HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes July 16thMinutes for the City of Lansing Charter Commission
Regular Meeting | July 16, 2024
Tony Benavides City Council Chambers
Lansing City Hall, 10th floor, 124 W. Michigan Ave.
Present: Adams Simon, Anderson, Bauer, Bauer, Boyd, Dowd, Jeffries, Lopez, Qawwee, Washington
Absent: None
Staff Present: Deputy Clerks Lemaster, Drever
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chair Jeffries at 6:30 PM.
Roll Call
Deputy Clerk Lemaster called the roll of the commission. A quorum was present.
Vice Chair Adams Simon took a point of personal privilege to address a social media conversation.
Public Comment
Julie Vandenboom spoke about Article 2-103.1 and its barriers for formerly incarcerated individuals,
Owen Handy spoke about the structure of City Council and financial access to the ballot.
Loretta Stanaway spoke about a blueprint for the way forward: including a City Manager hired by
City Council, a hired City Attorney, and a 5-member Council.
Nicklas Zande spoke about reconceptualizing At-Large members of Council to distribute power across
the City.
Linda Appling spoke about the unique experiences of Eaton County Lansing residents. She also spoke
about a Council and City Manager form of government, and the power of the Board of Water and
Light.
Mike Lynn spoke about listening to the public and advocating for the community.
Trisha Washburn spoke about Article 2-103 and its barriers for formerly incarcerated individuals.
Don Dean spoke about Article 2-103 and financial access to the ballot.
Farhan Sheikh-Omar spoke about transparency and accountability in the government.
Erica Lynn spoke about Article 2-103 and the importance of looking within Lansing’s history during
the revision process.
Minutes
Moved by Commissioner Bauer to approve the July 2, 2024, minutes as presented.
Motion Carried
Officer Reports
Chair
Chair Jeffries provided updates on the Commission’s online presence on Facebook and the
availability of the Comment Submission Form.
Vice Chair
Vice Chair Adams Simon had no report.
Clerk
Deputy Clerk Drever updated the Commission on the status of the webpage and acknowledged
written public comments received by the Commission.
Unfinished Business
Community Meetings Plan
The Commissioners discussed the process for the upcoming community meetings.
Postcard
Moved by Commissioner Qawwee to approve the postcard with the following amendments: add a
colon after ‘visit’; change ‘Get Involved in Lansing’s Future’ to ‘We want to hear from you’; add
addresses for each location; add ‘all communities welcome at all meetings’; strike ‘the document that
outlines how our local government works’.
Motion Carried.
Commissioner Lopez asked that an effort be made to address the linguistic diversity in the Lansing
community.
New Business
Article 2
The Commissioners discussed sections of Article 2 of the City Charter that will need detailed review
and revisions.
Commissioner Remarks
Commissioner Boyd reminded the Commission that she will be absent from the July 30th meeting.
Public Comment
Linda Appling expanded upon earlier remarks about the experiences of Eaton County residents of
Lansing, and the importance of At-Large members of Council.
Loretta Stanaway spoke about the importance of the work of the commission in catering to the
public’s needs.
Jay West spoke about Article 2-103 and its barriers for formerly incarcerated individuals. West
suggested writing the law from a point of view of forgiveness and spoke about the importance of At-
Large members of Council.
Nicklas Zande spoke about increasing number of wards and eliminating At-Large positions on
Council.
Don Dean spoke about representation by and responsiveness of at-large members; suggested the
Commissioners make an odd number of wards, with a Council of 7 wards 2 At-Large members; and
the importance of the City Attorney being accountable to the Council
Mike Lynn spoke about strategies for public education about the Charter.
Farhan Sheikh-Omar spoke about appointments to city boards.
Linda Appling spoke about the importance of localization in regard to online engagement.
Adjournment
Chair Jeffries adjourned the meeting at 8:13 PM