all right. Good morning, everyone. We will call to order our formal session for Tuesday, October the 15th. And Madam Clerk, please call the roll
council member Scott Benson.
Benson aye. Council member Fred
Doha the third.
Council member Letitia Johnson, Council Member Gabriel Santiago Romero present.
Council member Mary Walters present.
Council member answer Whitfield Callaway. Councilman McComb, again, the
second
council president for Tim James Tate,
and Council President Mary Sheffield present.
We have a quorum. President, Madam President,
alright, there being a quorum, we are in session, and we will start off with our invocation for this morning, we have joining us pastor Darryl Smith from Shiloh chapel, Church of God in Christ, who will start us in our invocation this morning.
God bless you. May Heaven smile upon you, Dear heavenly Father. We thank you. On this day that you have made, we're going to rejoice and be glad in it. We thank you for how you watched over us, even on last night as we slumber and slip. Oh God, we pray Lord that you will bless us on today in the name of Jesus, bless our city council President Mary Sheffield and in the name of Jesus, and bless each and every city councilman in the name of Jesus, even right now, bless their homes, bless their families in the mighty name of Jesus. We thank You God, because you are God. And besides you, there is none other. Oh God, we love you on this morning because you first loved us. Oh God, you've been so good to us. You've been so kind. God, you've been so merciful. We pray Lord, that you will stay the hand of death and bless our coming in today, and bless our going out in the name of Jesus. Oh God, bless our children. Most of all, bless the city of Detroit. Oh God, we pray now that you stop the violence. Oh God, in the name of Jesus, look on us now. Cover us under your blood. Oh in the name of Jesus, you said in your word, in all things, give thanks. And we thank you now what you've done, we thank you right now for what you're going to do, what you've already done. We pray these blessings in Jesus name, thank God, Amen, amen,
amen. Thank you so much, Pastor. We appreciate you and that invocation and thank you. Council member durha has joined us. Council member Johnson has joined us, and council member, Santiago Romero,
purpose so No,
all right, the Journal of the session of Tuesday, November, excuse me, Tuesday, September, the 24th will be approved. There being no reconsiderations or unfinished business. We will proceed to the internal operations standing committee for the internal operations standing committee, six reports from various city departments. These six reports will be referred to the internal operations standing committee or the Neighborhood and Community Services standing committee,
two reports from various city departments.
The two reports will be referred to the Neighborhood and Community Services standing committee for the Planning and Development Committee,
10 reports from very C departments.
The 10 reports will be referred to the Planning and Economic Development standing committee or the public health and safety standing committee,
18 reports from various C departments. The
18 reports will be referred to the public health and safety standing committee and before we proceed, I completely forgot that member Callaway has a presentation. Yeah, so I would turn the floor over to my colleague now for a special presentation.
Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair, and good morning everyone. It is my honor and my privilege to present the Spirit of Detroit award on behalf of the entire city council to
principal
Pembroke Academy to congratulate you on the school's designation by the United States Department of Education as a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School.
The National Blue Ribbon School designation is given to public and non public schools through a nomination process based on student performance on state assessments in reading and math, or a composite of performance on these assessments. Pembroke Academy is only the fourth city of Detroit elementary school to earn such an honor, and the first since 2001 I think that's 23 years ago. That's 23 years ago. Pembroke also earned the added distinction of exemplary achievement gap closing school. Schools that earned this recognition are ones that excel in narrowing achievement gaps between different student groups and the overall student body. Other recent accolades for Pembroke Academy include being named a Michigan reward school for its high academic achievement. This recognition is earned by schools that rank in the top 5% in the state, and I'm gonna say that again, this recognition is earned by schools that rank in the top 5% in the state based on standardized test score data, including achievement improvement or beating the odds. On behalf of council member Calloway, the Detroit City Council and the entire city of Detroit, we congratulate Pembroke Academy and its leadership on their contributions to the community.
And if we can have her come down to the microphone first,
we're right in front, right in front. Yes, ma'am, and you'll press the button, it'll turn green, and we would love to hear from you press the button in the middle. Yeah, here you go. And thank you.
Good morning, everybody. Thank you so very much. Council member Callaway for this honor. We work so hard at Pembroke Academy, so it is honor to be recognized for all of our hard work. I've got a few of my colleagues here with us today, and a board member and my husband and I wish I could bring all the students, and we also have a scholar here with us as well. I wish I could bring all of our families, because it takes a true united effort. We always say that it sounds it can sound cliche at times. It takes a village to raise a child, and it takes a concerted effort, and an intentional effort from all parties, a dedicated staff at Pembroke Academy, committed students and very supportive parents and transparency and education. So we're just so grateful to be recognized for all the hard work that we do at Pembroke Academy. So thank you so much to everybody.
Thank you. If you could say your name for the record, my name is Selwyn Kinsey,
and where's the school located at Pembroke Academy. It's in Detroit, West side of Detroit, on Pembroke Avenue and Mansfield is the crossroads. Is it open enrollment? Yes, it's open enrollment. So what grade levels? Wi Fi, young, fives all the way up to eighth grade, and
what's the telephone number to the school?
Oh, 313-243-0092,
thank you so much.
Thank you so much. And I
don't know if you to bring your staff up, because we're going to take pictures, if anybody else wants to add or say something. Thank you all so much. And the young scholar, nice. Yes.
No, no, okay, well, we would come down. Congratulations. We'll come down and join for a group Photo. Yes, please. Thank you.
Spirit.
Thank you For Yeah, Everybody,
right here,
all right. Thank
you so much council member Callaway for that presentation into Pembroke Academy. We thank you for the work that you're doing in our city, and we congratulate you on all that you are doing. So thank you so much for the recognition to council member Callaway for doing that, and we will now continue back to our agenda for this morning and moving along to voting action matters. I'm sorry, voting action matters. All right under other matters, there are no items, Madam President, under communications from the mayor and other governmental officials and agencies,
there are no items by the President. Okay, we will call for public comment,
and everyone will have a minute and a half for general public comment this morning, and we're going to cut off our public comment as well. We will start with you. Miss Betty Lyons
can't even see it. The right to know law show me evidence, Attorney Whitaker in black and white that I was notified of the overpaid property taxes, and that I sign away money belonging to me that even sounds stupid, the over $600 million belonging to the Detroit residents, we have this right to know. Show us, Mr. Whitaker, if you are a child of Father God and His Son Jesus Christ, show us It's your move. I give praise to Mr. Howard, the young man of emoji, for his strive to excellence. And watching the replay of last week, neither Benson, Kate young, der hall or Whitaker. And of course, the mayor, neither gave verbal praise to this young man, but say something against Romera and the Mexicans, and they speak up putting them on a pedestal, protecting her right to the killing of unborn babies when Miss Callaway, thank you, Miss Councilman Callaway for questioning and showing guts and protecting Detroit and its residents from the carpetbaggers trying to flip the script. I saw that, and I saw through that evilness and council did not stand strong with her.
