evening I like to call the meeting to order this is the Highland Park City Council in person and virtual regular meeting for Monday, March 20 2023, starting at 7pm, slight deviation for our opening ceremonies, I would like to have a moment of silence for one of our citizens who suffered a fire. I'll just call her by her first name because I don't want to have a tendency not to put people's personal business out in the street. Unfortunately, this pillar in our community, suffered a fire and now her and her three children and her father are without a home. So if you will be kind enough to bow your head and a moment of prayer to help lift his family up I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you for your kindness and consideration. Madam Deputy Clerk, would you be kind enough to call it a row?
Councilman Shafi? Yeah, Councilwoman Martin. Here. Councilwoman Monica here. So proud Tim Robinson. Here. Council President Thomas
here.
Next item, please.
Approval of agenda.
Council at this point we would open the floor for a recognition and approval of the agenda for today's meeting. Floor is opening entertain a motion
to approve the minutes.
We have a motion on the floor from Councilwoman Monica to approve the minutes for today's meeting. Do we have a second?
Excuse me, council president comments? Agenda? I'm sorry. We're on the agenda approving the agenda.
Exactly. That's why I'm saying approval of the agenda.
Councilwoman Monica said approve the minutes I'm sorry.
Can you repeat that? I like to move towards the agenda for this evening. Monday, March 20 2023 7pm.
Thank you for the clarification. Madam Deputy Clerk. Thank you. Councilwoman Monica for clarifying. We have a motion on the floor from Councilwoman Monica to approve the agenda for today's meeting. Do we have a second? Second from Councilwoman Martin out of Deputy Clerk Would you be kind enough to call the roll for us?
Councilman a Shafi? Yes, Councilwoman Martin. Yes. Councilwoman Monica? Yes. Council pro Tim Robinson. Yes. Council pres hammers?
Yes. The agenda is unanimously approved. If we could go on to the next item, please.
Approval of proposed minutes for the in person and virtual regular meeting held March. Sixth 2023.
Council have received a copy of the minutes for in person and virtual meeting on March. Sixth. How would you like to address this?
Hello flexions changes I'd like to approve the minutes March 6 2020 23. Meeting, virtual
meeting. So we have a motion on the floor from Councilwoman Monica to approve the in person and virtual meeting minutes for March 6 2023. We have a second. We have a second from Councilwoman Martin, Deputy Clerk if you will call the roll.
Councilmember Shafie Yes. Councilwoman Martin Yes. Councilwoman Monica. Also Pro Tem Robinson. Yes. So President Tamizh.
Yes, minutes were approved unanimously. At this point in our meeting, we leave the floor open for addresses from the department. Heads. The floor is always open to our mayor, Mayor McDonald. If you would like to you may address Council. at your pleasure, please.
Greetings, honorable Council. Citizens of Highland Park I will always be speaking on behalf of the departments. What we do is they give me their updates. And so I will be bringing them to address the council with those updates. Okay. So,
you, CDC,
I don't have very much today. But first, let me thank citizens and council members for attending the city wide block club meeting. It was a great turnout and I am looking forward to working with every black club in the city. If you are interested in forming a black club, you can pick up a registration form from the front desk downstairs in City Hall. Also please join me on March 23 at 6pm for the State of the City address. This address will be short, but be informative. The location will be at healing springs Baptist Church, which is located at 12 647 Hamilton Avenue. That's 12 six or seven Hamilton Avenue. Doors will open at 530. We will start exactly at 6pm. I want to thank all of the citizens that have called with kind words or accolades for our DPW department as well as our police department. It is good to hear that they are out there doing what they're supposed to be doing. Also want to let you know that the departments are working hard hard on getting forward. So if you see them out there or you see see some somewhere even if they're not doing it, you can always let me know. Thank you. Thank you. We appreciate that and looking forward to moving forward with a great future. That's it. Thank you.
Thank you, ma'am. Citizens at this point, we open the floor for citizens participation we ask that you keep your comments to within two minutes. We know sometimes it's a challenge to get everything out that you need to in a two minute timeframe. We will try to be amenable as much as we possibly can we ask that you speak for no more than two minutes. On any item which appears on the agenda we will have an open session at the end of our meeting where citizens comments on any topic so we have any citizens that would like to be heard at this point in the council meeting if you would raise your hand and you will be recognized. Mr. Lackey, do we have anyone online that would like to make a comment related to the current agenda items? No hands are raised. So having no hands raised in person and none raised virtually we will move into the agenda. Madam Deputy Clerk if you could read the next item please.
Item five ordinance first reading an ordinance to amend the Highland Park Administrative Code section 608. Animal ordinance
Council as part of the charter in the ordinance. We typically have two readings for the ordinances as they appear before us this is an opportunity for those of you who have reviewed the ordinance and feel that there needs to be some changes and modifications. The department heads are here to address those. So at this point, we will turn it over for council if they had anything related to the first reading. Otherwise the floor is open for action on this to move to the second reading. Councilman for the third district um
Is this all here to speak on this morning do we have to thank you
there's there's a couple of things here that I'm
concerned about. Yes, sir.
As always say you always do a great job you always get an affirmation for so let's start at the the most concerning one that I have here is going to be the 608 point 16 authority of animal control officers section see okay, okay. I'm a little concerned about this one here. Okay. So it says here that and I quote, animal control officers who are designated to enforce the provisions of this chapter, shall have the right to enter born probable cause of a violation of this charter a well what chapter I should say on to any premises residential or real estate property will within the city for the purposes of capturing, collecting or maintaining any animals. Further, such officers shall have the right to enter upon probable cause to any premises residential or real estate property for the purposes of examining any animal suspected of having rabies, having been exposed to rabies, or having a tag dog in a person or any animal Okay, so my concern about that chief is clear. I get I get a probable cause part but what I'm seeing when I hear this, I hear lawsuit. Okay, okay. I hear lawsuit. Okay. You enter in people's homes. Whoa, I understand. That you got probable cause but for my comfortability and for the city, I would ask that you add into here, something to get a warrant. You have a very, very amenable judge here who would help out of course, and it wouldn't take more than 30 minutes. To an hour to get that one study you just barging into somebody's home.
So I can I can tell you? Our policy is in regards to any animal recovery, whether it's on property, or inside a residence has always been to get a search warrant. Okay. Any anytime we've entered a property to confiscate an animal, whether it was whether it bid someone or mauled someone. Or if we were going there just for the well being of the animal, we always obtain a search warrant. However, I don't object to putting some clauses in there regarding, you know, within within the law. Yeah.
So state law. This is both from state law and its attorney burden. The state law has it don't need it for that,
you know, and and the reason I say this chief, you know, I'm not saying that issue per se, but people have a tendency to take laws like this and use them in a manner in which they wasn't intended to be used for. I've been on the receiving end of that. I know exactly how it feels to have the city used against you as a resident simply based on the fact that somebody doesn't like you, or they want to give you a hard time so they know somebody in the city who could push this, come over here, do this and do that. I I can see the lawsuit already starting. I'd see it
so so I can tell you in terms of our our internal policy alone, is that we always get a warrant. And that's more to protect the city, although the law allows us certainly ways in certain situations. It's always been our practice to get it to get a search warrant. You know, to protect the city as well. As protect the officers at the end of the day. I'm equally as concerned about the officers, you know, suffering a civil liability, as well as as the department and the city in whole for that matter. So, Officer beard can tell you numerous times he's had the authority to go on to property and common skin animals, and I always hold them back and and make them get a search warrant. And it frustrates them sometimes, because the law does allow that. But it's just not our it's not our current policy. Okay, so you can rest assured that we're not, you know, we're not invading people's property and banging down their doors to take their animals or for anything for that matter and any criminal, you know, anything we're investigating, we're gonna get a search warrant, unless there's an extreme exigent circumstance where you know someone's life or something was in danger.
Okay, now, another question I have in this ordinance G six Oh, 8.9. Okay. I think that you guys need a little bit more detail on this particular subject, because there's just one sentence and it's not mentioned again for a whole page and a half.
What section was that? I'm sorry, it was
section six. Oh 8.9 uncontrollable barking dogs and how we go. So so so you know where I'm going already with this. Okay, so recently I had a kickin written for my son, for his barking dogs, okay. Dogs bark. That's what they do, especially when you're beating on the door and they don't know who you are. And your stranger okay? You don't say now I get that dogs do make noise. Okay, dogs do bark. Okay. But that $50 ticket turned into $175 ticket after the court got through adding on their fees. I got a problem with that. Okay, if it was just $50 I would have been fine and more than willing to pay that now. I'm not going to pay anything. I'm not paying $175 is unacceptable for barking dogs. I can understand if the dogs were outside. Marquee. I can understand it. The dogs are roaming the streets or I can understand it the dogs were up and down Hamilton Avenue barking and attacking people. But these were dogs that were inside my son's house secured inside a kennel in the house. And he received a ticket for $50 which turned into $175 ticket when our glorious judge got to win it.
