Ladies and gentlemen, it is 7pm I'd like to welcome you all to the Highland Park City Council in person and reporting in progress. Mike thank you for that. Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to welcome you to the Highland Park in person and virtual regular meetings scheduled for Monday, March 4 at 7pm. If you will be kind enough to take the row for me Madam Clerk,
Tim Robbins said Councilwoman Danica here is a woman marching. Yeah, Councilman Shafie. President Thomas here. Thank
you very much. The next item the first item on the agenda after Roll Call is the approval of the agenda. Members of Council you've had an opportunity to review the agenda and any potential walk ons at this point I will turn the floor over to council to entertain a motion for how we should proceed on the agenda.
I think that's first
thing I do have some changes to Okay.
City Attorney if no one is speaking up at the moment the city attorney would like to share with us some items related to the agenda that might need changing if you would miss Burton. Yes.
Good evening council. So you were tendered a couple of items.
Under Community Development Item C eight C we're asking that that item be removed director clever and is asking that the item be removed. We need a little more information as well as item E. So C and E removed and then F there was a supplemental document that was tendered to council let's see from Laura. I believe everybody has a copy of it if you don't let me know.
Yes ma'am. Okay, but I require if we made any changes to accept the supplement or to add it even just add it okay.
Thomas President,
I have to go before the number five the table I have
this man and that will be the resolution that you handled. And it's me counsel so this will be moving potentially. Yes.
So we have to ask the clerk Are We Now moving the items down Madam Clerk? Can you give us some direction?
Well, to where so should we should we add that item? Will we be moving it down? If should you add down? So where should the
agenda be amended? With the item moving up down?
They will be moving down.
This square. She says it will be moving down so it's added it will be after the table. At
first she's asking for it to replace item five and to renumber after item five. Okay,
so we can make item five. Walk on a resolution and then make the table item five A.
Okay, Barbie Barbie,
we have another walk on resolution C D related to resolution authorizing an emergency demolition contract for city owned property located at 154 Rhode Island Street. Director Clairborne has requested that that item be added as well. If you don't have a copy let me know add it to community development. It
will become the new item D if we remove see any well we have to do we have to go somewhere I'm
just getting Madam Clerk we used to get the clerk determined that
it would be would it be if he was going to be removed the
resolutive see is removed.
If C and E are removed, we see they will be it will be called E okay yes. Okay. That special
counsel, it is up to you to decide how we move through this agenda for item three. We're on the approval that agenda right now. Chair at Toronto floor over to council.
Motion to approve with the added items
and the added items just for verification. We'll be moving the walk off from the square to item five. And moving that item five to table group item two, five A That's right. And that will be the removal of item under immediate economic development. There'll be removing C and E and replacing and replacing that by adding the emergency demolition, which will come on this item now
F right.
D would become C F will be prime
d where we get rid of C D will become c
and that will become d i mean D D
so we item Thank you Mr. Shafi.
We also have the supplement on F
would become do right. Yes. Now. It's up to you just write write it down to make sure they're in the 20 I'm sure
it will become item E D would become C now. And f will become G and then the walk on is
E Okay. All right.
We'll get rid of C
Correct. Okay perfect. So let's try that out. See ya. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Okay, Chair offers a second to Mr. Sharp is motion.
Madam Clerk, unless you have any additional questions on the clear clarification
she wants clarity.
F will become the
you will be the walk home. So we have a motion on the floor for the approval of the agenda with the amendments. The following amendments will be adding a walk on item from the city administrator as item five and moving the table item to five A it will be also the removal of the current item C and E replacing the the order to include items A B, C, D and E will be the walk on item under Community Economic Development and the rest of the agenda would stay the same. Any any additional clarity needed. motion on the floor for Mr. shocky seconded by the Chair. Madam Clerk, would you please call the roll on the approval of the agenda?
Tim Robeson Yes, Councilwoman Monica. Yes, Martin. Yes, Councilman Shafie Yes, President comments. Yes,
thank you very much motion carries moving to item for the approval of the workshop meeting minutes for February 20 2020 for city council, what's your pleasure?
I moved to approve the workshop meeting minutes, February 20 of 2020 for
emotional flow from Council in America to approve the workshop meeting minutes for February 20 2024. We have a second. Second from Miss Martin. Up Call it a rolling please.
Bro Jim Robeson No. Councilwoman Monica. Yes, Councilwoman Martin. Yes, Councilman Shafi. Yeah. Council President Thomas. Yes, motion carries.
Next was the approval of the regular meeting minutes for February 20 2024. On the sheet it says 27 We're going to assume as a title.
Yes it is.
So the floor is over chair would entertain a motion on the approval. Of the regular minutes for the 20 February 2018.
I'm all to approve the regular meeting minutes February 20 2024. Have
a motion on the floor for approval of the regular meeting minutes for February 2024 February 20 2024. We have a second.
Chair offers a second.
motion on the floor is the approval of the regular meeting minutes for February 20 2024. Madam clerk would you please call the roll?
Tim Robinson No. Councilman Nanika. Yes. Councilwoman Martin? Yes. Councilman Chavi. No. Council President Thomas. Yes, motion
carries. Thank you very much. We move on to the section of our program for every meeting when we turn the floor over to Mayor McDonnell to address any Council on issues relevant to our business. Mr. McDonald, Are you online? Yes, I am. All right, ma'am. The floor is yours.
Good. i Good evening to all the citizens and city council. I just wanted to thank again everybody for their calls and concerns. I appreciate that. Also, if you check out on the front, there is literature that contains information for seniors over 60 It's a small grant that you might qualify for. Also, there's the calendar, and I had the intention of putting out the flyer for the state of the city. Unfortunately, it wouldn't copy correct. So we will get that out. ASAP. Tomorrow morning, so I can get it read me configurated the State of the City please write this down if you can't, it's on March 21. Thursday, March. 21st 6pm, at revival tabernacle, on Woodward and Florence Street. And we will start promptly at six. The doors open at 530 it will go from six to seven. So hope to see you there please spread the word we will be putting out flyers. So let people know. Um, other than that, that's all I have today. Council President Thank you so much for your time.
Thank you very much, man.
Okay, let's
general we have a pretty full agenda tonight. And this has the opportunity for people to come up and speak for two minutes on the agenda. I'm gonna be tight on that two minutes because I know at the end of the meeting, I extend that period out to two minutes plus some so if there anyone is there anyone in the audience who had something that they wanted to address related to tonight's agenda? Please be specific reference the agenda item before you speak but the podium is yours would you like to speak
come on once.
Okay, I don't see any movement. So I'm just gonna move right on into the actual agenda. We're gonna start with the walk one item which is the resolution, waiving conflict of interest famila Canfield. Turn it over to Miss square city. Administrator.
