Detroit City Council Formal Session, 10 a.m., Part 1
4:37PM Mar 28, +0000
Speakers:
President Sheffield
Keywords:
detroit
city
detroiters
district
jobs
caller
disadvantaged businesses
council
development
residents
member
fund
developer
good morning
community
affordable housing
neighborhood
move
project
madam
Progress
Got a quorum Yeah
it's fine
All right. All right. Great morning everyone. We will now call to order the regular session of Tuesday March the 28th. will now come to order and if our clerk will please call the roll.
Councilmember Scott Benson. Hospital Hall did the presentation. Petition Justin resin House member Gabriela Santiago Ramiro President
asked me to marry Walters
present
often the as the Goodfield Calaway.
And follow me on the second
how's the press reports from
James Tate. You're
a past president, maybe Sheffield. President.
We have a quorum present my president.
All right. Thank you there being a quorum. We are in session member Doha has also joined joined us as well for now. All right, we will go straight to our invocation for this morning. Joining us we have Pastor Raymond Shipman from the walk in the Spirit ministries located in City Council District Four. Good morning.
Good morning. Thank you to everyone in the opportunity to open up in prayer. Let's pray. Father, we thank you for who you are and for what you do we thank you for the grace to gather together. Thank you just for life. So Father, we pray in Jesus name for this steamed leadership. We pray in Jesus name that you would give them wisdom. Father as they continue to make decisions for this great city. I pray that their hearts will be in the same place that you've declared that as we do it to the leases that we do it to you. Father, I pray that even the establishment of the Spirit of Detroit will be seeing even in the meetings, that there will be strength that there will be unity, and that there will be a demonstration of love. Father, I pray for your wisdom. Father, give them sight beyond sight. Father, I pray in the name of Jesus that your grace will be on them. Give them the tongue of the learned so that they can communicate with each other so that their hearts will be seen in each decision that is made. Father I thank you that raised up a group of people whose heart's desire is to build this city. Now Father, I pray that you would cause finances to flooding. I pray grants would come in I pray federal funding will come in I pray that you would give them what they need in order for the goals that they've already set to be accomplished. Visit them in dreams and visions. And Father I thank you that you've established us and you brought us all together to further what your plan is for the city. In Jesus name. Amen.
Amen. All right, thank you so much, Pastor. Feel free to hang on if you would like if you have to go we do understand. Thank you so much for the invocation. All right. If you with us and would like to make a public comment. Please make sure you raise your hand at this time to receive a card we will cut off public comment very soon, so please make sure that you raise your hand for a public comment card. We do have two presentations in pairs that we can bring over the inner individuals from the Commission as we honor the legacy and life of Detroit business woman in philanthropic excuse me in her insolent philanthropic work, Miss Gretchen filleted. If the family will please come down for Miss Gretchen filleted.
And Miss Gretchen belaid is known by many in the community in the arts community as the angel of jazz. She will be remembered for her philanthropic contributions to art culture in the business landscape in the metro Detroit community and also the global jazz community. We do have members of our entertainment commission that would like to share words on the legacy and life of Miss Gretchen belaid and we will bring those individuals over now. Miss scales.
Yes. Thank you. Morning. Good morning. Thank you President Sheffield and good morning to you and all of the members of this honorable body, city staff and the members of the public viewing this session. As chair of the entertainment commission, I'm pleased to speak on behalf of the members Vice Chair John Collins, Secretary Sofia tooth, commissioners Asia, Asia Hamilton, Gregory Reed and Crystal's moist cities. We would like to thank you and the Council for honoring the Commission's requests to recognize the life and legacy of gretchin. Civilized aka jazz Angel. We deeply appreciate her support of jazz in the Detroit community and beyond her commitment to jazz lives on to the Detroit Jazz Festival, Mack Avenue records and the Wayne State residency valid jazz center to name a few. So being not only the chair but in artists and vocalist, I had the privilege of performing with my husband Charles at the dirty dog jazz cafe, many nights and it has always been an honor. It was always an honor to have Gretchen present during our performances. What a beautiful spirit and light and we want to again thank you for honoring her legacy. But I would now like to yield the floor to our with your consent, madam president to Commissioner crystals voicebuddy Who made the motion at our January meeting requesting this recognition, Commissioner moisten ease Are you available?
We do not see his name online.
Okay, well, that being said, I again would like to personally thank each and every one of you. This is a wonderful and also looking forward. If I believe in June there's going to be a presentation at villatte Park. Am I correct?
It was 70
belaid Park I'm sorry, it's late. June 17. Correct. June 17. So definitely will be there and to honor this wonderful spirit.
And we do see Christos has joined us and so
wonderful yeah Commissioner crystals commission.
Hello everyone. And sorry I was in the waiting room, but just wanted to be asleep honor Mrs. blade and the blade family is a passing happened at the end of 2022. Our first Detroit entertainment commission meeting was January 9, and with her passing in a lot of people's minds and fresh in the hearts of a lot of artists wanted to make the recommendation to honor Mrs. Belay in the delayed family is owner of London Chophouse. We also support artists and we would often talk about continuing paying for artists to be there. I know that Mrs. Vallejo obviously did more than her share and are obviously love of Detroit partnerships. And obviously it's very fortunate to have lunch with her and tour of the city many times and was thankful to all that she's done for the city and wanted to make sure obviously that we would do our small part is for the Detroit entertainment commission through the body of city council to honor the family. Thank you once again, city council for making this a priority. And one of the things that delayed family I yield the floor back to Madam President. Thank you.
I would also like to add again belaid family thank you so much. You are fantastic. And we look forward to many, many engagements at the dirty doc.
All right. Well, we appreciate the life and legacy of this Gretchen belay and the family did you all want to make any remarks or any comments?
Just like to say, say thank you very much man would be definitely honored and just totally pleased by the acknowledgement. And thank you very much really appreciate it.
So much. Great. Thank you. And after we have one other presentation, we would like to do a group photo with the family if possible. With the testimonial resolutions if you guys can stick around for about five or 10 minutes. That would be great. All right. Thank you so much. And thank you to our commissioners for this request. You all have a blessed day. All right, we have one additional presentation from councilmember Santiago Ramiro so I will turn the floor over to you. Thank you Madam President. Good morning, everyone. Happy Tuesday. I am excited and honored to present today a spirit of betrayed award to Raquel tamale if you wouldn't mind joining us here for a call to take it all in. You look fabulous. We're just gorgeous. So for folks who don't know rocaltrol Mal is a Detroit native and a social justice, but the focus on public health and career developments as a researcher from 2018 to 2022 at the University of Michigan School of Public Health she was a part of a community academic partnership between the school and trans Sisters of color project Detroit's known as love her collective. She also helps women thrive after thrum after trauma through the intervention group picking it with the girls. She and her work has been a part of all well being services, mothering justice, and Corktown Health Center among others. 1016 she was interviewed by ebony about legal challenges faced by the transgender community, also known as the lips of Detroit's as and is the voice behind Miss mouthy podcasts which she cried created to address the lack of positive media representation and visibility of trans women of color here in Detroit's the first podcast aired on February 3 2020, in honor of Black History Month and overall, the podcast aims to highlight and uplift the voices and experiences of trans women of color in Detroit's because as she says, How many platforms do we have where we are behind the creative direction and control the narrative and can talk about our own experiences. She uses the space to invite allies who support and love her community to to talk about their efforts and challenges that they're facing and so much more pride source profiles the mouth was deeper than any everyday live show. To help address the economic disparity that trans women of color in Detroit face and around the globe face. She started a media company called seventh a media campaign called seven days of luck with Miss Malfi taking place in July throughout the month, Miss Murphy picks seven lucky ladies ladies who each received $777 Raquel also organizes and hosts an annual holiday dinner titled meals with Malfi where LGBTQ folks can come and get a meal during the holiday season because meeting direct means and building community is what Raquel is all about. Among her growing list of accomplishments include her work in the HIV community and she received two awards one the PLC the pas 100 Celebrating transgender, transgender, gender non conforming and non binary activist in 2019 and 2022 Paws 100 celebrating black activists. Her podcast with Malfi was made was named one of the top 50 Transgender podcasts you must follow in 2021 And last year, recall was named Trans activist of the year and 2022 but by the I am human foundation. Lastly, they were at all she's a proud mom of a seven year old daughter. Friday is transgender day of visibility, which I recognized last year with the resolution and this year it is my honor to present the Spirit of Detroit a road to recovery from Mel for her visibility and advocacy on behalf of the transgender community and in recognition of her exceptional achievements and outstanding leadership. Her work has a very bright side a very bright spot in our city and I am beyond grateful for her and all that you do for the city. Thank you so much for now. Thank you
Hello and good morning. First of all, I would like to thank you for that honor and thank my ancestors family and friends that are here with me today. A special thanks to the entire city council for this honor and acknowledgement.
Thank you for seeing me and recognizing me not only as an honoree, but as a human. Oftentimes black trans women are left out kicked out and counted out simply for being who they are. When people often ask where I'm from and the responses to trade. Oftentimes people are surprised and that's just simply their bias, preconceived notions and stereotype of black trans women. I like to accept this award on the behalf of black trans women who started this work in Detroit like three Rivera and is a mom. I want to thank them for being beacons of joy and strength. And a testament that black trans leadership is vital. I would also like to accept this award on the behalf of every young black girl growing up in the city of Detroit. Like my daughter asked them who have big dreams of becoming so much more than her current reality will allow. I will tell every young girl Don't give up hope. Remember to see purpose in every opportunity. Find your worth whenever you look in the mirror and stay true to who you are. And lastly, a profound woman once said even when you work don't see me you hear me so next time, bye.
Recount
if you want to. We'll we'll start with photos now our council president unless it was anyone else to come before us, we'll go into the picture. Yep, thank you. We'll take a quick pause and do pictures and public comment. as well.
First. Family
excited.
Then or not positive the whole worth Mark Okay.
It's probably a holiday
Thank you African support
writing grants
right
thank you again for your patience. And again. Congratulations to those who are recognized today. Member Doha. There's some special students here with us that you would like to recognize.
Thank you, Madam President. And I would like everyone and all of my colleagues to welcome our students from noble elementary who were brought here today by Ms. Khimsar Roby and the community lens. So if they could please stand and be acknowledged.
And matter, Madam President,
they will be spending the day with us today. And hopefully we don't bore them to death but I am glad they were able to join us this morning. Thank you, Madam. Madam member, Doha.
Madam Chair, yes, member Dr. Hall. may remember Dr. Hall? Yes, ma'am. I graduated from the elementary school at Noble and I grew up on green lawn and Fullerton. So I used to walk to noble from the from kindergarten to third grade so I'm hoping to meet each and every one of you. I still love noble and I love that neighborhood. So thorough. I'm so happy that they're here today.
Thank you remember Council. Thank you, madam. Absolutely.
The Journal
of the session of Tuesday March the 14th will be approved. There being no reconsiderations or unfinished business. We will proceed to the budget Finance and Audit standing committee for the budget Finance and Audit standing committee when he reports from
various city departments.
The 20 reports will be referred to the budget Finance and Audit standing committee for the internal operations standing committee seven reports
from various city departments.
The seven reports will be referred to the eternal operations standing committee for the Neighborhood and Community Services standing committee,
one report from the Office of contracting and procurement.
The one report will be referred to the Neighborhood and Community Services standing committee or the Planning and Economic Development standing committee.
Madam President, this actually should be for the public health and safety standing committee. Two reports from various city departments.
Those two reports will be referred to the public health and safety standing committee or the Planning and Economic Development standing committee. Madam president actually I'm sorry yeah, we will not move to the voting action matters. Under other matters, there
are no idols Madam President,
under communications from the mayor and other governmental officials in agencies there are no idols madam Alright, we will now call for public comment and we have 64 in person. And how many calls do we have virtually 50 online. Okay. So we will allow everyone one minute for public comment. Starting with Pamela more, if you can line up so that we can keep the public comment moving, Stephen hiring barrel Woods
Pamela Moore Mohammed Yeah.
Good morning my name is Pamela ons. I'm from SEIU local one. We are celebrating more good jobs coming to Detroit. It's in our interest to see Detroit continue development. Together we can build a Detroit that works for all of us. We are encouraged and we're excited about the conversations we have with Olympia. We have a long standing partnership and
he makes sure your microphone is down and up so we can hear you.
Appreciate the ongoing support of the City Council. Thank you.
Right thank you Steven hiring us.
And it'd be heard. Yes, you can. Okay, perfect.
So my name is Steven hiring. What I want to say is it's no secret younger people want to move to cities with density, international business and we can all in this room agree transit but I bet three out of five people in this room have a kid or sibling that moved for those specific reasons. You don't have to love billionaires. But each needs Stephen Ross said and developers that cities like Chicago and New York attract it would be foolish to vote this steel out. As you've seen most Detroiters unions and pastors our support most of the opposition is this fringe minority that voted for proposal P which less than 30% of the city supported and this CBO deal it's not perfect, but it includes some of the first such as bus stops on Woodward renovation of the Cass tech football field. And the first CB I will do include an excess officer for disabled loved
thank you so much. Hero woods, followed by Bishop Ellis.
You got day. Here again to stand and support for district Detroit. I stand in support because I stand here with my minty Joe, who is 20 years old. I've been mentoring him since he was 16 years old. And his young men like this who I stand for, and I support and I wrap my arms around who need these types of skilled trades who need these jobs. I say that Shree do not speak for me. He come in here, passing around as if he speak for the city of Detroit, and I say the heck with Cormac again. Let's stand for this city. Let's move this city city forward. Let's support these young people who need these jobs. Let's continue to build on the Renaissance. of this city. Because even when Mayor Duggan is gone, some you guys going to continue to be in leadership and makeup and leadership. So you need this foundation.
Thank you, Mr. Collins.
Followed by Edith Paden fry Lee.
Yes, I'm speaking in support of the district Detroit. Mayor Coleman Young, several decades ago, had a vision that others couldn't see about casinos coming to the city of Detroit. He said that we didn't vote it in Windsor would benefit and monies would leave Detroit and go across that bridge and through the tunnel. Many of us in the religious community, we're not against it. And we learned and thank God that we got another bite at that apple. What we have before us is 1.5 billion. I watched urban Johnson eulogize his father. He said my father gave everything and sacrificed everything for me. Irvin got to eat more because he grew more. He couldn't sleep in a regular bed. He couldn't wear others hand me downs because he was growing exponentially. Thank God Irving became magic. And he became the savior of that house. Not just that house, but that entire East Lansing Community district Detroit can be a savior and the continued growth
Calvin Kolbert would be next followed by Mr. Cunningham. Morning.
Good morning. I am Resident Evil eight and Friday. I live in the fifth district of the city of Detroit. I lived here my entire life. I come to you today as a servant of the city. I've been here from the good, the bad and the ugly of how Detroit has come to this place right now. At this time, I do serve as the president of the Detroit Public Library Commission, and I come to ask you, if nothing else that to freeze the tax captures from the library, the libraries make community, and this city needs the communities to be rebuilt that tax captures at $3.4 million that that be frozen so that we do not take excess money from the libraries that was given to us in the millage and to give to the DDA. So at this point, I also speak I should let you know I serve the residents of the town square cooperative of 189 residents who also support the city we have been here we are here we will continue to be here and we serve here. So please look out for the libraries. Thank you so much. Thank you
Good morning.
My name is Calvin colored. I am the Executive Director of Detroit impact. A community youth development organization located on the west side of Detroit who have been serving the youth and community of Detroit for over 30 years. I come this morning as a community voices I look around my community and see what is it that we need. I work with young people and say to them that I have to see that you have a future in Detroit. This morning. I felt the need to be here personally, because I walked the streets of downtown this morning to get an idea of what it feels like was the Spirit of Detroit. Yes, there is a downtown Detroit. But Detroit is a city. It's a city that has a has a metropolis and a community. So we're looking for opportunity. I'm empowered by this process, because I want to teach my young people how to become a part of the process with empowerment. I moved before for this downtown to go
thank you Mr. Cunningham.
