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Highland Park City Council
Speaker 1
remind African American History Month however you decide to refer to it today. I just want to take a moment to recognize an icon in Metro Detroit who recently passed Mr. Alonso Bates, who was the thought process behind the founding of the Detroit School for the gifted and talented are known as Bates Academy. He was an amazing man. He affected a lot of lives and the educational system that was provided through Bates Academy has not only improved the Detroit Public School system, but it has changed and revolutionize the lives of all the 1000s of children who attended the school and I just want to take a minute to recognize Mr. Bates, and his passing and may God be with him and his family. Madam Deputy Clerk, would you please call the roll.
Speaker 2
Councilmember Shafi here, Councilwoman Martin here. Councilwoman Monica here. Council votes on Robinson. Council President Thomas
Speaker 1
here thank you very much. Moving on to Item theme three, the approval of the agenda. City council. You've had an opportunity to review the agenda. At this time, well, we have our council here that has a recommendation for us.
Speaker 3
Yes, good evening Council. We are requesting that number seven, dealing with public works, that those items be removed. There's some dates that need to be corrected.
Unknown Speaker
We'll have that prepare for the next meeting. Okay.
Speaker 1
And we heard the input of our when it Council, members of the council. It is your pleasure how we proceed on the approval of the agenda. Council
Speaker 4
President I have something I would like to have walked on and possible please,
Speaker 1
please share with us. Everybody was to Johnny. You didn't provide it to the legal department.
Unknown Speaker
we object to this the only company you have no ma'am I have
Unknown Speaker
Oh, yes. response from from from shows and I went to the clerk
Unknown Speaker
This is a resolution. Yes. Mr. Shafi, are you aware that this matter is still in court right now?
Speaker 4
I understand that this matters to the Saudi court.
Speaker 1
There's an opportunity as medical, she does have an opportunity is 21 days. What this matter is called that puts us at liability for bringing a walk in a resolution on to city council. We already have pending cases for things that members have done okay, this still remains case action this is a resolution. No, this is a resolution.
Speaker 4
It's a resolution for special meeting to discuss the matter. Okay.
Speaker 1
So can you please provide for me what the item you want it to walk on to the agenda
Speaker 4
item there in your hand. The item that is in your hand is a simple resolution requesting a special meeting to be held on February in February on Wednesday, we are requesting a special meeting to be held to simply to discuss the matter no more.
Unknown Speaker
We can discuss a pending legal matter.
Unknown Speaker
It's not opinion legal matter council president that matters. It is
Speaker 1
the matter is not closed because the party is in question. This doesn't involve City Council. The parties in question have an opportunity to get their day in court. And we have to wait to that after the 21 days this might be feasible but it's not legal.
Speaker 4
According to the court order, the court order makes it clear that we are obligated the court has ordered and I quote that we move forward with fulfilling our responsibilities. According to the Charter, the court order made it clear right at the bottom. So
Speaker 1
the court order because this is a matter between the treasurer and the plaintiff. I don't know how you got it. Again.
Speaker 4
Again, the the treasurer and the plaintiff, the plaintiff also city so the matter does involve the city as well. It's not a private matter. This
Speaker 1
is not legally I'm not putting myself at risk by walking on not putting myself at risk by walking this on. After 21 days correct still within I'm not putting myself at risk. Yes, ma'am. Miss Miss is Excuse me ladies gentlemen, the let me just remind you that the question on the floor is relating to the approval of the agenda and nothing else we will please.
Speaker 5
Is it possible that legal? Can you answer that question? Is
Unknown Speaker
this something that we can, as
Speaker 3
far as first of all we object to it because we haven't had an opportunity to review it and so to present something right now at the meeting, whether the discussion is still a resolution that needs to be there drafted or reduced by leak and so long as the review doesn't take place necessarily at the meeting. So the context in terms of her having an opportunity to file an appeal. I'm not looking directly at the order whether it's after the 21 day timeframe.
Unknown Speaker
Yeah, prior to that, I'm not I'm not putting my
Unknown Speaker
within that period of time design
Speaker 1
not gonna happen. So if that's what if you want to walk this on that's that's completely on you but this is not something that I'm it's a violation of the law, and I'm not participating in it. And one violation of the law is the council there is still a pending court case. We are not at a 21 day mark. We have no authority to supersede what the court has decided. None of us and I'm not we already have a case open which means I'm not
Speaker 4
okay. Okay. So council president. So are you. Are you suggesting that we wait into the 21 days is over I think I think if we wait, on the record that you suggested we wait to 21 days until the matter is over.
Speaker 1
What Okay, whatever. All right. Well,
Unknown Speaker
yeah, what happens after the 21 they don't know the
Unknown Speaker
court has to decide if I
Speaker 3
make this suggestion. We have a meeting on the 20th of February. Okay, allow legal to review this, I'll submit it to John Clark's office for review. And then we can make that determination as to whether or not is right after the 21st day because I believe it was just last week that it was entered. But we do have a council meeting on the 20th and so let's, you know move forward. On it at that time if they make that suggestion, okay. Because it's copy of you mean that John's opinion, are you talking about the order because if you don't have a copy of the order customer Shafi had a copy of the order. Are you referring to the order are you referring to the resolution? Both? Okay, I'm just receiving a copy of the resolution tonight. I don't believe the legal department had a copy prior to tonight, but I will make sure that is, you know, placed in the hands of the did you guys know it did not
Speaker 1
so so it hasn't been received and filed by the clerk. This is not an official document and so those things take place on the 21st day, bring this document back. All those criteria would have been met ideally, to have a discussion on demand, but I'm not breaking the law. Breaking
Speaker 4
the law matters close but Okay, I'll wait.
Speaker 1
So the matter on the floor right now is the approval of the agenda item three. We had a recommendation from the city attorney to remove item seven I'm sorry, yes seven no floors.
Unknown Speaker
agenda with the removal. Second.
Speaker 1
We have a motion on the floor from Councilwoman Martin for the approval of the agenda. The amending the agenda by removing item seven Do we have a second? We have a second from Councilwoman Monica. The motion is on the floor. Madam Deputy Clerk Would you please call
Speaker 2
the roll. Councilmember Shafie Yes. Councilwoman Martin. Yes. Councilwoman Monica? Yes, council Posner Robinson. Council President Thomas. Yes,
Speaker 1
thank you very much. The agenda is approved. For members of the public if you could please strike item seven from the agenda that will come at come to us at a later date. Thank you very much. Moving on to item for the approval of the proposed minutes in person and virtual workshop meeting. December 18 2023. City council What is your pleasure?
Speaker 5
I move to approve. The proposed minutes in person and virtual workshop meeting December 18 2020.
Unknown Speaker
Sheriff was a second deputy clerks please call the roll. Councilmember
Speaker 2
Shafi. No. Councilwoman Martin. Councilwoman Monica? Yes. Council Pro Tem Robinson No. Council President Thomas yes,
Speaker 1
motion carries. Moving on to item two. The next item under item four is in person and virtual regular meeting for January 16 2020. For City Council wishes.
Speaker 5
I'm also suppose minutes for the in person and virtual regular meeting January 16 2020. For chair
Unknown Speaker
offers a second.
Speaker 2
Madam Deputy Clerk, please call the roll. Councilmember Shafi No. Councilwoman Martin. Councilwoman Monica. Yes. Council President Robinson No. Council President Thomas. Yes, motion carries.
Unknown Speaker
sure happy to do so. Please.
Unknown Speaker
Citizens the Highland Park Council Good evening.
Speaker 6
Great. I'm gonna get right to it. We are starting back up our citizens. Cotton the conversation please come out on Wednesday. Which will be next week. We have nothing going up. We still there till we get somewhere else come out. This is where you have an opportunity to talk to me one on one. Questions, conversations having said 10am we not want to do the 5pm because of the wasn't a lot of participation. They'll say oh we'll start making last summer we'll open back up to five.
Unknown Speaker
All right. Awesome. Let's talk about values. Let's get right to the water situation. So I'm going to address that and then I'm going to have Daymond come up in new
Speaker 6
ways Lakes Water Authority. City of Highland Park and the state of Michigan. Yeah, that's the word jam. It didn't say we had to. We might. We may. It's a shame. That means there that has to be settlement agreement by January 15. Which we did in December. We did we wrote it to it afterwards. And 2024 also, I'm gonna flip over to the other page and things are up here. Everything I'm giving you all the information please grab it.
Speaker 7
Highlighted something that you'll see the highlight is
Speaker 7
it says Highland Park shall pay the full amount of GLWA's monthly charges pursuant to the terms of any contract between GLWA and HP. What does that mean? Our water rates went up it was not the water, it was not the sewage, it was the day may help me out with the call
Speaker 7
I was ready to service Okay, so the wages are a part of your bill is well equipped but if you look at your bill you're going to notice that people have been telling me that their water use their sewage went down. So yes, we have entered into the agreement.
Speaker 7
This is part of the agreement to keep the levy off your taxes.
Speaker 7
Now, what happens if we don't agree, but we don't do what that has to be done? Well, all of those good things that Councilman talks about the Governor did for us might not have that might not have all those abilities that went on voice and get some new piping under the brown pay off the debt pay off.
Unknown Speaker
They believe they are whatever the case may be might not pass. So this is not to scare anyone.
Unknown Speaker
This is $50 to $60 a month increase per six months. Versus and July 1 estimated costs anywhere from 3000 to 5001 year tax.
Unknown Speaker
I want to save your house.
Unknown Speaker
I'm trying to save your house. We're not here trying to rip you off the water rates we're trying to save your house.
Speaker 6
So I don't know you know what everything is about here people are I get it we've been this has happened in October. When we first started, rate was increased in December. That's when they voted for it. And it started with this beam. So if you own your home and you're taking taxes
Unknown Speaker
if you want this levy
Speaker 6
to end up back on your taxes, not scared. This is real. The agreement stop us or such people putting that levy on your tax.
Unknown Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, because we have to have the agreements and they were first thought
Speaker 7
so nobody gave money out to help you pay your bills.
