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Detroit City Council Formal Session, 10 a.m.
President Sheffield
Let's check yourself all right. Good morning, everyone. Good morning. The morning it says the day that the Lord has made we shall rejoice and be grateful that we are here for another day. The regular session of Tuesday, April the fourth would now come to order and if our clerk will please call the roll.
Unknown Speaker
Councilmember Scott Vinson.
Unknown Speaker
Passing the Fed do ha the third costume Leticia Johnson Gabrielle Santiago Ramiro.
President Sheffield
Councilmember Santiago Ramiro has indicated that she will not be present
Unknown Speaker
that was so no.
Unknown Speaker
Mary Walters present
Unknown Speaker
how swim as you will feel Callaway
Unknown Speaker
often will call me young. The
Unknown Speaker
second consequence important James take a consequence and maybe Sheffield president.
Unknown Speaker
We have a quorum present Madam President
President Sheffield
All right. There being a quorum. We are now in session. And we'll go straight to our invocation for this morning. We have joining us this morning, Reverend Fred Brown. Are you with us Reverend Brown All right, Reverend Brown, you have to accept the invitation on your computer to be added as a panelist
President Sheffield
morning
Unknown Speaker
Good morning.
President Sheffield
Right we are ready for you to lead us in prayer this morning. Go right ahead. The floor is yours.
Speaker 1
And praise God sorry for the delay in getting on I am striving and we still gonna pray actually.
President Sheffield
You want you to put pull over and be safe.
Speaker 1
Amen. So give me a second here as I'm pulling up off the freeway. I will pull out with good morning to everyone. I counted a pleasure and a privilege to be here before this body this morning. My accent
Unknown Speaker
all right
Speaker 1
all right. So I've heard nothing what it's been said. So I'm taking it's just time for me to pray.
President Sheffield
Yes, sir. We are waiting for you. Amen.
Speaker 1
You have an honor to Christ who is the head of my life. My name is brother Fred brown. It's great to be recognized that like I said, I'm humbled to be before this body today's city council, you know Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as we are in this week of passion, which is symbolized by Easter and all that we have here. I'm reminded before I even pray, one of the prayers that Jesus prayed he prayed father make us one. And that would be my prayer. Our prayer today, Father, make us one make us one in mind, make us one and mission. Make us one and purpose as we serve the communities in which we serve in this great city of Detroit in which we live. Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus, we just thank you right now for your goodness and mercy that endures to all generations I ask right now in the name of Jesus, we ask that you would be with our mayor Lord God. Mike Dugan as he would do things concerning the city and concerning the citizens of the city Lord God, we ask that you be with him and his staff or God, that you would guide them or God that you would guide him Lord God to make two decisions that better serve this community serve this city. We asked right now in the name of Jesus and we lift him up and we lift up the city council in its entirety and all its staff Lord God, we ask right now, Lord God that you will cause them and US law got to work together as one that we might do the common good for the common person, Lord God. You said you wish that none should pay us but that we all would be in good health and that we would prosper even as our souls would prosper. In the name of Jesus hallelujah. We ask right now in the name of Jesus, Father, God that you would be with our president or God and vice president Kamala Harris Lord God and that they would make decisions Lord God concerning your people, even in this city, Lord God in this state, in this country and even around the world, Lord God, that best benefit the whole of humanity in the name of Jesus hallelujah. Father, in the name of Jesus, we asked right now that you would be with every decision district Detroit, things that concern with Lord God us all. who live in the city. Some of us who have been here our whole lives, Lord God, cost oversight to be where it needs to be Father God in the name of Jesus. While it is yet still called today, let us exhort one another Lord God, hallelujah. Let us encourage one another Lord God to not be so much concerned about our own things, but to be concerned with the things of another. Help us Lord God to make room and make way and make resource for the least of these Lord God. Help us to bring our city and our state and our country Lord God and and in particularly the African American community from leading these categories, Lord God, of poverty, of unemployment, incarceration and recidivism, Lord God, help them things to be a thing of the past Lord God not God's help more entrepreneurs, Lord God, become entrepreneurs in the city Lord God and provide the resources Lord God, even more than that available now provide even more in the name of Jesus, that we might do what you told us to do what you commanded us to do what you instructed us to do. You instructed us to occupy to EUCOM Lord God, which means to do financial business, to engage in trade and commerce, Lord God, help us to do the things Lord God to lift up our people, Lord God, to lift up a nation Lord God, in the name of Jesus, we intercede right now for Lord God, mental institutions being opened back up in the city, Lord God and throughout the state and throughout this country, Lord God, we intercede right now Father God and ask for more God that you would touch the residents of this great city Lord God, that you will help us to become one Lord God, one and thought one in mind and one indeed Lord God can for for another Lord God more than we would care for for ourselves, the Lord God, which would help to lift up the city and bring it to a place Lord God beyond where it has been in the past, Lord God, help us to restore and what God the things that have been stolen, stolen and tore down. Lord God, help us Lord God to rebuild law God and Lord God help us with mentorship. Lord God, in the name of Jesus, hallelujah. We thank you right now for this great body, this council Lord God that is assembled here today, Lord God, that you will be with their families. God, God, we lift each and every family up, Lord God. We lift up Lord God, I treasure the Lord God who's bereaved. On this day, Lord God in the name of Jesus, that you will provide conflict Lord God, so brief family Lord God, in the name of Jesus, hallelujah. Father, we thank you right now.
President Sheffield
Raymond Brown
President Sheffield
a man a man, a man.
Unknown Speaker
Reverend Brown, what?
President Sheffield
What a prayer, what
Unknown Speaker
a prayer.
President Sheffield
Thank you so much, Robert. Brown. Let me just make sure people are aware. Reverend Brown is located actually in district two member Callaway is district and he represents the MiG tau Community Council group in district two. So thank you Reverend for that invocation. And you be safe driving and have a blessed blessed morning,
Speaker 2
Madam Chair, if I might, he's probably riding through district to look up like he's the reason why I'm trying to start the bike patrol. Oh, now. So he drives through he locates illegal dumping and he uses this app to nine. That's Reverend Brown. Thank you, Reverend Brown. God bless you, sir. Thank you.
Unknown Speaker
I appreciate you all. Y'all have a blessed day. Thank you.
President Sheffield
All right. You too, sir. All right. So we will now move forward with our agenda. The general the session of Tuesday, March the 21st 2023 will be approved. There be there being no reconsiderations or unfinished business. We will proceed to the Budget and Finance and Audit standing committee for the budget Finance and Audit standing committee
Unknown Speaker
sometime in plus various city departments.
President Sheffield
All right. The 25 reports will be referred to the budget Finance and Audit standing committee for the internal operation standing committee
Unknown Speaker
reports from various city departments.
President Sheffield
The five reports will be referred to the internal operation standing committee for the Neighborhood and Community Services standing committee
Unknown Speaker
will be pushed from various city departments.
President Sheffield
The four reports will be referred to the Neighborhood and Community Services standing committee for the Planning and Economic Development standing committee
Unknown Speaker
submitted a memorandum
President Sheffield
the one memorandum will be referred to the Planning and Economic Development standing committee for the public health and safety standing committee
Unknown Speaker
reports from various city departments.
President Sheffield
The five reports will be referred to the public health and safety standing committee. We will now move to the voting action matters. Under other matters, there are no I was not a president under communications from the mayor and other governmental officials and agencies.
Unknown Speaker
There are no others Madam President.
President Sheffield
We will now call for public comment and we are going to now cut off our public comments. Everyone will have a minute and a half for public comment. And we will start with Russ bulat Good morning.
President Sheffield
Make sure your microphone is on just press the bottom
Speaker 3
they 
think I'd know by now. Okay, sorry. i I'm here as you might guess, because I'm alarmed by the suggestion that the council member could propose to take $15 million out of our fund balance and move it to other activity and this stuns others as well. I'll speak for myself however, but that fund balance is not there as a cash cow for other projects. The fund balance is there to balance our budget annually. When the mayor takes millions of dollars a year out of our budget. The fund balance is there to put roofs and HVAC systems and library branches when they fail. If this $15 million take out of from the fund balance was executed. In about three years we wouldn't have a fund balance and when we lose our fund balance and the city keeps its massive tax capturing in place. And I know there's a memo out there saying that but many of you heard CFO and Tonio brown say if there's going to be a loss of property taxes, the city hasn't communicated to us. I've told you and he told you that the city is still telling us they're going to increase the tax captures on us 2425 and 26 That's what the official word is not any placation to the city council. That's the operational reality. Please protect us. Mr. biller
+1
think I'd know by now. Okay, sorry. i I'm here as you might guess, because I'm alarmed by the suggestion that the council member could propose to take $15 million out of our fund balance and move it to other activity and this stuns others as well. I'll speak for myself however, but that fund balance is not there as a cash cow for other projects. The fund balance is there to balance our budget annually. When the mayor takes millions of dollars a year out of our budget. The fund balance is there to put roofs and HVAC systems and library branches when they fail. If this $15 million take out of from the fund balance was executed. In about three years we wouldn't have a fund balance and when we lose our fund balance and the city keeps its massive tax capturing in place. And I know there's a memo out there saying that but many of you heard CFO and Tonio brown say if there's going to be a loss of property taxes, the city hasn't communicated to us. I've told you and he told you that the city is still telling us they're going to increase the tax captures on us 2425 and 26 That's what the official word is not any placation to the city council. That's the operational reality. Please protect us. Mr. biller President Sheffield
Mr. biller rest blot. Is it possible you could get a letter or something on behalf of the commission? Before we actually take this up? Right now with an executive session? And so I'm not sure if you can get something on behalf of the Library Commission as your position as relates to the proposed transfer of funds.
Speaker 3
I can ask the commission. I'll take that up immediately. What is the likely the absolute deadline for getting
President Sheffield
this I will probably say maybe before Friday, if possible. I believe that you can email that over to the entire council. That'd be helpful as I'd be
Unknown Speaker
honored to do that and I appreciate that initiative.
President Sheffield
Okay. Thank you. Yes, member Yang.
Speaker 4
Thank you, Madam President. Mr. Bullock Good to see you. I just want to leave you I don't know if it's gonna help you now but I just want to tell you this. So section 203, subsection three at 57 recodification of the tax increment Finance Authority act. And what it says is that if a millage is renewed, so the renewal for the library moves will take place next year, so that millage passes the year after that July 1 2025, the library millage will no longer be captured by the Downtown Development Authority. That's a state law that's in effect now in 2018. I'm gonna say it again. It's public act 57 of 2018. The tax increment Finance Authority at recodification of the tax increment Finance Authority yet, so if the millage next year 2024 passed, the law is renewed it 2025 July 1 2025 The library taxes the library tax will no longer be captured by Downtown Development Authority. I just want to let you know that.
Speaker 3
I do understand but remember what I said even when they banned the tax captures by state law for the library and the zoo. They capture all the existing obligations, so it will still be captured for 4 million a year.
President Sheffield
Thank you so much. We gotta gotta give everybody equal time looking forward to that letter as well. Mr. Bullock, thank you so much for coming down. Mike Sen.
Speaker 5
Boarding Hello, council president. Hello council members. My name is Mike SE and I'm the vice president of American community developers. I'm here this morning on behalf of the ownership to address the concerns that were raised by the residents at the demo building on 1545. Woodward. First I'd like to apologize for the misunderstandings and I want to state very clearly and simply no one is being displaced and no one is being required to move from the hemel homebuilding. American community developers is committed to preserving and providing affordable housing. And we are the largest provider of affordable housing in the city of Detroit. We advocate for affordable housing every day. So an invitation to that we're working on building new affordable housing hundreds of units in the city right now in neighborhoods, all across many districts. But here's what's going on. We made a request to transfer a portion of the budget authority for rental assistance and hemato do a new project called brush Watson in brush Park. And as part of that process, HUD has many federal regulations and requirements that we have to submit to residents in a notice this was done in December. Quite frankly, these are very confusing and bureaucratic processes. I myself am confused by them and I work in affordable housing every day. So I understand what's going on. But here's what's what's happening right now with HUD approves this. There are three options for residents at at hemal home. They can choose to stay at home or home. And we have advocated to get tenant protection vouchers from HUD so that residents rent will still be based on their income and they continue to live as they have for many years.
President Sheffield
Thank you. I know you had caught in in advance. So if you want to finish your statement, I will I was going to allow you to speak but you came up for public comment so go right ahead
Speaker 5
if I may thank you. The second option will be the residents can choose to move to brush Watson which is a new development in brush Park. And the third option would be with a tenant protection vouchers they could move to another development at the residents choice. In any case, the choice belongs to the residents of Himmel. Home and the rent will still continue to be based on their income either through this budget authority transfer to brush Watson or through the tenant protection vouchers. Ross Watson is a mixed income development that is just completing right now in Brook park with over 300 units. Half of those who have been set aside as affordable ranging from 30% to 80% ami. It is a beautiful neighborhood. I happen to live a block from this development. And I'm very proud to bring this product online and to show what we can do with affordable housing in the city of Detroit. Back to the concerns though of residents, we did follow up after that initial meeting in December with some frequently asked questions. I have a copy of that document if any of the council members would like to receive that either here or by email. We will be hosting another meeting with residents. And then in addition to that, as soon as we get the elevator certified at Bridgewater and we will be doing tours of brush Watson so that residents can come and see the the new apartments firsthand. And again, make a decision one two or three either stay at him Ohio, moved to brush Watson or move somewhere else with the tenant protection vouchers. Thank you for your time.
President Sheffield
I appreciate that. And thank you for that update. And if you can also again just submit that in writing to us so that we can have it it's a lot to take in right here at the table but if we can see it in writing so we're aware of everything that's happening over the next big cut down for the base was just just remember waters
Speaker 6
whenever you're hosting a meeting with residents, when it's the meeting,
Speaker 5
we have not distributed a notice for the meeting. It'll be in the month of April. And I will be at that meeting. We've invited members of the housing revitalization department
Speaker 6
and I would certainly appreciate an opportunity to attend. Absolutely,
Unknown Speaker
we'd love for you to be there. Thank you. Thank you.
President Sheffield
All right, thank you. Member Doha has joined us the clerk would note All right, Steven Handschuh.
Speaker 7
Good morning Council members. Once again I'm here to represent and as a tenant of the Hamel ho apartment. But let me take 30 milliseconds to say please help stop the rape of the libraries in Detroit. They're the measure of any civilization is the kind of libraries we have. You just heard that nice presentation from our landlords. And I hope it's true it's very different than the behavior of our landlords has been to us. And HUD has made it clear to us that they have applied for these transfers, but not yet received them, even though they have told us verbally again and again that they have received them. So please be very careful. If HUD doesn't tell you don't take the word of these landlords. They have negatively affected the quality of our lives since they bought these buildings. They I cannot begin to stress to you the first time most of you met me. Thank you.
President Sheffield
Thank you so much. Mr. Han's to Esther Galvez sent to Watkins.
Speaker 6
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen Council My name is Esther Galvez. And I'm also here to say words are very pretty. Gentleman we just met him he seemed sincere. When we were received with this note, it was nine days before Christmas. This was merry christmas and this is what your new year is going to be about. And so now that we've come and we've spoken before Council, the scenario has changed. Now they're going to help us get the vouchers before they just said they would help us move. Thank you. But be careful. You're all educated very your staff are very qualified. Read between the lines and all the fine print. Help us because we've all helped all of us and the city stay together. When the city was abandoned when everybody left the seniors kept the community the downtown and the neighborhoods going. Now gentrification is on and poppin everything's going good. And we are in the way please remember us? We vote. In fact, we're the only ones that vote. So remember that too. Thank you. All right.
