Council - Regular Meeting

welcome to the uh tuesday october 20th 2026 meeting of the east lansing city council at 6 30 p.m the meeting will come to order could we have the roll call please council member whalen council member sing council member meadows mayor pro tem grigsby here mayor altman here is there a motion to approve the agenda

Moved by Grigsby, second by Meadows. Any discussion of the agenda? Seeing none, all those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Agenda is approved. Is there a motion concerning the minutes of previous meetings?

I'll move to approve the minutes from our previous meetings.

OK. Motion by Grigsby, second by Meadows to approve the minutes of the 13th October 2026 City Council discussion only meeting and the 6th October 2026 minutes of the regular council meeting. Any corrections to those minutes? Seeing none, the vote is on the minutes as presented. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Those minutes are approved. Communications from the audience. All written communications received by council are posted on the online agenda packet for today. A reminder that we read those emails as they come in. The council and the city manager gets those em

Thank you for your comments. James McCurtis, Jr. Good evening.

Thank you for your comments. Your time has expired. I don't need your thank you. Could we cut the podium microphone, please? Is there anybody else in the audience who would care to address the Collins? Is there anybody else in the audience who would care to address the council? Seeing none, do we have any callers?

Thank you. Do we have any other callers?

That concludes communications from the audience. We are now on to communications from the council. Councilmember Singh.

Here I thought I went first last week, last time. I think just coming off public comment, outside of, as many know, some of the progress made on use of force de-escalation policy that was brought before council recently. I think there's been additional conversations I've had with the city attorney and city manager on guidelines for the release around body cam as well as standardizing timeline for release of data to LAPOC and also the public getting to a more routine place so just wanting to mention those additional issues that I've brought forth to the core team that we work with on policy mat

letting us know what we can do and what we need to be doing per the issues that we are dealing with in our community. I just would like to say that I sit before you because my fight for justice and equality began in those seats over there and the work continues. Couple different things. The Greater Lansing Food Bank has a mobile food distribution Thursday, October 22nd at 4 p.m. at University Lutheran Church, 1020 South Harrison Road. Anyone who can attend should. I believe that it begins at 4 p.m. The sooner you get there, the better. You do not need to show proof of residency or ID to benefi

I do have a question because the the release indicated that we were going to consult with my Anna Collins and her family with regard to the release of the video and I've not heard anything back on that so I'm asking for some information this evening okay yep

And I'll just, with regard to release of videos, you know, my position has always been that let's just release them. Let's get them out there as quickly as possible. I'll just repeat that that's what we did with the shooting that took place at the Meijer store a couple years ago. And I felt that that was effective in informing the public exactly as to what was going on and why We may have referred all of that information to the county prosecutor who then sent it over to the Attorney General. And I'm not sure whether any of this other information, especially involving Isaiah, has been referred

All right. I would like to know that information. I think the public would like to know that, too. So that's all the comments I have this evening.

Thank you. For my part, I will note that there is, this Thursday, so day after tomorrow there is a community forum for initial discussion on potential on a potential data center's ordinance here at 6 30 p.m registration is encouraged and there's a link on the city website to register so data centers are i think of a broad interest they're getting a lot of attention in the various campaigns at the state and federal level And we currently have a moratorium in place on data centers to give staff time to develop a policy. And I think the outlines of a policy will be on display Thursday at 6.30 p.m

I'll just note that at the Commission on the Environment meeting last night, there was a long discussion of data centers and a very short presentation from planning staff with regard to the work on the ordinance here. It's important that we have an ordinance within the city. I think that The public perception of data centers are these mega data centers like what is going in and sailing Michigan that cover, you know, a huge amount of acres and are projected to use a large amount of water and electricity and drive your costs, the public's costs, up for both of those commodities that are absolute

Thank you. Any further comments from anyone? Okay. That concludes comments from the council, which brings us to the city manager's report. Ms. Irwin.

End of consent? Does that make sense? Okay. City Attorney's Report.

