Motion to approve the agenda made by kind of woman Martin second by Councilwoman Monica. I'm Deputy Clerk, please call the roll on the agenda.
Last minute Shafi. Yes, Councilwoman Martin. Yes. Councilwoman Monica? Yes. Council Pro Tem Robinson. Yes. Council President Tamizh
Yes. Next item please.
Approval of proposed minutes of the in person and virtual regular meeting held March 20 2023.
Council we have two sets of minutes to approve. We can deal with them individually or collectively set your discretion floor is open.
You want to be home for example,
I would entertain a motion for however the council would like to dispose of those separately. So based on recommendation from legal she has suggested that we deal with them individually. So the floor is open for any motion activity on the first set for in person and virtual regular meeting. March 20.
I move that we accept the proposed minutes of the in person and virtual special meeting of the Highland Park City Council March 22 2023.
We have motion on the floor to approve the in person and virtual meeting minutes for March 20 2023. We have a second on the floor. I second. We have a second by Councilwoman Martin Madam Deputy Clerk, would you please call the roll?
Councilmember Shafi? Yes, so Mr. Martin? Yes. Councilwoman Monica? Yes. Councillor Robinson? Yes. Council President Thomas.
Yes. Next item is the in person special meeting for March 22 2023.
I will approve the resolution to a settlement of the loss of 14015 Hamilton versus City of Highland Park. No.
This man is in person special meeting minutes for the 22nd.
I move that we accept the minutes of an in person and virtual special meeting.
We have a motion on the floor from counsel on the mannequin regards to the second item under approval of minutes for the in person special meeting. March 22 20/23. We have a second
was that virtual is only says in person in person.
Now for the 22nd
That's 20 seconds just in person. Okay. The floor is open for a second. Chair offers a second. Madam Deputy Clerk would you take the roll please?
Councilman Shafi. Councilman Martin. Councilwoman Monica. Now support Tim Robinson. Yes. Council President Thomas.
Yes, Minister approved. This is the point in the city council meeting that we have dedicated to department heads. We allow each respective department head to address the city and give us the updates that they need. As always, we welcome Mayor McDonald to speak to council Madam Mayor.
I don't want to turn my back to the audience. So I'll stand to the side can everybody hear me?
If you'd like me to turn the podium for you, man?
No, this is fine. Okay. First, thank you all for having me here to the citizens and out of a body. I appreciate you giving me time. Thank you for all of those 10 The state of the city. I'm looking forward to moving the city for we had a great turnout. We had a good event and everybody was excited about the things that they wanted. Um, well I will start tomorrow at 11pm at the Rec Center. There will be a walking club if you want to go join the seniors and whoever shows up out there. There's a walking club tomorrow at 11am. I said pm I meant to say I am we don't want to be out in sorry. I want to thank Councilwoman Monica for providing the dumpsters for the first district. I see that so many people are using them. There's a lot of things being placed in them. That's good because that means that they want to street and that they're putting them into dumpsters and getting rid of their clutter. Starting to get rid of them. I did hear that. People want it to happen again because they were not ready for spring cleaning just yet. But some of them were used. So that's great thing. Thank you so much. Well, I want to I'm in Martin for reaching out to me about this citizen at Manchester Police Department. The Highland Park Police Department Miss Martin and myself was able to help that citizen with this issue. Also the inspectors are doing a walkthrough of that building and will report back to me when they opened on April calendars are up here. If you need a calendar for April of all the events that's going on in the city that we have out so far. Please make sure you pick up one you make sure that we're communicating with the citizens and letting you know what's happening as we as it comes in flyers are available also. So make sure that you check with us some will be downstairs and also they'll be in the stores or churches or wherever we can put them and then we'll be bringing them out to the black clubs and they'll be getting up to their community I appreciate you all helping us with that. And yeah, that's all I got. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Any questions? You have any questions for me right now? Always remember I'll represent all of the departments when they send in their information to me, I bring it to you.
The questions? Thank you. Thank you, ma'am. Thank you. Okay, so this is the portion of our meetings prior to voting on any actions that we open the floor up for citizens to speak on agenda items do we have anyone in chambers who would like to speak to us about agenda items? So actually, do we have anyone online who has questions or concerns that they would like to have addressed? Hands are raised? Okay, and with that, Madam Deputy Clerk, if you will call the next item is
Item five ordinance second and final reading of an amendment to the Highland Park. Administrative Code. Section six zero animal ordinance.
