[{"_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",6259741,"mediaKeyId","3137518-24fa3ce5f861ed306f11bba810897a73","parentId",3137518,"title","Parks and Recreation proposes fees, Rudder Park fountain work and staffing for summer programs","audioSeconds",1487,"startMs",6184000,"endMs",7671000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3137518-24fa3ce5f861ed306f11bba810897a73&start=6184&end=7671","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3137518-24fa3ce5f861ed306f11bba810897a73/thumbnail_6184000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6259741/Lansing-City/Ingham-County/Michigan/Parks-and-Recreation-proposes-fees-Rudder-Park-fountain-work-and-staffing-for-summer-programs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259741-d0449bf92c2d05cb3432102efec83480/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152726&Signature=VWxsSebobnRQIwTRhj4b6twuk7WMyzqq2hrv3XAmILxZdBoG7902OVkDvl8Zm126X~rIkStEgO8LH73jxXnGdqAitwl-8pOTb1fr-NBAdiUbopuWvHGzq2R26W91245B~BwJcYWMGBRZmj-6eLcbVG2hb4po40cJgRDLnDw-DLbzNeLYNhjEVgXUrcrzRknnJ0g4iQTsVa-dZiZqTLHVcN1U6SNsoi5P6H8RfSSKOH8TPRlHgq4QHR8h0zqbrr15VpLS7~rRDDf~WXz-AB90uAUBKQpWdb2jlqLVmiZQ6~2eEP5Swh4m-7vwg5iAjUG5CEmOmNtG9BMdBCX5OXBOTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Lansing, Michigan","date","2025-04-21T00:00:00Z","article","Parks and Recreation Director Brett presented the department’s FY26 budget to the Committee of the Whole on April 21, detailing fee changes, capital projects and seasonal-hiring plans ahead of the summer season.

The department included several fee adjustments that take effect July 1, including updated charges for show-mobile and riverwalk rentals, increased youth sports and camp fees, and swim-lesson and athletic-field rates. Brett said those increases are aligned with program costs and with prior practice to apply small, formula-driven adjustments.

On capital projects, Parks staff proposed adding funds to restore the Rudder Park fountain (a prior estimate of $420,000 from 2015 was likely insufficient in 2025 dollars; the budget adds another $500,000 to the prior $100,000 allocation), repairs at Turner Dodge, Geyer and Fenner parks, tennis and basketball court improvements, and pool repairs at Hunter Park. Brett said the Rudder Park project will go out to bid for engineering and design services.

Brett told council that seasonal hiring is underway for summer camps and lifeguards; lifeguard recruitment was reported as sufficiently successful to fully staff Hunter Park Pool this season. He said the department has six employee departures in the past year, three due to retirement, and that several vacancies remain to be filled; some positions already were rehired.

Council members raised questions about ongoing contract work with United (mowing and grounds services) and noted prior performance issues on playground surfaces and litter pickup; Brett said the department enforces contract standards and can withhold payment or require fixes where work does not meet specifications. Council members also discussed stump grinding and the limits of in-house capacity for such projects.

Brett said the cemetery fund will continue to require subsidy due to a shift from full burials to more cremations; the department projects a continued need for general-fund support for cemetery operations.