Good morning 313-444-9114. As always, I know Facebook for subservience kind of had in regards to district extraor district Detroit, I'm neutral, but just think if any city council person votes against this, the millionaires and billionaires the next time they run will put money behind their conscience. So somebody's not be afraid, but that's just politics. The billionaires the millionaires, the police and the mayor always get what they want. Period. That's what I've always seen, maybe 5% of time, anything different. But maybe there can be a watchdog watching to see how many black folks is actually on these construction sites. Usually the most obviously white people obviously white people, so maybe there'll be a drone, a camera or something. Somebody some organization, be a watchdog and make sure there's black folk
Brittany McGee
Good morning. My name is Brittany McGee. I'm a senior and Wayne State Program Manager for Project destin and as you know, I support district Detroit, or the one thing I hope you keep in mind today is that if opportunity doesn't knock you build a door and district Detroit is that door $1.5 billion investment until the city sets the foundation to keep and attract talent along with builds momentum. And I'm here for things of that nature. So did you desert Detroit fulfills a need and impacts the city in the community in the great way. So I want council to remember that. A good plan today is a perfect plan isn't a perfect plan tomorrow. It's always going to be a good plan whether it benefits younger children, older children, older people in the city and that's it the key point here so thank you very much.
Boring John house 400 Bagley Detroit I want to encourage council to support this initiative. I think the 10 new buildings 12,000 jobs are really a game changer for the city of Detroit downtown. These these jobs will be subject to section three requirements, executive order requirements, and they will be monitoring and accountability. And I look forward to this project moving forward and hope you'll support
me excuse me, thank you. Thank you so much, Emmanuel. He'll miss Logan will follow behind me.
My name is Emmanuel Hill. I stayed that for HANA Bagley but I'm born and raised from beat we can make. I've been in the construction business since I've been eight years old. And that's the skills of me. Now, if we don't go with these projects that go to our city, we won't be in trouble. You don't I mean, I'm not a worker. I'm not an office worker. I'm a man that builds with my hands. And my in our kids today the disciple jobs so they can survive out here. So we don't if we don't go for this, this project, a lot of people is gonna be you know, not around and they're gonna move out of state like I did, and come back home. So let's build a city. Let's go for this and don't sell it on the table because people don't want it to come. All right,
thanks so much. Okay. All game Hello by Stefan Thompson.
My name is Barbara Logan. I'm a member of the NEC thanks to Councilwoman Santiago Romero. I've lived in District Six. Detroit's future success does not depend on Olympia development proposals. Other billionaires have been and are interested in our assets. We are finally in a position to bargain boldly. I sat on the neighborhood Advisory Council and listened and read and dissected the details of the agreement of the agreement in the limited time allotted from the perspective of a Detroit taxpayer for 50 years, the developer admittedly Mestre misrepresented the number of jobs for Detroiters that this proposal will provide as well as other misrepresentations. The developer has indicated that if they don't build the structures, then they won't take advantage of the tax incentives of law or other benefits. They have already made provisions in case they don't do what they have proposed to do. They have not bargain in good faith. There is no urgency to make an unwise decision. Thank you. Thank you
Mr. Morrison City Council.
Last week,
you all brought Supreme Court Justice Cara Borden and correct first time she opened up with one last thing she opened up with was that what gives her inspiration that she looks in those boys and girls eyes. He's a black woman in a seat with a black kids over there in those seats. Me, Mary Sheffield and Carbone I went to high school together. We only get there if our parents are middle class working good home, working good jobs, and pay textiles back city. You don't get that if we don't have jobs and opportunity in industry in the city. Conversely, they become talented, they get education, and then they leave and they don't come back. You go to every major city in America and Detroit is at the head of every city in America. That's it.
Thank you. Everything ever say hello by Jim Jenkins.
Good morning Council. My name is Lance Everson. Born and raised here in the city of Detroit, graduate of the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters. This proposal going forward would do a great deal for our youth with those jobs that were promised to them. As you can see that the construction trades can change lives. Now the people that oppose that I have come encounter with they're talking about they want something done in the city in the neighborhood. That would be nice. But anytime someone's ready to invest $1.5 billion in your city put it in the city and the revenue or the residual of that can be spread throughout the community. So the one thing I want to say is if you want your neighborhood to look nice, then we need to do something about it as residents. We can't depend on somebody else to come and make our street look good. It's up to me to make my block looks good. You know, so I believe that the residual from that.
Thank you. Next speaker will be Jim Jenkins followed by John Cromer. Followed by Yvonne Stevens. Morning.
Crew pro Tim James Tate, I'm very passionate about this. They say that blacks are not building up Detroit i i can wit I witness a lot. I mean, I would just by myself doing a lot of projects in Detroit. Including board field, Charles Wright Museum, book, Cadillac, a few others, but anyway, I'm not gonna get into all that. My main thing is jobs. Without opportunity, we will lose our children, just like these young people here. They gotta be here for our opportunity and without their parents working that is a bad example if in fact their parents are not working and on the way they do that is having jobs, these skilled trades will make the community better. And I totally support this. This effort with this district Detroit development of city Detroit creates 18,000 jobs, 6000 permanent jobs, and 6000 permanent jobs we
all need.
Thank you. Thank you. Our next speaker is your bond Stevens, followed by Russ blunt.
Morning Council My name is Yvonne Stevenson, I'm a resident at hem host. We was here last week. And we just wanted you know, don't forget about us. I know you have other people to help in the city. A lot of the residents have taken EO says received a letter they had to move. But we're still in this pit. I'm still in this slaughterhouse waiting to be rescued. Please don't forget us. Thank you.
All right. Thank you.
Next speaker restaurant followed by Steven Handschuh.
Good morning members Council. I appreciate the opportunity to address you once again. I just want to do yet another reminder about the issue that I'm trying to highlight for this council in the 2024 budget. And that's what the commission president reflecting the views of the entire Library Commission spoke to which is freezing the tax capture. Just in the last three years $10 million out of our $30 million annual budget 10 million has been captured. Please don't ramp it up. Express your will make it clear where you stand. Let the debate go on. Whether it's appropriate or not appropriate. Just say what you believe stand for what you believe to help protect the library this is six times the amount that district Detroit propose to take from us. And we can't continue to survive with our outreach in every district that we want without
Thank you Next speaker is Steven Handschuh. Followed by Wade COVID.
Morning council members in brothers and sisters in the hall. I'm here today as a Hamel hoe resident. I want to thank the Council for the work you're already doing on our behalf. I've been told that there is a resolution in the works. We look forward to that we thank you for that. At the very moment that you're working for our benefit our landlord our meeting to let to management officials to one tenant trying to sell their new project. They're telling those tenants that their request to transfer people has been approved by HUD that was last Friday. Yesterday, I was told by the HUD account executive for our building that no such approval has been created. They sound like a village to me. Thank you. Okay, there
we go. Thank you, Mr. Manchu, and we're going to allow Member Santiago Romero to provide a few remarks
just real briefly, regarding the hemlock apartments. We are going to have developers here next week. So next week during formal session, the developer will be here to provide updates and we can ensure ask him any questions there but we have been working with him. Thank you for coming in and giving us that update that you know what, thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Mr. COVID. Hello, my name is Wade Colebatch.
I'm with plumbers local 98 spoke here last week and I've spoken before and the chamber on the other end of the hallway I'm not black but I do represent great opportunity to become into the trades I carved out 25% of my apprenticeship for Detroit residents have been down here for 15 years, putting guys to work and the only thing that puts men to work and women is his jobs. If I don't have the jobs, I cannot put my apprentices to work. And I promise you if this passes, I will have more and more black people on these jobs so it looks more familiar to the people that like it. But we are working in that direction. And please understand I represent opportunity. I truly do.
Thank you. Thank you.
I'm going to ask everyone to please refrain from screaming out while we have speakers giving their comments. Malik Shelton
Monique Shelton they keep coming out here talking about
please leave Shelton and followed by Mr. Malik Shelton will be Miss Linda Campbell. Mr. Shelton.
He's talking about these jobs coming out and talking about these jobs where all these people when Detroit is black men, women, children and babies were being put out in the street where all these people when you had 10s of 1000s of watershed I was with all these people when Detroit residents were overtaxed and over assessed and lost their homes with all these people with these suits that they're not even going to come down here to feed at the public trough and promised all these fake promises about jobs. The statistics prove that 70% of people that live it. They have jobs in his city live outside the city and most of the Detroit residents have jobs outside the city. Another thing this whole project is illegal according to you telling you how Detroit city charter section two 113. Maybe I'm reading the dissection wrong. Or maybe the images are not the fault of the city is either one or the other. So we're not being fooled by these jobs. As far as affordable housing. We can build affordable housing with our own tax revenue. Thank you.
Next up will be Miss Linda Campbell, followed by Solomon Midians apologize if I mispronounce your name.
Good morning.
My name is Linda Campbell. I'm with to try people's platform and equitable Detroit the city wide CBA coalition. This morning we call for a 2% CBA user fee on all ticket itself that will go to the city of Detroit to designated funds. Detroit does deserve a better deal. In exchange for the $800 million tax abatements Olympia development related and their investors will make millions of dollars in profits from these tax subsidies that we will give them the so called 12,000 jobs are short term jobs and the 6000 permanent jobs are estimates not guarantees. It's only fair and just that Detroiters benefit like all of the other investors. Thank you.
Next speaker Salomon men digits, followed by James Smith followed by William picking.
Thank you, counsel. I want to echo what Miss Campbell just said. This community benefits agreement is terrible. Budget seasons a time for us to decide our priorities and articulate a vision for the future of our city. Do we prioritize turning downtown into a playground for the wealthy and the police or do we prioritize housing, security and transit by proving the CBA we're pushing us closer to the former. At the very least we need a $25 million investment in the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to counteract the rising cost of living that's going to come from this development. I myself I'm a recent transplant from Brooklyn and I've seen what happens when cities just give free rein to developers. housing costs go up, people move away $14 salads and terrible $18 Sandwiches become all you can eat in the downtown and doesn't even fill you up. And this is one critical decision on that trajectory. Please modify the CBA and push back against a police corporate hellscape Thank you.
Next speaker James Smith followed by William Hickey.
Yes, I'd like to speak in favor of the district Detroit in development. This city has been in decline. For as long as I've been here. I've been here my whole life. I used to hear stories from my grandparents and my elders of how wonderful and great the city was back when there was things bustling and, you know, jobs and everybody had a means of weight to get forward. Nobody has a way to get forward anymore. There's nothing here in the city. We need to get this development going to create jobs to create opportunities for the youngsters and everybody to get out. Here and and make the city great again, you know, I mean, I can't tell you the stories my grandmother used to tell me about how the Boulevard just was lined up with trees and you know, all this type of stuff. And these are things that I want my child to see. I want her child to see. I want their child to see as well. And these are things that we need to start right now. And attack this by the head and get going and get the city back into the motion where we can be back in the top 10 of population as opposed to being 2728 29. Now in the 60s, we were fifth fourth so all I gotta say supporters Thank
you. Thank you.
Yeah, hit me. Hickman.
Good morning. My name is William Hickey. I'm a resident of the bright Moore section of Detroit D one. I'm also a member of Detroit people's platform and equitable Detroit coalition. Detroiters need a better deal. According to Professor Peter hammer, director of the Daymond Jay Key Center for civil rights $800 million in public subsidies for this project are being paid to increase the rate of return of two billionaires from 2% to 4%. Detroiters would love a 4% return on our investment, even a 3% return. That's why I'm asking this coach council to negotiate a better deal that includes a $25 million investment in the Affordable Housing Trust Fund over the life of the tax abatement to help provide housing for the hundreds of low income Detroiters who will be displaced from the impact area because of rising rents. This is just 3% of the 800 million subsidy going to these billionaire developers Detroiters need a better deal.
Hi, there, thank
you. I have to write down my name to remember to tell you that I'm Louella presutti and I am a resident in pro 10 Tate's district. I echo everything my neighbor Bill Hickey just said and I really want to underline that Detroiters need a much better deal. And look at these kids over here. They're the ones they're going to be the ones who for the next 30 years reap what we sow here. Please be careful what you sow and I really want to echo the need for the $25 million for the affordable housing. The so called affordable housing that is in this deal is paltry and inadequate. It will not even house the workers who are supposedly going to be employed. We need affordable housing so let's get some off these people who are getting so much off of us. Detroiters need a better deal. Thank you. Thank you, William.
Morning council members. As you know, my name is Al Williams resident and business owner in the city of Detroit and today I stand before you in support of the $1.5 billion proposal for the extraordinary district Detroit. This is about moving Detroit forward with opportunities for development opportunities for small business owners opportunities for journeyman electricians, carpenters, laborers, those who built with their hands, those who have and will continue to build this city up. This is about families. This is about parents being able to show their children that they get up every day where they live, work and play and build the city forward for all of you and all of us. There's already been $167 million community benefits package committed to and we need to make sure that Detroiters benefit not only just people with jobs, but business owners too. Thank you very much. Thank you.
Po pry distributes platform. This is not about jobs, or economic development, jobs will be created development will occur today should be about equity. And in the largest majority black city in the nation. It's about if $800 million in public money gets us the eight racial equity we deserve from the jobs and from the development. Because this has not been the case with these types of developments over the last 10 years. Black and white inequality and income housing, jobs and wages have increased significantly. residential segregation has worsened while people are moving into the city. We know that 100,000 Black people have left the city because developments like the district Detroit has not benefited them. I implore city council to think about all the tools at your disposal to make this deal more racially equitable. The Affordable Housing Trust Fund The 2% CBA user fee and other benefits because if we can't make this deal, EPO and Detroit we are in trouble.
Thank you John
what's most important for Detroit? Wareham we got drugs here the schools houses at dumps. We don't talk about those. We have a miracle coming out of the sky illage what's the data a little Caesar promise to fix up a couple of buildings like heart Henry Street never did it. Oh, well, we'll just move it into the next one. No, he has to finish his obligation first. And if you don't, you have no integrity period. The other thing is he has 140 dubs that he owns, and oh, we're not going to fix those up. We're going to fix up the Fox Theater.
Wow.
That's a Brownfield. It's a joke. And it's an insult. I had higher expectations for you new comers here to have the integrity to do something about this. Instead of just getting for allowing pop. They're thrown out for it. It's sickening.
Thank you Mr. La
Glandon.
M City Council Good morning radioland Dean vice chairman of the NEC for the district Troy. I've, along with all of the other commentary over the weeks, just grabbing on a couple of things someone referred to a 3% deal they would be happy. The CBA related to this district notorious at least 10% And that's direct not allowing for indirect benefits that come as a result of this agreement. Beyond that. What we what we intend and expect and commit ourselves to as a neck is full compliance with all of the executive orders that apply with to this development. That was our discussion that was our agreement that chant and every metric that's built into this was prefaced by two words at least. So we're not built in ceiling but rather a floor in order to advance thank you
Mr. Council. My name is Evan Costa. And I'm a recent graduate of Wayne State University in turn up project Dustin and a current resident of the city and I'm here in support of the district Detroit, on top of what it will do for the city financially with the jobs that will generate $750 million to the general city fund and retail opportunities for small business owners. The district was one of the main reasons I chose Wayne State. I was looking at bigger universities both in state and out of state and I felt that developments allowed women to compete with them. There was a growing energy here that I wanted to be around. This is also the reason why I chose to stay here after graduating I have hopes of seeing the city returned to being looked at as a true destination for people to visit and a place I could host events such as the NHL draft that is coming in 2024 or NFL sorry March Madness or even a Super Bowl one day. All of these goals start with development and the changes I'm seeing have made me excited to spend my early 20s here and I think a lot more young people are having the same conversation, which will lead to a more prosperous future for the city. Thank you. Thank you.
