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.
Fair Chance Access to Housing ordinance
A new ordinance would stop landlords from automatically rejecting applicants over criminal records, requiring a chance to show rehabilitation first. It heads to a November 16 public hearing.
Anishinaabe Park Proposal
A community team pitched turning the city-owned parking lots at Kalamazoo, Cedar and Larch — once eyed for a data center — into an indigenous-themed native plant green space, but their RFP was flagged incomplete on financing.
ARPA funds spending plan
The board was set to review what the agency accomplished with federal ARPA funds as those programs wind down. That affects how remaining recovery money is spent locally and what comes next.
MDOT US-127 Phase: I-496 to Lake Lansing Road
The board was scheduled to continue discussing MDOT's planned 2027–2029 construction project covering the Frandor area and the I-496 corridor to Lake Lansing Road. Drivers through these corridors could see significant construction impacts over the project window.
City Lot #8 Monthly Parking Permit Fee
A new $40 monthly parking permit for City Lot #8 will let employees near the 2000 block of East Michigan Avenue park with more freedom and comfort. The rate matches other similar lots in the area.
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.
Virtual currency machine licensing
Bitcoin kiosks popping up around the city can be a scam vector for seniors. A draft ordinance would require operators to get licensed and pay an annual fee, since the state doesn't regulate these machines.
Kalamazoo Street curb, sidewalk and pavement work
The long-planned Kalamazoo Street project — curb and gutter replacement, sidewalk replacement, and pavement resurfacing — is moving forward after years of delays. A public hearing on the noise permit is the next step, and residents can expect detours during construction.
OPRA tax abatement for 2231 W. Willow Street renovation
Two properties — on S. Washington Ave. and W. Mt. Hope Ave. — are getting Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act certificates, which cut property taxes to encourage rehabbing old buildings. The upside is more likely redevelopment; the trade-off is reduced tax revenue during the abatement period.
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.
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.
Rental property regulation and code enforcement overhaul
An out-of-state landlord appealed $215 in grass-cutting fees on her Lansing rental, blaming a hospitalized tenant. The committee upheld the fees, signaling that absentee owners are still on the hook for keeping their properties in compliance.
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.
Rental property regulation update (Ordinance 1350)
EDP staff updated the committee on the new tag system for rental properties. A landlord said the system hinders good-faith repairs and inspection waits are too long; a committee member asked for a public dashboard showing compliance timelines.
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.
FY2027-2028 budget priorities
The board approved its spending priorities for fiscal year 2027/28, which shape how public service money goes to fleets, facilities and infrastructure. Changes were made to the proposal before approval.
Comprehensive plan update since 2012
Council Member Nevarez Martinez proposed putting money toward updating the citywide comprehensive plan, which hasn't been refreshed in 14 years — the blueprint guiding how Lansing grows and develops.
Catch basin maintenance backlog
Only about 3,800 of the city's 13,000+ catch basins have been serviced since 2024, causing flooding, waterway pollution and street deterioration — and putting Lansing out of compliance with the Clean Water Act.
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.
Safe and Secure Housing Initiative Ordinance
Board members discussed the housing ordinance that was on a recent City Council agenda. Questions remain about how it would be funded and how it could affect the HRCS department and the agencies it funds. Council took no immediate action.
Business grant program
The board is weighing whether to put more ARPA money toward aesthetic and design improvements, and businesses along the corridor can still apply for enhancement grants.
Downtown Lansing Viability and Mikado Club
DLI is exploring a program to add hospitality and cleanliness services downtown, potentially funded by a $250,000 city allocation from state security funding, Capital City Allocation money, and equipment sale proceeds. A pilot could launch as early as spring 2027.
Pension funding assumptions lowered to 6.75% investment return
The fund reached a record high of about $475 million, but geopolitical tensions, an oil-price spike, and Fed rate decisions could pressure markets. The consultant says stay the course with current managers.
