Grand Rapids Commission approves budget amendment, multiple rezonings and a 7% police‑chief pay increase

The Grand Rapids City Commission on Sept. 24 approved a multi-item ordinance package that included a budget amendment, several rezonings and zoning-text changes, and voted to give immediate effect to a salary ordinance raising the police chief’s pay range by 7%.

The commission approved amendment number 3 to the city’s 2025 budget ordinance, which Commissioner John O'Connor described as a bundle that includes a $3,000,000 grant for the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission, lead-hazard grants, support for Mel Trotter’s storage program, specialty-court grants, ARPA funding for master planning and bonds to support parks and the city ice arena. After discussion, the body approved the amendment in a roll-call vote and gave it immediate effect.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the package moves planned federal and local investments into the coming fiscal year and supports public‑safety, housing and infrastructure priorities.

The commission also approved multiple zoning measures. Commissioner Robbins explained a rezoning of two parcels at 1947 and 1961 Alpine Avenue NW from SD‑IT (special district industrial transportation) to TNTCC (traditional neighborhood transitional city center) to support higher-density development along a major corridor; the measure passed by roll call. An amendment to incorporate parcels into the Beacon Hill at Eastgate planned redevelopment district to allow assisted‑ and independent‑living residences was approved, as was a conditional rezoning for 1639 Madison Avenue SE to accommodate light‑industrial/manufacturing uses at the former National Brass/Dexter Lock site. Commissioner Knight said the Madison Avenue project will create local jobs tied to Gentex Corp.

Zoning text amendments were also adopted to allow additional office parking in the TN‑CC district, reinstate a micro‑unit density bonus in TNTC and reclassify car washes and vehicle fueling stations in some commercial zones to special land uses. Commissioner Goy said the changes respond to planning‑department concerns and restore language inadvertently removed by a prior amendment.

Police‑chief pay increase: The commission moved an added salary ordinance into the evening’s agenda and approved it after a Civil Service board recommendation. Commissioner Assasi summarized the board’s review and the human resources analysis, saying the board ‘‘concurred with the human resources recommendation of a 7% scale increase for the police chief salary range’’ to retain leadership while a broader classification and compensation study continues. The civil‑service vote had been 4 in favor, 1 not voting, Assasi said; the commission voted unanimously to approve and to make the ordinance effective immediately.

Votes at a glance (adopted): - Budget ordinance 2025, amendment #3 — approved (roll call; immediate effect) - Rezoning: 1947 & 1961 Alpine Ave NW to TNTCC — approved (roll call) - Beacon Hill at Eastgate expansion and site plan amendment — approved (roll call) - Conditional rezoning for 1639 Madison Ave SE (Gentex site) — approved (roll call) - Zoning text amendments: office parking, micro‑unit density bonus, reclassification of car washes/fueling stations — approved (roll call) - Salary ordinance: 7% increase to police chief salary range — approved (roll call; immediate effect)

What’s next: Several of the development‑related public‑hearing items were referred back to the committee of the whole for further review and implementation work; staff will proceed with administrative steps for adopted ordinances. The commission also continues a larger compensation and classification review scheduled for next spring.

Attribution: Quotes and figures in this report are drawn from presentations and comments in the Sept. 24 City Commission meeting. Commissioner first references use full title (e.g., Commissioner John O'Connor) and subsequent references use the last name where appropriate.

Ending: The meeting adjourned after community comments and reminders about upcoming public forums and election deadlines.