Vivinavi

E-Dialog for April 11 - the 411!

** Update on LBWL Franchise Fee Ruling
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Heos lawsuit resolution process is just beginning at the circuit court and will likely last for an undetermined number of months

In the interest of keeping residents informed on key issues, the City of East Lansing has released the following update on the status of the Lansing Board of Water and Light (LBWL) franchise fee ruling handed down by the Michigan Supreme Court on Feb. 3.

The ongoing class action case, known as Heos, et. al., v. City of East Lansing, resulted in the court-ordered discontinuation of the City's 5% franchise fee on electricity sold in the City of East Lansing by LBWL from 2017 to 2025, and a remand to the Ingham County Circuit Court for further proceedings that includes a yet-to-be-determined refund to City customers.

The franchise fee was immediately discontinued by the City at the time of the Michigan Supreme Court ruling and will no longer be collected by the City. In the meantime, any sums collected by the Board of Water and Light will be held pending further court action.

The City continues to analyze the Michigan Supreme Court's (MSC) Feb. 3 ruling and is anticipating the next steps in the process.

As part of this process, the City is now planning to work with the circuit court and plaintiffs' counsel to come to a possible final resolution of the case.

Some of the issues yet to be determined at the circuit court level include:
* Determining the final amount of the refund and who from the Class is eligible for a refund
* Creating a process as to how refunds will be distributed
* Establishing a timeframe for the process to be completed

“We remain disappointed with the Supreme Court's decision but now must move forward with the process of implementing it and returning funds to LBWL customers in the City,” City Manager Robert Belleman said. “The MSC ruling and its decision to remand the case back to circuit court were only the first steps in a complex legal process that is likely to take months to resolve. We will continue to give updates as this matter proceeds.”
https://www.elpl.org/blogs/post/get-ready-for-books-bites-bids-2025/


** East Lansing Celebrates National Library Week
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** Books, Bites & Bids TONIGHT!!!
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The East Lansing Public Library (ELPL) will close today (Friday, April 11) at noon to set up for the library's largest and most important fundraiser of the year. Books, Bites & Bids will take place from 5:30-8 p.m. with delicious food and spirits, live music and a silent auction.

This year's proceeds will support initiatives to enhance local history resources, ensuring the community continues to have access to its rich past, and will generously be matched by the Friends of the East Lansing Public Library (https://www.friendsofelpl.org/) ! Tickets are $35 per person or $70 for a couple or family. Purchase tickets online via the library's website (https://www.elpl.org/blogs/post/get-ready-for-books-bites-bids-2025/) or at the door.

ELPL kicked off National Library Week with a visit from author Curtis Chin on Monday, April 7, giving away copies of Chin's book, "Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant" to the first 50 attendees. More than 120 people attended the popular book discussion. Chin's memoir of growing up in Detroit in the 1980s, coming out in a working-class immigrant community and being a first-generation college student, was named a 2024 Michigan Notable Book and is the 2025-26 Great Michigan Read (https://www.michiganhumanities.org/great-michigan-read/) .
https://museum.msu.edu/msu-museum-presents-techno-the-rise-of-detroits-machine-music/
Can't get enough of 1980s Detroit? The MSU Museum has extended Techno: The Rise of Detroit’s Machine Music (https://museum.msu.edu/exhibition/detroit-and-the-rise-of-machine-music/) through July 12 (it was originally slated to end this month). The immersive exhibition explores Detroit’s role as the birthplace of techno music, including its deep connections to Afrofuturism. The exhibition can be viewed at the MSU Museum’s temporary location at 311 Abbot Road in downtown East Lansing from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday each week or via the Bloomberg Connects app (https://museum.msu.edu/visit/free-digital-guide/) .
https://cityofeastlansing.com/yardwaste


** No-Fee Yard Waste on Monday: East of Abbot Road
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Yard waste, including leaves, plant materials, grass clippings and brush/limbs, can be disposed of at no charge on two Mondays each spring and fall. On these special collection dates, advanced requests and City stickers (https://cityofeastlansing.com/279/Carts-Bags-Sticker-Purchases) are not required. The first no-fee yard waste collection for properties
east of Abbot Road will be this Monday, April 14. There will be no regular yard waste collection west of Abbot Road when no-fee yard waste collection is taking place east of Abbot Road, and vice versa.

Yard waste should be set at the curb no earlier than 8 p.m. the night before collection and no later than 7:30 a.m. on the day of collection. Additionally, please remember these containment guidelines:
* Contained in a rigid, plastic container (no more than 32 gallons) or a paper bag. Must not weigh more than 40 pounds.
* Bundled with string or twine. Bundles may not be more than 4 feet long and 1 foot in diameter. Individual limbs must be 4 inches in diameter or less. Must not weigh more than 40 pounds.

