Council approves JAG grant MOU, budget amendments, tree-removal change order and redevelopment documents

Jackson City Council on Jan. 20 unanimously approved a series of administrative and budget measures, including a justice assistance grant memorandum of understanding, several budget amendments for state grant awards, a change order for hazardous tree removal and city redevelopment documents.

Key votes at the meeting included:

- Amendment to public-hearing citizen comment rules: The council approved an amendment that requires comments during a public hearing to remain relevant to the topic being considered and authorized the city manager and city attorney to make minor edits. The change was described by council as intended to preserve a hearing’s focus when there is no time limit and questions can be asked and answered. The measure passed unanimously.

- Authorization to sign JAG grant memorandum of understanding (MOU): Council authorized the city manager to sign a memorandum of understanding for the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG). Motion passed unanimously.

- Fiscal-year 2024–25 budget amendment for JAG funds: Council adopted the resolution to amend the FY24–25 budget to reflect JAG grant funds. The resolution passed unanimously.

- Change order 1, hazardous tree removal (Top Notch Tree Care LLC): Council approved Change Order 1 to add $22,850 to the existing contract with Top Notch Tree Care LLC so the contractor can remove trees needed for federally funded projects before seasonal restrictions. Council member discussion explained the timing relates to federal grant windows; the motion passed unanimously.

- Amendment to parking-permit purchase agreement, 113 W. Michigan Ave: Council approved an amendment to transfer and assign parking-permit rights and obligations for the property at 113 West Michigan Ave to Southern Michigan Bank and Trust and authorized the city manager to execute the amendment. Motion passed unanimously.

- Public participation plan and capital-improvement plan (MEDC Redevelopment Ready Communities recertification): Council adopted a public participation plan and the capital-improvement plan as part of the city’s recertification package for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Redevelopment Ready Communities program. Both motions passed unanimously.

- Budget amendment: $880,000 (MSHDA grant award): Council approved an amendment to the budget to reflect an $880,000 revenue increase and matching expenditure increase related to a City of Jackson grant award from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. The motion passed unanimously.

- Budget amendment: $250,000 (My Hope grant award): Council approved an amendment to the budget to reflect a $250,000 revenue increase and matching expenditure increase related to a My Hope grant award from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. The motion passed unanimously.

All items on the consent and new-business calendar for Jan. 20 passed without recorded dissents. Many motions were moved and supported on the floor and then recorded as unanimous by the clerk; specific mover/second names were not consistently recorded in the public transcript for each item. Council discussion before votes was generally brief and focused on implementing timelines and clerical clarifications (for example, engineering noted a $12,005,088.40 figure associated with local street and water work in Ward 4 as part of the capital-improvement plan discussion).

Speakers who clarified items during the votes included city engineer Troy White, who explained scheduling related to tree removal, and city staff Corey, who answered procedural questions about project reports. The clerk tallied and displayed unanimous votes for each listed item.