What’s next: Parks will proceed with design procurement for the Rudder Park fountain, continue seasonal hiring (including lifeguards and programming staff), and provide follow-up information on contractor costs and the cemetery subsidy.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 21st, 2025 Committee of the Whole Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Parks and Recreation presented the FY26 budget with fee adjustments for programs and rentals, capital spending for the Rudder Park fountain and pool repairs, and plans for seasonal hiring to support summer camps and open pools.","taxTitle","Lansing City, Ingham County, Michigan","taxId",5771,"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},6259745,"Clerk outlines elections, passport demand and equipment replacement costs in FY26 budget presentation",806,612000,1418000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3137518-24fa3ce5f861ed306f11bba810897a73&start=612&end=1418","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3137518-24fa3ce5f861ed306f11bba810897a73/thumbnail_612000.jpg","/articles/6259745/Lansing-City/Ingham-County/Michigan/Clerk-outlines-elections-passport-demand-and-equipment-replacement-costs-in-FY26-budget-presentation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259745-51770d709a1219c73a53e2843aff54ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152726&Signature=WHixBls4fncFK7gyV23C6Otye66Ga-BWRGn1P~gBVdYONnTlgvoO8QgezWTnsFU~muEWVZzJqqMs4uSYBDfVBXjmaTAaMe6ZyUvqd-1jsw2aOHFDeD0fKEZyY7E3DodsK1Dx-tU1nAyV5c9w8ROAIzTb3SwRyOIWNwHFxY5StstUpgaV2Mz~XOz5uTNQPdDoLf0AZi7TNiTGvbpDO~Ru626MF7pyE5uiXxxshvQ9NylfWRu31u4DMRWhQ8p6uhZlVbFX4mkiUjMj3Hr1YuIV4IA699mz9A~Qvfh76ZfI8u8B7J98mAZU7GJOogjryF7bVOvOb9BobLkN2a~Bi6sUBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Clerk Chris Swope presented the Clerk’s Office proposed FY26 budget at the Committee of the Whole meeting on April 21 and answered council questions about elections costs, passports, equipment replacement and parking allocations.

Swope said election-related costs are lower in FY26 because it is not a city election year; savings include reduced pay for election inspectors, overtime and temporary help. He told council the Rio Elections Office lease will end partway through the year and the elections staff will move into a new Lansing Elections Office on Jolly Road.

Swope said passport demand has increased and staff have been running special passport evenings; when he entered the building there were about \"30 people in the hallway working on getting passports this very evening.\" He also flagged a likely long-term capital expense: the voting equipment purchased in 2017 (funded largely by Help America Vote Act funds) has an expected 10-year life and the state is running an RFP process that likely will require new equipment in 2027; Swope estimated an anticipated replacement cost of roughly $750,000 to $1,000,000 and said the city has sought state cost-sharing but currently expects local responsibility.

Council members pressed Swope about an apparent jump in a parking line item from $6,000 to $13,500. Swope explained parking charges were being reconciled with Parking Services and that prior lists had included employees who were no longer with the city; parking charges were intentionally overbudgeted to avoid shortfalls while the department scrubbed accounts. He said the city’s shift to charging parking costs directly to individual departments should give departments clearer visibility and speed corrections.

On recurring vendor costs, Swope said the Clerk’s Office pays an annual maintenance/service fee to the vendor that supports election equipment software and that the annual maintenance amount is about $50,000. He also described ongoing capital budgeting for precinct laptops and computer replacements.

Swope said the Clerk’s Office has not proposed new programs in FY26, expects to maintain current services and does not currently include any new federal funds in the proposed budget.

What’s next: Swope said the Clerk’s Office will continue to reconcile parking charges with Parking Services, monitor passport demand, and refine long-term funding options for equipment replacement.","City Clerk Chris Swope presented the Clerk’s Office budget, citing lower election costs in a non-city-election year, stronger passport demand, a move to a new Lansing Elections Office on Jolly Road, and an anticipated $750,000–$1 million equipment replacement need when voting equipment reaches end of life.",{"_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},6259750,"Lansing EDC outlines FY26 budget, site-readiness funding for former Fisher Body/GM Plant and expanded small-business programs",849,2271000,3120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3137518-24fa3ce5f861ed306f11bba810897a73&start=2271&end=3120","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3137518-24fa3ce5f861ed306f11bba810897a73/thumbnail_2271000.jpg","/articles/6259750/Lansing-City/Ingham-County/Michigan/Lansing-EDC-outlines-FY26-budget-site-readiness-funding-for-former-Fisher-BodyGM-Plant-and-expanded-small-business-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259750-01a9781a2f8d820a8c4b6be950813912/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152726&Signature=W23N1oc8A4HaDgSDblmjWbwb0XN291HBv9qCD83qrk9QtLRoUlvCQaQaWovr2wVEYaOcGcwfS01rO0cDAGC592mLJS7x~srzCNHmhFQaXtNVaz3fbdIin2t4bNa3C~V1-~~I5DfAFJrOK5TPXOSgWRNHSBEEodQVXklOHkPpz2JqxKbQsZQwlWQ3eHYvYj~edKC99Wu09TRVNvluWsx5k6bH3m~EJQVTE2SX4WQgGSk~SrFoqmv9UswPlFuYz7jMkmkrZnBr2Qpel0NC3FTkimBArLOyxY3kqZwMczh-SnABmWS55ZnfKIqnAuF3IuPUM2bl1JqQYBJTDGWLexyjxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carl Dorsheimer, president of the Lansing EDC, and Chris Klein, vice president, presented the EDC’s proposed FY26 work plan and budget to the Committee of the Whole on April 21.

