[{"_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",6564274,"mediaKeyId","3292878-68902f00f62713641ebc527f8e7b7ab0","parentId",3292878,"title","Council renews income-tax processing contract with Innovative Software Services","audioSeconds",162,"startMs",5084000,"endMs",5246000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3292878-68902f00f62713641ebc527f8e7b7ab0&start=5084&end=5246","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3292878-68902f00f62713641ebc527f8e7b7ab0/thumbnail_5084000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6564274/East-Lansing/Ingham-County/Michigan/Council-renews-income-tax-processing-contract-with-Innovative-Software-Services","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6564274-44b9e624bf79ef4848698d25dfece2de/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172664&Signature=BgU5GxpM~4nc034HuIYXXjr6hKLtWYiR~NJjEs~blxyhViP1k466QEJzVbxLDsHlRjyDWI67JzDVwp3GfUPuv0AD2F5nh5n1FUs5Db0CtE1kAGrdnGOgREeKFbmxWR~BPDWW~V-bmECzlpLLvkdYvLPR-uaxAwAYdYydtfpK-Jfs2viqyWtSm6loL1AZkcsAbRyeg7ixWAmrYkb48XoE0~maPu~66GNDZ8Pn9ZHB1eHCaiZJOwI6cGjkRcMJPuhDkHUtelhT7uQrB4gcDwL84j67EjV84v6xvMyoxtq8NH9xFTNvm35ExOrZ2WVEsDsCliO7kfQcc-bUVcJXRiamow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","East Lansing, Michigan","date","2025-05-14T13:36:44Z","article","East Lansing — The City Council on Tuesday authorized a contract with Innovative Software Services Inc. to continue providing the city’s income-tax processing services.

Treasurer Andrea Smith presented the item, telling council that Innovative has been the city’s income-tax processor since the city began collecting income taxes and that market options are limited. Smith said the city briefly examined a state-level option, but that preliminary pricing from the State of Michigan was higher; staff will revisit that conversation in June.

The authorized contract amount is not to exceed $512,675 per year through calendar year 2027. Councilmember discussion noted the city’s gross income-tax collections in the most recent tax year were roughly $16 million, and council described the processor fee as a modest portion of overall collections.

Vote: Council authorized the City Manager to sign the contract unanimously.

Next steps: The City Manager will execute the agreement and staff will continue outreach to the state to confirm whether a state-provided processing alternative becomes competitive.

Speakers: Andrea Smith, City Treasurer; Robert Bellman, City Manager; Councilmembers Ian Altman, Mark Meadows, Sarah Watson; Mayor Pro Tem Singh; Mayor Brookover.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular Council - 13 May 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council authorized the City Manager to sign a contract with Innovative Software Services for income-tax processing at up to $512,675 annually through calendar year 2027. Council said alternatives were limited and the award passed unanimously.","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},6564279,"East Lansing selects Rosati Schultz for municipal law, names Keller Toma labor counsel and keeps Giarmarco on pending cases",1330,7630000,8960000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3292878-68902f00f62713641ebc527f8e7b7ab0&start=7630&end=8960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3292878-68902f00f62713641ebc527f8e7b7ab0/thumbnail_7630000.jpg","/articles/6564279/East-Lansing/Ingham-County/Michigan/East-Lansing-selects-Rosati-Schultz-for-municipal-law-names-Keller-Toma-labor-counsel-and-keeps-Giarmarco-on-pending-cases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6564279-a59b49d8c5e8316fc767c1105de4b6e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172664&Signature=GsgLFoVhfQEEloPpaF7nWk-8vzQhk4604PcwkNO5z1HKF6~PKjRj4x0IYSpoBx5rGB~ylB1oIPKUyh5fP48ixq0h87cg5qvCv7kP4mE5FXPX~ssTyuAt8tSscwUpNYvY8DJ0v4EADODmFqog-OE2D847xjgqrQmYtNxL7CktQo3BkT1Il6BY5SIAHQgKc36bDswbI2gthR0t~R~YsoQKnmrfB9ZYGi6OVc1YmhehXmBIsAUSmxTI~pWyrMdl1zKn4lFr4N7EqtJEyRxaybeiXNUktywG0yrNT6MkXaBZ2EcehGXLYlo60o9bfIZIzXIB3LC-zgnPYPqDkJBt17L8BQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","East Lansing — The City Council on Tuesday moved to change its outside legal representation after a formal request-for-proposals process.

