[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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",[32,74,86],{"_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":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6495098,"mediaKeyId","5581413-6c60bde9423e05979443bbc30b5ecd2e","parentId",5581413,"title","Votes at a glance: Grand Rapids approves grants, contracts, appointments and development actions","audioSeconds",534,"startMs",4705000,"endMs",5239000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5581413-6c60bde9423e05979443bbc30b5ecd2e&start=4705&end=5239","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5581413-6c60bde9423e05979443bbc30b5ecd2e/thumbnail_4705000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6495098/Grand-Rapids-City/Kent-County/Michigan/Votes-at-a-glance-Grand-Rapids-approves-grants-contracts-appointments-and-development-actions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6495098-f7541dc91a1261c708e2230e3d7a27a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770486271&Signature=iuCHh1Y3M2hRkrUg69mNC07-9VATz3YOq3psOet8n3g5vCZUuALgWPHqlNgXSjwB3txo4ECYp8WQzvCrYjfaKbAbWHK4OQPMmGVKmnHtSsJlaUE22oDaVOxb~7E1BjRQBWJTGSN8m0ni8k8gCHXEZTy2Lbq~Mvx5AaT-T5EJBa987eZ0xVI0rZKBw3i0Y2SCNg77jB0R-lrXfjV9NwuiaA9t132dKSUNmwT9~6tzBaajuwcxFydfWaW7ltbOX7hfHK58DQxytH3YGtSW7GWJ8FZkHfOUDyOM4cCHf2yZsE4btq9iXdVvhzZ9AJH3qwDAK-e3IrpRR9eXHYkPvGZV6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-08-13T03:59:16Z","article","The Grand Rapids City Commission and standing committees on Aug. 12 approved a range of items including grant acceptances, contracts, appointments and development approvals. Many items were routine; several carry budget or development implications that staff said will advance this year’s capital and program priorities.

Key actions approved (motions moved, supported and carried during committee and full-commission sessions):

- Appointments: Committee on Appointments approved multiple appointments, including the appointment of Miss Vandenberg (appointment to Brownfield-related board noted in committee discussion) and the appointment of Nick Fisher to the Grand Rapids Water System Advisory Council, both carried by voice vote. (Appointment discussion and votes recorded in Committee on Appointments.)

- Grants and grant administration:
- Resolution accepting Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds (total award $112,500); Grand Rapids’ portion is $7,875 per staff presentation. Outcome: approved.
- Resolution accepting a grant from the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) for implementation of the FY26 compliance plan; staff described the award as “up to approximately $5,000,000” and said the compliance plan requested approximately $4,900,000; staff also noted the plan included funding for an administrative aid to manage rapidly growing caseloads (cases assigned rose from about 3,000 to more than 4,600 per year). Outcome: approved.
- Resolution authorizing execution of a donated-funds agreement with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) for a dedicated eligibility specialist in the eviction prevention program; staff described the position as a shared role between MDHHS and the city but did not specify a final dollar amount in the discussion packet. Outcome: approved.

- Contracts and professional services:
- Contract authorization with Experience Grand Rapids, $150,000 annual agreement for tourism and inclusion work. Outcome: approved.
- Authorization for the city treasurer to do business with Cantela Capital Group LLC and Cambridge Investment Research Inc. as broker-dealers. Outcome: approved.
- Resolution to remove certain inactive broker-dealer firms from the authorized list after review; staff said firms that did not bid since 2019–2021 were recommended for removal. Outcome: approved.
- Black & Veatch design services for UV disinfection replacement at the Water Resource Recovery Facility: base design $760,000, total not to exceed $942,401 (sewer fund). Outcome: approved.
- Contract award to Owen-Ames-Kimball (OAK) for community archives and research center improvements: low bid $2,752,671; contract not to exceed $3,433,056 from the capital improvement fund and museum fundraising. Outcome: approved.
- Contract award to Owen-Ames-Kimball for Paul I. Phillips gymnasium improvements: low bid $589,287; total authorization not to exceed $833,525 from capital improvement funds. Outcome: approved.

- Infrastructure and easements:
- Payment and easement acceptance for Buchanan (Curran to Hall) reconstruction: authorized payment $1,350 and easement acceptance. Outcome: approved.
- Construction agreements and easements for Forest Hills Aquatic Center water-main relocation and for 5591 Wing Ave. private development sewer/water connections. Outcome: approved.
- Resolution approving payments up to $25,000 to Kent County Drain Commissioner for maintenance work to the Paris Drain; staff noted the drainage area affects about 32% of Grand Rapids. Outcome: approved.

- Ordinances, salary and classification changes:
- Salary ordinance amendments to create a paralegal classification and reclassify the utilities director; personnel and HR presentations noted parity aims. Outcome: approved.
- Salary range adjustments for Electrical Inspector 1 and 2 to respond to changing technical requirements and labor market; Civil Service Board reviewed ranges July 29. Outcome: approved.