Klein told the committee the primary near-term site-development activity is the Strategic Site Readiness Program (SSRP) grant received from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for the former GM Plant 6 site, a package he said amounted to nearly $19 million in FY25 activity to support environmental assessment and site preparation. Klein said those grant activities will continue but are not reflected in the base FY26 operating budget.

EDC officials described several FY26 priorities: administration of city programs (including the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, the Tax Increment Financing Authority and four corridor improvement authorities), an increase in the façade improvement program from $175,000 to $250,000, and the launch of the Lansing EDC LEED initiative and the SEED (Supporting Empowered Emerging Developers) program to help BIPOC developers access training and capital.

On small-business outreach, the EDC said it intensified business-retention efforts and is partnering with banks and nonprofits to provide no-cost workshops, citing PNC Bank–supported training series as an example. The EDC also described the Southwest Thrive program, funded under the city’s thriving communities grant, to provide technical assistance and capacity-building in South Lansing.

Council members pressed the EDC on geographic equity in the façade program. Councilman Hussain noted historical awards from 2018–2024 totaled about $770,000 across roughly 75 projects but that awards concentrated heavily in wards 1 and 4, with wards 2 and 3 receiving far fewer grants. Klein said the EDC is increasing outreach, offering application office hours and exploring whether corridor-improvement authorities can help provide matching funds to make projects in South Lansing more feasible. \"The ones that have been submitted in South Lansing... have a higher probability of actually being awarded,\" Klein said.

Klein said the EDC is also awaiting an EPA grant decision in May on a $500,000 application for environmental assessment assistance and that the EDC manages multiple federal funding programs already, including an EPA revolving loan fund and ARPA dollars provided by the city.

Council members asked about conflicts of interest given the EDC’s contractual role administering city incentives while also working with developers; the city attorney said employment at the EDC does not by itself legally preclude a person from running for office and that a fuller written response on conflicts and governance would follow.

The EDC presentation included an explanation of the phased approach to redeveloping the former Fisher Body plant: a multi-year process of assessment, remediation and site preparation before developer-led building construction, with periodic stakeholder engagement and an informational website to keep residents updated.

