Everyone and welcome to the planning and economic development standing committee for today, Thursday, October 2nd, 2025.

Good morning, Mr.

Clerk.

Good morning, Mr.

Pro Tim.

Good morning.

Will you please call the roll, sir?

No problem.

Council President Pro Tim James Tate.

Councilmember Frederick Hall III.

Councilmember Letitia Johnson.

Present.

Mr.

Pro Cam, Dr.

Quorum.

Thank you, sir.

We have a quorum, which means we're now in session.

Good morning, Member Johnson.

Is there a motion to approve the minutes?

Motion.

See no objections that action shall be taken.

One let everybody know that we have a full agenda today.

We have two public hearings as well as discussion with the land bank report and the MOU.

So a lot of things to discuss.

So we're going to be uh getting right into the meeting right about now.

Uh if you are calling in, we're gonna start off with public comment.

If you're calling in for a public hearing, one of those two public hearings that I mentioned, please lower your hand.

Please uh wait your time.

We're gonna make sure you get an opportunity to speak on that public hearing, but I'm gonna open up for general public comment.

If you have anything you want to provide to this uh council, uh please raise your hand now, whether you're in public uh in the committee of the whole or online, please raise your hand now.

Going once, going twice, going three times.

Collection of public comments have now concluded.

Ms.

Caprice, good morning.

Good morning, Mr.

Chair.

We have 11 hands raised.

I have 11 hands for public comment.

Okay, we'll give everyone uh because we do have that uh very, very long agenda here.

We need to make sure we have time for full discussion, especially for the MOU and some of these other items.

We want to give everyone one minute.

I know you're gonna be upset.

I apologize in advance, but I'm letting you know that I'm doing it because we want to ensure we have a full discussion.

So we're gonna give everyone one minute.

Let's get that uh clock on the screen, please.

General public comment.

One minute, and who's our first caller now?

Give me one second, sir.

First caller will be not that Karen.

All right.

Let's get that clock full screen.

Can't get a school full screen today.

We have some issues.

All right.

Hopefully, uh the folks can keep their eyes on the cam on the the screen for your time.

Hold on, we're gonna come.

We're getting to you, we get into your own.

Oh, uh I thought you said not that, Karen.

No, not yet.

I will be.

Um so everyone keep your eyes on the clock.

Uh now I'm calling you.

Not that Karen, the floor is yours.

You have one minute general public comment.

Yeah, thanks for the one minute 60 seconds.

Um, yeah, uh, and thank you for your punctuality as well.

Uh the other day, an 82-year-old retiree, city of Detroit retiree called in.

We're asking for help.

She was camp by approved, she needs a roof fixed.

No one even tried to help her guide her in the proper direction.

Uh that's not how we should treat the retirees.

They've served the city public servant just like yourself.

And you know, did what they were um you know requested to do for 30 years.

And so now they're retirement.

It's like you're beating up on old people.

It's kind of sadistic to me that you don't got to do more for the retirees.

We want to fast track to get our money back.

We don't want to fast track to stand in line to be told that we um you know our earnings are too much or whatever excuse whether you're out of money or whatever it is.

We want to fast track to get our money back.

Um, homeless, we need to help the homeless and six hundred million dollar property tax over tax station.

We need relief.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

Our next caller is iPhone.

IPhone, the floor is yours.

You have one minute general public comment.

Uh good morning to all within the sound of my voice.

I'm here again today, asking from some for someone, please from the water uh department would they uh call me or address publicly uh the reason the lifeline uh program is has expired as of September 30th.

I received a letter saying my benefits would no longer be active.

Uh I would like to know why, if there's another program that can assist me to make sure I can keep my water bill current.

I know about the easy plan a program, but that program you have to have a balance.

We would like uh assistance.

Also, uh the the uh senior who has problems at our home, please call 313-446-4444.

Again, 313-446.

All right, thank you so much.

Ms.

Vernon, I know that you are a member uh resident of District 7.

I'm gonna get your information to a member of that team to follow up with you regarding the lifeline program.

Next caller, please.

Our next caller is William M.

Davis.

Mr.

William M.

Davis, the floor is yours.

You have one minute.

General public comment.

Uh good morning.

Can that be heard?

Yes, sir.

Okay, I'd like to start out by saying that I am in total agreement that the city of Detroit needs to do a whole lot more to help City of Detroit retirees.

The city, you know, our mayor, who's done an outstanding job in some areas, has done a horrible job as relates to City Church retirees.

Uh you know, if a millionaire needs a 40% increase in pay over the last 11 years, what about people who barely get by?

You know, you need to be thinking about the lease of these.

This is not someone that should be governor.

If you cannot help the city retirees, who this whole recovery has been on our backs, why should any city deterrent retiree, their family members or friends or former co-workers vote for somebody that's almost acting like a demon instead of somebody that's really doing something to help people?

Of course, he has helped a whole lot of millionaires and billionaires get more money, but not city retirees.

Have a good day.

Bye.

All right.

Uh Mr.

Clerk, if you could note that we've been joined by member of Ice Chair, good morning, sir.

All right.

Clerk will send out.

Thank you, sir.

Next caller, please.

Our next caller is number ending in 482.

Caller ending in 482.

The floor is yours.

One minute general public comment.

Caller, are you there?

Yeah, I'm right here.

James, Ms.

Ruby, James Crowley Jr.

And you busted.

Y'all achieving an election and covering up murder.

Kenisha Coleman did not shoot herself.

Charmaine McCloud did it.

And you looked into it, you never signed what I found.

Fred Durhaw is present too.

It's this committee meeting.

And now I'm getting ready to put it all the way out there.

Y'all been covering up murder and keeping in elections.

Y'all are two TV officials.

Fred got all kind of Detroit voter trap houses over there in District 7, as well as you.

Angela Callaway in District 1 and 2.

I'm going around the whole city now.

I want to extend an invitation to Solomon Kenlock, your pastor.

Solomon Kenlock to visit 1932 7 West Chicago.

The veterans housing facility.

Solomon, if you're out there listening, please do come visit the veterans.

Mary Sheffield.

All right.

Who's that again?

Our next caller is B Lloyd.

All right.

Didn't hear it, but call me.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Floor is yours.

One minute general public comment.

Good morning.

I was just calling to report a home that appears abandoned on Van Dyke and between Hendry and Granger.

Um before Grasshit Avenue.

The stairs are apart from the house.

The door has been open for months.

And it's an eyesore.

And I was just calling to report it.

All right.

Thank you.

Do me a favor.

I don't have that's not the district that I represent, but we're gonna make sure we get that information to the office that is.

Please give me a call at 313-224-1027, and we'll make sure we get that information to the council members' office who that area represents.

All right.

Thank you so much.

Next caller.

You're welcome.

Next caller, please.

Our next caller is caller ending in 169.

Caller ending in 169.

The floor is yours.

You have one minute general public comment.

Um hello, can you guys hear me?

Yes, sir.

Great, great.

Um, Cunningham still believes God is good.

Thank you for giving love and prayers for Cunningham.

Powers that be in churches, get your foot off his neck.

COVID 19 was karma.

Touch not God's anointed, need to do his serving Cunningham no harm.

Less harm, less harm, less harm, less harm, less harm, less harm, less harm, less harm, less harm.

Thank you for my son.

Thank you.

I'll appreciate it.

Before we go forward, I'd like to call the 10-15 public hearing and recess it to the call of the chair.

But now back to public comment.

Who's our next caller, please?

Our next caller is Cunningham.

All right, brother Cunningham.

The floor is yours.

One minute general public comment.

Brother Cunningham, are you there?

All right, let's put Mr.

Cunningham at the end of the queue and go to our next caller, please.

All right.

Our next caller is caller ending in one two four.

Caller ending in one two four.

The floor is yours.

One minute general public comment.

313 444 9114.

313 4449114.

313, 444, 911.

That number was made so you can remember it.

And on Facebook, not enemy.

Again on Facebook, not enemy.

Click people and put in not enemy.

You'll see a picture of my mom who has fallen.

She fell down in the nursing home.

I checked on her this morning.

She seems to be okay.

I'm going back again to talk to the nurses and the doctors.

So keep my mom in prayer.

Also thanking Christopher Charles Mosley, Christopher Charles Mosley for donating 100 via Cash App today.

So I'm just gonna pray because there's a lot going on out here.

Um for everybody.

I'm a Kayada, my strong son yellow my God.

All right, next caller, please.

All right, now our next caller is caller ending in one two four.

All right, caller, the floor is yours.

You have a minute for general public comment.

The floor is yours.

Good morning, may I be heard?

Yes.

Okay, thank you.

Well, very disappointing that the mayor just said first info, and that in his meetings, his charter mandated meetings to use this as an excuse that somebody said something inappropriate in the field who dialed anymore.

So thank you to the council for not resorting to that.

Frankly violating equal protection in the open meetings act.

And then lower my hand anyway.

But um, so I'm also very disappointed that this thinks it's okay that to meet frequently uh for the update of the master plan.

It's supposed to be for all Detroiters, and yet you all have I've asked about making this more open to people.

I spoke with Alexa Bush.

She said, Well, there's focus, but there are meetings are going on that some people are getting invited, but not other people are.

Thank you so much.

Next caller, please.

Our next caller is Tyson Gersh.

All right, Tyson Gersh, the floor is yours.

You have one minute general public comment.

Hi, can you hear me?

Yes.

Thanks.

Um, I guess I don't know.

It doesn't look like uh LPD has submitted a response for the uh BZA fee schedule memo uh yet, though it is on the agenda for today.

Um I mean, it just looks like the BZA changed its own fee schedule in 2019 through a departmental correction where it changed the court reporter cost uh changed the transcript fee line item on its own initiative without council approval.

Um seems to be a recurring theme with the BZA.

Uh it did the same thing in 2010, and council had to invalidate the whole fee schedule.

Um I think we probably just need to have a really consistent dedicated process for when fee schedule adjustments are made across agencies.

All right, thank you so much.

Next caller, please.

Our next caller is Sahira Ahmed.

All right, caller, the floor is yours.

You have one minute general public comment.

Hello, can you hear me?

Yes.

Good morning.

Um, I want to echo with uh not that Karen said we had to take care of our retirees, and it would be great if you all could.

I think you put together a task force, uh uh member Tate uh for the retirees.

We need to do that.

Like to offer uh some uh responses to her situation with her roof problem.

Of course, you know I had roofing problems ran through my house for 13 years.

Uh and I got help from the Energy Efficiency Program and DTE on EcoWorks.

I'd like to refer her to the buy her program.

Uh uh member Tate, can you let her know the home energy efficiency rebates program?

They will fix her roof.

There are other uh programs uh that they will help her with her.

It's the home energy efficiency rebates from the state of Michigan.

You can call me, I'll give you the information.

All right.

Next caller, please.

Our next caller is Miko Williams.

Nico Williams, the floor is yours.

You have one minute general public comment.

Good morning.

I am still against the MOU of the land bank.

It is not done properly.

Uh why is Mary Waters doing the town hall and you're not doing a uh town hall, Mr.

Tate?

It's not an attack on your leadership.

It's also an it's also an observation and a suggestion that you should take charge and you should get all the opinion and uh listen to people's plight and problems when dealing with this land bank.

We're supposed to be in the finish line.

So why do we need a land bank?

You know, why are we doing this now in a lane duck when the new mayor and the new council can handle this issue?

I know we talked about it, and I understand that you know you're trying to shove it out committee today to put it on formal with a recommendation to approve, but it should not be approved until due process is made until all the I's dots across the T's and to prevent this city from being put in a class action lawsuit of neighbors that are ready to and hungry uh to go after this city for all the wrong, the pain, suffering cause, and trauma trauma that has been done.

Please do this right.

Leave it here until it's done finally.

Thank you.

All right.

Next caller, please.

Mr.

Chair, that takes us to the end of online callers.

We do have Mr.

Foster in person.

All right, Ms.

Foster, we'll give you an opportunity to give you one minute in person.

And that will be the end of our public comments for the day.

Good morning through the um chair.

First, I appreciate the one minute.

Um minute, but um, only reason I come down is because this application or something went on on the phone that does not allow me to raise hand or give that option anymore.

And I only say that because I speak often and a lot, and free speech should not be a friendship part.

