What Lansing Council

During the April 20th Lansing city council meetings the council passed ordinance changes with the intention of restricting the locations of new liquor stores - so they are not built right next to each other. They voted 6 to 1 to put the sale of the building currently operated as the Shuffle to a city wide vote, to see if the public would be interested in selling this public asset. They wrote a letter opposing federal legislation aimed at restricting voting rights. They also started the process to change a few things about metered parking. The Lansing area federal credit union chief executive officer was appointed to the Lansing entertainment and public facilities authority (LAFCU to LEPFA), and five departmental budget presentations included three 4/20 jokes.Our guest this episode is MC Rothhorn. MC is a co-owner of Eastside Compost and a member of the Genesee Gardens co-housing.Support this podcast financially:https://www.patreon.com/whatLansingCouncilUPCOMING LIVE PODCAST SHOW EVENT!!!!https://www.therobintheatre.com/events/what-lansing-council-podcast-live-panel-discussionEastside Compost: food scrap hauling business service all of Lansing and East Lansing! https://eastsidecompost.com/Eastside Compost Earth Day event at the Allen Neighborhood Center on Wednesday 4/22/2026 from 5:30pm - 6:00pm at 1611 E Kalamazoo St, Lansing, MI 48912https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CFczt1SEx/

During the March 30th Committee of the Whole meeting, the City Council heard a budget overview presentation from the city’s chief strategy officer. They heard departmental budget presentations from the Fire Department, Parks and Recreation Department, and the affiliated agencies the Lansing Economic Development Corporation (LEDC), and the Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority (LEPFA). Also, members from the Economic Development and Planning Department presented their Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan - for federal monies from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).Our guest for this episode is Erin Buitendorp. Erin is the Community Development Manager in the City’s Economic Development and Planning Department, Erin leads six dedicated staff members in ensuring federal HUD dollars reach the people and partners who need them most. A Licensed Professional Counselor, creative artist + Lansing Lore preservationist, Erin came to public service by way of a decade in higher education and a term of service as an AmeriCorps VISTA member serving the City.Project Erin worked on - The City of Lansing City Council Proceedings Collection digitized from 1916 to 2024:https://archive.org/details/lansing-council-proceedings?sort=dateCommunity development office within the Department of Economic Development and Planning:https://www.lansingmi.gov/296/Community-Development-OfficeSupport this podcast financially:https://www.patreon.com/whatLansingCouncilUPCOMING LIVE PODCAST SHOW EVENT!!!!https://www.therobintheatre.com/events/what-lansing-council-podcast-live-panel-discussionFire Department Dashboard:https://app.powerbigov.us/view?r=eyJrIjoiMmQ4MDdkODktNjY5My00NDAxLWJlOGUtZTBiOWNmY2MyYzJhIiwidCI6Ijg3NTA5ZGVlLTA5NWItNGZmOC1iYTVhLTAwMzVjZGZjNzE1ZCJ9Tiny Bit of Wood woodworking and community art studio class schedule:https://www.tinybitofwood.com/book-onlineCapital City Film Festival: https://capitalcityfilmfest.com/schedule

An hour and a half before the April 6th Lansing City council meetings, word got out that the UK based data center company, Deep Green, was pulling their request for the purchase and rezoning of the city owned parking lot on East Kalamazoo and South Cedar St. Many community members shared their thoughts about the process surrounding this project. Council heard budget presentations from the information technology, assessing, city attorney, and police departments, as well as a proposed small development project along South Cedar St. Council passed the ordinance changing the placard system for rental property violators (from pink/red to white/yellow/red/black), and to allow for red tag fees to be waived if progress on fixing housing issues is demonstrated.CORRECTION the liquor store ordinance update had its public hearing at this meeting - the vote for the approval of this item will be in subsequent meetings. Our guest this episode is Rebecca-Lynn Ferguson. Rebecca is a Lansing-based creative and community advocate who works with language learners in the Lansing Public Schools and serves on several boards, including RIF (Reading is Fundamental), Ingham Health Plan (IHP), and the REO Town Commercial Association (RTCA). Find meeting issues maps and bingo results from the meetings on the podcast’s patreon page here:https://www.patreon.com/whatLansingCouncilUPCOMING LIVE PODCAST SHOW EVENT!!!!https://www.therobintheatre.com/events/what-lansing-council-podcast-live-panel-discussionREO Town’s 25th Annual MeetingEvent DetailsREO Town Commercial Association (the coolest domain name!)https://reo.town/Lansing Empowerment Network:https://www.facebook.com/lansingempowermentnetwork