Speaker 7
If you get into distress, where you cannot pay your bill there is funds for that. Go to talk. Go to way Metro comm d h s h f if you have a case and there is fine she paid for that as someone who got a $14,000 bill so please utilize the resources for the next six months. If you're struggling to pay your bill. We that was the deal that they would help.
Unknown Speaker
Awesome.
Speaker 7
*And here some people seem to think that this was just something that this will happen to save you save your home save your business.*
Speaker 7
We have businesses that will pay more than $10,000 on their taxes or he'll be enough to the x will be more than that. Depending on how big
Unknown Speaker
we going to lose all the businesses because I know I wouldn't be as employed. I'm not gonna be able to four or 5000 on
Speaker 6
my own is not going to be able to afford $5,000 I run to help her pay $30 Water meal for six months and to try to help her pay back. So that's what the word increase was about. Diamond isn't anything that you can add I think I just want to make sure because Oh that doesn't leave her side. Because I'm finding out some people are saying that they have a different meters. So their meters the five eighths inch but some people say there's a larger in their house there might be
Unknown Speaker
a handful of three quarter inch
Speaker 6
overnight. Right to have you on our home and you need to speak to this. That's the other thing that I'm gonna say this and I'm gonna say it in the most respectful way that I can say to him,
Speaker 6
Facebook's not going to get your answers. You're not going to get answers from Facebook.
Speaker 6
Three to 5231325 to do you will do five zero extensions to force. Someone has a question about anything related to the executive side I'm fine. I answered. House mechanic that he talked to me about something I said the water department they took care.
Unknown Speaker
Okay lab I think he definitely did. So please.
Speaker 6
You're not going to get answers on Facebook. All you're going to get is garbage
Speaker 6
and I'm saying because the troops are not there until you come in and investigate. So please feel free to call me. My person is there I have to why is it that well? They are choosing the Thursday which means they take the message they bring it to me. I either have them call you back or on call. I don't have an answer to it. I'll let you know. But stop relying on Facebook for your answers because most of it is garbage that you use here.
Speaker 8
So let's take a look at something so right now, the field is still being negotiated but that's where the rate evolves through the rate goes down and then we will credit you back and then you get a lead this is this has been made big by GFW. And this is not something that we want to do for servers the rate goes back to what it was credited of whatever you paid over this period of time. So I want to let you guys know also
Speaker 6
please let them know that if it does follow through legal has the right to go to court. You can say okay, they did what they were supposed to do. We want to levy backwards and then we don't have a resource for that. We can continue to fight but it doesn't mean that the joy just six months average was what the dollars that the Stasi dollar increase. What is that $300 over six months, maybe? Depends on how much water is versus $5,000 This is where we I mean how many people Okay, next question. That's not a question that they're
Speaker 8
so, you know, we put together a term sheet and said these are the things that have to be done by both parties. If one party is reneging on a term sheet that involves that so when when we had the term sheet down was like I was gonna do this one of those things, raise the rates, even if they're going to credit the deal. There was all these things that were in that in that deal if they don't provide credit in their water and sewer bill to fit the big bill. And they reneged on the deal. If we don't didn't raise the rates when we read the rainbow we bought it in the deal foster go to trial and it's been it's just man so we didn't we get the best that we get Believe it or not. You know, we we bought for many years and at the end it was very difficult in the last last few months, and we're still fighting right now. Things are supposed to be resolved. We're still we're still going back and forth on something that was agreed to in October. Right here we are in bed we're going to spring so you know it's never ending. It's going to be a fight and it's going to continue. So you know, me personally, I would like to own the communication piece was not that good. But what happened at the end was they were trying to get this deal done. And they were saying could not be said we couldn't go out and do the work in the imperfect world you would use a PR months before the rate hit and then it would be good but that's not how we mean we didn't know how much it's gonna be. We didn't know how was put in Dong. We had no we had no idea so we couldn't go out saying things and then go back. So you know, we put some information on the apologize about communication. It was not the best. The first one to say, but I will say I'm on Facebook. She hits me up. She texted him. She texted
Unknown Speaker
me. What does that say?
Speaker 8
Right. And so there's what I see is I see some frustration on their use me Call. Call somebody today said to bill went up? Well, they saw people reading the bill. What happened on that particular case is that person hadn't made a payment in three months. And then there was an increase on top of that. So it wasn't a quadrupling of the bill. It was I didn't understand my bill and you know there's some emotion attached to that. You know, so I tell her this is why I went looked up the account. Here's the bill hadn't made a payment three months with Bill only went up 30 didn't go up to $400. But what I'm finding is people still don't understand that after all these years people so you have people that even if the rate didn't go it wasn't increase. I was seeing how the bill is is is made. So you got all these but anybody if they call so I call today sewer backup had somebody out there Listen, our only load lady is Senator pitcher Senator report. Here's what we found like so if you do want to answer please come down and see us. Honestly, if people are frustrated, you can do whatever you do a mandate Facebook, do what you do, but you want answers. You want to really find out about this. Come down and see us live do our best to do it. I know it's not perfect, but the good news is part of reason is forgiveness if you don't have these meters, right so it's just a big gray area what the bill is so that was part of that was part of the sheet is two meters in the ground. So we know it's you can't how we're going to have a build as accurate if we want to. So we got to get the meters and meters don't can't get in the ground until the end of the year. S
Speaker 8
*So that's the that'd be the first time since the plant got shut down and actually know how much water we're actually using.*
Speaker 8
So then that that feels into how the bill calculated all these other things and we would have information to make decisions but we don't we didn't have that we haven't added since the plant zone. So that was part of the deal. Was like, you know, going into space gonna get like counseling the shots at $5 million and get diluted in the brain. There is no water and sewer and we started looking at what's actually being used that we can go back and negotiate and talk about what will happen. Why is the bill this much it was too much because now we actually have actual reasons. That's all the stuff that's going on in the background that you may not know is not perfect. And I just urge you to come and talk to us about it.
Speaker 6
That's exactly what it is. Again, Facebook is NASA and it's not because most of the people are putting stuff out. It's not putting out factual stuff. And so what has to happen is that you have factual information. Obviously, those are the agreements and the fakes after your neighbor. If you have seniors in your area, please save some rock marks like they are going to come out to them and hang in the city will cause what is called a flight. And guess what happens with that. Less people means more we got to spread those bills across. So the less people we have and the more you're gonna pay. We're trying to get people here. That's just what's going on. So I appreciate your time and I can't ask the question now. But this is their their meeting and they will I will ask them any question related to an administrative side, which is the city anything that has to do with day to day operations in this problem which are still alive and they check it out? Because I promise a DPW dumping the whole thing. Whatever it is that has to do with the day to day operations, please contact I don't have a problem with response. Thank you.
Unknown Speaker
Thank you very much.
Speaker 1
Okay, Okay, gotcha. Okay. Okay. Thank you very much, ma'am. Okay, this is the section of the agenda where citizens have an opportunity to speak on any items that appear on the agenda tonight. We have to have a community development. Item five a resolution to approve the option to purchase and sale of commercial attic 13321 Hamilton a resolution to approve the option to purchase the sale of a lot at 18 West grant and eight and 30 West grant and Under Item six we have a resolution to accept the Justice Assistance Grant or the JAG grant. We have citizens who would like to speak on those topics. Okay. All right. Yes, sir. Please approach the podium.
Speaker 9
Good evening. Nathan Harvey business owner in Highland Park resident. I got just two minutes so I'll make this quick. I just want to reiterate something I've talked about in the past. Something that Councilmember Shafi has brought up ordinance to away 10. Paragraph a whenever city vacant lots are no longer required for corporate or public purposes, except any park or part thereof except where a park is no longer required. On an official master plan. Such vacant lots may be sold or leased upon upon the affirmative vote of four or more members of the city council. Now that's true, but what kind of lots are we talking about? lots which are no longer required for corporate or public purposes well, which lots of those. The charter defines corporate lots that are required for the corporate or public purposes. Section 3.3 of the charter says public property. The city shall have power to purchase appropriate and own such real estate as may be necessary. For public grounds parks, boulevards, markets, public buildings, public works and other purposes necessary and convenient for the public good. And for the execution of the powers conferred in this charter or by the statutes of this state. In other words, the lots that are requiring a supermajority when they have sold from you guys are for lots that the city uses for the city's purposes. For instance, the parking lot across the street outside
Unknown Speaker
or a park. In fact, that's why two away 10 talks about parks that are no longer required on the official master plan that that's the kind of life
Speaker 9
that we're talking about. So, so yes. certain laws require a vote of four members of council. But those are only for lots that are for property that the city has used or is using. Thank you.
Speaker 10
Thank you, sir. Any other citizens that would like to be heard? Yes. Hi, everybody.
Unknown Speaker
So agenda items only.
Unknown Speaker
No kidding, just man.
Unknown Speaker
Anyway, I'm on that public works. RFQ
Speaker 1
they pulled it off the agenda, ma'am. It's not on the agenda any longer. But a request for quotes. Requests
Unknown Speaker
are Oh, that's not on the agenda. No,
Unknown Speaker
you're gonna Oh, okay.
Speaker 7
That was my question. Can I speak according to what Mr. Damon was saying.
Speaker 1
This is related to an agenda item. Now. That part is at the end. This was more than welcome to come back and get get three minutes at the end of the meeting, but this is on the items that are up for vote tonight under community development and under police. Okay,
Speaker 7
and what is this slide showing? The process of what oh, yeah,
Speaker 1
I let's let's let's be let's be clear. Let's be clear. Mr. I want you to have I don't I don't like to interrupt you. When you talk. You come every week. I want to give you a respect. Yeah, I want to make sure that when when you come up and talk I want to do two minutes plus one so that you can talk about the things that you would like to address but this one is not related to agenda items. So if you stay with us, then we can get you back here at the end. Okay,
Speaker 7
what do the jet what is jag says? How can you explain that grant before you get into it, please?
Unknown Speaker
Thank you this man, thank you very much.