Good evening, everyone. Good evening Council. What a warm day to day. Yes. My dog went out and laid in the grass and rolled all around and he's she shed and shed his winter coat and he's got grass all on him now. This is a good resolution because after last week's or the last Council meeting, there were some concerns. Concerns about the Glee was situation. And a couple of things happened after that meeting. One was the state sent a letter to the council and to the city. And it was in response to the city's requests to file bankruptcy. And they denied it. They finally denied and said ain't gonna be no bankruptcy, because we're gonna settle this deal and we're gonna pay and so that was wonderful that the letter went on talking about the money for infrastructure and, and commitments and how it would be basically cheaper to fix the system and then go through all of that because bankruptcy went in South, everything anyway. And it was wonderful to get that letter because we that was the first time that we received a letter like that from them. And it was good that they responded to it. They even indicated that they hit he either pay, Glee was the 25 million or about or we're about to pay it. And you all know that we had a term sheet. And the big issue with the the large document that we got that the city attorney wouldn't sign off on because of the short time that he had to review it because remember, we got it one day and they wanted a special meeting and we kicked it off for another four days. But the main problem with the document was the trust agreement. And so that you understand we have a trust now from the 96 agreement, but it's a trust that was created out of a court order. It's the city's trust account. And Detroit water was the beneficiary of the account is just like now, if you have a will and a trust for your assets. The your heirs don't write it, you write it. And so that was the problem with this trust. So the parties met. And the decision was made that a third party would write the trust. So we would replace the trust that was in the agreement that was written by Glee wa with a third party trust. That's a basic trust, much like the trust accounts we have now. And actually that settles the whole deal. That was the only hang up because we are totally in agreement with the state and everything that they have done to support Highland Park and the council and the citizens. And really, it doesn't look like it but we're kind of all on the same team pulling in the same direction. It just looks a little flailing about a little bit. But we are all on the path now to getting this deal done. Now, we do go to court tomorrow to judge Joseph. And you all know that Judge Joseph has not been the most favorable, but whatever happens tomorrow, we have until June to settle the case. This case may get settled on the courthouse steps. But this case is gonna get settled the state has sent a letter with the commitment of the money and the commitment of the money is what Joseph's case is all about. He just wants to $25 million. So I think that we're going to be fine. We're still fighting. And when I say fighting, I don't mean fighting in a way that you know, it's a losing battle. I mean, we're still Highland Park has to maintain its position and its position is to protect the integrity of the city. And so we're doing that because we want to come out of this being able to execute the agreement. So getting the agreement is one thing executing is another. So what I have here tonight is a resolution waiving the conflict of interest for Miller Canfield. Miller Canfield will be paid by the state, and they are the oldest law firm in Michigan. So you know they represent a little bit of everybody and in this case specifically they represent Comerica Bank. And the reason why even though Comerica Bank may not be the final trustee, but because we do business with Comerica Bank, and we also do business with Miller Canfield. They have been the city's bond counsel for a very long time. It's appropriate to come in and get the waiver of the conflict of interest and I'm going to read the resolution. It's not very long. It says
whereas Miller Canfield paddock and stone PLC Miller Canfield has represented the city of Highland Park for over 20 years as its bond Council and Economic Development Council on various matters. And whereas the city has been engaged in long term litigation with the Great Lakes Water Authority as successor in interest to the Detroit water and sewer department with respect to provisions of water supply, and sewage disposal services, and the related payment for such services, and whereas the city of Highland I'm sorry, this whereas the state of Michigan and the Michigan Finance Authority together the state has been assisting the city and GLWA to resolve the litigation in the best interest of each of the parties. And whereas the city and GLWA are attempting to resolve the litigation and to finalize the terms of a settlement agreement and whereas one of the terms of settlement requires the city to provide for the intercept and distribution by a trustee of the revenues system revenues derived from services provided by the city's water supply and sewage disposal system. The system to its customers and whereas consistent with its desire to help resolve the litigation, the state is seeking to retain Miller Canfield to draft and negotiate the terms of a trust agreement and other possible documents. Collectively the settlement documents between the city a corporate trustee and other potential parties and whereas one of the banks which may service trustee is Comerica Bank, and whereas Miller Canfield routinely represents Comerica in unrelated matters, and whereas the Rules of Professional Conduct require attorneys to inform a client of a potentially adverse representation and to secure the client's waiver of any actual or perceived conflict of interest. And whereas Miller Canfield is seeking the city's waiver of an actual or perceived conflict of interest with the state and Comerica with respect to its drafting and negotiating and negotiation of the settlement documents, whereas the City Council desires to waive any such conflict of interest now, therefore be it resolved that one waiver of conflict the city hereby waives any conflict of interest Miller Canfield may have with representing the state in connection with the drafting and negotiation of the settlement documents. The city hereby waives any conflict of interest Miller Canfield may have with representing America and various unrelated matters in connection with the drafting and negotiation of the settlement documents and to authorizing authorization to execute conflict waiver. Each of the mayor each of the mayor, the city clerk, the deputy city clerk and the city administrator are each individually authorized to execute and deliver the conflict waiver with letter to Miller Canfield attached here to as Exhibit A.
So this is basically a basic waiver. And with this Miller Canfield will draft and negotiate the trust so that the trust agreement, which is three trust agreements that's in the large document that we all saw last week, that will be replaced with the new trust agreement. And this this agreement is an agreement that will comply with the city's charter because the city's charter requires that the trust be held by the treasurer and that's why we have a treasurer and then approved and adopted by the council. And so the way it is now, it's been done by the third party. And, and so that's what we're doing. Once this is done, we're done. That's it. The rest of the deal. We can live with, we have to of course, execute it and, you know, try to comply with everything. You know, there's the meters and the infrastructure and all of that. But this is really the step that's held things up, because we want to make sure that we're following the charter because the penalties for not following the charter in Highland Park is fines and
imprisonment. And we certainly can't give the city's money. We can't collect money and give it away to somebody and not follow the charter so that's that's the hold up. And this will help get that back on track and get the trust agreement so that we can get the deal done. And that's it. Council motions. Motion was approved. Have a motion to approve. resolution. Second from we have a motion to approve the resolution waiving conflict of interest from Miller camp do that motion was made by Councilman Shafi seconded by council approach and Robertson. Are there additional questions? Perfect. You call it a roll and I'm fine.
As approach and ravizza. Yes. Councilwoman Monica.
Yes,
that was the woman Martin. Yes, Councilman and Shafi. Yes. President.
Yes, motion carries moving on to Item five A. This is a tabled item legal contracts and counselor What is your pleasure on this
motion to bring back from the table.
I have a motion on the floor to bring this item back from the table. From Councilman Shafi does he have support?
I support
motion on the floor to bring this item back from the table from Councilman Sharpie supported by Councillor pro Tim Robinson. Could you please call the roll?
Council Pro Tem Robinson Yes. Councillor Walker Manica No. Council the woman Martin? Yes. Councilman Shafi. Yes. Council President times
no motion carries.
So I got I got a few a few questions.
So Mr. shopee. The item has been brought back from the table you got you calling for a motion on
I'm calling for a motion to approve with questions.
So your this is your motion is to approve this contract. I just want to make sure we talk this is the only contract that we have from Great Lakes Water Authority. Miss scratches told us that we needed to make modifications to to motions to approve this pending the changes that she has suggested and the fact that we do not have a resolution from the legal department they told us they would need additional time yeah, if you allow me to ask questions, right in the understanding as to where I'm going. Okay, so it's off the table. You have a we're making a motion to approve. We have a motion for Mr. Shakti to approve the Gleevec contract. And we have we have support for them.
Support support from Council pro Tim Robinson. And that is we have a motion on the floor from Councilman shocky to approve the Gleevec contract supported by Pro Tem Robinson questions. Yeah.
So Miss where the only thing that is wrong with this contract is the trust agreement. Is that correct? Yes, okay. For
the most part that we can't live with, right. Okay. Okay.
So the trust agreement. So, the show so my curiosity is why can't we split the ad in half? Let's say that just sent me out. Let's say that we approve. under the conditions that Milliron can't do. We'll rewrite and redraft and re re inserted new trust agreement into this contract. You know, I'm saying so we approval based on Miller Canfield doing what they're supposed to do, based on the resolution that we have before. So as long as that is done, then there's no other problem with this contract, and we can get this burden and this monkey off
the banks and the rest. It's a conditional approval Council can do that. Okay. So
I make a motion to approve. We conditional approval that Miller Canfield does what it's supposed to do for the trust agreement, and then we approve this contract and get this monkey off the back of the residence and let him move forward from Council into the administration, which is where it needs to be. It's time for you to move on to council.