Unknown Speaker
Madam Chair.
President Sheffield
Yes, member Callaway. Yes,
Speaker 2
thank you. I remember when Thank you Madam Chair. I remember when Mary and Mahaffey transformed that building from Himachal him halls to a complex where seniors would have the opportunity to enjoy living downtown working downtown playing downtown and enjoying downtown. I would hope that the new owners of the building would not intend to retaliate against any of you because that's a federal offense if you retaliate, and the federal government, the state government, and the city government has no zero tolerance for retaliation. So I support you staying in that building and not being transferred to brush Watson or anywhere else. Because I do believe if you move, you will lose your opportunity to live on an income based basis. And that's my opinion. Thank you, Madam Chair.
President Sheffield
Thank you. All right. Well, smartens
Speaker 8
Good morning. Detroit once had the highest rates of black condemnation. What was once a black Mecca, it has now became a series of bankruptcy and foreclosures. Detroit homeowners were overtaxed by at least $600 million between 2007 and 2016 after officials failed to accurately assess these properties during the great recession this over taxation unjustly burdens black Detroit homeowners now 1000s of homeowners are struggling with property tax debt and losing their homes. It's time to pass a compensation fund to pay black homeowners who are unjustly overtaxed, that $600 million during the housing crisis. Including those families who lost their homes to that tax foreclosure. Homeowners in Detroit are in desperate need of relief. If our city can bail out banks, mega wealthy corporations, landlords, new tech mecca and give incentives outside of this to grow the economy. Then we can create a budget that will help those who lost everything after the housing crisis and bring black homeownership back in Detroit. Thank you. Thank you.
President Sheffield
Sanders, followed by Ken Holloway. Ms. Sanders your next followed by Galloway
Unknown Speaker
Hello, honorable body.
Unknown Speaker
How are you today?
Unknown Speaker
Good morning. Hey,
Speaker 8
take well you guys you know I'm here again because I didn't make these phone calls this week 60 to 1000 calls and we got several several people that's been evicted and to say I have new statistics I would like to give them to you guys. Right to constantly be fully funded. You pass it you do what you're supposed to but where's the money? Can we get the money? We need the money. Also over assessing people about $600 million. So it's homeowners. That's where they're renters now come on now mixed up make sense. And the Office of Violence Protection. We need to Metro services I'm not understanding. So let's talk about this. You guys. What are you gonna do? What are the plans do you need us to bring a plan to you that's what I need to know you need to bring the plan to you. Because evidently, things that we work with is not working. And I'm sad, Todd, same thing you're suffering. I'm tired of seeing children suffering. I'm tired of seeing all of us Detroit to suffering. I came back to Detroit. I left Georgia to come back to the to my city. I love my city. Can we please make our city viable and livable for everyone? It don't have to be just for people. It's like you guys don't know but people are living in a cars. People are living on the street. People are loving the weather just change but they still freezing. So what are we gonna do? I do love you guys, but let's make a meeting so we can really combat and see what we need to do. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Speaker 2
Yes, ma'am. Ma'am for Halloween, ma'am. Thank you, ma'am. Can you give us information my staff members right there of those persons who you say are living in their car because they shouldn't be living in their car and we can support them today. We can get them out of living in their car. So my staff person is right there if you can get that information. He's right there.
President Sheffield
Thank you. Please make sure you will make a copy of the entire council will get a copy of it as well too. Thank you Miss Saunders. Yeah, thank you so much. Mr. Holloway.
Speaker 9
Good morning. Good morning. Nowadays and get paid 100 million. Can I get some money on the east side? Can we get some money on inside? Y'all okay, everything. You know, they just put the papers. Yeah, I guess y'all seen that about staff hire lay family. Members making more than the city council. Bags. It's all over the radio. It's all over the nine chin. I know some of y'all listening that chant? They? We can't get none that no help over there. Come down here all the time. And just like I'm just coming down here. And y'all can y'all hear me? I don't understand. Maybe I need to get some hearing aid or something because it's sad. I haven't heard from my city council lately. You know, I don't know if because I said I may run for city council. Because I've not been in like that. You know, I can't be I keep it 100 I keep it real and I have to step out when they pray in the beginning of the show. Because we have all Eastern people and then people turn around and don't help God's kid you know, and need that when in need. And we voted you guys in Come on now. Y'all know better than that. You know, y'all should be helping us out. You know, I'm not here. to bash you. I'm just here to keep it fine and your foot so y'all can take care of business with us in the city. We don't live downtown. They don't they fix it up downtown. But what about the community going go move here and you ain't got no schools. No lobby for the kid is saying we should we shouldn't have to live like y'all know better than that. You know, I mean, I can tell over there where I live but I called Dan chan down to the houses that need to be taught out and they say
President Sheffield
thank you. Thank you, Mr. Holloway. If you say you know we are working to bring the price list Atlantis group back before this body right after our budget deliberations in next week. So stay tuned for that. And we also have been looking into the CBA that was passed and some of the violations that have been issued against Christ are so looking forward to a very robust discussion after budget. We have them before us to get an update on what's taking place with Chrysler. All right, our next person we have Karen miski is carrying us here in the vein.
Speaker 10
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen and city council. object that I'm talking about is not on the housing or anything like that, but it's still about money, which seems to be the issue of everything. I'm here with my union. Brothers to speak on pay the GA Gam which is the general auto mechanic title, their concern is that not being paid properly. I have to agree, because I started with the city July 25 1994 As am I made 979 an hour. I became a Gam general auto mechanic in 1997. I was started 16 by 2010 I was making 2085 And now 2010 is also going to bankruptcy hit. Our pay was reduced one week 2085 The following week 1876 And we stayed there until 2014 we finally could get a contract and come out from under the CET. Then it was 1961 and from there when I was promoted to the Automotive Service Technician Title I was making 2166 James and not too far from that now. They're not making what they should make and they're making these titles up. They're bringing people in and paying them more money than the people who are already here working. Just think about this. mechanics we do need money we buy tools I toolbox alone is $10,000 or tools alone is probably our yearly salary.
President Sheffield
Thank you Karen. I hate to cut you off. We do have to adhere to the time but to all of the GSD mechanics I did have the opportunity to meet what asked me local 299-222-2929 Thank you for the correction and so I did raise this in our budget deliberations regarding your your current situation regarding lack of pay your two allowance uniforms. I heard some issues around uniforms as well too. And so I did propose just as a small interim thing to help in the interim is a one time $2,000 bonus for GSD mechanics. It was approved by the city council so we're looking at trying to pass that during this particular budget and then also look at how we can support overall increases in just support to all of our GSD mechanics. So I appreciate you guys coming down I am fully aware of what's going on. And we're as a body looking at figuring out how we can support you guys moving forward. But we did approve in this budget so far and one time 200 Excuse me $2,000 bonus that will hopefully take place as soon as the negotiations are nailed out. Okay. Thank you so much. All right, our next person, Linda Williams.
Speaker 11
Good morning. My name is Linda Williams and I'm here as part of Detroit action to call Detroit City Council to fund for fun right to council as well as property tax compensation and Office of Violence. Prevention. I am a homeowner of 20 years and I've been in Detroit for almost 65 years. I was almost losing my home back in 2011. But I was fortunate enough to have the Step Forward program to pay my back taxes on behalf of so many other homeowners who have lost their homes 30 years and better living in their homes and now they're this place. We would like for the funding to be in effect ASAP because so many people are just lost in limbo and they have nothing children being affected as well. I just recently had a young lady who was a friend of mine a co worker and she was going through a crisis she came to me on February the fifth she called the mental health place and the lady told her asked her could it wait till tomorrow. She eventually went into the hospital three weeks later. And stayed for two weeks and they discharged her and absolutely did nothing. So the funding is in great mode, the mental health the compensation for the homeowners, and also the right to town. Thank you.
President Sheffield
Thank you so much. Harrison Harrison shields Okay.
Speaker 12
On our body. My name is Harrison Shelby. I am a community leader. I live in district one. This morning. My heart is very heavy. Thinking about the circumstances in the city. There are two things that were on my heart this morning is our housing as our housing crisis. As a as a former nonprofit management professional. I worked with people that were experiencing homelessness or at risk and so we need to fund the right to counsel and not add to those people that are going to be better part of that population. And the second thing is funding the Office of Violence Prevention as someone that has been boots on the ground. Just recently having two elderly women assaulted in our community is a travesty. I can't stand by any longer and watch that and I haven't I've been I've been inaction. And a lot of the work I've done I've done for free and we need more support to support the leaders that are on the ground. To work with the police department. We've called on many community leaders to help and we need to be able to fund that and look at how we address the root causes of violence and add mental health support to our community. So thank you.
President Sheffield
Thank you. Anthony Barber. It's Babor sorry, yeah.
Speaker 4
So I want to come up here and talk about the Office of Violence Prevention and how worried I am about its existence. Um, to start off with I don't feel like there's been much emphasis on violence prevention. I feel like giving $7 million to ShotSpotter makes it very clear that prevention isn't a concern. And instead, what we want to do is make sure that we're locking up people who are in desperate situations, and I don't think that actually goes very far and healing or caring for the city. The second thing that concerns me about the Office of Violence Prevention is I don't want it anywhere near the police. I don't want it connected to police. I think it's very clear that policing adds to the violence more than it prevents violence. And again, I'm not trying to say that any type of action can stop people from committing more crimes, but if we're talking about prevention, these acts that we've been taking aren't doing anything. The third thing is the mayor's description. Of shot stoppers is embarrassing, because for one, that's not a great name, if you're gonna have ShotSpotter and then a group of people who are known as shot stoppers. I don't know what their purpose is. worse off though, is trying to present this like a game show where you can win $700,000 And then maybe you want another $700,000 When the focus should be on community. And we already have organizations who work within the city of Detroit that are doing that. So I hope that money is diverted from the DPW and given to the Office of Violence Prevention.
President Sheffield
Thank you. Thanks. Number Durva.
Speaker 13
Thank you, Madam President. I just want to address really quick. We've got a gun violence task force if you're interested in participating in sitting at the table with all the other CBI groups that you're talking about. Whether that's forced to tour Detroit friends or family ceasefire, I can go through and name them all. When it comes to shot stoppers. That and many of those dollars and recommendations came from the gun violence task force the same people that you're talking about to put work in every single day. On the ground. Just yesterday we had a man by the name of David Mohamad, who taught who goes around the country and has a lot of data on the Office of Violence Prevention. So we're still taking those recommendations to put that into action as well and what that will look like in the city of Detroit so it's just not like anywhere else. So just wanted to let you know that you can reach out to my staff, please raise your hand. They'll give you their contact information. If you'd like to participate and sit at the table and put your recommendations in for programs for CBI workers what they call it community violence intervention. Thank you, Madam President.
President Sheffield
Thank you. Wayne Daniels. Sharon would feel would be next
Speaker 14
on a madam president City Council. My name is Dwayne Daniels. And I'm here to represent against Detroit action at this point and I'm here to encourage you to please support and fun. Obviously at the council, I guess last year, I thought, the right set of tenants to be protected because people need to stay in the houses and they may not have a working knowledge of all the laws also and I asked you what you gonna do about the common person, the taxpayer, the voters, because I see that you got programs for people that's below the poverty level, and then you join all the things but millionaires, what are you doing for the people that's gonna keep you in office?
Unknown Speaker
That's all I have for today.
President Sheffield
Thank you, Mr. Daniels. Appreciate you. We'll continue to work with you. Sharon with you. Followed by Nancy Arcor. Followed by Carlos Jones.
Speaker 15
Good morning, city council. And to everybody here. My name is Sharon would feel and I live in a large apartment. I moved in there on February 8, two weeks after I was there. fuming snail was so strong. I couldn't even breathe. I had to go in the hallway. It was on a shared room. I stayed in the hallway for four hours. Everything. I have three pipes going across lunch billing. And one going another way. We have square shillings all through your apartment building. I have complained about it. At first everybody denied me saying it wasn't going on. Finally, I came down here it was coming in. Inspector flemons INSTRUCTOR flood cloning come out and what it is I live on the seventh floor and above me is no floor above that. If no four and then it's the roof. When finally after I talk to the people at 36 is the Court The lady told me to add the virus is going on everything's closed down. She said the only way I can get some consideration. Pull up my rent or because I couldn't even come there. You can put it in escrow. So when I hold up the rent this is when they came to me and took me to court
President Sheffield
so sometimes we feel
Speaker 15
I've been promised so many time that they are going to do Alpha mechanic came out. They were told me it will last for three months.
President Sheffield
Okay, so Miss Whitfield if you don't mind because we only have a minute and 30 seconds for public comment if you could step aside and also want to connect you will remember Santiago where murals office where you reside at her district, the council member for your district. Our team is here. We're going to get your information and try to connect you with some help. Okay. Oh, while you're here, there's someone from some council members office perfect. We'll make sure that we all connect with you offline. Okay, thank you. And of course the at large members team can help as well. Okay. Nancy Parker.
Speaker 16
The morning Nancy Parker from the Detroit Justice Center. I'm here to talk about the office prevention. This needs to be fully funded, not $10 million crumbs. We need at least $50 million. I'm looking at you Councilman dr. Hall, diverted from DPD into this office of prevention, as my brother Anthony was saying, I have yet to hear anything about prevention. You're saying interruption intervention, prevention are measures that keep people safe? What are you doing for a universal basic income so people don't have to steal? What are we doing for mental health services? Can we get non armed non Police Emergency Response? These are the kind of innovation that the people of Detroit want. I don't know who's sitting at the table. We are community folks who are not at that table might be because we don't work with police groups. You mentioned they in our are basically informants, you cannot deputize citizens to act as police and expect a different result. Can we do? Can we get income for folks can we get housing? Can we get mental health services? Can we get clinicians, social workers that can be mobilized when someone is on house and living on the streets right when someone is breaking into a building for warmth? We there's so many other solutions. $10 million is not enough. Can we divest at a minimum 50 million from DPD DPD strolls in here? They have all the money in their coffers over $300 million. They walk in here they get anything they want tend to people get something one second
President Sheffield
one second. Make sure these con number two respond.
Speaker 13
Thank you, Madam pres again. No one insinuated that $10 million is enough. Again, I've stated many times the cost in life exceeds any dollar amount. And so again, the invitation is open. If you would like to share your ideas, as well as at the taskforce table, we have been operating at an at our gun violence task force a little a little bit over a year now. It's
Unknown Speaker
more than more than guns. Remember to speak.
Speaker 13
And so again, we take a lot of recommendations from the folks that do this work every day. And if you have a different perspective, again, we invite you to the table to come share that. But as far as those folks who do the CBI work I will not say their informants because I've been out there with them when they have stopped active shooters. And so I don't, I don't I want to be careful about disrespecting the work of some of those folks who go in there who are witness shooters who are getting these shooters off the streets every single day. DPD is not at the gun violence task force table. By the way. These are all community groups that are so I'm inviting you again, the invitation is open. Please come share your perspective some recommendations that you have get with our team. I think your brother already did. We meet once a month and we welcomed at the table. This is an issue that is going to have to be solved by us all. I am no gun violence expert, and so are many things that I've learned. But we talked about prevention as well. We talked about prevention as well. There are things that are attached to gun violence, whether that be socio economic, or otherwise. And those are the recommendations that we are working and we just don't build an office without understanding what those programs will be under support. We don't just throw money at an issue before we come up with a plan. And so that's what we're doing at the gun violence task force. Again, I invite you please come share your ideas. Council President Sheffield and I are working very hard to create that. And we've taken everybody's perspective.