Which brings us to the consent agenda. Ms. Irwin.

I'll just make one anecdotal comment. I knew Martha Bibbs only as Assistant Attorney General. We would interact sometimes to provide advice to the Civil Service Commission with regard to that. But I also knew her in another sense, which... You know, I've campaigned a lot through the city of East Lansing. When I would approach Coach Bibb's house, it would be with the knowledge that it wasn't like some of the other porches that, you know, I might stand on where usually I say, hi, I'm Mark Meadows. I'm running for city council. Please look at this and give me a call if you have any questions. I w

I believe there are family members here. I'd like to invite you to the podium, please.

My name is Tony Bibbs. I'm the eldest son of Coach Bibbs.

So we have the proclamation here. I will sign it as soon as we vote on the consent agenda, which we have to remember to do. Any further comments? Okay. So we have the consent agenda before us as read by the city manager. Would any council member like any items removed from the consent agenda to the business agenda? I'm seeing no takers. Accordingly, is there a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented?

Moved by Meadows, second by Whelan. Any further discussion of the consent agenda? Seeing none, all in favor of approval, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. The consent agenda is approved. And I will take a moment of license here. So that concludes the Consent Agenda, which brings us to the Business Agenda, Item 4.1, Introduction of Ordinance 1584 and Ordinance Amending Section 3 Definitions. Item H of Ordinance Number 1173 of the Code of the City of East Lansing, which provides for a service charge in lieu of taxes for the multiple family dwelling development located at 1801 Nor

Questions for Director Pope? Mr. Whalen.

I have a question. The parameters under which the property owner operates won't change, right, under the new ownership?

Okay. That was my only question. Is there a motion? Turn on your mic.

Thanks, I was silent there, wasn't I? I'm going to move the introduction of Ordinance 1584. I think this is the first reading, so we need one more reading on this or night. And to have it on the agenda for November 17th, our next meeting. Thank you.

Okay, motion by Meadows to approve the introduction of ordinance 1584 and ordinance amending section three definitions, item H of ordinance number 1173 of the code of the city of East Lansing, which provides for a service charge in lieu of taxes for the multiple family dwelling development located at 1801 North Hagedorn and more commonly known as the East Glen Apartments. Is there a second? Second. Second by Whelan. Any discussion?

any objections no i don't have an objection to that i'm seeing no objections so we could plan to put that on the consent agenda at our next business meeting any further discussion director pope i don't believe it can be on the consent agenda okay i think it has to be read into the record again as at the under business but i can

I'll retract that comment then. Okay. All right. We will find it on our business agenda. Friendly amendment to remove that from the thing. Right. Is there unanimous consent to remove that from the? I'm not sure was part of the motion but in any case all right any further discussion okay all those in favor say aye aye any opposed motion carries and that ordinance 1584 is introduced thank you thank you so that brings us to item 4.2 consideration and review of responses to requests for proposals for the city manager search director Kenny

Well I'm hopeful that we can shortlist a set of firms tonight to move forward with scheduling interviews because that depending on councils comfort level the number could be I would say maybe four to six is kind of what I've been thinking after reviewing the set of firms so that is my hope for our discussion is to set forth the next short list to that the city can move forward with an interview process further comments questions

As part of my review, I did an analysis based on a set of things that I am prioritizing for the search firm selection and did an additional analysis outside. Obviously, many of these firms have worked with a number of very well-known cities, and normally references are checked at a different point, but recognizing that they're pretty well-established firms, at least many of the ones that I've prioritized. So that would be my two cents, but I think that that's why the director mentioned, you know, if there's additional information you want to seek, I am of the posture that I want to keep the pr

Um, yes, I was able to do, um, my own research and analysis. Um, it's probably not as death as council members saying, but I do have three that I've narrowed it down to in regards to, um, possibly keeping the process moving. And I'm not sure how appropriate it is. uh, for how we would do that in public and name these, or if we're even at that point where if we're not comfortable enough to kind of do that, we need more information. Um, I can go either way, but I do have my selected, um, firms further discussion.

