HERE. THE PROCLAMATION THOSE AREN'T JUST WORDS, THEY MEAN A LOT TO PEOPLE.

MY BROTHER HAS SINCE MOVED AND HE LIVES ON THE WEST SIDE NOW, AND SO THINGS LIKE THAT GO A LONG WAY.

AND THEN TO SEE ALL THE GREAT WORK BEING DONE AT THE MLK PARK LODGE AND THE PARK DOWN THERE, I WALKED MY DOG AROUND THERE EVERY MORNING. AND SO TO SEE THE PROGRESS THAT'S MADE EVERY DAY AND TO SEE THE STAFF SO DEDICATED AND SO CONNECTED TO SUCH A COMMUNITY GEM WAS REALLY NICE FOR MY FIRST DAY AS INTERIM CITY ATTORNEY.

TO SEE SOME OF THOSE PROJECTS THAT ARE RIGHT IN MY BACKYARD WAS REALLY COOL.

SO THANKS AGAIN. CITY MANAGER.

THANK YOU, MAYOR, AND WELCOME, MR. STROM. I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO ANNOUNCE THIS YOUR PREDECESSOR.

AND CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR FIRST DAY.

THE COMMUNITY IS INVITED TO CELEBRATE ITS PREDECESSOR.

CITY ATTORNEY ANITA HITCHCOCK.

AFTER 23 YEARS OF SERVICE, ON TOMORROW AT 4 P.M.

AT THE VAN ANDEL ARENA ORCHESTRA LOUNGE FROM 4 TO 6 P.M..

WE'LL HAVE REMARKS I GUESS AROUND 435.

THERE'S THE REMARKS WILL BEGIN AT 5:00.

MAYOR'S HOLDING THE FLIER UP.

SO, AGAIN, THANK YOU. THANK YOU TO THE STAFF THIS MORNING FOR FOR ALL THE WORK.

AND I ECHO SENTIMENTS ON THE INCLUSIVITY AND INTENTIONALITY OF THE WELCOME PLAN.

THAT WAS NOT RESPONSIVE TO WHAT HAPPENED.

WE WERE ALREADY PLANNING TO DO THAT.

THAT'S JUST WHO WE ARE.

AND SO WE WEREN'T REACTING TO WHAT HAPPENED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

WE THAT'S JUST PART OF OUR DNA HAS BEEN AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE.

I DO WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO, FIRST OF ALL, ALL THE COMMISSION. I LOOK FORWARD TO ALL OF YOUR PARTICIPATION DURING THE MICHIGAN MUNICIPAL LEAGUE MEETING.

SINCE YOU ALL HAVE VOTED TO ALLOW YOURSELVES TO BE REGISTERED ON THE RECORD,

[00:35:02]

AND I WANT TO ALSO GIVE A SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO COMMISSIONER KNIGHT AND STACY, WHO HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING TO HOST THE NBC LEO GATHERING.

HELP US TO CO-SPONSOR NBC LEO GATHERING FOR SOME OF OUR GUESTS FROM OUT OF TOWN AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING ALL THE COMMISSION THERE AS WELL.

AND THE MAYOR WILL ALSO BE HOSTING A GROUP OF MAYORS.

AND SO IT'LL BE A GREAT TIME THIS WEEK NEXT WEEK IN THE MIDST OF ARTPRIZE AND TECH WEEK.

I DO WANT TO THANK THIS COMMISSION FOR YOUR VOTE TODAY.

AND I DON'T TAKE IT FOR GRANTED, EITHER ON CONTRACTUAL LABOR NEGOTIATIONS THAT CAN BE VERY COMPLEX AND DIFFICULT IN MANY DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS.

BUT WE HAVE WORKED THROUGH THESE MATTERS VERY COLLABORATIVELY WITH ALL OF OUR LABOR GROUPS.

AND TODAY, WHAT YOU DID, YOU MADE JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM HAPPY. THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE PART OF THE NON-REPRESENTED GROUP, RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT IS EVERYBODY, INCLUDING EVERYBODY ON THE DIETS.

SO THEY HAVE PATIENTLY WAITED TO SEE.

MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN TAKE CARE OF THE MAJORITY OF THE WORKFORCE.

AND NOW WE WANT TO GIVE A CLAP BACK THERE, LET THEM KNOW THAT WE ARE TAKING CARE OF THEM. SO I APPRECIATE THAT ON BEHALF OF ALL THE NON-REPRESENTED EMPLOYEES, AND I DO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT, I WANT TO THANK THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT TEAM FOR THEIR DELIBERATION TODAY ON MLB POLICY, BUT ALSO IN THE DEVELOPMENT CENTER REPORT AND HIGHLIGHT FOR THE PUBLIC.

WE HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED IN RECRUITING AND RETAINING MANY OF THE SKILLED TRADES, BUT SPECIFICALLY ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS AND WHAT THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION HAS DONE IN ALLOWING US TO ADJUST THE SALARY RANGE FOR ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS, AND WHAT THIS COMMISSION HAS DONE IN ALLOWING US TO CONTRACT OUT FOR THIRD PARTY INSPECTIONS HAS RESULTED IN IMPROVED INSPECTION TIME.

