Sorry about being a little late. Right? Yvonne, Yvonne? Good? We're good ally everything good
all right. Good morning everyone and sorry for a slight late start this morning. But the regular session of Tuesday February the sixth will now come to order. And if our Kirkwood please call the roll. Councilmember
Scott Benson. Councilmember Fred Doha the third president. Awesome. Leticia Johnson, Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero present councilmember Mary waters. Councilmember Angela Whitfield Callaway. Councilmember, call me Jana second. Council President Pro Tem James Tate. Council President Mary Sheffield. President. Madam President, you have a quorum present. All
right there being a quorum present. We are in session and we will go straight to our invocation. We have pastor Edward Knox who is joining us virtually I believe. Is he in person? Oh, thank you. Good morning.
And if we can just turn his microphone on.
Faster next the floor is yours.
Let us pray. Right now Almighty God created all mankind. We have people we're grateful for allowing us to come today before your throne of mercy and grace Titian, you to us and guide us through this turbulent season. of our lives. We're praying for peace. Praying for grace. We're praying for mercy. We pray for strength, courage, humility, and praying for wisdom for these leaders to be effective and all they do to lead the city is to bless the city as they serve the city bless the state bless this country and all our leaders, President, Vice President continue to bless Israel and all those nations who continue to have turbulence in at this time in their lives. More importantly, Lord, we pray that you bless America, continue to be with us and accept our prayers. As we continue to do the work. You mandate it. You call for us to do and we pray that all things be done when one who is greater than all of us, our God, our Lord, our Savior, the God who created us all and gives us all the strength to move forward. Continue in our faith. Whatever it may be, and pray that you will be pleased with what goes on in this session today. And all things be done. Now Lord and Savior Jesus Christ name. Amen.
Thank you so much, Pastor Knox and thank you for actually coming down to join us today. We appreciate your presence. And feel free to stay as long as you can, sir. You'd have to leave out we understand as well. All right, we will go straight to our presentation for this morning. We have none other than our fearless leader, school board member, Sherry gay dag nogo, who is joining us today to give us a redistricting presentation and update Yes.
And before you start we're going to also cut off public comment. Public comment is cut off
Think we are waiting to lower the presentation. Yeah.
Good morning, Madam President and to this honorable body thank you all so much for providing an opportunity. I'm thankful for your staff that's assisting with getting our presentation, set to roll. But we want to be expedient with the time but just as someone who has served in this this house as a staffer, former staffer, I would be remiss during Black History if I didn't mention my former bosses, the Honorable Alberta Tinsley to lobby and the late Councilman Clyde Cleveland, as long as we continue to call their name the ancestors they will forever be with and will be remembered by us I have to also take a personal privilege to call the name of the last council member that I stood at stood at this table with was the honorable Joanne Watson, who's no longer with us and I just want to make sure that I call her name today as we continue to lift up the importance of black history. Thank you all again for this opportunity to again come and talk about the issue of redistricting from the state percept perspective. I know that the Detroit City Council is moving forward with their work to redistrict our city and I've received many calls and emails to that degree however, I'm coming to you today to discuss redistricting from the State House and Senate District seats. I see my councilman, entering Councilman James Tate. Thank you so much, redistricting, and we could just move forward on the slides. I'm going to skip a lot of the history and then I'll provide the deck later to share with your members as well as the public. But just as a historical perspective, we're dealing with ag versus Vinson redistricting update for seven House seats and Senate seats. Next slide please. Historically, I won't dig into the real history of our census and the 10 years every year that comes around for us to do the redistricting. But in the late I believe 1839 I can't see that well with or without glasses. But I'll go to that slide. It's it's kind of small can't see it from there. But we were considered it took five African American votes to make three votes, five African American votes to make three and it wasn't until one vote, one person was passed and with the Voting Rights Act of 1964 1965 that we were able to be counted as one and have equal access to the voting polls and go next. We talked I don't want to dig into the whole history of understanding what redistricting is but based on our population, which is why our citizens must complete the census they must complete the census because we know that the dollars that come from the federal government to the state legislature, I see a couple of members that I served with and that did serve in the house. Councilman Fred, your hall thank you and Councilwoman Mary waters, who understands this issue more than anybody and the appropriation that have to take place and how the dollars are distributed throughout our state and then to our city and various municipalities next, and if we don't fill out those census, we have challenges but there are strict guidelines that we must adhere to when redistricting making sure that we comply with the Voting Rights Act and the 14th Amendment, equal protection laws and those laws were passed in effect to make sure that African Americans and people of color have access to again equal voting protections. And anytime that representation is taken away, there are far reaching implications. I served six years in the legislature and certainly there one of the first issues that I had to deal with was the RE developing or restructuring, I should say, of Detroit Public Schools. We know those who understand the history of our city and our state know that much of the dismantling of DPS came at the hands of the state. However, it was framed, that we were getting a bailout and we know that in fact, it wasn't a bailout. But nonetheless, if we did not have Detroiters in the caucus room arguing on our behalf, educating our constituencies on both that Democratic and the Republican side, oftentimes they will blame Detroit for having the challenges that we had and we know that that was not the case with a once thriving 200,000 plus population district. Now just below 50,000, we can keep going. I'm skipping a lot of this history because I really want to get to the part that is most critical and important. I already spoke to the Voting Rights Act. I spoke to the how they do the redistricting. And so we know in Michigan that we pass a rush referendum in 2018 So make sure that a new commission now would draw the max in with a goal of taking the politics out of the map drawing process. While we know in doing that, they took away institutional memory as well. And so some of the members who actually helped draw those maps in 2010 Two of which are scholarly, I should say on top to make sure that this case was victorious. That's the honorable Lamar lemons and the honorable Virgil case Smith. We both historical cases we'll deal with that later. That's not why we're here today. We're going to keep moving forward, but we know that they are recent cases in Alabama and Louisiana in New York, all across this country, a maps that are being challenged but here locally, we are one that is unique because because the commission really moved into drawing these maps for the first time after they were put in place by that referendum. And it resulted in a democratic majority, a very thin Democratic majority, but a majority nonetheless. And so it's been challenging to move forward in this regard to make sure that Detroit residents were able to have representation that can represent them. Next slide please. And thankful for this plaintiff that's over here. Helping us Natalie be enemy to get through these slides. Traditional redistricting principles, compactness contiguity and making sure our maps comply and not just go across several counties at a time, as you saw the maps that did come out and those who are elected in those seats now. They go across at least three counties and when you're advocating for issues like auto no fault or our schools or a myriad of other issues, those that live in Oakland County, not to say that they don't have empathy for those of us who are dealing and really in the city of Detroit, but they have to also answer to their constituencies, and so as problematic in that regard. Next slide, please. I don't want to get into the Michigan principles but the commission had to draw the lines they had to comply. Unfortunately, under the construct in which they drew the lines it was under an expert Bruce Adelson was one of them, who has since resigned for giving them improper information, improper data and using the data instead of primary elections. As Fred complement Darryl Hall, and Councilwoman Mary waters know that our race is always won in the primary. They use presidential data and data that did not comport with making sure that they follow those principles. As they were guided by their expert. Next slide, please. That resulted in the floor data used. I covered that already. And again, I'll share these slides later. Next slide please. And then we.
press mute on the Zoom, maybe it's gonna teach your voice don't need no extra voice. It resulted in gerrymandering. And so the case went forward and we can go to the next slide. And that's drawing seats based on racial quotas. And so you hear half here I'm a teacher. I'm not going to read this for you this morning. But it explains gerrymandering to that effect of drawing seats with improper information based on race and we know that that should not have been done. Next slide, please. We also know that the Commission used what was called communities of interests, and as you heard lots of testimony and conversations about communities of interest. Unfortunately, some of the community of interest, I think, well, I don't think data showed or information showed, in the opinion of the judge that some of that was actually a cover up. When you talk about a community of interest with Geoff Chalmers council member Johnson being compared to and linked with gross point ah, and or St. Clair Shores said that they all had yachts and boats. We know that that is not the case. We know that there are some differences even in our LGBTQ community, and so bring it together Palmer Park and then Royal Oak, even their economic standards are a bit different. But when you look at something more blatant, like bright Moore and Birmingham being enjoined together, we know that they certainly did not share a community of interest. I represented that area and bright more next place. And so what was ignored in all of this whole equation was Detroit was the biggest largest community of interests. And I won't go into the long opinion by Judge Catholic, but he highlights that during the Commission's meetings, even Commissioner II who was thrown out of my alma mater Wang state, referred to Detroit Earth as having some nefarious goal or agenda when we spoke to the issues and testimony about the redistricting process, but other communities were the best source of information. And so that difference in treatment, it's all in the opinion, when you read it, you'll find out just how egregious the actions were. Next slide please. And so we it resulted in racial gerrymandering. Next slide, please. And we don't want to go into a whole lesson of retrogression and talking about fracking and fracking. We'll just slide through those go through those slides. I know I'm gonna I don't know how much time I have left. You're fine. Packing. That's something that they said that we did previous and it resulted in vote dilution in the city of Detroit because again, we have 22 districts that are spoke out all throughout Oakland and Macomb County and Wayne County, which makes it very difficult for a candidate of the communities choice to be elected. Next, barriers and disparities. We'll keep going. I spoke to some of those already. And then if you look at this map, and you can't see it that well I see some of the comments on top of it. But that darkened area is about 30% City of Detroit, everything else and this is former senator blocks, the redrawing of his district what resulted and an Oakland County resident winning that seat but she had a voting differential with 70% of the district's mat being in her across Oakland County across eight mile and then the voting differential on how the community votes in that area. There would be absolutely no way possible for a Detroiter or an African American to win that seat, not to even mention fundraising capacity. Next slide please. And so when you hear who this case is about, this is just a few of the plaintiff that a part of this case, I've heard all kinds of scenarios and stories but it's 20 African American people are just fighting for their fair chance Natalie B enemy who is here today, Karen Ferguson, Kimberly Hill, Mayor Glenda McDonald from Highland Park Shirley Ratan Devonte, sharar former city councilman from ecourse, Michigan and council president council member pro tem, Virginia Williams for Romulus. Next slide please. Next slide, please. There we go. So the plaintiff filed the lawsuit in March of 2022. We're coming up to an anniversary. We'll keep going and it was fouled on the base of this flawed information. We won December 21 2023. The three panel judge opinion came forward showing that they had secret meetings, lack of transparency. They had the wrong data election information. They used race as a factor even though some of the commissioners did not know hits. They testified on our behalf in court. And again, I just want to give kudos and thanks to the honorable Mr. Lemons and the honorable Virgil Kai Smith, whose testimony helped to truly guide the information in this case and the judges understanding of why it was difficult when people are asking so why do you have a problem with having a district that spans into Macomb County? All you have to do is look to US Representative Donovan McKinney McKinney, who was detained three times by police officers. I too have walked in districts for my colleagues that did not look like us. And my team was detained years ago and so we have a myriad of stories of how this happens. And so it's not as easy for us to run and win in those districts as it is in some instances for them to run and win our district. Next slide please. We won as I say that, and then the defendants filed an emergency stay with SCOTUS, the US supreme court denied their request for stay. Even though the Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson enjoined in the request to stay the redrawing of those maps. We are grateful that we still were victorious on January 22 2024, going forward please.
And so thank you, thank you to this body for those that were there this day that we stood together to make sure that we get the word out. I know many of you got my text at the last minute I thank you for accommodating me in my advocacy to make sure that we get the word out standing together regardless to the lawsuit or your belief on the lawsuit. I'm just grateful for those that shared the information. And all of you I believe helped to make sure that we get the word out about these hearings because part of the judgment was for the commission to draw the districts and to receive feedback from Detroit. But unfortunately, no marketing dollars was spent and no information was was sent to up to more than 700,000 residents in the city of Detroit. So it's gonna take all of us to do that again. Next slide, please. Whoa, whoa, I really can't see that. So what is next the dates this week, February the eighth. There will be an additional hearing the commission was required to put their maps in the portal by February the second they have put in, I believe nine maps. The Michigan democratic Black Caucus also has a map and will be coming forward with a conversation with the public soon on that map, which is being led by Chairman Keith Williams and his team at the Michigan democratic Black Caucus. But because those maps were put in the portal, they are to be discussed and be selected and weighed in upon by Detroiters. I don't know if any of you all tune in and listen. Oftentimes it is people from all over this state that are on those commission meetings weighing in and their first ask is for partisan fairness. And I'm for partisan fairness, but the requirements of redistricting ranks voting rights act first to make sure that African Americans will not be displaced, discriminated against and so we have to make sure that we once again get the word out there's a few dates up there I believe February the eighth see how good my memory is and February the 15th our hearings back to back that will be taking place virtually. They also I believe have to have an in person meeting by no later than February the 23rd. The maps need to be submitted for review and for compliance because the Secretary of State will be responsible for making sure that those maps are in place before the primary deadline, which is April 23 2024, for anyone that is running. And so that's why I'm here today to make sure that we update citizens to let them know that there are new maps. These maps will go live for this upcoming house election. The judge the three panel judges did request that we do hold the Senate elections in the general in the cycle in which they would already be in place to minimize any undue harm to other citizens who might be left without a senator or caught in the Venn diagram of this whole lawsuit. And so I think that to a measure is fair, it is clear that we have already been harmed. For those who sit in those seats or who who live in those seats and those who perhaps ran in those seats unfairly. But the first set of maps the seventh house seats are the seats that are very important and making sure that the information go forward for residents to know that they can weigh in on February the eighth February the 15th and before February the 23rd. I believe that is the full scope. There are a couple of other dates in there, I believe March 30 is the last date in which the judges will weigh in they have the ultimate decision to do so. We do have two special masters. One that is an expert who's reviewing the Commission's maps and a separate Special Master. Thank you. Thank you so much. A separate special master that is has another set of Mac's in the event. In the event, the Commission's mat do not comport and still show challenges. And I believe the judges did that because there was such a huge disarray. With members resigning from the Commission. Them still seemingly wanting to spend in excess of $7 million. We're trying to still move forward with a lawsuit in this regard. But the judges have made it crystal clear the Supreme Court has made it crystal clear that we have an opportunity for seats that do comply with vra and the special protections of the 14th amendment. So I believe that is it if any of your listeners would like to be a part of our efforts and to receive this information on an ongoing basis. Because we do send out those updates. I can be reached at Sheree that's s h e r y the number for detroit@gmail.com. Again thank you all for your amazing camaraderie standing together your nine it to make sure that it truly is Detroit vs. Everybody. Thank you so much. And black sheet leadership does matter not just to our Black History Month, but all 365 days of the year. Thank you so much.
Thank you, Sherry. Thank you so much. And as I mentioned at the press conference, we truly appreciate you I know you don't want credit at all, you know, but we appreciate your fight. Because I watch you and I just commend you for the work you're doing on behalf of the people that are here. So we appreciate you. We thank you also wanted to mention I think there's two other in person meetings that I saw. I'm not sure if this is correct. Wednesday February the 21st at greater Grace Temple. So Thursday the 27th easier. Yes.
Thank you. If I could have Natalie Beata, me to please stand. I appreciate her. It takes all of us working together but had not been for people like Natalie stepping up and Natalie attended over 30 commission meetings and working in this effort and so she experienced firsthand what we dealt with and having Detroit to be ignored. And so I just want to make sure that it is clear that I learned from the late great Annette rainwater how to organize I'm sure many of us have had to deal with the late great and that rain water but I'm the person in the in the background, but right here are plaintiffs. I can't thank them enough for stepping up and standing up to make sure that we fight to get the rights of Detroiters, all Detroiters fair access to the voting bloc, thank you so much.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Any comments or questions member? Doha?
Thank you Madam President and good morning. Representative gay Danielle gall wants to rep always the rep a board member. I just want to thank you personally for your leadership on this. It is not easy. I know that folks have varying opinions on it. But I'm reminded we came in a house together. There were 10 Detroit seats. Every single seat represented the city of Detroit Yes. And looking now in this past redistricting period, you look at the seats expand out further and further. And while there may be Detroit folks who sit in those seats now who live in the city of Detroit as time goes on, and you know, like I know they don't take into certain factors such as voter turnout, which could affect that election if the population of another county or another city or municipality does not Detroit comes out in full force and votes for that person who lives in that municipality or city. It could affect the reputation representation for the city of Detroit and also just the communities of interest. How you touched on that I think is very important. Each city and municipality obviously has different issues that they go through. But nobody knows Detroit residents like Detroit residents, and that's why they elect them to serve them and send them to Lansing on their behalf. You know, like I know we've been in a fight whether it's DPS, whether it's funding for the city of Detroit or some of our vital programs here. That representation is important. So thank you so much for what you're doing. I just really wanted to tell you thank you and to Lamar lemons, as well as word Will Smith for carrying that mantle for all of us and particularly former legislators who have had the opportunity to to see how these lines have been drawn. And the representation for our city has been lost in a certain way. And so thank you so much. If possible, we'd love to get a copy of this slideshow as well and just have the ability to inform folks again of the process. I had a meeting last night about our redistricting that we're going to be voting on today. But a question came up about what about the State House districts What about the state senate districts and so we'd love to have you come and engage with the residents of district seven as well because they have many questions relative to this process and what has been done but great job you always been a fighter. I know you will continue to be so thank you so much. And
let me thank you madam president, if I may say one thing because he brought something else to my memory that I meant to say just wanted to rush and be respectful of your time. But I see Senator Young is in here. It would be remissed on all of us if after in full support. This this case, Senator Sylvia Santana when she leaves the Senate that is the only black member we have representing the city of Detroit. Once she leaves the Senate, if we don't correct those seats and those maps in the right way. Erica guys is also there. She lives in Taylor. She's from Texas from Taylor. She represents a part of Detroit but once both of them leave those seats, there is no black Senate representation, it would be zero under the current maps. And so that's why this is so important. It's so egregious. And we have to make sure that we get it changed again. The first step is the house. And then the next election 2026 will be the Senate seats. But you're absolutely right. There are so many applications that we don't even have time to talk about today revenue sharing and the like that if we don't get it, right, we're gonna get shafted in the end and so not on my watch and not on you guys watch. So thank you so much.