So if someone could look into that and get that option back open to me, I would greatly appreciate it.

Secondly, I just want to talk about the proposed bill and legislature for 24%.

I think they need to just mind their business when it comes down to things of the marijuana and other things that all short and loud things just be.

I don't think they need to have a 24% off into anything.

It's another form of um probable cause, another form of bringing um undue burdens on the community to further what the people have already voted for.

And so I got plenty more to say.

One minute's never not, but thank you for listening.

All right.

That takes us to the end of our general public comments, and we shall now like to call back to order the 1015 public hearing.

Well the parties who are participating, please cue up.

Line item five, 1015 public hearing is regarding a commercial facilities exemption for certificate for Detroit 5 and dime LLC around 370 3rd Avenue.

Well, the parties who are participating, once you see yourself on the screen, please introduce yourselves for the record.

Good morning.

Jonathan Hartley Development.

K C Jackson, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation.

Good morning.

All right.

Um, whoever is the number first up, I believe that's Mr.

Cook.

The floor is yours.

Thank you.

To the chair, Detroit Five and Dine LLC as we question our commercial facilities exemption certificate at 370 Avenue.

This application is for a certificate, and this is the final public hearing currently scheduled in front of this honorable committee before a certificate may be approved and issued.

The petitioner and DEGC is present to answer any additional questions.

Thank you.

Thank you.

You may put it to the chairman.

I'm sorry.

May I share my screen?

Yes, ma'am.

Thank you.

All right.

Um, my name is Casey Jackson with DEGC Real Estate Manager, and I'm here today to um request on behalf of this honorable body approval for the certificate for um 370 3rd Street.

Um the 255 certificate.

You all have seen this project before earlier this summer um for the NEZ district establishment along with the 255 district.

And so today we're looking for support for the uh certificate.

Before I get into the details of the project, I do just want to discuss what the PA255 is and how it will impact this project.

Uh the developer Jonathan Hartzel has a $3.4 million renovation plan for this building.

And right now he is paying about $3,000 annually in taxes, and that's represented by the dark green bar on the chart.

Once he goes in and he makes his $3.4 million investment, um, the assessor will reassess the property.

And as a result of that investment, the property taxes are going to go up.

We presume those taxes are going to be just under $35,000 a year.

And that's represented by the yellow portion that you see here.

And so the developer with the $255, um, it really is an incentive to promote the rehabilitation of existing structures.

So it will abate a hundred percent of the increase that is seen as a result of the improvement.

And so the developer will continue to pay the amount that he currently pays through the life of the abatement, and then after the life of the abatement, he will be responsible for the full advalorum tax, which we project in year 13 will be um just under 45,000 a year.

And so going back, uh Mr.

Hartzell is also the owner of Detroit Shipping Company, and this project is located at third and um third and selden.

And what he is planning to do, as I mentioned, 3.4 million dollar renovation.

The building was built in 1947, it's been vacant for at least the last decade.

Um, he's planning a mixed-use project with ground floor uh retail, and then above, he'll have 10 units of residential.

Today we are only requesting support for that commercial portion of the project, but I do just want to give a little bit of detail on the residential.

Uh, there's 5,400 square feet of leasable residential space.

Nine of the 10 plan units will be between 70% to 80% AMI, with one unit being market rate.

There's 7,360 square feet of gross commercial space.

This includes the basement and patio square footage as well.

I'll leave the details as far as the programming of the space up to Mr.

Hartzel to explain.

Um, but this is the portion of the project that we are requesting uh support on today.

Uh, at a high level, he's planning for five tenants, uh, four retail food establishments, a bar, and as I mentioned before, the outdoor patio space.

As a result of the investment in the project, um, Mr.

Hartzel is anticipating two developer jobs.

Um, one which would be a groundskeeper or grounds manager, and the second would be a leasing agent, and then 10 temporary construction jobs.

So the developer is planning to work with uh the tenants and encourage them to look at Detroit at work to ensure that developer uh Detroit, excuse me, have an opportunity at the jobs that will become available out of uh the retail spaces that will be there.

As I mentioned, the building was built in 1947, and there is no elevator that's required by code.

Mr.

Hartzell can get into the details of what that looks like if he had to have one, how it impacts the deal itself.

Um, and the commercial spaces are designed with universal design principles in mind.

As far as parking is concerned, um, there's ample street parking that's available, and Mr.

Hartzell um can get again into detail about the efforts and the measures that he's taken um to look into building out a lot.

So I will leave that up to him.

Um, I do want to say that uh today he's here requesting the approval of the certificate.

We have gone through the Proforma and evaluated the deal.

And without the NEZ, without the PA255, this deal simply does not work.

It doesn't pencil.

So both tax incentives are critical to the success of this project happening.

And the assessor's office did review the project.

They confirmed on July 1st of this year that it does meet the eligibility requirements for the 255.

We are recommending a full term of 12 years for this project.

And the overall net benefit to the city of Detroit for the retail portion by itself is $32,417 with both the NEZ and the PA255.

That amount is 189,000.

And that concludes my portion of the presentation.

As I mentioned, the developer is online and uh will provide more detail into the areas mentioned before.

Thank you.

All right.

You're very welcome.

Before we go forward, though, we'd like to recess the 1015 public hearing and uh to the call of the chair.

I'd like to now call to order the 1030 public hearing and recess it to the call of the chair.

We're now back at the 1015 public hearing.

You may proceed.

The smile.

Yes, yes, your opportunity.

Yeah.

No, just building on that.

I believe we've presented this project several times.

Um building on what we've done, we've built Detroit Shipping Company on the concept of micro local retail and trying to, you know, put the uh the focus on the retailers in the space and allow them to grow and build at Detroit Shipping Company.

You know, we we invested in the infrastructure that generally gets put on uh micro retailers that generally puts them in a detrimental position when they're trying to build businesses on these small ecosystems.

And from that, the we're able to support these groups.

Three of our six vendors have opened multiple locations since three of our uh vendors have become investors in other real estate projects with the other people or with us.

So we're able to grow the small businesses through supportive actions from the development side.

A lot of times on uh the retail space from developer to retailer, they leave white box spaces quite empty and with a lot of uh financial burden on the retailer who doesn't have equity in the space.

So when they're looking to get debt, they get bad terms where it's um you know, full recourse on the person with no equity behind it.

So when they're 10 years up in that space, they're still left with debt.

So we've turned that position and said the owner and the developer should carry that burden because those those pieces of the piece or the build out stay with the building, and it allows the tenants to have a more nimble entry into the space to let them do their business, right?

They're they're food operators and it's a hard margin business, right?

They have two to six percent uh you know uh profit margin uh a business if they work 67 hours a week.

Um, so in the five and dime building, we're looking to put four food vendors and uh a bar to support.

Um, we're probably having our hospitality group come in and do the bar space as it's the easiest transition to to manage common space.

We already have four retail vendors earmarked, one who signed a lease and the three are are pending.

Um and I look for the support because without the sedement, the project just doesn't physically make sense.

Okay.

That concludes your presentation.

Yes.

All right, Ms.

Barclu.

Good morning.

You have before you Detroit Five and Dime LLC um seeking a commercial facilities exemption to certificate for property located at 3700 Third Avenue.

The ownership group is comprised of Detroit Rising Development and Facilities Management Group.

The project is in furtherance of their continued continuing commitment to revitalize Midtown South District.

This request is solely for the commercial portion of the property.

The 3700 third um property is located.

Is it women is a vacant two-story commercial 4,000 square foot um structure built in 1947?

The building will continue to be a mixed-use development with 10 one-bedroom apartment units on the second floor and 7300 um square feet as a retail space.

The property is loosely modeled after the developers Detroit Shipping Company's food hall.

The retail space will be designed as a collective environment, fostering collaboration um shared efficiencies.

The location will host common front and back of house operations, making it a obtainable and a sustainable location for small startup businesses.

This building has been vacant and obsolete for over a decade, and as such, the rehabilitation will require major site remediation to restore the property to its economically efficient condition.

The two million dollars of changes include upgraded residential units and the transformation of the first floor into a multi-tenant food and beverage collective.

The estimated um total capital investment for this project is 3.4 million.

It is also estimated when completed, the project will create two development developer jobs and 10 temporary construction jobs.

The 12-year commercial redevelopment tax abatement is estimated to provide the um developer with a tax savings of 421,534 dollars.

Based on this investment, the project is estimated to provide the city of Detroit a net benefit of 32,417, and with all the taxing jurisdictions combined, a net benefit of 35,000 94 dollars in the 12 year um period of the abatement.

And that concludes my presentation.

Thank you.

All right, colleagues.

So it's mentioned we have seen this project before us uh a number of times now.

Uh any questions, comments, concerns regarding it.

Member Johnson.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair, and good morning to you all.

Um so Ms.

Jackson mentioned two employees.

Are we saying two employees that the developer is creating, recognizing that the vendors will have their own uh uh staffing?

Okay, I see head nods.

Um, so no need to verbally answer.

Um there was I I'm very familiar with the um shipping company um and am interested in knowing if you have had any thoughts around composting food or providing the ability for the restaurants to be able to compost uh food.

The city of Detroit does have a composting pilot, and so that's why I'm asking if that's something that you do or have entertained doing or will um we'll consider.

Oh, we we'd love that idea.

I mean, it's all on the vendor.

So we present our vendors with a lot of opportunities at Detroit Shipping Company.

We don't dictate what they're allowed to do and not do.

We just we give them the opportunity.

So if this space has vendors that are interested in that, we would absolutely present it to them.

Okay, it and and I'm not sure what the um internal uh requirements would be to maybe encourage them to do it.

Um, but we can we can certainly have that conversation.

I know the general services department is working with an organization, I believe on the west side of the city, and we have some east side um organizations that do composting as well, but would love to have that conversation with you to see how we can encourage them to do it because I do think it is something that we need we all need to do more of.

Perfect.

All right, thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you.

All right.

Uh, any additional questions, comments, concerns?

Seeing none, we shall now go to public comment.

If there's anyone from the public would like to speak online item five, that's the 1015 public hearing.

The presentation you just saw, please raise your hand now.

If you'd like to speak on the 1015 public hearing, please raise your hand now.

Going once, going twice, going three times.

Collection of public comments have now concluded.

I don't see any hands in the committee of the whole.

Ms.

Cabrice, how many callers do we have online?

Mr.

Chair, we have six callers online.

Our first caller being caller ending in one two four.

All right, we're gonna give everyone uh one minute for the comments during the public hearing today.

Uh caller, the floor is yours.

Yes, ma'am.

Your phone, just to let you know, your phone is going in and out, so we can hear only portions of what you're saying.

So if you have a different phone, you want to take the opportunity to switch over.

Uh please please do that.

But if this is your only line, uh you may proceed.

Uh okay.

Well, um if I speak louder, is that did that help or don't go to the now?

Just breaking in and out.

Oh, okay.

Sorry.

Oh, uh, I'll just try to hear you cleanly now, though.

Um, Ms.

Ward, you are uh silent right now.

We can't hear you.

You may have to go to another location.

We're gonna put you at the end of the queue and give you another opportunity to move.

Um, but we'll go to the next caller and again bring you back at the end of the queue.

Next caller, please.

Our next caller is phone number ending in 482.

Caller ending in 482.

The floor is yours.

We have one minute regarding line item five.

Yeah, uh Chairman uh James V.

Tate Jr.

I'm calling in to uh contest any action being taken by the this committee in regards to any development here in the city of Detroit.

Any questions about this particular one, sir?

Any questions about this one, or we have to move on?

No, I'm talking about this.

I'm talking about all of them, and this one is included, James.

You know what I'm talking about.

Y'all cheating in the election.

All right, you got one more chance.

We're gonna cut you off.

Keep going.

Only on this project, please.

Man, you don't give me chance to I take as many as I need.

Next caller, please.

Next caller.

Our next caller is not that, Karen.

Not that, Karen.

The floor is yours.

You have one minute regarding line item five.

Hello.

Yes, ma'am.

Yes.

Um, my concerns are mostly environmental.

I'm wondering, has there been a truck route laid out so that you know all the debris um that's gonna result from the construction if we're you know designating um a particular truck route for the incoming and outgoing materials.

Also, I'm wondering, are we gonna have solar power here?

