2nd Ward Council candidates offer answers on urgent city issues

LANSING -- Southeast Lansing appears to be a competitive place for five City Council candidates who want to represent the city's 2nd ward. 

Candidates include an incumbent, a former city internal auditor, a licensed plumber, an Army veteran and a resident who served on two city boards. 

All five candidates responded this month to the State Journal's questionnaire that sought answers for eight questions. Candidates were asked to respond to each question in 100 words or less. 

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The Nov. 7 general election will also determine who Lansing's next mayor will be, who fills two at-large Council seats, who represents the 4th Ward on council and who becomes city clerk. 

Council posts are part-time and pay $24,240. (Members elected by the council to serve as president and vice president will make slightly more.) 

The primary election is Aug. 8. Races are non-partisan, but the primaries will reduce the field to two candidates for each position.

The 2nd Ward candidates: 

• Tina Houghton (incumbent)
• Jim DeLine
• Jeremy A. Garza 
• Julee Rodocker
• Jaron Green 

The questions and their responses: 

1. What would be your top three priorities if elected?

Houghton: Creating jobs - Promote Lansing as the best city for business creation and retention. Lansing should strive to be the region's leader in economic development, utilizing smart, regional decision making and decisive public-private partnerships to continue to redevelop our economy for today’s market. Keeping neighborhoods safe - Continue to support police and fire efforts and empower citizens to take ownership in their neighborhoods by providing tools and resources for them to be active citizens. City Infrastructure – Making streets/sidewalks safe for all users, ensuring seniors can safely age in place, kids can walk to school, and accessible commuting options for all.

DeLine: 1. Finances- With the city’s current budget challenges, we need a council member with advanced knowledge of city finances. Every taxpayer dollar needs to be spent efficiently. I have the experience in city finance to make sure that happens. 2. Neighborhood advocacy - As a recent retiree, I have the time and energy to listen to 2nd Ward constituent concerns and act on their behalf including neighborhood infrastructure needs. 3. Government transparency – My track record is clear. As the city’s internal auditor, my disclosure of a big payout to the departing city attorney and of unpaid city bills were widely reported.

Garza: First, we must invest in Lansing’s priorities. If we want to keep people living in Lansing, we must invest in south Lansing’s priorities, like fixing our roads, improving public safety and cleaning up our neighborhoods. Second, we must put regular people before special interests. Developers have been running the show at Lansing City Hall, at the expense of regular working families, who have seen their neighborhood roads crumble and local parks left to decay. Third, we need a fair economy that works for Lansing citizens. The city has given away tens of millions in taxpayer dollars to corporations without accountability.

Rodocker: Restore 2nd Ward voices - I’ll be responsive to 2nd Ward residents as they have been without adequate representation on City Council. They need someone to represent their concerns and be accessible. I want to give my neighbors a voice and improve their quality of life. Community safety and resources - Steer resources to the 2nd Ward including police, code compliance and regular maintenance of parks, roads/sidewalks. Economic growth - Bring business, labor and community stakeholders together solving problems and growing our economy in a responsive manner. Creating diversification of businesses beyond marijuana dispensaries and storage/car/tire lots in southeast Lansing.   

Green: My top three priorities would probably be to learn from the other council members, begin engaging the community and look at the budget. 

2. What should the city do to fix its pension and health care shortfall?

DeLine: The city recently paid for a thorough and professional analysis of these unfunded liabilities. As a result, the Segal Consulting Group has identified 52 options worthy of our consideration. We have “kicked the can down the road” for too long. We must now bring all the players to the table – administration, City Council, the Financial Health Team, labor unions, representatives of neighborhoods and of business – and reach a consensus on action steps going forward.

Garza: It’s important that our city’s leaders look for solutions that will honor the promises made to our retirees. We need to take a good look at our city’s budget from A to Z and ensure that we are investing in Lansing’s priorities. We also need to generate more revenue so we can properly fund our retirees. Part of that means start making developers and corporations in our city pay their fair share in taxes. It’s unfair to expect city taxpayers and retirees to carry the burden while allowing rich developers and campaign contributors to get out of paying their taxes.