At the March 23rd Lansing city council meetings council heard requests from two developers interested in purchasing city property: the operator of the Lansing Shuffle and Deep Green, the UK based data center developer. Many residents spoke in opposition of these sales and some spoke in support. Council debated the optics of taking a pay raise for their part time positions, and they set a hearing for making changes to the metered parking rules.Our guest this episode is Judge Rosemarie Aquilina. Judge Rosemarie Aquilina has served on the 30th Circuit Court for Ingham County since her election in November of 2008. She is an adjunct professor at both the Michigan State University School of Law and the Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and she has previously served on the oversight board for the Board of Water and Light and the City of Lansing's Elected Officers Compensation Commission. Judge Aquilina:https://cc.ingham.org/courts_and_sheriff/circuit_court/aquilina.phpRead Judge Aquilina’s books:https://bookshop.org/beta-search?keywords=Rosemarie+AquilinaLansing City Council meeting schedules and documents:https://www.lansingmi.gov/186/City-CouncilFind meeting issues maps and bingo results from the meetings on the podcast’s patreon page here:https://www.patreon.com/whatLansingCouncilYouth group with four participants who spoke at council: https://www.oneloveglobal.org/ppm Peace & Prosperity Youth Action Movement (PPM) is a group of teens and young adults focused on increasing social equity within our community. 

At the March 9th Lansing city council meetings the council moved forward with round two of the proposed Deep Green data center property sale and rezoning - setting public hearings for these items. Council approved a new code violation tagging system for white, yellow, red, and black tags. They approved a rezone for a church to operate a shelter facility on S MLK Jr Blvd. They introduced ordinances intended to tighten allowable liquor store locations and activities. They rescinded one make-safe-or-demolish order for the historic Pruess building in old town. Public comment focused on opposition to the data center and disappointment for the city’s actions kicking some folks out of the Causeway Bay hotel, folks who were recently relocated there by the city.  Our guest this episode is Alyssa Cooling (Turcsak). Alyssa is the 4th Ward Member of the City of Lansing's Arts and Culture Commission. Her day job is in the nonprofit sector. Alyssa is proudly in recovery from a substance use disorder and runs the program Sober in Lansing (currently on a brief pause). She is a graduate of the Lansing Citizens Academy and the East Lansing’s Citizens Academy AND she’s a patron of this show!Alyssa’s group Sober in Lansing on Instagram and Facebook:https://www.instagram.com/soberinlansing/https://www.facebook.com/soberinlansingLansing City Council meeting schedules and documents:https://www.lansingmi.gov/186/City-CouncilFind meeting issues maps and bingo results from the meetings on the podcast’s Patreon page here:https://www.patreon.com/whatLansingCouncilAlyssa’s shout outs:Housing Ombudsman for Lansing:https://www.lansingmi.gov/300/Housing-Ombudsman517 Coffee company:https://www.517coffeecompany.com/The poetry room:https://thepoetryroom.org/

**CORRECTION** In the episode we discussed how the city of Lansing offers services to help homeowners with lead testing and abatement, that program was part of the Economic, Development and Planning department, not Human Relations and Community Services and it ended in 2025: https://www.lansingmi.gov/346/Lead-Safe-LansingAt the February 23rd Lansing city council meetings the council heard plans to revise the tagging process for properties with code compliance issues, they saw a tax break request presentation from a developer hoping to build apartments downtown for single folks making the median area income, there was one split vote for the appointment of a new Ward 1 representative to the police commissioner board, and a refreshingly eclectic mix of concerning issues were raised at public comment. Our guest this episode is Ryan Kost. Ryan has been Lansing's first ward city councilor since 2023. While in office he has focused on addressing housing needs, holding landlords accountable, and advocating for workers' rights. He works for the State of Michigan, and has three adorable dogs.Lansing City Council meeting schedules and documents:https://www.lansingmi.gov/186/City-CouncilSupport this podcast, and find meeting issues maps and bingo results from the meetings on the podcast’s patreon page here:https://www.patreon.com/whatLansingCouncil

At the February 9th Lansing city council meeting attendance exceeded the chamber capacity and over sixty community members voiced their comments, mostly for-or-against construction of a new data center on the edge of downtown. The chief executive and chief technology officers from Deep Green, a Manchester, England based company, and the board of water and light general manager presented plans for the 24 mega-watt energy consuming (and 16 mega-watt energy producing) facility. The city council members had a lot of questions about the project. The superintendent of the Ingham County Intermediate School district gave an educational presentation about plans to renovate a historically significant facility through a bond proposal on the ballot this May. Three city construction projects are on track. The city council approved a closed door settlement in the case of a man killed by Lansing police officers in 2020. Our guest this episode is Talon Richard Wooster - Lansing resident, member of and advocate for the Lansing Homeless Union and the Rent is Too Damn High.Find meeting issues maps and bingo results from the meetings on the podcast’s patreon page here:https://www.patreon.com/whatLansingCouncil

