City Commission - Regular Meeting

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Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. call this meeting of city commission to order and ask you all to join us as is our uh habit with a moment of silence. Please join us in the pledge of allegiance.

I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you. Um, Mr. Clerk, if you could call the role. Commissioner Kilgore, present. Commissioner Knight, present. Commissioner Belchek, here. Commissioner Purdue, good evening. Commissioner Asi, present. Mayor Lrand, present. And, uh, if our interpreter could come up and introduce himself, uh, and explain his role in Spanish. He's here to interpret from Spanish to English and English to Spanish as needed.

Good afternoon. Um, my name is Frank and I'm here to assist people to give public comment in Spanish. Thank you. Um, and that brings us to our first opportunity for public comment. This is for public comment on items that are on the agenda. Um, so if you could reference the item you're addressing and limit your comments to three minutes. Um, thank you. And

can I can I add one thing just so we're clear on what's happening tonight? We do have a public we do have a public hearing later on the budget and on fe a budget and fees hearing. So um just let you know that there's a different time for a public hearing because that wasn't voted on today, but we have a public hearing for the budget um later on in the meeting.

All right. Just for uh clarification, uh can I speak on uh committee of the whole item number four, which is approving the neighborhood investment plan? Is that something that I can speak on? All right, cool. How y'all doing? I'm D. Jones and I am a passionate entrepreneur and visionary and uh I like for the city government as they have adopted 3D printed construction or 3D printed houses. I like for them to continuously and annually make funding available to 3D print houses. The reason that I say this is because I had a conversation with the 3D printed construction company that is in Ohio. This company actually helps high schools get high school graduation credit for learning 3D printed construction. I'm going to read some of the benefits so you understand the benefits and how this plays into the community because we can actually build a workforce. You could continuously have funding available for our local community to actually 3D print houses and the students can actually earn graduation credit that actually can go to their high school uh graduation. And so who do they serve? They serve K through 12 seeking early career paths. Incumbent workers seeking skill upgrades. Justice involve individuals reentering the workforce recovery for community members and displacing workers from displaced workers from declining industry. What uh what participants earn industry recognized credentials, IRC's, apprenticeship certifications, high school graduation credits, and direct employment pipeline access. the revenue sources, school districts, and workforce contracts, state and federal workforce funding, and tuition and employer training agreements. So, I'm going to ask uh my state government and my federal government and my city government and my county government to continuously invest into the community and make 3D printed construction on the plan continuously after 2031 because I've already connected Jennifer Brock who's the director of curricula and uh

Eric who's the supervisor of curricula to this 3D printed construction company that's in Ohio and they're already having conversations about how they can actually add this into the school district's curricula so we can actually have a good infrastructure that actually starts from our local community because education is so vital and our education system is broken and people don't believe in GRPS how they should. But I believe in the things that I've been doing and the continuous passion and energy that I've been putting into this community. Also, uh just to say I'd like to thank JLL because they did recommend the West Grand Neighbor Organization to purchase the school, the Stocken School. So we did uh be uh get recognized as the uh neighborhood organization to purchase the stocking school where we can actually utilize the school to educate students on 3D printed construction uh streaming digital assets decentralized finance. So, as you guys are going to be having fiscal plans in the uh future fiscal budgets, I ask that you also consider investing into the stocking hub once we actually get to close down on this school and actually be able to truly show the community, the globe, the United Nations, the United States, uh what the community can be and how what true grassroots efforts and what true uh staying true to yourself actually brings to the community. Thank you. Seeing no one else, um I will ask for approval of our last me meetings minutes. Can I have a motion?

So moved. Support. All in favor say I. I. I. All opposed. Motion carries. That brings us to petitions and communications. Mr. Clerk. Uh 96 communications received urging the city commission to support funding in the city budget for installations on Kazoo Avenue to improve safety. Received and filed. Communication received from Katie Hoffman. Garfield Park Neighborhoods Association executive director, including 166 signatures on petition to resume the first ward commissioner appointment process and reach a consensus. Seed and filed. Communication received from Scott Achesen regarding the proposed property taxes in fiscal year 2027 city budget. Received and filed. Communication received from Jolanda How expressing support for Kurt Repart for the position of first W commissioner. Received and filed.

And communication received from Lucas Lever expressing support to fully fund Dash in fiscal year 2027. received and filed. Which brings us to reports of city officers. Mr. Clerk. Yeah. The controllers warrant report for the period of April 14, 2026 through April 27, 2026 in the amount of $31,12,771.96. And the monthly travel report received and filed.

And finally, the treasures report for the period of April 15, 2026 through April 28, 2026. Received and filed. Brings us to our next item, which is our cons consent agenda. Uh and for those of you in the audience um who aren't familiar with this mechanism, these are items which have passed unanimously out of committee earlier and have not been removed for further discussion for any reason by any me member of the commission. Can I have a motion for the consent agenda? So moved. All in favor say I. I.

I. All opposed. Motion carries. There being no items removed from our consent agenda, this brings us to ordinances to be adopted. Uh the first is consideration of an ordinance amending chapter 68 of the Historic Preservation Commission. Uh can I have a motion? Support.

And Commissioner Purdue. Okay, here we go. On April 28, 2026, the city commission established today as a date to consider an ordinance that would amend chapter 68 section 5.4041 to allow the city to issue a municipal civil infraction for violations of the historic preservation ordinance. Currently, violations proceed from a notice directly to a misdemeanor. This amendment will bring enforcement of chapter 68 into alignment with other city ordinances and enforcement practices. Thank you colleagues. Well, I will say that um I although I support um the movement that's uh happening in this in this ordinance, I do have significant reservations. And that's because um as it as it sits, I'm I'm deeply unhappy with or un dissatisfied with the um immediate movement for infraction uh for violations of the Historic Preservation Commission orders um to become an incarcerable event. Um but as drafted, this still allows that to be true for uh a fourth offense. And I think we have to have a broad conversation in our uh community, frankly, about what events uh we think warrant potential incarceration. And I don't think that uh violation of historic preservation orders should be something that we incarcerate for. Um I uh I've done a little research on this and apparently we've only enforced uh this with a misdemeanor once in uh recent history. So this is not exactly a uh burning public policy problem from an enforcement standpoint, but on principle

um I think that we should reserve um the power of incarceration, which is a which is frankly a very um weighty thing for any government to do. But I think we should res reserve the power of incarceration uh for things we deem to be serious harms uh and uh act and and so uh I tend to think that um things that you can solve with money or with compliance um shouldn't generally fall into that category. So um if if things can be can be fixed with something other than there there are there are things which we call crimes which cannot be can't be undone. You can't undo an assault. Uh you can undo compliance or lack of compliance with a with a city order. And so I'm I am not I'm not happy to have the possibility of incarceration at any level for um compliance or lack of compliance. Um but this is substantial progress and so I will be voting yes on it because I guess it'd be your fourth offense at this point which would be a misdemeanor. I'm still not completely satisfied with that, but I would much rather have people have three civil infractions before they get to incarceration or an incarcerable conviction. Uh, so it's a great improvement over the status quo. I just don't think it goes far enough. Colleagues, anyone want to have any further discussion? Commissioner Bel. Uh, I'll just say that I think that this is a step in the right direction and I appreciate the work that the staff has done and I am fully in favor of making uh approving this tonight.

Okay, great. Okay, seeing no further discussion, then all in favor of the roll call vote. Commissioner Asasi, yes. Commissioner Purdue, yes. Commissioner Knight, yes. Commissioner Belchek, yes. Commissioner Kilgore, yes. Mayor Lrand, yes. And that brings us to our second um uh vote. And this is uh essentially a companion piece to the item we just considered and that's consideration of an ordinance amending chapter 170 of the municipal civil infractions. Um can I have a motion? Some support and commissioner night.

Uh thank you mayor. This is a companion item again u to the former. On April 28th the city commission set May 12th as a date to consider the ordinance amending chapter 170 municipal civil infractions. um the m municipal civil infraction section of the city code which provides for the ability to issue civil infractions. This ordinance would amend chapter 170 by adding chapter 68 as a listed ordinance with authority to issue civil infractions. And what those infractions look like um for the initial offense is $100. First repeat offense 200, second repeat 400, and then a period of repeat offenses, uh, misdemeanor.

Thank you. Um, any discussion, colleagues? Otherwise, another roll call vote. Commissioner Purdue, yes. Commissioner Knight, yes. Mr. Belchek, yes. Commissioner Kilgore, yes. Commissioner Asi, yes. Mayor Lrand, yes. Which brings us to city commission resolutions. And I would ask for a motion to suspend the rules to consider uh the next two items. So moved. Thank you. Uh all in favor of suspending the rules say I. I. I. All opposed. Motion carries. Brings us to our first resolution. Uh Commissioner Belch. Read the resolution. I'm sorry. This is a resolution authorizing certain special events subject to chapter 53 of the city code. Commissioner Belch. No

motion. I need a motion.

All right. Um thank you, mayor. Thank you, colleagues. Uh this is a resolution authorizing certain special events subject to chapter 53 of the city code which um since its founding in 2014, the armed forces Thanksgiving event has become a meaningful Grand Rapids tradition that honors the service and sacrifice of military members while providing educational opportunities for students across West Michigan. Now in its 11th year, the event brings together veterans, active duty and military personnel, community leaders, hundreds of local students to foster appreciation, leadership, and civic engagement. This resolution authorizes the associated special event activities, including the planned CH47 Chinook flyover. Great if you want to see some planes, uh, as part of the ceremonial program. and that's subject to all required federal approvals, insurance requirements, and public safety measures.

Thank you. Any discussion, colleagues? All in favor say I. I. I. And that brings us to our next resolution. Um, this is a city commission resolution authorizing proof settlement of the matter of Rebecca Lewis as personal representative for the estate of Janice Wilson. Can I have a motion? So move. Support. Commissioner Sassi.

Um, thank you, mayor. Um, on April 28th of this year, the uh, matter that you just previously mentioned was presented to all of us in a closed session. Settlement of the pre-suit claims of Rebecca Lewis as a personal representative for the estate of Janice Wilson. Um, was recommended the total amount of $90,000 and payable to the claimants's council and the estate. Um, the amount includes any and all claims by the claimant arising from the November 1st, 2023 incident described in the claimant's pre-suit correspondence and supporting documentation. Thank you. Any discussion, colleagues? All those in favor say I. I.

All opposed. Motion carries. That brings us to our uh series of public hearings. And although they are listed as five items on the agenda, I want to point out for the public that we're going to essentially consolidate the hearing mechanism. So uh because there are some because there are companion pieces. So item one will stand alone, two and three are be consolidated for purposes of discussion and also four and five. So our first public hearing is uh a public hearing to hear appeals on the uptown business improvement dis uh special assessment role 8804. And do I pardon Miss Lindsay Post?

Right. Uh Miss Post is coming up to introduce the topic and then there will be an opportunity for the public to speak if they wish.

Okay. This is for the Uptown um business improvement district special assessment role. At the crest of the city commission, the Uptown Business Improvement District Board um and the assessor's office has prepared a special assessment role number 8804 in accordance with the business improvement district's plan adopted by the city commission on March 25 of 2025. This is the second year of the plan. Property owners were sent notices on April 14th, 2026 and notified of the charge and the appeal process. The special assessment role has been open for public inspection for at least two weeks starting on April 20th through today. Um to date the office has received one appeal. Today the city commission convenes as the board of review to hear the appeals on the assessments and it's the final opportunity for those notified to file an appeal of this assessment. Um, I'll be available for the next 15 minutes if anybody wants to file appeal and the assessor and the city attorney will then review all the appeals and report to the commission on June 2nd um requesting confirmation of the special assessment role. If confirmed, the special assessment will be invoiced on the July 1st with the summer property tax statement.

Thank you. Seeing no one to speak on this, um this hearing is now closed. Brings us to our second and third items on the agenda which we're going to consolidate. Um the first is a public hearing to consider an amendment uh to the city Grand Rapids Brownfield plan for the Indiana Avenue Northwest uh redevelopment project located at 335 and 343 Indiana. And uh the second is a public hearing to consider the establishment of a neighborhood enterprise zone for the Indiana project located at 335 and 343 Indiana. So Miss Renero, if you want to introduce this.