That's well, let's just stay at this. It will come back to council though because this this, that document will have to have the new trust agreement and put in it and then all of the sections of the document that have to be because adjusted for that.
So as long as Miller Canfield does what they're supposed to do, I'm understanding that the state is back in his 100%. Yeah, there's no reason why the rest of the contract can't be approved under the conditions that the trust agreement and every section when the trust agreement touches is fixed and repaired so we can get this out of our hands on to the mayor's desk and then they can come back with us and show to us that Miller Canfield is done with a boat to do their trust agreement has been rewritten. Problem solved. Everything's done.
It will come back to council Yes,
question question though.
Yes, Miss Miss Miss medical, medical, please.
Two things one, the first thing was it was a motion on the table prior to this motion that he just say. So that's the first thing and Okay. Okay, then I have a question. I would like to know the exact motion. Okay, I want to I just want to hold okay. I'm being asked. Okay,
hold on Mr. Sharp.
I want to know exactly what I'm being asked to approve. No, no motion. And then, again, we can't address the second motion because we didn't address the first one. Thirdly, we have if if we're talking about the same thing we just brought from the table. We do not have a resolution. So we can't approve something we don't have. Council
does have the right to approve either to vote or resolution doesn't have to be either or. Okay, Council does have the authority, but to ease everyone's mind. I received my motion to approve with question, and I'll make another motion to approve with conditions that Miller Canfield and the resolution that we just approved for Miller Canfield as long as Miller Canfield does this job and rewrites and renegotiate the trust agreement. And this is the only thing that we have a problem with. I do not see why this contract did not move forward. As long as Miller Canfield does what we had just asked him to do, okay, if the state is back in us, and they're making this play, then I say we jump on the opportunity to put this monkey to bed and get it off the backs of the rest of this Island Park. Okay,
so now that we reran all of that, said all that I still need the first
one and he said the
one that he's resending. I need to know what that motion
that motion is. There a motion I made was to approve. Were questions approve, were to approve. I don't have the right view. Okay. I'm just saying I know you're joking with me, right?
Absolutely not so Okay.
Okay. All right.
I think I think it was approved with conditions. No,
no. First motion. Okay. So first,
I received the motion to approve the Gleevec contract with questions, and I re enter a new motion to approve with conditions that Miller Canfield fulfills the obligations just approved in the resolution for Miller Canfield to come up here and renegotiate bid the trust agreement. So I approve with Mila can't do as a condition that this is done. I want to approve this contract with them with the conditions that Miller Canfield does what they're supposed to do for the trust agreement and any parts in his contract that the trust agreement touches.
Okay, chair will offer support with question. Okay, now we have
to stand
my support correct by the first motion. And I support the Second supporting these I just want to be clear. We're supporting a resolution where we're just reporting that you want
camp Miller and Canfield Oh, sorry, I see. Here we go. I just need a simple small motion without the other part our Mo your motion is what now? My
motion is the same as before. I want to approve the Gleevec contract under conditions that the resolution for waiver of conflict of interest famila can feel its follow through from the resolution we just approved before this contract. So as long as Miller Canfield does what they say they're going to do for the first agreement, I feel we need to approve this contract and get it out of Council and into the administration.
But it still has to come back to council.
The trust has to come back. No, okay. We can approve the contract. And as long as the trust comes back to us, Miller Canfield still has come back to us and show us that they've done what they've done. As long as that's done, the requirements are met that the rest of this contract can be approved.
Well you'll get a final document. You'll get a final document to approve but you won't be back going through all the pieces and parts.
Exactly. My point is for the longest Miller Canfield does what it's supposed to do. Our problems are solved the stages back in this plate. Your governor is ensuring that we get the support we need to jump on this opportunity and not wasting any more time. Let's get this monkey off the back of the residential. We are talking about we are talking about $56 million paid for alleged fraud and debt. We're talking about another $130 million in infrastructure money. We're talking about another $70 million in removing the landlines and new meters into your home and your businesses. We're talking about another $30 million for the master meters that comes to $286 million. Who the hell are we to say no to that kind of money to say no to that. There are communities around here salivating over this contract that hoping that we bought it so they can ask the Governor for it. Let's get it off my table getting where it needs to go approve the contract with the conditions a miller Canfield and let's be done with this. Enough is enough.
We have a motion on the floor is open for discussion. Okay.
Support. Sorry for questions.
Excellent. All right. So let's do this. Let us just do this. We have not heard back from our attorneys. They have the question I if we're in such a hurry to do it and it's taken us 13 years. There is really no reason not to wait until you get the final document. We just got to document famila camp but am I correct with square with a few more would another meeting make that much of a difference? It's a
conditional approval. condition. This doesn't get done. It doesn't it's not approved. It's conditional. Can we call for the vote? Yes,
there's a motion in the support on the floor. Just I am not changing the missus my
answer to change it. I'm stating what I'm thinking. So is conditional. And if they don't prove it, or they don't do it, then we come back. But we haven't had any conversation with legal so I'm trying to figure out should we or should we not have a conversation with legal hold on you guys.
So they just got
here, this this contains so you understanding what I'm saying? I don't know of anybody else what to ask here. But we started out in a situation that we have no resolution. What I'm trying to figure out is this is meaning Oh, hold on what's going on? The President Okay, so now you
that was the case I guess this question may be just one sec.
So I'm not I'm not gonna swing the hammer on anybody and everybody make their own decision was square made it clear to us violation of the charter is crime. With wood, counties and jail time. So I wanted to make sure that I'm not walking anybody in this room into the guillotine. That's really it's up to it's up to people to decide how they want to proceed. But it would not be it's incumbent upon me as the chair to make sure that I don't walk you into breaking the law. Oh, so that's that's the question. That's the question I wanted to just ask. When we went back there are we are are the four of you and myself, are we legally protected from from doing anything that will be harmful to us? That's the only question that I have for them. It's up to the members to decide how they want to vote on this council
president. It's a conditional approval if the trust doesn't get approved, it falls apart. Okay.
Okay.
It's the harmony. Was that the only part that was violating the charter that
that's the part that was the egregious part. Yes. That's that's what's holding up the deal. That's what's holding up the deal is the trust because it was a big thick part of it. So it's pages and pages, 48 pages, and it was three different trusts and clearly, we couldn't determine if any money would ever come back to the city. That was the problem. It doesn't follow the the charter it doesn't follow the ordinances it doesn't follow the flow of funds at the city. Why have a city if you can give the vendor? No, you remember back in the day when the Defense Department gave the the contractor the all the money in the toilet seats were $900 This is that kind of deal where you can't give the vendor all the money waiting for them to return money to you. So that's the most egregious part. It's a conditional approval. Miller Canfield is going to renegotiate it when that comes back. That will come back to Council for approval. If that doesn't get approved, the deal falls apart.
Problem solved.
And then what we did we go back
to the table because this is not a deal that is just going to disappear. Because we have to provide we have to have water and we have to send the sewage to be treated. So it's we need to get some traction here. Because this is a deal that will never die. So we've got to take action. This conditional approval will give us something to move on. Move forward on let's try it. Let's give it a go. As
it relates to the resolution as it relates to the resolution.
All I'm gonna say is this one thing. If the governor is seeing eye to eye with you on this, yes, something doing. Yes, he's willing to back this flake, then that lets us know that we're on the right track and
that's why I thanked Council and the residents when I first stood up here, because this was after the last meeting. After the last meeting. A deep dive went in. And okay, maybe there's some state law violations in that document. And so this is a way to correct that.
Okay, there is a motion on the floor that's been supported. Okay.