All right, thank you, Miss Lyons, rest Belle, you left. Okay? Joe Pico, Hi there. I'm
Joe with Detroit anti war committee. I'm here today to call upon you the City Council, to divest from the Zionist apartheid state known as Israel. Last Monday, October 7, marked a year since so called Israel began their genocide against Palestinians. At this time, it is estimated that at minimum, over 150,000 people have been murdered, with some of the highest estimates at 700,000 the human mind has trouble comprehending such large numbers, but please, for a moment, try to imagine the sheer suffering indicated by them. They do not account for the families who are left behind to grieve while they are still starving and suffering from preventable diseases. They do not account for the sheer destruction called by so called Israel, the art that has been lost, the universities, the hospitals, the little shops on street corners, the fields, the crops, the livestock, the pet cats and dogs who will wait by the crater where their home once was for their owners, the toys that will never be played with, the families here in Detroit who wait by the phone every day to know if their loved ones are safe, the families who are not able to grieve, the families who cannot even bury their loved ones. For a year, we have watched the City Council do nothing except issue a milestone, yet equivocally milk toast ceasefire resolution. That is why I refuse, as every member of Doc does, to remain complicit any longer City Council Members, I ask that you wake up and that you take a note from Dearborn, who has already led the charge for divestment by passing their own resolution. Detroit made history last year by passing its ceasefire resolution, and that's why I'm calling to make history once more. Thank you
great. Thank you so much. Madison Westmoreland,
hello. My name is Madison, and I'm also here with the Detroit anti war committee to call upon the City Council of Detroit to divest from Israel and stop any cross training and affiliation with the IOF. How do you find food and water in the rubble of what used to be your city, the streets you used to know it has now been over a year of full blown genocide in Haza, one year of Palestinians, families, friends, neighbors, co workers, going missing or being killed, one year of being denied aid, one year of less and less children being heard on the streets. The people of Palestine must face the horrors of war every day they have no rest or relief. Though we may be able to close our eyes, we've been shown that the suffering only continues to escalate. The hands of the IOF, that is why we're calling on the city of Detroit to divest from this genocide in a call for a resolution of ceasefire. Thank you free Palestine,
thank you so much. Sean Markle,
hello. My name is Sean from Detroit anti war committee. As our name implies, we are an anti war group of Detroit and Metro Detroit citizens, and we're fighting to cut all ties between our city and war profiteering. Divestment from any company that profits from Imperialism is one such way this goal will be achieved. This is this has been achieved only 10 miles away in Dearborn which voted to divest from any companies that are connected to so called Israel, which in just one year has caused war in the Middle East region. It has perpetuated a genocide which has killed hundreds of 1000s of Palestinians. In only a few short weeks, the Israeli occupation forces have murdered hundreds of Lebanese civilians, families from across Metro Detroit were trapped in Lebanon as bombs dropped, and there are 1000s of other American citizens that have been entirely forgotten by their government. This cannot shock us, however, from the Detroit City Council to our federal government, we are wholly invested in maintaining this war. It is an American made American paid bombs that are being dropped on Palestinian children on Lebanese, mothers on Yemeni, fathers, it is our tax dollars behind every bullet fired, including the one that killed American activist aishun or AGI. It is imperative that we cut the ties between ourselves and all those who profit from war. Over a year has passed since the genocide and this war began, and it has only gotten more and more dire. City council members, how many more people have to die before you listen? Thank you,
right. Thank you so much. President Pro Tem has joined us as well. Madam Clerk, morning pro tem, Ronald Foster, followed by Ms Williams,
good morning through the chair. President, just real quick. First thing I appreciate what this legislative body has been doing, I will ask that you guys have an independent commission to look into the tragedy of the officer that put on his uniform and did what he did yesterday. Independent Commission. Secondly, I'm advocating, as I've been advocating for the last three years, and meaningful mental health within this community across the board. Thirdly, with the state of suicides and a new facility. Lack of precinct delegates, lack of delegate conventions, as the MCO says, lack of constituent response, lack of a year to the community, lack of community engagement. I am writing in for Commissioner Wayne County Commission in the second district. I do believe that I have contributed to this body and to council individually, and I ask for that same support before you guys run for your next thing. I think that legislative bodies is very important. I think personally in this city, we have been lacking in the second Commission, as well as the 13th congressional and both of them need to be strengthened up. And so I ask you guys to advocate for meaningful mental health. I ask you guys to support my endeavors as a write in, just as our Mayor Duggan wrote in, and hopefully I could have the same success. Thank you all.
Thank you so much, Mr. Foster and wish you the absolute best sir. And lastly, for in person, would be Miss Williams.
Hello, everyone. Two weeks ago, I was speaking about police officers, and I just found out firefighters are living in shelters. Also my issue and concern, like I stressed two weeks ago, if you have the means to pay rent, go pay rent now. Like I said, I stress two weeks ago that I am in a shelter, women's shelter, but and I'm not being prejudiced, prejudice or anything concerning this issue. It's for women, not for men. And when you are born a man and come into a facility and you carry a badge and be in a dressing room with women, it's an issue. Now I want to I'm curious to know why so many helicopters flying over this facility and who's in there, who's paying for it, and drones at 636 in the morning. This is not acceptable, and I'm going to continue to talk about homeless people. See how cold it is people and when they can't even get a bed, that's not acceptable. And a lot of people don't like me speaking about this. And if somebody do their job correctly, you can find out all you got to find out who just graduated pictures, and what they doing is committing fraud, and they took a O, and people need accountable. Thank you.
Thank you so much. Miss Williams. All right, that will conclude all of our in person public comment. We will go to those who have joined us virtually
Morning, Madam President, for 25 people who had raised their hands before you would cut off public comment, and the first caller on Zoom is Amy KRAS, good morning. Can
I be heard?
Yes, you can Wonderful. Thank
you again. My name is Amy Krass. I am speaking from the Detroit the Research and Policy Program Manager of the Detroit Food Policy Council. I'm also a lifelong Detroit resident and currently living in district two, and I wanted to express my request for this council to set a public hearing for both aspects, the zoning side and the licensing side of the animal keeping ordinance. Today, this has been in process for quite a long time. It's been a couple years that we've been working closely with city staff and animal keepers and concerned neighbors to make this ordinance as responsive as possible to the needs as many people as possible in the community. Almost every other city that is similar to Detroit across the country already has an ordinance like this in place. Most of our border cities also have an ordinance like this in place. So it you know, it's our opinion that it is time to pass this, and we thank the city council and the staff for their work on this issue.
Okay, thank you so much
the next caller is election integrity. Roo
right. Ruben Crawley, go right ahead.
Hey. Joker Mimi's birthday was Sunday. You call her and wish her a happy birthday. Mary Sheffield, Kenisha Coleman's birthday is today, and they still got that tag of suicide on her over at the Detroit Police Department, City of Detroit, y'all saying she killed herself. Well now the Michigan State Police review report of the investigation that they did the review, the redacted version is in the hands of the board of police commissioners. They got a about a week ago, couple weeks ago, redacted, redacted version and unredacted version is in a suicide file, suicide file over Detroit Police Department. That's the unredacted version because when the board of police commissioners voted to subpoena the record unredacted from the Detroit Police Department on that Thursday evening, the very next morning, the Friday morning, the current, current board of police commissioners, Chairman Darryl Woods went in and told the acting secretary of the board of police commissioners to now start this subpoena process, usurping the board's directive.
All right. Thank you so much our next caller, please.
Next caller is Stephen Holling,
can I be heard?
Yes, you can.
I first want to say about these comic plans, speaking against Israel. Yes, it is no secret what's going on in Palestine. It's horrible, and the tactics Israel uses violates international laws. And you know, I do regret speaking against the ceasefire resolution, if it came there today, I would be in full support. But we gotta understand, Israel is a nation. It is the Jewish state, and you know, it has its right to exist. And you know when a bunch of rich white kids come, you know, spewing misinformation and somehow anti semitic. And, you know, I've heard a few of these people on social media defend October 7. That's a big problem. You know, in Bloomfield Township, they're about to oust the trust, see, because, you know, she said a very di Israel comment. You know, what we need is a two state solution. And you know how the world's going now is, it's not looking good, unfortunately. You know, instead of these people going talking about Israel and disinvestment, what they should do is try to get Netanyahu thrown out of office, because as long as he's ruling, I mean, this whole thing's going to continue. So I hope these kids need
Okay. Thank you so much.
The next caller is William M Davis,
uh, good morning. Can I be heard?
Yes, you can. Good morning.
Good morning. Um, I think the city of Detroit Police Department, city council and the board of police commission should establish and maintain a wrongful arrest log. And also, I think it should be a greater effort to identify repeat officers just repeatedly doing wrongful arrest, you know, because it seems like that's a means to discriminate against black people in the city of Detroit. Strongly. Also, I think a stronger effort needs to be done as relates to wrongful convictions, we have too many, especially black people, black and brown people, that's being wrongfully convicted and tragically spending years in prison, and ultimately, the city has to pay millions of dollars for this. So I think more effort needs to be made on the front end to reduce the number of wrongful convictions, to reduce the number of wrongful arrests. I think that the city council is sleeping on the job. They could do more as relates to making sure people realize, making sure police officers realize there is a problem and something needs to be done. Thank you.
All right. Thank you so much. Mr. Davis,
the next caller is phone number ending in 169
caller, 169 Good morning.
Oh, can you guys hear me.
Yes, we can. I
just want to thank everybody listening at home. Um, thank you for praying for brother Cunningham. I got the info about this, about this meeting, from Brother Cunningham's Facebook page. I see council president rode the busses, and I just want to tell them thank you. Um, I seen council member Durham rode the busses yesterday and gave out pizza. And I also seen brother Cunningham's Facebook page. He was in the hospital, and I want to thank all y'all you know for keeping him lifted in prayers. Also, I like to add that there should not be a rent increase for Social Security benefits. Um, Social Security benefits only increase once every year, and that increase does not exceed the rent every year they already have limited funds, needs and assessments and have to take utilities, everything else that increases, there's no room for once, increased a lot more, and rent should be decreased a lot less. Is something we can do about that.
Okay, thank you so much for calling in, and I share your concerns regarding the rent increases that are happening throughout the city, and it's only so much we can do here at the council table, because it requires changes in state law, but it is something that I'm sure all of us are keeping our eye on to figure out how we can better address that issue. So thank you for calling in, and we are keeping Mr. Cunningham in prayer, sir, Okay, our next caller, please.
Next caller is Cunningham. Oh
mister Cunningham, good morning.