Two separate council resolutions directed staff to negotiate contracts for city legal services:
- General municipal law and prosecution services: Council authorized the City Manager to negotiate a contract with Rosati Schultz Jopich & Amp; Amst Buchler (the “Rosati firm”) for general municipal law and prosecution services, to be returned to council for consideration. That motion passed on a split vote.
- Labor and employment law: Council authorized negotiation with Keller Toma (Keller Toma law firm) to provide labor and employment counsel for the city; the council approved moving forward to negotiate that contract.

In addition, the council voted to continue the city’s current litigation counsel, Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton (GiaMarco), on pending circuit-court matters in which that firm has already filed appearances. Council members said the retention on existing litigation avoids a midstream change of counsel on active cases while the city transitions to new general-counsel arrangements.

Why the change: The city issued an RFP on Feb. 20, 2025, and interviewed several finalists on April 23. Council members said they were impressed by multiple firms. Supporters of the Rosati selection stressed the firm’s deep municipal bench, experience in court and a commitment to hold hourly rates constant under a multiyear agreement. Opponents favored continuing the lower hourly rates and institutional knowledge of Giarmarco.

Council discussion highlighted three main themes: rate levels, municipal expertise and potential conflicts of interest. Councilmember Meadows said he favored Rosati because of its municipal specialization and argued that a more experienced municipal bench could be less costly overall. Councilmember Watson said she would not support Rosati and noted concerns about prosecution responsibilities and other answers from interviews. Several councilmembers emphasized the importance of explicitly setting the scope of services in the negotiated contract.

Vote and transition: The council voted to negotiate with Rosati Schultz for general municipal law on a 3–2 vote (Altman, Meadows and Singh in favor; Watson and Mayor Brookover opposed). The council unanimously authorized negotiating labor/employment representation with Keller Toma. On a separate motion, the council agreed to keep Giarmarco on pending circuit-court litigation in which it has already entered appearances.

Speakers and process: City Manager Robert Bellman described the RFP process and identified the responding firms and interview schedule. Council heard from multiple members about the need for timely, responsive advice and for a firm that could provide a broad municipal practice bench given recent demand on staff and outside counsel.

What’s next: Staff will negotiate contracts with the selected firms and return draft agreements to council for formal approval.","After interviews, the council directed staff to negotiate a contract with Rosati Schultz Jopich & Amrspuechler for general municipal law and prosecution services and to select Keller Toma for labor and employment law. The council also voted to retain Giamarco for ongoing circuit-court litigation in which that firm has already entered appearances.",{"_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},6564285,"Pizza Walla seeks alcohol service at downtown East Lansing location; council holds public hearing",659,2981000,3640000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3292878-68902f00f62713641ebc527f8e7b7ab0&start=2981&end=3640","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3292878-68902f00f62713641ebc527f8e7b7ab0/thumbnail_2981000.jpg","/articles/6564285/East-Lansing/Ingham-County/Michigan/Pizza-Walla-seeks-alcohol-service-at-downtown-East-Lansing-location-council-holds-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6564285-ae381097cf98eee302a4f9a4362acf25/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172664&Signature=VUm~UzZ-T1vceKcNac6XuXZXOYXOQexwO34Ah9Y6JylmzKYYexZ5xWcxys-Eav49TJqx9MRn5dOr2kwBEvlIidYOgaGvNCEbOjj122rvqnOBBTq9HiMByA3BUfTlvcn6GkJBKJNfyBrxmYK7L3j-YlHnv8CQ2hrfW-Plgcl2oYpQCLIZoTsS9luOVqkhZ8Fhf-uywwF07Xojtce0JCBFsMuHkJhMxYCgOt1iFm4ywrX8Q5nVJTgAHPY6Ia~mt1KSI~SVOQiYqQpobTsp5B0SoEFo5R52E6va6WW5oKRb2KScEIi-xnOWCWsb~kT7o1Ld27VU21-32rrRiUnWEpkj4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","East Lansing — The City Council held a public hearing Tuesday on a special use permit application for alcohol service at Pizza Walla, proposed to occupy 523 East Grand River Ave., and did not vote on the request.

