Election staff approved for August primary; city committees set to weigh $45M bond, Jefferson Ave reconstruction
The Board of Election Commissioners approved four resolutions this month appointing and designating staff for the August 4, 2026 primary election, the most concrete action taken by a Grand Rapids public body over the past two weeks.
Election personnel approved
On July 10, the Board of Election Commissioners approved four resolutions, each by a 2-0 vote, covering election inspectors, early voting site inspectors, absentee voting processing board members, and receiving board team members for the August 4 primary.
On July 15, the same board conducted a public accuracy test of voting equipment, including election day, early voting, voter assist, and ballot-on-demand tabulators. All tests were reported as successful. No other actions were recorded.
Mobile GR Commission reviewed traffic requests
The July 8 Mobile GR Commission meeting agenda included multiple public letters requesting a traffic signal at Kalamazoo Avenue and Adams Street, as well as public feedback on traffic calming devices along Kalamazoo Street. The body was also scheduled to discuss an overview of the Transit Access Funding Plan engagement and approve June 10 meeting minutes. No formal votes or contracts were scheduled. Minutes from this meeting have not yet been published.
Coming up: July 21 committee meetings
A full slate of meetings is scheduled for July 21, with several major financial items on the agenda.
City Commission — The City Commission will vote on a resolution authorizing capital improvement bonds up to $45 million for the 1500 Scribner Ave NW project and the Fire Training Center. The agenda also includes a $150,000 FY2027 contract with Experience Grand Rapids, acceptance of a $335,000 grant from the Wege Foundation for a city composting initiative, and a $2,453,895 local share for Jefferson Avenue reconstruction with MDOT. A series ordinance would authorize water supply system improvement junior lien revenue bonds up to $21.05 million.
Fiscal Committee — The Fiscal Committee will vote on the same $45 million bond resolution, the Experience Grand Rapids contract, the Wege Foundation grant, up to $102,235 for Grand Rapids Police Department Recruit Class 26-05 to attend Grand Valley State University, and a $240,750 budget substitution for Park Capital Projects.
Community Development Committee — This committee will vote on the $2,453,895 local-share agreement with MDOT to rebuild Jefferson Avenue from Martin Luther King Jr. Street to Logan Street. Other items include a $1,450,000 increase for Sullivan Field Phase 2 improvements (total not-to-exceed $4,940,362), a $1,327,000 contract to L D Docsa & Associates for the Orchard Vista and Alpine Estates Sanitary Lift Station (total not-to-exceed $1,783,185), and a $1,400,000 increase for rotomilling and resurfacing of streets at various locations (total not-to-exceed $6,388,465). Multiple fireworks discharge permits for events at DeVos Performance Hall, Belknap Park, and Acrisure Amphitheater are also on the agenda.
Committee of the Whole — Discussion items include a speculative building designation for a $7.5 million project at 2210 Northridge Drive NW, a contract with T.Y. Lin International Great Lakes, Inc. to develop the Grand Rapids Mobility Blueprint, a brownfield plan amendment and neighborhood enterprise zone for 335 and 343 Indiana Ave NW, social district permit applications for FirebirdGR LLC (526 Stocking Ave NW) and Apartment Lounge (33 Sheldon Ave NE), and an industrial development district for Honeycrisp Ventures at 2210 Northridge Drive NW.
Public Safety Committee — Presentations are scheduled on high-rise fire safety from the Fire Department, monthly crime statistics from GRPD, and a GRPD response to the Office of Oversight and Public Accountability regarding Canine Program Policy 6-8.1.
Committee on Appointments — This committee will consider a resolution to confirm Haitham Atiyah to the Community Relations Commission and discuss the board and commission vacancy list.
All July 21 meetings are upcoming; no votes have yet been taken on these items.