What’s Happening
- The Grand Rapids City Commission held a special session to interview the three finalist candidates for the vacant First Ward Commission seat. After three votes, the Commission was unable to come to a decision on the appointment, and the seat remains vacant.
- Vote 1: Split vote 3-3 for appointing Kurt Reppart, Commissioners Ysasi, Knight, and Perdue voting for and Commissioners Kilgore, Belchak, and Mayor LaGrand voting against.
- Vote 2: Vote of 2-4 for appointing Dan Cope, Mayor LaGrand and Commissioner Kilgore voting in favor.
- Vote 3: Vote of 3-2-1 for appointing Kurt Reppart, with Commissioner Belchak abstaining.
- There is no set date to revisit the appointment, and there is no requirement for them to fill the vacancy.
- The Grand Rapids City Commission will hear the Fiscal Year 2027 budget recommendations from City Manager Washington on Tuesday during a special work session.
- The Commission will meet weekly until they approve the budget in a few weeks.
- The Chamber Government Affairs team will provide further details on this budget and the Michigan House and Senate budgets this week on the First Friday Update. Please join us!
- I will be presenting an update on the Downtown Pathways Project to the GR Public Safety Committee on Tuesday alongside partners from the Continuum of Care and Catherine’s Health.
- John Ball Zoo CEO Peter D’Arenzio will be parting ways with the Zoo. The Zoo will begin a search process for a new CEO, but has not announced a timeframe.
- The City of Grand Rapids announced their strategy to handle parking with the upcoming opening of the Acrisure Amphitheater.
- You can view the parking map, reserve spots ahead of time, and see the new event DASH route at their website here: Venue Parking | City of Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Don’t forget to sign up for the Grand Rapids Community Clean-Up taking place next week! We have 200 people signed up for Friday and hope to see you there!
- AHC, CWD, RDV, TowerPinkster, Blue Cross, SeyferthPR, ExperienceGR, Truscott Rossman, US Signal, Advantage Benefits and many others will be well represented, and we appreciate your commitment to our city!
- The GRPS Board of Education will have a special meeting to consider resolutions of non-renewal of contracts for two executive administrators.
This Week in Local Government is your insider update on what’s happening behind the scenes in the City of Grand Rapids. Explore the full archive: Local Government, or subscribe to receive it in your inbox every Friday by emailing josh@grandrapids.org