Applicant and staff presentations: Associate planner Grama Whitney told council the applicant proposes an indoor occupancy of 98 people and an outdoor seasonal patio with roughly 28 seats. The property is zoned B-3 City Center Commercial. The Planning Commission reviewed the proposal and recommended approval with conditions.

Property owner and leasing supporters spoke in favor. Jeff Horan, representing building owners Phipps Horan, said Pizza Walla is “making a major investment in this building” and called alcohol service “critical for their success.” Carson Patton of Martin Commercial Properties said the restaurant would “enhance the city's diverse culinary landscape” and that alcohol service would help provide a full dining experience.

Applicant responses and conditions: The applicant clarified an earlier discrepancy about occupant load, confirming interior occupancy was corrected to 98 and that patio seating would be approximately 28 seats. Planner Whitney noted one condition recommended by the Planning Commission: the proposed licensing would restrict entry of persons under 21 after 11 p.m. without a parent or guardian.

Council questions and timing: Councilmembers asked about seating versus maximum occupancy and whether minors would be allowed after certain hours. Councilmember Meadows raised concerns about how licensed occupancy and seating are enforced and compared the proposal to other recent licensing conversations. No formal vote was taken; council said it would place the item on the next regular meeting agenda for further consideration.

What’s next: The application will return to the council at a subsequent regular meeting. Council members and staff said they will expect final plans, clarified conditions (including any restrictions on patio alcohol service hours), and any adjustments to occupancy or operational commitments at that time.

Speakers and proponents: Grama Whitney, Associate Planner; Hassan Beydoun (Decorah Inc./applicant representative); Sugata Roy and Sugata (applicant/owner); Jeff Horan (building owner representative); Carson Patton (commercial broker); Councilmembers Ian Altman, Mark Meadows, Sarah Watson; Mayor Pro Tem Singh; Mayor Brookover.","An applicant seeking a special use permit to allow alcohol service at 523 E. Grand River Ave. presented plans and answered council questions at a public hearing. The council took no final action and moved the item to the next meeting.",{"_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},6564290,"Council orders sidewalk repairs for fiscal-2025 hazardous-list properties after public hearing",678,2102000,2780000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3292878-68902f00f62713641ebc527f8e7b7ab0&start=2102&end=2780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3292878-68902f00f62713641ebc527f8e7b7ab0/thumbnail_2102000.jpg","/articles/6564290/East-Lansing/Ingham-County/Michigan/Council-orders-sidewalk-repairs-for-fiscal-2025-hazardous-list-properties-after-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6564290-0fad591bc9bc5b2eb1feb20610003154/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172664&Signature=Q5vlbtIqg1ODjXyGSgaEFaVdmm0-V62qL38BZQoILq28ut5-kKLIi~DpbcRihgHGJ-snzxjRSa3UhWWRuJeAaqx5mNdE2GDAP1ibH9oqW-18BpFXQSRcQSVHz0v~s2ppKAs38WSMnpGANir-eb5snMYcQO4LSP-bTyQ85KhnXKTUYKV3oDmvKPi8DO-rlMZWIZ24i3cO~v8WXG~D2s0BUwMERiKO8y19QfGmr4ogX5RJw3Cp5V-pkKBnA6-F3-abGRv3pJLYNL7rBAwI-qvvtGQshslkEmuaacaeyAhdG~zqJ3Ub4buBtgasV~gUXQNv~vNZvfEOXukoG2Pag-8xFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","East Lansing — The City Council on Tuesday approved a resolution ordering the repair of sidewalks identified in the city’s fiscal 2025 hazardous-sidewalk project list.

