Detroit City Council Formal Session, 5/20/2025 part 2

5:27PM May 20, 2025

Speakers:

Gabriela Santiago-Romero

Keywords:

budget approval

contract management

language access policy

fiscal impact

translation services

department compliance

ordinance amendment

public services

staffing allocation

grant applications

demolition contracts

community development

emergency alterations

waiver requests

city funding.

Session. We'll go into the agenda now under the standing committee reports for the budget, Finance and Audit, standing committee from the Office of contracting and procurement,

Council Member der Hall a resolution, line item 17.1, contract number 6007006, 100% city funding to provide electronic bidding, contract management system and vendor performance contractor. You'll know Solutions Incorporated total contract amount, $392,350 and that's for the ocfo office. Council member Durham Hall, resolution.

Council member Durham, thank you, Mr. President, Move approval for line item 17.1 as a motion to approve line item 17.1 Colleagues, any objections, seeing none that action shall be taken from the office of the city clerk, City Planning Commission, Council.

Member der Hall, two resolutions line item 17.2 and 17.3

member der Hall, thank you, Mr. President, Move for approval for line item 17.2 and 17 point as a motion to approve line item 17.2 and 17.3 colleagues. Any objections, seeing none that action shall be taken. Request a waiver for line item 17.1 to 17.3 believe that was a request for a waiver for 17.1 through 17.3 correct. Mr. President, any objection colleagues, none waivers should be attached. I uh, under resolution.

Council member der Hall, on behalf of Council President Mary Sheffield, a resolution line item 17.4,

Mr. Chair, if I, if I can, I know there was a request for a bring back on this item, from the off from the ofco of CEOs office. So if there's a opportunity for us to move bring this back, postpone for one week, please, yes. Thank you, Mr. President, move to bring back this item in one week. Thank you. There's a motion to bring back a postpone the vote for line item 17. I'm sorry, pardon Allers, in one week with discussion member

Benson, I just question would be a reason for the one week, not that I oppose. Just wondering,

it appears that the ofco indicated they're requesting time to mend the issues with the spreadsheet. Okay, thank you for the internal operations Standing Committee under unfinished business. I council

member, Santiago Romero, an amended ordinance noting a roll call line item 18.1,

member, Santiago Romero,

thank you, Mr. President, I move to take from the table in ordinance to amend chapter 23 of the 2019 Detroit city code, human rights by adding article 10 citywide language access policy to include sections 23 dash 10, dash one, definitions, sections 23 dash 10, dash two, language access requirements, department Pacific plan, city wide plan and management and approval of plans. Sections 23 dash 10, dash three, language access grievance. Section 23 dash 10, dash four, violation. Sections 23 dash 10, dash five, annual reports in sections 23 dash 10, dash six, no private rights of action to establish a language access plan in the city to provide for the effective delivery of city services laying on the table. April 8, 2025

hearing, no objections that actions shall be taken. Member, Santiago Romero, thank

you, Mr. President. I move that the ordinance be placed on the order of third reading and considered read.

Hearing, no objections that action shall be taken. Member Santiago. Romero, discussion with discussion before we go to member Santiago,

thank you. So just a few questions, and I appreciate member Santo Romero putting this into an ordinance. Just wanted to make sure that I'm clear on this, and then have a few questions on the fiscal impact here, just looking at the definitions. And we talked about substantial number of limited English speaking persons, but it talked about the number of being a population consisting of more than 200 Can we get a number on how many languages do we anticipate being encompassed in that language is being spoken the city right now? That a 50 is that a 75

through the chair? Graham Anderson law department? In response to your question, Council Member, offense, it's a fantastic question. Initially, what we highlighted in the ordinance were three language three languages. It was Spanish, it was Arabic, and it was French. So I believe that is what we are anticipating at the moment. However, at the table on Wednesday, what we did is we actually struck those three languages explicitly from the ordinance. The reason behind that being is we wanted to keep it open ended. Migration and immigration is a fluid thing that we don't know that there's there's the war in Ukraine, for example, maybe we realize there's a they realize Detroit's a wonderful place to live. They want to get out of a war zone. And then we have an influx of Ukrainian speakers in the city of Detroit, or maybe genocide in South Africa, exactly. And so then there is a variety of dialects spoken in South Africa. I understand that reference, though. So we wanted to keep it open ended inflexible as migration patterns open. But I believe in the council member, I'm sure she can correct me if I'm mistaken, but we're anticipating most strongly Spanish, Arabic and French.

Okay, all right, I just want to make sure that we're not going to exclude anybody, and I see that it seems to be very broad based, because it's very large Bengali population and still have a contingent of bosses who speak Laotian. So okay, make sure we're not excluding anybody based on it seems like we're incorporating those here absolutely. And then looking under Section 23, tac 10, tac Two. How many departments would qualify? And this speaks directly to the public facing departments

through the chair who is a public facing department? That would be a question for creo, I cannot answer. Pat,

okay. And then we're striking the languages. And so that Bangla and Laotian and Laotian would qualify

through the chair, absolutely. And one thing I want to highlight too is we are codifying what is already being done here at the city. And one thing that I think is is important to highlight is, yes, we're already doing this. But then, why are we doing this? Currently, we have a hostile federal government towards language access, so we thought it would be important to codify this. Maybe there are different people who is we change throughout Creo who might have a different set of priorities. We want to codify this. So for that reason, this isn't any we're not reinventing the wheel here. We're not doing anything radically different. We're just making sure we incorporate a new article into the human rights chapter. Not sure if you ever heard the term trust but verify. Of course, Council Member, I've heard it from you multiple times, but

