[{"_1":2,"_108":-5,"_109":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,96],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6389428,"mediaKeyId","2113344-37cd1cc40a689f1981bcd13bef81729c","parentId",2113344,"title","Grand Rapids commission approves mayor vehicle allowance; mayor recuses himself from vote","audioSeconds",28311,"startMs",28311000,"endMs",-1,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2113344-37cd1cc40a689f1981bcd13bef81729c&start=28311&end=0","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2113344-37cd1cc40a689f1981bcd13bef81729c/thumbnail_28311000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6389428/Grand-Rapids-City/Kent-County/Michigan/Grand-Rapids-commission-approves-mayor-vehicle-allowance-mayor-recuses-himself-from-vote","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6389428-822c9fafb474674818caa7dc223a6763/orig.mp4?Expires=1775752785&Signature=AIsWSQMtTPEyw8K8JVO~KPaBmjvkicDR1eHTZ1MS7mDJVIIYuSDAcrAUvRvWHDV~KGIBPnAVF4rYOurgeM2cr9WBvnEJMfY-zbq2HLKahnypzo3oV8hIs8jEZqL4oTTCXM448ZYOVntaAaS3YNAFRMmnN9amdwLKXU4iOLg6iJQMwMRoPMTCdvIaSixCg~7vIJDdiEfaOweNCcwd~rC-lrHHGBYYT-1MRP7EBv1opMNL9UMe2mDX7B~6Og1T3-QslOk90wHexr4xRsNhrg2GRxQ8b8Ae8pyq8G2eXsDZaFYAdi6B0DTocAWYfF1737cMMzY3o3kQSPuWtro-JMB8Mg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","The City of Grand Rapids","date","2025-01-14T00:00:00Z","article","The Grand Rapids City Commission approved an amendment to the city’s policy on elected‑official use of public funds to permit a $700 per month vehicle allowance for the mayor, in lieu of providing a city‑assigned vehicle.

Mayor LeGrande disclosed a potential appearance-of‑conflict and recused himself from discussion and the vote. “I am going to recuse myself from voting on this. I’m also gonna recuse myself from discussion,” he said during the meeting.

Commissioner Kilgore proposed an amendment to set the stipend at “10% less than the evaluated cost of providing a car,” arguing that a reduction would save public dollars. The amendment did not receive sufficient support and failed on a voice vote.

City staff briefed commissioners that the proposed $700 figure is roughly 10% below a benchmarked cost for a midsize vehicle and associated insurance and maintenance. Commissioners debated two fault lines in the discussion: whether using a stipend rather than a city vehicle creates an unacceptable appearance of private gain, and whether the stipend approach is a reasonable administrative alternative to an assigned city vehicle that could be more costly.

The item passed on the commission floor but, because the vote was not unanimous, staff removed the item from the consent calendar; the policy amendment will be placed on the full commission agenda for reconsideration later the same day.

Ending: The mayor returned to the dais after the recusal and the commission continued with other business. Staff said the item will appear again for a final vote at the evening session so commissioners may record a full public vote on the matter.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tuesday Morning Committee Meetings - January 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Grand Rapids City Commission approved an amendment to the city’s policy on elected‑official use of public funds to permit a $700 per month vehicle allowance for the mayor, in lieu of providing a city‑assigned vehicle.","taxTitle","Grand Rapids City, Kent County, Michigan","taxId",3704,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6389432,"Grand Rapids officials outline water system condition, risks and $160M five‑year capital estimate",0,1104855,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2113344-37cd1cc40a689f1981bcd13bef81729c&start=1104&end=1104","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2113344-37cd1cc40a689f1981bcd13bef81729c/thumbnail_1104855.jpg","/articles/6389432/Grand-Rapids-City/Kent-County/Michigan/Grand-Rapids-officials-outline-water-system-condition-risks-and-160M-fiveyear-capital-estimate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6389432-70c7d85f869a869614defec7785eff31/orig.mp4?Expires=1775752785&Signature=Mpmyc5-EQH86kOSDpIweEh3D5b0pqbcS9VJq4c-F-MStUyVMwfwT0ccG6WFsvwGUkiZWHheCOQhsx8dPzEUYdZMdpOBSfcKaaSP5UbEyICIF0k8Awh-vS9MgjZVnoAAfqZPzAizwWvoxpYyNFP64R-IFMO1pxW08eMrJdTM7OuxIDpohnvDFHXhwou3mwYj~8fNvfUcllUeW6hPNXdJr12o3NgoQBkzFMSO0Xhp7GcEmY8PsbLtZfQi54vtvOn0gVZlZ7ROwCWCZSDLnRm3rp7M9OMAiU-mhUthBgnVORZfWIaJc2886W2prmhmfz9GWgJEkJVG6SRecfDazqvzU1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City water-system officials gave commissioners a technical briefing on the system’s history, condition, regulatory obligations and near-term capital needs, saying the distribution system serves roughly 320,000 people and includes about 1,300 miles of water main.