Speaker 16
There's more than one table I want to invite you to our table. I would love to.
Unknown Speaker
I would love to thank you. Thank you.
President Sheffield
I'm coming to you now. So remember, yeah, what you want to stay up I think people
Speaker 4
know, I'm sorry. I heard you said something about guaranteed income. I just want to say the universal basic income Well, during the reason why I'm saying is because universal basic income with everybody, all incomes guaranteed income was based on people who are poor who are hurting, I want to use it for guaranteed income because of where we are in situation and the limitation on funds. So I've secured about $3 million. In ARPA, we're not talking about guaranteed income we're talking about $500 225 people for 18 to 24 months. The stock and analysis when they started this in stock when they said that employment went up about 18% majority this money was spent on food clothing. It was spent on utilities and gas as well. So I think this is a really good thing for people who are hurting the most. There's no strings attached money. So we're working on the control group say right now. I would love to work with you as well. I'd also like to come to your group if you would have the number for you to call me is 313224. I'm gonna repeat it for two for a so it's 313-224-4248. So again, it's 313-224-4248
Speaker 16
And is this your direct number when I call your counseling you will answer well, if you
Speaker 4
call you say you are Oh, you let the number in. Okay, I was going
President Sheffield
to say thank you so much. I really appreciate you guys. Thank you very much reaction as well.
Unknown Speaker
I am Detroit action in Detroit justice. Okay, perfect.
President Sheffield
Party. Thank you so much.
Unknown Speaker
Thank you.
President Sheffield
Carlos Jones. Louis Napoleon.
Speaker 17
Good morning, everyone. My name is Carlos Jones. I am the present. President. Dan,
President Sheffield
do you speak up a little bit louder.
Speaker 17
I'm the president president of Acme local two to nine the local that knife sharpener had a representative come and visit us. I mean, we appreciate you wanting to give us a bonus or trying to squeeze a bonus in the budget. But you know that will allow us to go get some groceries for right now. But our concern is that we need to get more pay. In the meantime. The city has broken the contract we have a contract with the city and the city has broken the contract by hiring the people into the city and given down a place mechanics high mechanics and the city and given down more paid than what they give than what we make already. So
President Sheffield
sorry about that. That is your time. As I mentioned before, fully aware of what's going on in the bonus is just one little portion to show some love to you all. But I understand the greater need of what you all need as workers. We do have limitations because of collective bargaining agreements and some of the contracts that you guys are in but fully aware and looking forward to working with you and your team. Okay. Okay to figure out what we can do to help you guys. Yes. All right. And we're also thinking about trying to have you all come before Council and speak to some of the issues as well okay to give you more time as well. Okay, okay. Thank you so much, sir. All right. I'm Louis Napoleon. Charles motor. Good morning.
Speaker 18
Just want to elaborate on I'm a member of Local 229 also been a mechanic for the city for over 20 years. And I just wanted to make let the council be aware of some of the abuse. I consider abuse we've taken they've cut out pensions with the emergency manager and other people. We've lost 1000s of dollars that have been taken in one swoop forced to take the cuts after peakers other city entities have received pay for essential work that they wouldn't have been a do the job had it not been for the mechanics and I don't think it's fair. So I just wanted to bring light to the abuse that the mechanics would take notice as my presidency. They are hiring people off the street making more money than we are we have to train them because they don't even know how to do the work. So I think it's unfair and I think it needs that Rick, and I appreciate the offer the money but as my president say, we need more money. Now we need our wages.
President Sheffield
Let me support you guys. fully supported. Right. Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes.
Speaker 2
First of all, I just want to thank the when the men and women who are here, it takes courage. It takes on boldness, and I do not expect and I'm sure my colleagues will agree because of your presence here. And you speaking up about your pay that you will be retaliated against you will not so I thank you for your courage. But if anything like that happens you can you're welcome to call my office two to 440 535-224-4535 we expect no retaliation for you being here today. Zero tolerance for it. Thank you. Thank you Madam Chair
President Sheffield
cube, Matthew Davis. I'm sorry.
Unknown Speaker
Charles McGruder.
President Sheffield
Okay Charles alibi Matthew.
Speaker 19
This is I just want to reiterate again, you all you all are very talented, you have education, you train well for years was positioned. Just consider this. You bring somebody in, it's gonna make no money you and you have done all the work you have all the education and talent, how would you feel? I'm just making sure to read how would you feel if you hire somebody to do what you're doing every day and you do it as we do it? They bring somebody in and they're gonna pay them what you make and more. With no experience, no education, anything. Just think about that.
President Sheffield
All right, thank you. Matthew Davis Gregory Brown.
Speaker 20
Lauren Castle, I'm here to like, I'm here to hear to you, Mark. You're saying a district seven. We have neighbors in our community, that when they when trans people come in and trans people comes they don't they never bring their cans in when after they get their trash empty. So I would like to know what should I do?
President Sheffield
I'm sorry, it was kind of difficult to hear you I don't know if you want to feel comfortable removed. There you go.
Speaker 20
When when people when they when dragged people coming in, dump the trash out of people's cans. Neighborhood never take their trash cans in. So I like to know what should I do?
President Sheffield
Okay, it looks like you're in district seven with Mr. Haas and he wants to respond to you. Okay.
Speaker 13
Are you doing brother we have Thank you Madam President. Pardon me how you doing? Brother? We have Herve raise your hand. We have a member of our team right back there. He can get some more detailed information about where these folks are dumping who who's dumping and the addresses of that so we can try to work and get that so thank you. Thank you, sir.
President Sheffield
Thank you, Vanessa. valid questions, April. Smith, Antoinette McDaniel.
Unknown Speaker
Hi,
Speaker 21
I'm Gregory Brown. I'm Vice President for local 229 I think I'm the last person that's going to speak from our group. And what we didn't mention was essential pay and hazard pay. A lot of us that have been here have been grinding, just during that time of COVID. I mean, the pandemic and we did receive something from that but the essential Pape we never were compensated for as essential workers. It seems that we're just essential some time we're more than that. Every time that there's a service that is needed, where there day and night, and we were receiving the least. There are other Gam mechanics that receive higher pay with the same job title, the same requirements. And they receive more and we're still stuck at the bottom with no chance to reach a higher pay. Also, there's the different assignments. They mentioned that earlier different assignments of temporary mechanics that have been hired. In that come in, under under what do you call it under? Experienced and they receive more pay, but yet we're still stuck here at the bottom. We want to thank you all for having us here. And yes, we will appreciate meeting with you later on. Thank you so much for receiving us.
President Sheffield
Thank you and again, thank you to the men and women of our GSD mechanics department we appreciate truly appreciate your service. Thank you for making us aware of the issues and concerns that you guys are experiencing it is on my radar for sure. I'm sure all of my colleagues as well too. Now that you have come here, but again we did raise this in our budget deliberations looking forward to supporting you immediately with a bonus but also addressing the long term issues of what's happening with you all. So thank you. Thank you. Thank you and I'm looking forward to continuing to meet with you guys. Okay, let's give them a round of applause all of our DSD mechanics thank you for spending the morning with us. And we truly, truly appreciate your service. Looking forward to those further discussions with you guys. All right, Miss Vanessa.
Speaker 22
Hi, everybody. My name is Vanessa Velazquez. I'm back again to talk about fully funding right to counsel. As I mentioned previously, last week, I am newly a renter in District Four and on my block. The property management that I live under owns almost every single house on the block. And I couldn't imagine if there was economic hardship that hit my drag community that let us all be evicted and once again, have an empty block on the east side. There's no current protections besides the passage of last year's ordinance, but it doesn't have enough meat in it. There's not enough money in the pot to support everyone that would need to be supported in Detroit. And so I'm asking everybody to fund right to council at $20 million, so that we don't see more blighted neighborhoods, we keep our people in their homes and we keep our communities growing and keep the kids happy.
President Sheffield
Thank you. All right. Thank you. April Smith.
Speaker 23
Hey everybody, my name is April Smith. And I'm here with Detroit action to talk about the rocks of Council. This is well in our communities. Most of us have lived in Detroit, like all our lives, and it's a lot of people that live here that gets maybe like $800 a month. And how does our area medium income be 65,000 for people that is low income. So where do we get housing for these people? Most of the people that's in the shelters get income but they don't have nowhere to live, because they're only getting $500, maybe $600 $800 And it's really hard and it really wears on my heart really bad because people are going to be on the street and all these big high rises is getting built with the little stores and everything and inside of them. But then somebody is living on a block away in their car or on a doorstep. So how do we get our council members to come forward and get a true low income building? When I say true, I mean, somewhere where you can pay 350 A whole building like all these schools is empty. They taking education from the kids, but they're not giving anything back to the people. So when do we get that thank you thank you
Unknown Speaker
Solomon often
President Sheffield
was again, what's your name, ma'am?
Unknown Speaker
That's when asked at one et
President Sheffield
Cie one for you. Go ahead. I don't see your card. Oh, hey. Good morning, Council.
Speaker 11
Hi. Yes, my name is again my name is Antoinette McDaniel. And I'm here with detraction I'm, I'm a city and excuse me a citizen and I'm here to urge that you truly do fun. Rice to console
Unknown Speaker
for almost no story.
Speaker 11
I was I was definitely evicted. And we definitely need more legal representation with this funding for us to fund this. I was thrown out illegally. I had a court date to come back on my on my court date. And I went out of town and I when I came back, I was truly evicted. My things were thrown out and at that time, I was not legally represented. And that's why I'm here to urge that you do this. And also, once I moved from there, I've been bouncing them out to place to place my current landlord. I'm not sure if they're even the landlord because I'm getting different landlords, like every eight months, and each time I received a different landlord, my rent goes up. So I'm here to just express that. That this this fun finding takes place definitely thank
President Sheffield
you. All right. Thank you. Joanna Eliquis followed by Solomon Medina says
Unknown Speaker
Hello, good morning Council. My name is Joanna Velazquez. I live in district five and I'm here with Detroit action.
Speaker 22
I'm just here to say that our budget really needs to reflect the values that we share as a community. And three of those issues in which I have the pleasure of talking with our membership about daily is fully funding nights a council a compensation funds that meets the needs of the home over assessing foreclosed homeowners and creating an Office of Violence Prevention that does just that prevention. Going back to rates a council as folks I've already named, there's really no reason why renters shouldn't have the ability to represent themselves in the case of being able to keep their own home and whether or not they have full ownership or not. That's where they're living. That's where their their families are growing. And that's what's giving them the stability that they need. And so fully funding a program like this through our city funds allows us to create the sustainability that we need in our neighborhoods to thrive. As it relates to homeowners. We know that there's a there's a debt owed and it's upward of $600 million, and there should not be a compensation conversation on the table that does not meet the needs of the menu of compensation options that homeowners have asked from themselves. And so on a local level that very much looks like including home repairs to the conversation. And then lastly, you know, we've seen this for through tragedies within our own communities. But mental health is something that folks are pleading for. We do not have enough resources within within the city to actually meet the needs of our youth, of our of our adults of our struggling seniors. And so this is something that we need to see in the Office of Violence Prevention. All right.
President Sheffield
Thank you. Alton. McIntyre. No, he's not here. Solomon, come on up Salem.
Speaker 24
Hi, counsel. Oh, sorry. Thank you for listening to my public comment. Once again. I know I've been here a couple of times in the last couple of weeks. It's because public budgets are where we can weigh in on where public tax dollars are going. So I'm going to maximize this opportunity. I also want to offer my solidarity to the DSD mechanics. The seniors here at risk of displacement and the woman in Highland Park, whose home housing activists are defending as we speak, as eviction bailiffs are escalating the violence but I came here today to talk about the budget and I want to be clear about my priorities as a district five resident Detroit should invest in home ownership, especially black homeownership, you can do that by fully compensating homeowners whose property taxes were illegally were assessed, including home repairs. I've spent much of this week talking with people on the phone who are behind on their property taxes, and they need relief urgently. Many of them are retired with only marginal Social Security income. I spoke with one woman whose bedroom was freezing because she couldn't afford the repairs on her home. I'm just I was just a phone banker trying to get folks appointments with Wayne Metro. But these folks were just talking about your off trying like like telling me every detail about their situation. And like I yeah, I'm not the person that they should be telling those things to. It Yeah, we need to pass a conversation or instead of fully fun compensates people who are overtaxed including repairs. I also just want to support the the right to counsel and Office of Violence Prevention. I used to work as an EMT, and police officers are oftentimes ill equipped to deal with mental health crises I've seen I've been EMT that's called I've been called to to solve problems that the police created.
President Sheffield
Thank you Solomon. What sorry, your Williams did they Palmer?
Unknown Speaker
Good morning, council members. How are you? My name is out to magnetize. I'm here on behalf of
Speaker 25
Detroit action as long as as well as the triple people's water board coalition. And right now, Councilman Durham, and all of you guys sit up here and say you haven't been addressed with issues and how will the person mean I mean, issues of homelessness. I'm homeless. I sleep in my truck. And that's been because in 1992, I was convicted of a crime I didn't commit. I was never given the right to counsel. I was treated like if you all seen the movie My cousin Vinnie. That's where my law you played me. I started five years. Well, crime I didn't never commit. I've been homeless every since. My sister couldn't house me. At the time when I come home, I come home to a woman to divorce me and to me back to the street and I lost my children. You understand? And when I say I lost them, I lost them to her raising them without me in the home. And one of my sons worked for Comerica Park. He died of cancer. My other two sons lost hope because the older brother was gone. But there was no connection. We need to build back the families. I'm in District, your district now by to keep the brothers together. right to counsel is needed.
President Sheffield
Thank you, sir. Thank you. Thank you for sharing your story. We appreciate you not Yes, I can. I know you're in your forest or service. I mean, I'm in District Four. Okay, I'm going to turn it over to the council member but just make sure before you leave, you want to make sure you're connected with some help, because there has to be some resources to help available so that you're not sleeping in your vehicle. So before you leave, I'm sure to at large members and also your council members going to assist you but thank you for coming down and sharing your testimony with this. Member Johnson. Thank you, Madam
Speaker 26
President. Thank you so much for coming down. I did remember last week you said that you lived in District Four and want to make sure that you have my contact information because we do have several properties that are coming online one very soon. That is for individuals to provide promote permanently supportive housing. We have some others that are based on your income. So I want to connect with you so that we can connect you to those properties so we can address your housing initially. And we'd love to just stay connected with you so that we can provide additional support around anything else that you might need. Because there are a number of programs that are available to you, specifically to you. So I'll give you my office number and then we can connect I'm happy to give you my cell phone number. It's 313-224-4841 Thank you, Madam President.
President Sheffield
All right. Thank you. Thank you. Very Palmer. Or did I miss I'm sorry, Latoya Williams. Sorry about that. Miss Williams followed by Javaid Palmer.
Unknown Speaker
The morning counsel.