Are we can can we possibly have a solar farm near so we can power these new um these new upcoming up build upcoming buildings?

Also, I want to know how come well um the accessibility because most majority of the city buildings are older, so we can't just keep saying we can't accommodate special, you know, we can't have special accommodations when the law has changed, and and since I believe since uh 80s or 70s, we have to make accommodations for the um handicap accessibility.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

Uh next caller is Jesse Jensen.

Caller, the floor is yours.

We have one minute.

We're gonna get that clock up.

There we go.

One minute regarding line item uh line item five caller, are you there?

I I am I am here.

We can hear you.

The floor is yours.

Okay, perfect.

I'm calling in support of this um project.

Uh the shipping company has been a successful model, and it's no question that this is gonna be um applicable to the new site.

So I'm entirely um in support of it, and I think that it's a great opportunity for for that location.

And that's all.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

Our next caller is Will McDowell.

Ms.

McDowell, the floor is yours.

You have one minute regarding line item five.

Hi everyone, my name is Will McDowell.

I'm a neighbor in North Corktown, lived here for 11 years, lived in the city of Detroit my whole adult life at 14 years.

I'm a director of finance by trade, uh, but I'm very involved in our neighborhood association developing spaces for parks and hopefully development, uh including retail spaces and commercial and housing as well.

Just want to voice my support for this project.

I'm hopeful uh being a developer of my own uh in our neighborhood in North Corktown, and for the past two years I've been educating myself, doing research, getting community engagement, and models like this seem to be from everything that I've seen and heard the best possible uh solution and opportunities for local businesses to grow their businesses.

So would love to see the city support more models like this in and around the area.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

Our next caller is Tim.

Tim, the floor is yours.

You have one minute.

Up one minute regarding line item five.

Floor's yours.

Tim, are you there?

Uh can you hear me okay?

We can hear you.

The floor is yours, yes, sir.

All right.

Uh thank you for the opportunity.

Um, I've uh do a lot of work in the city and involved a lot of uh projects in midtown.

Uh work closely with uh DRD uh development and uh they do an excellent job uh overseeing uh and programming the right types of uh people, I believe.

Um and have been very successful in many of their endeavors.

Uh so I'm in full support of this project.

Uh I think it would be uh do well uh within the city limits there.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

Mr.

Chair, we are back to caller ending in one-two-four.

Caller ending in one-two-four.

The floor is yours.

You have one minute regarding line item five.

Caller, are you there?

Going once.

Going twice.

Going three times, Ms.

Warwick, are you there?

Unfortunately, I'm gonna have to move on.

If you would like to provide your comments to the clerk's office, they can hear me.

Uh we can hear you now.

Yes, ma'am.

The floor is yours.

Yep, we can hear you.

Floor is yours.

Okay.

Um, I'm really wondering.

Uh you know, we always hear the comment.

Well, without this benefit, it just doesn't work.

And that like very politely lack significant detail.

Um, just saying it doesn't work like uh ever since bankruptcy, like why hasn't the city figured out a better figure out a way to change the taxing scheme?

We're not shorted on public comment and we're spending all this time on these hearings because we got such high chances.

Like, when are we gonna figure that out?

I've heard some candidates say, oh no, yeah, they're working on it, but I haven't heard people working on it other than you know, but anyway.

Uh I don't know if you can hear me, but I like the shipping company.

They've done a decent job.

Don't push City out, and um let's fix the taxing code scheme so it's more fair to everybody because it's super duper inequitable.

Thank you.

And it takes us to the end of our public comments.

We're gonna bring our panelists back up and give you an opportunity to respond to the questions that have been provided.

The floor is yours, whoever would like to begin.

Yeah, I don't have much to say.

There wasn't a lot of context directly for us.

I mean, obviously.

Uh trucking route, so there isn't a lot of large equipment on this build out.

It's already a uh a standing building, so it's just small, small material.

So third street will be your thoroughfare for any trucking delivery on that.

Solar power and panels would be a wonderful thing if it penciled out.

We all explore as developers every avenue of uh of new technology trying to solve that next thing that will decrease cost on uh you know expenses and construction and improve for you.

So we try to build to you know the most efficient options and things that will make sense.

And then uh all our developments and everyone in the city who put permits in our subject to build code, which I think was mentioned about and know, you know, matching uh you know standards on ADA and all that.

I mean every every permit is subject to the city reviewing, and then they go through and they're gonna say review that.

So we're we're matching all current codes.

Well, let's go a little bit deeper again.

This is the public hearing.

I don't want us to be so um abrupt and embrace to folks too who are asking questions.

Again, if the folks don't understand, it's it's imperative for the folks who are coming before us to explain.

What provides you the opportunity to uh or permit you to bypass the issue of the elevator and being placed into the facility?

Uh explain that to the folks.

That's what that's what the question was essentially.

Yeah, not tax or uh code enforcement law opportunity, but it there's the project was not have significant uh changes that require us to put in an elevator, and then if we were when we explore to look at it, because it's obviously a benefit to you as a as a landowner to have the most amenities for your your tenant base.

It just doesn't economically make sense.

Um it would increase your project by 20% as infrastructure to build that uh in a two-story building, just doesn't bring back enough economic return to make it liable.

All right, we're gonna give it one more chance.

All right, by law, we're not talking about your performer.

The law what is it by law that allows you to bypass an elevator and and and bypass any of the it was mentioned that it's not required, right?

It was mentioned that it was not required.

And if somebody else whoever mentioned that, because I believe Ms.

Jackson mentioned it.

If you want to provide him that information, please do so.

But give me one more chance.

Please to the chair.

I don't have the exact information, but it's definitely something that I am working on right now and can't get to your office.

I don't need it in my office.

We need it in a public hearing.

Uh no disrespect, but uh, I think we got to come prepared for these particular questions.

This is a public hearing, not a meeting with me in my office um to the panel.

Um Mr.

Cook, HRD.

Any anything that you can add to this?

Any anything that you can add to this to the chair.

My office is working on that to get back to you immediately.

Okay.

We're finding that information right now.

Colleagues, is there a motion to put this item, bring this item back at the end of the agenda?

So will Mr.

Chair.

Seeing no objections, we should bring this item back at the end of the agenda to allow them to provide this information to this body.

All right.

Seeing none, we will uh recess the 1015 public hearing to the call of the chair.

We shall now go uh reopen and uh the 1030 public hearing.

That's line item six.

Well, the parties who are participating, please queue up the 1030 public hearing.

Let me scroll back up here.

Pardon me.

Line item six is a request for obsolete property rehabilitation district on behalf of Wayne Tower LLC in the area of one to zero zero sixth street, Detroit, Michigan, in accordance with Public Act 146 of 2000.

Well, the parties who are participating, when you see yourself on the screen, please introduce yourself for the record.

Justice Cook, Housing and Revitalization Department.

Good day.

Good morning.

Alton Williams, D E G C.

Good day.

Good morning, Nevin Shokar, consultant to the developer.

Good day.

And we got a number of other folks who are supposed to be joining us.

Well, we'll start off.

We'll give uh we'll give uh Mr.

Cook an opportunity to begin, and as the other individuals um join us, they will be able to introduce themselves when their time comes up for the presentation.

But Mr.

Cook, you may proceed.

Thank you.

To the chair, Wayne Tower LLC is requesting an obsolete property rehabilitation district.

The legislative body of a qualified local governmental unit may establish a district on its own initiative or upon written request filed by an owner.

The petitioner and DEGC is present to answer any additional questions.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Justice.

Uh to the chair.

May I share my screen, please, sir.

Absolutely.

Thank you.

Oh right.

I think we're we're ready.

Okay.

Uh so today we have come before this honorable body to request the establishment of an obsolete property rehabilitation exemption district for the 1200 6th Street project being led by the Black Acre Development Team.

Built in 1972, 12006th Street consists of two office towers totaling 613,000 square feet of vacant commercial space.

The 71.8 million dollar redevelopment will convert the property into a vibrant mixed-use community with 354 apartments, including 71 affordable units, 10,500 square feet of commercial space, and a 114-room boutique hotel.

The obsolete property rehabilitation act provides a reduction on the future increase in property taxes as a result of the rehabilitation of existing obsolete commercial and residential properties.

If you turn your attention to year zero, you'll see a small dark green bar representing the amount of taxes currently paid on the property.

This works out to be approximately $35,272 per year.

Moving on to year one, you'll see that this bar increases, and that represents the total amount of taxes that we project based on the substantial investment that will be made into this project.

Upon completion of the project, the assessor will reassess the property, and as a result of the improvements, the property's value will increase.

The owners will then be responsible for paying a piece of the increase in taxes represented by the teal portion on the bar graph.

The total taxes that first year will be roughly $2,039,000, and the abated portion will be approximately $1,425,000, represented as the yellow bar on the graph.

Through the life of the abatement, the owner will pay the dark green and the teal portion shown on the bar graph, which equals right around $613,000.

Assuming that they receive the full term of the abatement in year 13, after the abatement has expired, they will be responsible for the entire amount of the taxes, which is right around $2,525,000.

The request before you today is for the district only.

The district does not in itself create a tax exemption.

Only property owners who commit to specific investments and to the property will be eligible to request an exemption certificate in the proposed district.

Future property owners will need to apply to the city of Detroit for a certificate and would be subject to approval by the Detroit City Council and Michigan State Tax Commission to receive the exemption.

On August 26, 2025, the assessor's office wrote a letter confirming that this project meets the eligibility requirements for an obsolete property rehabilitation exemption district.

Based on our initial review, the DGC is recommending the establishment of a district to support the future investment.

A recommendation on the term of the abatement will be made when a certificate is applied for.

That concludes my presentation, Mr.

Chair.

I will now turn it over to the development team so they can share some more details regarding the project.

Thank you all.

Thank you.

Floor is yours.

You're muted.

Sorry about that.

Lots of technical issues this morning.

My name is Dalen Hannah, and to my left is Mahabano.

We're partners in Black Acre Management.

Black Acre is a specialty developer.

We focus on conversions of large complex buildings that require a lot of discipline and persistence.

We're currently we have a direct workforce of about 65 people.

We have an additional 40 person crew on third party subs.

Our work has been throughout Southeast Michigan.

We've delivered over 500,000 square feet of redevelopment.

We have a large project in Pontiac.

We have projects in Troy, Southfield, and Madison Heights.

Most of these are actually all of them are conversions from older buildings into new use, whether that's new use for office or mixed use or in many cases multifamily.

In Pontiac, we brought back the city's tallest building.

We are in the home stretch of finishing that project.

It was long considered unsalvageable.

It was historic, uh very complex, but we've brought it through.

We have 114 apartments there, four penthouses, and four floors of mixed-use commercial with two retail spaces.

Regarding this project, the Wayne Loft project, uh the Detroit Executive Plaza at 1206 streets been vacant for about 22 years.

It's the last major large property in the Detroit skyline that to remain abandoned and in its current state.

It's sort of the cross between Corktown and the CBD.

Our vision for Wayne is to redevelop the more than 613,000 square feet amongst the two buildings.

We'll have hundreds of loft style apartments built with 88 accessibility and universal design throughout.

We're going to have 114 business class hotel suites.

We'll have ground floor retail and several amenities for all of the occupants, including the residents, the office tenants, the retail tenants, and uh the general public from the area.

Um, and then in addition, we do have executive suites and salon suites available as well, or at least that's what our intention is.

Uh internally, we'll have all the newest systems in place, uh, trash chutes, recycling chutes, uh, separate system for recycling, uh, separate system for uh water efficiency, energy efficient systems between the windows, HVEC, electrical upgrades, storm water management uh measures that we're working very hard on because it is a very large property.

Um, and then of course, universal design throughout so accessibility and um, you know, ease of use, ease of uh walking around, uh, wayfinding, things like that.

So, in general, we're I mean, we're very excited about this project.

We're doing everything we can to make it happen.

Uh but we need we need your help.

A redevelopment of a scale doesn't uh doesn't work uh without the proper tax incentives and uh support from the city, um, which I appreciate so far.

It's been very forthcoming.

Um, with your support with your continued support, Wayne Lofts can go from being Detroit's last abandoned tower to becoming a showcase redevelopment.

We're creating new housing, new jobs, uh, and a lot of economic activity in an area that definitely needs it.

