City of Lapeer - City Commission Meeting - February 2, 2026 (Part 1)

The meeting opened with the approval of minutes from the January 20, 2026, session and a period of public comment 6:08. Public discussion ranged from promotional announcements regarding the Oxford Public Library's "America 250" exhibits 8:30 to resident concerns regarding the long-term impact of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and subsidized housing on the city's tax base 9:47.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a public hearing regarding a CDBG grant for the Lapeer Opera House 13:08. While some residents expressed concerns regarding low-income housing requirements 13:31, the developer and city staff provided detailed information on the project's scope, including the rehabilitation of the building's second and third floors for residential and event use 17:49. The Commission ultimately moved to authorize the grant application 44:28.

The latter half of the meeting focused on administrative reports and infrastructure contracts. The Commission approved a contract amendment for the M24 underpass connector pathway 46:04 and moved forward with a rezoning request for 888 Baldwin Road 57:28. The meeting concluded with the awarding of a major contract to Deponio Contracting LLC for the Park Street, Pine Street, and Parking Lot Number 9 Improvement Project, which included discussions on liquidated damages for delays 1:06:00.

• Lapeer Opera House Redevelopment: Discussion of a CDBG grant for rehabilitating the historic building for apartments and a wedding venue 13:08.
• Zoning and Land Use: Proposed rezoning of 888 Baldwin Road from residential to general business 57:28.
• Infrastructure Projects: Contract updates for the M24 underpass pathway 46:04 and the Park/Pine Street/Parking Lot 9 improvement project 1:06:00.
• Economic Development Concerns: Debates over the impact of income-restricted housing on the city's tax base and prosperity 10:32.

• Jeramy Hing: Mayor [Project Context].
• Mike Womack: City Manager [Project Context].
• Joshua C. Atwood: Commissioner [Project Context].
• Stefan Brady: Commissioner [Project Context].
• Linda Glisman: Commissioner [Project Context].
• Melissa Petrie: Commissioner Mayor Pro-Tem [Project Context].
• Lynne McCarthy: Commissioner [Project Context].
• Brian Cloutier: Director and CEO of Oxford Public Library 8:30.
• Wes Weber: Lapeer resident expressing concerns on TIF and housing 9:47.
• Jacob LaRoy: Mayfield Township resident opposing the CDBG grant 13:31.
• Casey Carpenter: Lapeer resident supporting the CDBG grant 14:40.
• Tom LaMagna: Developer for the Lapeer Opera House project 17:19.
• Shelley: City staff member providing clarification on grant administration and income limits 23:45.

• Minutes Approval: Approved the minutes for the January 20, 2026, meeting and closed session 6:08.
• Bill Listing Approval: Approved the bill listing for February 2, 2026, in the amount of $1,808,213.78 12:23.
• CDBG Grant Resolution: Adopted a resolution to authorize a $826,000 CDBG grant application for the Lapeert Opera House 44:28.
• Road Construction Contract: Approved a contract amendment for the M24 underpass connector pathway for up to $79,225 46:04.
• Zoning Amendment: Approved the first reading to rezone 888 Baldwin Road from R2 (Single Family) to B2 (General Business) 57:48.
• Project Bid Award: Awarded the Park Street, Pine Street, and Parking Lot Number 9 Improvement Project to Deponio Contracting LLC for up to $3,960,000 1:06:00.

• January 20, 2026: Date of previous meeting and closed session approved 6:08.
• February 2, 2026: Date of the current meeting [Video Information].
• February 17, 2026: Scheduled date for the second reading of the Baldwin Road rezoning 57:48.
• Spring 2026: Planned window for construction on the M24 underpass project 54:34.

• City of Lapeer: Location of the meeting and primary jurisdiction [Video Information].
• Lapeer Opera House: Site of the proposed CDBG grant-funded renovation 13:08.
• 888 Baldwin Road: Property subject to the rezoning request 57:28.
• Park Street, Pine Street, and Parking Lot Number 9: Sites of the awarded improvement project 1:06:00.