Speaker 23
I am Latoya Williams. I am a part of District Two with my councilmember Galloway and I'm former resident of district seven with Daryl Hall. I'm Mendota treasure black club. I am a member of pride Association. And I'm just here today just to address the over assessments on the properties of homeowners who have lost their homes. They haven't been compensated. They are now renters and you know they were in homes for 2030 years. I you know, just give glory to God that I'm still in my home because of different programs that were put in place that I didn't know about and you know, so I do want to express that. I do see the programs that are put being put in place, even a downpayment assistance program, things like that. I do see but then there's so many different criterias and then that's where we come down again, where homeowners aren't able to even assess, you know, get the programs be in the program. So I'm just asking that some type of compensation fund be put in place where homeowners are able maybe to do credit repair, things like that. Some type of financial literacy because right now, they're not eligible to even qualify for these programs that are being put in place. And like I say, homeowners, you know, they deserve better, or the homes they've owned for 20 and 3040 years that they've been put out. So I'm just requesting that some type compensation plan be put in place with
President Sheffield
one second Miss limbs before you leave member waters.
Speaker 6
Alright, thank you, Madam President. Um, of course, I just want to say to you that as a body, we're certainly trying to take a look at how we help people who have been over assess I don't think that is going unnoticed, okay. But what I really want to say is that I will be happy to sit down with members of your blog club, at least to discuss applying for benefits from the My half program. I believe that more people will probably qualify with their program. My staff and I will be happy to sit down and help people actually complete the application online so that they can get either monies for mortgages that are behind property taxes, sometimes utilities, I mean, all of these, that money is available at the state level, and we want to help assist you in applying for it. So if you could give my personal Taranta your contact information. We'll set something up and come out and talk with you and your blog. Thank you. Thank you, Madam President.
President Sheffield
Yes, number Calloway, ma'am.
Speaker 2
Thank you for making district to your home. I am your council woman very proud to be your council woman and my staff persons right there at the top wave your hand Ramzes Dukes. Make sure you give him your contact information. And continue to participate in your black club.
President Sheffield
All right. All right. Thank you. Dovey Palmer
Speaker 23
Hello, everyone. I am J Palmer with Detroit action I urge you to say yes to fully funding the Office of Violence Prevention, tax compensation and Rights Council. All three of these hit close to home for me. I have a loved one trying to deal with mental health. My grandmother is a homeowner who house needs repair and she's in district one. I am a renter and District Six which is the Woodbridge. I have dealt with slum Lords and the plat in the past. Please explain to me why you deny the resources for the communities but continue to throw it at corporations who make more will make more in a month than I do in a year. I'm guessing the same is true about keeping the rich rich and the poor how at least that's what the council members are showing the people who fought to get them in office. So please find right to counsel the Office of Violence Prevention and tax compensation.
President Sheffield
Thank you. Thank you, Miss Palmer. Yes, I will just say and thank you. Thank you. Oh, thank you. Thank you. All right. Cynthia bale followed by Father Time followed by Ruby Riley.
Speaker 14
Morning my name is Cynthia bill. I'm here today as a part of Detroit SM to call on the Detroit City Council to immediately fun by to council increased funding for the housing trust and to fund an Office of Violence Prevention that will focus on mental health support and support provide safe consumptions Detroit is the majority black city in honest history has proven that when we do not fully fund critically programs I'll zip codes of skin color will determine our assets we need mental health support within the city limits. I urge you to say yes to defend the Detroit residents by fully funding right to counsel increased funding for the housing trust and to burn an Office of Violence Prevention that will focus on mental health support and provide safe consumption sighs
Unknown Speaker
Okay. All right. Thank you.
President Sheffield
Does it bother time? Cynthia bill, so just Oh, Father Time followed by Ruby Riley.
Speaker 10
Yeah, here today I was gonna say something else where I'm talking about these police officers out there in the hallway. My little joke I will see you may hear one of your court officers told me he heard me on the phone talking to my lawyer on the phone out there because I'm in court right now. And he said to me out his mouth. You got respect for that white man you talking to on the phone? But you ain't got no sick respect for them in their meaning y'all. And I told him no, because you're awesome that we're BF black face, political figures.
Speaker 27
That's what I said to him. Now y'all got these officers posted up out there. They hear somebody called him in case somebody caused the destruction disruption, where I'm gonna tell you something James Tate. I think it's time for me not to step out. Go give me another one of them hell of a beat and try my hand and record see what happens. I might go play.
Speaker 10
But then maybe I might just go go or maybe not even one record. So either way don't matter to me. I want to expose you and the rest of your book issuing them illegal municipal bonds, and doing them contracts with authorities. Now I want to know do any of y'all got your affidavits? own file saying it ain't none of your relatives included and none of these contracts is doing through the sin? Do Oh, y'all get your affidavits on file because you're supposed to file them. You know what I'm talking about?
President Sheffield
Me mica Yang. Followed by Yvonne Stevens. I'm sorry. Miss Riley was next right? I apologize. Okay. And then Miss Ruby Riley.
Speaker 15
I'm nervous. Thank you. Hi. My name is Tamika walk and young. And on March 12 of last year my home caught on fire. We lost everything in the whole house. It was a kitchen fire. We lost the kitchen, everything in the background. To this day we are living in a house with no power. The day the week after the fire we apply for my half way Metro, you snack. We went all summer, waiting on assistance. There was no assistance three days prior to Christmas this year. My half was supposed to kick in so they paid bills so we can get the house fixed. My half was the ones who told us that my house was gonna demo. We received no information that my house was on demo. Nothing stating that we had to come down here in front of mirror Sheffield to appeal for our house as of today. We are still in the dark we have no power no water, no electricity, no food, no nothing.
Unknown Speaker
I suffer congestive heart failure.
Unknown Speaker
My husband needs double knee
Speaker 15
surgery and I also suffer from severe depression as well as PTSD. Sorry about that. And I'm down here to see what can be done to get my house off the demo. So it can be fixed.
President Sheffield
Okay, well thank you for coming down. We are going to get some support while you're here. If someone from the administration, Malik is here as well too. We're going to get you some assistance while you are here. Okay, if you are in district five, okay. Oh my gosh. Okay. So Tyler has her hair raised right behind you. If you can just step aside, we're going to help you while you are here and get as much information as we can for you resources. Okay, okay. And we will also make sure that at large members are supportive as well too, but you are in district five, so we want to make sure that we assist you while you are here. Okay, thank you for taking the time to come down. And and Tyler if we could get with David Bowser in commonly Washington as well to someone who come in and says Thank you,
Speaker 6
Madam President. I My goodness, you know we have dangerous buildings hearings aren't normally on Mondays and if you could share that address with me once your staff gets it because I need to go back through and check to make sure that our home is not demolished. That is you know, I fight every Monday that we have hold those hearings to try and make sure that when people want to save their property they can. So I am just baffled by that whole thing. So thank you so much.
President Sheffield
We will make sure member young and member waters as the information and you walk in also assist as well, too. All right, thank you Miss Roby Riley.
Speaker 15
Good morning City Council. Well, I came down here to bank Councilwoman at large Mary waters and her staff. Also the lady that said this isn't majority black city is not going to be you know why? Because you have the Bengalis taken up every house that's been burned down or whatever builds them up and I'm sure they don't handle building permits, putting extensions on them and everything taken off property is not theirs. And sir, I've been in my area since 1977. We've got to go back to the Queen Mother, Reverend Joanne Watson when she was on City Council. She said African town we don't have an African town. But yes do and they could put up a beggar town sign over there when I met and I've been there since 77. So I think majority black they try to take that away from us. And also, I will have a precinct delegate elected precinct, precinct delegate and with the Tre Nan. I'm also getting ready to get another title. And in a couple of weeks, I'll be letting you all know. So stay tuned. And members time again. So that's what I wanted to speak on. But like I said in the properties that have been taken care of again, I said we should own them. My family lived in every block. When I was over there. We have family on every street we have people next to us and the practice that I have been taking care I want them and it's more than one that tearing it down. And I know they don't have a building permit because it's not properly taken care of.
President Sheffield
Thank you, Miss Ryan. See a couple of hands prototype.
Speaker 28
This rally thank you for being here. And I know you mentioned that they were potentially some folks who have been building without permits. It's one thing to say it we've got to make sure that we are able to back it up and finish what I'm saying. We've got to make sure that we don't pit marginalized communities against other marginalized communities in our in our in our city and in our country. And so I'd say if you do have in fact some information on those who are building without permits, I will be more than willing. I'll be more than willing to take that information from you and move on and and work in in any way that I can to address that situation. So I just wanted to make it clear that we're here to help here to assist. But it's one thing to take the information that was generalized. It's another thing to provide it to us. If we actually have that, that specific information. We talk about it all the time. We always say it all the time when folks say in general about buses, you know this buses aren't running on time. We say give us which route you're talking about. Because if you tell him his which route you're talking about now we can actually go through and identify as counselors. We don't run any department. You know that we've talked about that before as a body. And so what we need is specific information that helps us get down that road. So if you have that type of information or folks who you know, are not building without permits, please provide us with that information. And we'll work on it to address that situation. All right. Thank you.
President Sheffield
Thank you. Remember Young.
Speaker 4
Thank you, Madam President. I just want to say Miss Riley, you had mentioned Africa town. That's something I'll work with my colleagues on and well madam president are working on trying to look at property that'd be viable for that to take place. There's a retail study that's going on right now, for that cause. And I also just wanted to say for the lady that taught previously, we will make sure that one of my staff will work with you for that issue as well. So thank you, Miss Riley. Thank you, Madam President.
President Sheffield
All right. Thank you, Miss Stevens.
Unknown Speaker
Good morning,
Unknown Speaker
everyone. Good morning.
Speaker 6
My name is Yuri bond Stevens. I've been a resident of the hermosa apartments for about 39 years.
Speaker 15
And I want to be left alone, not only me the other residents
Speaker 6
and this is really the landlord's a bad GRI if you just read this, the Golden Rule look, the sixth chapter the 31 First, do to others or you would have them do to you. We want to be treated as God's greatest and first commandment. And perhaps we weren't had to be moved. Stop worrying so much about how much money you go make by moving us around. Start reading this sometime and maybe you will be a better person I have lived back I was told back and every time I get off track if you read this and do what God say about this golden rule you will come out on top it works. I tell I want to say thank you
President Sheffield
thank you give me a toy your bill Andrew McNab Sheba Rogers
Unknown Speaker
Good morning.
Speaker 23
Hello my name is Latoya bill. I reside in district two. I'm here with Detroit action. I'm here before you to address the rights to fully fund the right to counsel because in this case, our elders are excuse me to slow down. Our elders was pushed out of their homes and onto the streets and even nursing homes and which could could have been passed down by generations and so forth. schools were shut down and abandoned live. If you sit and really think if there weren't so many abandoned buildings or homes, maybe we won't keep finding all these dead bodies inside of them. And all these abandoned schools, if you bring back our home schools, etc. That will most certainly bring and build back up our community this in decrease all of the violence. Think about it.
President Sheffield
Thank you my permit.
Unknown Speaker
Morning Council.
Speaker 29
My name is Bob Carmack. And you talk about retaliation, false imprisonment. You talk about these things with these people. You can't guarantee none of that happened to any of these people. I've been retaliated against by the Mayor of Detroit, Asti arrested false charges chargers false lawsuit. They have a lawsuit now they found out that the corporation they sued they thought I owned it. They don't even own it. It's been defunct since 19 or 2000 something. So lawsuit II says I have is illegal. This man needs to be thrown in jail. He put false charges on me. And that's it and nobody wants to pay attention. You want to help people right? I would help these people every day. If I was the mayor or the city council person. They need more help than I do. You see this cross. I bought this crossing Vegas at a thing. I put $20 down it's expensive cross. It came in the mail through four people's hands without me paying for it. I went to Chicago. I went to a church. I saw the movie The third miracle. My father's dying to cancer. I went to his church I was sitting my car said Lord show me you're with me. My radio came on my car without the car I God is with me. God wants Mayor Duggan. He's a bad man. He's done bad to these people and the people in for it. He's making the rich richer and the poor poor. They
President Sheffield
Sheba Rogers, followed by Ronald Foster. Greetings, counsel. I made her one of nine siblings in my family and come from a family where both of our parents had been incarcerated and our mother funneled in and out of jails and prisons for over 50 years. As a result, we faced housing insecurity and several of my siblings have spent decades struggling with addiction, substance use mental health, lack of employment opportunities, and a host of other issues connected to poverty. So I'm here representing my family. First and foremost, we urge this body. So envision and consider the real promise of the Office of Violence Prevention. I'm also here with the Detroit Justice Center in Detroit action and a part of our work includes training. So bear with me and with us as we dream and ask for you to fund the Detroit we deserve. Detroit communities are struggling with the impact of mass incarceration alongside significant divestment in schooling, libraries, health and housing. A plethora of research shows that community based alternatives are much more effective at addressing root causes of crime and improving public safety. Understand, we are not undermining the work of gun violence community groups, they are our partners in this work, as we all share the same goal for Detroiters. What we are asking for is equitable funding and spending across the plethora of supports that Detroiters need budget research shows us that Detroit spends about $545 per resident when incarceration $44 per resident, one Library's $68 per resident on how $77 per resident on Parks and Recreation you can go please fund the Office of Violence Prevention and include us in the community as part of how you craft that and envision that. Thank you. All right. Thank you. I was trying to give a shout out to Brandon just leave Brandon Schneider. He just I think he stepped out. But to all of the members that betray action, I appreciate you all coming down. I know the hard work that you all put in and day in and day out. Executive Director Brandon Snyder. I think he just stepped out but just wanted to give him a shout out as well. He's a resident in district five in the north end area, but I commend you all for coming out. And using your voice today. continue the work that you all do. It is not going unnoticed. We appreciate the advocacy around various issues. You all don't just show up one time but it's very consistent the work that you are do day out day in and day out. So just wanted to thank you all publicly Detroit action, all of the board members, the executive director, and all of the members who are here and not here for the work that you all do every single day. So thank you all for joining us this morning. And if you all have standing meetings, make sure that you send it to console so that we are engaged with the work that you guys are doing every single day. All right. Thank you. Mr. Foster, Ronald foster
Speaker 30
good morning and 1925 during the sweet trials, Mayor Frank Murphy put his career on the line for social equality. He went on to become a Supreme Court justice mayor of Detroit and a governor amongst other positions. This city council have been active for our community on scene and behind the saying I do appreciate that. However, we need aggressive goals. The conditions that we in are urgent. I believe what separates goals from ideas or deadlines for the last 20 years average to under 60 homicides per 365 days. It equals out to 20 out of every 30 days as a homeless are we aware of our social norms? How do we change our social norms? What direction are we heading to? Are we headed more towards cameras shot stopper sepia or can we actually see bulletproof glass? It's coming down in our communities. Can we see parks? Where is the timeframe we're seeing these days and seeing visible change within our communities.
President Sheffield
Thank you Mr. Foster. Yes. Member? Yeah.