- Fiscal and administrative reports:
- Controller’s warrant report for period 07/15/2025–07/21/2025: payments released totaling $55,705,174.40; staff noted payroll, refunds and other routine payments. Outcome: received and filed.
- Treasurer’s report: staff reported invested cash balances around $859,000,000 earning about 3.56% and summarized market conditions and Fed expectations. Outcome: received and filed.

- Community Development and land-use items:
- Fireworks discharge permit for indoor special effects at Van Andel Arena (Oct. 22). Outcome: approved.
- Beacon Hill at Eastgate: resolution establishing a project area and temporarily appointing two special EDC directors to facilitate issuance of tax-exempt or taxable bonds for a project described in staff comments as seeking roughly $190,000,000 to expand assisted living and memory care operations; staff referenced Act 388 of 1974 procedures. Outcome: approved.
- Rezoning hearing dates set for 08/26/2025 for two small parcel rezonings at 1362–1364 Leonard Ave. NW to correct lot line and land-use designations; staff described encroachments between a residence and adjacent cemetery property discovered during survey. Outcome: hearings scheduled.
- Public hearing scheduled for 09/23/2025 to consider the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) and future housing/community development needs for FFY 2024. Outcome: approved.
- Downtown Improvement District special assessment roll confirmed after no appeals were filed. Outcome: approved.
- Sidewalk, utility and construction agreements and easements for multiple small projects; outcomes: approved.

- Liquor licensing: The commission approved two development-district liquor licenses (1445 Lake Drive SE and 701 Wealthy SE); commissioners discussed difference between quota licenses and development-district licenses under state law. Outcome: approved.

- Brownfield amendment: The commission approved an amendment to the Brownfield plan for Pleasant Hills Phase 3, a Habitat project that will remove an existing building and build 27 for-sale homes; staff said 16 of the homes are expected to be affordable at below 80% AMI and other units planned in the 80–120% AMI range. Outcome: approved.

Votes were taken by voice in committee and at the full commission with standard “all those in favor/aye” calls; where roll-call tallies were not read aloud, outcomes are recorded here as approved or scheduled per the minutes. Staff presentations accompanying several items noted funding sources, engineer estimates and micro/local business participation rates (for example, OAK noted a 21% micro-local business enterprise rate on the archives project). For items where the packet or discussion left amounts or some details unclear (for example one MDHHS donated‑funds agreement figure in the packet appeared inconsistent), staff noted amounts as “not specified” in discussion and will provide clarifying budget amendments.

What’s next: Several capital projects will move into design and bidding phases and will be included in the city’s capital improvement program. Staff will return with follow-up details and agreements where transfers or additional approvals are required (staff indicated a plan to transfer $425,000 in Third Ward equity funds to the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority/EDC for targeted Third Ward investments).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tuesday Morning Committee Meetings - August 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Grand Rapids City Commission and committees approved a series of routine and substantive items Aug. 12, including grant acceptances, construction contracts, appointments, rezoning hearings, and a Brownfield amendment for a Habitat phase of Pleasant Hills development.","taxTitle","Grand Rapids City, Kent County, Michigan","taxId",3704,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6495102,"Commission directs staff to study amplified-sound limits near medical facilities after neighbor complaints",734,8309000,9043000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5581413-6c60bde9423e05979443bbc30b5ecd2e&start=8309&end=9043","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5581413-6c60bde9423e05979443bbc30b5ecd2e/thumbnail_8309000.jpg","/articles/6495102/Grand-Rapids-City/Kent-County/Michigan/Commission-directs-staff-to-study-amplified-sound-limits-near-medical-facilities-after-neighbor-complaints","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6495102-afb5f94ffb8029e5e55c303b47985a45/orig.mp4?Expires=1770486271&Signature=HjUqD-eAv5a6aFzJC~eIn~b~e91Yfm6Owu1Whk1PSl-zi17h2f~EnNrV6-T8~gy0HkKzcxNVZmjy~eFrkkzPkYEcGD0AelJ9ygcDoiTz~5xtXiLIiQuvtMgpJ~XKP~hprtQ7ukSyxzKMvoJV6~QaD8pi-AVdepxKFnT1pqZhpGOeQHLNFq~ynpE702XWRtzv5Sc7vKREldrOpuaW9aB0RtWpfetRJREZYRixrTRBLsCdjxOoFzuMfAmNrQcpDfXhtoMLMvI8yt1fh4UJBOK8XOMdIFXNPV9vc~gjcIRHfd6bFo9ZVLyFubcH~U6pRHmg~bMZNa9W9wL-QY~KNYMxkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grand Rapids City Commission on Aug. 12 asked city attorneys and staff to research options for limiting amplified sound near medical facilities and return with specific proposals for the commission to consider.

The request followed sustained concerns from neighbors near a health clinic in Heritage Hill and a staff briefing on constitutional and enforcement limits for noise rules. The city attorney’s office and deputy city attorney outlined legal constraints: local government may regulate the time, place and manner of expression but not content. The attorney general’s guidance and recent court decisions indicate regulators may create narrowly tailored buffer zones and noise restrictions at clinic entrances in order to protect patient access and privacy, the deputy city attorney said.

