[{"_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",6507033,"mediaKeyId","5444052-29125639768a6d2c4d56cab26e0353f9","parentId",5444052,"title","Jackson City Council approves trail contract, equipment purchase, property sale and union contract; most votes unanimous","audioSeconds",770,"startMs",8000000,"endMs",8770000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444052-29125639768a6d2c4d56cab26e0353f9&start=8000&end=8770","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444052-29125639768a6d2c4d56cab26e0353f9/thumbnail_8000000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6507033/Jackson-City/Jackson-County/Michigan/Jackson-City-Council-approves-trail-contract-equipment-purchase-property-sale-and-union-contract-most-votes-unanimous","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6507033-206928a1ca72e6c4766113d3155bb39b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145889&Signature=NyClrRkfwr8pHxVcSGA9JeT17A1P-M4MNr90qn2Y1m3YEMCpwaDz0Z21jCZ-Ts60FFXHEVPAqFT~Sj5YD9UacIz03gN4yNh38YiHkUJ-6NyYSsudlr5F37i9lnqYT6AhOnc5E9sGfGNsED2A3gejNk8Qrr9NRois-kTe8kQZLJ~PJXzoAHbpeNug5xTdA6RqvF6s0cXD~Kb2VjWKOAKGhxwRgkU6~1ROGDIejQAxPhwBvQY7~iRgf-TrRA5CKOX85JVQKpEnYsB5zvoz5b~quK4OZQpaxOPq0NhTv5TtgHQ13aQVgckWzHJKLhb66V9Xirv9KmSSbNU4E0p5KTQaPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Jackson","date","2025-07-23T00:42:40.223Z","article","The Jackson City Council on July 22 approved multiple contracts, budget amendments and appointments that advance infrastructure, public works and downtown projects.

Highlights

- MLK Equality Trail: Council awarded the contract to Merlot Construction Co. of Milford for $298,052 for the MLK Equality Trail extension on Mechanic Street (Detroit Street to Trail Street). Council discussion noted a $200,000 grant and a city match of roughly $98,000; the item passed 6–1.

- Water-system contracts and change orders: Council approved two contract balance change orders for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Phase 1 water-main replacement with Bailey Excavating — Change Order 3 decreased the contract by $327,341.74 to reconcile field quantities; a separate Change Order 3 line item decreased by $498,149.56. Both passed unanimously.

- Radio meter devices and billing infrastructure: Council approved the purchase of 2,430 Census SmartPoint MXU radio-read devices from ETNA Supply (Grand Rapids) for $398,520 and a budget amendment to fund the purchase. Staff said the devices enable remote reads and are a step toward monthly billing; the vote passed unanimously.

- Sale of downtown lot to Michigan Theater: Council approved sale of 110 W. Michigan Ave (Parking Lot 14) to the Michigan Theater of Jackson for $160,000 and authorized minor sale-document edits. Council and staff said the sale could support downtown parking, events and festival activity; the item passed unanimously.

- Collective bargaining agreement: Council approved a collective bargaining agreement between the City of Jackson and the Michigan Association of Public Employees (MAPE); the contract passed unanimously.

- Other contracts and personnel actions: Council approved awards and renewals including an HMA patching contract renewal with Bailey Excavating ($254,528.68 estimated), an as-needed tree trimming/removal/stump grinding contract with Johnny’s Tree Service (two-year total $217,330 per year), and personnel policy updates effective June 1, 2025 (to conform to Michigan earned sick-time requirements and add employee reporting provisions). All passed unanimously.

- Consent-calendar adjustments: Council amended the consent calendar to add a water-relief donation option while retaining the parks & recreation donation option; that amendment passed unanimously. A request to vacate the Lansing Avenue alley (Alley vacation) was moved and seconded for discussion but ultimately referred to staff for review and possible future action.

What it means

Taken together, the votes allocate money for trails and meter-technology upgrades, finalize procurement for road and utility work and clear a downtown land sale aimed at expanded programming around the Michigan Theater. The MLK trail vote was the only split roll call (6–1); most other measures passed without recorded opposition.

