Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Urban Agriculture topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves urban-agriculture grants and a FEMA sewer assessment award
Summary
Commissioners approved a combined set of agreements funded largely by an Eagle environmental justice grant (two urban agriculture contracts totaling $150,000) and accepted a $412,500 FEMA hazard-mitigation grant (with $137,500 city match) for a Plaster Creek sanitary sewer assessment.
On April 28 the commission approved several funding agreements that combine philanthropic and federal aid to support urban-agriculture projects and critical infrastructure assessment work.
Parks staff (Laura Claypool, speaker 10) described a $67,000 agreement with Access of West Michigan to implement a community-led urban agriculture project at Joe Taylor Park, funded by an Eagle environmental justice grant, with programming running 05/01/2026 through September 2027. Commissioners approved the resolution without amendment.
A second resolution authorized an $83,000 agreement with Jade Rabbit (transcript spelling varies) to develop agricultural spaces, education and volunteer work at Garfield Park and MLK Park. Claypool clarified that MLK’s infrastructure had been rebuilt during previous park reconstruction and that Garfield Park work would include infrastructure and programming.
Separately, the commission accepted a FEMA hazard-mitigation grant of $412,500, with a $137,500 city match (included in FY26 budget), to fund field investigation, assessment and preliminary engineering for a 66-inch Plaster Creek sanitary sewer trunk line. James Ritz, environmental services manager (speaker 12), outlined scope: field investigation, mains assessment and preliminary design. Commissioners approved the acceptance of the grant.
These measures passed by voice votes during the fiscal committee; staff said they will oversee contract execution, monitor grant compliance and return with required reporting.