WE WERE THREE WEEKS BEHIND, AND THE REPORT WE GOT TODAY IS THAT WE'RE NINE DAYS BEHIND. AND I THINK OUR TURNAROUND GOAL IS FOUR DAYS.

AM I RECALLING THAT RIGHT? MISS BEHRENS FOR SURE.

SHE SAID SURE. SO SO WE ARE CLOSELY GETTING BACK TO TO NORMAL, AND IT'S BECAUSE OF THE RESOURCES THAT YOU HAVE BEEN PROVIDING.

AND I THINK WE SHOULD BE FULLY STAFFED IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS WITH THE REPORT THAT WE GOT. SO LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK ON TRACK.

WE GOT A LOT OF PROJECTS IN THE HOPPER AND THINGS THAT ARE ON THE GROUND.

SPEAKING OF MARTIN LUTHER KING COMMUNITY CENTER, LOOKING FORWARD TO THE OPENING OF THAT, THE GRAND OPENING OF THAT ONCE IT'S COMPLETED. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

SO THAT WAS A LOT OF POSITIVE COMMENTARY AND A LOT OF POSITIVE THINGS GOING ON IN OUR CITY. I WANT TO I AM COMPELLED TO END THIS ON SORT OF A SOMBER NOTE.

AND MARK I HEAR YOU. I APPRECIATE YOUR FEDERAL WATCHDOG COMMENTARY.

EVEN THOUGH WE'RE NOT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. YOU'VE NEVER MADE THE MISTAKE OF TRYING TO LAY SOMETHING AT OUR FEET WHICH WE DID NOT CONTROL.

BUT YOU'VE LIFTED UP THOSE ISSUES.

HOWEVER, I THINK THERE IS A POINT THAT HAS TO BE MADE HERE GIVEN THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE FEDERAL LEVEL. AND SO I WILL SAY THIS WE HAVE LONG SAID THAT THIS COMMISSION WILL NOT COUNTENANCE UNCONSTITUTIONAL ACTS, AND WE WILL NOT LEND AID AND SUPPORT TO UNCONSTITUTIONAL ACTIONS AND AGENDAS.

AND I HAVING READ THE SUPREME COURT DECISION THAT CAME OUT THIS WEEK BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE FLAT OUT WRONG. I THINK THAT ALLOWING SOMEONE'S SKIN COLOR TO BE REASONABLE SUSPICION FOR DETENTION RUNS ABSOLUTELY CONTRARY TO THE FOUNDING PRINCIPLES OF THIS COUNTRY. AND I CANNOT SEE A WAY IN WHICH THAT IS POSSIBLY A CONSTITUTIONAL CONSTITUTIONALLY ALLOWABLE CONCLUSION. I HAVE A YOUNG MAN STAYING IN MY HOUSE RIGHT NOW WHO HAS DUTCH AND HAS WHITE SKIN AND A DUTCH ACCENT, AND I DON'T THINK THAT ANYBODY IS GOING TO BE THAT HE HAS TO BE AT RISK OF BEING OR WORRIED ABOUT BEING ROUNDED UP BY ICE.

BECAUSE HE HAS A DUTCH ACCENT.

THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT TYING SOMEONE'S ACCENT OR THEIR LANGUAGE OF CHOICE AND THEIR SKIN COLOR TO DETENTION IS ABSOLUTELY UN-AMERICAN.

AND I WILL SAY THIS. I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE AND I WILL SAY IT AGAIN.

THIS COMMISSION DOES NOT HAVE AN ARMY.

WE DO NOT HAVE THE MEANS TO OPPOSE ICE, BUT WE DO HAVE A CHOICE IN WHETHER WE PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES LIKE THAT.

AND I WILL SAY, NOT ON OUR WATCH.

[00:40:01]

IS IS OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT GOING TO START DISCRIMINATING BASED ON SKIN COLOR OR ON ACCENTS OR ON LANGUAGE CHOICE? AND I KNOW THAT I SPEAK FOR EVERYONE ON THIS DAIS THAT THAT OUR COMMITMENT ON THAT IS CRYSTAL CLEAR, AND OUR RESOURCES AND OUR EFFORTS ARE NOT GOING TO BE BENT IN THAT DIRECTION BY A SUPREME COURT THAT I THINK IS FLAT OUT WRONG.

WE ARE BOUND BY THE CONSTITUTION.

SO ON THAT RATHER SOBER NOTE THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE AND ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR WEEK. WE ARE NOT ADJOURNED.

WE ARE MOVING BACK INTO OUR CLOSED SESSION FOR OUR REVIEW OF EMPLOYEE, SO THANK YOU ALL.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.

CITY COMMISSION RESOLUTIONS

ORDINANCES TO BE ADOPTED

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Sep 09, 2025 City Commission Meeting

CITY COMMISSION RESOLUTIONS

ORDINANCES TO BE ADOPTED

PUBLIC HEARINGS

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