Dale, can you talk about the um the community engagement a little bit, please?

Absolutely.

So we've I mean we we closed on this property on July 31st, but we initially learned about the property and got interested in it sometime in February.

So between February and late March, we were trying to pin it down with the with the paperwork and a purchase agreement.

It was very complex.

There was a receivership involved.

Once we knew we would control the property, we immediately began our community engagement efforts.

So we've presented this project to several community stakeholders.

Um the Corktown Business Association was one of them.

We've been in front of the parish that's just to the north of us.

The parish is not only do they manage the most holy Trinity church to the north of the property, but they are the operator of the school that's there as well.

And they also operate the clinic that's across the street.

In addition to that, we've talked to a lot of developers in the area, a lot of property owners.

We've definitely talked to the city several times.

We actually did a full PPR and kind of explained what the project was gonna be about.

And then throughout all that engagement, you know, people have come up and said, hey, you know, I understand that you're doing this project, and they've introduced themselves.

So we've really made an effort to engage with the community.

We're not trying to do something that's not gonna be cohesive within Corktown.

Um and so far the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

Uh I think everybody recognizes the large void of this property.

I mean, if you look at the Detroit aerial shot at night, you know, it's like a dark spot within the city.

Um, and given all the strides that downtown's made and that Corktown's made, and that this building is the first parcel within Corktown outside of the central business district going west.

Uh, I think it's a very important project to be successful.

Um, and everybody seems to be on board with that.

We haven't gotten any pushback outside of um you know, people wanting to know what the details are.

And we've as as we as this process has happened, we've um we have figured out what exactly we can do with the project.

And as that information comes out, we're we're posting it on our website, we're posting it on social.

We are working with the neighbors.

So, you know, we're not holding back on letting people know what our intentions are here.

All right, thank you so much.

Any additional uh for the presentation before we go to QA.

Seeing none.

Colleagues, any questions, comments, concerns regarding line item six, the 1030 public hearing.

Member Johnson.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair, and good morning.

Thank you for the presentation and the details.

Um mentioning um stormwater management as well as recycling efforts.

I am just curious to know what is the anticipated investment to rehab the building.

Um, as far as like dollars and cents.

Yes.

So it's there's uh Nevin, if you want to speak to hard cost versus soft costs, I could tell you in general it's well, actually, no, no, I'll have you speak to that.

Sure.

And uh through the chair, uh the the total construction costs are around 53 million.

Okay, thank you.

I'm not sure.

And and you don't need to go into um hard or soft cost.

I was just curious to know what the uh investment was for this particular project because uh I was looking at the um anticipated taxes for the property.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you, colleagues.

Any additional questions, comments, concerns?

Seeing none, we shall now go to public comment.

If there's anyone from the public who would like to speak online item six, that's the 1030 public hearing uh that we're in currently right now, the presentation that you just viewed.

Please raise your hand now.

If you'd like to speak on the 1030 public hearing, please raise your hand now.

That's line item six going once, going twice, going three times.

Collection of public comments have now concluded.

Ms.

Caprice, how many callers do we have?

And who do we have first?

We have seven callers.

Our first one got it um ending in 482.

All right, we're gonna give everyone one minute again for public comments during the hearing.

Can you hear me clearly?

No, not yet.

We can't.

All right, now we can.

Floor is yours regarding line item six.

Ruben, the floor is yours.

Are you there?

Clearly.

We can hear you clearly now.

The floor is yours.

Okay.

Yeah, I'm calling in regards to what I've been hearing on the public.

Um meetings on this committee that you chair, James V.

K Jr.

And Fred Dural is also on his committee as well.

Uh, right along with the tissue there actually.

And I'm a stand-up due with a 40-year-old reputation around the try to be a stand-up 100.

Y'all cheated in public officials.

That's my words.

Thank you, sir.

As I mentioned, we're not gonna play games with you today.

We only speak on the project.

That is not my rule, that is the rules that I have to abide by as well.

Next caller, please.

Our next caller is William Davis.

William M.

Davis.

The floor is yours.

You have one minute regarding line item six.

Good morning.

I look forward.

Can I be heard?

Yes, sir.

Okay.

I look forward to this project being done.

And I think that area needs to be redeveloped.

And that is a step in the right direction.

I'm pleased to hear they're talking about stormwater management.

But my concern is the fact that those are very, very small units that have be putting people in.

In fact, I have a two and a half car garage just about as big as one of those apartments, which is very troubling, especially for the expense they pay.

Also, I think that if people are getting these abatements for like 12 or 15 years, there should be a commitment that they're going to be the owners of the building for at least 12 or 15 years on the other side before they sell it.

And if they sell it before then, the city should be able to uh rebate some of the potential tax giveaways.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

Our next caller is caller ending in one two four.

Caller ending in one two four.

The floor is yours regarding line item six.

Caller, are you there?

Let's put this caller at the end of the queue.

Can you hear me?

Yeah, there we go.

We can hear you now.

Yes, ma'am.

We can hear you.

Well, um, you know, I like historic renovation.

I think it's shameful.

Oh, this is an author take so much of the city got destroyed.

Yeah, like anyway, unless there's war in Europe, they usually don't do that.

So I do support this kind of historical innovation.

And I still think they need to redo the acting scheme because it's so inequitable for people across the board.

But I support historical innovation.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

Our next caller is not that Karen.

Not that Karen, the floor is yours.

We have one minute.

We're gonna get that clock up.

One minute for line item six.

The floor is yours.

Yes, hello.

Yes, ma'am.

Yes.

Um, I'm wondering about the longevity.

Um, same along the same line as Mr.

Davis was speaking.

Um, we're gonna give 12-year tax abatement.

I'm wondering what if this company has any history.

What's their history of years, you know, staying in business with the year, you know, year-wise.

After your 12 years, another 12 years you're gonna be in business, or are we just giving away 12 years of taxes?

I'm also concerned about this um not only um longevity, but about the community benefits.

This is a huge 53 million dollars is a lot of an investment.

So I'm wondering, uh, is the city uh is this company given the city residents anything in return?

I haven't heard much lately about community benefit um that ordinance and how it relates to giving things back to the people for the pleasure of getting that 12 years of tax abatement.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

Our next caller is Drew Cassaia.

All right, caller, the floor is yours.

You have one minute regarding line item six.

Hey, uh good morning.

I just wanted to call in and speak in support of this project.

Um business owner and contractor in the city of Detroit, and I think that uh this development is a model for future projects uh in the city, uh taking vacant office and turning them into residential is a great use of these properties.

It's creating affordable, much needed affordable housing, and um I think the city and its residents need to stand behind developers who are seeking to do this uh within the city.

So strong support for this one.

It's a great adaptive reuse of a long vacant property.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

Our next caller is to hear Ahmed.

All right, caller, the floor is yours.

You have one minute regarding line item six.

Okay, uh tax abatements.

I I I did a what uh miss Winston, Karen Winston said, and um, Mr.

Davis.

Um, how would this uh these costs affect Detroit public schools?

A lot of these abatements costs our public schools and libraries.

I want you to talk to us about the negatives and positive benefits for DPSC being Detroit Public School District.

Uh when and how uh how uh that's gonna be paid back to to the school system and the libraries if it costs them.

All new developments under our reparations request should be able to pay into a reparations fund for our retirees and uh and for people who were illegally taxed uh 600 million dollars and 100,000 homes were illegally foreclosed.

Are you receptive to uh paying into this fund and to help uh residents in Detroit?

All right, thank you.

Next callers, please.

Mr.

Chair, that actually brings us to the end of our online calls.

All right, that concludes our public commenters for the public hearing.

Line item six.

Give you an opportunity to the panelists to respond to the questions that have been presented.

Mr.

Chair, if I may, uh uh I'll address Miss Tahira May's last question.

So with the Oprah abatement, uh the developer actually still pays 24 meals, and 18 of those meals are the uh school operating meals.

So it's um yeah, 18.

And then uh six meals are the state education.

So I just wanted to share that.

So let's make it playing for.

Um the question is is it taking away from the school system?

When these uh in the and we'll just talk about this one in particular because that's the hearing we're talking about.

Uh the uh incentives that are being offered or requested, uh, if approved, how would it affect the school system?

Yeah, the developer is still paying the uh millage for the school taxes in the city of Detroit.

They're paying 18 meals.

So it doesn't you're saying that it's through the chair, it through the chair, if I could help address that.

Um this tax abatement will not reduce any of the the current revenues that the schools, the libraries, or anyone else for that matter is receiving.

Um this would keep those current taxes the same or increase them through the life of this abatement.

And I think that's what what Alton was was trying to say.

Gotcha.

That's the question they want to hear, or the response they want to hear, make it playing for.

All right.

Any other responses?

Got a couple more on the floor.

So, no, this one is one of the questions was about community benefits.

This someone can chime in.

I know the answer, but I'm giving the panelists an opportunity because this is not my.

I apologize.

I I keep hitting the mute button, so my apologies.

Um, I I would like to enter uh or respond to some of the comments.

One of the comments was about the size of the units.

Uh, given the nature of this building, these buildings, their large uh floor plate commercial buildings that were designed by the state for state use, which is just cubicle farms, if you will.

So we it's it's a pro and a con.

It's a con because it makes it very difficult to um convert those into apartments.

Uh we try to be as creative as possible.

Uh, for example, in these buildings, we were unable to put you know a lot of multi-bedroom units, so we have mostly ones and twos.

Um, again, given the nature of the structure of the buildings, but the the units that we do have, the ones and the twos and the studios are actually all gonna be above average sizes for the city of Detroit.

Um the average apartment in in the city is about 650 square feet.

And when I say average, that means there's some that are smaller and many that are maybe larger.

Uh, in our case, our average is 950 square feet.

So it's almost 30% larger than the average.

Uh, our one bedrooms start around 900 square feet, and our two bedrooms are as high as 1,150 square feet.

So um, I appreciate the the c comment and the concern, and it actually tells us that we are heading in the right direction with larger than market uh spaces.

Um and then there was a question about the history of the company and will we be around.

Well, I pray that we will, right?

Nobody really knows the future.

Um we are committed to this.

This is not a uh a side gig or uh a side hustle or this is our business, this is what we do.

I I'm an attorney by background.

Ma has a significant background in in real estate.

You're only seeing two of about eight people that's on our team internally, and then of course we have a workforce of over 60 people.

Um and so we're we're committed, we love our projects, we love our city.

We don't build to flip, we're not uh developer fee-based developers.

We you know, we build to to keep, and my my my goal, god willing, we have a successful project is that my kids' kids will be involved in this project.

So we're very excited about about being involved in the community and and bringing this building back to life.

Thank you.

Any additional responses?

Uh yes, yes, Mr.

Chair, I'd like to address your um or the the caller's question about the community benefits.

So uh in terms of the community benefits, um the you know, the developer is going to be creating as a result of uh the renovation of this property 120 to approximately 140 construction jobs um you know during during the you know the life of this renovation.

Uh upon the completion of this um you know, this project, the the developer is uh going to be creating about six full-time employees.

So those will be security jobs, housekeeping jobs, uh lobby and reception jobs, groundskeeping and maintenance jobs, uh, as well as uh for the community, there's some commercial spaces within the building uh that'll be rentable for uh like salon suites, there'll be a bodega, there'll be potentially a coffee shop, um and other uh things that that the community can partake in, uh, as well as any of these jobs that are that are going to be offered by the developer that they'll be posted to Detroit at work, and there will be a priority hiring plan uh to hire Detroiters uh first if they're you know if they're qualified.

And so uh so I think there are you know tremendous community benefits.

Um and and this project is below the threshold for uh for doing any other sort of extensive community uh benefits, you know, uh as it as it pertains to the ordinance.

Um, you know, it's about 20 million dollars below the threshold.

Um, but I I did want to sort of point out what some of those other jobs and um and and those types of uh community benefits would would be coming as a part of this development.

Thank you so much, Step.

I think that is all the questions I saw from the um folks who called in.

I've got one.

I mean, I I look at this project, and this is extremely ambitious.

It's huge.

You got a lot of pro um uh units we're talking about, which right now we need, you know, thousands more units in the city of Detroit for us to uh prayerfully be able to lower the cost of of units, uh, but also serve the need of the the community that is in a housing crisis right now.

