In the minutes: Lansing Committee on Ways and Means, ALPR (Oct 15)

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MINUTES
Committee on Ways and Means
Thursday, October 16, 2026 @ 3:00 p.m.
City Council Conference Room

CALL TO ORDER
Council Member Carter called the meeting to order at 3:00 pm
PRESENT
Council Member Tamera Carter, Chair
Council Member Peter Spadafore, Vice Chair
Council Member Deyanira Nevarez Martinez, Member - excused
OTHERS PRESENT
Sherrie Boak, Council Legislative Office Manager
Luke Thiel, Legislative Analyst
Cheryl Rupprecht, LPD
Greg Venker, OCA
Kenneth Salzman
Doug Blankenship
Cheryl Brand
Ro Gedris
Lia Lilley
Darren
Chelsea Ransom
Fredric McLaughlin
Minutes
MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPADAFORE TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER
1, 2026 AS CORRECTED. MOTION CARRIED 2-0.
Public Comment
No public comment at this time, public comment will be addressed as well under each agenda
item.
Discussion/Action:
RESOLUTION – Reappointment; Kenneth Salzman- At Large Member; Income Tax Board of
Review; Term to Expire June 30, 2030
Mr. Salzman spoke briefly on his reasoning for this Board, because at the time of his first
appointment there was a vacancy, and they have only met 3-4 times, but not a busy board, and
his other time schedule allows him to continue to serve.

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MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPADAFORE TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION FOR THE
REAPPOINTMENT OF KENNETH SALZMAN TO THE INCOME TAX BOARD OF REVIEW.
MOTION CARRIED 2-0.
RESOLUTION – Grant Acceptance; Automobile Theft Prevention Authority (ATPA), Lansing
Police Department
Ms. Rupprecht summarize that The purpose of the grant is to assist in the prevention of motor
vehicle theft. Allowable uses are personnel costs of one police officer($201,283 @ 37%,
requiring 63% match) dedicated to the auto theft prevention program, vehicle lease/purchase,
office supplies, investigative supplies, cell phone, equipment, training/travel and specific
membership dues. $15k specific for vehicle lease/usage at 37%, requiring 63% match
$25,100 specific for Field Operations-including equipment -NON FLOCK/COMPATIBLE
equipment: Hermit Cam/mounting $16,000/VIN ID OBD $1,000/TACTICAL PROTECTIVE VEST
$3,000 $5,100 IAATI/MAVTI/DUES/TRAVEL TRAINING at 37%, requiring 63% match $5,400
specific for Office Operations-including cellphone at 37%, requiring 63% match. This year they
are purchasing non-flock and non-flock compatible equipment, and these funds are for training,
and is already a line item budget line.
Council Member Carter asked about the grant funding structure, and asked for clarification on
the figure. Ms. Rupprecht stated it is a 37% 63% split. The numbers were corrected to reflect
$91,309.71 and 155,473.29. Council Member Carter asked what a hermit cam is and Ms.
Rupprecht stated she understands them to be stationary, but is a mobile similar to speed traffic
signs. Council Member Spadafore stated it is a smaller zoom, and does not have built in AI or
ALPR. Council Member Carter asked if there is any ongoing costs after the grant period ends,
and Ms. Rupprecht stated no.
Council Member Spadafore proposed an amendment to add:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that acceptance of these grant funds is conditioned upon
no portion of the grant funds or local match being expended on automated license plate
reader (ALPR) technology, including related equipment, software, installation,
maintenance, or data services.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that it is the desire of the Lansing City Council that no
portion of the Automobile Theft Prevention Authority grant funds, nor the associated
local match, be used for the purchase, lease, installation, operation, maintenance, or
data subscription of automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology; and
Ms. Rupprecht spoke with the ATPA State Grant supervisor, and they confirmed they are not
required to purchase ALPR equipment and can use for other equipment. Mr. Venker stated that
general principal when Council accepts grant funds, it is up to the Mayor on expending the
funds. Grants are governed by the grant agreement; non-flock compatible, and the question is if
the State would accept an amendment to their grant document that those funds will not be used
for flock.