Okay, so let me let me address a couple things. One, we don't walk around door to door looking for animals that are barking. Someone obviously contacted us and we go there our policy is to have a discussion with the individual try and make make, you know come to a resolution and have had the owners address the concerns of the animal. If that's not done, and typically we make numerous attempts to resolve it before it gets to a citation. Then our hands are tied because at that point, something's not being done. Now in terms of fees. We don't set the fees, you know, and the court imposes whatever
I got that party but at the end of
the day, Councilman, all we're trying to do is provide peace amongst all of the neighbors I understand and if this would have been during, you know, three o'clock in the afternoon wouldn't be probably wouldn't be an issue. The problem is this is typically when we're receiving calls is when people are trying to sleep.
Okay, gentlemen, I have to interject here because the city attorney wanted to Yeah, of course provide some content. Okay, I could have waited till he was sorry. That's okay. Because you mentioned it to me. I just wanted to so please Good evening. Okay.
Good evening Council and good evening citizens as it relates to fees. The court doesn't always have discretion with some fees. So the $50 that was the FBI and then you had $75 that was attached on that's part of what they call the crime victims right fee that was paid on misdemeanors, and then there's another state cost of $50. So that was an extra $120. But that was a set by the judge. Those are fees that she's required to assess based upon the state's demand, not hers, so she only assessed $50 In terms of what she had discretion to do. Okay. So, yes,
you said that you can understand if it was in the middle of the afternoon, but typically the call was they come in late at night when people
walk in right with the animals. So we receive a complaint
Okay, so in my case, it was an afternoon and it was on a Sunday when the young man here showed up at my door. Well, he showed up at my son's door. Okay, and about time he left. That ticket was on my door. The next day
when and I don't know because I'm not familiar with the situation, but I don't know if a citation was written the following day for an event that happened the night prior. But you know, certainly we could sit down and sit down and try and
write you just say that multiple attempts are made to resolve it before it gets to the ticket base. Well, that didn't happen for me.
Okay. Okay.
You know, it didn't have a seat chief. Again, I'm I'm concerned about rules in which we put into place because the same rules that we at the moment maybe immune to sitting here on council we're going to have to deal with it when we're not sitting here on council. So for me, it's about self preservation. I preserve them to preserve myself, okay, because soon enough, I wouldn't be sitting here. I'd be sitting back in in rows over there. And I don't want to have to deal with something that I don't pay if that's unfair to them, and I had to deal with it too.
Well, um, Councilman, I don't know if time permits, you know, certainly I would like the animal control officer to be able to speak on behalf of this but you know, now is probably not the time okay. You know, they those are all things that we can discuss, however for now. You know, I understand you have some personal involvement in this and to to adjust this amendment, but I can tell you that there's more to it than just responding and writing tickets. In a way that's that's not something that we were in the habit of doing. We're typically trying to resolve this peacefully. Because quite frankly, I'm be honest with you, we got more important stuff to deal with. But we also have an obligation to the citizens, and we have to make sure that you know, we're treating everyone fairly
okay. Okay, and I just got a I got one more party chief analogical. Six, so 8.06 number of dogs. Okay. There are there are several constituents of mine, who have over the limit of three dogs you don't say but they well behaved. That will memorable. A lot of a lot of these. These constituents are older and they have well mannered dogs, you know, the idea of them only being allowed three, even with them being under well controlled. Yeah, I got I got a problem with that as well too. Okay,
so So typically, the number of dogs this is pretty standard across most municipalities three dogs. And and that's basically the standards are set by the state. And it typically is based on residential lot size and, you know, there's so much that goes, goes into these decisions that it's, you know, the number three is what's been determined to be a reasonable allotment for animals in a residence. You know, there could there be exceptions. Yeah, there's exceptions for age there, you know, for puppies and things like that. However, adult dogs, you know, three is a pretty standard number amongst all agent all agencies around here, okay,
so it is past its chief, what do we tell those residents, those long term term residents that are actually over this limit? What we tell them they were they they don't
So, so this ordinance is already in place. Okay. The only part that we're we're working on are the the amendments that are that have been sent to you. Okay, so this ordinance is actually in place but I can tell you from experience what we have done, what we've came across people with multiple dogs, is we usually give them 30 days to find placement for them. And we again, we we don't initially issue a citation. We try and work with people. Now are we within the right to take the animal because they're violating the ordinance? Yes. We are. But is that something that we do know? You know, I'm an animal lover. You know, I don't know how I feel someone came and said, Hey, we're just taking your dog. So that's not our practice. Yeah. Our practices to work with people. And you know, and the hope is that the people are are willing to work with us. And we come to a resolution because we're obligated by this ordinance. So so we make our best to work with everybody. But again, at the end of the day, we have to enforce the laws. And this right now is a current current ordinance. Okay, so,
as always cheap. I always get a straight answer. Thank you so much.
Appreciate organizers madam Protune.
Afternoon, chief here. Hey. So, how will you handle the dogs in and around the illegal greenhouse? That we have in the city? Well, so
that's a whole separate issue, you know, something to be an illegal grow operation. I'm talking about the dogs. Well, I know but we can't address one without the other. Right. So we were you know, while addressing, you know, another criminal event that could be taking place, we would we would address the animals as well. Sometimes animals are bred to be aggressive to protect those type of operations. You know, so, in the event that we had lawful reason to be there, or we had a complaint, then we would address those dogs in accordance with the audience. Or the ordinance. The same same way, whether it was a regular citizen or someone illegally operating, we would address the animals the same way. Thank you.
Councilwoman Martin, Councilwoman Monica, do you have questions for Chief? Thank you sir. Having answered all questions, the floor is open for action. Was this
will be this the first way to go the action would be to next time, but
second, animal ordinance. So under the advice of the city attorney, she's suggesting that as this is a first reading of the ordinance that we allow citizens to weigh in on this issue. Only again, this is item five ordinance to amend the Highland Park Administrative Code section 608 on animal ordinance, is that what you wanted to address us about sir? No. Then I'm gonna have you have a seat until it's time for public comments. I want to make sure that we hear you Okay. Appreciate you. So do we have any citizens comments related to the ordinance? So the next action will be to move this for a second reading. At which time the the concerns that were raised by the councilman from the third district could be addressed and we have an opportunity to have those questions further fleshed out as well as the questions from Madam Pro Tem so at this point, we're looking for a motion to move this to the second reading.
I'll make a motion to move to the second. The ordinance to amend the Highland Park administration code section 608 Animal ordinance
so for item five we have a motion on the floor by Councilwoman Martin Do we have a second? We have a second by Councilwoman Monica. Madam Deputy Clerk Would you please call the roll
councilmember Shafi. Oh, sorry. No.
Also woman Martin. Yes. Also a woman Annika?
Yes. Also Paul, Tim
Robinson. Yes. So President Thomas.
Yes, motion passes. So item five will be moved to a second reading at which time the concerns of council should be addressed. So we can move on to the next item please.
Item seven for marrying resolution authorizing the submission for federal aid funding from Wayne County federal aid committee fix STP you wrote prepare repair.
We have someone from the engineering department to address this issue for.
Good evening, sir.