Good morning. All 313444911431344491143134449114,
you. That number was made so you can remember it. And on Facebook, you put in three words, click people and put expensive vehicle repair again, expensive vehicle repairs, expensive vehicle repairs. And many of you have contacted me via Facebook. So Councilman dirhall, we had a great event yesterday, like pizza. I gave out about 10 cases, and I gave out 10 cases, and they gave out just so much pizza and bus tickets. And I'd like to thank Councilman durhall for donating, for thank you for the donation, for more bus tickets and etc. I appreciate you. And if I can get down there, I was getting my vehicle repair. Councilwoman Walters office has some hand warmers for me, and I'm gonna try to get downtown. I was getting my vehicle repaired this morning, so I came in on Zoom, asking everyone to sign up voice, to ride the busses, and lastly, drink a lot of water, praying Holy Spirit or chant, put my name and atmosphere. My mother sho Marie Lyons, all right.
Thank you so much, Mr. Cunningham, Madam
President, Council Member Durham, thank you, Madam President, and I just want to give a big shout out to brother, Cunningham. I think you know we hear him come down here every single day, or be on these calls every single day, and really don't understand the magnitude of what that brother does being down at that bus station, taking his own money to feed people outside of the bus station, people who are homeless, people who have no shelter, people who have no clothing, and then buys bus tickets to be able to do that, and so to be down there amongst the people yesterday and just witness that road, the busses there and back down to the transit center, to a specific location, we got to experience a lot of what works with DDOT and what does not work with DDOT, and How far we have come, but how so much farther we have to go? So I do want to thank personally and publicly, brother Cunningham for everything that he does. If you have not done that and witness what he does, it is truly amazing, and it's it touches your heart as it seems as if he is just sent by God to do that and advocate for those who need it. So thank you again, brother Cunningham for allowing us to come with you yesterday. Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you so much. Member, durha, Okay, our next caller, please.
Next caller is Marguerite Maddox, Scarlet
I was one of the writers, and
I am glad. I am glad that now what have to deal with every day and every night. Thank you, Mr. Doher and and for me, for me, we need to do a better job with public transportation all together. Ministry of
to you,
crumbling. Ridiculous, crumbling up so I would like hours in
September, thank you very much.
Okay, thank you so much. Miss Maddox, and we will get with you. I think we do have a way to connect with you and get specifically where in the new center area you're referring to with the sidewalks that you would like us to look into and address and make sure that we report those to the appropriate department. So I will have my team follow up with you today to get those specific areas in the new center area. So thank you so much for calling Miss Maddox, and we will continue.
The next caller is we see you Good
morning and through the chair. Mabbie, hurt Yes, I am calling to address 22.2 and 22.3 to amend the charter to allow them to put solar wherever they want, to put solar and not go by any zoning. It was interesting that that a planning meeting brought out that someone was building a building they were going to be able to sell back their energy to DTE. And I'm wondering why Detroit citizens don't get the same deal. We should be able to sell the the energy back this. This particular planning has a battery pack on site where they store the energy. I'm not sure the ordinances of that, or the zoning of that, or how they're able to do that. Could you please explain. 22.6 I have no I have no idea what this exchange is, and I just need to have a little more understanding of what's going on there. 22 dot 13 is Section Eight housing memorandum that there are no answers in, but I would like to see the answers to that. Who is actually getting this section eight, HUD funding money. I'm also in an interest in the special revenue funding that the police keep coming up with. Could you tell me where the the could? Could I be told where the source of this funding is and how much is in this fund? Thank you.
Yep. Thank you so much. Miss Hughes, and I was looking at the agenda, all of the items that you mentioned are all referrals, so we won't be taking those up today. They will be referred to the various committees and having further discussion this week. So please stay tuned for those committee meetings for additional information on those items. Okay, our next caller, please.
Next caller is Peggy Goodwin. Miss
Goodwin, good morning.
Good morning. Can
you hear me?
Yes,
good morning. First and foremost, I'm Peggy Goodwin, I represent the Detroit towing association the police authorized towers. I'm also a tow rate Commissioner. I want to send my heartfelt condolences to the Detroit Police Department and everyone, especially the officers impacted and their families by yesterday's tragedy. It really is, is something we should very much focus on also. I'm up here to speak about agenda item 16.2 to 16.4 those police authorized tow contracts should be moved forward today. They have nothing to do with the tow rate Commission or the tow rate increase group we are requesting. They are from the contracts that were awarded in the end of 2022 and the city underestimated, essentially the volume of toes, so the towers are being punished and not paid because of a mistake the city made. So please award those contract amendments and move those forward. The towers work extremely hard in dangerous conditions, and they should not be unpaid. Nobody should be working for free. Thank you for your time. All right, thank you.
The next caller is Samsung. S, 227, U,
good morning. May I be heard?
Yes, you can.
My name is Ruby. I was calling seeing if I get some information. I believe, before you all went on vacation in June, the Community Health Corps was reinstated with some funds. Correct me, if I'm wrong, they sent us a letter January the second. I think it's January 2 or the sixth, that a lot of people get information about that, that they were out of funds so that, that I was approved for, I would like to have it. I was only they gave me one part of it. But that didn't put a damper in anything other than the insurance rate. So if you can, would you let me know if that funds was reinstated? And I would like to have them go back to where I was approved and finished doing what they supposed to be doing under Detroit Community Health Corps. Also, I would like to send my prayers out to the Detroit Police Officers that's in my district, District Three, because I go to their meetings every time they have a meeting. I don't know who it was, but I will be going up there to, you know, give them my condolences and prayers, also with the what's going on with these people that the police have to go go see after. I think it should be a drone that should they should have to fly over there before they go into there to risk their life. So drones will be very good for wherever there's a problem going that they can go in there and see what's going on, to see, you know, so they don't get killed. All right.
Thank you so much.
Next caller is Joyce Jennings, good morning.
Good morning. Everyone.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month in 2011 I formed women influencing nations network after transitioning from the city of Detroit, after suing the city and winning, I was an employee of the mayor's office responsible for transitioning the 311 project to city services, where we were responsible for customer service, recommendations for process improvement for 43 departments After leaving the city of Detroit and winning a lawsuit settlement, I began caring for my mother, who was a survivor of elder abuse by one of my siblings, and as I was taking care of my mother in my home, she saw the constant reach of citizens throughout Detroit requesting my support on how to best engage with the city of Detroit. So through my mother's influence, I formed women influencing nations network. You can go online under Laura and look me up, and with President Mary Sheffield's father's assistance, in 2016 I set my business up, reorganize the structure to become a nonprofit organization. My work is focused on healed people. Healing people, if we don't deal with the root causes of our traumas or pain and truth, healing will never begin. We need a healing in Detroit, every square mile, all
right. Thank you so much.
The next caller is Betty a Varner,
good morning. Good morning to all within the sound of my voice, I have a question directed to honorable council member durhall, I read in your summer district seven newsletter that there's a snow removal program that you advocated for for $1.2 million a one time to create A snow removal grant program for community groups to assist with snow removal services for seniors and disabled residents, enhancing safety and accessibility during winter months. Can you please share with us what is the status? Also, I want to speak again about the program that D triple A has to help seniors stay in their homes. It's a federal program that allows you to have a higher income so that you can be eligible for Medicaid. If you're eligible for Medicaid, it assists. There's many programs out there that can assist you with your challenges. If you are a senior and you have mobility problems and you have a problem walking and there are things that you can't do for yourself, this program and help you. 313-446-4444,
thank you.
All right. Thank you so much. Council member, duha,
thank you, Madam President, and Miss Verner. I assure you that program is moving along nicely as we build it out. I've had multiple discussions with the Department of neighborhoods, as well as the director of the dimes, Ray Solomon, and we are going through the details and the nuances. This is something that has not been done before. In the way that it is going to be done and roll out. We should have more information, but we are pushing hard to accelerate this as we know it is getting cold outside, and unfortunately, I hope not too soon, but the snow will be here soon, and so we will have more details on that specific program, we think, within the next 30 days, for residents, so they know what that looks like, as well as community organizations and how they will be able to obtain that funding and who it could be contracted too, so we will get that information to you very soon. Thank you, Madam President,
thank you. Right, our next caller, please.
Next caller is Karen's iPad. Hello.
All right, good morning.
Good morning.
Yeah, the
Saturday unscheduled committee cancelation, and I'm pretty sure that that was not proper. Now, if that individual person didn't work that day, that individual person can't, doesn't have the authority to cancel the entire committee because she wants to be off or even towards the heat. So I think that's out of line. I think that some people are doing more than than they're authorized to do. And I would implore everyone to, you know, to read the, you know, read the bylaws and things the Constitution, and, you know, make sure you're not doing things and allowing things you know that are illegal for you to do. Now, you guys are a full time body. The council is and you should meet every business day and you don't. And the schedule should be posted the very first meeting, the entire schedule for the entire year. And you should, you should post variances to the schedule. We have to wait until somebody decides to put something on the calendar before we know what's going on,
what's you know,
it just keeps you on edge. I can't plan, you can't plan anything. So I think we should take a look at that. Open Meetings Act says that you gotta, you know, you gotta give people the opportunity to speak at every meeting. You can't decide. You gotta have your rules written. You can't change them every other day. And you know, do what you want to do with us. Thanks.