Thank you so much. And then just one more quick thing about the proposed masks where people can actually find the proposed mats. And then from my understanding, there has been organizations like the NAACP that have come out to support one particular Matt, I'm not sure if you can maybe speak to that. Yeah. So
I can't really speak to it because it was a it was a coalition of folks that came together. That Mac to me still, I believe was I think partisan fairness kind of led, and I'm appreciative of their work standing together in that regard, I think it was better than these, but it still goes. compactness is one of the issues. And so if you were to look at that map, it still spans across Oakland and Macomb County. That map was not taken up by the commission. So it's not a map that has been considered but there are additional maps, I believe, Commissioner Kalam, who is from Detroit, has a Spirit of Detroit map that is in the Puerto portal. There's a water lily map. There's a few maps that are in there that if you take time and look through them, we know that there are challenges for our residents to navigate the the software of the mat, it was challenging for some of us as well. So when you think about the technology barrier, any opportunity that you all collectively can show your residence. Natalie is an expert by the way, if you happen to need somebody that can show you a residence on a zoom, how to navigate those maps and present to your residents. She's nailed it. And so just want to make sure that we do that so that they get a chance to see because the time is like ticking and want to make sure that if they can't comment on something that they can't actually see okay. All right. Thank you.
Councilmember Young.
Thank you, ma'am. President. State Representative. School Board Member Dan Gill, always a pleasure, always good to see you loop every time. I just wanted to give you a little bit of my perspective. As you said I did service in the upper chamber. And during that time, in 2010, we lost 25% of our population. And because of that, almost all not all but majority of the distances to Detroit were in the city of Detroit and then went from going to the city Detroit to expanding outside of that and so what happened was is the Republicans were in charge of house Senate
governorship Cortes
Republican who was leading the redistricting effort at that time and my name is Joel you as he told us specifically look, you could draw these districts anyway you want to just do not go outside of Wayne County. And that was deported me one because as a son of the honorable Coleman Young singer, best mentor ever bass me on the planet I must say so myself. I was representing I was holding his seat. So had personal as well as historical relevance to me. But also it was because during that process, it was one of the most political processes, partisan processes to me, because I felt like I was picking my voters rather than my voters picking me. I didn't like it. I didn't like the way it was done. I didn't like some of the negotiations that I was having. I felt it was more about you know, forcing political advantage in terms of the next election, rather than the best representation of what the citizens needed. And I was kind of disgusted about it afterwards. So I thought that the independent review commission based on the merits was a really good thing. And I was one of the first people to support it because of that feeling of disgust. I would have never thought in a million years that this process would have been used to deny. Good Choices deny black people to violate the Voting Rights Act. In the way so blatantly partisan, blatantly in the way that I'm not knocking the people who got elected, you know, we're in the suburbs. I'm not knocking them. Congrats to them their exit representation. I'm not dogging them, but the law is the law and the reason why that exists is for a reason, because people shed Blood Sweat Tears, and died for us to have that basic right. And I think that black people in this country, it's rare because we're one of the few people that had to actually work up to prove ourselves to be human to achieve these rights. Right. You started this property and then had to work to prove our humanity to get the human rights. I don't think you can really see that anywhere in the world, where it's constitutionally sanctioned as such. So the reason why I'm telling that wanted to tell you my perspective, and I just wanted to tell you that this morning to say I'm so appreciative of the work that you're doing, be not wearing your well doing because you're doing a lot of good things that will outlast you without live your life. So I appreciate it. But I just want to just ask you this question. Are you taking this for a position where we just need to improve the independent review commission or do you just think just based on the way this is done, that it would be better if we go back to the process we had before or maybe a hybrid of another process? Just base the way this is done just so pleasingly just wrong and offensively in your position? So thank
you and you raise the same sentiment that I did. Unfortunately, far too often. Those of us who have been elected receive a bad rap just because we're elected. Sometimes you hear politician being used, you know, in a slanderous way, but you can't take away institutional memory and understanding none of us will always agree on the same policy ideology and ways to get to improve in our communities, but we all sign up to do that. To that degree, I too, came on board and support it what I believe would be a process that would allow citizens to be engaged because I believe citizens should be a part of the process. But Hindsight is 2020. And the commissioner is being selected in this process. You know, the nefarious makeover alien strategy still crept in the process because at my science teacher hat, says that you have to have a rubric to determine who would best serve in key roles, and having some of that in place and who would best serve as the expert so what happened? You remove the elected officials and people don't know in 2010, you do and you alluded to it. Many of the black senators helped to draw the seats in 2010. And were able to preserve what existed in the city of Detroit. But now you have 13 Complete novices. And I say that respectfully, with a goal to redraw the seats and play their civic duty. But an expert was the one who led the charge. They had to rely on Him and if you again, look at that long opinion by Judge Catholic you'll see evidence where Bruce Adelson told them even when they said I'm not comfortable, lowering the be that the black voting age population, he said you must go lower, lower, lower and so this is in there, he made them sign a nondisclosure agreement, to not report out of their secret meeting that he was telling them to go lower, lower, lower. And so it would seem if I were conspiracy theorists, that somebody conspired against those of us in the city of Detroit, to not have an opportunity to be represented and this process has to be fixed before it can move forward. And so there needs to be some amendments. to that process. We can no longer depend on one expert, leading 13 people astray as commissioners because you took it away from the legislators, but now you have someone that was supposed to be an expert, who led them down a path of absolute destruction. So it has to be fixed before they could ever redraw any other maps or a new commissioners. That would be a part of this process in the next census cycle. So you're right. Yeah.
That's excellent. And I just want to say this just excellent pants. I just want to get this for context. I'm not asking the question here. So my district started primarily from Detroit. And it went when the redistricting got done, we lost 25% of our pot it went from altar row rode all the way to the city of Gibraltar. You know, I was representing wind I'll represent ecourse I'll represent river whoo Rouge represent wood to Haven Township. Okay, when almost, you know halfway down, you got to downriver pretty much. And so I think that's a big shift, you know, in 10 years and and I understand the population has lost it slowed I think last year, this recent 2020 census, you know, stop early. is being challenged. I think he was about 10%, loss and city choice somewhere in there. So it's still an issue, but he's less than he was before. And I think the reason why I'm saying is because I understand that a lot that you're dealing with it's or the population loss and how the maps are, but if there's a will, there's a way, and it's the law, so I just feel that there wasn't enough consideration taken to actually make sure that black people have access to representation and the right to vote, and all the attacks that we're having on the right to vote and the elimination because it showed me Beholder in terms of preclearance. That's why we're dealing with a lot of the problems and hurdles that are being put in our face by the Republican Party to stop letting for voting. And so I think what you're doing trying to enshrine that basic human civil right is a good thing and I applaud you. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you all I can I appreciate I appreciate it. All
right. Thank you. Thank you so much. We appreciate you. And we will make sure we get out the information when the forthcoming hearings, both virtually and in person. So thank you so much.
Thank you. Thank you all. I appreciate you. All right.
Thank you
all right. We will proceed back to our agenda for this morning. The Journal of the session of Tuesday, January the 23rd will be approved there being no reconsiderations or unfinished business. We will proceed to the internal operations standing committee or the internal operations committee, where reports so various city departments for reports will be referred to the internal operations standing committee or the Neighborhood and Community Services standing committee submitted with one memorandum. The one memorandum will be referred to the neighborhoods committee or the public health and safety committee. 18 reports from various city departments 18 reports will be referred to the public health and safety standing committee. We will now move to the voting action matters under other matters. There are no items Madam President, under communications from the mayor and other governmental officials and agencies. Yeah, no, I was Madam President. All right. We will call for general public comments in everyone will have a minute and a half for public comments. Starting with Miss Moore. Miss we need a more problem by cutting hands.
Come on. Okay. My problem is okay. RPI and shipper said do not do no inspections. Okay. But but they have and they are not they did not give her no reports. They never sent one they said they sent three okay. And I had an letter from a text message from which they sent her where they said they never did none. Okay, I'm glad my inspection is today. And hopefully everything go well, but I went yesterday and the only reason they sent her a copy of the what needs to be done in the house it because I went down there yesterday and I asked for a copy of myself since I left there. They sent sent her a copy and she called in that right when they sit up and screamed alone and not doing the right place. Not do what they're supposed to do for the house versus getting our housing and not right when our ICMA ch s don't do their job like they're supposed to and make sure that we are put in these homes they just try to give you anything they want to set up or not and hold you up from where you want to be. It's not right and it's not right for them to put you anywhere. I think you have a right where area they stay in when they want and where they want to stay. Thank you. All right. Thank
you. Thank you so much, Miss Moore. I'll make sure my team gets it from you, Miss Moore. Thank you. Mr. Cunningham. Followed by Rubin Brawley followed by Jeffrey Jones.
Good morning, morning 134449114. And on Facebook retroactive fairness, two words. I got any anybody any bus to get to get back home? I'll let me before I leave. I'm still looking at my bus tickets, hand warmers, and gloves. Thank you, counsel people Errbody and Councilman Young's office, especially these gloves, have the tips on them where you can use your phone without taking your glove off. So that's what everyone has been talking about. Um, I am concerned about the handicap parks. We have a nightly city council meetings and the nightly mayor's meetings. It would be two or three handicap spots but they're blocked off because the security and there was an event that I went to. It was a city event and there's a lot of people that had to walk a block and a half and there's other people walking with canes. I fell over once you know some Sunday sunlight in wintertime is bad for me and my spine and my back and my leg and the summer is better. But there's a lot of people I'm probably speaking for when it comes to nightly mirror meeting and nightly city council meeting an event by the city. They should have 10 temporary handicap spots for folks and then get back on transit. When everybody to ride the buses get on the coaches. Don't be too uppity talk to the people. The buses are at their worst after 6pm weekly and only weekends. But again hopefully i i articulated properly about the handicap spots and it's a nice
defending him and we could follow up with you to see if we can do a memo to just get a status of the handicap parking around city parks. Is that what you say? Oh event events at events. Okay. City council meeting the meeting. Okay. And we have your information. So we'll follow up with you offline. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you.
All right. Good seeing you. Thank you, sir. Good to see Rubin Crowley, followed by Jeffrey Jones followed by Betty Lyons.
actually come up next. Maybe so I feel I'm gonna just let you know. I want you to know from my mouth to your ears. James Taylor's Well, I'm one of the coldest over the last four decades here in the city of Detroit, one of the coldest you know, only say that because some of the coldest ones have told me so to my face and conversation over the last 40 years. Now, what we got is Fred door Hall. Now 27 confirmed absentee ballot fraud cases in your district 27 can find that 58 No but we only 15% 10 to 15% through the list. And 58 Number is gonna be acquired. You're not supposed to be an SC now I'm Oh petition to appear before City Council Mayor Sheffield to present the information by absentee ballot for you on a Detroit Election Commission. I know you're gonna vote it down. I expect that take place. But to the citizens residents and taxpayers of the city of Detroit, we got massive absentee ballot fraud going on in our rows lead to Department of Elections. You're gonna Detroit Election Commission with the chairman Janice Winfrey, and crafty Conrad mallet. Y'all don't want to take up the issue of absentee ballot fraud here in the city and James Tate the next time you call that woman, the grieving mother condition calm and mix it in me. I got to worry.
That's your time. That's your time. Mr. Brawley. Betty Lyons. Oh, I'm sorry. Jeffrey, Jeffrey Jones. Sorry about that. Mr. Jones. All right. All right.
Good morning to this honorable body. My name is Jeffrey Jones. I'm a lifelong resident of Hope village, Lynwood in Davidson. I'm also the executive director of Hope village revitalization, the CDC that represents those 107 blocks. It's a sad day for us, because we understand that we're going to be leaving our district too. It's a sad day for us because as I sat through the presentation about the state redistricting the juxtaposition of us talking about losing representation, being a part of a district where I'm on Linwood and Finkle, but our representatives represent downtown and midtown and Boston Edison. I wouldn't be honest with you, if I didn't say I'm worried that my name would go gonna get left out of the mix. We love what's going on downtown we're excited by but we're doing big things in hope Village. We're going to be the northern section of the Joe Lewis Greenway. We're going to be the home to Detroit horsepower. The largest urban Equestrian Center in America. This didn't happen overnight. We spent decades working car rolling our sleeves up cleaning our alleys, reporting dope house, marching with the police to shut down the criminal element. We know you have to do this, but it doesn't change our emotions and our feelings of sad. But I want to say for the record, don't forget about hope. Don't forget about the other neighborhoods impacted by this redistrict. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Jones. We appreciate you and all that you do with hope Village and I'm sure that will continue regardless of what happens with these maps. Okay. Betty Lyons.
I encourage you to read the Detroit retired city Employees Association newsletter containing articles about millions and billions of dollars from the retirement fund that is being played with monies belonging to the retirees how Mayor Dugan appointed Nick keel Patel to the Detroit Treasurer's Office. Who is this Patel? There is no credentials or experience listed. Is the puppet to be used to rape Detroit retirement fund or is he of the Patel's from India who bow to 1000s of idols or is he both? I can imagine Mayor Dugan salivating over all that money he will have from the retirement fund in order to satisfy the insatiable appetite of greed of himself Dan Gilbert and cronies, Mayor Dugan to put forth what appears promising for the retirees however, as the last sentence reveals the deception it reads. There is no information and nothing has been finalized. Again, in my opinion. He has the spirit of emelec all Yes. Don't forget, I am here for justice so that I get my overpaid property taxes for justice. I want justice and my money. What is mine don't.
Right. Good morning, Madam President, council members. My name is Nico salimos. I'm the Sales Director at display group. Display group is a 32 year old company that's been based in Detroit for all 32 years. We're currently in the old Packard plant which was one's building 22. The reason I'm here today is regarding agenda item 15.3, which is the contract for providing media and production services and media equipment. As a full service audio video production company based here in the city of Detroit. We were asked why we didn't submit a bid and I wanted to come here this morning just to express that this was due to an oversight on our part and oversight that we are working to correct. However, it was not an intentional decline to bid and therefore just wanted to express that as a proud corporate citizen, we would have be very grateful for the opportunity and be glad to submit a response if such a response is required in the future for these services. So thank you.
Thank you, sir.
Madam Chair.
Yes, sir. Member Callaway,
thank you for coming out this morning. Thank you for being based in Detroit legitimately, not just a chair and a table, chair and a desk. You are legitimately located in the city of Detroit and had been operating from the city for all those years. So thank you for that. And we look forward to your bids in the future and thank you for doing all the good work that you and your company does and has been doing. Thank you, sir.
Thank you. Councillor McKelvey.
Thank you, sir. Thank you so much. All right. Next
morning,
morning.
Know you're possibly doing the voting of the redistricting. I'm just here to say that I'm supporting the proposed six map keeps my neighborhood pretty much intact. I know we're pretty much disrupts a lot of other neighborhoods like the other proposed maps but it is what it is. I also want to speak about the trash collection pickup I heard that you all are talking about picking up trash weekly now bulk trash, residential helping out with some of the dumping that's going on, and I'm all for it.
50 seconds.
Also, I'm all for solar power, especially for the residents. I heard at some past meetings that they're looking for like what 10 To 20 acres collectively in a lot of Detroit really doesn't have that. That's present. I'm president my block club neighbors from Lansdale. We do have some vacant lots. And if something like that does occur, you know, residents do have access to solar energy they can build on vacant lots, put it in their yard on their homes on their garages to benefit from that. I think that will help out a lot of citizens especially low to moderate income residents. I got about 10 More seconds but I won't take up no more your time.
Peace. All right, thank you. Miss Burton.
Good morning Council. Thank you for allowing me to speak. I'm standing on behalf and asking for support of option six. I won't go into our legacy neighborhood. I've got a new name for generational just saying that we were raised in Midwest neighborhood. We worshiped in Midwest neighborhood we rolled up our sleeves and advocated and Ken will always advocate for Midwest neighborhood as that is a property that we inherited. From our parents grandparents. So we're really proud and we stand on that blood sweat and tear and their shoulders and their prayers and everything. So we ask that you vote for option six. And on another note, and we'll have some paperwork, our blacks Task Force person wrote Shan Long, put in some information about an auto facility. That's another thing. That's when we first started our big fight with the proliferation of auto facilities in our area. And we had one in particular that we did our due diligence and going to the hearing, advocating for them not to come into that area. It was during the moratorium and just over the weekend, we understand that it was a trap transportation they put in for a medical transportation and have magically converted that to a auto clinic. So we're going to need some help with that and that information is in the works and on the way so we ask for support that as well.
