City Commission Meeting - 05/05/2025

The meeting began with the approval of the agenda and the handling of administrative matters, including the excused absence of Commissioner Atwood 6:14, 6:58. The commission also approved the minutes from several April meeting dates, noting a minor correction to a header sheet 7:40, 8:22.

The public comment portion of the meeting featured updates from the Lapeer Main Street DDA regarding downtown wayfinding signs and upcoming summer events 9:03. This was followed by intense testimony from representatives of the Kiwanis Club and the Rotary Club. The Kiwanis Club representative addressed recent disparaging comments made by commissioners regarding the club's fundraising ethics and the use of TIF funds for an all-inclusive playground 11:07. The meeting concluded with a plea from a community member for the commission to support the playground project to ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities 14:59.

• Administrative Approvals: Approval of the meeting agenda and April meeting minutes 6:14, 7:40.
• Downtown Revitalization: Installation of new wayfinding signs via a Michigan Main Street vibrancy grant and the return of Monday night car cruises 9:24, 9:44.
• Kiwanis All-Inclusive Playground: The ongoing fundraising and political challenges surrounding the playground project at Roden Park 11:27.
• TIF Funding Controversy: Debate regarding the use of $200,000 in TIF funds for the Kiwanis project and concerns over commissioner transparency 13:11, 14:16.

• Mayor Jeramy Hing: Presiding officer 5:48.
• Commissioner Joshua C. Atwood: Excused from the meeting due to travel 6:58.
• Commissioner Linda Glisman: Moved motions to approve the agenda and minutes 6:14, 7:40.
• Commissioner Melissa Petrie (Mayor Pro-Tem): Seconded motions and moved to excuse Commissioner Atwood 6:14, 7:18.
• Commissioner Stefan Brady: Seconded the motion to excuse Commissioner Atwood 7:18.
• James Alt: Representative for Lapeer Main Street DDA 9:03.
• Jessica Pettit: Representative for the Kiwanis Club of Lapeer 11:07.
• Greg Bolan: Resident and member of the Rotary Club 14:59.

• Agenda Correction: The agenda was adjusted to correctly list the City Manager's report rather than the City Attorney's report 6:37.
• Minutes Correction: A correction was noted for the header sheet of the April minutes to accurately reflect a budget meeting date of the 24th 8:22.
• Wayfinding Signs: New signs have been installed throughout the city, funded by a Michigan Main Street vibrancy grant 9:24.
• Playground Funding: The Kiwanis Club is seeking to fund an all-inclusive playground at Roden Park through donations, grants, and city funds, specifically addressing the use of $200,000 from TIF funds 11:27, 13:11.

• May 5, 2025: Date of the City Commission meeting .
• April 14, 21, and 28, 2025: Dates of the minutes presented for approval 7:40.
• May 6, 2025: Scheduled Community Heart and Soul informational meeting at the Doghouse 10:24.
• End of May 2025: Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities conference 10:24.

• Lapeer, Michigan: Jurisdiction of the meeting 9:03.
• Roden Park: Location of the planned all-inclusive playground 11:27.
• The Doghouse: Location of the community informational meeting 10:24.

• Wayfinding Project: To improve navigation throughout the city using grant funds 9:24.
• Playground Necessity: To provide accessible recreational space for families and individuals with disabilities who face barriers in traditional playgrounds 15:40.
• Kiwanis Testimony: To address "hurtful" and "concerning" comments made by commissioners during a previous budget meeting regarding the club's fundraising practices 12:29.

• Commissioner Glisman: Led the administrative portion of the meeting by moving to approve the agenda and the April meeting minutes 6:14, 7:40.
• James Alt: Provided community updates regarding downtown signage, the return of car cruises, and upcoming summer retail events 9:03.
• Jessica Pettit: Delivered a pointed address to the commission, defending the Kiwanis Club against accusations of unethical fundraising and questioning the commission's commitment to TIF-funded park projects 11:07.
• Greg Bolan: Provided emotional testimony supporting the playground project, citing his professional experience with the challenges faced by people with disabilities 14:59.

• Motion to approve the agenda: Moved by Commissioner Glisman, seconded by Commissioner Petrie. Motion carried 6:14.
• Motion to excuse Commissioner Atwood: Moved by Commissioner Petrie, seconded by Commissioner Brady. Motion carried 7:18.
• Motion to accept April 14, 21, and 28 minutes: Moved by Commissioner Glisman, seconded by Commissioner Petrie. Motion carried 8:00.

• Kiwanis Club Ethics and Transparency: A significant discussion arose regarding comments made by commissioners suggesting that Kiwanis members use their local board positions to solicit donations 12:29. The Kiwanis representative argued that all TIF board votes are transparent and that members abstain from voting where conflicts exist 13:11.
• Accessibility in Public Spaces: A discussion on the functional necessity of an all-inclusive playscape, highlighting the physical limitations individuals in wheelchairs face at standard playgrounds 15:40.

• Commissioner Support for TIF Funds: Jessica Pettit asked if the commissioners would honor the TIF board's decision to use allocated funds for the playground 14:16.
• Financial Commitment: Jessica Pettit asked if the commissioners would commit to setting aside the $200,000 from TIF funds for the project 14:38.

Overall Sentiment

The chat was extremely minimal, consisting of a single friendly greeting to viewers in the Upper Peninsula.

Chat Timeline

[08:50 – 17:02] The only recorded activity was a brief greeting from a viewer in the UP.

Notable Messages

8:50 "Hey, everyone watching from the UP" — @Votebeard