My question is almost a a kudo, but a huge question.

Uh we have all these vacant schools in the city.

And the vacant schools, a lot of times when we talk to development teams, they say that it is just not feasible to pull together a project because of the uh solid nature of this building of the schools.

Uh we know that these two buildings are very solid, they've stood the test of time and um amazed that they are you know, at least from the outside looking in than the physical condition that they're in based on how long they've been vacant.

But I say all that to say that uh office, uh many of the office units did not have plumbing, uh did not have the proper lighting, uh, all these things that are necessary for conversion into apartment units, these sound like the same challenges that would be present for some of our vacant, abandoned, dilapidated schools as well.

How are you able to at this scale?

Um we're talking hundreds of units.

How are you able to pull this off when developers who have a smaller project, we have offered these schools up, you know, zero to one dollar, you know, nominal amount to redevelop them into livable units.

They've said they couldn't do it.

How how are you able to pull this off?

Uh especially at this scale.

Talk to us about that, please.

Well, the short answer is it's very difficult.

It's not easy.

And uh we're doing it right now, we're just wrapping up our project in uh in Pontiac, and that's that's a hundred-year-old building, so it's even more difficult because you know, the concrete slabs are hardened concrete and there's rebar and there's no clear plan of how the building was actually built back in the 1920s.

In this case, these buildings are far newer.

They're in the they're built in the 70s.

Um, and they're they have larger uh floor plates, they have higher ceiling clearances, and what we end up doing is um, you know, you design around the infrastructure of the building.

So to answer your question about plumbing, which is a great question, and it's actually one of the more challenging parts of these buildings.

You you just have to design units that are you know we call typical floor plates.

So all of the bathrooms are lined up in one area, and that way you could run a main sewage line that'll that each bathroom taps into, and then it goes and follows a column all the way down to the basement.

Um and so there are there are ways that you can get creative about it.

Uh the nice thing about commercial buildings, especially more recent ones like the ones that were built in the 60s and 70s or or even newer, is um they they all pretty much have a very similar anatomy.

And so once you understand how the building lays out, um, as long as you're avoiding beams and instructural columns, you could uh you you know there's conversions are possible.

And we see it happening throughout the country in different cities.

Um I I always just think back to our Pontiac project.

I really think that was probably one of the more difficult buildings you could even think to do a conversion, and we got it done.

And I I encourage anyone who's interested, we'd be happy to give you guys a tour.

That that building came out beautiful.

You know, there are issues that you run into because they're not designed for apartments.

So for example, we you know, a toilet might sit in one spot on unit 101, and then on unit 201, you have to shift it a couple inches because there's a beam there.

So we do go through that, and there's a lot of changes as you're going through this project.

So we do go through that and there's a lot of changes as you're going through this project that's why it's not a typical development where you say here's the blueprints here's a contractor go do it this is very much roll up our sleeves we're on site every single day with our uh orange spray paint saying all right let's we'll move this a couple inches and we'll move this over here just to make it work so I don't know if that answers your question but you're you're speaking to the heart of of the challenge in these projects.

Yeah I appreciate that I I do want to talk to you offline again to see if maybe we can get some uh of your expertise and maybe there's some additional partners you have that would be willing to take on one of those challenging you know school a vacant school projects because we have a number of them in the city and just it just it just hurts my heart to end up having to the demolish them when you see the the beauty that they have um from the exterior and the the history it has in the interior um and and again the need the need so I thank you for that response um colleagues any additional questions comments concerns all right seeing none is there a motion for line item six move to send our uh line item six excuse me uh to formal with a recommendation to approve there's a motion to send line item six to formal with a recommendation to approve seeing no objections then action shall be taken all right thank you you're very welcome all right colleagues I know we we move line item five to the end of the agenda I want to see if they have an opportunity if they've had an opportunity to grab the information before we go into the rest of the agenda um this jackson good morning again Mr.

Chair yes sir I'm sorry I didn't open it parliamentarian I'm sorry yep I apologize now I'd like to call close the 1030 public hearing thank you sir yes ma'am thank you Dr.

Powers appreciate you all right miss Jackson were you able to find that information for us yes to the chair um before you go forward we want to bring everybody else forward then if you've got that information I would like to bring back to order the 10 oh excuse me 1015 public hearing line item five all right miss jackson the floor is yours ma'am thank you um under the ADA and in Michigan building code chapter 11 which is the accessibility chapter uh buildings with more than one story are generally required to have an accessibility route which usually means an elevator connecting all of the floors to open to the public um but there are exceptions so when an elevator is not required is if the building is less than three stories or the building has uh less than 3000 square feet per story and the building is not a shopping or center slash mall um a professional office or a health care provider a public transit station a terminal depot or airport and that's ADA standards 206 point two point three and Michigan building code 1104 point four all right we appreciate you uh that gives folks an opportunity to go back and take a look at the document themselves and review it all right colleagues uh any additional questions for line item five seeing none is there a motion thank you miss chair move to send our line our 1015 a.m public hearing line item five or formal with the recommendation to approve there's a motion to send line item five to formal with a recommendation to approve seeing no objections that action shall be taken thank you we shall now close out the 1015 public hearing all right now about to go into the rest of the agenda here scrolling down all right line item seven and line item nine point eleven colleagues can we take those together please so move thank you so much this is a discussion that we place on the agenda to uh go over the Detroit land bank authorities quarter for report for fiscal year 2025 will the parties who are participating in this discussion please cue up and when you see yourself on the screen introduce yourself for the record uh good morning through the chair uh my name is Tammy Daniels I'm the CEO of the Detroit Land Bank Authority morning morning I'm the director of planning at the DLBA morning good morning my name is John O'Han I'm the director of real estate for the Detroit Land Bank Authority good morning all right CEO Daniels the floor is yours um thank you uh we have Carlina Toombs who is running our PowerPoint presentation if she could if we can give her shared capabilities leaves that they've just been handed over um yes so um good morning so yes I'd like to give um some highlights from our from our Q4 um quarterly report um next slide so I don't want to see the the slide yes yes yes um

Um so um good morning.

So, yes, I'd like to give um some highlights from our from our Q4 uh quarterly report.

Um next slide.

So I wanted to see the the slide.

Yes, yes.

Yes.

Um during quarter four, we sold uh 324 structures between our auction and own and now platforms and over 856 lots uh through our side lot and neighborhood lot program.

Our inventory at the close of Q4 totaled 62,236 and 33 properties with the vast majority um 58,443 of those parcels being vacant land.

Uh we have currently at the close of Q4.

We had current uh we had 1,646 salvageable structures yet to be sold and 650 properties that require demolition.

Our comp we had robust community engagement during Q4, attending over 38 meetings.

We um received over 14,600 calls to the land bank, and we had almost 1,200 um customers visit our lobby.

Also at the at the close of Q4, we were monitoring 5,457 properties, which are properties that we sold and were in our compliance pipeline.

Next slide.

Next slide.

Um this side uh this slide is a highlight of a development that was completed on land bank properties in D1.

Detroit Blightbusters and CHN housing partners um developed a beautiful 48-unit um affordable housing uh project in D1 and it's catered toward those individuals earning between 30 and 60 percent of the area median income.

Um there was a beautiful ribbon cutting on June 2nd that we were in attendance for, and this is uh a wonderful um example of what can be done uh in partnership with um local community partners and developers on land bank bank at land.

Next slide.

Also during Q4, we celebrated the sale of our 30,000th vacant uh lot.

Uh we hosted a party in D1 at the Ethelra Mae Williams Park, which was a park that was um created by Michael Williams in honor of his mother on lots that he purchased from the land bank in the Brightmore neighborhood.

Uh there was a great turnout.

Um it garnered quite a bit of media attention.

We were very proud to um share that huge success of having transferred over 30,000 lots back to the community.

Next slide.

Next okay.

So uh we uh launched during this year our community office hours where we're in the community at local businesses.

Um that has been a great success.

The our teams have connected with over 300 residents at local business, it also drives business to these local um establishments and helps increase their bottom line.

Um and we are planning to continue that office hour um office hours throughout the remaining of the year.

Uh we also attended 26 city council city of Detroit or Don events, seven community partner or faith-based um partner events, uh, and we had um a total of 38 events that we attended in the Q4.

Next slide.

Next slide.

It is it's on the next slide.

You all are unable to see.

Now we are.

It's delayed.

Um, we have really been focusing on social media and increasing our uh so our our outreach through social media.

We have seen a huge uh uptick in our follower count.

It's it's grown by 17.3 percent.

We have been able to reach a significant um population.

We uh it launched in Q1 of this year, but I I want to mention it because I want everyone to be aware.

We now do a monthly event um called Talking with Tammy, where I sit and talk with the community on Instagram live once a month, where um and we answer questions.

We did one earlier this week where we talked about compliance and we answered a host of questions um with the goal of encouraging people to um get online, look at our properties and um see if they can you know make purchases as we are nearing the end of our structure inventory.

I don't want people to miss out on the opportunity to uh obtain a structure and be able to rehab it and make it a home or a piece of investment property for them.

So um I would just ask people who are listening to be on the lookout because we do that on a monthly basis.

Next slide.

Just wanted to highlight um our property rehab tank team.

Um at the close of the fiscal year for Q4, we had we've sold four properties.

We have seven that are currently for sale, and we have an additional nine that are at 60% or greater in terms of construction.

That will add to the successful completion of the 114 that we've already sold across the um the city.

And the rehab and ready program has proven to be a very successful um program, which we can plan to continue.

So there are currently, like I said, seven properties that are for sale.

Um, the list is here, but people can also access that on our um on our website and our social media channels.

And those are just highlights from our Q4 report.

If there are any questions, I'll take them now.

All right, thank you so much.

Colleagues, questions, comments, concerns regarding the presentation.

Member Johnson.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Good morning.

Um, thank you for the presentation.

Um, so this was my first time hearing about the podcast, talking with Tammy.

So can you share a little bit about how you all are marketing that making sure that we connect with residents for them to be aware to come and chat with you?

Yeah, missed that one too.

I stepped out the room.

So we just launched we just launched it.

We've done two so far.

We did it in September and October.

I just wanted to raise it because I wanted people to be aware.

Um, we advertise it on our social media page.

So in the days or weeks before the um actual event, you will get notifications to to log on.

It's the Instagram live, so um, it's live you know, questions.

This past um episode, we had Ebony Cochrane, who is a real estate professional who opened who has founded a nonprofit to help um individuals in the city grow their wealth, and so it was a great conversation.

She is a um real estate, she owns quite a bit of real estate in the city, and we were able to dispel a lot of myths about um purchasing structures from the land bank and what the requirements are, and so it was a great conversation.

We had great couple questions.

Um, and we do it at lunchtime, so it's between 12 and one on the days that we do it.

We're gonna be doing it on a monthly basis.

And the goal is to do it based on topics.

Um so we did compliance this last week, and we'll do a different program or topic next next week, and also try to bring on other um professionals in this space and have a conversation and and uh so that's that's the goal.

So we will make sure that you are um provided with the next the date and time of the next um Instagram live.

All right, thank you.

I'll I'll have to go and search for that last one with Ebony Cochrane.

We've been working very closely with her on some properties that she has in District Four.

Um so you all talked about compliance, and I really need to make sure that there are some individuals who specifically have been reaching out to our office about compliance, and yesterday evening at the the district four charter mandated meeting with the mayor, um there was a question about compliance, and I think this individual also sent an email to our office that I saw this morning.

So can you speak to um how the compliance process works?

But if you can also speak to, because the individual who reached out to the office this morning inquired about how to get funding, whether grant funding um to help them complete their project.

Is there any support that is provided by the land bank to help facilitate that process as people are trying to complete their compliance process?

Um through the chair to Councilmember Johnson.

One second, real quick before you go for um if we can note that we've been joined by member waters as well.

Mr.

Clerk.

Clerk will start out.

Thank you so much.

EO Daniels, the floor remains yours.

So to council member Johnson.

So I would um you can just go on our uh Instagram live page.

That the video is is there, and we go through compliance to requirements, etc.

But just super high level.

Um for achieving compliance with the land bank, you have to um the house needs to be blight-free, no overgrown glass grass, no you know, debris in the yard, no boards on the windows, all the windows and doors need to have proper coverings.

