[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6124165,"mediaKeyId","2686076-081d07890a0516002ca247964c75f14e","parentId",2686076,"title","Council approves surveying contract, MDOT cost‑share for Harrison Road bridge deck, and issues notice of intent for $51M WRRF/sewer bonds","audioSeconds",1073,"startMs",2527000,"endMs",3600000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2686076-081d07890a0516002ca247964c75f14e&start=2527&end=3600","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2686076-081d07890a0516002ca247964c75f14e/thumbnail_2527000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6124165/East-Lansing/Ingham-County/Michigan/Council-approves-surveying-contract-MDOT-costshare-for-Harrison-Road-bridge-deck-and-issues-notice-of-intent-for-51M-WRRFsewer-bonds","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124165-390e9e2b0eabe3f3a19368e79033909a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166096&Signature=aYMvNt2js-fkXKTBOjLpgokdC4LBCnabM3jKSAHbHr78dtMK-CazhrUp0bK~dnsqvId7TFnORiRjPWvlEWnqF0LfLJXtdmtifCmfsiUDc6q1KmycQ3AsLPMS5F9mdol~SFtY5J52OHZaVWY4fH45e~F~opFdpaWTe-2yJbA6jgap2hEgiTJprDqiOAe6TkmCPTKvfVYQL6Teum3w7W4JM7CGdMpfCiZ1pROkyflxMbZ4HttXp5apuZbCnQdgZqshE-RqfuQ6TwUHsZCKPtR0VLazrcN4u3IXCrUMcNHTqlpSFxzK-4Ik2LaqS3M9uY3IA44u2mxolhHyffR5hHFihQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","CityofEastLansing","date","2025-03-04T00:00:00Z","article","The East Lansing City Council on March 4 approved a set of infrastructure and capital finance actions: a professional surveying services contract, a state cost‑sharing agreement for a bridge deck project, and the city's notice of intent to issue revenue bonds for sewer and water resource recovery facility work.

Surveying contract: The council authorized a contract with ENG (E & G) for as‑needed professional surveying services not to exceed $100,000. DPW staff said the contract covers mid‑sized projects where the city lacks surveying capacity and that funds will be charged to major street, local street, water and sewer project accounts. The contract award followed a Request for Proposals process in which ENG was the top‑rated firm.

Harrison Road bridge deck reconstruction: Council approved a cost‑sharing agreement with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) for the Harrison Road bridge deck rehabilitation project. The project was awarded through the local bridge program and is eligible for 95% state/federal funding; the city's local share plus associated utility reimbursements and a 15% construction contingency total about $289,000 to be charged to the major street fund (staff described $251,103 as the immediate local share and explained portions will be reimbursed by Consumers Energy for utility work).

Notice of intent to issue bonds for WRRF and sewer collection improvements: The council adopted a resolution announcing its intent to issue revenue bonds in an amount not to exceed $51,000,000 to finance capital improvements at the Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) and sewer collection system projects (river/water's edge, Gunson, Milford, Woodmere relief projects and the Wharf facility upgrades). Staff said the sewer project has a large eligible cost component; certain ineligible portions (water/local/streets) will be covered by a separate capital improvement bond, and Meridian Township will contribute for a portion of sewer work in its jurisdiction. Payments for the Wharf facility contract are shared by MSU and other partners per existing agreements; staff described the project as the final major piece needed to modernize the control and administrative building at the Wharf.