Speaker 4
Thank you, Madam President, um, to the young lady that spoke previously. Ma'am. The young lady that spoke previously, you had mentioned some statistics. I just wanted to ask you Do you know the source of where those statistics came from? Can you tell that for me, please, I'd really be interested in knowing
President Sheffield
we could do that offline if they can give it to your team. We have 21 Other comments online as well? Just give me this. I hear you but we don't want to continue. That can be done offline. Please. Keep it brief. The civility Consulting Group is conducting the research right now. This dashboard will be released and they're looking across 10 cities. So we want to go with simple Linux. It's a research group. Yes, but it just came directly from them analyzing our Wayne County and our local city budget. Thank you, man. Thank you Thank you, Mary. Mary Perry. Followed by Raymond Vinson.
Speaker 15
Hello, everyone. My name is Mary Perry. And I'm here for the hammer hole building. I've been down here before too. And I just want to say that I've been living downtown for 20 almost 25 years and American community development. His statement was really nice, but you need to investigate all that. And I want to say first of all, that as soon as they bought the building I was in the building when they bought the building. As soon as they bought the building, we had to file a complaint against them and we won. And I just want to say that they have told us so many things that was untrue. So if we can stay in the hammer home building, I would like it wrote down on pencil and paper or a pen and paper. If he said we just stay there. It needs to be wrote down not assured or a maybe or a can you know get about we need to know and it needs to be wrote down on paper because we have had to take them to court before as soon as they bought the bill.
President Sheffield
Okay. I appreciate your comments. And we I did ask for the comments that were given earlier to be submitted in writing as well too. So we'll get that and then we're looking forward to the community meeting. That is forthcoming. So we are aware and also councilmember Santiago and Muriel this is her district she is fully aware to and has been engaged in this as well.
Speaker 15
Okay. And if you can, I would like one of you all to come to our meeting. Yes and see how sometimes they steal this respect
President Sheffield
for the at large members will be present and I'm sure you will send the information to all of the city council as well. Yes. Okay. Thank you so much for coming down. Raymond Vinson Dominique Burton
Speaker 25
Hello, city council members. My name is Ray mo Vinson, and I'm a resident here on the east side of Detroit. I'm also here in solidarity with Detroit action. Now, just last year, we fought real hard to get right to counsel pants, right? But unfortunately, there has been little to no movement as far as allocating funds to keeping people in their home. Now, I say that because I'm one of those people that lost their family home due to foreclosure from tax bills that were being illegal. Now, losing my family home of 29 years was heartbreaking. But being robbed of that generational wealth is unacceptable. So my demands is to the city council members is one past the compensation fund to pay back those home owners who were unjustly overtaxed for $600 million during the last housing crisis, and including the families who lost their homes to tax foreclosure like myself, so this won't happen again. And it won't continue to help. And to I want to make sure that Rights Council was fully funded and becomes a permanent part of the budget, because we know because that will not only protect communities like man, but it also will provide housing stability for Michiganders, all across the board. Thank you for your time.
President Sheffield
Oh, thank you so much, sir. That will conclude all of our in person did I miss anyone? I'm sorry about that. Come on. This is domine Yep, you will be our last implementing me. Can you hear me? Yes. Ma'am.
Speaker 2
Okay. All right. Council members. Across Detroit seniors, families and residents are living or living with rat and insect infestations, leaks, leaks harmful molds, broken windows and doors held together with duct tape. Working Families are being threatened with essential repairs to their homes have been neglected. Our neighbors and families are being pushed onto the street even though they pay their rent on time. There are many tricks and loopholes used by unethical landlords that push working families onto the streets. History has proven that when we did not fully fund critical programs, your zip code and your skin color will determine your access. We need to permanently established and fully fund programs like right to counsel on a statewide level to give tenants the tools that we need to defend ourselves. And so it's an disabuse we need stronger renter protections. On May 10 2022, the Detroit Rights Council ordinance became law it must be funded. It is not an absolute and optional program. A budget must be prepared to fund the office of eviction defense based on the most rented the most recent 3060 juristic for data. The Detroit Rights Council coat coalition coalition demands the city of Detroit to appropriate and additional 12 million of for the remainder of the fiscal year and 27 million for the 2023 to 2024 fiscal year. If you I got $1.5 billion to get to literal billionaires, we should have that for the community as well. Thank you. All right.
President Sheffield
Thank you. All right. And we will be taking up the budget for right to counsel during our executive session. And so I'm just looking forward to those conversations as far as how much we actually fund right to counsel. So that will conclude all of our in person public comments and we will move to virtual. And how many callers do we have this morning?
Speaker 31
Madam President, there are 21 callers online for virtual public comment. Okay. The first will be Ty Keisha
Unknown Speaker
Campbell.
President Sheffield
All right. Morning, Miss Campbell.
Speaker 23
Good 
morning. Can councilmembers hear me? Yes, ma'am. All right. Hello, my name is Keisha Campbell. I'm a lifetime resident of Detroit. But I'm in the back of the district. But for some time now, my tissue my I've signed have gotten a petition signed by 88% of total residents on the Ontario line in support of the closure of Cambridge. 100% of adjacent property owners support the closure and the information was submitted with the request of the city engineer department. Following following butters followed by I went door to door to make sure that the city council was informed for the positions of all residents between seven mile and West otter drive on both cherry lime and Ohio Street, rather than only one resident who's made a complaint about him not being able to get to the mailbox that's located on Cherry Lane. I just want to say just me as a as a resident of Ohio Street. I've went door to door got signatures we all are agreeing to the closure of Cambridge between seven mile and I drive with the School of God is just for the protection of the community the protection of the kids. I will say since the since it has been since the barricades have been removed two of my cars have been hit. I don't think that that the speed bumps will help will help. So I'm just asking that you guys hear my my my public comment today. As far as getting Cambridge Bach back off. All
+1
morning. Can councilmembers hear me? Yes, ma'am. All right. Hello, my name is Keisha Campbell. I'm a lifetime resident of Detroit. But I'm in the back of the district. But for some time now, my tissue my I've signed have gotten a petition signed by 88% of total residents on the Ontario line in support of the closure of Cambridge. 100% of adjacent property owners support the closure and the information was submitted with the request of the city engineer department. Following following butters followed by I went door to door to make sure that the city council was informed for the positions of all residents between seven mile and West otter drive on both cherry lime and Ohio Street, rather than only one resident who's made a complaint about him not being able to get to the mailbox that's located on Cherry Lane. I just want to say just me as a as a resident of Ohio Street. I've went door to door got signatures we all are agreeing to the closure of Cambridge between seven mile and I drive with the School of God is just for the protection of the community the protection of the kids. I will say since the since it has been since the barricades have been removed two of my cars have been hit. I don't think that that the speed bumps will help will help. So I'm just asking that you guys hear my my my public comment today. As far as getting Cambridge Bach back off. All President Sheffield
right, thank you remember, Callaway, you'd like to respond?
Speaker 2
Yes, Madam Chair. I'm very aware of the petitions, just to give a little background information as briefly as I can. And 2015 The University of Detroit Jesuit school started renovating its school and asked it a petition be sign residents at the time approve it the the construction was done one year later. And that was in 2016. Some of the residents over there had been over there for 30 and 40 years. The barrier was erected on Cambridge between cherry lon and old pile supposed to be temporary, but it stayed there until now between 23 We had to remove which was the agreement with the school. But what happened in the name in that area. Certain residents who live near the barrier starting using the extra space for extra cars, extra parking, so I'm going to oppose the barriers being re erected because that's not what most of the residents want. We have a lot of homeowners and renters over there. So I will not be supporting this and I will make sure that all of my colleagues have all the information, the documents, the memorandums of understanding that were signed in 2015. But the barriers were never intended to be permanent, never intended to be permanent. And we also have a letter from the school they only wanted it up just to expand, I think was their parking lot and they did that in 2016 but I don't know who you know what happened. I don't know if it was the fault of ours or the city or the school, but then the barrier just stayed there. And then finally in 2023 they were properly removed, but the residents just got used to being able to park all their cars over there. Thank you Madam Chair and I do oppose it. Thank you, Madam Chair.
President Sheffield
All right, thank you.
Speaker 31
The next online caller is Steven hollering
Unknown Speaker
can I be heard?
President Sheffield
Yes, you can.
Unknown Speaker
Okay perfect.
Speaker 24
So as you know the transit activists are very disappointed with the proposed DDOT budget and demand not as demand minimum of 80 million I talked with a few riders on my way to the office the other day and one lady told me taking the bus in Detroit is a punishment for not owning a car in the Motor City. In my opinion, this is one of the worst some prices in modern Detroit history. You know, airline pilots make 150 to 200 grand a year, but DDOT drivers make about 20 to 30 grand a year. This is just It's disgraceful. I mean, students are getting tardies people are losing their jobs. You know, this is just an also I do want to say I'm not in favor of that low income fair. Um, you know, it's just way too broad and it was proven not to be feasible in $10 million. It's just, I mean, it shouldn't be argued out reimagined, it should be at least trickled down to certain groups such as veterans or section eight holders. Okay.
President Sheffield
All right. Thank you. Mr. Harvin. Are you finished? Um, yeah. Okay. Thank you.
Speaker 31
The next public comment caller is Cunningham.
President Sheffield
Good morning, Mr. Cunningham.
Speaker 18
Good morning. Good morning. I'm in KFC. I do apologize. Back there for background noise. Can you hear me? Yes, we can hear you. All right. Um, so I am asking those to call 313-833-3664 Again, that's 313-833-3664 and text the number 313-590-1958 Again, that is 313-590-1958 And if you agree with me, text, Mr. Barkley, please consider having Detroit Department of Transportation muffling input meetings out of Rosa Parks Transit Center as a hybrid. We do not want to lose the Zoom though. And if you guys have done that, I want you to text me 313444914 You remember the number of people in person have done it. But I'm asking you to do it. Also after 6pm on the weekdays and on the weekends did that is that is worse. Those people under the sound of my voice if you in the kitchen you in Korea, you in the car wherever you are, I'm asking you not to be civility. And go and ride the buses and talk to those around you and ask their story about what they've experienced on the buses. That's on the weekends and after 6pm Send me a text as many of you have 313444914 And Madam Sheffield. What happened with the 80 million in the bus? What's going on with the
President Sheffield
right thank you Mr. Cunningham.
Speaker 31
The next public comment is from millions for billionaires, nothing for Detroit. Good morning, this
Speaker 32
is to hear me I support the water warriors. Affordable Housing and Homeless task force we want to increase in budget for the Housing Trust Fund about $20 million. We can build affordable accessible housing, fully fun. The right the council and Councilman Councilman COVID Yeah, you turned your back on me. I supported you when you ran against the mayor. I was there at your election. Event and your mom broke my hand carved African came from Kenya. And you guys actually just turned your back on me. on that. You don't want to replace my cane. She keeps my emails from you. I asked you I supported you because you promised to help me with home repairs. 10 years later. I have no home repairs. Mary Sheffield. You know me. You saw me come to the council when Brenda Jones was president. I held up large pictures of the death degradation in my house. You know what I'm living through. You guys sent me to rancher, Bowser, and everybody else and none of them helped me you guys have turned your back on me. Councilwoman Callaway, you're the only one trying to help me.
Speaker 33
I just want to say I'm not going to forget this. Now. I hope the public know how you treat us.
President Sheffield
Miss Amaya and we will again if you have any issues continue to reach out to us Mr. Mott. Yes, member Young.
Speaker 4
Thank you, man. abrez miss them i Listen. I'm sorry that you go through what you going through. I think there was just a failure to communicate on our part. I remember reaching out to you but I want to reach out to you again. I want to give you my number 224-424-8224 14 for it. I think this is the conversation that we probably should have offline and you'll talk one on one but I really am sorry. Obviously you're hurting right now and I want to help you the best way I can get my staff on and see we can start a conversation together. I think we're going to agree to disagree on your walking stick. But I think there's other things that definitely can help you on and so I look forward to working with you. Thank you so much for calling and having the courage to call I appreciate you. Thank you.
Unknown Speaker
The next caller is Miko a Williams.
Speaker 4
Yes, hi, good morning. I'm just so disappointed in this body. Just be inconsiderable and compassionate and unsympathetic even when you tell the people oh, we're gonna do what we can nothing has been done while they still keep coming down here. Next thing is the Heimlich. I just did some research and the council. It's been in front of you. James Tate Mary Sheffield. It's got been since since 2015. You guys were the senior members on that body of the former council and you should follow up and do justice for those Heimlich residents. Also, the right to counsel should be fully funded to the Detroit action and activists you all need to go find Mayor Duggan and you need to make them bow down and put money and write the damn check that's what you need to do. And also we all need to understand that billionaires and millionaires should not make our city. We provide the jobs we provide opportunities and we are full all the desperation is such that was displayed over the last week and it's just terrible. This is what RCD has been reduced to a proposal P would have been enacted. None of these things would be going on. Also my final comment is that you know that he trade downpayment home Assistance Program. I was an effective resident that almost lost my home and I'm living downtown I mean it's crazy but you know, until I found out those banks, those are the same banks that rip us off so be careful getting into that
President Sheffield
Thank you.
Speaker 31
The next caller IDs in 061
President Sheffield
Good afternoon. Good morning. Caller pro six one. Hello. Yes. Really? Yes, I can.
Speaker 27
Yeah. James, from the Obama weekend Real Talk newsletter. I want to bring this to the forefront. I understand that the police commissioners and the police. I try to raise the red light and drag racing situation to the forefront. Please, city council recognize this problem. Put your heads together. The mayor, the city council, the police commissioners and everybody else. People's lives our state. People are running red lights and drag racing. They're blatant in Detroit. A lot of people have been hit a person that's on the Police Commission has been hit lately. Downtown is safe. Neighborhoods are not safe. The elderly, the youth and all are at risk City Council. You are not focusing on the red light and drag racing situation in the neighborhood. It is terrible. Please focus on that downtown and safe. But what about the people the elderly young than you everybody else to walk in the streets and neighborhoods outside of downtown. God bless everybody. Please look at that situation. Thank you very much. Bye bye.
President Sheffield
Okay, thank you.
Speaker 31
The next caller is calling user one or user one
Unknown Speaker
can you hear me Yes.
Speaker 34
Good afternoon. Thank you so much, madam president for standing up. I seen you interview. I'd really appreciate it. I would hope that you and Mary waters and remember Callaway will introduce a deal that will stop landlords from retaliating against tenants who complain of inhabitable living conditions. And I ask that you hold accountable your housing revitalization department that gives funds along with hello when housing divisions are placing people in these inhabitable places and refusing to remove individuals into safe, cleaner environments. And I like to know when can you get this done, Madam President. Thank you my question to you.
President Sheffield
Yes, thank you. I will continue to look into it and then also schedule a time where we can continue to chat offline about how we can support you miss Shay. I appreciate you taking the time to call in and I'm looking forward. I love you. Thank
Unknown Speaker
you.
President Sheffield
Thank you so much. You as well. Michelle, thank you.
Unknown Speaker
The next caller is Todd Scott.
Speaker 3
Good afternoon this is Todd Scott. I'm the Executive Director for the Detroit greenways Coalition. We advocate for many things, including the safety of those who walk bike and other vulnerable roadway users. And we're not opposed to cars racing on downtown Grand Prix course during the during the event but we are opposed to cars racing on the same public streets outside of the event. And street design plays a major role in that concern we shared with you last year within the city street. An intersection designs will be modified to accommodate accommodate Grand Prix racing and not be restored to their original safer designs. That's what we saw on Belle Isle. We heard assurances from the organizers that this would not happen on the downtown course but it appears to have happened. At least four intersections along the course had been widened, and their turn radii increased so racing cars can make faster turns. Some curb protections have been removed at intersections and crosswalks have been lengthened both negatively affecting pedestrian safety. This is the opposite of Vision Zero. Also about 140 feet of sidewalk curbing has been removed law enforcement at St. Antoine and Franklin streets. This reduces pedestrian safety and makes it easier for vehicles to illegally parked on the sidewalk. So we're making the same request we made last year the city should require the race organizers to restore safe pedestrian designed along the course when the race concludes. Car racing on a downtime course is fine for a weekend event. But it should not be encouraged on a year round basis.