I am a firm believer, and so I am so I am not in opposition, and we're doing this already. It's good to get things into writing, but now, once you see it in writing, you also now have questions alone, is there a financial cost? What's the impact here? And then my last question is going to be just we identify in the fiscal impact statement to sub $200,000 for the annual cost for employees. What is left open ended is the contractual cost based on now codifying this, although we do have an existing and having a conversation with my colleagues, we do, there is a budget line item already for contractual services, but now we're codifying this. So will do we anticipate a change, and then can we at least ballpark the contractual cost impact so it's not left so open ended

through the chair. I can't speak to that specific data and information, but one thing that I think I can do to help narrow it down a little bit, is if you turn to the top of page three vital public documents, we outline explicitly what we would be translating here, so it's not just everything under the sun. We make it very clear here, number one, applications or forms to participate in a department's program or activity to receive benefits or services. Number two, written notices of rights, determinations of eligibility, so on written tests other than English language competency, of course, four notices of advising LEP persons of available language assistance and five materials, including publicly posted documents. So it's not just everything under the sun here, we did explicitly highlight what we are looking to highlight. Because I know, you know, printer ink does get expensive, so I and I appreciate that

I'm going to go back there. Then, yes, is there a way to, at least, I mean estimate to say, hey, you know what? We know that these departments are public facing. We can estimate that people only use these documents. What is the cost? There just should be, to me, a cost there versus leaving open, even if it's, we don't know, you still can project there's got to be some way to project something this estimate discussion number,

through you. Through you, Mr. President,

yes, my colleague can address that'd be great.

Thank you. Through you, Mr. President, and thank you member Benson for your questions. They're very valid. I know how much you care about our budget, staying strong and making sure that we are taking care of our resources. Just so, you know, currently creo, but has this is actually old data from our first year 2022 Creo has around $300,000 already that they use for ASL foreign language translation services, a video interpretation as well. That first year, we put an additional $30,000 for Creo to to use for their language access programming. The following year, we found out they did not use the 30,000 because they said that they have enough. So the fiscal impact study let us know that they need additional staff. We put those $200,000 to to cover that staffing. But the unknown, we know what it is, the contracts they already have, the funding for those, those contracted services, and it was less than when I shared with you. It's 327,201 and to your question about, if we codify this, what more work do we? Will we have? What other resources will we use? It doesn't seem like it would be that terribly much if we, if we added 30 they didn't use it. So we'll see something that we will definitely discuss every budget, but it seems like we have what we need. We're simply codifying this process. And not only that, we're also this is a team effort during public comment. We heard that not every department knows about these services, about the need to translate vital documents. So we're really hoping that we can work together on this. Have a plan so departments can do that work and then have to support them with whatever they need through the contracts that they already have.

Thank you. And I can say that having a large Bengali population of which I serve, they appreciate these type of services. We translated our newsletter utilizing city services. Didn't say it was the best translation, but we can always do better. But they really did appreciate the fact that we were translating those services. We had a conversation with the translation services about a better way to do translation for the Bengali community, so I can say that they work and abuse them. So I appreciate having this ability to communicate with those who do have a challenge when it comes to speaking English as their first language. You don't want to do is have that be a barrier. They can't utilize your services or services they need that could be life saving some time. So thank you.

Through the Chair, if I may, one point that I brought up in committee that I think is really important in my prior career in litigation, I serve a firm that we did a lot of work with the Arabic community, and often I would be speaking with a plaintiff, and we would have no problem communicating. But when it came to the deposition, we made sure to bring in a translator, because when dealing with something of that level of importance, we don't want to make sure that there's no confusion with technical terms, or we just want to make sure we get the facts right and that there's no confusion. And that's the exact same thing here when applying for city services and all the other matters. We want to make sure we do it right. We want to make sure that there's no nothing lost in translation, and everything's done proper here. Thank you.

Thank you. Further questions, further discussion. Member waters,

all right, so thank you. The on Wednesday, when this is in committee, I know that Creo was not available, so I'd like to hear from them. Also want to point out that, you know, had requested the fiscal impact, and according to the CFO, will be a negative impact on the city's budget. I want to see that address as well. And the other thing that I want to have addressed is, I want to know from creo, what are you already doing in the current department? And then number three, how this is affect us at the state and federal levels, and address those through the chair.

Think she wanted to Creole department to come forward, but we'll give you an opportunity to speak as they make their

way up. Understood to you, Mr. President, I can also answer the question regarding the fiscal impact study. Please

introduce yourself for the record. Good afternoon. Good

afternoon, honorable body. My name is Anthony zander. I am the Deputy Director of creo.

Good afternoon through the chair. I am Tanika Griggs, the deputy director of

creo, and through the chair. Member waters, what was, if you don't mind, what was your initial question?

I want to know what kinds of things you're already doing. I want you to talk about what you're doing, and then to perhaps explain to us what you believe some of the additional costs would be to your your department as well. All right,

thank you for the question. So currently we do have a language access program. Our language ourselves program serves any and everyone that needs any interpretation or translation services that has that is coming to the city of Detroit for any need, any public service needs we do. We serve everyone. We have a contractor that is able to provide up to 350 different languages and dialects.

We have a contractor that is able to serve translate for up to 350 different languages and dialects. Internally, we know we have opportunities. We do essentially all year round training to different departments on how to access these services. These services are definitely are free to everyone involved. We also have a mobile hotline, interface that we allow to use, that we have it for use. We provide ASL, as you all know, we have ASL come to the different meetings, and we have online interpretation services as we need as well.

So talk about the impact on your specific department as relates to this ordinance, please.