Um the porch and the chimney need to be in working condition.

On the interior, you need a working kitchen, a working bathroom, a hot water tank, and a furnace, and you have to have all the utilities on.

And you have to have at least one B seated inspection.

That is what is necessary for compliance in terms of resources to help uh purchasers through compliance.

When you purchase property from the land bank, we on our website we um list a lot of local um hardware stores uh that offer discounts for land bank purchasers.

So, for instance, you can get a 20% discount at a local ACE Hardware, you can get a 20% discount um at Home Depot for purchasing items to help you in the renovation of land bank properties.

Um, in terms of additional grant funding and assistance, the land bank has a small uh grant that it has offered over the last several years in uh collaboration with some of our um banking partners, they've uh provided grants so that we can help um low-income purchasers who plan to live in the house as their primary residence.

We have a finish line grant program where for those individuals who have completed all but one of the final um items that they need to complete, i.e.

a water tank or a hot wall or furnace, they they don't have that.

We will um pay a contractor to install that for them so that they can achieve compliance.

Um that funding has been limited historically, um, but we are actively seeking um for ways to expand that funding to help more people.

Thank you for that.

And I know we previously talked about subordinating your position to allow um property purchasers to seek a loan or some other uh resources to be able to move forward.

Um can you talk a little bit about how that works?

Um, if you have seen that actually working and helping people to secure loans to be able to complete their projects, so through the chair.

So, yes, um, we absolutely do that.

It has worked um on a number of occasions.

Um it does I think in some cases depend on the bank that they're dealing with, but in those cases where a purchaser of land bank property wants to secure bank financing to to complete the rehab, we will subordinate our position to allow the bank to be the primary on um the property so that they have security for the loan of the money that they are going to invest in that property.

So we we absolutely um will engage in in those conversations with um with the purchaser of land bank property and to help them to get get their bank get their their mortgage.

Thank you.

And my last question is and I'm not sure if this is even possible.

Does that also work for to give individuals the opportunity to apply for a grant for assistance in rehabilitating the property?

So through the chair, I am not aware of um any instances where like a grant was being offered for rehab.

I that does not mean that it has not happened.

I'm just not aware of it.

But in the in the case where if there are grant funds being offered, um, I would just encourage any purchasers out there to reach out to us and we will try to work through that because we don't want anyone to miss out on an opportunity for funding to help them rehab the house.

Thank you for that.

And I just want to figure out how to provide guidance and direction um to help them complete the project uh so that it does not get reconveyed.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you.

Any additional questions, comments, concerns regarding this particular item.

All right.

Um CEO Daniels, can you just talk again?

Uh really put and I stepped out of the room unfortunately.

I apologize for that.

I may have missed it.

Just put a point on the reconveyance.

Uh I know there's a concern from a lot of folks that these properties are, you know, they don't get a lot of time to reconvey or to repair the property, get them up to code uh prior to reconveyance.

Uh want to hear from your mouth to our ears, uh, and you may have said it again.

I apologize if I missed it, but talk to us a little bit about the time frame typically, what that looks like, um, and how notification is made.

So through the chair, so um the average every every purchaser of land bank structures is required to um commit to a development agreement.

They have to rehab the houses.

It is it comes with every structure that we sell.

The contract says six months, however, it is the average the average time that a purchaser of land bank structures is in our compliance pipeline is about two and a half years.

And that is because we absolutely give people more time as long as they are making progress toward the goal of rehabbing the house, we will continue to extend them.

Can I just ask you real quick, what does that look like?

So if I uh I'm I I cut the grass, the grass wasn't cut before I got it.

Right?

So that's what you have to do in the first 15 days of owning land bank property is to make sure that the outside is is cut.

But no, um, what I'm talking about is hold on, hold on, hold on.

I'm gonna throw some scenarios.

I'm throwing some scenarios away, right?

Because these are the things that come my way.

So if in fact I improve the porch, the front porch in month number two, right?

What happens in month number six?

That's all I've done.

Just repair the porch.

And you still have other issues, mind you.

So in month number two, if you prep if you repaired the porch, you should send us documentation and proof that you've repaired the porch.

We will absolutely give you more time, even though um the porch is something that we look at.

Say, for instance, you put a roof on it.

A roof is not something that we require of every property, but that is a substantial investment that we will absolutely give you credit for.

We recognize that that is expensive.

So if you put a roof on the house, we're gonna give you some time to accumulate more money to do something else.

So you put a roof on the porch, you we'll we'll be you know, sending you asking you for updates, but you won't be in reconveyance because you put a roof on the porch and six months later you have not replaced the electrical.

That that just is we understand that people are financing the rehab of these houses, paycheck to paycheck.

Well, but eight, what about eight eight months?

I put a roof to start to eight months.

It'll start to get sticky when you go a long time without communicating with us.

That is what is critically important.

They need to understand they need to be communicating with us, they need to be in regular communication with us.

And every bit of investment in the house counts toward giving you more time.

That is how people end up in our compliance pipeline for so long, is because they are making rehab efforts, they are rehabbing the house, it's just taking longer than expected.

They lose their job, they get sick, all of those things are taken into consideration, and people are afforded grace and more time to complete the rehab.

It is not until you've you know gone eight, nine months without any meaningful update, or you have not communicated with us that the process of putting you in the potentially re the potential reconvey bucket happens.

And that is emails to you.

Um we post on the property, we send you notification, we we before we take a house, there are excuse me, many communications that are made in an effort to get you back into compliance.

If a property is taken, you the the purchaser can still make an effort to get it back.

They just have to show that this is the that the situation is somehow different, i.e., they have to have a plan for the rehab, they have to show finances to be able to do it, and they have to show contractors that they have lined up to get it done.

So even if we take it back, we still will work with that person.

Okay, and and they if your work with that person, let's say someone else comes up and say, I have the money right now.

Well, that person is they they've it's be it's been reconveyed, right?

That's when you you you said it's taken back.

It's been reconveyed.

Um I lost my job, but I really wanted I put some money into it.

I put a whole new roof on it.

Uh it still is far from compliance, but it's at least has a roof on it.

I I did that, but and I've had the property for let's say a year, and you've given me an extension.

Someone comes forward and say, I've got and can show you I've got the money to rehab the property 100% right then and there.

How do you determine which candidate, if you will, would receive the opportunity to um uh obtain that property?

The former who worked on it and kind of got stalled, or the one who has the money right now to rehab it.

So the former candidate is the only person that we would deal with directly and try to do a a direct sale back to them.

Because they they went through the process the first time and we would work with them in particular.

If someone knew is interested in the property and we own it, it would go back through our traditional sales program, so auction or own it now, they'd have to go and bid on it in order to get it.

Okay, what if it's what if it is, you know, I don't I can what if all day long.

Um because I got a lot of those what ifs because I mean a number of scenarios come before us.

I will say this though, um, to to modify your scenario just slightly.

If the person that we sold it to, for instance, they put a new roof on it and they put plumbing in it, and then all of a sudden they lost their job and they can't they they don't have the ability.

We do have a uh a mechanism to assign it.

They could sell it to a third party with our agreement.

We would work with them to sell it to a third party so they wouldn't lose their money, and that third party could would agree to enter into a rehab agreement and complete the renovation.

So there's that as well.

So that we we've done that to help people who have made some significant investment in a house, but they can't complete it for whatever reason.

Health, illness, etc.

So that they don't lose their investment completely.

Okay.

And uh last for me, uh uh in this portion, if you will, is I my team should have sent the a reforward or forwarded an email from an Atkinson property to you.

I I don't want to spend time during this uh committee meeting discussing it, but just would like to talk to you offline and find out what the status is of that.

Uh because we did get a uh follow-up phone call uh and communication.

I just want to get some updates.

Absolutely.

All right, thank you.

Any additional colleagues?

Seeing none, we shall close our oh well, it's a discussion.

Is there a motion to receive and file line item 9.11?

So moved.

See no objections, we shall receive and file line item 9.11.

That action shall be taken.

Thank you so much.

All right, now on to the land bank, and if we can have our folks from the land bank stick around because we want to talk about the MOU.

Um colleagues before we go uh into those items.

Let's go to line item nine point one.

No, let me give them a little cheat sheet.

Where's my little cheat sheet at?

All right, yep, nine line item nine point one status of council president Mary Sheffield submitting memorandum relative to BZA questions.

Uh we got word that it's gonna take at least one week for those responses to come back.

Is there a motion to bring back line item 9.1 in one week?

So moved.

See no objections that action shall be taken now.

We go into the land bank.

Um line item 9.2 status of legislative policy division modifications to land bank MOU.

And if we can please take line items 9.2.

These are all line uh MOU items.

9.2, Mr.

Clerk, 9.4, 9.6, 9.8, 9.9, 9.17, 9.19 through 9.33.

Is there a motion to discuss?

So moved.

See no objections, we shall discuss those particular items.

Okay.

So as mentioned, we've got the uh MOU.

Uh we have uh had this item before us.

It's it's expired at this point.

Um but we have been operating with a handshake.

Uh, we're looking to finalize at least for uh one year.

Okay, uh at least to um uh for one year modification to the latest uh land bank mo you.

And we have a resolution that is before us that was provided in March.

And it does have some of the items in it, but we have a number of them that uh number of items that are before us that have not necessarily been uh worked through the uh process of approval or denial by this body by this committee because we were waiting for additional information from colleagues to uh provide us to to vote on.

All right, so um, and I do know that member waters has uh she's joining us as mentioned, and she provided a walk on documenting college.

You should have it here in front of us.

This is information that provides further details on uh some of the items that were mentioned in the uh various memos that were submitted by member waters.

And I'm gonna give you an opportunity, Member Waters, to talk a bit about if you will, this document that is before us now.

That's this one.

Okay.

Um this one.

Yep.

Okay.

All right.

So thank you, uh, Mr.

Chairman.

Good morning to uh to my colleagues here on PED.

I just wanted, and I know that I wonder, Mr.

Chairman, if some of the if the committee had received these in advance or they just received them.

I believe my colleagues may have just received them.

We we saw them because you know we were it was provided to us, but they may have just well, I yeah, it is so much I know that we that we put put forward just to try and get some things done.

The first thing I want to mention is that Director Daniels and I spoke briefly this morning, and um I did inquire about the um the land of the uh buyback language that was supposed to be sent over to to staff, and she says that her attorney that that's working on it is um is out.

It was yesterday and today, I believe it is, and so uh we um we don't have that language as yet.

That is why you all don't have the language because I believe once um it's re once the attorney sends it over that he will send it to all of the council members.

So um let me just go through this this memo.

If if you if you notice the second page is just identifying five points there, but let's look at section four Detroit land bank duties, how how we spelled them out.

The Detroit Land Bank will share the responsibility, and I and I hope that Director Daniels uh will listen.

Um if you don't have a copy of this of this memo, we need to forward one to you, ASAP so that you can chair.

I don't have that, so yeah.

Uh Joanne is gonna forward it right away so that you have a copy of it.

Section 4 Detroit Land Bank duties, new subsection H disposition programs to read as follows.

And I hate that she doesn't have it.

Um Joanna is forwarding it to you, uh Director Daniels.

I'm gonna just kind of read it out loud so you and your team can hear it.

Okay.

All right, the Detroit Land Bank will share the responsibilities of this land disposition programs, which are aimed at encouraging homeownership, occupancy, responsibility for vacant property, and increasing the city's tax base with the Detroit City Council in accordance with section 4-112 of the 2012 Detroit City Charter, the planning and development department, the housing and revitalization department, building safety, environmental and engineering department, and the department of appeals and hearings.

Examples of disposition programs to date include for structures, the structure sales policy, which includes the building, Detroit.org or auction program, the own it now program, the buyback program, the occupied property disposition program, and rehabbed and ready, and for the vacant land, the side lot sales and the neighborhood lot programs, and the creative project and lot beautification programs, and for both structures and vacant land, and the community partnership program for nonprofit and faith-based organizations and discount programs, including for sales of houses to city employees and educators, and for sales of vacant lots and affordable housing projects as further describes and the attached exhibit B.

So please include for properties under the ownership of the DLBA that are occupied, the DLBA, that's the Detroit Land Bank for those that are listening.

