Get to know E.L. City Council

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Tweet From noise and party ordinances to housing developments, the East Lansing City Council deals with it all.

The five council members serve as the city's top governing body, typically elected by East Lansing residents.

Last year, however, one member was appointed, not elected. Because of a vacant seat when former council member Mark Meadows resigned to run for state office, Diane Goddeeris was appointed to join the council in October.

The council members are responsible for making and approving all city policy. They meet every Tuesday in City Hall, 410 Abbott Road. At least once during the fall and spring semesters, the council meets in the Union as a way to bridge the city and the university.

All meetings are open to the public, and the meetings' agendas are available online at www.cityofeastlansing.com the Friday before.

The city manager, Ted Staton, reports to City Council members and is responsible for implementing the council's decisions. He also runs day-to-day operations of East Lansing and manages all city staff.

Get to know these city officials as they offer words of advice to you:

Sam Singh

• Mayor, elected in 2005.

• Singh was first elected to the council in 1995, after graduating from MSU in 1994 with a degree in history. He also is the president and CEO of the Michigan Nonprofit Association.

• "East Lansing will be your home for the next four to five years — take advantage of the everything it offers," he said. "It has a great downtown, wonderful festivals and cultural offerings and great places to live. Get involved, register to vote and enjoy your new home."

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Vic Loomis

• Mayor Pro Tem, first elected to the City Council in 2001.

• Loomis has been an East Lansing resident since 1949 and graduated from MSU in 1972 with a degree in business administration.

• Loomis did not provide comment for incoming freshmen.

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Beverly Baten

• Council member, first elected to the City Council in 1999.

• A native of New York, Baten has been an East Lansing resident since 1966. She attended MSU and has 22 years of retail business experience in downtown East Lansing.

• "Welcome to your new home and learn about your community," Baten said. "Learn where things are in the community so you can feel you can go anywhere and get the resources you need."

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Kevin Beard

• Council member, first elected to the City Council in 2005.

• Beard graduated from MSU in 1983 with a degree in liberal arts and English, and he worked for General Motors Corp. for 31 years. He is pursuing graduate work at MSU in public policy, organizational development and labor and industrial relations in Michigan.

• "Study hard. Work hard. Play hard," Beard said. "Do things you can be proud of and happy (about) if Mom and Dad learn about it. Frankly, that can apply to all of us."

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Diane Goddeeris

• Council member, appointed to the City Council in 2006.

• Goddeeris graduated from the University of Michigan in 1977 and works as a registered nurse at Lansing's Sparrow Hospital. She also serves as vice president of the Michigan Nurses Association.

• "As you move away from your family, we want you to make this your new home," Goddeeris said. "I hope you find our city to be a great place to live and won't want to leave after graduation. … We're glad you are here."

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