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City Council Meeting Recap 7/11/23


** Thanks for reading!
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Thanks for checking out the East Lansing City Council Recap. This publication is sent out after each regular, discussion-only and special City Council meeting. Plan for future meetings by viewing the 2023 meeting schedule here. (https://www.cityofeastlansing.com/997/2023-Meeting-Dates) Readers are encouraged to contact the East Lansing City Manager's Office with questions: (517) 319-6920.

The City of East Lansing occupies the ancestral, traditional and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabeg – Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi peoples land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw.


** Highlights from the July 11 Meeting
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The East Lansing City Council met on Tuesday, July 11 at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center (ELHCC) for a regular meeting.

During communications from Council, East Lansing Mayor Pro Tem Jessy Gregg noted that she had recently met with the visiting international students from the Study of the U.S. Institute (SUSI) for Student Leaders on Civic Engagement and was inspired by them. The summer program attracts student leaders from European universities to the U.S. to learn about civic engagement.

East Lansing Mayor Ron Bacon echoed those sentiments in his comments. He also praised the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. Mayor Bacon further noted that he had spoken with Rabbi Amy Bigman from Congregation Shaarey Zedek. Bigman was unable to attend the City Council meeting, but she expressed her thanks to Council for its resolution of support for the congregation.

During the City Manager's report, East Lansing Interim City Manager Randy Talifarro thanked the staff at the East Lansing Family Aquatic Center for hosting disability-friendly swim events. City Manager Talifarro also acknowledged the work of Kristin Shelley and Brice Bush, who had recently departed from the East Lansing Public Library (ELPL). Talifarro noted that he had enjoyed working with both of them and he lauded the innovative programs they had led at the ELPL, such as the seed program, the maker studio and more. Mayor Bacon also thanked both Shelley and Bush in a heartfelt way, thanking them for their service to the community and their friendship, and wished both the best of luck in their next endeavors.

During the City Attorney's report, East Lansing City Attorney Tony Chubb reported to Council that a lawsuit filed by Najeem Naseer was deemed by the court to have no validity and had been dismissed.


** Set a Public Hearing for Aug. 15 to Consider Ordinance 1520, a Request from Hagan Realty to Rezone Seven Parcels Totaling 1.854 Acres
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East Lansing Planning, Building and Development Interim Director Tim Dempsey introduced the request to set a public hearing for Aug. 15 to consider Ordinance 1520, a rezoning request from Hagan Realty, LLC, to rezone seven parcels totaling 1.854 acres located at 135 Burcham Road, 709 Grove St., 715 Grove St., 725 Grove St., 743 Grove St., 755 Grove St. and 765 Grove St., from R-2, Medium Density Single-Family Residential District, to RM-32, Center City Multiple-Family Residential District. View the agenda item report here. (https://www.njslom.org/DocumentCenter/View/6274/Building-Local-Government-Social-Media-Policies-PDF?bidId=) To watch this part of the meeting, visit this link. (https://youtu.be/ZurC4DXUYsg?t=2365) Mayor Pro Tem Gregg moved to set the public hearing for Aug. 15, seconded by East Lansing Councilmember Dana Watson and approved unanimously.



** Approval of a First Amendment to Lease Agreement for a Portion of the Bailey Street Parking Lot
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East Lansing Planning, Building and Development Interim Director Tim Dempsey reported on the lease agreement with the property owners of the Bailey Street/Lot 11 parking lot. View the agenda item report. (https://cityofeastlansing.civicweb.net/document/102638/Approval%20of%20a%20First%20Amendment%20to%20Lease%20Agreemen.pdf?handle=614AAAAE78524341AD2858EAE8CC84B7) The property owners have entered into a purchase agreement for a possible affordable housing project on the property and the lease extension would allow the City to continue to use the full lot during this time (the City owns 1/3 of the lot and leases the other 2/3). To watch this part of the meeting, visit this link. (https://youtu.be/ZurC4DXUYsg?t=2867) East Lansing City Councilmember George Brookover moved approval, seconded by East Lansing City Councilmember Noel Garcia Jr. and approved unanimously.