So what is for? For creo, I can say that there was an allocation of $200,000 which would equate to about two FTEs. Those FTEs, from my understanding, is to help execute the ordinance. If passed. Unfortunately, if passed today, we have a 60 day timeframe on it, but those that ft those FTEs don't start until the new fiscal year starts, and then there's a process even then, to bring those individuals on. So at current capacity, if we had to do this and with the next 60 days, I'm afraid that I don't want to default on the requirement, but that would be a heavy lift for us to make that happen. As far as the other departments, I'm not sure what their resources are, as far as having that dedicated person within a department that can be essentially that liaison to Creo for their language access program, and identifying that plan and ensuring that they are compliant annually for which the ordinance is required, so they would be to have their own individual person to handle it from their from

their ears. So as it stands today, we're not having any difficulties addressing the language issues. As of today, we

do not. We have a complaint form if anybody feels that they have not received adequate services from our department, or if they have been denied incorrectly, and they can prevent present that to us. Do you know we, that we, we are Creo so we handle discrimination, and that allows that anti discrimination is across the board, including access to public services,

is the CFO around. I just I have a question, because they said would be a negative impact. I just want them to explain that, Mr. Washington,

I see you come. Let's get afternoon through the chair. We do have Donnie Johnson from the Budget Office Online. All right, if we can, please move him up. Please. Applause.

Uh, good afternoon, good afternoon. My name is Johnny Johnson, and I am the deputy budget director for the city. My team prepared the fiscal impact statement for this ordinance.

All right. Could you, could you talk about what you especially when you said it would be a negative impact. Could you explain that to the people, please? I

Yes, ma'am. So the first negative fiscal impact is one that we had already anticipated. It's the requirement for two additional staff members in creo, as council member Santiago Romero pointed out, this is accounted for in next year's budget. But you know, the impact of the ordinance is a requirement of additional staff, so technically, that would be a negative impact. The additional analysis we did was on requirements that then arise from the ordinance, as relates to the translation of documents and things like that. And so the the sticking point for us in our analysis was the definition of what a vital public document is, even with the definitional terms it, there are some departments that have a lot of documents applications. The ocfo is a great example. We are Treasury division has a lot of documentation and paperwork that residents utilize for various services. The B seed has a lot of, you know, applications and permits and these sorts of documents. And so it was unclear to us, from the written, from the way the ordinance was written, if those sorts of documents end up being classified as vital public documents, we're looking at the potential for having to translate quite a large number of documents, some of which would be updated every year as certain criteria change year over year, tax tables and things like that. So our concern is with an indeterminate negative fiscal impact over time as departments complete their language access plans and we learn how many documents and how many web pages and these sorts of things need to be translated additionally, because of the stipulation in the ordinance that a member of a of the of the qualifying population, which is a population with a population with a substantial number of limited English speaking persons. It's something that council member Benson referenced a little bit earlier of the 200 residents who speak a shared language that is not English. It takes only a request from only one member of that group to trigger the provisions of this ordinance in terms of, you know, the translation requirements and the documentation requirements, is how we understood the ordinance to read. And so our concern is that this could end up putting us on the hook for quite a lot of translation activity over time, as we try to keep up with this sort of, the sort of request. So we did the best we could. We don't have numbers on this. It's hard to know how many documents would qualify as a vital public document without these language access plans being done. But you know, we know of departments like ocfo and BC that have quite a lot of public facing documentation that this could become quite an expensive undertaking.

So currently, it's costing us about what,

you know, I don't really know. So this is one of the things that we, we attempted to sort of dig into as part of our analysis, is, things like the cost per document or per page through our translation services, we know that certain languages are, you know, Spanish, French, German, these are very common languages, commonly spoken in the area and nationally, and so they're usually a little bit more affordable for translation. But if we have more language groups that are not as commonly spoken, Council Member Benson referenced Laotian, you know, certain smaller groups, these could be considerably more expensive to have certified translators do what they do. You know, Attorney Anderson brought up a point about when they're doing their translation activities in the law department with depositions and other things for certain documents at the city we would, we wouldn't just give it to any translator. It would need to be vetted by a very highly qualified translator, and in theory, also attorneys who are competent in those languages to ensure that the translation of a document that has legally binding consequences for a resident is adequately conveying those legalities in it, and those kinds of translations are considerably more expensive. But again, I can't quantify what that is, because we we'd have to have the departments go through this process of evaluation to find out. So the only statement I can make about that part is it is an indeterminate because we know it will cost us money, but we don't know exactly what it will cost. It could be a lot. It could be a very moderate amount. I simply don't have the data. You know, we weren't able to get the data to provide anything more concrete, numerically. Oh boy. Discussion, the

the largest population that we have are Spanish, Spanish, right? And then I know that the Bengali is they're growing a lot more, but currently the largest one are Hispanic population. Is that? Correct? I

the chair. So based upon our most recent data that we have prepared for budget, Arabic, Bengali and obviously Spanish, those are our three largest requests in that order. No, in order, it would be Spanish, Arabic, then Bengali, okay,

well, that there are clearly a lot of uncertainties. I know that we just finished going through the budget process, and I know there's very sensitive as well. I I'm torn at this point. I'd kind of like to see some more data, more in depth evaluations, prior to moving on this. We don't have any more offer dollars. We can't do any of that anymore, so we've got to be very careful about what we do. I need to know. I need to have additional information. I'd like for the CFO to complete that evaluation that he talked about, because we need to, we need better numbers. I mean, right now, it's just too much, too many uncertainties for me. It is I'd like to know.

