Loading...
Detroit City Council Formal Session
Unknown Speaker
aggress 
+4
President Sheffield
All right, good morning. We will now call to order our regular session for Tuesday, June the 11th. If our clerk will please call the roll. Councilmember
Unknown Speaker
Scott Benson.
Unknown Speaker
Hospital was made to haul the third
Speaker 1
customer Leticia Johnson. Customer Gabriel Santiago will Miro present
Unknown Speaker
customer Mary waters
Unknown Speaker
often is the Winfield Callaway President
Unknown Speaker
often will call me young,
Unknown Speaker
the second
Unknown Speaker
Hospers important James state
Speaker 2
and consequently Mary Sheffield president. You have a quorum present Madam President.
President Sheffield
All right there being a quorum. We are now in session and we will start off as always with our invocation. And we have joining us Reverend Barry, from church of the Messiah. Good morning.
Speaker 3
Good morning, council president. How are you? Doing? Great. Thank you. Okay. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day. We thank you Heavenly Father because your work says, This is the day that that the Lord have made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. You didn't tell us how the day had to be. But you did. Tell us to rejoice and be glad we thank you, Heavenly Father, for this governing body. We asked you Heavenly Father to bless them. Your word says that if we acknowledge you, you will direct our paths. So we asked we only father to direct their path direct their paths as they work on behalf of the City of Detroit. We thank you Heavenly Father as you direct their path for every decision that they have to make. That is a godly and a good decision. We thank you Heavenly Father to also direct the past of our citizens in the great city of Detroit. We ask you Heavenly Father to direct all of our parents, our teachers are workers. We actually want the father to bless us. We actually we Heavenly Father to bless us all as we do your work and your name. We ask that you have a special blessing Heavenly Father upon those who need our help as we do this work. So for everybody who is facing a challenge, rather than homelessness, rather than gun violence, rather than any type of issue that is causing any type of affliction we ask you Heavenly Father to bless us to make the best decisions on their behalf and we will be sure to give you all of the honor the glory in the praise and giving all of the glory and your mighty name. We thank you and we pray to you. And we ask you to bless us. Amen. Amen.
President Sheffield
And I thank you so much Reverend Barry and we also know that June is Gun Violence Awareness Month and we know that you have a pretty big event that you have annually, and it will be taking place this Saturday. So I wanted to give you the opportunity to briefly talk about the event Saturday and let people know if they're interested to come join us for the March and rally that you have at your church this Saturday.
Speaker 3
Yeah, so this Saturday is the 17th and will silence the violence March and rally. There was a press conference at 10 o'clock. We thank the council president for being part of that. So we're going to have the press conference at 10 o'clock. One of our keynote speakers besides the council president is also going to be the Lieutenant Governor garlin Gilchrist. We expect many of the city council people to be here. We will have groups and organizations from all over the city of Detroit all over the state of Michigan and all over the country coming to Detroit to see how we work on the issue of gun violence press conference at 10 o'clock. The memorial March is at 11 o'clock. 12 o'clock is the networking. We should be finished by one o'clock. Thank you. God bless you. This Saturday is grand boulevard Lafayette.
President Sheffield
All right. Thank you so much, Reverend Barry, we appreciate you and looking forward to seeing you this weekend. Thank you have a blessed one. All right. We are we are not going to proceed. For those who are joining us virtually if you would like to make a public comment please do so now please raise your hand at this time. We will cut off public comment after our presentations for this morning. So I have the privilege now of recognizing our own here can yet a Hairston bridges who was going to be departing the city of Detroit if you want to join us to honor you for your service here in the city of Detroit. Let's give her a round of applause Ken yet a bridges Detroit leading dealmaker and number one cheerleader is departing Detroit. She has been selected as the new president and CEO for the Tampa Downtown Partnership. Ken Yetta, isn't it? Yes, give her a round of applause bittersweet. Bittersweet. Kenyatta is an accomplished leader for the past 20 years has served as a catalyst for economic activity in our city. More recently, Ken yet have served as the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of the economic development and investment services during her time here at the at the city of Detroit. She has guided a team of economic development professionals to foster investments that generated business growth and created job opportunities for Detroit residents. It is not one project that has been completed in Detroit during her tenure with the with Detroit economic growth corporation that she has not had her hands on, including notable projects transformational projects and investments. Like bet rocks Hudson's block district Detroit's transformational brownfield plans this the Lantis Mac development project, Michigan central here before unhealth the Detroit Pistons headquarters, the list goes on and Owen can yet his work has earned her numerous accolades. She was selected to leadership betray class 37 She was honored as a woman, excellent woman of excellence by the Michigan Chronicle and also being selected as a distinguished Vanguard recipient. She was also named as Crain's Detroit business notable women in real real estate and was recently selected as women and leadership honoree by Michigan business. Ken yet earned her Bachelor's and Master's from Central Michigan University she serves on various boards and committees including investi Trade Investment Committee invest Detroit community development board, the Paradise Valley Conservancy, a greater Detroit Foreign Trade Zone and prior appointment to the Detroit workforce and development board. She is also committed to the community and yet it is a native Detroiter born and raised in the city of Detroit and has spent over two decades working to uplift Detroit young people through mission focused volunteer experiences, including inspiring and supporting young girls through athletic programming cheer and dance, educational support life skills leadership development, with the intention of providing unforgettable experiences and collective community impact through Detroit Powell. Lastly, can yet his dedication is seen in all aspects of her life as her mantra is to always prioritize focus, prioritize focus and focus on what matters most working Yetta our family is what matters most her husband, our children, our mother, sisters, niece and nephews. She is quoted stating our faith love and attention to family are absolutely necessary as we build stable foundations, strong families, loving children and strong communities. We will truly miss you miss Kenyatta bridges, and I just want to say when I heard the news of you leaving, I was definitely excited about you continuing to walk in your purpose and going on to greater things but definitely will be missed here in the city of Detroit. You are a wealth of knowledge. And just so proud to see a woman in the room and at the table for big projects that will come to Detroit and just knowing that you had such an impact as it relates to economic development in our city. So congratulations on moving ahead. But you will be missed here in the city of each race. So we wanted to pause and honor you with the testimonial resolution and it is signed by the entire Detroit City Council. And I'm not sure if any Kyle well we will allow you to say a few words Miss bridges before we move to colleagues. Well, that
Speaker 4
was a nice introduction. And I just want to thank you so much. I want to thank this council. I am honored to receive this resolution from City Council. Some of you I've worked with for over a decade and some just over two years. But the level of commitment that this council has to the city of Detroit is unmatched. And I just it's been an honor to serve under your leadership to really advance economic growth. It's been an honor to work with you guys. You hold us all accountable in our deals to ensure that the city of Detroit has quality and affordable housing there's jobs for Detroiters, that the corridors are vibrant and full of life. You just really are committed to an improved quality of life for Detroiters, and I respect and admire each of you. And I'm going to miss each of you working with you. I'm excited about my new journey. I gotta get to know the council there and hopefully they will be open and they will be good to work with like you guys. And I just want to say continue to do the good work that you do for the city of Detroit. Thank you.
President Sheffield
Thank you probably remember
Speaker 5
Callaway Miss bridges. I can say this now publicly. I do. I do believe we're related. My mother's a Hairston from a long line of hair students. We've traced our roots back to the late 1700s. I'd like to share that information with you. I also have a book called The Hairston clan, and my library at home. I would recommend that you get that off of Amazon. It will tell you all about your roots. I also invite you and your family to join us the hair stints in Chicago, July the 12th through the 14th. I'll give you all that information. I do believe that my mother is related to whoever. I don't know if it's your father or your mother but my mother who passed in 2018 was a Hairston. So, hello cousin and I wish you nothing but great success. And what part of Florida Tampa Okay, so I love Tampa. I go to Florida, different parts of Florida at least once a month and I'm looking forward to meeting up with you and Tampa and congratulations.
Unknown Speaker
Thank you so much right here.
Speaker 6
Rubinson Thank you, um, and it's just an honor privilege have had the opportunity to work with you Kenyatta over the years and our opportunity to work together has spanned several decades now. And so when we were doing development on the Lower East Side, around makan altar had the chance to work with you when we were doing brownfield deals back then. And so just knowing your dedication and your commitment to the city and how you help grow our general fund and do development throughout the city of Detroit is huge. And so we're going to miss you and the city is better for having had you work and advocate on his behalf and so just really wanted to say thank you for all your dedication, your commitment, and then fair winds and following seeks to you and Bravo Zulu for the work you've done the city of Detroit. Thank you.
Unknown Speaker
Thank you so much.
President Sheffield
All right. Thank you, President Pro Tem Tate.
Speaker 7
Thank you Madam President and my apologies for my tardiness. Clerk shall know takes here. So I just wanted to say what a huge loss for us with the city of Detroit. Honestly. The last is that you're leaving. But the gain is that we've been able to gain all that you've been able to provide and your time that you've been here as the chair of Planning and Economic Development for the last two terms. I've had an opportunity to work very closely with you on a number of major projects. And there's certain folks when they come into the room you always got a question, a running game. Are you telling us the truth? You were not one of those individuals because you would tell us the truth? Well, I would say me you would tell me the truth. Proceed with caution. But here's what we're looking forward to taking place. And I just thank you for that. Honesty is always a trait that is not one that you can teach or learn. It's one that you always you gotta have, and you have that trait along with others and we just thank you so much I do personally for all the work that you've done in the city of Detroit and wish you all the best moving forward, as I mentioned, anything that we can do here and there was right down the street there in Chicago, if there's anything that we can do to assist you have to do is make a phone call. We're here.
Unknown Speaker
Thank
Speaker 4
you and I'll hold you to that because I may need some guidance once I get down there. Yes,
Unknown Speaker
ma'am. We want you to succeed. Yeah.
President Sheffield
Thank you. Member Johnson.
Speaker 8
Thank you, Madam President. And good morning Mrs. Bridges. I just wanted to say thank you for your depth of knowledge as it relates to economic development and pulling the packages together. Many of us when we came in here, we wanted to knock the door down and make sure that everything that we could get in our communities was coming to our communities. And you have been supportive of that. You've worked with us. I'm saying that you won't be here next month for our Developer Summit in District Four because I know that your passion and your commitment is to the entire city of Detroit. Wow. A lot of times the focus is on downtown. I know you are also committed to our neighborhoods, and that you were very supportive of helping developers to pull packages together in our neighborhoods just as well. And so just want to say thank you for always being professional, for always standing up for the city of Detroit and the residents in the city of Detroit you will be greatly missed, and the knowledge the breadth of knowledge that you have, that you were willing to share with us. Because I know I've always asked difficult questions and really tried to delve into the numbers with anything that has been brought before us, but just look forward to hearing about you. Hopefully you'll find your way back home. But certainly want to support you as you continue to move forward. And as I shared with you at Mac and I have some family members in Tampa and would love to connect you with them. So thank you and congratulations to you, Tampa.
Unknown Speaker
Thank you so much.
President Sheffield
Thank you member Johnson member Doha. Thank
Speaker 9
you Madam President, and what can I say it was you miss bridges. We are losing someone who knows where everything is and how everything works. I wanted to say I really appreciate you not just for your vision of Detroit not just for your knowledge and experience that you share with us as council members but even with our residents. When we were going through a lot of developments in the explanation of the CBO process. You are right there on the ground. You are on calls you are at meetings. You provide it educational sessions on development, and that is something that is not necessarily done always in government, particularly city government and you made that your mission to be able to bring that knowledge to our residents and I am forever thankful for that. As they are. And so as you move on to I don't want to say greener pastures because we want you back. But as you move on, no, I understand that you have made a tremendous impact here in the city of Detroit. And as you look around and you're driving downtown on your way out of town. Please take note that a lot of that would not have been possible without you. And that's something that you have to know so I wish you the best thank you for everything you've done for me and my team and spending time with us as well is really meant the world to us. So I wish you the best.
Unknown Speaker
Thank you so much.
Unknown Speaker
Thank you, Madam President.
President Sheffield
All right, thank you. Again, we appreciate you and looking forward to all that as a head and if you don't mind stand we'll do a quick picture with my colleagues and we're gonna do your work first is your is Denise here, window now. Okay, we'll just come down now and do an award. Excuse me do pictures with Miss Kenyatta bridges. Then we'll come back?
Speaker 10
Thank you Yeah, yes. Congrats. Congratulations again. Thank you. Graduated gratulations. Thank you
Unknown Speaker
all right.
President Sheffield
All right. Thank you, colleagues. And again, we thank you to Kenyatta bridges for her service to 20 years of service to the city of Detroit. And let's give her another round of applause. Her and her husband. All right, and the Kirkwood note member waters has joined us member Nura has joined us and we will now cut off our public comment and I'm going to turn the floor over to member Doha for a presentation.
Speaker 9
Thank you, Madam President. And good morning to you all. Today. I have the honor of presenting a Spirit of Detroit award to someone who is special, someone who is amazing and has made a tremendous impact in the lives of our young people. If you are or have been to Martin Luther King, Jr. Senior High School, it is no doubt that you know, Miss Denise Barnes, who has been a counselor there and help secure over millions and millions and millions of dollars of scholarships for our young folks to be able to go to college and continue their education. Miss Barnes her work is so revered she was missing and Mark pieces. Who's Who back in 2020, I believe. And it talks about how much of a seasoned educator she has been a seasoned counselor, but also just her dedication and spending her lifetime to educate our children as an expert in her field. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English communications from the University of Michigan in 1996 and subsequently obtained a Master of Arts and counselor education from the University of Detroit Mercy in 2008. She has her professional alignment with the American Counseling Association and is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated and is just a stellar pillars should I say in our community. And so today we love to give people their flowers while they can still smell them. She is still at Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School pushing folks forward our young folks forward into college and helping them secure scholarships where we wanted to take the time to honor her. I will say we are honoring her today. Because we have many students reach out to us and saying hey, can you do something for MS bars? Can you do something for MS bars and so I think that spoke volumes more than anything else when the children that you have helped educate and push forward and improve their lives come forward and say at the city of Detroit, we need to pay you some recognition and honor you so that being stated Miss Denise Barnes dedicated educator and a leader and a motivator in recognition of your exceptional achievement and outstanding leadership and dedication to improving the quality of life for Detroit residents. We present this Spirit of Detroit award to you signed by all nine members of the Detroit city council so thank you so much for everything you have done as far as
Speaker 9
and madam president, if she would like if you'd like to say a few words, Miss Barnes.
Speaker 2
Wow, that was like, Oh, what was the council member talking to Dara? But I just want to say first of all, thank you all for recognizing this. I'm just humbled and normally I'm the one giving out the awards and so forth. So I just thank each and every one of you for this opportunity. For 27 years now. I've been in education have been an English teacher and the other half being a counselor at Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School where we have seen many of the council members come along and speak and whenever we call you all you always come and you answer the call. So I appreciate this. And I once again want to thank each and every one of you. And thank you, Councilmember Doha appreciate you Thank you, Mr.
President Sheffield
Pitcher. All right, colleagues, if you don't mind we will go down and do a group photo as well.
Unknown Speaker
This video
Unknown Speaker
thank you so much.
Speaker 11
Oh, can't be the better person deserves it. Yes. All your work
President Sheffield
all right. Thank you, Councilmember. Dear ha and we will now proceed back to our agenda. For this morning there being no reconsiderations or unfinished business. We will proceed to the budget Finance and Audit standing committee for the budget Finance and Audit standing committee, submitted a little one of them, the one memoranda will be referred to the budget Finance and Audit standing committee for the internal operations committee
Unknown Speaker
that we posted on various city departments.
President Sheffield
The five reports will be referred to the internal operations committee for the Neighborhood and Community Services Standing Committee
Speaker 1
to the post office of contracting and procurement.
President Sheffield
The two reports will be referred to the Neighborhood and Community Services standing committee for the Planning and Development Committee. Seven reports from various city departments. The seven reports will be referred to the Planning and Economic Development standing committee for the public health and safety standing
Speaker 2
committee hearing reports from various state departments. The
President Sheffield
10 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 other president under communications from the mayor and other governmental officials and agencies. There are no items by the President. All right. We will call now for general public comments and everyone will have one minute today for public comment. We do have a evening council meeting in District Four. So we want to allow some time in between our session today. So Mr. Jones, you are first Good Good morning.
Speaker 12
Good morning. Council President Sheffield, and rest of the council members today. Thank you for having me. Excuse me. I'm here today in support of both. ordinance change for reporting of restaurant grading report inspection sorry at the kitchen, this was important this ordinance because we need transparency and accountability here in the city of Detroit. In order for us to move forward and become a world class city city. We must support our restaurant scene. And yet, excuse me, sorry.
President Sheffield
Yeah, no worries. Did you want to just take a second and come in. We'll give you another minute. So take your time. Don't Don't worry. We want you to be
Speaker 12
I appreciate it. I ran back from tried to kiss my birth worries. So being a chef for over 50 years now. Food safety is of the utmost importance. 48 million cases of foodborne illness every year requires that transparency accountability, be a part of our process here to see Detroit. With that said the change to this ordinance is more of a recognition of excellence. And we currently have a red placard system in place and this is actually now celebrating good healthy food. So I'll cut my remarks short with a long speech later, but thank you for hearing me. Okay,
President Sheffield
thank you so much, sir. We appreciate you. And Miss Betty Lyons.
Speaker 13
Over $600 million Yes $600 million of overpaid property tax stolen from Detroit residents and you refuse to address this. Where is your integrity team? You City Council continue to display the same emelec spirit of Dugan Dana Nestle Rashida to leave Dan Gilbert and cronies all should be brought before FBI and be audited just as Kwame was and William Smith is Rashida to leave does not represent all in her role as a lawyer. Every time she has seen acting obnoxious on public TV. She represents her people, the Palestinians, or Islam, turning her back on the justice that is do the Detroit residents but strongly denied what is righteous and just for the Detroit residents. Thank you.
President Sheffield
Thank you, Miss Betty Lyons Richard nodo.