Thank you. Good evening. Thank you for your time. Uh this is a new construction project uh at Indiana and Bridge on the west side of the city. Uh this will be 29 residential units including a small commercial space. And you can see the breakdown of units there. We've got studios, one bedrooms, and two bedrooms. Uh total project cost $6 million with about five million in construction costs and about 5% of that those construction costs dedicated to our micro, local, our minority owned and our women uh business enterprises. We've got 1.3 million in eligible activity costs related to housing tax increment financing. So this includes demolition uh housing activities including infrastructure and site prep as well as the potential rent loss for those income qualified housing units. Uh for 18 years the life of the brownfield plan uh there will be six residential units or 20% of the total 29 residential units dedicated to households earning uh 80% area median income or less. um that financing gap is valued at $739,152 over the 18-year period. And um just to add a little bit more specificity to what that rent equates to, um so when we're talking about area median income for a family at 80%, we're talking about $50,480. And so for a studio, that equates to uh $1,321. And for a one-bedroom, that accounts for $1,411. Um, and so again, six of the units will be uh maintained affordable for the that 18-year period. And then this is also uh a public hearing related to the neighborhood enterprise zone. Uh this is a 15-year request because uh of the housing component. So the base year is nine years we consider neighborhood

enterprise zones and we're considering an extra six because of their housing uh affordability investment anticipated to start in the summer of uh this summer. And I'd like to invite uh Ross Bank uh Ross Bacon the developer and Jared Loots with Michigan Growth Adviserss to come up and talk a little bit about why the project's important. Hello, my name is uh Ross Bacon. I am um half owner uh in this project over on Indiana A. Just wanted to um introduce myself. Um really excited about this project. Get a shovel in the ground. This will be our first one uh that my business partner and I have uh done. Um I work I have an office um right around the corner from the northwest sides where I lived right when I first moved to Grand Rapids in 2012 with my wife. Um, so, um, I've always had a big interest in the northwest side and when this site popped up right around the corner, um, you know, I we had to jump on it. So, uh, putting about a year and a half of work into getting to this point and, uh, we appreciate your consideration.

Thank you.

Good evening, commissioners. Uh, good to see you all again. Jared Loots with Michigan Growth Adviserss. Uh just wanted to chime in on the brownfield plan again uh as I drafted that alongside uh review and assistance from uh your city's economic development team. Uh just to orient this is on the northwest uh corner of the intersection of Douglas Street and Indiana A. Um there's some you know uh buildings dilapidated buildings that have been around for about 100 years that'll be uh demolished as a part of this project to make way for the new four-story building uh with that covered parking ground floor uh commercial retail space and uh as Sarah mentioned those 29 residential units. So uh uh Ross and team they're emerging developers. This is his uh first real estate development project. I I know they've been uh quite excited to get this project rolling. Uh and really really appreciate your consideration on this one. Thank you.

Yeah, it's very exciting to see um this kind of project going in in the sort of the core of the city. Um colleagues, any comments or questions? Commissioner Belch, it's your ward.

It is my ward and it is my neighborhood. This is only a few blocks away from where I live. I drive by here every day going to and fro getting kids to school. There used to be a laundromat there. I hope that someday we have another one back in the neighborhood. But this is um you know, Bridge Street is growing. We've got a lot going on. And to be honest, these are dangerous buildings. They're an eyesore. It's a huge investment that you're willing to tackle this um because this will not only improve our neighborhood for aesthetics and housing, but it's going to actually make our neighborhood safer. And I I hope that you find some great tenants for the uh real real the retail front. Be interested in seeing how that goes. I think it would be fun to have some more. I mean, we have a lot of coffee shops, but we could have something there. Thank you for your presentation.

Thank you. Uh, anyone from the public wishing to come forward and uh, speak on this? isma. Good afternoon. My name my name is Hammer.

And I was one of the people who got displaced from that area. I was living on Third Street and it was very difficult for me to keep living there because these developments raise the rent substantially

and as an affected person I'm against these kinds of projects. objects. Um,

families move out of there and then people of another color move in with lots of money and live there. and the middle class and lower gets displaced because of that and I don't think that's fair. Gracias. Thank you.

Hello, my name is Sharon Smith. I live in the first ward um on C off of Caesar Chavez. Um while these apartment complexes look promising and may beautify the neighborhoods, I'm concerned about the area medium income that is used. If it is used for all of Grand Rapids or Kent County, that is disproportionate to this community. And I would like to see something where the area medium or the medium income for that neighborhood because our kids are not finding jobs and they're going to be looking for one-bedroom and studio apartments. They cannot afford these. So, I would like to see that um or maybe at 40 or 60% of area medium income. Thank you. Seeing no one else, I will close that first hearing. Our next hearing um is uh uh again consolidated public hearing for establishing property taxes and proposed fiscal year 2027 budget um and a public hearing considering fiscal year 2027 service provision fees to be effective July 1, 2026. And our city manager is going to lead this discussion. Thank you mayor. Thank you Joel.

Uh good evening mayor and commissioners and members of the public. I want to uh provide a brief overview. There have been a lot of detailed discussions. Those discussions are available online. Uh as we introduced the budget and had discuss it in subsequent workshops. The budget was introduced on April the 8, April 28th. Uh we had a work session May 5th and additional one this morning. Again, those are found online as well as a copy of the actual budget itself and all the briefing documents for the public. So tonight, we want to hear feedback from the public. The things that's in the proposed uh fiscal 27 uh plan. The plan uh collectively is $785 million. Uh 26 million of that is from the general fund. It is a continuation budget of all the basic services continuing to follow our strategic plan. our tax uh the millillage rate has been decreased uh 0.11076 mills from last year and as you'll see in uh this chart these tables uh the various components of the property tax millage rate from city operations library refu and parks uh the current rate for um 20 uh the current rate is at 885 meals and it is decreased as I said earlier 8.75 and you see the difference. However, because of the bottom table, we see that the property values have increased across uh the county which and city which is good. Uh since property values are up, the net impact on the millage rate is on average about a $37 increase uh for homeowners. Uh you'll see the various components of the city's budget in terms of the revenue. Our city income tax is a a pretty significant share of the budget. So we uh certainly welcome investment in jobs both for uh increasing the quality

of life for those that are working but also it is a significant portion of our income tax for the general fund 154 million. You see the proportionate um property tax uh around 63 million and the rest of uh the funding to include charges for services and grants as well as other revenue services. Uh also in the packet there is a more detailed breakdown of all the fees. There are,272 fees. The majority of our fees are recommended to be continued as is about 63% about 25% of our fees uh have a slight cost of living adjustment and there are about 12% or more of the fees that are not at recovery that was adjusted higher than the cost of living rate. You'll see the distribution of property tax illustrated in the breakdown of the dollar. What percentage of every dollar goes towards the general fund, library, refugees, capital improvement and parks fund? I think I saw our CFO earlier. This is one of her favorite illustrations. I'll go through a couple of highlights that are in the budget. Again, uh time will not permit an exhaustive deep dive, but all of these uh discussions uh were had with this body in detail, briefings by staff. The largest uh investment in our city budget is for our water system, water and wastewater, $21 million. Uh and that is with keeping sewer rates moderately uh a moderate increase per uh water and wastewater rates on average 2.5%. Uh and we continue to include a significant amount of funding for our lead service line and replacement. We talked about that earlier today. You'll see the next uh investment uh highest level investment for uh public safety both police and fire collectively almost 125 million in the uh police department's budget. uh 1.3 million allocated for 10 police officers that were amended in the middle

of fiscal year 26. Uh this is anticipated with uh revenue that we're able to recover from the state that we have not yet received. Hopefully that will uh be uh we will be able to receive that in the fall. That'll also allow some additional revenue for crime prevention from nonsworn uh personnel about another 400,000. You'll see the budget for the fire department. Uh we continue to this is the operational budget does not include the capital budget for the new fire stations and the training center that we are building online. And again uh we continue to fund the oversight office at about $2.9 million. 1.7 of that is for technology for the Axon contract for body cameras and other surveillance uh uh equipment that the department utilizes. Uh and again there the $400,000 I mentioned that we'll program for crime prevention once state revenue is uh realized. We talked earlier today about economic prosperity and about $19.8 million uh in the city's uh base budget plus an additional uh $49 million I think across the different uh 12 authorities and improvement districts allow investment in neighborhood corridors around the city. significant amount investment in our streets and infrastructure. 48 million for vital streets, another 40 million for parks and community service, and 21 million for refues. Uh pretty significant investment uh for our district court. We've talked about that several times. 13.5 million of that the general fund uh subsidizes about $10 million of that, but overall the court's budget is uh decreased from last year, about 17.8 8 million for the library. We're really pleased uh not only with the opening of the AMP theater that will occur this week, but when we uh approve to dispose of the property

from 2011 market, part of our strategy was to uh have additional affordable housing throughout the city. So, in addition to the affordable housing that will occur uh through the transformation brownfield u excuse me that will occur the transformation brownfield on the F&M project. We'll also uh transfer almost $10 million to the affordable housing fund. Uh that action should take place next week at your next meeting. Uh there's also an additional uh 8.2 million you heard from Mr. Tucker. Uh that was the base amount of federal funding, but it's also supplemented with uh opioid funding and another source. I think we're around um a little over $9 million. uh but of that about 7 million or so specifically address programs uh for the unhoused and housing stability. We also talked today about the millillage and uh the uh mu the zoo museum the zoo millillage and the public museum uh millillage uh that the county oversees and uh hopefully we'll know more of the outcome of that. Right now, it's 50/50 renewal, but uh we continue to have capital investment and sustained capital investment in this budget to support the public museum with some of their infrastructure projects. I think there about $4 million for the al elevator that they're building in their expansion. Lots of discussion around uh mobility and the dash services. Uh we've talked about the sustainability of uh the dash to rapid which the mayor is both a member of the rapid board and mobile GR and both of those bodies talked about uh the uh sustainability of offering a free dash service which we collect no revenues for and uh in order to pay for that other rates would have to increase. So to take the pressure off the parking fund and increase for other

rates, uh the routes were changed. That helps to avoid approximately 1.6 million in annual cost and another 7 million in capital over the next 5 years. Uh this also allows us to keep the uh on street uh meter rates uh parking rates uh the same no cost increase. you'll see the additional positions uh that have been added across non- general fund departments. As said earlier today, there are no recommended um additions to the general fund. We're also continuing the storage program in partnership with Melt Troder, $100,000 to help uh those who are unhoused store their uh belongings. and we are able to continue that with the exploration of uh ARPA funding uh through the refugees fund. And you'll see the last investment with $60,000 for the retail retention uh attraction program. I will say before we go, these are very uh uncertain um times economically, internationally, as well as nationally. And so this budget uh provides uh continuity of services in the midst of a lot of the uncertainty. who are also recommending a transfer of about $7 million uh to the budget stabilization fund uh our in essence rainy day fund to uh prepare for what uh economic certainty uh may lie ahead. Uh that's the end of our my briefing.

Thank you, Mr. Manager. Um colleagues, comments or questions? We've been over this for hours and hours now. Um and anyone wishing to see our discussion earlier in the day, that was a matter of public record and so uh folks can go back and look at that. But um certainly want to thank um this is something that you're very aware of when you sit in our seats, but uh staff spends a lot of time uh sharpening their pencils, looking at the information, soliciting input from us. Um and so this is I think uh a lot for a lot of our staff maybe the central moment of their calendar year um getting this work ready for uh for the public and for discussion and ultimately for adoption. So uh if anyone wants to come up and discuss the budget, they are free to do so.

How y'all doing? I'm D. Jones, passionate entrepreneur and visionary. And I got to ask y'all, first I got to ask the federal government, can y'all send funding to our community because we don't have enough funding for our community. Also, our state government, our state house, can y'all send some funding to our community because we need funding for our community. I see that we have uh 19 million for economic prosperity. Um 49 million for corridor improvements and then uh 8.2 million for in federal funding for community development and 10 million going to affordable housing. I like uh for our federal government and our state government to increase the giving to our community in our budget because we have unhoused people. Uh we have people that's starving. We have people that have IDs that's registered to shelters and um I don't think that's cool. I don't think that anybody should live in poverty. I don't think that anybody should go without healthcare. I don't think anybody should be starving and thinking where their next uh thing that they going to eat at, whether it's from the trash, uh rather it's from some some food that somebody threw on the ground. I really see people picking uh food up and going through the trash. And I don't think that's cool. I also believe that our billionaires, our local billionaires should donate and give funding with these huge projects. I think the the funding for the amphitheater and the soccer stadium, I think we should increase the affordable housing funding cuz I remember I believe they given 8.2 million for the affordable housing. I believe they should increase that. I believe we should have like 50 million from that project or 100 million. I think they can do better. I think our local billionaires can give back and help us increase our city budget because they have projects that are built from our city's taxes, from constituents that work hard, for constituents that get up every day, for constituents that take risks to be able to feed their family and their loved ones. For our

constituents that are, you know, immigrants, for people that are undocumented, I don't believe anybody is illegal on stolen land, but that's a different conversation for another time. But I believe that we should be serving our community as best as we can with these funds. I believe that we should have a higher budget for affordable housing. I believe that our local billionaires, I believe our state government, I believe our federal government should not be uh taking our voting rights, too. But I also believe that our federal government, our state government, especially the state house that's ran by Republicans, should not be withholding funding, should be giving funding to the cities across our state. I believe y'all should be uh speaking to them and I'm pretty sure you do. But we have a Republican state house that are holding up some funds that we can actually utilize to increase our budgets for affordable housing to be sure that we can develop our community and infrastructure better. And I hope that y'all continuously invest in the 3D printed construction. Thank you. Good evening, city commission. I'm Colette Crowley and I am 15 years old. I have a couple of questions for you and the audience. How many of you have ever felt unsafe in Grand Rapids? I know it's a bit of a broad question. Well, raise your hand if you've ever felt unsafe when law enforcement is around. How many of us feel unsafe around the people meant to protect us because we know they aren't there to protect us? This constant fear is a reality for many of our city's residents, for the students you see in front of you today.