Speaker 11
Good evening, counsel. Even sir. I want to say um, I hope you guys accept the JAG to jag grant because right here says the JAG application process is competitive. rigorous and highly selective. So that means we're lucky to even been in a position to be selected. So please accept this grant. Thank you guys. Thank you very much, sir.
Speaker 1
Any additional citizens would like to be heard. Seeing no movement to the podium, we'll go ahead and move on into our agenda. Moving on to Item five under community development. City council with the resolution to approve the option to purchase and sale of commercial lots located at 13321 Hamilton to the Highland development partners LLC, this option he should have the option to purchase be timely exercised by the option need to the council. What is your pleasure on item five a
Unknown Speaker
move to approve. Have a
Speaker 1
motion to approve on the floor from Councilman Shafi do we have support for they have support from Councilwoman Monica Do we have any discussion on it? At the parties in question present?
Unknown Speaker
Yes, we are. Yes, we are council president.
Speaker 1
Thank you very much. So there are no questions from Council. We'll go ahead and move for a vote. Madam Deputy Clerk Would you please call the roll. Councilmember
Speaker 2
Shafi? Yes, Councilwoman Martin. Yes, Councilwoman Monica Yes. Council Pro Tem Robinson, no. Council President tandems yes thank
Speaker 1
you very much motion carries on again on Item five on the community development. This is the resolution to approve the option to purchase and sale of lots located at 18 West grant and 30 West grant to the consolidated utilities LLC option each have the option to purchase be timely exercised by the option D. City council What is your pleasure on item five be?
Speaker 5
Moved to approve resolution to approve option to purchase and sales last located at 18 West grant and 30 Glassman chair
Unknown Speaker
offers a second
Unknown Speaker
I see no hands.
Unknown Speaker
I have some questions counselor.
Speaker 1
Okay, I'd like to see your hand. Thank you very much Mr. Shafi, and we'll wait before you get started is the is that person present? Thank you very much. Just wanted to get it. Okay. Mr. Shafi, please The floor is yours.
Unknown Speaker
Okay, so um Mr. Hardy
Speaker 4
essence to you all correct. The your reads of the of the ordinance budget miss one major thing. It does not apply for development. This is a developer. If it was an individual sale you absolutely correct. But when it comes to development, the rules are different. Um, my concern, and I put a sheet out I don't know if you saw it, I put the sheet out here. I want to make sure that we follow the same process that the previous council had before us because those are the rules. Okay. And those rules are not subject to alter a waiver. They set the standard. The mayor itself was one of the individuals who set that standard and we want the highest standard until they decide to change the rules. So if you can look at that chart a lot in your proposal is missing. And I really hated that. We didn't get an opportunity to table this matter. And hopefully have him come back. Now we're forced to vote because everybody has moved forward. I was about to accept the table until he can come back and bring us the supporting document. So I'm a little bit concerned about this particular proposal here, please.
Speaker 12
Alright, so residents, Council. Thank you for that concern. So what I suggest and you know, hopefully, counsel supports this is to remove the support and table that so that we can communicate so I can make sure that you get the documents because I forget I did print out copies for you for the same process. And I would like to know what's missing. So we can make sure that everything is in the package and everything is satisfied. So the council's own specifications. Yeah, sure.
Unknown Speaker
I got this all for the city website. Oh, yeah, I was
Speaker 12
made. This is the state. This is what I was talking about last week, right?
Speaker 4
This is the exact standard that I would like to have follow. Step by step. As long as we have this standard, no problem. You will always get a yes vote out.
Speaker 1
No problem Director Clapper and is there a difference between what we just voted on and what is up for item? Is there a difference between item A and item B?
Speaker 12
So I'm not sure what information is missing that council member of Shafi just talking about. So I would like to know exactly what it is the same is still the option to purchase everything is the same. I'm not sure what he's referring to was missing in the package. So before we, you know, take the vote and I would like to make sure that he has all the information that he needs
Speaker 1
is what's missing? Can you stay on? Can you please state what's missing? Yeah, this is the same package that was for the previous purchases. Three times actually
Unknown Speaker
Absolutely.
Unknown Speaker
This is third time.
Speaker 4
So what's missing is one the financials to site plan report. Three finance treasurer historic committee report for building department fire department, police department report, five city engineers city planning City Community Economic Development, the port DPW deport traffic report, etc, etc, etc.
Speaker 12
But it's been an option to purchase. We're not down there yet. So this is the option the purchase which gives the developer time to come up with some of those things. So it gives the developer site control for a certain number for six months to do the due diligence to raise the funds and what that does for the city is if the developer is unable to we keep the deposit and the city and property reverts back to the city. So all this does is hold give the developer site control. So we're not all the way down here yet. So this is not for final approval yet.
Speaker 4
Mr. Carter. You get you know, you and I'm Mr. Mr. Clyburn, I should say sorry for that. You and I both know that this city has never historically given site control unless every measure on that list has been followed. You have been here Rodney has been here. A Madam Mayor has been here. We had never issue site control when something is missing. And I'm not about to start that process. Now. The moment we open the door and give a break to one person we have to give a break to everybody. Okay, now the difference between the first one and the second one. They spent five years getting theirs together. They had everything in place. And this one was actually done not in the US. It was done under you. So I know everything is there. Minister of mystery Williams everything is there. My concern is everything is not here on this one. So I'm going to humbly ask that my colleagues pull back their motions tabling because if we're forced to vote on it, it's going to be a problem. Okay.
Speaker 12
Okay, so the difference between what happened in the past and now is the option to purchase process which I believe attorney conscious presented to council in December. So traditionally we have not been using the option to purchase procedure. So in December the decision was made to go this route. So that's why you're right. In the past, that wouldn't happen, but because of the new process this option to purchase process, that I was informed that you did get a presentation in December.
Speaker 4
But when did we approve that option to purchase? What when was that approved by Council?
Speaker 12
It wasn't now so it was present? No, no. So it's not for approval. It's approval for each option to purchase so it was presented to you to explain and outline your chance to answer questions I wouldn't hear such as my understanding.
Speaker 4
So Council Bodoni. Did they tell you the council bowled over here are putting this round of changing this room. So
Speaker 12
it depends on the project so everybody that comes before the council will necessarily not need the option to purchase so some may come just straight purchase agreement where all of those things will need to be met. But it's on the council. You know, we did change the process to option to purchase to work more with our developers and not give up anything as a city. Because this still holds developers liable to do a due diligence and we do want to move the city forward but we don't want to be we want to make sure we're taking our you know consideration. We want to make sure that we're protecting ourselves. So this option to purchase helps us protect our sales but it also helps us work with developers to help move some of this property so we can develop and bring in new residents, new businesses and new opportunities so we can spread these bills and grow. So Michelle, pleasure council members.
Speaker 1
Okay, 
just a moment before we move Director Clapper and if I could if I could get your attention to the screen. So this is a development framework. This is the process for redevelopment. First one is site research, secure site control. That's number two. This is a standard procedure that's used in developments all across Metro metropolitan Detroit having a development plan. Just a second, I went by focus. Okay. So here are the steps. Research to cite existing permits, then you secure site control. That's step two, of any development that's happening in the state of Michigan, particularly this happening in Metro Detroit This is step two, first you have to get site control. The next step after that is assemble the team architect contractors, consultants as needed. Then you create a development plan. So before people actually spend money, they have to either purchase the property or get side control from the owner. That's not a new process for Highland Park. That's a standard process in the state of Michigan in the United States of America, capital impact partners is all across country. This is not something that I wrote that we're talking about the standard I was talking to see record. We're talking about the standard process for beginning of development step two, and that process is securing site control the other steps that were mentioned, you don't do that. You don't do that. Until you have site control. You don't go out and spend 10s of 1000s of dollars if you haven't don't have an option to purchase a site control from whoever the entity is that is something for the general public to know as we sit here. We want to make sure that the information that we put out is accurate. So that document is a document anybody can pull em EDC has it the city of Detroit Planning Commission has these are the standard procedures. We're not an anomaly. So that is the process so Mr. Nathan can move forward, he can only move forward with any of the things that were just talked about. Once he acquires sigh control. It's impossible and it doesn't occur like that anywhere else. And Wayne County anywhere else in the state of Michigan, anywhere else in the United States of America. You can say control first and then you move on to the rest of those steps. Understand this man if you have a comment you wanted to make.
+2
just a moment before we move Director Clapper and if I could if I could get your attention to the screen. So this is a development framework. This is the process for redevelopment. First one is site research, secure site control. That's number two. This is a standard procedure that's used in developments all across Metro metropolitan Detroit having a development plan. Just a second, I went by focus. Okay. So here are the steps. Research to cite existing permits, then you secure site control. That's step two, of any development that's happening in the state of Michigan, particularly this happening in Metro Detroit This is step two, first you have to get site control. The next step after that is assemble the team architect contractors, consultants as needed. Then you create a development plan. So before people actually spend money, they have to either purchase the property or get side control from the owner. That's not a new process for Highland Park. That's a standard process in the state of Michigan in the United States of America, capital impact partners is all across country. This is not something that I wrote that we're talking about the standard I was talking to see record. We're talking about the standard process for beginning of development step two, and that process is securing site control the other steps that were mentioned, you don't do that. You don't do that. Until you have site control. You don't go out and spend 10s of 1000s of dollars if you haven't don't have an option to purchase a site control from whoever the entity is that is something for the general public to know as we sit here. We want to make sure that the information that we put out is accurate. So that document is a document anybody can pull em EDC has it the city of Detroit Planning Commission has these are the standard procedures. We're not an anomaly. So that is the process so Mr. Nathan can move forward, he can only move forward with any of the things that were just talked about. Once he acquires sigh control. It's impossible and it doesn't occur like that anywhere else. And Wayne County anywhere else in the state of Michigan, anywhere else in the United States of America. You can say control first and then you move on to the rest of those steps. Understand this man if you have a comment you wanted to make. Speaker 5
I just want to just reiterate that and make sure that everybody understood that in order for what you've already said. We're heading move forward in inside control, and we do have that accountability in there after six months. If it doesn't happen, what needs to happen, it reverts back to us. Thank you.
Unknown Speaker
Yeah,
Unknown Speaker
so just keep that in mind.