Speaker 14
Thank you, council president. I'm sure you've seen me before and I'm here to advocate for improving the parking and go uptown or you were there and you saw the situation wherever it is particularly in Western cork Town, West to 14th street we live on 18th street people going down the alley backing or alley. We need more parking. The city has been ignoring Western Corktown I've been trying to meet with them. Nobody wants to meet with me. I am the president of the Western court Tennis Association. I know Michigan Central and I can and I would like to congratulate them on the great job they did. And they are going to have adequate parking. But we need more parking. You have the DPW lot give us some park and the DPW lot. We're going to have the new soccer stadium. We should advocate with them when that comes to have parking and get the court can shuttle going. The city gets the city supports a shuttle for Dan Gilbert and Michigan Central. That doesn't really answer the corporate cam problem. Please the city you guys need to have your own committees develop besides the administration. That's what I'm calling for. Thank you.
President Sheffield
Thank you Mr. Noto. And before you before you leave Member Santiago Romero would like to respond to you mister. Thank you, Madam President. We work very closely together. This is really for the public that our office is continuing and has continued to work together with MDOT about the parking and Corktown and will continue to do so. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you and Mr. Notice reached out to us as well. We've I think we've included you in some of the emails and are definitely supportive of your efforts and want to help as much as we can Mr. Noto. So thank you, Mr. nadda. We got to be unfortunately we have to keep going. But we are definitely going to keep working with you, sir. And we appreciate you coming down. Ramon Jackson.
Speaker 15
Mr. Tate, you did a challenge to me about my information. As Sue when I came forward and prove that y'all was cheating you saying that we committed fraud. I challenge you to take legal action against me. But to know Are you saying that we committed fraud, take legal action. I took legal action. That's the step. And that's the first thing I want to say. When I come here. I don't come here. To talk to you all this public platform. I come here to speak to the public. You meet you listen, you list a lot of entities but you failed to mention the most important entity and that's the people. I hear. You're in front of the people. The people need to know that you're cheap. Mr. Hall, I gave you Isha Hill voting registration from Toledo. Mayor 2020 I gave you Isha Hill address from Ohio. And I'll also get you his voting record here vote absentee. You have fraudulent votes you can continue to sit there. Thank
President Sheffield
you, Mr. Jackson, President potentate.
Speaker 7
Thank you, Madam President. So he said he didn't come down and speak to me but he said my name. So the other thing to keep in mind is that anybody can file a lawsuit. There's been a number of frivolous lawsuits in this country happens all the time. My my issue question is what's the result of the lawsuit having that was presented that so present their present the results of the lawsuit, and then we can have a conversation about your allegations? As I said before,
President Sheffield
excuse me, Mr. Optimistic Jackson, excuse
Speaker 7
me, and once again, I challenge anybody who feels you included, that I'm not doing my job to take it to the next level. That's my challenge. Mr.
President Sheffield
Jackson, would you spell top mister?
Speaker 7
I have no reason. I don't do frivolous lawsuit. Okay. Mr.
President Sheffield
Mr. Jackson, if you continue speaking, they're gonna have to escort you out of the auditorium.
Speaker 7
It is unfortunate, madam president because that's what happens when we try to have a dialogue with individuals. They come down from there you don't get once again. I invited this gentleman to my office to have a conversation but yeah, this is what he this is how we choose to do. We
President Sheffield
we're not gonna allow the going back and forth. So Miss Pro's pro Tim has already. Are you finished? Okay. Absolutely. All right. So we will continue now with Mr. Crowley.
Speaker 14
Okay, Darren said I just heard what you said. But a crack at a man you put a challenge for him. He came for he did a lawsuit is built by DARPA zero Kennedy a never voted a day in his life. It's been cheated in. Red do a whole you got all voted trap houses and those fraudulent absentee ballots in 2021 election. We need a whole new special election every seat every elected position in the city of Detroit is now highly, highly requested because it achievement has been going on since at least 2017 over the Department of Elections. Do you know every Walker and Mayor Sheffield you know you and Alexei commission you know she was lying Danis Winfrey when she says she sent the report or the allegations or the findings of all by anonymous citizen to every member of council. Oh you constant people know she was lying on public record. Gina AB Walker and Dennis won't be cold but
President Sheffield
Mr. Crowley faster the Winslow swale followed by Miss Williams.
Speaker 16
Good morning, madam president to this illustrious Council. Thank you for allowing me to share my heart this morning to my city council representative thank you so much for your for what you're doing our community you are a blessing to me. I'm the senior pastor of one at church 13660 Stansbury we have been worshiping in the community for 55 years. The Bible says first of all make prayers and intercessions and supplications for those that are in authority, so that we may lead an honest and peaceful life unto all godliness. It is a passion and a prestige to pray for all those who are running for political office. In this Saturday at one at church. We are having a town hall meeting with the former president of the United States of America. We want to also invite our current president to come and have a town hall at 482 Seven. Robert Kennedy if he would like to hear the aspirations of our people. He can come in for a 227 If anybody would like to come, my number is 248-755-1896. I'll put you on the list is 248-755-1896. Thank you so much. All right.
Speaker 17
Thank you sir. Hey, Miss Williams. Hello. I like to talk about facts. I've been talking about my rape and how the Detroit Police Department officers are trying to cover up my rape. Avalon is very unfortunate when I'm there with my advocate that my recordings when my sessions have been recorded every last one of them. And that's very unfortunate. That's not acceptable when everyone can hear my conversation when I have a discussion with my advocate. And like I said I was at the border commission meeting last Thursday. undercover officers went into my bad rumbled through my stuff and people always want to talk about mental illness and all type of other stuff and deflate. I'm certain I was right. And I'm certain that the Detroit Police officers are covering and I'm certain that they are using they power to cover up my right. This is no imagination in my head. And there's a lot of other stuff I can't even talk about but I be at this meeting on tonight.
President Sheffield
Thank you Miss Williams. Oh gosh, not alibi Tao.
Unknown Speaker
Very good morning. I'm here to support solar. And I've got an issue with building safety. I've heard from a couple of my residents on my block.
Speaker 12
The inspectors are coming to cite violators, and they're having conversations with the violators and they're kind of pointing out or giving a roundabout on who is actually making these reports. I'm hearing that if it's anonymous, it's probably one of your neighbors. If they're showing things, I have one inspector on my camera actually showing a resident on my block device for about three or four minutes. I don't know how intense how detailed he was given the information but you know people actually have their names given on these reports. As well as anonymous and I think that the inspectors need to respect our privacy as taxpaying citizens who trust the system. When we make these reports. I'm working with my department of neighborhoods with this though that's it.
President Sheffield
Thank you, and Tao followed by Peggy.
Unknown Speaker
Thank you, Madam President.
Speaker 18
My name is Tao from Association Chinese Americans. I'm here to advocate for the expansion of the second street sign ordinance to create an expression exception to recognize the individual who have made a significant impact on the city of Detroit, namely Vincent Chen. He may not have been a residence here for more than 10 years. He could have if he hasn't been murdered, brutally murdered. So and Vincent chan as a victim of hate crime, and a symbol of social justice deserves the honor of that
Speaker 19
second Jerry street sign to memorize his life.
Unknown Speaker
Thank you
President Sheffield
all right, thank you so much. And Peggy
Speaker 20
from our nine city council members, and thank you for giving me the time I'm Peggy and also along with Tara from Association Chinese Americans. So our organization and is a nonprofit and funded 52 years ago in Detroit. So we are here to advocate for Vincent Chin. This on hate crime victim to be named for the secondary on street sign Vincentian he might not be a successful person. He is very ordinary, but I think his staff and like the longer profound impact is for the social justice and civil rights movement for this an Asian Pacific American community. And Vincentian has been buried after his death in Detroit for 42 years. So I think he deserves some recognition and he is the person like, should be recognized as the second straight sign. Thank you for giving me the time. Thank you for consideration. All right.
President Sheffield
Thank you, Peggy. Thank you for coming down. And Sandy fat followed by Ruby Riley.
Speaker 21
Thank you again for giving me some time to address this. I again am in support of the secondary naming of Peterborough into the Vincentian Boulevard. And I do appreciate the council's help before with the when we tried to get the state for the demolition of 3143. This would be I'm a member of Gabriel Santiago's Committee, which is the pagination community design. We want to rebuild the community center around the philosophy of the Detroit Chinatown, which Vincent chins up American citizens justice was part of that. So we really would like you to recognize that. I don't know if anyone had a chance to look at that PBS episode that it was telling you about number five, it gives you a good idea of what was going on at the time that Vincent Chin died. I was only let's say I had been working at Ford Motor Company for five years then. And when it happened, that was a big outrage that we as Chinese Americans were taught to Don't rock the boat. Just fit in. And you can help this injustice by just considering this ordinance change or even just the exception to the ordinance. Thank you.
President Sheffield
Thank you so much. Gabriel. Follow you'll be followed by Miss Riley. Okay, Miss Riley, followed by Gabriel.
Unknown Speaker
Good morning.
Speaker 3
I want to speak about the land bank. All these threats and everything you're trying to take from the city of Detroit is illegal. First of all, I want to personally been taken care of property, both for 15 years or more and the adverse possession, that property belongs to them. They keep coming out they're putting on those sort of door I went to civil rights they try to say I couldn't prove discrimination, but I have some information that I can expose. But I am going further. And I just want them to know that I do belong to national network. And we will be protesting justice and what we do we go to people's houses and we protest and we would shut it down and you know we shut down. How many years building about a six over $600 million taxes. So don't say what we won't do and we will have other people join us stop trying to put us out especially the black folks and given other people these properties. And they're not caught in radical when they had to get caught not conscious but whatever it is they got to have approval to do the work. And never man seen warehouse crosschecking is nothing
President Sheffield
Thank you Miss Riley. We need a more. I'm sorry, Gabriel followed by we need a more
Speaker 22
Good morning. My name is Gabriel McNeil. I'm here about the food policy, the ordinance for the packer and I think that we should move forward on the I just understand that having a clean kitchen is what we need. And we need to know who has that now at this present moment. I have the privilege to operate the largest commercial kitchen in the state. All right. Detroit has that right now. So I'm in all favors of moving forward on this ordinance to make sure that people understand where they can go and eat at a clean place. Alright, so with that, I have to also say, I just heard a lot of stuff going on inside here and I thank you because I thought I heard it bad. You guys got some stuff to do. All right. All right. I hear a lot of stuff. I get a lot of phone calls and I don't know how you do it.
President Sheffield
Appreciate you, sir. Miss Vinita more followed by Ronald Foster.
Speaker 13
Good morning. I'm here to talk about low income and shelters. Number one, okay, I was put into a house to I liked it and it was no problem. Okay. CMA, they should rescue me out of that I was in the buying program. Okay after that for years homeless and then I get put in another 40 house. That house I mean is to have from then they had 40 people to come out and call yourself fixing and they don't fix the I don't feel that RPI shim a and none of them should have inspectors. They need to have a private inspector would have to come out and inspect these places. Is that right for us to have to suffer and go through the things we go through. I have COPD, I had tuberculosis as a baby. I'm in a place where that when it flooded. They sent somebody out there the wet they call don't do the job right it's not fair that you dealing with my health already had a stroke from us from coming time to come down here because I've made on it don't make no system costly going through these things dealing with low income.
President Sheffield
Alright, thank you Miss Moore, and we're here to help you. So make sure my team gets with you. We can also make sure she gets a flyer for our homeless summit that we're having an affordable housing Summit. That'd be great. All right. Thank you and Mr. Foster, you will be our last in person.
Speaker 23
Morning Chair, I just want to say I do appreciate a lot of legislation. I want to do do my homework. And I have done my homework. I know every vote everything from the sport. So we're gonna keep that straight for the last 20 years or so. But regardless of that, I do appreciate what this council has done. to uplift our community we have to do a lot more better, a lot more work to do. I appreciate the board of ethics finally having some courage to address some issues within our city where people that bypass City Council, the bottom line is City Council represents the community. It's not that you can do in the city without coming through the community. I'm not gonna beat a dead horse but in every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms are repeated it petitions have been asked only bear repeated injury. A prince whose characters does mark by every act which may define a tyrant is unfit to be the ruler of free people. That's a declaration handy. Thank you Mr. Foster.
President Sheffield
Alright, that will conclude in Person public comment and we will go to those who have joined us virtually the morning or how many callers do we have?
Speaker 24
Good morning, Madam President. We had 23 people raise their hands before you would cut off public comment. And the first caller is calling user one
President Sheffield
all right. Good morning. Caller caller user one
President Sheffield
yes, we can hear you. Good morning.
Speaker 25
Good morning. Madam President. Can you please make sure things that sent an email with pictures or get a dress? It's not being done. We now have to deal with your things fold. I'm real tired of it. I'm also tired of looking at nasty, filthy carpet, where animals get to urinate and defecate on not being cleaned and an injury emails sent out on is a waste of the city's hands time to hear complaints. All of this because of your building and safety. I'm so tired of this. I need you to give me an answer as quick as possible. Thank you very detailed information.
President Sheffield
Right. Thank you. Thank you so much.
Speaker 24
The next caller is Steven Horan. Mike Duggan is the best mayor.
President Sheffield
All right good. Morning.
Unknown Speaker
Can I be heard?
President Sheffield
Yes, you can.
Speaker 19
Awesome. Thank you. Um, so last week I fortunately, it took a while but I was able to get a ticket to the Michigan central concert. Um, can you guys hear me the clap doesn't seem to be going.
President Sheffield
We can hear you. Okay,
Speaker 19
thank you. But last Thursday on my had the opportunity to attend the Michigan central concert and it was great but the problem was I was extremely disappointed with the whole process of getting tickety you know, it shouldn't have been, you know, first impact there. You know, residents got the first steps and then the rest of the dupes should have been specifically for Detroiters. You know, they should have got first dibs there were so much outsiders there. You know, there were to drop boys from morale harassing attendees. You know, the process there was very flat and I was very disappointed. You know, there was also a lot of city leaders high ranking city employees very involved with the process, literally up for a ticket and you know, politicians from Macomb County are getting like VIP tickets.
President Sheffield
All right, thank you, Mr. Hari.
Unknown Speaker
The next caller is William M. Davis.
Unknown Speaker
Good morning. Can I be heard?
President Sheffield
Yes, you can. Good morning, Mr. Davis.
Speaker 26
Oh, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I would like to start off by saying thank Reverend Berry is an outstanding passion. I think we need to have 100 More like this. The city would be a whole lot better. My main point I was calling it today it was about item 17.1. About Eva de Rasta reappointment to the board of police commissioners. I started with her. I think she's an outstanding individual has a very impressive resume and she's involved in 100 different groups and organizations. But you know how voting was not too good. I think we already have too many former law enforcement people on it, especially from the city of Detroit. I think that is a problem. And also we have when they have their meetings frequently their meetings are delayed because they people do not the commissioners do not show up on time. And or they call in or they don't show up. You know, we need to make sure we have a full time competent board that's going to be there. We don't need no more former law enforcement. Thank you.
President Sheffield
Thank you Mr. Davis.
Unknown Speaker
The next caller is Karen Winston.
President Sheffield
Hello. Yes, it was Winston. Good. Good morning.
Speaker 27
Good morning. Yeah. Yeah, I know. She also served on public lighting Authority Board to I don't think she did a whole lot of good stuff there either. They're still failing their audits as a matter of fact, the last audits they had they fail horribly. Now, as far as rules and regulations are concerned, same thing with ordinances. Now we have to have documentation of you know, admin rules. You have to have a written somewhere. We can't come in there. I mean, you can't allow these different agencies and things that come in and tell you what they're doing and they'll have no documentation for it. You got rules, and then you got the regulations of rules. So having rules is not enough. You also got to have how they're regulated, and what the consequences are when they're not um, follow. So I don't see it. I mean, how many? How many violations have we have an ordinance violations have been handled? who's taken care of and where can we find the list of the corrections? That's interesting.
President Sheffield
All right. Thank you, Mr. Winston.
Speaker 24
The next caller is Miko a Williams.
President Sheffield
Mica Williams. Good morning.
Speaker 28
Hi, good morning Council. I want to share some love to the Council President Mary Sheffield. I want to thank her very much as a resident and the constituent for her occupied the corner on Friday. It was a very dicey bid. I want to thank the team of very Sheffield re Simpson, the host with the most and all of our community leaders coming together. The kids was so happy they got new bikes. The adults got barbecue grills and also gift cards. It was a very nicely bid coming together and just realize we have a lot of work to do. The train station is a symbol of gentrification, all of those suburbs, folks, outsiders wouldn't even dare come through Virginia. Park. That's a shame. We still live in the tale of two Detroit's Mike Duggan is not the best mayor. He is the worst Mayor with the us versus them. He's just like baby Donald Trump. And I'm gonna keep saying this. Your vote is your voice. We must enact our voice Detroit is first in the world.
President Sheffield
Thank you so much Miko and we appreciate you coming out and as always sharing information regarding water and water affordability and how people can connect to assistance if anyone is experiencing any type of water shutoffs in the city, so we appreciate you Miko as well. Thank you. Our next caller please.
Speaker 24
The next caller is phone number ending in 270.
Unknown Speaker
Yes, good morning. It's Malik Shelton.
Unknown Speaker
Oh there needs to be
Speaker 25
more there needs to be an outside forensic audit of the old CFOs off and the role of the Office of the Chief Financial Officer play which they played in selecting different plant Moran to audit the city's annual financial report. That violates the Detroit city charter section 7.5, which places the responsibility of auditing as well as hiring of any outside auditing firms firmly in the hands of the Detroit Auditor General. Also in 2018, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board released the inspection report on plant Moran and report revealed that plant Moran was doing grossly substandard auditing and accounting work and in July of 2023. The same oversight was issued in order instituting disciplinary proceedings and imposing
President Sheffield
All right, thank you, Mr. Shelton.
Speaker 24
The next caller is Detroit. ados.
President Sheffield
All right, good morning.
President Sheffield
Good morning Detroit. ados. Good morning.
Speaker 29
Good morning and through the chair. May I be heard? Yes, we can hear you. Yes. No, you don't hear me. But Miss Lyons and Mr. Ramon Jackson, have approached some very serious issues that we have in the city. The $600 million over taxation is a crime and it should be investigated and people should be made. Hold on Mr. Ramon Jackson is talking about our democracy, which is very important, especially for ADOS black people because we fought and died for the right to vote and to have our votes. disenfranchised is a travesty. You have 20.6 health impact for Hispanics. How about the health impact for the people over in the Salinas area? Have you done an impact study for those people? It appears to me that we are being ignored our problems are being ignored. We are being ignored, and $5.5 million of Arper funds for a Joe Lewis walkway a sidewalk across the city that we did not sanction or ask for.