So let's, let's, let's let's deal with the uncomfortable. Let's deal with the fact that we don't have a resolution in front of us right now. So the resolution language will be will reflect what
exactly what I say just a conditional approval council president it does not need to be drawn out all you two guys are doing the stall
here. Let's get to know no stolen nice comments. 30 is copying No,
no you didn't you only you only learn when I have something to say you only Thoreau when Miss Robertson has something to say you only miss Lauren that something to say but when you will miss many guys get comfortable. So let's get to the vote.
All right. Robinson. Yes. Councilwoman. Nanika padded games. Yes, for me marches.
conditional approval. Just trying
to make sure everybody understood.
No one. No Councilman around that. You're voting on the table item the Glee would document you voted on that already done that conditional approval on a matter. And it's a condition you're voting on the big document and its condition on the small document getting executed. Yes, it's got to get carried out. Miller cancels gotta rewrite the trust. Yes, yes.
Councilwoman Martin? Yes. Councilman a Shafi YES.
YES to conditional approval.
There we go. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Nothing complicated. Mathematical you had something you wanted to add before we move on to
something I want to add. Just as we continue in this process, that we build up, and if I have a question or you have a question, or Ms. Martin has a question that is answered, all the extra getting the crowd excited, or residents excited, because if we miss an eye, it's not going to be just you missed or shopping or you Miss Robinson or you miss mark or myself. Mr. Thomas is going to be all and so too fast haul. doesn't do anybody anything. Okay, if you want fast talk and fast talk everything or don't talk at all. So again, I think that we need to stay focused and stop acting as if we're not in the room.
Moving on to item 600 administration a resolution to apply for the fiscal year 2025 congressionally directed spending through senators Devin Al's office, city council. What's your pleasure for item six?
Motion to approve the resolution to apply for fiscal year 2025 congressionally directed spending through Senator Stabenow.
So we have a motion for the approval of items from Councilman Manica supported by Councilman Shafi with questions.
What is this money for? Can somebody tell me what this is for? Is it for a fire department for the police department? What do
you have a copy of document money?
Yes, I do. But it's not quite clear as to what it's for. Somebody could tell me I greatly appreciate it.
I'll let you read it sir.
Okay, well until I read you will sit here and wait a minute.
In the third and a third paragraph it says weariness for past appropriations. Staff has worked with us in submitting to successful application
police we okay all right, all right, trainee, etc, etc. I've done approval. As to the police on
our template. Additional questions for item six. An appropriate you call it a roll on item six, please
Yes, motion carries. Moving on to item seven on to the city clerk. This is a repressed requests for approval of the parade permit application submitted by Parker prior foundation to be held on May 18 2024. Starting at 12 noon, city council, what's your pleasure?
So President
is this a motion sir? Yes, yes,
I would like to make a motion to abstain from voting on this. I have personal reasons from last year. So if the rest of council members would like to vote on it I would like to make a motion to abstain from voting.
I'll make a motion to approve from a great career permit.
So we have two motions we have two motions on the floor. Yeah, yeah.
I need y'all to give me permission to abstain from voting.
Okay. I support Council issues.
So we have a motion on the floor to EPS for the app's donation of Mr. Shafi. So Yes.
Madam Clerk, would you call it a roll on this supplemental item
as protein Robeson Yes, council woman Monica. Yes, Councilwoman Martin. No. Council. Pro. Can I make Council President Thomas No.
That means I don't know. Correct. Okay. All right, well.
Item seven under. Under city clerk we have a request approval for the parade permit application submitted by Parker private foundation to be held on May 18 2024. Starting at 12 noon, city council What's your pleasure on item seven.
Move to approve.
We have a motion on the floor for council approach and Robertson to approve the permit the permit for the parade the parade? Do we have support support requests we have support from Councilman Manica. You have questions Mr. Shopping?
Yeah, so I'm okay. So since I wasn't allowed to abstain from voting on this matter, I might as well address it. So if you recall last year, the city went on their own without approval from Council. They had a parade we will call it every name under the sun, don't Grinch baby killer, etc, etc. But here we are, again. Which an approval for something in which if we give it a don't give it they're going to do what they want to do anyway. So why is it even here before counsel if you're not going to respect the rule of law? I mean, why bring it back to us? Just take it to the mayor and let her approve it and call it a date. That's what you did last
year. To your point. So governor in the state of Michigan provided a letter approving that parade,
at least at least that way, we won't be calling any names. Or not attending. Okay, as we were last
year. So to my understanding last year that paray was approved by letter of the governor of the state it superseded our authority. I didn't
see that let it in and there was a
Okay, so why don't we we have a motion on the floor for the approval of the permit. Made by Councillor Pro Tem Robinson. It was supported by Councilwoman Monica. You have questions go ahead please ma'am.
We'll go sub one and approval.
Thank you, Mr. Spike.
Hey, I was in one question or one suggestion. Even though you have a certain number here of bands or floats or how to do a California if somebody else wants to jump in?
Well, we had to put down a number. People were still calling to be in the parade. Myers just called they want to do some footage great and it's gonna be really nice, didn't better and better each year. And out of courtesy, we do apologize for last year. We really needed we really wanted to get that parade going was going on at least the last administration, and that was mayor. Yeah, he was like, you know, so that's how we were going. No disrespect to the council schools for last year. That's why we're here this this year to apologize and ask for your approval. No disrespect, all the joke, the grant and all that stuff. It was challenged. But now it's a little bit more serious than that. This is the fifth fifth event we've given, like shows Centennials all successful events free for the city. of Highland Park. Nobody else is doing anything for the city on park like this. People are sponsoring they're they're they're they're adding to it and the citizens are getting more involved. I want to thank you for showing up to our last event. The Christmas festival. Yeah, that was really good.
They let you jump in. Because Because we can't stop it especially with Miss Miss Monica Korea but I'm being told by the clerk right now we have a vote on the floor. So we're going to take the vote. I do thank you for your additional information, sir. And we appreciate you especially if we have any questions Miss Martin. I'm gonna pro tem. Okay if you will be so kind as to call the vote on item seven under the city clerk
Yes, motion carries. Thank you very much. We're moving on to Item eight under community development. We're starting with the resolution to sell the vacant residential adjacent lot at 309. Tila Francis Allen, the adjacent property owner at 313 Elmhurst city council, what is your pleasure?
Is the resident hence?
A second let's see if she's online.
This is for half
is it the half lot?
That's a paperwork. Okay.
So lucky. Could you release screenshare please?
Hello Miss Allen. Yes. Hi, Nick. Awesome. Well, you where
you are your item is up for discussion Council. Do you have any questions for the applicant? If we move to the I'm sorry, I'm sorry. We need to get a motion on the floor. For the approval. Do we have that motion?
I'll make a motion to approve request.
We have a motion on the floor from counsel Pro Tem Robinson second by Councilman a Shafi and those questions are how do
you split the taxes and the water when you do a half? Let's say I like that. Mr.
Garrett Mr. Clyburn, can you ask that question? I have
to purchase another half. Oh, okay.
Wow, what was your question?
How do you split the cost of taxes and the waterwheel?
She owns the other half so she'll take over the floor, but I wasn't here when they split it the first time. Did you know Mr. Gere
Can you Mr. Lackey, can you really screen share so I can pull this partial?
The question is where to split? How do you
build a future reference? How do you split that?
Athlete young Canada, Canada touched on in a workshop
but not answered. Right. Watch it.
This is a lot of questions.
All right. How do you split maintenance like the water in Texas? How
do you split that?
If I wanted this half and another person one of hands How do we split that?
Hello? Yes ma'am.
I already own one half I'm buying the other half.
Understand. Okay, ma'am because I already have a water bill for the half that I own already. The other half of 309 that I own and you guys
have numbers so it's
two separate. Separate numbers.
