[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6360234,"mediaKeyId","2175091-d7f3903387e37877f112fc8eda9ec517","parentId",2175091,"title","Commission approves $100,000 agreement with Housing Kent after presentation of countywide state‑of‑housing report","audioSeconds",2322,"startMs",8660000,"endMs",10982000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175091-d7f3903387e37877f112fc8eda9ec517&start=8660&end=10982","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175091-d7f3903387e37877f112fc8eda9ec517/thumbnail_8660000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6360234/Grand-Rapids-City/Kent-County/Michigan/Commission-approves-100000-agreement-with-Housing-Kent-after-presentation-of-countywide-stateofhousing-report","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360234-36634b96bb98b1c3b44211723747215b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775752755&Signature=nAkSdv1xZy5lYmhJo80fwvN~gvw5QIIU3TbmyLn096Js1L2HgSE2m4eYQd1ti4sVKMD0DAe4T6-2YiiWGXgFsUOcsU~P6bCt9PvtW8O9eWslGO5rwUTZ4XW05lUlNxDWKId8zq-IXqgK8ZdZxQKrx72wCK2mqZ37S1NW7fM3Jmv5O~4NqUPp~JVyMCnvZjC0xeSY8eW6vx-zvFmkhtgYIWXbzh8g~QzIK3l-hxMnOvmag468r4pQ8NSTK2zHurXXusRDtXPNtiVVT2SdtgMCNWGSFnIfQYb~tmtqN5yeARJI9DdkAv65JvZ6QtkEGmi4EKmLislLuKZq6wsaK9SVgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","The City of Grand Rapids","date","2025-01-28T00:00:00Z","article","Housing Kent on Jan. 28 briefed the Grand Rapids City Commission on its State of Housing report and five priority, high‑impact projects aimed at aligning county social, private and public resources to address housing supply, eviction prevention and homelessness. After the briefing, the commission approved a professional services agreement with Housing Kent in an amount not to exceed $100,000.

Eureka Peoples, president of Housing Kent, described the organization as the backbone of a Housing Stability Alliance of about 130 organizations. Peoples said the state‑of‑housing report will centralize data on housing affordability, supply shortfalls (a cited 35,000‑unit deficit countywide), cost burden for renters, and rising homelessness. Housing Kent's five priority projects include a focused intervention for chronic homelessness (\"100a100\"), an enhanced coordinated entry technology platform, eviction prevention and flexible cash assistance with landlord engagement, employer‑partnered housing stability pilots, and supply‑side gap financing coupled with a Kent County corridor strategy to encourage mixed‑use development in ready locations.

Tasha Blackman, board co‑chair of Housing Kent, said the collective‑impact structure was gaining traction and that the partnership offers opportunities to coordinate investments across public, private and philanthropic funders.

Commissioners asked for implementation details. Housing Kent said the organization will return with more specific plans for gap financing and partner commitments and noted its dashboard (already published) will post measurable goals and progress indicators; staff said additional metrics will be published in coming quarters and that the organization will convene priority partners to identify near‑term measurable outcomes.

The professional services agreement approved by the commission is intended to fund Housing Kent's backbone functions — data and research, community engagement, coordination of priority projects and facilitation of cross‑sector problem solving. Housing Kent said its current annual operating budget is roughly $850,000–$900,000; the city contract represents roughly a 10% annual increment if fully provided. The commission approved the contract by voice vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tuesday Morning Committee Meetings - January 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Housing Kent presented a countywide state‑of‑housing report outlining a 10‑year strategy focused on homelessness response, eviction prevention/stabilization and supply. The commission approved a professional services agreement not to exceed $100,000 to support Housing Kent's backbone coordination work.","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":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6360238,"Commission expands downtown social district to include three new riverfront and Uptown legs",754,7527000,8281000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175091-d7f3903387e37877f112fc8eda9ec517&start=7527&end=8281","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175091-d7f3903387e37877f112fc8eda9ec517/thumbnail_7527000.jpg","/articles/6360238/Grand-Rapids-City/Kent-County/Michigan/Commission-expands-downtown-social-district-to-include-three-new-riverfront-and-Uptown-legs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360238-fafe8c199ed6ff32d6820a581da623fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1775752755&Signature=cG22j2XJRBEZZbaWGpT1oZZHVKHvzdeF6H9JbifFP5tc0eBaKrhX0DjbQXm5MJa708CmT0T3UuZ731x6TdAFzkcDNde4M0GEhtB1N0vlYWSX5UYePxQJY2674YOzZjUIvfn5Gfo3f53Y4mEECjVBp5IghZx5DLrRdF0w62jSEzpXjozgTm7JIhmu5~BB06K49WIEFWSYaI2y8qld5OxqkEWNPcZnx34fB6X-BaRmgAHtFcg1uC8MCiy-NmeE-RQQGp7TLUfK3SYbW~5QBfqeMrbUPfxtgvQGdCHNAR~-Fj0qXhiH9Sh4nhXRfF305eyhs4OhOuZhXVSFzpbrTLrodA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grand Rapids City Commission on Jan. 28 approved an amendment expanding the city's existing downtown social district to include three additional segments: a leg of Ottawa Avenue near the Silva development in Monroe North, a west‑side riverfront leg adjacent to Bridgewater Place, and a small segment near the post office that runs from the 555 lot toward Michigan Street.