Unknown Speaker
Right, thank you.
Speaker 24
The next caller is Mike Duggan. Worst Mayor loses billions in black wealth.
President Sheffield
All right, good morning.
Speaker 5
Good morning. If I had a CEO, if I had a CEO of my corporation, who lost a billion dollars of the shareholders money he would be out on his butt he is not the best Mayor Coleman Young is the best mayor Detroit ever had. He got rid of this racist police outfit called stress. And just to let everybody know Mike Duggan is the the cost assistant prosecutor of Wayne County, who tried to cover up the murder of malice green by making China make the medical examiner say the amount of green die of cocaine exposure when he was beat to death by Bunsen and Nevers. So Mr. Duggan is a fraud. He's He's a crook. And for him to try to cover that murder up tells you who he is today. Thank you have a great day. Thank you.
Unknown Speaker
The next caller is Chuck.
President Sheffield
Right Good morning.
Unknown Speaker
Can you hear me?
Unknown Speaker
Yes we can.
Speaker 30
Yeah, I just want to. I'm part of State Fairgrounds and I'm in favor of the solar project that's there. I was wondering what the status is and the city council with the solar project around the around the city. I can take my answer the rest of my time.
President Sheffield
All right. Thank you. So nothing has been presented to us to date. I know that the Department of neighborhoods is currently leading that effort. If you are in district two, I would highly recommend that you reach out to your Department of Neighborhood representative to get a status of of where they are in that particular area. And that is kind of where we are doing I have not heard of anything coming to us anytime soon. We do recess in August so if anything is going to come it will come hopefully before August I'm not sure where they are to date with signatures. I know they have selected some areas, but nothing to this date has come before city council but I will highly recommend that you do reach out to the Department of neighborhoods for your city council district to get more information. All right, thank you sir. Our next caller please
Unknown Speaker
the next caller is iPhone.
President Sheffield
iPhone. Good morning.
Unknown Speaker
Good morning. I'm Abby Hart.
President Sheffield
Yes, you can Good morning.
Speaker 31
greenness. Casa President My name is Dale Brown. I'm calling from District Three Mount Olive that we have 21 and a half acres available for the solar project the Solar Initiative. I sit within the target area where it's being proposed. I'm just calling to show my support. I want to acknowledge my neighborhood team headed by Kiana sessions. They've been doing a great job of keeping us in the loop. And again, I believe we have overwhelming support in our area. And like I said as a homeowner in the area with an expanded family and I sit directly within the footprint. I am in favor and the many benefits I could expound on but I gotta respect the time. And yeah, just district three mount Olivet 21 and a half acres I don't see anything wrong with it.
President Sheffield
All right, thank you.
Speaker 24
The next caller is Galaxy S 22 altra.
President Sheffield
Hi, good morning.
Unknown Speaker
Can I be heard?
President Sheffield
Yes. You can.
Unknown Speaker
Okay.
Speaker 25
I have stopped calling for a while you guys know me about my voice. Holloway. First of all, I Ally's is terrible. I talk with my city council. And they suppose it came out right behind that I Alisha is very careful. And then I called again and talk texture. And these cars be flying up and down worn from corners all the way that path trench road and no polish is out there. They find like a bat out ahead. I don't understand. I'm trying to see if I can get my taxes lower because my service is terrible. We you know, we haven't got anything done with the film from Chrysler. And I've been fighting that for the longest. And now I'm fighting the alleys people who's not cutting the grass behind the house. And it's sad that it's like that. I'm trying to keep from calling the child for y'all know I call it new and put the eyesores on the city. And it's sad that we have to do that. But we ain't got nothing from them. They've given all that money to everybody else, but Dan gave us the die.
President Sheffield
Thank you Mr. Halliwell. Awesome. Mr. Johnson.
Speaker 8
Thank you Madam President. And Mr. Holloway. Thank you for calling in. I have spoken with the commander of the fifth precinct to make him aware of the speeding in the area and requested that a traffic enforcement vehicle be a go between Mac and Warren for individuals that fly going to the east elantas plant do just want to let you know that the traffic enforcement officer who typically drives the vehicle was actually in an accident, but the commander did indicate that he would have other officers doing traffic enforcement in the area. And duly noted relative to the alleys and in regards to your comment about the fumes from Cilantro is there is something forthcoming so stay tuned. Thank you, Madam President.
President Sheffield
All right. Thank you member Johnson.
President Sheffield
Our next caller please.
Unknown Speaker
next caller is Bobby J.
President Sheffield
Good morning.
Speaker 1
Good morning. Good morning. And how's everyone? I'd like to say Summer, summer is here. And Franklin Park. Every street has at least one basketball room where children are playing in the street. And why because we have no recreation centers for our children to play safely. We need all of council to address this situation. We are surrounded by Rouge park but who wants their kids up there mix with adult man and then there's time Phil, where there were this three children's that were shot. Our children's need a safe place to play basketball where you can have peace Nate here you can have it there but nobody we haven't had it in district seven. No kind of activities. None of the Easter hunts none of the the peace niche. None of those activities have came to district seven because why we don't have a recreation center to host any of this. It was supposed to already been in the works. But now it seems like it's not going to be ready until 2025 Why are children or every day getting shot in the streets being shot? When are these concerns and investments going to be invested? All right,
President Sheffield
thank you so much. Is Bobby Johnson
Speaker 24
next caller is phone number ending in 299299
President Sheffield
Good morning.
President Sheffield
Caller 299 Good morning.
President Sheffield
Caller 299 Good morning. Okay, alright, let's come back to this caller please.
Speaker 24
Okay, the next caller is Marguerite Maddox. Scarlett.
President Sheffield
Good morning is Maddox.
Unknown Speaker
Good. Good. Um I will make it through every district should it be true? Yeah, okay. will be in case you know, the bones and the knowledge
Speaker 10
meaning meaning, the Da da da lo
Unknown Speaker
me Anna Marie. No allow in public
Speaker 10
believes we realize that the the more we the more power we have. And
Speaker 10
my favorite beer in the whole world is the Michigan State. Bill I grew up taking taking the plane to carry city and that could be again oh, I were to go outside. Look at it be the public. But I guess just
Speaker 10
enough to be invited. Nice to meet you. Yeah, everyone. Please take a look around. Around down there, we'll see how we can work well.
Unknown Speaker
And then thank you very much.
President Sheffield
Thank you Miss Maddox.
Unknown Speaker
The next caller is Renard munch on ski
President Sheffield
Good morning.
President Sheffield
Good morning. Good morning.
Unknown Speaker
Good morning, Madam President.
President Sheffield
Can I be hurt? Yes, you can.
Speaker 28
Morning Madam President and members of council. My name is Renata Shecky organized with control people's platform and transit organizer. Just wanted to inquire about the status of the first of all, I wanted to thank this body for approving the resolution to inquire about the that ARPA American rescue plan Act funding in this current status. It was awarded $51 million separate from the city of Detroit. tranche of ARPA funds, which does have graphics in dashboard. Just wanted to know the status of that as well. I'll reserve the rest of my comments for tonight's of evening session. Also want to thank Council president for awarding my colleague Kia Mathis with the Spirit of Detroit award. We are so overjoyed. I'm overjoyed for my colleague, and it's well deserved. And thank you and to your office for in the city council for approving that.
President Sheffield
Thank you so much. Bernard.
Unknown Speaker
The next caller is iPhone five.
Unknown Speaker
Hello, believe that's me.
Unknown Speaker
Can I be heard?
President Sheffield
Yes, you can.
Speaker 32
Awesome. Thank you. My name is Amy Kraus. I am the Research and Policy Program Manager of the Detroit city Detroit with biology Council and I am a longtime resident and I'm 22 years in district two. I would like to just express my support for the dining with confidence ordinance. I think that as Detroit's restaurant scene continues to grow and more people are able to take this opportunity to be part of the food system that people who are spending their hard earned dollars there deserve to know that the place that they're going is clean and maintains health standards. I think this is going to just enhance the ability of restaurant owners to attract customers and make a living. I know that a lot of thought and preparation has gone into the pilot program and I am very grateful to Sheffield Jones and Councilman Benson for putting this putting this in motion so we would love to see this approved today. Thank you
President Sheffield
all right. Thank you.
Unknown Speaker
Next caller is bacon.
President Sheffield
All right. Good morning.
Unknown Speaker
Through the Chair can be heard. Yes,
President Sheffield
we can hear you. Good morning.
Speaker 28
Good morning. And thank you once again for the ability to be here virtually because as a father of four it's very hard to get down there. So once again, thank you for being able to be here virtually. I am calling on behalf of the state for neighborhood and I am calling in support and calling for my council people both currently D Chu and future d3 to also support this as this is an opportunity for my neighborhood to make a comeback and it's important to the future neighborhood and important to the residents of the future is neighborhood for both me and my kids, please come forward and support this. I asked anybody who would like to see a map of the area to look at our website State Fair together.org and to reach out to the neighborhood if anybody has any questions about it, because we would love to speak more about it and get everybody on board with it. Thank you very much and I give away the rest of my
President Sheffield
All right, thank you.
Speaker 24
The next caller is Tiaan Bay Nick Ken gay.
President Sheffield
All right. Good morning.
President Sheffield
Good morning to Bombay.
President Sheffield
Morning Okay. All right. Can we come back to this caller please.
Unknown Speaker
Okay.
Speaker 24
The next caller is Megan Rutigliano. Detroit documenters.
Speaker 2
Good morning to the chair. May I be heard? Yes, you can. Thanks. It's a joy. I report on these meetings often for the Detroit documenters. So I'm a longtime listener, first time caller, but I'm advocating for myself and my fellow residents. of Lafayette Park. I love living in this part of the city. I've done so for four years, and I've always felt safe until the past couple of months with the brutal murder of Samantha wall that eroded my sense of safety and recently just in walking around Lafayette Park, which I treasure on three separate occasions and I was waiting to report this until I was sure and a rule of three made me come forward but there are men publicly urinating with no cover. They're not even bothering to like hide behind a tree. I feel like the park is attracting nefarious activity and vibes and I want more policing or just a presence or maybe public bathrooms. I'll leave that to your good judgment.
President Sheffield
Thank you so much for calling in and we will definitely I'll make sure that I look into that and you can also contact my office as well. You are a neighbor of mine and we'd love to work with you on that community in that area. So 3132244 or 505 and looking forward to working with you. All right. Our next caller please.
Unknown Speaker
next caller is Rebecca Islam.
Speaker 20
Everyone my name is Rebecca Assam. I'm the Executive Director for APA, Michigan and I also had the honor of serving as the Director for the Vincent Chin 43 members and rededication here in Detroit. And today I urge our city to advocate for the expansion of the secondary street sign ordinance to create a exemption for individuals who have made significant impact on the city of Detroit, even if they haven't lived there for 10 years. Vincent Chin a victim of hate crime and a powerful symbol of social justice deserves the honor of a secondary street sign to memorialize his life and his tragic murder, ignited a national civil rights movement and fostered a multi racial coalition alongside leaders like Jesse Jackson, and by honoring Vincent Chin with a secondary street sign, we will we will take an essential step toward recognizing and celebrating Asian American heritage and culture in Detroit. So I thank you for the time this week and thank you for your consideration.
President Sheffield
All right, thank you
Speaker 24
next caller is Betty a Wagner right Good morning. Hello.
Speaker 17
Hi, good morning. This is Betty a brown and president of DeSoto Elsweyr black Association. I'm here advocating again for my community, please support the pink corridor from thinking and living noise to pinnacle in Wyoming we're going to have our first community meeting in person community meeting is gonna be July 2. I'm not home at the time have a memorize the address but if you're in that vicinity, it's got to be at the new family. Church it's right there on living noise and think oh please come out and support and be part of the planning for I think a corridor also support I event that we're going to have August 3 Arise Detroit neighborhood today we're going to have a resource fair. We looking for volunteers of a barber we need a hair grader. We need monetary help for our bouncy house. Thank you for this time and God bless you all I appreciate
President Sheffield
all right, thank you.
Speaker 24
And me last caller who raised their hand before you cut off public comment. We're back to phone number 299
President Sheffield
Good morning. Caller 299.
Speaker 25
This is well the Cunningham 3134449114134449114 And on Facebook retroactive fairness on Facebook retroactive fairness. Today, I had to get a tire replaced so in the morning from like 5am to maybe 10am to the opened or what have you. I did some canvassing and looking around. I have those flyers on those too, because I gave you a laminated copy. And I passed them out and I had people take pictures of the flyers but DDOT is doing a very bad job. They're not on the buses. There's no signage about the meeting. There's no signage at the Rosa Park Training Center. There's no signage at the Hargrove transit center. There's no signage anywhere about the input meeting that happens on every Thursday. I just feel like that's wrong. It's like they don't want people to attend new voices. And people were shocked to know there was a meeting when I told them. Oh, and I digress on that. And there's a list of
President Sheffield
all right, thank you so much, Mr. Cunningham. And that will now conclude all of our general public comment for this morning and we will proceed to our agenda. From the office of the city clerk City Planning Commission, for budget Finance and Audit
Speaker 1
councilmember DeHart resolution line item 16.1.
President Sheffield
Councilmember Duvall
Speaker 9
Thank you Madam President. line item 16.1 is a resolution of authorization for the request for approval to write off identified old age EMS delinquent accounts receivable, receivables, Move for approval for line item 16.1.
President Sheffield
All right. Any discussion discussion? Council member of Benson
Speaker 6
Thank you, in this thank you to the committee for doing this work. That is a huge number. And we just have a quick explanation of what those numbers do. who's benefiting who's not benefiting just a better explanation so I have a better understanding and then the residence district three as well.
Speaker 18
Absolutely. My name is Nikhil Patel. I'm the Deputy CFO and treasurer. So I'll address that question in three parts. First, explain what we're doing generally how we do the process for write offs at the city of Detroit and then dive into the numbers themselves. So generally what we're asking for is a approval from city council to write off old basically invoices for delinquent EMS bills. These are dating back from 2014. And earlier some of them could be from the 90s, early 2000s. And then also a chunk from 2014 to 2018. In the business world, what they would do is basically have this as an expense on their p&l and then write it off their balance sheet over time. Here what happens is we work with individual departments, for example, fire in this situation, we identify which accounts they deem to be uncollectible and why we take that to law, get their approval to submit this resolution, and then we bring it to you. If you approve, then my team will work with the different odjfs leadership at the departments to then write it off of our general ledger and our balance sheet and so specifically, if you look on the city's balance sheets, for example, from June 30 2023, there's a line item that says trade receivables so that is a collection of all the money that is theoretically owed to or could be paid to the city. Then there's another line item that says allowance for doubtful accounts. So that basically means the accountants have already made a judgment that we believe this amount of money isn't something that we can collect on. And then we review this data with the fire department, for example and say, Hey, do you think we can still collect on this and so we're we're asking for is to take off our balance sheet, our books, the 100 million dollars from 2014 and earlier and the $25 million, approximately from 2014 to 2018. These bills are outstanding for individuals. So let me take a step back. We have already collected on people who have paid through their private health care through Medicaid or Medicare. So a vast majority of these people are individuals for some reason or another we can collect on it might be financial hardship, unfortunately, it could also be because they've passed away and so rather than continuously trying to build them over and over for things that in some cases are decades old. We'd like to simply clean off the balance sheet. The last thing I'll say is this does not directly impact our budget and revenue projections. This is an incorporated that into it at all. What we're really trying to do is address an audit finding that we received from our auditors. It's been around for a few years, they will ask us, Why is this balance just sitting there? It's not changing. You should do the better financial protocol, which is to clear this up. So that's what we're bringing here today.
Speaker 6
Are we looking to improve our protocol moving forward when it comes to collections? I mean, $125 million, that's a huge number. And if it spans the Western looks like 30 years, just having a protocol moving for where we don't allow receivables to get become this age, we have a better collection process is something of that nature. That's $145 million of value that's being taken from the residence of Detroit. Although it's aged in uncollectable, and we're not a profit driven entity. We still have to run as a business and make good financial decisions on hoping that we're going to use this
Speaker 18
moving forward to improve. Absolutely. So a few things to address that question first. This doesn't relate to the private contractors that the city is using. These are in an ambulance that the city sends out, we build them so it's directly something that was originally owed to the city, not a private contractor. And yes, we absolutely need to establish a better process for this right off procedure. What I'd like to do within Treasury is establish an annual process. So well, that really would mean is I work with fire. They tell me, Hey, we think every two years or every year we want to write off this section of the collectibles. And then we start doing that process and we bring that to you every year. So what should happen is after we get done with the backlog, we'll have a much smaller amount every year to clean up the balance sheet. Unfortunately, we haven't as far as we know we haven't made this request the city since at least bankruptcy and so that's why there's just a big number that's on the balance sheet. I'm
Speaker 6
hoping that should be working with the the chair. Make that happen. Do something like that annually. We can keep our books cleaner.
Unknown Speaker
Thank you,
Unknown Speaker
Madam Chair.
President Sheffield
Mr. Calloway?
Speaker 5
Thank you, Madam Chair I've been talking about EMS and collections for over a year now. So I'm happy to see this. We've been working with Judge mechanical regarding third party debt collectors. I think is that a Minnesota Jefferson that's going after our residents, our seniors and charging them huge fees to collect on EMS services. So I'm glad to see this is before us today. And I'm glad my conversation about a year ago hopefully prompted this. Thank you, madam. Thank you, Madam Chair.
President Sheffield
Thank you, member Callaway, Councilmember DuBois.