City council will entertain a motion and then we'll open it comes to questions.
move that we accept second reading of ordinance to amend the Highland Park Administrative Code section 608 Animal ordinance
their motion on the floor to accept the ordinance from Councilwoman Monica, do we have a second support support? Second, you have a second on the motion to accept the ordinance final reading. Do we have questions? Councilman from the third district has a question
chief here that's okay if you can indulge me for just a beer would you mind addressing us
Okay, so I'm still seeing
about 1640 of animal control officer. sections see I am not seeing the change is still saying I need you guys to put in writing that you will attain a warm before you walk into summertime. I don't. I don't need your work. To do it. I need it. To be in writing because that sets the standard practice. So that's the mean that they always practice with a standard unless there's a write up it's not writing this mean. City Attorney
Yes. If I mean there's a clause. Well, good evening Council and good evening citizens. There is a clause that indicates that probable cause is necessary. And that's a legal term to have probable cause, which means that they would have to have a foundation before entering the premises. I believe the chief spoke on that last week in terms of that they always get a warrant so that they would not necessarily be in violation or run into any issues related to taking someone's animal. So you know, no, it was not changed. We think the way is indicated in this ordinance is sufficient.
I'm saying that Mrs. Burton, but I'm hoping that she can understand my okay. You know, it's, it's your job to crack the law. It's my job to make sure that we don't end up being caught behind. You know, and I can see this as a problem. I figured already.
What problem do you see when
I see this as a problem that we don't have a warrant that people may take it upon themselves to say illegal search and seizure that what you are trying to do does not supersede people's constitutional rights and the constitutional law. Okay. So if a warrant is necessary for you to enter into someone else's old, whether you have probable cause or not in a court of law will tell you that if you have probable cause, then go get a warrant.
Don't have problems. If you don't have probable cause, then you're in violation of the ordinance.
All right. So I duly objected that part right there. Also objected a part here. Where you're actually going to turn in this ordinance and two, misdemeanor at the ease six oh 8.99. It says that our court proceeding violates any section of this ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to $500 by for 90 days in jail. Are we living in communist China?
No, this is consistent with the state statute. So what's that
region? Okay, okay. So so what he did is, he says and I recorded he is a person who was in violation of any section of this ordinance, and that's including barking dogs. So you need to tell me that we want to put a misdemeanor on people right, and throw them in jail. $500 fine, and 90 days in jail for barking dogs or your friends?
Well, it's consistent with state statute. let me indicate what happened. When we try to turn a clip of fractions ordinance or when we passed the civil infractions ordinance. We tried not to saddle the citizens witness demeanors. But you know what ended up happening. We ended up having people just in default. And ignoring the city when it came came time to pay or came time to be in compliance with the statute. This is consistent, we're not imposing any greater burden upon individuals than what's allowed by the state of Michigan. So you know, it's to protect our citizens in this to make make sure that we have responsible dog owners assumption
is burden Could you please, there are two terms that I'm familiar with and I'm sure you're familiar with them as well. It's menace Reyes, an actus Reyes mens rea is ministering act. Is Reyes This is the proof of that malicious act. Every police officer that goes to the academy learns what those terms are they justify their actions when they get out of the car. These are not terms I made up. I got a waffle Allah books just like they're in the backroom and it's in just about all of them. Could you expand on administrative when police officers are acting when they get out of their vehicle?
You know, isn't that necessarily about mens rea? What he's concerned about is whether or not it's a misdemeanor, or it's a civil infraction. So I really wouldn't be trying to understand what we're focused on there. Yeah, you focus on that without probable cause you know, that's the reason why it's contained in here. So you don't need every legal term to be contained within the ordinance because it's common knowledge that probable cause is in and of itself, a legal term of which, you know, the city or the officers or the citizens can rely upon as to whether there is or isn't probable cause and provides a basis for whether or not someone is actually in violation or in compliance with the ordinance as it relates to the misdemeanors. I understand your concern councilman. You know, a Shafi but what we try to do in terms of from the prosecutor standpoint is if individuals pay the fine that's assessed, then typically those cases are dismissed upon payment of fines. So, you know, never hits a record because they're just dismissed upon payment. And that's one of the things one of the avenues that was provided to give the citizen some relief. But we have to begin to have teeth in our ordinance, you know, we've we try, you know, to not have an ordinances that are as punitive perhaps as they seem to be, but we have to have teeth in the ordinance so we have to again, you know, protect the citizens.
I'm just concerned about overstepping our authority. Okay. Or, you know, you're talking about walking into someone's home, and I can tell you right now, you walking into my home is not going to be a pleasant tea. It will not be
pleasant. Okay, well, let's just stick to policy and not a personal,
you know, you know, say I don't see the difficulty or the harm and putting into the language that the police will obtain a war. I don't see the harm in that. So I don't see the pushback. I don't understand why there's a pushback. It shouldn't be a pushback. It's just common sense to make sure that the law was applied. Okay. They shouldn't be obtaining a warrant if they're going to walk into somebody's home. This I can see all type of scenario of misunderstandings here. I can see I can see, okay,
okay. Well, it was it was easily
I'm sorry to keep interrupting. I can see this clear as, as we as me holding up my cell phone. Again, six warm shots in my back. I just see it just it's clear that they need a warrant. If they're going to walk into people. Okay, bottom line.