Mark Miller of Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc. (DGRI) described the change as an effort to connect previously discontiguous pieces of the district so customers could move between licensed businesses and nearby public open spaces without discarding sealed, approved drink containers. Miller said the first new segment responds to a property owner at the Silva project seeking inclusion in the district; the other two pieces aim to activate riverfront and trail connections.

Commission discussion highlighted safety and equity considerations. Grand Rapids Police Department representative Luke (last name recorded in transcript only as \"Luke\") clarified that the social district is not a general open‑container allowance: beverages must be sold in approved, labeled containers that identify the district and the business that sold the drink. Commissioner Lou raised equity concerns about differential enforcement of open‑container laws and urged a broader discussion about how the city treats public consumption across neighborhoods. Commissioner Yosasi and others said the districts began as a COVID era economic tool and noted local businesses and property owners have expressed support for measured expansions.

The commission approved the amendment by voice vote. Staff noted enforcement and container rules remain in force and that the amendment does not create an unconstrained open‑container zone.

Implementation notes: licensed businesses that wish to participate must comply with the city's container labeling rules and obtain any necessary state permits; police and city staff said they will monitor the expanded areas for public‑safety impacts and report back as needed.","The commission voted to amend the existing downtown social district to add three small segments — Ottawa Avenue near the Silva project, a west‑side river leg and a segment adjacent to the post office — after a presentation from Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc. and police staff clarified rules and safety oversight.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6360243,"Fiscal committee approves land‑bank transfer, grant awards and budget amendments",63,2149000,2212000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175091-d7f3903387e37877f112fc8eda9ec517&start=2149&end=2212","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175091-d7f3903387e37877f112fc8eda9ec517/thumbnail_2149000.jpg","/articles/6360243/Grand-Rapids-City/Kent-County/Michigan/Fiscal-committee-approves-landbank-transfer-grant-awards-and-budget-amendments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360243-4886ac4a2e5a756a138eb79eda67b616/orig.mp4?Expires=1775752755&Signature=dCpJqI0EGnw1qmUYtpEbyaZJZgMuP07EbhxsOBv8FpZg5VuYUTFq9nnc2teeAVI0FxP5svpQ-KQ6U-ET~0hhfTc7c6cRffr7Qn1zia1nh~cslvFBTTz1Rq0e~q8jUn3kMcgxLE00VnldlldDomqjamZDTKZ8yWlf1uE4l7NkG2daUMzgNF6lQYflWHeEnvd6uuK4ceFd7jl7f4op3WbD1FGnyq0WfzniCeXWOtIvrShjggjPT2G38qVoml2cY-QzTnFB-BtEvGk8KNOg0uSHBxraQWDuAw~bNxrP3yKbKP8jfz-XDOKXQDp-29qamRt2W7hbDU7WCjEdbiDYQDP2eg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grand Rapids fiscal committee on Jan. 28 approved several routine but consequential financial items, including a three‑party agreement to convey real properties from the state land bank authority to the Grand Rapids Land Bank Authority, multiple grant acceptances and a broad budget ordinance amendment for fiscal year 2025.

Committee members voted to: approve an agreement with the State Land Bank Authority to convey a portfolio of properties and terminate the prior land‑banking agreement; accept a $50,000 grant from the Children and Nature Network for GR Outside to build capacity between Parks & Recreation and Grand Rapids Public Schools; accept PEG (Public Educational & Governmental) reimbursements of $187,651.28 to the Grand Rapids Community Media Center for equipment used in community training; and pass Budget Ordinance 2024‑23 Amendment Number 6, which appropriates multiple grant and bond proceeds across city funds.

Budget amendment number 6 carried several line items discussed in detail by staff: election reimbursement of roughly $89,000 to the clerk's department; a roughly $40,000 Office of Highway Safety Planning police grant; a $235,000 energy efficiency and conservation block grant for the Office of Sustainability; an additional $102,607 for the 61st District Court Eviction Diversion Initiative; smaller ARPA clean‑up appropriations; police training funding of $265,000; a $550,000 grant for civilian violence prevention that funds a full‑time administrative services officer 2 position and programming; parks capital appropriations totaling about $821,000 for multiple park improvement projects; a $671,000 appropriation for communities & children programs; preliminary engineering funds for a fire department training facility (just over $1 million); appropriation of approximately $1 million for the Scribner project; and appropriations for recent bond proceeds and debt service payments including $24.4 million into the amphitheater garage fund and $4.1 million into capital reserves. Staff said other funds (refuse, major streets and motor equipment) will contribute to debt service; the contingent balance remains unchanged at $1.5 million.