Well, I'm very appreciative of this. Let me just say that. And also, you know, some information that Council Member Singh provided to me. But I am not comfortable with making those choices this evening. I think there is more information that I'm going to request and also more activity on my own part that I haven't been able to engage in at this point in time. So personally, I would prefer to have this discussion of cutting it down to four to six at our next regular business meeting on the 17th. That gives us about a month. I realize you're interested in getting this done as soon as possible, b

For the public record, I unfortunately will not be present at the November 17th meeting. You know, that happens sometimes, so...

But I make my voice heard one way or the other. So, you know, I'm not afraid. That's what I was going to ask.

I mean, we could put it off until the next meeting, which is only like two weeks later. But if you're confident that you're going to be ready to go right now, so you'll be providing us that information anyway. Correct. On the 17th. Your choices.

Mayor, where are you? Where's the mayor at? Or, you know, Council Member Whalen? Instead of us negotiating amongst a minority, potentially.

And if I could add one thing, I know that I've been around a long time and on this council a long time. This is the very first time that I've participated in the choosing of a city manager. So I'm kind of learning as I go along as well. And even though I've served with a lot of city managers, they were always picked by other councils. So this is the first time I've got to do this.

I was under the impression that's what the task was. So that's kind of where I'm at. And certainly more time to look more in depth and go over some more wouldn't hurt me and my process and what I think with that. So I just want to clear up that's what I thought the task was in regards to kind of making that decision for staff tonight. and I appreciate kind of really because I would have been surprised that this is your first time doing this because that's my leisure leaves my out I usually it's my first time so I'm kind of but I I want to get it right this much like our income tax much like so

So I made one, well let me start by saying that when I suggested the timeline that we're working under initially I thought we were going to get three or four proposals and then we got 14 and so the week was not enough for me to have the time that I needed to look at all the proposals I've made. I made one pass through and I've started to I started to form categories, but I would like to have more time to have a closer look. And I think there may be other more specific requests for additional information. Also, So I'm sensitive to the need to keep it rolling at the same time. I think we're roll

Thank you. I'm struggling a bit. I mean I was ready to just put forth verbally kind of where I am tonight Recognizing you know putting on how y'all wanted to handle November 17th. I am I I am one, any team I've worked with knows that I want them to keep moving regardless of where I am. So that's what I'm struggling with. In this situation, but you know for me, you know in all the hiring I've done from executives to staff level through state agencies to nonprofit leadership and beyond That you know, I've created a matrix based on the priorities that I see for the need of of a leader in this com

So I for one would be interested in seeing the matrix that you created and the analytical criteria and also whatever criteria anybody else develops in the course of reading through all the packets. I think that all that could be part of the next agenda item report and it would help me to see how other people are approaching this and I'm willing to share my own criteria as part of this. I THINK A THOROUGH REVIEW ALONG THOSE LINES WOULD BE HELPFUL IF NOTHING ELSE TO HELP US START THINKING AHEAD TO THE SEARCH AND TO THE PROCESS. SO I'LL GO AHEAD AND MAKE A MOTION TO DEFER FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF

Because I don't... Well, I... Listen when people talk so I can't say my ultimate recommendation when it be swayed by information or points of view like through that discussion, so With that said I was just gonna make the point councilmember Meadows talked about needing additional information and you need to probably back out your date and meaning add a date for responses for the firms to get additional information in, and then shortlist to you by the December date you mentioned.

I personally am not comfortable without the five of us having this discussion. I think we're all equal partners in this. Okay. And I think we all need to be present for it. That's my own personal view. If anybody would like to counter that, then that's...

But I do, you know, I think that I'm trying to interpret the point, but I think The point made by council member Singh is we need to, we need more than just get your, uh, choices to you by the first and then, uh, have it on the agenda of the eighth, because we need to get to staff, any questions that we might have from, for any of those prior to that time. So there's adequate time for us to get the answers. And I don't know exactly what that time frame is, but I would say that maybe any questions that we might have that are to be asked of the applicants to HR by the 15th, does that work? Becau

I was going to suggest getting those requests for information by the 27th, a week from today, because you're going to have to go solicit responses from the firms. Does that work in terms of a timeline?