Thank you. Further discussion, we gotta go in order. Member young, then we'll get to you. Member Santiago,

thank you very much. I don't know who this is to, but my understanding, this is a federal requirement for us to be able to have language speakers and language interpreters. And the reason why I'm a key supporter of this is because there have been times where people have come before this body who don't speak the language, who don't understand the language, and there's been no one here to interpret. And as much as I love watching, you know, member romero speaking Spanish, she should not have to do that, because we have people here who can't speak the language. Somebody should be here now. And I'm not trying to talk about people being turned their deaf interpreters or things that nature, but we should have somebody here that could be able to do that, because that is a requirement. And so I just thought it was wrong for us not to be able to have that. And then secondly, I thought it was disrespectful and a little bit a little bit presumptuous racially, to have a member of this body be able to speak a language, you know, even though she can, if we're thankful that she's very fluent, she should not have to be able to do that, or have the impetus to be able to do that. So my question is, and I'm a full supporter, 10 toes down 110% I just want to know, is this, if we do this, or is there actually be somebody that's going to be here that's going to respond? How is that

through the chair to council member Young's question, it's not just a federal requirement. Actually, in 2013 Governor Whitmer signed a state law as well. So state, okay, exactly. So I just wanted to highlight, right? Okay? Right, Mr.

Chair isn't okay.

Excuse me, I'm through the chair council member. So if you would like a finer speaker here at formal session every Tuesday, I can provide that. Okay, that's not a problem. We'll have those services available. Yeah, I would appreciate that. I wouldn't mind it. Personally, I don't know about member

romero would agree. I don't want to step on her toes, but I would personally appreciate that, not a problem we were here, so we don't have that happen ever again. I just thought that was wrong. We can put it. I appreciate that, and I appreciate your response. And I just want to say I don't mean to be the I told you some guy, but the fact that I had asked for the informational specialist a couple of budgets ago is because one, I think it's important for us not just to be able to have people who speak different languages, but also it's important for us to be able to realize and recognize the contributions that other cultures have made to the city Detroit. We were talking about people who are Germans. I know some of those people have to be part of our Jewish community that were fleeting authoritarianism and Nazism in Germany. I know that it's also important we talk about the Bangladeshi community. And part of the reason why we're talking about that because in because in Myanmar right now, or Burma, there is a genocide going on against the Rohingya. That's the Rohingya Muslims now, and so the tactile military is engaging in that, that that genocide, the reason why it says important understanding, because they are fleeing Burma and going to Bangladesh, and so they are taking in people and drain on their resources because of this actual genocide that is happening in this country. And so that's why you see those signs talking about stop the Rohingya genocide when you go to Bangladesh. And so I think it's important for us to understand that history, know that history so that when we're talking to the community, is not just that we're here just so they can speak the language, is also because of respect of what they've gone through and what they continue going through, and what they contributed to the city of Detroit. Because we've had a lot of conversations, I think about

about immigrants itself has not been too positive, and I don't think that we understand what they have contributed to particularly from our Latino communities, in terms of building the houses, in terms of watching and nursing the children, in terms of farmland that have been here, throughout this state, throughout this country, Michigan is second in the country in terms of Farming. These are things that we need to start talking about on the regular in terms of what their contribution to be, just so we have a holistic understanding where they came from, why they're here, and what their contributions here to this city. Thank you.

Thank you. And I know that we have some additional discussion we want to start to get to the point where we're going to land a plane. We want to get we want to get there. Member, remember Santiago Romero

through the Chair. Thank you. So just want to make it very clear that there is no uncertainty here. Dr director Zander just mentioned that already Creo has access to translation services, to interpretation services of over 200 in some languages. So again, this is already in the budget member water, so there is no uncertainty. It's also very clear in the ordinance, it says that we are only going to respond to requested documents, so we are not going to completely append the city and have everyone turn every single page and translate that into 200 languages. We are actually very crystal clear. That's a lot of work. That's going to cost a lot of money. We are simply asking that we codify what we're already doing, that we work together with departments and that we hold the administration accountable. Director Zander, you mentioned that it would be hard for us to work with departments. I do believe that you already have a liaison, a what you call an ambassador program, where you have staff go to each department. Correct, so how does that program work, or what is this program currently doing?

Correct? We do have an ambassador program. And actually, I will let deputy speak to that a little bit more, but I don't recall saying anything about being difficult to work with the

departments you

may mentioned that if we move forward, the departments may not be able to do this because of the staff.

No, sorry, through the chair if there was a misinterpretation of what I was trying to say is that the requirements that are listed for the in the ordinance, that are listed for the department, I am not able to answer what that impact would be for them as far as resources. That's all I was saying. Understood.

Thank you. And then also, the hopeful thing about this ordinance is that we're going to have departments make that plan work with your ambassadors figure out what are these vital documents to be prepared to translate. Pre already has a translation interpretation services about working together, but would like to hear from your deputy around the ambassador program.

Good afternoon. So the ambassador program, I know we talked about it quite a couple of times. It is a group of representatives from every department, where we meet every other month to talk about civil rights inclusion opportunities as well as language access and Oda accessibility issues that the departments maybe have. Okay,

thank you. And then, Mr. President, I have one last statement. I want all the questions to be asked first before doing so, because I know we have to land this plane. Thank you.

Thank you. Member Benson, followed by member waters, and we'll go to member Santiago Romero, hopefully we'll get to where we wrap this up wherever we want to go from there. Thank you. Oh, Johnson, I missed you know I want to go on one mission. So, Benson waters, Johnson, Santiago Merrill, thank you, Mr. Chair. So

section 23 tech 10, tech to Delta, all department specific language access policy shall be submitted to the Human Rights department for review and approval within 60 days of the effective date of this ordinance. But Mr. Zanu, you indicated that will be a challenge and a very heavy lift. What do you believe would be a more appropriate timeline for that requirement?