At the January 26th, 2026 Lansing City council meeting many residents and folks from the surrounding area voiced concerns about the proposed downtown data center, trade union workers spoke in support. The city’s planning department and the Board of Water and Light (BWL)  presented and answered questions about the project. Public commenters and the council had concerns about the city's policy for addressing homelessness and the cold temperatures, as well as the treatment of homeless folks by the city police as captured in a video circulating online. The Union Missionary Baptist Church applied for a rezoning of their property on S MLK Jr Blvd to continue to operate as a temporary warming center for families. Council drafted a letter asking Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to remove their masks when in Lansing, and asked the mayor to make a plan to protect all people here.Be advised, violence is discussed in this episode.Our guest this episode, Selina Máté, has worked in refugee resettlement for the last six years, she is also a creative content strategist, the co-owner of Peculiar coffee co., and was appointed to Lansing's Historic District Commission last year.Check out Selina’s coffee company here:https://www.peculiarcoffeeco.com/Deep Green more info for Lansing website:https://deepgreen.energy/lansing-public-infoLansing City Council meeting schedules and documents:https://www.lansingmi.gov/186/City-CouncilFind meeting issues maps and bingo results from the meetings on the podcast’s patreon page here:https://www.patreon.com/whatLansingCouncil

At the January 12th Lansing city council meeting citizens encouraged the mayor and council to give unhoused folks recently re-located to a hotel on the southside more time at the hotel, and to work on a holistic plan for addressing housing needs in the city.  Council set their schedule for the sale and rezoning of the site for the Deep Green proposed data center. Residents spoke up for and against a rezoning request for the planned development of a 29-unit apartment complex on W Mt Hope Ave.Be advised, violence is discussed in this episode.Our special guest is Julie Powers. Julie currently works as the Executive Director of Immigration Law and Justice Michigan. She has worked in the non-profit sector for 30 years in and out of Lansing.  Immigration Law and Justice Michigan is dedicated to fighting for justice and advocating for the rights of immigrants in Michigan, to create a more inclusive and compassionate society, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.To report ICE activity reach out to Michigan Immigrants Rights Center:https://michiganimmigrant.org/Immigration Law and Justice Michigan where Julie Powers works:www.iljmi.orgDeep Green more info for Lansing website:https://deepgreen.energy/lansing-public-infoMayor’s budget input request form:https://mi-lansing.form.transform.civicplus.com/60941Merica 20 to life conversation with Loretta Stanaway:https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1GVPcz7WeV/Recycle Rama April 25th:https://www.facebook.com/MidMichiganRecycling/Lansing City Council meeting schedules and documents:https://www.lansingmi.gov/186/City-CouncilFind meeting issues maps and bingo results from the meetings on the podcast’s Patreon page here:https://www.patreon.com/whatLansingCouncil

At the January 5th Lansing City Council meetings the council chose their new president and vice president: fourth ward representative Peter Spadafore and at-large councilmember Trini Pehlivanoglu. A failure of the accessible commenting option, disagreement about the procedure for signing up for public comment, and a racially charged comment had this council off to a rocky start.Our guest  William Lawrence is running for United States Congress to represent Mid-Michigan's 7th Congressional District in Washington D.C. A lifelong organizer, he founded a youth-led national climate action organization, Sunrise Movement, and has been working on housing issues at the local and state level as the founder of the Michigan Rent is Too Damn High Coalition. He was raised in East Lansing and now lives near downtown Lansing.You can learn more about William’s campaign here:https://wewill2026.com/Here is where you can get involved with The Rent Is Too Damn High:https://mirentistoodamnhigh.com/lansing/Support this independent podcast and find meeting issue maps and bingo results on the patreon page here:https://www.patreon.com/whatLansingCouncilCheck out the Lansing City Council here:https://www.lansingmi.gov/186/City-Council

At the December 15th Lansing city council meeting the council heard from 18 passionate residents about the transitional (mod pod) housing project. People were pissed at the 13 state house republicans who created massive state funding cuts. Six Old Town shopkeepers supported expanding the business district boundary. A four to four vote stalled a noise ordinance change. Three board appointments and two redevelopment tax abatements were approved, and there was one comment about the disgraced fire chief. Our special guest this episode is Khadja Erickson. Khadja is a dedicated housing advocate, organizer, and Executive Director of the Tenant Resource Center Mid Michigan. With years of experience in harm reduction, eviction defense, and grassroots organizing, she has worked tirelessly to ensure Lansing tenants have the tools, knowledge, and support they need to stay housed and assert their rights. She’s also a mom to five fabulous kids, which shapes how she thinks about stability, safety, and the kind of city we’re building for the next generation.*CORRECTION* In the episode I said Dietrich Park was outside the new Old Town principal shopping district boundary - it looks like it actually inside the boundary. Learn more about the Tennent Resource Center of Mid-Michigan here:https://trcmm.org/Find meeting issues maps and bingo results from the meetings on the podcast’s patreon page here:https://www.patreon.com/whatLansingCouncilCheck out the Lansing City Council here:https://www.lansingmi.gov/186/City-Council