** Consideration of Development, Option Agreements Related to the Redevelopment of the Property at 333 Valley Court
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East Lansing Planning, Building and Development Interim Director Tim Dempsey spoke about two agreements related to the property at 333 Valley Court (formerly 341-345 Evergreen Ave.), also referred to as Building C in the Park District redevelopment project. First is a termination of the development agreement with Convexity Properties and the other is a development agreement and option to purchase real property with PK Companies. View the agenda item report. (https://cityofeastlansing.civicweb.net/document/102588/Consideration%20of%20a%20development%20agreement%20and%20op.pdf?handle=3DDFB79D631E4BE79E0634DD289EDE56) A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Watson, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Gregg and approved unanimously. To watch the discussion from this part of the meeting, visit this link. (https://youtu.be/ZurC4DXUYsg?t=3316)



** Second Reading & Consideration of Ordinance 1522 to Provide a Service Charge in Lieu of Taxes for an Affordable Housing Development at 333 Valley Court
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East Lansing Planning, Building and Development Interim Director Tim Dempsey presented the second reading and consideration of Ordinance 1522, an ordinance to provide for a service charge in lieu of taxes for an affordable housing development at 333 Valley Court, formerly 341-345 Evergreen Road. View the agenda item report. (https://cityofeastlansing.civicweb.net/document/102586/Second%20reading%20and%20consideration%20of%20Ordinance%201.pdf?handle=0AC907EBF371496E86FC7B5B83E4A1B9) A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Watson, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Gregg and passed unanimously.



** Consideration of an Amendment to Increase the Composition of City Council from Five to Seven Members
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Mayor Pro Tem Gregg noted that whether the composition of the Council increases from five members to seven would be for the citizens to decide, regardless of whatever action Council takes at this meeting. Watch the entire discussion beginning here. (https://youtu.be/ZurC4DXUYsg?t=4325) Mayor Pro Tem Gregg moved approval of the ballot initiative, seconded by Councilmember Watson. Councilmember Brookover voted against. Due to a document error in the agenda item report (https://cityofeastlansing.civicweb.net/document/102586/Second%20reading%20and%20consideration%20of%20Ordinance%201.pdf?handle=0AC907EBF371496E86FC7B5B83E4A1B9) , however, a motion to reconsider was passed and the matter was tabled until the next Council meeting, which will be held on Wednesday, July 19 at 6 p.m.



** Consideration of a Resolution to Propose an Amendment to the Charter of the City of East Lansing to Change to Even-Numbered Election Years
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View the agenda item report. (https://cityofeastlansing.civicweb.net/document/101832/Consideration%20of%20a%20resolution%20to%20propose%20an%20ame.pdf?handle=61CA3ECC5EFE4D97954B1AB4DFCD6DD7) Mayor Pro Tem Gregg moved to add the proposed amendment to change Council elections to even-numbered years to the ballot, seconded by Councilmember Watson. Councilmembers Brookover and Garcia voted against. The motion passed. To watch this part of the meeting, visit this link. (https://youtu.be/ZurC4DXUYsg?t=4819)



** Consideration of a Resolution to Propose an Amendment to the City Charter to Change the Swearing-in Date of Council Members
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East Lansing Interim City Clerk Marie Wicks explained that the amendment had been proposed in order for the City to be in compliance with a new state law that affects overseas ballots for servicemembers. View the agenda item report. (https://cityofeastlansing.civicweb.net/document/101824/Consideration%20of%20a%20resolution%20to%20propose%20an%20ame.pdf?handle=C30DD5E6138C4C7391D73D352B7D4743) Mayor Pro Tem Gregg moved approval, seconded by Mayor Bacon. Councilmember Brookover voted against. The motion passed. To watch this part of the meeting, visit this link. (https://youtu.be/ZurC4DXUYsg?t=6488)