President Sheffield
Thank you. All right. Thank you.
Speaker 31
The next caller is Karen Winston.
President Sheffield
Morning
Speaker 35
Good Morning um I feel bad for my sister queen to mirror up to here. So by should help you know that this doesn't make any sense. You know, we have people on these lists and they are on the list and you're on the list for years and years and you got to you got Wang Metro dishing out money and they're not dishing out correct and then you got HR D. You know, putting people in these sub sub rentable properties. This doesn't make any sense we need to do something about this. We know we have braced Ross brace Ross is a city owned it was a health clinic on Greenfield and Grand River that area when you open that back up perhaps it could be a mental hospital you know mental midway, something I don't know but that's a perfectly good big data needs to be used. Since when did we have to vote to start a task force? member? So why did we vote? Why do we have to put it on the ballot we can have a task force anytime you get ready, you make a resolution. You know so this is what I'm saying this all this is way you know, just to throw people off you don't need a boat, put it on the ballot to start a task force. PLA Dr. Donna Thomas has worn out her Welcome on that board. It's time for her to go she's been there like almost 10 years. She's gotta go. Last question. I gotta ask you know Palmer. Let's open the pool deck up at Palmer Park and start isolating to I used to enjoy that when I was a child. Law Department are their separate entity. They seem to be they claim to be thanks.
President Sheffield
Thank you Miss Winston.
Speaker 31
The next caller is Renard Minh Schinsky. Right.
Unknown Speaker
Good afternoon, Madam President and council. Can I be heard?
President Sheffield
Yes, you can. All right. Please
Speaker 12
forgive my voice. I'm recovering. I was really ill over the past few weeks. However, I'm not ill enough to prevent me from advocating for First of all, my name is Fernando Shecky but transit justice organizer and longtime resident of the city of Detroit. I've lived here for a very long time and use the bus for as long as I lived here as well too. And in my organizing work, I've worked with clergy I've invited members from Open Door ministry at front of public health and safety to speak to the need of an equity fair or low income fair. Now I do understand through the chair that there are several council members that work with returning citizens and veterans and I really want to speak to those Council folks, especially Benson or hall that worked with those populations and also with the disabled community to implement this program. We've been talking about this since 2017 When the administration raised fares, and in fact a plan of adjustment allows the administration of rates for up to $2.50 I'm a person of privilege but I would never let a privilege block and blind myself to the need of veterans in the city and also returning citizens who go into work day in and day out who are actually very, actually more reliable employees than people who have never been incarcerated and their biggest barriers being able to afford transit. So I am willing to work with each of you with sending up one on ones with my team to implement this program. Thank you so much for your time and let's get this done. Thank you.
President Sheffield
All right. Thank you runner and looking forward to reaching out and setting up those meetings. We appreciate you.
Speaker 31
The next caller is Marguerite Maddox and Scarlett
President Sheffield
All right. Good morning, Miss Maddox.
Unknown Speaker
Yeah. Yeah, no. Um Ah more about right now and what I saw last week
Speaker 33
me we can have the wasting the beard um
Speaker 33
what what the what the Navy is proud of a
Unknown Speaker
hot down
Speaker 33
because people live and what the hounds you love
Unknown Speaker
this was ah, I'm not getting no I am I'm eight years young I love I love peace not not not looking over my shoulder every Saturday. Not a part of me. And thank you.
President Sheffield
Right Thank you Miss Maddox.
Unknown Speaker
The next caller is Amara Hyman.
Speaker 36
Good afternoon, counsel. I'm again concerned about the tax captures and its impact on our libraries particularly from the 10 year financial review submitted by your legal department a few months ago. It was noted more than once in the list of recommendations that no matter what was done, tax captures would have to continue to the DBAs outstanding bond obligations were paid. I can't remember where. But 2049 was the year I seem to remember that they say we from underneath this odious debt and I call it an odious because this is debt not caused by the citizens of Detroit. We didn't agree to those but we have to pay them. So we're asking the council to not be passive regarding state legislature in short state legislation. But as Konsum Minh Yun stated he quoted a recodification which would imply that bills can be changed. So we're asking you guys to please be assertive and proactive regarding getting this legislation changed. Use your power as municipal officials to influence and motivate your colleagues at the State level so that we no longer underneath this odious debt. Thank you.
Unknown Speaker
Okay, thank you.
Unknown Speaker
The next caller is owner. O W N E R owner.
President Sheffield
All right. Good afternoon owner.
Speaker 37
Good afternoon, council president Showfield. May I be heard?
President Sheffield
Yes, ma'am.
Speaker 37
We've got some very interesting things going on. It seems like a lot of people are dissatisfied with how things are being run. And it really sounds as though the city government is a little dysfunctional, although we gave them raises all around. I'm interested in 16.2. This being offered by councilmember dirt Hall. I thought you were in seventh but you're advocating for this cork town thing. And I'm not sure why cork town keeps showing up on the agenda when we have all of these people that are calling who've been having problems for 30 1015 years, but Corktown seems to be front and center center for this council. 19 That too is doing the deed changing the way CD BG grants are poor funding and H o m e whatever that means, Council and waters. These things are being hijacked from the actual people who need and deserve and the money comes to them. Not because they're minorities, but because they're the majority. Say we have a minority mindset. But we're the majority in this city. Please remove DPL from under the tax capture. You can do that and what other funds they take, we can replace it we had $230 million of surplus. Thank you. Thank you Miss news.
Unknown Speaker
The next caller is Tonya Myers Phillips.
President Sheffield
Good afternoon, Attorney Myers Phillips. Good afternoon. Can you hear me? Yes we can.
Unknown Speaker
Good afternoon.
Speaker 38
Honorable council members. My name is Tonya Meyers Phillips and I'm with the Detroit right to counsel coalition instead of solidarity with my brothers and sisters at Detroit action today. We are calling on Mayor Duggan and this honorable body to fully fund the Detroit right to counsel ordinance Mayor Duggan promised to plan the right to counsel ordinance. Conrad Malik came before this body several times and promised to bring a real budget or right to counsel to your attention. These things have not happened. Promises have not been kept. And this is unacceptable. We deserve so much better. $12 million is not enough. It is not enough to serve all the Detroiters that are eligible for services under this ordinance with dignity. That's why we are calling for funding of $27 million. We reject the mentality of scarcity fear and creating arbitrary categories who gets help and who doesn't get help. There's more than enough money to fully fund this ordinance. 29% of our homeless populations in the shelters are now families with school aged children. Nearly 69,000 Detroit residents will face eviction this year if nothing else changes. But Enough is enough. We always thank you for passing the ordinance and for getting some funding. But we need you to stay the course stay to fight and get right to counsel fully funded. Thank you.
Unknown Speaker
Okay, thank you.
Speaker 31
The next caller ends in 270. All right.
Speaker 39
Good afternoon, Malik Shelton. It seems like that when it comes to the majority residents of this city impoverished, the old the neglected, the disrespected the marginalized when a request things from the council, they are put on hold. The concert drags its feet. The council was basically telling we'll get back with you later. But when the billionaires come forth, and the billionaires don't even have to come forward they can send their representatives before Council and get what they want. And I mean they get what they want almost at the twinkle of an eye. These contracts. Now I'm not talking about memorandums of understanding because they're not legally binding. I'm talking about legally binding formal contracts. I cannot believe that its holdings are not in default. Or DC. Currently, we slow it to a few saying this city charter section two dash 113 The only way that they're not in default. Is that sad to say the council did not hammer out legally binding former contract agreements to incompetence. That's the only way they couldn't be in default. Now where are the agreements there was an agreement made between the city of Detroit and its holdings in 2013 2014 and 2017.
President Sheffield
Thank you, Mr. Shelton.
Unknown Speaker
The next caller is Karen hammer.
President Sheffield
Good afternoon, Miss hammer.
Speaker 40
Good afternoon. I'm a 35 year resident in district two and I support violence prevention. As the Reverend said at the beginning of the meeting make way for resources and lift up the poor. The Cindy city funding should reflect this this translates to $27 million a year to keep people in their homes and stabilize our communities, not the amount that the mayor has proposed. Giving the poor residents the right to true legal counsel is the greatest use of ARPA funding. What exists now what the mayor touts is only a 10 minute conversation for person through right to counsel advocates for the common person and takes their case. It is proven to reduce poverty and other cities and by the way, evicting families leads to PTSD and mental health issues and destabilizes our neighborhoods regarding the libraries. Keep the Detroit Public Library Commission separate from city government and make the school board's selection process for appointing DPL commissioners transparent keep the Detroit Public Libraries public and change the Michigan cap tax capture law support Senate Bill 1086. Hammer
Unknown Speaker
the next caller is Frank Hammer.
President Sheffield
Right Mr. Hammer Good afternoon.
Speaker 41
Good afternoon honorable city council, resident of District Two and a proud UAW member. I want to give a shout out to my brothers and sisters from local 229. I also support the union brothers and sisters denouncing ShotSpotter and stop shots topper which are band aids on a gaping wound. I also want to support the many voices of Detroit action in Detroit right to Council today is April 4. It is the 55th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. murdered in Memphis, Tennessee during his pilgrimage to materially support unionized sanitation workers as part of his poor people's campaign. The Council of majority black city Detroit showed as a matter of course, honored Dr. King on this day, April 4, April 4 is also the 56th anniversary of dark kings or courageous speech at Riverside Church condemning the Vietnam War when he spoke he knew that the US political and civil rights establishment were turned against him and he spoke out anyway. Today counsel should embrace Dr. King's legacy, his commitment to the poor and his willingness to speak truth to power. Doing so would require you to stand up to Mike Duggan for a fully funded right to counsel ordinance. Ask yourself what would Dr. King do? Thank you.
Unknown Speaker
All right, thank you.
Unknown Speaker
The next caller ends in 124 All right,
President Sheffield
father 124.
Speaker 31
Madam President, I show caller 124 as muted they can unmute on the phone by pressing star six
President Sheffield
right caller 124 Going once, going twice and if we can come back to caller 124.
Unknown Speaker
The next caller will be Betty Varner.
President Sheffield
That afternoon, Miss Varner.
Speaker 6
Good afternoon to all. I'm here again, advocating for seniors and people with disabilities as y'all go through the budget process. I'm just hoping that y'all continue to think about us and come up with a plan so that we will be able to stay in our homes to help us make our homes handicap accessible. We need things like the ramps and rails as I've said before, we need other things at our homes to help our homes the faith include Nino's walk in showers. We just want to be able to continue to be in our homes, the neighborhoods that we have been spent so many years in and the neighborhoods that we'd love some of us are continuing to do work for our neighborhoods to improve and to beautify, we're just asking for help. So hopefully y'all be able to come up with the plan. I appreciate all the time that y'all have given me to advocate on this issue. And I just want to say I missed yesterday, I was very disappointed that I could not attend the meeting. Y'all have become part of my routine. And so I hope I didn't miss anything important but thank you for the cam and I appreciate all of you.
President Sheffield
Thank you, Miss Barner. We appreciate you as well and you did not miss us because we were not able to meet due to technical issues. So we will be back in session today at 2pm All right.
Speaker 31
The next caller is Alexandria. Ah,
President Sheffield
all right. Good afternoon.
Unknown Speaker
Thank you for giving me this time today. My name is Alexandra Hughes. I'm here to represent myself as well as Michigan liberation.
Speaker 16
I'm the daughter of Nicola Davis, granddaughter of beauty Chase or my grandmother was born in 1954, a Detroit native and a vibrant beautiful person. But it wasn't until she passed away that I found out that she struggled with depression and also wonder what her life would have been like if she had access to resources to help her cope with her sadness, but not much has changed since then. Detroit still doesn't have a non police mental health service services that are community base. The only mental health response that exists locally is law enforcement. Law enforcement is traumatized black people for decades. This is well documented. Trauma is not healthcare. The tax dollars of the Chinese bonds the department that killed Piazza Miller and Porter Burks, us were two black individuals with mental health disabilities. Substance use supplies also known as syringe service programs are proven and effective community based prevention programs. That can provide a range of services including access and disposable of sterile syringe and injection equipment, vaccination testing all of this is linked to infection, infectious diseases, care and substance use treatment. The Office of Violence Prevention should provide the service to prevent overdose and disease infections. All of this is there by fiber to the CDC, divest 50 million from the Detroit Police Department and invested in the Office of Violence Prevention. Thank you. Lastly,
Unknown Speaker
Madam President, we'll go back to caller 124.
President Sheffield
Good afternoon. Caller 124.
President Sheffield
Good afternoon. Okay. Yes, I'd be here. Yes, ma'am.
Speaker 42
Okay, thank you for coming back to me. I think I had a slip of the finger there. Anyway. Yeah, I'd like to echo the sentiments the last caller in terms of mental health response. I think we should be sending out a plainclothes team, perhaps, to police officers dressed in plainclothes calm big teddy. Bears in case they're needed. But when people are in crisis, sending out people in officers in blue uniforms may not be the best response. I've seen a plainclothes crew come out in California when I had a roommate that was having an episode. I'd also like to say that I am just brokenhearted. That Mr. Holloway by the school and his plant has come down for years now begging for assistance. He must have certifiable PTSD right now. It is Corporation Council's duty to ensure enforcement of the charter and we're supposed to have a clean environment not having people breathing in fumes. So he wants to sue perfecting church, but he doesn't want to go to about this to land his plant. So that's very disappointing. I do support the right to counsel but it does not solve all of the underlying issues. Also, the support for former state legislators please go back to the the now democratically controlled legislature and urge that the state change the foreclosure law from the two or three years it is now to the five years it used to be what's brought in bar in great part this over four.
President Sheffield
All right, thank you Miss Warwick, and that will conclude our public comments. We will now proceed to our agenda. Understanding committee reports for the budget Finance and Audit standing committee from the Office of the Chief Financial Officer Office of Development excuse me Office of Budget.
Speaker 23
Councilmember der hall two resolutions line item 16.1 and 16.2.
President Sheffield
Councilmember Doha.
Speaker 13
Thank you Madam President. Just to clarify, this is for the City Clerk's Office City Planning Commission. line item 16.1 is a resolution of authorization for neighborhood enterprise zone certificate applications for the construction of 10 new condominium units located at 95 Alfred one on one alpha and 2827 John R and across winds will replace neighborhood enterprise zone area came through committee recommended for approval also the CPC has recommended recommended for approval line item 16.2 is a resolution of authorization for neighborhood enterprise zone certificate application for the new construction of 12 condominium units located at 2720 620-730-2730 to 2736 2730 820-742-2744 and 2748 Harrison and 1803 1807 1811 and 1815 Perry in the north Corktown neighborhood enterprise zone area this has been recommended for approval through the committee as well and the CPC i Move for approval for line items 16.1 and 16.2.