“We’re going to really kind of focus in on amplified sound at healthcare facilities because that’s the nature of the community concerns we’ve heard,” the deputy city attorney said during the briefing. He and other staff emphasized constitutional limits, the need to avoid content-based restrictions and the importance of designing rules that are enforceable in practice.

Commissioners were split about the scope but generally favored further study. Mayor LeGrand said a narrowly tailored rule — restricting amplification near clinic entrances — could balance First Amendment rights and patients’ need for privacy and access. Commissioner Knight urged civil infraction-based enforcement with escalating fines for repeat offenders rather than criminal penalties. Several commissioners said the police department should be consulted on enforceability and operational impacts.

The commission did not adopt an ordinance at the meeting. Instead members directed legal staff to continue research and develop options — likely focusing on buffer distances from clinic entrances, limits on amplified sound and civil-infraction-based penalties — and to consult with public-safety staff and health-care stakeholders before returning with draft language and an implementation timeline.

","Following neighborhood complaints about amplified sound outside a medical clinic, the commission asked city attorneys and staff to explore narrowly tailored rules — likely buffer zones for amplified sound near medical facility entrances — and return with options for enforcement and legal analysis.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6495107,"Grand Rapids accepts Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, highlights 20 priority actions",1430,6867000,8297000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5581413-6c60bde9423e05979443bbc30b5ecd2e&start=6867&end=8297","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5581413-6c60bde9423e05979443bbc30b5ecd2e/thumbnail_6867000.jpg","/articles/6495107/Grand-Rapids-City/Kent-County/Michigan/Grand-Rapids-accepts-Climate-Action-and-Adaptation-Plan-highlights-20-priority-actions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6495107-c99d6d3abdd0d76982866f5440f89573/orig.mp4?Expires=1770486271&Signature=dxYeqT5uwlSuOLfR6pA~tGqOw8i97h~adxb~19HKwQk8bJsxOa0fob04lON2cgeIjM5s~kgEIY4wgrjvZEv3fzIEwyRnBmbMiv5GiGTVpB4IpIxfvM~0wUzQh707jfYVTnkWnBC3F5kZxMOWMRDIffFGJVt91wuQ~m0F6wSTj9VhpKp1Ez9DHuXx4acTKT-LOccHVJqwr~EQuEYMzJH7m0vzgbTNeIsKuSeABxqKU~vxkmaEiYoIZV2UeiGScdlXjX4DZfFUJ4uIjopRtY4ClYehhLcXHHIXCHS6uJVU2a8LIHlSpQiIwa8SLIKiwWi0FU0U9NEf9qK3gMrVmpJzAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grand Rapids City Commission on Aug. 12 accepted the city’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and identified 20 priority actions for near-term implementation, the commission said during a morning meeting.

City sustainability staff framed the plan as a community-driven blueprint that sets science-based targets — including a 62.8% per-capita greenhouse gas reduction by 2030 from 2019 levels and a goal of carbon neutrality by mid-century — and lays out strategies and actions for buildings, transportation, natural systems and equity. “This plan aims to mitigate harmful climate impacts by working on voluntary and incentive-based actions that avoid unintended consequences that could hinder housing and development affordability,” said Miss Wilkinson, sustainability staff.

The plan had drawn both supporters and critics in public comment and among commissioners during prior briefings. Mayor LeGrand emphasized the city’s responsibility to act while also protecting housing affordability: “If we want affordable housing in town, we must keep the actual cost of building in town low,” the mayor said, arguing the plan should focus on measures that complement denser urban living rather than raising development costs.

Supporters told the commission that the plan is a non-regulatory framework that sets priorities and that many of the strategies — including incentives and contractor outreach for building energy efficiency — can lower utility bills and improve health. Commissioner Kilgore said the two objectives — expanding housing and advancing climate action — are complementary, not competing, and called the 20 prioritized actions a sensible place to start.

Commissioners pressed staff to develop detailed implementation analysis for the 20 priority items through the end of the year. Staff said that analysis will estimate costs, greenhouse gas reduction potential and co‑benefits for each action and identify which items require funding, ordinance changes or coordination with state and federal partners. Several commissioners and community groups urged the city to continue advocating for state and federal funding to avoid placing large costs on local residents.

After discussion, the commission approved the resolution accepting the plan and prioritizing the 20 actions. The measure does not itself adopt regulatory requirements; staff will return with implementation details, cost estimates and proposed sequencing for the prioritized items.

What happens next: staff will complete the implementation analysis for the prioritized actions and present cost and timing estimates to the commission for budget and policy decisions. The city reiterated that many actions will be voluntary or incentive-based, and that coordination with state and federal partners will be essential to avoid shifting large costs to residents.

","The Grand Rapids City Commission voted to accept the city's Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and directed staff to prioritize 20 initial actions while analyzing costs, emissions reductions and housing impacts before implementation.","actionData","errors"]

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Votes at a glance: Grand Rapids approves grants, contracts, appointments and development actions

Commission directs staff to study amplified-sound limits near medical facilities after neighbor complaints

Grand Rapids accepts Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, highlights 20 priority actions