God bless Washburn.
Thank you Matt. My name is Lester Washburn. I'm the downriver Detroit business agent for ironworkers local 25. I'd like to encourage city council to deploy this development and approve it for the city. of Detroit in the village foundation district Detroit. What I want to say more importantly though, is all of us agents collectively became agents to help people just as the city council sought those positions to help people. I encourage all Detroiters irregardless of age, race or gender to seek out the 22 building trades in Michigan that all lakh people to develop projects. You can go on must safety.org and find any building trades. You need a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver's driver's license and pass an aptitude test. I would also like to thank Miss Sheffield, Mr. Young and Miss waters for helping us solve trades task force for the city of Detroit we believe be at Randolph April 19 on Wednesday. I want to help young people destroy
time. Thank you.
My name is Naomi zyk away. I'm
with the moratorium now coalition and I'm here to urge the city council to vote against the authorization of this $800 million tax giveaway. This will do nothing to help the majority African American population here in the city of Detroit by providing hundreds of millions of dollars to Ilitch holdings and Steven Ross's related companies. There remains a serious problem in the city of poverty 42% Poverty overall in the city of Detroit. Yet if we look at certain census tracts here in the city, the level of poverty is 70 to 80%. This is scandalous. Many need of course to be reimbursed for over assessed property taxes for the decline in the libraries and the public schools here in this city. There needs to be environmental rehabilitation because of the damage that's done because of the demolition projects that have taken here in this city. This project will do nothing to bring permanent jobs to young people here in the city right over here in the city of Detroit.
Thank you so much vote no.
Okay. Thank you. Hi. Hi Harwick
Robin people's
Good morning, council president Good morning Council members. My name is Kaya Hartwig and I was born and raised in the city of Detroit and I am for district Detroit initiative. It will bring jobs to the city for the youth. My husband is out here in the streets. I don't know if you all know my husband is Pastor Maurice Heartwood pastor Mo and he deals with a lot of these youth that are hopeless, they have given up and they're out here committing these crimes. And I know that with this initiative, it will bring jobs to the city of Detroit and some of these young people will be able to get these jobs to be able to take care of their families. So I am for district Detroit to bring revenue to the city. And I just say thank you for this time and opportunity. And I say yes to district Detroit Thank you
Hello, Council. My name is Robin peoples and I am here in support of the project. I just want to say that for those that are I had something else completely different was going to say but for those of the people that are wanting to use our kids that are here today for a different reason to talk about what it is that you should so my mother worked at. She taught at Noble for 25 years I lived in that neighborhood. So you can't speak for those kids. If you haven't lived that life who lived in that neighborhood. They need to see something different than what it is that a lot of us have seen before. So we need to see more development and more growth and I am in support of project. Thank you
Good morning. My name is Michelle Austin. I am a proud Detroit resident. I also have a son who is a proud Detroit police officer. And I have another son who is going to Central University who's in a 12th grade. I would like for my son who's graduating from Central University four years from now to have something to look forward to. Everyone wants something to look forward to. I am in the process of raising six men 1820 2427 and eight years old. I have one daughter who has left the city of Detroit because she felt there was nothing here. Please do not lose the other six kids that I have. Because Detroit is the awesome place and I stand and say yes to this bill because the children I'll be here and everywhere need something to look forward to.
More than a couple of President Pro Tem Council body and past about here's what I know. There's no way possible. You guys can please anyone in this room. No way possible. And some people be ignorant of y'all you always work outside of the seat. Think they can inform us and inform you about the plight of Detroit. When I know firsthand that I've been on a boots on the ground with many of you in the streets and some real stuff. They can tell you about Detroit like it's all been out there for real. It's a different console. And you also have a responsibility to build the inner city and also I downtown. The folk come to visit us they don't want to get come to the dark packs we will be working with it brings revenue it brings the bargain city we got to be bold and brave to do both some people just Adrian just man stuck on whatever they stuck on. We got to leave them that are still wars and love them understand how they feel about things that's when it when it's not going away but we got to leave them in right now moment. Build a city that's not good we did to procurement everyone to Lana
Lana Verado Adam Barrett was
Good morning. I know I'm here on a futile mission to ask for the council to vote majority No, because we need our money for our schools and for our libraries. I know that there is a great deal of hope that if we pay billionaires more money, they'll hire some people from Detroit. I know there's a great deal of hope that the skilled trades will finally integrate. I know there's a great deal of hope that there will be housing and jobs for Detroiters. If we just pay the billionaires one more time if we just do it one more time. I'm asking you to look into the real serious faces of Detroit children who cannot vote. Detroit children's school money built Little Caesars arena. It hasn't worked out that well for us. Thank you
my name is Adam. I'm a District Six resident. I'm a member of the Friends of bowling library. I'm asking you to freeze the text captures for the library and vote no on this district thing. Since we're making this about jobs, I wonder if the skilled trades in the room. And all these unions and the unions have been shown up know about all the labor issues that Stephen Ross has companies having in New York with his developments out there. It too 2018 There was a couple articles 2020 There was a couple of articles in 2022. There was articles in New York Times and other publications like that talking about wage and time issues, lawsuits against him strikes, labor issues and other demonstrations against related companies. So maybe I'm sure City Council has done their due diligence on this but I don't know if the unions talk to each other. Maybe they should start doing that before they come out here and promote these kinds of projects. Thanks. Thank you.
I know Foster.
The morning Detroit district is simply separate and unequal. Are you building downtown live sub town are being Demolish. 6000 permanent jobs versus overcrowded and juvenile facilities trade skills versus 12 years forcibly assaulting another 12 year olds, condo SkyRise and Skylines. Versus light, poverty, homelessness and hopelessness, jobs, business and taxes versus unemployment, social services and mental illness, joy and bliss versus violence and despair to the citizens of Detroit Basha life, and in order to Boston up you must do it that depose our city council America three years to show that this is worth it and Brian visible results. If they don't then get to the polls and vote out those people that are not bringing visible results and vote in those that are.
Thank you.
Darren Pettway and I'm from District Three. And my concern is this $800 million. Where's it being spent? Looks like this going to be spent downtown but when I'm looking in these neighborhoods around here and I see all of these schools these dilapidated schools sitting around, I'm wondering what's going on? The schools were fallout shelters for neighborhood residents in case we had a national emergency. If we had one today, most of these residents would perish. These residents are dependent on you to do something about this situation. I would say I was once asked, well, what would you do? I would have a pilot program set up to train residents to remove asbestosis make these schools ready and habitable for small businesses. To launch. And they're not just downtown. We need help in these neighborhoods. Please take some of this money, spent it on some of those schools, help small businesses. Thank you
Thank you.
Very Good morning, Madam President. My name is Bernard miszewski. I'm a longtime resident of the city. In fact, my old address is 13 359 Lotter. If you go into a neighborhood now it still looks the same as it did when I grew up. But downtown has been getting everything. This $800 million. I would have spent it on a youth not on some billionaire. And that $800 million is public money that's coming from the state but guess where that money comes from? Right. So I'm about that. I want to say this and suggest this Detroit has to serve a real community benefit agreement deal that includes $25 million dollar investment for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and here's why. Over the life of the tax abatement, you're gonna lose residents to high rents. So with this investment to the Housing Trust Fund, you will avoid the displacement of low income Detroiters who have stayed in this city before it got all good. Who grew up here? Because as I did, what to Detroit Public Schools as I did was what is the future for people who stayed in Detroit?
Thank you. Thank you. Revenue ribbon Roslyn.
Good morning, city council. Thank you for allowing me to be heard. I am Reverend Ross nimble. Yay. I am the Executive Director of the Brymer connection food pantry. I have been a frontline provider boots on the ground for well over 18 years working with families who are most especially disproportionately targeted, disinherited and disenfranchised. I also am the Senior Pastor of Trinity St. Mark's United Church of Christ on 9315 West Fourth Street in District Six. And I stand here to ask that we would at this point, recognize the need for stronger community benefits agreement. We're asking for more money in the Housing Trust Fund. Let me tell you why I'm asking you for that. Because we continually have heard this morning about the children that need a future. I am fighting for the mothers, for the grandparents for those who are fighting for housing, affordable housing, right for shelter and for food and how food and water and while we're on the subject of water, we're all these wonderful preachers back when the water was being shut off and they still with the mayor for the drainage be and not with the family. I just wanna make sure I get that into
Dominic Barton Hello, can you all hear me use me excuse me, you Ah, it needs to keep water inside. Dominic Burton,
allowing the Ilia choose to get yet another tax abatement will be contributing to the wealth inequalities that so many of us already experience. The mayor's argument for supporting this bill is bringing more jobs to the city. We don't need another stadium that offers $10 An hour jobs for five hours worth of work. That's not even enough for the guests that it takes to get there and back. When Detroit is NEA is a fully funded Rights Council. We need compensation for homeowners that had been over assessed and illegally foreclosed on because we know that housing is what keeps us safe. The traders also deserve to see an Office of Violence Prevention that is created within the health department so that we can see real mental health response seeing and support for our most vulnerable community members with safe consumption supplies. All of these things are a better use of our tax dollars. Council Members, I ask you to do your jobs and to serve your constituents and not the interest of corporate greed. Thank you
Thank you.
Morning, peace and blessings to all unless you are a billionaire. The things that make Detroit special that things make Detroit Detroit. Most of the time are the people. I believe that financing the elections or any billionaire or the Ford company takes away the things actually made Detroit great $600 million are owed to oversize homeowners between 2010 and 2016. But we also know that they've been oversized before 2010 We know that they kept being oversized after 2016 need to pay them now. A development is great for the city of Detroit but you have to ask what is the cost of that development and who is doing the developing? So when we say that there's gonna be jobs for Detroiters Who are these Detroiters? Is it gonna be the Detroit who have been here or the Detroit who are coming here? And are those people actually Detroiters are you actually valuing the people who live here now and will be here for the years to come? Will you just allow them in moved out? Thank you.
Hello, city council members my name is Ramon Vinson, and I'm from the East side of Detroit. And I'm also a community member at Detroit action and the key for us this year is to get right the council fully funded and to get the compensation for the homeowners that were over assessed. That were tax overtaxed and also illegally foreclosed on and and because we know that because housing is what keeps us safe, right and given other tax abatement to to diligence in the mirror may sound good, but But creating record recreation and investing in our kids future is the key to making sure that we we put that first and that's what I'm here for and that's what I want to make sure we vote no to that and I'm done.
Thank you.
Good morning,
members of the city council's council president Sheffield. My name is Jacob Van Dyck, my family and I are residents of district five and I cut I came here to talk about bikes. I cut my teeth riding around the city as a bike messenger downtown and during Columbia's first term, back when councilmember Benson was just another volunteer back alley bikes. Last quarter. Okay. Here's the deal. I have been asked to speak in front of city council by him contingent of the cycling community that has significant concerns with some of the new bike lanes that are being installed. I know that these concerns are not unknown to you. And this is just part of our strategy to make this issue as visible as possible. Believe me, I believe in cycling infrastructure and I love it when policymakers pay attention to cyclists. However, I have serious visibility concerns with these so called protected lanes, especially at intersections. Not only do I hear from other cyclists about this, I have plenty of folks who drive cars I'm sure there are some car drivers in the audience who tell me I don't want cyclists coming out of these tunnels want to just try to make a right turn. Thank you for listening to this issue.
Thank you and I know a minute is not enough time. So if you can just send over your exact concerns if you have specific bike lanes that you're referencing as well to just get that over to us via email. Okay, sounds great. Thank you no problem
thanks. Thank you honorable Council.
My name is Ahmed duty. currently a student at Wayne State University and Internet Project destin I support just a tree because it creates a future for students like me. It helps Detroit Become a better city for students like me to get jobs and expand the growth of the city. So we don't have to move out. The program creates $167 million in benefits for the city of Detroit while also creating affordable housing for local Detroiters so they can stay in the city.
Thank you for your time.
All right, thank you.
Morning, Councilwoman Sheffield City Council members my name is Dr. McIntyre from East side of Detroit from Councilwoman Johnson's district District Four and I'm here on behalf of the trade action along with Detroit waterboy Coalition and the abatement for them but the villages is wrong even for the mayor's point of view. They are rich enough. When we you all come together and who for the city of Detroit. I have no community center in my neighborhood. I have a five time Grammy winner in my neighborhood with the school that does nothing for the community. We have done Rock The Block at my church with my pastor Pastor mobian Being in conjunction with us when we you stop giving the money to the rich and start doing for the community. I am a parent in the city of Detroit born and raised since 2006. Since 1961 I've seen nothing but money going out to city never coming into the city
you got Henry Williams?
Okay. He said Douglas. He said Douglas Keisha Douglas, Ruby Wiley. Sami Lewis.
Here to speak. And Richard Mitchell
Good morning City Council. I want to first say thank you to Councilwoman at large Mayor waters for coming out to a location about the land bank. Take it homeless from people right from under. Also I was on the news because I talked about the property. I took care for 17 years and I've taken care of the property and license going on. So I feel that these nights that people have been taking care of the houses that we haven't taken care of should be given to us shouldn't be no big period. They owe us money. They don't want to pay us give us the money but next door to me they constantly building over there, but I'm gonna protest. Remember the trade National Action Network. I'm gonna like to precede that delegate and do what I had to do and call some old people out so we can protest against the land bank on giving us property to other people when we take care of and I want to say well, no, for that the simple fact you guys seniors, I've been in the city 72 years going on 73 My neighborhood went down but I'm still there. We need a neighborhood not down. Thank you.
Brady is facing multiple housing crises including evictions, abusive landlord soaring rents, homelessness and unsafe living conditions. The DTA recognizes that using taxpayer money to fund the unnecessary development of more luxury apartments, hotels and office spaces. While so many Detroiters often cannot find a decent place to live or afford to fix their homes is wrong. The taxpayer money could and should be used in much more impactful ways that benefit the community at large, particularly in housing such as a fully funded right to counsel. The Detroit tenants Association stands against the proposal of giving $800 million in tax incentives and public subsidies to the real estate development project named district Detroit and we demand that you do your job and vote this down. This project would be led by billionaire corporate investors. Some of whom have been well known to fail miserably on promises made in the past from previous publicly funded large scale projects. You have one job to do right by the actual residents of Detroit, which means you vote this down also stop the eviction of Tara brown people over profits. Thank you.
Morning. Hi,
my name is Vanessa ascus. I'm a resident now in District Four but I lived all around the city and I'm here with Detroit action to also ask you all to vote no. I was we've talked a lot about the US in the room. I was definitely one of those youths that watched their parents bounce to checkbooks pick up all the side gigs because housing was the problem whether we were a renter or homeowner that like that impacted the household. We were being overstressed and property taxes and didn't know what back then we lost that house and so I'm asking you all today to don't fund the billionaires when we have right to counsel that needs to be fully funded. We have a compensation ordinance that needs to be funded. We have the Office of Violence that needs to be funded. And I was the youth that would have been able to benefit from that immediately. I'm thinking about the youth today. Tomorrow next month I would benefit from this not 1020 years from now like we have youth today that need this stuff, not billionaires. So thank you. Thank you
Good morning Council. This is Mr. and member of the Detroit Association of Realtors. And I come here in support of the development in downtown Detroit. I believe it is very imperative not only for the city of Detroit, but as well as the youth of Detroit to have the opportunity to not only work in Detroit, but learn you know, the finance sector development sector as well as property management of the sector of real estate. I really appreciate you for your time thank you
Good morning honorable body My name is Jennifer Pasha. I'm a resident of district five. I also represent Bailey Park neighborhood development council as well as the McDougal Neighborhood Association. I along with our residents are in support of the district Detroit project and we humbly and wholeheartedly ask that city council will pass it this is a great opportunity for our future for the youth or the seniors for everyone. And we can hold the developers accountable to this project that they're promising. So please pass as we humbly ask that this is done because we're going to make Detroit an enviable city for the whole country. Thank you so much to the council. Or Mayor into the city. Thank you for your time. Thank you
Good morning Council. My name is Robert Carmack.