So this was reviewed by prior counsel. And it was reviewed by the city attorney, and so you're satisfied with the provisions. So you can vote up or down customers? Oh,
what are we doing about six? Oh, 8.8 team, about people filing complaints. So you know, you know, as with every major city, everybody has their share of carrots and you're splitting your camps around here. What do we do? About people making false complaints and use the police to harass or the rest?
You don't have control over people's actions, you know?
So okay, so according to this section right here, it says upon a sworn complaint that a dangerous animal is currently being eaten legally illegally possessed or maintained in the city, the district court, or district court magistrate shall issue a summons to the owner, ordering the owner to appear to show cause why the animal shall not be destroyed or removed. I could see that all day as a raster. What are we doing my wiener
border councilman from the third district this says appoint a sworn complaint. Can you tell me Miss Burton? What happens if a person makes a sworn complaint that's sworn I mean, they make that under oath. What happened? What happens to upon reading from the section upon a sworn complaint? What happens if a person makes a false complaint? What happens if a person makes a sworn complaint to a duly appointed Officer and submits it to the court? Is that or is it not perjury? It is thank you very much that person will create jeopardy for themselves anyone who makes a sworn complaint and submits it to law enforcement and it goes to court, it becomes a perjury becomes a lie. If it turns out that that person made that complaint in error, they create their own Jeopardy so if someone does that,
in this audience, I don't see why they shouldn't.
So calcium in a shot. This ordinance contains a section that addresses what constitutes a dangerous animal what constitutes a vicious animal. So this is not random. It's dangerous animal so your dog tries to bite somebody or actually bite somebody then that's when this will come into to play is not just you know, generalized is a dangerous animal is making reference not just any animal but a dangerous animal.
Okay, so one last question for you here. Yeah. You came up. You have NASA one question.
Oh, okay. So
are you are you directing that to the patrol officer? Oh,
okay. So um, number of animals again, there are several of my constituents who have more than three dogs over the age of four months. You can see as he expected to get rid of their dogs.
Well, it depends on whether the statute is passed or not as to whether or not there'll be a compliance where within the city. We're now within the country. We're not gonna have seven and eight dogs. It is consistent with state statute. It's well
we have more than three. So I know several people who have like four. thoroughbreds very nice dogs will be we're gonna have you know, when we when I actually tell them hey, that's right.
So what number do you think is appropriate? I mean, we have to have something and this is consistent with the state. Okay. So it's not a we're not again, imposing any greater burden upon the citizens of Highland Park than we are the citizens that have to follow the rules and Redford or Ferndale or Pontiac,
I want to be comfortable. From everybody that called you I'm comfortable with four.
I would, okay,
because the people they have for Okay, and they're very good friends of mine. And remember, this constituents is very the citizens out in the park and they have thoroughbreds will will have the aid will raise no defects. Dogs are very expensive. And they don't want to give it up. They let me know
if I may if I may speak. Please, sir. Usually in other cities, if they have over three dogs, they have to apply for a breeder license, which is it's a concern of more than three dogs.
To license this, you can fall under state law so they can either apply with the state because the state that controls the breeders
we're comfortable with the misdemeanor. And I'm uncomfortable with the law. Most definitely. That should be something that should be added into this ordinance. But other than that, I yield back.
Other members of city council that would like to have questions answered prior to a vote.
Hearing none, Madam Deputy Clerk, would you please call the roll
so mana Shafi. No. Councilwoman Martin? Yes. Councilwoman Monica? Yes. Council Pro Tem Robinson. Yes. Council President.
Yes. Got a motion reading for the adoption of the board. This was the final reason you need to do an additional introduction.
Well, we didn't ask the clerk for the final reading. So it's two separate bowls. One is I think there was the vote for the final reading of the ordinance but I don't necessarily know that we voted to adopt the
board. So we only probably only voted for the final reading. Madam Deputy Clerk? Yes. Both was for the Accepting of the final reading. We didn't have a second
attorney
that they had to actually approve the ordinance or vote to. This was fine. But the final reading
the second, the final reading is akin to adaption. There's not a separate in the past there hasn't been maybe the word adapted was used, but there hasn't been a second. There's the word normally is used in their second reading and adoption or this should be the second and final but which essentially says it's being adopted because it's the final reading. So
wondering make sure we did not miss a step. No.
Thank you very much, ma'am.
If you attorney burden if you feel more comfortable taking a second reading when they use the word adoption, that's fine. It's the pleasure of the council. Have a question? Yes, ma'am. So what is the actual ordinance number
608.
City Council for the sake of clerical clarity item five we just took a vote on the approval with the second and final reading of the ordinance to amend the park Administrative Code section 608 on the animal ordinance as this item is still on the table we're having discussion the clerk and the attorney. I'm calling for a vote of approval from the public that the public comment is before. Yes, this item is addressed. All this information was made available online. And there'll be public comment at the end.
No, they do have citizens have an opportunity to participate. See before you vote because then it's gonna be adopted.