Ending: Several items will require staff follow-up (the alley vacation was referred to staff; some capital projects will require matching funds or grant administration), and council scheduled next regular business for August 19.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Jackson City Council Meeting 7-22-25","oneSentenceSummary","The Jackson City Council on July 22 approved multiple contracts, budget amendments and appointments that advance infrastructure, public works and downtown projects.","taxTitle","Jackson City, Jackson County, Michigan","taxId",5811,"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},6507036,"CNA audit finds racial, gender gaps in Jackson Police Department; recommends data, recruitment and accountability changes",363,807000,1170000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444052-29125639768a6d2c4d56cab26e0353f9&start=807&end=1170","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444052-29125639768a6d2c4d56cab26e0353f9/thumbnail_807000.jpg","/articles/6507036/Jackson-City/Jackson-County/Michigan/CNA-audit-finds-racial-gender-gaps-in-Jackson-Police-Department-recommends-data-recruitment-and-accountability-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6507036-45adac6c03a8b527837c14fb841576d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145889&Signature=RK6GHHz78DOpdEgqSIZVMPTHPbzXLThKb76DZVIxQ2ur4mdKsBWQJw3W0U9Acdavo8DxtWwbi5eGpNgLFNxYYEHLCsEke7eduUcxcYDIC980mqVvmkcisDwtPM3LRX3FgHIa7fFL6gbIwCfL-FCjVhPFpYj4-wto6k7UeZ2PQ7kLFEv~HBU2hi5KnsARVAk68Hav8lJ4wJiP1d~eP6rNG9NxakBaNQ~~PbbCVjDvalcBGXirFT2-oB18~5zY~ng6N8wF5DzWAv~TyjUadRtqSKr5avfzx4cLx0cLKeioqylLKJPxDOTCAsZHnfMS1TCaDRih5cVRGfks8RTXooScrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A CNA team presented the results of a racial equity audit of city operations, with a primary focus on the Jackson Police Department (JPD), at the Jackson City Council meeting on July 22.

The audit found that JPD’s workforce demographics differ notably from the city’s population: Black residents account for 20.5% of the city but 11.4% of the department, and women are underrepresented among applicants and in the force. CNA documented 29 findings with tailored recommendations for JPD and recommended expanding the review to other departments in a Phase 2.

CNA’s project director, Dr. Tom Kristoff, said the team’s Phase 1 work included a site visit in October 2024, surveys of city employees (a 69% response rate across departments), two in-person listening sessions and 10 community interviews. “Throughout our report, we made a total of 29 findings, each with an associated recommendation tailored to the JPD,” Kristoff said. He told council the report examined recruitment, promotions, accountability, training and administrative data such as arrests and traffic stops.

Why it matters: the audit links personnel and operational practices to community trust and public safety. The report’s recommendations are framed as operational changes the city can take to reduce disparities and improve oversight.

Key findings and recommendations

- Workforce disparities: CNA reported that Black residents and women are underrepresented in JPD compared with city demographics. Kristoff noted the department’s demographics are not unique among similarly sized agencies but that “they should not become complacent.”

- Recruitment and applicant data: CNA found the recently formed recruitment team has professionalized outreach compared with prior ad hoc efforts, but the team’s work should be memorialized in policy with a dedicated budget and strategic plan. The report found women made up 16.7% of enforcement-position applicants and recommended focused female recruitment efforts. Kristoff said race data for applicants was missing in nearly three-quarters of cases, limiting analysis; CNA recommended standardized applicant data collection.

- Promotions and small sample size: CNA reviewed promotions from 2020–2024 and found higher promotion rates for women and Black applicants in that set, but flagged that only 14 promotions occurred during the period, so statistical conclusions were limited. The auditors recommended a clear promotions policy and clearer use of performance evaluations in promotion decisions.

- Accountability and discipline: CNA recommended concentrating investigatory responsibility with one or two specially trained investigators rather than leaving it to all supervisors, and creating a discipline guide that standardizes sanctions by degree of misconduct. The audit urged more transparency and collaboration with the Community Police Oversight Commission.

- Body-worn camera reviews: auditors recommended random supervisory reviews of body-worn camera footage to assess officer engagement with community members.

- Training and documentation: auditors said JPD has several department-initiated trainings but recommended systematic needs assessments and an annual training plan tailored to Jackson’s specific historical and cultural context. CNA also recommended a DEI strategic plan and that community engagement activities be memorialized in policy to allow measurement.

Community engagement and data limits

CNA described the listening sessions and interviews as preliminary and said turnout was small. Kristoff said the first listening session had about eight attendees and the second “may have gotten to about 20,” and that those small numbers were one reason CNA will expand outreach in Phase 2. He said the Phase 1 survey results provided useful employee data but that more community outreach and improved administrative data are necessary to draw firmer conclusions. “Because we recognize that additional outreach is necessary before any firm findings,” Kristoff said, CNA will schedule more listening sessions.