One second, Ms. Burton member Dora wants to respond to you
through members Santiago Romero because I know this is her district but you spoke specifically on the moratorium that existed and we pass ordinances this past year relative to stopping the proliferation of those auto related businesses, particularly a D six and D seven, which we see so many. And so I would love to work with members Santiago Romero's office as well to find out what that issue is, because maybe there's also a piece of a loophole that may exist and maybe we need to revisit that. Because it sounds like they're they open under the auspices of another business, but are still operating as the same. And I don't think we addressed that in that or in our ordinance, but maybe we need to take a deeper look at that. So I would love to get that information from Mr. Santiago Merrill's office as well. And from you about that. Thank you, Madam President. Thank
you. Appreciate you. All.
Right, thank you.
Good morning, Madam President and honorable body are you doing? I'm speaking here. On behalf of the Community Advisory Council and district seven. I'm a supportive met five. Viewing of the maps
will pretty much get rid of our high end real estate and also the Dexter Elmhurst center with map five we will be able to keep both Dexter Amber's are high in real estate in
in Russell woods and pretty much key
very similar map that that we all have now. So I'm once again I'm in support of a map five, like free time. You're on nobody. Alright,
thank you so much, Clinton. Mr. Shelton.
Morning Good Morning to the residents and taxpayer of this great city. My name is Malik Shelton, and I just like to start off by saying that public tax dollars public money is for public benefit and for public purpose. elected as well as appointed officials in government offices are first and foremost. The only reason why we have you. And the reason why we have government is to serve the interests of the public, the taxpayers, and the residents. Mississippi godspeed are Goodspeed, the Detroit auditor general she recently released a report showing how the city was not following the guidelines of Duggins executive order but what has not been mentioned is that the city is also not following the hood, section three guidelines which is a federal law that came out of on the heels of the death, Assassination of the great late great Dr. Martin Luther King and he's hurt. He's hurt section three guidelines are extremely important in his city. Detroit is not following them in terms of whenever the city receives federal funds HUD funds like CDBG Grants section 108 loans is supposed to ensure anywhere from 51% to 25% of jobs and contracts go to the local residents. Just a couple of months ago I was before James Tate's committee and I proved that was not being followed by the duly Schneider who heads of HRD they couldn't disprove anything I had to say.
Thank you, Mr. Shelton. Weather Gregory love.
Good morning, Madam President. Morning to this honorable body. Tray Gregory love the chairman of district five community advisory council. retired firefighters city of Detroit and I come before you this morning on this very important day that you must make a selection. There were initially five options because of a group or a couple of groups, particularly the gritstone community. You pushed your vote off until today. This vote is extremely important, and I wish so many others have come out. This council has made a gallant effort to socialize this city charter mandate based on the consequences of the 2020 census. There will be two three things, one unhappy people, two winners and three really losers in my district district five and I would say that both the at large council person is Mary waters. And Councilman young, we ask that you select Option six, three would have been fine. But now you have six we asked for you to vote for six. It's very important to us, myself and one of my colleagues will be moved into District Four. We've worked with Councilwoman Johnson and we know her work so we're not unhappy. The other three will be as it is, but folks will be thank you so much.
Thank you. Thank you so much Gregory Lowe. And Mr. Foster you will be our last in Person public comment.
Good morning morning through the
Chair. I'm just wanting to speak a few days been a Democrat is more than just a vote. It's a set of values. And so when we are electing people, we cannot afford to sell our boats to the highest bidder. We have to have people that represent our issues and their constituents. The only way that we get our Black Caucus in our city is by incorporating our youth and our grassroot people as citizens in our city. We have to do better and task force that you all are created and I'm very grateful for that. But we have to have people that are citizens can buy in. had no values, and we have to respect our citizens not just during the election years, you know, we need all these programs and services and attention all four years, not just when an election time come around. And so, more importantly, personally, my stay on top of a lot of things. I don't agree with any of those Democratic candidates up there, I don't know half of them or their work and like we've said there, there's nowhere in the world. Anybody can represent both Detroit and across eight mile. Our issues are too important. To let that go on. So I asked that we started establishing and identifying people within our community call to coaching you know, to be leaders and putting them in a position to represent us.
Thank you, sir. Thank you, Mr. Foster. We appreciate you alright, that concludes in Person public comment. And again, thank you all who took the time to come down. And we will now turn it over to those who have joined us virtually. And how many callers do we have this morning?
Good morning, Madam President. There were 32 callers who raise their hand before you would cut off public comment. The first caller is Jennifer Pasha.
All right, good morning, Miss Pasha.
Good morning City Council. Thank you so much for your time today. I'm behind in district five and on behalf of our magical hunk community. I want to say I humbly ask the City Council who passes the bookshop proposal regarding the trash pickup in our area we had some vacant land and a few vacant homes and it will be celebrate with this new proposal because it will allow the traffic to be with me for regular pickup as well as bulk and not only just for residents that are currently currently living in their homes, but also whether vacant land and where there are vacant homes. We have individuals that dump all the time and this would really help our community as well in our area as well as the city of Detroit. And secondly, with everything that's happening with global warming. We are so supportive and downhill about solar power processes. If you use our area's guinea pigs, we'd be so appreciative of it because we are so supportive of what's happening with solar power. And we really need the city of Detroit to step up the game and get up to as well as other cities with regards to solar power and all of those processes so thank you so much for your time. God bless you, city council, and God bless the city of Utah. Thank you so much for considering these request. Thank you
Thank you.
The next caller is Beverly Jones.
Morning.
Good Morning City Council. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to comment. My name is Beverly Jones and with the Tassie SC to go. Neighborhood Association and I also live in this community. I received some information actually got a text about the trash collection options that are being made available or proposed. I was actually quite surprised that the current vacant lot inside service roads are not included as part of trash pickup. And that this would be a new service provided. I'm a little concerned paying additional $10 each year for a cap at 30 Over the next three years without there being some type of performance metrics in place to show that the cost of what I would be paying additionally, is is worth it when we struggle today with the trash that's being dumped in these locations. And again, I'm very surprised that our current tax dollars is not covering such services. So if we move forward with that, I would expect that the people that live in those services would be held accountable if I'm going to be paying additional money or our residents will be paying additional money for such services and that those accountability measures are followed up on and reported on before any increases go forward in the future.
Okay, thank you for sharing that. Thank you.
The next caller is champion
the morning thank you.
Good morning. Thank you for taking my call. May I be her?
Yes you can.
My name is Phyllis champion and I'm a district District One resident. I'm going to say yes for the waste. The solid waste contract, but I have a few questions and they are what are the qualifications for the senior citizen solid waste discount. How the seniors informed isn't based on income. What where and how does one apply? And how often? The my answer when I say yes, it's based on the answers to those questions. I have some concerns about that. Thank you so much.
All right. Thank you so much. And we will make sure that the director addresses those when he comes on for that discussion of that line item. So thank you for calling in ma'am.
We our next caller is Mayor mea Can you hear me?
Yes we can. Good morning.
Good morning.
My name is Mia and I am calling in about the grid still farms being in favor of being included with the solar fields. So I am with the black club for the grip sail farm area which goes specifically our black club goes from where to Charleston, Hollywood from Hollywood to Brant will were in favor the seller. It's a whole solution for us. Individual investors have not been able to make a difference on these streets right here out for what word is seven. Now, for those who us. Those of us who are staying the benefits would help us make proper repairs and have safer homes. There was a horrible fire a couple of weeks ago. We do need the resources for those of us who are selling. We will be buying elsewhere in the city of Detroit so we will still be sanding the city of Detroit. This is an overall solution to the drugs prostitution and blight. The individual separate efforts have not worked and our neighborhood needs to be a recipient of the solar grant funding. And that is the group still firms area. There's a lot of people that are opposed. They do not live on our specific streets. There are about five or six streets over which have been able to maintain through all the debate that has been happening over the few decades. They're dissatisfied with the aesthetics, but they have not come up with a solution. We do need a solution holistically. That can happen quickly. With this solar grant funding. Being able to impact all of us it will be the best thing for that 40 acres out there and Bristol Farms thank you
the next caller is no new illegal taxes.
All right. Good morning.
Good morning Council Good morning cop proud to President no on the taxes up for the trash you already Oh what $600 million to a billion dollars. Let me pay for that for us. Okay, since you already got the money no for that. The preacher says he wants to bless Israel. Can we ask God to condemn Israel? They're murdered, murdered 30,000 people and counting and you may as well bless Hitler. The progress fund is can be used to pay for the tax at any up don't ask us for no more money until you pay us off $600 million to a billion dollars that you also asked us for nothing else. Tom Gore, brother, you need to go on and find out why y'all can't win one game no to the billionaire acid for another tax break and other welfare check. Tell Tom Gore, no. Yes. Henry Ford Hospital no for the billionaire. He can go in get get go On time door, go to your bank and borrow some money. And then you can then you can sponsor your own billion down to treasure over here building some tiny houses for a to keep black people from being able to have their families live in the city that's been loaded up houses at least 100,000 houses Give us our money back and who all's reparations? Council member president you need to check that because somebody is taking money out of the reparations task force.
So I just have to respond to that because I just don't want misinformation being spread like that. And that is that is not true. And again, I just be very cautious of spreading information like that. So there is a project manager that has been hired. All of their meetings are public, and they do have some conversation at the last public meeting about how funds are being spent. And so again, all of that information is reported and it's public, for residents to attend and view those meetings as well. Uh, thank you for calling in. And our next caller, please.
next caller is Ruth Johnson.
Good morning. May I be heard?
The morning yes, you can miss Johnson. Good morning.
Ruth Johnson seated Community Development advocates of Detroit I first want to talk about the future of health project. See that in our members, especially those in and around the impact area, encourage the developers to utilize our expertise and experience and we encourage this council to figure out ways to use the expertise in housing and accessibility and in serving the community. As a part of the Housing Trust Fund. We encourage council to require the developer to make significant annual contributions to the fund as part of the community benefits agreement equitable Detroit coalition, we insist that the agreement address the needs of Detroiters, especially those in the impact area not the needs of developers or others because we should center community benefits on the community. Regarding City Council redistricting. I joined with our member Jeff Jones of Hope village as well as many other seed add members and partners expressing concern about dividing neighborhoods and neighborhood organizations understanding that there's a lot to be dealt with. We're not taking a position as to any particular map. Lastly, I want to bring to the attention that the files are not found for 2.1 2.3 and 21.2 through 21.4 and it's difficult to be prepared and engaged and informed without this information.
Right Thank you Miss Johnson.
The next caller is Sandra Sterling.
Good morning. My name is Sandra Sterling. I'm the president of Calvary Community Association, district one. I have concerns in regards to a few of our ordinance that are not being followed and hoping that inspectors will be able to take advantage of city ordinance to 91110 and apical vehicles in our area. Also 9110 for excessive weeds and plants. Growth and two to two to four or five containers left at the curbside. These are some of the things that will control blight in our area if inspectors as they come through the areas would take time to write down this information provided back to the city and also with d t when they remove branches from trees from the trees falling on the lines. If DTE would contact the city of Detroit to let them know they have put things at the curb site so that it can be picked up in a timely manner. Those are my concerns and thank you guys.
All right, thank you.
The next caller is William M. Davis.
can be heard? Yes you can.
Okay some of you may or may not know I'm vice president department, Harlem neighborhood association, also and we had a meeting last night with our councilman for a DUA, and in that the vast majority of people in district seven was on that we actually took a poll and the vast majority of people prefer option six. Option six is Dell is one of the ones that will help to keep the black McFarlane and aviation areas within districts. Seven. We do not want to be pushed into District Six and also there may be a problem if we are pushed into District Six and that, you know, like say that'd be a problem in that. Did Blackmer Farmleigh aviation area is one of the strongest voting areas in the city. And if we go to District Six, that probably chances are not due to the ability for a Hispanic to be elected over there. You know, and I think that option six is the fairest for all of the city of Detroit. You know, I don't like none of the new options, but option six is the fairest. The vast majority of the people in the city of Detroit. So I hope that everybody a good conscience will be voting for that. I understand that some options like option five will might make it easier so that you don't have to city council people voting having to compete against each other for city elections, but you should be doing what's best for the people.
Thank you. Thank you.
The next caller is phone number ending in 7659. Morning
Good Morning. Yes, my name is Francis rollin.
I'm in district one.
And I was I want to know about what was calling about the trash collection survey. I am for yet because it would mean that we have less blight and I area in our community. And they pick it up, I guess long as they pick it up every week. And also the vacant lots, the side streets and all of that. But one of my other concerns is after the three years where do we go from there? I know it's what $10 A year but are they gonna have a plan in place after the three years and also the solar power. I would love to see that in our area. The Finkel Greenfield area and I'm also a part of Kava Community Association also and also act and President for core street block club. But the trash collected survey I am for that but not for the one that would pick it up every week. And that's all I have to say on that. Thank you very much.
All right. Thank you. Thank you for calling in.
The next caller is hopeful.
All right. Good morning.
Good morning and through the Chair may I be heard? Again. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Mrs. Gatsby. She was treated horribly by the council and by the Creo representative who's telling her her job and what she should do. If we're losing $2 million. You're asking us to pay more money into a general fund that you all are robbing especially you Mr. Hall and your pilot programs. I would like to know when these people are exempt from paying general fund taxes. Are they paying for their garbage pickup? That's my question. Also, I don't see the paperwork for most of the files that should be attached. I'm not seeing them. And so we are at a disadvantage when we're preparing for these meetings because we can't actually see the the memos and usually they're not filled out. I'm calling about 17.2 to 17 dot 14 Arbor money to demolish buildings that are owned by other private owners. This is not a use for public dollars. I'm calling on 18.2 and 18.4 on the waste. I like to know the cost and years four and five. What will they be and is there a cap? There absolutely has to be a cap because this is this would be this is unsustainable. 18.6 the redistribution we would do better to just go back to districts and get rid of districts and go back to
All right, thank you. Wanda respond. Member Doha.
Thank you Madam President. And I just wanted to put on the record I know him as he was caused and says they are member dirt halls, pilot programs. They're not my pilot programs just for the record. And the payment in lieu of taxes, also deals with state law and our charter so they are not my programs. I do want to put that on the record for you and I would love to have a discussion with you and your views on that. So we can discuss further. And get some education on that particular program. Thank you. Thank you, Madam President.
All right. Thank you member Dora. Our next caller, please.
next caller is Janae Fraser
the morning
morning Miss Frazier.
Good morning Miss Frazier. Alright if we can come back to this caller please.
The next caller is calling user one.
Calling user one good morning
Mark. Good morning. Good morning. Hear me?
Yes, we can. Hi.
Madam President. I would like to
know when are you all going to introduce the bill that should have been passed last year to stop businesses from locking people in their establishments and in light of all of the brutal mauling. When can it be more stricter and stiffer fines for those that do not keep their animals on a leash to prevent this? And I'd also like to know why even more announcements when city council and the mayor have public meetings during the evening. I hardly ever get any Norma and or pelvis. And we need to have more notification on that. Finally, when are you all going to start finding those that is purposefully dumping illegally, both garbage and bulk? You know on main public roads that can be clearly witnessed with pictures and videos. You answer that for me, madam president, I appreciate you and everything you do. I just want you to know. I really adore you. And thank you for all the wonderful work you do. I hope that it will be better.
Thank you. Thank you so much Miss Shea and to the first question regarding the ordinance that prohibits certain establishments from locking individuals within their facility that ordinance has been drafted and we are working with the law department right now. To move forward with that in console president pro Tim's office as well too. So we are actively working on it. It should be coming before Council very soon. All right, thank you Miss Shay. Our next caller please.
next caller is KCP
the morning may I be heard as you can. Good morning.
Thank you. Good morning. This is Casey Peller, resident of District Four and Policy Manager at Detroit disability power. The first reason I'm calling today is regarding the future of health community benefits agreement. We need an agreement that is fair for residents and that includes at least $3.5 million for the Housing Trust Fund over the life of the abatement to build more accessible and affordable housing. The second real reason I'm calling in today is very concerning to us. We saw the bolo raps contract early yesterday. And have been making calls to your offices and hope that you will take our words to heart we have got to stop shifting mental health response to the policing industry. We pair up cops with mental health professionals for a mental health crisis response team, but adding a social worker and trading a bullet for a metal tip Kevlar rope is not progress to celebrate. This is an industry one that has benefited from the shifting shopping list of police departments across the country. From guns to tasers to body cams, and now bowler apps. Instead of moving the bar from shooting at people to lassoing disabled people please resource us instead if there's a conflict connect us with marine remediation. If we don't have the meds we need help us get to our appointments. If we don't have a ride, give us a lift. Please Please can say no to the bowler apps contract. Thank you so much.
All right. Thank you so much.
The next caller is Marguerite Maddox and Scarlett
Thank you
can you hear me
Yes ma'am. Miss Maddox. We can hear you okay.