Unknown Speaker
Yes, Miss Martin.
Speaker 13
So okay. So control and then it reverts back. What process are we at at that point?
Unknown Speaker
We have nothing we don't start. The property reverts the property reverts back to the city. This is your second time Mr. Sharp you go ahead
Speaker 4
present. The information that I pulled here comes directly from the city's page. So if this information is incorrect, because I couldn't find it anywhere in the ordinance, and I happen to stumble across it on the city's page, along with the application for development so if if this is on the city's page, and you're saying that this is incorrect, that we have an issue here and all by itself, I would agree. Okay, so So my question is, you said that's the next step. According to this chart, that's not the next step. That step doesn't come back and today come back to council for the second time on the site plan approval.
Speaker 1
Let's concede that the city of Highland Park for a number of years has been challenged.
Speaker 4
To who's wrong? It's a question I'm asked what's going on here.
Unknown Speaker
I don't know if any of us can answer that question right now. But
Speaker 5
you just answered it. Yeah. Just gave a clear explanation
Unknown Speaker
as it relates to the website or to understand that He
Speaker 4
gave us a clear explanation, but I had yet to remember or being shown or recall where we voted on those changes. We have not. We did not vote on those changes.
Speaker 1
So your question about your website is correct. There were problems with
Speaker 4
changes, any changes that are being done? It's against the rules, and it's not trustees of the city. That's not necessarily
Speaker 1
true. Okay. This is an industry this is a minister, this is this Committee on Economic Development. We don't have purview
Speaker 4
All right. Okay. I'm done. Okay, may push you forward.
Speaker 1
So we have had comments from everybody on the floor. The the issue has been deliberated. Would you like to move we have a motion on the floor from counsel Amanda McManus would you like to keep the emotion out there for a vote?
Speaker 5
I would like to keep it out there but I would like to say something else please ma'am because I think that with let's move on emotions. Let's just breathe for a sec. We're at the court because we've already we didn't have a workshop. But we've had Mr. Harvey in front of us more than once, three times to explain it. Are you changing anything Mr. Harvey? For what? We looked at before? Materially No? Okay. So we've had him before. It's as if we did a workshop. We've been here three times and got to talk about so to me that's considered at this point. We've done some type of workshops. I understand your point Mr. Shafi, what you're looking for, but now for him, according to CD for him to go any further to give us any of those other things on his paper. He has to have this option to purchase
Unknown Speaker
can't go to funder.
Speaker 5
Here's the other side of that. I guess. You're not going to purchase a property or purchase anything sometime and so you can test it. We have an option to even buy. You can't just go get a car you got to have an option to buy the car. You see I'm saying and so if he doesn't produce this for us understand that if he doesn't produce this for us, then in six months, we keep is deposit in microwave for that. So we're at a win here. We keep this deposit in the property these works back and it's not here anymore. That means if Mr. Don Oh, wants to come now and say hey, I want to develop it that same property. Then we start this all over again. But in the meantime, he gets this option to show us what he can do and what he can develop for the city.
Speaker 4
I'm not being I'm not, I'm not being emotional. My concern is simple. If we open this door, we have to open that same door for the next developer that comes through here. If we violate the rules if we alter the rules we need to stick to what the previous council has done for the last eight years and what they did before those last eight years. Nothing has changed here. If we if we break this room. If we alter this route, we have to alter it for everybody who
Unknown Speaker
comes through here. So
Unknown Speaker
hold on, that's all I'm saying.
Speaker 1
Hold on, hold on. Let's keep let's make sure we keep the issue Oh, I'm simply done. Well, we have not done at all and simply say almost a dozen years we haven't sold. That had been shopping opportunities to speak on the floor and I thank you very much. So we have not sold a single piece of property in over 10 years. So we don't have any air we're not breaking or setting any precedent we haven't done at all the other parts we should do we should do. We should did we just gave somebody else the option to purchase that did not come three times. This is a person who just showed up.
Speaker 4
Okay, so Okay, okay, okay. Okay. Okay. So let me make it clear. Okay. The person that we just approved, Mr. Williams, they've all been waiting. He's been working on his project with this city for five years. He's been waiting for site control for over five years. He has all his eyes dotted. All his T's crossed. And this was not a project that we matter to me. I'm still talking No, you're not a project. Oh, that we don't have a Miss Martin. I'm talking to Miss Laura. This is not a project that we put together. Miss Martin. This is a project that caught it and the previous council put together he's only been waiting on his site control for five
Speaker 1
years. So let's move to the issue that's on the floor. We know motion on the floor from Councilman Manica. So approve this chair has second. The chair has seconded is different. The chair is second. Do you have any additional questions? Just Martin I wanted to make sure that you had your issues addressed. Okay, so we're gonna move on to call for the row on this item. Okay, so on coming under Community Development resolution. It's Item B resolution to approve the option to purchase and sale of the lots located at 18 West Grand and 30 West Grand to the consolidated utilities LLC option each have the option to purchase the timely executed by the option II Madam Deputy Clerk, would you call it a row?
Speaker 2
Mana Shafi? No. So Councillor Martin? Yes. Councilwoman Monica? Yes. Council coach and Robinson No. Council President time is yes motion carries.
Speaker 4
Failed. Developing these for you know that no motion is made motion carries not approved, not approved. It's not approved motion carries.
Speaker 1
This is not a given. Six under police the resolution to accept the Justice Assistance Grant jag and the amount of $15,919.48 cent from Wayne County. Thank you, Mr. Harvey. We're all set.
Unknown Speaker
I need to address
Speaker 4
afterwards. Afterwards, you can do so afterwards.
Speaker 1
All right. You still have to thank you very much. And congratulations, sir. On Item six police resolution to accept the Justice acceptance Assistance Grant jag in the amount of $15,919.48. From Wayne County City Council. What is your pleasure on item six. I moved
Speaker 13
passes resolution 20.3. Dag wet White County with questions.
Speaker 1
We're motion on the floor from counsel approach him. With questions second from Councilman Manica The floor is yours, Madam Corktown.
Unknown Speaker
Explain actually what the grass Yes. So
Speaker 14
I'm going to answer a question from the audience as well at the same time. So the Justice assistant grant basically can be utilized for the following reasons for law enforcement programs. Prosecution and court programs prevention education programs, community correction, drug treatment, witness program crime and victim witness programs mental health, including mental health courts, drug courts, veterans courts, and extreme risk protection orders. So this grant was submitted in partnership with with Wayne County in Wayne County is the administer of our grant, the administrator of our grant funds. So under this project, we opted to use it to continue our flock program and our flock program is a license plate reading program. And over the just share some statistics with you over the last 30 days. Our flag program has been extremely successful since it's been initiated. We've recovered a tremendous amount of basically stolen vehicles and wanted wanted felons. That includes you know, sex offenders, all these different things that have been, you know, wanted people that were wanted in connection to court cases and things like that. But just in the last 30 days, our license plate reader read 376,880 plates, out of that 67 searches were conducted, and a result of 188 heartless vehicles were discovered. So basically that could be anything from like I said, stolen vehicles which are primary the primary function of that and all the way to you no one wanted felons anyone you know, kidnapping someone kidnap someone that would that plate would it if it was entered into the system? Correct. So the program has been very successful, not only in our community, but all of our surrounding communities. I know. The city of Hamtramck is in the process of getting flack cameras installed in their city, as well. And as you know, Detroit, Michigan, you know, the state of Michigan has tons of them. On the freeway now a lot of communities are going to go into them so I don't want people to think that you know, this is Big Brother monitoring everyone because it's not if your name's not on unwanted list. You're not popping up. We're you know, it's not photographing you. You know, we're not issuing citations. You want us to photograph you inside give you citations. Fair enough, we will accommodate you. So basically, all it is is is just to continue our program that we have, which is helped us with wanted vehicles in fact, today we had to fly kits alone today. And so the program has been successful in my eyes.
Speaker 13
Do you have any police training included in this grant? For me? No, so
Speaker 14
basically all this is doing is continuing a portion of our our flock funding, which is there is no additional training. It's the same training you would receive in the academies in terms of you know, apprehending a wide vehicle most of these result in felony stops and and recovery of property.
Speaker 15
programs were selected in our campaign when you have a program.
Speaker 14
So we are looking at a couple more programs that we want to put out again with our community events. So this year we hope to continue that program and have meetings monthly and try and educate the citizens if they want to participate and do some fun stuff that you know kind of bring our goal is to bring the police and the community together.
Unknown Speaker
Absolutely. Yep. Some additional questions. Mr. Shafi,
Speaker 4
okay. She has extensively and I want to say thank you for answering my call, and and giving me a list of all of the cities that participate in this grant. I just wanted to say that I've looked at the penalties and the liabilities. I just asked that we stay on top of everything. No, absolutely. We without reporting that we we
Speaker 14
certainly have, you know, Grant oversight most of the time by Mr. Burgess. Yeah.
Speaker 4
But according to this right here achieve the ball is pretty much in their court. Absolutely. Yeah.
Speaker 14
No, we, I mean, there's no side deals. I mean, we're what the grants for is what we're spending the money, okay, okay. There's no blindsiding anybody, nothing like that. Okay, everything's on, you know, on the up and up and we're completely transparent. Okay.
Speaker 4
All right. Thank you, Chief. I appreciate you as always,
Speaker 1
sir. Additional questions from other members. Seeing none, Madam Deputy Clerk, would you please call the roll on item six.
Speaker 2
Councilman Shafi? Yes, Councilwoman Martin. Yes. Councilwoman Monica? Yes, council protein Robinson. Council President Thomas. Thank
Speaker 1
you very much motion carries. Ladies and gentlemen, this is this thank you very much. Thank you, Councillor chin.
Unknown Speaker
Chief. Nana Miss voted the nice thing I was gonna say I appreciate of course unanimous vote at that night.
Speaker 1
Ladies and gentlemen, we are moving on to the the section of the agenda for citizens participation. So citizens are free to come to the podium and speak for two minutes about anything that they choose. Related to city affairs. With Mr. Harvey go, I will be I will be monitoring the timer viciously tonight.