You all you guys believe in God Do you I asked the mayor that he didn't respond at all. I don't think he believes in God. I think he believes he is God. There's only one God. Our money will get you the hell. Always remember that.
You give this man $900 million
you just got to put yourself in that place.
This is true. What people should really care about is Porter Porter Burke's shot 38 times 38 times does anybody care about him?
Ah you pastors preachers businessmen with their rich shy do you care about poor burps poor wake up kill again. So die. Oh yes, I would.
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Madam Chair,
Madam Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Carmine. Mr. Karma mark, Mr. Carr, Mr. Permit comment. I want to thank you for coming to the vigil that I hosted in memory of Mr. Burke's that happened in my district and Council President scheffau was there as well. So thank you for your support. You were absolutely there. Thank you. Thank you members probably when he a map is
Hi Kia Mathis. I live in City Council District Six. And as it stands, the district Detroit is a bad deal. So we have community members right now who have been and who are currently being displaced due to bad development deals. doing to corporate minded ownership is due to decision makers and community leaders that have selfish motives. Last week, the seniors and one that is here right now has showed us just how important details and negotiation. The process is truly important. When we reminisce about how good Detroit was, we forget that the cause of that is due to the foundational structures that have been a requirement they've been attached to it. To all the incentives that we've been given away. Now Olympia related they will make millions of dollars in profit from our community sacrifice. We sacrifice $100 million in our taxpayer support. We deserve investments into those foundational and stabilizing structures. The structures were low income Detroiters are supportive structures like the housing trust fund the right to counsel and the public health fund.
Thank you so much. I'm Dr. Williams.
My name is Andrea Williams. And I support the district Detroit and with Michigan Regional console carpenters and millrise. I've been in Detroit my whole life. I just like to say this inspiration of seeing work being done downtown. As a resident of district five in like five minutes from downtown and just seeing the development that happened in my own neighborhood. I remember this city was a bankrupt city. Hold on one second. They said this city is coming back and it and when you have to know when you when you what do you get when you close schools and you stop teaching a workshop in class and stuff? You don't is don't know. Now now, hopelessness, but then when you put the meal rate program dead smack in the middle of the hood mean you bring developers into the city What do you get? Black man on him jobs. That's all. That's all I got.
Good morning honorable City Council.
My name is Jackson and I represent community coalition. I was born in black bottom, stayed there and to the freeway head has moved over in Lynwood district fadd desta area, and I remember working on a post who called me young as a captain to when he first got elected. And I remember him working with Henry Ford and Matt Fisher to get riverfront and Renaissance Center and getting the images to come back and open up the fact that the ad but we used to go to the Motown review that had been sitting there forever abandoned like the gray stone. But after that, now we move to the next level of phase two and we get little caesars arena and everybody paying three or $400 for Beyonce and Drake tickets. And land up are they complaining about the traffic and everything and now we want to move to the next level. So we understand that we got the images still here. And now we got Gilbert
now. House so well. Yes, thank you.
You're a farmer. Hello, everyone. I am Jabez our I'm sorry. My name is Jay Palmer. I am also a resident and I'm also a renter in Detroit Woodbridge neighborhood. I'm here today as part of Detroit action. So call on the to call on Detroit City Council to immediately fully fire Rights Council increased funding for the housing trust and to fund and Office of Violence Prevention that will focus on mental support and provide better safety supplies. I urge you to say yes to defending Detroiters residents by fully funding right to counsel. Look into the city budget and fund education, homelessness and housing before putting more funds into downtown Detroit. Look all over. Think about us first. Thank you
Good morning.
Hello, city council. My name is Joanna Velazquez. I'm with detraction as well. I live in district five and grew up in southwest. Definitely here to ask you all to please vote no. But I'm also here to share a little bit why so the rite of passage that I experienced growing up that welcomed me into adulthood was when I was 1415, asked to help my parents with their own sobriety and they're all mental health crises, all while I was getting ready to prepare to turn 16 to have a job to help support the house because we ended up we were gonna have losing it regardless. And so this is the type of cycle that when we talk about and take our time to talk about tax abatements and supporting billionaires who do development while we're taking all that time to do that we are not actually addressing and I'm disrupting the root causes of poverty and the ways that we're asking our youth to become adult before they even get a chance to thrive. And so when we talk about and I hear people smacking their mouths at people saying Please vote no, it's because this is real. We are not using our resources in a way that provides people the ability to thrive. Thank you.
Hello, my name is Denise Robinson and I'm a member of Detroit action. My mother is a renter. In southwest Detroit. We're Gabriella Santiago Romero is my city council woman. I'm here today as a part of Detroit action to call on the Detroit City Council to immediately fully fund right to council, increased funding for the housing trust, and a filing Office of Violence Prevention that will focus on mental health supports and provide safe consumption supplies. Because of the toxic housing system I've grown up without stability in a safe, affordable home. Detroit is a majority black city in history has proven that when we do not fully fund critical programs, our zip code and our skin color will determine our access. We need mental health support within the city limits publicly and fully funding right to counsel laws will protect our historically black communities and provide housing stability to hundreds of 1000s of Detroit residents. I urge you to say yes to defending Detroit residents by fully funding right to counsel, increasing funding for the housing trust and to fund an Office of Violence Prevention that will focus on mental health supports and provides safe assumption.
Good morning counsel. We probably need to have the numbers right here so we can see them so much time we have but thank you for allowing the time thank you for opening up this Arrhenius auditorium for us to be able to have this discussion. And it's robust because there's a lot of good and bad and a lot of people on different sides. But let me tell you where the union stand on it. The Union stand in 100% support of this project. And let me tell you why. Because of the investment that's going to be into the people that are going to be working on these projects. That's why the union support this project, because it's going to put our people to work now there's a little bit of misunderstanding of how that works. These are temporary jobs. We're only going to be on a job for a little while, then we'll go to the next job. But that's how, as an agent that I am, we connect the dots, you go to this project, you go to the next project, and that's how you we make those little jobs into careers. And again, Doug came up and thanked our city council members to participate in the skilled trade Task Force.
Thank you. Thank you.
Cindy dhara
Hello, I'm a member of IBEW Local FTA. Like the previous speaker, and I'm against this proposal just like I was against the incinerating Link was the buildings I see popping up around so quickly, our prefab with they'll take little numbers of people to put that stuff together. Maybe the wiring already be in the walls. So it's I'd like you to look at those things closely. But before you even consider this agreement, you got to get the state to change the law to take the schools out of this max this tax captures the current school tax captures would take $138 million over 35 years. This is more than 4 million a year out of this particular project. And I think that you need to go back and do your infrastructure plans first. And then let the investors won't come downtown without tax breaks. So do the total plan for the whole infrastructure downtown and make it the best infrastructure in the country and then start your building generally that's what people do.
Thank you Miss Berra.
Good morning Council. My name is Rob Sean Harris. I am a member of Detroit Tenant Association. I live in district five. And I am here to say first and foremost we fully support fully funding right to counsel because we know number one, housing is a human right. We know it's fundamental and essential to the stability of not only our neighborhoods, our families, our economic development, growth, all of the things that we're talking about in this proposal, which is really no more than welfare, with these things that are being proposed for the simple fact that we're talking about giving away taxpayer dollars when we haven't seen the same level of investment in the Detroit neighborhoods that are the foundation and a backbone of what makes this city great and it's not just the corporate community that gets champion on a national level. It's the people it's the neighborhoods, and so keeping people in their homes, making sure that that right the council is fully funded, and that people have the full opportunity to stay in their homes and to stay in that place that stabilizes them economically, socially, and every aspect of life here in the city of Detroit. So thank you very much for your time. Thank you
Sanders.
Good day, everybody. My name is Tanisha Sanders. I am one in district one pay tape, and I did knock doors for several people here so you got to be for the public. You know, I'm here for fully funded right to counsel increasing the fund on Housing Trust Fund and Office of Violence Prevention, but I'm here to tell you about the stories. We definitely make 60 to 1000 calls a day. We are here in this we have brought in the kids, the kids kids out here that don't have housing adequate housing is kids out here this one, they're going to college and then they don't know where they want the next semester. They don't know what's going on next. Like come on. Now. Let's put it into the house. We need to really really solve that people are out here on the street. This is one of the coldest cities that I've ever dealt with in my life. I was born and raised here. I go down south I came my backup from my Jesus. I need the sun but I need us here to improve the children, the children, okay, these kids are our future and we need for you to fully fund this right the council. We need you to have this prevention to the violence office because they need the mental services because we created this not letting them have access to housing, and I need you guys to really work on and I appreciate you guys doing Thank you
Jackson.
Good morning your honor bow body. I am Deirdre Jackson and I am a NEC member. We created this benefits this community benefits ordinance with the thought of all the issues in mind of our city, all of our residents in the city of Detroit, even though we were focused primarily on the impacted areas that we were told that we had to consider the impact zone is where we focused our attention. And yes, we do. have jobs incorporated and we also have mental health services incorporated in this plan. We also have other dynamics in this plan that no one seems to want to mention, but we have a lot of order. of helpful benefits in this ordinance that everyone really should consider before they start selling not to support it. We are in support of
thank you all right, that will come to all of our in person public comments. And we will turn it over to our virtual callers.
Madam President, the first caller online is illage agreements, our welfare for the rich. All right.
We employ Detroit council to vote no on district Detroit stop the eviction of Tara Brown. Recently Detroit voters sent a resounding message we spoke no more businesses as usual. Business as usual. We said three rubber stamping taxpayer ignoring and corrupt under the table dealing city council members home for that reason today's vote will be the reason we send more home if you vote to squander our tax dollars. While we've been looted of 600 million and 1000s of illegally foreclosed legacy homes. This will give us a one stop voter mandate to send you home to find write to council housing trust fund we pay homeowners overtaxed replace illegally foreclosed tones illage Ross district Detroit is bad CB a deal. It will suck resources away from my library schools homes children's future and send a bad precedents to future developments that will offer a better more thank you
the next caller is Gaston Munoz. Good morning, morning.
My name is Gaston Minos. I'm the president elect for the Detroit association for realtors, and I'm 100% support this deal. The city need this. I mean let's think about how Mayor Duggan got the city how he received the city. And I know one of you guys will be the new mayor for the city of Detroit because I do believe in the city council members so one of you will be the new mayor of Detroit. Think about how you will receive the city with all these jobs with all these people with all this investment. So please vote yes, people who have against this because they have never invested one penny in this city and they live off the government so we need investors we need investment. We need a city a new future for our kids. So please city council member respectfully bulges because remember one of you will be the new mayor of the feet of Detroit. Thank you so much. Thank you.
The next caller is Mark M. Good morning Council.
My name is Mark Munoz. I am a realtor and a member of Detroit associations of realtor here. I'm supportive of the upcoming development project for Detroit. I think the city needs this. The city needs this new attraction to show its growth and create 1000s of new jobs new opportunities especially for those who work in constructions. So definitely vote yes on this deal. I am in support, and I yield my time. Have a great day. Thank you you as well.
The next caller is William M. Davis.
Getting more morning can I be heard? Yes, sir. Okay, I'd like to say that I think is horrible that we have a man that's willing to give up $800 million for bayonet yet will not find $25 million for Detroit. Pension this so that we could get $2,000 Each to offset the evil effects of the inflation. Right now. The city charge retirees have a very high mortality rate, the jump during the time that this man has been in office, yet he causes a blind eye to us because he does not care for people really started at the Coleman Young became mayor. I know our current mayor has a history of being very much a lobbyist for millionaires and billionaires. He needs to be a lobbyist for the people of Detroit, especially retirees that invested 20 3040 or more years in the city, but not getting a return on our investment. Think about retirees think about doing something to help retirees. Thank you.
The next caller is Rochelle Stewart.
Good morning, Council, President Sheffield and others. My name is Rochelle stood on the Detroit people's platform. A resident of district seven each others deserve a better deal for this nearly $8 million in his taxes over the over the next 35 years. They deserve a better CBA Do you know that includes at least $25 million investment in affordable housing trust fund over the life of the tax base to provide housing for the hundreds of low income Detroiters who will be displaced from the pet era because of rising rents in that impacted here. You all know Detroiters deserve better. I love Detroit. I love the downtown. But our neighborhoods. I live in district seven this is section seven straighter, long ways. We have some good neighborhoods you got some there's just rattled. Before we start tearing down old bad houses like Lebanon over here. Start invest in our neighborhoods. Please affordable housing.
Thank you.
The next caller is Sivan Smith. Good morning. Morning.
Good morning. I'm a district five resident and I'm in supportive district Detroit. But I'm also speaking as a parent who has a seven year old two year old and a newborn. I have a school that's a block and a half from me and I don't feel as if I can take I know I can't put my kids into that school because they're not going to get the most out of it. They're not going to get the best out of my children. So there's mixed feelings with district Detroit and some of the other things we'd like to see in the city of Detroit. And I do believe that jobs is just a term that just isn't sorting when we need careers. And then the last thing because I know that when I was a child where I grew up here for 40 years, I didn't see big businesses in the neighborhoods I grew up riding on Rosa Parks where all the businesses where these people live in the neighborhood, you can see them there were there were people you looked up to and you knew you could go to when you had a vision that you could do it yourself. Thanks. Thank you
the next caller is Nancy Varner.
Varner
I show Ms. Varner is muted. She can unmute by pressing star six and she's on the phone.
Can you hear me now? Yes, we
can. Good morning.
Nancy Varner. 83 year old native Detroiter, an active resident of District Two want to say that I've been with Detroit I love Detroit. I've been with the city for all the years through the hard times the good times and I have to say that right now. I really asking for this third time for the support of the district for a district Detroit project, all the opportunities that it offers for us to continue with the very positive work that I see going on within the city and particularly downtown. We need a vibrant city to be successful for people to want to stay here for people to want to come to visit. And this project will allow us to be able to continue all the progress that we've made so far. So again, I urge your support of the district Detroit project. Thank you. Thank you.
The next caller is Dr. Harris. Good morning, guys.
Longtime Detroiter, I want to say that I am part of district two as well.
All of my friends at sherwood university district Palmer woods, were behind this 100% And I'm just a little dismayed at some of the conversations that I'm hearing. We talk about affordable housing. How about we talk about preparing our kids so they can afford housing instead of constantly trying to give something to someone. We have so many areas in his in the city that have affordable housing. Right now my son and everybody in his crew, they leave Detroit to go to Atlanta, Chicago, even Nashville looks more city five than Detroit. We need to quit bank country. Quit trying to let all of these people that talk about what we need to hand out to folks and let's develop our city so we can be one of the great cities that we weren't a past. I support it.
Thank you. Our next caller please.
The next caller is Taylor.
Morning Taylor. Hello, can I be heard? Yes. Good morning.
Good morning. I just want to say is very sad to see our young brothers being used by billionaires to make it seem like they these young black men are the face of construction job that we know they are not where all their white colleagues who will get most of the jobs. Why are they not down there helping with this cause we know why. We need to stand up and call it for what it is propaganda. So let's not be fooled. This deal is not for Detroit to black Detroit, and we need a better deal. I'm sorry, this deal is not fair for black Detroit. And we need a better deal. I'm asking the council to require developers to invest $25 million into the Affordable Housing Trust Fund at 2% CBA user fee or ticket sales over the life of abatement to go to the city of Detroit to make sure black families Children, seniors and working class folks can benefit from District Detroit because now we do not thank you have a good day. Thank you.
Next caller please.
The next caller is calling user one.
Caller user one. Thank you for joining us. You have one minute general public comment.
Caller user one are you there?
Mr. Chair, I show calling user one as muted.
Caller you hear me now? Yes. Good morning.