Good evening Council. Good evening residents. So I'm gonna just start with the simple and then I'm gonna give a little explanation. Since this is the first time I've come before this body and asked for this. So what we're asking for is the approval to submit an application for funding not I'm not asking for anything other than that. And that is it's a it's an 8020 So let me know so that's what that's what they ask is okay. This is the STP U stands for surface transportation, urban. Okay. And there's a Surface Transportation world so that acronym, that's what that means. So the federal government has a transportation program where cities that apply the qualify based on their status in the condition of the roads can apply for this federal funding. This is available each and every year. We've done this in Highland Park dating back to fy 2020. So this is this is what we've been doing the all of the roads so everybody's obviously understands what the condition of all the roads are in the city. All the roads are not eligible for this button. Okay. So I wanted to make that clear. So people are not wondering why we're not doing this on this street. Why are we doing on this street? So there's certain criteria that each road has to meet in order to qualify and I'm just going to give you the roads that are eligible, first of all, and then I'll back into the roads that have been approved. And then we can talk about this section of Manchester so the eligible roads are Rosa Parks. Okay. From the city boundary to six miles that little stretch of Rosa Parks is eligible. Oakman is eligible from the west city limits to Hamilton. Puritan is available from the west city limits to Hamilton. Hamilton is available from six mile to Tennyson, John R is available from Manchester to the Davidson freeway, and the Davidson freeway. Tennyson and Manchester is also eligible from Woodward to Hamilton. So those are all of the roads that are eligible for funding. What's been done in the city. So far was, which is going to construction this year is Oakland, which is south of the Davidson Tennyson that that stretch of road will be under construction here within the next 60 days. So we will be coming before the council we receive bids we got to bring those back you bid them out as part of the program. We'll be coming before the council to get approval for that and then that row will go into construction. That's fy 2022. fy 2023. Is the stretch this stretch of Oakland, north of the Davidson to six miles so that's the other portion of Oakland. So the first part that I mentioned has been designed, submitted. We've gone through the process, we received bids, and now we're getting ready for construction. The north half that I just talked about is under design. That'll be constructed, most likely in 2024. We submitted an application for funding on Glendale from the west city limits to Woodward. That is pending right now. They have not approved that portion of the application. And tonight in the packet is application that we're asking for permission to submit for funding is the stretch of Manchester from Woodward to Oakland. So that is a very poor stretch of road along with the rest of them but it's eligible for funding the criteria that goes into selecting these roads is the condition of the road and the amount of cars that travel on that road. So you know you have collector roads. You have arterial roads, which are mediums medium size roads, you have major roads. So there's three different criteria. And it's all based on traffic counts. Okay. The the application that we're submitting for Manchester is it's a total project cost of 900,000 plus or minus the construction estimate. is 788,000. The construction and engineering is 118,000. So the federal aid would cover 741,000 of that cost, and the local match would be 164,000. That was in the app then the packet this evening. That local match could be covered through activity one or our other bonds that the city may have access to. So that so that's a little bit of history about what we've been doing from the road standpoint. I wanted to explain some of those acronyms to you so that you were familiar with those. The rating of the road is based on what's called a pacer rating. That's a pavement surface evaluation rating. Those ratings go from one to six, one being terrible. Six, sorry, one to nine, one being terrible nine being in good condition. So those rows that we were talking about are in the one to two category. And that was based on information that we had in 2018. So if you're one and 18 You're negative now so which means basically, it's in very bad shape if you were in for example, like a talk with a stalker by Hamilton just for a second. Hamilton back in 18 was a sixth pretty pretty, pretty decent road that was five years ago. So you know Hampton might be creeping more into the five and the four category which means that you might not need to do a total reconstruct what you might just need to take off the surface layer and put down new asphalt when it gets into one and two. We're going all the way down to the bottom, replacing removing the gravel, removing all the asphalt and building the new road. So when you're in that 789 You can have some maintenance where you can just mill off that top asphalt and you can repave so that's kind of I don't want to get too technical, but I didn't think it would be fair for us to ask for submitting the application without giving some education on what it is we're talking about what's the history, what's gone on in the city, and why we need to do it. So at that time, I'll be quiet and I'll take any questions that you may, sir.
Thank you very much counsel the floor is open from the third district.
Is this is the total amount of this project to be spent and just Oh, Manchester. Yes. Okay. So we're looking at about a million dollars just for Manchester live.
Yeah, yeah. Okay.
So you know, you know, my concern for Manchester is, is we fix it, and we repair it and then four or five years down the line, we're back in the same shape. It's a lot of truck traffic on lead or on their street. And I feel like the companies that are doing the truck trafficking should contribute to maintaining that road. But nobody has ever said anything to them about it. And I'm curious because it's a lot of truck traffic. Now Oakland and Manchester, a lot of trucks. A lot of industrial businesses are wondering why do they not contribute to maintaining that road? That they drive on on a regular basis? Why? Why are we footing the bill or asking the state to foot the bill for something that should be shared?
That's a very good question. So I'm going to tell you that so you talk about a meal and resurfacing that's about 10 years design life okay? If you do a total reconstruct, it's supposed to be 25 to 30 years. So when a road is originally constructed, and that's assuming that it's the maintenance is done, annually, okay? So if it's a local street, or if it's a state road, there should be so if it's concrete, it's maybe sections of concrete that need to be removed joints that need to be repaired, it's asphalt, you need to seal those cracks each and every year, even on a brand new road that you resurface this year because, you know, you get a crack and if you don't seal it, water gets inside that goes down to the subgrade and then and then it comes up. So your question is is a good one, but I don't have the answer to why how we got to here as far as the road should be designed. So let me back up the road should be designed to handle truck traffic. So when we do a road design, we have to figure out what's going to be what's going to be traveling that road small cars, box trucks, semi trucks, like a highway. So when you design like a highway, you have a thicker cross section because the structural integrity is the aggregate at the bottom so everybody think it's on the top. The road is failing at the bottom. So you know if you if you have a lot of truck traffic you know, you're looking at 1215 inches of stone at the bottom. So that road is supposed to be designed to handle that traffic. And if it's maintained properly, it's supposed to get that 30 year design life. Now I can't speak on what's been going on over the past 25 or 30 years, but that's normally so we would not as long as to say we would not go back to those companies for the degradation of that road because the road should be designed to handle that. Now, if if if it was a local street, let's say we had semi trucks on one of these local roads, we know that that road wasn't designed for that and they would be deteriorating that road we absolutely would go back to those businesses and says you cannot be on that road, start issuing fines and doing those kinds of things. But in some of those rows that you mentioned, they should have been designed to handle that. So that's kind of where we are with that. So I understand your concern is you know, why should the city pay for that? Why does the state if you're causing the damage you should be you should be paying for that and I agree with that, at
least contribute a small amount, you know that? Oh, and at least help us out here.
I'm saying no, I'm saying a normal normal situation. normal maintenance would prolong the life and we wouldn't need to do that. But when when roads get beyond that, then that opens up Pandora's box and there's a whole lot of things that come into play, but I agree with what you're saying.
Matter pro Tim, I guess
you may know the answer to this
and you may not
know Manchester away and when I first heard that was going to be repaved and fixed and how much money they were going to spend. Is that because it's going to have different transportation coming through that's going to be like kind of reroute the Duluth Greenway and then be a connector route or the cue line and whatever else is coming through how the firm
No, we don't we don't anticipate any new traffic if that's what your question would.
Transportation right.
What is the act some of the activity in the city going to force new traffic onto the road does not currently there's that kind of what you're asking. No. Okay. Can you I want to
make sure is it going to be a connector route?
i It's no not necessarily No.
Council give me other questions. Not for me was mine from your government? Having no more questions. Thank you, Mr. Garrett. At this point, we have a request for a resolution authorizing the submission of a federal aid for federal aid funding from Wayne County. Council How would you like to proceed on this?
I want to make a motion so resolution authorized the submission for federal funding from Wayne County federal aid committee for the FY 2026 for the STP you road repair with the city of Highland Park.
Madam Deputy Clerk we have a motion on for Item seven for the approval of the resolution authorizing the submission of the federal aid funding from Wayne County from Councilwoman Monica that motion has been seconded by Councilwoman I'm sorry, from the motion was made by Councilman Martin. It has been seconded by Councilwoman Monica if you'd be kind enough to take the roll on this item.
Councilman a Shafi Yes, Councilwoman Martin. Yes. Councilwoman Monica? Yes. Council Pro Tem Robinson. Yes. Council President Thomas.
Yes. Item six was approved unanimously. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you. If we can move on to the next item please.
Item seven from finance submission of monthly statement for the period ending February 2023. Thank you,
ma'am. Counsel. If you remember we received this last month. The action that we can take on this is to receive and file. Do we have any questions? Well, Florida assignment, Councilwoman Martin please.
Versus expenditures of the city council.
The last call versus 96.
Are we saying that that's gonna be that's gonna use
some of the finance department
again, this is just their accounting Miss square.
Is Eleanor on not from
I'm sorry. Eleanor is Elena on
tape. That question.
So Mr. Martin in the finance department, if if you will make a request the finance department is at liberty to address any particular items at this point. They provide City Council with a copy of all of their expenditures for the month this is just basically their expense report. And so for us, this is us receiving it and filing it within our records.
But she has yes, if she has specific concerns about city council budget, she can just email Eleanor and she'll get back to her either.
Questions about the youth summer program and also
if it's related to funding for the program,
yes. You have any additional questions? Thank you so much. At this point, counsel, the floor is open for motion to receive and file
Do you see the foul? submission of a monthly financial statement for February 2023.
Deputy Clerk for Item seven from the finance department. We have a motion on the floor from Councilwoman Monica to receive and file Do we have a second?
Sheriff has a second. Madam Deputy Clerk if you would call the roll, please.
Councilman a Shafi Councilwoman Martin. No. Okay. Councilmember Monica? Yes. Council Pro Tem Robinson. No. Council President Thomas.
Yes. Item seven from the finance department. We will not receive and filed a monthly statement for the month of February. Next item please.
Item eight from public works. Request to issue RFQ to solicit bids for on call professional training and arborist services.
We have someone from the Public Works Department to address and to me
are you gonna cancel any questions or you just want me to address it? This is this is for the purpose to put out bid so we can find a tree cutter.
So this is an item that we couldn't address in the past so we're we're dealing with it now.
I guess you know, a job and understand we have trees in Highland Park that my staff can't handle. So that's you know, that's I have trees on rached in Monterey church, and my staff just can't handle there. They're too big and it's a it's a liability to the city. We have trees that's going to fall across people's fences houses. So you know, by us bringing in a separate company then that takes the liability off for the city also. But I mean, to be honest with you, my staff candidly
councilmember Martin, please
Is it because we don't have the equipment we don't have the manpower
Oh, yes. Correct. Yes, we don't have the equipment, the manpower or the expertise. I mean, you know, we've had in the past where you've had people from the city cut trees, they've fallen across cars and houses, and then that came back on to say, No, we just we just don't have the materials, the equipment or the staff,
and it's always been more than qualification
of staff. You know, I just say, Yeah, okay. Yes, ma'am. And it has been like that. Now we can cut something falls across your sidewalk. We can trim those, move those out. The way. But right now, you know, we're talking about large trees that may you know, fall across people's houses, cars. I don't I don't have the staff. Quality Equipment.