Wayne Jernberg, the city’s water system manager, described the system’s scale and operations: the utility manages 16 storage reservoirs, 11 pump stations and 13 pressure districts, treats an average of about 36 million gallons per day in winter (rising to 70–75 million gallons per day in summer) and supplies 83,000 retail accounts plus several wholesale customers. The system draws raw water from Lake Michigan and operates round‑the‑clock treatment and SCADA monitoring.

Why it matters: Commissioners asked for an updated picture of system reliability and investment requirements after recurring mains breaks and as the city updates its five‑year comprehensive master plan (CMP). The briefing outlined methods the utility will use to improve prioritization of buried‑asset work and to estimate construction needs and costs.

Key technical and financial points cited by staff:
- Lead service lines: staff reported the city has replaced about 7,000 lead service lines since 2017 and said roughly 19,000 remain to be replaced; the lead-and-copper rule and replacement requirements drive a large portion of near-term capital work.
- Risk modeling: a 2020 external probability-of-failure assessment identified some high-risk segments, but Jernberg said that only 44 of the 397 water‑main breaks since 2020 were among segments the earlier model had flagged (about an 11% match). To improve accuracy, the city is acquiring AquaTwin asset‑analysis software and will run in‑house probability and consequence‑of‑failure modeling tailored to local factors.
- Capital needs: staff presented an initial five‑year capital estimate of about $160 million for FY26–FY30 to address mains, storage, treatment and related work; staff said the estimate relies on a combination of rate revenues, state revolving loans, grants and other financing and emphasized the city’s use of low‑interest DWRF loans when available.
- Ongoing and planned projects: recent work includes replacement of upflow clarifiers at the treatment plant, reservoir and pump‑station improvements and upgrades to critical transmission mains. Near‑term projects cited include plant chemical containment and carbon feed improvements, large water‑main replacements (for example, two miles on Burton/Division/Kalamazoo), and continued lead‑service replacements.

Staff also briefed the commission on system operations: water staff use CityWorks and GIS to track preventive and corrective maintenance (valves, hydrants and tanks), maintain an on‑call roster for after‑hours emergencies and coordinate responses that aim to keep positive system pressure (to reduce contamination risk). Jernberg reiterated that not every break is predictable but said improved modeling, combined with coordinating buried‑asset work with surface‑street projects, should improve project prioritization and reduce emergency risk over time.

Ending: Commissioners asked for additional detail on how the SCADA modernization (already budgeted) and the new risk‑modeling software will be phased into the capital plan. Staff invited commissioners to tour the filtration plant and said they will return with CMP outputs, a prioritized capital plan and funding options in time for the FY26 budget process.","Public services and water staff briefed commissioners on the city’s water system (1,300 miles of mains, 83,000 accounts, 320,000 people served), updates to the master plan and asset-risk programs, lead service-line work and capital funding needs.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":78,"_43":89,"_45":89,"_47":90,"_49":91,"_51":92,"_53":93,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":94,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":95,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6389437,"Grand Rapids launches city land bank; 106 properties to transfer from state authority in February",33294000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2113344-37cd1cc40a689f1981bcd13bef81729c&start=33294&end=33294","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2113344-37cd1cc40a689f1981bcd13bef81729c/thumbnail_33294000.jpg","/articles/6389437/Grand-Rapids-City/Kent-County/Michigan/Grand-Rapids-launches-city-land-bank-106-properties-to-transfer-from-state-authority-in-February","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6389437-e8199638c18ca444c3b831d114be771f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775752785&Signature=bzz59-69PWJOeFZ1tpSilPkLV6ZcUAFutsVf4H0wUzpPA3OqFu8lQfIOqRxjJZiB0lg2y~c5z3udS93RhdEONqyg8LFK1N8WZ2V~qgDCgxTAoCeJLS9K8n~fKN05LLCq9su-K7ImXoFZmkX4KuRi6flIsVlMspAi4QRXq0X5YWtUMF0eT29fzln-Ea5pKq7GR9UlUgoGG3M874MxfKHwyezYIs8xAIFZGfeYS~EgHnvW7oxH8NHijeegeYLzz64RWvTT88JZp9HOYLTFKOExfSrYTCwkx95fXNPa1~kt9kLL7CLADnEkiBEK08nA~aMEcQzLg4hgCT8NBWrXy7mcaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Grand Rapids officials briefed the city commission on plans to stand up a city land bank and take control of roughly 106 properties now held by the state land bank, with an anticipated transfer on Feb. 1.

