Votes at a glance: East Lansing council actions Feb. 4, 2025

The East Lansing City Council took the following formal actions at its regular meeting on Feb. 4, 2025. Vote tallies reflect the unanimous voice votes recorded unless otherwise noted.

Approved motions and outcomes

1) Approve modified meeting agenda (remove consent item 3.5 to business; substitute Ryan Putz for Elizabeth Singh on planning commission appointment). Outcome: approved unanimously.

2) Approve minutes of Jan. 21, 2025 with two corrections to replace the word “accepted” with “exempt” in two places of the draft minutes. Outcome: approved unanimously. (Moved by Meadows; seconded by Watson.)

3) Consent agenda approvals (passed unanimously): - 3.1 Appointments/reappointments: Leslie Wilbur, Gabriel Biber, Nina Silbergleet to Arts Commission (terms through 12/31/2027); Scott Slooseki to Planning Commission (term through 12/31/2027); Ryan Putz (as amended) to Planning Commission (term through 12/31/2027). - 3.2 Resolution honoring heroism of first responders and victims during events of 02/13/2023. - 3.3 Resolution recognizing February 2025 as Black History Month in the City of East Lansing. - 3.4 Resolution directing the city manager to undertake the decennial review. - 3.6 Set a public hearing for 03/04/2025 on a special‑use permit request at 1351 East Grand River (Los Tres Amigos Brookfield Lehi).'Note: 3.5 was pulled from consent and moved to business agenda for separate consideration.

4) Item 4.1 (CDBG substantial amendment for FY2025): Staff presented a proposed reallocation of $3,695 from a nonprofit to a pilot security deposit/first‑month rent assistance pilot for low‑to‑moderate income households. Council opened and closed the public hearing and directed staff to place the amendment on a future business meeting; no final appropriation was approved that night.

5) Item 4.2 (213 Ann Street special use public hearing): Council opened and later closed the public hearing after extended questioning of staff and the applicant; no final vote was taken. Council directed staff and the applicant to return with clarified and correctly oriented floor plans and draft conditions.

6) Business item 5.1: Motion to defer amendments to business license fees for amusement/video arcade, dance hall, entertainment, restaurant, and takeout stores and repeal of the moratorium to March 4, 2025. Outcome: deferred unanimously.

7) Business item 5.2: Award contract to Gordon Construction Services to construct two nursing rooms and one single‑occupancy toilet room (City Hall and Hannah Community Center). Contract amount: $139,890; project contingency authorized: $21,000. Motion approved unanimously. (Moved by Mayor Brookover; seconded by Council member Altman.)

8) Business (added 3.5): Approve purchase of public‑space recycling receptacles. Corrected purchase amount: $39,995 (packet had a typographical error showing $37,220). Motion approved unanimously. (Moved by Council member Altman; seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Singh.)

9) Motion to enter closed session pursuant to MCL 15.268(1)(c) (collective bargaining strategy) and MCL 15.268(1)(e) (attorney consultation regarding pending litigation). Roll call vote recorded as unanimous; council adjourned to closed session.

10) After reconvening to open session, council approved tentative collective bargaining agreements and authorized the city manager to sign both agreements: - Tentative agreement between the City of East Lansing and the International Association of Fire Fighters dated 01/09/2025. Motion approved (moved by Altman; seconded by Meadows). Outcome: approved by voice vote. - Tentative agreement between the City of East Lansing and the East Lansing Independent Employee Union dated 01/31/2025. Motion approved (moved by Altman; seconded by Meadows). Outcome: approved by voice vote.

11) Adjournment: Motion to adjourn passed unanimously.

Notes and clarifications - Several motions were voice votes recorded as unanimous; where a roll call occurred it was for the closed‑session motion under state statute MCL 15.268. - The purchase price for the recycling receptacles was corrected on the record to $39,995; the packet contained a lower figure that staff characterized as a typo. - The CDBG substantial amendment was discussed and will return to a future business meeting; no FY2025 reallocation was adopted Feb. 4.

If council minutes or staff reports are required for formal citation, refer to the official Feb. 4, 2025 agenda packet on the City of East Lansing website.