President Sheffield
motion has been made. Are there any objections? Hearing no objections the two resolutions will be approved
Speaker 13
request a waiver for line item 16.1 a 16.2. Madam president
President Sheffield
waiver has been requested, Hearing no objections that motion is approved by the internal operations standing committee from the Office of contracting and procurement.
Speaker 23
Councilmember Johnson a resolution line item 70.1, which is a contract and contract number 3063866 100%. City funding to provide a case management system for government investigative services. For the board of ethics contractor wings sweb total contract amount 55,000 for the board of ethics.
President Sheffield
Council member Johnson. Thank you,
Speaker 26
Madam President. There is a request to postpone line item 17.1 for one week. I'd like to make the motion to do so.
President Sheffield
motion has been made to postpone this line item for one week. Discussion member President Pro Tem teen
Speaker 28
Thank you madam president through you to madam chair who made that request for the postponement
Speaker 26
just the request came from the administration. My understanding is that the Office of contracting and procurement would like to have a greater conversation with the board of ethics.
Unknown Speaker
Thank you. Thank you.
President Sheffield
Great Hearing no additional concerns this line item if there's no objections will be postponed for one week. From the law department,
Speaker 23
Councilmember Johnson set a resolution line item 70.2 through 17.8.
President Sheffield
Councilmember Johnson
Speaker 26
Thank you Madam President. Move for approval. These are various lawsuit settlement requests. And line item 17.8 is entry of participation agreements in partial settlement of the national prescription opioid litigation and entry of state local government interstate agreement concerning allocation of settlement proceeds.
President Sheffield
All right. motion has been made for approval. Any objection discussion? Discussion member Young.
Speaker 4
Thank you, Madam President. Through you to chair to the administration in the settlements. From my understanding pardon master settlement agreement, the city huge one the city is asking for a 5050 split. So I just want to know exactly what will be our share of that and what will the state share be?
President Sheffield
Mr. Washington?
Speaker 43
Madam Chair, council Lake Washington on behalf of the mayor's office.
Speaker 13
If we could come back to this item. I just see Mr. Hasan bay doors all
President Sheffield
right, we will move over attorney item.
Unknown Speaker
Good afternoon council members.
President Sheffield
Good afternoon. Council member. Yeah.
Speaker 4
Thank you, Madam President. was good to see you sir. I just wanted to ask you really quickly from my understanding is part of this settlement. Part of the master settlement agreement. The city Detroit first of all, the city of Detroit is asking to receive 5050 split from the state of Michigan. I just want to know how much money is that going to be for the signatory and how much money is that going to be for state of Michigan? Sure.
Speaker 44
So for the state of Michigan, well, I guess bigger Skokie? The entire round of settlements here for the country equates to about 17 billion, about 446 million of that is dedicated towards Michigan. And of that, assuming that we enter into these settlements that are before you 12.6 9 million would go to the city of Detroit if if we weren't to sign on to the settlements before you today, that amount will be reduced to 4.9 million.
Speaker 4
Okay. And my final question, I want to ask, Where will this money go to this go to the general fund, we'll just go to the Health Department. Where does the money go to?
Speaker 44
It goes to the general fund but it's restricted in how it can be used. Namely, it needs to be used in connection with opioid abuse disorder and similar purposes. So it we can only use it for generally speaking for opioid related purposes, but it does I believe sit in a in an ordinary fun.
Unknown Speaker
Thank you. I appreciate that. Thank you. All right.
President Sheffield
Thank you. Motion has been made for approval. Are there any objections? Hearing no. Objections. The seven resolutions will be approved. From the legislative policy division,
Speaker 23
Councilmember Johnson and introduction of an ordinance line item 17.9.
President Sheffield
Councilmember Johnson
Speaker 26
Thank you Madam President. I move that the ordinance be read twice by title ordered, printed and laid on the table.
President Sheffield
Hearing no objections. That action will be taken from the legislative policy division.
Speaker 23
Council member Johnson a resolution setting the public hearing mine item 17 point 10
President Sheffield
Councilmember Johnson
Unknown Speaker
Thank you, Madam President Move for approval.
President Sheffield
Thank you and this is the scheduling of a public hearing for the ordinates to officially declared June t as a paid city holiday. That public hearing will take place on April the 12. Are there any objections? Hearing no objections that resolution will be approved. Under resolutions,
Speaker 23
Councilmember Johnson for resolutions line item 1711 through 17 point 14.
President Sheffield
Council member Johnson Thank you
Speaker 26
madam president Move for approval. These items are various appointments or appointments to various commissions.
President Sheffield
Right motion has been made for approval. Are there any objections? Hearing no objections before resolutions will be approved.
Speaker 26
Madam president Yes, ma'am. I'd like to request a waiver online item 17.8
President Sheffield
waiver has been requested for 17.8. Any objections? Hearing none, that motion is approved and if I can have a waiver 117 point 14. motion has been made. Hearing no objection. That motion is approved. Any additional waivers but the Neighborhood and Community Services standing committee from the mayor's office.
Speaker 23
Councilmember young are resolution line item 18.1.
President Sheffield
Councilmember Young.
Speaker 4
Thank you, Madam President. I think there's some people here who like to testify to
President Sheffield
this. Miss Fisher you want to move it for discussion? Yes, discussion? All right. This is regarding petition. A Beach Street in Baltimore street request to host a festival that allows the legal consumption of cannabis from 12 to 11:59pm at 2000 Brooklyn streets. Good afternoon.
Unknown Speaker
Good afternoon.
Unknown Speaker
Bethany Fisher's special events office city
President Sheffield
of Detroit. All right.
Unknown Speaker
Nicholas shock. I'm one of the event organizers.
Speaker 23
Right? And we also have Kim Jane's on the virtual side. If we could pull her over over for any questions as well.
President Sheffield
All right. Young, did you have questions or
Speaker 4
No? Was there was there anything you wanted to say? I thought there was something you wanted to say you you had irritated me you wanted to say something so I just want to do that opportunity speak on this?
Speaker 23
Yes through the chair. So I will just first like to say thank you for having the additional conversations with us and allowing for the petitioners as well as the homegrown department and the special events office to answer any questions or concerns about this petition. All questions and concerns I believe were addressed. So in case there weren't before I went before a vote. We were just here to speak to
President Sheffield
that right into the petitioner. Did you want to just briefly explain a little bit about the event?
Speaker 43
It's, we've done these events throughout the state of Michigan already. Like I mentioned in the last meeting, this will be our sixth event in the state. We've done two in Niles, we've done three in Lansing there have been no issues no fighting, no rest, much, much less problematic than alcohol events. So if there's any specific questions, feel free to ask.
President Sheffield
Is there any questions from my colleagues? Yes, council president potentate?
Speaker 28
Yep. Thank you, Madam President. And I just want to say how excited I am about this opportunity. This is the first one that come through this way. And this is why we built the ordinance the way that we did make sure that it had this sense of transparency. For the community. A number of folks were concerned that these types of events would happen and they would find out you know, the last minute well clearly that didn't happen. In this case. We talked about just briefly last week, it went through the committee process, and while not everyone will be in support, which is very rare to get in anything we do. I think that this is an opportunity again that we have to fully execute the ordinance in the way in the spirit that it was intended, as well as in the letter of the law, if you will, as it's intended. We see other cities that are taking advantage of this opportunity. I think it is incumbent upon us to fully fledged go above and beyond where we were in the past but we will certainly only focus on prosecution and persecution and now celebrating again the opportunity for this industry to grow within the city of Detroit and may not be everyone's cup of tea so to speak. But the voters voted and the council did so as well as it relates to the ordinance. So looking forward to hopefully a support in the affirmative on this particular.
President Sheffield
Thank you. Thank you and I just want to say I support the event as well. I actually had the opportunity to go over to I think it's 2000 Brooklyn Avenue just to kind of see the space in the event where it is located is right next to a freeway actually so the way it's situated, I don't think there's much impact to community. And as Pro Tem mentioned the voters voted on this. Our ordinance allows for these types of events you actually follow the process so I commend you for that as well too. And I've actually spoke to a couple of people who are familiar with your events and every event has been well organized security maintained no issues and so thank you for following the process. And I do support the event. And if there's any additional questions or concerns from council members know, yep. President, President. Council Member Yeah,
Speaker 4
thank you. I'll take it. I'll take it I'll take nobly. Listen, I just want to say first of all, I commend you a lot of you for going through the process because a lot of people have it from my experiences with these events, they've been safe. They've been fine. They've been entertaining for eight and so I don't want to tell myself too much. But I definitely think that this is an opportunity for a lot of people to be able to experience this. Just like you go after work you've experienced to drink after work. And so I think the fact that you know, as President Pro Tem and the President so aptly put, they just found that over 70% of the voters Detroit supported is still net legal, so I could distill that they should be enjoyed. And so I really look forward to this event and I look forward to other events in the future and I support you and support what you're doing. Thank you for doing it this way. Thank you. Thank you, Madam President. I move to approve line item 18.1.
President Sheffield
Discussion. More discussion? Yes.
Speaker 13
Thank you, Madam President. I just wanted to be very brief say I'm supportive of it as well. I echo a lot of my colleagues comments. So I won't go deep into that. What I can say is obviously when you can have events like that, and they are in a safe space, not connected close and there was I know that was some folks fears. I think that we have to follow our ordinance. And we have to follow the will of the people and the will of the voters. And so that's why I will be supportive of this as well. And I hope my colleagues do the same. Thank you, Madam President.
President Sheffield
Thank you. Thank you. All right. A motion has been made. Oh, all right. Mr. Johnson.
Unknown Speaker
Thank
Speaker 26
you, Madam President. So just want to get some clarification. Is this an indoor and outdoor event? It is
Speaker 23
yes. Through the Chair. So yes, this is an indoor and outdoor event located at 2000 Brooklyn Street. There's Beach Street. Which is in the middle, which they're requesting a ride away permit for it to close off that street. And then they'll also be using the adjacent parking lots on the other side. We've also spoken with him that they've agreed to allow them to shut down the service drive as well. And that's more of a public health and safety standpoint, but it is both indoor and outdoor.
Speaker 26
Thank you and are you all required to have a budtender? Someone who monitors consumption?
Speaker 23
So through the Chair, I actually worked with council president pro Tim's office on the ordinance and on the Special Events section that actually was not included. But if it's something that you require, we can definitely speak about that and then we can definitely work something out for the event.
Speaker 26
Thank you. I'm just wondering about monitoring how much people are utilizing and being able to go and drive because I'm not sure if they can potentially get a DUI if they have consumed too much
Unknown Speaker
through the chair. I'll definitely let him speak to that since he's,
Unknown Speaker
that's the definite logistics on the inside work.
Speaker 26
Thank you. What is your question again? I was asking if you're required to have a budtender or somebody who monitors how much individuals consume at the event, similar to a bartender that you know, makes sure that we'll make sure that you are not starting over serve.
Speaker 43
That's not part of the state of Michigan's guidelines as it stands, but that's something we can discuss with them. There's insurance in place on our behalf and with everybody who's been doing marijuana, they have insurance and liability to protect them in case something like that did happen. Okay.
Unknown Speaker
Thank you. I see.
President Sheffield
I see your hand right here.
Speaker 45
Thank you through the Chair. Good afternoon, council members. I just wanted to say that all of the vendors that would be on site for this event will be licensed by the state of Michigan and so all of the controls and restrictions are in place in the store are also in place at the event and they can only possess or purchase as much as they are allowed to legally anywhere else.
Speaker 23
And through the chair there's also an Uber and Lyft drop off location as well. And we'll be sure to make sure that in their correspondence, they're sending that out that Uber and Lyft drop offs are available.
Unknown Speaker
Thank you. Thank you, Madam President.
President Sheffield
All right. Thank you. All right, a motion has been made for approval. For 18.1. Are there any objections? Hearing no objections. This one resolution will be approved. And yes.
Speaker 6
Oh, well. If, okay, I just want to request a waiver or some others.
President Sheffield
Okay. Let's do this one first. And we'll go back to yours. Remember Young?
Unknown Speaker
Thank you, Mr. President. I get a waiver on 18.1 release.
President Sheffield
A waiver has been requested, Hearing no objections for 18.1 that will be attached to that line item. And councilmember waters
Speaker 6
Thank you. Just a waiver on 17 point 1117 point 12 and 17 point 13.
President Sheffield
Right a waiver has been requested for 17 point 11 or 17 point 13. These are all for the City Planning Commission. Are there any objections? Hearing none the waiver will be attached. From the Planning and Economic Development standing committee from the City Planning Commission.
Speaker 23
Council President Pro Tem take the resolution line item 19.1
Speaker 28
Pro Tem take my president Move approval line item 19.1.
President Sheffield
All right motion has been made for approval. Any objections? Hearing none the one resolution we will be approved from the housing and revitalization department.
Speaker 23
Council President Pro take a resolution line item 19.2.
President Sheffield
President Pro Tem take
Speaker 28
on the president Move approval line item 19.2 Place
President Sheffield
motion has been made. This is for our annual home CDBG ARPA awards. Any objection? Hearing none the one resolution will be approved. From the planning and development department.
Speaker 23
Council President Pro Tem take three resolutions line items 1943 through 19.6.
President Sheffield
President Deputy
Speaker 28
President Move approval mine item 30 excusing 19.3 through 19.6.
President Sheffield
All right motion has been made. These are various property sales. Any objections? Hearing no objections. The three resolutions will be approved.
Speaker 13
request a waiver for line item 19.3 and 19.4. Council president.
President Sheffield
All right. There is a waiver requested for 19.3 and 19.4. Any objections? Hearing none a waiver will be attached to those two line items under resolutions.
Speaker 23
Council President Pro Tem tait on behalf of Council President Mary Sheffield a resolution line item 19.6.
President Sheffield
President Pro Tem Tate
Unknown Speaker
President Move approval line item 19.6
President Sheffield
progression. All right motion has been made and discussion member Yeah.
Speaker 4
Thank you and present. Yeah, I just want to ask a question. How do you or anyone for the administration I just tried to understand that the history background and how it was we once were neighborhood law endorsers and now we're not anymore. had that happen.
President Sheffield
So to mr. Washington, I'm not sure if we have someone one from the land bank, but from my understanding there was some internal did you want to talk about this in committee? Motor bid, President Pro Tem.
Speaker 28
I'll say I know that part of it. I actually pose a question about it myself. And I felt that we all should take ourselves out of the process, not just city council, but the administration as well. I believe that the best endorsers are the folks who live in a neighborhood and that folks have said in our seats because we know everybody and we don't know certain people, but the folks who live directly in that community should be the number one endorses now, as I've had an opportunity to go back and look at it. I'm not saying that the change was made because I felt that myself but I did voice that opinion. But I do recognize that the Department of neighborhoods have that endorsement, ability or capability. So that is what has kept me quiet on this issue as okay. Just give you a little frame, a little background on how I failed and what was expressed during the last term. Thank you. Thank you.
President Sheffield
All right. And Mr. Washington we have someone on from the land bank
Speaker 21
along with us on At this time, but I can have someone login. Okay.