So let me read this an ordinance to amend chapter 212 of the Highland Park Administrative Code by adopting procedures to pass an ordinance whereas the city of Highland Park desires to amend the code of ordinance chapter 212 of the Administrative Code, whereas chapter 212 allows for future legislation. Whereas the procedure to pass an ordinance necessary for an orderly administration and greatest citizen participation. Now therefore, the city of Highland Park ordains so for Chapter 212 The procedure to pass an ordinance is section one is the first reading and Motion is made that the ordinance be placed on the first day reading by the title The motion passes. The clerk then reads the title of the ordinance be the council states this shall be known as a first reading of the ordinance. See, citizens shall be given an opportunity to comment on the ordinance at the appropriate time. For the second reading the motion is made that the ordinance be placed on the order of the final reading and adoption if this motion prevails, the clerk then begins to read the ordinance. The city council president Dan states to the clerk they shall be known as the second reading of the ordinance that was read. Second was read and approved. Were at Section C citizens shall be given an opportunity to comment on the ordinance at the appropriate time. We're at Section C. We've heard a great deal from members of council. Are there any comments related to this ordinance by members of the public? Mr. Lackey Do we have anyone online? Do we have any hands raise?
No, I don't see any hands raised.
Okay, so number D, the city council then puts the question to the council. We do have certain amount of protein. Okay at
the top of the ordinance to set an ordinance to amend the Highland Park Administrative Code by replacing section 608. So if we're replacing it with the same number, was it going to be six oh 8.01
No, we're still six
shall this ordinance be adopted? Is the question. Madam Clerk, would you please call it a row?
That's Amanda Shafi. Hale, no. Councilwoman Martin. Yes. Councilwoman Monica? Yes. Council Pro Tem Robinson. Yes. Council President Thomas.
Yes. The ordinance passes. Agenda item please, Madam Deputy Clerk.
Item seven, eight. From community development. Resolution to sell vacant residential adjacent lot at 142. Colorado to the adjacent property owner at 146 Colorado.
This man just a bit of clarity at six a
My apologies. Thank you, Council President Thomas.
So each of these being dealt with individually will take a motion of action and after that we have questions we can put those questions to council.
Yes, ma'am,
before making a motion I wanted to have a discussion or ask questions. Is it possible?
You have to we have to get it on the floor. Open emotional form and have questions addressed.
You waiting on a motion after you make a motion you have questions. Anyone here for a B, C and D. I'll make a motion to residential adjacent lot at 142. Colorado to the adjacent property owner at 146. Colorado.
We have a motion on the floor by council Pro Tem Robinson to sell the property at 1.2 Colorado to the adjacent property. Owner at 146 Colorado Do we have a second?
Sure, well for a second floor is open for questions.
My question is same question to me as if someone here for this property or this to me right here says a real estate so I'm totally at a loss. Is it gonna stay there? Is it people? I mean, to another state and so I needed someone to answer those questions. And if so, what was their intent? Mr. Hinton is here from CD
Good evening. Mr. Ham. How are you, sir?
Good evening. My best answer is that according to the ordinance, if you're an owner, you're an owner. You don't have to be an owner occupant or in this particular case, whoever is for card, have the ownership in an LLC.
So we just go into trying to find out who they are or what to do with it. What's the client on vacant? Are they gonna build on it? What exactly
according to the application they want to do to sideline and is to beautify the place that they own.
So I guess I would ask that the applications you can obviously give to people from poverty. I'm not trying to be me, just saying so what taxes are hidden and we will get some taxes for providing all the time. But if it's property only, only to so when you tell me a real estate or a company, I'm expecting them to do something. And I'm expecting them to beautify it performance. And so I think that we need to examine that because everybody's going to write or guarantee. Everybody's going right. I like to beautify this area. And then I'm not sure.
Well, if we take the tactic of putting a reverter cause somebody lives or what what they're gonna do with a lot, then it could revert back to the city. We can handle it that way.
We have to close it once we say yes to this. They did that and protocols. And
Roberto close, I will make sure are in all of our purchase agreements. Because anybody can make up a story. So the reticle should be standard. Otherwise, it's hard to guess what people are really, their intentions are. But we can be proactive by including a reverter clause if they lied on the application.
clause or is this the actual purchasing?
I said, I'm saying to the council, that I'll go back to the purchase agreement, and make sure that there's a Roberto clause just in case people are telling them that becomes the case for any land we sell.
Right? So I'm asking that because I kind of mentioned that. So right here again, say, I don't want anybody just calling and trying to get by, and then nothing happens. And so we get stuck that way. So that's why I was asking. Okay,
we have additional questions in the third district.