Next caller is Bobby Johnson.
Bobby Johnson, good morning.
Good morning. How are you guys? Good morning. Greetings. Council, we have several towing contracts that will receive huge increases. These contracts need to be reinvestigated. The city residents already pay huge charges, plus there's an administration fee that that no one seems to know where this fee is going next. Contract 6006567, a contract for 1,400,000 for blight and alley infrastructure. Please explain what this is about and what this will will achieve. We need help with mental health. Our children need a community where they can thrive. A lot of children are failure to thrive in our communities. We need an ordinance about these liquor stores. We also need our children to feel safe in our community. We need our recreation center that first they're cutting down the trees. Now they're not. It's about to turn winter. The ground is getting cold. So how long in the process is this recreation center going to take? And this for years, as a lot of people have said they've seen a lot of things in this four years. I've seen a lot of things, but I haven't seen a lot of the council members coming to the far west side to hold activities, to come and check on them, to even come and walk through the west side of or Cody Rouge after the flooding, or anything like that. But I'll see a lot of you guys when it's time for election and you want our votes,
right? Thank you so much. Miss Johnson.
Next caller is Cindy Dara,
good morning. Miss Cindy Dara,
good morning. I want everybody to vote for k, k and k, not Z, k, k and k. That's Kyra and and Kim running for the Supreme Court, and it will not say Democrat under him, Kim was a newspaper striker in 1995 and then as a journalist for the newspaper, I helped on that, and she went to law school in 2000 and now she's teaching at U of M law school. And Kyra was appointed to the Supreme Court to fill a vacancy, and she's going to fill out the same the rest of the term if she gets elected. She appointed, she tried to hire a returning citizen to do some research, and one of the other judges subjected, which is ridiculous, but Okay, so I went to the city clerk to get the sample ballot. You can't even read it. I want to know from you, is there a tax capture out of these school millages that are on the ballot? I want to know. Is there any tax captures from brownfield or from the you know, any of your programs, are you going to capture any of that school millage? Can you answer me for a change. I'd like to hear right now if you know, if you don't, thank you
so much. Ms, Dara, and would love to always answer your questions and concerns as it relates to that particular proposal. Proposal. SS, on the beyond a ballot, I am not sure, and would love to see if LPD could come to the microphone at some point during our session today and can provide a response regarding proposal s that will be on the ballot, which is the millage for our Detroit public schools. So if you hang on a little bit longer, I will have someone from LPD come up and just briefly give as much information as possible to that particular millage. Okay. Thank you so much. Miss Cindy Dara,
the next caller is Renard monks.
All right. Renard monsie, good morning.
Good morning. Can I be heard?
Yes, you can.
Good morning, Madam
President and members of council. Name is Rena Rossi for the record, District Six resident, and I'm a proud organizer with Detroit people's platform. Um, I wanted to just speak to a question or line item a long time ago that we submit it, and it was about the ARPA expenditures for arpas, the American rescue plan act for DDOT. You know, there was $51 million allocated to the department, and through the chair, you did your due diligence. So did the body did in sending the memo to DDOT, but there's still no answer. And I just wanted to know within the session, if possible, answer, have you gotten anything back from DDOT on that? I'm actually a little bit concerned about the unspent or unprogrammed money with ARPA as well, too, if we're going to be on track to spend this federal money, this was a huge investment into our city. And the thing is, when this city needs to prove that it can handle these types of AIDS and money from the federal government, because that's ultimately all of our money, you know, that we paid to them, so we need to make sure that that's being used for the the promises and the commitments that we as bus riders made with DDOT, with DDOT reimagined, and the ARPA expenditures. And as we go into the next year, we gotta get a plan to get these busses above 70% on time performance, because 30% being late all the time, or routes not functioning, especially in the early morning and late hours, is not acceptable. Thank you.
All right. Thank you so much. Bernard, and we will follow up with the department and see the status of the memo that we sent regarding the ARPA allocation to DDOT to see where they are in responding to that memo, and we will follow up with you via email. And then secondly, we are working on having a committee of a whole and or discussion in budget Finance and Audit regarding the status of ARPA to date, so stay tuned for that as well. All right, thank you.
The next caller is calling user, one
other user, one good morning. You.
Caller, use a one good morning.
Okay, let's come back to caller. User one, please.
Okay. Next caller is Rochelle Stewart.
Rochelle Rochelle Stewart, good morning.
Good morning. Council and I wanted to give my condolences to Detroit Police Department and the families of officers that was killed yesterday. I want to thank Councilman durahall for the bus ride. Yesterday, Marguerite couldn't have all of us. Cunningham giving out the pizza. Use also Mr. Hall and bus tickets. Councilman duha was very engaging with the passengers. We did have a little chilly time there for a while, because you all know we do have to get those busses on time, as Bernard was saying, we had quite a little Wait, waiting for the bus. Thought it was going to come at one time, and it didn't. But all in all, it was a very engaging and enlightening experience. I'm quite sure Councilman durahall And I thank him so much for going along with us. And I want everyone to have a safe and blessed day, and I'm giving over my rest of my time.
Alright. Thank you so much, Miss Stewart.
The next caller is phone number ending in five through 4534,
good morning.
Good morning. May I be heard? Yes, you can hold on. I need to get the other device off.
Just one moment, please.
Okay. Thank you very much. Oh, shoot, I still have an echo. Sorry.
Okay,
let me try again now. All right now we may start the clock, please,
right ahead. Ms Warwick, okay, thank
you. So how much did City Council spend and what did you do for the last week while you were in Lansing? It appears to be a violation of the Open Meetings Act. Would like an answer on that please. Also very disturbing. 22.2 22.3 about amending the zoning code to avoid the citizens, residents, property owners, being able to go before the Board of zoning appeals. This, to me, is a conspiracy to violate people's civil rights, that they would be denied a due process and hearing like that. Now let's talk about the BCA. I have been asking this body for some time, been telling you that the rules for the BCA need to be changed. There's serious due process problems with it. But yesterday, the Chair and the Vice Chair of the Board of zoning appeals committed blatant due process violations and ignored a court order and tried to tell me that I could not represent some of my neighbors. This is shocking, and also, what is this emergency contract for elections? What I guess you're worried that people are so upset with Dems they don't want to vote for the dems. This is, you know, and, and, What? What? What Trump said, Detroit is a mess. Mary Sheffield, there are dirty fill holes around the city. This is the only city I'm aware of that overtax its residents by over $600 million
you right? Thank
you, Miss wary.
The next caller is Miko a Williams,
oh no, no, no, no, no. Detroit is not a mess. Detroit is the best city in the world. We are just coming off of a long stretch of trying to get things together. It's the resident applaud. The residents applaud the citizens. The long time Detroiters applaud those that have stayed here and didn't leave when the bankruptcy took over our city by corporate colonization and powers that were seeking to destroy what we have built. Praise Coleman, Young. Praise Irma Henderson, praise where you are right now. Praise this city for where we have black power of leadership, black excellence that we have made no matter what we're going through. You don't allow an outsider to come to our city and disrespect us the way that he did. I don't care what context it was. So period. You know, that's what I really wanted to say this morning, because I am very, vehemently disappointed in this leadership of the city that would allow black citizens to believe misinformation and disinformation last night at the black men for Kamala Harris rally, a reporter was turned away. He wasn't invited, and it was an invite only. But there's no rally done to the public to make sure that they're all involved and to hear our concerns and to come together for one big rally other than the hate rally in New York City. But again, you don't let anybody come here to our city. I'm Detroit, truly versus everybody. I'm proud to be from this town.
Alright, thank you so much.
Next caller is phone number ending in 301,
hello.
This is Richard clay. I am the president of the National Federation of blind Detroit chapter, and I wanted to inform City Council Detroit residents and all of the city's blind residents about our work with Detroit water and sewage department on the blind people's water rights agenda. We have negotiated the following gains or wins for our community with DWSD, and that is that DWSD will now allow all the city blind consumers full access in person, access to the building on Randolph for both walk ins and appointments. They will prefer appointments, so they will allow walk ins also for consumers to come in and deal with paying their water bills, or to get a DWSD rep to help them out with their cases. There is also, we have an agreement with DWSD where blind consumers across the city can now have the option to receive their water deal in large print. These things we have agreements on, we are continuing to work on negotiating with them to get all of the kiosk terminals to become fully accessible to the blind community, to allow Braille as an option for the monthly water deals coming soon. And we are also working on getting an increase in the monthly amount of number of water usage CCF to help.