Good afternoon. Counsel. Please turn down this vote to increase more funding for the villages. You can see how they treat their employees with the casinos. We need to put our funding for those of us who are disabled for affordable housing so we don't have to live in unsafe conditions that building and safety will approve when they're paid under the table.
Please turn this down. That you all have a blessed week.
Thank you. Next caller please.
Mr. President, the next caller is Amara Hyman.
Mr. Hyman, thank you for joining us. You have one minute general public comment.
Good afternoon Council. It's been almost 50 years since we started with tax subsidies and abatements by developers under Coleman Young, actually, but over those 50 years, the legislation has expanded and expanded far past what it was originally. In that same 50 years. Our schools have languished. We're losing libraries, our neighborhoods have come to become places that look like World War Two. And I wonder what we're really talking about when we talk about young people coming to Detroit, people move to a city because of good schools. safe and beautiful neighborhoods, wonderful facilities that support and undergird a good family life. We don't have good libraries. We don't have good schools. Our neighborhoods are in shambles. I say no to this court the dailies at least do more due diligence regarding the parties involved.
Thank you. The next caller please.
The next caller is Antonio Godwin
Antonio Godwin, thank you for joining us. You have one minute general public comment.
Hello, good morning.
Good morning. Can you hear me?
Yes, sir. Oh,
we got without saying whoa. Pass smoke and live a peace movement. I support the project. Thank you. Hello, yes.
Good afternoon. Go right ahead. The floor is yours.
The next caller is Nicole small.
Thank you. I'm not here to ask you how to vote because I already know the majority of the council members have already agreed to this deal behind closed doors. But what I am asking is that you do your job, which is to ensure that there are some real safeguards and this community benefits ordinance for the people. Somehow the message has been misconstrued that those of us who are not in favor of the exact contents right now of this deal is that we're not in favor of bringing development to the city or people having jobs. I support union people getting jobs definitely. And I would really love to see more of our brothers and sisters who actually live here in the city of Detroit get jobs. And as far as Coleman Young Yes, he did have a vision but his vision to not include the villages breaching their contract with Joe Louis Arena, then being rewarded for Little Caesars arena breaching that contract because we didn't get affordable housing, nor do we get the job for Detroiters like we said, so why should we trust them now? We're asking you to do your job as council members and have real safeguards for affordable housing, jobs and true implementation and to the community and benefits for the community. So we can benefit from this. Thank you. Thank you.
The next caller is Quinta. Good.
Can you hear me? Yes.
My name is Quinn Nida.
I'm a resident of District Four. And I want to note that Detroit is deserve a better deal for the nearly $800 million in tech support that we are giving to district Detroit over the next 35 years. Detroit does deserve a CBA deal. That includes a $25 million investment in affordable housing trust fund over the life of the tax abatement to help provide housing for the hundreds of low income Detroiters who will be displaced from the impact area because of rising rents in the impact area. Detroiters deserve a better deal.
Thank you. Thank you.
The next excuse me, the next caller is Karen Winston.
Afternoon wisdom
Yeah, hello. Yes, man. Yeah, okay. Yeah, I didn't have you to hear me. Um, good afternoon. Um, first off, like to speak about Office of Sustainability. I've gone through a code I can't find that office. Additionally, the mayor has to before we start on this budget stuff, he has to lay out his departments and he has to tell us what he you know what the programs are. He has to tell us what money goes where. And we haven't got that. We haven't had that yet. It was just wasn't it yesterday, you tried to throw the net but that wasn't it. And I do apologize for about the freeways. I see that the mayor made a contract with Wayne County. So that is our responsibility now, I guess. County Wayne County contracted with the state so I guess the city has to do it all now. Hallelujah. Good work for us. What's that place? Gi EDS. Je e you know GC eg GC whatever that crap is. They say they get a train 400 CDL as well. We should have our bus drivers right there are no training. Yeah, thanks. Thank you.
The next caller is Galaxy S 20.
Hello me.
Yes. Yes, we can.
i My mother used to say y'all know who this here is Kenny over there by the crash that day. We gave a lot less money to all them. But what about the people over here? crotchet said the same thing. They would go give him a job. All these passes. Come down the pitch that pitch for these folks. Bring your behinds over here. When we smell a field and people get sick that pass the MO and all the rest of them Eleazar y'all come over here and fight with y'all fighting for the white folk down there to get money but you ain't fighting for God's people. Over here, which are claiming to be I don't care how long you've been out there. Where's all the big suits that they come over here? Give us money. Y'all sitting up here and talking all this stuff. Come on. City council people y'all know better than this. That's a bunch of BS. could fall in flooded banana in the tailpipe. Y'all y'all y'all y'all, we voted y'all in the fight for us. And y'all fighting for them.
Thank you. The next caller
is Betty Varner.
Mr. Varna.
Good afternoon
to all.
Yes, I'm in support of district Utah and I was born and raised in the city of Detroit. I remember the day so going downtown hanging out downtown was the place to be. I'm talking before there were any malls. We need a thriving downtown. I agree with the affordable housing for downtown funding for Detroit entrepreneurs. It will provide jobs monies for our public parks and public spaces. There's real real estate training monies for cats tech athletic feel. There would be monies for trade and education. And it's just a good project. It might not be perfect, but we need to start somewhere. We need a thriving downtown. And the money then can go to our neighborhoods. Thank you.
Thank you.
The next caller is animashaun.
Madam president as I show animashaun as muted they can unmute by pressing star six.
Do you know? Yes, we can hear you. Okay. Hello, council president. Mayor don't feel any other members. My name is Bomani. I'm with the Detroit Affordable Housing Task Force. And I'd say vote no. On this district Detroit deal. I'm appalled at the people talking about people who want handouts from the government when corporations are getting handouts. This is corporate welfare, pure and simple. And we continue to give me these deals to these people who don't even follow through with the deal to they've had in the past. We need to stop doing this. This has gotten out of hand. You're not putting any money into the neighborhood. You're not putting any money to the library and not putting any and you've destroyed the schools with all these previous deals you've had while you give them away money, free money to these millionaires and billionaires. None of them should be asking for a handout. They should be giving the money willingly to these people, and you're pushing people out of Detroit. People are not leaving because of the situation.
Right, thank you.
The next caller ends in 124.
Hello, may I be heard?
Yes.
Yeah, well, it sure seems to me that the Mayor Coleman Young negotiated much stronger deals and income streams from big developments. to Bernie. Now, it's an absolutely false narrative to say that development would not happen without these tax incentives. They already own the buildings here. They're not going to go to Troy. Folks, that's a false narrative. I'm sure every single council member here respects the late great jurist, Detroit native Damon Keith. Well, Peter hammer from the works, who works for the gaming kids center for civil rights has told us in his report, this is just to get them a 2% greater return. So the question is why should billionaires make 4% in order to get to make 4% or 2%, you'll create a traffic nightmare for me. I and others were displaced for Midtown. Our landlord kicked us out so we could triple the rent. And I believe there's been a net loss of affordable housing in the area. So
great, thank you.
The next caller is Linda Bowie.
Good afternoon. I'm here, once again, to request the no vote. On district joy. This time I'm asking you to consider the high and rising inflation and bank failures in this country and consider the China Russia Iran alliances that will cause further destabilization of the dollar. Just once consider the average men, women and children and just say no to billionaires. This is basically economics 101 This is not sustainable. Just stop looking at your own immediate microwave needs and start considering look at the future and you won't have a future. If you think these people are going to keep their words to you. You are totally misguided please use your head and say no. You
the next
caller is Carol Hughes.
Good afternoon honorable party and council president. May I speak? Yes, ma'am. Okay, um, the charter is created to to protect the citizens. And I understand why you've ushered the children out because the children to see what you're about to do. The Charter says to dash 113 That this is illegal. So you're going to do you're going to vote to be four 419 dot 719 dot 11 through 19.9 19. And he says what what what the children see the children are looking at a more gentrification gentrification of themselves in this in this area. And the guy who came from the unions told you Oh, we're gonna hire black people. They always say that, but they never they never do. Black Bottom was black bottom to some, and to some it was paradise. Valley. Thank you. Thank you.
The next caller is Casey M.
Maybe heard
that afternoon.
Can you hear me okay?
Yes, we can.
Thank you as Casey masseter. I'm a resident of District Four and I'm also the policy analyst with Detroit disability power. First, I'd like to thank you all again for moving the Office of Disability Affairs Budget to Executive Session for further discussion. And I'm here again to urge you to increase the annual budget of the ODA to an effective budget of $1.4 million dollars a year and a 1.3 billion general fund budget. 1.4 million is about a 10th of a percent. That's barely a drop in the bucket to improve the lives of over 20% of Detroiters supporting us in navigating city resources and services, developing new ones to fill current gaps and advocate for access and inclusion across city departments. This is what the ODA was designed and created to do two years ago. In addition, I wanted to comment on the current district Detroit CBA to say that it's too weak and the vote should be postponed and continue to be postponed until we can negotiate something benefits that are more impactful and sustainable. Thank you.
The next caller is Halima Castle's.
Good morning. Madam President. May I be hurt? Yes, ma'am. Good morning, honorable body and members of the public Detroiters. We all know we need development and opportunities. We should not however, be selling our children down wherever to get them based on religious previous defaulted agreements with the city. bargaining and in bad faith within that because Miss Logan's JetLite on and they're purposefully out to skate of language within the CDA many targets and desires but not legal commitments that truly benefit community. Where is the equity and what is your duty as the body is it to billionaires who left cast themselves as white saviors or to the actual people of Detroit? I urge you to take your time with this deal and add provisions for $25 Excuse me $25 million contribution to the Housing Trust Fund, fully funded right to counsel and making the schools and libraries and Detroiters that got ripped off home. The devil is in the details and tigers don't usually change their stripes. Thank you.
Right Thank you.
The next caller is Anthony S.
Well, hello, counsel. I am not in favor of the Pizza Palace deal. They've had many failed promises. And it is very strange that you know trickle down economics. That's what this is, in my view, trickle down economics. We were all familiar. The billionaires will create jobs and they're going to create a bright future for Detroit. It's a big comeback, right? But I just have one question Where will all the people who attend this development for whatever purpose shopping retail sports entertainment, where will they park? I mean, I think there's a shortage of parking in that neighborhood. I mean, I don't know where were all these concert goers. And students, no housing, housing, the housing that's what he's gonna build some housing. No, you'd be better off building seven housing projects in your seven districts. Put the money towards it, hire the people yourself directly housing and revitalization department.
This is a joke. Thank you.
The next caller is Paul Smith.
Smith.
Can you hear me? Yes we can.
Smith Yes. Dear Smith, are you there? Yes, I'm here. Can you? Yes, we can. You have one minute for public comment.
Madam President, I show smart Paul Smith is unmuted. I think he's not close enough to the speaker.
Sorry. Can you hear me now?
Yes, sir. We can hear you. Oh, sorry.
I went to Fair Housing Center, Metro Detroit. I just wanted to inform the council members I'm pretty sure some of them know what we do. And the public they were free service. We have over 40 years of we have been here and assistant for 40 years and serve the citizens of the city of Detroit and the community of Detroit. Each year the center trains and provide beverage companies are mostly agencies and brokers and private well this will legal service attorneys and teenagers and homeowners with different services and we are here to serve you. And we're located in the Samaritan center but you find that you've been calmer if you need our assistance. Thank you.
Thank you
the next caller is black Moses.
Everybody hear me clearly. They will let me speak on the mic when I carried on it Mary Sheffield, James Tate. I don't know whether it was a bait move was some kind of intimidation move. Yesterday when you actually the next steps. I told you I was going to expose you. Now you marry and Scott's gonna prove those illegally issued municipal fines. I'm at 1.3 billion and counting right now, but I don't know the exact numbers because y'all don't want to talk about it. So what I'm gonna do is I'm expose you to everybody. You sit up there and you act and like you all officiant when you feel gays. I know you. I know about you man. I go all the way back to John are out for man. 13 years old. I used to run with game and build and don't always my do. You don't know nothing about me jumped in. But anyway, back to you, Mary Sheffield. Hey, you can't violate my civil rights. Hi.
All right. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Our next caller please.
The next caller is Dolores.
The Lord's running Good morning, may I be hurt? Yes, you can.
Good morning did sort of deserve a better deal for the nearly $800 million and tech support over the next 35 years that this deal is promising. Detroiters deserve a CBA deal that includes a $25 million investment and the Affordable Housing Trust Fund over the life of the tax abatement to help provide housing for the hundreds of low income Detroiters who we know will be displaced from the impact area because because of rising rents and the impact area Detroiters just deserve a better deal. We just need to do better by our Detroiters. I have been listening to all of these the stories, the stories, these comments and it hurts my heart to hear that
we will allow that our residents be in such struggle and we will give money to people who have enough to just give it freely to us. We should ask for more and we should we deserve more. Thank you.
All right. Thank you.
The next caller is Karen hammer.
The morning Oh. Council President Irma Henderson voted against Mayor Young's precedent of tax captures because she knew it wasn't right. You know this isn't right. Plenty of evidence has been provided you don't bow to threats and bullying or promote the show Game myth of jobs and trickle down. Yes, Detroit declined for decades. Due to that failed tax and develop and development policy that is still being pushed today. It's eroding our public assets libraries, schools, transit and more small Detroit owned in Detroit based projects can't survive act for our city's future. Henderson mayor's young Mayor Young's friend helped him get elected but voted against him and for what was right for Detroiters vote no support for Lehman's comments so we can finally stand up.
Thank you.
The next caller is Samira. The revenue
may be hurt. Yes.
Thank you. My name is Tamara Hill and I'm a resident in District Six. I'm also with the Detroit people's platform. Olympia and related developers and their investors will make millions of dollars in profits from the $800 million tax subsidies investments that Detroiters will give them the Promised 12,000 construction jobs are only short term and the 6000 permanent jobs are only estimates and not guarantees. It's the developers and the investors are benefiting the new traders should benefit alongside them. We call for a 2000 a sorry 2% CBA user fee on all ticket sales over the life of the abatement that will go to the city of Detroit designated funds. Detroiters deserve a better deal. Thank you. All right,
thank you.
The next caller is Shaundra Sondra fryer sin
Thank you.
I'm Shandra forest. I'm Haynes a library Commissioner. Please freeze the tax captures as a $3.4 million, which is about 11% of our total budget for the Detroit Public Library. It's a critical part of our community. Thank you and I yield the rest of my time.
Okay, thank you.
The next caller is Chris Gilmer Hill.
Have you heard? Yes.
Hi, my name is Chris comer Hill. I'm a lifelong DC resident and a member of the socialists of America. I'll make this quick since I know that this is moving forward pretty quickly but I want to stress two things. Firstly, we know that we're other elections and pushing back pretty hard against some very reasonable proposals here. We know that they've been acting as if 2% on ticket sales as some sort of deal breaker. I want to stress if they're in position to a few seconds. That bluntly means that this isn't as urgent as saving play. You can use it you should be perfectly willing to hold back another week or two and for them to actually make a better deal. I also want to stress that a no vote here doesn't mean you're opposed to jobs and you're opposed to Detroit. It means that you're opposed to handing out billions to billionaires. We've already taken billions from the city. We know that these jobs are coming anywhere and we have the power to force the electric to do the right thing. And and no that means that you stand with Detroit and force them to do that. Thank you.
All right. Thank you.
The next caller is Peggy noble.
Good afternoon, Peggy Nobu.
All right. I am the president
of garland smart
Community Association and I live in district two. I support the district the joint project because, as you all know, everybody complains before the mayor was elected. When you would go downtown. Downtown look like a ghost down. I think everybody forgot about that. But he's trying to bring this city back and our downtown and I support the effort of everyone that's trying to bring this city back and I would like to thank you all for allowing me to speak as the council please vote. Yes. Thank you. Thank you.
The next caller is Robert.