Slowly accompany the non resident
real estate LLC. In Madison Heights they don't live here. The funny thing that Trump actually does well outside investment property must be according to his actual bank was made
that was not done that has been the policy of the assessor that 500 has been a standard because we are not actively marketed any of the properties
so this was a standard way. Right. Have we taken an inventory or have we have have had an audit or actual account as to what the city owns or what the city does? We know what the city owns. Okay. So we have so when I add for a list about worth the goal of what belongs to the city, doesn't belong to the city. So should know what the city owns. Is there a reason why they get that list?
There should there's no reason why you didn't get the lists. I was not aware, but I can get that to you.
I appreciate that. Okay. All right. Yeah, you know, I just want to agree with Miss Monica. wholeheartedly in this case. I'm curious as to what they plan on doing with it and they want to just put flowers on to the yard or what's gonna happen to it. That would have been helpful here. But I'm also concerned about ordering these two OBT. Okay, which clearly states that Council must be given a set of rules and regulations and guidelines from the administration as to how he or she wants us to disperse and dispense property and so the amount of work so I would have said that somebody take the time out and read that would be a very interesting read. It was one that it wasn't disapproved. By Madam Mayor before she moved into lives.
Mr. Shafi, do you have a charter?
You know what I do not have my charter, wouldn't he? No,
no, no, no, no. Do you have a charter period? Yes, I have. Okay, do you have the ordinance? Okay, so, the ordinance and the charter is what governs how you sell property. And it's listed there. And that's what I told you before. That if you read the charter and read the ordinance you will see how poverty property is supposed to be disposed.
What the charter city charter with a warning and say it clearly states that the mayor and city council should work together to create a set of rules. And guidelines and
regulations. That's what the ordinance is. And that's what the ordinance is that ordinance was approved. As per the last charter, I'm a council and if you read the ordinance, it tells you specifically how to dispose of property and as viewing the charter. It says specifically how are we supposed to dispose of property if you read the rent purchase agreements, and you can get one of those from downstairs at the front desk. It tells you how to dispose of property and what is what the person buying the property is responsible or responsible for and what they are supposed to do. In that order. It talks about fencing off the property. That's something that they must do once they purchase it. And anything else that has to be done with that property if it's something that they're going to build on. They must have it come to the planning department and going they're planning plans for that property. They cannot approve any building on that land would have to go through the planning department. And then it has to be proved it also has to go through making sure that they have their permits, and all of that that has proved that it's approaches they can get from downstairs. That is what you use to determine how to dispose a property it has not changed and it will not change unless there is a revision of the charter or a revision of the ordinance. And so at this time, the ordinance that you have section 208 will be what you use to to dispose of property. The charter also speaks on how real estate and property is disposed of. Those are your two documents, your two policies and procedures. We don't have a separate policy and procedure. Everything is done through the charter or through the ordinance or and the rental like a sonata rental. I'm sorry, the purchase agreement specifically tells people what they have to do once they received that property.
So just for the record, if my council members approved this, they're well within the law and not about me. I'm trying to win over
addition,
I'd like to also add something. We actually have two sections. There's two Oh 8.10. And it's to a point one one yeah okay.
We have additional questions. As it relates to Item A, we have a motion on the floor. Made by counsel brooch and Robinson seconded by the chair Madam Deputy Park, please call the roll on six 1000 Mana
Shafi No, Castle, my Martin. No. Councilwoman Monica? No. Councilwoman, council Pro Tem Robinson. No. Council President Thomas
Yes. Major veils four to 100 Order Community Development item b and f the
resolution to sell the vacant residential lot at 373 Elmers. To the adjacent property owner at 371. Elmhurst
city council, what is your disposition on? B?
Isn't that Mr. Hurt? They're hurt. Thank you. Hey, family. Hey, okay. See here can see here on Mr. Hodges. I see both of them. Mr. Hart has his hand up
what's your disposition on Item B. City council
moved accept a resolution to sell the vacant residential adjacent lot at 373. Elmhurst to the adjacent property owner at 371 Elmhurst
we have a motion on the floor of our Councilwoman Monica to approve the resolution to sell to residential. I second we have a second from Council bro. Tim Robinson. Do we have any questions? Hearing none, Madam Deputy Clerk could you call the roll on item B.
Councilman a Shafi say yes for this one. Councilwoman Martin. Yes. Councilwoman Monica? Yes. Council Pro Tem Robinson. Yes. Council President Thomas.
Yes. Item B passes. unanimously. Community Development. Deputy Clerk
resolution resolution to sell the vacant residential adjacent lot at 126. Florence to the adjacent property owner at 124 Florence
pharmacy City Council What's your disposition? Again? Are they here? Online are the down events here online.
I don't see a Donovan on. There's some phone numbers se but I don't see it down a bit.
Order they made aware that this was going to be voted on tonight. You know if they were made aware? No, they were not.