** Adjourned to Closed Session
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** Other Items
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* Council approved the appointment of Carol Brownell to the Seniors Commission for a partial term ending December 31, 2024.
* Council approved a resolution endorsing the Tri-County Office on Aging's FY 24 Annual Implementation Plan. View the agenda item report. (https://cityofeastlansing.civicweb.net/document/102347/Approve%20a%20resolution%20endorsing%20the%20Tri-County%20O.pdf?handle=B5A5C23BD05F484893EC3EAB34CF6C84)
* Council approved a resolution of solidarity with the Congregation Shaarey Zedek Synagogue. View the resolution and agenda item report. (https://cityofeastlansing.civicweb.net/document/102601/Approve%20a%20resolution%20of%20Solidarity%20with%20the%20Con.pdf?handle=39A2E462BCAA4F3089DCDF08187D3BA9)
* Council approved a use of public right of way request for Downtown Management Board district businesses to allow retail sidewalk sales from July 20-23, 2023. View the agenda item report. (https://cityofeastlansing.civicweb.net/document/102382/Approve%20a%20use%20of%20public%20right%20of%20way%20request%20fo.pdf?handle=617D87020F61471F98BCF0E2F6A8A035)
* Council approved the establishment of an ad hoc committee for consideration of renaming the Prime Time Art Studio at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center to the Kelly Arndt Studio. View the agenda item report. (https://cityofeastlansing.civicweb.net/document/102456/Approve%20the%20establishment%20of%20an%20ad%20hoc%20committe.pdf?handle=073C209DC174458F944F5A51AD120A4C)
* Council approved a change order with Rowe for additional services associated with the As-Needed Professional Engineering Services contract in the amount of $60,000 and authorized the City Manager to sign. View the agenda item report. (https://cityofeastlansing.civicweb.net/document/102526/Approve%20a%20Change%20Order%20with%20Rowe%20for%20additional.pdf?handle=E115B9290C2446059EAF67ABE0B7ED86)
* Council introduced and referred to the Planning Commission Ordinance 1523, a rezoning request from the Lansing Board of Water and Light to rezone three vacant parcels along the 1100 block of Burcham Drive and the substation property on the 600 block of Stoddard Avenue, totaling 1.029 acres from 4-2, Medium Density Single-Family Residential District to C, Community Facilities. View the agenda item report. (https://cityofeastlansing.civicweb.net/document/102542/Introduce%20and%20refer%20to%20the%20Planning%20Commission%20.pdf?handle=718D09580E0D42AE8A182A7001626861)
* Council approved a two-year renewal of the existing contract with Capital City Janitorial, LLC, in an amount of $25 per hour for janitorial services for City Hall, the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, the East Lansing Public Library and the Department of Public Works, in a total amount not to exceed the budgeted amount of $507,475 and authorized the City Manager to sign. View the agenda item report. (https://cityofeastlansing.civicweb.net/document/102547/Approve%20a%20two-year%20renewal%20of%20the%20existing%20cont.pdf?handle=466CAEC623A34513A92B93244E9F0825)
* Council approved the third-party agreement with the Ingham County Road Department for the Lake Lansing Road and Towar Avenue/Birch Row Drive Intersections improvements and the installation of the City's sculpture L5 and Beyond and authorized the City Manager to sign. View the agenda item report. (https://cityofeastlansing.civicweb.net/document/102559/Approve%20the%20third%20party%20agreement%20with%20the%20Ingh.pdf?handle=FEE90E5F6A0F4664A505568408A6A8AC)

To learn more about all items discussed during the meeting, view the Agenda Packet. (https://cityofeastlansing.civicweb.net/document/102704/)
Next Meeting: Tuesday, Aug. 15
Regular Meeting


** Additional Information
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The City of East Lansing has transitioned back to in-person public meetings and East Lansing City Council meetings have been temporarily relocated to the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road. Regular and discussion-only Council meetings take place at 7 p.m. A remote option for viewing the meetings and providing public comment continues to be offered for City Council and Planning Commission meetings via the City's public meeting portal (https://cityofeastlansing.civicweb.net/Portal/) . The number to call in for public comment is posted at the top of each meeting agenda.

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