So if the three chairs, excuse me, if the intent for the additional staff members was to help execute this ordinance, and we probably won't. That doesn't start to July one, and then the time to take to hire those individuals to execute at minimum. I'm not saying that how long it would take. But if the intent of those individuals were to execute this ordinance that does that's not going to occur until sometime after July,

what were your time? What were your suggested date of

up until so if we were, if this were to pass today and for the next 60 days, I do not want to default on the requirement to get this done. I will try my best, because that's what we do.

I'm asking you for a date.

I'm afraid I don't necessarily have a specific day, but the work we do now is based upon the staffing levels we have

standard. So you've indicated it's a heavy lift. Yeah, it were be approved today. You wouldn't have staff until at least one July, and then, by miracle, you'd have to hire them on one July. Now you're already a month in 2010, days in the hole, out of 60. So would you say a 180 days after the first the fiscal year to get this implemented.

That would through the chair be helpful.

So with 10 days beyond the start of the fiscal year, be helpful as well. So you have the opportunity. I'm asking for a date.

Yes, I don't want to so through chair, I don't want it to come off as that we not trying to get this done. We will do everything possible. However, with the allocated staffing, we would not necessarily be able to ensure that this is being done until after the July one fiscal year and that hiring process,

I suggested 180 days

discussion briefly through you, Mr. President, Director, I believe you also just launched a language access program tour member,

I got, oh yeah, it's coming.

There was something. Are you open to extending that date from 60 days to 180 from the beginning of the fiscal year? Basically would be 31 December,

30 December through the chair, implemented through

the chair, through the chair, through to to our lawyer working on this. Would that be a substantial change? If we change the dates through the chair, it would not be okay. I'm happy to do so.

Motion to change the date in the board language to 180 days. From 60, there's

a motion to alter the date, as mentioned by member Benson. What's that number? Again? From where to where, 180

strike 60 in his place, 180 All right,

there's a motion on the floor. Colleagues. Any objection? Seeing none that action shall be taken

through the chair. And just for clarity, that is on page four, Section D, line two,

session another, another motion would be from the July 120 25 not the effective daily ordinance from July 120, 25

I 25 causes emotion on the floor. Any objections Seeing none that action shall be taken for

the chair. I'll get that to Corporation Council as soon as I'm done here. Thank you.

Thank you.

Yes. Well, thank you. I'll be brief. I just, I just want to first say that my only concern is fiscal is fiscal period, especially in light of the budget process that we just went through, it was just plain fiscal has nothing to do with what other folks have contributed to to this community, they have, I don't, I don't, I don't deny that at all, so, but we have to think fiscal So, and that's where I am with this. And I'm glad that member Benson did offer the amendment, because that's going to help out a great deal. But meanwhile, I still want the CFO to complete that evaluation for all of us to review, because that's being fiscally responsible. That's my comment. Thank you. Thank you.

Member Johnson,

thank you, Mr. President. Member Benson did ask the question that I was going to ask, but director Zander mentioned something that brought up an additional question. So you, in response to member young indicated that you could have someone here to translate in Spanish every day, or something to that effect, do you have someone in your department who does that so that when the request is made, you can send someone down? Or would that be an additional expense, um,

through chair? So that would be done through our contractual contracts that we have for the in person interpreters. So as you know, we have them online, but if there's a request to have it in person, we will have to put that request into our contractor, who would then have to supply an individual every Tuesday.

Thank you. And in addition to that, so are they online by request, or are they online every Tuesday,

the additional language services currently we is just been put it's just been standard, so it was a request made, and we just have it in place every Tuesday. Okay,

so they are

already present. They are already present. Okay? Thank you. Thank you. Mr. President, thank you. Member, Santiago Romero,

wonderful. Thank you, Mr. President, just want to share that we've been working on this ordinance for over a year. We have worked with stakeholders, including Creo to draft the ordinance that was inclusive of our residents. This ordinance ensures that all Detroiters can actively participate in programming and services regardless of the English language specific proficiency. This requires each department to have a language access plan on file with Creo and a designated staff member to carry it out. In doing this, services will be provided equitably through the City of Detroit's again, we are doing nothing but codifying what what Creo and the city is already doing, adding protections for residents to make sure that they have what they need long before administrative changes. Currently, Prio provides translation, translation, review, Einstein interpretation, 24 24/7 telephonic interpretation, video, remote interpretation. Training and guidance this ordinance will also provide for annual reports to see how it's going, how we can help with these efforts, and making sure that each department is prepared. Again, when it comes to the impacts fiscal when it comes to the fiscal impacts, it said that there was a negative impact of 180 for staffing. We have already allocated 200,000 and again, as I mentioned, the unknown cost we already know and are already accounted for. This work is a heavy lift. This ordinance will allow departments and Creole to work together to address the gaps in our communications with residents. And just want to share that this City Council passed a property tax ordinance that did have a negative fiscal impact. So we have done it before, and I believe that when we believe that the services are needed, we support ordinances that have that kind of reporting as well. So Mr. President, that is it for me. If there are no other questions, happy to move us along. Thank

you. Any further colleagues Seeing none. This is now the amended ordinance before us. Now that we're discussing. Member Santiago,

I move that the amended ordinance be passed as submitted, there being

a roll call required. Will the clerk please call the roll

council member Leticia Johnson, yes. Council member Gabriella Santiago Romero Yes. Council President Pro Tem James Tate Yes. Council member Mary waters, yes. Council member Angela Whitfield, Callaway. Council member call me on the second Yes. Council President Mary Sheffield, Council Member Scott Benson, yes. Council member Fred der Hall a third Yes. Mister President yeast, this motion passes

you, the ordinance is approved as amended. Member Santiago

Romero, we move the title to the ordinance be confirmed,

Hearing no objections that action shall be taken.

