By RAUL GARCIA JR | Lansing News Wire
The Lansing News Wire had a chance to catch up with Brian C. Jeffries candidate for the City of Lansing City Charter General Revision Commission election slated May 7. Here is what he had to say in Meet the Candidate Q&A:
Q: Can you briefly introduce yourself and provide some background on your qualifications for this office?
A: My educational qualifications include a Bachelor of Science Degree from Michigan State University and a Juris Doctor Degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Other qualifications and experience include being a Lansing resident for over 46 years. I am a self-employed attorney at Jeffries and Associates PLLC, AKA, Student Legal Services, located at Michigan State University and have practiced law for the last 40 years. My firm provides legal services for all undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, as well as the Council of Graduate Students (COGS) and the Associated Students of Michigan State University (ASMSU) which are the respective graduate and undergraduate student governing bodies. Concurrently, I held elective office for 27 years, where I served as an Ingham County Commissioner (D), a Lansing Community College Board of Trustees Member, and a Lansing City Council Member (At-Large). During this time, I acquired a great deal of experience working with the organizational and operational documents of all these entities. This included proposing and passing numerous ordinances and Charter amendments as well as leading a rewrite of Lansing Community College’s Bylaws (LCC’s Charter) and amending and updating the Constitutions, Bylaws, and Codes of Operation of COGS and ASMSU. I have also served on many local and regional Boards and Commissions and have volunteered many hours to community service projects. The knowledge I gained through my community service work, my time spent practicing law, and the experience and working understanding of how different forms of local governments operate and govern themselves, makes me uniquely qualified to be a member of the Lansing Charter Revision Commission. Learn more about me and my campaign at my website: www.lansingchartercommission.com.
Q: What professional or community experience do you bring to the table that makes you well-suited for this role?
A: See prior answer.
Q: What motivated you to run for this office?
A: We have a personal responsibility to improve our community. I believe the Lansing Charter Revision Commission will be the most consequential local governmental entity in Lansing. The City Charter is our local Constitution. The Michigan Municipal League describes a charter as a document that “prescribes procedures to be followed in operating local government, establishes the powers and duties of elected officials, creates safeguards to protect against misuse of authority, and provides opportunities for citizen involvement. Michigan is a home rule state, and home rule gives the citizenry the right and responsibility to form its own government. A charter provides the mechanism for accomplishing the myriad tasks assigned to elected officials to govern their communities.” Although there have been 8 amendments to parts of the current Charter since its inception (over 45 years ago), the Charter Revision Commission will be charged to review the entire document and make changes. These changes may include simply updating language, addressing significant issues facing our community and how we want our City government to work and represent its citizens. As an attorney and in continuance of my public service, I cannot think of any greater responsibility nor anything more impactful than serving on the Lansing Charter Revision Commission.
Q: Can you articulate your vision for the city and the key issues you hope to address if elected?
A: This will be the first revision of Lansing’s Charter in over 45 years. Many changes in law have occurred since then, so I would begin by reviewing the Charter to ensure that it conforms with the requirements of the Home Rule City Act and the Michigan Constitution. I would update the Charter to incorporate certain City policies and ordinances, such as the Human Rights ordinance. My focus is not so much on revising a specific provision, but supporting changes to ensure that the revised Charter will empower our residents and earn their trust. My role will be to listen, with an open mind, to create common sense changes. The result: a Charter that requires transparency, openness, and public involvement in the City’s processes and operations; reflects the values and concerns of all our citizens; and that would ultimately be supported by a majority of our voters.
Q: What are the top three priorities you would focus on if elected?
A: Produce a Charter that moves Lansing forward as a welcoming City for all individuals; maintains a strong workforce; prioritizes public health and safety; is well secured financially; and operates openly and transparently.
Q: How do you plan to address specific challenges facing the city, and what are the relevant issues from your point of view?
A: See answers to prior 2 questions.
Q: How do you plan to engage with and involve the community in decision-making processes?
A: Engagement and involvement must be driven by a transparent community engagement process. I would encourage the Commission to hold educational forums and listening sessions throughout the City. This can be done working with existing neighborhood and community organizations, including Faith-based and marginalized groups as well as other community stakeholders. In-person and remote meeting opportunities, with agenda and meeting minutes available electronically and in hard copies, should be part of the process. All meetings of the Commission should be open to the public and I would have the meeting notices posted on various social media platforms, print media, broadcast media and the internet. I would also consider creating a Charter Commission Public Engagement Sub-Committee to ensure people are heard and are directly involved in the process.
Q: Can you provide a brief overview of the current city charter and its key provisions?
