Lansing · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Lansing public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Parking regulation on the 500 block of W. Ionia Street
A proposed traffic control order would change parking rules along the 500 block of West Ionia Street downtown.
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.
Facility and Street Naming Policy
The City's Public Service Department updated the board on street sign toppers, which stay installed pending board authorization. The board also flagged maintenance needs, including trees at The Point.
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.
Downtown Lansing, Inc. Board Appointment
Mayor Schor has recommended Christopher Buck of the Gillespie Group for a seat on the Downtown Lansing, Inc. Board through June 2027. The board helps guide downtown revitalization efforts.
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.
CATA Board reappointment of Eric Tans
Eric Tans returns to the Capital Area Transportation Authority Board through September 2029, keeping continuity in regional transit oversight.
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.
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.
Corridor banner installation delay
Marketing efforts and distinctive street sign toppers aim to build the Saginaw Street corridor's identity. Earlier work included a letter to the public transportation group and a push to engage MDOT.
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.
MHPN historic preservation conference coming to East Lansing in 2027
The Michigan Historic Preservation Network's annual conference lands in East Lansing May 13-15, 2027. Local preservationists can submit session abstracts through September 27, 2026.
Carport setback variance at 1724 W. Rundle Avenue
A homeowner needed to build a carport closer to the property line than zoning allows because backyard flooding rules out other locations. The board found the flooding makes this a unique hardship and approved the variance without setting a precedent for future requests.
Place of assembly request at 801 S. Holmes Street closed out
A previously tabled request to allow a music venue at 801 S. Holmes Street hit a dead end: staff determined the needed relief is a use variance, which the board isn't legally allowed to grant. The applicant was notified and the case ends without a decision.
Old Town Historic Survey Grant
A preservation grant will fund documentation of Old Town's historic attributes so current and future property owners know what to protect during rehab work.
Tax-foreclosed blighted properties headed to second auction
Five properties that already came out of committee didn't sell at August's tax auction and go back up October 26. If they don't sell then, the city could step in with a first right of refusal.
Groesbeck Golf Course delayed kitchen inspection
A delayed county health inspection on new kitchen equipment cost the golf course concession revenue — about $38,000 under budget for July, partly because the new food operation couldn't fully open.
Westside Neighborhood Espinore Plat survey
A Certified Local Government grant — the city's first from this program since 2007 — funds a survey of the Westside Neighborhood, feeding into Old Town design guidelines due before council next cycle.
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.
Fireworks display at Frances Park
A license was approved for Pyrotecnico Inc. to run a fireworks display at Frances Park on August 22 as part of a church family event.
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.
Public art on Saginaw Street traffic cabinet
Kathleea Washington asked the commission for approval to paint a traffic utility cabinet near Saginaw Street in the CIA neighborhood, and the commission said yes. It's a small project but adds neighborhood character to an otherwise plain piece of street infrastructure.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Country Club of Lansing fireworks display
The club received its consumer fireworks permit for a July 17 event, with a representative on hand to answer committee questions.
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.
LDFA Budget FY 2027
The Local Development Finance Authority budget for next fiscal year costs the city nothing — the tax capture structure results in zero impact on Lansing's property tax revenues.
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.
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.
Old Everett Power Outage
A neighborhood leader complained about an unannounced power outage and asked the city to hold BWL accountable with notification requirements or fines.
Old Town social district expansion
A proposal to extend the Old Town social district boundary to include Parking Lot 56 and the Brenke Fish Ladder Music Park was referred to committee.
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.