The issue was the subject of a public hearing under Ordinance 12-06; staff said certified and regular notices had been sent after a prior meeting identified an incorrect date on the original mailing. No residents appeared to contest the repairs during Tuesday’s hearing.

Steven Clayton, a project engineer in the Department of Public Works, briefed council on the hazardous sidewalk program and its procedures, including the city’s adopted evaluation criteria and the administrative-review process that allows property owners to contest listings before council consideration.

Motion and vote: Following the staff presentation and the public-hearing period, the council voted 4–1 to adopt the resolution ordering repairs for the addresses on the attached list. The roll call vote was recorded as: Altman — yes; Meadows — yes; Watson — no; Mayor Pro Tem Singh — yes; Mayor Brookover — yes.

Payment and schedule: Staff explained the payment process during the meeting: the city will bid and construct the sidewalk repairs, then issue invoices to the affected property owners. The charge is billed as a special assessment and may be paid over three years under the program; property owners received a notice of the “not to exceed” amounts in the earlier mailings. Clayton told council the work would likely be scheduled for late summer or fall and that final invoicing would occur after project completion.

Authorities and process: Council opened the hearing under Ordinance 12-06, which governs the hazardous sidewalk program and the city’s process for notifying property owners and ordering repairs. City staff confirmed they had re-sent certified mail and regular mail to property owners after discovering the earlier notice included an incorrect council date.

What happened at the hearing: No speakers came forward during the public comment period on this item; council members asked staff clarifying questions about the timing of the mailings and whether approving the resolution tonight would materially change the schedule versus acting at the May 20 meeting. Clayton said a later vote would primarily affect schedule timing and that staff had received no inquiries in response to the certified mailings.

Officials and speakers: Steven Clayton, DPW Engineering; Joseph Callahan, DPW project engineer; Councilmembers Ian Altman, Mark Meadows, Sarah Watson; Mayor Pro Tem Singh; Mayor Brookover.","After a public hearing, the East Lansing City Council passed a resolution ordering repairs for sidewalks listed in the fiscal 2025 hazardous sidewalk project area. The resolution passed 4-1; no property owners spoke at the hearing.",{"_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},6564294,"East Lansing council adopts initial deficit-reduction plan, splits on parks funding",2100,5220000,7320000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3292878-68902f00f62713641ebc527f8e7b7ab0&start=5220&end=7320","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3292878-68902f00f62713641ebc527f8e7b7ab0/thumbnail_5220000.jpg","/articles/6564294/East-Lansing/Ingham-County/Michigan/East-Lansing-council-adopts-initial-deficit-reduction-plan-splits-on-parks-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6564294-8c831098a664d799e4a425c12454fce9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172664&Signature=ghw4vGOOhasf4mTEfXOcOby2CJeyPMgNrl1Q2fRBpe8Z0~08PdN-efB5blq9TCVjCfJRAd~7dnQ-HdNx0ohEalCS1GdX7OL5AU4mBnshLFjKVIWBjd5eNZ~tlxDHOdLZygpf5s7jrZi8M5UPYuijzOMrxTHDVvb3NzS56P9dUa-mp6w34LYI0M6dUia6MDMgSl9SvcV-u1FAaMkqAh7Sd3UWBkJ2qdWBspeIbX4kd~KZLILTr8wAV5dC1tJfwhRg25FgKDXAWaSuYb~iUFLaacueTDocVS9TTeI8S1YBcj2-ZkNjZHDH0Uz-oPFdMoN2b0E2AIlfP7vR1gMTWksbiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","East Lansing — The City Council on Tuesday approved an initial general fund deficit-reduction plan intended to reduce a projected shortfall in the fiscal 2026 budget.