They are two separate personalized emails. So one of these Yeah. This is the one that she already owns. I'm trying on screen now. And this is the one that's in question owned by the city of Highland Park and I'll show you it's owned by the treasurer of the city Highland Park. This is her property that she owns. This is her property that she owns. It's a matter of assessment. It's a matter of assessment. It's not it's not our
you know what, what may be helpful is if we if we if we can research that question at a future workshop like the next one y'all can give us a bit more, more detail into it. Maybe that'd be helpful.
Yeah, this is very common, this split parcel that you see on the screen that's extremely, extremely common. It happens for a number of different reasons or the number of different reasons if the property was vacant for a period of time when somebody put a driveway and a piece of seats on the picture. You see those driveways That's
the real question is how do you split apart so if you do if you do a split and you create a new tax ID you have a new bill okay? Okay, so the bill the bills are run with the owner of the land so if we split the land then there's a bill for land owner a in a bill for either new land owner B are the same, but the tax ID is going to trigger us creating a new account at the water department for that split. Does that answer your question? Yes. Okay. You had me everybody. I mean, I'm like she was talking you were talking and I'm like, I don't know.
Martin to answer your question on the screen right now put up a legal description. This is on land grid. I told you about the grid. You can go there and get a legal description of any piece of property. It'll show you the plat map information and you can pull this up and have access at any time so it tells you what the legal the lat is the name of the neighborhood tuxedo Manor, the subdivision. It gives you all of the basic plat information so you can access that whenever you want to. know you'd have to go on historical records to uncover why they actually did that. And then the county assessor could probably tell you that but this is a great free tool. So I would encourage you to go look at it. And anytime we pull up property, this is the tool that I'm looking at. So we have a motion on the floor to approve the sale to miss Allen made by counsel approach and Robinson second by Councilman a shopping. Would you please call the roll on that item? Ma'am. This is for item aka item eight eight. Yes.
Tim Robertson. Yes. Also on the Manika. Yes, Councilwoman Martin. Yes. Mina Shafi. Yes. Council President Thomas yes. Thank
you. Motion carries. Moving on to Item A B this is a resolution to sell the vacant residential adjacent lot at 217 is one of VISTA to Roger Greenwood the adjacent property owner at 215 East Point of his.
I make a motion to approve.
Say we have a motion to approve item eight B from Council Pro Tem Robinson second by Councilman shopee. Do we have any questions? So can we just go through? Hearing none Madam Clerk Would you please call the roll on item A B?
Tim Robinson Yes. Councilwoman Monica? Yes, Councilman Martin. Yes, Councilman
Shafie. Absolutely.
Yes, motion carries. Now moving down to our adjusted agenda. We are at the resolution the sale the vacant residential lot adjacent lot at 294. Tuxedo to Rosalyn Powell Cole and Christopher Cooper the owners of 298 tuxedo adjacent property owner of 298 tuxedo
okay. I'm sorry, got the wrong one. mixed up.
So we got rid of see we're on what would have been D is now C,
right? For tuxedo. Right,
correct. Catch catch.
I'll make a motion to
move. We have a motion on the floor to approve the sale of the adjacent lot seconded by Councilman Shafi. Do we have questions? Hearing none Madam Clerk, would you please call the roll on item eight seat resolution to sell to vacant adjacent lot at 294. tuxedo?
ravizza Yes, Councilwoman Anika? Yes, Councilman Martin Councilman Shafi Yes.
Yes motion carries. We are at item now D that's the resolution for final site plan approval for 20 Bartlett. We got rid of the E is the E is the walk on that that is the workflow and that is Item D we still have D we have to deal with D 20. Barber the correct okay. Yeah.
So we got rid of the the Elmhurst Yes.
Okay. Yeah. Okay.
All right. All right. I'll put that aside the
McLean has been
doing we're doing make clean right council president.
No sir. We pulled in the clean off. That was the item that came off. That was the that was replaced. Now we're on Item D which is the resolution for the final site plan. Approval for 20 Bartlett.
No,
no
I'm still waiting for emotional Abdi. We have no activity yet. This is the resolution for the final site plan approval of 20 Bartlett we were also provided a supplemental document from Lara.
Want to make a motion
I want to make a reservation for final site. In accordance with zoning section 1214, the city of our current zoning ordinance to it
one more time.
Hello. Yes man.
I want to make a motion to approve the final site.
Final site plan
okay.
Okay, so you making a motion for the approval of the resolution for the final say? Thank you very much, man. I just want to we have a second. I want a second but I have a second. Questions. clarification isn't it 20 ampere. Don't we have to put that in your 20? Nose 20 all the way to where are you and how are you? Thank you, Council. Honorable Council.
Yes, it's 2030 and 32 actually has three addresses.
Yes, correct.
Wait, we have different parts that will be as different parcel numbers
was it's all
it's all here
it is it wasn't amendment. Okay.
Yeah, they're listed on me hello
limit it and say we'll add Yes.
So that is approval pending the correction and adding both parcels into this. Okay, just want to make sure that that notation is there so that everything is included Council your original motion, so Miss Miss Miss Martin, that original motion, you'd have to restate the motion pending, including those parcels. Your motion is correct. We just want to make sure that we have the appropriate language to include all parcels in question.
So you want to include 2030 and 32 is
listed but it's just not in the actual document. I mean, our actual wording is just on the header
of the resolution. Yeah, so it's gonna be an add. No, yes, yes.
So you want to
just pending correction. So
once I want to step hand my emotions amend my motion, and add in resolution for final site plan approval. For 2030 and 32 Bartlett Street in accordance with section 1214 of the city of Highland Park zoning ordinance adopted July 18 2011.
Excellent. Thank you very much. So we have still Yes. So you must support us today. Okay, so we had a motion on the floor for the Community Development Item D resolution for final site plan for the approval of the 20 Bartlett at our additional properties. Madam Clerk, would you please call the roll on item eight D
as both Tim Robinson No. Councilwoman Nana Yes. Councilwoman Martin.
Martin. All right. Yes. Shafi.
No one. Yes, motion carries three to two. Thank you very much.
Okay, so moving on to we have an emergency walk on here from CD director. Clyburn, Mr. Clyburn, if you will be so kind as to enlighten we have an emergency situation. So if you will be so kind as to bring the citizens up to speed on what we're suggesting here. Okay.
Thank you.
The city owns a property located at 154 Rhode Island, and it fail on to the neighbor's property. So we're asking for an emergency demo. The pictures aren't included.
I just want to know one and if no one knows what it means.
Yeah, but if you look at it's still a pieces of the house on final resolution. Please. Head on,
it's over here.
Motion to approve, because I remember how long it took to get the house off the mind. So
we have a motion on the floor to a second. So motion made by Councilman a Sharpie. Seconded by Councilwoman Monica all approve them. Okay, so would you please call the roll on item E under community development. This is the walk on it's a resolution authorizing an emergency demolition contract with the city on property. If you'll call the roll. on that item eight E.
Now, no, Councilman Councilwoman Monica? Yes, Councilwoman Martin. Yes, Councilman Shafie. Yes. Sounds President. Yes,
motion carries. Thank you very much, Mr. Kramer. We're moving on to Item nine at the Department of Energy Public works as a resolution to issue our request for a quote for Cinco catch basin repairs for Item nine. City council. What's your pleasure?
I move to approve the resolution to issue an RFQ for sinkhole catch basin pairs
second with questions and
emotional to Florida approve the resolution issuing an RFQ for Cinco catch basin repairs made by Councilman malecha Second by Councilman Shafi Mr. Shafi, what
are your questions?
Oh, is Mr. Mr. receipient for this?
I know this falls under DPW. I'm just trying to get a scale as to how bad it is
just trying to hit scale this you think there's a getting as he calls Yes. Okay. 20 to 32.