The truth is this constant fear is a reality for me. That is why I am here today. Why we are here today to share with you our experiences, our hopes for a better future, and our demands for change from you, our city leaders. We're taking time away from studying and preparing for our futures because we know that one small encounter with law enforcement may eliminate that future. This is about public safety policies in our city. Families in Grand Rapids continue to feel unsafe as violence from the institutions you protect persists. Today, we as students are demanding city budget changes that reflect our desire, our need for public safety accountability in Grand Rapids. We stand in solidarity with Movie Mento Concha. We demand that you adopt their sanctuary policies, building a city that truly values immigrants. As city officials, you can commit to withholding city budget resources from ICE officials, ensuring that our taxpayer dollars aren't led astray. We stand in solidarity with Daycoin Johnson and his family, fighting for police accountability. We demand transparency and an independent investigation into his murder. We demand full accountability for officers who use deadly or lethal force. We demand that the transition of city budget resources is shifted from traditional policing towards community-based safety models. The truth is we all deserve to feel safe in our city. So prove to us that you are

committed to our well-being. You can stand in solidarity with us. By adopting these policies, you will show us that our communities matter, that our families matter, and that we we as young people, we matter. Thank you. Hello, my name is Karina Rodriguez and I'll be a graduate from the GRPS district this upcoming week. I want to start this by saying that I am fortunate to have the ability to graduate with my parents present around me. To have such a privilege or to have this to be a privilege at all truly brought me to a state of shock. Throughout the last couple of months in the havoc of dehumanizing detainings of my community, I finally understood what it meant to be privileged, a feeling I've never felt. To have a piece piece of paper, the luck of citizenship, and to have my parents at graduation is a unreasonable privilege. Through my awareness of my privilege, I still live through fear and through my identity. I'd like to share an experience that I had the day of February 23rd. February 23rd felt no different from any other day. I have my daily route to school, as anybody else has their daily right to work, to school, to anything like that. As I drove down the MLK Street, I thought about, did I study enough for my test today? What's going to be my score that I get on my test today? Midthought and mid turn onto Division Street, all of those thoughts froze. I saw an unmarked vehicle with lights flashing brighter than ever. I couldn't think anymore. All I could

think was, "Don't look suspicious." As if my identity wasn't enough. As I arrived to school, I no longer cared for the results of my test. I worried for the safety of my community, my family, and for all the children that also live in this fear. I arrived home and all I could think was, I can't do anything about this. And I cried for that whole afternoon. I'm here today to honor the advice of my mother and my father, which was to not live in fear, but to use my privilege to speak for others who can't talk or who live in fear. No one should live in fear from any governmental authorities, whether it's ICE, police, or anyone else. And that's not just immigrants, but also people who have been in these police brutality situations such as Dcoin Johnson. Please adopt go such as sanctuary policies that protect communities, children, and families. And lastly, hold accountability for GRPD and the killing of Daycoan Johnson. If you have the power, then use it for real change. And trust me, you have it. Thank you. Good evening, commissioners. My name is Lisette Gallardo Nunes and I'm about to graduate from Grand Rapids public schools as well. I'm on the way to college and I'm here today to speak on the importance of investing city resources into the people and communities that make Grand Rapids strong. As conversations around budgeting continue, I urge this commission to prioritize communitybased investments that create long-term sustability

and public safety for everyone. That includes expanding access to affordable housing, strengthening mental health services, supporting youth programs, and increasing funding for local community organizations that are already doing the work. Too many families in Grand Rapids are struggling to raise rents, house insecurity, untreated mental health needs, and limited access to basic support systems. True public safety is not only about enforcement. It's about prevention, stability, and opportunity, but most importantly, trust. This past year, my best friend and I constructed a cast project standing for creativity, activity, and service, where we came together with family, friends, and community to cook warm and nutritious meals for people in need around our community living in deep poverty. I also asked this commission to consider how budget decisions affect vulnerable communities, including immigrants, working families, young people, and residents experiencing poverty. Grand Rapids should be a city where people feel supported, welcomed, and able to build a future. I hope this commission continues moving forward a budget that reflects these values not only for me but for people all around this community for students for parents for lowincome working families. Thank you. Good evening and my name is Abby and I am a student. I am here today because I believe that public safety is critical to ensure trust within the community. When people are afraid that a traffic stop, a call for help, or even reporting a crime could put their family at risk, trust between communities and local institutions begin to disappear. When trust disappears, communities become less safe for everyone. I am asking this

commission to seriously consider policies that keep local that keep local law enforcement focused on local public safety priorities instead of federal civil immigration enforcement. Our police officers should be spending their time preventing violence, responding to emergencies and building relationships with residents, not families having to fear if their life could change within a second. I also believe we need a stronger transparency and accountability in the way surveillance tools and policing systems are used. Many people in my generation are concerned about how technology and law enforcement practices can impact entire communities, especially communities that already feel vulnerable or unheard. As students, we are paying attention to the kind of the city and state we're inheriting. We want communities when where people feel protected enough to participate in public life, speak up when something is wrong, and trust the institutions around them. It's about safety, dignity, and making sure Grand Rapids is a place where trust between residents and local government can come together in solidarity. Thank you. Hello, my name is Lisa. I'm a freshman in the JRPS district and I would like to dedicate my time to the students who have lost their parents to deportations. Thank you. Okay. Um hi uh my name is Eneta Okawasi. Um I am a senior at City High. And before I start, I just want to talk about what's been going on in my life lately. Um, so today I had a 2 and 1/ half hour exam and tomorrow I have another 2-hour exam that I could be studying for, but I have to be here talking about issues that unfortunately our adults are not taking accountability for, taking action for.

Um, so as you as the commission may know, uh, the GRPD is getting over $75 million in funding. And in my opinion, I think that number is way too large. I don't believe that affordable housing crisis, mental health crisis, and homelessness crisis should be happening simultaneously as the same police force that is murdering people in the streets is getting millions and millions of dollars. like those two things. I just don't believe they can coexist and they should coexist. I think um it's a job of the adults, of the commission, of those in power to take accountability and do things about the issues that are actually affecting our city, not innocent people in the streets. Um and yeah, I just think some real accountability needs to be had. And it's I think it's sad that kids have to come up here, take time out of their day, out of their study time to come up here and talk about the horrors that are happening in the streets. Thank you.

Good evening all. Where do I start? Uh seemed like we've had this conversation before. Um, we uh we can't hear you. You couldn't hear me. I'm so sorry. Um, let me start again. I don't know where to start. We've had this conversation a few times before, but I'm going to bring it up again. Uh, first of all, we uh together with Michigan and King Park neighbors support any effort by the city to ensure the safety of our immigrant uh community. They are important to us. They are a part of us to our issue um traffic uh concerns, safety of our neighbors. I know that there is a budget uh that's going to be approved. And before I go any further, I want to thank our commissioners for clearing some things up for us this weekend. We appreciate it. Um our issue remains um the traffic on Kalum Zoo Street that uh expressway that we talked about. Uh Mayor Lrand, we have asked uh for a traffic signal to ensure the safety of our uh residents. And I understand that in your budget of Oh, wow. I guess it's a big figure. We just want to be a part of that budget. We want some clarity from you as to whether this is going to happen. Couple things over the weekend uh made it sound like it wasn't going to happen that um what we had asked for was not even mentioned in the budget. We just need some clarity, folks, to know what's what's going to happen here. I'm not seeing any smiling faces sitting up there. So, uh, I'm wondering if, uh,

maybe that's not, um, the case. Um, the areas that I'm talking about are Koo and Adams Street, Hancock. I understand that there's a couple of other areas that are in consideration and those areas are important as well, but we just want to make sure um that what we've asked for, what we've told our citizens, our residents that we're going to ask you for is given to us. I brought with us tonight a few folks from Together West Michigan. Um would you folks stand over there, please? This is important to us. If it wasn't important to us, we wouldn't keep coming down here bugging you with it. What we would like is something just give us a little concrete information, something that you're going to do what you said you're going to do. That's important to me. It's important to them. You have said that you would help us with this and now it sounds like maybe you will, maybe you won't. We're citizens. We have a right to bring to you, our commissioners, what we want, and we just want you to be able to do what you say you're going to do. Thank you for your time.

Good evening, city leaders. My name is Daniel Van Muers. I live in the first ward and I've been a 50-year resident of the southeast side of Grand Rapids. I'm an avid bicyclist. That's why I brought out Dr. Seuss tonight. Um, and have cycled since I was 14 years of age. For the past couple of decades, I have advocated for bicycle lanes in Grand Rapids. However, um, we are faced with what appears to be a dilemma. I'm told that before us now is a choice between increased bicycle infrastructure, a bike lane, and human safety. The children and adults who have been injured or killed by motor vehicle violence on Kalamazoo Avenue will probably never ride on a bike lane. Maslo's hierarchy of needs put safety as a foundational need. Bike lanes and beautifification projects are distant needs from safety. Thank you.

Good evening. I'm Deb Van Dynan. I'm a member at Oakdale Park Church and Together West Michigan. Recently a team from mobile GR reached out to our third ward traffic team asking us to meet with them next week which we are glad to do. We have an an idea that uh the conversation will be around um a full stop traffic light at Kalamazoo and Grigg Street. We know that there is a plan to have a cross town bike lane that runs through that area and that's a great thing for the city. We know that a full stop traffic light is a big part of that. It provides safety for pedestrians. There's also a school crossing there. So, the traffic light is a good thing. Um, and in fact, that intersection at Griggs and Kalamazoo was a part of our initial proposal with mobile GR. We know that there's a need there, but when we learned about the cost of some of these measures, we realized that we might have to um change our focus. And we chose to focus on the area between Adams and Hancock because this is a dangerous stretch of road where our neighbors tell us they do not feel safe. Um, we've been told there's $600,000 earmarked for traffic safety. We know that this traffic signal at Griggs and Kalamazoo will be over 600,000 and our request is about for 150,000. So, we feel a little concern. We feel a little conflict. We're unsure about where these funds are going to end up. And um we've had some confirmation from some of you that we will be in the

budget. We know the budget's not done. We've heard from most of you, probably all of you at one time or another, how important the safety of our residents is to you, and now is the time to prove it. We're asking you to make sure that that um four-way stop at Adams and the flashing crosswalk at Hancock is a part of this upcoming budget. Thank you. Good evening everyone. My name is Champagne. I am a third world resident um and community engagement liaison with Oakdale neighbors. So I am considered one of the voices of the residents, the neighbors in that area. Um, I'm always um consistently engaging with the neighbors in the community and I know for a fact that traffic is um at the top of their concerns. Also, one of my concerns with just being in the area as much as I am um which is pretty much every day because if I'm not working in the area, I'm worshiping in the area, driving back and forth to pick up kids or volunteering in the area. So, um there's a lot of people that use Calamus Zoo Street every each and every day. Um the traffic is like a it's a speedy raceway. There's speeding up and down Kamazoo all the time. Um houses have been crashed into. Youth ran over on bicycles. Um even a lady killed on Calamazoo Street. My office building which is Oakdale neighbors have been crashed into. We had $40,000 worth of damage um to our building. So while I'm at Oakdale neighbors, guess what I decided to do? I move my desk from the windows from the doors. I sit sideways so I can see everything around me if in case I got to move there is the speeding is terrible. Um we have youth workers that come to us uh every summer from the Grow 1000 program and we need them to be safe inside and outside of our building

as well as the um the other youth in the area crossing from school and the pedestrians and the bikers that's traveling throughout the street. um wanted to share a couple of uh stories from neighbors that I was told to from neighbors. Uh I know there's a a lady that lives right on Kalamazoo Street and she's in between Adam and uh Haw Street and she's afraid to even get out of her car. Sometimes she have to sit in her vehicle before she get out. She has a heart condition and the the traffic is just speeding. They're driving in the bike lanes and it's just awful. um even afraid to do um yard work right on the Calamazoo in your yard, you know, with your back facing the traffic. Um there's another resident, she lives off of Kalamazoo on a side street, but she will not stop on Kalamazoo to even turn on her street. She goes to the light, goes all the way around just to get to her street cuz she's afraid of being hit while she's driving with her while she's in a car and then she have a son. So, we are desperately in need of common devices to be considered in this upcoming budget. Um, we just got to slow down the traffic. We We are in need of these common devices. Thank you.

