**Subject:** Proposal to Increase the Number of Wards, Adjust the Composition of the City Council, and Modify the Mayoral Veto Override Threshold

**I. Introduction**

This proposal aims to amend the Lansing City Charter to:

1. Increase the number of wards from 4 to 8.

2. Adjust the composition of the city council to include ten members, with eight elected from the wards and two elected at-large.

3. Adjust the mayoral veto override requirement from a two-thirds majority to a three-fifths majority.

**II. Background and Rationale**

As Lansing continues to grow and diversify, the need for a governance structure that adequately reflects its changing demographics and addresses its evolving challenges becomes increasingly critical. The proposed amendments are designed to enhance representation, improve legislative effectiveness, and ensure a balanced distribution of power within city government.

**III. Proposed Changes**

**A. Increase in Number of Wards**

1. **Details**: The number of wards will be increased from 4 to 8.

2. **Justification**: This change will allow for smaller, more manageable wards, enabling council members to better serve and respond to the needs of their constituents, fostering stronger connections and more direct representation.

**B. Restructuring the City Council**

1. **Details**: The council will be expanded to ten members, with eight representing the individual wards and two elected at-large.

2. **Justification**: This configuration balances localized attention with citywide perspectives, ensuring comprehensive policy-making that incorporates diverse viewpoints.

**C. Modification of the Mayoral Veto Override Threshold**

1. **Details**: Change the veto override threshold to a three-fifths majority.

2. **Justification**: This modification promotes a more dynamic legislative process, enabling quicker responsiveness to changing conditions while still maintaining a robust check on executive power.

**IV. Impact Assessment**

The proposed amendments are expected to significantly benefit Lansing by:

– **Enhancing Citizen Engagement**: By reducing ward sizes and increasing the number of representatives, constituents will have better access to their council members, promoting greater civic participation and engagement.

– **Improving Public Safety, Economy, and Social Determinants of Health**: More tailored and localized governance can address specific community needs more effectively, from public safety strategies to economic development initiatives and health services, leading to improved overall community well-being.

– **Cultivating Future Leaders**: The increased number of council positions and the diverse roles they entail will serve as a platform for nurturing and training future leaders, equipping them with the experience and knowledge needed for larger roles in governance.

**V. Conclusion**

The proposed charter amendments are designed to refine Lansing’s governance framework to better reflect its present and future needs, fostering a more inclusive, responsive, and forward-looking city government.

This revised proposal ensures that the changes in the city charter directly address the evolving needs of Lansing’s population, promoting a more engaged and effectively governed community.