Unknown Speaker
Okay, good. Okay, ma'am, if you will be.
Speaker 15
My name is Renee Ford. I live on university. So my question and I need it in layman's term, but some of us senior if the water rate increase was not improved. Could the levee have been reinstated on our taxes? Is that what we were saying? Okay, the next question is the and I'm not sure if it's laying the water person. Mr. Mr. Damon. I was very offended because I felt that some type of information or paperwork or something should have been put in because you guys sent out a water bill every month so you could have put, like the rough draft or something in the water bill for some of the seniors that don't make it to the meetings that don't get the email. So maybe that's what you could do in the next deal. It would be possible for some of us because my mother gets her mail. She doesn't read it very well. So I have explained. So if you can possibly put some gentlemen in. Okay. The next question is, how often are Mr. Five one you have to give me because I'm so used to partner with young people by the first match. What is his position? I mean, I mean, we've seen people steady come in before.
Speaker 1
He's the new Community and Economic Development Director hired by the sigil. Whose
Speaker 15
job did he destroy hint? Okay, so Well, we ever got to be notified of that or is that is that any of our that's an
Unknown Speaker
administration? Oh, that's a ministry.
Unknown Speaker
Okay, next, I
Speaker 15
can contact you to come out and look into the sword or something. But I just have my basement. And I have to have a new product. So I wanted to call you, but if I could get those questions answered, which you did. So thank you, I
Speaker 1
appreciate Thank you. Ma'am. In two minutes flat, this forward.
Speaker 16
Hi. I'm Lisa Stiller ski from moss Street. And I just wanted to speak to the site control question. You know, you guys are the city council and if the rules that we have from the past don't really work and as a matter of fact, they're, they're not It's not usual to wait so long to give site control. I completely agree with that. With what Mr. Tom has said. So you guys can have a workshop and craft new language that would be a resolution that you could pass sometime in the next couple of months, you know, to update workshops. But what you could do one you know, and you guys, you guys could together write that language and then update our policies are our ordinances so that it will be easier for developers to come and get site control it and do their developments. So I would just like to put that idea
Unknown Speaker
in your mouth. Thanks like to be hurt.
Speaker 17
Rascal, Martin, you want big Huawei? Really? I'm trying to find out if we're not having any marijuana places here. Why is that place on Victor? All shined up ready to go to big question. You guys have not decided to work on any ordinances. How did it happen? Doesn't the Planning Commission have to approve it being built and our community development How does that happen?
Unknown Speaker
It is private property right.
Speaker 17
How did something get up for marijuana in this city when we decided not to do marijuana until we can get the greenhouses taken care of?
Speaker 1
You correct the chief would like to address that we don't you still under two minutes
Speaker 14
in regards in regards to all the row operations that are going on in the city. illegal operations. We are we are working on addressing Okay. However, there's a process and some of these things are tied in litigation. So it really can't be discussed all that much. However, I can assure you that the police department is going to enforce the law. And if the council if it's the council's privy at some point to make an ordinance that allows it then the police will go along with that if at this moment, there's not then the police are gonna go with what the law means simple as that. I know that everyone knows where they're at. We're not blind either. We know where they're at. They stick out like short phones. However, some of you know there was a process that was followed in the past that resulted in litigation for us and we lost. I refuse to expose the city to any litigation or in civil lawsuits. So I will not do something that is not lawful and forced my way into some property on it. So we will follow the rules. Give everyone you know their expectations that that they're entitled to and not break the law. Simple as I'm asking for you guys to be patient because we're going to do the do the right thing. And eventually we're going to address that, you know, all of them. However, you know, I don't hear a lot of stuff on social media and all of these other sites was you know, people are asking why isn't counsel doing this? Why are the police doing this? Why isn't city attorney doing this? I can tell you there's a process and it's not. We can't just go kicking in people's doors because everyone everyone has rights.
Unknown Speaker
While we wait on them, they made a hole.
Speaker 14
You know what that may be the case however, I'm not in the business of violating people's rights. And I'm not going to start today. So we're going to follow the process. And we will we will address all of this but it's just going to take a little bit time I just I need some patience. But I promise you it's not unforgotten. We have clear dressing. Thanks,
Speaker 1
chief for Audible. And thank you to make sure that you got your issues addressed to miss fry you would.
Speaker 7
Miss square. I want to ask you what is your title in the city? What What is What does you do for the city? I really want to know that. What is your title? How long have you been here? How long are you going to be here? What is your title?
Unknown Speaker
City administrators so
Speaker 13
back in 2014 last time the city with slipped into a financial emergency. The state told the city that you got to hire a professional industry. They can either run the city or they can help you run the city for two different contracts. And the city council says well, we don't want to run the city for one city. We got the city. We're gonna get around. So you helped my nine years I've been here helping now. The city administrator position is under Republican 243 which is the emergency mobile board. And in 2014, the city needed the loan because they have one of their loans that was called the gotta deal with the Fifth Third Bank pension deal. That is all that was really that really triggered a financial emergency because Detroit Water sued them so they couldn't have any losses. So that triggered financial urgency. So they needed the loan get out of that situation. And generally when you need a loan from the state you either have versus the manager, or in this case professional. So that's how I got and, and then there was a long list of things that had to be done to get the city's finances in shape. And there were all sorts of things. Things like elimination of retiree health care. At that time, retiree health care was costly, almost $3 million a year. There was at that time the city was hit water department had basically collapsed the agreement had called for hiring an outside firm to take over billing and billing an operation and there were with us a whole wall was 11 pages of things. And that was my job.
Unknown Speaker
Okay, the last thing
Speaker 13
last thing on that list. water sewer problem. Big major problem that we still have this day that we're kind of getting close to a resolution but David said it this is really gonna be an ongoing issue for the city because we all know that we've got to rebuild that system. And I have been here I have a contract with the city. The city inside exterminate us. 30 days notice our liabilities here. My nephew told me yesterday that 18 years I'll be 80 years old, okay. When he said it, I was like I told him how old he was gonna be. So he told me that I was getting old and tired, but I am yeah, he said he said it without flinching. And, and so I've been here doing all sorts of things for the city. The other law I'm under is public act two, which is the uniform budgeting app. So I'm the person that's supposed to make sure you get the question and I'm the purchase. I'm gonna bet on the cheapest administrator's office. I'm supposed to make sure your finances are audited. And all of your reports that are due to the state and the federal government are done. So there's a technical aspect here under those two laws, and then there was a long list of things and the city supposed to come to me for thought.
Unknown Speaker
Okay, well,
Speaker 1
seven minutes. She allowed us seven minutes right now. That's right. Everybody else to two and a half minutes. You're seven minutes now Miss fry.
Speaker 7
How did the situation with Miss Vyas to
Speaker 1
miss Mr. Square Would you would you mind talking to her afterwards? Sure. We have a meeting here Miss fry.
Unknown Speaker
To manage politics, okay.
Speaker 13
Manage the city's finance. Okay, all of the official things that they're supposed to do under Public Law. Okay. This bit is not my business recalls about my business. Who did what appointments in the city can ask me for advice. I work for the mayor and the council. That's my relationship with everybody. But the fact of the matter is they're free to conduct their business the way they want. Their personal business is their business and I'm not here to manage Okay, so whatever they do that's on them. City's finances and politics.
Unknown Speaker
They found that politician but you manage the city money
Speaker 13
this under public get for uniform budgeting and see what the city administrator chief administrative offices responsibility.
Speaker 18
Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Good evening, ma'am. I'm Tim Stafford. President and I have a question for every member that's on the city council. As far as the water agreement do each and every one of you agree with 100% of what the water statement is saying.
Speaker 1
We'll have to answer that during Council the fair that's a long answer. Okay.
Unknown Speaker
Well,
Speaker 18
the reason why I'm saying that is and I wanted to know is that So my understanding there's supposed to be something the agreement is supposed to be signed or something by the 15th I mean, do you feel safe enough to sign it? Or do you absolutely disagree with it? And the reason why I'm asking this because there's a lot of homeowners out here who are confident house some people houses are paying for some people houses are not and they don't want any extra bills because everything going up but your paycheck. So I'm kind of wondering where's everybody hear that? On the city council?
Unknown Speaker
Great question.
Unknown Speaker
Now, it's next Thursday
Speaker 13
when I say we, I mean, there are five agreements out there. There's the we will water and sewer the new water and sewer contract we have entered into we don't have our own water. We don't have our own waters that have come before the council. We've had a scheduled workshop on the 25th of January but it was can't be canceled. And we have a hard time getting them to reschedule that but you're still out. So we've got the actual trust agreement on how life would be flow. We've got the state came here. I know we were here that night, but the state came and explained the ACO that's got to get done and then the actual settlement which ties everything together, that's fine. So sometimes I don't want everybody to kind of keep their calendars open, because we're going to have meetings and I'm trying to get the stuff and all the exhibits to the council. They have an opportunity to go through it and ask questions I was trying to get through with a very difficult time because it's easier for them to ask questions. To ask to them. And it is a large contracts when your contract, you know run for water and sewer, you know, this way right without the meters $100 million. So that's going to be happening here. Thursday or Monday because the deadline is next Thursday and council does not like the second. So standby bids are going to be questions and answers and all this information. At this point we're trying to hammer out some issues that we do not have consensus on and when I say we, I mean the negotiators, our lawyers, their lawyers, Attorney General all of that, because we're trying to get the best possible understanding in these contracts so that you know, I don't you know, drop dead or retire and then nobody knows. So, so that's what's going on. We're working on it. So Council any day now are trying to get them in here so that we meet the deadline for next Thursday. Now he got extended from January 15 Because we didn't have consensus. So obviously the money, money, money. Money that's coming from the state is that they're admitted their money the state does not give money to anybody. You got to get that and be able to show the receipts to get reimbursement and all of that. So that's what happens now. We have to pay, you know, you all pay your bills. Right now we have a trust an escrow trust. So when you pay your bill, it goes into a certain account, and then that money is paid from that account to Blue onto the old portal. So there is no money. It's only what you're paying. It wasn't a state supposedly give me the city for repairs to the system and then I'm going to be handing that to say so, but anyway, it's coming weeks, you know, standby look for a special meeting though, is trying to get everybody in here so that the questions can be answered and so we can work it out. Because in the long run, it's a with the best part is we can never take a support again. They have some obfuscates in arbitration. We can't find a court. I mean, although we did for 10 years but they beat us, but we still held on that they have more power. They hired on 100 lawyers to defeat us. So it's coming but it's just a very difficult thing because they're holding on and we're trying to defend our position in the states in st is really the governor really stuck her neck out trying to deal because remember, we were in this room six months ago almost a year ago talking about we need about bankruptcy. So you know that actually is reality and you can't get this because that levy will result in bankruptcy by default. So hopefully we'll be done. I think we will we just gotta get closer to consensus and then we can be posted. says they just gotta come in here
Speaker 13
for regular counseling, so their contracts will have to be approved. They don't want to do a workshop and they gotta come into a regular house.