Asked me. Yes, ma'am. I don't have a problem. And I will prefer that our lives be sold to our residents in Highland Park. And with out in question, but I have questions in regards to this property on Florence and saying that they're not here to explain because I did. Like always take a drive through our great city. With that being said it's up to council
so they are making
No, I just possible they are moving in the case of house. Well they wanted to first get going actually, if they don't already live in the house that they own house and explain it to their own husband having moved in but they want to purchase a lot next to it and explain
what we really want to do. They're trying to get the adjacent lot to complete what they're trying to do. Okay, thank you
so the floor is still open for any action on Item C the resolution to sell to vacant residential adjacent lot at 126 floors to the adjacent property owner at 124 Florence
I moved to approve the resolution to sell the vacant residential adjacent lot at 126 floors to the adjacent property owner at 124. Florence
we have a motion on the floor from Councilwoman Monica to approve the resolution of residential, vacant residential adjacent lot. Do we have a second? Second? We have a second from Councilwoman Martin. Adam definitely please call the roll.
Councilman a Shafi. Yes, council woman Martin. Yes. Councilwoman Monica. Yes. Council Pro Tem Robinson. Yes. Council President Thomas. Yes.
Under Community Development item D.
Resolution to sell the vacant residential adjacent lot at 238 forward to the adjacent property owner at 242 Ford.
I move to approve the resolution to sell the vacant residential adjacent lot at 238 for to the adjacent property owner at 242 Ford.
We have a motion on the floor from counsel Monica to approve the resolution to sell the vacant residential adjacent lot. We have a second. Faster after again. You have a second from counsel approach and Robinson. Madam Deputy Clerk Would you please call the roll.
Councilmember Shafi Wilson? Yes. Councilwoman Martin. Yes Councilwoman Monica? Yes. Council Pro Tem Robinson. Yes. Council President Thomas.
Yes. I think it's worth saying for expediency in the future for our esteemed colleagues from CDW and from the mayor's office. This not having the party present appears to be a sticking point. And so although I know it has been properly vetted by an extent experienced legal team, experienced CD team, I think for the sake of the purchaser, they might want to have someone present to be able to have their questions answered in these concerns allayed. So, we are at the section where we move to citizens participation citizens may speak for no more than two minutes pertaining to any subject. Now I would like to open up the floor to individuals in the room first we have this young lady in the corner who would like to speak she also happens to be our miracle.
So thanks real quick. Then I'll get two minutes so I'll take that two minutes. First, I just want to say to the council, we must be mindful of putting things on in on in writing or on video. That can be causes lawsuits. Saying that we do not want or we will prefer to sale property to someone who lives here versus someone who's eligible can cause us to be a lawsuit because you are discriminating. And at that point because the ordinance does not say you cannot sell property to people who live outside of the city. It says that they have to own the property and if they are the owner of the property that they are entitled to purchase the property next to them. Now I'm not saying you don't vote it up or down. What I'm saying is verbally telling someone that they cannot buy a property or you prefer not to sell them a property because they live outside the city can cause us a lawsuit. That's one. Secondly, I want to just I told myself I wasn't going to talk about this but I am because it gets to the point where it's starting to affect the business of the city. News number of people have been calling in saying that they're being told things by council people that the mayor's office is let me say this not doing the business of the city. I want to make sure that every citizen here knows that the mayor's office office is doing the business. And it's based on our charter. And it's based on our ordinances. Other than that anything else? We do not do. So I want it to be clear. If it's not in an ordinance if it's not in a charter the mayor's office does not move forward with it. So I just want everybody understand that. It is the purview of the council to sell property. It is the purview of the Council to approve contracts. It is the purview of the council to make sure that the business of the city isn't less is brought to you is moved and again you have the right to vote up or down that's okay. That's that's that's okay. But we have to be mindful, please do not putting out false information and putting out things that can harm the city. Just be careful of it. That's all I'm asking. Thank you. No dress me Yes, ma'am. Yes,
I wasn't saying it in a revelatory way. I will just only make it clear that people that do not live here that purchasing random property because we have a lot of them that live I'm saying they don't take care of their property. That's why I made that state.
You have to be very, I'm just saying, be very mindful of how you say things because people will take that and say, Oh, just discriminate. You just discriminated against us. So thank
you for allowing me to clarify that no problem. Thank you.
Thank you, ma'am. Do we have anyone else? I'm sorry, Miss Miss mannequin offered a rebuttal.
Isn't that is that a rebuttal?
I want to make sure that we don't get too far off because we have counsel affairs. We save if you don't mind when you have counsel. affairs. Basketball. Just response. Yes, ma'am.
