Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Charter commission hears sustainability staff on department status, funding and multi‑million grants
Summary
City sustainability staff told the Lansing Charter Commission on March 25 that the office runs major multi‑year projects but lacks stable operating funds; commissioners debated whether to enshrine a standalone sustainability department or keep the office as a division within Public Service.
The Lansing Charter Commission on March 25 heard a presentation from the city’s sustainability manager and Public Service staff about the Sustainability Office’s work and whether the office should be elevated to a department in the city charter.
The matter matters because the decision would change how the city funds and staffs sustainability efforts tied to climate goals, urban forestry, electric vehicle charging and city operations. Commissioners asked whether a charter change should require the city to create a department or whether a bureau/division inside Public Service — with clearer funding — would be preferable.
Lori Balch, who identified herself as the city’s sustainability manager, said the office implements both the citywide sustainability action plan and a separate municipal climate action plan for city operations. “The sustainability office is responsible for implementing the city's climate action and sustainability goals. We have an adopted, sustainability action plan right now for the entire city,” Balch told…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
