[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6536993,"mediaKeyId","3645154-b5812173ca1d21b422859859fe81a4bc","parentId",3645154,"title","Oversight commissioner tells East Lansing council not to curtail police-oversight powers","audioSeconds",1786,"startMs",680000,"endMs",2466000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3645154-b5812173ca1d21b422859859fe81a4bc&start=680&end=2466","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3645154-b5812173ca1d21b422859859fe81a4bc/thumbnail_680000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6536993/East-Lansing/Ingham-County/Michigan/Oversight-commissioner-tells-East-Lansing-council-not-to-curtail-police-oversight-powers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536993-f7d5e2efc74b69823daf0c7603e744ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149542&Signature=VFVZcEca8ZZx1psB1G0tGOTVglHTTaPwyYR5XCbOtKPjltKXpJpsCWiH45uCxBGNmFR5aCDwbe3hy3z2TEYKH2BQkKfmmAsUGK9g6QU8i9tEQdP~UQj3BoM2iP31QeCKN0~0LYtSZFJYW83m3iVaEVYXFo8igrdcIKum5mQ2gRttjo4cc7SZQRNw0e8GeZmD5Hsaky~AdSErDaFBAGUm8bCnmpkfI5XDle1HCHFmDVlPMzn6MXszKvDKrWa6qwsclK8Eg9EopqbORIXX5fjimG2wg8ZRc2-cOno-jHGEvz9hqMsvBfzzCQmiXv9coLzHqIzQeW52eWA7fc3v1uK0hw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","East Lansing, Michigan","date","2025-05-30T15:58:36Z","article","Robert Etcheson, who identified himself as a commissioner with the East Lansing Independent Police Oversight Commission but spoke as an individual, told the City Council on June 3 that he was concerned the council is negotiating away the commission’s authority to pursue transparency and accountability.

“If the city council is no longer supportive of this commission, then it should display the courage to dissolve it,” Etcheson said, adding that the commission’s “primary function…is transparency and accountability.” He said he was not speaking for the commission that night and asked a council liaison — referencing “Mark” — to explain what the council sees as problematic about the commission’s work.

Etcheson said a recently hired police chief had characterized members of the commission as “police haters,” a comment Etcheson described as disrespectful and insulting. “I find it insulting, disrespectful, and a challenge to my integrity,” he said, noting family members who are or were police officers. Etcheson said the commission had never sought to discipline officers and warned that removing oversight and transparency could expose the city to litigation arising from questionable police conduct.

Council Member Watson replied that she attended a recent oversight-commission meeting and that the changes now being implemented followed legal advice given during labor negotiations. “The legal advice was to follow the directive of the labor attorney in her negotiations,” Watson said, and she expressed a desire to “tidy up” relations as the city moves forward with a new police chief and a new prosecuting attorney.

Etcheson concluded by urging the council to preserve oversight structures. “Transparency and accountability of East Lansing Police Department are beneficial to the city of East Lansing, all of its citizens, visitors, and also to the East Lansing Police Department itself,” he said. The council did not take a formal vote on oversight authority at the June 3 meeting; the remarks were made during public comment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular Council - 03 Jun 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A member of the East Lansing Independent Police Oversight Commission urged the City Council to preserve the commission's ability to pursue transparency and accountability after recent negotiations that the commenter said reduced the commission's authority; a council member said legal advice guided the changes.","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},6536998,"Residents press East Lansing council for simpler traffic-calming steps after speed study finds widespread speeding",456,1806000,2262000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3645154-b5812173ca1d21b422859859fe81a4bc&start=1806&end=2262","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3645154-b5812173ca1d21b422859859fe81a4bc/thumbnail_1806000.jpg","/articles/6536998/East-Lansing/Ingham-County/Michigan/Residents-press-East-Lansing-council-for-simpler-traffic-calming-steps-after-speed-study-finds-widespread-speeding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536998-71d2910b32e62cd92eb53ecab44b9b38/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149542&Signature=md0L4BVzkYU~ijl0vbfdBBJLywzR679CS32jOnXk9V9dQ8JHFjb-wayubsnsjLoC-tClFWNz0tFeQtrLHyhCUAAzVsXp-aACGtBf6Mwrp9A0unl8VXcplS4YEqUEn55F16kBrZAwmKrwTlyepakt92Ho2BcQVen5gZe4pHE2WuJvIMmmon1AJKcdZ16jryrvQcszXzt9wmPzbXp~qgQUpzoTKQN-Aj9khxg~DEtcnKNze5VPK2tAv46ej6KAOnU5Y0GC0PHH0DrM7y-KEPfeyXngZwFhXapRlrQMFjv1r5kkQ9ZW5DunE0~dfv9LATVMgCgfOl-qiDNyfUcJQJwcCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents from multiple neighborhoods told the East Lansing City Council on June 3 that speeding and unsafe driving near schools and neighborhood streets need faster, clearer remedies.

Carissa Buchholtz, speaking for the Glencairn Elementary School community council, cited an October 2022 speed study and said the city’s data showed 70% of drivers near the Harrison and Northlawn crosswalks were speeding, 15% exceeded 35 mph in a 25 mph zone, and two readings exceeded 57 mph. “We are very pleased to see the three-phase plan laid out by Public Works,” Buchholtz said, “but I urge the council to replace this plan with a simple one-page plan that lists traffic calming options available to the community.”

Gary Mescher and other residents from Southeast Marble urged more consistent enforcement and local solutions such as four-way stops and intersection diverters. Mescher praised a recent letter from the city manager noting that police command staff would dedicate officers to traffic enforcement when shifts exceed minimum staffing, and he said neighborhood volunteers are prepared to keep pressure on the council until problems are addressed.

