[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6208566,"mediaKeyId","3743935-c2ea9d654a648be4f4ee53f320d8ec49","parentId",3743935,"title","Commission holds closed session on security and approves critical infrastructure upgrade","audioSeconds",2576,"startMs",1817000,"endMs",4393000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3743935-c2ea9d654a648be4f4ee53f320d8ec49&start=1817&end=4393","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3743935-c2ea9d654a648be4f4ee53f320d8ec49/thumbnail_1817000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6208566/Michigan/Commission-holds-closed-session-on-security-and-approves-critical-infrastructure-upgrade","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208566-a91cd0e82bdf09551472437655ef8e70/orig.mp4?Expires=1771025002&Signature=mESpRppIA330ruGIxNBZ-hovCKEtM7VR1ghLpndOCQtHlwat3Ekt76DFCiSStL0znhed-t1X4ExE~DlCEeitj2yhYOBC-rzn~EcmEBG1s-U0VTcFbso9Jx1H4G34ndgU9NFoDoJRvLVbHzbdVJzdbVANVjvolpVJdwfYbklMZjW~wXR9GJY9Yn5BKN6pYNJ1UUIFbCbvSQjJbkgEkGAPDlRur-oR7NhYWk4EAvof0Gj218ZXHZywxFEEBCg8wC-u7R9ASSHcAmr9Vsc4rOv1zNu17zutSCDsxVUqC0l9UEtGdxbk4ZXez9vPAzZplqADktAZbEb2PhDyqwub5Vt3aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Michigan Legislature","date","2025-06-10T19:35:09.01Z","article","The Michigan State Capitol Commission voted to meet in closed session to consider security measures and later approved a critical infrastructure upgrade during public session.

Chair Candler made a motion that the commission meet in closed session under section 8(h) of the Open Meetings Act to “receive and deliberate a proposal from the commission’s executive director regarding security measures as pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act section 13(1),” citing the sensitivity of security procedures. The roll-call vote to enter closed session was recorded as yes from Chair Candler, Vice Chair Bauer, Commissioner Hobbs, Commissioner Land, Commissioner Oberlin and Commissioner Star; the chair said the motion met the Open Meetings Act two-thirds requirement.

The public record does not disclose the closed-session discussion. After the closed session, Commissioner Land moved to approve a critical information infrastructure upgrade; the motion was seconded with the supporter identified as “Rudy,” and the commission took a roll-call vote. Chair Candler, Vice Chair Bauer, Commissioner Hobbs, Commissioner Land, Commissioner Oberlin and Commissioner Star each voted yes; the commission chair announced that all six members voted yes and the measure was approved.

The commission closed the meeting after asking for any public comment and adjourning by motion; no public comments were recorded.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Michigan State Capitol Commission","oneSentenceSummary","The commission moved into a closed session under the Open Meetings Act to consider security measures and later approved a critical information infrastructure upgrade by a 6-0 roll call vote.","taxTitle","2025 House Legislature MI, Michigan","taxId",77683,"location","Michigan","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6208570,"‘Save the Flags’ project advances; documentary to premiere at Capitol on Dec. 6",522,1230000,1752000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3743935-c2ea9d654a648be4f4ee53f320d8ec49&start=1230&end=1752","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3743935-c2ea9d654a648be4f4ee53f320d8ec49/thumbnail_1230000.jpg","/articles/6208570/Michigan/Save-the-Flags-project-advances-documentary-to-premiere-at-Capitol-on-Dec-6","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208570-8c77de8b024f514cc21327450adc188c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771025002&Signature=oAMdD~L~n3SGVhI6NPRth1~cbcNJgFRU-nAXq7LdrM~jq6VH5lz0AI8W6xpFXaSKguUZDsqotK6nimsLi8UL8efS55uKKgcMFCRWHO3SWEhgrx2q0T8fTLNPNI29-b9z0zOvtxygdaHAg~MN~3k08RluLGTnmvtfZUl7EYxOHWyjQ-UEkYCGNX4uA2a1-s1CRGxE8XPXwRFdeHXccpn2Tg4-J~lk1kFmScQFemMZAs-KEKIwOGk6A92qHUonAbJihsJXGq5vDUfs0rTtBxXp1oC5sNJkNLKDs7t61NYfgfDQtqrM2MdM47QhQPJ~Es5LLUr0CU-Qgm3VxoxWDSexeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The commission received an update on the long-running Save the Flags conservation program and a preview of a short documentary about the collection.