What’s next: EDC officials said they will report back on outreach outcomes for the façade program, update council if the EPA award is made in May, and continue coordination on the GM Plant 6/Fisher Body site-readiness work.","The Lansing Economic Development Corporation (EDC) presented its FY26 budget, highlighting the Strategic Site Readiness Program for the former GM Plant 6/Fisher Body site, a proposed increase in the façade improvement fund, and a suite of small-business initiatives including SEED and LEED programs.",{"_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},6259754,"Fire chief flags staffing strain and EMS changes as LFD unveils FY26 budget",2516,3638000,6154000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3137518-24fa3ce5f861ed306f11bba810897a73&start=3638&end=6154","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3137518-24fa3ce5f861ed306f11bba810897a73/thumbnail_3638000.jpg","/articles/6259754/Lansing-City/Ingham-County/Michigan/Fire-chief-flags-staffing-strain-and-EMS-changes-as-LFD-unveils-FY26-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259754-e29fd4f25c58f81b126999c7c2f9e9ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152726&Signature=ntsvaqVEHrm7NdN9PhaR9spREDjrpvSd4~m08E58u71Bh1PnamSl6lU6KAUrMUcUXljLPp7JaMvOgvtfNlaocqLyb2sNgMtc0bomyv7l6uz30q4ms60bMYrS~qiZoU4pdOAnW942TjmJtI8TDGShJs7qyBXV5hxXBASGwv~puUUIpOYV5Kklcr2ILJpCJUef48CxzdhbQJ6x6MymLjKXjiRsyLHYhTXTXtbNlLOZ7v3wWAnm6PRv0~XfwOB~QJoLLbh4drFaUBsKyPNokaE58tFffaTr03Lp~lv8BLnLHPxBUS5wYD7RMo95BnMO6-0vKKMIFc7JBRnFOYL-5tx9Pg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chief Brian Sturdivant told the Committee of the Whole on April 21 that the Lansing Fire Department’s proposed FY26 budget includes modest personnel increases alongside larger operating and information-technology allocations, and that operational pressures from high emergency medical services (EMS) demand require new approaches.

“We had a 3.2% increase over last year with personnel, 12.4% increase with our operating budget, [and] 29.4% increase with our IT budget,” Sturdivant said, summarizing line-item changes in the proposed budget. He said total operating costs increased about 10.2% and total expenditures about 4.2% year over year.

The chief told council members that about 80% of the department’s call volume is EMS-related and that roughly 40–50% of those EMS calls are basic-life-support level. “We are eagerly anticipating” a state decision to allow LFD to deploy Basic Life Support ambulances after approval by the Tri-County Medical Authority, Sturdivant said; the department has the equipment and plans ready to go when the state issues protocol approval.

Sturdivant described two new service initiatives in the budget: a scheduled infant car-seat inspection/installation program conducted by trained LFD staff and expansion of the Lansing Fire Department Cadet Program. He also said the department recently was awarded and accepted a federal SAFER grant totaling $4,300,000, which alters hiring timing and the pipeline for vacancies.

Staffing and retention were a recurring focus of questions from council members. Sturdivant said 19 employees left the department in the past year, 10 of those due to retirement, and that the department is close to a staffing level that makes filling paramedic positions difficult. Councilman Jackson and others emphasized the long-term rise in call volume and warned that current staffing is insufficient to meet demand.

Council members raised several operational concerns: the use of mutual aid and one-way service arrangements with neighboring jurisdictions — DeWitt was cited as a frequent recipient of Lansing resources — overtime levels and their causes, and how future EMS deployments would be timed to new station construction. Sturdivant said the metro chiefs will pursue a collective conversation with DeWitt’s board of supervisors about shared-service limits and costs.

On the cadet program, Sturdivant said the inaugural class produced five cadets who transitioned into the department and one who was hired as a full-time firefighter; 26 applications were received for the first class. He said the SAFER grant required the department to adjust its immediate hiring pipeline and that the department is aligning cadet and school-based pipelines to improve recruitment of Lansing residents.

The department asked the committee to permit a data-driven, phased approach to restore staffing levels, citing a community risk assessment to be conducted through the Center for Public Safety Excellence and a 90-day data-collection plan once BLS ambulances begin operating.

Chief Sturdivant closed by thanking the committee and reiterating the department’s readiness to deploy BLS units once the state completes the approval process.