Good afternoon. I'm trying to make this short and sweet. My name is Robert Shobe. I live in District Four. One of the people affected by this lattice this bad CBA deal. I just get the building that we're still living on emergency management when this this city has a surplus. This city has stepped up downtown has been rebuilt. And a lot of people seem to have the misunderstanding that the reason why people are asking for this ticket surcharge is because the money's is being down there cannot be used in the city and the general fund. And as I've been informed definitely I read something wrong. But I'm here to say no to this deal. We gave away enough during emergency management. We gave away things that would be helping us right now. And the thing that's happening now is we're studying extracting the wealth of the city. We extract the money through sending the money out and in paid payroll to people who live outside the city. You know, and now we've given away more land This needs to stop. It's a bad deal for the city. Vote No
thank you the next caller is my apologies Siri Simpson.
Good afternoon Miss Simpson.
A show Siri Simpson as muted if they could press star six to unmute if they're on the phone.
All right, Miss Simpson. Let's come back to miss Simpson please.
Okay, madam president. The next caller is Rufus Rufus Bartell.
Good afternoon, Mr. Bartell.
afternoon, Mr. Bartell
as Mr. Bartell is muted
Good afternoon, Mr. Bartell. Okay, let's come back to Mr. Bartell.
The next caller is Miko Williams.
Pico Williams, good afternoon.
Good afternoon pointing the board or council members you did not tell us as the public who can we call out who we can't call out all those people that will come and down. We have every right to speak our First Amendment. Second of all, aren't we still under emergency financial management? What is the Detroit Review Board has to say about this. Third of all, you can say no to the vote until Stephen Ross and Christopher illage both make the time to come down before this body and Executive Session. and present their plans formally. You do not have to approve this deal. And to the point of jobs and development. No one's against jobs and development. We just want a better deal. Like 100,000 jobs. We want low income housing and affordable housing. You don't have to vote for this today. Really, and Doug and sit in all of his slaves and bootlickers and folk down here. It's just truly disgusting. They never show up for water shutoffs foreclosures or the $600 million taxation. It's just thank you.
The next caller is Timothy DRON. Hi,
my name is Timothy draw. I'm a longtime resident of District Four. I've owned two properties a district for buy my first home at the age 18. I'm just now moving into my second home and this might these fundings is like mismanagement. My neighborhood District Four alone could use that money for the abandoned schools that's torn that's just here is not being operable. We use that money to fix those abandoned schools to create more jobs and more resources for longer term. than a short term. This my neighborhood, the streets, all that stuff need to be repaired and darn and worn during that emergency. This things like this should have been done. It wasn't taken care of. So not y'all need to take care of it now.
Right Thank you,
Madam President, we can go back to three Simpson.
Simpson, are you there?
Madam President, I do see Hello.
Hello, am I being heard? Yes, you are. called in to comment on the carrot that are being put before Detroiters, the carrot being the hope of jobs in the hope of development in the spirit being fear for the future of our children, which we're hoping that this proposal will in some way enhance the young people I hear speak out in favor of this proposal are basically people that came to Detroit for whatever opportunity, but that opportunity is not being presented to the children of the parents and grandparents who built this city. So until they can do something more for us. I think we should say no to the alternatives. If the city wants an $800 million investment. Let us own something out of it. Thank you.
Thank you.
We can go back to Rufus Bartell.
Opus Bartell, Good afternoon
Madam president I show Mr. Bartell is muted. He can unmute by pressing star six on the telephone.
All right. Good afternoon, Mr. Bartell. We have anyone else bears?
No
we do not Madam President. All
right, Mr. Bartell Going once, going twice and if you can submit your public comment, we will make sure that it is a part of the record. And so that will conclude our public comment for today. Thank you to everyone that took the time to both come in person and also call in and we will proceed now to our agenda
for the budget Finance and Audit. I mean, it's actually not that bad.
But you want to move on now. Okay, all right. So we can move the district Detroit items versus majority of people here for that. So Pro Tem if you want to move those items for discussion.
Thank you, Madam President. No, we have a number of items today before us dealing with district Detroit including a walk on resolution that we have here that I would like to walk on and so if I can do that, first, Madam president's move to walk on a resolution that indicates $350,000 annually for 10 years, going towards the Affordable Housing Fund. As it relates to this particular deal, as well as speaking to the structure of the affordable housing units that are located within district Detroit, there's a motion to move it to new business for discussion.
So Hearing no objections that motion carries
thank you. So like to also move line items for discussion line items. 19.7 19.8 19 point 1119 point 1219 point 1319 point 1419 point 1519 point 1619 point 1719 point 18 and 19 point 19.
It's important to know business for discussion
to be moved in business.
What did you want me to do?
Now the motion was to move to new business and McLaren continued business to discuss. Thank you.
All right. Thank you pro tem. So we're going to move those items for discussion.
Thank you, Madam President. And I do know that because of the way that this transformational brownfield is structured line item 19.8 should be the first item that we deliberate upon and it is regarding the termination of a brownfield or Detroit life building. So we can have members of the development team as well through you, Madam President, as well as the administration available for any questions. I understand. There's no presentation but we will have an opportunity to ask the questions that we have regarding this particular these particular items. Right.
If representatives that are here, please join us
Madam President should we introduce ourselves and cool shirt Freeman group executive for jobs, the economy and your trader work.
Good afternoon Council Luke Paulson deputy group executive for jobs and Academy.
Brian Vosburgh, Director of brownfields redevelopment for DGC and the Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority.
Good afternoon Council Keith Bradford President limped in development.
Good afternoon Council Andrew Cantor Executive Vice President with related companies and President related Michigan.
Madam president pro tem take Council Ryan English Barnhill Vice President of Government community affairs for Olympia development of Michigan
Council president and council Ryan Friedrichs, Vice President, development related companies.
Madam President, pro tem to the honorable City Council Chris Jackson, Chairman of district Detroit neighborhood Advisory Council.
All right, Madam President one where if you don't mind
I could afternoon Conrad mallet Corporation Counsel save Detroit. Thank you.
Good afternoon, David owl,
Director of real estate Detroit economic growth Corporation.
Madam president there is one member via zoom Kenyatta Burgess from the EGC prepared for questions. I don't know how that works if she gets moved over or right, but she is prepared to take questions.
Thank you. We'll make sure that she's promoted. Right Thank you.
Okay, and I'm just wanted to open up for discussion.
So are we discussing all the things Pro Tem or did you just move 19 points or move the polls and offer discussion? Okay, so at this time, we For general questions, comments, discussion on all of the district Detroit related line items, and so we will open it up to council members if there's questions or comments at this time.
President Yes, so I would like for group exec Dr. Freeman to talk about the resolution that is before us today. We were many members of this body worked with developers as well as jobs. And economy team to address some of the concerns that we had a proposal that's before us. And some of the items that were discussed are before us today within this resolution. So if you can please, a through you madam president, group exec go through the resolution. What is included?
Certainly, Madam President. Yes, ma'am. So in addition to the community benefits agreement, as negotiated by the NEC and is before you today, a number of conversations, many conversations actually happened offline because of the interests of this body. And as a result of those conversations with you, and conversations with developers, there are two additions to what would normally be just a standard resolution accompanying the community benefits agreement. And they are as follows obviously, I'm not going to read them. It might be good if the developer talking about it, too. But the first is a contribution by the developers of $350,000 per year. Every year for 10 years toward affordable housing, and specifically the gonna read this correctly the city of Detroit HRD, the development and housing development and preservation fund, which is an existing fund, to which these dollars will be contributed and the funding would be used in accordance with the purpose of that phone. The second the second point that we've heard from many of today's callers, and it is a key point of interest for all of you is how do we define existing residents for the affordable housing component of this program that will be downtown initially, the proposed length of time that a person would be a Detroit it was three years and we heard your feedback very loudly and very clearly. And that's why you see the resolution here to instead make the first priority for Detroiters, those who have been here for 10 years. The second priority for those who've been five years been here five years and the third priority for those who have been here three years so it expands and speaks to your points around not displacing long term. Residents even indirectly there's no resident displacement through this project, but you raised concerns. You asked everyone to do better as it relates to not over time having a ripple effect across the neighborhoods. That's what this resolution is intended to do. If more detail from the from the developer would be or confirmation from the developer would be your preference to hear and prepared to do that.
Please do you mind present more, more clear? Clarity from the developer, what that means? In their commitment,
madam president Council, we're happy to confirm what was described by the group executive and that the priority that was described the preference for longtime Detroiters starting with 10 years, then five then three is something we are agreeing with. Okay, here you can be agree with, as well as the contribution to be made to the housing fund. Right.
I know this is a joint venture. So thank you.
I echo all of those sentiments and I would say that this is the central piece of what this work has always been about is listening to our community, listening to you and being responsive. And so we bring this forward knowing that it will earnestly make a difference and the priorities that matter to you all, and we hope that you find it pleasing to the spot.
Madam President, if I can also raise a letter that was provided to this body I hope everyone has it from the mayor concerning the additional funding, if you will to go towards the affordable housing and preservation fund. And typically, when a developer we enter into an agreement of this, of this nature when we a developer does not reach the 51% of Detroiters on the employment the executive order. There is a fine or whatever you folks want to call it and some want to call it a reinvestment but it's truly a finite and typically that fine will go towards workforce development. I had a conversation with the jobs and economy team as well as Korea and those dollars that would have been diverted towards the Workforce Development it appears that we have funds sufficient to address those particular concerns. But those dollars instead will be diverted towards the Housing Preservation Fund. So again, through you better president if group exec can that or articulate what's in this letter from the mayor to this body?
Madam President, so we we know that one of the main reasons Detroiters have a hard time getting and keeping a job is because they need access to housing, workforce housing, affordable housing, middle income housing. Clearly we have a housing issue. We believe that by taking the funds the EO funds that would have been designated for the workforce training fund from this project only and instead diverting them to by whatever means is necessary getting them into the Detroit affordable housing preservation. Fund, just as we did the last resolution item, that that will be a solution to one of the main problems we have with workforce and so it is we are pleased to support moving 100% of that funding, and I represent Creo as well in that statement and obviously you have a letter from the mayor, so using 100% of the funding for this project only for the purpose of affordable housing.
Thank you and through you, Madam President, this was an item that I move forward on behalf of colleagues. Can you talk about I mean, there may be some concern from some who believe that we may be robbing Peter to pay Paul so to speak, you taking money away from workforce development that is definitely needed in the city in order to address affordable housing, which again is definitely needed. So talk to us about if you will, we had a conversation but what does this mean for workforce development? How does this impact your abilities to get the men and women that we are constantly hear about needing, wanting and desiring these very important jobs out in the workforce?
So through the chair it is no secret that we had to think long and hard about the impact. Do the analysis of the impact understand what does this mean, in terms of the commitments we've made to you and to Detroit errs? To get Detroiters ready for these opportunities? Get them ready from wherever they are, right from whatever point they are right now, which has always been the commitment of this fund. Two things. So first, these are only the funds for this project. So there are other projects underway. With your approval, there will be future projects underway. And this decision does not affect the EO funds for any other project. So then we had to do the analysis of what kind of gap might this lead? And you know, of course, there's no way to know exactly how much gap this will leave because if the developer is meeting their 51% commitment, then there is no contribution. But where there is a gap and where there is a contribution that will instead be used for housing, which again, is a key need of workforce. We are 100% confident in our ability to through other competitive state funding, our formulaic funding, just being very smart about how we spend our funding to close this gap. Thank you. Thank you.
I just wanted to make sure that it was it was very clear that again, in working with you all it was important for this body to address issues of affordable housing in a way that was greater than what we saw in front of us. What we have here now is a further commitment. It was also important for us to ensure that longtime Detroiters had opportunity and didn't compete. I mean, we talked about that in committee. I'm not having a long time to try to competing with someone who just about, you know, three years in, and now we have an opportunity for prior prioritization of those who've been here 10 years at least, and then moving forward to five and then eventually settling down on three very important elements to show and hide, showcase and highlight that our intent is for Detroiters, longtime Detroit has to have an opportunity to not only live in these particular housing units, but also throughout the city of Detroit with the affordable housing and preservation fund. My last question is, though we have money in this fund now as we currently have today, how how are the dollars planned to be executed
through the chair and this question is, how would they be
housing the housing fund?
Specifically, how would they be spirit?
Yeah. I'll tell you this. So some may say you know, okay, it's fine. You all have money in the fund. That doesn't mean that you have to spend it or the for those who say the mayor won't necessarily authorize those dollars for spending so how, how can there be a guarantee that these dollars will not only be captured, placed into the fund but also be used
through the chair so the the way that they the funds will make it into the purpose that you intend is through your appropriation? So you appropriate as body the executive order funding, and then the executive order funding by virtue of this commitment would be diverted to the the workforce. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, the affordable housing development and preservation fund.
Thank you, and I'll yield the floor after this. When I'm president. I will be the first to say that I'm not in love with this deal. It is a number of highlighters from elements that I do like a lot and there's some that I don't I mean, you're probably gonna hear me talk about the Detroit life building. I'm not in support of removing the Brownfield of it. I'm sorry, yeah, removing it, or terminating it. But through this process, it's been a push and pull. And that's how a lot of deals go. When we talk about government when we talk about legislative and the executive branch when we talk about just holistically how this works, some things you know, we will have folks from the community who will support and there's some things that they want, but I will tell you that just as latest, as early as this morning, we were still working out, hashing out some of these details and look forward to the robust conversation that my colleagues out to a present. Thank you very much. Thank you, ma'am. Thank
you. So just really quick one, the letter that was submitted. This does say subject to appropriation. So ultimately council would have to decide on shifting the funds from Workforce Development over to the Housing Trust
Fund. Is that correct? That is your decision to appropriate
and i i I support the idea. But at a time when every project that comes before Council, we can never reach 51% I'm looking at the LCA project they reached 23% of Detroiters on the construction of that and they donated $6 million to the workforce for Workforce Development Fund. And so shifting money from Workforce Development to me is not the solution. It is robbing Peter to pay Paul. So I think that we could think of other priorities where we can move money into the housing trust fund. And then I think I heard you mentioned that if in fact they make a contribution based on not reaching the executive order that we will fill in the gap for the developers. Did you did you say that? Oh, no for the federal funding that we will fill the gap.
No, I'm sorry. The the shifting the funds from workforce training to affordable housing. If there is a gap, we would we are confident that our existing funding our existing funding sources, so federal funds state funds other funding, we would be we would close any gap that was left but I have to add this. So to your point, Madam Chair about, you know, at a time when nobody hits 51% And we need to get more Detroiters ready, our approach to getting Detroiters ready for the construction jobs. The related trade skilled trades is much different on this project than it has been on prior projects. It's a smarter structure. It's a smarter spend. It is not as expensive and people are more ready. So we are confident that our combination of being better at getting people ready having a better plan and better structure. And I'm specifically talking about among other programs, fast track, among others. Those solutions because we're so much better at it now than we were in 2014 or before, that's what will allow we're going to be smarter about the span and smarter about the work that's what makes us confident that this
hopefully it'll be less of a contribution that there'll be donating to the Housing Trust Fund. But again, I just support that it stays with workforce development. We need to continue to train Detroiters to be prepared for the jobs that everyone is coming down here screaming about and advocating for and when we see the numbers, oftentimes we do not reach the goals that are promised so we can have further discussion on that program because again, this is the intent and desire of the mayor to propose this but however, this has to come back to Council at the appropriation level where we actually agree on it as a yes, ticket
with a number of these particular items. So, again, this gives us the opportunity between now and then to secure these items that we see that the mayor signed off on but allow us to work through the process. All right. Thank you
Thank you. I have one question. And I have fought extremely hard over the years for affordable housing. I actually created the fund that you are allocating this money towards. But one of the things that is extremely important to me and I've talked to you, Nicole about this is ownership and equity and access to contracts for minorities in this city. And I want to get clarity on this $100 million procurement goal. For my understanding again, number one is a goal right it's not an a shower that you shall procure a certain amount to disadvantage businesses but it does not go as far as other CPAs have have have when essentially when it comes to the contracting and procurement goal for construction. So if Chris could please come up and just talk about the intent around the $100 million spin, and just what I have clarity on exactly how this works, please. Thank you,
Madam President. Mr. Chairman, Council, the origin of the $100 million for the disadvantage businesses. You know, and this is you know, for the general public, it came from an initial asked by my colleagues, and I want to thank them, they're here today, many of them that we initially looked at the complete development budget. And we started off and we did very simple and we just said, Well, we would like 10% of your development budget, which instruction but it also includes purchase of other goods and services to be purchased and to be hired hire African American and Hispanic owned businesses. That was sort of the initial ask. The developer came back and said, Well, you know, Oh, that $1.5 billion. All of that is not a direct spin. Some of that is interest cost is other finance costs. And so, they were like that is not all under our control as far as what we purchase in goods and services and so we came back, they came back at $100 million. That was the spin across the board that was not just inclusive of just construction. We as the NEC as part of this again, part of this Genesis. We were under the understanding of course that you your honorable body, the mayor through your executive orders, or either through other agreements that may have been negotiated via the DDA or other entities as the developer was negotiating before they get to the neck that the executive order as relates to 51% Detroit residents, and even the 30% water relative to Detroit based in Detroit headquarter for construction, that that was something that was already baked into or already probably at some point discussed or agreed upon.