What would be the process to get rid of that tree? Is it just a trimming to get rid of it?
Well, some of those are very old large trees. So thank you for me, for both
of you. I'm sorry, Mr. Mark, Miss Martin and Mr. Reese. Well, we should have been we should have taken a motion. And then we would have had an opportunity for you to discuss this a little bit more in detail. We were we're very relaxed and familiar here. So what I want to do is I don't want you to go anywhere. I don't want you to stop with your questions, but we need to find out if there is some action to be taken on it. And then we can open it up for questions. We will move on moving along pretty well and very comfortable. So forgive me for that. I liked it. I liked the interaction. I liked when counsel asked questions, but what we do need to do to make sure that we follow Robert's rule is to entertain a motion on what we want to do and then we can open it back up for questions if you don't mind. You forgive the misgiving. So do we have a motion on the floor to take action on asking for quotes on tree trimming approval? What
questions?
We have a motion on the floor to approve from the councilman from the third district. He has questions. Do we have a second for that approval? Second, we have a second from Councilwoman Martin, let me turn the floor back over to you Councilwoman Martin, I didn't want to interrupt you forgive me for that. And then afterwards, we'll turn the floor over to the councilman from the third district with his questions if you will, please. My floor is yours.
I forgot what I asked you last um, you said that. The equipment you say you have a limited history. Would it be in the answer if you answer the question about would it be getting rid of history or would it be cutting the tree?
No, they would come in and cut the tree and actually hold the tree away
from the roots.
Not necessarily.
I'm not going to necessarily say the roots but most of the time Yes.
Sometimes some of those stumps are going into like heights and correctness and other people.
Right? Correct. But that would be depending on where the tree is broken. You know, things of that nature. You know, we have certain lots though, where there's you know, very large trees that fall. So, you know that would be part of that same process.
Okay. I have any more questions. Thank you. I've had a lot of jobs
before it's not fun, but it's
Thank you ma'am and good. To get my air the floor is turned over to the councilman from the third district.
So I understand there's a great deal of trees on this side of town. I want you to just do me a favor. You know, same thing I say to every DPW director that comes through here. While you're focusing your time and your energy on this side of town. Please don't forget district three because there's a tree right outside my house that when I walk out my door if I'm not careful. The branches shoved me right my is everywhere. We had trees down all over in District Three, you know I'm saying and I just I heard you mentioned just from from Tennessee going to California to Fair Park eccentric cetera you know this, this we do have some Donald. Yes. So you know, it's it's been a bad habit of this city to focus on this side of town and neglect the other sides of town. You know, but we're too small for that. I'm saying so just take some time out for us as well to know for sure. I'm pretty sure
I will be fair in every area. I promise.
Councilmember Monica, please.
Yeah. So how can a resident what's the process or what should the resident do to tell you and let you know where there's a possible treat it needs to be?
Well, they should they normally just call me or they email me. I come out I take pictures. Once the process where we do find a actual tree company thing that will go on the list.
And so, how many trees are in our after this? I guess after this we then we said number of trees for how does that be?
I believe right now this is for an emergency tree cutter at this time so this this is not I don't believe in the past where they came in and said you know you had 100 200 trees that needed to be cut right now this is just one an emergency basis. If there's a large tree, blocking the alley like like impurity in or like now we have a treason on church. It's been a fall across the house. This is you know, this is no strictly you know, on an emergency basis right now.
Do you have any additional questions from council? So we have a motion on the floor. Motion was raised by counsel from the third district with questions he's had his questions answered, and has been Second. Second by Councilwoman Martin, Madam Deputy Clerk if you will be kind enough to call the roll on item eight
as Mina Shafi Yes, Mr. Edson? Yes. Councilwoman Monica? Yes. Council Robinson. Yes. Council President Thomas.
Yes, Item A passes unanimously. Would you go to the next item? Thank you, sir.
Item nine from police department resolution to his canine police vehicle
Are you alright? Oh no. No, I'm sorry. Yeah. So we have the first resolution a resolution requesting I'm sorry, this is the resolution for to purchase the canine vehicle. Do we have a motion on the floor? How we want to proceed with this?
One I'm moved to ask questions.
So we would need to we will need to get emotional action and then afterwards if you had a motion to approve with questions, or
support questions.
I'm sorry. We need to get a clear motion. Counsel.
Go ahead, please.
However, you like to proceed.
I move to approval questions.
We have a motion on the floor for Item nine. This is a resolution to purchase the canine vehicle. So the motion is was made by Councilwoman Martin she has questions do we have a second? Second, we have a second from Councilwoman MONICA The floor is open for questions.
Hey, good evening. Um, just real quick. I noticed that
the vehicle so
the vehicle has an approximate current value of 60,000. It's a used vehicle has 17,000 miles on it. It's completely outfitted already to be a canine vehicle. The agency that we're getting it from is disbanding that that unit and they're selling some of their assets so we have an opportunity to buy it at a substantially discounted rate.
So on the last sheet where it says could be 7000
So that's just an example of a my deal price for that vehicle. In new condition. That's not the vehicle we're buying. It's just comparison.
Okay, last question. You said something about enhancing time solving techniques.
Yes. So our intention is certainly with your guys's approval in the future to implement. We actually reinstate, we used to have a canine officer and bed the the animal got old in the the animal was taking out of out of, you know out of our rotation. So we're looking to reinstate that canine officer. I mean and and to reinstate the animals well to be a. So the way it would enhance is search and rescue, who would also be used depending upon which which animal would go with you. They have different skill sets. Some are, you know, strictly search and rescue and narcotics or they could be bomb dogs different things. And so those are things that we're exploring in this vehicle would allow us to properly transport that animal when we reinstate this program.
Why is that a common thing? in Highland Park? We're here because it wouldn't be a bomb River.
Well, not to say that we haven't had any we've we've actually had in the last couple of years. Probably three of them. But thankfully we've been able to utilize other agencies, but we're at the mercy of them whether or not they have one available. In terms of primary usage, it would be search and rescue. We've often we've often had several people come go missing. We've we've had to track criminals from Viennese of residents and things like that where they ran on foot. These animals would be the animal will be utilized in that manner to to apprehend those suspects. Thank you,
Madam Pro Tem. Good evening, Chief.
Hey, good evening. So, after we do this and approve this resolution for the vehicle, yes. When will we get to dog? So
the next step is we're going to come to you and we have funds available for this training funds through a grant. We're going to come and ask permission to send an officer to training and purchase a canine animal. So that will be coming in the near future. They have a class starting as early as May. And it's it's typically you know, it could be like a 10 week program where the animal would train with the new handler. So they trained together. Okay, thank you. Yeah. provider. You guys approve that.
Any additional questions? Councilman from the Third District
Chief and you're in your training this is animal
to be a slight favor, of course, try to make sure that officers that's handling animal doesn't misuse or abuse the animal. Of course. You know what I mean by by using it for other than is necessary. You know, I don't want to see a persona, you know, come back to it and say oh, that mold, not a top dog, etc, etc. I'm always concerned about our liability.
So of course, of course, it's all my to be honest with you and that's not the department that we're creating here. That's right. We're creating a department to be mindful of of citizens, you know, respectful to be respectful to citizens. Certainly we're not the animals a tool and it's not going to be misused. And that's certainly something that would be addressed immediately.
Perfect. Opportunity. Thank you so much.
I just want to say thank you for considering. I remember when you had a canine vision and I'm with Councilman, then there definitely has to be a person who were trained as to really care for dogs and care for people. So again, thank you for considering.
Yeah, I think it's going to be a huge asset for the city. And certainly help us apprehend some of these people that are, you know, that are taking liberty to go inside people's houses and garages and all these other things. And, you know, oftentimes we have to call on another agency to bring an animal to track and track these individuals. And we lose valuable doing that and sometimes they they flat out tell us they're not available. So you know, it makes it difficult. So, so this, to me, in my opinion, this would be a great tool to add to our department. It also is kind of a it's kind of a community policing public you know PR thing because you know, we can we can bring the animal the schools, the kids like to play with the animal, you know, you know, pet the dog and and, you know, photo ops and all these great things. So, it should be equally as enjoyable as it is, you know, tool for the for the city. So,
before we call it a roll chief.
Dance is hard. opposite Colin rose
Wednesday. Police Department. Yeah, of course, was my friend. We were in graduate school together.
Come on, up on the anniversary of his death.
A lot of times is in law enforcement.
So I have an affinity that was my friend. It was canine ops.
We were supposed to on graduation together.
Now doing this channel
column rows
one of those names
you can do that for me.