Selection of new pension administration software
The pension system serving 322 active members paid out $3.55 million in June retirement allowances and processed a new service retirement, a disability evaluation, and a contribution refund. Routine administration keeps benefits flowing to retirees and their families.
Private equity commitments expand diversification
The board committed $6 million to two private equity funds to build toward a 5% allocation target by 2030-2031. The overall portfolio is up about 10.9% this year and beating its benchmark, which is good news for the pension's long-term health.
Union wage reopener for CCLP non-supervisory employees
City workers in the non-supervisory Capitol City Labor Program unit are getting retroactive raises and a bonus. It affects pay and retention for a chunk of the city workforce.
St. Lawrence Hospital campus historic district study committee
The old St. Lawrence Hospital campus could get a historic district study committee, but first the commission wants to hear from the public. Staff couldn't line up a meeting with the property owner, U-M Health Sparrow, so a public meeting is set for the next regular session — with the Westside and Old Oakland neighborhoods invited.
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.
LEPFA Operating Agreement Amendment
Jackson Field has burned through $250,000 in HVAC repairs over three years and has another $273,000 in quoted repairs it hasn't completed. LEPFA can't afford the fixes, so it's sending the big-ticket items to the city for approval — and a repair-vs-replace plan with Trane could stretch replacements to one unit every 3-4 years.
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.
CSO project noise permits (Ottawa Street and 015 South)
Two Combined Sewer Overflow projects need noise waivers to keep working — including Saturdays — and one risks losing $2 million in federal funding if not done by September 30. The city is trying to get roads paved before Silver Bells.
Grand Tower parking deck over South Grand Avenue
New Vision Lansing wants to bridge its 28-story tower and parking ramp with a private deck over a public street, using city air rights and right-of-way. Sidewalks narrow slightly and three trees are removed, but the city gets new downtown residents who should support nearby businesses.
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.
LEDC Budget and Economic Development
The authority's contract with the Lansing EDC for staff support couldn't be approved at the June meeting due to lack of quorum, and board members wanted attorney review and clearer hour definitions before signing.
CSO sewer projects and Saturday work hours
The long-running sewer overflow project needs Saturday work to finish on time, but neighbors are fed up with the weekend noise. Last year's denial stretched the project well beyond its original two-year timeline.
Board of Water and Light accountability
A resident told Council that Board of Water & Light staff say 25% of its 100,000 customers struggle to pay bills, and urged the Council to demand data and back state legislation capping water bills at 2-3% of income for low-income households.
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.
Spec-Tran paratransit service failures
Amy Campeau described chronic late or no-show Spec-Tran paratransit trips affecting her son and disabled adults she works with; she plans to take the issue to the CATA board.
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.
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.
Election Results
Primary election results are officially in, setting the stage for November's general ballot. Check out who made the cut and is moving forward in the Lansing races.
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.
Snow and ice removal assessments
Property owners billed for city snow-and-ice clearing appealed; the committee cleaned up glitched and undeliverable work orders and passed a $62,034 roll. Kost warned the annual review process is happening too late and too infrequently.
CADL millage renewal on August ballot
The library's 4-year millage renewal is on the August 4 ballot — no tax increase, but it funds 90% of operations. Without it, the library says it couldn't keep all three Lansing branches open.
Election equipment readiness for August 4, 2026 election
The commission publicly tested all voting equipment — precinct tabulators, early voting tabulator, voter assist terminal, and ballot-on-demand — before the August 4 election, then formally accepted the results. This is the standard check that machines count ballots accurately.
Proposed Grand River lane reduction and corridor amenities
The City's Unmotorized Plan proposes narrowing Grand River from four lanes to three in coordination with MDOT, and CATA could install and fund bus shelters and lighting along the corridor.
Ethics ordinance rewrite (Chapter 290)
The board is tightening the city's ethics rules: a $500 cap on total gifts over 12 months, clearer family-relationship definitions, standardized reporting windows, and possibly new filing deadlines for financial disclosures.