During the December 8th Lansing city council meetings the public spoke to council about the importance of finding a good place, that works for everyone, for a proposed temporary housing community. Council debated the fairness of rolling back red tag fees on houses actively being renovated. Old town business owners had mixed feelings about expanding the tax boundary for their shopping district. Local and out of state redevelopers gave persuasive presentations asking for tax breaks. Der Krampus kommt, um dein Haus und dein Geld zu holen!Our guest, Mia Murphy, works as the Chief Policy Officer at the non-profit Michigan Association of State Universities, she also serves on the board of the Salus center - an organization that serves the  inclusive 2SLGBTQIA+ community in the greater Lansing area, and she earned her PhD in higher, adult, & lifelong education from Michigan State University.Learn more about the Salus Center:https://www.saluscenter.org/Here’s the site for A Place For Us - plans for an LGBTQ+ affirming homeless shelter in Lansing:https://www.ap4ulansing.org/Find meeting issues maps and bingo results from the meetings on the podcast’s patreon page here:https://www.patreon.com/whatLansingCouncilCheck out the Lansing City Council here:https://www.lansingmi.gov/186/City-Council

During the November 17th Lansing City Council meetings the biggest issue was a requested utility easement by Consumer’s Energy for a new high pressure natural gas pipeline through Fenner Nature Center and Evergreen Cemetery - despite public pushback council approved the request. Public speakers continued to raise concerns about the city stalling on court ordered services to an encampment. Also, the council wrote a letter about supporting food rescue efforts. Our special guest this episode is Tom Arthur. Tom is the lead pastor of Sycamore Creek Church, founder of Stage One at Sycamore Creek Eastwood, co-founder of Startup Grind Lansing, and co-founder of the long-running Northern Michigan C.S. Lewis Festival in Petoskey. He is also a startup coach with Wisdom Partners out of Silicon Valley and a creative partner for churches and non-profits. He has been married to his wife, Sarah, for 28 years and is the father of two boys, Sam and Micah, who attend Post Oak Academy and Eastern high school.This is the Patreon for What Lansing Council, thank you!⁠https://www.patreon.com/whatLansingCouncilFind out more about Sycamore Creek ministries here:https://sycamorecreekchurch.org/Here is the facebook event for the ugly sweater swing dance party at Sycamore Creek Eastwood:https://www.facebook.com/share/17PDZCuzxf/You can learn more about Lansing’s City Council here:https://www.lansingmi.gov/186/City-Council

During the November 10, 2025 council meetings residents from Lansing with a spectrum of housing challenges spoke to council - people fighting to stay alive in an outdoor encampment the city is currently litigating, a woman working to complete her renovation vision on a historic home the city had issued a “make safe or demolish” order against, and emerging developers asking the city to aid in the process of getting local and state tax breaks to make their projects less expensive. Our guest Alan Fox currently serves as the Ingham County Treasurer.  He served as Chief Deputy Treasurer for 4-1/2 years before he was appointed Treasurer in April, 2022.  He has since been elected in 2022 and 2024. Alan has lived in Lansing since 2015.  He grew up in East Lansing and was the first MSU student elected to the East Lansing City Council, in 1977.Find meeting issues maps and bingo results from the meetings on the podcast’s patreon page here:https://www.patreon.com/whatLansingCouncilHere is the Ingham county treasurer’s office web site:https://tr.ingham.org/departments_and_officials/treasurer/You can learn more about Lansing’s City Council here:https://www.lansingmi.gov/186/City-CouncilThe mayor’s road construction input form can be found here: https://www.lansingmi.gov/1359/Road-Construction-Input

During the October 27th Lansing City Council meetings the council heard from many citizens asking for leniency in a specific “make safe or demolish” order. Council also heard about a disturbing racially charged incident at Letts community center. Two new advisory board members were approved, and the actual timing of ordinances going into “immediate effect” was reviewed. Our guest Annescia Dillard is a self-proclaimed "Lansing Enthusiast" who keeps her finger on the city's pulse. She regularly watches or attends public meetings for the Lansing City Council, Lansing Community College, the Capital Area Transit Authority (CATA), Lansing School District, and others whenever she finds the time.You can learn more about Lansing’s City Council here:https://www.lansingmi.gov/186/City-CouncilFind meeting issues maps and bingo results from the meetings on the podcast’s patreon page here:https://www.patreon.com/whatLansingCouncil

During the October 13th meetings the Lansing City Council passed a resolution declaring Lansing an LGBTQ+ welcoming city. Many folks in attendance voiced their support for this resolution.  Organizers from a tenants union working on getting Lansing to pass a "tenants bill of rights” appealed to council - as they are being stalled by the city attorney’s office. Our special guest Rebecca Kasen works as the executive director of the Women's Center of Greater Lansing. She has previously worked creating emergency housing, in disability services, and in social justice advocacy.Check out all the happenings at the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing here:https://lansingwomen.org/You can learn more about Lansing’s City Council here:https://www.lansingmi.gov/186/City-CouncilFind issue maps and bingo results from the meetings on the podcast’s patreon page here:https://www.patreon.com/whatLansingCouncil