President Sheffield
So we will get someone on do you want to wait to someone's available this is just a resolution to urge them to add us and I just want to state the reason why. At one point in time, we did get emails where it's an option. They don't have to get councils endorsement, but we were listed as one of many and to have our district managers as an option who are not elected to be able to endorse the SiteLock process. I felt that as an elected representative, our office should be allowed that same right now nothing states in the process that they have to have our endorsement. It can come from community it can come from a district manager or you can also come from your city council members office. So I actually enjoyed the process of Office learning about projects and being engaged in that, that process so that's what this is, it kind of essentially urges them to restore as as an option. As an as a lot endorser. And yeah, hopefully they can amend that process. So thank you. Yes.
Unknown Speaker
Yeah. be recognized. Yeah. So man present this is permissive is not a requirement,
President Sheffield
for sure. Yes, it is an option. They currently have an option to do three or four different endorsements and
Speaker 4
it was that way originally I was going back to the original what Okay, yes. Is the person there or should because if not, we can just move on why don't I don't have to have to talk to him offline I just I'm just really curious bankruptcy have any issue with this? I just want to know how to do this. No, I don't think you had anything. I had this had this come about just the backstory just for me. I'd really like to know. But if there's nobody here, we can do this.
President Sheffield
Alright, is there any additional discussion, Madam Chair? Somebody would remember Callaway. Yes, absolutely
Speaker 2
support your resolution 100% And I would ask if you'll allow me to join you Yes,
President Sheffield
we left. I would love that member. Callaway. Thank you. The clerk would know that we will add member Callaway as well. Focus on the president. All right. So a motion has been made for approval. Are there any objections? All right, hearing No. objections that one resolution will be approved. We will now move our new business from the mayor's office.
Speaker 23
Councilmember young a resolution line item 20.1.
President Sheffield
Councilmember young
Speaker 4
Thank you, Madam President. I move to approve line item 20.1.
President Sheffield
Council member Young has moved this for approval. Any discussion? Any objections? Hearing no objections. The one resolution will be approved. And from the Office of contracting and procurements
Speaker 23
councilmember young by resolutions, line items 20.2 through 20.6 All our contracts first one line item 20.2. Contract Number 6005015 100%. City funding to provide data Siyar genetic certified security installation contractor best network design LLC total contract amount $107,722.39. That's for general services. line item 20.3. Contract Number 6004402 dash a one 100%. City funding first amended to provide an increase of us to upgrade sprinkler systems and soccer fields, contractor American sprinkler and landscaping total contract amount 200,000 loan in a total a contract increased amount of 100,000. That's for general services. line item 20.4. Contract Number 6004200 dash a one 100% city funding first amendment to provide an increase of funds for athletic equipment and uniforms, contractor BSN sports LLC total contract amount $396,017.24 cent the contract increase the amount of 100,000 That's for recreation. line item 20.5 Contract Number 6005010 100% opera funding to provide parking lot and site design service for the design engineering and construction administration services for the DPD Training Center. Contractor is DLZ total contract amount 102,400. That's for general services. line item 20.6. Contract Number 6005097 100%. Proper funding to provide Recreation and Park renovation at Dexter Elmhurst Community Center contractor apply plus incorporated total contract amount 694,700 For general services. Council member young. I have resolution.
President Sheffield
All right. Thank you. Councilmember Young.
Speaker 4
Thank you, Madam President Move to approve live 20.2 through 20.6.
President Sheffield
All right, motion has been made. Any discussion? Discussion? All right. Thank you. Councilmember Callaway,
Speaker 2
thank you, Madam Chair. If you can show me as a no vote on 20.3. I know we have sprinkler companies in the city of Detroit. We're going to Lavonia for the same services. I'm almost certain we know of sprinkling companies in Detroit, so I'll be a no on 20.3. And then if you can show me a no vote on 20.4 We are going to Dallas, Texas for uniforms for our youth. I'm almost sure that there are companies and Dr. Powers is looking at me because I'm making a commentary. So I'd show me for no vote on 20.4 as well Madam Chair. Thank you.
President Sheffield
All right. Thank you member Callaway. Thank you is there any info? Yep discussion? Yes. Member waters.
Unknown Speaker
No on 20.3 and 20.4.
President Sheffield
Okay, we're not taking a vote yet. Just discussion. Did you have any commentary around you know, this Any other discussion? I'm good, good. Okay. All right. So now motion. You go ahead.
Speaker 46
I would, I would just if I may remind the council members that discussion is not the time to vote. And voting is not the time for for discussion or explaining results. They need to be kept separate. So when the President asks for discussion, she's not really asking for your vote. Just as an FYI.
President Sheffield
All right. Thank you. All right. So so now a motion has been made. Any objections member Callaway?
Speaker 2
Yes, Madam Chair. I object. line item 20.3 and 20.4. Thank you, Madam Chair.
President Sheffield
All right. Thank you member Calloway, Councilmember
Unknown Speaker
waters 1.3 and 20.4.
President Sheffield
All right, and if you can show me as no one 20.3. Any other objections? Hearing none, those resolutions will be approved.
Unknown Speaker
request a waiver for line item 20.6. Madam President,
President Sheffield
waiver has been requested for 20.6 Any objections Hearing no objections a waiver will be attached to 20.6. Under resolutions,
Speaker 23
Councilmember Johnson two resolutions, line items 20.7 and 20.8.
President Sheffield
Councilmember Johnson
Unknown Speaker
Thank you madam president Move for approval.
President Sheffield
motion has been made for approval and this is the reappointment to the Civil Service Commission. Any objections? Hearing no objections. The two resolutions will be approved. Under resolutions,
Speaker 23
recommendation for appointments at the Auditor General, a paper ballot will be distributed.
President Sheffield
All right and I think everyone has filled out the ballots for me by Cliff. Microphone, your microphone
Speaker 2
Good afternoon. So this is a bit different from our normal balloting process. I just wanted to remind the body that this is not a simple regular simple majority is normally require it's a majority of the members serving which requires a minimum of five votes in the affirmative.
President Sheffield
Okay. All right, so we can move well they're calculating the ballots now Okay.
Speaker 23
Madam president I would like to read the names okay. For Laura Gasby councilmember Angela Whitfield Callaway. Now Sumerpur Coleman Ayyan a second. Council member Fred Gerhardt, a third council member Leticia Johnson. Also President Mary Sheffield Council. President Pro Tem James Tate. Councilmember Mary waters seven for Jeffrey but dua there were no votes Madam President.
President Sheffield
Everybody, okay. All right. So we will move or Goodspeed or the appointment as the Auditor General. line item 20 point 10 motion, motion has been made. And this is a 10 year term beginning April the fourth 2023 ending April 3 2033. motion has been made. Are there any objections? Hearing none, the one resolution will be approved.
Speaker 26
Madam President. Yes, I'd like to request a waiver on line item 20 point 10
President Sheffield
waiver has been requested. Hearing no objections, a waiver will be attached. For the President's Report, one standing committee referrals and other matters for the budget Finance and Audit standing committee
Speaker 23
for reports from various city departments like items 22.1 through 22.4
President Sheffield
The four reports will be referred to the budget Finance and Audit standing committee or the internal operations standing committee.
Speaker 23
So reports from various city departments, line items 23.1 and 23.2.
President Sheffield
The two reports will be referred to the internal operation standing committee for the Neighborhood and Community Services standing committee
Speaker 23
reports from the Office of contracting and procurement line items 24.1 through 24.3.
President Sheffield
The three reports will be referred to the Neighborhood and Community Services Standing Committee. The Planning and Economic Development standing committee
Speaker 23
to read reports from various city departments line items 25.1 through 25.3.
President Sheffield
The three reports will be referred to Planning and Economic Development standing committee for the public health and safety standing committee
Speaker 23
11 reports from various city departments line items 25.1 to 25.3. Madam President, that's not the right number and yet 26 should be line items 26.1 through 26 point 11.
President Sheffield
Right. Thank you those 11 reports will be referred to the public health and safety Standing Committee under the consent agenda.
Speaker 23
There are no items Madam President. All right. We will now call for member reports.
President Sheffield
And seeing we're going to presume I'm going to just do my really quick because I do have to step away. So just to announce this skew Thursday, April the 13th will be the first city of Detroit reparations taskforce meeting again That's Thursday, April the 13th. Next Thursday from four to 6pm here at the Irma Henderson auditorium and also streaming virtually online via zoom. The first city of Detroit reparations taskforce meeting will take place next Thursday April the 13th from four to 6pm. This Sunday, from two to 4pm. Our office will be hosting a Easter basket giveaway. Three Easter baskets, music, Easter Bunny photo space painting etc. At the art block 1411 Holden Street. Again that is this Sunday. April the ninth from two to 4pm Easter Sunday we'll be having our Easter giveaway at the art block on Holden Street from two to 4pm. For more information, please contact our office we would love to see the families and the kids out on Easter Sunday. Conversations with the council president will resume Thursday April the 20th from six to 8pm at the butzel Family Center, spring into action black club edition. We will have the General Services Department the Detroit land bank Detroit Fire Department, Parks and Rec BCW in various city departments to prepare you for the spring. spring into action on Thursday April the 28th from six to 8pm at the butzel Family Center. You need more information please contact our office again. That's Thursday April the 20th conversations with the council president spring into action black club edition. Our tenants rights workshops are continuing any district five seeing your buildings that are interested in our tenant rights workshops, please contact our office at 313-224-4505 You're helping our residents organize tenant rights, not tenant rights but tenant. What do you call them to knit groups, tenant councils, Tilak councils, Tineke councils and also knowing their rights as tenants. So if you are interested in being a part of our tenants rights workshop, please contact contact us at 313-224-4505 And then lastly the north and landing is having their brownfield community meeting that will take place on April the 10th from five to 6:30pm. All of our north in residents please come out virtually April the 10th from five to 6:30pm for the Brownfield community meeting. And then lastly I also would like to just again wish member Gerhardt a happy birthday his birthday just passed and we do have something for you of course in the back to celebrate your birthday as well. So again, happy birthday members are hot
Unknown Speaker
Happy Birthday.
President Sheffield
We sink into him happy birthday. Alright, that will conclude my member reports and we will turn it over now to principal Tim Tate.
Unknown Speaker
Negative report Man Thank you. All right.
President Sheffield
Member Yeah.
Unknown Speaker
Thank you, Madam president's.
Speaker 4
Wednesday, April 12 2023. Five to 6pm That's Wednesday, April 12 2023. Five to 6pm Wednesday, April to 12 2023 five to 6pm We're going to have my first community virtual meeting is going to be Wednesday, April the 12th. Five to 6pm I can't wait to see you.
Unknown Speaker
Thank you so much.
Unknown Speaker
Thank you. I remember waters
Speaker 6
Thank you, Mr. President. So Wednesday, April 19 is our skilled trace task force meeting. We'll be at Randolph school. Stay tuned for that. We started posting the flyer already. Also Thursday. April 27 Is the Minority Business Summit, which will be held from 9am to 5pm. At Wayne County Community College Northwest Campus, we'll be inviting in people from the state of Michigan Oakland County, procurement Wayne County, Macomb County. All of those will be there to assist people who want to learn how to do business with those various areas. Thank you so much.
Unknown Speaker
Thank you member waters. Remember Callaway.
Speaker 2
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a couple of announcements. I'll be at petty cash tomorrow for a meet and greet with the business owners in district two is five to 8pm petty cash is located at 20050 liver noi. And in recognition of National Walking Day, which is the first day first Wednesday of April which is tomorrow. I'll be walking on the trail at Palmer Park from 8am to 9am. And anyone who shows up will receive a district two t shirt for free and I'm asking anyone who enjoys walking beautiful trail out there to meet me again tomorrow morning at 8am You do not have to live in district two to walk that trail. You all are invited. There's ample parking we'll make sure that your parking that your cars are are safe. We have a security guard that will be out there. Again that's tomorrow morning at Palmer Park which is located on Merle place salts right next to where the swimming pool used to be. Next I want to have a big give a big shout out to Renaissance High School's chess team. They are the national champions and they have four days of trials and and games and then they won the championship. So they are officially the chess champions of the nation for 2023. So a big shout out to them. And I'm hoping awesome and I'm hoping that they will be on the schedule for next week during formal session to get recognition and some certificates. And lastly, my monthly coffee hour is going to be Monday April the 10th from 8am to 9am at the Johnson Rec Center, which is located at 8550 Chippewa. Again, that's my monthly coffee hour, April the 10th 8am to 9am at the Johnsons Rec Center, which is located at 8550 Chippewa. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Unknown Speaker
Thank you, member Johnson.
Speaker 26
Thank you, Mr. Chair, just want to share with everyone that on Friday, April 14, the ombudsman, Bruce Simpson and I are co hosting a coffee hour from 8am to 9am at the Detroit breakfast restaurant located at 9488. Conner again that is Friday, April 14 at 8am located at 9488 Connor and I also just want to give a shout out and a thanks to our district for business liaison. She's doing a phenomenal job hosted an event yesterday as well as two weeks ago in the community with various commercial corridors. Just encouraging people to come out and reactivate our neighborhood corridors. So just wanted to give her that shout out. Thank you, Mr. Shear.
Speaker 28
Thank you. Last but certainly not least, remember Jericho.
Speaker 13
Thank you, Mr. President, and I just want to send a special shout out and a thank you to all residents who wish me a happy birthday as well as community leaders. It was a great time I spent some time with my family. And I appreciate all their kind words Facebook posts all of that. Second as the return is the chair of the returning citizens Task Force. I want to thank all the vendors who came out this Saturday for our returning citizens job fair. As we kicked off Second Chance month here. This was held at the carpenters and mill right center. So shout out to them allowing us to host we have folks who are able to get jobs right here on the spot and so that was very great. Also mark your calendar a few events for D seven on April the 13th. We're kicking off the spring season we will have our D seven Park reservation conversation with GSD to discuss Park permits and reservations. This event will take place at the Brennan pool house from six to 8pm. What's located by ruse Park 21415 Plymouth, this is from 6pm to 8pm on the 13th our discussion on Parks and where you can get permits if you'd like to reserve for the summertime springtime and summertime. We are having our coffee hour on April the 14th from 9am to 10:30am. i It will be at the McDonald's on 15501 Plymouth Road again that's 15501 Plymouth row, Please RSVP to our office at 313-224-2151 That's 313-224-2151 This is our second coffee. Our first one we have over 80 participants. So looking for a great turnout on this one has been not least we will be having a policy session Friday April the 17th at 6pm. This is our third policy session. This will be at the Roy Allen's senior sell senior building which is located right next to Chapel Hill Baptist Church. That's April 17. At 6pm. Thank you Mr. President.
Unknown Speaker
Thank you. Member Young.
Speaker 4
Thank you for your patience. President Pro Tem I forgot to say thank you member Callaway for my wonderful card and my little flower here already ate the chocolate off as you can see, but I just want to say thank you so much for your thoughts. I appreciate that. All right,
Speaker 28
thank you. Thank you as well. Alright, so that takes us to the end of member reports to the clerk under adoption without committee reference.
Speaker 23
There are no items. President Pro Tem Thank you under communications from the clerk will report on approval proceedings by the mayor.
Speaker 28
Reforms shall be received and placed on file under testimonial resolutions and special privilege.
Speaker 23
Councilmember yard for resolutions line items 31.1 through 31.4 There we go.
Speaker 4
Thank you Miss President Pro Tem I move to approve line items 31.1 31.4.
Speaker 28
All right, Colleagues, any objections? The none. Resolution shall be approved. There being no further business to come before this body unless there's any objections this meeting stands adjourned. This meeting stands adjourned. Thank you