Each of these items was approved by unanimous vote. Staff indicated the surveying contract is intended to be used as projects arise; the Harrison Road work is scheduled for construction this summer; and the bond notice starts the municipal financing process required for large capital projects.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular Council - 04 Mar 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved three infrastructure items: a contract up to $100,000 for as‑needed surveying services, a cost‑sharing agreement with MDOT for the Harrison Road bridge deck reconstruction (local share plus contingency), and a resolution announcing intent to issue up to $51 million in revenue bonds for WRRF and sewer collection improvements.","taxTitle","East Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan","taxId",55176,"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},6124170,"Council adopts policy resolution to amend entertainment and related business license fees; DDA to offset first $200,000 in downtown overtime",1265,3615000,4880000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2686076-081d07890a0516002ca247964c75f14e&start=3615&end=4880","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2686076-081d07890a0516002ca247964c75f14e/thumbnail_3615000.jpg","/articles/6124170/East-Lansing/Ingham-County/Michigan/Council-adopts-policy-resolution-to-amend-entertainment-and-related-business-license-fees-DDA-to-offset-first-200000-in-downtown-overtime","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124170-4fa385e9ade67baa79e5a67c7ccf110c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166096&Signature=FZRJDoAxJMi0mtuq0IGfszA3-ih8IO-u46gfFACzChK5Jj8INfJ1QJcCBzRZ9QZ~ak6vPy1kd-r--1qotxWb2CHMRTwr5eoZ3bT8eeDQVXyHu7V2egGWe5IBzUthbhpMtBFB7TTo-WtV79IisXzcvB7d1A552A7ZYkUopzMaNQNV7WmirkTnvtAaf3UTrdqtxkgAlaMiEmztkvirfuiJl4zeIjVVGKlS2raHfIJgCbHAW~g0BZSC3yJ8oR9EuqVHRmlmFVDVBaI3KPlFEB4hLrXFK-GOeIV6CiU0oqlcQsrrrWL5jPjt5DUPzPpsjaubenBT8OXFh5d~9P21EnjhQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The East Lansing City Council on March 4 approved a policy resolution that updates recommended business license fees for several categories and establishes a chargeback framework for dedicated police overtime in the downtown entertainment district. The motion passed 4–1.

What the resolution says: Under the recommendation presented to council, beginning in fiscal year 2026 the city would include the following fees in the annual budget tax rate and fee schedule: amusement/video arcade — $50; dance halls, restaurants and takeout stores — $200. Entertainment licenses (events requiring a dedicated police overtime response) would not have a flat fee but would be billed for the actual cost of police overtime when dedicated staffing for downtown events exceeds an initial $200,000 that the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is preliminarily expected to appropriate for FY26.

City Manager Bellman told council the DDA at its meeting preliminarily agreed to include $200,000 in its FY26 budget to offset downtown overtime; he said the policy resolution provides guidance for how staff will structure the fee schedule and how cost recovery would work. City Attorney Chubb said the resolution memorializes procedures for calculating actual costs associated with dedicated police overtime and explains which call types would be eligible for chargebacks.

Chargeback scope: The resolution limits chargeable incidents to a specified list of call types connected to policing downtown crowd control and disorder: assaults, fights, unwanted subject (report), suspicious persons, unknown trouble, obscene complaints, disorderly conduct and noise complaints. The resolution clarifies that medical responses are not eligible for chargebacks.

Debate: Council discussion included concern from members who said they did not want enforcement to be used as a revenue stream and objections to a system that might bill businesses for calls initiated by patrons rather than by staff. Councilmembers also said the resolution and the proposed fee schedule will be rolled into the regular budget and fee schedule process for final adoption; the council will have another opportunity to change rates during the budget process.

Outcome and next steps: The council approved the policy resolution that staff will use to place proposed fees into the upcoming budget tax rate and fee schedule; final adoption of fees will occur as part of the normal annual budget process. The motion carried 4–1 (yes:4; no:1). The record does not specify the name of the dissenting member in the vote tally provided in the agenda packet.","After extensive debate on fairness and enforcement, the council approved a policy resolution that sets new baseline fees and a chargeback system for dedicated police overtime in the downtown entertainment district; the DDA will preliminarily appropriate $200,000 in FY26 to offset overtime, with excess costs billed to businesses.",{"_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},6124175,"Council pauses vote on special‑use permit for two restaurants at 1351 East Grand River; item deferred to March 18",362,1333000,1695000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2686076-081d07890a0516002ca247964c75f14e&start=1333&end=1695","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2686076-081d07890a0516002ca247964c75f14e/thumbnail_1333000.jpg","/articles/6124175/East-Lansing/Ingham-County/Michigan/Council-pauses-vote-on-specialuse-permit-for-two-restaurants-at-1351-East-Grand-River-item-deferred-to-March-18","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124175-fe943e503ab5e3532284a11c6e791dc5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166096&Signature=Htu0kXkG97RpkmDIya6~YpA8tTWARuWkDyHiXVtPwkSnleyI0WllLmbH-USY6NlTc4M4GchNbr9RBS4mastNUyrrJk0oCPWLXNOjEODW~dn02uE7adH4612pt7EeXL8WCmkgkSsSG1E6BF4eKI82kv9A6Y53vKxfnEYnSXA47xncE5ngZ7CSwJTL5sWblldBJi3z3GK8yCCbMgYdSWmXrloCKjx6ShZjbtwWfCmb-IkNR5JxR-bFBZCTvDB-iG5C79G3XVAUqEY5N9h015Zrsi58kRtJgXGFMxXZ~2vZc00NgEwM2r35Uyx78~A0JNB03KvB6-1KmtUisNkIdwl8Xw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The council opened and then closed a public hearing on a special‑use permit request for 1351 East Grand River Avenue — a proposal to convert interior space for two restaurants with alcohol service and a year‑round patio — and the council withdrew a motion to approve, deferring final action to the March 18 meeting.

