The Devil is in the details: Grand Rapids committee appointments and contracts that we shouldn’t ignore

The following information was included in the various Grand Rapids City Committee meetings, along with brief mention during that June 16th Grand Rapids City Commission.

It is my contention that the following information has not received sufficient public attention, although the people, contracts and entities involved should be of concern to anyone who understands how power functions in this city.

Appointments – There are two appointments to the Committee on Appointments that I want to point out and both have to do with appointments to the Grand Rapids Land Bank Authority. The first is Guillermo Cisneros, who happens to be the President and CEO of the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. There are many who think this is not a problem, but since the intention of the Grand Rapids Land Bank Authority is to use land in responsible and impactful ways, then why would you want people who a focused on business? It is also important to point out that Cisneros is currently on the Economic Development Corporation and the Grand Rapids Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, the board of Grand Action 2.0, and an Executive Board member of the Econ Club of Grand Rapids.

The other appointment to the Grand Rapids Land Bank Authority, according to the minutes of the Appointments Committee is the Mayoral reappointment of David LaGrand. This means that Mayor LaGrand has reappointed himself. Considering how LaGrand has acted during his 18 months has Mayor I certainly would not want him to be making decisions regarding the use of land in this city.

Contracts – The city was awarded a portion of the grant request for the program, which will provide $4,300,000 for implementation of The Grand Rapids Talent Plan. The Grand Rapids Talent Plan, “aims to invest state funding in public space development projects in central city neighborhoods or concentrated districts designed to increase density, walkability, and vibrancy in Michigan’s central cities to attract and retain talent and create business ownership opportunities for local residents.” So, we are using $4.300,000 to attract and retain talent (for businesses) and create business ownership opportunities? Really, in this economy, when so many people are struggle to survive and living paycheck to paycheck – 4 million and 3 hundred thousand dollars? Imagine how that much money could support people who are struggling to make rent every month, to pay for gas, to have a functioning phone or those that are facing food insecurity….just to name a few. How about we invest in those people and then offer them jobs instead of trying to “attract talent.” What kind of Neo-Liberal Capitalist bullshit is that!

Another contract that has received no attention was a “Resolution approving a Professional Services Agreement with the Greater Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation through Housing Next for Housing Practice Lead services in an amount not to exceed $100,000, according to the June 16th Fiscal Committee records. Granted $100,000 is not a huge amount of money, but it is public money never the less. Why would the City give $100,000 to Housing Next, in partnership with the Greater Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation. First, the Greater Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation board is made up of members/organizations who make up the Grand Rapids Power Structure. Second, Housing Next was created by the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce to push a market-driven approach to housing, which has translated into that organization spending a great deal of time influencing state policy makers to change zoning codes and other housing construction regulations that are favorable to developers.

One last contract that isn’t being discussed outside of government committee meetings is a Resolution authorizing execution of a Contract with SeyferthPR for public relations services in an amount not to exceed $50,000. Again, $50,000 is not a great deal of money, but SeyferthPR?  SeyferthPR was the agency that was overseeing the group Destination Kent, which was created to get the ballot initiative passed in 2024 to increase the hotel tax to fund places like the Amphitheater and the soon to be open Soccer Stadium. The President of SeyferthPR John Helmholdt signed on to the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce proposed ordinance that would criminalize the unhoused in Grand Rapids. SeyferthPR also has a seat on the board of the West Michigan Policy Forum and often hired to represent the Grand Rapids Power Structure on public relations matters.

All of the appointments and contracts I have highlighted in this post has not only not received sufficient public attention it is using public funds that the public doesn’t get to vote on or even have any say. The devil is certainly in the details and the news media and local government could care less if we know about these matters.