The committee also approved the bid list for Jan. 28, accepted the comptroller's warrant report showing cash payments of approximately $28,950,106.87 for the period Dec. 31, 2024–Jan. 13, 2025, and reviewed the small claims report (8 claims totaling just under $39,000). The treasurer reported a portfolio balance of $747 million earning 3.32% and brief economic commentary about expected federal interest rate stability.

All motions were approved by voice vote as recorded in the committee minutes.

Votes at a glance
- Agreement with State Land Bank Authority to convey properties to Grand Rapids Land Bank Authority: approved (voice vote; mover/support not specified in transcript).
- Acceptance of $50,000 Children and Nature Network grant for GR Outside: approved (voice vote).
- PEG reimbursements to Grand Rapids Community Media Center, $187,651.28: approved (voice vote).
- Budget ordinance amendment FY2025, Amendment #6 (multiple appropriations described above): approved (voice vote).
- Bid list resolution for Jan. 28, 2025: approved (voice vote).
- Comptroller's warrant report acceptance (Dec. 31, 2024–Jan. 13, 2025; $28,950,106.87): accepted (voice vote).

The committee adjourned at 8:42 a.m.","The fiscal committee approved a three‑party land bank agreement, accepted grants including $50,000 for GR Outside, approved reimbursements to the community media center, and passed a fiscal year 2025 budget amendment covering multiple departmental appropriations.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6360248,"Committee on Appointments confirms multiple board and commission nominees",169,364000,533000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175091-d7f3903387e37877f112fc8eda9ec517&start=364&end=533","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175091-d7f3903387e37877f112fc8eda9ec517/thumbnail_364000.jpg","/articles/6360248/Grand-Rapids-City/Kent-County/Michigan/Committee-on-Appointments-confirms-multiple-board-and-commission-nominees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360248-778cf4cebd5e577007e9067ce7e68762/orig.mp4?Expires=1775752755&Signature=h9Vg8~UoFCX2fn4~WLmJKfmTdoDGaTKcrgsx9HF0zapOGZlXjIpXcBVUH~P~tpEobh83vj1U8cpscxzMawj44tTivnfUNFTGOGqcobhyQ2qD2JZA7saq4xBZHgtMP-ElWxCaDKsH8kAAWRmVBRHkTVRdw9Yqgph-nRzktD-VNo6xSM2p1GSnit0v6kEll9JjfPSZFKHIo7zU64Q2hmUIf7iDgMF1LJKy5eHcZePe9gLWy-7OZFyAXuht0-AwpJ~2p4TthpG-yQsvSdqCVU-GYiU4vKom6nCI0TRylkWjFbZgNBFh-wheGChFqVFbRGkntmu7Ol4WjR0Au0WKJLEQYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee on Appointments of the Grand Rapids City Commission on Jan. 28 approved five resolutions confirming nominees to various local boards and commissions.

The committee voted to confirm Selma Tucker to the Local Officers Compensation Commission; Mara Gehrke to the Vital/Bridal Streets Oversight Commission (as recorded in the minutes); Isamar Contreras Alvarado to the Grand Rapids Water System Advisory Council; and Jason Preston to the Board of Zoning Appeals. All four confirmations were approved by voice vote.

The committee record shows brief remarks of support for each nominee. A committee member described Selma Tucker as a longtime resident and noted the appointment fills a seat for the second ward; another member noted Isamar Contreras Alvarado is a multi‑year city employee; and a commissioner urged gratitude to staff who manage recruitment and vetting.

City Clerk Becky (first name recorded in the transcript) reviewed the current vacancy list and resignations, saying that Mayor LeGrande is reviewing applicants and that the commission expects many vacancies to be filled by the end of February. The clerk identified several vacancies on CIAs and the Community Relations Commission and said staff are sorting vetting for Uptown and Bridal boards.

The committee adjourned after the routine business.","The Committee on Appointments approved five resolutions confirming mayoral and commission appointments to local boards and commissions, and the clerk reviewed outstanding vacancies and resignations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves $100,000 agreement with Housing Kent after presentation of countywide state‑of‑housing report

Commission expands downtown social district to include three new riverfront and Uptown legs

Fiscal committee approves land‑bank transfer, grant awards and budget amendments

Committee on Appointments confirms multiple board and commission nominees