I believe these are sinkholes that they have to have some concrete work done to them also. So this isn't just like a regular. Okay, we'd like Topsy coals right? Yes. Okay. Thank you.
Okay, currently have additional questions before we can ask for a vote. Miss Robinson, please.
Well, driving down Oakland, what's going to come of those
mountains, moving mountains that you hit your car up against?
Dan here year and missed again.
Which part of Oakland South North
of the day. Started on that
soon as the frost laws come up, it's gonna get paid. So you know that had to go on pause because of the winter and it's you know, been wreaking havoc. But we keep having weather like this still let the frost laws go off means the heavy equipment can get on the row. And then we can finish that off. So let's call it like, sometime early May. All right. Thank you.
Okay. There's no questions. Yeah,
I got I got one now for me though, right. Yeah, actually. Okay.
So, I noticed it's kind of off topic. But Oh, Hamilton. Oh, everything is pilgrim Okay. Okay. Do you know where I've placed a worship needs? Okay, okay. And it's right there on the corner. Okay, Madeline. There's a bus stop. That has been painted there. We know bus stop. Okay, I'm curious as to when we could get that removed. The only bus stops is on Pickens appear today. There's no bus stop in between. Okay, okay. Well, for some reason, they run a bus stop right in front of our place of worship, where nobody gets off the bus, you know, and that pocket is crucial on Fridays, Mondays and Wednesdays we analyze
what's on your mind. Okay, so Mr. Gear and Mr. Shocking. That's a very important question. I want you all to definitely have a chance to address it but we actually are ready Yeah, ready to get that vote off. We can get out of nine done so we can go ahead and call it a row. You caught a roll on item nine please. As
opposed to Robinson? Yes. Council? Woman Nanika. Yes. That's a woman Martin. Yes. Awesome. Shopping. Yes.
Yes, motion carries. Thank you very much. Now we're under item 10. Department of Public Works resolution to solicit quotes to cut the grass for the 1470 city owned properties. So the council What is your pleasure on resolution 10 A.
I moved to approve a resolution to solicit quotes to cut grass or sea long projects. Are these the
these are properties that DEP
could not can't couldn't have anything army. Well football team. It's almost fitting 100 properties. Well. We would need three high school football teams. On a regular basis for this. Okay. So we have a motion on the floor by Councilman Manica supported by the chair matter this out on the floor we got more questions come in please jump right in madam first.
What is this be it for how much don't
we just asked him for quotes.
So what are quote, we have price all you
had to bid tell me about 14 a lot and they tell us this is what they'll pay $1 $2
Now they tell us how much they're gonna charge. Right. So
how much are we willing to pay?
We don't know until we get the quote. Yeah, like that.
Okay, so right now the issue is we're going to put out quotes, we're going to put out a quote that says hey, we have 14 170 Lights city owned properties, who would like to bid on him? And that's kind of where we are right now. So yes, ma'am. All right. Yep. Just to put the quotes out there, let us know then we'll decide. And we can't the contract comes to us, becomes us. So we whatever it is, we have to approve it. Yep. Can we can we can we take some applications? Yeah. Okey doke. So are we ready for that? And any additional questions, madam. Madam Clerk, would you call a roll on item 10? Thank
Yes, motion carries moving on to item 10 Be resolution to approve insurance of RFQ assurance for RFQ is for on call plumbing and on call electrical services City Council. What is your pleasure on item 10 B. Issuance additions, new bifocals. Sometimes they work sometimes they don't have a motion to approve and Councilman Shafi do we have support for support from Councilman matter because it's affordable questions that you support? I will
I will ask the question right here.
This plumbing and electrical service is for the issues that we've been having.
city by city wide.
Yes. Okay.
That's it. Okay. Would you call them? Yeah, so you could you call the roll for item timbi resolution to approve issuance of RFQs for oncol plumbing and electrical services?
Tim Robinson, yes. Council, Palma. Nanika. Yes. Councilwoman Martin. Yes, Councilman Shafi. Yes. Council President Thomas. Yes,
motion carries. Finally on the agenda is on the Department of Public Works resolution to approve issuance of RFQs for street sweeping City Council. What's your pleasure?
I'm old total resolution, full approval issuance of RFQ for street sleep. Chair
offers a second. Madam Clerk, would you call it a row?
Tim Robinson Yes. Council? Woman Monica. Yes. Councilwoman Martin. Yes, Councilman a Shafi? Yes. Council President Hammond. Yes,
motion carries. That concludes our agenda for tonight. The last thing that we have here two things actually, its citizens participation. And we'll be tight with this watch tonight. And then after that, we have Council affairs if there is anyone that would like to address the community. podium is there please.
Yeah.
So the street sweeping up, it was contracted out. Is it contracted out? So why would we have insurance if they have insurance? Oh, insurance issue. Oh, Israel. Oh. Okay. This is to Mr. Geary. I read that letter in the water thing. And I'm curious to how did you decide to go up on the water rates for us which it to me don't look like water rates, it look like your business rates to me. And as a business owner, you have to deal with your business yourself. We're not to pay for your business. And another question is are you contracted into Highland Park? Are you how apart water department I want to know that I'm just curious how part water department or AC a contractor for help.
So I have Mr. Gear good with you offline. If hopefully make note of that. Question. And he can answer that for you offline.
You can ask me, Kenny, within
within the next minute, I want to make sure we keep that time.
Okay, have a good night. Good. Meeting.
Good. Yeah. That was quick.
Super fast. Hold on a sec. Let me reset this clock brother. Just give me a second. And go right ahead.
Oh, yes, I would like to know How do I obtain a voters list of the last election in Highland Park, Barstow mayor and city council?
Can you tell me your name please, sir,
do me do fu D
at the City Clerk's Office and put in a request?
No, ma'am. Just to do I got a call and requests Correct. Is there a fee? Here
is okay.
And paper I'll give you a call tomorrow. I'll get the information that you need.
That's type of record right city Yeah. Oh, and last but not least, please city council or when you given out these contracts. Please do your best due diligence to find black contractors and black on business. That's very important. We need to stop prior to when we're starting private. It is our tax dollars came to our home. If you can't find it in the city of Detroit. I'm sorry. CBO Highland Park, look elsewhere. Many of you guys been to college, use your business people use your influence. If you got to go to another state. It's very important that we hire black contractors. What our tax dollars please look into party stoves, gas stations, etc. The citizens need to have the right to say I want to get my my money that comes out tax dollars that's gonna come out. I need to get have a choice. Do I give it to nine Harlan Parker's nine black people, you understand is very important because what I'm trying to get these black contractors, these black businessman to back up some of these problems where they can prosper and hopefully they can put our kids and grandkids to school. It's not a problem.
Thank you. Thank you sir.
Good evening, sir.
Hi, my name is Williams. You can call me Billy and I want to talk about recycling. Highland Park doesn't have any recycling. We had had some history of recycling. Back in the 1950s. I remember when I was a little kid, Highland Park, and we had to two separate containers. Everyone had two separate containers. For the refuse. One was for garbage, which was mostly West up foodstuff, and that would go to landfill. And other I didn't know this at the time was was what they call trash or rubbish and that was dry stuff. And that went to the city yard they had over on Dequindre they had they had separation where they where they separated all their trash and, and and went to recycling. They made enough money off of off of that. Well, I was told this one I went to work for the city and in the 70s and the old timers told me about it. And they made enough money off of this to pay for all of their refuse collection and for the sewage. And and they call it they call that operation there's over the city yard called it the maggot line is evidently there were enough people who didn't separate their refuse and put their garbage in the trash. So so they're getting you know flies and maggots and, and rats and roaches and all that all that in there. And so they so they stopped doing that. And then in the 1970s I went to work for the city Highland Park. We had a mayor that I knew was Robert Blackwell. I called the Mayor Bob and and he was was promoting what he called ecology dies he had science all over the city ecology dies, ecology flag. And so I came to city council meeting and and and I asked the city council about letting me use a city truck to on the weekends to collect glass and take it so really
I'm I have to interrupt you here two minutes. I would like for you to come back and continue to have this conversation. We keep it to two minutes. But I would I think that what you're saying is irrelevant as far as we only got one Earth. So if you will be willing to come back and join us at another meeting. Yeah, tell us more about I can maybe even talk to you personally about again. Okay. And then I would suggest you check with GFL they have a website, they might be a way to introduce the rest of us to recycling modern, whatever they call modern recycling now. So I will welcome you to come back to we keep it to two minutes to keep it even across the board. Okay, thank you so much. And please come back. Stock talk more about that
Good evening, ma'am.