During the September 29th Lansing city council meetings the council members did some shuffling of their proposed budget priorities. A flyer sent to residents paid for by the charter commission got called out for blatant propaganda. And transgender members of the community ask council to give statements denouncing hate targeting them and to provide further protections.Our guest this episode Kris Klein is the President and CEO of the Lansing Economic Development Corporation (LDEC) a non-profit committed to advancing Lansing's vitality and equitable economic growth. He’s a proud city of Lansing resident since 2011 and a fellow avid watcher of City Council meetings.The full discussion with Kris was unfortunately not recorded, apologies to Kris for some butchering of his thoughtful comments in the solo re-record.Learn more about the work of the LDEC here:https://lansingedc.com/And the LDEC’s small business technical assistance empower program:https://lansingedc.com/the-empower-programThey also have some very nice story maps of the corridor projects on their website.***You can learn more about Lansing’s City Council here:https://www.lansingmi.gov/186/City-CouncilFind meeting issues maps and bingo results from the meetings on the podcast’s patreon page here:https://www.patreon.com/whatLansingCouncil

During the September 22nd 2025 council meetings - the council heard public comments, mostly in-favor, of two developers asking for tax breaks to improve properties in the city by adding and maintaining ‘affordable’ housing. Other community members urged the city government to act to help folks experiencing homelessness. A Laingsburg resident with hospitality experience was appointed to the Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority (LEPFA) Board. And, council and public members agreed that parking offenders should be punished! This episode’s special guest is Ben Shuldiner, our Superintendent of the Lansing Public School District. He's been with us since the summer of 2021 and previously worked as a teacher, principal, school board and educational leader in New York City and abroad.Learn more about council here:https://www.lansingmi.gov/186/City-CouncilContact our superintendent here, anytime!:https://www.lansingschools.net/departments/superintendent/Join the patreon community for games and maps!:https://www.patreon.com/whatLansingCouncil

During the Sept 8th Lansing city council meeting the council heard two plans from property developers: one in north Old Town near the Turner Dodge House to build a new apartment building with 76 units using a brownfield redevelopment tax incentive plan, another in South Lansing next to the Oak Park YMCA to continue to maintain a 618 unit “village” with a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) plan. Take note! the Mayor will be in a dunk tank THIS SATURDAY, don’t miss your opportunity to dunk the Mayor!Our special guest this episode is DeLisa Fountain, DeLisa is a proud mom of three young men, and she works as the Director of Lansing's Neighborhoods, Arts & Citizen Engagement Department. She also champions community engagement by working with various youth empowerment organizations, serving on the Capital Area Community Services Board, the Lansing Empowerment Network Board, and the Mayor’s Gun Violence Task Force.Find more great stuff on the Patreon:https://patreon.com/WhatLansingCouncilLook at this for more information on the Mayor dunk tank and community fundraising event (sorry, I can only find the facebook posting about this): https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1C3vqCBPh4/Information about City Council: https://www.lansingmi.gov/186/City-CouncilInformation about the Neighborhoods, Arts & Citizen Engagement Department: https://www.lansingmi.gov/180/Neighborhoods-Arts-Citizen-EngagementInformation about the Neighborhood Resource Summit on October 15th: https://www.lansingmi.gov/905/Neighborhood-Resource-Summits

At the August 25th meeting the Lansing city council updated the process for deciding who gets city contracts over $15,000 dollars. Council also did some self-regulating, to update attendance and punishment rules for missed meetings. Public comments include both angry and appreciative stances on trash collection consolidation and plans for unhoused residents.Our guest is State Senator Sarah Anthony. Senator Anthony represents Michigan’s 21st district which includes all of Eaton county and ⅔ of Ingham county, she has previously worked as an elected Ingham County commissioner and state representative, now as Senator she is the chair of the Senate appropriations committee.Follow Senator Anthony:https://www.instagram.com/sarahanthony517/https://www.facebook.com/SarahAnthony517https://x.com/sarahanthony517Lansing City Council:https://www.lansingmi.gov/186/City-CouncilWhat Lansing Council Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/WhatLansingCouncil

The audience chamber at the August 11th Lansing city council meeting was packed! Folks voiced their opinions on how the city treats people experiencing homelessness. An East Lansing city council member, Ingham county health services workers, a reverend, land owners, current shelter workers, emergency services workers, community organizers, and many others gave comments. Council approved $650,000 for a one time purchase of 50 pod units for new temporary housing.Also the capital area transportation authority (CATA) director gave a rousing update, the Riverwalk theater wants to  serve adult beverages to theater goers, and the Granger group is not impressed by plans to make the city the sole trash collector. Our special guest is Eva Menefee works as the lead faculty advisor at Lansing Community College as well as an instructor, she has raised her family in Lansing, and she runs a food truck at pow-wows and other cultural events during the summers!Visit the Patreon page to sign up for more perks from the show - like a map of places discussed at the meeting:https://www.patreon.com/WhatLansingCouncilCheck out Eva’s food truck at the Pow Wow at Adado Riverfront Park hosted by The Anishinaabe Friendship Center (AFC) September 27 - 28th. https://www.lansing.org/event/annual-dance-by-the-river-pow-wow/55245/Learn more about city council here: https://www.lansingmi.gov/186/City-Council

