What Lansing Council

Jill Dombrowski
  • 5.0 (12)
  • Government
  • Updated Biweekly

Gossipy recap of Lansing Michigan city council meetings. Starting on November 18th, 2024.

  1. Aug 12

    I'm Not Andy Schor's Wife - with guest Ethan Schmitt

    At the August 10th Lansing city council meetings council heard from the CATA (Capital Area Transportation Authority) leadership about upcoming reductions in bus services. They heard from BWL (the Board of Water and Light, our municipal electric and water utility company) about increases in electric and water service rates. Two projects shepherded by the LEDC (Lansing Economic Development Corporation) are hoping to win council’s approval to proceed with reduced tax incentives. Council approved the language for a ballot proposal aiming to change the city charter to include the creation of a “Citizens’ Advisory Healthcare Action Board”. Our guest this episode is Ethan Schmitt. Ethan currently works as the Director of Special Projects for the Michigan Avenue Corridor Improvement Authority. He has previously served as the Allen Neighborhood Center's Volunteer and Communications Manager, and as a Senior Community Organizer for Planned Parenthood Michigan. Ethan is a fierce advocate for inclusivity and people-based placemaking in Lansing. **** City Pulse article on the “Wind Lord” sculpture: https://lansingcitypulse.com/29184-2/ Board of water and light wages from 2025: https://steveharrypublicpolicy.com/essaysLTE/Essay20260420.html Article about the ballot proposal for the citizens’ healthcare advisory board: https://michiganadvance.com/2026/07/14/signatures-submitted-for-lansing-ballot-proposal-on-healthcare-access-one-of-6-in-the-state/ Support this podcast financially: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/WhatLansingCouncil  Thanks!

    I'm Not Andy Schor's Wife - with guest Ethan Schmitt

  2. Jul 29

    Don't be Loud and Wrong - with guest Michael Lynn Jr

    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

    Don't be Loud and Wrong - with guest Michael Lynn Jr

  3. Jul 14

    A Data Center is Like a [Insert Metaphor Here] - with guests Nichole Keway Biber and Gabriel Biber

    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. *** 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

    A Data Center is Like a [Insert Metaphor Here] - with guests Nichole Keway Biber and Gabriel Biber

  4. Jul 6

    Musical Housing - June 22nd Quick Recap

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

    Musical Housing - June 22nd Quick Recap

  5. Jun 11

    Criminalizing Weeds - June 8th Meeting recap

    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! *** Support this podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/WhatLansingCouncil Check out the Lansing Juneteenth events this year: https://www.lansingjuneteenthcelebration.org/

    Criminalizing Weeds - June 8th Meeting recap

  6. Jun 4

    LIVE SHOW! Civic Engagement at the Robin Theatre

    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.  *** 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/

    LIVE SHOW! Civic Engagement at the Robin Theatre

  7. May 19

    Our World is a Product of Us and We Are a Product of Our World

    At the May 18th Lansing City council meetings council approved the city’s budget for the 2026/2027 fiscal year, which spans from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. They gave a tribute recognizing May 19th as Malcolm X Day in the City of Lansing; May 19th was Malcolm X’s birthday. They unanimously approved a letter calling for an immediate end to unauthorized federal military escalation and an unlawful war with Iran. In public comment we heard from residents of the Fabulous Acres neighborhood plead for help with some extremely inconsiderate neighbors. Commenters brought stories of struggles with homelessness and the destabilization resulting from camp sweeps performed by city police officers with no safe option for relocation. ********* Support this podcast financially:  https://www.patreon.com/cw/WhatLansingCouncil UPCOMING LIVE PODCAST SHOW EVENT!!!! JUNE 2ND!!! ⁠⁠https://www.therobintheatre.com/events/what-lansing-council-podcast-live-panel-discussion⁠

    Our World is a Product of Us and We Are a Product of Our World

  8. May 13

    GOoooooo Money! - with guest Christopher Greene-Szmadzinski

    At the May 11th city council meetings council heard from the community about the death of a citizen, who was for a time, a member of the fallen angels encampment. The Spec-Tran CATA (Capital Area Transportation Authority) service specifically for folks with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) status received additional criticism for poor service. Council passed four changes to the parking code: 1) parking enforcement hours are reduced to 9am - 5pm instead of 8am - 6pm, 2) the timing for paying the least amount for parking tickets was amended from “within two hours” to “before midnight on the day of issuance”, 3) all ticket fine tiers increased by $10, and 4) the cost to park for longer than two hours in metered street parking spaces (where that is allowed) was increased.  Today our special guest is Christopher Greene-Szmadzinski. Christopher serves as the co-chair of the Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Council and also sits on the Lansing Park Board. He posts about pazcki sightings and other important and random Lansing geography at Lansingography.com See Christopher’s amazing maps and infographics - including a visualization of the city’s 2026-27 proposed budget: https://www.lansingography.com/ Support this podcast financially:  https://www.patreon.com/cw/WhatLansingCouncil UPCOMING LIVE PODCAST SHOW EVENT!!!! JUNE 2ND!!! ⁠⁠https://www.therobintheatre.com/events/what-lansing-council-podcast-live-panel-discussion⁠ Dolly Parton 9-5 music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbxUSsFXYo4 Lansing Facts tourism video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smFvDuGiS0Q Lansing’s 2023 Parking study: https://www.lansingmi.gov/1248/Parking-Study

    GOoooooo Money! - with guest Christopher Greene-Szmadzinski
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About

Gossipy recap of Lansing Michigan city council meetings. Starting on November 18th, 2024.

Information

  • Creator
    Jill Dombrowski
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jill Dombrowski
  • Show Website
    What Lansing Council

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