A: The current Charter contains 9 Articles with each Article composed of numerous Chapters and subsections. Each Chapter establishes clear lines of accountability and responsibility in the operation of City Government and the specific delineation of the roles of the Mayor, City Council, City Boards and Departments. The Charter also establishes practices and procedures for labor relations, taxation and finance, and regulatory powers such as licensing and disposition of City property.
Q: What specific aspects of the city charter do you believe need updating, and why?
A: As noted above, this will be the first revision of Lansing’s Charter in over 45 years. Many changes in law have occurred since then, so I would begin by reviewing the Charter to ensure that it conforms with the requirements of the Home Rule City Act and the Michigan Constitution. I would update the Charter to incorporate certain City policies and ordinances, such as the Human Rights ordinance. My focus is not so much on revising a specific provision, but supporting changes to ensure that the revised Charter will empower our residents and earn their trust. My role will be to listen, with an open mind, to create common sense changes. In that regard, some issues that I have heard discussed during the campaign focus on the role of the mayor (Strong Mayor/City Manager form of governance), adding an additional council ward, and eliminating at-large council wards.
Q: Can you discuss any experience you have had with drafting or amending legal documents, such as ordinances or charters?
A: As an attorney for COGS and ASMSU and former Ingham County Commissioner, Lansing Community College Trustee, and Lansing City Council member, I have a great deal of experience working with organizational and operational documents of all these organizations. This included proposing and passing numerous ordinances and Charter amendments as well as leading a rewrite of Lansing Community College’s Bylaws (LCC’s Charter) and amending and updating the Constitutions, Bylaws, and Code of Operations of COGS and ASMSU.
Q: How would you approach analyzing the potential impacts of proposed charter changes on the community?
A: As noted above, my analysis will be to ensure that any changes to the Charter will empower our residents and earn their trust. I will require a fiscal analysis be conducted of all proposed changes to ensure we understand their cost and affordability. My approach will be to listen, with an open mind, to create common sense changes that would ultimately be supported by a majority of our voters.
Q: How would you handle conflicting viewpoints within the charter update committee or the broader community?
A: I expect Commission Members and members of the public to bring forth issues and ideas that some may find controversial. This may even be to the point where the exchange of these issues and ideas creates strong disagreements placing people into opposing sides. Divisiveness, animus, and hostility shape much of our political discord today to such a point where nothing gets accomplished. Healthy debate should be encouraged, but when emotion turns into personal and abusive attacks, that behavior simply cannot be tolerated. If I am a member of the Charter Revision Commission, I pledge to treat everyone with civility and respect, as well as display proper decorum at all times, even if I disagree with someone’s point of view.
Q: How familiar are you with local government laws and regulations?
A: Very familiar. For 27 years I worked hand in hand with local laws and regulations as an Ingham County Commissioner, Lansing Community College Trustee, and Lansing Council member. Additionally, as a lawyer for the past 40 years my practice has focused on municipal land use, landlord tenant matters, and criminal defense. On a daily basis, I work with local criminal ordinances, housing and code enforcement ordinances as well as the respective Charters of the cities and townships located in Ingham County.
Q: Can you highlight any specific innovations or improvements you would like to see in the updated charter?
A: As noted in prior answers, I would begin by reviewing the Charter to ensure that it conforms with the requirements of the Home Rule City Act and the Michigan Constitution. I would update the Charter to incorporate certain City policies and ordinances, such as the Human Rights ordinance. My focus is not so much on revising a specific provision, but supporting changes to ensure that the revised Charter will empower our residents and earn their trust. The final product, the Revised Charter, should reflect, as best as possible, the values and concerns of all our citizens, not just those ideas and proposals put forth by Commission Members.
Q: What are your favorite notable personal achievement:
A: Married Ellen – Still together after 43 years.
Q: What are your favorite hobbies:
A: In my spare time, I enjoy wading the Grand, Pere Marquette, and Big Manistee rivers to fish for bass, trout, salmon, and steelhead; cook and bake pies; and work on our home. I am a devoted fan of MSU sports and most of all, I enjoy living life with my wife, Ellen.
Q: Favorite Book:
A: Life, Public Service and Papers of A. Lincoln
Q: Favorite Movie, or TV Show:
A: Anything MSU sports.
Q: What is your favorite food:
A: Wild-caught fish on the grill.
Editor’s Note: All of the candidates on the ballot for the City of Lansing Charter Revision Commissioner have been asked the same questions and have been invited to participate in the Lansing News Wire Meet the Candidate Q&A. The responses will be published as they are received until the election.
Tanya Garcia