Lansing · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Lansing public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Human Relations and Community Services Advisory Board reappointment
Melissa Horste will serve another term on the board that reviews community services grant applications. She says she wants to improve the grant-review process, which handles a high volume of applications each year.
Board of Review Appointment
Kenneth Salzman's reappointment to the board that hears income tax appeals was held because staff couldn't confirm he'd attend.
Board insurance coverage
The board was scheduled to act on insurance coverage for its members. Related bodies have approved general liability and directors-and-officers policies costing roughly $1,800 a year combined.
Board Appointment Term Lengths Under the Charter
A question surfaced about whether board appointments expire in 2029 or 2030 under the Charter. If it's 2029, the LaRue reappointment resolution will need amending on the Council floor.
CARTA data services for private-market investments
The pension board approved using a new vendor, CARTA, to gather investment data more efficiently for private equity holdings — with the city attorney confirming it's standard practice and liability questions addressed.
Northern Trust custody fee payment change
Northern Trust wants to switch from invoicing to directly debiting custody fees from the system's account. The board will discuss the proposal when Northern Trust reps attend the August joint meeting.
Banking services transfer to PNC
The authority is moving its bank accounts from Comerica to PNC — administrative housekeeping that affects where the CIA holds its funds.
Re-adoption of Codified Ordinances
This is the city's once-a-year bookkeeping move to formally re-adopt all its general ordinances through December 31, 2025 into the municipal code. It keeps the city's rulebook legally current.
Pension systems pursue F5 stock fraud recovery
The city's pension funds lost an estimated $300,000 combined on F5 Inc. stock amid fraud allegations. Adding Robbins Geller Rudman and Dowd as outside counsel lets the retirement systems join the shareholder lawsuit — and Lansing could become lead plaintiff, which gets paid first.
Council Rule 16 change and end of Municipal Audit Committee
With the new charter replacing the council-appointed internal auditor with an independent one, President Spadafore proposes eliminating the Committee on Municipal Audit and moving remaining functions to Ways and Means. Action comes next meeting.