Thank you.
Next caller is Winona Bynum.
Good morning. Good
morning. I'm Winona. Bynum. I am the Executive Director of the Detroit Food Policy Council. I'm a registered dietitian and a long term a lifelong Detroiter, actually. And good morning everyone. Thank you for hearing me. I just want to express my support for the animal ordinance moving to a hearing, it will allow Detroiters to have access to fresh food, eggs being a very good protein source, it will put us in line with other large cities across the nation and our neighbors, we've worked over a decade on this to make sure that it is a safe and safe and great part of the city, and that it offers benefits to the citizens and residents of Detroit. So thank you so much for hearing me and I will. I will give back the rest of my time.
Okay, thank you.
The next caller is phone number ending in 99
Good morning. You. Good morning. Good
morning to all the council members and the city of Detroit. My name is Joyce Moore with with the Virginia Park community coalition within the boundaries of the Virginia Park community. My first request is that we are anticipating more advertising and clarity on how to become a member of the focus focus groups dealing with the master plan. We're hoping that we can get, you know, more involvement in terms of the actual structure itself, the document itself, excuse me. Number two, there is a CBO and a CBA that allows involvement of the community with a contract. The problems that we're having is that the nonprofits are hiring or not following the city codes in regard to some of the constructions. We're dealing with that issue right now where a porch should have had a permit pool, but was not, and now the porch is up, the bricks are leaning, the porch is falling apart, and they're saying, Oh, it's better than the look. So what we're asking is, can we entertain can we and I say we, council members and the city to another community organization entertain some way so that if you have an organization that wants to follow through with the contract from the beginning in as opposed to getting involved at the end, that we can come up with some kind of plan, I would be most appreciative, because I am really disappointed with what had just happened. 1000s of dollars are used, but yet, the end result was nowhere near what we expected. Thirdly, we're asking about, of course, I'm a keeper. What's happening with that, and after that, I feel my kind, and thank you so much for allowing me to speak.
Alright, thank you so much. Miss Moore,
so those were all the hands there. There was one person who we coming back that is calling. User one,
okay, father. User one Good morning,
caller. User one good morning you.
All right. Caller, user one, if you would like to submit your public comment to the clerk's office, please do so so that it will be a part of our public record, and we will now cut off and close our general public comment and return to our agenda for this morning. On under standing committee reports for the Neighborhood and Community Services, standing committee from the Office of contracting and procurements. Council
member young a resolution, line item, 15.1, Contract Number 2908016, dash, a one, lease agreement. Amendment One to provide an extension of time for the lease agreement at the lip key Recreation Center. Contractor s, a y, Detroit Incorporated. Total contract amount $1 that's for general services. Council member young, a resolution.
Council member Young,
thank you, Madam President, I like to move to approve line item 15.1
any any discussion on this item? Right? Any objections, hearing, no objections. The one resolution will be approved request
a waiver on 15.1
reading is it 16.1
15 point 15.1
Okay, take back my objection. Okay,
alright, Hearing no objections. 15.1 will be approved. 15.1 a waiver. Any objections to a waiver, hearing, none that action will be taken under unfinished business.
Council member Young, an ordinance noting a roll call. Line item. 16.1,
Council Member Young,
thank you, Madam President, I like to move to bring this back in one week, there were some discussions I need to have with some folks that I didn't have yet. Um, you know, just a just a little checkup, little tune up I need to take care of. So I'm wondering if I could just have a week to bring this back.
Okay, that's a motion. Any objections to postponing for one week? Line item 16.1, hearing none this item will be postponed for one week from the Office of contracting and procurement. Council
Member Santiago Romero, 12 resolutions line item 16.2 through 16 point 13, noting that line item 16.2 through 16.4 were all postponed from last week formal session. First up, Contract Number 6004598, dash a one, 100% special revenue funding. Amendment One, to provide an increase of funds for towing and recovery services for police authorized tolls, contractor Bobby's TCB towing service incorporated total contract amount, $489,445 and that's for police. Next contract is contract number 6004594, dash, a one, 100% special revenue funding Amendment One, to provide an increase of funds for towing and recovery services for police. Authorized tolls, contractor Troy's towing incorporated total contract amount, $490,995 that's for police. Next contract is contract number 6004592, dash a one, 100% special revenue funding. Amendment One, to provide an increase of funds for towing and recovery services for police. Authorized tolls. Contractor seven, DS, towing and storage Incorporated. Total contract amount, $349,185 that's for police. Next contract, contract number 373076383, 100% city funding to provide an emergency demolition for residential property. 4340, Milford contractor hemridge wrecking Incorporated, doing business as hem ridge. Total contract amount 50 to 56,000, that's for construction and demolition. Next contract line item, 16.6 contract number 3076716, 100% city funding to provide an emergency demolition for commercial property. 7601, Michigan and Company Number one with basement backfield contractor, inner city contracting, LLC, total contract amount, $285,021.42 cent construction and demolition. Next contract, contract number 3076544, 100% city funding to provide an emergency demolition for residential property, 420, 117, aka building 102 rear contractor, salabine, trunking and excavating. Incorporated total contract amount, $20,503.33 cent. That's construction and demolition. Next contract number 6006517, 100% grant funding to provide environmental, air quality, data, acquisition, system and related software contractor, Doctor Das, limited total contract amount $79,812 that's for BC next contract, contract number 3077905, 100% blight funding to provide final price adjustment to close out EMG alteration and site restoration work at 6199, Concord due to Wall collapsing contractor Heinrich wrecking Incorporated, doing business as home, rich total contract amount, $281,631.03 cent con, that's for construction and demolition. Next contract, Contract Number 6004593, dash a one, 100% special revenue funding. Amendment One, to provide an increase of funds for towing and recovery services for police. Authorized tolls. Contractor Wayne service Incorporated. Total contract amount $374,266 that's for police. Next contract is line item 16, point 11, Contract Number 6006567, 100% ARPA funding to provide alley infrastructure improvements to support various affordable housing projects. Contractor JB contractors incorporated total contract amount, $1,456,290.82 cent. That's for public works. Next contract is contract number 3077312, 100% grant funding to provide 45 APX, 4500 mobile radios, 10 APX, 4000 mobile radios, chargers, warranties and accessories via MDL, my deal, contract number 190000001544, contractor is Motorola Solutions Incorporated total contract amount $196,934.70 cent. That's for transportation. Last contract is contract number 6006539, 100% city funding to provide heavy duty diesel and gasoline engine lubricating oils contracted. Rowley brothers incorporated doing business as Raleigh's wholesale total contract amount 3,000,630 3,630,000 that's for transportation. Council Member Santiago Romero, 12 resolutions,
thank you, Madam Clerk. Council Member Santiago Romero, thank you, Madam
president's motion to approve 16.2 through 16.4
16.2 through 16.4 any discussion on these items? Discussion? Madam Chair, okay. Council member Calloway,
thank you. Madam Chair, a question about line item 16. We're not there yet. I guess the 16.6
16. 16.4 Yeah, okay, wait.
Thank you. So
hearing no discussion, council member has moved these for approval only up until 16.4 any objections on these items? Objection council
member Scott Benson, 16.2 through 16.4
The clerk will note, was so note,
Madam President,
objection. Member Johnson, 16.3
The clerk will note. Clerk will So note. Madam President,
any further objections, hearing none. The resolutions will be approved. Member Santiago Ramiro, thank you, Madam
President, motion to approve 16.5 through 16.7
16.5 through 16.7 and discussion on those items. Member Callaway,
thank you, Madam Chair, just a question online item, 16.6 is there anyone available from construction and demolition.
Mr. Washington, good morning. Yes,
good morning, Madam
Chair and council, we
do have director counts online, and
also law department. Thank you, Madam Chair, okay,
and also someone from law Mr. Graham's here. Attorney Graham, all right, we will promote director counts.
Good morning lawand counts director of construction and
demolition. Good morning, Graham Anderson, law department,
right number, Callaway. Go ahead.
Thank you, Madam Chair and good morning everyone. This is a contract for demolition for almost $300,000 of city funding privately owned. I won't get the money back, but after the city demolished the property in April of 2024 who owns the property? What's left? Does the city own that land, or does the private owner on that land
through the Chair?
Yes, ma'am, go right ahead.
Each commercial demolition, each privately owned commercial demolition, goes through a cost recovery process. I can't tell you exactly where this one is in that process. We'd have to. We can. I can provide that information for you, but the ultimate is to invoice and be reimbursed. Should that reimbursement not happen, then the city does reserve the right to actually take it, to file a claim in court for it, and basically place a lien on the property so it would not become the ownership of the city, but the city would be able to have payment capability should that property sale.
