Lansing · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Lansing public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Support for State Homeless and Tenant Bills of Rights
Council discussed supporting Michigan HB 4197 (homeless bill of rights) and HBs 6086-6089 (tenant right to purchase, relocation assistance, tenants' unions, 90-day rent increase notice), with action expected December 7.
Rewrite of the city noise ordinance
The city rewrote its noise rules to cover all properties, drop decibel meters in favor of a 'plainly audible' standard, and make enforcement more practical for police.
Entheogen decriminalization request
The Lansing Entheogens and Psychedelic Society asked Council to make psilocybin and entheogenic plants the lowest law enforcement priority, following Ann Arbor's 2020 example.
Make Safe or Demolish order at 1606 Reo Rd.
The committee was scheduled to consider a resolution ordering a property at 4507 Devonshire Avenue to be made safe or demolished. These orders typically address dangerous or blighted structures and affect the neighborhood's safety and appearance.
District Court treatment grants
The 54A District Court's Sobriety Court and Adult Drug Court grants would fund treatment, testing, and supplies.
City Homelessness Response and Overnight Shelter
HRCS laid out a phased plan: a Code Blue warming center at Letts, a 70-bed low-barrier overnight drop-in center targeted for early December, family sheltering at Union Baptist Church, and a permanent drop-in center later. The mod pods won't open until 2027, frustrating some council members.
LPD Indigenous People's Day Celebration Donation
The police department is accepting donations to fund performers at its 2026 National Indigenous People's Day Celebration. The committee's approval sends the acceptance to the full City Council.
Unsafe structure at 6031 S. MLK Jr. Blvd.
A large red-tagged building with roof and flooring structural failure and nearly $5 million in needed repairs has been stalled in committee since mid-2025. The committee has tabled it twice for 60 days and must now decide whether to order demolition, require it be made safe, or grant another delay.
Silver Bels Celebration fireworks license
The city's annual downtown Silver Bells fireworks show on November 20 needs its yearly pyrotechnics license, handled by the same contractor as in prior years. It heads to full Council on November 9 once the insurance certificate arrives.
LPD Officer Hiring and Staffing
The department started 19 recruits in August, some former cadets or interns, and made 3 lateral officer offers (1 accepted, 1 pending, 1 declined). Hiring activity could affect response times and neighborhood policing capacity.
Code compliance treatment of fire victim
A speaker described code enforcement piling fees on 70-year-old Angela Washington's fire-damaged, underinsured property and demanded the mayor intervene.
Downtown safety follow-up
Choose Lansing wrote to the board worried about downtown safety after losing an annual convention — a real financial hit for downtown businesses. Old Town's director also reported an arrest in the River Trail homicide cases.
Election inspector staffing for November 3
Precinct staffing for the general election is now set, with flexibility for the Clerk's Office to fill gaps if inspectors drop out.
Federal and state grants for police and fire departments
A federal grant covers 75% of the cost of a dedicated police detective and crime analyst who investigate violence-against-women cases referred through the state. It's recurring, meaning the position can continue year to year if the grant is renewed.
School Crossing Guard Program Vendor
The police department notified the city that All City Management Services will staff, train, and manage the school crossing guard program. The service is state-mandated and no other vendor is available.
Citizen Complaint Process
A board member's storm report about a blocked road went unrecorded despite calling the city's line, and a citizen complaint alleges a rude representative misdirected a caller. Residents may worry the city isn't logging or routing their requests properly.
Community Health, Wellness and Opioid Awareness Fair
A free community fair on Friday, September 25th at the State Capitol will offer sixteen resource vendors, the McLaren Mobile Unit, food trucks, and a Memorial Wall of Hope for those affected by substance abuse.
Sole-source purchase of extraction equipment
The Fire Department says Impact Rescue is the only vendor for Holmatro extraction tools — the 'jaws of life' equipment used at crash scenes. The department is converting these tools from gas to battery power, continuing a contract from last year.
Garden Street Neighborhood Nuisance
Commissioner Cotton said the Cedar Street car wash was cleared out but activity has returned, and complaints shouldn't take two years to resolve. Ongoing code/complaint-response concerns for that corridor.
Proposed trustee continuing education requirement (Senate Bill 979)
Senate Bill 979 would require retirement board trustees to complete eight hours of continuing education every two years. It's still in committee, and conferences like IFEBP might already satisfy the requirement.
Dangerous building enforcement — four properties
Six blighted properties — on Maloney, E. Kalamazoo, Sawyer, Norman, N. High and Cady — are headed to February 23 show-cause hearings where owners must explain why their buildings shouldn't be demolished or made safe.