The measure, adopted by a 3-2 roll-call vote after an amendment, directs staff to recognize additional revenue streams and to cut specified expenditures. Actions in the adopted package include recognizing lease revenue from the University Place Condominium Association and from city parking facilities, eliminating a proposed new EMS coordinator position in the fire department and instituting a convenience fee on some general-fund credit-card payments. Council also voted to reduce an appropriation to the 54B District Court by $71,000 as an add-on to the manager’s plan.

The plan sparked extended debate about whether the council should cut parks funding now or ask voters to decide. The adopted package reduces a planned city contribution to the Parks and Recreation Fund and moves to place a proposal for a dedicated parks and recreation millage on the Nov. 2025 ballot — a change that generated the most disagreement among council members.

Why this matters: City leaders described the plan as an attempt to realign ongoing operational spending with recurring revenues rather than rely on one-time reserves. Council members said doing nothing would force deeper cuts later or risk eroding the city’s fiscal cushions and credit standing.

What the council approved: City Manager Robert Bellman presented the staff recommendation to eliminate the use of $3,137,870 in reappropriated equity by boosting recurring revenue recognition and cutting selected line items. Specific items flagged in the adopted plan include:
- Recognize $212,869 from University Place Condominium Association lease payments (partial-year amount already collected).
- Recognize approximately $591,375 from parking-fund lease payments for city parking facilities.
- Remove the proposed EMS coordinator position from the Fire Department budget (estimated savings about $135,810).
- Institute a credit-card convenience fee for certain general-fund transactions (estimated savings $30,400 in the general fund).
- Direct staff to ask county drain authorities to allocate drain maintenance special assessments to affected private, nonprofit and governmental property owners instead of the general fund (estimated savings $87,160).
- Eliminate a proposed $2,641,470 general-fund contribution to Parks and Recreation, and place a proposal for a dedicated parks millage on the Nov. 2025 ballot.
- Reduce the 54B District Court appropriation by $71,000 (added by amendment on the council floor).

Council debate and concerns: Council members split on the parks recommendation and the timing of the changes. Councilmember Mark Meadows (comments during debate) said he could not support cutting parks funding outright and urged discussion of alternative structures such as a recreation authority in partnership with the school district. Meadows said, “I just, I can't find myself reducing the budget of the Parks and Recreation Department.”

Councilmember Ian Altman pressed the urgency of election timing, arguing there is only one feasible window to seek a voter-authorized millage before the city must craft an even budget for fiscal 2027. Altman told colleagues, “I see the millage as an opportunity to let voters decide whether they wanna pay for something we might otherwise have to cut.”

Councilmember Sarah Watson said more data was needed before adopting cuts. “My concern here is that if we start diving into these changes before we know a significant mathematical component of what totally confronts us ... there’s a danger there in not having enough data,” she said during the meeting.

Vote and next steps: After an amendment adding the $71,000 court-appropriation reduction, the council approved the package on a 3-2 vote (Altman, Meadows and Singh in favor; Watson and Mayor Brookover opposed). Staff will implement the changes directed by council and prepare ballot language and timelines if the council proceeds with placing a parks millage before the state deadline for Nov. 2025 election submittals.

Officials and speakers: Robert Bellman, City Manager; Mark Meadows, City Councilmember; Ian Altman, City Councilmember; Sarah Watson, City Councilmember; Mayor Pro Tem Singh; Mayor Brookover. Council and staff said they will return to the council with required ordinance language, contract changes and budget amendments, and with any further details requested by council members.","The East Lansing City Council approved an initial plan to reduce the city’s projected fiscal 2026 general fund shortfall, including new revenue recognition and cuts to proposed expenditures. Council members were divided over eliminating a planned Parks & Recreation contribution and pursuing a parks millage in November 2025.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council renews income-tax processing contract with Innovative Software Services

East Lansing selects Rosati Schultz for municipal law, names Keller Toma labor counsel and keeps Giarmarco on pending cases

Pizza Walla seeks alcohol service at downtown East Lansing location; council holds public hearing

Council orders sidewalk repairs for fiscal-2025 hazardous-list properties after public hearing

East Lansing council adopts initial deficit-reduction plan, splits on parks funding