Speaker 9
Thank you, madam president through you two member bits and those were some of the discussions that we had in committee with the treasurer relative to the process. I saw the number was a bit concerned as well, particularly talking about spanning back 30 years and noting that this is the first time this has been done since we've kind of come out of bankruptcy. We want to ensure that we're taking the steps that we don't go backwards into that and some of that is based off a change of practices that we have here. And so the treasurer and I are going to work very closely. We're going to monitor their progress on how they change that and we'll bring them back in front of the committee as well to have an in depth discussion on the change in process. Maybe that is not waiting two years, maybe that is doing it every year to ensure and see where we are with our receivables and those who are delinquent with that. So we'll update you on those discussions as well. Member Benson and we're going to hold again another discussion after they get the process in place about this particular item
Speaker 6
for discussion. Madam president to Chairman dr. Hall, just if you could have also had a conversation. If an ordinance if there's a benefit at that at an ordinance level was can this be an internal policy or should there actually be an ordinance that says we have to do this annually at least by annually to make sure we clean those off the books just had a conversation? Well, people please Are
Speaker 9
you madam president to member Miss, are you reading my mind? And so those are the discussions we're going to have with the treasurer. It'd be great if it can be done. internally. But you know, we know also when you're dealing with bureaucracy, that change and policies change as the leaders change. And so we are looking at possibly, I don't want to use the word mandate, but ensuring that those protections are in place and those are discussions we'll have with the treasurer to ensure that if we do push that ordinance for is something that they can comply to as well. Thank you, Madam President. Thank
President Sheffield
you. And then just a quick question. You mentioned that some of the reasoning why you may have not been able to collect is due to hardship or maybe due to some individuals may have passed away various reasons. Has there been an effort to actually kind of dig into it a little bit deeper to see if there are some instances where there could be some collectible money's still here that individuals are just trying to get around? I'm not sure this is a lot of money. $125 million. And so to kind of just sorted out here's individuals that may have passed away here some true hardships and here's this collection or group of individuals that we can still possibly pursue. And then once we pass this is there, there's no more efforts to collect any more for this particular debt. Just want to get clarity on that as well, too. Gotcha.
Speaker 18
So I will answer that last question first. So correct. There will be no direct efforts to collect on that debt. But if someone sends in a check because these bills or these invoices are out there, we've mailed them out even earlier this year, and so if someone does pay, we are legally allowed to collect that money and apply it against that. And in terms of digging into the 125, the 100 million Unfortunately, our you know, fire has looked into this Treasury has looked into this odf S has looked into this, because it's so late. The data actually doesn't exist except for on our balance sheet. So quite literally, it's a number that's 100. We're close to 100 on our balance sheet, but there's no direct records from the late 90s, early 2000s That I can point to that say this amount is from this person with a 25 million though there is we have a spreadsheet with all the names when the service was requested, et cetera, and fire has fire through their collections, activities and Treasury through our collections activities. And our third party collector have routinely tried to assess where, who we can collect and who we can't collect after, and we've gotten to the point where you know, we're not going to make material incremental gains on this collections item. Two points I'll make though I wanted to clarify is our third party collections agencies the Treasury uses is different than fires. Once it gets handed over to Treasury. We have a different third party. We're in the process of RFP hearing that but even when they take a look at EMS bills, typically it's six months to a year after that they don't even want the business because it's not profitable for the third parties to try to collect on that money. If I may through the chair to council member Dr. Hall, the idea of having an ordinance is something we would welcome. So we did look at what are best practices around the country and different cities related to this. And the answer is it's highly variable depending on the context of that community, the state laws in those different areas. It depends and there's no set standard. So if we do set a standard, and if it is specific, or EMS are generally speaking, I think that would be helpful, because long term leadership changes, management changes. But if we have something in writing, that's not just a departmental process, I think that would be helpful based on which collectibles we're talking about.
President Sheffield
Thank you. Member member young, followed by member Callaway.
Speaker 11
Thank you, Madam President, sir all good to see. But can you just break down for me the demographics and the socio economics of the people who were collecting this money from? Just so majority minority?
Speaker 18
I don't know. The majority. I don't have that data on a race basis. What I can say confidently is we I do strongly believe that a vast majority of these individuals are lower income individuals or individuals who for some reason or another don't have health insurance that could pay for this, including people who for some reason, maybe they don't they didn't sign up at the right time for Medicaid don't have that coverage. And so whether it's Medicaid, private health care or Medicare, we typically it gets billed through their health insurance providers and we get payments on those. So this would be a group that is lower income mostly, or for some reason doesn't have health insurance outside of that. We don't have that information beyond their name, date and address.
Speaker 11
So yeah, I'll just get rid of ASK YOU turns a lower income because we're talking about the indigent here, or do we have like a round percentage is it 50% Is it more than AF, is it?
Speaker 18
I can't give you the exact words. I can't give you an exact percentage,
Speaker 11
but you know what you're confident. Jordan like we were to enforce be aggressive about collections. Yes, we're going after people who are the poorest of the poor, like there's money from who could not afford these services. The health care so that they were seated, correct?
Speaker 18
That's correct. are third party agencies go through a variety of different channels, right to actually collect so if there are individuals who, you know, can pay, they are mechanisms that are third party agencies would use to collect after them.
Speaker 11
So this isn't like you got like people who are like wealthy or rich millionaires were skating on these buildings are like the poorest of the poor. In terms of the we're going after,
Speaker 18
the underlying assumption to that would be assuming that they're wealthy, they likely have health insurance that I build directly. Okay.
Unknown Speaker
Thank you, sir. Thank you all done
President Sheffield
for the Callaway Thank you.
Speaker 5
Thank you, ma'am, to your arm. Just a real quick couple questions. Has the city ever reported any of these debtors to like credit agencies, has it impacted their credit reports?
Speaker 18
So as far as my understanding is because it's a medical bill, it doesn't directly get applied to their credit scores and credit histories. It's treated differently.
Speaker 5
That's good. I'm glad I'm treated differently. What about the age? I know, my colleague asked about the demographics. I'm concerned about the age because the cases that I'm looking at is impacting our seniors.
Speaker 18
So I don't have the exact answer. I can go into the 25 million if helpful, I can go into that. See if we collect date of birth. Part of the reason why treasurer uses a third party is because it's medical information. We have the third party do the HIPAA compliance for these. So I'll go back into the data and see if we collect date of birth on these invoices. Okay. And then I can tell you the date base or the age breakdown based on
Speaker 5
that. Yeah, I'd like to see that data. And my last question is the statute of limitations I don't know if this is a question for the law department or let LPD is their lap statute of limitations in the state of Michigan regarding collecting on bad debts. So
Speaker 18
not one that necessarily applies and the reason why I am answering that with some hesitation is for example, the state of Michigan for income taxes. typically uses a process that it ages out after six or seven years. But for anything else, there's not a set statute of limitations that we were aware of when we were digging into EMS. And so that is something that by locality, we could explore putting that into place. But nothing that immediately sets that standard for us.
Unknown Speaker
Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, sir.
Unknown Speaker
Madam President.
President Sheffield
Yes, Mr. Coralee.
Speaker 7
Thank you, Madam President. Good morning city council. So we appreciate the responses to LTDs questions on this issue. We raised similar questions and concerns on the on the customer members raised today. We got satisfactory responses. This one on the console? No. And we do recommend approval of console running off these on receivables albeit many of them are very old. But they are collectible. Just to let you know. So from 2019 to 2023. There's another approximately $25 million in outstanding in Miss receivables. So it wouldn't be very important for the Treasury working with fire to come up with a cadence that allows these old collectible EMS receivables to come before you much sooner because we got another $25 million that we got to deal with bears are really very soon. My understanding as well is that Treasury is looking at old parking receivables that may be coming before you before you go into recess. So it's very good that they're looking to clean up the books if you will, because you know as of gentleman mentioned, the outside auditors you know plant Moran has cited this as an issue, you know, year after year. So just to let you all know that there may be another set of old receivables coming before you before resets. Thank you so much.
President Sheffield
All right. Thank you so much, Mr. Corley. Remember Callaway,
Speaker 5
thank you. Thank you, ma'am. Madam Chair. I have one more question. are we sending bills to these people who owe
Speaker 18
these bills? No. As soon as we write this off, we don't have an obligation
Speaker 5
prior to you writing them off. You receive some bills? Yes. Okay. So I'm really interested in knowing the age in terms of demographics, because I would not want us to send them to senior citizens. They already are on a fixed income. And I'm hoping that we will make a decision maybe can be a part of the ordinance that we not send these bills to someone who's retired, maybe 67 to you know, older, because I wouldn't want to receive that bill. And that's going to be on their mind and in their spirit knowing that they have this and you're threatened. I don't know what you're threatening them or not. But I'm hoping that if we are writing an ordinance or considering writing an ordinance that we exempt our senior citizens because they are on a fixed income and to receive a threatening bill or whatever we're sending them. I'd like to see what we've been sending if I could have a copy of what we have been sending. And maybe perhaps you know, we can have the law department look at it, but I wouldn't want anyone at a certain age group. In that senior bracket to be receiving these kinds of bills. I think as a city, we should cover that for them. I don't think we should be as you know, owning the EMS trucks and the services. I'm not talking about the third parties. I'm talking about our own EMS services, sending our seniors this type of bill. I'm not comfortable with that at all. And approaching that age group. I wouldn't want to receive it. So we know they're on a fixed income, we probably won't get that money. So I think, you know, again, hopefully we can put that in the ordinance should ordinance be coming forth. I mean, I'm sorry, forthcoming. That. That'll be part a part of that ordinance. So I'd like to see the ages and I'd like to see the letter that we've been sending us. Well, thank you Madam Chair. Thank you, sir.
President Sheffield
Thank you. And this would be clear you only have the ages for the 25 million because you mentioned to me earlier right 100 million. There's is too far back. We have no data right?
Speaker 18
I have the number on the balance sheet, but no data for who owed what when it's just sitting in the database at the 100 million but for the 25 million. I have a spreadsheet that has the names and when that happened, I just don't know if I have a column that says date of birth.
President Sheffield
Thank you. Okay. Okay. All right. Thank you. Thank you member Calloway, member Doral. You move this you have something additional
Speaker 9
president and three two member Callaway will definitely take a look at it is something that's constitutional that we can do. Then, you know, we don't have an issue with that but and if it does not present any fiscal harm in the budget, but we will take a look at and we'll have those discussions with your office, as well as we are going through this or ma'am.
Speaker 5
Sure. Thank you, Madam Chair. I don't think there will be anything unconstitutional about anything that I've said. But I would certainly like to work with you. I'm just asking that we make sure that a certain age bracket is waived. And that's something that we can do as a city. We don't have to send the bill in the first place. So I don't think there'll be anything unconstitutional about that. But metalli there Hall, I'd like to talk to you about it further. Thank you. Thank you Madam Chair.
President Sheffield
Thank you. Thank you remember how you move this already for approval?
Speaker 9
I did. And just just I want to clarify this. Remember, Callaway. I'm stating when we look at it, obviously it was built through the law department and it's something that'd be approved the forum, but because we are coming out of bankruptcy as well. There are some discussions that need to be had relative on the state level four state statute. So that's what I meant relative to that comment, but I look forward to working with you. And yes, Madam President, we have moved this for approval already.
President Sheffield
All right, any objections? Hearing no objections, the one resolution will
Speaker 9
be approved request a waiver for line item 16.1. Madam President,
President Sheffield
right, any objections to a waiver? Hearing none. That waiver will be attached to that resolution. Thank you. Thank you so much. From the office of the city clerk City Planning Commission,
Speaker 1
Councilmember der Hall are resolution line item 16.2.
President Sheffield
Councilmember Hall
Speaker 9
Thank you Madam President. line item 16.2 was a resolution of authorization for neighborhood enterprise zone certificate application for the construction of seven new single family houses at 1738 1742 1746 1752 1771 1795 and 1805 fissure in the East Village amended neighborhood enterprise zone area this has been recommended for approval by the CPC and committee moved for approval for line item 16.2.
President Sheffield
All right, motion has been made. Are there any objections? Hearing no objections be one resolution will
Speaker 9
be approved request a waiver for line item 16.2. Madam President,
President Sheffield
waiver has been requested and Hearing no objections that motion passes from the mayor's office.
Speaker 1
Councilmember waters are resolution line item 17.1 noting that this item was reported out of committee with recommendation to deny
President Sheffield
council member waters.
Unknown Speaker
Thank you,
Speaker 33
Madam President. There's been a request to bring postpone this for one week. All right. So motion to postpone for one week.
President Sheffield
All right, thank you member waters. And if there are no objections, we will postpone 17.1 For one week for the internal operations standing committee from the Office of contracting and procurements,
Speaker 1
Councilmember waters for resolutions line item 17.2 through 17.5 All our contracts or do it first contract is contract numbers 6006265 100% city funding to provide structure network cabling installation services to various city locations. total contract amount 500,000 next contract is contract number 6006264 100%. City funding to provide structured network cabling installation services to various city locations total contract amount 500,000 next contract is contract number 6006267 100%. City funding to provide structured network cabling installation services to various city locations. total contract amount 500,000 last contract is contract numbers 6006266 100%. City funding to provide structured network cabling installation services to various city departments total contract amount by 100,000. Councilmember waters for resolutions.
President Sheffield
Thank you Madam Clerk. Councilmember waters
Speaker 33
Thank you, Madam President. The Move approval on line item 17.2 through 17.5.
President Sheffield
All right, any discussion? All right, hearing none a motion has been made to approve. Are there any objections? Hearing no objections before resolutions will be approved. From the law department,
Speaker 1
Councilmember waters team resolutions by item 17.6 through 17 point 15.
President Sheffield
Councilmember waters
Speaker 33
Thank you, madam president at these various settlements, I move approval.
President Sheffield
All right motion has been made to approve. Are there any objections present? Yes, President potentate please show
Speaker 7
me a note on line item 17 point 15 Please.
Speaker 1
The clerk would no no not Madam President. Thank you.
President Sheffield
Any other objections on any of the settlements? Okay, hearing no further objections, the 10 resolutions will be approved Madam Chair. Yes.
Speaker 5
Request waiver on line item 17 point 13.
President Sheffield
Okay, waiver has been requested for 17 point 13 and Hearing no objections that motion passes. From the from the law department.
Speaker 1
Awesome. Robert Johnson a resolution line item 17. Point 16.
President Sheffield
Councilmember Johnson
Speaker 8
Thank you, Madam President Move for approval. This is a settlement request.
President Sheffield
All right, Hearing no objections. The one resolution will be approved for the Planning and Economic Development Standing Committee under unfinished business council
Speaker 1
president pro tem James Tate and ordinance made a roll call also noting that this line item was postponed from last week formal session.
President Sheffield
Right Thank you President Pro Tem Tate
Speaker 7
and the President I moved to take from the table an ordinance to amend chapter 43 of the 2019 Detroit city code streets, sidewalks and other public places Article Three opening closing extending, widening vacating naming and renaming of streets subdivision a generally by amending section 43 Dash three dash 41 assignment of secondary street signs permitted to allow for non Detroit residents to be eligible for secondary streets in certain circumstances laid on the table may 14 2024. Hearing
President Sheffield
no objections that action will be taken President Pro Tem Tate
Speaker 7
president I move that the ordinance be placed on the order of third reading and considered read discussion
President Sheffield
with discussion with discussion. Member Benson Alright,
Speaker 6
thank you. So it hurt the conversations and support for Mr. Chin, and I support that as well. That's my concern has been opening the books for non Detroiters although we do have some already. And so my suggestions was that we do an opening within a sunset to that what is the and I haven't seen an update in that language. Where are we with the updated language? Madam
President Sheffield
President? Yes. Thank you. So three two member Benson. Thank you for offering language around a sunset but I've been going through my colleagues and right now it seems like the majority would feel more comfortable and I'm saying the majority not everyone with the language as is. Quite frankly, what I would like to do first is just grounds us and remind us why we're here. I think this became a little bit too political for my taste when this is frankly just process. So as, as I've mentioned, our office have been working very closely with community from Cass corridor from our historic designation board in trying to make sure that we are doing what we should be doing in doing the historical designation around caste quarter Chinatown. And since we've gotten into the seats, we have been asked to give Vincent Chin the recognition that he deserves for the social justice movement that was sparked after his murder here in the City of Detroit's we were told that in the past any council member was able to put forth any ones anyone and it wouldn't be the approval from the majority of Council and supports in order for that to move forward. So as a body this this council has been able to put forth anyone that they find worthy of being recognized. Then there was an ordinance set in place because not all councils members, lights just having that as an option. They wanted something more concrete they wanted an ordinance. So an ordinance was created this ordinance then limited who was able to be honored with a secondary street name. And now we are where we are where we were told by H DAB who was told by the law departments, that process wise moving forward with this ordinance amendments would be the best way to really solidify the ability for him to have this honor. So this is simply process folks. And I would like to if our director wouldn't mind joining to just confirming this as the process. I asked us to bring this back for one week because I wanted to confirm with member teats because I was hearing that we could potentially move forward without an ordinance change, but I was told we need to that we need to have this amendments in order to be right by the books about making this a secondary streets naming the ordinance as it stands right now. It does expand it. It includes language of if we want to honor someone that lives within Metro Detroit, they would need for letters of supports from this body so there is still a threshold. It would not be a an automatic approval of city council if someone wants to move forward that's on top again as a reminder of the votes that we have to do as a full body before we approve someone's name and also includes language around if you are buried in the city of Detroit which Vincent Chin is a member of Benson your offer was to add a sunset clause, which I know that you remember Johnson supports but it's not something that member Tate supports. So I am in a pickle here I am trying to meet everyone's needs as always. I think right now I'm not able to and what I'm going to ask is that we support the majority of us support something that we feel comfortable with so that we can move forward with this process because we we need to make this right since unchained deserves to have a secondary street name. And this is only going to support the work that's been done on the grounds by Asian American immigrants and advocates here in the city of Detroit than across the states. So with that director, if you wouldn't mind joining us to just sharing a little bit more colors of this process, the guidance that you've given us and the importance really of of making sure that we allow secondary strychnine for Vincentian Thank you, Madam President. And just really quick to member Santiago Amuro. I think it's important to mention and I support, Mr. Chin. Thank you for all of the history that you sent with my grandfather in Davao and just the history. I really appreciate that. But I also think it's important to mention that there is still another process that takes place. Once this is approved. There's a limited amount of names that can come forward that the council can approve. So there was a lot of emails that I got today as if we were actually approving a secondary street name for Vincent Chin. And I want to be very clear that it is still a very competitive process. Even if we do approve this amendment and allow for him to be considered correct. There's only I think, how many names that we can find names where we're going to probably have, like we always do 1213 names, it has to be narrowed down that we all have to collectively pick from so I just want to make sure that the public is aware that even though we do allow if we do approve and move forward and allow for Vincent Chin to be considered there still is another process that takes place and I just want people to make sure that it's not an automatic approval. That there still are several names that council has to take up in. Deliberative. Correct, Madam President, thank you. That's absolutely correct. This is just a first piece to getting there. But we need this to get done to be able to do so. And I have been talking with colleagues and I do believe I have the support of a majority of council to move forward. If this is approved. Thank you, Madam President. We go right ahead.