Uh is to share that responsibility with the planning and development department and the housing revitalization department.

Under the shared leadership, the DLBA PDD and HRD will create a home ownership program that assists occupants and turns them into homeowners.

This is accomplished by number one, identifying properties that are occupied and salvageable, contact the occupant to notify them of opportunities to own the property by A, renovating the property, placing a water heater furnace and functioning bathroom on the premises, B working with a community partner organization to renovate and convert the occupant to a tenant.

Three, if the property is not salvable, HRD will assist with relocation of the occupant, B transfer the property back to the DLBA.

Then number four, occupants of a DLBA property who previously occupied or owned have a right of first refusal as to the disposition of the property.

A once an occupant who is a previous deed holder is identified, a 90-day clock to complete the process begins.

B, if the occupants who are previous D holders decline, then the property can be moved and to the community partner pipeline.

Number five, a former grievance process should be created and provided to every occupant, the Detroit Land Bank Authority contacts.

Did you receive it yet?

Um Director Daniels.

Um, not yet.

It was sent.

Joanna said she sent it.

I did get an email from her at 1127 regarding is that the email that she's talking about?

Well, I mean, you just you just verbally gave it to me.

I'm sorry.

Right.

No, no, no.

You just verbally gave all the information.

But I I guess right now it's it's really about our colleagues, right?

Well, yeah.

And and if you don't mind, Mr.

Mr.

Chairman, I'll I'll just say that some of the things that we previously uh sent to this committee and to Detroit uh to the land bank that really talks about the eviction process uh and foreclose owner right of refusal, occupied property first right refusal, property condemnation, um, transparency and reporting, conflict of interest policy.

If I can the only reason I'm saying because I we gotta make sure because what we are working on is not the list that you have right now.

We're working on what's been submitted and provided to the body.

And that's what we have in front of us to vote on.

All right.

So I would like to get your reflection on the items that you provided us, right?

That that's that that's actually on the agenda.

That's why we moved all of these items.

But for may I say this for Tim?

Yes, ma'am, because we have what we want to do, what I want to do is go through them and vote on those items.

Okay.

So that would go towards the resolution.

But if it doesn't exist currently, we we can't just add it.

All right.

So so, but what about previous submissions?

Yes, that's what we have.

That's why I moved my items nine.

Oh, okay.

I'm just reading off from the previous submissions, too.

We don't, I mean, it's not any that's all I was reading off at this moment when you stopped me.

So, which uh which item on the agenda are you reading from?

That's what I'm saying.

Well, I you know what?

I don't I don't have a copy of the let me get a copy of the agenda in front of me.

I know you have some some items on the agenda.

I don't have a copy of your agenda in front of me.

I didn't bring it out.

So I need to pull it up.

So, but anyway, if you want to go ahead and go to your colleagues, I you can go ahead and I'll pull up the uh your today's agenda.

Okay, member member by Sheridan.

I saw your hand, sir.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair, and I've got this document in front of me my first time seeing this document.

Uh, I do have some questions and some concerns for I guess this new subsection H in section four when it talks about land bank duties.

Says the the first line states the Detroit land bank will share the responsibilities of its land disposition programs, which are aimed at incurring or encouraging home ownership.

I can see responsibility for vacant property and increasing the city's tax base with Detroit City Council.

I just want to stop right there.

I want to know what the intent of that is, what what is specifically meant by shared with Detroit City Council, particularly if we're talking about sharing responsibility.

Is that the responsibility of the council at that time through you, President or President Pro Tem, Mr.

Chair to Member Waters.

Okay.

So one of the things that that we want to avoid is the Detroit City Council remains in the dark, you know, about what's really happening with those properties, especially when we're trying to increase homeownership opportunities.

So it doesn't necessarily that that there's anything that we have to do specifically, Member Durhal, but but we should be we should be aware and and maybe that that language should be a little bit different.

Yeah, uh, but we we certainly should be notified.

So through you, President through you, Mr.

Chair, all those titles.

Through you, Mr.

Chair, the member waters.

Um my concern with that specifically, because that was something just that caught my attention right away.

Of course it did.

Because it brings the responsibility to this body.

Uh and if that is the case, uh and that's why the language has to be very clear because this is going into the MOU, then this body becomes responsible responsible and can be subject to legal action uh as well as anything that that is it, you know, transpires.

And so for me to support this in any way, obviously that language will have to be amended, and that would have to be struck and be clear.

I I do agree, I I am in agreement.

Transparency is a great thing.

You want more more transparency, so maybe in that language you try to put a requirement for reporting, even though I know there's a reporting requirement, we see that here in PED quarterly, uh, but maybe a different reporting requirement, but uh not that not comfortable with the responsibility only because again, it could have it could have a I think a detrimental effect to the body, uh could put the city uh in a level of liability uh because we must remember that the land bank offer uh operates as an independent authority to kind of keep that liability from the city as a whole, and uh they have the authority to do certain things that by state statute the city can't do.

So um, but are you open to modifying this language uh and getting that to us?

Sure.

I mean I'm open to modifying the the language.

Okay.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And I just want to make it you know clear the reason why we brought this item back today is because we have an extremely full agenda as we move forward, uh, barreling to the end of the year.

So this was the time that we really set aside to get all these things addressed today.

Um it becomes more and more challenging.

I'm just saying as the chair, uh, with a very heavy, heavy agenda becomes more and more difficult as we move down the road.

That was again that was the goal of me mentioning this weeks and weeks, months in advance, um, and announcing for this particular day.

So I just want to make that you know put that out there um that we are chock full of public hearings and discussions that are coming up in the remaining what eight weeks maybe if that even um meetings that we have.

So uh member waters.

And I know and we you know we did have a meeting with with uh members of the land bank and HRD and BC, we we did have that meeting, and um so uh we we we certainly had an agreement in terms of the land bank tightening up some language.

So I'm hoping that you'll receive that language uh this week.

Uh once uh director Daniels uh attorney has returned, we should be able to receive that language.

And I know we've put forth uh a lot of concerns.

Um team water has I'm hoping, Mr.

Chairman, that for those things that cannot be put into the the MOU that the land bank themselves would take a look at some of those and start implementing those themselves.

Um that's one of the things that that I can hope for.

And that's a conversation I'm willing to have with them to see what it is that they can adopt on their own without having to put certain things in the MOU.

So I'm I agree with you.

I mean, I I have absolutely no issue with the land bank chiming in, but the challenge though is that some of the conversations we had, we need more details on what you want to actually see.

Because if you just leave it in their hands, they're gonna say we're already doing that.

I mean, we I've heard it time and time again.

So if there's some other information or uh additional details that you want them to do or specificity, okay.

I think that will get us that would allow us to move the needle, right?

Get the ball down the road.

Because right now, uh we just talk about community engagement.

They've talked about how they're doing community engagement now, they've got a podcast going on the whole nine, and I don't know if that is what satisfies you, if there's something else, because we still have this item in front of us that speaks to enhanced community engagement.

Just need to know more of what you would like to see and enhance community engagement that is not already taking place, that will give us an opportunity to vote on it.

Other than that, it kind of leaves us in the same space.

I know, and and one of the one of my frustrations, Mr.

Chairman, has been that we continue to get these calls and when we at the grocery store here, we're there, people who says that they're being ignored.

I I what can what can we do to make sure that people are being satisfied somehow or another, that ball is being dropped uh on somebody's end.

It certainly is not on our end, because when people approach the the land bank, sometimes they submit their paperwork and and then they get denied, or sometimes they submit their paperwork and they've been told they did not submit their paperwork.

Um sometimes people just denied for uh to purchase uh side lots.

How do we how do we fix that?

Does the land bank need to look at their own internal operations to make sure that people are not excluded?

I don't know what that that answer is.

I just know for sure that I am frustrated about the fact that people continue to reach out to our office saying that that they need help when it comes to the land bank.

I I you know if if some of my other colleagues on this council have some answers, you know, maybe they can offer them up.

I say as the chair though, when we have an item that is brought by a member, we're looking for that member to provide that information.

Otherwise, it's uh if members are silent, that either means that they're okay with how things are going, uh, or they're waiting for that member who submitted the memo to provide those particular details.

And right now that we have a number of items.

We try to offer more specificity then.

I I um without the land bank thinking that we're trying to to do their jobs for them.

I we don't care about them.

I'm talking about us.

We have to vote on these items.

Yeah.

Land bank will get it when we get it, when they get it.

We we have to work on our process.

All right, so so we need to be a little bit more uh specific, is what you're saying.

The things that we're so these things here today, are they more specific for you?

This definitely takes us to more specificity, whether we agree or not.

All right.

This definitely gets us more okay, it gets us closer.

All right.

Well, that all right, that helps.

Member Johnson, Mr.

Chair, um so I do just want to say the information that was just read off.

Um some of it looks a little familiar.

Member Waters, I don't you you may recall when four of us had a conversation with the administration about community partners or nonprofit organizations receiving resources to be able to rehab land bank houses.

Um and we had great conversation.

We were going to identify some resources to be able to do that, and then we weren't able to do it.

So in your number two B, we've been having those conversations, and I think it would be beneficial to have further conversation to figure out how we get there, because I have been proposing that for some time for nonprofit organizations to help with rehabbing properties for, and and I didn't want them to be rental properties necessarily.

I wanted them to be um properties that individuals could own.

At the time the administration wanted them to start out as rental properties and then they can move into an ownership model.

So I think I would be willing to have conversations and delve deeper into like how we prepare this, what the program looks like, what are the challenges that we are looking to overcome?

But that's you know, if you want to have that conversation with my team, us to come together and pull that information together.

So we have something that's comprehensive that we can provide to colleagues and get their support on so we can move this forward.

Mr.

Chairman?

Yes, ma'am.

Uh and I'm glad you said you said that, Member Johnson.

Thank you so much.

Because I about two weeks ago, I requested a meeting with uh with Madam President, uh asking her for some assistance so that we can take some of those 108 dollars and do exactly this.

That's that's what I and if you can help us work through that, that would be great because now we're talking about renovating properties and helping people to become homeowners.

That's exactly the way I want to go.

Uh with those dollars, with people understanding that they have to repay those loans when the when the properties are renovated.

And so is that is that something you would be willing to help us pull to pull together.

Um I haven't been able to meet with Madam President just yet.

We had a meeting, and well, you know, folks are busy, so I understand we all are, but is that something that you'd be willing to help us do?

Through the chair, um I'd be happy to.

I'd be happy to.

I I remember advocating for section 108 loans to go somewhere else.

But yes, we've we've had had those conversations.

So certainly would be willing to have that conversation and uh potentially CdBG home dollars as well.

Yes, okay.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you.

All right, so colleagues, how do you want to how you want to handle this?

I mean, we've got a number of items before us.

It sounds like there's still uh some issues that want uh that we want to uh massage, but uh keep in mind that what we have before us is a one-year um uh MOU that would be revisited.

Um to allow us to to add additional items uh in there with the new administration uh with the new council as well.

Uh Ms.

Caprice, you got anything you want to add?

Technically, you would still need to vote on the resolution from March to add in the one year.

Correct.

Uh member vice chair.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair, and uh I have articulated this before.

Uh I I am not going to be here in this capacity a year from now.

Um, but I also understand that Member Waters has these amendments.

Uh and I understand that time is getting short.

Uh we are running out of number, a number of meetings to have.

Um, and so any changes that need to be made uh and the specificity of language, uh that that needs to be narrowed down so if we are to vote on this, we can vote on it uh and send it or vote it up or voted down with with good conscience.

Um but I uh we uh I've seen this movie before.

We have kicked this can down the road every time this comes up on the agenda.

Uh I am uh again uh I don't want to delay it uh any longer.

Um so I guess my question through you, President Pro Tim to Member Waters, is this something that language-wise we can have if we were to bring this back next week, we could have it.

And let me finish that also the dot that colleagues have this document, whatever this language is, not the day of, but as soon as you get it fresh and hot off the press, so we have the opportunity to review it as well as the land bank.

Uh so if there are necessary discussions to come back right before we vote on this, uh that is able uh to take place.

I and again, uh you know, I appreciate even if we may disagree on the approach, I appreciate your willingness to put amendments forward.

I know you had a number of amendments that you submitted.

Um I would like to think that the colleagues are my colleagues at this table.