For more information, bookmark www.cityofeastlansing.com/yardwaste.
https://cityofeastlansing.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=8784
A full house at this week's City Council meeting included students from Michigan State University's Urban Planning program and residents from the Southeast Marble Neighborhood.


** City Council Recap
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Actions from the Tuesday, April 8 East Lansing City Council meeting

Appointed Benjamin Lowen to the Housing Commission, Maria Presocki to the Downtown Management Board and Jill Rhode to the Local Development Finance Authority.

Approved creation of a new Payroll and Benefits Coordinator position within the Finance Department.

Approved street closures for eastbound and westbound lanes on Albert Avenue between Abbot Road and MAC Avenue for:
* Greater Lansing Area Moms (GLAM) Jam Summer Kickoff on June 8
* East Lansing PRIDE scheduled on June 14
* Summer Solstice Jazz Festival scheduled on June 20-21

Approved Traffic Control Order (TCO) 495 to restrict parking along Camelot Drive and Dunbar Court to one-hour parking during school hours.

Approved and authorized the City Manager to sign the Operating Agreement between the City of East Lansing and Board of Trustees of Michigan State University (MSU) for SCENE Metrospace, 110 Charles Street.

Approved a one-year contract extension with Gee Farms Nursery and Greenhouse, LLC for the annual street tree planting contract in an amount not to exceed $97,810 and authorized the City Manager to sign.

Approved the annual Pollinator Friendly Community Resolution.

Approved a resolution to support a No Mow May Initiative in the City of East Lansing

Approved a resolution proclaiming April 25 as Arbor Day in the City of East Lansing.

Approved and authorized the City Manager to sign the related MERS service credit application for Andrew Stephenson to purchase three years of service credit from Municipal Employees Retirement System (“MERS”).

Set a public hearing for April 22 in accordance with Ordinance No. 1206, for property owners in the FY 2025 hazardous sidewalk project area to contest the need for sidewalk repairs.

Set a public hearing for May 13 for a request from Hassan Beydoun of Decora, Inc. on behalf of Pizza Wala’s located at 523 E. Grand River Ave. for approval of a Special Use Permit. The applicant request is to allow alcohol service. The property is zoned B-3 City Center Commercial.

Set a public hearing for May 13 to receive comments on Ordinance 1543, amendments intended to be corrections and clarifications to Chapter 50 "Zoning" and Chapter 32 "Signs" of the City of East Lansing's Code of Ordinances.

Held a public hearing to consider the regulatory status of a sub 2-acre wetland located at 2447 Lake Lansing Road. Action was deferred to the next regular Council meeting on Tuesday, April 22.

Had the first reading of revisions to amended Ordinance 1339.

Approved a contract with Moore Trosper Construction Company for $98,086 to replace the basketball court and construct new walkways in Tamarisk Park, with a project contingency of $9,800, and authorized the City Manager to sign.

Approved a contract with Anderson-Fischer & Associates, Inc. for $112,440 to complete Phase III renovations in Emerson Park, with a project contingency of $11,200, and authorized the City Manager to sign.

Approved a request by the Commission on the Environment to allow proposed changes to Section 6-172.302.4, to be drafted by the City Attorney.

Approved a request by the Commission on the Environment to allow proposed changes to Chapter 49, Wetland Protection, to be drafted by the City Attorney.

Approved a resolution authorizing notice of intent to issue revenue bonds to finance capital improvements at the Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) and improvements to the sewer collection system in an amount not-to-exceed $6 million.

Approved a request to extend the approval of a site plan by Timber Sauna Company (Daniel Downes) to install a seasonal sauna park in the vacant lot at 270 W. Grand River Ave. for one year, to expire May 2, 2026, with a ninth condition to the current proposal that says no wood shall be burned on site.

Considered establishing a Special City Council Discussion Only meeting for April 15 at 5 p.m. This motion failed.

Approved adoption of a resolution to provide required notice to Easterly Law, PLLC pursuant to a contract for legal services.

After a closed session, Council approved the tentative agreement between the City of East Lansing and the Capital City Labor Program dated March 20, 2025, and authorized the City Manager to sign the collective bargaining agreement effective July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026.