At the July 28th City Council meeting the Mayor is raked over the coals for a city lawsuit against local property owners allowing an unhoused encampment, other comment about construction bidding rules, property redevelopment plans, and tenant / landlord rule changes pack less heat - but it was an undeniably charged night at council. Our special guest is Eric Tans! Eric works as an Environmental Scientist Research Librarian with Michigan State University (MSU), he is a member of the Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) board, and is the top scorer for the Brew-ons at the ice cube hockey rink!  Eric’s research on the history of the Red Cedar River is beautifully presented here:https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/00bb4a7660fd4516bd813ffee5b5758aLearn more about city council here:https://www.lansingmi.gov/186/City-CouncilVisit the Patreon page here for the map of issues discussed in this meeting:https://www.patreon.com/whatLansingCouncil

Here is the Podcast's Patreon Page:Patreon.com/WhatLansingCouncilVote on the perks for being a WLC patreon member!*****************During the July 14th Lansing city council meeting the council got a slick update on Lansing airport happenings, there are continuing brownfield development plans on plans on plans, some multi-property landlords were not in-favor of proposed renter insurance ordinances changes, there was an inter-council red-tag fee quarrel, and frustration over a police commissioner board re-appointment. Our special guest is Jody Washington. She is a former city council member, current charter commission member, and long time community activist in Lansing.NOTES:Jody mentions Brian Jeffries and Lori Adam Simons - they are the Chair and Vice Chair of the Charter Commission. The Michigan flyer is a bus service to and from the Detroit airport (DTW) and the Marriott in East Lansing. Sarah Anthony is our state senator for Michigan’s 21st district that includes most of Lansing and Easton county. The acronym AMI stands for Area Median Income - this metric is used to determine the affordability of housing in the context of the area. Here is the city page for the charter commission:https://www.lansingmi.gov/1238/Commission-MembersLearn more about city council here:https://www.lansingmi.gov/186/City-Council

During the June 23rd council meeting, Council went bonkers for some planned property redevelopments, they bailed out a community picnic, and did their best to support retired firefighters and renters. The capital area district library (CADL) gave heartwarming updates but asked for help finding a new home downtown because their building is becoming uninhabitable. Our special guest is Mike Dombrowski, Mike is the chair of the Lansing Parks Board, and founder of Eastside Compost - a curbside food scrap collection company.Learn more about Lansing City Council here:www.lansingmi.gov/186/City-CouncilLearn more about the Lansing Bike and Seek event here:bikeandseek.org

During the June 9, 2025 Lansing city council meeting council faced a wall of red. Firefighters in their red shirts gave comments about broken promises made to retired members, this is due to a corrected oversight by the city that will cause these retirees to pay more for their health coverage going forward. Lansing’s Juneteenth celebration committee was honored, and discussions over rental insurance ordinance changes were postponed due to clerical errors.  Our special guest is Ryan Kost, sitting Lansing city council president and first ward representative.Learn more about the Juneteenth celebration events in Lansing this year here:https://www.lansingjuneteenthcelebration.org/Here is the YouTube with all the Lansing city committee meetings:https://www.youtube.com/@lansingcitycouncil4446

Hello Lansing, do you know all the candidates running for city offices this year? You’ll hear some of them now! I sent an invitation to all those running and here are the 13 out of 21 who responded. The city’s primary election is on August 5th and the general will be November 4th. What are you looking for in your city representative and who do you want to be your voice on council? Thank you to the candidates who participated in the episode! * At-large council race: Nick Pigeon, Olivia Vaden, Jonah Stone, Tristan Walters, Julie Vandenboom, Clara Martinez, and Miles Biel* Second ward council race (they both advance to the general election in November): Deyanira Nevarez Martinez and Erik Almquist* Fourth ward council race: Heath Lowry and Zacharie Spurlock* Mayoral race: Brett Brockschmidt and David EllisYou can see a full list of candidates with some additional details here: https://ballotpedia.org/City_elections_in_Lansing,_Michigan_(2025)A wonderful bicycle treasure hunt around Lansing is up through the month of June. You'll need your phone and some friends, and one clue is about city council! www.bikeandseek.org