Park safety concerns
Police have added foot and golf cart patrols around downtown parks and issued over 300 tickets for after-hours park violations — good news for safety, but it signals ongoing issues with people staying in parks past closing.
Firefighter Staffing Progress
The committee wants about $270,000 a year to hire more firefighters so ambulances are safely staffed, plus up to $300,000 in retention pay to stop losing trained staff to neighboring departments.
NOVA Lansing Housing Initiative
The city's transitional housing project for people experiencing homelessness is moving forward, with Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries as the managing agency and Clark Construction possibly stepping in as construction manager. The first-year operating budget is $952,000 and $1.3 million is set aside for construction. Neighbors have raised concerns about parking and safety, and a community update meeting is planned for August 18 at Foster Community Center.
Property conditions at 920 Long Blvd.
A former office building so decayed the city fenced it off will get a show cause hearing on August 24. Neighbors should see movement toward cleanup or demolition soon.
Ethics review of BWL General Manager's financial disclosure
The board reviewed Richard Peffley's Statement of Financial Interests and found nothing to pursue. It's a routine but important check that the head of the city's electric utility is following the ethics rules.
Revision of Ethics Ordinance Chapter 290
The board is still reworking the city's ethics ordinance and voted to change how the rules measure time — from a calendar year to the trailing 12 months. A new draft from the City Attorney's Office will come back for future review.
Public Safety Complex and fire stations timeline
The voter-funded public safety complex is 68% complete and on time and on budget; Fire Station 2 was turned over in November 2025, with the full complex expected December 31, 2026 and phased move-in starting January 2027.
Blighted property enforcement — 431 S. Francis Ave.
After months of tabled hearings and no delivered repair plan, the committee issued a 60-day order. The owner said Junk in the Trunk is still clearing out contents and plans to sell as-is.
New placard system implementation
Council Member Hussain asked for an update on how the city's new placard system is rolling out; a report comes back to committee in September.
Porter Building living conditions
Tenants of the downtown Porter Building described rat infestations, bedbugs, broken elevators, no security and drug activity, saying management has gone unpaid and unresponsive despite a PILOT tax break. Several residents said they fear retaliation and feel unsafe in their homes.
Lansing Police Department public safety update
The Chief of Police was scheduled to give the committee a general update on public safety in Lansing. No record of what was reported is available.
Council Member Kost recusal disclosure
Council Member Ryan Kost had to sit out a vote at the June 8 Council meeting because a claim appeal involved his cousin. The ethics board formally logged it, as the rules require.
Public notice of meeting time changes
A resident complained that the public gets too little notice when meeting start times change, costing her time and confusion at the door. She asked the City Clerk to email agenda subscribers about time changes.
Trash violation fee appeal process
A new homeowner contested $550 in trash violation fees, arguing she was ill and out of state and didn't know Lansing's rules differ from Grand Rapids'. The committee denied the appeal, and she can still pursue it before the full City Council.
Fireworks Enforcement Reminder
Council reminded residents of the fireworks rules for the Juneteenth and July 4 holidays — allowed 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. on designated holidays, never in public parks, and complaints go to the non-emergency line.
Voting rights and proof-of-citizenship proposals
The council unanimously passed a resolution opposing requirements that voters show birth certificates or passports to register or vote, with support from the League of Women Voters, Common Cause, Michigan Country and others.
Lead hazard and homelessness funding
The Council accepted $6.87 million in federal lead-hazard money to remediate 120 housing units, plus $76,500 from Ingham County for hotel rooms for unhoused residents displaced from encampments.
Polling place relocations
Three precincts move for the May special election, and a resident urged council to condemn a ballot initiative that would require birth certificates or passports to stay registered.
City hiring push and seasonal job fair
The city made 100 hires in 2025 but had 89 separations. Police are down to 13 open officer positions beyond academy recruits, and a seasonal job fair on March 7 (8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at Operations and Maintenance) aims to fill 11 jobs.
ICE mask opposition resolution
Council formally opposed ICE officers hiding their identities behind masks during enforcement in Lansing. It's symbolic — members said so plainly — but it also kicks off work with the City Attorney on an actual city policy, and urges other local governments to do the same.
LPD arrest of unhoused person at CATA station
A video of an LPD officer arresting an unhoused person at the CATA Transportation Center in subzero cold circulated online. Council Members Nevarez Martinez and Kost asked the Chief to review it; the Chief has opened an investigation.
Fire chief appointment
Mayor Schor announced he's asking the Fire Board to recommend Interim Fire Chief Carrie Edwards-Clemons for the permanent chief role, citing support from firefighters, the union, and council members.