Planning Department staff explained the application requested a total occupancy of 175 patrons for the combined unit, an increase of 21 over a prior approved occupancy of 154. Alicia Wrighton of the Planning Department said the combined occupancy is driven by the building code because the two restaurants share the primary entrance; she summarized seating as 91 for The Morning Post, 56 for Denolfo's and 28 for the patio, and said the patio is proposed to be year‑round.

Wrighton also said hours proposed: Morning Post generally 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; the other restaurant typically 5 p.m. to midnight with special‑occasion hours to 2 a.m. She noted prior special‑use conditions remain in force, including a condition that outdoor service must be vacated by midnight daily.

No members of the public addressed the hearing. A councilmember moved approval at the meeting but then withdrew the motion with the seconder's consent, noting the council's typical two‑week review practice and a desire to further consider the specific conditions in the special‑use permit. The council stated the item will return to the March 18 meeting for final action.

The council did not take a final vote on the permit on March 4.","After a Planning Department presentation and a public hearing with no public speakers, the council withdrew a motion to approve a special‑use permit to allow two restaurants with alcohol service at 1351 East Grand River Avenue; the item will return for further review on March 18.",{"_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},6124180,"Council approves hiring two part‑time PACE officers after staffing update and debate on enforcement funding",765,1745000,2510000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2686076-081d07890a0516002ca247964c75f14e&start=1745&end=2510","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2686076-081d07890a0516002ca247964c75f14e/thumbnail_1745000.jpg","/articles/6124180/East-Lansing/Ingham-County/Michigan/Council-approves-hiring-two-parttime-PACE-officers-after-staffing-update-and-debate-on-enforcement-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124180-9eee7a0da052be2329587a40e792d500/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166096&Signature=WSgECYdUpdKFcbWRWa09SSOrFrOGq2hOz0zoOoAVhqSF70ori4egVke8Ie4-Y0co-u7vonUz5Y0X2dERDliNDGh-oDXjs7Sd6n5agIL6y~yRU9W1aHU7i0A-WhiB7gvyMQjdzJu4UiYHAltIM9eLIlYUbzORFX7lm~stUnWz9JMROaOtSbTSo3RpdPBnKQo-F7aN~czcuMgFFqyr6HubjPv3S~eFg~SvbGyEaKdTPonrQm5~7Cis3pwJxdYEGSvgduSa2vqysZe7e3vJrFuLGivwu7PcQDFih~-E9QsHu00QGfffGr4a7ol~iWwKiWejE8TIXcVpDwpiPcL9EgyZNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The East Lansing City Council on March 4 voted 4–1 to approve hiring two additional part‑time PACE (parking and code enforcement) officers to begin immediately.

Interim Police Chief Jen Brown told the council PACE enforcers handle parking enforcement and ordinance investigations that “ensure the safety, welfare, and appearance of our neighborhoods,” adding that the department wrote 1,246 code violations and more than 20,000 parking tickets in 2024 and that revenue from those enforcement activities exceeded $600,000 (revenues are remitted to the courts).

The chief said the department is budgeted for six part‑time PACE officers but has been short staffed; the department now has a pool of candidates and asked permission to hire two more to reach the budgeted level. City Manager Bellman confirmed the current pay and budget structure: the city is budgeted for six part‑time slots, four are currently filled, and the request is to add two positions to reach six.

Costs and staffing: Chief Brown and staff estimated the annual cost at about $35,000 per part‑time position. Councilmembers asked for clarification about current budgets and whether enforcement had become a revenue stream; Brown replied that PACE work includes education and neighborhood contact in addition to ticketing, and that the city has been unable to fill positions until recently.