I mean, certainly consider and of course no, I know I feel I was working that night and responded in in part of that search team. When I was assigned out and there was not a dry eye in the in the area, so I understand them. And I'm very sorry for your loss as as I was writing
for him in class. So, Madam Deputy Clerk, if you'll be kind enough to call the row
shopping. Yes.
Councilwoman Martin. Councilwoman Monica? Yes, council Pro Tem Robinson. Yes, Councilman Thomas.
Thank you, counsel. I also wanted to say thank you for approving these resolutions that we brought to you and and you know, I plan on bringing some more resolutions do we're trying to make this police department one of the greatest in the area and that's my fully my intention and you know, I can't do it without your guys's help. So thank you very much.
If you wanted a few people, give us the information. Appreciate it. Thank you. Deputy Clerk if you call the next item, please. Nine a from water resolution requesting advertisement of public hearing and comments for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, Project Plan application.
Someone from the water department to help fill this out. Do we have a motion on the floor for how to proceed without me?
Approve a resolution requesting advertisement and public hearing comments for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund CW s RF project plan application for the city of Highland Park
that will currently have a motion on the floor for the approval of item 10 A. Do we have a second? Second, you have a second for madam pro tem. Do we have questions on this time? Can you just give us some brief absurd councilman from the third district.
So there will be a public hearing held on the 17th about this particular resolution is that correct? That is correct. Okay. All right.
This request to hear Yes, sir. Okay. Do you need further? No. Okay.
That's it for me. Additional question.
I can be brief. I can. I do. Thank you. Just for the record that Damon here with the with the water department. See the engineering department for the residents. I didn't state that before I spoke last time so I wanted to make sure that everybody knew who I was. I know you are. So we the reason why we're doing this is the largest portion of the bill that comes to the city from G NWA is the sewer. Okay, it's around $5 million. Water is a million in change. Okay. This this we're applying for this broke for this public hearing to get $8 million of funding for the city from 2024 through 2028. And why that's important is because we want to make sure that there's not clean water getting into the sewer system. It has to go downtown and get treated and we have to pay for that. So that is really you know, the sewer is built 1900s Over time these joints get displaced in the sewer. The catch basins come off line, which allows water to flow over the top, sometimes into the manhole and then you have water below the ground flowing into the sewer. So all that clean water that could be getting into the sewer right now when it rains goes down in Troy and it's in our bill. So what we need to do is make sure that we we've already televised the entire city many years ago. So at this point now we know where there's areas where we need to go in and line and tighten up these joints or replace these manholes to eliminate that clean water out of the system because we are paying for that and we don't want to pay for that. We want we want our system to be as tight as possible. So those offset joints those manholes that are off center, we want to eliminate that and make our system tight because right now you know that we're paying for that and we can't afford to pay for that with the state that city is in so that's that's what we're doing. Part of this. So we're lining sewers, where we're cleaning which heavy cleaning and light cleaning. So that's basically we're getting water into the sewer system to remove sediment out, okay because that reduces the capacity of our sewer system. So that's a part of this program. And then looking at these areas that need to be replaced and roughly is about this this 2020 Ford is this 3 million is about lining about a mile a year about mile so 5000 feet replacing about 18 plus or minus structures. So if and when we have this public hearing, if this is approved this evening, we will we will be able to open it up to the public and really get into the details of what we're talking about. But this is just permission to set that public hearing so that we come before this body in the community and talk about these projects and make sure that these questions are answered. When we fill out this project plan. We're supposed to take comments that come from the city and incorporate they'll put the technical stuff on it and incorporate that in our application. So that's a very important part of the process. You don't have the public hearing if you're not taking into the comments into account. We don't have a complete application. So that's what we're asking for and we can get into those details of were approved this evening. In April. We'll bring some more documents. I'll bring some more staff that can really get into the into the nitty gritty,
Madam President, please.
So what are we doing about the rainwater runoff? And our streets being flooded because I will park streets never used to flood the way they flood now.
So we we did a lot of work on that several years ago. Oh back maybe it was 1617 there was when we got here there was there was flooding going on. There's still flooding going on. But we went and we cleaned out almost every structure in the city into an all comp all quadrants. All districts we went in there was no capacity and those manholes ahead debris up to the rim like dirt bricks, so we clean that out. We have not been able to go but and we cleaned out portions of the sewer the flooding happens when I talked about that heavy cleaning. So you get sediment in let's say a 24 inch pipe and say it's got sediment that's almost full to the top. So what happens is is when it rains, if there's any any laterals that come from those homes, there's a surcharge on the sewer. So it's we don't have the volume that we need because it's full of dirt. So we only had this much room and we need this much room and all that water has to go somewhere. So it either comes back up into the into the catch basins and out into the roads or sometimes it goes in the basement. So this program is going to help us alleviate that and get stop not only the water from coming in and hitting our pocketbooks but moving that sediment out to increase that capacity which in turn will reduce the amount of basement flooding in the street flooding but street Plenty has been a lot better since we got here. But it's not perfect and especially when we get a lot more rain to with this climate change that we got going on than we used to when the seasons are mixed. You know we're getting rain thunderstorms in the wintertime, and it's acting like a spring in the winter. And that doesn't help us out but this program is going to help continue to move us forward. Thank you.
There's no question.
So we have a motion for amount of pro tem supported by Councilman malecha. Madam Deputy Clerk, would you go ahead and call the roll on the sign up
first mana Shafi.
Yes, Councilmember Martin? Yes. Councilwoman Monica? Yes. Council Pro Tem Robinson. Yes. Council President Thomas.
Yes, Item A pass unanimously. If we could go to the next item under the Department of Water.
Item B resolution for the submittal of the 2023 financially distressed cities villages, townships, FD CVT grant application to the state of Michigan Department of Treasury.
Haven't had this item provided to you on your packets. Counsel, how would you like to proceed?
resolution for the submittal of the 20.3 financially distressed cities,
villages,
townships FTC, beating grant application to the state of Michigan Department of Treasury by the city of Highland Park, water and engineering departments in the Parks and Recreation Department.
So we have a motion for item 10 be made by Councilwoman Monica for approval. Do we have a second second? You have a second from the councilman from the third district. Do we have questions on this item before we vote and approach him
at the ex Mr. Garrett some questions via text and email and he said he would get back to me get those answers in regards to the dates of these alleged administrators consent order and the letters that we've received. I just like to have copies of those are for
your campaign. Yes.
I just need to make sure I checked with legal and in city ministry we have some pending litigation but barring their approval, we'll distribute those documents as
requested. Madam Pro Tem Is that sufficient?
Yes. Do we have someone speak in regards to the recreation department? We
we so this is This is Item B resolution but it's the middle of the fiscal distress cities village townships granted a state of Michigan for FDC VT
if I may at least address her concerns. So the application contains two parts. The first part is for water main replacement and the second part is for the recreation center parking lot. replacement. So I think she's she's asking about representation there. I can say that we worked with Miss Noranda to put together an estimate that was in the packet for resurfacing the parking lot at the Rec Center which is much needed, you know, and you know, we weren't gonna get anything. We would hope we I mean the total application was for 19 point 5 million that's in grants. Only 2 million can be allocated or awarded. That's the maximum amount but I mean we that 515 is very important with with kind of the resurgence to the city and everything that goes on over there. We put together an estimate its total rebuild of the entire parking lot. We also want to do some green improvements there to minimize the runoff because I was talking about before, you know we get you know, just a lot of stormwater is in our in our bill. So when we do that if if we're awarded this, you know we look at some things like pervious pavement and try to minimize the amount of runoff that goes into the sewer system with upgrading that parking lot. So there's a couple sketches in there and the estimate detailed estimate in there that proposes what's playing but it's it's basically taking that whole parking lot in that fenced area and taking it from ground zero and replacing it and so you have a nice new parking lot there. That's that's what I can speak on just
medical terms.
Okay, and as far as the resident access to the Louis Greenway. I really like that part. So we can have access from our rec center and our parking lot today.
Yeah, very important connectivity of that. To everything going on in the city is very important. So yes, thank you like that to
customer from the third district.
I'm noticing these drawings. I see the possible sidewalks have been marked out here are our are we repairing the sidewalks as well? That will be
a part of the project? Yes. Okay.
Um, you know, I had that issue. Okay. When are we gonna get to that regular road that's leading down pickins I mean, it's like a piece of piece a piece of Swiss cheese or something on a roll.
I will tell you, I don't have to answer when we're gonna get to it but it is when I talked about those pacer ratings right there and that one and two is in maybe negative. Okay. So as we prioritize other other funding that we need to get in, I know. You know, the Madam Mayor told us you know, we've been talking a lot about you know, underground and pipes and whatnot, and we've done some work. But you know, one of the things he said to our department is is you know what, we need to see snow hating us roads. We need to we need to see some and we got here before you know a lot of watermain it needs to be replaced still needs to be replaced and we didn't want to pay rose and we need to tear up. But I think we have some opportunities to really and also some other you know, dt and some people want to come and be in the city and all that. So we're saying hey, if you want to come and do these things, we need sidewalk we need road looking for grants, we look into lane and other people so I can tell you that okay, but it's right. You're right is right. Is this bad? I'm not gonna say Swiss cheese, but it's pretty bad.