Rodocker: We need to honor commitments to our retirees. We cannot burden residents to solve a problem created by earlier administrations. Selling city assets is not always the answer. Expand the tax base by attracting and retaining residents/businesses. Stop privatizing city jobs and increase the number of employees paying into the retirement fund. Set aside a portion of the city’s annual budget to put toward the shortfall. Save money on retiree health care costs by purchasing at discount rates. Increase city revenue by asking the state Legislature to give cities their fair share of state taxes.

Green: I believe the city should adopt the public banking option (like North Dakota has done as a state). I believe the pension and health care shortfall is estimated to be six $630 million over the course of 30 years. Well, North Dakota’s public banking model has deposited $1 billion dollars in the last decade. It’s something worth considering.

Houghton: Like all municipalities, legacy costs continue to be a major financial challenge for the city. Retiree healthcare is where we have the greatest opportunity to effect change while reducing costs and maintaining a competitive benefit. I look forward to reviewing the FHT’s (Financial Health Team's) recommendations, and I will be open to all reasonable recommendations. 

3. What is your stance on commercial and residential regulations for medical marijuana?

Garza: We need more regulation of dispensaries in the city, because there are far too many pot shops – especially on the South Side. We should regulate marijuana dispensaries like we do liquor stores.

Rodocker: I support Lansing patients having safe and convenient access to medical marijuana. However, we have vastly more dispensaries than what we need. This has negatively branded Lansing, driving away home buyers and businesses. Regulation is necessary. The free-market system alone will not ensure that only the responsible dispensaries remain in operation. Neither medical nor recreational marijuana should become our main economic driver as it has too many consequences.

Green: While I do support medical marijuana usage for those who require it, like anything else, I believe boundaries are important. I don’t know what those boundaries would look like exactly yet, though.

Houghton: I fully support regulations that provide patients with safe and affordable access to medical marijuana. I also support regulations that allow for the creation of jobs while keeping the presence of the industry from causing any public harm. 

DeLine​​​​​​​​​​​​​​: I expect recreational marijuana to be approved by Michigan voters soon. Marijuana, whether for medicinal or recreational use, is a substance like alcoholic beverages and prescription medication that needs reasonable regulation and licensing. The use of zoning as the primary instrument for this is the wrong approach. The number of licenses issued needs to be limited with neighborhood concerns addressed and, very importantly, consumer protections in place for marijuana users.

4. How would you improve relationships among the city's elected officials?

Rodocker: I am motivated by service to my community and look forward to serving with council members and a mayor who are guided by those same principles if elected. It is up to the voters to elect those of us who are driven to serve the residents’ best interests, rather than worrying about our personal gain or fitting in with the political and social elite.

Green: Well, I would personally make a conscious effort to be humble in situations where I might disagree with other council members. We can do things their way first and if it doesn’t work out, now we know why it doesn’t work, and can now adjust, build a better plan for next time. You must be mentally flexible.

Houghton: In the words of former President Obama, “You can disagree with a certain policy without demonizing the person who espouses it.” This is a man who recognizes that his political opponents are not bad people; they just have different opinions about how to make our country better. I feel the same way about my colleagues in the city. We are all friendly with each other personally, but we disagree passionately on issues that matter because that is what democracy looks like, and that means all citizens have a voice at the table.

DeLine​​​​​​​: Working relationships will improve when elected officials work together more. The city’s administration and City Council must work jointly on an increased number of city issues and programs. It is hoped that the new administration will be more transparent and less likely to spring proposals on council and the public at the last minute.

Garza: We must put aside petty political differences and focus together on finding solutions to Lansing’s challenges. I think having a new mayor who’s more collaborative will help set the right tone.

5. How can the city improve its infrastructure given the funding limitations? 

Green: I would once again refer to the public banking model currently in use by North Dakota. They can repair and care for their infrastructure using have a set of infrastructure accounts allowed to them by the public banking option.

Houghton: I appreciate the national discussion on infrastructure; the investments from both state and federal aid continue to be woefully unfunded. Without increases, we will continue to have deterioration for roads and other unfunded mandates, such as ADA accessibility needs and mandates stemming from the Clean Water Act. Even passing of our local millage for roads and sidewalks does not meet our city’s growing needs. Our public services will need to create programs, like the Wet Weather Program, which have implemented creative solutions that are less burdensome on our taxpayers.