During the May 19, 2025 Lansing city council meeting our power utility manager gave a harrowing storm damage repair update. For those out of towners: Lansing was hit by severe winds or a tornado (depending on who you talk to) last Thursday night. The city budget was finalized with four last minute jobs added by council, they stuck with their story regarding blocking hard liquor license transfers, and kiddo-soccer team “the Stampede” received high honors. Our special guest is Alicia Maida, she is a Genesee neighborhood association leader, works as a speech pathologist, and is a landlord for three units.You can learn more about Lansing city council here: https://www.lansingmi.gov/186/City-Council

During the May 12, 2025 Lansing city council meeting concerns from “the rent is too damn high” advocacy group were voiced and heard, firefighter and city teamsters union reps want to see long term strategic plans for filling vacancies and increasing staff, also the Mayor gets his comments cut short by the buzzer. Our guest is Lansing Community College’s professor Randy Watkins. Prof. Watkins was the chairman of Mayor Schor’s Inclusion and Diversity Advisory Council then the Lansing Committee on Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, and he now serves on the city’s Police Board of Commissioners.Learn more about city council here:https://www.lansingmi.gov/186/City-CouncilLearn more about the event: a salute to cowgirls and cowboys of color at the MSU pavilion here:https://michiganheritagerodeo.ticketspice.com/michigan-heritage-rodeo

During the May 5th 2025 Lansing city council meeting the council starts a letter writing campaign: to the federal congress - please don’t tax municipal bonds - we prefer to use taxpayer dollars not to pay more taxes, to our state congress - please consider allowing red-light and speed cameras for automatic traffic enforcement, to the Mayor - give more monies to the police and fire departments. Also, the council takes action! approving new zoning rules allowing for auxiliary dwelling units (ADUs). Our special guest is Virginia Chambers, she has worked for the city of Lansing as a communication manager, and is now doing the same for the Michigan House of Representatives.

Here’s your April 28th committee of the whole review: Council heard budget presentations from three departments and one public commentor demanded action to reduce speeding along S MLK Jr Blvd. There was also one sneeze and two jokes!Our guest is Sophia Saliby, Sophia works at our local East Lansing public media station WKAR where she produces and hosts All Things Considered. She’s covered many stories we’ve heard about at council lately including the transfer of the Ultium battery plant from GM to LG Energy and the old Eastern High school building demolition. You can learn more about Sophia’s work with WKAR here: https://www.wkar.org/people/sophia-salibyHere is the link to easily connect with your representatives regarding public media funding: https://protectmypublicmedia.org/urge-congress-call/The Lansing city council meeting agendas, notes, and other materials can be found on the city webpage here: https://www.lansingmi.gov/705/City-Council-Agendas-Minutes

It’s the April 21st Lansing City Council meeting, the council hears comments in support of housing densification zoning amendments, they repeal the “no restroom use for the opposite sex” ordinance, and some departmental budget updates lead to swooning. Our guest Metro Melik is a radio DJ for Stacks 92.1, he has been working in the Lansing media landscape since the 90’s producing shows for public access, he’s an entrepreneur founding Lansing Made, me2u photography and videography services, he serves as the relationship manager for the women’s center of greater Lansing, and he was appointed to the Lansing Public Media Authority at the council meeting!You can learn more about Metro Melik from his website: www.metromelik.com/One of his projects with the women’s center is 517 Day: www.517day.com/*Correction: EPA stands for the Environmental Protection Agency not “Authority”** Episode art photo credit: Darryl Evans of Pure Enchantment Photography

At the April 7th 2025 Lansing city council meetings the strip-club Centerfolds had their business licenses revoked, general and departmental budgets were dissected, and restroom feelings were shared. There is some mention of violent crimes and sex crimes in this episode.Our guest Julie Vandenboom works for the State of Michigan’s Health and Human Services Department, she serves on the Capital Area District Libraries' board, and she is running for an at-large city council seat this year. You can learn more about Julie’s campaign here: https://julievandenboom.com/*************************Some episode fact checking:One public commenter said, “Lansing is the 17th most violent city in America”. Here is where I think they found this figure: https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-city-rankings/most-violent-cities-in-americaThis website does list Lansing as #17 - but when I looked into the source, 2018 data from the FBI, I’m seeing data by metropolitan area - and Lansing comes in at 108th for violent crimes per 100,000 people, where violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Another public comment sited a study that, “one in eleven jobs promised by developers in Michigan materialize”: https://www.mackinac.org/pressroom/2024/michigans-corporate-welfare-failure-only-1-in-11-jobs-promised-were-createdCouncil member Hussain mentioned sidewalk maintenance best practice is 25 year replacement: https://nacto.org/wp-content/uploads/nchrp_rpt_713_thompson.pdfMultiple folks reference Michigan’s open carry laws for licensed concealed firearms, they are prohibited on the following premises: “A tavern where the primary source of income is the sale of alcoholic liquor by the glass consumed on the premises.” https://www.michigan.gov/msp/services/ccw/prohibited-premisesLate in the episode your host is miss-quoting “Wilhoit’s Law” which is often miss-attributed: https://slate.com/business/2022/06/wilhoits-law-conservatives-frank-wilhoit.html