The number one thing number three, you number one then the really is gay. A
video down there
No, no no no the queue is reduced doing
that
how the knowledge that you
came in. We met when the numbers were really big you mentioned like it more. More How will he really remembered your version
and then thank you.
Thank you as well miss Maddox.
The next caller is phone number ending in 299.
All right, caller 299. Good morning.
Yes, good morning to everyone and to the city of Detroit. My name is Joyce more with Virginia Park community coalition within the boundaries of the Virginia Park community. Detroit is the largest city in the state of Michigan. We are paying a tip which is a tax increment financing. We did not vote on it. It is clearly taxation without representation, as it is money being taken out of our general funds that would ordinarily be going to schools and libraries. Instead of going to jail contractors who get millions and don't have to pay it back. We have the voting power for the next governor to remove the test. And 2025 gubernatorial candidates will be coming to our block up means our churches, our schools to get our vote. This is a time to tell them you're ready to test. Otherwise we don't need you as governor. I yield my time. Thank you.
Miss Moore.
The next caller is Renard Matuszewski.
The morning on it cannot be her yes you can.
Yes. Okay. Good morning, Madam President and members of council and the public and members were nervous chesty. I'm a resident of District Six and a member with with the Detroit News platform. I speak in direct opposition to line item 17.1 otherwise known as the bubble wrap contract. And what this is, is essentially a lasso that is projected out from a gun like structure like a taser, and it wraps around someone's legs or their torso and immobilizes them or stop them from moving. I'm gonna guess this because this is another experimental, so called less than lethal, which is a myth and a political term. All that means is that it's not a bullet. This has the potential to hurt people in the proposal to use this when people have mental health issues. When a student has important history of how they treat mental health incidents, or beliefs are ending people's lives. So this is not a better because you're lassoing someone when someone panics that's a wrap around someone's neck work in rap while someone's leg person on the bar have a closed head injury for gyms because you are hearing this proposal from some company is making it sound like this is going to do better for our residents saying no, because this is wrong. And I'm directly opposed to this because of the racial implications and how this is going to be used for majority black residents to the city. Thank you.
Thank you.
The next caller is Betty a Varner.
Ms. Varner. Good morning.
Good morning. Madam President and to all the council members. My name is Betty Barnett, president of soda Ellsworth black Association. I'm also a Sadat member, and I only have a minute and 30 seconds, so I'm going to just say I did oh, everything that Mrs. Ruth Johnson. Indyk indicated I'm asking for continued support for my black club. I attended councilmember Dark House meeting last night and found out that district seven deeba has on the maps, six maps. There's not one map where it would place deeper in district seven. So I'm feeling some kind of way because all of our successes have been in district seven, but I can change hoping wherever we end up because I know it's not gonna be district seven, that the council person, the district managers, their team will be supportive of the work that we are doing in our community so that we can continue to improve beautify our neighborhood. Keep it safe, clean. I can work with anybody. I just ask that you be truthful do your job. I'm looking forward to the future. Thank you.
Thank you so much Miss Varner and Councilmember Young would like to respond. Remember young excuse me remember Dr. Hall. Sorry about that. They're out right next to me.
Thank you, Madam President. Not not a bad person to be mistaken with Ms. Varner. You know, as we stated last night, I don't know how the vote is gonna turn out today, but didn't want to stay on the record. I appreciate all the work that you are doing. And no matter where I am, I will continue to help diba we love you. And as many members at this table share the same sentiment. We all look forward to represent the entire city of Detroit. And so we will only be a phone call away. And you still have us for two years. So let's get some work done. Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you member Doha. Our next caller?
next caller is Miko a Williams.
Right. Good morning.
Yes. Hi. Good morning. Council members. May I be heard, please? Yes, you can. Yes. Hi, D'Amico Williams from hydrate Detroit. I want to say there was a very big development yesterday. With all of our elected political leaders of southeastern Michigan, coming together to pledge support for legislation for water affordability across our region. This is very important. I need everyone to get on board and to please support this effort as we tried to make sure that we're gonna get affordable water across the region, and most definitely in Detroit. I want to thank Stephanie Chang, my state senator, for all of our hard work and also the community members and our community for really pushing this forward through it's been a long hard fight through 2014 When we were in a shut off crisis that literally ripped his city, I also want to use the remaining of my time to wish Keith Williams a happy birthday and to resign and remove himself off of the Detroit reparations Task Force. Keith Williams Leadership has failed. It has shown again just recently he has failed the way he talked to Gregory Hicks and other members the way he addresses the community is absolutely unacceptable. Happy Birthday Keith but resigned yourself to remove let's move Detroit forward reparations was killed by Detroit voters in 2018 and the charter amendment, please take my recommendation in the heart. Thank you.
All right. Thank you. Miko, thank you. Our next caller please.
The next caller is phone number ending
right Yes, good morning, man. Be heard.
Yes, you can. Good morning.
Hi, yes. Well, first of all, I'd like to ditto that the attachments when I first tried to open them couldn't open so this shouldn't be happening if the public can't see what's going on. Also. Well, I noticed President Sheffield wanted to clarify some misinformation based on one color but nobody's trying to clarify the information that Ruben X just presented about the advantage of funny absentee ballot. Please say no to the shredding contractors. I don't see why we can't be hiring Detroiters and under the Dormant Commerce Clause exception to the Dormant Commerce Clause we should be able to same thing vote no on that Troy company for the media services and hire the gentleman company from Detroit 15.4 Why are we paying ARPA money to fix two towers that are privately owned 15.2 If you have an equitable development task force make sure residents can attend 15.13 BCA members need to have the time not just to attend the meetings but to read all the materials submitted. And they need to make sure the director needs to make sure that all materials submitted are actually given to the BCA board members. 16.1 If you're going to use eminent domain for the airport, please stop letting the land bank and the mayor do eminent domain which scholars believe that's what's going on and they're not allowed to do it under Michigan State law. 17.1 that scooter deal that's about absolving the city of liability. It looks like 17.2 To 17 point 14 It's disgusting. It's like 18 and a half million
All right. Thank you Miss Warwick.
The next caller we come back to Janae Fraser
All right. Good morning.
Good morning.
My name is Janae Fraser and I am a d3 resident.
I was calling in support of two initiatives. The first one is going to be the expanded residential waste and pickup service and the neighborhood hosting for solar fields. Thank you
the next caller is Thomas
the morning
the morning Thomas Are you with us?
The morning All right. Can we come back to this caller please?
Okay, the next caller is Tim Moore. morning.
Finnemore Good morning.
Oh, I'm unmuted.
Good morning. Can you hear me now?
Yes, sir.
We can hear you morning Madam President and distinguished council members. My company is that globally regulated services. We have a history in Detroit. I like to remind people that my family operated the pizza place at Cobo Hall for 35 years. We employ trained and inspired hundreds of Detroit is over their time and until they kicked us out in the name of regionalization. But with you if you bid on the kinds of services this is a variation of a contract that we bid on last year. They change the name and add it change the scope of services, but I feel we do a better job of we've done this kind of work for 12 years we did the city charter meetings we traveled all over the city in different locations. When COVID came we taught all the charter members how to use Zoom. We're experts on zoom but we could do a much better job that creative day we can train at least 3025 30 young people to work around the country at our affiliates have been created creative. They say they would hire an intern. I ask that you not approve this contract for creative date. We can do a better job and we're based in Detroit.
Alright, thank you, sir. Thank you.
The next caller is markeesha iPhone.
All right. Good morning.
Morning, Mark quiches iPhone. Are you with us. Good morning. All right, if we can come back to this caller please.
Okay.
Um, the next caller is personal a porter.
Good morning. Morning, Miss corner
All right. Good morning, Miss Porter. Yes, can you hear me? Yes, ma'am. We can. Okay, yes, I'm new to this day.
I'm calling about District Six where a satellite dish is supposed to be put up. I'm really against it. Because the house that I built and we're the only house on that block, and it got a lot of land around it. But I rather for it to be subsidized. We're so quick to want to sell out to company. We're not getting no money and I heard these comments is horrible. I just, I'm just speechless. And that's all I have to say. Have a blessed day.
Great. Thank you. You as well. Thank you.
Madam President, that was actually the last caller who had raised their hand before you would cut off the comment.
All right. Did you want to go back to the two individuals who we couldn't hear or
now there's one we had heard from one so we will go back to Thomas. He was the last person who had his hand raised before you would cut off public comment.
All right, Thomas. Are you with us? Good morning. Thomas Are you with us going once going twice. All right, Thomas. If you have a public comment, please make sure that you send that to us and we will make sure that it's sent to the clerk's office for public record. That will conclude all of our public comment for this morning and we will proceed now to our agenda for today. And there's a standing committee reports for the budget Finance and Audit standing committee from the Office of the Chief Financial Office Office of development grants.
Councilmember Darren Hall a resolution 914.1
Councilmember DuBois.
Thank you Madam President. line item 14.1 Is the neighborhood enterprise zone certificate for the rehabilitation of a four unit apartment at 629 West Willis in the midtown neighborhood enterprise zone area Move for approval for line item 14.1.
Any objections? Hearing no objections the one resolution will be approved.
Under resolutions, Councilmember dirt Hall for resolutions line items 14.2 to 14.5
Councilmember Doha
Thank you Madam President. line item 14.2 is to set a committee of the whole for the purpose of allowing the mayor to present the 2024 2025 recommended budget. This would take place on March the seventh 2024 Move line item 14.2 for approval.
Right. Are there any objections to scheduling the presentation of the budget for March the seventh 2024 at 10am? Hearing no objections the resolution will be approved. Councilmember Durva
Thank you, Madam President. line item 14.3 is to change the start time of the standing committee meetings and limit meeting time to an hour during the 2024 2025 budget hearings. Move for a brief discussion. Okay. Thank you, Madam President. Again, just for members of the public to note the meetings that are standing committees are originally scheduled at 10am they will now take place upon passage of this at 9am this will go from March the 11th to April the first 2024 Again the meetings will change from 10am to 9am. And that will be for March 11 2024 to April 1 2024. Move for approval for line item 14.3.
Any objections? Hearing none, the resolution is approved. Member Durga.
Thank you Madam President. line item 14.4 is a resolution to set the date and time of the public hearing for the 2024 2025 budget. Move for approval for line item 14.4.
Hearing no objections. That resolution will be approved. Member
Doha Thank you Madam President. line item 14.5 is a resolution of authorization to institute the budget calendar scheduling policy for the 2024 2025 budget. deliberations Move for approval for line item 14.5.
Hearing no objections. The resolution will be
approved. request a waiver online it was 14.1 through 14.5. Madam
president All right Hearing no objections a waiver will be attached to those resolutions or the internal operation Standing Committee under unfinished business.
Council member Whitfield Callaway in ordinance knowning. The roll call nine item 15.1.
Councilmember Callaway,
Madam Chair, can we have a quick discussion? Yes. For the benefit of the public. This is a simple Well, minor change to the cashless ban ordinance and if I might, can we hear from the law department just explain that minor detail change. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair.
All right, Mr. Anderson.
Good morning or good afternoon now counsel Graham Anderson law department. Thank you. Councilman Callaway through the chair. Like Councilman stated this is a very minor change to the katholische amendment. Specifically what I just want to highlight real quick here is this had to do with retail establishments or food stores which provided a conversion device. So what specifically what we took out was prepaid cards who shall not be subject to expiration date and there shall be no limit on the number of transactions that may be completed by on the card. In addition, we also remove the conversion device allows customers to redeem any unused balances for cash. And the reason we took those out was to make it more user friendly for small businesses, including this just allow small businesses to easily to comply with this ordinance. And I remember last year there was a little bit of issue going back and forth about businesses complying with this ordinance. We've taken note and since then, this minor change will allow businesses to be in compliance with the ordinance and if there's any additional questions, I'm happy to answer.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Attorney Anderson. Member Callaway.
Thank you Madam Chair and thank you attorney Anderson. The next step is to move ahead and move to move your script Okay, thank you. Thank you, Attorney Anderson. I moved to take from the table an ordinance to amend chapter 14 of the 2019 Detroit city code sales Article Three acceptance of cash by retail establishments and food stores by amending section 40 Dash three dash four exceptions to modify the conversion card exception laid on the table November the seventh 2023
Hearing no objections that action will be taken. Councilmember Callaway
I moved the ordinance be placed on the order of third reading and considered
read. Hearing no objections that action will be taken. Councilmember Callaway I moved the ordinance be passed as submitted. There being a roll call required with the clerk please call the roll.
Councilmember dear Hall. Yes. Councilmember Johnston? Yes. Councilmember Santiago Romero? Yes. Council President Pro Tem Tate. Yes. Councilmember waters. Yes. Councilmember Whitfield Callaway. Yes. Councilmember young
this yes or no. On the ordinance for the
cashless Oh, sorry.
Yes. I apologize. I'm sorry. Yes, yes. Yes.
That was the President's shift for you. Yes. Councilmember Benson? Yes. Nine yeas, zero Nays?
Right. The ordinance is approved. Councilmember Callaway?
Yes, I moved the title to the ordinance be
confirmed. Hearing no objections that action will be taken from the Office of contracting and procurement.
Madam President, there are three contracts up for vote today from the internal operations standing committee. First up we have contract number of 60056141 2% city funding to Bri city wide secure document scanning and shredding services contractor is blue point international LLC. total contract amount $828,022. And this contract is for do it. The next contract is contract number 60060141 2%. City funding to provide Media Production Services and media equipment for City of Detroit public meeting. Contract is creative de technologies, total contract amount $537,933.20 And this is a city wide contract the last contract is contract number 60057841 2%. ARPA funding to replace air and generators and 11 radio tower sites, contracts Motor City electric technologies total contract amount $1,427,745 And this contract is for do it. Council member Johnson three resolutions, lines 15.2 and 15.4. Noting that line item 15.2 was postponed from last week's formal session and also noting that line item 15.3 was reported out of committee without recommendation.
All right. Thank you, Council Member Johnson.
Thank you, Madam President Move for approval online ads 15.2 through 15.4.
All right, motion has been made discussion approval and we can move to discussion. Councilmember Callaway,
thank you Madam Chair. Madam Chair. We brought this contract back because we believe I believe that we can certainly stay in the city and find a company that can shred and scan these documents. I don't know the last time that Warren sent a contract our way. We have a tendency to always send out work that really can't be done in house to our suburban partners who really don't support us. So I don't remember ever getting any businesses from Warren, but they can definitely depend on us to help support their communities help them to thrive. And so count on Madam Chair, I will be a no on line item 15.2 Because I am of the belief that we can shred and scan our own documents and not have to go to war it was which is probably their biggest contract almost a million dollar contract to go to Warren to shred and scan our documents. So Madam Chair, I will be a no online item 15.2 And I hope that we can consider bringing this small matter or this small job. I'll take small out this job in house we can take the same 820 $800,000 and buy the equipment and we can do it ourselves and hire some Detroiters. Thank you Madam Chair.
Thank you member Callaway any any additional questions or comments on this and I see director stall you are here are you able to speak on this particular contract?
I'm sorry, who is it? Whoever can speak on line item 15.2. Excuse me your line item 15.2 Regarding the shredding and scanning services
through the chair Mike caumont with DO IT director stall would like me to talk about this. Any thing related to the procurement speak up a little I'm sorry, specific procurement questions I will obviously defer to her. But overall on the contract bit of background, this isn't standard shredding, this is shredding two requirements of CGS IRS pub 1075 and HIPAA, which require the pieces be cut to one millimeter by five millimeter so that sometimes is referred to his document disintegration did a review of a number of different of the mobile trucks and things that we've used at different events and they cut down to like what is it 297 times larger than that? So it's not that we've done a very strong outreach, procurement reached out to I believe 197 companies within the city. I emailed every council member the day the count the contract was issued looking for anybody in your districts or that you knew of in the city. That would be qualified to bid on this with an attachment of the RFP when it was issued. In addition, there's an industry trade group called National Association of information destruction that certifies companies that do this type of work. I went to their site to try and find any members in Detroit to make sure we outreach to them. There are no members that are certified. It wasn't a requirement, but it was just another attempt looking for Detroit based Detroit, employing businesses to do this type of work. So we didn't thoroughly look for the businesses. We had one Detroit business bid on the contract we received back six bids. We received one Detroit based bid back that bid was scored the lowest the RF the cost was much higher procurement team met with that company afterwards to do a debrief to help them which they do to any company that asks to help them be more competitive and future bids by giving them explaining things and encouraging them to be Creo certified. They weren't they aren't Creo certified so they couldn't get any points for that. So we've done a lot about reaching a lot of work on this, and frankly didn't find a Detroit based company. Do this work.
Thank you. Councilmember waters. balabac member Callaway.
Thank you Madam President. I, I did meet a company who said that they can do all of that. And they were not invited to participate. So I just want to point that out number one. The second thing I want to ask is can our police department do the shredding
for the chair? No, that's not something they do in house. No Ocala. They have a contract with a company, that same company that the state of Michigan uses to do some training.
While I'm in the same situation as member Calloway, I just believe that that we can find somebody here in the city to do it and that's where I am. Thank you Madam President.
Thank you member waters member Callaway.