At a Jan. meeting, Sarah Renero, the city’s economic development director, said the state “land bank fast track authority” amendments that took effect in 2023 enable municipalities in counties without a county-level land bank to establish their own. “Land banks are public authorities … to put these properties back into productive use,” Renero said, describing the authority’s powers to hold, manage and sell property, accept grants and loans, and issue bonds.

Why it matters: The city’s land bank is intended to give Grand Rapids a focused tool to return vacant or tax-foreclosed parcels to housing or other productive use, coordinate with corridor and neighborhood planning, and couple land disposition with other financing tools such as Brownfield tax-increment capture and the city’s Affordable Housing Fund.

City staff reported that the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority has been designated in the enabling agreement as the initial board for the land bank while the city completes the first set of enabling documents and transfers. City leaders said that the Brownfield board’s role is temporary and that the commission may rescind the arrangement and move to a different governance model — including a mayoral appointment process approved by the commission — after further review.

City Manager (unnamed) told commissioners the briefing was intended to solicit commission direction before staff begins work on governance changes, staffing and a budget plan. He said the city expects the first property transfer from the state to occur on Feb. 1 and that the newly formed authority will need legal services, property maintenance and disposition plans in the near term.

Commission comments focused on two near-term priorities: (1) ensuring adequate staffing and an operating budget for land-bank activities and (2) shaping governance and appointment processes so the board can act nimbly while being accountable and reflective of community needs. Several commissioners urged early engagement with community groups and corridor authorities and recommended explicit criteria for prioritizing dispositions (for example, nonprofit affordable-housing projects and “emerging developer” pipelines).

Next steps noted by staff include: the Brownfield/Land Bank Authority electing officers at its next meeting; staff contracting for maintenance and legal services (estimated at roughly $65,000 annually in initial planning materials); finishing the list of properties and buildability reviews; and returning to the commission with a transition plan and budget considerations in the coming weeks so the commission can decide whether to alter the initial governance structure.

Ending: Commissioners asked staff to prepare a change-management timeline that outlines costs, staffing, and recommended appointment procedures. Staff said they would return with a proposed governance timeline and budget inputs timed to the commission’s work on the next fiscal-year plan.","City staff and commissioners discussed next steps for a newly created Grand Rapids land bank, including an anticipated transfer of about 106 properties in early February, options for long-term governance and the need for staffing and budget planning.",{"_33":97,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":98,"_41":99,"_43":100,"_45":101,"_47":102,"_49":103,"_51":104,"_53":105,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":106,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":107,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6389424,"Votes at a glance: Grand Rapids committees approve permits, contracts, maintenance and finance items",3551,3198000,6749000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2113344-37cd1cc40a689f1981bcd13bef81729c&start=3198&end=6749","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2113344-37cd1cc40a689f1981bcd13bef81729c/thumbnail_3198000.jpg","/articles/6389424/Grand-Rapids-City/Kent-County/Michigan/Votes-at-a-glance-Grand-Rapids-committees-approve-permits-contracts-maintenance-and-finance-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6389424-28a69f354357cdc43d5fb61e4392c116/orig.mp4?Expires=1775752785&Signature=gyqg1eTIm0VYAFkdGX0CXpSgWGO2tETR0EirSWD4ngHaWXjpXeb61XTyoG086Fkmi72OfW6Cr5DalXCaA9vl-fGLHTKyh1HUHJmxm3hihP-bjIQaLuP78aaqUDxHM5l7lWc2yyl7htPPp-kCC~NlMAiy3eS~dLw5JP8NE1A33zRH6Q8sQ~KtmIf2SEIqL48G077tx8J~rSNYjOnLRObp~yInIH~ZhbYKE4ewWRsAPkfLVbujVeNfL4cbYZTXZ4V28DoSadYXEXhUjF0FXHXCQuWhV4Ckdg~hlfDkuNGNaAG6YpF7bc9cj4RMklEj59spjIlR4uK4ym1JhePFaDAjow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Summary of actions approved during the city’s January committee sessions and the committee-level discussion recorded in the meeting transcript. This roundup lists each formal action recorded in committee and the outcome as presented to the commission.