Debate and votes: Supporters argued additional PACE presence improves neighborhood quality of life and may deter infractions. Dissenting councilmembers cautioned against relying on enforcement as a revenue source and raised concerns about disproportionate enforcement; one councilmember said they would vote no for those reasons. The motion to approve hiring two additional part‑time PACE officers carried 4–1 (yes:4; no:1). The council directed staff to implement the hires immediately and to report back on recruitment progress.","The council approved hiring two additional part‑time PACE (parking and code enforcement) officers to bring the part‑time roster to the budgeted level; the vote was 4–1 amid debate about enforcement revenue and fairness.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6124185,"East Lansing council asks city attorney to draft updates to public art 'percent for art' ordinance",3203,118000,3321000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2686076-081d07890a0516002ca247964c75f14e&start=118&end=3321","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2686076-081d07890a0516002ca247964c75f14e/thumbnail_118000.jpg","/articles/6124185/East-Lansing/Ingham-County/Michigan/East-Lansing-council-asks-city-attorney-to-draft-updates-to-public-art-percent-for-art-ordinance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124185-e4519eb4daf2057e80b7990cb472d722/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166096&Signature=CK~HrdlMoKzURjQXiHR9KoMGqM6maA~jmcS9sQAPLw7L8r1CG0QU9RsLtYP4vZNcmcvrDDDM90esKR88ow-mERqL6GWUFeNwij3docFBlKggzhmIKYUvMjoxZkARKQuYQkHo-Oa7ZWr9TwFDwe~5NYDRQxLTrD4bEeFa3kDZKJ-8bbExCanhKlirJVuswLS4BBfd-sgTv3Q9fMYx1XBU-CvsEbmhvWGXUuiHA5diPE0wOKIfHlO1LTbjIOdCmaOweXgBdqe347q602i3mr6n0K~qIjRN6ctkqOtaBZiHTdmgZ1jXC3po~DHVM0B9K9KE~jBhfUelOkWHtwyE8bLrlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The East Lansing City Council on March 4 voted unanimously to ask the city attorney to draft proposed amendments to Ordinance 13-39, the city's public art “percent for art” rule, after members of the Arts Commission described proposed changes intended to broaden the ordinance's definitions and remove internal contradictions.

Arts commissioners told the council the current ordinance restricts the city to funding certain permanent visual works and contains lines that contradict one another. “Right now, there is a whole definition of how the artwork that we fund can be on public property under certain circumstances. And then it has a line that says you can't have it on private property. So we've just taken that out to make that more clear,” said Ali Sciardo, vice chair of the Arts Commission.

Why it matters: The commission and staff said the changes would allow the city to support a wider range of art — including performance, musical, written and digital work — and better align the ordinance with the commission's five‑year cultural arts plan and the zoning code.

In prepared remarks and at the council meeting, commission chair Barbara Warges said the commission reviewed national models and research from Americans for the Arts as it developed options. Heather Mahano, the city's arts and stewardship coordinator and the commission's staff liaison, told the council the ordinance currently requires developers to allocate 1% of a project budget (up to $25,000) to public art or to pay into a public art fund; the proposed drafting effort will clarify language about eligible expenses and bring the ordinance into alignment with the zoning code.

Councilmembers praised the commission's work and asked that the city attorney prepare a redline for future public review. The motion to authorize the city attorney to draft the changes was moved and seconded at the meeting and carried unanimously; councilmembers will receive the attorney's draft and will consider it in future public hearings before any final ordinance vote.

The council emphasised this action directs staff and the city attorney to prepare ordinance language for future consideration; it does not itself amend the ordinance.

A follow-up: The city attorney's redlined draft will return to the council for at least two readings and additional public comment before any change is adopted.","After presentations from the Arts Commission, the council voted unanimously to ask the city attorney to draft changes to Ordinance 13-39 that would broaden eligible art types, remove internal contradictions, and clarify allowable uses and coding alignment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves surveying contract, MDOT cost‑share for Harrison Road bridge deck, and issues notice of intent for $51M WRRF/sewer bonds

Council adopts policy resolution to amend entertainment and related business license fees; DDA to offset first $200,000 in downtown overtime

Council pauses vote on special‑use permit for two restaurants at 1351 East Grand River; item deferred to March 18

Council approves hiring two part‑time PACE officers after staffing update and debate on enforcement funding

East Lansing council asks city attorney to draft updates to public art 'percent for art' ordinance