Thank you Madam Chair. 800 over $800,000 going to Warren Michigan toy suite and into their building. I don't think any equipment is housed there. Up into the up into the site. That's what I do. There's no way this city should be spending or sending $800,000 to Warren, Michigan to shred and scan our documents. We should take that same $800,000 and buy the equipment they're renting. We can buy the equipment and bring it in house. What's the urgency? What's the urgency? Thank you Madam Chair.
Thank you.
You want to respond or the chair? The response is our prior contract expired in 2022. We issued this RFP in June of last year. We have over 5000 boxes that need to be deal dealt with that are taking up space in a number of departments suites that they need the space. What we need to work through and work through this. Bringing it in house is something we could evaluate the equipment is very expensive. You have to have staff that are trained. You've got to not only manage the shredding to that level, but it's also you have to manage the staff. They have to do chain of custody and track the documents and do things like that to ensure it's shredded not compromised. You've got to have space for this. You've got this is a three year contract that will cover our backlog and our projected volumes for the next three years. This shredding contract component is I believe, 24 or 27% less than the contract that was expired previously when we see almost everything else going up in price. So that's my response,
I'm sure. All right. Thank you. Yes. Remember Callaway, thank you. I know you're not from Michigan. I know you're from Colorado. That's what you told me. You may not care about we Detroiters but I believe that we can find some Detroiters who are smart enough to man and operate a scanner and a shredder sir, we have the money to buy it. Arbor dollars I looked it up opera dollars can buy this equipment. So you may not believe in Detroit, but I do and I do. I do believe we can find a charter who can operate. You can shake your head sir. This is my opinion. We can find a charter Sir, who can learn how if they don't already know how if given the opportunity to operate shredders, to the degree that you said it needs to be shredded to meet those requirements. If the machinery it's not the people, it's the machinery that's doing the cutting and the shredding and the scanning that's what this company has done. They're renting the machine they may own him but what I saw I don't know where their housing it. I can only tell you what I saw. So sir, I do believe in Madam Chair. I'm done that we should use our $4 and this is city funding. taxpayer dollars going to Warren. When does Warren's tax dollars come to Detroit? Is it reciprocal? It's not. So I'll stand by what I said I don't believe the city of Detroit my tax dollars. I don't want to go into Warren. And I don't think anybody else wants their taxpayer dollars going to Warren, Michigan. We know how Warren treats us when we go out there. Thank you Madam Chair.
President potentate.
Thank you, Madam President. So I would just ask that you know, all colleagues and if we always can state our point, we don't have to denigrate a person who's coming before us. Saying that they don't care. about Detroit is that this is a contract. This is our job. This is what we do for a living. There's many decisions that I even make as a council member. And folks may have opinions about it. But that doesn't mean I don't care about the citizens of the city of Detroit. I again, ask if there are businesses that do this work. Let's put them forward. Let's send them through. This is a three year contract, whether it approved is approved today or not. Let's get those vendors into the pipeline so that they can potentially bid on contracts as we move forward, but also ensure that these entities are bidding at a at a cost that benefits the citizens of the city of Detroit because as we talk about our tax dollars going in and out of the city of Detroit, all those tax dollars Council the number is still higher. We have to still make sure that we get the best benefit if you will from each dollar that we spend so I just again as colleagues not to demean or put down individuals who are here who are strictly just doing their job. We can have certain conversations offline if we feel that way. But I believe that we should uphold a certain line of decorum as members of this body. That's just my opinion. Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you for 10 member Johnson.
Thank you, Madam President. And thank you, Mr. Homma. For coming out and sharing information. I know I indicated during iOS that our office heads has hailed shred day, twice a year for the last two years and will continue to we did utilize a Detroit based company, I believe last year in the fall. And so can you talk a little bit more about the outreach that was done? Because I will speak to pro Tim's point about Detroit based vendors. And we can also talk about the Office of contracting and procurements process that may be a bit daunting for smaller businesses. I think it's important for us to focus on that as well. As we look at helping to build capacity for Detroit based businesses and ensuring that as the DGC says that our dollar turns over six times in the city of Detroit before it leaves the city. So what are we doing to get to that point and Mr. Homeowner if you can just speak to the companies that actually that you said you reached out to because we have a number of vendors in the city of Detroit that indicate that they can provide the service
for the chair to address that. Yes, we've reached out I called a number of the mobile shred companies have checked with the mobile shred trade association. This the a number of the ones that we've used it at the city previously. Shred two particles that are 297 times larger than what we need for this to be compliant with IRS sieges and HIPAA standards. The smallest mobile shred company I could find wasn't Detroit based but they shred down to 32 times the standard that we need for this. So the mobile tread type trucks you're discussing, aren't set up for document destruction at this level. It's needed for this level of security. We did the outreach we asked all the council members that the day it was issued that was a mistake on my part. I know how busy all the council members are I should have also sent a letter to all your chiefs of staff and in the future. Whenever I do that, I will send it to this chiefs of staff as well as the individual council members to try to build and find these companies. I'd love to after this remember wild waters get the name of that company want to want to find out more about them. Make sure they get registered through Creo worked through that process. It is a daunting process. OCP hand holds regular outreach events across a whole bunch of different categories. We hold a do it outreach event that the council has that I started with Mr. Jackson a number of years ago that specifically on technology contracts, and we talked through the process we have people from Creo they're talking about how to get certified what to do with it. OCP has a great process they go through or describing how to get through the process. We have somebody from law they're talking about it. We bring into vendors who've who've previously won and are currently working for the city and our Detroit bass to talk about it and talk about things they've done and things they've learned things they didn't know. So we do this outreach and we continue to do the outreach. I do care about Detroit. I don't want the money to go to Warren. I took a very large pay cut to leave private sector to come to my first public sector job because I'm passionate about what we're doing. I truly believe in what we're doing. I was born in Denver. My dad was in an Air Force hospital and left there at six weeks old. So saying, I've been in Michigan since I was six weeks old. Okay, so working through that process. So
thank you Remember, Johnson still has the floor Were you down member Johnson,
oh no, I'd actually like for Director Saul to speak to OCPs process, and helping to build capacity for small businesses, and I think.
To help or a small business, I'm assuming Mr. Holman is speaking to equipment that's needed. And as I indicated, you know, we've worked with a shred company in the city that's based in the city of Detroit. So if there's an opportunity
to help them build capacity, how do we do that? Thanks. Thanks for this opportunity through the Chair. I just wanted to provide a little more information about this bid that over 190 companies were invited and 31 of those companies were located in Detroit. I do want to say that Mr. Holman with this bid as well as his other do it bids has a very deep personal commitment to outreach to Detroit companies. He went above and beyond most departments in the outreach that he did to try to make sure that Detroit companies were invited and seeking these authorized lists to make sure that he invited any company that met the requirements that was in that look for companies in Detroit that met the requirements and in the region as well. And the outreach that he did to Councilmember offices it was really above and beyond what we normally see. So I just want to speak to Mr. Holmes, I have seen a very strong personal commitment to that type of outreach. I'll also note that I share a Council's commitment to ensuring more opportunities for Detroit businesses. We have made a lot of efforts completely overhauling our city website Detroit mi.gov/supplier We have overhauled our supplier support webpage with my staff focusing a lot of time on ensuring that they have office hours available regular trainings available video recordings, setup documents overhauls so that we can do a better job of helping small and local businesses navigate Oracle we have also dedicated someone to make sure that they have office hours just for new vendors to get Ben ready and walk them through the what the procurement processes like what the required documents is like. We held a joint outreach for do it contracts last fall we are planning another one early this year it was Mr. homeowner who requested of us that he wanted to do more outreaches than just annually for do it contracts. And you know we always I want to express this more I don't think in our vendors are aware of it that we are always very willing to do debriefs with unsuccessful bidders because it can really help to look at the strengths and weaknesses of your proposal to see how you can put together a stronger proposal next time or even you know, build capacity to be able to meet the requirements of the scope for the future. And we are continuously working on making improvements to make sure that the bidding process is more accessible and understandable. And in fact, we are going through a bid within procurement ourselves to see if we can find a better a bidding platform that is easier not just for vendors but also even my own staff to navigate
in both streamline and make easier the bidding process.
Thank you. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you. Thank you, member Johnson. Hold on one second
member door Hall has been waiting as well then I'll come back to you. Thank you, Madam President. And good afternoon to you all. First, let me say I share some of the same sentiments that colleagues share wanting to see a company in our city that could do this work. And I think it just speaks more to the culture and building that pipeline right. Create an environment that's conducive for those small businesses to thrive and have the capacity to be able to do this type of work. But one of the things that was stated that obviously caught my ear relative to this were two statement or two words. You said IRS and you said HIPAA and when those two things are put out here and we are talking about folks, particularly employees, personal information. That's when you get into the specs of saying that if they shred a document is 237 times larger than what this company would do. That makes me a little bit more at ease to support this contract. And one of the reasons why is is based off of a liability if these folks are not certified, and this less and we see it all the time, whether it's Myers or target or whatever the case is and this information leaks out to the public in some type of way. I'm pretty sure a class action settlement lawsuit will cost more than $100,000. And so that's why I'm confident in supporting this but again, I do share the sentiments I think our city as a whole we can push forward to create that pipeline particularly for small things like shredding right? It's a big thing, because it's sensitive information and insecurity aspects. But if we can build that pipeline to push those small businesses, that would be great. So we can not even be here to have that discussion. And so I will say I read the email. I appreciate you sending that information out. We were not aware of any specific company, that we knew that that does this type of work governmentally and have had that experience prior governmentally because that's important as well with those documents, but again, I do want to
thank you for sending that email as well. Thank you, Madam President. Or the chair one one point on building capacity. One of the things I did put in my my memo was when I did search na di I was excited because there was one Detroit based company when I dug into the they shred hard drives, not documents, but it's a great company we've worked with in the past. It's one that do it. department of equity and inclusion. Help them bring to the city of Detroit. It's located and Councilmember Kelly's district is human it we're using them for for other tasks. I reached out to their leadership team and talked to him and got word back late yesterday. They're looking at evaluating adding shredding to their their product line. So we do when we see these we do reach out and we're trying to build a community and I'm sorry, Unity the supply chain and and community. So we're working through that, but that that will take time for them to decide if they can do it profitably. If they have space to do it,
and how they they'd want to do it.
Thank you. All right, Councilmember Callaway, thank you Madam Chair. And to pro Tim's point I don't want to feel like I'm snapping on you, Mr. Holman. I see almost every week and we're always gonna probably disagree until we start getting some contracts that are Detroit based. And so I apologize. I know you care about Detroiters. I know that but it's difficult sitting here we get the week and we see these contracts before they make it to the formal session. And we try to hash them out and flush out the details every Wednesday. And you know that and I have the same questions every time whether you're you're at your most formal session or on Wednesday. So I do apologize, or the comments that I made to you sincerely I do but I'm still stand by what I said. We should look at using opera dollars. We can use opera dollars to buy this equipment. I don't think the company from what I seen when I went by there has the capacity even how's this equipment? It's a suite on Ryan Road in Warren Michigan. So maybe they are renting the equipment to shred our documents. But I'm asking you sir and director Stahl to look into investing in this equipment so we can bring it in house in house and hire some folks to do the work. It's not the people it's the machinery that is shredding. So if we can purchase the same or similar equipment to meet the standards and and whatever the requirements are, I think we need to be looking at that instead of $800,000 going to Warren Michigan, I still am a no on this because I cannot comfortably sit here and vote for this contract.
Thank you Madam Chair. And thank you, Mr. Holman. Thank you. Alright, thank you, Mr. Helmet is well. There is no additional discussion on this item on 15.2 through 15 points for release.
We're moved on approval, Madam Chair. Yes, member Callaway, um, if you could show me as a no vote on line item 15.2 scanning and shredding to Warren Michigan. If you can also show me a no vote on 15.3 Which company and Choi for
medium Production Services, ma'am.
Thank you. Very cool. So no. All right. Are there any other objections to the three kinds of ads? Councilmember waters, no one
15.2
Okay. Member Johnson.
No online item 15.2.
Purple, so no. All right. Hearing no other objections, the three
resolutions will be approved. Thank you, Madam President. Yes,
I'd like to request a waiver
on line item 15.4. All right, a waiver was requested for 15.4 Hearing
no objections that action will be taken on a present if I can request
a waiver for line item 15.1.
All right waiver has been requested for
15.1.
That is the cash passes.
Yes, that was the past. All right. Hearing no objections
a waiver will be attached to 15 point.
From the law department, Councilmember Johnson six resolutions,
line items 15.5
To 15 point 10.
Councilmember Johnson Thank you, Madam President Move for approval on line items 15.5 through 18 point 10.
These are various lawsuit settlement requests. Right. Are there any objections to any of the lawsuits? Hearing no objections the six resolutions will be approved
from the Human Resources classification and compensation division.
Councilmember Johnson
a resolution llanwenog
15 point 11. Councilmember Johnson Thank you, Madam President move for discussion just just to amend the 2023 or 2024 official compensation schedule for
the senior investigator for the board. of ethics. Alright, so will
you move for approval with discussion? Councilmember Callaway, Madam Chair, if you can show me as a note
on line item 15 point 11. Thank you. We have to move it for approval, not discussed so. Okay.
Are there any other any
objections member Callaway you can note member Callaway okay so now any other objections? Hearing none, the one resolution will be approved.
Under resolutions, Councilmember Johnson two resolutions, line items 15 point 12 and 15 point 13. No other than line item 15
point 13 was postponed
from last week's formal session. Councilmember Johnson
Thank you, Madam President
Move for approval on line item 15.2. Well, all right, any objections to 15 point 12 And this is just establishing the equitable development task force. Hearing no objections, the resolution
will be approved. Remember Johnson Thank you madam president Move for approval online item 15 point 13. With with discussion. This is the
appointment of Scotty Bowman. To the board of zoning appeals.
Right discussion. Attorney Keller Yep.
All right. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. Attorney Keller LPD LPD was asked to determine whether there was any inherent conflict between these makeup. Oh, yeah, sorry. We were asked to determine whether there was any inherent conflict between a member serving on both the CIC and the BCA under the excuse me under the CAC ordinance, it only prohibits a member of the CIC from being holding another elected office or being a member of council or the mayor staff. So there's no conflict there. We also analyzed whether it violates state law under the incompatible offices act. And while neither office is subordinate or supervises the other, there is the potential that a conflict could arise. The Michigan Supreme Court has said that the potential for a conflict to arise does not mean that the officers are incompatible. So if there to be a situation where a conflict would arise, we would just advise that the member recused himself
in from any deliberation or official action. Thank you. So LPD is comfortable with the appointment moving forward. Okay. Yes. All right. Thank you. Remember Johnson, did you have anything else but okay. All right. Remember Johnson has moved this for approval for 15 point their teams. Are there any objections?
All right, Hearing no objections,
the resolution will be approved.
Under resolutions,
Councilmember waters a resolution line item
15 point 14. Councilmember waters Thank you
Madam Chair. Madam Chair, Move approval. All right motion has been made for approval. This is for reauthorizing the veterans Task Force for 2024. Hearing no objections, the resolution will be approved.
Under resolutions council member with your Callaway resolution line item 15 point 15. Noting also noting
that the resolution has been received and was sent out last night. All right, remember Callaway Move for approval manager. All right motion has been made and this is to request waiving the privilege for a legal opinion regarding the reforming X abatement structure. If we could have a discussion briefly.
Director Whitaker
president I just wanted to indicate that this waiver the the resolution that authorizes you to waive the privilege applies to two documents. Not one is the as the agenda shows but the resolution covers two documents one that was set they both on the same subject, but it covers two documents in the resolution
correctly states the what you're voting Okay,
thank you Mr. Whittaker. 30 Anderson are the chair I just like to note that I've spoke with Corporation
Counsel and there's no objection to the waiver of privilege. Thank you. All right. Thank you. Perfect. All right. motion has been made for approval. Are there any objections? Hearing none, the resolution will be approved. Or the Planning and Economic Development standing
committee from the airport department administration. Council President Pro Tem Tate a resolution nine
16.10. It's empty.
The President move approval of line item 16.1.
Please.
Are there any objections?
Hearing none, the resolution
will be approved
from the waiver on line
16.1. Are there any objections to a waiver? Hearing none that action will be taken.
From the City Planning Commission. Council President Pro Tem
Tate resolution line item 16.20. Tim J. President
move approval of line item 16.2. Please. All right motion has been made for approval. This is a special district review the proposed exterior alterations at 333 East Jefferson. Are there any objections? Hearing no objections the resolution will be approved.
From the historic designation advisory board council president pro tem Tate and introduction of
an ordinance line item 16.30. Tim tape when a president moved to the ordinance be read
by title or printed and laid on the tape.
Hearing no objections that action will be taken
from the historic designation advisory board council president pro tem Tate a resolution setting a public hearing
line item 16.402 and take the president move approval of line item 16.4
for date to be determined post budget. All right Hearing no objections that resolution will be approved.
From the planning and development department. Council President Pro Tem take two resolutions 916.5
and 16.60. Tim take on a president move
approval of line items 16.5 and 16.6. Please. Right any objections?
Hearing none, the two resolutions will be approved. request a
waiver for line item 16.5. Madam president All right, a waiver has been requested for 16.5 Any objections? Hearing no objections that action will be taken.