Speaker 34
Thank you, Madam President, Ginny's Chapman, Director historic designation advisory board.
Speaker 35
Calcium is a city planner with the historic designation advisory board that
Speaker 34
what we've just wanted to give you a little bit of background information our office is presently working with. Councilwoman excuse me, Santiago Romero in identifying and identifying those buildings which were once was a part of Chinatown. The proposed designation or the have a secondary Street for Vincent Chin. We looked at the ordinates historically, as you will know, maybe you know that and I think she did a great job of just kind of summing up the process in the past and where we are today. What we've passed out to you is the ordinances that will address that particular issue of considering Vincent Chin as a possible candidate for secondary street sign. As council president has pointed out, there he will be placed on the list of possible candidates who have an application to have been applied, as well as those whose names are being rolled over from the previous year. So I think you're correct that that number will become larger. I concern at this point in time is we do have several street signs, Secretary street signs that have been named for individuals who were not residents of the city of Detroit, however, those names were done prior to this ordinance. So Vincent Chin and a little history I think that the public public comment many people spoke upon his history and the fact that he's interned here in the city of Detroit that not only did his Jeff start a movement locally, it started an international movement throughout the world with and you saw remnants of that project, San Francisco, Chicago, New York, you saw what happened as a combination of his death. So I think that what we're saying is that Chinatown, but what was once Chinatown we have no representation of Detroit's Asian American community. And its history and it's in honestly, his legacy and his devotion and its presence here in the city of Detroit. This will help address that concern. So that's where we are. I had asked Kelsey, our staff who had been working closely with law department, Graham Anderson on the ordinance and I'm sure would like to speak to that and then we should have any additional questions. We'll be free. We'll be happy to address them.
Speaker 35
Good morning, and through the chair. The in front of you, there's a highlighted section of the current ordinance. And this is what the amendment is based off of. So there's been comments about exceptions to the rule about like a death exception in the past that is written into the the current ordinance. And so, as Councilman Santiago Romero mentioned that of this process, this is the official process of amending it and mirroring. So that's what legal used as a reference point for this conversation. And in fact, the conversation was to actually make it a little bit stricter. So instead of having three total council member letters, there would be a total of four. So putting that higher criteria. And again, for this process, it would have to come through a city council members office, it couldn't be someone from the general public. So there are a lot of safeguards I would say in place that this is not going to, we're not going to have we can't 20 applications and in a cycle we would be limited to, to this body, each individually nominating and as has already been mentioned, there's only five spots every year so it is overall it's a very competitive process. I'm the person who speaks on the phone to all the people in your your different districts and there's a lot of amazing people. And so, but we follow the rule so this helps guide our office and again, happy to answer any questions.
President Sheffield
Thank you, member Benson
Speaker 6
so let's make sure I'm clear. So would Vincent Chin be eligible under the current ordinance as written
Speaker 35
under the current current ordinance, he is not because of the residency requirement. So there is a 10 year residency requirement and the amendment so in front of you is is the current ordinance. That's not the amended version, or what I handed out. And so the amendment is adapting that and is saying if you want to put someone forward who does not meet that residency requirement, that it has to be a council lead petition, it has to have at least four letters of support from this body to be even considered and moved forward?
Speaker 6
So right now what we're doing is adding the intern or in the resident of the state and Metro Detroit correct. So Mr. Chin would qualify under the interns. But if you remove the resident of the state of Michigan in Metro Detroit, he was still qualified, right? Because he's interned in the city of Detroit for more than 10 years.
Speaker 35
No, I mean, I would refer somebody go for that.
Speaker 36
As a chair, you are the chair Graham Anderson law department. You are correct. Member Batson if we were to remove the Metro Detroit portion, but just kept down where he was buried, he would still qualify. That is correct.
Speaker 6
Okay. And then there's my discussion to the author's here. So we want to have the Metro Detroit we want to have more than just the inter Is that accurate?
President Sheffield
Through your madam president to member Benson? No, sir. I want to make it so Vincent Chin is eligible to have a secondary street sign. And I'm also utilized. This is this process. I'm talking with my colleagues. And there is desire to add Metro Detroit but I am okay with removing it. If we remove the Metro Detroit language, though, just attorney Anderson just to confirm, we also remove the four letters of supports correct. So it would just it would be even simpler. It would be the same safeguards that we have now. It's still a very competitive process. But it would only open it up to if you were buried here in the city of Detroit. Which intention is that another option for the
Speaker 36
chair? Correct if it is the wills body, and we just wanted to make sure Vincent Shin is honored. We could do that by just adding the 12345678 words, or has been buried or entered in the city and that would qualify, Mr. Chen. I don't know if that's the word of the body though. If the word of the body is still to keep the Metro Detroit language we can do that. I'm just here to assist in whatever way the body desires. Thank you.
President Sheffield
Madam President. This was difficult because we can't all sit together and talk about this outside of this table and quite frankly, we all have different thoughts about this. So I am okay with removing Metro Detroit and the in the letters of supports. I am okay with adding a sunset clause. But frankly, I think we're a little torn here. And we'd love to hear from other colleagues to see where they stand on this. Right. We're going to open it up for discussion, President program takes resident
Speaker 7
so I will say thank you Member Santiago Romero for working on this particular item. I know it's not easy when you come up with amendments. My team and I we came up with the first set of amendments, following years and years of allocations of secondary street signs that were kind of any and everywhere with no real guardrails. So I know that's not easy trying to get the opinions of others and thankfully we did get a prep believe it was unanimous support last time around. Now it's a matter of fine tuning and like everything else, every ordinance, everything we do is living and breathing and can be altered and then this is the time that is before us. Now. I will say that I have been in support of the process moving forward because I've taught that similar to if someone is still living that you have to have four in four individual council members basically providing their support for this individual. I think that is a threshold that in my opinion is worthy for any alterations to the general set of guidelines that we have for secondary street requirements. So I cannot support any amendment that does not include that and I also cannot support any method that has one group of applicants having to reapply every year. And then you have another group of applicants that would have to reapply or they can't reapply up to four years. And that's what I'm kind of hearing is what is being presented and I may be incorrect, but if I am, please make it make it planning for me because it sounds like that's the way it was explained to me is that if you were under this particular provision, if you did not get selected, you would have only one year of a rollover, whereas all the other applicants will have at least up to a four year rollover. So I will be in support of a four year rollover so all of them are identical. So there is no one year and four year but again I I am not in support of removing the four other letters of support because I think that is important that does make sure that it is not you know, I think there needs to be a level of a threshold that we go through and have been in support of that. So that would be where I would go in terms of my support. Thank you. All right, thank
President Sheffield
you and Mr. Anderson if someone can confirm yes through the chair
Speaker 36
to pro tem so point I'm regarding the one year versus the four year that would only apply if we incorporate the sunset provision right if we do not incorporate the sunset provision that would not apply just wanted to make that clear. Thank you for
Speaker 7
clarity though but I thought that's what number Santiago mero said that she was open to
President Sheffield
Oh through the through the chair Yes, whatever solution we can come up with that would know the record more in Metro Detroit, whatever, whatever. Yes. And that
Unknown Speaker
currently is not in the amendment for my my view.
Speaker 36
Right. You are correct. But we if the body amends it at the table today we could have that done it would be a non substantive change, that wouldn't be an issue. So if that is the body was put incorporate that into the ordinance today. But as it is written in the sunset provision is not included.
Unknown Speaker
Thank you. Thank you. Thank
President Sheffield
you pro tem, member waters.
Speaker 33
Thank you, Madam President. I have a message I want to read from Rochelle Riley, she's unable to log in. She says Detroit ace will support the Vincent chan secondary street signing because his death lives in Detroit, which has the largest Chinatown in the state.
President Sheffield
Thank you member waters. Member Johnson.
Speaker 8
Thank you, Madam President. And so I feel like this should be the Vincent Chin amendment but my focus is not necessarily specifically on Vincent Chin. I understand. That is the impetus around the conversation. But just trying to understand the ordinance and the amendment within the ordinance. What precludes members Santiago Romero from nominated Vincent Chin today as an exception. It's the 10 year Why Why can't the exception also include entered in the city of Detroit
Speaker 36
are the chair that's just not how it's written at this point. As council members suggested, if we do want to take out everything except for just the burial provision, we could do that if that is what the will of the body is today. Maybe it will be but at the moment how it is written includes the Metro Detroit portion if what the body desires is to take out the Metro Detroit portion and just include that burial exception, which would allowed Vincent Chin or someone else with the same set of facts that would work mode, so just tell me how you'd like to proceed and I will do as the party requests.
Speaker 8
I appreciate the response. I think I've been very clear on what it is that I've been looking for. But it seems like our conversation continues to come back to where we are today. And so while I do, respect Member Santiago mero and appreciate her uplifting Vincent Chin. I'm not supportive of the language that's being presented to us to amend the ordinance today, doesn't mean that I won't support Vincent Chin's street renaming. I just think that we're we're changing we're amending the ordinance considerably. Because we're trying to provide for or allow for Vincent chan to be nominated, which I don't necessarily think the two have to exist the way that we're doing them. And so I appreciate all of your work. I appreciate everyone's thoughts around this and just look forward to moving forward with this ordinance and moving forward because I know the deadline is coming up very quickly as well for us to work through the process for this year. But thank you all. Thank you, Madam President.
Unknown Speaker
Thank you, Councilmember Johnson, good to see you again.
Speaker 11
Thank you, Madam President member Johnson as well the question I was gonna ask. Um, so let me ask this question. How does burial impact Detroiters the variant revision?
Speaker 36
Through the Chair, if we previously the original version of the ordinance did not include anything about whether an individual was buried in the city of Detroit? We made that addition and what's in front of this body right now. And that portion is in section two Section C 243 341. C. Two, the person was a resident of the city for a cumulative time of not less than 10 years is what originally we had. What we added was the person was a resident of the city or has been buried or interred in the city comma for accumulative time, not less than 10 years. So that's what the addition that was made that is okay, so
Speaker 11
so so person didn't live here wasn't part of here, but he was buried in the city he would then be able to qualify for,
Speaker 36
for it's also the 10 years. It's not like they just died yesterday and they got buried yesterday. They've been buried in the city of Detroit for at least 10 years of time and
Speaker 11
to kind of piggyback off of mineral Johnson's question involving the exceptions, we can just change that language to add this in here. That just seems like a cleaner way of doing it. I'm gonna support this. I support it. It is what it is for me, but I just that just seems like an easier way
Speaker 36
through the chair. So the language was presented to us. This is the route that we took. We tried to go different avenues, but they were not fruitful and this just seemed to be the best case for us to get there. But I understand what you're saying and board member Johnson saying, but what is in front of us today that that's not the route that was taken. And this seems to be the only way to get there. At this time without going back to the drawing board.
Unknown Speaker
Why do you do that things
Unknown Speaker
back timeline wise significantly.
Speaker 11
Why do algebra you can do arithmetic, but I just want to ask you, um, when you say fruitful Yeah, is that code for lack of
Unknown Speaker
support? No comment. Okay.
Unknown Speaker
With that, I'm done. Thank you.
President Sheffield
Thank you. And just for me, to be clear, to be clear, so we can achieve what we're looking to achieve by just having the one added clause in line is line number nine number two, where you add the wording or has been buried or interfered in the city,
Speaker 36
or the chair that would get Mr. Chen across the aisle
President Sheffield
will be supportive of and I sounds like members Santiago mirror you said you did not have support and you do have support moving forward with just that language and removing the clause that opens it up to the metro Detroit area. Madam President, to you I believe what we have in front of us today is what will be passed for the majority of council if I remove Metro Detroit's I then lose the support of pro tem teats. This is this is a tight vote for me I'm counting and any amendment any change that I make, I lose some. So this is not easy whatsoever. And I think the ordinance as we have it today in front of us is the ordinance that has the majority of supports. I have tried this for now two years along with each job in a lot department. This is what we were told we need to do and that we can't just put an exception. This is what we need to do to move forward so I would be okay as I mentioned to remove the language of Metro Detroit's but then I think I lose the support of the majority of council. So my ask is that we move forward with the ordinance as is it gives us the safeguard of the four letters. We know how incredibly competitive this process already is. So my hope is not to make things to open up any kind of water gates, that this just allows for folks that have been made or buried here or live in Metro Detroit, it would open it up to folks but again, our process would still stand for four letters instead of three, and for a full bodies of vote and support. So is it possible and I can't motion that we can at least move forward with putting the putting the motion on the table to see if there is support to remove the metro Detroit area and if it fails and feels and then we moved to the original ordinance. Sure. I can't motion Oh personally so I'm not okay.
Speaker 33
Yeah, so we're emotion Metro Detroit. Yes. Okay. So member
President Sheffield
waters would like to motion to remove the metro Detroit area. From the proposed ordinance any discussion on that motion?
Unknown Speaker
discussion was the motion again
President Sheffield
is to remove the metro Detroit area portion of the ordinance. The person was a resident of the state of Michigan and the general metro Detroit area that portion will be removed from the ordinance just now stating that you have to be buried in the city. motion has been made is there any support to removing that portion? We can show me as a yes for support. Sure. Support. I said most motion has she made the motion. Is there any support for that motion? Okay. Motion has been made. Are there any objections? Sorry. Thank you, Dr. Powers. Any objections?
Unknown Speaker
Objection president pro tem.
President Sheffield
Okay, the clerk would note. So that motion does pass. Now does this trigger any additional hearings? Or anything through
Speaker 36
the chair now it doesn't. We were just asked that you move it as amended when you motion today and we will remove those portions and just include the the one sentence or has been buried or injured in the city. Thank you very much.
President Sheffield
anything additional? i President Pro Tem so now if you could move this as amended.
Speaker 7
The President I moved to speak with Dr. Powers
Unknown Speaker
that could have discussion.
Unknown Speaker
No, the motion on the table
Unknown Speaker
sit down for the third
Unknown Speaker
I guess she
President Sheffield
Okay, before we move forward, yes. Member Benson. I was wondering if you had discussion. Okay. Okay. So Pro Tem will do that as amended the order third reading.
Speaker 7
Thank you so much. Mr. President. I move that the ordinance be placed on the order of third reading and considered read as amended.
President Sheffield
Hearing no objections that action will be taken. President Pro Tem take
Speaker 7
a move to the ordinance be passed as submitted. There being a roll call
President Sheffield
required with the clerk please
Speaker 1
call the roll. Councilmember Santiago Romero? Yes. President Pro Tem James Hey.
Unknown Speaker
Yes.
Unknown Speaker
Councilmember Mary waters.
Unknown Speaker
Yes.
Unknown Speaker
Councilmember Angela Winfield Callaway. Councilmember, call me on the second. Yes. Council President Mary Sheffield. Yes. Councilmember Scott Benson. Yes. Councilmember Fred Dharohar. The third Yes. Councilmember Leticia Johnson. Yes. Nine gays zero nays. The motion passes Madam President.
President Sheffield
All right. The ordinance is approved President Pro Tem Tate I'm
Unknown Speaker
farming is a member Callaway is not present.
President Sheffield
All right. Thank you. The ordinance is approved President Pro Tem state
Speaker 7
I move to the ordinance be passed as submitted.
President Sheffield
Hearing no objections that actually as confirmed
Speaker 7
as to be as amended. I'm no more that the ordinance be passed as amended.
President Sheffield
Or more than a title report is be confirmed.
Unknown Speaker
But the title is the last
Unknown Speaker
that just enter a title.
Unknown Speaker
I thought I did the order third reading.
Speaker 17
You did that and then you made the motion.
Speaker 35
Because now is as the third reading for now.
Speaker 7
I think you're at the title. Thank you. Thank you. I move that the title The ordinance be confirmed as an
President Sheffield
Hearing no objections that action will be taken. All right. Thank you. Yes.
Speaker 34
Yes, Madam President. I would just like to let the public know that this amended ordinance will be online by tomorrow. So that they will be able to read it and they will be from and they can call our office if they have any additional questions or concerns. Thank you.
President Sheffield
All right. Thank you, Madam President. Further discussion?
Speaker 7
Just to be clear, I know that there's a timeline now for folks who want to submit under this new amended version of the ordinance. Can you talk about what that timeline looks like please?
Speaker 35
Yeah, it should be and please correct me if I'm wrong. It will need to be posted in Detroit legal news before it goes into effect. And so it will be a very tight timeline. The deadline is June 30, which is on the weekend. So the last business day is Friday, June 28. And that goes for the whole secondary street sign process. So that is the timeline for council members and the general public.
Unknown Speaker
or the chair a waiver would be very helpful. Yes.
President Sheffield
The waiver Yes, thank you, Madam president's requested waiver. All right Hearing no objections, a waiver will be attached to the ordinance. Thank you everyone. Thank you. Thank you. From the Office of contracting and procurement.
Unknown Speaker
That's the president.
Speaker 34
scuze me just for point of clarification I just spoke with Mr. Whittaker, our attorney and he said that because the the third falls on the weekend, it goes to the Monday. So not that Friday, but the Monday is from the date the deadline is and we'll post that.
President Sheffield
Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Dr. Chapman. And Madam Clerk, you can proceed.
Speaker 1
And can we at council president pro tem take two resolutions, noting that line item 18.2 was postponed from last week. Both are contracts the first contract is contract number 6004815. Dash a one 100% arpa funding Amendment One to provide an extension of time and an increase of funds for landlord repair training programs, contractors environmental testing and consulting Incorporated. total contract amount $367,050. That's for housing and revitalization contract number 6006346 100%. City funding to provide i 375, reconnecting communities supplemental zoning and land use study planning services contract or interval Interborough partners, LLC total contract amount $349,818 Planning and Development Council President Pro Tem
President Sheffield
take two resolutions.
Speaker 7
President Pro Tem take the president move approval of line item 18.2 and 18.3.
President Sheffield
Police any discussion? All right Hearing no discussion any objections to the two resolutions? 18.2 and 18.3.