You can say with a G
with a few holes and I'll take any other
additional questions. No, I'm good. At this point. With no further questions. We'll go ahead and call for a roll on item 10. Department of Water. Let her be Madam Deputy. You were also meant
to Shafi? Yes, Martin. Yes. Councilwoman Monica? Yes, Paso Pro Tem Robinson. Yes. Council President Thomas.
Yes, r&b passes unanimously. Thank you very much. Okay, so we would like to move having completed our full agenda. We want to move on to the section of the council meeting for citizens participation. This is where citizens can address the community. For two minutes on any item of their choice. We'd like for you to feel free to come up to the podium. We will recognize you and give you an opportunity to speak. We ask that you be respectful of the people in the room. We'll give you two minutes. I know two minutes can be short. We'll try to accommodate you if you need slightly more than that. Ma'am in the back in the turquoise. You'll be kind enough to come join us. All we ask that you do is state your name and your city of residence.
Good evening. I just thought I should come and introduce myself. I missed the meeting because I had a dental surgery. I'm Cassandra Walker, on the Board of Review.
Nice to meet you man.
Another thing I like to ask is with the role people why is it that we can't I do a lot of YouTube looking at YouTube and looking at other countries and I noticed that roadways they managed to keep their highways pretty up to standard. I don't know what it is and they seem like they use a lot of cars on there. Have a lot of traffic on that roadway. What is it about us in America or can Highland Park get a better materials for laying the roadways and construction so we don't have to constantly be doing this. The second thing I wanted was to find out, do we have a police citizen commission or meeting or review in regards to the police department? And if so, when is that meeting and where is it held?
We do it's on the website. The police commission meets monthly
meets monthly
they just changed the court. So the fourth Wednesday, fourth way okay. And I believe they're still doing it by zoom.
So Oh, okay. Okay. And again about the roadway and the product of materials that we buy. I don't know if Highland Park can do anything about this, because the state's involved, but I'm just curious to know why is it we can't here in America, have our roadways hold up and stop going into the citizens. taxes for repairing is over and over and over again. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Do we have any gentleman in the front row?
Good evening Council citizens Thank you. My name is Juan Shannon. I reside in Highland Park. While Mr. Garrett was speaking it brought up a question that I had in mind. I recently got a review, which lost that email response. So I got to find that but what I wanted to know is whether either of the two grants would address the roads in Highland Park, where the inlets have been cemented over by the shoddy work of prior workmen. I know my street has that where my business is. And that was one of the findings in review even though I gotta find that email, but there are several streets in Highland Park where the inlets have been submitted over. And so when we're talking about water runoff, not only is that damaging the streets and etc. The citizens are being charged a water runoff fee for water that's not running off. So I was wondering whether or not that grant would cover fixing any of those roads.
I think he's referring to the like you're on Rhode Island, those streets. So once upon a time we had sewers, openings, like in the middle of the street. For whatever reason, when they repaved those streets, they never put it back. They just repaved. them, or they just paved over those openings. And in some cases, there are no more curves.
Definitely several streets and I'm aware of the inland.
So the short answer is I would say skip over that in grants. But that's I think that's more coordinated between our department. Okay, they know some of that kind of teammates, cut out sections and repoint structures that stuff. So it's kind of a combination of different things. First thing we need to do is go identify where the areas are. Go back and look at some flooding and some of the things and W and workout plan as far as getting destruction point and that that would be something that if we get this if we have this public hearing in summary, except for that weighting of those structures with some some of that. So it's I think it's a joint effort and not that we can't just take for granted insurance that we can address some portions of grant, which the most bang for the buck I think
identify areas
prayerfully have to find any other grants that could address that and bring that with Qualcomm prayerfully that will be I can say that you guys. When I reached out to you and you know what my crazy schedule, I have not been able to interact with you guys as much as I would like to what yeah, that was a major concern. Wow was made, you know, whoever they have worked with work. I don't know if you guys were here at that time or not. But you know, people it's just bad. Why would you submit over an inlet period anywhere rural city, whatever. Well, why would a company with
those and many other unanswered questions of phenomenons of Highland Park pass.
Well, if we didn't, I mean, if there was the proper representation, and people departments correctly where it was, you know, there was a long time ago there wasn't a department.
Yeah, that's right state was covering that lazy
input. If I had to stop and do that detailed work around that. I wouldn't do that. But some contractors just they knew. What happens is that water is supposed to go here. It's not going to the rails and causing problems. So I think that's laziness and maybe lack of patience in habit. So now that we know about this like you say, start looking
Yeah. Okay, I don't see any other hands. I'm sorry, ma'am. You in the front. And then Ma'am, you in the back in the black jacket. Mr. Lackey, do we have hands raised online? None. None. Okay.
I'm Roslyn Martin. I'm from downs Manor. Says 2019. We've been having trouble HUD is taken over. Now they're talking about spending $2.4 million for a roof for a building. They spent half a mil in an elevator that's not even working. I need to say you gotta help us do something because the building is being run down. Continental does not care. And it's just getting worse. Help. Because this is crazy. It used to be one of the best senior living homes in the city. And now it's like a project.
Thank you, ma'am. I'm sorry about your frustration. Council President. Yes, ma'am.
I have reached out to our congressman Shri Tana dar as it relates to this issue. Not only with Down's matter I'm very aware of the situation and they have for the last two years promised to fix things that hurt or the housing department. And so I've already reached out to our congressman, to have him investigate the funding. And as well as investigate why these files have not been used and things have not been fixed.
Thank you, man. This man Oh, come on up. Would you mind saying your name?
Deborah Humphrey. Um, do we have a code Enforcer? How often does the code enforcer enforcer go around Highland Park because I know I see a lot of things and I'm like, where's the code Enforcer? I never see the car I never see the person. And this people is I don't want to say it. But I know it's houses on my blog waste code Enforcer. Hey, man, I mean, what I'm living.
It's ridiculous.
This threat I mean, I'm doing everything to protect my home. I don't live like that. But if people on my block that choose this or they live like that, but I never see the last time I saw the code Enforcer. At that time, it was somebody else over DPW he gave me his personnel number say call. I call. He came out. knocked on their door. Of course nobody answers because no they don't. It's so shameful. They don't answer the door. He called back well, Mr. Humphrey has anything change? No. They didn't receive a ticket. They didn't receive anything. So we talked in four years, four years later, and it's still the same. I mean, I don't want to ruin it. I just don't. I don't get down like that. You know what I'm saying? I love my home. And I'm tired. I'm tired of seeing it. I mean, I come out my doors like I have company I'm like and as shameful, but I never see a code Enforcer. And as I ride around in Highland Park, I see other houses with the code Enforcer. And to answer this one, we please Is it legal or illegal tobacco, no glass? Certainly.
You own Rhode Island. What did this? I mean, this is just disrespectful. To miss
Humphrey we do have an I think what street do you live on man road. So you want to Rhode Island? Yeah. So we do have the chief here. I'm sure he's heard you. You end up doing a third block of first time between Jana and brush. Yes. Okay, so you so you're on our blog. Okay.
Are you on nebula? This man? Did you see it? Can you see it? Do
you have to be specific? Which houses are we talking about? Do you ride
down to brush or do do you write down Jana? Yes ma'am. Can you see it? Yeah, did you see so to help how can you not see we need
to be specific so that we can address your address? Yeah.
14614 Okay,
thank you. That's all I needed to know. I didn't know that. So I do ride around the city. I take about 30 minutes every day to ride the city section and I ride it
okay. So if you are Rhode Island, you've seen Yeah. Okay. You can't miss it.
And let's go ahead and we're going to do it now. We can do a dual uncounseled Yes, manda with her.
I am in the process. Trying to go through the mayor to set up an appointment so we can amend or add to our black ordinance. And hopefully we can get something done through that.
Okay, so my other question was, is parking on your lawn? Is it legal or
illegal? I know exactly what they're talking about.
Then how are you not see that? We see it we just I want to make sure because I'm gonna tell you because I got faith in y'all. It's been a long time since I have faith in anybody. We're in a new city. Okay, amen. But I have faith in y'all. I know we can do this. Yeah, I know. We can rebuild. Yes, I know we can do this now. Yes. So I'm pulling for this city council. I really and also the mayor of Highland Park. That's to this.
Surprise president. Spam. Yeah. This is Miss Humphrey still standing there.
Somebody's still in a room. Miss Alfredo Mayer wanted to address you. She's making a comment to you. You can you can take it from your seat. It's fine. Oh, yeah.
I just wanted you to know that that will we do have a code enforcer and he should be writing there's days where he has to be in court and that we are ticketing a quite a few people. We're working on our ordinance. The ordinance has to be updated. In order again, for those those citizens to receive more than just a ticket because if they don't show up to court, right at this moment, there's only only recourse is to continue ticketing them. So and as far as I want to address your the cars on the in the grass, that yes, that should not be happening and if it is I need you to call the police and let the police come out and ticket them that's the ticket they should not be on. On the grass that's grass the grass is not a driveway. And even already, they should not be parking up on grass. There should not be numerous cars on the grass. And at this point, I will be having my speaking to the code enforcer manufacturer I'll give him a call right now. I want to make sure that he comes by is that house next door to yours. I just I just want to know is is it the house next door?