Council questions and staff responses

Council members asked about listening-session turnout, outreach methods, whether language access was provided and the timeline for Phase 2. Kristoff said outreach had used local newspaper, radio, Facebook and printed flyers but that the team did not have specific language-assistance measures in place for the listening sessions; he acknowledged that as a gap. On the Phase 2 timeline he said the original plan targeted completion by the end of the year but that delays since February mean the team needs to set a new schedule when work resumes.

Jackson Police Chief Simpson responded to a council question about whether recruitment events are being measured for yield, saying the recruitment effort is recent and it is too early to quantify results, though an individual hired recently was connected to recruiting efforts by an outside organization.

Next steps

The Racial Equity Commission and CNA asked council to review and approve the recommendations, to allocate resources for recruitment, training and data improvements, and to establish implementation timelines with regular progress reporting. CNA will expand Phase 2 outreach to other city departments and continue community engagement to fill identified data gaps.

Ending: The presentation closed with council members asking for additional outreach details and a Phase 2 timeline; no formal council action to adopt the audit recommendations was recorded at the July 22 meeting.","A CNA racial equity audit presented to Jackson City Council identified demographic disparities in the Jackson Police Department, recommended 29 findings including better data collection, formalized recruitment and standardized investigative and discipline policies, and urged expanded community engagement in a Phase 2 review of other city offices.",{"_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},6507028,"Resident reports smoke at Michener Superfund site, raises PFAS and transparency concerns",33,981000,1014000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444052-29125639768a6d2c4d56cab26e0353f9&start=981&end=1014","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444052-29125639768a6d2c4d56cab26e0353f9/thumbnail_981000.jpg","/articles/6507028/Jackson-City/Jackson-County/Michigan/Resident-reports-smoke-at-Michener-Superfund-site-raises-PFAS-and-transparency-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6507028-21dcaec3f80593525b31f742fd6daae0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145889&Signature=RhLxfMx-Wbm9JW2vIjECySRqNyDSt6hyqLdZ4XwdwfB-DR-KEjFLuvaC3LwbNf~cOXbKBUkwJ3AOpOJj892QwFiTgljudtEmFvpAJggrkvfWQXhLhfPSRL7CQagsOHanumW3oN2xzJYJTNynQYYHOFuj7bThECDwMzfoIiNVzz1HdeorEOKMf71hJ43aLeQB9L3XooyhjY3Yi6HhQ2CeA3iUGI8Sa-GC1pAKlmib70ajoO7ZcWuvFSJNegoGZdfCWT~j8bRbiJjLBRH1Holxl28QuezZWcZPpSsyKnPPlGSIeLHM3Gc8LsYiNHCkma5N-zR6fXhyjfP42fsbI2hvcg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Jackson resident raised alarm about visible smoke at the Michener Building — a long-running Superfund site on Mechanics Street near Goodwill — during the city council public-comment period on July 22.

Resident Del Esme told council she observed smoke coming from the building while driving and that the fire department was on scene; she said she did not see flames. Esme said the Michener site has been addressed by EPA cleanup actions for more than a decade and that she and other neighbors have found the agency’s public communication incomplete. “It looks like they’ve been cleaning it up. Through that process, at least for me, it does not feel like they’ve been very transparent,” Esme said.

Esme also raised specific environmental concerns: she said the site contains PFAS (“forever chemicals”) and noted residents had not been given a clear timeline for removal or remediation. She asked the council and the community to use the city meeting as a place to raise awareness even though she acknowledged that the site is under county and federal responsibility.

No council action was recorded on July 22 in response to the comment. The resident’s statement was recorded in the public-comment portion of the meeting and was presented as a request for awareness and further advocacy with county and federal agencies.

Ending: The council did not announce follow-up steps on the Michener Building during the July 22 meeting; residents seeking action should expect county or EPA jurisdictional response rather than a city-led remediation order.","During public comment at the July 22 Jackson City Council meeting a resident reported smoke from the Michener (Goodyear) Superfund site, said the EPA cleanup lacks a public timeline and raised concerns about PFAS and community impact.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Jackson City Council approves trail contract, equipment purchase, property sale and union contract; most votes unanimous

CNA audit finds racial, gender gaps in Jackson Police Department; recommends data, recruitment and accountability changes

Resident reports smoke at Michener Superfund site, raises PFAS and transparency concerns