Lansing · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Lansing public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Flock license plate reader surveillance
A resident said the city attorney's opinion on ALPRs didn't address private operators and urged Council to ban private automated license plate readers, citing the crypto-kiosk precedent.
Homeless Encampment Sweeps and Winter Shelter
Residents and some council members criticized the ongoing sweeps of homeless encampments, arguing they destabilize people and destroy belongings. Council Member Kost raised the idea of sanctioned encampments; HRCS said it conducts outreach before sweeps.
Supportive housing services funding
An ordinance would allocate city funding for supportive housing services, but the committee wants more time to review amendments circulated last week before voting.
Early absentee ballot processing for November 3 election
Lansing can now start processing and tabulating absentee ballots up to 8 days before Election Day, between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. That should mean quicker, cleaner results on election night.
Recovery housing zoning at 810 W. Saginaw
Two separate proposals to house families and veterans: one at a church on MLK Blvd. (SLU-1/Z-1) and one at 332 Townsend St. (SLU-2/Z-2). A resident raised spot-zoning concerns about the MLK rezoning.
Citywide trash collection study
Lansing has debated switching from a hybrid trash hauling system to a coordinated citywide system every year. Council Member Hussain wants independent, objective data and four-ward public meetings before any recommendation.
Opioid settlement participation
September 25 at City Hall: 12-15 resource agencies, a keynote speaker, food trucks, the McLaren Health Mobile Unit, and a Memorial Wall of Hope that will later hang at the Rise Recovery Center. The city is running billboards, radio spots, PSAs, and CATA bus promotions alongside it.
Charter transition of city boards to ward structure
Two residents were seated: Colleen Cole on the Public Media Authority and Kalman Mate on the HRCS Advisory Board. Kost questioned whether Mate is the right fit given the board's homelessness focus.
Legislative Analyst vacancy refill
The council staff position will be reposted May 15 for two weeks, with interviews starting June 8.
Gun violence down sharply
Mike Lynn shared 2025 numbers: non-fatal shootings fell from 85 in 2021 to 58, fatal shootings from 23 to 21, and shots-fired calls dropped by more than half. He asked Council to keep funding community violence intervention in the upcoming budget.
Sanctuary City Policy
Lansing just got flagged by the Trump administration as a 'sanctuary jurisdiction,' which is about to kick off some major drama down at City Hall over local immigration rules. Basically, the city's approach to immigration enforcement is putting it right in the federal crosshairs.
Ranked Choice Voting
Voters in three Michigan cities just said yes to ranked choice voting, which could totally change how we elect local leaders here in Lansing too. It's a fresh way to cast your ballot that lets you rank candidates by preference instead of just picking one.