Speaker 1
All right, thank you very much. So we'll move on to the next section of the agenda here. So we don't see anybody else at the podium. Oh, there you go. Ma'am. Come on. Come on up to the podium. Good evening. Thank you so much. Could you state your name for the record?
Speaker 19
My name is Tony Bennett. I live on East Grand. My question is to miss where? Restitution all the people that owe the city money. Do you collect everyone? Like Mr. Blackwell, Mr. Davis and anybody else that
Speaker 13
those folks? Yes. So I'd say the city did not seem as planned. So we met we can't collect money from somebody who didn't snow between the Attorney General and him. Mr. Davis. I believe that was the I don't really know. I don't really know but we did it. So those are not lawsuits, that we're playing the city and those people. We have bad debt. And right now. We're suing the factory suing us because they owe us a million dollars in stormwater bill. So that's an active lawsuit that we're in and we're suing the land banks, as you know, they, although the law is changing, and then they're gonna be divesting that property. Now they're gonna be fun. The balance is equal, they just can't keep. But we have a couple million dollars in bad debt from mostly people who don't pay their bills. We don't even foreclose on because the county does that. So when you don't pay for your house and you don't pay your taxes and all that the county forecloses not the city so the city does not maintain the long list of bad debt receivables like that. So but no, we don't go after.
Speaker 19
Okay, my next question was all these vacant, big buildings in this city. Why have we went after those people to tear those buildings down? And then the property on my street is 15 or whatever East Grand they tore down the bricks is still there. You can see the historical building is halfway there and half not there. And kids go to school and they come that way and then they get to go to barber school and anybody can be up in there and so why has not been completed and why is this appear on what we're looking like is looking and why have we went after those people to get those monies to tear that mess down? Mr. Miller been dead a long time. Schools been gone. don't got no schools and then who owns the property with Oh High School was oh, high school what Oh, high school was up on what were we own that I just want to understand is it makes me sad to understand that, that we tore down with their statues and the sharpies on the shelf, and you tore down with a brand new pool they put in 9010 years old. I'm just asking the building at 15 pairs. Why haven't you made that Chinese man live in China? Fix that building up? Or any of the buildings that could make our city look halfway decent and we as poor you know, you know, and they you know, even helping the police department has all as white behind them and the fire department all that like the old East Grand all that you can see that all and bricks and everything anybody can be up in there. And others want to understand is it fair? And then another question to the man to city over the part of the water. The holes were built can I understand you home was built in the 70s with a water meter that said that that was the part of this house. Then you came in and put a water meter this be just be inside my home this big. You took that up? And then I want to know, is that water meter good or bad?
Unknown Speaker
I would encourage you to reach out to the folks
Speaker 19
because you know why? You know I call people you know what I get it put you on hold and then nobody get back with you. And then and then you know
Speaker 1
they're here to to address and I do appreciate your comment about
Unknown Speaker
what we're you know, because yes, ma'am. Even this building here, you know, you all should be no you should. It should be nicer you know I can buy you all some blinds
Speaker 20
Thank you. Good evening. Council members. My name is John Jackson. I'm the president McKenna. We're a Community Planning and Community Development Company. And we had submitted a proposal to Highland Park last year to help you guys out with your planning and zoning. So I just wanted to stop by introduce myself. I'm glad to see that you have a community economic development director on staff that looks like you took Mr. Hinton's place. So I just wanted to come by and say we're happy to work with your new Community Economic Development Director of Beth's direction you guys want to go? I wanted to let you know that we have a lot of experience working in mature communities we work in East Point Harper Woods, Royal Oak Township, ecourse Inkster Hamtramck, we're all dealing with a lot of the same challenges. Highland Park is we've also had a lot of success working with the state through MBDC helping communities get certified with the redevelopment Ready program that deals with a lot of issues again that you were talking about tonight, disposition of property, reviewing redevelopment proposals and things like that. So we really like to be part of a team events direction you guys want to go. And one thing in closing is just put out grants, which you guys might be aware of. It's the housing readiness grant for up to $50,000 to help communities position themselves with their policies and their ordinances. To attract new residents in new residential development and communities, which, again, sounds like exactly what you guys are interested in. So with that, I just say it's nice to be here and wish you the best. Thank you very much. Thank you.
Speaker 1
All right. Any additional citizens that would like to be heard?
Speaker 21
I'm gonna be quick. I'm gonna sell this Turner. Sorry, I haven't been here because I've been getting some things in order. I just want to say that I do owe a lot still in this city, even though I'm not a resident and my family when it came down from the South was actually the first African Americans actually bought a property in Highland Park. My last name coming from the banks, the Andersons Turner's etc, etc. My family moved on to east and west Davidson, but I still have roots here. Considering that we couldn't afford to go downtown and Highland Park was my closest city pretty much where it was some type of like economics. And I say that to say as a 30 year old water bill, that's 20 years because I know you did what you could, but 20 years is a little excessive. And I'm realistically with the economics and the city. They're going to be done on time or just making sure that it's not going to be too much of a burden on citizens because people are really upset with just the $50 $200 increase. Also the gas stations and owners are not aware of what's going on. So when I'm in there, they're just complaining about water bills. Another thing is I know who you are Council, to please do background checks and investigate these companies before they come before you. There's a lot of ghosts LLCs nonprofits, you look on lore, there's no names or they're pretty much the same people that has been doing the same thing in the city the whole time that owes water bills and debts and they're using ghost companies to try to hide what they're doing. So if you could see what Putin is you all are part of that now when it comes to the investigation, also when it comes to employment, again, what is the process? The website is updated, but it's still police and firefighter and again, my application has been here the city for almost 10 years. For some type of position, and I never got called back. So I will be following up with the mayor because I'm confused. The HR is usually the one that handles hiring, but I have to go through the administration. And currently it seems like everybody in the city is the only ones to get hired. And again, I want you all to know that is discrimination at this point. And it does push away. Anybody that wants to invest or move here I understand is two minutes. And lastly overall. You have to look at opportunities moving forward. Because you're on the agenda. This is great. But again, you all got 21 days for that treasure you all got people told me what was going on with DTE is so many other things and we're not moving forward and you castle to water meetings and glue has a meeting a warning this weekend. So that's what I'm gonna say but it's just overall at this point. I've asked because you all are working. I've asked the city to give you all some staff to help you out with some district some volunteers because you all can't do this by yourself. And it has to be some communication and some materials because it is point it's embarrassing that recording because you're all about economy. They come out the air you elected officials. I have no arrogance about everybody coming after you all your four minutes are not getting but I'm just letting y'all know on the record that was embarrassing. The county we're looking at you're embarrassed and the people that presented that information. Each one of them should be investigated also. So I'm gonna leave but everybody in the city should have their paperwork submitted just like in Detroit. Alright, thank you very much
Speaker 9
Nathan Harvey, is there anybody here that? Well, first of all, thank you for a positive vote on my development proposal. Appreciate but I want to make sure that as council persons you all know exactly what is happening. Well, first of all with the the option to purchase and second of all, what to await 10 action actually does say. Does anybody have any questions about that? They
Speaker 1
would have to get that answered during Council affairs we want to be we have a procedure that we have to follow. We're going to follow the rules. It's been said before we should follow the rules with everybody so you can pose those questions and then someone Oh, no, no, no, I can answer I'm asking. And they can probably
Speaker 9
see me as someone who was on the agenda. Tonight. That's That's what I'm asking. Anybody
Unknown Speaker
I ask you my questions. Thank you
Unknown Speaker
Okay, all right. Thanks again.
Speaker 1
Thank you, Mr. Harvey. Okay, I will see anybody else moving towards the podium. So
Speaker 10
one more want to say by ahem combiners proposal, but my understanding of it is had to be a supermajority. That's right. And three out of five is just a simple majority. It's not a super majority, which wouldn't need it for. So in as you were saying earlier, you didn't want to incur any liability. So if you move forward, you incur liability, which puts the city there you go attacking the residence, again, was maybe facing another levee from a lawsuit. So I I say you take time, let him get whatever he needs to get together and come back before you because the vote today. It didn't pass. It didn't pass. Thank you very much. Hi,
Speaker 22
my name is Brian Donovan. Thank you for all of your work. I just wanted to say that Stephanie Chang is going to be at Nandi so 10am On Friday, if you want to come out and I think you were saying people from Glee, we're going to be there too. Okay, 10 o'clock Friday morning. All right.
Speaker 1
Thank you. All right. Okay. I see no more movement. So we're gonna move into Council affair starting with the councilman from the district. Third District Mr. Shafi, the floor is yours.
Unknown Speaker
Good evening, ladies. And gentlemen.
