In a recent East Lansing city council meeting, discussions centered on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) regarding the hiring of a new executive director for the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). Following strategic planning sessions held in late 2023, the DDA unanimously decided to hire an executive director as a city employee, who would report directly to the city manager and the DDA board.

The MoU, which was drafted and approved by the DDA, sparked debate among council members regarding the selection process and the balance of authority between the DDA and the city manager. Questions arose about the city manager's role in candidate selection and the potential for conflicts between the DDA's desires and the city manager's directives. Some council members expressed concerns about the legality of the arrangement, suggesting it may conflict with the city charter.

Despite attempts to defer the decision for further legal clarification, the motion failed, leaving the council unable to approve the MoU at this time. The council indicated they would report back to the DDA regarding their current stance.

Additionally, the council introduced a request from Hagan Realty, Inc. to conditionally rezone properties on Grove Street for a proposed 48-unit multifamily residential building. This request was met with skepticism from some council members, who voiced concerns about the lack of a detailed plan and the potential impact on the surrounding residential neighborhood. Ultimately, the motion to refer the rezoning request to the planning commission also failed, reflecting ongoing apprehensions about the density and compatibility of the proposed development with the city's master plan.

The meeting concluded with a motion to enter executive session, indicating further discussions would take place behind closed doors.