You can see it Mayor you said
yeah, I will ride by there myself and take some pictures and now or have them come by and take pictures of it but we want to make sure that he's coming out and if there's tickets already in the system, we'll figure out after doing that after the council has updated the ordinance for leucism to more nuisance abatement, then we will definitely make sure that we're taking care and putting out the violations.
Thank you may I appreciate you.
Thank you and also make him out there too. So because I never seen anyone going in and out there is someone
backing out isn't that the house that you're talking
about? There is someone in that
day?
Oh God above them.
So that they would know whether they were trying to contact the landlord or actually services
out there. Thank you again. Thank you. Thank you. Oh, yes, always.
Yes, ma'am. You had your hand raised back here as well. Yes, you ma'am.
Oh, my gosh, they're better homes. In my concern is where I live, which are for Sears and second. There's a lot of abandoned big buildings there. But nobody knows who owns them. Nobody knows who's supposed to take care of them. So I'm trying to find out who owns 20 Bartlett who owns red apple, who owns the warehouse behind red apple, who owns the old cable company who owns the Model T for building all those building it the property is horrible. Nobody takes care of it. And when I asked they'll tell me, Oh, those are grow houses. I didn't know what a grow house was. Until one day my sister and I was walking down second, and we smelled it. So if we could smell it in the winter what's gonna happen this summer to all these grow houses. Highland Park is two point miles big How can you have that many grow houses in one area.
They're all illegal. And here's the way to find those. You can go on land grant or you can go on a Wayne County Treasurer website you put those addresses in and it'll tell you who the owner of those properties is. And
what can the citizens do okay, their legal, so no, they're not. Oh, oh, I thought you said they
were not there? Absolutely not. There's no licenses listed at all in the in the city of Highland Park when not a single one. So anything that's happening here is not licensed by the state.
Okay, so I have to I have to go on the website to find out who owns them.
You if you work with you or I wanted to find out who owned any piece of property in Wayne County.
Well, I want to know all these growout all these places. I want to know from the city council. I thought I come to the city council that I voted in and they tell me oh we're going to find out or we'll find out for you miss home because
I don't think that's the capability to me. I'm giving you what I would do if I was that citizen. I will go to the Wayne County website to find out who owns if I wanted to find out who owned the house next door to me. I will go and look to see him. Yep. But that's not what city council does. Really.
That's not that's when I find out who owned it then what I guess you could take that up with the city administration. Okay, so it's not City Council's. Okay. The other thing is, what can we do with the rodents? Actually the squirrels the squirrels, they eat up the gas lines. They come through your walls now we call it the city of Highland Park because my neighbor one came through her bedroom wall and she could see the Paul scratching, so she called the city and the city said well, you can't kill them
they said that they can put down toys and or anything. So they are really really bad. They didn't go on vacation for winter. It was still here. It was still when I looked out the bedroom window this morning. One was sitting in the gutter like reading a paper or something. I'm serious. I am really serious and they are all over until we start naming them.
So I know that there. That is a huge issue and I think the mayor actually mentioned that last last meeting. But there is unfortunately it is something I'm just keeping something a resident can maybe do and that is go to either Home Depot or Lowe's and get like for rodents. They have different stuff that you can even put in the ground. More expensive is stuff like Terminix and I know you're asking how can a city help you we do have rat poison. Um, the I don't know what that's gonna help for squirrel. But I'm just saying we do have that poison that you can come up with a back and forth so just like you were at our homes, I'm sure trying to figure out some of those same things from putting down peppermint. Cayenne pepper, and I understand that we have some critters that are totally different. Yes and anything that we know so that means we're gonna have to go to more extreme extreme aggression, like Home Depot or something situations until we just clean up. So so many other things are that citizens can do. So we're doing the best that we can is as your city council, administration and city by providing a poisoned and maybe some resource boys. But the other thing you can make sure that around your neighborhood. So I've heard some people miss Humphrey guys and talk about your names and what they're putting out in their garbage lids and closing their garbage cans. We've been getting up their their lead, all kinds of things that the residents are going to have to take part in the things that they want us to do. We appreciate you we appreciate everybody who voted for us. Some of the things though, again, you got to know that we're coming into that. And we see it just like we do when we were trying just again, keep bringing us to situations. We want to keep tackling them, but it is gonna take a little bit of time. I'm hoping that if you try some of the things that we might have mentioned here that will be helpful. Continue to tell us about it though. We may have to call them out of control that is bigger than our animal
control. Summary The City deer come out they did send someone out. But they told us we couldn't put down poison. So we know and then one guy told us from the animal control from here, he said get trapped. So who's going to buy traps, and then when you get trips who's taken where you're gonna take them
Was it nice beard
that's one of the things that we can do ma'am. So I do thank you for your for your comments. We need to get some we need to put in some work to get some answers to your questions. You've given us a lot I've taken some notes. If you join us again You also can get Mr. Beards information he may be able to offer you some additional professional assistance where we might not
Oh council president says to the mayor, okay I'm here hold on a second. I'm fine is draining sorry. That's why I'm not there. Today. Um, I spoke to miss Holmes recently this as of this past weekend week. That where she's referring to is the game Gabrielle was the town center which is a part of the world is separate from the Gabriels, but it's located on within the Gabriel's the problem we have is that private property and the private property is saying as has said that they can put down poison because there's children out there playing blind time and so we have to work with the owners of that property to come up with a solution to the problem and it is a problem. It's a problem for everybody. We all have these black squirrels. I spoke last week at the black club meetings. The squirrels have a they eat through all of my garbage cans. This is something different these different breed of squirrels. I don't know what what's going on. But the issue, again, is that that is a private property. We cannot put poison on private properties. Because the owner if something was to happen to a child or anyone over there, based on that we could be held liable for whatever happens. Now, I do plan on reaching out to your owners coming over to the the management and talking to them about the severity of what's happening and I know that my friend has lost her car twice over there. So please know that Miss homes were looking into an alternative way of doing things like I told citizens before. There is there is products that just for the smell, it keeps them away. It's not a poor poison, but it is something you could put down to keep them out from under buy your house because they don't like the smell of certain types of chemicals in it's not a chemical more so a herb or a product like she said cayenne pepper, regular peppermint, mothballs, those types of things. They do not like the smell of those things so that can that can help a little bit if you can put it around your house.
Okay, thank you could have tried those we caught a squirrel with a handful of mothballs
when he was eaten. Oh, Jesus
dug out my flower box and they were all over the flower box and he was doing what do you do? We then did the peppermint. We didn't get the mothballs we didn't Did the deer yarn.
We will we'll reach out to the management company and sit with talk with them about how they can get involved in making sure that this doesn't happen. And then if not we we can also call because that property does receive subsidies we can figure out where they receive their subsidies from and get them involved.
Thank you. Thank you.
Yes, sir. Citizens comment.
Good evening, Council. Good evening. My name is Lauren McGee. And basically I just want to get a chief a compliment. I have noticed your police officers are their only job other than I was driving on Woodward. You know on school boards. I call those kids go to barber call my kids that scene to look he is walking down what we're getting ready to go pasal abandoned apartment buildings on McLean in Farish street right there. And he stopped to make sure they were able to go by because some of them some of those are open, you know, the boys are kicked off. He stopped getting he made sure my kids got to school safe. I really appreciate that. Scan little things like that, that make you have faith in your police department. Um, Mayor McDonnell. She's still there.
I'm here. I'm here.
Why are you blaming it? On the black squirrels
that's what they are.
Okay, I don't see any more hands. You have so we're gonna have one online council president okay. The person online How are you Would you please state your name and your city of residence. Go ahead and cue the mic and let them talk mister like. Yeah, I gave them the ability.
Elaine Mackenzie.
Yes, Elaine Mackenzie on Connecticut Street, Highland Park, Michigan, and good evening to the council and to the citizens and to the mayor. I'm calling because I live next door and I had to living next door to a house is burned out. And the citizens concerned citizens attempted to boarded up from the front of the house. But it was the back of the house that started the fire. The whole back of the house is still open. It is a severe liability to the citizens and to the city. There are dogs that have been falling in the back of the house and they just fall in. So I don't I mean if a child were to go back there someone to drag somebody back there. The whole back of the house is open. And that's to 21 feet. And then there is a house on to the left of me. I'm sorry to the right of me. 209. I've been thinking about this from the prior administration. They promised to get it down. I know the state of Michigan has money for blight. And for tear down. I can't understand why I have to live next door to a house for seven years. That's burned up and the back of the house is open. And the other house next door to me four or five people have purchased the home and they've all walked away from it. Water ran in the house for two years. And I actually when I had a repair in my house four or five years ago, the guy that was here that was here said he had a key and he was he turned the water off over there. So this is this like and I know and I know the mayor is doing everything she can but I'm bringing it I know the city, the city council's responsible for city property and any potential exposure in terms of a lawsuit. And so I'm just going on the record, that this is really a bad situation and fires the other house next door to me point up my fence is torn up by bushes. I'm spending a lot of unnecessary money that I don't want to have to spend so I'm really upset about it. And I don't want to go to the news. But that's my next recourse.