Speaker 4
You know, I sit here and I fight our call, I scrape. I do my best to try to move the city forward. And every time we take two steps forward, we take 10 steps back every single time is almost to the point where it's embarrassing. It is embarrassing. There is a process here tonight this was not followed. And I want to say to my colleagues, you know that what you did was illegal. This particular development, Mr. Harvey, good guy. I like him, Charlotte Harlan Parker, but I pointed out the fact that when you break the rules, you open the door to all the rules being broke. Now what precedent has been set? So what happens to the next person who comes in here? half cocked? Not ready. We have to approve them now. Since they're going to go forward. Oh, no doubt about it. They're going forward. I guarantee you he will not be back here with any new information. I guarantee they're going to move forward. Just like the young man said right there, we're incurring unnecessary liability. Because the next person who comes through here if we denied him, there's a lawsuit. There's a lawsuit. Why because we set precedent with Mr. Nathan army. The precedent has been set. Initially when I say over and over,
Speaker 4
*you wonder why people outside of Highland Park don't respect you. Because every time they look at you, you're spinning in your face. It's like you land on the ground and spitting in the air and wait for it to come back down.*
Speaker 4
How is the outside world going to take us seriously if we don't take ourselves seriously? How are we going to survive if we don't stick to the rules in which we have set in black and white. So much is on our plate ladies and gentlemen, you have no idea how much is on our plate from the water development. The treasurer's office I know all you know about that. So much at one time and all of this couldn't happen at the worst time. But that's the thing about crisis. It always happens at the worst time. It's never a good time is it?
Speaker 4
There's a court order that exist telling us to move this city forward. And I'm going to say on the record that those who violate judge Hager, this court order I will not be a part of it. You will not hold me in contempt of court. He has made it clear that the city is to start the process for interviewing for a new city treasurer. Her last day is the 22nd of this month. We need to move this process forward as quickly as possible. Before we get ourselves into a predicament that we cannot HP I love ya I don't understand it. I'm not getting it and I'm finding it harder and harder every day to understand it. We got to do better than what we're doing. We have to follow the rules. We have to follow the process. You have to make them follow the process. They must be made. They're under the impression that they rule you know, you rule them. They work for you. Every member sitting up here works for you. Nobody up here is autonomous, as much as they like to talk like they are autonomous. They work for you. And you have to band together and make sure that they do things according to the rules. Everybody's talking about litigation. Well, you got some litigation coming tonight. Because you set a precedent here and now you're going to have to deal with I want to ask you a quick question of Miss square, Miss square. I understand that we approved the term sheet and the agreement. It was supposed to be signed by the 15th of January. When do we get the extension to move it to the 15th of February? When was that extension
Speaker 13
that extension the Attorney General got from the court? Something that the parties did because it you know you got 10 case. And so those cases have status conferences and all of that we have to report back to the Okay, so the Attorney General has asked the court to allow us parties to work okay,
Speaker 4
okay. So did the paperwork in which the mayor submitted to the public the night with her signature on it dated the 19th of January of this year. Was that term sheet agreement signed on time, or was that just something that was recently done? No. We
Unknown Speaker
did a term sheet in October.
Unknown Speaker
came in I remember October? Yes ma'am.
Speaker 13
Resolution, we 1000 cautious through resolution correct. And that so we fulfilled our terms are things we've had to do. And we did that one of the things was that we had to increase the rate of the rent increases contingent on all the deals Okay, so we've progressed on, if it falls through that rate increase, everybody will get their money back.
Unknown Speaker
So the mayor did, okay.
Speaker 13
Because we get billed for a previous past period. So when you get your water bill today, it's the last okay okay.
Speaker 4
So show me square. So real quick. So the mayor did sign on time, but we got an extension for the court has told
Speaker 13
us that we have to congeal all these deals. Together to go into port because there's a stain on all the bases. So our term sheet and things we agree on the dates and because everything was supposed to be done by January
Speaker 4
15. Okay, wasn't ready. Okay. So believe it wasn't ready. So the question again is, do we still sign on time or the 15th Or did we wait?
Unknown Speaker
What we did is already done it.
Speaker 13
That's separate from what we did. Okay, so we're good. We've done everything that we were supposed to do. As painful as it has been. And it's been pain. And we've done everything because we knew that they were going to come back and blame us for everything. For you know, fighting them and holding on to our old contracts, just for existence. And so that's why we made sure we did every single thing that we were supposed to do, according to those dates. We're just waiting for them now. The state came in here and they made their presentation recall we had that we believe and, you know, they're just holding on to access to
Speaker 4
grind. Okay, okay. So everything was submitted on time to the state. Yes. Okay. Everything was, you know, you know, I asked those questions and because those are the questions that my constituents have been excellent. Okay. I've been getting phone calls all week. everybody's worried about this deal falling through with some shape, form and fashion and they don't want it to happen, you know, saying.
Speaker 13
Water and Sewer contract has to come here. Settlement Agreement, which is all the time tracks, the state's a ACA, that's where the money is for the repair of the underground and trust agreement, all of those contracts, get approved by accounts to come to you the most that's why the state tank with their ACA. And so that's why we weren't pleased with their waters. And the trust, they want the trust agreement, because they don't trust us pay the bill. And so it's coming hopefully, and I'm not upset hopefully sometime between now I'm trying to get it as soon as possible as an opportunity to go through the app and raise questions and get those questions answered before a final vote because we have back to court on the fifth. Okay. Okay.
Speaker 4
All right, HP. I hope I hope I gave y'all some valuable information. But again, I want to emphasize, if you care about this city, if you concerned about your well being if you have any inkling of self preservation, suggest everybody in your city stand up and fight and acts for accountability of this Council. We are the Authorized Agent, so everything automatically falls back on us. And if we allow them to do so they'll wrap their ankle around our neck and push us right into the ocean. And I'm not going I can't swim anyway. Okay, so I'm asking you to stand up and fight for the city to make this council be accountable to you. They're not autonomous they're not in charge you are. Don't let them make you think they're in charge. Thank you, HP
Speaker 23
Hello, good. Evening. First off, I want to start off and saying thank you for all of you for being here tonight. Hanging with us through this whole ordeal today. The only thing I want to add today is one I feel like to awake 10 Everybody doesn't seem to be on the same page. With that. It seems like there needs to be clarity that's in place. The other thing I want to add to about jobs being posted. I am surprised that the new CD director, I'm curious of that job was ever like posted and was anybody able to apply and then we get the best person possible for that position. My next question is, you know, I'm not quite sure about the treasurer. You know what's going on or even if that position has to be posted. I'm curious about that as well. And saying that, that's all I have to talk about tonight. And then your question about the contract with Liwa. It was a great question. That was an awesome question. I would like clarity on that myself also. So I plan to be there at knobbies Friday morning at 10 It did I hear that correctly? Yes, I plan to be there because I want some clarity myself. On top of that. I'm also and that being said, that's all I have to say for this evening. I want to say I appreciate you guys. Thank you and great night and I'm gonna go ahead and turn it over to Monica.
Speaker 5
Thank you, everyone. Good evening. In regards to your question, I think we can't answer that chat until we have everything and finance everything before us and I am a home. So as my mother in the rest of my family is here so it affects me as well. I am a homeowner here as long as I can remember. And so again, that affects me as well. I think what has happened is a lot of clarity needs to be done and a lot of understanding because we get a lot of information from I said he said she said Facebook said John Dorsey except from viruses, just the real truth. Now here's a big one. We've been here for a year and every time I say you're rushing it. No one agreed. But what you have seen as people with their emotions, etc. And they target we target the wrong things. I keep hearing I think she left already but she made a great point to sit down and work on the ordinance or if there's some things about the charter. But instead, we focused on a lot of other things. They cost us a distraction. The water was the biggest thing that we have to really attend with. And in between that we're still dealing with a bunch of little small things that can be dealt with either in house or be dealt with at a later time once we figure out what's happening with the water. But everybody wants what they want right now. And I understand that that's what kind of world we live in. It's a right now kind of thing. Well, if you don't answer the way I want you to answer, then it's a problem. But you never stopped to say that I didn't look at that right. And I didn't get that information correct. In regards to the Treasurer, there is a process in our charter that goes down the line and how that goes because she's gonna let you because the other thing with the CD director, I asked some of those similar questions. My understanding is that's a point in position. Okay, so that's their I don't have to agree with it. If especially if it's appointed, I mean, we have to see what it's going to be done for any of those positions. But we still a lot of time on a lot of whether you want anyone wants to admit it or not. I need to get you that I need to do this or this is personal or not taking time to understand and get the real history of what has taken place and everything that we're dealing with. Mostly happened before we even took the seats. The unfortunate part is forgetting the runner, and we're gonna take a lot of anti but again, I keep saying the same thing. Honest, obviously you haven't we haven't had time to sit down and look at an ordinance. We do an ordinance. We can't have a workshop that is productive at work. But God forgive me. You want what you want. I want a whole lot of things too. But I'm not getting them. Neither I look at the same things you look at every single day. I have grandkids that can't go to school. If people are loving, you talk about moving. It will cause a flight if we don't get this right with this one. And what you don't understand is the less people we have the more money you're gonna spend. That's why when you go buy some merchandise. You pay a lot of money for some expensive stuff the other 9% of people came back. They're not in that group. Same thing with the water. If we don't have any people here. It doesn't matter your bill is going to go up. The water department gave a perfect example. person came say hey my water bill V and XYZ, but you forgot to mention that you hadn't paid the bill for three months. That's not that's like not paying the credit card. You won't pay your credit card for three months when the interest it is gonna look totally different. is gonna really look different because you multiply by three and not by one that I saw being distracted by some other stuff. We get the water together and we are working on buildings the buildings weren't good tell you I've come down and asked it all the time. Did you check out such and such Did you check out such as such 2003 or whatever it is? What wasn't built in a day? And I love you think how it's hard gonna flip the switch in one year, two years. It's not going to happen. Okay, how would you go on here? Are you first or tell us how much we're doing wrong? Yes, what you're doing as much damage to us people watching what to say and what to do and how much ammunition you get. I used to sneak this on
Speaker 5
but I guess I'm tired a little bit of the same rhythm of war every single other two weeks and I'm looking at totally the same people. The same thing. I can't talk and I'm not managing. You guys. I say you say how well the problem is the rest of you not here but most of you are dealing with it the way you should be dealing with it. But I really don't know if I'm going to ask those people. Hey, my hand oh, what didn't I do? So maybe some of you should be looking at what you haven't done. No offense. But that's accountability out there too. Because when you want us to be accountable, remember don't say people will come to your house and say you're not accountable to something all that charter all that ordinances were clean. Yeah, well everybody opened down walk outside and clean. They came out I was I was like wallow in downtime. But you got to also do what they do and get. So please, by all means, think about what you're saying. And that goes for us too. That goes for us too. I sit here every week or every other week and try to figure out my words. And how to help us. But if there's more help us guess what, guys? We don't have to sit amongst each other. I don't care if we have a retreat or we're just playing a simple we have to sit down and fix orders. We can fix just two ordinances and worry about three because that's what's affecting us. We going to work on them. So we don't call them out. We might as well start working on one or the other. We need to start working on the business at hand that we were sent here in the ordinance and in the charter and let the rest of it take care of itself because if it's wrong and we fix it, then this can come out in ladies and gentlemen, I appreciate your opinion. I even appreciate your style, because I can see it. But guess what you don't have to like me just respect and understand I will do the best for you that I can but understand this. I've been here over 50 some years. And again, I'm expressing what you're experiencing and I am a whole home.