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Mr. Venker asked for more time to review, and Council Member Carter asked if there was any
public comment.
Chelsea Brand spoke in opposition to the flock cameras, and asked how the organizations were
going to be held accountable.
Doug Blankenship spoke in opposition to ALPR, surveillance, reactive measures, and what is
considered in bias placement.
Roe Gedris asked about clarification on what the funds can be used for, and clarification that
should be listed on what can be opted out of.
Leah Lilly spoke on the language that was just proposed, acknowledging, and asked Council to
step back and take time on solutions.
Darren spoke on the recent resolution acted on by Council to cancel the Flock contracts, and
then work on regulating.
Chelsea Ransom spoke in support of funds to make a safer community, but the ATPA was
established and at that time there were other options to consider.
Council Member Carter read into the record information provided, 1) Providing financial support for

neighborhood or community organizations or business organizations for programs designed to reduce the
incidence of automobile theft, (2) Conducting educational programs designed to inform automobile owners
of methods of preventing automobile theft and to provide equipment, for experimental purposes, to enable
automobile owners to prevent automobile theft.

Council Member Carter summarized three emails Council received on Monday, from Lloyd
Conway (Flock/ALPR cameras and public safety), Henry Fessler (Auto Theft Prevention
Authority), and Mercuri Rose (Table the Auto Prevention Authority Grant)
Council Member Spadafore assured the public that the grant agreement does list out the
expenditures and submitted to the State in June, 2026.
Council Member Carter spoke about the data collected.
Mr. Venker stated what is needed, the department is offering not to have funds go towards.
to be placed as the second to last recital:
WHEREAS, the Lansing Police Department has stated its intent to not use any grant funds for the
purchase of or payment for ALPR technology, including related equipment, software, installation,
maintenance, or data services; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that acceptance of these grant funds is conditioned upon no portion of
the grant funds or local match being expended on automated license plate reader (ALPR)
technology, including related equipment, software, installation, maintenance, or data services.

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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council requests that the Lansing Police Department provide
the final report of use of funds, which is provided to the grantor, to the Committee on Ways and
Means for review.

Ms. Rupprecht, anything that has been purchased has to come through budget control, all items
that require a PO, which requires a quote which in turn requires what the equipment is. Does
that exceed expectations, if provided quarterly reporting.
MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPADAFORE TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENTS FOR
THE GRANT ACCEPTANCE; AUTOMOBILE THEFT PREVENTION AUTHORITY (ATPA),
LANSING POLICE DEPARTMENT. MOTION CARRIED 2-0.
MOTION ON THE AMENDED RESOLUTION GRANT ACCEPTANCE; AUTOMOBILE THEFT
PREVENTION AUTHORITY (ATPA), LANSING POLICE DEPARTMENT. MOTION CARRIED
2-0.
ORDINANCE – Amending Chapter 230 by adding Section 230.02 to allocate funding for
Supportive Housing Services
Council Member Carter first noted the ordinance title is changed to “dedicated to basic human
services to provide for assistance and support to ensure safe and secure housing for City of
Lansing residents”.
Council Member Carter then referred to the Draft 7, dated 10/8/2026 in the packet, highlighting
what changes were made form the last meeting including to add accessibility and ADA related
modifications, including reasonable physical modifications or improvements necessary to
improve accessibility for a person with a disability, including modifications that support safe
access to and safe use of the home. Also, homeowner safety and code compliance repairs as
well as have ability and hazard remediation, including physical repairs necessary to address
conditions and then other housing safety instability initiatives as consistent with the section of
this ordinance.
MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPADAFORE TO APPROVE THE ORDINANCE, DRAFT #7.
MOTION CARRIED 2-0.
OTHER
Fred McLaughlin, asked what the Committee on Ways and Means does, what the goal for the
Committee is. Council Member Carter stated it is finances, budget and oversight, and they do
have a conversation as a whole to the full Council, not just this Committee. Grants, spending,
taxing, goals of the city from the strategic planning currently being done. Mr. McLaughlin asked
why the city pursues economic growth, and other fundamental issues. Council Member Carter
stated that has more revenues that does not just speak to this committee, and again the City is
looking at the strategic plan, and can look at streamline and pieces being identified.
ADJOURN
Adjourned at 3:39 pm
Submitted by,
Sherrie Boak, Recording Secretary,
Lansing City Council
Approved by the Committee on