At those addresses again, phase
one is 21 Connecticut street. That's the burned up house. And then the house where it's the summertime it's like a forest and it's tearing up my fence that's 209 Connecticut Street and then the birds and whatever are in the gutters and I've replaced my gutters twice because they nest in the gutters in the in this house and now they come they fly over to my house and it's just it's a mess
Okay, man, thank you for your comments. We got lots of folks taking notes here. The mayor is on the line. I'm sure she's going to probably have somebody out to take a look at that. Thank you so much for sharing
that and so President Yes, both of those homes are owned by the county. And I'm good. I spoke to the County Land Bank director about those properties. There's properties that will be coming down the county we'll be tearing down their own properties. As he said at least 102 I will see if these properties can be added to their list. One of the one of the properties I'm sorry one of the properties that burned out one is owned by the county the other one is purchases as a as a owner. And he's been ticketed numerous times every person that comes over there, get a ticket. And like she said they're selling the house for some reason. So I think our next course is to investigate what's going on and why these people are just purchasing and leaving and not doing what they're supposed to do.
Thank you, ma'am. Thank you. I see no more hands. So with that we'll bring in to citizens participation. Next we're going to move into Council affairs and we'll start with the councilman from District Three.
Ladies and gentlemen, how are you this evening? Okay, so, in case you are unaware, there are a great deal of activities that are happening at the Rec Center from Easter egg hunt. Which is in front of you to ballroom dancing and baseball for for the little ones. I do have the flyer here but it said my coat pocket I'm sorry. I will get it after this though. But please come out. Into district three and enjoy the activities got ballroom dancing. They got a they got the Easter egg hunt that's going on. They got a T ball for the kids. It's a lot of activity. Sue was doing a great job at the Rec Center. So come out and support her and show some love to your beloved city. Thank you
Miss Martin, district two.
Hello, everybody. Thank you for being here. Thank you for the people who are in zoom for being showing up. I just have a couple of announcements. We're doing a CDAC meeting. The next meeting will be March 29. If you're a district to by all means, come on out and join CDAC anybody who wants to get in contact with me any questions? My number is 313-348-1859 I just pulled it some people had a hard time getting a hold of me. So that's my number just in case you need it. And last thing I want to say is I would like to see revenue come into the city I would love to see the city transformed. A lot of your concerns I took notes and listen to them today. I would love to see a different city than before. Thank you
Miss Monica from district one.
Thank you. Hello, everyone. Good evening. First thing I have just one thing for a resident for DPW. They want to know on that East Grand between right off a second and we would pick up some garbage that it's they cleaned up the lot. It's right there all three of you come by and pick that up for Thank you. And then also just as a reminder there's a business meeting. Highland Park Business Association. It's couple of fliers up there for it. It's going to be Thursday, March 30. It is for business a business workshops. So let me start there. I'm sorry. Let's talk business whether you are current business owner or would like to start a business and how to park. This is for you. That's on the third Thursday, March 30 12 to 1:30pm and one four for Manchester, Michigan Works
sorry about that, guys. Mr. Sharp. The spring camp, march 27 to 3860 Lemon University Fortville house just as a reminder of the State of the City address. That is on March 23. Thursday at healing springs. Just thank you for coming out. We see more and more we hear more and more of you on zone or just that you're watching. We appreciate you please just bear with us again as I asked and that you help us out as well. There will be a spring cleanup coming in the March April also some black clubs are having their own I think Mac Mini this one. So keep in mind for the dumpsters that are out there. Remember that it doesn't say you can't put like paint and stuff in here. But there are some items that you can put as well as if you just contact me w and let them know what you would like to bring over but you got to bring your ID to the yard or ask them to come pick it up. But even with a water there's a lot of things that you can do as well. And that's also taking pride. That's what we hope with the CVA C's and the black clubs that you guys were started taking a lot of pride in where you stay and where you are and keep importing the things that you see to us that are yours. Thank you.
Good evening, everybody. First I would like to acknowledge my pastor, original badly superintendent. I just wanted to note because on the top of the board it's almost too late to do that to date just march 2 20.3. This is supposed to have today's date on
typo. I just
want to click OK and I just want to tell how to park that I love you. And I love Highland Park and keep coming out because we can't do this by ourselves. We need y'all have a good evening.
All right, thank you. So first to the gentlelady from New Orleans Manor had a chance to visit your your building during the power outage. I had a chance to talk to Mr. Murray. I sat with him for about an hour and he gave me kind of a chronological history of the dilemma that you're building is facing. I goes back pretty far. There's some issues. Anytime that how the Department of Housing and Urban Development comes in and closes your housing commission. There's some serious problems with the Housing Commission and there's some deep seated issues there. That have to be uncovered. There's no reason why there's a building in our city with generated the size of a minivan that doesn't work. That generator cannot only power your building but also in a building adjacent to it. So there's a lot there that has to be uncovered. So there are conversations that are taking place. Continental provides shelter for about 14% of our citizens. So we have leveraged to have a conversation with them about improvement that conditions and I intend to have a conversation with Mr. Reid, as it relates to that for Miss Humphrey. You are not alone in your contempt. For people who make your living situation uncomfortable and that parking on the lawn situation and barbecuing on the front porch. Those are things that we have to we have to fall back on our cultural foundation and start to let our neighbors know that those things are not appropriate. I mean we're all from the country, my folks is from Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas. So I'm a country boy, I got some cowboy boots, but I'm not gonna barbecue on my front porch or park on my front lawn. So we're going to have to put some pressure on our neighbors to get some common sense. And that's going to require some conversations that might be a little bit uncomfortable, but I can relate. Let me just say that much as it relates to code enforcement in the building department. Anyone who has experienced a ticket from code enforcement I have, we're not special. None of us are, what they need us to do what they need is to follow up with them on those actions. It doesn't do any good for them to send stuff to your home and no one responds. So we need people if you've received a ticket from code enforcement, pick up the phone and call them send them an email. They understand that this is a poor town and they're willing to work with you. But they have a process that they are following this in place. And if you are responsible homeowner or property owner, the fact that you reach out to them and communicate with them a bolsters their process. So they have a distinction between those people who are not communicating with them. And those who are so anybody in the viewing audience, anybody in the community if you're getting a citation it's not because you're a bad person. That's because we have an ordinance on the books and they're trying to stay within the framework. So please call them back respond to them. They need that it's very important. The question of ownership of property. I wasn't laying that on you. To add some burden. I was trying to give you a tool framework that I use as a private citizen to find out who owns a piece of property that is either adjacent to me a piece of property than our own. The insight that you can get from using the internet will give you a name and or an owner and you can take that to the city. The city is the is the first place to go as it relates to property issues, not necessarily City Council. Of course, we have to make a decision when a legal matter comes to us. But it's the building department, the city administration and Community and Economic Development those are the appropriate places to go when you have issues about a particular piece of property in the city. We can take the information in and help you try and process it but we don't have the ability to take any action on that unfortunately. So we can be an ear for you but we can't necessarily be an arm. And the last thing is I put some fliers out on the shelf there. This is for the garden Resource Program. I am a local gardener I've been gardening in my yard for the past 13 years. For a very nominal fee. You can harvest the potential of your front and backyard to grow food at your home. I know many of you were witness to the food distributions that took place during the pandemic, what would happen if those food distributions were not available? It would be traumatic for most of the people who live in the city but you do have the capability to transform your lawn into a source of edible and safe food. And on that note so I have nine fruit trees and about I don't know two driveways worth of garden space in my yard. So those squirrels come and visit me but I make them very uncomfortable. And I think my record in the summer is 24 rows that I harvested all I will say I know all I will say is there is in the city of Highland Park. You cannot use any type of projectile device less than a pellet gun has to be a pellet gun projectile or less. So I'm going to leave that to you to decide what you want. To do so please don't go shoot them up to the squirrels no matter how much they frustrate you but air guns simple pellet guns, they can be destructive. I had to have my roof replaced. It cost as much as a car to get my roof replaced. Those squirrels would do that and they don't care so much. I was about to say your mileage may vary. And with that, I will bring it to a close. I will just one last thing I wanted to share with the community Detroit collaborative design center provides design grants for community based organizations who are interested in getting renderings for community projects. The city of Highland Park for example, the municipal lot next door we hold our music festival will be eligible for that if you have a community based project and you want to get some help creating a vision. They're accepting applications until the end of the month. So that brings us to the close of our agenda for today. Having handled all the business of the city. The chair is open to entertain a motion to adjourn today's meeting. We have a motion.
I motion to adjourn.
We have a motion to adjourn from Councilwoman Martin Do we have a second? We have a second from Councilwoman Monica. All those in favor?