President Sheffield
Hearing no objections the two resolutions will be approved. The Office of the Chief Financial Officer Office
Speaker 1
of Development and grants. Also pro Tim Tate or resolution line item 18.4.
Unknown Speaker
Pro Tem team move approval of
President Sheffield
line item 18.4 Please, all right. 18.4 is the authorization to submit a grant application to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development for the fiscal year 2024. Choice Neighborhoods planning grant. Are there any objections? Hearing no objection, the one resolution will be approved
Unknown Speaker
and can we have a waiver on that one protan request for a waiver
President Sheffield
then President Okay, Hearing no objections a waiver will be attached to 18.4 from the housing revitalization department.
Speaker 1
Also President Pro Tem Tate or resolution line item 18.5.
Unknown Speaker
wrote him take my president Move approval nine out of 18.5
President Sheffield
Please. line item 18.5 is accepting a $25,000 lead to health safety grant for healthy homes. Hearing no objections the one resolution will be approved by the planning and
Speaker 1
development department. That's the president pro tem take three resolutions line items 18.6 through 18.8.
Speaker 7
President Pro Tem Tate President Move approval on line items 18.6 To
President Sheffield
18 point a blues, right any discussion discussion?
Speaker 6
Yes. Councilmember Benson line 18.6 Regarding the Liwa construction easement. Just we've seen a number of lever projects in the third district and I know there's political kerfuffle now in the fourth district. What was the level of community engagement on this line item.
President Sheffield
Mr. Washington do we have someone on for this item please? Could you please repeat the item number
Unknown Speaker
18.6. Yes, I believe Lisa Gardner from is online
President Sheffield
all right. We will promote Lisa Gardner. Yes.
Speaker 24
President I do not see that person unless they're under
President Sheffield
a different name. Madam Chair, are we able to bring this back to the motion? There's a motion to bring 18.66 back at the end of the agenda, Hearing no objections that action will be taken. And protein has moved the other items for approval Are there any objections? Hearing none, the two resolutions will be approved by the public health and safety standing committee from the Office of contracting and
Speaker 1
procurement process. Remember this is a resolution line item 19.1. Contract Number 6005280 dash a one 100% arpa funding Amendment One to provide an increase of fonts and Amanda scope for the construction of a new gymnasium for the far rail Recreation Center. Contractor is the Angeles diamond construction LLC. total contract amount $4,339,417 And as for construction and demolition.
Unknown Speaker
Councilmember Benson a resolution
President Sheffield
motion. Motion to approve. motion has been made to approve Are there any objections? Hearing no objections the one resolution will be approved. First away rely on 19.1. Hearing no objections a waiver will be attached to 19.1 from the Office of contracting and
Speaker 1
procurement. Also remember Santiago Romero three resolutions line items 19.2 through 19.4. All our contracts are first one is contract number 3075111 which is an emergency P O for the rental of Evolve outdoor next generation metal detection systems. Next contract is contract number 6004113. Dash a one 100%. City funding Amendment One to provide an increase of funds for the maintenance and repair of PLD assets, total contract amount 2,250,000 and the contractor for that contract. Is the Energy Group. That's for public lining. Next contract is contract number 6005960 100%. City funding to provide de F fluid and service. The contractor is Corrigan or Company Number two, total contract amount $388,368 And that's for transportation. Councilmember Santiago Romero
President Sheffield
three resolutions. Thank you Madam Clerk councilmember Santiago Ramiro. Thank you Madam President motion to approve. All right motion has been made is there any discussion? Discussion manager?
Speaker 5
Yes. Remember Callaway can show me as a no on line item 19.3.
President Sheffield
I jumped. Alright, so motion to a motion has been made to approve.
Speaker 5
And any objections member Callaway objection madam chair on line item
President Sheffield
19.3.
Unknown Speaker
A clerk would no purpose Oh no, Madam
President Sheffield
President. Member young discussion. We're in the middle of a vote. Hearing no further objections. The three resolutions will be approved the matter question on the ones we just approved. Okay.
Speaker 11
Remember young Thank you. Um, on line item 90.3. I guess it's a go to PLA or PLD. We are funding the maintenance and repair of the PLD assets. I thought it was my understanding that we were transitioning away from these assets. Why is that? What is the plan here? And I thought it cost what else was the Starsky, but I thought it costs $500 million to upgrade last I was told
Speaker 30
as to why Washington yes manager we do have Dan would look would look quits policies my best of his last name online with us. Okay.
Unknown Speaker
Dan Yes,
Unknown Speaker
I do. Is there a point thank you
Speaker 11
and you? Good sir. Do you need me to repeat
Speaker 37
what I said are you good? No, I understand what the concern here. Go. Public Land Department still owns several 100 miles of underground conduit. These are access through manholes and we didn't need to maintain these because we run fiber optics through them for the police department for public safety as well as we lease out excess capacity to private companies for create revenue for the city to the tune of about $700,000 a year. In addition to that, we are removing unused electric cables from underground and in these conduits and selling them as scrap and we're also removing unused overhead lines overhead streetlight poles that are utility poles are no longer used. And anything else that's overhead, Transformers etc. And that will help cities blight situation and also make a safer for the citizens.
Speaker 11
Okay, that's, that's excellent in I understand now that I just want to make sure I got this clear. It was my understanding that all those assets were to be transitioned to DT that that was my understanding that the whole kit and caboodle the wires all that was supposed to be transferred over to them and now what you're saying is basically that was just Mr. Ski, but there's some wires that the wires that we're not using. We're going to sell that as scrap for revenue and I understand that. But then the other wires that we're going to keep are used for fiber optics. Those are going to be ones that we own,
Unknown Speaker
correct? Yes, we
Speaker 11
own those conduits, all of that. They belong to the city of Detroit. Okay, just give me that number again. How much of that was it exactly? Which number? How much how much underground conduit? Do we have exactly that how many
Speaker 37
miles? What was the number? I don't have the exact numbers in the area
Speaker 11
but 500 miles. Okay. Okay. Five 500 miles. Do we know how much that costs? The city
Speaker 37
domains were originally billed? I don't no idea who's got it. Somebody's calendar was built around the turn of the 19th 20th century. Oh, god.
Speaker 11
Okay, well, I'll tell you what, I'll make sure I'll reach out to you after we're done here. I got some more questions about costs and how much it's gonna cost us and what we're doing with it and that and the better use of it and, and I just want to make sure Do we own don't ask you this poorly. Do we own any overhead
Speaker 37
wiring at all? From the unused overhead wiring? That we used to be providing
Speaker 11
electricity but we don't have overhead wire, right? It's all underground.
Speaker 37
No, we do have overhead wire deck, but we don't use it on wrapping to
Speaker 11
make sure it doesn't fall on people. Okay, so it's not connected to anything. I'm sorry. So it's not connected
Unknown Speaker
to anything. We don't we don't correct.
President Sheffield
That I'm done. Thank you very much.
Speaker 5
All right. Thank you remember Callaway have a real quick question. How do you pronounce your name again,
Unknown Speaker
sir, this is councilmember Callaway. I'm sorry,
Unknown Speaker
what's your leverage?
Speaker 37
When the leverage r u. R V. CZ like a CH Gotcha. When there's
Unknown Speaker
medical when polebridge
Speaker 37
Are you a full time city employee? No, ma'am. I
Unknown Speaker
will have to employ
Unknown Speaker
your whole employee. Tas ta temporary.
Unknown Speaker
Okay. Yeah. How long have
Speaker 37
you been with the city? Just curious. I really started with the city. of employee I was hired in December of 1982. Or retired at the end of 2012. It was brought back 2013 was brought back the tests after that for special projects and just keep other projects keep coming up part time
Speaker 5
as a test right now. You're part time. Yes. You work from home or
Speaker 37
do you have Office here? I work mostly from home. I do have our office over at 13/43 Street where John primax has settled and I've employed through your CFO not through PLD
Unknown Speaker
Okay, are
Unknown Speaker
you City resident? Until December I was
Unknown Speaker
just moved. Okay. All right. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, sir.
President Sheffield
Thank you member Calloway, and member young. Yes, Council Member Santiago Ramiro. Requested waiver, madam president for 19.4. All right, Hearing no objections. waiver has been requested for 19.4. That motion passes. And we will now move to the new business portion
Speaker 7
of the agenda. I apologize before we go too. Far. I want to make sure that we can scroll back up to it. There was a request for a waiver on line item 18.3. Please,
President Sheffield
do you just state what that is the 375 Okay. All right. There's a request for a waiver one. 18.3. Any objections? Hearing none, That motion passes. Thank you. We will now move to the new business portion of the agenda under unfinished business.
Speaker 1
Councilmember Bisset, an ordinance noting a roll call line item 20.1.
Speaker 6
Councilmember Benson moved to take from the table an ordinance to amend chapter 19 of the 2019 Detroit city code food Article Two city licenses for food service establishments and vending machines division two food services establishments by adding subdivision C. Dining with confidence laid on the table may 14 2024.
President Sheffield
Theory No objections that action will be taken.
Speaker 6
Councilmember Benson will the orders to be placed on the order of third reading and
President Sheffield
considered read. Hearing no objections that action will be taken member Benson
Speaker 6
discussion? All right. All right. Thank you. And so my colleagues have any questions. I have Chef Phil, who is our community food specialist, also the 2021 chef of the Year by the Detroit Free Press who was helping Shepherd this through the entire process. Just want to make sure that all everyone's questions
President Sheffield
have been answered. Alright. Thank you member Benson any questions from colleagues?
Unknown Speaker
I move the orange be passed as submitted.
President Sheffield
All right there being a roll call required with
Speaker 1
the clerk please call the row. Also President Pro Tem James take. Yes. Councilmember Mary waters. Yes. Councilmember Angela Whitfield Callaway. Yes.
Unknown Speaker
Councilmember. Call
Speaker 1
me on a second. Yes. Council President Mary Sheffield. Yes. Councilmember Scott Benson. Yes. Councilmember Fred are Hall a third? Yes. Councilmember de Tisha Johnson. Yes. Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Ramiro? Yes. Nine yeas, zero nays That motion passes. Madam
President Sheffield
President.
Unknown Speaker
The ordinance is approved. Councilmember Benson.
President Sheffield
I'll move the title to the walrus be confirmed, Hearing no objections that action will
Unknown Speaker
be taken. Thank you, colleagues.
President Sheffield
This waiver waiver has been requested in Hearing no objections that action will be taken. And
Unknown Speaker
thank you, Councilmember Benson.
President Sheffield
Thank you. My longtime family have put a lot of work in the revision to get that done. So yeah. We're through with with the breezes time
Speaker 1
all right from the mayor's office. Councilmember young for resolutions line items. 20.2
President Sheffield
to 20.4. Councilmember.
Speaker 11
Yeah. Thank you, Madam President. I moved to approve line items 20.2 through
President Sheffield
20.5. All right. These are all various city events with departmental approvals. Are there any objections discussion?
Speaker 5
Yes, Councilmember Callaway, Madam Chair. Thank you. And thank you to lembert large young line item 20.2. This petition to name the street after Otis Williams, the last surviving member of the temptations and I'm honored to announce it along with the city of Detroit, the Motown Museum and Hitsville next artists the recognition of Dr. Otis Williams, will be this Saturday, the 15th of June, on the corner of Wisconsin and Santa Clara where he lived. This is particularly meaningful at his as it is in the Bagley neighborhood where he lived during his early motel career and Bagley is one of our historic districts in the city. So I'm thanking my colleagues for your support. I know his family is excited about this happening on this Saturday. And we're looking forward to it so everybody's invited to meet us on the corner of Wisconsin in Santa Clara at 12 noon, when we will do the unveiling of the street.
President Sheffield
Thank you Madam Chair. Right. Thank you so much member Callaway and if there are no objections, member Young has moved these for approval. The four resolutions will be approved as a
Speaker 11
resident Yes, member. Yeah, I'd like to request a waiver for lions 20.2 in line item 20.4. All right, a waiver has been requested and you say for all the items. Why not? 20.2 and light on 20.4
President Sheffield
Okay, Hearing no objections or waiver will be attached to those items from the Office of contract to
Speaker 1
get procurements. Councilmember Santiago Romero, two resolutions, line items 20.6 and 20.7. For service contract numbers 6006277 100% grant funding to provide Gordie Howe International Bridge Health Impact Assessment contractor Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation total contract amount $1 million that's for held. Next contract is contract number 6006321 100%. City funding to provide emergency management services, EMS division critical care and EMS equipment contractor jnb medical supply company total contract amount $1,186,243.39. That's for Fire House members Santiago Romero.
President Sheffield
Two resolutions. Councilmember Santiago Ramiro Thank you madam president motion to approve. motion has been made to approve Are
Unknown Speaker
there any objections?
Unknown Speaker
Madam Chair,
Speaker 5
or discussion? Discussion? Okay. Are we on line item? 20.8? Not yet.
Unknown Speaker
Not yet. Okay. Thank you, Madam
President Sheffield
Chair. Madam President. Yes.
Speaker 8
20.6 Can someone just share because there was a comment made relative to sthalam pits which I've been asking for the health department to provide additional resources, particularly for individuals and long term health impacts. But Can someone share a little bit more about the funding for these resources and how this is being utilized specifically for the Gordie Howe or that
President Sheffield
general area? Okay, Mr. Washington. Yes, madam chair if we can promote Leah Smith All right. We will promote Miss Leah Smith.
Speaker 24
I'm attempting to promote Miss Smith but she declined to be promoted to a panelist.
President Sheffield
Me Maybe we can.
Unknown Speaker
Mr. Washington. Yes, Madam Chair. I'll make contact with Mrs. Smith. Now she may have stepped away from her desk.
President Sheffield
Alright, member Johnson, do you want us to bring this towards
Speaker 8
the end of the agenda? Is there anyone else? Who might be able
President Sheffield
to respond? Hey, Mr. Washington. Do we have anyone else available? Or is Leah Smith the only one that can speak to this contract? Madam President. So through each member Johnson the grant funding receipts here is from the community benefits package based on the impact that has been made from the Gordie Howe bridge. So this is really private funds that are being received for the health impact study but to your points. We should be doing these regularly. We should be advocating for funding for these studies. But that is where the funding is coming from for 20.6 Thank you. Thank you, Madam President. Yes, Council Member Yan shade um
Speaker 11
maybe I got this wrong. But wasn't these impacts that he's supposed to be done
Speaker 10
before the project was built.
President Sheffield
Councilmember Santiago No. Thank you, Madam President. Someone from the administration can correct me if I'm wrong, but the bridge has been extended. So now a Cephalus Utrecht is now being inundated with more construction because the construction has been sending out for a year. So Canada, the Gordie Howe bridge as expanded their community benefits package. And I believe this is where some of that funding is coming from is to continue to do impact studies because they are continuing to do construction in the middle of the neighborhood. It's one more request. want them to be able to answer So, Mr. Washington? were you gonna say something? Yes, I'm sure I believe we will. Okay
Speaker 11
right. Go ahead, Maria. Yeah, thank you, Miss Smith. I just wanted to get your memory Ramiro, on kind of your answer the question excuse me involving the health impact study being done before the project. Now I heard that there was an amendment extension to this I just want to know, was the public notified about this extension? And I just want to know what I just want to was, was it this extension, something that was supposed to be planned before they started building it? Like when did they come up? With the notion that this needed to be extended? I mean, I remember when I was in Lansing talking about this, we've been this has been a long time in the process here. This is part of the reason why you don't have these other projects. And you started a bit, you know, circumvent the legislative process more to do this. But I just want to know, why was it this extension planned out? Before we got to this point? What was the need for the extension? And what was the community outreach like
Speaker 38
once we did this extension? So through the chair, Leah Smith, Director of administrative operations for the health department, so to clarify when you talk about the ascension, you're talking about the ascension related to the construction
Speaker 11
of the bridge or the ascension of of the community health assessment. Structure The construction of the bridge as it goes to the apex study, but I'm assuming the apex study is because of the extension of
Speaker 38
the bridge, correct. So the impact, right? Yes, so your understanding is correct. So this project was paused during COVID. And the funding did lapse during COVID. And so when the state reengaged us in conversations about continuing the project, we did agree to receive the funding again and continue the health impact assessment study. The community has not been notified as of yet. The original Community Health Impact Assessment was handled by the Detroit Hispanic Business coalition which is Who were you are planning on contracting with again, they were actually the main I'm sorry, the main organization who handled the community outreach that you were talking about, in terms of this being done before the construction was actually it was our it was the state's intention and us as partner agencies with the state to continue the Health Impact Assessment throughout the construction to see how the community's health was impacted. before, during and after. So this is going to probably be a numerous Phase project we're anticipating that the state will most likely extend our funding again, and potentially increase it again. So we can continue to talk with the families and the community directly impacted by the construction to figure out long term, how construction
Unknown Speaker
projects of this scale impact health overall.
President Sheffield
Thank you. I appreciate that. Hey, it's my pleasure. Thank you. Thank you Member Santiago Ramiro. Thank you, Madam President. Just a quick question through you to Mr. Washington. There. I guess hearing this now, do you know if there has been actually No, Miss Smith, I believe you would know from the work that's been done already. Has there been a drafted reports done already yesterday and committee? There was mention of there potentially already already been a drafted report.