Thank you all. Mister

Chairman. Member

I like to make a motion for the ocfo to complete that evaluation. He mentioned, he says they needed to do a complete one. I still like to see that evaluation please.

Okay, we're gonna get, we're gonna get, we're gonna do it. Mr. Johnson, did you hear the request?

Yes, Mr. President, I did. Thank you.

There's a motion on the floor. Any objections Seeing none that action shall be taken. Thank you. Thank you.

From the office of contracting and

procure council member Johnson, a resolution line item 18.2, contract number 6005243, dash a one, 100% city funding. Amendment One, to provide an increase of funds for temporary it, staffing contractor, data Consulting Group incorporated total contract amount 6,850,000 that's for do it. Council member Johnson, a resolution.

Member Johnson,

thank you, Mr. President, Move for approval.

There's a motion to approve. Line item 18.2. Colleagues. Any objections? Discussion with discussion. Member Calloway,

thank you, Mr. Chair, is there anyone here, available from it?

Mr. Washington, anyone from it? From doing Yes, through the chair. We do have art Thompson online. All right, Director Thompson, you see yourself on the screen, please introduce yourself for the record.

All Good afternoon. Art Thompson, Chief Information Officer for the City of Detroit.

Thank you. Mr. Chair, good afternoon. Mr. Thompson, good afternoon. Real quick question. $1.6 million increase for temporary staffing. Are you still moving with your plans to have permanent staffing so we can get away from hiring temporary staffing at this very, very expensive, expensive level,

through the chair. Sorry, through the Chair. Yes, absolutely in fact, you know, since taking this position, that has been something that I have promised, and we have done. We have continuously decreased our contractors. We're at 13 currently, and we are looking to extend this so that we can continue those efforts and get those numbers down into single digits, digits, and make them as low as possible throughout the city.

Okay, through the Chair. Thank you, Mr. Thompson, saying you're saying this $1.6 million covers 13 temporary staff members

through the chair. That is correct. Okay,

all right. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Mr.

Thompson, thank you. Fights any further online at 18.2 there's a motion for approval. Any objections Seeing none, that action shall be taken.

Mr. President member Johnson, I'd like to request a waiver on line item 18.2

as request for waiver on 18.2 any objections, seeing none, a waiver should be attached

from the law department. Council

member Johnson, for resolutions, line items, 18.3 through 18.6

member Johnson, thank you, Mr. President, Move for approval. These are various lawsuit settlement requests.

Any objection, any objections, colleagues, it's a motion to approve line items, 18.3 through 18.6 seeing no objections, the motion shall be approved from the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Office of Development and grants. Council

member Johnson, a resolution, line item 18.7

member Johnson, thank you, Mr. President, Move for approval. This is to submit a grant application to the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission for fiscal year 2026,

thank you. There's a motion to approve, line item, 18.7 Colleagues, any objection, seeing none, that action shall be taken.

Mr. President, I'd like to request a waiver for 18.7 as a request

for a waiver. Colleagues, online in 18.7 any objections, seeing none, a waiver should be attached under resolution.

Council member Johnson, two resolutions, line items 18.8 and 18.9

member Johnson, thank you, Mr. President, Move for approval. Line item 18.8 is to reappoint Mr. Christopher Christopher Jackson, to the Detroit building authority, and line item 18.9 is to reappoint. Miss Maggie DeSantis to the Detroit building authority,

thank you. As a request for approval for line item, Motion for approval, excuse me for line items, 18.8 and 18.9 any objection colleagues Seeing none, those actions shall be taken for the Planning and Economic Development standing committee from the Office of contracting and procurement.

Council member der Hall, on behalf of council president pro tem James Tate, a resolution. Line item 19.1, contract number 6001150, dash, 831, 100% city funding. Amendment three, to provide an extension of time only for additional Real Estate Services for the bridging neighborhood programs, home repair, home swap program and the Gordie Howe International Bridge Home swap contractors, Detroit land bank, authority, total contract amount, $802,734.21 cent. That's for housing and revitalization. Council member der Hall, a resolution. Member der Hall,

thank you, Mr. President, Move for approval for line item 19.1 as a motion to approve line item 19.1 Colleagues, any objection Seeing none that action shall be taken. Get a request for, can we get a waiver for line item 19.1 request a waiver for line item 19.1 thank you so much. As a request for a waiver on line item 19.1 any objection Seeing none a waiver shall be attached from the City Planning Commission. Madam Clerk, Council

Member der Hall, two resolutions line items 19.2 and 19.3

member deer Hall, thank you, Mr. President. Line item 19.2 is the homeless solutions funding appeals resolution for 2520 2520 26 and line item 19.3 is a 2526 homeless solutions funding recommendations, which include community development block grants, emergency solutions grants, funding and sub recipient agreements Move for approval for line items 19.2 and 19.3 Thank you sir. There's a motion to approve line item 19.2 and 19.3 any objection colleagues Seeing none those actions shall be taken. Request a waiver for line items 19 point 19.2, and 19.3 Thank you sir. There's request for waivers for 19.2 and 19.3 any objections Seeing none waivers shall be attached from the housing and revitalization department.