Uh, good evening. My name is Peter T. Winkle. I live in pastor in the third ward. I'm here to advocate for those same specific um traffic safety um materials that Together West Michigan is advocating for. And I'm doing so recognizing that they've been at this for two years now. Uh it began with an extensive doortodoor campaign. One of the things you realize when you go doortodoor is that people are pretty cynical about you all. Um too many people are deeply cynical that you're serving the interests of a few wealthy people. Not just over the interests of a majority of people who vote for you, but at the expense of a majority of the people who vote for you. We're not always sure what to tell them because we were here uh when the three towers project came up for a vote and we were here asking you to delay the vote because we felt like we needed more information. Uh we wanted to know how the numbers were working and why there couldn't be a larger contribution to the affordable housing fund and what the return on investment would be not only for the developers but for the city itself. I remember coming across a community benefits agreement negotiated between the city of Nashville and uh the developer of a soccer stadium and I was jealous of how long the list of benefits to the community was and how strong the accountability was. We knew that a better deal could be had. Still the the votes passed save one and uh we still haven't seen the information that we asked for. So when a nearly billion dollar project pops up in the headlines one day and then is approved a couple of months later, it appears that it's easier for a couple of billionaires to get a building project approved than it is for ordinary citizens to get a stop sign installed. And so then it becomes hard to tell people, yeah, you should not be cynical. You should stay engaged in the political process. So I think about the young people who are speaking up here. We want them to know this is

not a performance that this actually matters. So while this may be this silence what billionaires want want, we still trust that it's not what you want. It's definitely not what we want. We simply want our neighbors, as you've heard many times tonight, to be safe. Safe when they send their when they cross the street, safe when they send their kids to school, safe to own a business or run a nonprofit on Kalazoo. Safe whether they were born here or not. Safe whether they have documents or not. We don't think um traffic safety on Kalamazoo Avenue and safety for immigrants and refugees is too much to ask when a few wealthy people get hundreds of billions of dollars without any push back. So we know that no money is going directly from the budget into these big developments, but we're also not naive. When this commission foregoes over a hund00 million in revenue, we know that profits from these developments will not be fairly dispersed across the city. those who need the most will see the least. So, this is a chance to show the people who vote for you that you do serve their interests, making this a safer, better city for all. Thank you.

Hi, everybody. Uh my name is Mike Colby. I am a student at Grand Valley State University. I'm here to stand in solidarity with uh the brave high school students uh today who brought demands and uh criticisms of all of you for your continued support of the GRPD. your continued lack of action on any meaningful front to combat the threat of ICE or any federal agency, not just ICE, be it Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, whoever, who could come into the city and terrorize our citizens. That budget is way too high. That's ridiculous. $75 million to a police force which is acting like an outofcrol wild animal that none of you have control of either. Don't act like you do. The police murder innocent people. Black and brown bodies are piling up. People have warned you, activists have warned you for years that this was going to happen and still you do nothing. You act like these police budgets are necessary. And uh to echo the points that the last speaker was making, at a certain point, if several constituents come to you to say, "We think that GRPD is not the solution to problems in the city. We think there are better avenues to invest in the community, to invest in making people safer, to invest in mental health care, and you ignore it." Or if uh I don't know movie mentocha brings you six wellthoughtout popularly uh popularly decided demands by an affected community and you ignore it then we are left with only one conclusion is that is you either one do not care or two you do care and you have a special interest in funding these violent agencies and not keeping your constituency safe.

So shame on you all. Get it figured out. I dedicate the rest of my time to the families who have been affected by the violence of the GRPD and the violence of ICE. Test test. All right. Hello all. My name is Michael Sigenzo and I'm a GV student and a GRO native. Uh I want to first thank Mark Washington for his wonderful presentation on the budget. I like the colors in the pictures. But on a real note, I'm here not to only ask the city to continue to invest in our communities, but to increase the feeling of safety and actual safety within our communities. That starts with two things. An implementation of sanctuary policies per MTOA's demands and the accountability and further transparency within the killing of Dacoin Johnson. Um, Lrand, you've spoken a bit today and I caught a snippet about how you proved to the preventative public policy matter uh, regarding an individual reandalizing historical sites. And I think it's great how you said that incarceration should be used for an individual who commits a crime that cannot be undone or things like that that seriously harm. And I'd like to argue that death cannot be undone. If Grand Rapids City Prosecutor Chris Beckett can plead the charges of officers involved uh based on the charges of a crime based on another fact that a black man is dead, how can we see true justice and feel safe in these streets? And whether it be streets, crosswalks, police, or immigration, as res residents of GR, we want to be safe. And I ask Kylie now that you listen to your people and your constituents. And thank you for your time, commissioners. Good evening. My name is Sattorii Spicer. I'm a resident of Grand Rapids, also the founder of Sudden Enlightenment. First, I want to thank Together West Michigan for helping me and supporting me in my initiative, but also helping the community and the advoc advocacy work that they do. Sudden Enlightenment was created to build intentional community, especially for young adults and diverse ver voices who often look for spaces to feel seen,

heard, and connected. Through our brunches, we uplift local small businesses, create opportunities and meaningful conversations to help educate community members about what's happening in the city of Grand Rapids. Tonight and many nights, I've heard the conversations surrounding public safety and where our city resources are being allocated. And while policy discussions are important, I also want to remind you guys that true public pol true public safety starts with community. It starts with people feeling connected. It starts with people feeling informed. It starts with people feeling supported. It starts with people feeling valued before a crisis happens. Rest in peace, Dacoin Johnson. Many residents, especially young adults un and undeserved communities, want to be involved and often don't know where to start or don't feel welcome in conversations such as these. That's why spaces like ours matter. As commissioners, as city as city officials, I encourage you to continue meeting people where they are. Not only in meetings like this, but in everyday spaces where community is already being built. seeing emerging leaders, small businesses, grassroots organizations, and residents who care deeply about Grand Rapids and want to be a part of the solution. Our brunches happen monthly. Our next one is May 24th, 12 to 5. I ask you all to come just to be in community with the people. See what they care about. See what issues that bother them before you guys start making policies and making changes that people honestly don't care about. And it's only going to be a few group of people that come here. So, I ask you guys not only let the community come to you, but come to the community and hear what they got to say as well. Thank you.

My name is Scott Aerson, third ward resident. I'm here to speak about property taxes and the budget, you know, and the fees, too. But one of the founding fathers said, "The power to tax is the power to destroy." And I'm just taxes in general. So, I'm going to sing you the song about taxes. This is a song about taxes. T A X E S. Sales, income, property. What are the rest? Before we sing about taxes, what's the difference in a tax and a fee? I guess it does not really matter when it's government and your money. They want to tax your car, want to tax your gas, want to tax your utilities, phone, internet, cable, and electricity. They want to tax you when you travel. Hotel motel tax. They want to tax you on a toll road or to park in a parking ramp. They want to tax you when you come. They want to tax you when you go. They want to tax you when the sun shining, raining in the snow. Oh, this is a song about taxes. City, county, state, and the federal government with the biggest rate. They want to tax your driver's license. Want to tax your license plate. want to tax your airline ticket at every airport gate. They want to tax you when you hunt. They want to tax you when you fish. They want to tax you any way they can. Ain't that a taxing situation? Would founding fathers say you're in a taxing situation. Have another tea party. They want to tax cigarettes, tax the booze, even want to tax my water and food. This is a song about taxes. Imposs amigo de masi. They've got import, export, exile, inheritance, luxury. It's all about revenue from people like you and me. This is a song about taxes. Just what do you get? More overdressed, overpaid bureaucrats.

This is a song about taxes. Just what do you get? If you do not pay them on time, you're going to get interest. This is a song about taxes. Just what do you get? More police officers to write you more tickets. This is a song about taxes. Just what do you get? I'll tell you one thing that you don't is guaranteed health benefits. This is a song about taxes. Going to be a part two song. This is a song about taxes. And they even won't tax my dog. Well, that's a tough act to follow. Um, but here I go. So, I know there's been a lot said tonight about the budget for the police, and I'm also aware that you can't do anything about it right now because of the city charter and the 36.5%. So, understood. So what the what the next thing is is we need to change the city charter because before we do that we can't it it's going to be what it is but that doesn't mean that the money that can't be spent differently within the department and I think that's where the conversation probably is. Um, we we we can still have some accountability. Some like the fact that most of the budget for the oh the accountability office is going to body cameras is bizarre, right? Like another corporation is getting that money. Like that's insane. That is not oversight. I that's just more like corporate handshaking and deals and whatever. Anyway, um and and I noticed there was some overtime and like more personnel and stuff. And I think everyone in this room knows that's not to keep anybody safe, but it's to keep property safe,

right? We have a new uh amphitheater. We have a new soccer stadium. That is where those cops are going. They're going to they're going to go and make sure that nothing gets harmed. Nothing gets harmed. People don't really ever count in that. So, let's also don't pretend like cops care about humans. They don't. Uh, also I just want to I want you all to kind of look at these students who are here right now and I'm going to assume that most of you are thinking like I know Lrand, you're so tired. I'm so sorry. It's hard to listen to all of us. Anyway, uh I I want you to like look at them right now and and I'm going to again I'm going to assume most of you are like, "Oh my gosh, that's so great. Look at them participating in like civic things and like good for them and they're graduating. Woo woo. But I really want you also to think about them being in a different environment, right? What if they're not in the city building? They're out somewhere in the streets. They're like having fun. They're living their lives, but they're black and brown, right? So, so I don't think you would see them the same out there. And I know the cops absolutely won't see them that way. So, I just really want you to think about that. Aren't they adorable and precious right now here, but will they be in different environments? Will they be to you? Will they be to the GRPD? Something to think about. Good afternoon.

First, I want to say that I'm very inspired from all the students being here tonight and um it's not from Coet that they're coming here. They actually invited us. We didn't organize them. As far as the budget is concerned for next year, the proposal it's $75.4 million for GRPD to separate families

or to help separate families and I'll explain to you how they're doing it. and also $75.4 million to the police who are assassinating people of people of color. That's not okay. I'll explain to you how they separate families. In case you don't know,

I drive and they pull me over. uh for something simple. Maybe a light was out

and then because they're racist, they take me to jail. And the jail shares that information with ICE.

And then ICE put something on me. It's called an icehold. That's how they're cooperating because of my skin color and maybe a burnt tail light. It happens to everyone, but for me, that light that's not working puts me in a lot of trouble. That is how the corporation works. If there was a police that was colorblind and that would just give me a ticket like everybody else for some traffic violation. But that's not how it works. And I've seen it many, many times.

That's why I'm against spending $75.4 million on the police department. Even though you're saying they're not cooperating, but I I've seen it. They are cooperating.

And that's why I'm asking you to pass the sanctuary policies that we've been asking for. and to change your mind on how to resolve simple traffic violations. like police not being armed. Kind of like when they give out parking tickets. Those people, they also charge for traffic violations, but they're not armed and they just give you a ticket. Why can't we do the same thing with other traffic enforcement that it doesn't involve gun or uh force? So part of the budget could go to some morei civil tests and not for violent ones. think outside the box and do something better for our community.

Gracias. Thank you.

