Council Member· 2023–2026
Jim Pearson
Portage
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 13
- Total speaking time
- 1:01:04
- Avg per meeting
- 4:42
- Segments
- 808
Want every word Pearson has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Pearson 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$500,000 previously withdrawn by the city from support for the Landing Place.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.
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.
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
Upcoming data center and battery storage regulations
No direct cost to taxpayers from the moratorium itself, though future regulations could require bonding or surety from developers.
Police surveillance technology (Flock cameras and Stingray devices)
The city rents the cameras with no operating or maintenance costs.
MDOT Transportation Alternatives Program Grant — Portage Road Safety
About $446,000 combined across the two contracts, drawn from approved city funds.
Farmers market opening at the Zhang Senior Center
The center projects about $72,000 in net revenue, including $42,000 from facility rentals.
Secure parking for first responders
US-131/West Centre Avenue storm water drainage improvements
Storm system is private, so the homeowners association — not the city — maintains it, with city backstop authority.
Decisions during term (278)
Recorded while Pearson was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
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)
MDOT Contract No. 26-5370 — US-131/West Centre Avenue Storm Water Drainage Improvements
Micro-LAM, Inc. industrial facilities tax abatement certificate transfer — 5870 S. Sprinkle Road
Appointments to Historic District Commission, Human Services Board, Park Board, and Senior Citizens Advisory Board
Approve the City Council Meeting Minutes of the: Regular Meeting of September 22, 2026
Receive the Annual 2026 Tax Abatement and Job Summary Reports as Information Only.
Minutes of Boards & Commissions.
Materials Transmitted as of September 24, 2026
Calendar of Meetings:
Consent Agenda
Receive Senior Citizens Advisory Board Annual Presentation and Planning Commission Work Program
Council Committee Reports
Voting record (43)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
Approval of Consent Agenda (items A.1–A.9)
Consent Agenda
Consent Agenda
Employment Agreement with Karen Dempsey-Horan
United Way Winter Sheltering Program Funding
Closed Session - FOIA Appeal
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)
authorize the demolition of 9303 Portage Road for the reconstruction of Portage Road
Approval of Consent Agenda as amended (Items A.1-A.6, A.8-A.13)
Rezoning Amendment #26/27-1 — city-wide zoning map amendment (Ordinance O-4-2026)
Demolition of 9303 Portage Road for Portage Road reconstruction
He favored delaying demolition two weeks to give Mr. Borsos time to demonstrate relocation feasibility amid the housing shortage.
Consent Agenda as amended
Preliminary Condo Plan — Firestone Site Condominiums (4221 Zylman Avenue)
Charitable Gaming License — Shakespeare in Kalamazoo
Closed session on City Manager applicants
Adoption of Purchasing Ordinance amendment
Special meeting to interview City Manager candidates
Approval of Consent Agenda
Adoption of Ordinance Amending Chapter 50 — Emergency Police Lines, Clear Zones, and Nuisance Parties
amend Section 2.2.7, subsections f and c, from reading “if the limits of the development contain areas as described as natural open space type per section 2.2.7, a minimum 50% of required open space s
approve Ordinance Amendment #25/26-3 with the noted amendments and amend the Code of Ordinances of the City of Portage, Michigan by adopting the text of Chapter 44 Residential Unified Development Ordi
UDO amendment — correct cross-reference in Section 2.2.7 C5
UDO amendment — perimeter screening open-space credit
UDO amendment — 50% natural area/common green requirement
UDO amendment — wetlands/floodplain credit raised from 20% to 50%
Adopt Ordinance Amendment #25/26-3 — Residential Unified Development Ordinance
Concerned about the 20 percent wetland delineation standard and wanted a Committee of the Whole for fuller debate.