Matt Van Acker, presenting for the project, said Save the Flags began July 2, 1991, to preserve, research and display 240 battle flags carried by Michigan units in the Civil War, Spanish–American War and World War I. He said the flags were removed from rotunda display for conservation after a Textile Preservation Associates recommendation and have been stored and researched at an archival facility in partnership with the Michigan Historical Center.

Van Acker said onsite conservation has expanded since the opening of the Heritage Hall Welcome Center and a conservation lab three years ago. He told the commission the documentary project began about two years ago with producer Bradley Egan of Motion Possible and that the short film will premiere at the Capitol in Heritage Hall on Saturday, Dec. 6, with two public showings planned and reenactors and the producer available for questions.

Rob Blackshaw thanked project staff and noted the flags were marched back into the rotunda after prior restoration work; no formal commission action was taken. Van Acker characterized the film as a way to “celebrate the battle flag program” and to support continued conservation work.","Commissioners heard an update on the Save the Flags conservation project, which preserves 240 battle flags; the project produced a short film due to premiere Dec. 6 in Heritage Hall.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6208575,"Commission backs moving forward with 2025–26 landscape master plan to remove hazard trees",447,773000,1220000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3743935-c2ea9d654a648be4f4ee53f320d8ec49&start=773&end=1220","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3743935-c2ea9d654a648be4f4ee53f320d8ec49/thumbnail_773000.jpg","/articles/6208575/Michigan/Commission-backs-moving-forward-with-202526-landscape-master-plan-to-remove-hazard-trees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208575-92d75484b441fa6e31fd5125d743dca0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771025002&Signature=FgccvU1b0BIwUuDn6Wd3zRUDlox4jpPthtkHwJwmGVFqqUFeYbIGAOlw5iJwNTStpLxv-R7MBv47l9oJLStGG3nMvPuqGhdP4ADmgGm5MwnKezsEBtlcKCB2ossYDp2l2iQFAtitxWshMPcxdv6Q2p0cEkZd35PnzYd55jILNW4FEQy1STUfHLTlHkvUGgkHttrefGsGdLHrtNwTR2oySUGQOUaqGNmUmjXzpd5ZiXe2J9KE6EgyOhZK6FDBINtWJZ4WB49u67ckduXATUy2nWYBOJxVtSF2hYNTw4fVgPHCB~iZAfYzGTTmAORp3tWx-ILu4j7EPVgKAkCjaJIZZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Michigan State Capitol Commission discussed and signaled support to proceed with its 2025–26 landscape master plan, which calls for removal of hazard trees near the building and replanting trees at the site perimeter to restore historic sightlines.

Rob Blackshaw, the commission’s executive director, summarized renderings showing how removing inner trees and replanting perimeter trees would reopen the central lawn and restore an historic “alley of trees” effect approved in prior plans. He said some trees are already designated hazard trees and one (referred to as Tree 12) will be removed after recent storm damage; a specific removal was scheduled “on the thirteenth,” he said.

Commissioners asked about the plan’s interaction with a large, hollowed catalpa tree near the building. Blackshaw said iron posts currently support the catalpa, which has a roughly 6-foot cavity, and staff plan to replace it with a new catalpa specimen and a matching tree on the north side when removal becomes necessary. He referred commissioners to a detailed landscape plan by Carrie Chartkoff for species rationale and sizing; planned planted trees were described as Michigan hardwood species at least 6-inch caliper.

Commissioners voiced support for moving forward, and Blackshaw said he would email packet illustrations and the detailed plan to commissioners. The discussion produced no recorded roll-call vote; the record shows commissioners expressed no objection to advancing the plan at this meeting.