What’s next: the department awaits state approval for BLS ambulances, will collect deployment data for 90 days after launch, and expects the next cadet cohort to be timed with safer-grant hiring windows and school partnerships.","Lansing Fire Department presented a FY26 budget with modest personnel increases and larger IT and operating cost growth, and emphasized staffing shortages, a pending state approval to deploy basic life support ambulances, and a recently accepted SAFER grant.",{"_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},6259759,"Committee of the Whole appoints Malik Brown to Lansing Public Media Authority; Linda Sanchez Gazzella named to Employees Retirement Board",1442,118000,1560000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3137518-24fa3ce5f861ed306f11bba810897a73&start=118&end=1560","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3137518-24fa3ce5f861ed306f11bba810897a73/thumbnail_118000.jpg","/articles/6259759/Lansing-City/Ingham-County/Michigan/Committee-of-the-Whole-appoints-Malik-Brown-to-Lansing-Public-Media-Authority-Linda-Sanchez-Gazzella-named-to-Employees-Retirement-Board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259759-68d28259ece8a7538befc93bb6befea1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152726&Signature=MS4UFIK-BmXPJHaC1i9tFI-8BVeUzaxbZFR-8y-EWMeKK7zJ4tuLjEJ~HKwpsXbjVS32EewjcfyLzTwUjRvtqRenJK1IHKSeIb1a9W2kU2oDeUD4JFIxS-GHj0myY10CK3qm81yUOz~9GIB1-c9WcW3nwYqxjgYqC07g-yII4o6y2UtzY~HcH0OkJPFx-GOWvy6Nmybv2xwaTO32Qj5jEUQWVRp5qwzWldG3ILfeqKg-FW4JiAG3Xwfo~kLfEQXXbcsAt0Y0oMUYx4rXy5MXDsOebyrG9rx512vcgxj9nZWblaN5hlioTAQI5zys-RTdEkc4LHhO2zldfakFRm2evA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee of the Whole voted unanimously April 21 to approve two municipal board appointments.

Malik Brown was appointed to the Lansing Public Media Authority for a term ending June 30, 2025. Brown described a long history with public-access media dating to the 1990s and work helping to set up and beta-test the Lansing Public Media Center. \"I started public access on Miller Road with Comcast,\" Brown said, describing 13½ years producing a weekly live call-in show and later work supporting live streaming and studio production at the public media center. Vice President Carter moved approval; the motion passed on a voice vote.

The committee also approved the appointment of Linda Sanchez Gazzella as the retiree member of the Employees Retirement System Board of Trustees for a term ending June 30, 2025. Sanchez Gazzella told the committee she is a city retiree who previously served as the city’s human resources director and said she has experience with the retirement board’s work. Vice President Carter moved approval; the motion passed by voice vote.

Both appointments were confirmed by voice vote with no recorded opposition. The committee noted special swearing-in arrangements for both appointees: Brown was invited to remain for a short ceremony at the beginning of the council meeting; Sanchez Gazzella said she would be sworn in the following day at the clerk’s office if she needed to leave before the evening ceremony.

Votes at a glance

- Appointment: Michael Malik Brown, Lansing Public Media Authority, term to expire 06/30/2025. Motion to approve made by Vice President Carter; outcome: approved (voice vote). Eight members present for the meeting roll call.

- Appointment: Linda Sanchez Gazzella, citizen retiree member, Employees Retirement System Board of Trustees, term to expire 06/30/2025. Motion to approve made by Vice President Carter; outcome: approved (voice vote). Eight members present for the meeting roll call.","The Committee of the Whole unanimously approved two appointments on April 21: Malik Brown to the Lansing Public Media Authority through June 30, 2025, and Linda Sanchez Gazzella to the Employees Retirement System Board of Trustees through June 30, 2025.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parks and Recreation proposes fees, Rudder Park fountain work and staffing for summer programs

Clerk outlines elections, passport demand and equipment replacement costs in FY26 budget presentation

Lansing EDC outlines FY26 budget, site-readiness funding for former Fisher Body/GM Plant and expanded small-business programs

Fire chief flags staffing strain and EMS changes as LFD unveils FY26 budget

Committee of the Whole appoints Malik Brown to Lansing Public Media Authority; Linda Sanchez Gazzella named to Employees Retirement Board