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Grand Rapids commissioners confirm appointments, approve grants, contracts and bond notice
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Summary
City commissioners and committees on April 14 approved a slate of appointments and contracts, authorized a joint JAG grant application with Kent County ($196,530), published a notice of intent for up to $35 million in bonds for a fire training center, and confirmed multiple infrastructure and housing actions.
The Grand Rapids City Commission and its committees on April 14 confirmed multiple appointments, approved grant and contract actions, and set a bond notice for capital work.
The appointments committee confirmed Danielle Daniel Savage and Ronisha Harden to the Grand Rapids Police Civilian Appeal Board and reappointed Monica Epp to the Grand Rapids Housing Commission. The commission also approved Joshua Lunger’s appointment to the Housing Commission; one commissioner opposed and the item was removed from the consent agenda but carried on a voice vote.
In fiscal business, the commission authorized a memorandum of understanding with Kent County to pursue a 2025 Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) totaling $196,530; the city’s share will be routed through the neighborhood investment plan and the county will use funds for its emergency operations and sheriff’s office. The commission also published a supplemental notice of intent to issue bonds under Michigan’s Act 34 for an estimated fire training center project; staff said roughly $15 million in state grants is secured and the notice set a not-to-exceed amount of $35 million to cover remaining costs and contingencies.
Contract awards approved included replacement of lead water service lines with Groundhog Excavating and Landscaping LLC (contract $1,876,312; total project cap $2,889,800) and street milling/resurfacing work with Montgomery Excavating LLC ($3,594,403; not to exceed $4,744,300). The commission also approved reconstruction of Leffingwell Avenue with Wyoming Excavators Inc. ($4,438,153.25; not to exceed $5,491,880), noting a roughly $5.3 million contribution from CoreWell Health for that project.
The comptroller filed a warrants report for March 17–30 showing about $30.4 million in cash payments; the comptroller flagged a negative income-tax figure under investigation. The treasurer reported steady economic conditions, an uptick in inflation and described recent investment activity including a prorated allocation of MSHDA bonds ($7 million of a requested $20 million).
The community development committee confirmed the Crescent Street Alley special-assessment roll (staff requested billing for $111,736 of assessed costs against a reported project total of $119,628), approved a Memorandum of Agreement addressing historic-preservation requirements for the Union Suites project (52 affordable units at 80% AMI) because seven existing buildings will be demolished, and scheduled a public hearing for the Plymouth Flats redevelopment (48 units; approximately $10.5 million total development cost). A fireworks permit for special effects at AcroSure Amphitheatre on May 9 was also approved.
Where motions required voice votes, the minutes record ‘‘Aye’’ and ‘‘Motion carries’’; roll-call votes were used only for a resolution to enter closed session on pending litigation. The commission adjourned the public meetings to enter closed session.