Blackshaw said some smaller flowering trees remain in other areas such as Heritage Hall and that staff can consider smaller flowering specimens where appropriate.","The commission reviewed a landscape master plan that would remove hazard trees near the building and replant an ‘alley of trees’ at the perimeter over 2025–26; commissioners asked about replacement of a historic catalpa and sizing/species choices.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6208580,"Capitol commission updates restoration projects; explores skylight solar and drone limits",669,107000,776000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3743935-c2ea9d654a648be4f4ee53f320d8ec49&start=107&end=776","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3743935-c2ea9d654a648be4f4ee53f320d8ec49/thumbnail_107000.jpg","/articles/6208580/Michigan/Capitol-commission-updates-restoration-projects-explores-skylight-solar-and-drone-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208580-ee1f9dc245ae63246014fdc1c30635e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771025002&Signature=S9Y9qsrcUbSi~Mtsah3fVmI9jiYhQoILCNGuAvB8snnZgAiJ8eLSB2u48mRQuYBJlPwcugZgfTB6EJmsEE2JdTyFJibWJbNx7NYv4k7bZBQtFCS9-d97Advq3pfeQaRhkx-gS470cA1CDqpVu6TRAPRedB~VykKXwp8MlldN4aSMwjMo2K5Cc~NvYrtNYIfuedSML9WFGmFVdz2liuEEizovFBa8Z9f96T0pCzNDrfn~dkAwvMNUXthQNxbARDcAXHUk2BJepQxy1fDaUUpfaPnHDLvqkCStvhDF5RFIgESzg3duyrMWdOAlvB5cPQxCqBO0gmYZzagt93HZyvrAaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Michigan State Capitol Commission on June 9 received progress reports on ongoing restoration work and initial plans for energy and drone policy changes.

Rob Blackshaw, the commission’s executive director, told commissioners that the Fourth Floor decorative painting is underway by contractor Evergreen and that crews found long-standing cracking in several brick archways. “The cracks are a lot less” on the north side, Blackshaw said, and a structural engineer’s technical analysis has not yet required structural reinforcement; staff plan to monitor the cracks and use flexible fillers in the plaster to reduce future cracking.

Blackshaw said the project’s West Side work will include removing and replacing a delaminated ceiling where leaked glycol and water historically affected plaster and paint. He described the East Side work as phase one and said scaffolding will remain in place as the project moves west after July 4.

The commission also heard an update on glass-floor restoration in the rotunda. Blackshaw said Lucid Glass completed rescans after some historic cast-iron openings proved uneven; 20 glass panels are installed, “another 20 to 30 arriving next week,” and staff expect about 50 panels in place by July 4. The glass-floor work remains on track to finish by next spring, he said.

Blackshaw reported that a drone firm completed a high-definition exterior inspection of the Capitol dome, allowing staff and architects to evaluate paint condition and loose metal without full scaffolding. He said the drone footage enables targeted repairs and is more cost efficient than full scaffolding inspections.

The director also described an exploratory study of voltaic skylights for the chamber: the skylights would use glass-like panels with embedded microcells and, according to Blackshaw, “the solar panels will definitely pull 30 to 40% off the electrical grid,” though he added the projected energy yield has not been finalized.

On drones, Blackshaw flagged security concerns after the drone inspection and said Representative Bill Brock is drafting legislative language; he described outreach with Michigan State Police and a recent drone symposium. “We’re even thinking about if the drones are allowed in the future,” Blackshaw said, adding the commission is considering permitting checklists and geofencing to protect the historic building.

The commission did not take a formal vote on restoration or energy items during the public session. Blackshaw said he will return with photographs, a dome assessment from architects and construction managers, and additional technical data for future meetings.

Details such as contractor names, panel counts and the projected finish window were presented during the executive director’s report and remain subject to further technical review and confirmation.","The Michigan State Capitol Commission received an update on multiple restoration projects — Fourth Floor decorative painting, glass floor restoration and exterior dome inspection — and discussed potential voltaic skylights and tighter drone controls after a drone survey of the dome.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission holds closed session on security and approves critical infrastructure upgrade

‘Save the Flags’ project advances; documentary to premiere at Capitol on Dec. 6

Commission backs moving forward with 2025–26 landscape master plan to remove hazard trees

Capitol commission updates restoration projects; explores skylight solar and drone limits