Okay, just pause right there is the executive order 24 hours five apply to this particular project. Because their understanding that it was already baked in, I just want to get clarity.
So Madam Chair through you again, I would pay to offer a legal opinion about a lot of Bartman but it it is not automatically applied have to be voluntarily.
My whole point here. Okay. So, again, your 100 million dollar speeding is less than what the 30% executive order will actually require. That's that's really my concern. There were under the agreement that this project included the executive order, which requires 30% speed, however it doesn't.
Well, Madam President, it just to finish and so what the what we have in our letter to you is part of our agreement. As what we believe that has been agreed upon is that and there's been defined in sort of a another outside agreement is that there's going to be $100 million at some point spent as relates to disadvantaged businesses. That was sort of the initial premise that I just wanted to let you know what our premise
that's your premise and what is not in writing, and I'm not you know, my answer, your question is answered. I have X for one day, and that is that there is clearly defined language that ensures that disadvantaged businesses minorities get access to this $100 million, we actually is below other CBA look at bare rock they did $300 million for Detroit based businesses, but there's nothing in writing right now that ensures that what you're saying your intent, which is good, I applaud the CB but it's not in writing. It's not
it so I can't speak to the other CBO if they had spent on disadvantaged businesses as we, as has been defined as African American Hispanic owned businesses outside and so I can't speak to how much has been or not spent was disadvantaged businesses. Again, our intent and part of our discussion. We brought up the 100 million deaths as to and as you know, as clear in our cover letter to you as relates to the disadvantaged miss all right, and
I won't belabor this or hold it up, but I'd say that that is where my Hiccup is with is that they were under the impression that the executive order reply to this contract structions being asked to go to Detroit based businesses. If you take 30% of a $1.5 billion contract or development costs, that's that's over $100 million. But now we have in this deal only under B we've actually negotiated ourselves down. The second part is that the agreement does not state in any way that a percentage has to be set as disadvantaged businesses. It says Detroit based Detroit headquartered in Detroit president and so essentially in theory, the developer could say, hey, all of this can go to Detroit based business which is non black, but the intent as you've just stated, is that it should go to a portion of it should go to disadvantaged businesses. And so all I wanted was stronger language to ensure that there there are benchmarks in place, timelines and goals set for the speed and that a portion of it be dedicated to disadvantaged businesses in the language as it reads now does not specifically state that it's not clearly defined.
Madam Chairman, I offer just a response that I hope gives you some of the comfort that you so richly deserve. So, again, you referenced prior SeaBIOS that that included a voluntary voluntary commitment to comply with a 30% set aside. My knowledge, none of those commitments involve the disadvantaged business component. They were strictly confined to Detroit businesses.
And that's true, I just want to respond as sure they've included disadvantaged business as a category, right? So just because it's added in the category doesn't mean it has to be selected. You have five different categories Detroit based Detroit headquartered Detroit resident disadvantage, just because they inserted disadvantage, does it mean that the developer has to select the disadvantage unless you require that a certain percentage be set aside for disadvantage, so I applaud them for for inserting the category of disadvantaged businesses but nothing again requires there's no goal. There's no target that a certain percentage of that procurements being be set aside for disadvantaged businesses. Madam Chair, I'm
not here to tell you you're wrong. Thank you. Galleries. However, there is another provision in the CBA. That does ask the developer to retain a contractor to help candidate counterparts for that spend, in order to make sure it reaches pick up a little bit, make sure it reaches the disadvantaged business category there. So there is an intent in the agreement to make sure that notwithstanding What's there in the black letter of the agreement, the spirit intent of it is to maximize that spend to to benefit the intended beneficiaries among the disadvantaged business community. I hate to speak for the Nakhla developer but just wanted to offer that, that context and
so again, to the business community, to labor, to all of Detroiters, you know, I have supported pretty much every development project in the city after I've negotiated and tried to add greater guarantees for Detroiters, and I'm not against development. But I truly believe that this is the opportunity for equity for ownership for black businesses to have access to what is happening in our downtown Detroit area and we can't get clear simple language around a preference or priority or go for disadvantaged businesses I just to be is not an unreasonable request. It's not at all. And so that's where I'm at today. I've made it very clear. I have a couple of issues but that that is the main one if we could have just got more language that's that secures that Detroit based businesses disadvantages business have access to at least the $100 million which by the way is less than both this Michigan Central Station, bet rock in the pistons. They procure $300 million with Detroit based businesses. So I will pause there but I just do not want the narrative to leave this room nor on media or imprint that I am against development in the city. I'm not going to allow it to happen because I am not in any way. But I do support equity ownership and opportunities for Detroit based business and minorities in the city and I I support clear and defined language that states that we're not going to be playing around teetering the line, it should just say it. You know Olympia has a history of, of, of promises, doesn't have the best reputation. I've talked to African American leaders in the city who are here supporting you, but I've also raised concerns to be quite honest with you. So for me, I have to have strong guarantees in place and I support business. I support the vibrancy of downtown. But again, we are at an opportunity where we have the ability to make sure that Detroiters have access and that they have ownership and equity as it relates to the procurement and contracting process in the city. And that's important to me. I fought for fordable housing for a long time and I'm great to see the investments in it. But we also need to be talking about ownership and equity as well too. So you want to respond yes,
if I may. Madam President. We agree with your priorities. We share your priorities, and we're prepared voluntarily to enter into the spirit and the letter of the 30% as it relates to our construction spent so we are again as chair Jackson reference from something that as chair Jackson referenced in the NEC, there's a portion of the spending that is not eligible, but we are we are committed to that we were happy to agree to that. Executive Order for the 30% what is that?
Oh, now now you guys are yes it's not in writing anywhere. We
can we can we put it into the resolution? Yeah, we can. We want clarity to we believe that it was with all due respect, we thought it was clear and we're happy to make it as clear as possible. So it was this
is absolutely. Right. All right. I have additional comments, but I know I have taken up a lot of time so I will allow my colleagues to Oh yes. To finish council member waters.
Well, thank you Madam President. Andrew, you can come back up. Um, because I want to know why we can't have this in writing today. I mean, what madam president has pointed out president pro Tim has been working his butt off as relates to the Housing Trust Fund and the whole minority business piece. Because that that is something that's near and dear to all of our hearts, I believe on this council. We need to make sure, Andrew that is clear. And is it was my understanding that it was Ross related, who hesitated to put it in writing. I don't know that to be true, but that's the rumor. So but you're saying that here? Can we get a secretary right now? To go and type it up? Bring it to us? I'm serious. This is this is serious.
I'm with you. I'm sorry. I am with you. I want it we want to we want to put it in writing.
Right you know, but it wasn't until Madam President sat here and just went through this whole thing that that you told us that we can make that happen. So how long would that take to comb
through the chair it would take about five minutes about underway as we speak.
Madam President. Sounds good. But again, I have made this very clear in my meetings with the team. And so to now right here at this moment, just say that we're going to do it. I've also been very clear that post construction span for disadvantaged businesses is important as well and we're not even talking about shelves at this point. We're talking about goals. We're setting some goals here. And to not be willing to put that on paper is a concern for me, but we're talking about supporting Detroit based minority disadvantaged businesses. That's I mean, that's that's not unreasonable. So we could try to get it but I'm chairing a session. So to think that I'm going to be able to read the documents go back and forth and all this right here. You know,
we Madam President, you can always take them on as well. Do you manage to read it? So Andrew, can you come back again? I just have. Alright, so you heard what she said in terms of that letter? What about the post construction piece of it as well?
We have not had a discussion about that internally on our side. And so I'd like to table that and have that conversation. But we are never taken when you've been discussing. We share that intent. We share that the priorities that you describe. And so I think that my my understanding is that if we were to voluntarily agree to the 30%, which does not apply this project by a statute of law, but we're voluntarily agreeing to it, and then also inclusive within that have $100 million target that we're setting forth for Detroit based and disadvantaged businesses with a and we're tracking against our performance on each of the metrics, including disadvantaged businesses in a public way, as part of our creole reporting, that that goes beyond what has been done by any other CBO to date, and I think will give greater transparency and visibility and accountability than has been the case in any prior TBL. I think that was chair Jackson's intent was that was our intent as well. And so I think we're, we're willing to move forward with that. And the most important thing, I think, at this point is that we all see the language and have few minutes to look at it, and then are able to move forward perspective.
Okay, the chair. Yes,
I just on this matter, I just want to say that it is consistent. If the 30% that has been asked is to adhering to the executive order is consistent with the intent of the NEC that the 100 million was because our concern was if they had agreed to the 30% already on the front end, none of that could have been disadvantaged businesses. So we asked for 100 million of the development span, which is development span is from our perspective is up through the end of construction because once an apartment building is built is built, there's no additional, we didn't get into procurement beyond something being built. So I just wanted this to be clear, clarity on that, but this is consistent that this is agreed upon with the intent of my colleagues.
But even within the $100 million procurement span, they're still categories, right? You have Detroit based Detroit, headquarter Detroit resident, and then disadvantages a part of it. What I was trying to get at is that it's just state that a percentage of the speed should be dedicated to disadvantaged businesses. Is that something that they are
there? There may be situations of your Detroit headquartered Detroit based business but you're also a disadvantaged business. We are thing was that we that was okay with us. We want you to hire
just a Detroit base and you're not this right. And so that's,
that's where the 100 million we looked at the 100 million was being specifically the disadvantaged business. Thank you
so much, Chris, because that is not the way it is written. Okay. Thank you for your attention. I really appreciate it. And I really do, but it is just it's just not drafted that way. And that's, that's where my issue is. So I appreciate it. Any additional questions or comments? Yes, of course, you, counsel. So
good afternoon, madam president, if I may. Everybody on the development side, Mr. Jackson particularly came at this the development of this language fully aware of the consequences of proposal to the limitations in terms of the language that can be a part of a document that's going to be enforced by the city of Detroit. Unfortunately, our profile. Now what you have in front of you now is the word disadvantage which on purpose, madam president was not defined. You have the word disadvantage and the other categories that you mentioned. Precisely because collectively, not Was it not just the intent, but the history of the use of those words and circumstances like this, hopefully is going to lead the developer who has already publicly committed to driving forward. The presence of disadvantaged businesses, both on the construction side and on the non construction spend side. The specificity that you're looking for, in a document whose enforcement responsibilities are we are is the responsibility to city Detroit. This is as specific as we could be.
With all due respect Cooperation Council, that's not what I'm referring to. We're talking about the third party agreement that well it is entering into that clearly defines the $100 million commitment and goal. I'm not referring to the CBA that does limit our ability as a city to define disadvantaged businesses. I'm that's not what I'm referring to. So I just want to be very cool. Okay. Well, thank you. Okay. All right. Questions from council members? Oh, I hadn't famished. I'm sorry. Number waters. Okay, um,
geez. All right. So, Matt. Okay,
Madam, Madam Chair. Yes. I'm just not clear about what you just said in terms of the third party agreement. The third party agreement is is explicit about defining disadvantages. Black and Hispanic. For sure. I agree with that. The portion I think that you're taking issue with if I understood correctly, is the definition in the CBA itself of the 100 million dollars and where it can be directed to.
So the CBA in the development agreement that is before us does not state that the developer would adhere to executive order 2014 Dash five, is that correct? That 30% Spin.
That is correct. And I think because it was so that's the
first issue. That's number one.
Would you want him said we would like to fail?
I think the second issue is that the third party agreement has five categories betrayed base betrayed headquarter Detroit resident disadvantage, we appreciate you inserting disadvantage, when it does not clearly state that a percentage of that spin has to be allocated towards disadvantaged businesses.
Madam Chair, just with with all due respect, my my understanding and having been negotiated is that that agreement that you're talking about as a third party agreement is the CBA itself. The CBA is the language that is the language that we negotiated, is the language that that was that is attached and so if that, okay, and it was guidance from we don't we don't end up drafting it right. We review it and Corporation Counsel advised on what could be included.
So, Madam President, this is really now how we should be doing this but but I'm glad to do it anyway. Court Corporation Counsel's Office was not a part of the negotiations around the third party agreement. Okay, so
I would put the agreement that's being referred to is the CBA CBA is the attachment to the CBA right there's a resolution and an attachment to it my understanding I know having read it that it is the Attach pair luda. Well, I'm not because because
you're talking about the
radar so I know it was put out you know, actually. Alright, so is what have you all well, how would you like to proceed? A couple other questions that members may have. Okay. So member waters by law by councilmember Benson and then I think I saw member Johnson's hand as well.
Okay, what a Nicole though. Nicole. Okay. Bye. But while Nikolas approach it, I just I just I'm sorry. I hope we can we can fix this. That's my fault we need to do. Alright, so I'm Nicole. Why is it important to move this on this project? Now talk about the please explain the whole state piece of it.
Yes, through the chair. So the urgency of the timeline is because we are already behind the developers already behind in getting this project through to the Michigan strategic plan. That meeting is scheduled for April 25. They are required that their materials be submitted several weeks in advance. We have postponed that pending this discussion and this vote the urgency of the April 25 MSF meeting. Is so that once all the proper periods have expired, the developer can close on their financing and get shovels in the ground for the first building by July, August at the very latest so as not to lose this construction season. So that's important. On the timeline that you've that this honorable body has been presented with on the calendar of buildings and sites to get that one started during this construction season. That is the urgency
and and speaking of shovel in the ground when will the incentives kick in for the developers and what will the incentives kick in? For example, is it prior to them building or is it after they've completed that particular project?
So through the chair, there are no incentives until a building is built but I would also invite Ryan or Ryan forward to speak on behalf of.
Madam Chair, to follow up on the caller's point these incentives are performance based and so we do not receive any abatements until they lead again sorry based these builds the abatements on these buildings are performance based meaning the developer receives nothing until the projects are completed.
Yeah, all right through the chair and only exception to that would be the DDA funds. There's two sets of funds which are the infrastructure and the affordable housing loan but we are reimbursed on the on the on the infrastructure. So once we spend we get reimbursed to those efforts.
Alright, so I'll just ask one other question, Madam President, um, there's a lot of people calling in regarding 800 million. Is that all coming from the city of Detroit? What's what's what's coming, please break those numbers down 400 million, from whom and 400 millions from whom? Yeah, please,
I might through the Chair, if we might have Kenyatta bridges who was online, step through that answer instead.