Under resolutions council president pro tem Tate a resolution Lanham 16.7 Knowing that a resolution has been passed
out to your body
earlier this morning, potentate Madam President move to move approval line item 16.7 with discussion please hold on tight. Thank you before you colleagues is a resolution that we requested to be drafted in PDD. In response to historic designation, request for the historic Delisle boathouse to be to not be demolished. Let's say that first. But there's a multitude of options that could be utilized and the easiest pathway is always to destroy. It is $2 million to demolish it but a mere and I put that in air quotes a mere 3.5 million to stabilize and mothball but it is $43 million if there is a direct attempt to restore it right out the gate and we don't want to suggest that we right out the gate restored. Then there's some other numbers that have been thrown in there as well by various parties but there is a desire and we push it out of committee with recommendation to approve this resolution that would explore other avenues beyond demolition, and potentially even use the two point 5,000,002 point million $2 million, excuse me and then identify an additional amount of funding that would allow for the stabilization and mothballing up that facility to allow for further plans to be
come come to fruition. Thank you. Thank you, Tim. And I just want you to know line item 22.7 was the exact same request from our office so we you know, we read each other's minds there. This is a district five. I actually just met with West Village last week in their organizing to do a letter so is Indian village. So this is something that I know district five residents are concerned about. I can't speak for all of them. But I know some of the communities that I did speak with are interested in ways to possibly preserve this and so we did request based on h VABs. Report is well a resolution to support preserving that structure so if possible Pro Tem and we can do it together on behalf of both ourselves or the entire concert from the entire council. Okay, there's no objection to the entire council. Council the resolution. Okay.
Council Member Yeah, thank you so much. And I think to a president pro tem Taylor, I think is excellent. Resolution. I just want to ask the Yacht Club as to contributed to all that they asked to participate in, is it all financially
or anything at all? I think there'll be a tremendous opportunity for them as well. I think that's the conversation has to be had with
the statement Yacht Club, but right now we've got keep it away from the wrecking ball. Or the state I'm sorry. Yeah. The state and the and the I just think that's a tremendous, you know, opportunity to discuss that. I mean, you'd have to preside. I guess it had to go before the state you know, present that and whatever else. And I don't want to do that. We've had people come by and testify and I'm on the neighborhood committee, standing committee. I know we don't deal with State
Park, but we've had had them come by to testify.
So if I can help you, I appreciate that. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. All right. So motion has been made in support of the bill our house. Are there any objections? Hearing no objections, the resolution
will be approved and that will be on behalf of the
City Council request the waiver so they can get it sooner rather than later. waiver has been requested. Hearing no objections
that action will be taken. Under resolutions.
Councilmember waters a resolution
line item 16.8 Alpha member waters. Thank you,
Madam President.
Move for approval with discussion. All right, member waters. I just it's just we submitted very, very short resolution. I've just like to read it. resolution supporting. Wow. Ah. The title is actually wrong. But way as federal housing assistance and affordable programs from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, are generally predicated on the area median income. And where's the formula to calculate the EMA take into account both the incomes in high need urban areas as well as far more fluid suburban communities. And whereas the formula has hurt many Detroiters preventing them from obtaining quality truly affordable housing. And whereas in order to ensure that housing assistance program truly reflect the real status and needs of the community, the formula for calculating AMI must be changed. therefore be it resolved the Detroit City Council Well,
I mean delete that
one and I don't know how they got it.
I don't know where it came from. This is the wrong copy the wrong reading. We did we submitted another one. We sure did. The. Is this the one we passed out of committee.
Member waters is last
resolve say that Detroit City
Council sharp pause on that
Yeah. All right. Oh, yes. So this is the correct one that the Court passed. I apologize. And so I'm like, but this the one that the court has, basically is just encouraging. The US House of Representatives to move to change the area median income, and that is the correct one. So, madam president you want me to make
a motion to make sure that we know is the current
version based on what All right, yeah. Okay.
So then it's all good. Thank you. Thank you so much for the waters for putting this forward. Is that something I know we all care passionately about? Something that we can't change here. It has to happen on the federal level as it relates to the formula for how we define what affordability is. So I appreciate you putting this forward and would love to join in my shortcut. Remember Callaway wants to join as well. And he on behalf of the council, all right, member waters is that okay? Absolutely. Okay. All right. So a motion has been made to approve this resolution. It will be on behalf of the entire Detroit City Council in support of AMI formula calculation changes. Are there any objections? Hearing none, the resolution will be approved
for the public health and safety Standing Committee under unfinished business. Councilmember Santiago mayor
and ordinance noting a roll call line item 17.1
Councilmember Santiago Ramiro.
Thank you, Madam President.
Just to address the name on this ordinance, I believe this is supposed to be in the name of yourself and member Callaway. This is for 17.1. This is regarding the shared mobility permits. Mr. Clerk if that is the case,
should I walk this over to member cowboy?
Madam president if that is the case, the yes you can give it to
member Callaway
Okay, let me see if
I'm looking at the report and it does not mention a
council members name. So I'm not sure if this is the scooter ordinance that me and member Callaway worked on. So it's just a small name sbma Okay,
thank you. All right, remember Callaway.
Thank you Madam Chair. I moved to take from the table an ordinance to amend chapter 47 of the 2019 Detroit city code transportation for hire by amending article 10. Electric personal mobility devices division two shared mobility permits section 47 Dash 10 dashboard 214 issuance of permits and division three responsibilities of owners of share fleets and operators of electric personal mobility devices section 4747 Dash 10 Dash 39 insurance requirements and section 47 Dash 10 Dash 40 indemnity, to revise the timing when shared mobility permits must be issued, as well as to clarify and expand the scope of permit recipients insurance and indemnification
requirements laid on the table November the seventh 2023. Hearing no
objections that action will be taken. Member Callaway I moved the
ordinance be placed on the order of third reading and considered read. Hearing no objections that action will be taken. Councilmember Callaway I move the ordinance
be passed as submitted. There being a roll call with fire with the clerk call the roll please. Councilmember Johnston Yes. Councilmember Santiago Ramiro? Yes. Council President Pro Tem Tate Yes. Councilmember waters? Yes.
Councilmember Whitfield
Callaway. Yes.
Councilmember young.
Yes. Council President Schiff. For you. Yes. Councilmember Benson. Yes. Councilmember Dara Hall?
Yes. Nine yeas, zero nays.
The ordinance is approved.
Councilmember Callaway I moved the title to the ordinance be confirmed. Hearing no objections that action will be taken
from the Office of contracting in procurements. Madam President. There are 19 contracts up for vote today from the public health and safety standard committee, or so. line item 17.2 To 17 point 14 are all 100% arpa funded contracts to provide abatement and alteration of commercial structures. line items 17 point 15 To 17 point 17 are all 100% city funded contracts? The right emergency demolitions? That takes us to line item 17 point 18 Contract Number 6005898 100%. City funding the right vehicle body repair service labor and or parts contractor Jefferson Chevrolet company total contract amount $110,000 And this contract is for the police department. The next contract is contract number 6005760 motor percent city funding the right Fingerprint Identification System maintenance services contract is ID networks Inc. total contract amount $275,863. And this contract is for the police department. The last contract is contract number 30711351 2% city funding to provide bolo wrap for the police department contractor is rap Technologies Inc total contract amount $32,083.44. And this contract is for the police department. Councilmember Santiago Romero 19 resolutions nine times
17.2 To 17 point 20.
All right, thank you Mr. Clerk. Councilmember Santiago renewal. Thank you Madam President. I will be breaking up some of these into separate contract blocks. The first one I will be motioning to approve 17.2 through 17.7
These are all various ARPA funded abatement and alteration contracts. All right, is there any discussion?
Yes. Protune Thank you, through you to the chair or someone who can answer the question. I know I've raised the issue of and it's been raised also by member we feel Callaway to be fair about the cost of art, or of the City of Detroit's costs and demoing these commercial properties and what we've recouped, and I thought I heard something to the effect of we get about a third of those dollars. That we
that we use in terms of commercial demo. And wanting to know if that is in fact correct in terms of what I've heard and what the administration is
looking to do to increase that number even half 75% will be a little bit more pleasing. Because I know it's going to be extremely difficult to do 100% But a third is just spinning. It's our Epidiolex we won't get back again, to me just doesn't feel good in my spirit. So Through you, madam president to anyone who can answer that question.
I would appreciate the opportunity to listen. Thank you, potentate.
Good afternoon Cooperation Council. Good afternoon. So the if let me start here. This effort as it relates to collections based on the demos that the Department of demolition has done, no matter how much we want to move it quickly. We've had a modest amount of success. I do think now that we have the process in place of be substantially more because of the efforts of lawan counts in 3d. We have in fact, collected $978,144 Miss count has been particularly successful dealing with Detroit Public Schools. work we have done for them they have reimbursed reimbursed us for we do now have 17 properties for which we have filed collection lawsuits. The process of filing these lawsuits clearly starts with a letter of demand and notice to the property owners 32 of those have obviously been sent out 12 of them just recently 1917 of them have resulted in the actual filing of lawsuits. We have one where we actually have a default with the default we have gone into the judge and asked the judge then to allow us to impose a lien once the lien is imposed by the court. We will then ask the judge to do one of two things. One, if the value of the land is similar to the cost of the demolition, we will ask the judge to buy his court or her court order deed the land to the city of Detroit or to if the value of the land substantially exceeds the cost of demolition. We will ask the judge then to report choose me to appoint a real estate agent slash receiver to cause the property to be sold so that the city of Detroit demolition costs can be recouped. So in seven in 19, ellos. As I indicated 19 levels properties or lawsuits have been filed. The if if in fact there is an owner that is identify this litigation can take up to 10 months. If there is not an owner or if the owner does not respond within the 21 days that they have to file their answer to our complaint, then it's probably more likely a five month process. And as I indicated, we have 12 properties that had been assigned to lawyers in the law department. The notice letters have gone out if they do not respond within the 14 days that we have given them to respond to the letter that says you always this money for work that we have done then the lawsuits will be filed. So the the 32 lawsuits are in play at this particular moment. We're moving the process along to the degree that we have had success Miss Council has been the person responsible for the law department
will soon be making
its own contribution. Thank you, Madam President, corporate counsel through you madam president, to corporate counsel, you're seeing these these properties that are in the groups that are being put before us right now are going through that particular process.
The rest is this is what we're being asked to approve on today. That the properties that are in front of you for demolition, demolition through a demolition. Mr.
President Pro Tem has not occurred yet. What I'm saying that was the process upon which we are seeking so right now with all the demos have not taken place. What are we doing to ensure that we're going to recoup those dollars?
In the event that the demos are approved by this body? So in any instance. Now remember that the 3d the Department of demolition will send out an invoice if the invoice is not responded to in 60 days. Then it comes to the law department. The law department then sends out the 14 day notice letter and the lawsuit begins. So we do wait. Mr. President, approach him for the actual work to be done. So that there is a cause of action upon which collection can take place. So we don't file a lawsuit
in front of an actual controversy. Gotcha. So the the scenario the the ratio that I mentioned earlier, though, potentially about I guess it was 1/3 of the cost that we have spent on the demos that we on commercial demos that we've actually recovered. How long? How far does that date back?
to So to the public understands more of the math that we're talking about here? So, Mr. President Pro Tem, I don't have the precise information that you're asking for in terms of when did the work began as opposed and when the lawsuits got file? This is as of February we did not the the collection activity that I'm reporting to the city council now began basically in October of 2023.
And not before then, okay. So I guess that the obvious question is the chair.
And I'm certainly gonna chime in but that's the obvious question is why just August of 23 that we go into this particular process when we've been demolishing
a commercial buildings prior to that. So Mr. President Pro Tem surely the part of the process had to do with building up the law departments blight section. As it relates to my arrival in 2022. We began doing the Blight work we'd be and then we moved into the collection work. We now have eight lawyers available to do this work full time. It did take us a while to ramp up. And so we have not been able with the speed that miscounts is continuing to insist on appropriately. Keep up with the demand. But I think that we're in a position now to properly service
our client and her ambitions for collection.
And I believe direct accounts assumption one to admin and perfect accounts.
You're muted. lawan counts director of the construction and demolition department through the Chair. I'd like to address council member Tate's question about what that time period is look like that 30% that you're referencing, that actually is 30% Were the payments that has not gone through the legal portion of this process. That is simply we sent out invoices and the private owner or the property owner pay without any further you know, legal discussion, that process it varied in time. There are four. Sorry, there were four contracts in particular, those demos took place, late 2022. So October of 22, August of 21, August of 22. And April of 23. And those payments have been received, basically in
since July of 23.
Thank you. Thank you any additional questions?
Remember Callaway, thank you. Thank you Madam Chair, Corporation Counsel, I do believe our office work with you to get the collection program up and running in the law department at my urgence but I'm not comfortable with us using and this is Director counts to all of this Arper dollars to demolish, privately owned, most of them. I think when I read the spreadsheet privately on commercial structures, I think we need to go after the owners before we demolish them because we're not going to get our money back. We're not going to be able to recoup a large percentage of what we're expending to demolish the commercial properties in the first place. We're not good at in collections, you making a great effort in terms of hiring the, you know, the extra staff and I think there's another law firm that will be going after the collections but I just don't believe this is a good use of Arper dollars to demolish commercial properties, especially not dpscd buildings when they got their own Arper dollars to do what we're doing. Our opera dollars are for us, the people, the people and most of these structures. I don't think they're owned by the city. I think they're privately owned. If if a person owns one building, they probably owe more than one building. I would I would submit to you I would go and put liens on all of their buildings and businesses. That's the first step I would do. That's the first step I take I put a lien and some of you may not live in the city anymore. So they probably established your business in Detroit, abandon the buildings and went somewhere else. Maybe maybe not. But I think we should let that be the first course of action that we actually go out and put liens on the buildings that they own outside of the city or still in the city and start garnishing wages. Thank you
Madam Chair. Thank you, Mr. Conrad mallet.
All right. Thank you Director counts. Did you want to respond through the chair I would like to provide a little bit of clarity on the two properties of two dpscd properties that we demolished and collected funds back from those were not funded through ARPA dollars. Those were funded through city funds and the Detroit Public Schools reimbursed us for that effort for them. I think there is. There's also some confusion about this process didn't fully exist prior to prior to sitting down and saying this is probably mid 21. And we started having the conversation about how does this work because of course, I was not really familiar with the process at all. So when I reached out, it was explained that like listen, you got to be able to invoice that was not a process that existed inside of construction inside a demolition. We could accept invoices, but we couldn't generate invoices. So that part had to be created. As far as what happens once the invoice goes out. How do we ensure that the you know once the check is received who gets it the all of those steps had to be created um, so for us to say, well, we don't do a really good job of collecting this process is very, very new. So it's not as if we were able to even do it before so we're not really even comparing it into it, comparing it against something that's, you know, something that's that's that's concrete, to be able to say it is or is not a good process. The fact that we can say that we do have about 30% of those funds that we've that we've expended on these commercial demo efforts without actually even having to take it to a lawsuit I think that is that speaks volumes to how effective this process is. I also believe the fact that owners now know that when a demo issue or demo order is issued on their property, that there's going to be some result. So for historic, you know, historically we have not really been aggressive about attacking these commercial structures. Now, those residents know the ones or those property owners know. Now when they have those orders, they know they have to go in and take those steps in order to get a deferral or make the improvements so that the demo order can be lifted. They also know that we're going to come after it for the reimbursement as well. And we're going to be just as aggressive on that end. That's the commitment that we're making to this process. I can't speak to what happens if we take a different route as far as allowing them or seeking you know, the the lien on the property, how much more How much longer does that property have to sit vacant for the residents to have to deal with? I can't speak to what that looks like. I can speak to if we get the properties down.
We will be aggressive about going after the funds.
Madam Chair, thank you Madam Chair. Um, the properties that are before us 17.2 through 17 point 18
How many
of those structures are privately held through the chair? I provided that information in the
packet over the weekend? So you're able to see that breakdown? Madam Chair, this is for the public's interest. Those who are listening and here in the audience, they don't have what you're talking about. So if you will indulge us Can you please let us know. line item 17.2 through 17 point 18
Through the Chair are privately on commercial properties.
Oh 17.2 17
point 18 Through the Chair. I'm sorry. 17.21 is privately owned one is public on 17.31 is privately I'm sorry, publicly owned 12345 or privately owned 17.41234 a privately owned to our publicly owned 17.5 That's publicly owned 17.6123 are privately owned 123 are publicly owned 17.7 All are privately owned. 17.8123 are publicly owned, three are privately owned. 17.9 and 17. Point 10. All of those are privately owned. 17 point 11 six are privately owned. One is publicly owned. 17 points well. Six are privately owned. One is publicly owned. 17 point 13. Five are privately owned. One is publicly owned 17 point 14. Two are privately owned one is publicly
owned. And that is it.