View the agenda item packet (https://cityofeastlansing.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=8784) for more information about any of the items above

Watch the meeting and hear the discussion on the City's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cpknbx3zvb8) .
https://cityofeastlansing.com/pag


** Charlie Fanta's Art on Display at Public Art Gallery
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A solo exhibition by local artist and "Best in World" taxidermist Charlie Fanta is now on display at the Public Art Gallery on the second floor of the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road. The collection of oil-on-canvas paintings are entitled, "Travels with Charlie." Said the artist, "Painting goes hand in hand with many of my other pursuits as an outdoorsman and traveler. The family cabin on Lake Superior is my favorite place to paint outdoors. Other scenes come from far ranging travels." Visit the gallery in person for FREE through Monday, April 28.
https://www.cityofeastlansing.com/138/Crystal-Awards


** RSVP for Crystal Awards Reception on April 24
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The City of East Lansing will present this year's Crystal Awards -- the City's highest honor -- on Thursday, April 24 at 5 p.m. at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road. RSVP online here (https://cityofeastlansing.com/FormCenter/Community-Events-3/2025-Crystal-Awards-Reception-Reservatio-137) to attend this special community event!
https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/projects-studies/us-127-corridor-improvements


** Construction Updates: Getting Around Town
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U.S. 127 will be in its current configuration, with occasional short-term ramp and lane closures, until mid-June.

Mount Hope Road will be closed TODAY (Friday, April 11) from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the overpass between Aurelius and Mount Hope roads.

Work on the River Trail is expected to wrap up next week, requiring the closure of eastbound I-496 to northbound U.S. 127 at Kalamazoo/Homer streets from Monday, April 14-Wednesday, April 16.

To stay updated on current closures, visit https://www.Michigan.gov/127Corridor (https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.michigan.gov%2F127Corridor&data=05%7C02%7Ccsampson%40cityofeastlansing.com%7Ccf23d9667d7c457b884608dd6d2d4122%7C42c2237340d243c6b22f2c6f445fa115%7C0%7C0%7C638786763326366015%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=1NPsItObPKxP68vcgdr9glIz4fvOC2JERKaSkPKQ1cc%3D&reserved=0) .
https://barre3.com/studio-locations/east-lansing


** Supporting Trowbridge Road During Construction
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Barre3 at 1024 Trowbridge Road offers fitness classes that are a mix of strength, cardio and mindfulness. Bonus: the studio is next door to Blue Owl Coffee and across the parking lot from Fresh Thyme Market, making it convenient to enjoy a hot beverage and pick up groceries all while taking care of one's health. Win-win-win!

Save the date! On Wednesday, April 16, the MSU Breakdance Club is collaborating with Blue Owl Coffee to host a Battle + Workshop from 6-8 p.m. in the Trowbridge Plaza. Grab a coffee, then watch the show and even try some moves!

The businesses on Trowbridge Road have felt the pinch of construction over the past year. Let's show support to these local businesses!
https://youtu.be/peKJJrZW69E?si=qeSTCSEPvVbKD7h-
The 2025 Mayors' Ramadan Unity Dinner will be held on Monday, April 21 from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Henry Center, 3535 Forest Road, Lansing. Hosted by East Lansing Mayor George Brookover and Lansing Mayor Andy Schor, the event raises funds for the Greater Lansing Food Bank. Learn more and purchase tickets to benefit this worthy cause. (https://www.lansingmi.gov/348/Mayors-Ramadan-Unity-Dinner)
https://sciencefestival.msu.edu/
The MSU Science Fest continues this week with statewide astronomy night on Saturday, April 12. Tthe MSU Observatory will have public hours from 7-10 p.m. Learn more about all of this month's exciting events at https://sciencefestival.msu.edu/.


** Meetings & Events in the City of East Lansing
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Sunday, April 13
* 1-3 p.m. Human Rights Commission Coffee & Conversation, Hooked, 3142 E. Grand River Ave., Lansing

Monday, April 14
* 7 p.m. Human Rights Commission meeting, East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road

Tuesday, April 15
* 5:15 p.m. University Student Commission meeting, East Lansing City Hall Conference Room A (second floor), 410 Abbot Road
* 7 p.m. City Council discussion only meeting, East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road

Wednesday, April 16
* 5:30 p.m. Library Board of Trustees meeting, East Lansing Public Library (Large Meeting Room), 950 Abbot Road
* 7 p.m. Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting, East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road

Thursday, April 17
* 8:30 a.m. Age Friendly Communities meeting, East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road
* 11 a.m. East Lansing-Meridian Water & Sewer Authority Board meeting, Water Treatment Plant, 2470 Burcham Drive
* 5:30 p.m. Arts Commission meeting, East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road

**************************************************************************
* View meeting agendas and verify meeting dates, times and locations via
cityofeastlansing.civicweb.net/portal (https://cityofeastlansing.civicweb.net/portal/) .
* Serve on a Board or Commission! Apply for a vacancy at cityofeastlansing.civicweb.net/Portal/BoardApplication/.

https://www.smart911.com/smart911/ref/reg.action?pa=ingham
Sign up to receive text or email alerts (https://www.smart911.com/smart911/ref/reg.action?pa=ingham) for community events, traffic notifications and critical emergencies via Rave Alerts from Smart 911.
https://cityofeastlansing.com/Jobs.aspx?UniqueId=99&From=All&CommunityJobs=False&JobID=Family-Aquatic-Center-LIFEGUARD-751
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