Appointments committee (actions approved by voice unless noted):
- Confirmed appointment of Lisa McManus to the Historic Preservation Commission — outcome: approved.
- Confirmed appointment of Jennifer Williams to the Grand Rapids Water System Advisory Council — outcome: approved.
- Confirmed reappointment of Hannah Michael to the Urban Forestry Committee — outcome: approved.
- Confirmed mayoral appointment of Paul Helm to the City Planning Commission — outcome: approved.
- Confirmed mayoral appointment of Kyle Van Strian to the Economic Development Corporation and Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (land bank authority noted in resolution) — outcome: approved.

Fiscal committee (selected approvals and reports):
- Approved amendment to an agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey for a river level gauge and water‑quality station at the North Park Street bridge: amount $72,300; contract extension through Sept. 2027; funding split among parks, sanitary sewer, and storm water — outcome: approved.
- Approved agreement with Auto Agent Data Solutions LLC for an escrow cloud platform (one‑year term, two optional one‑year renewals) — no cost to the city reported — outcome: approved.
- Approved the bid list for Jan. 14, 2025 (15 items; routine procurement approvals) — outcome: approved.
- Comptroller’s warrant report (Dec. 3–30, 2024): reported cash payments of approximately $63,177,655.62; no formal vote required — information reported.
- Treasurer’s report (Nov. 21–Dec. 26, 2024): reported approximately $747 million in cash and investments earning about 3.6% on average; no formal vote required — information reported.

Community development committee (selected awards and permits):
- Fireworks discharge permits (approved for special events at Van Andel Arena and city festivals): Disney on Ice (Van Andel Arena, Feb. 6–9, 2025) — outcome: approved; Winter Jam special effects (Jan. 19, 2025) — outcome: approved; World of Winter Festival (Jan. 15, 2025) — outcome: approved; Kelsea Ballerini concert special effects (Jan. 19–21, 2025) — outcome: approved.
- Awarded contract to Dykema Excavators, Inc. for water-main installation on Leonard Street and Crayhan Avenue (Grand Rapids Township): low bid $1,415,339.15; not‑to‑exceed total authorization $1,880,451 (to come from Water System Fund) — outcome: approved.
- Awarded Division Street Fire Station demolition contract to Pitch Companies: low bid $234,000; total authorization not to exceed $273,280 (partly funded with a blight elimination program grant) — outcome: approved.
- Approved MDOT agreement and local share for Rotomill resurfacing of O’Brien Road (Veil Ave to 125 feet west of Butterworth Ave): city local-share authorization $867,002 (federal S T P grant covers remainder) — outcome: approved.
- Approved MDOT agreement for Plainfield Avenue resurfacing (I‑96 to Airway Drive): city local‑share not to exceed $30,000 (most of corridor lies in Plainfield Township) — outcome: approved.
- Awarded reconstruction contract for Garfield Avenue (Butterworth St to Fulton St) to K & R (low bidder): contract $1,983,316.25; not‑to‑exceed total $2,631,000 (funded from Bridal Streets and Water System funds; project includes 13 lead service replacements) — outcome: approved.
- Awarded contract to Severance Electric Co., Inc. for fiber‑optic connections to multiple projects (new public service center, fire-training facility, Kendall station): low bid $339,141.70; not‑to‑exceed total $489,500 (capital improvement fund) — outcome: approved.
- Authorized assessor to spread nuisance charges (roll number 8794) totaling $596,408.83 (2,185 outstanding invoices across categories such as rental certifications, blight monitoring, yard complaints, housing violations) — outcome: approved (standard semiannual collection action).
- Approved an amendment to a construction agreement for Ironwood Manufacturing (change of developer named in earlier 2023 agreement for water and sewer connections in Tallmadge Township) — outcome: approved.

Context and notes: Most items were routine procurement, contract awards and permit approvals discussed briefly by staff and approved by the committee with voice votes. Several projects tie directly to ongoing capital programs (Bridal Streets, water‑main replacement, treatment‑plant improvements) and will appear in future capital and budget documents. The nuisance‑charge action starts a semiannual collection process with an appeal window before balances are placed on tax rolls.

Ending: Staff said project schedules and neighborhood notifications will follow once contractors set construction timelines; capital funding will be presented in budget materials for ongoing fiscal planning.","Across the January committee meetings, commissioners approved appointments, fireworks permits, multiple construction contracts (including water-main and street projects), agreements with state and federal partners, and the comptroller’s warrant report. Several items were routine and carried with voice votes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Grand Rapids commission approves mayor vehicle allowance; mayor recuses himself from vote

Grand Rapids officials outline water system condition, risks and $160M five‑year capital estimate

Grand Rapids launches city land bank; 106 properties to transfer from state authority in February

Votes at a glance: Grand Rapids committees approve permits, contracts, maintenance and finance items