Council member der Hall, three resolutions, line items 19.4 through 19.6

member Durham, thank you, Mr. President. Line item 19.4 is a resolution for authorization, for the authorization to accept an appropriate fiscal year 2025 additional 112,000 Medicaid, CHIP community development led hazard control program grant. 19.5 is the approval of a commercial facilities exemption certificate in the area of 9301 open Avenue and line item 19.6 is the Request for Authorization to accept and appropriate the US Department of Housing, urban development, HUD, Community Development Block Grant Move for approval for line items 19.4 through 19.6 Alex, there is a motion to approve line items 19.4 to 19.6 any objections? Discussion, Mr. Chair. Discussion member came over

just a quick notation online item, 19.5 it says 93 01, open. It should say 93 01 Oakland Avenue.

We have bounced back and forth with that several times. Yeah, the agenda, but for the for the record, the actual document does say, okay, is correct, but Madam Clerk, will you show will you note for the agenda? Please,

Mr. President, I will make sure that that item is corrected for the correct Street. All

right. Thank you so much. Thank you, colleagues. Again. There was a motion 19.4 through 19.6 any objections, seeing none, those actions shall be taken. Request a waiver for line items 19.4 through 19.6 as request for waivers for line item 19.4 to 19.6 any objection colleagues Seeing none, waivers shall be attached. For the public health and safety standing committee from the Office of contracting and procurement.

Council Member Santiago Romero, four resolutions, line items, 20.1 through 20.4 contract number 3082557, 100% blight funding to provide an emergency alteration for the commercial property. 5200, Ivanhoe contractor, saliva and trucking and excavating. Incorporated total contract amount, $20,935 construction and demolition. Next contract is contract number 3083051, 100% blight funding to provide an emergency backfill and site restoration for the commercial property. 2841, Cochran contractor, salad bean, trucking and excavating. Incorporated total contract amount $19,514 that's construction and demolition. Next contract is contract number 3083207, 100% blight funding to provide an emergency demolition for the residential property. 8726, Saint Cyril contractor, Detroit next incorporated total contract amount $14,800 that's for construction and demolition mass contractors. Contract number 6005921, dash, a one, 100% Environmental Affairs grant funding Amendment One to provide an increase of funds for residential development of vacant parcels in North court town neighborhood contractor, the community builder, Incorporated doing business as TCB, affordable housing incorporated total contract amount $1 million that's for BC. Council Member Santiago Romero for resolutions.

Member Santiago Romero, motion to approve, motion to approve line items, 20.1 through 20.4 Alex, any objections or discussion, seeing none that action shall be taken from the Department of Public Works city engineering division.

Council member, Santiago Romero, three resolutions, nine items, 20.5 through 20.7

member, Santiago Romero, thank

you, Mr. President, motion to approve. These are all requests for vacations, for easements. There's

a motion to approve line items 20.5 to 20.7 discussion with discussion. Member Johnson,

thank you, Mr. President, I'm wondering if there is anyone online for line item 20.5 I'm not certain if this is going to impact the use of the alleyway in that particular area. I believe that was topic of conversation previously at ped

So Mister Washington, do we have anyone? I just saw Mr. Brunage and Mr. Gary Brown was here as well. I have anybody available for us online, sir the chair. If we can bring this back towards the end, I'm sure we can have someone join. Is there a motion to postpone the vote until the end of the agenda for line items, 20.5 motion. 20.7 there's a motion. Seeing no objections. We shall postpone the vote until the end of the agenda.

Chair, request a waiver. Line 20.3

there's a request for a waiver on line number 20.3 colleagues, any objections? See none that action shall be taken. Thank you. Mr. President, Yes, Madam Clerk, so

point of clarity, so member Johnson was questioning line item 20.5 only, or all three, because I think she was just referencing 20.5 and you were bringing them all back to the end, or just 20.5

Yeah, that was correct. I did do that. Member Johnson, did you have any questions about the others as well?

No, I did not. Just 20.5

okay, well, we just, we already grouped and we put them down there. Shouldn't be too hard for us to approve them once we get to that point. So thank you for the clarification. Madam Clerk, you're welcome. We will now move to the new business portion of the agenda under unfinished business. Council

member Benson, an ordinance noting a roll call line item 21.1

member Benson, thank you. I move to take the table an ordinance to amend chapter 19 of the 2019 Detroit city code. Article Three, sanitation standards, vision. 22 water plumbing and waste plumbing system, subdivision E, operation and maintenance by amending section 19 tech three, tech 772 prohibiting a cross connection, by repealing and replacing section 19 Tac Three, tech 773 scheduling inspection and service for a water system device to backflow device testing and by adding section 19 Tac Three. Text, 776, inspections in Section 19 Tac Three. Text, 777, violations to provide clarity on prohibited cross connection, pipes, protective devices, inspection standards and to rectify violations laid on the table. March 11, 2025,

Hearing no objections that action shall be taken. Member Benson,

I move the ordinance you place on the order of third reading and considered read.

Hear No objections that action shall be taken. Council member Benson, I move the ordinance be passed as submitted. There being a roll call required. Will the clerk please call the roll? Council

Member Santiago Romero, yes. Council President Pro Tem James Hey Yes. Council member Mary waters. Council member Angela Whitfield Callaway council member Coleman Young a second Yes. Council President, Mary Sheffield, Council Member Scott Vincent, yes. Council member Fred derhart, the third council member Leticia Johnson, yes, seven yeas, That motion passes. Mr. President,

thank you, Madam Clerk, the ordinance is approved. Member Benson, I move the title to the ordinance be conferred, Hearing no objections that action shall be taken from the mayor's office, Madam Clerk, Council

Member young, three resolutions, line items, 21.2 through 21.4 remember Young,

thank You, Mr. President, I move to approve line items 21.2 through 21.4

there's a motion to approve line items 21.2 through 21.4 Colleagues, any objection or discussion, seeing none that action shall be taken from the Office of contracting and procurement. Council

Member Santiago Romero, two resolutions noting that line items, 21.5 and 21.6 were postponed from last week formal session. Contract Number 6005836, dash a one, 100% opera funding. Amendment One to provide an extension of time only for abatement and demolition of commercial group, 222, contractor, inner city contracting, LLC, total contract amount, $410,453.47 cent, that's for construction and demolition. Contract Number 6005902, dash, a one, 100% opera funding Amendment One, to provide extension of time only for abatement and alteration of commercial structures. Group, 226, contractor, inner city cent. Inner City contracting, LLC, total contract amount, $853,861.80 cent. That's for construction and demolition. Council member, Santiago Romero, two resolutions.