Good evening. My name is Justinda Swanson. I live in the third ward and have spent almost 30 years researching and teaching democratic theory and social justice. I am so very grateful for all these engaged principled students who have shown up to speak one in favor of concrete policies to mitigate the harm to our immigrant neighbors and to end GRPD's cooperation with ICE and two for major changes to policing. Far too many people, especially black people, have been killed, assaulted, arrested, and harassed by GRPD. and too many activists trying to create a better world have been needlessly arrested under GRPD tactics that reinforce Trump's fascist agenda. The proposed GRPD budget includes 1.7 million for an Axon contract including body cameras. Yet, as policing expert Andrea Richie points out, the failure of body cameras to prevent police violence while increasing the surveillance that fuels incarceration, detention, and deportation has been well documented. Other experts observe that body cameras footage is frequently controlled, delayed, selectively released, or weaponized to shield officers from accountability rather than than to provide transparency as frequently happens in Grand Rapids. Instead of spending millions of dollars on cops who harm us or who overwhelmingly show up after crimes are committed, property crimes, often the city should start investing in common sense programs that actually make people safer like secure housing, clean water, mental health services, public transportation, affordable child and elder care, nutritious food, and water pipe mains that do not break and damage people's

homes. and cause illness from black mold. The proposed budget includes 75.4 million for GRPD. As Jess Smith explains, if the GRPD budget was reduced by only 5 million, that could provide enough money to cover the costs of rent for 277 people for a year. If we are serious about having a democratic form of city government, we need one, as Jeff argues, a full-blown participatory budgeting process that would allow for a full year of discussion, debate, and development of a budget that would truly meet the public's needs. Two, full community control over the police, including an independent citizen controlled police oversight body fully empowered to review police harassment and violence and hold wrongdoers accountable and set policy. Three, to revise our city charter to replace our unelected, unaccountable city manager with better resourced and many more city commissioners who listen and serve their constituents, not just the local oligarchs like the Devoses.

Hi, my name is Alex. I'm a resident of Grand Rapids. I volunteer with Rapid Response to ICE. First, I want to point out that nothing about this budgeting process truly values public input. There have been 90 plus% of the opportunities to engage in the budgeting process or when most of us are at work or at school. like this the process of getting public engagement has to be way more drawn out before this is in any way representative you know of what you know of what the public wants and needs. I also want to point out that the the amount we spend on policing to, you know, the amount we fund them to oppress, you know, to oppress our neighbors and our communities is, you know, morally reprehensible. If we reduce the funding down to the even just the minimum in the charter, which the minimum in the charter should morally be zero by the way, but the the amount of better services, affordability, and other priorities that could be funded, you know, is immense. But now that we've we fund GRPD to qu, you know, to cooperate with ICE and despite everything we've been told, like folks like Hemma said, um, we we see it weekly. You if they're not directly assisting like they did in the case of when when Byron was when Byron was detained, they're surveilling those of us opposing ICE. They're providing scene security for ICE. And I've seen and I've seen the pattern of them providing scene security and surveilling those of us doing this work for the almost 10 years I've been involved in this fight.

And you constant and even outside ICE the constant violence that black and brown communities see the see that we're funding that my tax dollars are funding. you know, is horrific and should be spent on actual community safety. The other thing I want to mention related to police violence is so I so when I'm not volunteering, I work in early intervention services for students with for very young students with very severe behavioral challenges. And something that keeps me up at night is what happens when these when these kids encounter GRPD when they get bigger or even worse when they're adults. because we're doing everything we can, but some of them are going to have these challenges lifelong. And and instead of funding goods, better services and better supports for them, we're funding the very people who were the greatest threat to to them living, you know, safe and fulfilling lives. Hello friends, Mark from Grand Rapids on this budget. I can care less about how the money is spent. What I care about is where should this money be allocated to the most? Now listen to these Now listen to the people here earlier talking about the what's what's going on on on Kalamazoo. Some request traffic lights, but the traffic lights are very expensive.

They're expensive to set up. They're expensive to maintain. My suggestion is they just put roundabouts in that area. Big giant roundabouts on those intersections that they was discussing complete with bubout extensions. And if need be, some pedestrian warning signals. That's where that's where your money should go. It's a lot cheaper. It won't interrupt the flow of traffic and it will decrease the Martin Dragway tactics that goes on in that area. So you better think about this because money you spend on other things might not go might not go that far because you be you might be asking for more money. That would be a problem. So think about it. and have a more suitable solution to this these budget decisions. Thank you. Russell Homemstead, First Ward, West Side. Uh on the budget, I want to uh um there have been a series of

recommendations that have been put forth around um uh oversight and accountability for having to do with uh recommendations around the civilian appeals board for the city. Some of those recommendations may in fact take budget aotments. And from what I've been reading inside of proposals brought forth at this point, I haven't seen any sort of aotment that might account for that. if depending on what those um findings are when the when the mayor come or mayor, pardon me, the manager comes forward with the uh uh with what the recommendations are around those things that have been put forth. So, I'd like to see that put in at least some sort of discussion around what can be set aside for possible aotments around that. It wouldn't be a lot of money, but accountability takes money and we have to fund our values. If we value accountability, we have to fund it and we have to do so properly. And that means taking the time to discuss it, to set up an aotment for it, be deliberate, be intentional around it. Uh and on that note, intentionality, um funding our values, uh Quisetcha as well as numerous other people have been coming forward for such a long time around these recommendations, these six demands. I know that there's been debate, especially from the mayor, on whether or not it's necessary, uh whether or not it's not. We also talk so much in this city, about we can try this. If it doesn't work, we can change policy. This was brought up when we changed the dash routes, right? We can try this. If it doesn't work, we can come back and address it. But when it comes to situations like this where there's a movement of community coming forward for years to discuss these things, to try these things, to help support people, to help stop and mitigate and minimize the harm that's happening inside a community, to help restore trust, to

help go after the trauma and address the trauma that is happening in these communities. We don't try. We don't try it and see if it works. We don't listen and see if it works. And I'd ask you to rethink that. I know it's hard. I know that there are a lot of problems from thoughts of what can happen, what can open the city up from a liability concern from federal bureaucrats, especially with the current administration. But you're elected to lead. You're elected to represent and support us in these moments, to support the community in need in these moments. So, please try it. There's no harm. If it doesn't work, we can address it just like we've tried on so many other things. Thank you.

I'm Jessica. I live in Grand Rapids Land. I just have a pop quiz question for you. Can you recite three commentaries that the community members have said in the past few minutes cuz I haven't seen you pay attention to not one person up here, which is pretty common for you. But anyways, let me get started. City commissioners, you are not bystanders. You are not neutral. You are the architects of what policing looks like in this city. You decide the budgets. You define the priorities. You choose what safety means and more importantly, who it's for. So, let's be honest. If policing in this city feels violent, excessive, or disconnected from the needs of the people, that is not an accident. That is a policy choice. And that means it can be changed. Now, I understand when we say abolition, some of you freeze. You say it's unrealistic. You say you can't imagine a world without policing as we know it. But here's the question. What kind of leadership refuses to imagine something better? If you can't imagine abolition, then at the very least you should be able to imagine this ending over policing. Because right now, what we have is not safety. What we have is surveillance. What we have is punishment for poverty. What we have is an overinvestment in force and an underinvestment in care. So let's start there. Let's start by defunding the conditions that lead to overpolicing and funding the solutions that actually keep people safe. Imagine a program right now today that removes police from the mental health crisises. A program that sends trained community responders instead of armed officers. A program that interrupts cycles of harm before they escalate. A program rooted in care, not in control. That's not radical. That's responsible. That's being human. Imagine investing in housing so people aren't criminalized for being unhoused. Imagine funding youth programs so kids aren't targeted before they even have a chance. Imagine restorative justice practices that actually heal harm instead of reproducing it. That is how you eliminate overpolicing. And let's be clear, let's be clear, this is within

your power, Mr. Lrand. You don't need permission. You need courage. You need to grow some balls probably because every dollar you choose to move, every program you choose to fund, every policy you choose to pass, it shapes what safety looks like in this city. So the question is not can we change policing. The question is, will you will you continue to fund a system that escalates harm, or will you invest in one that prevents it? Will you cling to what is familiar, or will you lead us toward what is possible? Because the community is already imagining it. The community is already building it. The only thing missing is whether you will stand with us or stand in the way. This is your moment to decide what the side of history you'll be on. Not in words, but in actions. Mayor Lrand, you also stated in the elevator um what you can't do, but I I'm assuming based on your history, you need it spelled out to you since the community already knows you're not the brightest crayon in the box. You said you want freedom for all immigrants. So, put your actions where your mouth is and find a way to get that army and get that started. mayors. Under the 10th amendment, local governments cannot be forced to enforce federal immigration law, allowing mayors to pass policies restricting local police from assisting detainers.

Three minutes is is is up. Okay. Well, I'm going to say free Kai, justice for Dcoan Johnson, justice for Patrick Leoya, justice for Riley Dogget, justice for Samuel Sterling,

for all stories, and free Kai and boycott long facility. Hello, I'm Jasmine from Easttown and I invite everybody to drive by the intersection of Lake and Robinson in Easttown where we've now have the biggest traffic light I have ever seen in my life. Um, and I've never I've lived there for 25 years and I've never heard anyone asking for a traffic light there. There's another one about 10 ft down the road. So, um I wonder if we could maybe shave this one in half and put the other one where people have been working for two years to get a traffic light. But seriously, why are traffic lights getting so expensive? I mean, this really looks like it could go could survive a nuclear attack. And I just think it's somebody should be taking a look clo more closely at the costs of these things and at how we prioritize the traffic lights because uh people have been waiting for a long time for that one. So let's let's pay attention. Thanks. My name is Charlie Snedetker, lifelong resident, Kent County. Um, first off, I I wish that gentleman that sang that song had stuck around. I wanted to I wanted to commend him. It was a great song. Great song. I've got a poem. Okay. Patrick Leoya, Riley Daget, Samuel Sterling, Hank Wymer, Dquain Johnson, Patrick Leoya, Riley Dogget, Samuel Sterling, Hank

Wymer, Dcoin Johnson, Patrick Leoya, Riley Dogget, Samuel Sterling, Hank Wymer, Dquain Johnson, Patrick Leoya, Riley Doagget, Samuel Sterling, Hank Wymer, Dquain Johnson. Patrick Leoya, Riley Dagot, Samuel Sterling, present. Hank Wymer, present. Duane Johnson, presented. Patrick Leoya, present. Riley Dagot, Samuel Sterling, present. Hank Wymer,

presented. Duane Johnson presented. Patrick Leoya present. Riley Daget present. Samuel Sterling presented. Hank Wymer present. Dquain Johnson presented. Patrick Leoya presented. Riley Daget present. Samuel Sterling presented. Hank Wymer present. Duane Johnson presented. Patrick Leoya present. Riley Dagot present. Samuel Sterling present. Hank Wymer present. Dquain Johnson, presented. Patrick Leoya, presented. Riley Dagot, present. Samuel Sterling, present. Hank Wymer, present. Duane Johnson, presented. Patrick Leoya, presented. Riley Daget,

present. Samuel Sterling, present. Hank Wymer, present. Dquain Johnson, presented. Patrick Leoya, presented. Riley Daget, present. Samuel Sterling, present. Hank Wymer, present. Dquain Johnson. Patrick Leoya. Riley Daget. Samuel Sterling. Hank Wymer. Duane Johnson. Patrick Leoya. Riley Daget. Samuel Sterling. Hank Wymer. Duane Johnson.

Do not forget these names. When you give GRPD $75 million. Do not forget these names. These were people. They're dead. GRPD is the cause.