Unknown Speaker
Have a great day.
Unknown Speaker
Thank you ma'am. Madam president
Unknown Speaker
for the bank one for their prayers my granddaughter's standing home yesterday
Unknown Speaker
and I really want to speak and that's
Speaker 15
the contract would say I need some answers on that because it was
Unknown Speaker
can hear you. The contract with safe built
Speaker 15
was up in September of 2023. So I need some clarity and some information on that. And that's our building inspector code enforcement.
Speaker 13
Yeah, pre K works. Anybody here to explain that to me? Reach
Unknown Speaker
out to the mayor as well.
Unknown Speaker
I'll relay the information to the mayor.
Unknown Speaker
That's it thanks for coming. Thank you very much.
Speaker 1
So if I can get you to focus on the screen for just a second is a tool I want to share with the citizens in the city. This website is called development tracker, Detroit. I'm going to make it big. It looks big on my little screen here. But I got three layers of glasses here. This development tracker is a tool for the city, right? It shows every active development taking place in the city right now. And if you scroll it up, you see this gray area up here. That's us. That's us, is a half a billion 
dollars at play right now in the city of Detroit. This is a tool that I was introduced to as a developer but anybody can use it. I would encourage people to go and look at this website, click on one of these things and get some questions answered about a development any development you want to know what's happening on Woodward Avenue. Go to go to New Grace Baptist Church and building lofts. What will it tell you about the developmental tell me it'll tell you that the developer Neal check of raincheck development is in Birmingham. He purchased the former building. All right, it'll tell you what it was purchased for $900,000 Okay. Plans are converted into 15 lofts. Starting February 2022 tools like this can help you call your understanding about the development process is very complicated. Okay, for people to get a master's degree in urban planning is two months, 24 months, two years. It's a lot. So we don't expect the citizens to just show up here knowing everything that an urban planner or a developer would know. But there's a resources that you can use to help improve your learning curve. The question that was asked to the young lady in the back, do you agree with the whole water deal with the Great Lakes Water Authority? So I'm gonna make sure I tread lightly because technically, we're still in a mediation process. And as a mediator, you don't screw up the mediation I'll just say this about 2000 and change people that live here to own a house. Okay, about 2000 people, and just about everybody else that doesn't own property is kind of visiting so that the fear of 2000 people, mostly African American people whose homes were their primary investment, this is where their wealth building is the prospect of those people, and everybody else. losing them was terrifying to me. I didn't just move here. There are 11 people in my family who lived in Highland Park. There's my household and for the household with the unknown and I moved my family here. So they're here. They live in right here in Highland Park with the rest of us. So what happens to my house happens to their house. I walked into a room with MC square and it was a table long as this space in front of us and on one side was all ugly with people and on the other side was us. Now if you've ever had sweat on the back of your backside, when you sit or stand, you know that that is a feeling of anxiety or stress, because you know that what you're facing is monumental. We were outgunned. Big time. And okay how many books are read when they started throwing those documents at me to read was overwhelming is a lot. A lot of learning a very steep learning curve in a very short period of time. Do I feel Do I agree what the outcome was? Hail? Yeah, I do. Everybody loves sausages but nobody wants to know how they're made. And if you saw how they were made, you might become a vegan. It was kind of like that. She's sitting over there real nice and quiet right now but she got a mouthpiece and appear hand wraps on her purse, because it was like that. So do I agree with what's happening right now considering the alternative Yeah, yeah, do you? I do. I'm ecstatic that we got to this point. I'm ecstatic that we got to this point.
+3
dollars at play right now in the city of Detroit. This is a tool that I was introduced to as a developer but anybody can use it. I would encourage people to go and look at this website, click on one of these things and get some questions answered about a development any development you want to know what's happening on Woodward Avenue. Go to go to New Grace Baptist Church and building lofts. What will it tell you about the developmental tell me it'll tell you that the developer Neal check of raincheck development is in Birmingham. He purchased the former building. All right, it'll tell you what it was purchased for $900,000 Okay. Plans are converted into 15 lofts. Starting February 2022 tools like this can help you call your understanding about the development process is very complicated. Okay, for people to get a master's degree in urban planning is two months, 24 months, two years. It's a lot. So we don't expect the citizens to just show up here knowing everything that an urban planner or a developer would know. But there's a resources that you can use to help improve your learning curve. The question that was asked to the young lady in the back, do you agree with the whole water deal with the Great Lakes Water Authority? So I'm gonna make sure I tread lightly because technically, we're still in a mediation process. And as a mediator, you don't screw up the mediation I'll just say this about 2000 and change people that live here to own a house. Okay, about 2000 people, and just about everybody else that doesn't own property is kind of visiting so that the fear of 2000 people, mostly African American people whose homes were their primary investment, this is where their wealth building is the prospect of those people, and everybody else. losing them was terrifying to me. I didn't just move here. There are 11 people in my family who lived in Highland Park. There's my household and for the household with the unknown and I moved my family here. So they're here. They live in right here in Highland Park with the rest of us. So what happens to my house happens to their house. I walked into a room with MC square and it was a table long as this space in front of us and on one side was all ugly with people and on the other side was us. Now if you've ever had sweat on the back of your backside, when you sit or stand, you know that that is a feeling of anxiety or stress, because you know that what you're facing is monumental. We were outgunned. Big time. And okay how many books are read when they started throwing those documents at me to read was overwhelming is a lot. A lot of learning a very steep learning curve in a very short period of time. Do I feel Do I agree what the outcome was? Hail? Yeah, I do. Everybody loves sausages but nobody wants to know how they're made. And if you saw how they were made, you might become a vegan. It was kind of like that. She's sitting over there real nice and quiet right now but she got a mouthpiece and appear hand wraps on her purse, because it was like that. So do I agree with what's happening right now considering the alternative Yeah, yeah, do you? I do. I'm ecstatic that we got to this point. I'm ecstatic that we got to this point. 
Speaker 1
So Miss manacles point most of our constituents are at home. They work today to take care of their kids or their grandkids. Their time tired. They're not participating in government. The vast majority of the 8900 people that live in Hyde Park are not even paying attention to what's going on the city council are rented to them up in glory. I ran into him at the gas station. I'm getting some pizza I see those people have known them. For almost 20 years. And some of them still don't even know who the people that are on city council. Some of them have asked about the former mayor as if they were still mayor. That's just a reality. This is our community that we live in. But rest assured when I go to Lansing and somebody asked me where I'm from, and I tell them I live in Highland Park and I tell them I'm a city council president they go Oh, who am I? I got a couple of words for you. Okay, when I'm downtown on the Coleman Young building Yeah, I'm at the McNamara building. Yeah. They're watching. Don't believe nobody is watching. A lot of people are watching this little three square mile piece of real estate is the most valuable real estate in southeastern Michigan, because it's standing right in the middle of all those developments that I just showed you. It's a very uncomfortable feeling to be embarrassed about where you live, because of the reputation of the way that the government functions in your community. And it didn't start last year it started in the years preceding administration. So it's a rough, rough thing to love the city. You show it through your actions less so by your words, so don't believe nobody's watching. Last again for Black History Month. I mentioned Alonzo Bates. Those of you who don't know, Alonzo Bates, inspired by Coleman a young. They started a project in the late 1970s, early 1980s. For those who are not aware, that is when they started to impose special education on black children and cities and all sorts of fantastic pharmaceutical therapies were tried on children all over America to try and contribute havior and there was a cry from educators far and wide about why are we focusing all this money on dominant children down what is being done about our gifted children. And there was a discussion that there were no gifted children to even contend with. Alonso Bates? Army Henderson, boleros, Collins, kink okro Coleman Young, John Conyers. They all felt different. And so in the halls of government in the city of Detroit in the late 1970s, they put together a band for creating the Detroit School for the gifted and talented so that regular urban kids could have exposure to a professional private education. So at Bates Academy, they created a curriculum where students before they graduated from the eighth grade, learn several languages. They learn rhetoric, they learn debate, they learn critical thinking. Some of the first Apple computers in the state of Michigan where we're at Bates Academy, students at Bates Academy band and orchestra placed at the top of the podium on a regular basis. Bates Academy's academic Games team is still renowned and revered to this day in the students from Bates Academy, the first graduating class in 1985. The students laid it out to Cass tech Renaissance you will be ligat Cranbrook and they became some of the most prominent individuals in Metro Detroit offer a belief that gifted children need the same education in the same focus that special needs children are required. Well, Mr. Bates, his funeral services tomorrow. He is also a very distinguished member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity incorporated his Omega service was today and I just wanted to take the time to recognize this man because he changed the lives of more people than you know, if you watched surviving our Kelly, the director dream Hampton class in 1985. You at sports LZ Granderson RateBeer fates alumni, the head of the National Association of architects Bates alumni, so I just wanted to make sure that the man gets his flowers. And with that, having concluded all business for the city of Highland Park, the Chair will declare tonight's meeting adjourned thank you. Once that is the Detroit that the name of that site is Detroit developer. Detroit development track devoted