Councilmember· 2023-11-14 – 2027-11-08 (sworn at the 30th City Council seating on November 14, 2023 per the CivicClerk minutes; term ends November 8, 2027 per the citys council vacancy notice on the council page; on council since 2017 per the city page, earlier service not sourced)
Chris Burns
Portage
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 21
- Total speaking time
- 1:26:08
- Avg per meeting
- 4:06
- Segments
- 931
Want every word Burns has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Burns said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
Portage Road road diet and Capital Improvement Plan
The Portage Road rebuild will spend about $9.8 million in the coming budget year.
Healthcare advisory charter proposal on the ballot
If approved, the city would bear the cost of staffing and supporting the new board — the exact price tag hasn't been figured out yet.
Unified Development Ordinance Concerns
Property owners would be responsible for clearing sidewalks abutting their lots in winter.
Winter sheltering program funding request
$500,000 previously withdrawn by the city from support for the Landing Place.
Micro-LAM industrial tax abatement certificate transfer
City forgoes property tax revenue on the improved value for up to nine years in exchange for job creation and wages above area median income.
Farmland loss to technology installations
No direct city cost; proposals would depend on utility programs.
Selection of Portage's next city manager
The cost of the city manager's salary and contract terms will be set during negotiations before the September 8 vote.
city council vacancy
The immediate budget impact should be minimal—mostly staff time and routine administrative costs, not a major new expense.
Property tax late-charge waiver request
The city refunded the penalty portion of one resident's $369.45 charge; broader notification changes could cost or save money depending on the method chosen.
Student pedestrian safety at Milham and Oregon
Unknown — flashing beacons or crossing guard coverage would carry city costs not yet estimated.
Retirement plan transition hits former employees
Affected former employees face unexpected tax liabilities — about $4,800 in this case — with a possible $19,000 repayment option expiring October 30.
city council meeting recap
No direct financial impact can be determined from this recap alone.
1706 West Centre brownfield redevelopment
Denser development could boost the city's tax base and local business activity, but it may also bring new infrastructure and service costs that taxpayers should watch.
Employee health insurance contract renewal
About $3.46 million from the city budget for one year of employee health coverage.
Election of Mayor Pro Tempore
Pavilion Township sewer agreement
Fixed connection fees ($190 for the first facility unit) carry over from prior agreements, but Pavilion's increased cost-sharing of pipe maintenance benefits city ratepayers.
Parks & Recreation kitchen renovation funding
Saves taxpayers about $236,223 for now, but the aging kitchen remains out of compliance if renovated piecemeal.
Pearson resignation creates council vacancy
No direct cost; the council will fill the vacancy with an appointment process within 21 days.
Traffic safety on Osterhout Avenue
Unknown, though a signal installation would carry a cost to the city.
Protection of parks and wetlands from future development
Decisions during term (289)
Recorded while Burns was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Consent Agenda approval
Tax penalty waiver for Sheena Kurien, 9715 Woodlawn Drive
Election of Mayor Pro Tempore
Special meeting rescheduled to November 17, 2026
Approve the City Council Meeting Minutes of the:
Regular Meeting Minutes of October 20, 2026
Receive the 1706 West Centre Brownfield Redevelopment Plan Application for 1706 West Centre Avenue, Portage, MI, and set a public hearing for November 17, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as may be heard for consideration of…
Minutes of Boards & Commissions:
Senior Citizens Advisory Board of September 17, 2026.
Materials Transmitted.
Calendar of Meetings:
Consent agenda (excluding item 6)
Adopt Resolution #4 — Micro-LAM, Inc. industrial facilities tax abatement certificate transfer
Sanitary Sewer Transport Agreement with Pavilion Township (pulled consent item A.6)
Approve council committee reports as presented
Approve the City Council Meeting Minutes of the:
Minutes of Boards & Commissions.
Materials Transmitted.
Calendar of Meetings:
Approval of Consent Agenda (items A.1–A.9)
Voting record (61)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
Consent Agenda approval
Tax penalty waiver for Sheena Kurien, 9715 Woodlawn Drive
Special meeting rescheduled to November 17, 2026
Consent agenda (excluding item 6)
Adopt Resolution #4 — Micro-LAM, Inc. industrial facilities tax abatement certificate transfer
Sanitary Sewer Transport Agreement with Pavilion Township (pulled consent item A.6)
Approval of Consent Agenda (items A.1–A.9)
Consent Agenda
Consent Agenda
authorize the expenditure of up to $100,000 to the United Way of South Central Michigan in support of the 2026- 2027 winter sheltering program, authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with
Employment Agreement with Karen Dempsey-Horan
United Way Winter Sheltering Program Funding
Conflicting service on the board of Housing Resources Inc., a Continuum of Care subgrantee.
Closed Session - FOIA Appeal
table until the Regular City Council Meeting on September 8, 2026, the authorization of the expenditure of up to $100,000 to Kalamazoo County in support of the 2026-2027 winter sheltering program and
Consent Agenda (as amended, excluding Item A.5)
Industrial facilities tax abatement — Depatie Fluid Power Company, 5960 S. Sprinkle Road, Suite 1
Industrial facilities tax abatement — Milham Corners LLC, 5960 S. Sprinkle Road, Suite 2
Table $100,000 winter sheltering contribution to Kalamazoo County (Item A.5)
Serves on the board of Housing Resources Inc., a sub-grant recipient of the county housing funds.