What's Member Santiago Romero, we can discuss this one. Please discussion. Thank you so much. Line item, 20. That is 21.2 1.5 we did request for a postponement on this particular item. Did have one additional question, or a couple of different additional questions regarding a property that's located, or actually two of the properties on losser and artists did have an opportunity to speak with the director, with Director counts yesterday, groupings that counts, but still have some additional questions to get responded to online item 21.5 so if we can please get a motion to postpone the vote for one more week on this item, please So moved. Thank you so much. There's a motion to postpone the vote for line item 21.5, for one week, any objections? See, none that action shall be taken. Discussion with discussion. Member Benson, this the old mammoth building. No, no, no, that is that one's coming. But no, this is much smaller, much smaller, all right. Member, Santiago Romero, we did have questions about the other item, but I'm okay with the move 21.6 motion to approve. There's a motion to approve line item 21.6 seeing no objections, that action shall be taken. Thank you so much, Madam Clerk.

Council member young to resolutions, line items, 21.7 and 21.8 contract number 6003407, dash a one, 100% city funding. Amendment One to exercise a two year renewal for software solution to support the management of the city's fleet and fueling assets. Contractor asset works incorporated total contract amount $1,627,091.56 cent that's for general services and contract number 6007023, 100% grant funding to provide Park renovations at Farwell Park, tennis courts, walking paths and connectivity, playground site amenities, site restoration contractors, WCI contractors incorporated total contract amount $2 million that's for general services. Council. Member young, two resolutions. Member Young,

thank you, Mr. President, I would like to, I would like to move to approve line items 20.7 and 20.8 so 21.7 21.8 Thank you, sir. There's

a motion to approve line items 21.7 and 21 21.8 any objections or discussion, seeing none, that action shall be taken. Mr. President. Member, yeah. Thank you. Mr. President, I would like to request a waiver online item 21.8 as a request for a waiver on line item 21.8 any objections Seeing none. A waiver shall be attached from the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Office of Development and grants.

Council Member Santiago Romero, two resolutions, nine items, 21.9 and 21 point 10.

Member Santiago Romero,

motion to approve. These are both grant applications.

There's a motion to approve line items, 21.9 and 21 point 10, any objection, colleagues, seeing none, that action shall be taken.

Request a waiver, Mr. President, for 21.9 and 21 point 10, as a request

for waivers. For 21.9 and 21 point 10, any objections, seeing none wait shall be attached. Mr.

President, one more waiver request for 20.4 this is the residential redevelopment in North cork town,

he says, a request for a waiver for line item 21.40

my mistake. So sorry. 20.4 20.4

request for a waiver line item 20.4 college, any objections Seeing none a waiver should be attached. Thank

you. Thank you, Mister President, yes. Ma'am, um, before you go there, I want to point out for line item 21.2 I noticed there was not a waiver requested for that item. This event is May the 30th, and this item will not go before the mayor until May the 27th this will not be back approved in enough time for the prior to the event. Thank you for

the catch on that one, Madam Clerk, is there a motion for that is, is there a motion for a waiver on line 21.2 motion seeing no objections, a waiver shall be attached. Thank you again for the president's report on standing committee referrals and other matters for the budget, Finance and Audit. Standing Committee Reports shall be referred to the budget, Finance and Audit standing committee for the internal operations. Standing

Committee, eight reports from various city departments. Eight reports

should be referred for the internal operations. Standing Committee for the Neighborhood and Community Services. Standing Committee, three reports from veracity departments. Three reports will be referred to the neighborhood and community services, standing committee for the Planning and Economic Development, standing committee, four reports from various city departments. The four reports shall be referred to the Planning and Economic Development, standing committee for the public health and safety, standing committee,

nine reports from various city departments. The nine reports

shall be referred to the public health and safety standing committee, Madam Clerk, I think this is a good time to go back to our items.

Yes, Mr. President, we went back to line item 20.5 through 20.7

All right. Mr. Washington, we are back at line items 20.5 and 20.7 do we have someone who can respond to member Johnson's question on 2025

through the chair? I do not see my representative on if you can postpone 20.5 for one week. Colleagues, is there a motion for line item? 20.5 motion? There's a motion to postpone the vote for one week. Line item 20.5 any objections? Seeing none that action shall be taken. Is there a motion to approve line items 20.6 and 20.7 motion, seeing no objections, that action shall be taken under the consent

agenda, clerk, there are no items. Mr. President, we will now

call Is there a motion to suspend member reports? There's a motion to suspend memory reports? Any objection Seeing none that action shall be taken under adoption with committee reference. There are no idles Mr. President. Under communications from the clerk, a report on approval proceedings by the mayor report should be received and placed on file. Testimonial resolutions and special privilege. There are no items, Mr. President. Thank you, ma'am. There being no further business to come before this body if there's no objection. This meeting will stand adjo. journed Speeding as a jump.