Council members said they had heard the concerns and would press for clearer data and long-term solutions. Council Member Meadows said the city needs school-specific plans and added that neighborhood associations often mobilize when problems arise. “We have to react to that,” Meadows said, referencing recent public meetings and petitions from Glencairn, Southeast Marble and Chesterfield Hills.

Council Member Altman and Mayor Pro Tem Singh both discussed longer-term infrastructure priorities that affect traffic outcomes. Altman noted the high cost and multiyear nature of moving utilities underground as part of a resilience and aesthetics strategy but said it remains a strategic priority. Singh highlighted a city block-pruning tree program that staff said reduced storm damage in recently pruned blocks, and he suggested homeowners consider pruning private trees to reduce storm-related outages that can affect traffic safety.

Residents and council members also discussed whether techniques labeled “tactical urbanism” – short-term, low-cost interventions – should be combined with permanent measures, and whether enforcement technologies such as speed cameras or automated enforcement could be used. No formal policy changes were adopted at the meeting; council members asked staff to continue compiling data and to report back.","Parents and neighborhood residents urged the East Lansing City Council to simplify the process for pedestrian-safety improvements and step up traffic enforcement after a speed study at Glencairn Elementary showed high rates of speeding. Council members said they would pursue data-driven, long-term fixes and work with neighborhood associations.",{"_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},6537003,"East Lansing council approves special-use permit allowing alcohol service at new downtown restaurant",809,3637000,4446000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3645154-b5812173ca1d21b422859859fe81a4bc&start=3637&end=4446","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3645154-b5812173ca1d21b422859859fe81a4bc/thumbnail_3637000.jpg","/articles/6537003/East-Lansing/Ingham-County/Michigan/East-Lansing-council-approves-special-use-permit-allowing-alcohol-service-at-new-downtown-restaurant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537003-7ed00fa4c7a3c11f985e0b38d81ec8a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149542&Signature=kU15hnTzMF9s9Z8Syqbb0lIdYI3gj7QHte31xYWfQgqn42TUKv-93GdtJwzHEhXkyj69q2CQLHcd5ydDA87LaNKsFWxj-m4ibrbqRu2pzK579qTcan3mQZJtekGD~3ApwscKOl6TyS4AYXSrs6jYhekemif-GCaeGFuZvZb56gkmyLMJigkPJ3zPxGE9h3q9z6qcBO6ztnP7vxPfYVDjOXChgtA1vnassTu5tnIzHeHOJFfacTei3Yd~vtZmdfsg3RaYdR80g9k0AyXzq3x1LCRKW9aahn56kTnTxaeCUSOTedh2xKd5pvGpHdGv99rZRIxNsTAa-tDSD9xgph3x9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The East Lansing City Council on June 3 approved a special-use permit allowing alcohol service at Pizza Walla, a proposed restaurant at 523 East Grand River Avenue, with an indoor capacity capped at 98 patrons and seasonal outdoor seating for up to 32 additional people.

Grace Whitney, associate planner, told the council the revised occupancy had been lowered from an earlier figure the applicant submitted. “This includes 80 seats in the dining room, and then the remaining 18 occupants are made up of kitchen staff, potential occupants of restrooms, storage areas and the lobby waiting area,” Whitney said, adding that the building and fire departments had approved the occupancy for remodel permits.

The Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions that mirror approvals of nearby establishments; staff said the recommendation included limiting patio hours to 11 p.m. to match operations at adjacent businesses. During council discussion, the council added an 11th condition prohibiting amplified or live music in the outdoor seating area.

Several members of the public spoke in favor of the proposal during the meeting’s public-comment period. Sugata Roy, who identified himself as a restaurant owner, said alcohol service could make the difference between a downtown restaurant surviving or failing. “Having alcohol service as a supplement really can be the difference maker between a restaurant just surviving and thriving,” Roy said. Jeff Horan, who said he had attended multiple DDA and planning meetings about the site, called Pizza Walla “an upscale, full-service, sit-down restaurant” and urged approval. Carson Patton said he supported allowing alcohol service and was available to answer questions.

Council Member Altman said he would vote against the application, arguing the downtown already has too many liquor-serving establishments. “I think we have enough liquor licenses in the downtown,” Altman said during debate. The council approved the permit by a vote of 4 to 1; Altman cast the lone no vote.

The council’s approval is a land-use authorization tied to the property; staff noted that a future business at the site would inherit the special-use permit and its conditions unless the council later amends or revokes it. The council’s motion also cited Code of Ordinances standards of review for special-use permits.

Votes at a glance: the council approved the consent agenda unanimously (appointments to the Downtown Development Authority, setting a public hearing date for a zoning amendment, resolutions recognizing Bridal Month and Juneteenth, rescheduling a public hearing under the Michigan Land Division Act, and two street-closure/street-use approvals for summer events). The Pizza Walla special-use permit (agenda item 5.1) passed 4–1. The council later voted to enter and exit a closed session under MCL 15.268(1)(h) to review privileged attorney-client material.","The East Lansing City Council approved a special-use permit for Pizza Walla at 523 E. Grand River Ave. to serve alcohol, setting indoor capacity at 98 and seasonal outdoor seating for up to 32 patrons with conditions including no amplified outdoor music and an 11 p.m. patio cutoff. The vote was 4-1.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Oversight commissioner tells East Lansing council not to curtail police-oversight powers

Residents press East Lansing council for simpler traffic-calming steps after speed study finds widespread speeding

East Lansing council approves special-use permit allowing alcohol service at new downtown restaurant