And through the chair Graham Anderson law department, I'm happy to work with Director counts to give a council member Callaway and her staff an update of where we are in that cost recovery process. Okay,
Madam Chair, thank you. I'm going to ask that make a motion to postpone the approval of this particular contract. I have quite a few questions about it. This one is a little probably for me, $300,000 to demolish a privately owned building. We know we're not going to get the money back. We have to, really, I've been saying it for three years, since I've been on the council. We have to increase our efforts to recover. And this is city funding, which means tax dollars, my tax dollars, your tax dollars, if you live in the city. So Madam Chair, and thank you Miss counts and Mister Anderson, but I will be making a motion to bring this back in a week. Thank you, Madam Chair, thank
you member Callaway, and that's for both 16.5 and 16.6 or was it just six? Or was it just 16 Okay, right? Are they Is there any objections to postpone for one week 16.6 All right. Hearing none this will be postponed for one week, and Member Santiago Romero has already moved 16.5 for approval. Any objections to 16.5 Hearing no objections that action will be taken. Council Member Santiago Ramiro, thank you,
Madam President, motion to approve 16.8 through 16 point 13. I think
we got to do 16.7 as well, unless I messed that one up. You did. She did move that one already. Okay, sorry about that. So can we just group them now? 16.7 through.
I mentioned 16.7 in my other motion. So we approved 16.7 I believe,
no, we I didn't mention that, so just move it now. Sorry about that.
So motion to approve 16.7 through 16 point 13. Okay,
16.7 through 16 point 13. And if we can move for discussion, briefly, for a line item, 16 point 11. Discussion. Thank you. And this is regarding the alley infrastructure improvements. Mr. Washington, do we have someone on? We did have someone call in this morning wanting a little bit more information regarding this particular contract?
Yes, Madam Chair, we do have director online. Okay?
Director Brundage. We will promote him. I
Council President, excuse my voice.
Good morning. Director Brendan, Good morning, sir, can you hear me? I can Okay. Great, great. Just wanted you to give a little bit more information on the alley infrastructure contract. I see that it's stating that it supports various affordable housing projects. Wanted to know if this also would benefit any residential homes at all with the alley improvements, or these are multi family affordable housing developments that would benefit from these alley improvements. If you could just give a little bit of more detail to this contract, Please,
madam president, if I if I may, Can I also ask that Josh bear from the housing and revitalization department also to be asked to join dBW is going to be managing to construct these construction projects, but we were asked just to just bid the projects out and manage the construction via on behalf of the HRD housing and revitalization department. These are, I think they're better prepared to talk about how these specific alley locations were selected and prioritized. DPW role again, is to obviously bid out the contract and ensure that the improvements are are performed in accordance with our requirements for working rallies. But as it relates to the overall larger the overall larger picture in terms of why they were chosen, and the other than the developments that are going to occur, I think housing is much better prepared than I am to discuss that.
Okay, so who was the individual from housing?
I think I believe it was Josh beer.
Okay, we can promote Josh beer. Here's please. Okay, we don't see that person on I don't mr. Washington, Yes,
Madam Chair, can
we please bring this back at the end, at the end of the agenda? Okay,
we will bring this item back to allow for the represent representatives to come on for line item 16 point 11 to the end of our agenda. If there's no objections, all right, any discussion on the remaining contracts, 16.7 through 16 point 13. Madam Chair yes council member, Calloway, thank
you. Discussion on line item 16.9 okay, if anyone is on, I guess, I guess it would be miscounts. Have a couple questions. Thank you.
Right, we can promote direct accounts for line item 16.9
Good morning again.
Good morning again, through the chair. What is a non standard emergency procurement?
Through the Chair? That's actually going to be a question for OCP,
okay, but you probably still want to hang on. But I do want to know through the chair what is a non standard emergency procurement, because I think that's what was used here to demolish these properties.
Mr. Washington, do we have anyone from OCP that can come on? Yes, Madam Chair, we
have Alicia Wright.
She's on the right. L,
okay. We will promote her as well applause.
All right, we have sent the invitation. She just needs to accept it to be promoted,
Madam Chair. We
also have Tony limit online who may be available.
Okay, we will promote to Monique Tony limit as well.
Okay, so
um, good morning through the Chair. Good morning director limit,
good morning tony stewart lemon from the Office of contract and procurement, Deputy Chief Procurement Officer. All right. Member Callaway,
okay.
Thank you, Madam Chair. And thank you, Miss limit, what is a non standard emergency procurement? And was it used for 6199, Concord and 6235, Concord. I
uh, through the chair. The non standard is a form that OCP request for the departments to complete providing the reason as to why this is an emergency. Um, typically, they will contact the chief procurement officer prior when there's an emergency, notifying her that or getting her approval to proceed with an emergency that we have, and they will follow that up with the documentation on the non standard procurement that is also signed by The chief procurement officer, and that gives them the authority to go ahead and move forward with the procurement Okay,
thank you. And who owns the property? It's, I'm looking at the report, and it says a wall collapse at the Packard plant was the damage. I don't know if you would know this or miss counts through the chair. Was the damage caused by the building? The building's condition deteriorating naturally neglect? Or was it due to demolition activities that perhaps caused the collapse of the wall
through the Chair? Yes.
Director Collins,
this property was deemed an emergency, so it was already in imminent danger of collapse. This collapse, although we could not have predicted it to happen the we were working under the understanding that there was a possibility that a collapse could take place. And that's exactly what happened at the time, that there was no equipment actually moving
through the chair to miss counts. Was it the 6199, or 6235, property
is this through the chair? The The demo was taking place at 6199, okay.
And then my question is, um, if the city's responsibility for the repairs or the demolition, because who owns the property? In other words, does the city own the property, or is it privately on 6199, and 6235, who owns the properties?
I'm not through the Chair. I'm not certain about this. What was the other address? Six, two,
yeah. 6235 Concord, I'm looking at my notes. 6199,
Concord, 6199, is actually privately owned. That's the owner. Is the one who the city is currently in litigation with. And so all of the efforts that are being performed at 6199, will be tagged onto their litigation. So it's, although I understand what you're saying, it's definitely already included as a part of their lawsuit.
And then what about Thank you through the chair? What about 6235? I
through the chair. I need some time to look up that property because I don't see I'm I don't have them all memorized, so I'm not really able to speak about that one off the top of my head. Okay, thank
you. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you Miss councilman.
Okay. Thank you so much. Member Callaway. Any additional questions on these items? All right, hearing no additional questions. A motion has been made for approval. Line item 16.7 16 point 13, excluding line item 16.7 because we excuse me, 16 point 11, we are postponed. We are moving back to the end of the agenda. Any objections on these items?
Objection councilmember Scott Benson, 16 point 10,
the clerk will note. Clerks will note, Madam President.
Any other objections? All right, hearing no further objections. The items will be approved.
Madam President, request a waiver for 16 16 points, 1012, and 13.
Any objections to a waiver? All right, Hearing no objections. A waiver will be attached to those items, moving along to the law
department. Council President, pro tem James Tate, an introduction of an ordinance. Line item 16, point 14.
Pro Temp Tate,
Madam President, I move that the ordinance be read twice by title, ordered printed and laid on the tape.
Hearing no objections. That resolution will be approved from the law department.
Council President Pro Tem James Tate, a resolution setting the public hearing nine, item 16 point 15.
Council member Tate Pro Tem Tate, Madam
President, I move approval of line, item 16 point 15, for day for to set a public hearing for october 28
alright? And this is the scheduling of a public hearing for the animal keeping ordinance. And you said, October the 28th
Yes, I think that was the time that was that they that was provided to us. Okay,
any objections for the scheduling of a public hearing? Hearing. No objections that action will be taken from the Department of Public Works Administration division. Council
Member Santiago Romero, a resolution nine, item 16, point 16,
all right. Council Member Santiago Romero,
motion to approve this is a request to install 16 banners,
any objections? Hearing, no objections, the one resolution will be approved for the president's report on standing committee referrals and other matters for the budget, Finance and Audit standing committee, Madam
President, would you like to go back to line item 16, point 11, or you want to do your referrals first, we
could do the referrals and then come right back. Give them a little bit more time. Okay, so for the budget Finance and Audit standing committee
four reports from various city departments before reports will be referred
to the budget Finance and Audit standing committee for the internal operations, standing committee,
four reports from various city departments.
The four reports will be referred to the internal operations, standing committee for the Neighborhood and Community Services. Standing Committee
three reports from various city departments.
The three reports will be referred to the neighborhood and community services, standing committee for the planning and development, standing
committee, 13 reports from various city departments.
The 13 reports will be referred to the Planning and Economic Development, standing committee for the public health and safety. Standing Committee, 10 reports from various city departments. The 10 reports will be referred to the public health and safety Standing Committee, and we will go back now to 16 point 11, Mr. Washington. Do we have anyone available now for this Item?