• Opera House Project: To revitalize the historic building through residential and commercial use 17:49.
• Infrastructure Maintenance: To complete long-standing, 10-year-old projects like the M24 underpass 47:05 and maintain downtown streetscapes 1:13:05.
• Rezoning Motivation: The developer's move to business zoning is viewed as a "better fit" for the corner's traffic and usage 58:58.

• Mayor Jeramy Hing: Presided over the meeting, managed the agenda, and facilitated discussions between commissioners and the public 0:00.
• Mike Womack (City Manager): Provided technical details on infrastructure contracts, zoning implications, and the impact of development on downtown businesses 59:18, 1:13:05.
• Tom LaMagna (Developer): Presented the vision, historical context, and specific technical/income requirements for the Lapeer Opera House project 17:19.
• Commissioner Brady: Raised questions regarding contractor history, project timelines, and the necessity of finishing long-term infrastructure projects 47:05, 1:08:17.
• Commissioner Petrie: Inquired about the financial and physical implications of infrastructure changes, specifically regarding the M24 underpass and electrical work 48:53.
• Commissioner McCarthy: Questioned the specific income thresholds and the potential impact of the rezoning on traffic flow and driveway access 1:00:26, 1:04:30.

• Approval of Minutes: Motion by Commissioner Glisman, seconded by Commissioner McCarthy; motion carried 6:08.
• Approval of Bill Listing: Motion by Commissioner Glissman, seconded by Commissioner McCarthy; motion carried 12:45.
• CDBG Grant Resolution: Motion by Commissioner Brady, supported by Commissioner Atwood; motion carried 45:13.
• M24 Underpass Contract: Motion by Commissioner Brady, supported by Commissioner Brady (unanimous roll call); motion carried 57:07.
• 888 Baldwin Road Rezoning: Motion by Commissioner Brady; motion carried 1:05:39.
• Park/Pine/Parking Lot 9 Award: Motion by Commissioner McCarthy, supported by Commissioner Brady; motion carried 1:06:59.

• Economic Impact of Housing: Debate over whether income-restricted units (up to 80% AMI) promote revitalization or dilute the city's tax base 10:52, 31:35.
• Construction Management: Discussion on using liquidated damages to prevent delays in the large-scale parking lot/street project 1:12:43.
• Traffic and Accessibility: Concerns regarding traffic congestion at the Baldwin Road intersection and the impact of the parking lot project on downtown business access 1:00:26, 1:13:05.
• Infrastructure Maintenance vs. New Projects: A debate on prioritizing the completion of existing, long-running projects over pursuing "new shiny objects" 53:24.

• Income Limit Verification: Staff to verify the specific income limits for the lowest-earning households qualifying for the apartments 22:10.
• Project Follow-up: Jim Alt to follow up regarding the acquisition of signed easements from adjacent property owners 1:19:28.
• Tree Well Experimentation: The Department of Public Services to conduct a pilot test of rubberized tree well surfacing 1:21:17.

Overall Sentiment

The sentiment is frustrated and confrontational, with viewers expressing anger regarding economic hardship and perceived classist attitudes.

Recurring Themes

• Housing affordability and the struggle of young families
• The disparity between rising living costs and stagnant wages
• Perceived prejudice against low-income residents

Notable Comments

"it isnt driving low income residents, people need housing that is affordable... what do people expect young parents to do as pricing goes up and wages dont go with them." — @AlexDaeling

"Who’s the pompous turd that thinks he’s better than low income people and is afraid for his children to be around them?" — @RANDYLAWRENCE-p3h

Overall Sentiment

The chat engagement was extremely sparse, consisting of a single, earnest plea directed at the Commission regarding a community investment opportunity.

Chat Timeline

[51:04 – 51:04] The only moment of engagement in the chat involves a viewer appealing for the approval of an investment in the community.

Notable Messages

51:04 "Please say yes to someone who wants to invest in our community." — @mamamin78