Speaker 38
Do you have anything that we can review for now? There actually is a phase one report that was completed I will point out that the report is actually a combination of two different contract. So the first contract is with the Detroit Hispanic Business coalition. So they make up one part. The second part is actually the air quality monitoring piece, which is University of Michigan and I anticipate that the continued contract for that piece of this contract will be in front of the honorable body probably within the next few months. And so the Phase One report is a combination of the community health assessment and the air quality assessment. But yes, there is a copy of the report, and I will send it to Mr. Washington
President Sheffield
so he can disperse it to the rest of Council. Through you, madam president. Thank you, Miss Smith. Thank you, Madam President. All right. Thank you, Councilmember Johnson, did you still want to Are you fine, okay. All right. All right. Thank you Miss Leah Smith. And if there are no additional questions or concerns a motion has been made to approve the two resolutions and Hearing no objections. The two resolutions will be approved. Request the waiver madam president for both items. All right waiver has been requested, Hearing no objections that action will be taken
Speaker 1
from the Office of contracting and procurement. Councilmember young six resolutions, line items 20.8 through 20 point 13. Noting that they are all contracts from the General Services department or as contractors contract numbers 6006251 100%. ARPA funding to provide site work construction for Joe Louis greenwave segments J through K. Zone J. Davidson das Schoolcraft in zone K Schoolcraft through NFL total contract amount 5,500,000 contractors Anglin civil LLC. Next contract contract number 6006336 100%. Grant funding to provide tree planning at void Park contractor wh cannon LLC total contract amount $53,770 next contract is contract number 6006348. Revenue contract to license bass at the Northwest activity center for the purpose of providing a local bank branch ATM and related community programming contractors Fifth Third Bank National Association total contract amount $343,800. Last contract is contract number Arminius. Nonetheless contract contract number 600 by 267 dash a one 100% Solid Waste funding Amendment One to provide an extension of time and an increase of funds for the rental of five dump trucks with grapple bucket loaders. Contractor is big truck rental LLC total contract amount 750,000. Next contract contract numbers 6004894 dash a one 100%. ARPA funding Amendment One to provide an extension of time for construction vehicles for Skills for Life program. Contractors also equipment LLC total contract amount 1,240,000. The last contract is contract number 6006231 100% major street funding to provide street tree removal and trimming services contractors tree service of Troy LLC total contract amount 750,000
President Sheffield
Councilmember young six resolutions
Speaker 11
thank you so much, Madam Burke. Councilmember Young, thank you, Mayor Prezi Board to approve line
President Sheffield
item 20.8 through 20 point 13. We can open it up now for discussion.
Speaker 5
And I know member Callaway you had some questions. Yes Thank you, Madam Chair. Have a question about line item 20.8. This is a $5.5 million contract funded with Arper dollars to accompany in Livonia. Want to know if there are possibilities for subcontractors who are minority on women on and located in Detroit to be a part of this contract. This is huge.
Unknown Speaker
So I don't know who can come on. I don't know
President Sheffield
if this general services Madam Chair.
Unknown Speaker
Mr. Mr. Washington. Yes. Madam Chair. We do have to rail Harris online.
Unknown Speaker
Good afternoon Joe Harris,
President Sheffield
Deputy Director General Services Department.
Unknown Speaker
All right, remember Callaway go right ahead.
Speaker 39
Thank you, Mr. Harris. Did you hear my question or do you want me to repeat it? Um, through the chair? No, Councilmember, I didn't hear your question. It was about the opportunity for a subcontracting was that was the question. Yes, sir. Yep. And so that I will have to defer to OCP to talk about sub
Speaker 5
contracting and any opportunities that might be available there. Okay. I'm really uncomfortable with $5.5 million going to accompany in Livonia. I don't think there's been a company that I'm aware of and I sit on the internal operations committee, a Detroit based company I could be wrong. It's gotten a five point million dollar $5.5 million contract to do anything and I'm certainly probably wrong about that. But it's rare that I've seen since I've been sitting on this council, that minority owned company, woman owned company has received a $5.5 million contract. I know one woman who received close to $9 million total in contracts using some of our opera dollars, I think was 6 million to do media buys. She lives in Birmingham. So I'm just curious whether or not there's an opportunity for a subcontractor on this particular contract, which is $5.5 million. I'm not going to you know, ask that it be held up. It's just questions and I can direct my questions Mr. Harris to OCP. I'm just concerned that a lot of these are for dollars have come
President Sheffield
to the city and left the city Thank you Madam Chair. Thank you member Callaway. Alright, Mr. Washington. Do we have any 114 20 point 13
Speaker 10
Regarding the tree trimming contracts My apologies. I would defer to Mr. Harris for that item as well.
President Sheffield
I'm sorry. Yes, Madam Chair. I'm available for that item. Okay. Yep. If you could just for the record, just state where we are with the I know this contract details mentioned that four out of the seven forthcoming contracts will be Detroit based contractors. For three Treme
Unknown Speaker
Can you confirm that that is accurate? Yes, madam chair that is accurate um, four of the seven
President Sheffield
arbitrary base and they're also minority contractors. And can you just state why they did not come first and where they are in the process
Speaker 39
as far as when they will, will be coming to council? Yes, until the chair. They were we recommended award at the same time for all of them, but they have all had different experiences with getting their tax clearances updated, and getting kind of all the documentation that they needed to get to this body. And so they should all be coming within the next few weeks. We wanted to package them all together, but it took some
President Sheffield
a little bit longer than others to get all of their clearances complete. Okay. All right. Thank
Speaker 5
you so much. Member? Callaway. Yes, yes, thank you Madam Chair. Back to line item 20.88. I didn't get my question answered. I know that OCP currently answers so Madam Chair. Is there anyone?
Unknown Speaker
From Are you from OCP you're from GSD
Speaker 5
Mr. Harris? Yes, ma'am. I'm with GSD mature Is there anyone on from OCP? Who can answer my question on whether or not this $5.5 million can have sub contracts, sub sub contractors on it, who are based in the city? And I know there's some stipulations in terms of how we and who we award these are for dollars. So I know it can't be based on certain criteria. But once we award the the contract to this company in Lavonia. Is there anything prohibiting or preventing them from then turning around and hiring a subcontract that is possibly based in Detroit? minority or women?
President Sheffield
So that's a question for OCP through the Chair. Mr. Washington, do we have someone on from OCP? Sure, I'm still reaching out if we could bring this item to the end as well.
President Sheffield
We'll kind of we'll bring this item to the end. of the agenda. That's okay. Yeah, that's okay. Thank you. Alright, so there's a motion to bring 20.8 to the end of the agenda, and Hearing no objections that action will be taken. Is there any additional discussion on the remaining items?
Unknown Speaker
Yes, Madam Chair, line
Unknown Speaker
item 20 point
Speaker 5
11. Is there any wants I guess? I don't know if the hairs through the chair can answer this question. Just curious about these five dump trucks coming from Tampa. Are they actually physically being shipped from Tampa, Florida to Michigan? For it, are they the middleman? Are they actually entering the contract on behalf of GSD these five dump trucks and then shooting us the invoice or are they actually coming from Tampa? Are they already here in Michigan?
President Sheffield
And this company is the middle guy. Right. Do we have someone on mr.
Speaker 39
Washington for this item? or Mr. Harris? Are you able to answer? All right, yes, Madam Chair, I'm able to answer in through the chair to Councilmember Callaway. These five vehicles we currently have in our fleet and this is an extension of time and the additional dollars to continue to use these vehicles until
Speaker 5
the ones that we have requested to purchase come in. Thank you, madam chair to Mr. Harris. How much have we paid to rent these?
Unknown Speaker
We probably could have bought them by now. How much we pay to rent through the chair. Let me just pull that really quickly
Speaker 5
through the chair to Mr. Harris, because because 200 and through the chair to Mr. Harris $250,000
Speaker 39
is a huge amount to rent for six months. Through the Chair to date, we've paid approximately $500,000 for the rental of the five buildings. For the chair, we are requesting to buy vehicles we put that request in
Speaker 5
and we're just waiting for those vehicles to come in. So through the chair to Mr. Harris, we've paid rent I mean to rent these
Speaker 39
vehicles $500,000
President Sheffield
for the chair, that is correct. Thank you Madam Chair. Thank you Mr. Harris. Thank you member Callaway Member Santiago Ramiro. Thank you, Madam President. I know we're bringing back 20.8 I've heard discussion around tree removal as well. Every bringing back 20 point 13 Or that we discussed this yet. Nope. He responded to my questions that four of the seven contracts will be Detroit bass and those are forthcoming, understood by Okay. Got it. Thank
Unknown Speaker
you.
President Sheffield
i Madam President also had a questions around Detroit vendors but four to the seven being the majority I support. Thank you, Madam President. Okay, thank you, Council. Member. All right motion has been made to approve line items 20.9.
President Sheffield
point 1320 point 13. Are there any objections? Never. Yeah. Hearing no objections.
Speaker 11
Those resolutions will be approved. President Yes, member Young. Get a waiver on line item 20.9 20. Point 11 and 20 point 13.
President Sheffield
Any objections? Hearing no objections a waiver will
Unknown Speaker
be attached to those items. Yes, Councilmember young. Yes. I'd like to go back in time a little bit. Can I get a line? I can't get a waiver for line item 20.3.
President Sheffield
And you just state what the item is. It's for the fireworks. Okay, for the fireworks event? Yes, ma'am. All right, any objections to a waiver? One 20.3 And this is the approval of the events for the fireworks. Hearing no objections a waiver will be attached to that I
Speaker 1
from the Office of the Chief Financial Officer Office of Development and grants. Councilmember Santiago Romero
President Sheffield
a resolution line item 20 point 14. Councilmember Santiago Ramiro, motion to approve. This is a grant application for BPD to utilize their mental health collaboration program grant. All right Hearing no objections, the one resolution will be approved
Speaker 1
from the General Services Department. Councilmember Santiago Romero. Apparently Madam President, this item is for councilmember Young.
President Sheffield
A resolution line item 20 point 14.
Unknown Speaker
Right. Councilmember young Thank you Madam President. I
President Sheffield
moved to approve lie idle 20 point 15 All right, motion has been made any objections? Hearing no objections, the one resolution will be approved. Request the waiver madam president for 20 point 15. All right waiver has been requested and Hearing no objections that action will be taken
Speaker 1
under resolutions. Also President Pro Tem James take two resolutions, line items 20 point 16 and 20 point 70. Madam President, it is brought to our attention that these items 27 point 17 should be taken first.
President Sheffield
It is 20 points 16. Should be taken Second.
Speaker 7
Okay, thank you Madam Clerk. President Pro Tem take the president move approval
President Sheffield
of line item 20 point 17 Please. Alright, now line item 20 point 17 Is the 2024 2025 Homeless solutions funding appeals resolution? Any objections? Hearing no objection is the one resolution
Unknown Speaker
will be approved.
Unknown Speaker
And Pro Tem president.
President Sheffield
Move approval on line item 20 point 16 Please. All right motion has been made for approval for 20 point 16. And this is approving the CDBG emergency solution grant funding and sub recipient agreements. Any objections? Hearing no objections, the one resolution will be approved and before we move to referrals. Madam
Speaker 1
Clerk, I know we postponed you items. We post on two items. Madam president also we will have to walk on so you would like to do the postponed spars walk ons first. We are receipt madam president of two contracts to be walked on they were reported out of the PHS then the Committee on June the third and however they unfortunately didn't make it to last week's formal session for a boat. And they're both contracts. One is contract numbers 6006308 And so 100% city funding to provide plumbing to as needed services for city facilities. The contractor is been carried LLC total contract amount is 1,500,000 for construction and demolition, and next contract is contract number 6006307 100%. City funding to provide as needed plumbing services for city facilities, contractor Limbach company LLC total contract amount 1,500,000 And that's for councilmember Santiago Ramiro
President Sheffield
two resolutions. All right, thank you, Councilmember Santiago Amuro. Their motion to walk these on motion. Motion has been made to walk these on to new business and a member of Santiago Romero. Motion to approve. motion has been made. To approve these two items, Hearing no objections, that action will be taken. The two resolutions will be approved.
Speaker 1
Alright, Madam Clerk, we can go back now to the items that we Madam President. We do. I do have one more resolution. I mean, one more walk on and that's a memorandum for to be referred from councilmember Angela Whitfield Callaway says Abraham, okay. We want to refer this to
President Sheffield
Neighborhood and Community Services standing committee. Okay. Yes, yes. All right. Is there a motion to walk this on to new business as a referral to Neighborhood and Community Services? Motion? All right, Hearing no objection. This memorandum will be walked on
Speaker 5
and referred to Neighborhood and Community Services standing committee, Madam Chair. Yes. May I have a discussion about it or make mention of it what it is for the public's information. Thank you, Madam Chair. We're requesting the LPD to report on the Council of the Arts. Establishing it if it hasn't already been established, according to our city charter, section, nine point dash 201. And I have several questions that I'm sending to the chair to LPD regarding the establishment of the Detroit Council on the Arts, which is mandated by our charter, if it hasn't been done. I'm requesting that it be done. I think if we had a council perhaps we would not see what we're seeing in the newspaper regarding contracts entered by individuals who were not authorized to do so. So we have this checks and balances Council in place perhaps those things would not will not happen. So I'm hoping that we will be able to establish that Council of the Arts and also madam chair to LPD what it will take to make this a ballot question because when I read the charter, it's a 15 member body appointed all by the mayor. So Madam Chair to LPD Mr. Whittaker with this then had to be a ballot question and put put before the residents of the city of Detroit to perhaps amend that section of the charter that would allow the city council to also have a say so in terms of who serves on the council, perhaps by district but right now, according to our charter, all 15 members, I don't know if we've established one or not
Speaker 40
are appointed by the mayor, that we're here to vote. In order to alter the language of the charter you would have to do that but my amendment so we can, you know, we can add that to your request here to show you how, if
Speaker 5
that's not on here already, yeah, we'd be happy to add that.
Unknown Speaker
Yep, that is bullet. That's the last bullet.
Unknown Speaker
We'll be happy to cover all of
President Sheffield
that. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. All right. Thank you remember Callaway.
Unknown Speaker
Alright, Madam Clerk,
Speaker 1
we can go back to the items that were postponed. The first one madam president is line item 18.6.
President Sheffield
Does council president pro tem take resolution? Right. I think that was questions from Councilman Robinson. Mr. Washington. Do
Unknown Speaker
we have someone on now for 18 points?
Unknown Speaker
Yes, Madam Chair. We
President Sheffield
do have Lisa Gardner online as well as Paul Wakefield. Okay. Thank you
Speaker 6
right remember Benson you had before. Right Thank you just wanted to know the community outreach and engagement that's been done by gleyber Regarding this line item, we've had a number of incidents in the third district where Liwa has done work on the underground infrastructure with no real community outreach. And then we have a bit of a kerfuffle in District Four around similar requests
President Sheffield
for outreach where are we with outreach on this one? Miss Gardner, you
Speaker 32
are muted, you just need to unmute your microphone. Thank you very much. Good afternoon, everyone. As I understand it, back in 2022 and Mr. Wakefield can speak to this there was some community outreach regarding the overall project. This sewer relief project that the Great Lakes Water Authority is engaged in. And as I understand it, there has been some other plans with glee WA. And I believe this city
Speaker 41
park, can you speak to that a bit more? Yeah, so we currently have plans to do public outreach with marathon petroleum, as well as with the city to make the public more aware of this project. Right now, what we're requesting is temporary lay down area for the contractor. But we do have several public outreach events that we're planning to attend and we're planning to be a part of that. Jill, who
Speaker 6
is public affairs department is coordinating Okay, so I hope that becomes standard operating procedure. It's a number of your projects are huge. They last they take months if not years to complete and can be very disruptive in the community. And so it's it's great to have that outreach so that residents are aware and can just have a context
Unknown Speaker
behind the work that you're doing in their community. Thank you. Absolutely. Thank
Speaker 8
you, Madam President. Thank you, Councilmember Johnson. Thank you, Madam President. I didn't hear either one of these individuals introduce themselves, so I'm not really sure where
Speaker 32
they're from. So you all don't mind sharing? Absolutely. My name is Lisa Gardner. I'm an attorney with the Allen Law Group, and Detroit and we represent the Great
Speaker 41
Lakes Water Authority and certain legal matters in this project being one. My name is Paul Wakefield, I'm with fk engineering, and we are Great Lakes water
Unknown Speaker
authorities design engineer for this project.
President Sheffield
Thank you. Thank you, Madam President. All right. Thank you. All right. Pro Tem has moved this for approval already. And are there any objections to 18.6? All right, Hearing no objections, the one resolution will be approved. And thank you both for joining. Thank you.
Unknown Speaker
All right, and Madam Clerk, what is the next item we have? The last item madam president was line item 20.8.
President Sheffield
Right, Mr. Washington, do we have some I think this was member Callaway regarding OCP. Yes, we do. Have director stalagmite director Star.
Speaker 42
Hello, through the Chair, I believe the question regarding the Juliska ma contract was regarding subcontracting opportunities. Yes, there are subcontracting opportunities. Understand, for example, in electrical and landscaping, and as you know due to the federal funding source, we cannot condition a contract on local preferences. But there are some contracting opportunities and there's nothing that prevents the city from approving sub contracts
Speaker 5
of contractors within this contract. Remember, Callaway Thank you Madam Chair. Thank you. I'm directly stole. So my question is whether or not when we are awarding these large multimillion dollar contracts to organizations and companies and contractors they live out I mean, not live outside but are not based in the city I know. To do otherwise would be discriminatory, I guess according to the mandate from even receiving the opera dollars is based on our population, but we really can't use it for our population. That's how I interpret it. We can use it outside of the city but to say you're going to use it for contractors who are based in the city for any reason to me is is discriminatory as well, but I don't understand how we are giving we are awarding a $5.5 million contract to a company that's located in Livonia are and we can't require them or at least strongly recommend or urge them to use. Subcontractors based in the city minority and I hate that word or women on count women, women contractors, subcontractors can we give them points for doing so. I know the state will give you points if you finish your project in a timely fashion. But we got to do a little better than what we're doing with these
Speaker 42
with awarding these contracts through the Chair of the Federal Government specifically prohibits the use of local preferences when procuring contracts funded by federal sources. Yes, we do use local preference points in our non federally funded contracts and do encourage by providing competitive edge to both bidders as well as bidders who use certified to train contractors. I will know that the I believe the majority of contracting for the Joe Lewis Greenway, one of our largest projects capital projects has gone to
Speaker 5
Detroit based vendors, just not this one. Yeah. Mike, thank you Madam Chair. I would hope that we will continue to encourage and urge and strongly recommend that these contractors who are not based in our city, but a $5.5 million company to this company, and Lavonia is troubling for me, so I you know, I definitely don't support it. I support the Joe Louis or Joe Lewis Greenway being built and being completed, but to the tune of $5.5 million, and there's not a minority, which I don't like the word or woman, African American or otherwise, as a subcontract is troubling for me. But thank you always,
Unknown Speaker
and it's always the same answer. Thank you, Director. Stop.