Yes, we
have Josh bales online. Okay. I
All right. Josh bales, good morning. Good morning. All right. Can you can just give us a little bit more information on the alley infrastructure improvements that are to support various affordable housing projects throughout the city of Detroit, and if any residential neighborhoods or residents would benefit for any of the alley improvements, or they're just multifamily projects that are receiving alley infrastructure improvements.
Absolutely. Thank you. Through the Chair. I'm Josh bailes with the health and revitalization department. This is a project that the locations of the alley improvements were chosen by HRD specifically because it is supporting multi family developments that we are invested in. But many of these alleys have been long under disrepair and will also be servicing any other residential properties along the same alleys. For example, the stretch of alley north of Charlevoix, between alter and Ashland. This is being invested in because of the Xavier square project that was recently finished to provide access to the rear parking for that project. But there are other, you know, residential, you know, houses on that block that will be that will benefit from these alley improvements. Similarly, behind the Parker Durand at Churchill and Van Dyke, there's alley improvements to support that project. And across the alley from there are many residences that will now have access to their backyards if they would like to use that for parking. The other projects are along Michigan Avenue, at 5800 Michigan Avenue, I believe that's kind of directly on a commercial way, so that there's no residential behind it. And then there are multiple alleys in the piety Hill neighborhood that are being improved to support new build affordable duplexes that are going to be built there next year. So that's these. Are all projects you know, that has our funding in it, but the benefits of these alleys will support other residences in some of these cases.
Okay, great. And then is there a certain amount that has been allocated to support affordable housing infrastructure improvements through alleys throughout the city, or is this all of the funding that we will see for this particular initiative? So
this was a one time initiative from a some ARPA funding that we had, and some knowledge we had of particular projects that were in dire need of assistance with the alleys in order to have safe and accessible parking associated with them. You know, I believe HRD as a whole would be supportive of additional efforts like this, but in particular, this was a one time expenditure with some ARPA funding that we had available.
Okay, all right, thank you. Thank you for that. I know someone called in with questions, and I just when I saw the alley infrastructure, because I tell you, alleys are probably a hot topic right now in the city, with our residents just some of the improvements that are needed that they're not able to make. So just wanted to hear what you all were doing. And so thank you for that update, and we'll continue to work with you guys. Any additional questions or concerns on this item? All right. Hearing none. Member Santiago Ramiro has moved this item for approval. Are there any objections on line item 16, point 11, all right. Hearing no objections, the one resolution will be approved, and if we can request a waiver on 16 point 11 request, Madam
President,
thank you. Hearing no objections, that action will be taken. All
All right, under the consent agenda,
there are no items. Madam President,
all right, we will call for member reports, and we will start with council member waters.
Well, not Madam President, thank you so much. Well, first of all, I just want to say that give condolences to Fallen Officer of who were, who were, who was killed yesterday, and prayers for that family, prayers for the two officers that were involved in the in the shootings. I stopped by Detroit receiving yesterday briefly to join my support to Chief white and the officers that were there, and I had a brief conversation also with one of the officers that were involved in the shooting. So I don't know if there were any red flags as it relates to mental health with this particular officer, but I do know that that we should do a better job. Perhaps, maybe we as a city, should take a look at our mental health policy. You know, we often ask officers to go out and to defend us, but you know, they need help too. They have stress and trauma in their lives as well, and so we should make sure that they have the support that they need. Officers, I want to encourage them to embrace each other, just like we say to the general public. We sometimes say, well, family members, let us know if you believe that a family member of yours could be a danger to themselves or to others, and we would ask, we should ask the same thing of our officers, encourage those relationships so that we can better take care of our officers. And so I wanted to say that Madam, Madam President, I want to remind people, October 31 harvest fest, shed three. October 31 shed three in the Eastern Market. Thank you so much. Madam President,
all right. Thank you. Council member waters. Member Young.
Thank you, Madam President. First and foremost, I just want to thank Fox two news in the pulse and the root Raj for the invitation to talk about Detroit. That was really exciting. I want to say thank you to them. One secondly, I just wanted to say that tomorrow we're going to have a virtual meeting with police chief James White. That's tomorrow from five to 6pm but tomorrow, from five to 6pm we're going to have a virtual meeting with Chief white. You call in 313-224-4248, that's 31322442483132244248,
for more information, a virtual meeting about police and about um, reduction of uh, crime and public safety that's going to be tomorrow with police chief James White at 313-224-4248, um. Also, I just want to let everybody know that this Thursday I will be having my community birthday celebration this Thursday, because this Friday will be my official birthday. I will be 42 so I just want to let everyone thank you. I think, I think we have cake in the back now. So if you want to have cake, that's your sort of thing. Or if you just like parties, you got me, me in the back. We love to have you. So I just want you. I mean, you know, whatever it is your day, I'm not trying to spend whatever you like to do. I don't you like to do, I don't know, but whatever that means to you. But we would love to have you one and then secondly, I just wanted to say it is time for the promote the Detroit City Council evening meeting. Save the date that will be Tuesday, November 12 at 7pm that's this Tuesday, November once you got this, oh, sorry, Tuesday, I got ahead of myself. Tuesday, November 12, 7pm Tuesday, November 12, 7pm we will have our our joint that is, uh, me as a council member number one, as along with my colleague at large member waters, we will have our evening meeting Tuesday, 12, November 7, and then you can join me at five o'clock as well for our early Thanksgiving celebration dinner. So again, Tuesday, November 12, 7pm at the No, this is the Charles H writing Museum. This is at the Northwest activity center. Northwest activity center. Head fake there. Northwest activity center, Tuesday, November 12, 7pm and 5pm for the early Thanksgiving dinner. Be there or be square. Thank you, Madam President, that is my member report.
Thank you council member young council member Benson.
All right, thank you. Just a reminder to my colleagues, tomorrow is the benchmarking lunch for city council members to get information from the Detroit 2030 district on the benchmarking ordinance and how it will impact large building landlords within your different districts and throughout the city of Detroit, we will be providing lunch that is from 11:30am to 1:30pm and that will be in room 310 in kmac. Thank you.
Thank you. Council member Benson, Council Member Santiago Ramiro,
thank you, Madam President. I would like to invite everyone to tonight's District Six evening community meeting. We are going to be at the Pope Francis center. That's at 2915 West Hancock Street in core city, at 7pm we hope to see you there. Thank you,
Madam President, thank you council members Santiago Ramiro, Council Member Johnson.
Thank you, Madam President. Just want to remind everyone that this evening, the District Four department of neighborhoods is hosting their meeting in person at the community center at AB Ford Park. Beginning at 5pm residents will be able to connect with various departments to get a variety of resources. And then at 6pm MDOT is coming in to talk about their modernization and French road drainage tunnel. So there were a number of questions that were raised relative to the closure, the proposed closure of French road. So just want to make sure residents are aware of this meeting. It will be in person this evening, beginning at 6pm with MDOT at the community center at AB Ford Park, which is located at 100 Linux. And also just want to say to pro temp Tate, I think we should close out every Tuesday council meeting with protect your crown. Thank you, Madam President,
yes, yes.