Good afternoon Council. My name is Tammy staffer representative of the water Africans. There's going to be a meeting March 22 at five tabernacle church from 6pm to 9pm. And it's regarding communication conversation with different representatives. That's going to be answering questions about the water. So what I wanted to ask Kathy square, if you will be nice enough to attend this meeting because you have a way with explain explaining things.
I'm not elected. That's why the mayor and councillors
Okay, and the last thing I would like to say is thank you to all city council members tonight who voted. I just love to see you voting for the right purposes and the right things regarding every citizen that's in Highland Park. Thank you and have a good afternoon.
Thank you so much.
Good evening, sir.
Good evening Council. I guess I have a simple question. I'm glad that we're moving forward on the water. We're getting grips on that it seems like and but let's address the elephant in the room and how are we going to go forward with these businesses, these nonprofits who aren't paying water bills? We need to address that also. I mean, because it's not fair. You know, so hope you guys get on that. Absolutely. All right. Thank you
for some orders, revisions, we just you know, it's hard to do everything all at once. We do some orders, revisions and things like we got to sue you. You got to pay the legal fees and stuff like that and you know, there's back of the day
putting on the tax on the tax council would happen to
take a look.
Great payers
option and special assessments and also become a tenant. So we've got some recommendations that will be going to counsel to act on
Good evening, my name is Renee poor and I live on being the best. I have a couple of questions. I'm not sure who addressed this to were selling these properties to other homeowners. My question is you sold a property to someone that lives next door to my mom, and the trees are overhanging into her yard. And they are obstructing our cable and I let her out why wires, so called enforcer came out. But what do we do about these homeowners that are buying these homes and they're not taking care of their property? Because DTE is telling me I have to have tree service to cut the tree so they don't interfere with the wire. So what are we? Who do I talk to? Because my mom can't afford to get a tree service out. I've talked to DPW and they suggested some people but the price so I know codep watershed they were ticketing the homeowners but they've been there three years and nothing has been done. So how long do we take these people? You study selling these condemn properties to these people, which are not us and I'm paying something so my mother can keep her cabled her electricity. So that what is my next step?
Let me you probably want to contact the mayor's office and she needs to send somebody out to
DPW already looked at me because it's a private property.
So that's only a question that I think that the mayor could ask I don't think we have the wherewithal to answer that question. Miss Cooper had a question about her family being put in jeopardy due to someone else's negligence. That accurate assessment? Yes. Okay.
And they've already been ticketed several time. So at what point do you do something about this person? But they study by property on my blog? Yes, yes.
You can call me tomorrow.
I will do that.
Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you, ma'am. Additional citizens. I don't see any. We have
police chief. Do we have anybody online? I don't see anybody.
Okay. Council President I would like to say something to
you and you're gonna go she can go go. Go right here man.
I waited after the two
years about me.
Okay. Well, actually, you're incorrect. It's not it partially is but it's not. What it's about is I want to make sure that the police department does not become a political tool within this city. And there was a recent article published in the metro times regarding some allegations against the police department. And I want to make sure that I Claire's clear some of these things up. And one of the one of the allegations is that the mayor of this city ordered the city's police chief to arrest an individual based on fabricated allegations. It further states that
there was a claim that the the there was a fabricator Rushmore drafted and that it may have been drafted by me. So I want to make I want to explain how our judicial system works to everyone so we don't further erode public trust within the police department. The police department nor myself has the ability to issue an arrest warrant for any individual within the city. That is a function of the district court judge or a circuit judge depending upon the charges. So to say that someone could fabricate a warrant is nearly impossible, unless there was an affidavit of where someone lied and created created a warrant situation. But again, all of that would be public record. It is even further from the possibilities for someone to draft a warrant from many years ago from say, for instance, 2011 or 2016. That would be nearly impossible for someone within the police department to do that. Without the judge, the district judge co signing which is not a possibility. I say all that to say there's a lot of drama going on within the city. Okay. And I don't know if some people think that I'm the wrong guy for this job, or whether or not they think I'm the right guy for this job. But I can tell you, there is no one in this city that owns me. There is no one who can give me an unlawful order. I do I accepted this interim position because it's an honor to work to be here for the citizens. I started my career here in 2007. I've met a lot of great people here and I love I love this that to me, this is an honor. And I think I've made some solid friendships here over the years. I'm making every effort possible to change the image of our police department. Over the years we've we've gotten, we've gotten a bad rap and I don't think that it's all justified. Now don't get me wrong. Has there been mistakes made along the line? Absolutely. But that doesn't mean that we should all suffer for that. So it's important that for me to let you guys know if you have questions about the police department, or if you hear rumors, or anything that you want to address with the police department, we are going to be completely transparent with you even if that means we're wrong. So feel free to contact my office. Feel free to contact you know, the mayor's office if you don't want to contact my office. We have no reason to not be transparent with the public. Okay. All right. Um, the the date of this article is March 4 2024. Okay. So, um, again, I am not trying to say this to create negative atmosphere in here or further cause any problems because I think today was probably one of our better meetings and we've we've had so I almost feel bad coming up here talking about this, but I think it's important that everyone understands that the police department is not for sale. I am not controlled by anybody. And if it got to a point where I was ever given an unlawful order, I would immediately resigned from this department. Okay. And, and I'm not going to do that to anyone here. So I just want to be clear. Thank you for your time. Thank you, sir.
Madam Mayor, if you still wanted to take the floor,
thank you. I'm not going to address the article because the article was nonsense. Um, but what I will What I am going to address is, I have I have chosen the chief that I feel is great enough to do the job interim until enough at what time I choose someone else and in every turn, someone has tried to undermine, continuous to put out false accusations which these people have to go out into the public and deal with the public, which could put their lives at danger. And so I plan on moving forward with hiring a lawyer and stopping some of this stuff, this is unbelievable. But again, I don't I don't want the city is going to keep moving forward. Regardless, as long as I'm in office. We're gonna keep moving forward. All of these monkey wrenches, railroad tracks, whatever it is that everybody trying to throw in front of us to stop us from growing the city. We're gonna keep moving forward. And that's all I wanted to say. All of the other stuff is nonsense. It's if disruptive, is destructive. And again, like the chief said, I don't I don't plan on ever giving orders to someone. If that is erroneous and not not of good faith to us the city. So we will deal with this part in the court. And I appreciate your time.
Thank you very much. And with that, we will bring citizens participation to a close and we will move into Council affairs starting with the Council on the third district Mr. Shafik.
Ladies and gentlemen. Good evening. There is nothing this evening that could break my mood. This has been a great evening. We have made some great strides conditional approval of the glia deal, though he would deal
who are
ladies and gentlemen. It's like a weight lifted up off my chest. We are moving in the right direction. This city is about to grow. It's about the benefit. Right now. I got nothing negative to say about anybody. I am in a wonderful mood. I'm free to go home and have me a cigar and dance to some old school music. I suggest you do the same mindset cigar Of course. Okay. You know y'all have a lovely evening. And a lovely week ladies and gentlemen. I am so grateful that this has been an amazing Council night. Thank you so much.
