Jackson City Council swears in three members, unanimously adopts agenda and hears public comment
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Summary
At its Dec. 2 organizational meeting, Jackson City Council swore in Arlene Robinson, Angelita Gunn and Shalanda Hunt, unanimously approved an amended agenda (items 7 and 8 removed) and heard public comments on homelessness, paid parking and community events.
Mayor Daniel Mahoney called Jackson City Council to order at 6:31 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, and the clerk administered oaths of office to newly sworn and returning members. First Ward council member Arlene Robinson, Third Ward council member Angelita Gunn and Fifth Ward council member Shalanda Hunt were each sworn to support the constitutions of the United States and the state of Michigan and to faithfully perform their duties for Jackson City.
After the oath, Council member Will Forgrave moved to adopt the meeting agenda "with items 7 and 8 removed." Council member Connor Wood supported the motion. The clerk conducted a roll-call vote; all present members — Arlene Robinson, Freddie Dancy, Angelita Gunn, Connor Wood, Shalanda Hunt, Will Forgrave and Mayor Daniel Mahoney — voted yes and the motion passed unanimously.
During the citizen comment period, residents raised several concerns. John C. King (203 3rd Street) asked why shelters and services were not available as temperatures were falling toward single digits and said he'd seek answers later in the meeting. King also made allegations about a newly elected council member's prior conduct. Carl Struble (5613 Sand Hill Drive), who identified himself as a Jackson Bridal board member, urged the council to oppose paid downtown parking, arguing it would divert shoppers to retailers outside the city such as Walmart and Meijer's.
Community organizations used the forum to announce events and requests. Victoria Jimerson, executive director of the Welcome Home Organization, invited residents to the group's fifth annual Whoville celebration at United Calvary Methodist Church (925 Backus) on Dec. 13 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., saying the event served "over 350 people" last year. Thomas Burke, executive director of Save Our Youth, asked the city to help compile names of slain youth so bricks can be placed in a "Youth Lives Matter" memorial playground; he displayed a sample brick to council members.
Council members used their time to congratulate newly elected and returning colleagues and to outline priorities. Several members praised the switch to even-year elections for improving turnout and reducing city costs. Mayor Mahoney and others raised the possibility of revisiting the recently passed downtown parking ordinance, with at least one suggestion to roll enforcement back from 6 a.m. to 5 a.m. and to suspend enforcement on Saturdays during event days.
The meeting moved on to announcements and items scheduled for later agenda packets. The council did not take votes on the parking changes at this meeting; Mayor Mahoney indicated those concerns would return for discussion in a future session.
The council adjourned the public-comment and council-comment portions and continued to the remainder of the agenda. The next regular meeting is expected to address any proposed parking ordinance adjustments.