Seeing no one else, uh we'll close that hearing on the budget. Um, and that brings us to public comments and anything that anyone wants to address that's not budget related. Although I did obviously give some latitude there to folks who were not directly addressing bud budget issues. Um, so if you can announce who you are and what you're uh where you live, that'd be great. Uh, D. Jones, we know where you live

for sure. I'm D. Jones. I stay in the orchards at uh 910 apartment 1D. Uh so a couple days ago I spoke to a uh CEO that is uh in Ukraine. He uh runs a company called Adline Technologies and I was speaking to him and he didn't have fluent English so he had to have a translator. It was a beautiful lady from Ukraine and she was translating uh everything that I was saying to him. And so I was telling them how I uh don't believe that our president and our federal government representation of the things that they're doing and the genocide and the bombings and the killings that they're doing across the United States doesn't reflect every American's values and what we think that you know that is wrong. And so I spoke to him about that. He was like, "Thank you." You know what I'm saying? Cuz I actually had to uh our company was actually hit by some of the stuff that the United States have been doing. So, they had to relocate their 3D printed construction company to another city. But they actually have the cheapest 3D printers on Earth. They're actually piloting. They have 3D printers for uh 50 to 160,000. And it's crazy because they are also trying to come here. He said, "We like to supply and uh help with adaption of our 3D printers for Michigan projects, a joint workforce for programs in Bulgaria and Michigan, and federal grants and pilot projects and affordable and sustainable housing." That's a conversation that I had on Friday. And then after that conversation, the same day while I was in Holland, Michigan, I actually uh had that conversation with the guy from Ohio from the 3D printed construction. And then I spoke to Community Action out there in Holland. And I canvas and collect some signatures to get cash out of politics cuz I'm tired of all of these bad politicians and people being bought by our elected I mean by these big companies instead of serving the constituents. They lie to us. They deceive us. And I'm tired of people lying and deceiving me. And I'm tired of people lying to and deceiving the constituents and not standing on

business and not standing to that oath. Because if I ever run for office, I don't care what it takes. I'm going to take the hard-nosed challenges. I'm going to face the community. I'm going to do what's best for the community as I do as a person. Regardless if I have to take a hit for speaking out about police brutality or affordable housings or holding the billionaires accountable, I'm going to keep doing that. And I'm very, very happy. being excited to say honestly again, thank you JLL for recon considering us for a recommendation to purchase stock and school so we can get to the core root of the social issues things that politicians can't do or we can work beside politicians to fix because I believe I'm a great leader and I'm going to change things and I've already proved that I'm a great leader. I brought the largest esports regional finals after we ended our partnership brought 39 high schools and colleges to the Devos place. And this year on Thursday when they passed the clarity act for the markup I'm going to have a conversation to bring 80 schools to the divorce place this year. Y'all have a good night. John second ward call a couple commissioners and uh a couple people by name and it's not going to be negative. Mr. Hondorp, uh, your city clerk staff treated me very well today. They were rockstar staff. I recommend, um, I need a precinct map of the city of Grand Rapids, not in three pieces. It would be wonderful if you could put it into a uh PDF file that I could download and then take to FedEx or something like that to print myself because you used to have the old rollup maps and what you have now is insignificant for what I need to use it for. Commissioner Knight and Commissioner Yasi, I feel we are being underserved by transportation in the Crestston neighborhood. I have to walk a mile to the bus stop to walk a mile to the amphitheater. That's two miles. I am not handicapped

enough to be handicapped, but I'm handicapped enough to not be able to walk that two miles. The third issue is you change the rapid or the uh dash. I used to get on at the the other city place. I used to park in the parking lot for free after hours and take the dash downtown to city events on the weekend and that you've eliminated my access to get downtown. I can't afford to what I have to do. I've had to take budget cuts in recently just like I suggest $75 million to the police department do. I'm a 61y old 6'2 250 lb year old white male. I let the police department know they're number one every time they drive by me after seeing the dem militarization that they've done. I shouldn't be doing that. I remember when policing was cool, not the BS we have today. But that's what we got to do. We need to bring back the Leonard and Monroe Street uh dash stop. We need a uh better map and we need to bring back better policing. Thank you. Um, thank you. Good evening. Uh, my name is Bua. I'm on speak. I apologize about the way I speak is due to my stroke. Um, I feel touched by all that's been presented and would like to initially make a a request with

the fact that I'm disabled. Now most of you know me before as not un non disabled and this has caused my pred predicament. I'm yet because one accessing this floor is rather difficult for for someone like me. First of all, I don't have all the nice uh uh push chairs or facilities that that others have. I've just recently had my stroke in August 2024. Therefore, I have to walk to come up to the various facilities. None of the staff have been able to help with me to access this floor. though I also have to walk and having to ask the young lady to come to the podium. Secondly, um my disability is asking me to request from you me as an individual who is a business owner. I I have a company called Taste of Africa, Michigan and I am operating from uh Kalamazoo Kazu station. Um I've been on that street for years and um I'm back there already working as a disabled person. I therefore I'm appealing for you to consider that effect. Someone like me has to use that road on Kalamazoo Avenue. Please ensure we have some form of access. I

don't like when I I jaywalk the streets because it's it's it's a long way to walk down to go to the ex for example hub 07 um I have to jaywalk as soon as I can see there's no traffic I walk past um the the last p reason I'm here is because I am a member of the business the Boston Square business association. I I realize my time is has finished. Um I'm also

your stroke ma'am you're speaking slowly so take your time.

I'm also here as a representative of a treasurer of the business uh Boston Square business association. We have had um difficulties uh getting ourself um ready but I have been with the business association from his inception and I've decided to stay on it um because we needed to to thrive for businesses in our area and the I I represent a lot of businesses in the KU station itself and and and therefore really would appreciate uh more concern for such businesses to operate in that area. We we use that uh cross crossport. Uh we have to cross across to the new facility built and and do our business catering from there. And it it is it it is therefore very um um uh disheartening uh to find that the crosswalk may may not be approved. It may be approved but I'm I'm here to represent uh for those three concerns. me as an individual person I'm now disabled and will continue to be disabled but I have interest I continued I want to run my business which is taste of Africa from the area I am also I'm continuing my role as a business business Boston square business association

member to keep to keep businesses is I've been thriving in the area. Thank you.

My number is Herves. I'm Ha again. Um,

I've already talked about how the police is cooperating with ICE.

And now I want to tell you how you as local officials can prevent that. The six sanctuary policies are not imaginary. It's not something that can be done. In other counties, and other cities, it has been done. ICE.

The first one is to prevent any contract 287g with ICE. The mayor said that it's not something that he could change and that is incorrect. We have talked to several lawyers.

There can be a local ordinance in the city that prevents those contracts. that can be done and also the information that gets uh collected and shared with ICE by the city.

That's another thing that city can do as an ordinance. So the from the six two can easily be done now. So when are you going to do it?

One of you is going to do it. What are you afraid of? You afraid you're not getting money for your campaigns? Why aren't you listening to the community? And I also want to talk about how the police is treating people of our color.

I normally don't talk about my family, but I will do it here as an example. is my son is biracial. He is um Latino and also African-American. My grandson,

it's um fantastic to have my grandson living with me. He's a baby, but I'm afraid that when he grows, the police is going to assassinate him. because it has already happened. And that's why I want to tell you it's time for you to bring justice to those families and what happened to them. If if I were in your situation, I don't know how you can uh sleep. If somebody in your family would be in that situation, what would you do? How would you feel? You are here in a position in a chair where you have the power to change things. Make the changes mark back. As I said before,

the United States of America is become the donut hole of the world. We have Republican states snatching up districts, slicing them up, gerrymandering Without the will of the people, these people are going insane. And if we're not careful here in Michigan, they can do it here. We don't want baggy maggot Perry Johnson or that racist Anthony Hudson to become governor. They going to make this state like Louisiana, you know, 46 in 46th in healthcare. 47 48th in 40 44th in health in healthcare. 46th in education, 48th in infrastructure, 49th in the environment, 50th in the economy, 50th in crime, 50th overall. That's the bottom of the barrel. This is why we have to mobilize, get registered, and go vote. Now, it's too bad the high schoolers didn't stay because the ones who are the ones that are

graduating, they represent the worst demographic of voters. If they want change, tell your parent, tell their parent, they can tell their parents to get up and go vote because these midterms are now more critical are more critical than ever, federal, state, local, school boards, the whole schmo. What I want to see is 85 to 90% turnout because if we if we because if we vote on numbers, the bad guys won't have no power, which is what they want. Thank you. Revenge 2026. Thank you. Seeing no more public comments, I will um we will move to comments, closing comments by commissioners. Uh Commissioner Purdue, are you comfortable first? Great.

Good evening everyone. Thank you all so much for coming. Thank you so much for sharing. Um city manager opened up uh one of our hearings uh tonight. Uh we have been in budget talks for several several weeks. Um, and I think what I heard from you all tonight and what we hear throughout the year as we engage on what's important to you is certainly um, not just what policies we have in place and what budget we have in place, but also um, ensuring that we have accountability and a mechanism to make sure that the policies that we put in place are working as intended. Um I hear concerns around affordability, continual push to to to to act in alignment with our values and to be biased towards action. Uh so thank you all for continue that's what I heard from you all today. So thank you for sharing that. Um also want to recognize a lot of the young people who spoke today. Many of them I recognized from the annual kids speak event. Uh that is an event where young people in our in our area in grades K kindergarten through 12th grade give testimony on an issue that's important to them. And this year they were invited to give testimony on a range of policy issues at the local, state, and federal level. And so you heard I recognized some snippets of those um testimonies and um I think you all can agree and have agreed that they're really um valuable. We have a lot of amazing talent in our in our city. Um, I want to recognize one of the students that spoke to us tonight is one of two Gates scholars that is graduating from GRPS. Gates uh scholarship you earn. It is very very competitive. Only 1% of applicants are chosen. I mean two of our own students from GRPS were were chosen. So I want to recognize that. Um, thank you all uh to together West Michigan for for coming and continue to talk about um how we can move our city forward. I think we've been in conversation um around uh the progress

related to traffic safety. So, thank you for your true leadership and advocacy um to elevate that concern and work closely with department staff, work closely to make sure that we we we understand and hear you loud and clear from walking Kalamazoo with you last summer to see uh for ourselves exactly what you mean. Um and we appreciated that. Um and um you know always open to continue to have discussions um of how we can continue to live our values and protect our neighbors in ways that um truly do align and live out in our policies and our budgets. Uh so thank you all for coming and uh I'll be around after if folks want to continue the conversation. Thank you.

You um Commissioner Kville.

All right, third word first. Um well, thanks everybody for coming out this evening. Uh we've had good conversations uh since 8 a.m. this morning. I love a productive day uh to the hundreds of folks who have organized throughout the third ward. Uh we've been talking about this for many years. The money is allocated. It is happening. Uh we h we of course have not approved it yet, but we got uh clear direction and support from our our colleagues today uh that they are going to support uh what commissioner Purdue and I put forward which includes 600,000 in fiscal year 26 for street calming along Kalamazoo. What you all have illuminated for us and staff is a need for increased transparency on our processes, right? Uh so we will continue to be lock step with you all as we assess what works best. Um it's sort of like baking a cake from the feedback that I've gotten back from staff of we want to make sure these steps are right so we get the best baked cake and that it's not disjointed. So what that means is we're going to make sure that um what comes first is also in line with the mobile GR strategy and prioritization which we've already done. So it's going to be a coming back of that. We will come back to that. June 2nd is when we have the next economic development project team meeting. In addition, I am so thankful that Miss Smith followed up with you all as I talked about uh today. Um I'm so thankful for uh that uh timely communication with you all and I will see if I can attend that meeting as well. So we have not lost this. We have heard you. Um, and I appreciate it as this is very uh necessary for not only the third ward, but travelers, folks from every ward co going down to Kentwood to 28th Street. It is important. It has not been lost and it's going to happen. In addition to that fiscal year 26 allocation of 600,000, we are actively working with Miss Smith and

mobile GR to see what an annual um uh aotment for uh traffic safety and calming could look like possibly for the third world equity fund. So how can the 600,000 as you said things are expensive, inflation is real. So, how are we going to continue to make sure that this is a a linear motion in the direction of safety for our ward? So, it is a part of our concerns. It is for the good of not only the third ward, but our whole community. So, thank you again and look forward to continuing that conversation. But it's happening and um excited for other budget things, but uh even before I came into elected office, I was really excited about treat uh safety. So, um, to keep my remarks as, uh, short as I can, that's what I'll drill into. And thank you all again for coming out. Good evening.

Thank you, Commissioner Knight.

Um, not a lot to say. Um grateful that that conversation especially around the uh the safety and thinking about the um um third ward equity fund and how uh we can reimagine how some of that funding can help continue a process of doing work over in the the third ward. Um, also to the the comment from the gentleman about um uh parking. Unfortunately, we we don't control the rapid um they are their own entity. Um and they make decisions on where they place parking or um uh bus stops based on ridership and all of those other things. and knowing that the dash we did have to scale back on that for this year and uh hopefully we'll be looking at that and seeing what the impact is and some creative ways to do some different things. I think mobile GR is talking about uh possibly some shuttles that will be able to go uh deeper in communities and areas where the dash can't meet. Um and so that people will have those opportunities. Um but that continues to be looked at and so um hoping that we'll come to some uh solutions with that as we continue to move forward. And that's it.