Thank you. Council member Johnson, pro temp Tate,
since you asked for it, no, but no, seriously, this is, is the time of year that we are about to approach where, you know, holidays really start to, you know, weigh heavily on a lot of folks, and just truly asking for folks to protect your crown, and that simply means to protect your your mental health, assess your mental health as well. Don't be ashamed about any challenges that you may have. Ensure that you have the right people around you if you don't find new people, if you have therapy that's assigned to you, take it. Do not get to the point where you believe that just because it's quote, unquote not working, that it will not work. You may need to find you a new therapist. All of this is literally a situation where you have to figure out what works for you, if medication is what's deemed necessary for you, that is okay as well. I'm speaking as someone who has and still does have both medication as well as therapy, going through my own challenges myself. So I say that to say whether you're a city council member, whether you're a police officer, whether you are someone mom and dad, someone who's working in daycare, you name it, we all have to take account of our own personal mental health. And if you know of anyone who has any challenges, please do everything you can to get them the assistance that they need as well, because sometimes they don't have the strength, sometimes they don't have the knowledge to do so. And for those who are listening as well, please participate in the survey that we have. And it is not just my office. I want to make it very clear, this is not a district one initiative. I am the spokesperson, if you will, for the initiative, but this is a citywide campaign, awareness and advocacy for mental health. You can go online and fill out the survey. It is 19 anonymous questions that we ask we don't know. Want to know who you are. We just ask what zip code you live in, and the reason why we ask that is because we want to know what's going on in various parts of the city. The survey itself is solely to identify what is the true state of mental health in the city of Detroit, and in partnership with the Health Department and other departments within the city of Detroit, including City Council as well, that will provide us with the better understanding of what resources we need in the city of Detroit to address the concerns of mental health in the city. So you can go online. Make it real easy. Type in, protect your crown, Detroit. Go online again, Google, protect your crown, Detroit, and the very first link that pops up will be that survey fill it out takes less than five minutes and indefinitely, will help us as the city, proverbially, help you as the residents of the city. Thank you, Madam President,
thank you so much. President, pro temp Tate council member, durha,
thank you, Madam President. And first, I would like to send my heart felt thoughts and prayers to all involved yesterday in the incident. I think at times, we take it for granted and really do not consider those who protect us each and every day and work to make our lives, our families and our city safe, and in doing so, the trauma they experience and they have to take back home to their own families. I think sometimes that part is missed, but also even the officers who were wounded yesterday from that incident a fellow colleague, they will have to take that trauma back. And so I think it's just really important we hear our chief, who I think has done an amazing and tremendous job talk about mental health all the time, and President Pro Tem as well, even trying to penetrate the depths of our community, making it a message through Hip Hop about us addressing our mental health as a society. I think it's very important that we take heed to that and understand what we are facing as a city, what we are facing as a community. And so again, my prayers go go out to both families on both sides from the incident yesterday, and is our hope that we just continue to push for more mental health, more assistance for our officers who go and go through so much each and every day with that, I would also like to say I spent a tremendous amount of time yesterday riding the busses, as you heard from Brother Cunningham, and what an amazing experience. I will say, we often take that for granted when you had the ability to hop in a vehicle every single day, and you don't have to catch the bus, and it is cold outside and it is raining and you are standing at a bus stop, sometimes in the dark, there may be lights, but it's still dark, or if you're a member of our disabled community, you have to catch the bus. Folks in this city sometimes who drive, I think, take that for granted. Got a long way to go with transportation here in the city of Detroit, busses do need to run on time. I had the opportunity to experience a little bit of that yesterday. There was a bus that broke down that prevented it from running on time. But nevertheless, if you are somebody who catches the bus every single day and you have to wait out there to get home at 730 people, that is something that is not a pleasant experience. And so shout out to d dot, because they are trying to make a tremendous work. We got to keep pushing. And we got a long way to go with that. Last but not least, our coffee hour. Our next coffee hour is Friday, October the 25th our next coffee hour is Friday. October 25 from 9am to 11am at in harmony Cafe suites and more, located at 12041, Dexter. Avenue, again, that is october 25 2024 from 9am to 11am at the end harmony Cafe suites and more, located at 12041, Dexter we're asking folks come out so we can hear your concerns as always, I love that we have the ability to address your concerns in real time and answer those questions about our community that are so direly, direly needed to be answered. So with that, that concludes my member report. Thank you, Madam President,
thank you. Member durha Council. Member Callaway.
Thank prayers to all those impacted by the shooting mister here in our city, want to thank everyone who came out yesterday morning for our make coffee and conference held at Mount Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, which I found out yesterday, is 102 years old, and that church produced a run through the four churches that are still here in the city, one Oak Grove and another one New Providence. I didn't know that until pastor gray told me that yesterday. So thank you, Pastor Gray, to you and your lovely wife, First Lady Gray, for opening your doors to the church for the coffee and conversation yesterday. I want to thank representatives for the Detroit land bank who were there yesterday, did a great job with providing information to all the residents and visitors. And also want to thank members of the Board of Review our representative, Mr. Twyman, from District Two, who also shared information about the hope application. And it's always a joy to have our business liaison, Miss Turner, who represents District Two to be in the house and also share information about how to sustain your business and get resources. Join us on Monday, October the 28th to discuss the Detroit supply chain schedule seven, we had our supply schedule for conversation yesterday. So thank you to the Office of contracting and procurement for hosting these supply schedule meetings virtually on october 21 Monday, my team and I will host a district two virtual community call. You can call my office at 224, 4535 is one hour. It's from 530 to 630 every third Monday of the month, also, my team and I will be hosting a business roundtable with all the business owners in district two with our congressman, Congressman Sri thanadar. It will be at the shriek thanadar Community Center located at 18405, Livernois Avenue. So if you own a business, thinking about opening a business in district two, the congressman, and I want you to come out and get more information and access to more resources to open your business or sustain your business. Again, that is October the 24th Thursday, at four o'clock pm at the street thanedar Community Center at 18405, Livernois a beautiful community center, and he will be there, along with myself and others also join us for our annual Fall Fest on the avenue of fashion on October the 26th from one to 7pm all the businesses will be open. We're going to have the mounted unit there. We're going to have the fire rig there. We're going to have entertainment, lots of free refreshments. It's a family fun event, and that will be from one to seven. I'll have a resource table there. We'll also be providing refreshments October the 26th from one to 7pm Lastly, if you cannot pay your property taxes for any reason, you may be able to reduce or eliminate your current year's property tax obligation with the homeowner's property exemption, better known as hope, residents who are approved are eligible for pay as you stay, which reduces delinquent property taxes owed to the Wayne County Treasurer. The deadline is November, the first for more information, you can go to Detroit mi.gov for slash, hope, H, O, P, E, thank you, Madam Chair.
All right, thank you council member Calloway. Also just want to send my condolences to the family of the officer from yesterday and all who were involved, as we continue to send prayers and lift up the work that the men and women do every day within our Detroit Police Department. So just want to send them my prayers and thoughts, and as Pro Tem and all of my council members have mentioned, just the need to continue to uplift mental health throughout this entire state in this country, to be quite honest. So wanted to state that also want to wish council member young a happy birthday again that he'll be celebrating on Friday. Council member young Happy Birthday. Um, our upcoming virtual office hours will be held on this Monday, October the 21st we will be focusing on the i 94 modernization project. It will start at four o'clock PM, please join us virtually for update on the i 94 modernization project again, this Monday at 4pm please join us virtually for our office hours. And then this Saturday is our annual covering the community event where we'll be giving out brand new coats. Oh, that's next Saturday. Sorry about that. Thank you, parents. Next Saturday the 26th will be our annual covering the community event from one to 3pm at the Velodrome, brand new coats for our kids, hats, gloves and scarves. Again, that is next Saturday from one to 3pm at the Velodrome, our annual covering the community event will take place. Also would like to mention the neighborhood beautification grants. The next round the application will go live November one. But those neighborhood organizations and block clubs that are interested in beautifying your community, you have access now to grants up to $15,000 please call our office or go online for more information. But the next application round will start November one, and that will conclude my memory ports. I would love for Director Whitaker to come up briefly in I'm not sure how much you know about proposal s that's going to be on the ballot, but the main question was just getting an understanding of tax, tax captures or brownfields or abatements will impact at all proposal s, Madam
President, I think it probably would be better we put, if you put The question in writing, we respond, generally speaking, this proposals, proposal s that's on the ballot in November is a is a restoration of a millage that is scheduled to expire this year, I Believe. And so, generally speaking, when tax abatements occur. Taxes that fall within property taxes to fall within a certain span are captured by the taxing by brownfield authority or whatever, whatever tax abatement is set, and generally speaking, school taxes are refunded by the state. So they may be captured, but they but the essence is, you know, to keep the keep the kids, the people allotment. It's it keeps it the same whether or not it's captured or not, but there are two ballot proposals. One, that is a proposal asset you indicated. There's also a Wayne County RESA ballot question. Those funds are also slated for children in Detroit, and we don't know how, just right off the top, how those will be treated. And we'd like you to put the question in writing so we can respond thoroughly.
Okay, thank you, Director Whitaker, so we will follow up with the memo for a writing and just also to to state that proposal s does not apply to Detroit homeowners. It is only for commercial properties and non owner occupied rentals. So this technically would not even have a direct impact on Detroiters and those who have principal residence exemptions, but we will make sure that we put it in writing. Mr. Whitaker, 444, right, all right. So under adoption without committee reference,
yes, we were going
to just do a memo and submit it. I wasn't going to do it wasn't going to do it at the
table if it was an assignment. I'm sorry.
Is there a motion for LPD to do a report? Okay, Hearing no objections. That action will pass under adoption without committee reference.
There are no items. Madam
President, a report under communications from the clerk,
a report on approval proceedings by the mayor, a report
will be placed on file under testimonial resolutions and special privilege.
Council member young, a resolution. Line item 28.1
council member Young, thank
you, Madam President, Move to approve.
Alright. Motion has been made for approval. Are there any objections? Hearing? No objections. The one result, testimonial resolution will be approved. Yes. Council member young,
yeah, I just wanted to just say, I forgot to say, this is okay if I just say this. It's just this Sunday, October 20 at Detroit Historical Museum at 1:30pm to 5pm It's going to be Detroit China day, 2024 to eighth Chinese American Culture and Arts Festival on Sunday October 20 at Detroit historical museum from 1pm to 5pm alright. Thank you. Thank
you. all right if there is nothing else to come before us today, we will see everyone. This evening at 7pm for our city council evening charter mandated meeting at 7pm. And this meeting will now stand adjourned.