It's not a rebuttal. I just wanted to make it clear that what I'm asking Mr. Hinton or the development department, is that we just update our purchase agreement to say what instead of afterwards, going back in all being fair, same thing I asked earlier of a business, when it's presented as a business, then I have to treat it that way. And ask those questions. So I'm just being fair. So earlier, we had that same scenario calm. And so I say the same thing then. So I just feel that we need to definitely when it comes to a business, make sure that we have that clause in there. That's it. Thank
you have any additional citizens
greetings HB as everybody my name is Mark as fee price. I'm from the school boy. I'm number five on the agenda agree with Kent. District Three Council pulls apart about number five on Chandy. That's my opinion. I agree with him personally. My second point I wanted to be the mayor, as far as given the stay of the city and I wanted to mention that probably because the said hung apart, hasn't had a staff stay on the Cydia trust now a very long time so I want to thank that mailbox. And she did mentioned to me that she was going to make one every year. A stale but steady state of the City address. But beyond that, I think again, I think that the city council it in my opinion, I think the city council and the mayor has done a good job. So for the mayor, the mayor came up like that what day it was well, I think it was last week on Sunday. She gave a speech at WC three and she gave her life story because March was women's month and she had all life experience or humble beginnings. From our humble beginnings to demand see what steady touch and I just mentioned. And I appreciate that man I appreciate that council. I appreciate everybody. Everybody Holland pub because I was saying you guys as well on the school board, such as when I think he bought the entire city. Thank you.
Thank you Thank you never citizens I would like to speak sir, you put your hand up
Hi, hello, hello. I'm scared of the microphone but y'all can hear me. So I was wondering how I could put on the agenda at city council. Was that to the clerk
Are you getting on the agenda for what?
For a city council meeting?
What will be the issue? You just you Mr. Lanier, you just want to be on the agenda?
No, not me. I was interested in purchasing the building next door which is for sale for $17,000 and I was under the impression that that was that was the council
right behind you is the Director of the Community Economic Development Department. That is the mayor. So if there's any property that you want to purchase the procedures to go through the administration.
Okay, so there's nothing that needs to be brought to council.
You go to them and then they you they will do their due diligence and they can help you from there.
Because I didn't know that. Thank you and what do you call it? Is there any way that I could get into that beautiful 11 Ferran Park building no owe abatement.
I have anything to do with your presence. There. And so, first purchase thank you
I don't see any additional hands do we have anyone online Mr. Lackey we have no one with their hands raised. Okay, that close assistance that is participation at this point we moved to council affairs councilman from the third district.
Good evening. Hala Park. How are you today? All right. So um, real quick. I just have I have a couple of concerns. So I'm pretty anal about real estate. And for most of you who know me, you understand why not too long ago in 2015. I purchased a home from the city of Highland Park. They renovated it, spent my money on it come to find out the city didn't own the house in which they sold me the housing commission the hood all that particular house and I lost my shirt. I didn't get a dime back as rumors flying around. Oh, her she got his money back. They're alive. I got nothing back. $15,000 going down the drain. But that's history. Okay. We need to take a proper assessment of what is owed by the city of Highland Park as we sail these lots and as we sell these commercial properties, and as we sell these real estate properties, so that no other resident has to go through the hell that I went through in 2015. And I know you all saw me because I was on channel two news. I know everybody saw it. Okay. I never got a dime of that money back to this day, still being stonewalled about it. So I want to be careful that no resident have to go through the same problem that I went through. I'm not being a jerk. I'm not holding up the business of the city. I'm not being agitated. You put me here to look out for your best interest. Again, that's what you put me here for. If you don't want me here, let me know I will step down humbly for you. I work at your behest, I belong to you. And as long as I sit in this seat, that's how I see it. Okay. So when I asked questions about the real estate property, Mr. Henn setting himself he had no idea I asked for that list, but everybody in the administration knew I export the list of properties owned by the city out of the park, and nobody has brought me anything that was over a month ago. for just that reason. Now we're getting into the habit of selling property. We need to make sure that what we're selling actually belongs to us because believe it or not, it's still confusing is still mixed up. It's still muddy, and we have not done a proper divide between us, us and the Housing Commission. Our two properties are still mixed. If you go get the list from downstairs right now, you will have some of their property and some our property still on their list. So this will be I'm talking about I just want to make sure that when you purchase something from Alec park, you don't get messed over. You don't lose your money. It's very easy for the city to take your money is pure hell to get their money back out of the city. I'm sure you all know that. It's almost impossible to get you back. Oh, they'll take you very fast, but they have a hard time giving it back. And the second issue that I have, I'm concerned about the direction in which we're going with our police department. At the moment we got great officers here. Every officer in here I can account for but the green bank officer who not only sued the city, the other half a million dollar settlement but now he wants to come back and work for us. I find that unacceptable. Okay, especially in offices, and I don't have to say his name you know who he is, especially also who was called stealing from the forfeiture fund. He should not be brought back as a police officer in the city of Highland Park. He should not be brought back and if you watched if you watch the police and fire commission meeting about a week and a half ago, you'll know the offense I'm talking about he should not be brought back here as a police officer. He was no good then and he's no good now. And I stand against bring that off the back here. He does not need to come back here. Tell him to find a job somewhere else. He got his money move on. We're good Madam Mayor beta Asian administer me and so the evidence that was given to me find the former administration if you would like that,
I would like to have absolutely. I mean, what I need is something because our former mayor made a statement that he had no evidence. So I want the evidence that you have. So we could send it to the state police, email and write that back. You can send it to the thing.