Thank you. Uh Commissioner Yasi,

thank you. Um thank you all for coming out tonight. I'm going to talk twice as long because we didn't have time to talk at the last meeting. Um, but I'm glad uh, you know, I I told Commissioner Purdue, I'm like, if they don't get this traffic stop, um, not that I don't want to keep talking about it, but I also think like in a lot of these conversations, I get maybe the uncertainty and it's a big big packet, right? And it's overwhelming. And quite honestly, in a lot of these conversations, we don't get down to the project level, I would say, that typically happens. So, you know, that's something that was different. But um I think Kalazoo is a very interestingly designed street. I think it's hard to navigate and I've lived here my whole life. Um so yes, that was affirmed I think pretty pretty clearly in the meeting. So even though I am not a third word commissioner, I just felt the need to to kind of say that. Um I want to bring a couple of things to celebrate um before I respond to a few other things. one um this week is I think the 48th annual Heritage Hill Tour of Homes. And after a lot of constrnation this fall about if the Voit House was going to be sold and turned into um high-rise condos, uh I'm really happy that the neighborhood association was able to work with the museum. Um thank you, thank you, Dale, for that work and the volunteers of that board to make the Voy home um Voy house to be one of the stops. And so that's actually a pretty big deal. So, congratulations to them and check it out if you're around this weekend. Um, there's a lot of things to do this weekend and some people will be going downtown and some people want to do something else. I also want to congratulate a really important first W business, Maggie's Kitchen, celebrated 43 years in business. Today, we talked a little bit about um the importance of supporting small businesses. We also shared just the difficulty of supporting small businesses during this time. So,

um I miss their their 43rd anniversary, but I look forward to going in a few weeks with some folks um because they are a staple in the first ward and in our Latino community. Um I want to also respond about um a few things about like what are we able to do and try and what are we doing or not doing? Um, I think it's hard to sit up here sometimes and you're running through all the things like what have we done, what have been the investments. I have this packet that has kind of like all the investments that we had in the budget process. But one of the things that I think is a really good reflection of not only this body, but bodies before staff, certainly staff since you've been here, city manager, is um our co-response model that we use with our police department. Um, this was something before I got in commission that I think was an idea that a lot of individuals had but maybe was not seen in practice. And so, you know, for me, I talked a bit today about how are we like how do we not chase like the next thing or we want to do this thing because they do it in Columbus or they do it in Cincinnati. Um, but really saying what have we invested here in the city and how do we make it stronger? And so to me, our co-response model is one of those things working alongside our police department. I had the ability to see that in action when a constituent friend um was going through the eviction process with somebody um somebody who continually called on them and made complaints um and then after they were evicted tried to break into the home and I went there um because I wanted to support my my friend and my constituent and I just had to stay a little bit away because I don't know how everybody stayed calm in that situation. Um I was impressed by it and I think it's something that we need to continue to do more of. Um and I think that's something we're constantly evaluating and so that

is a significant investment that we've made and something new or different um with our public safety. Um I also think you know uh we live in this constant like how do we how do we feel safe? And just last week, a number of people um didn't feel safe when they were on um a school soccer field and have a lot of feelings about it cuz that's where my niece goes to school and I pick her up and I drop her off and you know I think there's a lot of comments about you know this this community isn't safe or this I don't want my kids to go there and you know I think the the reality was is so senseless where somebody shot somebody else and obviously it's got to go through the courts, but it was over something so small and just so frustrating how that was. Um, and I don't have the answer for it. I read like many of you, I think, put out statements or comments and I saw some of other colleagues did and I think everybody was just sort of in shock. And so, Commissioner, you brought up today and you have continued to bring up like how do we hold space for these things? How do we make sure we're there in that moment? And I think many people are working to do that. And it's also like I think the the staff members are trying to do that. Some of us wanted to go there the next day and then they continue to have school closed. And so I wanted to bring that up again only because I did talk um or I did um know some of the folks who are related to the individual um young Jeremiah who was shot, one of the individuals who who lost their life. And you know they're like why can't we have police here and making sure people don't have guns? And you know, my response is I do I do believe in a comprehensive robust public

safety system. And I don't think if somebody if a police officer was down the block that would have necessarily prevented that shooting from happening. And I think that's hard to hear because in that moment people want security and certainty and knowing that how did we make sure this doesn't happen, including myself. Um, but I know that also through all the other efforts, the collective sort of very complex public safety investments we made that the answer is not that simple. Um, I do um I do really think that we're going to have to continue and I know this body um has also said what are the things that we can work on a state level and just having two easy access. How does a 18-year-old have access to a gun? And I know some of you up here are responsible gun owners. And maybe I'll be there one day with you, Commissioner. Um, but I think we need to talk more about, you know, what guns do. And I think in our in a lot of our communities, we've just been like, "Guns are bad. Stay away from them." And we're not communicating how serious how serious a weapon they are. And so, I just wanted to bring that up. I I I do know the family was very uh grateful to GRPD for the life-saving measures that happened on the playground. Um even though uh Jeremiah did pass away, there was also talk about traffic stops and and back in 2017, we did engage in a traffic stop study sort of looking at what are where does our longitude and latitude of how do we respond in these instances? And this is again something I would say city manager that we worked in terms of policy on of like having the discretion and the judgment and those traffic stops. Um just last week I had somebody reach out to me and I shared with city manager and with um my colleague in the second ward of an individual who um called me after their their spouse was involved in a in a an accident. And the individual that hit

them was somebody who didn't who spoke Spanish, didn't speak English, and they were very concerned about what would happen to them after this traffic stop. Um they worked with the officer to be able to have somebody to come on site and to do some translation and were uh assured that there would not be any actually any ticket at that point. Um and were able to confirm that the person was able to confirm that the person got home. I'm getting really into the weeds tonight and I realize that but there was a lot of things talked about tonight and um that person said, "You know what, Commissioner? um I I don't know what to believe. I don't know what to trust. I see these things happening in other cities. I see them happening in our city. And in that moment, we were able to use that discretion, that judgment that we do apply in those traffic stops. That has been again something that we can try. We have the ability to um because that was really something that came out of that 2017 traffic stop. Um I I think I have been on record and will continue to say, you know, uh I think the conversations around a sanctuary city and policy. Um the 287 agreements typically, you know, as a city different than the county commission or the sheriff's department where we would say that that sheriff has the ability to move forward with any policies that they want. They don't need the oversight of this body to do that. um of their body to do that. That is different here. Um we typically make uh policy of things that we will do in the affirmative versus things that we won't do. If we don't do them, then we don't act upon them. And um you know many of you have seen Commissioner or I'm sorry Mayor Lrand and I spar sometimes up here you know and and and but what I would also say is I know very deeply mayor that um

you are looking at ways of to make sure how we are not criminalizing individuals for their immigration status and I appreciate that even if sometimes I I don't always agree with you. I'll be honest. Um, and you probably don't always agree with me, but I do know that this is something that you've looked at critically. Uh, you have asked both our city attorney, our city manager, have spoken with our police chief, and I think I can't speak for all of you up here, but I know many of you, we have talked about this extensively of how this plays out in practice. Um because in 2000's 2020 I think there was a lot of things that we did in particular I remember uh my colleague Commissioner Repart really wanted us to put forth and we did uh you know a resolution um I don't remember now but legalizing the mushrooms or not legalizing but you know psychedelics and when it came down to it or you know decriminalizing it there were about six counts of individuals being charged with this like six people over like seven years. And so the one thing that I feel like I've learned over this time is that there is a lot more power in the individual police practices, indivi individual uh policies that we are having in terms of how say our police department moves forward with these actions and activities. Um, so I would say that the last couple things I want to say and I'll try not to belabor these too much is on the dash just for everyone. We did hear from some people I would say this has been in my inbox and today um we we while we're having this budget discussion we are constantly every single month and every six months ago and the six months before that affirming what are the things that we are interested in investing in. And I think we had to make the difficult decision that is often a budget of how many

people are impacted by one decision. And last year we made the unanimous decision that we did not want to see rate increases to parking rates overall. So what does that mean? There's no revenue from the dash coming through. We have to make a decision of how this gets invested. Um and I think that I've also heard from many people who utilize the dash but more people would be impacted by that parking increase. And that's how I made that decision to move forward with that. Um, I've also heard from businesses that they felt like the current model or the previous model uh was not working in its current format and that we need more people to be able to support that investment overall to have that share and that it just didn't it didn't feel right to continue for that model to be coming fully out of their general fund. Again, hearing all the number of things that we want to invest in. And then lastly, because we didn't talk about it um here today, we had a a meeting that was adjourned the last time we met to talk about the first word appointment. Um I know there were a number of individuals who really wanted us to come to a resolution, myself included. Um in the last meeting, we didn't we continued to be deadlocked and um while that is frustrating, what I was more frustrated about is that we didn't give a closeout to people. And so here's the closeout. Uh essentially is that we are deadlocked. So that means that the seat is not going to be filled. I would say at this time um I do remind everyone that our charter requires us to fill this seat. And so I expect that this body will unanimously appoint whoever wins and certified and we can figure out what that language is. Um who wins that election in November. Um and so I want people to know that that is closed out. At least that's how I'm considering it. we had some conversations to have ongoing conversations. I didn't agree with that. I wish I would have been a little bit more forceful that day to say what I'm hearing is that we're deadlock and this is not going to be filled. So,

that was a lot of stuff today. Uh but there was a lot of comments made. There were a lot of topics reviewed. We're in the mid middle of our budget cycle. Um and um just didn't have that opportunity at our last meeting. So, thank you. Have a good night. Commissioner Bochek.

Thank you, Mayor. And uh thank you, Commissioner Isas Isasi. Um I appreciate the update because I was hoping you you covered quite a lot of ground that also was on my mind. So, thank you for doing that. Um I've been uh deeply listening and hearing and I want to say thank you to everyone who not only was here and particularly the young folks. Um I just want to respond that um I absolutely see each and every one of you who come here or who I run into or who I see online uh as individuals. I do not see you as a group. I do not see you as something other than your unique self. So, it's always great when I can hear people talk and speak their minds here. Um, no matter their age. And so, I'm proud of those young folks. And I'm uh really grateful for the people who have reached out to me both in concern, in uh constrnation, in care, in all sorts of other feelings in the last few weeks. Um it's been uh a lot to be um handling, managing, sharing, and digesting. But something I haven't had a chance yet to share, and I hear it a lot today is something I've been sitting in very deeply and working on uh since February is this big big question of what would it take to scale therapeutic healing to a communitywide, citywide level? Because so many of our issues that I'm hearing come down to us feeling like we're a community not at odds with itself. Whether it's small groups or big groups, circles within circles or circles that don't touch other circles. And it's really important to me that we learn to both trust ourselves so that we can have a voice so that we can speak our truth to someone else and also be

willing to openly listen to another person even if they don't agree with us or challenge us to think differently and to be able to trust um the community decisions that we're making in these different groups like together West Michigan here tonight or Cassacea or um all the other people. And I include in that the work that our public service folks are doing here. Um that includes the city manager and all the staff. We have a public service uh a week last week no um celebrated and today we're we announced that we're celebrating um public works personnel. So these are the people that are day in day out literally in the dirt, in the water, in the streets doing the work that keeps our city infrastructure functioning. And so I think it's important to remember that what does it take to create a safe community is not just one person or one entity. It's all of us. And I did have the opportunity to celebrate the fire department who had their last graduation cla class at the old building. Um and that was actually my first time in that building. So um it was interesting to see all the steps that they have to go through. So congratulations to our graduates. And uh we have lots of fire safety folks for that reason. And I think that we have to remember that what does it take to create trust and community healing is going to be also need to come from within our various departments including our police department. Um but there's a lot of people who care and a lot of people who uh want stability struct the trust the safety the dignity and and the solidarity that we heard about tonight.