Over Galloway, thank you Madam Chair, thank you Miss counts. I would recommend that we separate the two demolition projects, private and public. And I would absolutely encourage us to go after the private privately owned buildings before we demolish them and see what happens upfront. Maybe they have the resources to demolish their own buildings. I remember my neighbor having to pay to have their house demolished because it had got set on fire. And this was some years ago but the city didn't come to the rescue. That older couple had to come up with the money to play I think I think two I think was adaptable to come out and demolish their home. So if a resident senior citizen couple can come up with the money to have their home demolished because of a set on fire and they move elsewhere. I think we should go after the privately owned property owners and have them at least have the conversation with them. I'm not saying you haven't done that. But that's where I would want us to be more aggressive focus on those that we own. But to spin ARPA dollars to demolish
commercial properties. I don't support it at all. Thank you Madam Chair.
Thank you
member Callaway,
Councilman Robinson. Thank you. When I started this job. Structural blight was the number one concern that was called into my district office as of now just based on our fight, and the investment we've made into removing structural blight has now been reduced. Number two, that's a huge issue. So when you look at residential, vacant, abandoned buildings, and then you look at commercial, vacant, abandoned buildings, a little girl or a little boy you have to walk past those buildings and fear what could come out it doesn't change. These are public health, safety and welfare issues. And for me, and like my residents, the ownership of those properties is not the concern is the removing of those properties and eliminating that scary structural blight within their community knowing that their little children can be drugged into those properties and Lord knows done what to so for me, I love the conversation on how we utilize our funds. But the priority for me has to be removing that health hazard to ensure the health safety and welfare of our children, our communities. We cannot monetize the health of a child that we lose because that structural blight was not removed. Based on the source of funds. We have to prioritize the health, safety and welfare of our residents and removing this type of life from our communities for the third district residents is priority number two now. It used to be number one, it's now number two because we've made the investments to reduce and remove structural blight from our communities. And when I started this job, district three was denied those funds and so we fought hard to make sure that we have structural blight being removed as well. We also had a report done that talked about the number of rapes and murders that occur in vacant and abandoned structures. Were at about 3040 A year and a third district 30 or 40 rapes and murders that could have been prevented based on demolishing. old abandoned structure the bright blighted property. I understand the concerns about the funding, but I prioritize the health safety and welfare of our residents and our little girls and little boys.
Thank you. I will support this president if I might chair the the one of the things that I just want to make sure and I know that Councilperson Callaway is aware of this. The Blight management process is exhausting. And the city of Detroit fights desperately hard desperately hard to get it done. But the buildings that director Council is bringing forward before the body all of them are subjected to orders to demolish every single one of them and that's pursuant to legislative decision making done by this body. So we have reached a point where there is administrative and legislative body agreement that these buildings need to be demolished. The policy discussion over how and when I leave that to the person who's responsible for those particular decisions. But I just wanted to point out that we got to where we are pursuant to a very complicated process, but we are where we are in and
I just wanted to make sure that was part of the record. Okay, thank you. Thank you Cooperation Council. All right, with any other discussion
on these Yes, Councilmember waters. Thank you, Madam President. I or I tell you, my colleague right next door to me here. You know, he knows when he talks about children and
rapes a murderer. It tugs away of our heart on that one.
I wish we had other resources to demolish these buildings. But I guess we have to use what we have now generally, Madam President, I vote no on every commercial structure. And I mean, this is an it's tough. But when you talk about the children, it puts me in a different space.
And so I just want to say it.
Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you remember why not right if there is no additional discussion, I know we did separate these line items. And councilmember Would you mind repeating just the first group that you move forward? Councilmember Santiago it was 17.2 through 17.1 7.7. Okay. Are there any objections?
No objection, and we'll start with councilmember Santiago Romero. objection is for line items 17.2 through 17.7. Action take same items Okay. Madam Chair,
Councilmember Countway, same items, same items, just 17.2 and 17.7 or through 17
points through purpose. Oh, no. Any other objections? Hearing no further objections the resolutions will be approved.
Member Santiago Ramiro
Thank you Madam President,
motion to discuss 17 Point eights. All right discussion. Thank you, madam president through you to direct accounts 17.8 had is a contract that holds a potential historical sites I wanted to hear from you when we could get a resubmission of a contract or where we are with removing
that sites from this contracts.
Chair. We actually have a whole we have placed a demo Hold on one to 115 Dexter. Um, so we will not be moving forward with demo efforts on this particular property. We are however, not officially pulling the funds from this particular property because we have offered abatement services for the potential um, development for this as support for this particular location. Um, so at this time, we will not be pulling any funds just so that we are able to make that service available for planning
and development. They need it through the Chair. Thank you, Director. So just to clarify, you want us to approve the contract as it stands, noting that one two, I have 123 That might be the wrong
address. Can you repeat the address again
on Dexter? We're showing 12155 Dexter. It's actually a series of addresses right next to each other. So your address might be
one of several of the addresses in that parcel. Correct. So you are not moving forward with demolition on these
sites but you are going to provide them a Bateman and
alterations, abatement, not alteration. Thank you just abatements Understood. Is there a reason why we should just move this forward and not wait for a different kind of contract that just that shares clearly that we're just going to be moving
forward with an abatements for that property. The abatement portion is captured in this contract currently. So there it would have stood as a change order or D duck credit back to the back to the contract regardless, so as to hold it to put it back out is just going to be more of a timely expense
when we've already taken that capture into consideration. Through the chair, chair, director, and are you working together with our historic
preservation board
regarding the properties on Dexter?
Through the Chair Yes. We are. Okay, madam president. Those are all the questions that I have for 17.8. If there are no other questions from my colleagues,
I motion to approve 17.8.
Any objections to 17.8 Objection, Santiago. Ramiro
so no, for no
objection. Callaway Callaway as well. Okay. So no. All right, hearing no further objections that line item will be approved.
Member Santiago rimuru. Thank you, Madam President. It's a motion to approve 17.9 through 17 points, 14.
These are all the remaining
abatement and arbitration contracts.
All right. Are there any objections other than Santiago Romero?
And that's for all for all
items. Yes. Yep. stowaway. Objection. To all
objections are equal. So no, right. The clerk will note thank you. Hearing no further objections,
the resolutions will be approved.
Members Thank you, Madam President. We are now at 17 points 15. And again, I'm grouping these contracts. This next group of contracts are emergencies and demolition contracts I motion to approve 17 points 15 through 17 point 18. Also noting that 17 point 18 is a
contract to provide vehicle body repair services. motion has been made for approval. Are there any objections? Hearing no objections, the resolutions will be approved.
Councilmember Santiago Ramiro Thank you
madam president motion to discuss 17 point 19
and 17 point 20. Okay, discussion. Thank you, Madam president's 17 point 19 Is the Fingerprint Identification System maintenance service contract for police. It has been brought to all of our attention from the board of police commissioners that the board has sent an inquiry late last year regarding fingerprinting in the city that has not been responded to yet from DPD they are asking for three items. Most importantly, they regard they're asking for policies regarding our fingerprint devices. I'm asking that we bring this item back in one week to allow DPD to respond to the board of police commissioners. The information that they're asking for is easily accessible and should not take long for them to respond to the oversight board. Wondering if there's any other discussion? If not, I would like
to bring back 17 point 19 in one week. Are there any objections to bringing back 17 point 19 to postpone for one week? Hearing no objections we will postpone 17 point 90.
And councilmember, thank you. Thank you, madam president for 17 points 20. This is the bolawrap contracts. I'm grateful to all of our organizers and advocates for flagging this contracts for us. I was planning on voting no on the contract because I believe we need to do more to invest in solutions. And this contract will provide DPD a non lethal tool which for some is a step in the right direction. But I would love to give us as a council the opportunity to speak with teacher disability power if we haven't already regarding their concerns regarding this contracts. If colleagues are in agreement, we can bring this back in one week or I can motion to approve and we'll vote no. But this is something that we were asked to hold for discussion with
Detroit disability power.
Alright, we'll do discussion briefly. President potentate. Thank you, and I absolutely respect the opinions of those who have provided us with their thoughts on this particular item. And certainly look forward to hearing more. That's what I've seen thus far and emails did not get me to the point where I'm convinced that it is the danger that has been expressed. What I feel is certainly a danger is the use of lethal force and right now, that's what we have seen up to this point. We're being creative when it comes to CRT as a whole. But I actually saw the device being implemented being utilized when I was over at the
Huntington place when I almost wanted to get it done myself just see what it felt like vegetable.
No, seriously. I mean, if I'm going to prove it, I want to see the effects of it. But the individual who actually did have it utilized on them. I had an opportunity to speak with them didn't have any pain, but I do understand that there's always no matter what you know, we're talking hand to hand you know if we're talking weapon to a person's body, if we're talking to any confrontation, there's always the possibility of it ending badly. will depend on a person's health history will depend on the way that the action may turn aggressive. So there's a whole host of factors. I personally believe and again I welcome anyone who would provide information to the contrary that this these bolo bolo wraps are without a doubt a step up from what we have used in the past. While we are still working on trying to de escalate, there are times where immediate action has to be taken, and to do so in a way that is non lethal. To me, it should always be the goal. You're not using a PR 24 You're not using a firearm and you're not using a taser. I believe that there should be some additional tool that are law enforcement in other entities are able to use if there is an immediate danger to themselves and others that will prevent harm beyond lethal or to and so this
little is not lethal danger. Thank you Madam President.
Thank you so much Pro Tem member Doha. Thank you, Madam President, and I share some of the same sentiments as president pro tem as the chair of the disability Task Force. Let me first say I appreciate all that Detroit disability. Power does for our for the members of our city who are disabled and all of our residents. I also had the opportunity to review and observe the bowler rap as well as as well as other non lethal equipment. And I simply view it just as a tool. Obviously, this discussion became more prevalent after an incident that occurred with Porter birch here, and members of this very council asked for alternatives to non lethal horse what those alternatives were we went down to Huntington place and had the opportunity to view some of those items and that equipment and it was a game changer for me, knowing that our law enforcement can utilize some of those resources and so I would like to be supportive of those resources in any way that I possibly can. Noting that again, if we do not have to use any lethal force, that is our goal here. And so to look at $30,000 and again, I've read the letter from the Troy disability power and I appreciate them sending that letter. But we're looking at $30,000 for this item. And I do I would note that DPD as well as as the department have been very instrumental and working with us even at the Disability Task Force even in the last budget where we secure over $150,000 in their own budget, to start to work towards providing training for folks who can deal with invisible disabilities here in the city of Detroit and so I'm satisfied with that. But obviously, there needs to be more done. And again, you know, I look forward to having those discussions with Detroit disability power as well as our other advocates, This budget cycle so we can talk about additional funding this last funding, we got close to $1.4 million spread across Detroit, the city of Detroit departments, one of the first times we've done that, we're looking at increasing and push it even more,
But I don't think this contract will handle that. So thank you, Madam President. Thank you, thank you remember there ha. All right, remember Santiago mural I'm personally as well comfortable moving. So Adam kind of study that technology. And I do believe it kind of addresses some of the concerns that were raised regarding having a non lethal kind of response to some of these escalation that takes place with within the police department, so I'm comfortable moving forward. I'm not sure member.
Did you move this for approval or or discussion? Thank you, Madam President. I moved it for discussion, asking if there were any objections to bringing this back hearing or asking if there would be a need for us to bring this back. And it does not sound as if folks would need that time. It sounds like folks have done their outreach regarding this contracts. So it was just discussion and
waiting to see if there's anything else then I can move forward with the motion for approval. All right. Are there any? Yes, counsel?
I'm sorry to see you guys here.
Councilmember young followed by
councilmember Jensen. Yes. Councilmember Jensen. Thank you, Madam President. So I have not had the benefit of understanding how the bolo rap is used. I was actually not familiar with it when we review the information, so if everyone is willing to postpone it for one week, I would love to have the opportunity to be able to understand it better. Just thinking about somebody being wrapped up in not having access to your hands, to be able to catch yourself when you fall. I just it's that's the thing that is coming to my mind. So I would like to perhaps reach out to the police department to get a better understanding of how they utilize it and when they intend to utilize it. I did read and did indicate that there are individuals with mental health challenges or maybe someone who may be going through an episode where the rap would be utilized
but would like to have the additional week. Thank you,
Madam President. Thank you so much. Mr. Johnson. Council member. Yeah. Thank you so much. I just wanted to say that I to respect, disability power and their organization organized, what they do on the ground and what they represent and I think you should be respected. I personally am ready to support this. I think that a bullet wrap is better than a bullet like frankly. And I think that's what we've seen the alternative. A lot of times I think this is non violent technology. And from my personal perspective, I was actually one of the people that was you're suggesting this information to the DPD as well. Think of it this is you this is that this information, this technology, to DPT as well as to say non lethal, safe option. And I think we need more of that because I think we need a police department that goes back to being guardians and goes back to preserving life as the number one thing that they need to do. And this does that. But I also I mean, I'm not. I'm not a mathematician, but I know that nine to zero is better than seven to two. So we wanted to wait a week in order to make sure that we had a unanimous vote rather than not I'm okay with that as well. I just I just hope my colleagues don't make a liar out of me by voting against this in a week. But other than that, I think it will be better you don't for everyone to have no full support for this.
I'm willing to compromise a way that we can already get that. So
thank you so much. Councilmember Yang member Benson. All right. Thank you. Just wanted to say that. My issue is and I appreciate the voices coming out and saying they'd like a little bit more time. But we had a very robust conversation about this in committee. We voted out with a recommendation to approve and voted out to a formal business just to give an additional week for questions to be asked and answered. did not hear that it was any level of Time is of the essence for this purchase. But to have a restraining device on the streets being able to be used where and this is during a conversation. It's not a weapon. This is a restraining device. And so you wouldn't characterize handcuffs as a weapon nor should you characterize a restraining devices weapon either. And so for me, if people do have concerns, I would like for them to bring them up in a timely fashion so we can have these conversations in the committee where these type of conversations belong. But I don't have an issue with holding back there was not said to be a sense of urgency, but I would just like to see these conversations happen in committee, where we do this work versus coming to the table two weeks after and then asking for another postponement of the vote much rather see these conversations in
committee, especially when we hold it back for a week just to make sure people can have those conversations. Thank you.
All right. Thank you member Benson and then pretend you had something just
Yeah, I agree.
I don't. There we go. I agree. I mean, though I am at this moment and steadfast and support. I believe in ever. Marguerite Mata calls in and hazard concerned about something I listened so if it takes just one more week for us, or at least for those who are opponents of this particular tool to communicate their concern is going to have to be a good argument for me. I'll be honest with you, even for those who I love, but I don't have a problem with it coming back. But again, I want to make it very clear that I very much support this tool based
upon its non lethal objective. Thank you. All right. Thank you pro tem. So it sounds like members are supportive of just allowing you that additional week. I have not heard any objections from the administration or DPD to any time constraints for the particular contract. So this motion to postpone
for one week for 17 point 20 So moved and Madam presidents just for my colleagues. It just knowledge and information. DPD has these currently and they have used it once since we've purchased it so I see no urgency and holding this back for one week for more information. Just so everyone knows. We have them they have been used once and this is to expand the amount that we have in
DPD. But that is my motion,
Madam President. Back in one week. discussion on the motion? Yes, yes. Madam Chair. I didn't have that information that she just shared that DPD already has this bolawrap I wish it had been used and the porter Burke's case was shot at 38 times and shot 19 times. So why well, I mean, I can't We can't go back and say why wasn't it used here but so through the chair, is it my understanding now
that DPD already has this mechanism, just not using it? Remember, Thank you, madam president through you to member Callaway. I don't recall the exact date but I believe this is a result of that to ensure safety of residents. And this was discussed during committee. So highly encourage folks to review that recording all of the information from DPD. And their usage
regarding this technology has been discussed in PHS.
Okay, thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you. All right. Thank you, colleagues. So we will postpone 17 point 20 for one week. Hearing no objections that action will be taken
from the law department. Councilmember
Benson and introduction of an ordinance 917 point 21.
So member Benson
ordinance read twice by
title. I move that the orders be read twice by title order printed and laid on the table.
Hearing no objections that action will be taken from the law department. Councilmember Benson
a resolution setting a public hearing on item 17 point 2204 member Benson. Motion to public hearing TBD, Hearing no objections. The resolution will be approved for the scheduling of a public hearing
on the law department, Councilmember Benson and
introduction of an ordinance line item 17
point 23. Councilmember Benson motion
I move that the ordinance
be read twice by title order printed and laid on the table.
Hearing no objections,
that action will be taken from the law department. Councilmember
Benson a resolution setting a public hearing line
at 17 Point 24. Councilmember Benson Washington see a public hearing TBD. Hearing no objections the resolution will be approved for the scheduling
of a public hearing
on the lives of our mayor, Councilmember Benson and introduction of an ordinance line
item 17 point 25. So member Benson
I move that the ordinance be read twice by title order printed and laid on the table.
Right Hearing no objections that action will be taken from the law department councilmember Benson
a resolution setting public hearing line item 17 point 26. Number Benson. Motion to set a public hearing TBD. motion has been made Hearing no objections. That resolution for the scheduling
of a public hearing will be approved from the law department. Councilmember Benson and
introduction of an ordinance line item 17 point 27.
I move that the ordinance
be read twice by title order printed and laid on the table. Hearing no objections. That action will be taken. Councilmember Benson motion is set the public hearing TBD. Hearing no objections, the resolution will be approved for the scheduling of a public hearing.