Speaker 42
Oh, indirectly. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. I, through the chair. We have some updated information that the England civil the contractor itself does have six out of 10 employees
President Sheffield
working on the contract who are Detroit residents. You Thank you. All right. Thank you. All right. Councilmember Yang, you have questions as well. Okay. Remember Santiago Ramiro? Thank you, Madam President. Yes, through you to Director stall. This is regarding still 20 Point eats similar lines of the contractor. If you could just explain to us if the only reason why they received the contract was because they are the lowest bidder. I have here that major contracting group that is a Detroit vendor only lost by less than $5,000. So they're what could have been 5 million to go to a major Detroit company. Just want to see if there's
Speaker 42
any any other reason why they did not receive this bid. Through the Chair, that's correct. This was a price only bid. So any vendor that met the qualifications and
President Sheffield
specifications, the only consideration was price. You got it. Okay.
Speaker 5
Thank you, Madam President. Madam Chair, member Callaway Not to belabor it but directors thought it would be wonderful if we can continue to encourage these contractors to look at hiring subcontractors who are Detroit based I can't imagine a Detroit contractor going into Lavonia and being awarded a $5.5 million contract. I just can't even imagine it. I don't think has ever been done before. But we continue to do this and not to give a few points to a Detroit
President Sheffield
based company. Again, it's troubling for me. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you member Callaway. All right, Councilmember young, you have already moved 20.8
Unknown Speaker
for approval. And are there any objections? Objection?
President Sheffield
Parkwood? No. Croco So note men president. Any further objections? All right, hearing none a 20.8 that resolution will be approved.
Speaker 1
And Madam Clerk? Was that the only Madam President,
President Sheffield
those were the only two items to come back. Thank you, Madam President. Yes. request a waiver for both items that we walked on. It was the contracts number 6006307 and 6006308. These are both plumbing services that we just approved. All right, any objections to a waiver? Hearing none waiver will be attached to both items. Thank you. All right, for the president's report on standing committee referrals and other matters
Speaker 2
for the budget Finance and Audit standing committee. Madam President, do we post oversee departments, knowing that line item 22.2 should
President Sheffield
refer to the neighborhood committee. All right. So those three reports will be referred to budget Finance and Audit with the one going to Neighborhood and Community Services,
Unknown Speaker
or the internal operation standing
President Sheffield
committee fab reports with various city departments. The five reports will be referred to the internal operation standing committee, or
Speaker 2
the Neighborhood and Community Services standing committee. There are two reports from various departments in Solina 22.2
President Sheffield
from the budget funds are the steering committee. All right the 10 reports will be referred to Neighborhood and Community Services are planning and development committee now reports from various city departments. Deny reports will be referred to the Planning and Development Committee
Speaker 25
for the public health and safety Standing Committee.
President Sheffield
The team reports from various departments. The 13 reports will be referred to the public health and
Unknown Speaker
safety Standing Committee under the consent
President Sheffield
agenda. There are no I was not a pleasant ride and we'll call now for a member reports
Speaker 11
with our council member young Thank you, Madam President. I just wanted to say longtime resident Russell was Jackie Nickerson passed away last night. And this is a person whose smile can write up an entire lineup entire room. This is a person who literally was willing to give the shirt off her back for those who didn't have the reason why I feel that I have the best position of man could ever have. And I feel that I'm honored to be in this position as a public servant because I get to improve the life of my citizens. For people like her. She just was a trailblazer innovator. She will truly be missed. My heart is just incredibly heavy right now. Because I think at a time where we are just bombarded by negativity and pessimism and cynicism to have a person who was that genuine who was that talented? Who was that spirited and who was that
Unknown Speaker
uplifting?
Speaker 11
Really kind of leaves a space that's gonna be hard to feel this. This has really left a mark on my heart and a dent in my soul. And so, madam president, if I could, I would just like to
President Sheffield
have a moment of silence with Miss Jackie Knudsen. We will have a moment of silence
President Sheffield
Thank you so much for your prayers. Well done. Thank you. And I also I know councilmember Johnson is back and just wanted to publicly and I hope it's okay to do so. I know it was mentioned earlier. I didn't didn't really want to say anything originally, but someone else had already kind of said it. That's why I didn't want to because I know some people can be very personal but wanted to send my condolences and I'm sure all of the council members to our colleague, Councilmember Johnson, in the passing of one of your family members and our thoughts and prayers are with you. I'm not sure if you wanted to say anything now or do any moment of silence but I do want
Speaker 8
to yield to you councilmember Johnson. Thank you, Madam President. And I appreciate that. I was hoping to do this without getting emotional. But I would like to extend my very best and thank you to all of my colleagues. Y'all have been phenomenal. During this very difficult process, to the legislative policy division to my entire team. I just wanted to say thank you for your prayers, your generosity, your support and your patience. As it's been a very difficult we can have for myself and my family. And I also just want to ask for the district to continue to provide their prayers and patience as we go into the evening council meeting in district for tonight because I will be walking through that almost a little blindly. Because I've been away from the table for the last week just dealing with everything with my family, but just thank you for keeping my family and myself uplifted and prayer. You
President Sheffield
all have been phenomenal. So thank you for that. Thank you so much, member Johnson. All right, we
Speaker 5
will continue member Callaway. Thank you Madam Chair. And again, our console condolences and sympathy to you and your family. Member JOHNSON I do have one announcement from 36 District Court. They're launching their amnesty program is going to start June 24. And it's going to go through to August the second 2024 And during this period all late fees, penalties and warrant costs will be entirely waived upon full payment of the original amount. This initiative applies to all adjudicated cases with assessed fines and costs except for driver's license reinstatement fees. This gives individuals the opportunity to settle their outstanding debt alleviating the burden of accumulated late fees and warrant costs. That's what is coming from the 36th district court and we thank Chief Judge William mechanical for making this possible. They are fully committed to assisting all the residents who have these outstanding debts and making sure that the debts are covered and giving them the most relief possible. They can go on to 36 district courts website or they can call our office at two to 445 35 and we'll make sure they get the document that will help them we'll
President Sheffield
help give them guidance through the process. Thank you Madam
Speaker 9
Chair. All right. Thank you member Callaway councilmember Durga. Thank you, Madam President. And first would like to send my condolences to the family of Miss Nickerson who I happen to know very well grew up in Russell woods, known her since I was a very young man running around rustle woods and she was just a tremendous stalwart and a protector of that community. One of the stories I often share is when my friends and I grew up, right across from Russell woods. Park. I used to play baseball in there. And Miss Nickerson would come over and remind us that the flowers are more important than our baseball bats. And she was just just a very, very amazingly strong woman. Her and Dr. Boyer built what you see and wrestle woods as far as we are talking about, relative to that community. So again, we lost just really a champion for that area, who's stuck through tough times. Work to help rebuild Dexter Beck. I'm kind of glad she has had the opportunity to see some of the progress and things that are going to happen. But she will be sorely and truly missed not only by me, but our entire community and families and Russell was so my heart goes out to them. I do want to just do a quick recap. Last Friday, Councilmember waters and I who co chair the retiree task force had our hybrid meeting and we are happy that we have had the opportunity to hear from a lot of our retirees who came down here are joining us virtually to give their recommendations to the task force as we have been meeting quarterly some very good dialogue came out of that and some discussions with the OCF O 's office on some resolutions that we can come to to help our retirees So shout out to member waters as well and her team as well as my team for putting that together. Our next coffee hours Friday, June the 14th at St. Suzanne Cody rouge on 1932 West Chicago Street from 9am to 11:30am. Again, that is 19321 West Chicago Street at St. Suzanne from 9am to 11:30am. We change location so it will be at our district office and saying Suzanne please join us for our monthly coffee hour where you can come and talk to us one on one and we can discuss the issues that you have. Also wants to encourage everyone to attend the annual silence the violence March and community fair to Saturday, June 15 at the Church of Messiah 230 to three one East Grand Boulevard from 10am to 1pm. As we come out and show our solidarity and commitment to ending gun violence, we are at Gun Violence Awareness Month. here and across the country. And as a co chair of the gun violence task force again we want to encourage not just our members but the community to come out. Also Lastly, I am encouraging everyone to join us this Saturday June 15 at 4pm at the secondary street sign and a billing ribbon cutting in honor of our late Sheriff Benny Napoleon who was a true pillar of our community as many as you know, we had the discussion about street signs today. And that was one of the secondary street signs I sponsored along with councilmember young and Councilmember waters who were co sponsors. So members of the community who supported Benny I know that it's probably going to be packed there. We ask that you arrive properly. A little bit before 4pm The street will be blocked off and there will be a program that takes place for that and again this is to honor former sheriff or late Sheriff Binney Napoleon as we name a secondary street sign right on Oakman where he resided. Other than that, that concludes
President Sheffield
my memory report. I appreciate you. Thank you, Madam
Speaker 6
President. Awesome member Benson. Thank you. And then number one is want to thank all my colleagues for their support on our dining confidence ordinance. And this has been a long time coming. We've been working on this for over five years to get to this point to make sure that restaurants are being transparent and we're prioritizing public health and food safety for the residents of Detroit. But it wasn't just my office working on this it was the health department we want to give a big shout out to Director fair razo and her team for helping to support this an implement or pilot program, Detroit at work who is committed to providing a training platform for the restaurant industry to take people from the entry level to the management ranks within the culinary arts. I've got to thank my team for putting in the long hours. And the phone calls and the shoe leather to get to the different restaurants around the city. All the culinary professionals and restaurant tours over 250 that embraced his program and say no to the thought that black restaurant professionals cannot manage food safely. And so it's one of the thank everybody for that, in addition is going to give a shout out to my team and to the ecumenical community. We had our second annual ecumenical brunch last week at Lipski at the SE center and it was fantastic will receive it will provide resources and opportunities and city information to our ecumenical community who often feels that they're overlooked. And we don't prioritize them. As we often forget. The ability for black people to vote is a direct result of black church. And so making sure that they're part of the process, and that era engaged is critical, and especially our storefront churches, we often forget about as part of that and fast a large percentage of their congregations still and reside in the city of Detroit. It was critical that we do that outreach. We had a great event and just looking forward to working in the future with our ecumenical community. And just once again, thank you to my colleagues
President Sheffield
for supporting on our dynamic competence ordinance. Thank you. Thank you, Councilmember Benson.
Speaker 8
Member Johnson. Did you have anything additional? Thank you, Madam President. Yes, I'm just want to remind everyone that we do have the evening council meeting. Tonight in District Four it will take place at the Wayne County Community Colleges Eastern campus at 7pm. So I want to encourage everyone to come out for that. We also have coming up on Monday, our monthly community meeting, which will take place at Redeemer Kojic at 13835 East lawn we are hosting the US Department of Veteran Affairs for them to provide an update on all of the services that they provide to veterans, as well as the Department of Transportation. And then on Thursday, June 20th, we will have another community bike ride. We are meeting up in the Chandler Park community on Taner and shoe maker at 530. And then on Friday, June 21. We have our summer job fair that we co host in collaboration with Detroit at works the new facility on East mourn and Radner just next to Baldwin Park that is taking place Friday June 21 from 10am until 1pm So anyone who is interested in looking for a job please join us there last year when we hosted the event. We have residents from the east side and west side. So we want to encourage everyone who's seeking a job to join us again. That's Friday, June 21 from 10am until 1pm Thank you. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you
Speaker 33
member Johnson member waters. Thank you. Thank you, Madam President. Just want to announce our next land bank town hall meeting which will be Saturday June 29. And it will be from noon to 3pm at the ask atmosphere of praise Community Center which is located at 888-886-8615 Yergin, again that atmosphere of phrase Community Center at 8615. Puritan this Saturday June 29,
President Sheffield
from 12 until three Thank you, Madam
Speaker 8
President. Thank you member waters. Yes, my agenda and President I apologize and I've waited until member waters concluded hers because I wasn't sure if she was going to add this but on Wednesday, June 26 member waters and I are co hosting a convening with the Great Lakes Water Authority to address the fruit pumping station that has been proposed in District Four. So we will have the Great Lakes Water Authority to do a tremendous amount of outreach to the residents within the community to make sure people know about the meeting and that we're engaging residents throughout the entire area to understand why there is this request that is before us to add another pumping station in the community and for the community to also weigh in on the design aesthetics of the facility that is being proposed and so that is going to be on Wednesday, June 26 from 530 until 730 at East Lake Baptist Church. Again, that is on Wednesday, June 26 530 to 730 at East Lake Baptist Church to address and discuss the fruit pumping station that the Great
President Sheffield
Lakes Water Authority is proposing. Thank you Madam President.
Speaker 7
All right. Thank you member Johnson. Member potentates. Thank you, Madam President. Want to join colleagues again in sending condolences to member Johnson and family? Artists there with you? remains there in our prayers as well. I know there was mentioned about Miss Harrison I did not know her. But you know, we, we do this work and we become attached to the people that we do the work with and for I recall during COVID When that happened and to see how many of the folks who had served for so many years and we lost and how it just completely transformed the community. You don't get over those things. And there was recently a member of our community who passed and she is a good friend of so many. And we just got the approval to announce it because the family is so broken up and are still working through the challenges that they have is to be expected. We have been having my office has been hosting our satellite hours over at the Motor City Java house for 10 years now little over 10 years. every first and third Friday. It was every first and third Wednesday. So again, you're talking about folks that are now not just members of the community. These are family members that you you fall in love with. And I want to announce publicly all of our condolences and prayers to the family of Tanisha Marian, who passed last week or two weeks ago. Her celebration of life will take place June 17 And we're going to figure out how to ensure that it is truly a celebration of life because she made a huge impact and it's still making an impact in so many people's lives. The she was the general manager of the job of house sister of Alicia George, who's the owner and the mother of Cortez, who is missing his mom right now. And friend to many, including myself and others. So Madam President, I asked if we can have a moment of silence for Tanisha Marian please Okay.
Speaker 7
Thank you love your time. And there was a as we make a transition to real hard transition. There was there's a number of birthdays that took place we want to give a big shout out to miss Olivia Kaur who celebrated her 90th birthday on Sunday. So shout out to miss Olivia core, celebrating 90 years but there was also another birthday on Sunday. And that is this lady sitting right next to me wearing pink and that is none other than Council President Mary Sheffield so we want
Unknown Speaker
to wish you a happy birthday as well. Y'all
Speaker 7
give it up for our President. Thank you. We love you and we appreciate you. It is not easy to sit in that seat. I say it all the time because I have to do it every month. You'd have to do that on a regular basis. That is huge and tremendous. And I appreciate the way that you do it. So happy birthday. I hope you got a chance to enjoy it. If you did not make sure you do because we all earn that. And I believe that there's gonna be
President Sheffield
some re freshman's afterwards as well on your behalf you gotta get to that No, no, we don't need
Speaker 5
that. Thank you so much. All right, remember Callaway? Yeah, just one more thing and Happy Birthday Madam Chair. Official. Welcome to the International Union of the United Steelworkers. They are having their 19th International Civil and Human Rights Conference right here in our city. At the Marriott I had an opportunity to give the Welcome to the City on Saturday 1000s of them there. And so I'm going over there now I have my credentials to attend some of those amazing workshops but on behalf of the city, we welcome David McCall who was the ninth international president and my neighbor and friend who is the vice president of the Human Rights Division of the United Steelworkers. Mr. Kevin Mack, I want to thank them for the opportunity to allow me to give the Welcome to to them as they are here in our city from June the ninth through June the 12th celebrating their 19 International Civil
President Sheffield
and Human Rights Conference. Thank you Madam Chair. Okay, thank you member Callaway in member Santiago Romero. Thank you, Madam President. I just wanted to share that our D six community office hours for June will begin on Monday, June 17. At equity Alliance, we will be there from three to 5pm I want to also just say thank you to everyone, all my colleagues that stuck with me here at the table to work through a hard ordinance together. I really appreciate your support and our ability to get things done. Thank you, Madam President. All right. Thank you council member. Just wanted to thank everyone for coming out to support our 11th annual occupy the corner Detroit event that was hosted at the Williams rec center. What a beautiful, beautiful time that we had with seniors or children, teens, everyone came together for a positive positive event in the community. We gave away over 400 bikes to kids, tons of resources. And just a great time so thank you to all of the vendors. The city departments are our sponsors, everyone for making our 11th annual occupy the corner Detroit a huge, huge success. So just wanted to thank everyone for that and also my team who worked very hard to make sure it was a success. Tomorrow we have our community resource event. Over at the Durfee Innovation Center from 10 to 130. And partnership with Detroit at work. Please come out if you are looking for baby supply assistance, food assistance, clothing assistance, technology, assistance, home ownership information, childcare information. expungement services and many more. Again, this is a community resource fair that will take place tomorrow from 10 to 1:30pm at the Durfee innovation society, and as was mentioned earlier, June is Gun Violence Awareness Month and I had the privilege of participating again in the silence the violence March that will be held in district five at the Church of the Messiah in partnership with Reverend Barry. Several elected officials will be present we will take the press conference will be at 10am followed by the March at 8:11am. So please join us this Saturday for the annual silence the violence March. And then lastly, just save the date for our first annual affordable housing and affordable housing summit in resource fair, this will be an opportunity for individuals that are looking for housing who are facing homelessness to come directly on site. You can be placed will actually go through the cam process you can directly connect with our housing services department. We will have tons of information regarding homelessness and housing. We will have panel discussions and just tons of information for anyone experiencing homelessness in the city of Detroit or is looking to be placed in housing or looking for affordable housing. That will be Thursday June the 27th from four to 7pm at the breakers covenant international church so Please save the date again Thursday, June the 27th from four to 7pm at breakers covenant international church and that will conclude my memory ports for today. We will now move
Speaker 11
to Course Number Yong has to end it off. Remember, you know sorry man I'm friends and I forgot to say this. I apologize. I just wanted to let everybody know there's a free food giveaway at bustle Family Center tomorrow. That's Wednesday, June 12 at 12 Noon. First come first serve. So that's free food giveaway at bustle Family Center
President Sheffield
Wednesday, June 12. At 12 noon, first come first serve all right thank you remember young under communications from the clerk hears me under adaption without committee reference.
Speaker 2
There are no I was met a precedent under communications from the clerk. You
President Sheffield
put it up who oversees Buttermere. The report will be received and
Speaker 2
placed on file under testimonial resolutions. In special privilege.
President Sheffield
No. Madam President, there being no further business to come before us. We will see everyone this evening at 7pm in District Four, and everyone have a blessed day. This meeting will now stand adjourned.