What Lansing Council

At the July 27th Lansing city council meeting. Council heard a progress update on the modular pod housing project. A team of consultants are working on the site plan but they are still searching for a construction management partner and there is no project timeline. Council had a “spirited debate” about a proposed ordinance change aiming to streamline the process for developers applying to build low-income housing units in the city using some state and federal assistance programs. This resulted in a 4 to 4 vote - and the failure of the proposed ordinance. The Capital Area District Library gave their annual presentation - membership, circulation, and usage of the library system is up. Two public comments called for greater Board of Water and Light scrutiny and oversight.
Our guest this episode is Michael Lynn Jr. Michael and partner Erica, combined to "Merica", are the force behind the wildly successful Lansing podcast "Merica 20 to Life". They champion community driven change everyday through their leadership at the Lansing Empowerment Network - a space they created to bring people together to impact the big issues in our city: Gun violence prevention, education, housing, and economic development. Michael was appointed to the city’s fire board of commissioners in April this year.
The Lansing Empowerment Network: https://www.empowerlansing.org/about
Michael and partner Erica’s podcast: https://merica20tolife.com/
Support this podcast financially: https://www.patreon.com/cw/WhatLansingCouncil

During the July 13th Lansing City Council meeting the council voted seven to one to put a six month moratorium on issuing building permits or processing zoning amendments for data centers. This will give them time to make ordinance changes to specifically regulate these projects. They also denied a trash claim appeal and began the process to re-structure the city boards and commissions to include seats for the upcoming fifth ward, as ordered by the charter commission.
Our guests this episode are Dr. Nichole Keway Biber and Gabriel Biber. Nichole is a community organizer and citizen of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. She works as an organizer for the environmental non-profit Clean Water Action. Gabriel works as the executive director for Fenner Nature Conservancy, is the vice-chair for Ingham County’s Farmland & Open Space Preservation Advisory Board, and a member of the Michigan Homeless Policy Council.
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Best Dressed T-shirt: https://modern-legend.com/products/hate-billionaires-tee?variant=40117994520618
This Thursday - Poetry in the city: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1152988066944068&set=gm.1997151861079893
This Saturday - Fenner Nature Conservancy Milkweeds and Monarchs: https://mynaturecenter.org/product/milkweed-and-monarchs/
Michigan Interfaith Solar and Light organization: https://www.miipl.org/
Support this podcast financially:  ⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/WhatLansingCouncil

At the June 22nd Lansing City Council meeting the council hosted an effective public hearing about a proposed ordinance change to make it more favorable for developers to finance projects in the city that promise 30% of the units are “affordable housing”. There were seven “show of cause” hearings for buildings the city wishes to demolish because they are not up to building code. Some end of the fiscal year budgetary updates were given and a presentation by an Ingham County official about the ballot proposal for the increased hotel tax.
This episode is a quick meeting recap with no guest commentary, regularly scheduled guests will return in July!
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Support this podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/WhatLansingCouncil

At the June 8th Lansing city council meeting the council heard from a dozen folks unhappy with code compliance fees and procedures: snow and ice removal, weed cutting, make safe or demolish orders, and red-tag fees. Council honored Lansing’s Juneteenth celebration committee, and they debated a new ordinance introduced with the intention of making it more enticing for developers to build lower and moderate income housing.

This episode is a quick meeting recap with no guest commentary, regularly scheduled guests will return in July!

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Support this podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/WhatLansingCouncil

Check out the Lansing Juneteenth events this year: https://www.lansingjuneteenthcelebration.org/

A live show recording of a discussion of civic engagement with three Lansing super-citizens: Paul Anderson, Julie Powers, and William Lawrence! Fun interludes include the panelist's limerick challenge, friendly feud, and a fill-in-the-blank letter to Lansing City Council.
Paul Anderson serves as the Executive Director of the Southwest Action Group - an organization dedicated to uplifting and empowering the community of Southwest Lansing by fostering unity and improving the overall well-being of individuals and families.
Julie Powers 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.  
William Lawrence is running for United States Congress to represent Mid-Michigan's 7th Congressional District. A lifelong organizer, he founded the youth-led Sunrise Movement, and more recently founded the Michigan Rent is Too Damn High Coalition. 
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A beautiful short film directed and produced by Paul Anderson, "Southside: A Legacy In Motion": https://vimeo.com/1094702111
The city of Lansing’s Citizen’s Academy sign up: https://mi-lansing.form.transform.civicplus.com/42999
Choose Lansing’s Certified Tourism Ambassador program: https://www.lansing.org/membership/cta-information/
William Lawrence’s 2026 campaign site: https://wewill2026.com/
Lansing Bicycle treasure hunt open for the month of June: https://bikeandseek.org/
Robin Theatre: https://www.therobintheatre.com/