Thank you, Nicole. I hope hopefully you can hear me okay. When we talk about the 800 million we're talking about 133 million in property tax abatements, which is the PA 210 and the neighborhood enterprise zone and that's the value over the life. We're talking about 615 million and the total transformation of benefit brownfield plan benefit. And we're talking about 48 million in DDA resources that was utilized that will be utilized for infrastructure and affordable housing. So in total, we're looking at approximately $796 million in incentives.
All right. So what I want you to do is let the community know what's coming from the state in that total. Sure, sure.
So when we look at the state's portion of the state is the is a significant portion. The state's portion of the Michigan transformational brownfield plan is 400 million. The remaining are DD that are incentives that will impact the DDA, none of these incentives impacts the city of Detroit because this project is located in a DDA. And if those those 10 of those revenues would have to remain in the DDA and be spent in the DDA, if not for this project. But what it does do is unlock revenues that allow for $751 million to really be spent. broadly across the city through the income tax revenues.
Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you, member Benson.
Thank you, Madam President. And thank you all for being here today. And so my question how many square feet in total will be developed out amongst the 10 properties?
Sure, total total project in terms of square footage, 1.2 million square feet of office, okay. And 46,000 square feet of retail, and then your hotel rooms and I don't have the exact square footage on those individual buildings, but 467 hotel rooms and six or 95 residential rooms.
So we're close to 1.5 million square feet plugging in right online or be new construction in so a big portion of the future of the city is going to be our sustainability goals. In our ability to reduce our greenhouse gas footprint and ensure that buildings being brought back online or being constructed, are sustainable, resilient, as well as highly efficient. What's our goals and what are our what is our commitment from the development team towards sustainability ensuring that these new developments comply with greenhouse gas ordinance and I are highly efficient. Where are we with that? With that commitment,
you want to Yeah, so we are shooting for LEED Gold on our office buildings is the goal that we're trying to obtain there. And we are looking to follow the audience here are Gordon Green Gas Emissions here with adopted by the city. We will follow that as well.
Okay, and so when you're saying you're shooting for LEED Gold, what is your that's not a commitment. It's a shooting for what where are we? What's your commitment towards sustainability?
Our commitment is to for our office is to obtain LEED Gold, that is our that is our desire, okay? Go commit so that is to shoot that as a goal, okay. And that we are so good, but we we know that that's attainable, and we believe that we can do that and that's what we're shooting for.
Okay. And so we have office we have an excuse we have retail, we have residential. So the entire project. Are you committing to gold the entire project are you committing to platinum wood
to the chair for the entire project? No, I mean, we do. It's more complicated on retail and housing, it's a little more it's a little more complex, to reach that level. We're still going to strive to it and try to reach that, but it would be difficult to commit publicly to get to that goal for those types of uses.
Okay, and so then my concern is I look at the latest webpage and you tell your sustainability projects around the world and how you've been very successful. So we see platinum we see lead and see ENERGY STAR, so why not gold commitment throughout the entire project. Right when you see it, I see it done in New York. I see it done in London, I see it done throughout the country throughout the world. I want to make sure that what we're getting into great is not because we think we can get Detroit less than that we think Detroit is less than want to make sure that what we're striving for is the tip of the spear and that we're being provided top notch sustainable product and we show what we can do in the city of Detroit moving forward.
I mean we you know Ryan I'll let you talk to it as well but you know, related does have great experience here. That's reasonable. Olympia brought him in as a partner is to help execute that we do take this extremely serious. That's why we're we are reaching for the gold level. If we can exceed that great. We would like to do that as well. So it is our intent to be very thoughtful in this space and make commitments here. But we want to make sure that if for some reason there's an obstacle that we don't disappoint in that commitment
for the chair, although dad member Benson related was one of the first national companies to commit to all LEED silver across the country. So related has been a national leader in all these spaces, especially around sustainability and wants to build iconically sustainable buildings. I think with the goal to shoot for LEED silver as a commitment across the board for all these buildings. Make sure I'm clear
that Sure. So LEED silver is your baseline commitment. That is the commitment.
Yes, counselor after the chair. That's our commitment. Our as Keith said, our goal is to be higher than that, to achieve higher than that with the buildings that are residential. Sometimes that is a challenge but having a baseline which related is a really reputation around the country, sustainability being a leader, a national leader, having LEED silver as a basis commitment is our commitment aiming for LEED Gold or higher.
Okay, and so then my question is going to be why can't the gold be the commitment silver, that's nothing to sneeze at. That is a great goal to achieve and to be committed to, but gold is higher as an additional 10 points. Why can't we get to gold as a commitment versus just a goal?
I think right now we're exploring gold through the chair even higher than gold if we could explore it. So we're going to try and do our best I think with our national team looking at this having residential buildings, the level of residence, the average age of buildings in Detroit around 70 years old, and so you have residential buildings you're trying to do your best with we don't want to do something that would be be out of put us out of commitment. So having a silver commitment, we thought was very strong, and then surpassing that and surprising as we come and can can aim for gold or higher. I think that's our goal was to be a leader in the space.
Okay. And then part of this we have public spaces are being committed to as well as part of the district and so that wouldn't open itself. To a LEED building certification or standards, but would lead itself to a lead in D The Neighborhood designation. So what are we doing to ensure that we're working towards goals and to achieve a lead in the achievement not necessarily a certification, but making sure we're building and developing the public spaces in our right away? spaces for the district to that level of neighborhood?
Through the Chair, I think it's a great goal. We'd love to sit down and talk more about the neighborhood goal I know is a goal for the neighborhood advisory council as well to be you know, in green space creation and our environmental justice is one of our core principles. So I think this is a we love to work on for neighborhood wide and not just because it is a larger footprint right? Not just building by building but larger neighborhood as the green spaces come online.
And through the Chair, Madam Sheffield, for the college that Director Brian is on the line as well to speak to district wide planning in the whole of downtown inclusive the district did right if you have any questions for member Benson since he's remote, didn't know if he's on
and just to the present and we can just remind those we're speaking at that microphone that is very difficult to hear. If you're not at the microphone.
Do the chair may I be hurt?
Yes you can Director Brian.
Thank you Madam Chair. Yes. Antoine Bryan, Director playing developers department. We're excited to work with the development team to look at all the measures to work toward LEED nd there's no development of this size it has achieved LEED nd in the city of Detroit. This would be a great opportunity for us to work toward that. There are a number of measures that will work at the site level that this development team does have experience working with. And a planning department looks forward to Trinity to engage with them for the aesthetic development, but also for the sustainability measures that are built into a LEED nd criteria. They do have experience and I think collectively we could work toward making that a tremendous benefit for the city of Detroit.
Okay, and then through the Chair. Thank you for that. Director, Brian. Just want to make sure that we're understanding that there is also a commitment from the city because that will take the planning and development departments coming to work with the development team as well to make sure that we are engaged as a city with the development team board at the lead in D level.
Through the Chair, we are committed to work with a developer lockstep. Typically this is something we would have talked about much earlier to design process. But I think there's an opportunity for us to still work toward those sight and context developments to ensure that we're working towards LEED nd.
Okay, thank you.
Thank you. Councilmember Callaway,
thank you Madam Chair and the morning I'm looking at the resolution who bought the resolution? He submitted it. Yeah, who submitted the resolution?
If I might, Madam Chair. So in our attempt to be responsive to your ask and team member waters ask, our team drafted, with the approval of the developers, the resolution language that you see before you. So I apologize to this body that this was Massey. The, the team is attempting to be as responsive as humanly possible, Madam Chair, to your ask and then to your ask. Member waters that we try to address this now.
I just see you know the missing words but if we can take a look at the second were asked and I like to read it is in order to maximize it's just probably say in order to maximize the benefits to Detroit residents in connection with in red subject. District short developments in red district Detroit developments related Olympia wishes I'm not comfortable with the word wishes, that that is not binding your wish means to simply hope to do something I like to see will make a donation so I'm not comfortable with the word wishes that does not bind you make the domain donation is just a wish or hope or a desire on your part if you're submitting this. So for me to be comfortable with this resolution, I'd like for us to strike wishes and put will make a donation because wish is not binding you to anything. Ms. Daraa. Please be that's your hope. That's their desire. So for my comfort level, I'd like for wishes to be struck, and I'd like to see we'll make a donation other than that this is not a binding agreement and the second paragraph Madam Chair, thank you Madam Chair.
Thank you remember cowboy
through the chair, member Callaway. We will be delighted to make that change for you to codify that for you.
Madam Chair, there's a couple of other typos and missing words that perhaps if we have some time to go over it more thoroughly. I would be more comfortable. Right now I'm seeing a couple other typos or missing words. But I certainly before we move forward we'd like to see that word stricken from this doc from this resolution and put in will or must donate. Thank you Madam Chair.
Way wait and chair. Okay. Okay. Okay. Yes, madam chair in response to member Callaway, his remarks. Would it be acceptable if we struck that from this document wrote in so I'm taking this up the device up? Yes.
So first, the parliamentarian stated that this needs to be walked on first, right before we can actually even take action on the resolution. Is that correct? Dr. Powers
it was my understanding that the walk on was the the resolution
new one that they just passed out if I was the same one that's been amended, okay. Okay, I thought this was a new resolution. Okay. Okay.
So,
I just want to say from my perspective, I appreciate this. But one thing that I've I know since I've been here is that resolutions are not binding and so really should be in the development agreement, which the current Executive Order reference is reference to now. So the 51% that is currently in the development agreement. And so that is also where this EO shall lie as well to. Yes, thank you. Mr. Whittaker. Yes, thank you Mr. Whittaker. Mr. Whittaker, I would like to hear from Mr. Whittaker. Mr. Whittaker and then Corporation Counsel,
just discussing the enforceability of this document. Because it Council approves it is still not enforceable on the developer. It's got to be in a document that's enforceable, but no but city on to develop. And I think we're trying to figure out how to do that. All right.
And so yeah, that's right
yes,
yes. Oh, just standing madam president to be ready.
If you guys want to come back towards your king and I'm alright, so um, do you need time to figure this out?
Yeah, I'm sorry. Madam Chair. I'm sorry. I'm trying to regroup for questions and understand what's going on.
before you all leave. Is there any additional concerns questions from council members and then I guess we can you guys can regroup and we'll come back to this is that?
No, we are prepared. We are prepared right now today to take any and all questions. Remember there? Ha.
Thank you, Madam President. And just just in the interest of time as well. They're still figuring stuff out. Just in the head of time as well. They're still figuring stuff out. They're getting things together and we still have other departments to move. On this agenda. So if it pleases a council President and President Pro take, I know we took this before the other department or the other committees as well. Is it possible we can bring this back at the end of the agenda so we can take care of some of the other business that we have on the agenda? If it pleases? The Council, why they figured figure out the language and things of that nature?
Was there a motion to do so I just I just want to be clear that I appreciate this and I think it needs to be in the development agreement. However, we still haven't got the commitments as it relates to a percentage of the $100 million spin being set aside for disadvantaged businesses, also known as minorities, and so is that going to be something that is going to be in writing that's another issue that I have as well too. So are we addressing that or
what? Not madam chair, would you give us
okay, I'll reconvene and then we can bring this back at the end of the agenda. I did just want to mention for the record a couple of other things that were of concern to me. The second is that the developer has not guaranteed whatsoever any of the 6000 post construction jobs go to Detroiters. We requested a breakdown of the average annual salaries of the proposed 6000 jobs of those jobs that were submitted. The hospitality jobs were making average annually. $28,000, which we thought was pretty low when we talk about living wages and providing actual careers for residents in our city. Also, we strongly requested that a set aside for the retail space be dedicated to disadvantaged businesses. That was not honored at all. We do know that there was a $1 million tenant improvement fund that was set aside but again, there's no guarantees that disadvantaged businesses will have access to any of that retail space. And that's extremely, extremely important to me. Also wanted to mention that the Office return rate we reached out to get some data on the office return rate 70% of this project is proposed office space 1.2 million square feet of commercial space. We were informed that Detroit has only seen a return of 20 to 25% of his workforce on Mondays and Fridays and 40 to 45% throughout the weekday. So at a time when we are begging people to come back to work. Businesses are downsizing and office buildings remain largely unoccupied. I do have a concern with the proposed amount of office space with this project as well. And then lastly, I just want to state and I think a part of being here is to push the conversation and I'm going to keep pushing the conversation around a ticket surcharge. We lost 10% of ticket proceeds 7% of suite sales 10% of food and beverage concessions 5% of souvenir sales and all other revenue from parking and proceeds cable rights, human rights. Well, we let go of Joe Lewis and so I believe that we should be pushing for a 2% ticket surcharge. We're talking about $2 That will be added to $100 ticket that will generate back to the city of Detroit to fund all of these initiatives right to council housing, etc that are important to the city increase and continue to build the overall revenue for Detroit. And so that is something that I put on a table. I know that it was declined or shut down, but I'm going to keep pushing it. I've talked to a lot of Detroiters throughout this city who actually agree on a ticket surcharge so I wanted to put those three on the record and looking forward to coming back to reconvene when you all get everything together. So thank you,
Madam Chair, if you could us Yes.
Through you, madam president. No, there's 12 items that we have before us which will be coming back before us for another part of the process,
if I might, if I might, Madam Chair,
or and I say that to say that. This is not a done deal today. I want to come back in hopefully by the time these items come back to us we'll have these issues that we're discussing today. A nail down
the president through you to pro tem that is correct pro tem. What is before the Council today is a combination of the transformational brownfield plan the community benefits agreement and tax abatement districts that council would create by taking action today if it so chooses, as the council is aware of it for the benefit of the public tax abatements are approved in two phases. First, a district must be created and then later a certificate must be approved. So we will return to council for the approval of those certificates in the future. We anticipate being before you in May for that.
So I will say Madam President part of for me and committee was to provide the best opportunity possible for this deal to get before the MSL so they can review it. But by no means that that mean to shut down what we have been discussing and working on at this point. So I just wanted to make it very clear.
Thank you, bro. Tim. All right. So is there a motion to bring these line items back at the end of the agenda? Okay, so, Hearing no objections, no Hearing no objections that action will be taken. So we will come back to these line items. Right. But the budget Finance and Audit standing committee from the Office of the Chief Financial Officer office of Office of Budget
councilmember Darryl Hall, three
resolutions line item 16.1 to
16.3.
That's a member Dr. Hoff. Thank you, Madam President. Move for discussion on line item 16.1.
Also member Doha.
Thank you Madam President. line item 16.1 is authorization to amend the fiscal year 2020 to 23 budget for the Detroit Public Library. As discussed in committee the purpose of this budget amendment is to pay for the completion and restoration of the main library due to flood damage in June 2021 to the amount of 2.3 million roof replacements. At Knapp, Redford and wilder equaling 716,000 $175 and H vac system replacement at Chase and harbor branches worth 1.5 million. With that I move for approval of an item 16.1
motion has been made. Any objections? Discussion? Discussion, Councilmember Benson,
yourself to the chair, Mr. Chicken, just identify the sources of these funds, and why we're getting this additional surplus for the library. We often talk about the library funding.
So again, this is coming from our budget, but as far as sources, and relative to again, the flood damage that has happened the library has come in front of us to request that funding to be able to fix those issues that we talked about even during our budget session when they were talking about the race back systems. So it comes from that
it goes to that
this is budget surplus. So this is right so have a better than what we thought revenues.
Yeah, Qur'an I believe, madam. Madam President, I believe somebody from the library maybe online or maybe the Oh CFO may be available to get into deeper detail relative to this transfer. This amendment should I say?
You have a name member Doha maybe?
I believe Mr. Watson maybe online or mr. Washington Okay.
We will promote those individuals. Watson Mr. Watson, Mr. Washington if you aren't one line. Oh, here you are. Do you know if someone is on where this line item? Steve Watson. Okay. Steve Watson. We will bring him up. Mr. Quarterly, so you're coming up as well.
Really quick, Madam President. If I may. Again, just for clarification. This is not the 2324 budget. This is their last year's budget, the 223 payment. All right. Thank you, Madam President.