From the law department, Councilmember Benson
an introduction of an ordinance line item
17 point 29. Councilmember Benson I
move that the ordinance be read twice by titled order printed and laid on the table. And just so the public understands really quick. These are 10 Various ordinances that are being pushed through by BC to move the business license expiration date from April 30 to May 31 of each year. So that is the ordinances that we are scheduling a public hearing for Hearing no
objections that actually will be taken from the law department. Some of this
in a resolution setting a public hearing line item 17 point 30.
Mostly at the public hearing TBD. Hearing no objections, the resolution will be approved for the scheduling
of a public hearing. From the law department, Councilmember Benson and
an introduction of an ordinance line item 17 point 31. I
move that the ordinance be read twice by title order printed and laid on the table.
Hearing no objections that action will be taken from the law department. Councilmember Benson a
resolution setting a public hearing line item 17 point 32.
Member Benson motion set the public hearing TBD, Hearing no objections, the resolution for the scheduling of a public hearing will be approved.
On the law department. Councilmember Benson and introduction of an ordinance line item
17 point 33. Member Benson I
move that the ordinance be read twice by title order printed and laid on the table.
Hearing no objections that action will be taken from the law department. Councilmember Benson a resolution setting a public hearing line item
17 point 34. Motion to set the public hearing TBD.
Hearing no objections,
the motion for the scheduling of
public hearing will be approved on the law department. Councilmember Vinson
and introduction of an ordinance line item 17 point 35. I move that the ordinance be read twice by title order printed and laid on the table with discussion. Discussion member Benson and just as stated by the president so these are ordinances that directly impact our food users. And so there are two licenses that are required for food businesses within the city we operate one being from the state of Michigan which expires on April 30. And one being a license which now expires on the 30th of April as well. And so what you have is about 30% of food businesses get their licenses denied because they have not received their state license. So what this does is it gives a month of leeway to allow the state license to come in. And then it gives these food businesses a month to get their city license. This will reduce the number of food users that have their businesses, their business licenses rejected by the city of Detroit so they can legally continue to operate food businesses. So this is something that was requested by the food industry. This is how we at the city of Detroit work with our small businesses to eliminate and alleviate any obstacles towards successfully running a business within the city of Detroit. So this simply changed the date and this is just more of a logistics obstacle that can easily be changed. But we do have to go through the process, which means we have to modify the date on each ordinance
individually, hence this process that's coming to the table today. Thank you so much. Benson
from the law department.
Sent a resolution saying a public hearing line item 17 point 36
And Rubinson motion to set the public hearing TBD. Hearing no objections the resolution will be approved for
the scheduling of a public hearing on the law department, Councilman
Wesson and introduction of an ordinance line
item 17 point 37. Mr. Benson I move that
the ordinance be read twice by title order printed and laid on the table. Hearing no objections the
resolution will be approved on the law department. Councilmember Benson a
resolution setting a public hearing line item 17 point 38. Councilmember Benson motion set the public hearing TBD. Hearing no objections the resolution will be approved for the scheduling of a public hearing
from the Department of Public Works city engineering division. Councilmember Santiago Romero 10 resolutions, line item
17 point 39 To 17 point 48. Councilmember Santiago rimuru Motion to approve every No objections you tend to resolutions will
be approved and these are various vacations utility easements. Madam President, yes, briefed especially for 17 point 39 Want to thank the Detroit Athletic Club and residents for letting us know the need for sidewalk repairs and the DHCS partnership and cooperation in doing so they have
provided us all a resolution stating that they will
ensure a sidewalk is available.
Thank you, Councilmember. Hearing no other objections the 10 resolutions will be approved. We will now move to the new
business portion of the agenda from the Office of contract and get securement. Madam President, there are four contracts up for vote today from the public health and safety Standing Committee on today's new business portion of the agenda. First up we have contract number 6004694. A 100%. City funding amendment number one to provide an increase of funds and an extension of time for 3d demolition department office renovations contract is Gandalf Inc. total contract amount $1,281,072. And this contracts for construction and demolition. The next contract is contract numbers 60057651 2% Solid Waste funding to buy residential trash bulk yard recycling, debris collection and hauling poor areas three and four contractors priority waste LLC total contract amount $87,761,352.84 And this contract is for public works. The next contract is contract number 60057661 2% Solid Waste funding through our residential trash bulk yard recycling debris collection and hauling for areas One and Two contractors waste management of Michigan Inc. total contract amount $122,945,186.98. And this contract is for public works. The last contract is contract number 60059981 0% Solid Waste funding to provide recycling, education and technical assistance services for the citizens of Detroit controlled this green living sign Green Living science, Inc total contract amount $430,000. And this contract is for public works. Councilmember Santiago mayor
for resolutions, line items 18.1
to 18.4. Thank you, Councilmember Santiago De Muro. Thank you, Madam President. Before moving forward me I request a waiver for 17 points 39.
This is the DC easement request. All right. Any objections to a waiver? Did you get that Mr.
Clerk 17 point
3939 39.
a waiver of purpose Oh no. Hearing no objection that will be added as a member. Thank you Madam President. Motion to approve 18.1 This is to provide
the 3d demolition department office renovations
Alright, are there any objections to 18.1 Objection
madam chair on line item 18.1. Callaway. Are there any other objections? Hearing none,
the resolution will be approved. Councilmember Santiago Romero. Thank you Madam President. Motion to approve with discussion 18.2 and 18.3 These are
our two trash only in contracts. Okay.
Move for discussion. I see. Director Brundage is here as well wants to come down. Madam president while we wait for our director to join us. I know that we brought this back to allow for more outreach to be done and hoping the demonstration can share with us what has been done, what the results have
been, and allow for any other questions that we may have
before we move this forward to the chair. Yes, Mr. Washington. We do have Steve Watson online as well. All right. We can promote Mr. Watson as
well. And director brandit You can start off as he comes on. Good afternoon. Thank you. Ron Brennan's director of DPW. Just a quick recap. We originally brought these contracts in for the City Council in November 2023. And during that initial conversation, the council members the public indicated that there was a desire to have more outreach and what we really wanted to do was hear from the public to see that if it was really important to them to go from the current level of service where we will provide bulk recycling in the yard waste collection on a bi weekly basis,
whether it was important to them that we
transition to weekly collection foot of water Madam Chair, it's difficult to hear.
I'm sorry. It's difficult to
hear. Your director Brennan's can speak up this better.
Diaphragm has run his diaphragm please. And so, again, it was important that we heard from the residents to see how important it was that we've transitioned from bi weekly to weekly bulk collection services since the November 2023. When this was these contracts were first brought in front of Council. We've held nine community meetings. In addition, we've had two different surveys where we gave residents an opportunity to really weigh in on whether or not they felt that going from bi weekly to weekly collection service was going to have a true benefit and in making our city cleaner during those community meetings a total of a total of 14 175 people attended those meetings. And what we heard from residents overwhelmingly was that there was a desire to go to the weekly bulk recycling and yard waste collection services. We then asked the residents whether or not they would be potentially successful, acceptable to a small modest fee increase of those residents that we surveyed about 72% of them that indicated that they would be supportive of a modest fee increase. But again, what we heard overwhelmingly from our residents, was that they were supportive.
of going from bi weekly to weekly back yard waste and recycling services. Director Brenda Do you have an update one, the most recent poll, are you referring to that one that just went out this week
with more clarity on the amount that we were proposing? Well, thank you, Madam President. Again, as indicated we had two surveys the initial survey, we asked residents whether we asked residents whether they were supportive of again supportive of going to weekly collection over 13,000 residents participated in the initial survey. A week and a half ago we started a second survey where we in addition to
asking whether there was support for going
to still can't hear me is not the best director Brundage. I'm not sure if this better
I will get a much better often sitting in my office
again online very shortly.
We're gonna get it right what about now?
Yeah. I try to speak as loudly as long as my girlfriend goes
out boys. All right. Well, why don't we do this? Can I can I step away. The residents need to be able to hear you as well. So we
kind of do need a microphone those who are attending virtually. All right, what about this
any better? All right. All right. I'll just hurt my back in the
process. We maybe should get him a chair. Right. Sit down. Okay. Again, as indicated we had two separate surveys during the initial survey. We received responses from over 13,000 residents, and over 70 per 76% of those residents indicated that they were supportive of going to weekly bulk recycling collection. We then had a second survey where we expounded on the questions that we asked and we received 9763 responses as of yesterday, I think at noon, into second survey, in addition to asking residents to first they'd be supportive to go into weekly collection for those that indicated that they were supportive of transition that weekly collection, we then ask the follow up question as to whether or not they would be supportive of a modest fee increase of $10 a year for a three year period, three years of the five year contract term, and of those residents that responded to the second portion of the survey. 72% of those
residents indicated that they would be supportive
of a modest fee increase. Right. We also asked residents to provide information listing the zip codes that they lived in. We wanted to make certain that we were getting responses from every corner of the city and that certain areas weren't potentially impacting the results of the survey. We were happy to receive responses from all 31 zip codes throughout the city of Detroit. Obviously, the volume of responses that we received vary from from the different zip codes that we deal with the
responses
from all 31 zip codes throughout the city. Great, thank you Director Brundage,
any additional questions on these particular contracts? Yes. Councilmember young? Yes, it was when JD was sent directly to DC glad you taught for your diaphragm usually outside. I just want to ask a question I don't I don't want to name this quit this contractor particularly but one of the contractors had significant issues when when I heard in terms of meeting certain targets, means certain dates had issues involving diversity from what I've heard, and you heard that they didn't name and priority current priority
was the contract. Have you heard that at all of that record? Through the Chair? Member young. We did hear report last fall there were there was some constants concerns about one of our contractors priority ways. We looked into it very thoroughly and we didn't find any
evidence, any evidence at all to support the claims that were made. Okay. And if it turns out that those claims were correct,
and we have voted on this, is there a provision within the contract of people terminating through the chair there are always present provisions in every contract that's awarded in the event that a contract is awarded and, and we find out that there was something that we were aware beforehand, when it caused us to act in a different manner. The contract does allow for us to make necessary adjustments and I know that procurement director for standard style is
also available. And if you'd like for her to respond to more details,
you can certainly do so. Yeah, I would please direct her. That's okay.
she's behind. The Chair, I would first like to comment that party waste currently employs 55 Detroit residents and that in their proposal in their cover letter they expressed in writing their commitment to hiring Detroit residents and in fact have programs like paying for their CDL license as they go through training. And Mr. Stamper is here today if you would like to ask him any questions. Additionally to your second question, as Mr. Brundage stated every contract has a termination for cause terms through which we follow a specific process. So yes, when there is cause
for termination, that that we can do that.
Same thing with the gentleman it's online again, because we did this Mr. Sanford is actually here
in person. He is the president of priority waste
when it comes down, yeah.
Afternoon counsel, yeah,
I would actually come down and I knew he was here and I'm
sorry about that. But the mic should work for me. Yeah. Listen, I just wanted to ask you, there's been so good. There's been some issues that been brought up about your company and about this contract involving diversity hiring involving inclusion. I just want to get a commitment from you. Are you with this contract as we go through this process? I just want to know,
is that something that you have addressed? Is that something that you're willing to address? I would have had unknown that I've never no one's ever brought to my attention that we've had any diversity issues. We have plenty of men, women all colors. No. I even off of our, our census, we have no diversity issues. So I'm even confused. Oh, sorry. I'm
even confused about the question, sir. Okay, that's probably the first time anyone's ever said that. Oh, well,
let me rephrase it.
Should we count on your commitment? Right now? The being committed to being
open and inclusive. So we're the first hire the Detroit or
hire raise? Absolutely.
Prior to even standing here? Councilman?
Thank you. Madam Chair,
right. Do you want to respond? Yes, ma'am. Sure. Thank you. You're with Priority waste.
You're the president. Yes, ma'am.
How many employees do you have?
Close to 700
and your office is headquartered where our corporate offices at Hall road and Romeo plank and Clinton Township, Romeo plank,
Romeo plank, in Hall Road in Clinton Township of just 700 employees
how many are minority for African American I think 57% But it might have been 57%
or it may be higher as we continue to grow. So you're saying 57% of your 700 employees. You're located in Clinton
Township is 50. Yes, it's 57%.
minority. Yes.
And I have another question. Is your organization unionized? We have a union residential real load department
that would be in the city of Detroit.
So portions Yes. portions of your organization
is unionized. Yes. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Ranking Member Callaway member Benson. Can you just talk about your facility in the city of Detroit specifically your facility Third District we've had the opportunity in my office to be in did was something we saw as well. Something similar when the green taskforce took its site visit to
Seattle to see transfer and recycling facilities. Can you just talk about that? Absolutely. We purchased Jay fawns on McNichols. Roughly three and a half years ago, we committed a $10 million investment in infrastructure and remodeling and putting proper equipment in to clean up that facility. It can handle probably 3000 tonnes a day and it does about between 14 and 1800 tonnes a day pending seasonally. So we pride ourselves on what we're able to do with J funds and cleaning that up. If anybody's ever been by it, you're welcome to come but if you saw it four or five years ago, to what it looks like now it's like night and day. And it is an example of
how we run our business. Be OCD about cleanliness. And then not everybody is really the transfer station is or what transfer station does is a brief description for the viewing public. So you understand what's going on in the city of Detroit and how that facility impacts solid waste coming in and moving out of the city. That one time we burned or incinerated our solid waste. We no longer do that. And so responsibly manage transfer facilities are very, very
important to how we move trash in in solid waste out of the city of Detroit cracked for safety purposes for the residents and also in density and time to allow the curbside pickup to go to a facility that's much closer, rather than having to go out 45 minutes to direct drive to landfills. The materials are brought to a transfer station. If there's any sorting that can be done there is if not, that material is compacted and put into very large trailers and then it is trucked out to the landfills. As far as the city residents themselves J Fonz is approved and we have hundreds of Detroit residents that stopped by everyday show their ID and they will offload any couches or big bulk items that they couldn't do curbside so it's been a success for us and and it's also a success for everybody that dumps especially if homeowners are running trucks and they want to a quick place to go to dump material instead of having to drive out and you know, drive thru a landfill they can come right into the transfer station
itself. And they save a lot of time and it's much more convenient to the residents. All right. And then the process that we're our last solid waste company. There was a number of calls that I received on a regular basis about Miss pickups, late pickups, the garbage zoo that will make its way in front of people's homes, looking for some type of metrics from priority just to so that we as council can then report that back to our respective bosses in the district because these are the services that they will be using on a weekly basis. And so just want to make sure that we understand the timeliness fact that we are not leaving Jew garbage Jew in front of people's homes, and that things are being picked up as they said and so instead of half of a have a yard being picked up at the whole yard is picked up if there is illegal dumping on the side street that you are picking that up is really want to see those type of metrics come to the table as well on a timely and regular basis. I really believe that will be through DPW just hoping to get that maybe on a quarterly basis that we can actually track and see how our dollars are being
spent and invested when it comes to removing solid waste from our neighborhoods through the term.
Remember bins and we can certainly commit to providing a quarterly report to this body.
Thank you, Madam Chair. If I may say we also have a representative here from waste management in case anybody has quite. We have a representative
from the other contractor waste management event anyway. Thank you, Madam President, through you to Director Brundage first to my vice chair. Um, thank you for bringing up really what should be enorm in reporting how performance is based, although we heard from residents in their support of an additional fee that came with a caveat that we are bettering our services that they are also if they're going to pay more that they're also receiving better quality of services. So welcome a report to be brought before PHS we constantly ask for departments to come and give us quarterly reports. So to utilize our time, well, we can definitely reach out to your departments to make sure that we're scheduling those quarterly reports on how are we doing with our trash collection. So that's one Thank you Vice Chair for bringing that up. That was one of my points. The other question that I have and this is more of a seat to be planted by we have an app called Detroit connects. Not sure how many folks use it, but it's really good. It has all the videos of every mission and board and council and mayor meetings. And I wonder if we could utilize it a little bit more for its we'll all sit out surveys. So our residents. You know, we understand there's a digital divide. And there are also a lot of folks that use smartphones that we know are on apps like tick tock and Facebook. So why not utilize the app that we have to send out surveys or information the same way that we do through our texting service. So just an idea. It seems like an easier way to sign up for information as well if you're going to download an app. So just want to thank you and the administration for taking my consideration of a survey to get feedback from residents and really want to utilize the resources that we have to make sure that we're doing more outreach. I know the numbers aren't are all of our residents feedback, but quite frankly, when I thought back to it, this would require a full blown campaign for to inform all of our residents and we don't have the time or capacity or resources to do that. So just wanted to think through more resources that we have tools that we have to do more outreach when we move on contracts like these moving forward. But those are just my my seeds. And my only comments about them president's not sure if my colleagues have
any other questions for 18.2 and 18.3.
All right. Councilmember Callaway, yes, thank you Madam Chair, Madam Chair. You and I asked that LPD
look into bringing this whole trash hauling
and bulk yard pickup back in house. And I did hear the report yesterday I heard the questions from my colleagues. I listened intently, and I it sounds like it will be cost prohibitive according to Mr. Corley, I will be a note no on both of these contracts. For some reasons why