I think that's just too short a timeline. I'm just thinking if it was, let's just say the week after the election, how's that? The Monday after the election, whatever that is. Well, the Monday after the election would be the 9th. Yeah, I think if we get it to them by the 9th, that should be enough. Do you think that's enough time?

And this task is to reduce the number. You know, we've all got to have our list. But I think that's when we're going to, if we all agree on the four to six, That's when we're going to go start making phone calls on the references to find out what the real deal is here because we can then use that information to change the list, I guess, would be an answer as well. And we have done it. I know that city councils in the past have done something like that.

OK, so let me restate my motion based on the discussion, which is not yet been seconded. OK, so the motion is to defer further consideration of this item to our December 8 meeting with two intervening deadlines. The first is to send any requests for additional information to Director Kenney by November 9. I believe is what we agreed. And then for my colleagues to please send me their shortlist and evaluation criteria to the extent they're comfortable by December 1, at which point I will collate and arrange for them for all those materials to and forward them to the city manager who will then a

Okay, so motion by Altman, second by Grigsby. Any further discussion?

Because I didn't realize kind of what was going to happen. I was going to announce this in our next, but I will not be here on the December 8th meeting. I'll be in Africa. But what I will say is that by the time we get to that meeting, you'll be very clear in my choices and why and what I have going on. So I don't want to, because I'm not here for personal reasons to delay something that's important for the process that's already in play. I wanted you guys to get to that point, and I'm very comfortable and confident in the fact that that discussion can happen productively without me. Again I'm

There's only one. There's only the December 8th meeting.

Let's look for a special meeting date between. Why don't we do a special meeting? Don't look so surprised by the idea. It's a great idea. There is a December 16th discussion only meeting as well.

There is a December 16th discussion only meeting. Yeah, 15th. 15th, thank you.

Well, we could hold a special meeting at night.

We can actually have a special meeting and a discussion on one meeting. You just have to set a different time.

Again, all I'm going to flag is timeline. Okay. This is short list to interview. That means you're not interviewing until January. We are not hiring. until at the earliest, beginning of January, if not February, and the process does not start, that will be a four-month process.

And that's why I think we should stick to December 8th meeting as usual.

Councilmember Singh, are you here on the 15th?

Of December? Yes. Okay. So I'm going to amend my motion. I'm going to ask unanimous consent to amend my motion from December 8th to December 15th. I think we all need to be here for this discussion, and we'll plan to have a special meeting then on December 15th. And I understand the timeline, but I will tell you straight up, I'm not concerned about the timeline we're talking about. That's just me. It's just one view. So I'm going to ask unanimous consent to amend my motion to defer this to a meeting on December, a special meeting on December 15th.

I'm not going to object. I just want to know I'm supporting. knowing there is no support to move forward tonight. That's where we are. Meaning there's not three of us willing to move forward tonight from discussion.

Well, we don't know because we haven't voted on my motion yet.

But everyone's, I mean, said where they stood.

Well, any further discussion on that? So any objection to the amendment to move it from December 8th to December 15th, to a special meeting on December 15th? Yeah. OK. All right. So the motion is amended to change from December 8th to a special meeting on December 15th. Any further discussion of the main motion as amended?

Seeing none, all those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. And this item is deferred as outlined in my motion. I apologize for that. Give hands. Not at all. Grigsby. Motion by Altman, second by Grigsby. The amendment. The amendment was by unanimous consent. Was there a second? Don't need one for unanimous consent. Any further questions about the procedure before we all turn into pumpkins?

good question all right that brings us to item 5 which is a German is there a motion motion by Grigsby second second by Meadows all those in favor say aye aye any opposed motion carries we are adjourned at 8 o 9 p.m.