It's the March 24th Lansing City Council meeting recap! The Council adopted an ordinance change making it illegal to park unregistered vehicles on city roads, they gave a tribute to a group honoring Cesar E. Chavez, and began discussions to revise a historic ordinance criminalizing the individual use of bathrooms designated for the sex different from the sex assigned at birth, and more! Our guest Loretta Stanaway is the owner of Memorial Minders a personalized grave site beautification service, president of The Friends of Lansing's Historic Cemeteries group, she is also a frequent Lansing City Council meeting attendee.  Learn more about The Friends of Lansing's Historic Cemeteries here: https://www.lansingcemfriends.org/

It's the March 10th Lansing City Council meeting recap! The Council hosts LG Energy (hopeful battery manufacturing business owner), makes decisions on demolitions and liquor licenses, and they hear from property owners of unsafe buildings and Easter Highschool groupies. Our guest Larry Wallace is a Senior Investigative Reporter for Fox 47 News - our local Lansing area TV news station.Learn more about Larry here.Learn more about city council here.Learn more about the Mikey23 Foundation here.Episode Notes:*A cabaret license is a type of business license needed in Lansing for any live entertainment with food or refreshments served.*Some members of the Sexton High School Boys basketball team were recording at the studio after us and we got high fives!  

It's the February 24th Lansing City Council meeting recap! The council makes decisions about liquor license transfers and noise permits. They do allow advisory board appointments to go through ending the weeks-long stalemate. Many city department heads give guidance and many citizens ask for more time to “make safe” their buildings. Our guest Joan Nelson was the executive director of the Allen Neighborhood Center for over 20 years, she currently is a contributing columnist for the City Pulse and advocates for shared use housing. Here is one of her Pulse articles on shared use housing.Learn more about the Allen Neighborhood Center here.Learn more about Lansing city council here.

It's the February 10th Lansing City Council meeting recap! The Council hosts the Board of Water and Light (BWL), the Women’s Empowerment Center leader, and folks who don’t want to be living in the Lansing Earthquake Zone six days a week! Our guest Hannah Forsythe is an Epidemiologist with The Michigan Public Health Institute (MPHI), she is also a triathlete and cross country skier!Learn more about the women's center of greater Lansing here, Lansing city council here, and the Hawk Island triathlon here.

It's the January 27th Lansing City Council meeting recap! The Council hosts auditors, finance department directors, developers, and board member wannabes. Our guest Ruelaine Stokes is Lansing's current Poet Laureate. Before recording she kindly gifted me a wonderful collection of Lansing poems: "My Secret Lansing". You can learn more about her at: https://www.ruelainestokes.com/ Learn more about city council at: https://www.lansingmi.gov/186/City-Council

Thanks for joining for a listen about the second Lansing City Council meeting of the year. There's joy, heartbreak, evasion, and hair drama in the council chambers this January 13th. As well as discussions on sewer upgrades, human resources, MLK group recognition, belabored trash fee debate, and diverse criticisms of Downtown Lansing Inc.   Our guests Jerry and Shannon operate the fantastic eastside Lansing community resource center - the Fledge - learn more at: https://thefledge.com/ Learn more about city council at: https://www.lansingmi.gov/186/City-Council

Thanks for joining for a listen about the first Lansing City Council meeting of the new year! There’s an internal council election with several rounds of voting, seven public comments, and our best dressed guest yet - Clerk Chris Swope!

T’was the last Lansing City Council meeting of the year! Special guest MC Rothhorn, a member of the Michigan Redistricting Commission, provides his perspective on development plans for Lansing. We have a good time trying to find common ground between current council happenings and the wobbly world of Harry Potter. Thank you Lansing Public Media Center for allowing us to record at your studio, and thank you for listening! Lansing City Council website: https://www.lansingmi.gov/1212/Council-Committee-Meetings Lansing Public Media Center: https://lansingmedia.myturn.com/library/ New Vision Lansing: https://www.gentilozzi.com/new-vision (not updated to include all five properties) Lansing State Journal article about it: https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/2024/12/16/new-vision-brownfield-funding-downtown-lansing-skyscraper-council/77036257007/ Simtob developers: https://simtob.co/

Join us for a recapturing of the excitement at the Lansing Michigan City Council Meeting on Monday, December 2nd, 2024. Special guest Bob Peña, Ingham County Commissioner, discusses some differences between the way the city and the county are governed. Housing, transportation, and budgets, oh my! Thanks for listening!

Join us for a recapturing of the excitement at the Lansing Michigan City Council Meeting on Monday, November 18th, 2024. Special guest Mike Dombrowski, president of the Parks and Rec. Advisory Board, discusses his love of the river trail and wonders how proposed developments will help the city. Debate around increased punishment for signs in the right-of-way is spirited, and guess how many dogs are at the meeting! Thanks for listening!