DeLine​​​​​​​: The 1.0 mill tax levy proposed by the current administrationmay, if fact, be the best route to take. However, the administration has not done a good job of showing Lansing residents that it manages tax payer dollars efficiently or for the purpose intended. If the increase fails to garner voter support this year, the incoming administration and council will need to work together on another attempt.

Garza: We start by getting back to basics with our city budget, and spending taxpayer dollars wisely on infrastructure improvements that will benefit everyone. We also need to be more transparent with the expenditures of our tax dollars. City politicians have given away tens of millions of dollars in tax breaks to their developer cronies. If these rich developers paid their taxes like the rest of us, we’d have plenty of money to fix the roads and fund Lansing’s priorities.

Rodocker: Revenue streams are improving and we have seen some additional money coming into the city budget. The problem is not entirely about funding limitations but also about accountability in how funds have been spent. It is not clear that maintenance schedules have been followed or that the money from our park and road millages have been appropriately spent. We need transparency in our budget process and a long-term plan for maintenance that is equitable for all parts of our city. In addition we need to work with our state partners to seek resources for road, bridge and transportation infrastructure.

6. What's your take on tax breaks/incentives for businesses or developers?

Houghton: Lansing has been very successful in leveraging a variety of tools to attract and retain many businesses over the last several years. Tax credits are one of the tools available to urban core cities to help them to compete with open green development. Tax incentives assist in leveling the playing field and provide a means for business owners and the city to eliminate blight and restore buildings to a usable status. Even though I believe they are a valuable tool, incentives should be considered on a case-by-case basis with careful consideration on the return on investment to the city and its residents. 

DeLine: Tax credits are an important tool to encourage investment where it might not otherwise happen. They need to be targeted. Council needs someone who can thoroughly understand the proposals and is willing to ask the tough questions before approval is granted.

Garza: They can be helpful, provided there’s more transparency and accountability. If local taxpayers are subsidizing a project, either through bonds or incentives, then local workers should be given the first crack at jobs their tax dollars are helping to create. True economic development benefits everyone in the community, not just corporations and developers.

Rodocker: I do not support routine tax abatements for developers unless there are extremely significant demonstrable public benefits. Tax abatements must be revoked if the stated benefits/jobs are not met. In addition, I would only support development that (a) is consistent with our master plan and zoning, (b) supports our quality and way of life, (c) does not negatively impact green spaces/wildlife, historic assets, or neighborhoods, (d) is not an overall drain on public resources, (e) is done above board without financial gain for elected officials involved in decision-making, (f) and does not have negative impacts on vulnerable populations.

Green: I think tax incentives are a powerful tool that we should use less, and more selectively.

7. Do you support efforts to increase shared services across the region? 

DeLine: ​​Yes. Council should encourage the incoming administration to mend fences with regional partners and explore areas of shared cooperation.

Garza: Yes, provided it makes sense and maintains the quality of service that local taxpayers deserve and pay for.

Rodocker: As the state capital and a driver of regional economic development we should play a leading role in regional discussions. Possible collaborations include road construction, public transportation, community mental health and health department services addressing substance abuse/opioid crisis, restorative justice alternatives, and jail construction. We have had some successes (Potter Park Zoo, 911 Call Center, River Trail) but there were some costly hiccups. Successful collaboration depends on the willingness of individuals and organizations to put aside egos and turf battles to find common solutions. We have important work to do to regain the trust and goodwill of regional partners.

Green: Yes. 

Houghton: Yes, and Lansing should be a leader in the cooperative effort. There is a huge need and opportunity for regional cooperation. To date, Potter Park Zoo, and the River Trail have been the most successful examples, not to mention our shared fire chief with East Lansing, and our partnership with the Lansing Board of Water and Light for municipal procurement. I would support enhanced cooperation for public safety goals that could include jails, courts, transportation and infrastructure opportunities as well.

8. Are you current on all city, county and state taxes? 

Garza: Yes.

Rodocker: Yes. I am current on all city, county, and state taxes. I do not owe any money to the city of Lansing.

Green: Yes. 

Houghton: Yes. 

DeLine:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Yes. I have owned my home in the 2nd Ward for 19 years and have never been delinquent on any taxes.

Eric Lacy is a reporter for the Lansing State Journal. Contact him at 517-377-1206 or elacy@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @EricLacy.