Martin Sure.
We got at least another 10 minutes. And Lee I definitely want to say yeah, I feel like this has been one of our best city council's for the first time I've always been wondering what does working together look like right? And it seems like for the first time this is what it feels like. So I definitely want to say great job to my other city council members. Thank you so very much. Um, with that being said, I do feel like I kinda have to group to Shafi. It does feel like we're moving forward with the water yeah, I definitely. And I was gonna say, Mr. Spite, I appreciate the apology that he gave. There's something that I would like to citizens to understand. Anytime that we're not at an event and I'm going to come and speak on the behalf. I know I shouldn't but life is occurring. For us. All right, and there's something that we're all going through. Sometimes there's reasons why we cannot there are many reasons why we can I mean I know Miss Robinson and her family was going through so much. There was reasons why she couldn't attend the event. So yeah, we're sick. Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. So there's number of reasons why we don't tend not because we don't want to or not because we're enjoying a cigar or anything like that. But that being said, I want to say thank you for being here tonight and showing up being present. I appreciate that so much and I'm gonna go ahead and turn it over to city council woman medica. Right. You
You both are planning, planning tonight. I did have a question for the young man. I was lost. What did you mean when you wanted when you mentioned party stores? Did you want us to look at how many we had or
there's not there's not a system of majority that lives or rely on Oh given up these permits, and these contracts that we who are the majority of people are blind, we need to have some type of representation.
Yeah, I agree. I just want to make sure I understood
it should be the other way around. I
actually realized that but I didn't know who wanted to get rid of. Anyway, anyway. Well, I know that so but we're not gonna talk about that today. Right. I have only resources and good news. And bring them on, bring them to our CD, et cetera in the mirror. Um
I was trying to figure out where to start. I am hiring information as well as resource information. So first off, I just want to congratulate charmer me, shoe or Harris for being nominated. Or voted top Woman of the Year 2020 In the US, USA Today. Thank you. Yeah, USA Today. Also. Community Resource Fair, march 6, that's Wednesday. 10 to one. I think my baby supplies and this is Detroit at work. And that's on Collingwood Street to 470 to 470 Excuse me Collinwood baby supplies assistance, food assistance, clothing, technology, homeownership information. utility assistance, childcare, expungement assistance. Say that again, in furniture, and it's fun to train the system. To know on the sixth, it's always in the sixth from 10am to 1pm. And I'm part of my district one or city council initiatives, we will begin the Community Assistance days again, which is usually every three months just trying to give you time and the first one is April 6 at New Mount Moriah. That's Universitas and what we're so the second one is September 7. These are community assistance days where you can come in and actually get assistance not just a conversation about it or Friar assistance, say same place. No, Mariah or Esther on September 7. In between here. I am asking that the churches that participated last year or if another church would like to participate this year, please reach out to me and let me know. spring cleanup is April 6. That's when the dumpster will be put out in district one. April 6 for those three days that weekend, it will disappear on Sunday. Of that weekend in the sixth, seventh and eighth. And then again September 7 for Fall cleanup 789 It disappears on that Monday morning on a Sunday night. So yeah, that whole weekend. And just remember that flyer will be out and you will know what you can put in those dumpsters and what you can't, you may have to travel to it but those are the dumpsters and district district one that is really all. I think I've covered everything. In regards to resources and events happening. There will be some more coming soon. That's it. Thank you ma'am. Oh, I'm sorry. Please also remember that you can go to the DPW yard and take some some items that you have. So I guess in case you miss those date will remember certain things that also they cannot take as well. So remember that you can take some of your items over there but you have to take you have to be how you park residents and they will ask for your ID. Your fall. No I'm just kidding. But but keep that in mind. Let's be a good citizen. Also, and clean up someone else. areas by those catch basins. Area something won't go down the drain. Please do that. I can't think of anything else. seemed like there was something else but other than that, everybody. Thank you for coming out tonight.
Have a great night. Everybody, thank you for showing up.
I appreciate your presence. I love Highland Park. I just have a question in regards to the Treasurer applications. President Have you received in
their in the mailbox I have not touched them and when I do I share them with everybody. I'm waiting for them to accumulate we gave people so far has been what two weeks? Okay, typically on Indeed they wait for 21 days. And so I haven't touched them. If they're in my mailbox, there'll be there when they come out copies will be made. There'll be distributed to all the members while I'm in the building. I don't have any need to take them home. After 21 days. Like I said three weeks will take them out of the mailbox so we
have a special meeting. Next we said I really got to know
what I mean. Okay, so I'm working three jobs. So let's find out. I'll go ahead. I'll go ahead and get them out. I'll come in in the morning. I'll make photocopies I'll distributed Thank you Okay, that's fine. Yeah. Yeah, I don't want to take them home. I got enough paper 73 trees and 2000 books in my house and I want another piece of paper. My burst into flames. All right, you don't miss Minnesota.
Yes, everybody. Have a good night. I love you.
Okay, so I'm gonna be very quick. It is. This time of year. It's basketball season. y'all. Y'all know what that is? That's federal student aid application for those of you who have young people at home. This is the time of year prior to the end of the school semester where young people need to apply for their financial aid. If they're planning to go off to college this fall. I can tell you that. If it were not for higher education, I wouldn't be I don't know where I would be. All my friends that I went to high school with went to Desert Storm and got sick or went to prison and they're still there. So if it was not for education, I wouldn't be sitting in this chair. I can't stress enough to you how important it is to convince young people to pursue higher education. The only thing that's going to make a difference in anybody's life is the amount of information that they can accumulate and what they do with it. So please, if you have young people in your family who are coming to the end of their high school career, and they don't know what they're going to do have a conversation with them. I just grabbed a couple little boys walking down John out the other day just talking. I asked them what are they doing? And they say, I don't know. They're in a 12th grade. They're in a second semester to 12th grade and they don't know what they're going to do. Put your arms around these kids. They need some encouragement, please definitely do that. I wish the young man would have stayed. I'm 53 Anybody that's less than 53. I'm gonna call young man. He raised an important question about locally owned businesses and I'm going to use the term locally owned businesses so that we don't find ourselves in any liability for our statements. That's just we want our community to reflect the people that live here. And this is a diverse community. I have a diverse family. So I can't say something that is not relevant in my own life. But some of the challenges that he discussed, they used to be black stores and gas stations everywhere. And what happened over time, there were significant challenges for black businesses. It ended up being permitting something that drove those businesses out financing, and fees. So over a number of years, all the people I remember Gibson's on the west side. I didn't go to a store that wasn't owned by somebody that didn't go to a store. It wasn't owned by somebody to nation Islam till I was eight I don't even know if other people had stores because we had our own community of stores that we went to on a regular basis. And what drove Gibson's and many other stores out of business is that oftentimes we go where it's cheapest. In many cases, that's not necessarily us. Also that the permitting process financing for these businesses and and fees heaped on black owned businesses, that it would be from the community, the community would heap pressure and fees on black owned businesses that they wouldn't do to non black owned businesses. They drove their own community out of the out of the neighborhood by trying to lean on them in ways that they didn't do for big corporations is common from the Mississippi Delta, all the way here to Highland Park. So we want those businesses but we have to understand what it takes to support them. So that that might be a community initiative, the businesses who are here needed to support them to keep them here and encourage them we also have the Highland Park Business Association. If you haven't communicated with those people find their website go visit them and interface with the people who are here to ensure that they can stay here. Other than that, I have nothing else having concluded our business to the city Highland Park, the chairman would declare this meeting adjourned.