Because it's your job. You handled the police department he made it my job to handle the police department, but today is an administrative issue. I man. I made a statement. I made the statement about not bringing back bad officers. We don't need adults this week. That are just find it obviously near and one thing that I'm fine with, we don't need to bring back somebody who suits
the no record of nobody saying he's coming back. Secondly, just made an accusation that can get us sued. Because you accused a man of stealing without any evidence.
Okay, so yeah, these are okay, so I only know two people in the room had any law school classes and one of them is sitting over there. Okay. So if so we could go ahead to say Councilwoman from District Two Council affairs.
I just want to say thank you for coming out tonight. I don't see the usual numbers that we've had lately. That says a lot to me. I also want to thank the people who are on Zoom today. Other than that, that's all I have to say right now. I am kind of hungry. So you got excuse me that I don't have a lot to say at this moment. Thank you so much. Have a great man.
Thank you so much. Council man, Council. Woman. Monica, please for council affairs.
Good evening, everyone. I will try to make it brief, but I do have quite a few things. I just want to make a reminder. School board meetings. I know it's not city council, but go go check out the school board meetings April 4 at barber school. Chat with the chief April 26. From six to eight. I Hamilton on Hamilton at 13233 Hamilton youth baseball clinic April 15. At Reggie McKinney, I'm sorry, earnestly for Phil house, ages five to 12 Of course. We are seasonal hiring DPW also, there is a sign up but I think you have to go on Facebook. I'm not sure but just keep abreast of what our representatives are doing with DTE and relationship to Highland Park and I want to say thank you to everybody who participated in the extravaganza at earnest tea for Field House. It was wonderful. Of course it rained a little bit and storm so we didn't have as many kids but we did they found the golden eggs and so we have Easter Bunny. The mayor was there. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated, as usual did their sponsorship for Easter. We had some other organizations Reggie McKenzie feel Reggie McKenzie foundation. It was that who was there I think. And then the mobile library that is here in Highland Park. That is from the revival tabernacle Church, which is on Woodward closest to six mile. They are encouraging you to get a book, sign up, read and get the hours so there's a shaman and they will count the hours. So they're looking to try to get I think it's 1 million hours or something read don't quote me, okay, but but it's a good thing because the books are free and you can return them you know and start a new book. So I'm encourage you to get your the come out. I know they're at a couple of schools in Highland Park. The other thing I want to say thank you to everybody I heard the mayor say that about maybe doing it again. The spring, our first our first CDAC spring cleanup y'all say yea or nay to that. So people got a chance to take some stuff out of their house. I've seen a couple of dumpsters that are full. You actually got a couple of extra days. You got a night going right here because they're gonna be gone tomorrow for sure guys, just the weather has been doing it. We are going to do it again. But it's not too far. But we will take into consideration or I'll ask I'm sorry, the CDAC to take into consideration maybe doing it again sometime in the middle of the year. But they are they have some other projects and they will be talking with the black clubs. So we're looking forward to that we got a couple other thing is going on. I'm gonna stop there. I did. Again I want to say thank you. And thank you to everybody who comes out participates and give their input. I do get a few phone calls. So some of this is why I mentioned that because I get those phone calls. But thank you.
Thank you, ma'am.
evening, everyone. Thank you. I love Highland Park. I love you. It's my pastor being out in the audience today. But other than that, we still got work to do, and we want to get it done together. God bless you and I love you. Thank you, man.
I know I'm getting to looks because I have a choice to make every time I get here. Council President doesn't have much power, you have the burden of managing the meeting. Very little authority. I'm 20% of the city council.
Never thought I would envy Tucker Carlson and his job. Right now I'm thinking about Albert Einstein. Clearly one of the most brilliant men in the world but the most photographed image of Albert Einstein is what? him at the chalkboard. He was a recognized genius, but he was afraid of being wrong. He wasn't convinced that he was right. He was more concerned with being wrong. What did Einstein have? He accumulated a vast amount of knowledge and then he got data. And then he went to the board to work the proof out he was absolutely sure that equals MC squared. But for most of his life, the most photographed image of a recognized genius is getting proof he gave us wonderful statements like doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result is insanity. He had a sense of humor. It's obvious. He also pointed out in his great study of physics, that light travels faster than sound so something can appear bright. To your hearing.
Genius, a recognized genius with years of accumulated knowledge, buried in data, and he spent the rest of his whole life making sure not that he was right. But that he wasn't wrong. So if you're wondering why I'm thinking about Albert Einstein right now, we had two things in common. We were both C students at a few things, immensely curious. And we spend all of our waking hours accumulating knowledge and filtering through data and not opening our mouths until we have proof. Having concluded all the business of the city and completing the agenda, the Chair will entertain a motion to adjourn