So, I'm sitting in my own big questions as I'm listening and I'm thinking about and connecting with people who can help make those changes. I'm consider I I want to I want to spend a little bit of time focusing just on my own ward here in the Roosevelt Park neighborhood in particular um because I was horrified by what happened and very very saddened and this is where my concern would would go and I've had an opportunity to meet with the Roosevelt Park neighborhood president. We talked quite a long time about what would housing look like in the neighborhood, what would um investments in the neighborhood look like, and what would um other ways that we can make the neighborhood even more vibrant and and really for the residents that live there. And then yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak with the RPNA, Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association executive director, and I I introduced that idea of what would it take to scale therapeutic healing. and um we're talking about what are the considerations of the neighbors and the conversations that are having cuz people may not even want to come out to the brand new uh reopened uh farmers market that is being held there at Roosevelt Park. So we may be able to do something in collaboration as in myself and others in the community to help sit with people and listen to those conversations because I think that it is important and our budget process is part of the reinvestment back into the community. We do um Commissioner Assassi talked about the co-response model. We have quite a bit of money allocated to that. We have quite a bit of money allocated to victim advocacy. We have um a lot of money. I'm very proud, happy to say. Uh $1.47 million allocated to re redoing or making investments into the Roosevelt Park Lodge and the park there. 350,000 to Lincoln Park and $500,000 I think is

in there for um improvements to continuing the renovations in Sullivan Field. So, we need when we're out in these community neighborhoods, in our green spaces, I would like to offer my own challenge that it takes a village and that these spaces can be places where we can find healing together. City clerk,

a song about elections. No, I'm I'm kidding. Not a song about elections. Um, so to to to put on what Commissioner Belch just said, I was al I had the honor of being at that um the um give the oath of office for those new firefighters and it it was a surreal I post this on my Facebook page too. It was a surreal week because it was public um services week and and and it was also municipal clerk's week and so I thank someone who thank my staff today. I do have a great staff and so we all serve that together. So, and then on, so that was Thursday night, we did the oath of office of the new firefighters. And then on Friday, I had the opportunity to go to up to GRCC and one of our friends in her um mid to late 40s got her RN degree from GRCC and was pinned as an RN and seeing those nurses giving um getting pinned to be um to do service. So, it was just it was a great week of watching new people getting into new service fields. Um, and and that's that's why if you want to call us bureaucrats, that's why we do that's what we do. We we're called the public service. Um and it, you know, we can joke about taxes and various other things, but the um sure the as we look at the America's 250 and we look at throw, you know, the Boston Tea Party and throwing things. Sure, they were opposing what was happening to them from somewhere across the ocean, they didn't get rid of taxes. They just wanted the taxes to stay in their community. And I think that that's part of it as we as we look at it. And um I I know Scott was doing that kind of in a tongue-in-cheek way, but um and I'm sure he's going to get some trends on that, too. I already noticed he already is getting some views, so from other people. But um so but but with that, I mean, I take it as um someone who's been a clerk for 26 years in in government for for quite a while. My dad was a

30-year employee for the city of Grand Rapids and the water department. I we take we take public service very seriously and and take it as a as an honor to be able to ser to serve the public at whatever um role we have within within this body and the public can be involved too. We're always looking for more people to be on our boards and commissions. I'm always looking for more election inspectors. So, um if you don't want to be just on the outside, you can be on the inside, too. Um there's there's room at the table for all. So, that's it for me. City attorney Nothing. City manager.

Thank you, mayor and commissioners, uh, for your work today and tonight and to the staff who, as you acknowledge earlier, uh, done so much to, uh, make this budget proposal possible. And I've u wanted to let them know appreciate the work that they're doing. Also want to uh just acknowledge uh Commissioner Kilgore mentioned $600,000 for the uh traffic safety and mobility improvements from uh the third ward fund. I also want to highlight that in fiscal year 27 budget uh as proposed there was a $700,000 allocation uh for the same effort. Um I also would like to acknowledge our uh newly appointed city engineer, Miss City Urban. Congratulations to her and know that she's going to do good work. We also announced uh the restructuring of the uh resource or the contract for our retail retention attraction program now will be overseen by her department. Um also this past week we announced the uh beginning of the recruitment process for the police chief and there's a search that's uh going on. Deadline for applications is June 5th. I'm so grateful for uh the service of uh all of our officers and including our interim police chief and looking forward to um the conclusion of that process which will likely uh be the I think the week of June the 15th I think is uh what we're tenatively targeting now. So more information will come out on specific dates and that'll be an opportunity for the public to also meet the finalists and provide feedback before a decision is made. next week at our public safety uh committee meeting. It's just next week. We've been meeting four weeks in a row. Um looking forward to the update. Uh after the uh Dcoan Johnson shooting,

there were several uh commitments that were asked for from uh this DAS. One was a review of all the uh deadly use of force incidents since 200 over the past 5 years. And we did that uh Siri. it went uh police uh deputy, excuse me, police chief Trigg did a great job of going through those incidents. Uh the second commitment was to uh do some benchmarking analysis around the uh pursuit policy and we'll have that uh discussion hopefully next week and our oversight office and Mr. Davis uh is leading that effort and um looking forward to the uh opening of the amphitheater this week. I know much uh discussion has occurred around how to safely get there and all the mobility options. So, I appreciate uh all of our partners as well as the staff and making sure that everyone can have an enjoyable safe experience. Uh the 15th is a ticket event. Uh but the 16th uh the very next day is a community uh event open to uh the public at no cost. And so hopefully uh you'll be able to make one or both and look forward to seeing everyone. Thank you.

Thank you, city manager. Um to the few of you who are left and I guess largely I'll be speaking uh maybe to my colleagues as much as anything else. Um I want to discuss two things and and um discuss them a little bit in in detail. The first is um there was a one of our comment uh one of the people who came up and made public comment today talked about their um length of time working on an issue. Um I have been working in the law enforcement space in one form or another for 36 years. I began my career as a prosecutor in Kent County as an assistant Kent County prosecutor and I spent a number of years in that space. I um was one of two people assigned essentially full-time to be working on uh domestic violence prosecutions for a number of years. Um I have um spent a long time working with law enforcement and particularly with GRPD, other agencies too. But um I it's not I maybe it's not my place to apologize, but I want to apologize to uh the men and women in GRPD for some of the tenor and some of the characterizations that we so often hear and hear. Um, I am a firm advocate for and I've spent many decades of my life working on restorative justice, working on the problem of mass incarceration in America, working on how to provide a better justice system that is not slanted based on uh wealth and that's not slanted based on uh race. But I have yet to meet a law enforcement officer who went about their job operating out of malice. I I go on ride alongs roughly once a month and the officers who I see doing their job are trying to enforce

and administer justice within the parameters that they are set by policy. and they do that work courageously and they do that work with good faith and with the best of efforts. Now, of course, with 300 officers, not all of them are perfect. I am not perfect. I have made mistakes in my life. I will make mistakes again. Uh it is not reasonable to assume uh a standard of perfection for any one or any group. But it is also deeply unhelpful, I think, to make blanket accusations uh that police are operating out of malice. I don't think it's helpful in any respect. And so, I want to apologize on behalf of this commission uh to our law enforcement for the tenor of some of the dis the comments that were made tonight. And and it's not the first time, and I'm I'm afraid it won't be the last. I am glad to hear conversations about how we can do justice better in our community. And there are so many things we can do better. And there are things I've spent years of my life working on. I spent years of my life trying to fix cash bond in Michigan. Um I'm still I'm not haven't given up on that fight. I spent years of my life uh broadening the doors for expungement possibilities that have helped 1.2 million of our Michigan residents to get their records cleaned up. We became the first state in the country to do that automatically and nine states have copied us since. I spent years of my life trying to get uh uh largely uh vulnerable communities off of child protective services list registries that they shouldn't be on and and got 400,000 people off that list in Michigan. I'm deeply concerned that we have a justice system that's fair to everyone and treats everyone the same. And I am not asserting a monopoly on that. That's one of the reasons I am so proud to be on this commission because I know that everybody up here shares those concerns

and those priorities and I know because we've had conversations about it. So I am not trying to assert a monopoly or a or a position of unique passion on this issue. This commission is passionate on the issue of justice. I want to point that out because it is true. I mean again ju just to ground in my work in domestic violence um domestic violence cases are very hard to prosecute. They are repetitive. They involve people who often have exhibit the same behavior again and again and again. And if we don't have law enforcement who are able to hold those folks accountable, identify the bad actors and bring them in for accountability, we're leaving a lot of vulnerable people unserved. Um, so to to suggest that we can have a world without people doing that sort of work is is a real stretch for me. Now, one of the things I'm really excited about is work that we can do outside of traditional law enforcement. I'm excited about the idea of having a new mediator. I know I I know many of us are excited about that and many of us are excited about the about the work that we're doing in co-response. Many of us are excited about the real work that we are doing to house people with mental health issues and and and uh substance abuse issues and have them not be caught up in the criminal justice system. Uh there are people up in this das who are very closely connected to work on trying to come up with alternative strategies uh to incarceration. Um one of my fellow commissioners has a spouse who's working in that area. one of my fellow commissioners uh worked on a project like that for a number of years in her in her former job. Um so alternatives trai additions to tra traditional policing are things that I think many of us are very passionate about and also doing policing better. But I also think that that's true of every single good person I know in law enforcement that they're always interested in figuring out how to do things better, how to be

better at peacekeeping and problem solving. And um I guess that for me that means that when we have conversations about improvement, I really um I'm saddened by straw man dynamics uh or dynamics that uh put someone impute malice or impute lack of understanding to somebody um on the other side. So I'll transition then if I can to the other conversation we had again and again tonight. And I don't know whether this is a flatout misunderstanding or whether it's a straw man position. Um but there are there are pe a number of people who have come up and said again and again and again that we should adopt the the six policies um that are largely associated I think with being policies suggested by COA and uh Russ uh you specifically said why not try it. Um the answer to that is we're doing them all. And that's why I don't understand the conversation. I really don't. And so uh just for sake of clarity and and particularly for my colleagues and because I'm a lawyer and I've spent some time looking at this, I want to enumerate those policies briefly and talk about our position on them. So, um, the first of those policies, uh, is, uh, a demand that we, uh, prohibit detaining individuals on civil immigration warrants. That language is exactly in our current GRPD policy. We are, we have a policy that specifically aligns with what we being with the demand that's being made on us. In other words, they're demanding that we do something that we're already doing. So, that's a tough barrier to get across. other than a barrier of communication. The second policy is a policy that prevents GRPD collaborating with ICE. Again, we have a policy in place which tracks what other cities uh like Chicago and Boston do very carefully and very

closely which say that we do not participate in ICE investigations. We do not ask people about their immigration status. Um, now there is a I I'll leave it at that, but I I I I I invite you to all go and examine those uh those policies and I'm happy to have an open dialogue about them. Um, but the fact of the matter is we have a policy that specifically addresses that demand. The third is a policy that we that we uh we prohibit sharing of flock data. Again, our police chief has said directly that we do not share flock data. First of all, we certainly don't share it with ICE. Uh, but we don't even share it with outside entities by and large. Um, so, you know, there's the possibility we get hacked. There's the possibility that my credit card could get hacked. But our policy is that we do not share that data. I mean, pardon me, our practice is that we do not share that data. The second is that we have policies that ban 28, pardon me, the fourth is that we have policies that ban 287g agreements with ICE. Our city attorneys identified at least three policies which specifically would prohibit us from entering into 287g not uh agreements. Now those of you who are curious can go look on the ICE website and see what a 287g agreement is. It's enumerated on the on the ICE website. You can also with a little research find entities in the state that have entered into 287G agreements. We are not one of them and that's and there's and and there are a number of reasons for those. one is the moral commitment of this body, but the other is we already have a policy in place. So again, that's a demand that we do something that we're already doing. Um the fifth is that we have a policy uh that prevents us in uh pardon me, policy opposing uh detention centers in the city. The city hasn't had a detention center since we closed the city jail I think in the early 1900s. So um if uh we're talking about, you know, ICE detention centers, there are none of

those on the horizon I know of. uh we can get into federal preeemption uh conversations, but we don't have any detention facilities. And the final so so I don't I don't see how we how we respond to that other than that's where we are. And the final one is and and this is one that frankly when I had a conversation with uh individuals uh who were advocating for this at a town hall meeting, they agreed that this was not a that this policy wasn't really internally coherent or enforceable. And the last that so that the last one is how they how they stated it was policies that prevent us entering into agreements us the city entering into agreements with entities that have current contracts with ICE. And I said well as I read that if ICE has got a contract with Gordon Food Service to get Pepsi and their uh vending machines then we can't have a contract with Gordon's. or if they had a contract with uh Microsoft to uh support their computers, uh they'd want a policy that the city stop having a contract with Microsoft. Um so it's not even a disinvestment policy. It's a I guess sort of a poison ivy policy. Uh and it doesn't make much sense to me. I don't really see how the city could realistically expect itself to go around and ask ICE who it's entered into contracts with so that we can make sure that we don't have any overlap on who services our computers or provides soda pop in the in the vending machines or uh any of a variety of other issues. And frankly the group agreed that that policy didn't didn't really make sense and they said well we're not lawyers so I am a lawyer. I don't understand how that policy would be realistically implemented. Um but the other policies um I'm afraid that the vast majority of those people who made those points have left. Um but for my colleagueu's sake, um I spent a lot of time and energy on this and I will say and I I think I speak for the whole commission that every single person on this commission

is committed to valuing the dignity, the safety, and the and and the human value of every resident of our city. Now, we like people in Wyoming, too, but our job is to represent, honor, respect, and take care of the residents of our community. And I don't care what their citizenship is. And I don't think any member of this city commission uh cares when we're asking that basic question. And anything that we can do to increase the flourishing of the human beings who reside in our city, we are committed to continuing those conversations, to not resting, to not uh shying away from conversations. But I hope that we can do that in an atmosphere of respect and grace and curiosity rather than in conversations which start with imputing malice or with attributing positions to people which they simply don't hold. So thank you all for being here tonight.