We are very judicious in our homework uh and study uh these line items outside of this committee.

Uh, but when you are when you get a number of those amendments laid on you on one day, it's kind of very tough to digest at that table and decipher what is going to be a good amendment to this MOU order resolution uh or not.

So if you are able to get that information, um and I will I will dare to say this, Mr.

Chair.

Uh if that is not here next week, I am I'm I'm going to make the motion to send this out.

Um frankly, tired of seeing it on the agenda.

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

Um and and and I as I know you are, Mr.

Chair.

This is the only thing since I've been on this committee that has stayed this long in this committee.

Um but if if we can get that information uh by next week, that would be helpful, Member Waters.

Uh if not, I I am saying I will make the recommendation to to send it out as is.

Um I I see the resolution that we have in front of us, and I will note the resolution in front of us also is compiled from a number of colleagues' suggestions that are outside of this committee and are a part of the whole body.

Uh and they have put their suggestions into that resolution as well.

Uh, but I know we're still waiting on the these final tweaks.

So if that can happen, uh Mr.

Chair, uh, I'm not gonna make the motion right now because I don't I I know Member Johnson is probably gonna respond as well.

But I'm gonna I would be comfortable bringing this back for one final one final week.

Uh Mr.

Chair, uh noting that again the time is getting short uh on our end here in this session.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you.

Before you answer, okay.

Member Johnson, give you another.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Just curious to know if the resolution that we have before us um has the support of the administration.

Well we have not had the conversation.

Well, are you talking about the the information that oh, you talking about the older one?

Yes.

So there was no I've got no um pushback, if you will.

So I don't say support, but it has been provided.

Uh there's been no uh objection at this point.

Nothing.

Um my concern again is our body that we are on the same page, and then we move forward with the administration.

But they have this document, and there's been no uh objections that has been provided to the chair at this point.

But again, still waiting for this body to um get on the same page.

Okay, just wanted to uh be clear about that, Mr.

Chair, um, because I wouldn't necessarily want us to go through the process if we have not gotten some consensus or um any feedback from the administration, so we go through the process and then they say no, we don't want this, this, and this.

Well, I I I think part of it again is we understand what our you know, I don't want to say line in the sand, so to speak, is but what do we want as a council because we have to agree.

Um, but if we have members who are not in agreement with each other and still looking to try to add other, it just creates a situation where the body is not acting as a body.

And so that's that's my goal first, and then moving towards presenting the whole package.

But what we have before us, again, this one was all the way back in in uh March when this was provided, and uh there was a discussion.

There was no opposition that was provided, but it was also mentioned that other items would be potentially coming before us, and we've been waiting for those items to be solidified.

Okay, I Mr.

Chair, I do understand that, but there are three items within this resolution that was provided to us that are in red.

I believe those may be relatively new items um and I'm just I would like to know if this these three items are supported exclusive of any additional amendments that may come.

Well we'll definitely get that information.

Uh what I believe what would happen is if the administration is in objection, uh they'll be in an objection.

Um but we as a body will know where we stand.

Um that's how I that's you know, me as the chair, how I feel.

Again, once we bring it back, I do have a responsibility to let colleagues know what has been uh supported and what is not, but ultimately this is where the negotiation process takes place.

I'll get right to you, member vice chair.

We'll let uh member Johnson uh close out her uh comments.

Okay, thank thank you, Mr.

Chair.

No, I just wanted because I I like what I'm seeing here.

Yes, ma'am.

And I just want to make sure that we're moving forward in this direction.

Thank you.

I like that you like what you see.

Because I do too.

Um member vice chair.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair, and uh and just noting uh, you know, I know the way this is put together.

Um the last document that we have uh shows the changes there and to member Johnson's point.

I'm comfortable with that.

I know the red on there is just what has been added.

Uh we'll know again that uh there were two things in there that LPD did state that they did not include uh because it would be a violation uh of the intergovernmental agreement.

Uh and those things cannot be added, but this this resolution looks a lot cleaner uh than I've seen it, uh, and a lot more um has some substance.

Uh and that's why I would state I I'd be ready to push it out next week.

Uh but we want to make sure again to be fair to even LPD um that that language get to them as soon as possible as well uh as well as in front of law uh as we talk about the specificity of responsibility and and those things that I noted earlier of a concern uh so we can we can have uh a completed document that that we can view.

So uh I did want to add that uh as well.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

And member vice chair.

What I will do is make a commitment that we as a team will circulate this document again because it has been quite a number of months since uh members have seen it, uh, just to ensure that everybody is on the same page with the document.

The most the most uh up-to-date and accurate document.

Um, before uh it sounds like we are looking for we'll give them one week grace on this one, Mr.

Chair.

When I make the motion, this will be the last bring back for this uh ever.

Um so I I would like to make a motion to bring back these items, uh all the items stated because we're discussing them with them one week in one week, excuse me.

All right, thank you so much.

Let me go down to my sheet.

There is a motion to bring back in one week line items 9.2, 9.4, 9.6, 9.8, 9.9, 9.17, 9.19 through 9.33.

Bring back in one week.

There's a motion.

See no objections, that action shall be taken.

Thank you so much.

Looking forward to next week.

All right, thank you.

Uh just I mean Yes.

Yes.

All right.

Um, thank you, Mr.

Chairman.

I just want to ask if the if the land bank, uh, director Daniels, you you said you were going to provide a list this morning for all of the things that you use to determine if a eligibility, and you've included some new things.

That's number one.

And number two, I wanted to also just uh ask you uh for a at least the total number of people who have been denied because they didn't meet that particular uh deadline as well through the chair, the people who've been denied because they didn't meet what deadline.

The the deadline for for being able to to repair, make this the repairs that that you ask them to make.

So through the chair, council uh member waters, I sent you a a a list of all the properties that are in our inventory that were occupied.

Right.

That is the list.

So those people are not in a in the buyback program, either because they were denied because they didn't have any documents or they didn't respond.

And so that would be the list.

They'll do you, Mr.

Chairman.

Oh, I didn't know that that was a list that had been basically denied.

I I did not know that, so thank you for sharing that with me.

I was just getting a list, you know, from you.

Okay.

All right.

But we vetted, we tried to vet all of those people to bring them through by the buyback program, and so either they didn't qualify or they didn't respond.

All right, thank you.

All right, thank you.

And thank you, uh folks from the land bank.

We will see you next week.

Thank you.

All right.

Uh line item 9.3 status of legislative policy division draft community land trust ordinance.

Is there a motion to discuss, please?

So move.

Thank you.

Member Johnson, I know you've been working hard on this item.

Any update?

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Um, through you to the law department.

Through the chair Graham Anderson Law Department, we would ask for a two-week bring back on this item.

Is it a for real two weeks?

I'll take three weeks, pro time.

Is it is it a for real three weeks?

I confident we can make it done in three.

I like two better.

Okay.

Three weeks.

Per the body's uh deference.

I will take whatever uh we get.

All right, so that means that's that's it, because like I said, we were losing time.

Absolutely.

So is there's a is there a motion for three weeks, uh, member Johnson or two weeks.

Uh this is this is your item.

Move to bring back in two weeks.

All right.

There's a motion to bring back line item nine point three in two weeks.

See no objections.

That action shall be taken.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh line item nine point five.

Status of council member Letitia Johnson submitting memorandum relative to update on rental property inspections.

Um there was a response that was submitted.

Uh member Johnson, are you okay with the receiving file on this one?

Is there a motion?

So move.

There's a motion to receive and file line item nine point five.

See no objections, that action shall be taken.

Um did I loop did I lump in nine point six into the move?

Okay.

Probably shouldn't have done that.

Well, it's got a little bit of it.

We'll just bring it back.

Uh line item nine point seven.

Status of council member Mary Waters, submitting memorandum relative to questions regarding outstanding city tax abatement set to expire.

Colleagues, there's a request for a two-week bring back on this particular item.

Is there a motion?

Move to bring back in two weeks.

There's a motion to bring back line item nine point seven in two weeks.

Seeing no objections, that action shall be taken.

Uh taking us down to nine point ten.

Status of council member Mary Waters submitting memorandum relative to questions on senior buildings in Detroit with HUD contracts.

There is a request for a two-week bring back on this particular item, colleagues.

Is there a motion?

Move to bring back in two weeks.

There's a motion to bring back line item 9.10 in two weeks.

Seeing no objections, that action shall be taken.

Line item 9.12, status of council member Scott Benson submitting memorandum relative to request for RFP.

East Davison Village Residential Mixed Income Housing Development.

There has been a request for a one-week bring back on this particular item, colleagues.

Is there a motion?

Move to bring back 9.12 in one week.

There's a motion to bring back for two weeks.

My apologies.

I read that incorrectly.

There's a there's a request for a two-week bring back, member vice chair.

Correction.

A move to bring back line item 9.12 in two weeks.

Thank you.

There's a motion to bring back line item 9.12 in two weeks.

Seeing no objections, that action shall be taken.

Uh line item 9.13.

Status of council member Scott Benson submitting memorandum relative to request for housing resource fare.

Same project.

East Davidson Village.

There's been a request for a two-week bring back on this particular item as well.

Colleagues, is there a motion?

Move to bring back the item in two weeks.

There's a motion to bring back line item 9.13 in two weeks.

See no objections.

And action shall be taken.

Line item 9.14, status of council member Letitia Johnson submitting memorandum relative to audit request.

Is there a motion?

So move.

There's a motion to bring back line item 9.14 in two weeks.

See no objection.

That action shall be taken.

Line item 9.15.

Status of Council Member Mary Waters submitting memorandum requesting a comprehensive report on the current state of rental housing in the city of Detroit.

This response was provided.

Colleagues, uh there's a request for receive and file.

Is there a motion?

Move to receive and file.

There's a motion to receive and file line item 9.15.

See no objections.

That action shall be taken.

Line item 9.16.

Status of Council President Pro Tim James Tate submitted memorandum relative to request for comprehensive list of tax abatements in district one.

We did uh provide this information provide the res the request and there's a request for a one-week bring back on this particular item.

Colleagues, is there a motion, please?

Move to bring back in one week.

Thank you.

There's a motion to bring back line item 9.16 in one week.

Seeing no objections, that action shall be taken.

We can please take line items 9.18.

9.

Uh I think I put 9.32 in there, didn't I?

In the collection.

No.

Yeah.

Okay.

Um I'll deal with that one in a minute.

Um we can please take line items 9.18 and 9.

Uh 10.

Excuse me, 9.18 and 10.5 together, please.

So move.

Thank you.

There's a motion to bring back those items in one week.

Uh oh, that's a there's a request, excuse me, to bring back those items in one week.

Is there a motion?

Move to bring back those items in one week, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you, sir.

Uh, there's a motion to bring back line item nine point eighteen and ten point five in one week.

Seeing no objections, that action shall be taken.

And that now takes us to our new business.

Climb down the agenda here.

Point of order very quickly, Mr.

Chair.

I think we still have 9.33 if I'm not mistaken.

Uh I appreciate you.

Um I thought, no, we moved 9.33 in that in that collection.

34.

34 we didn't.

Mr.

Chair.

And 34 was just should have been moved in others.

Yes, ma'am.

Mr.

Chair, uh line item 9.33 should follow those that we just brought back in one week.

They are all related to the screening amendments.

My my agenda says 9.33 is uh for the land bank MOU to allow for property sales at a discounted rate.

34, though, uh is for bridge plaza land use.

Okay, I have screens.

Okay.

That that is nine.

Well, whichever the number is, that bridge plaza should be um should join the other two that we just miss that one, so that is my apologies.

Colleagues, there are a motion to bring back line item 9.34 in one week.

So move.

Seeing no objections, that action shall be taken.

All right, now on to new business.

Line item uh 10.1 from the Office of Contracting and Procurement, submitting resolution authorization for contract number 600 5583-A1.

This is an amendment to contract terms and conditions for data management and incentive solution portal.

Uh is there a motion to discuss and or approve?

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Move to send a formal with a recommendation to approve.

There's a motion to send line item 10.1 to formal with a recommendation to approve.

Seeing no objections, then action shall be taken.

Line item 10.2 submitting resolution authorization for contract number 6007 459, 100% CDBGR funding.

This is to oversee the rehabilitation and or construction of public housing units.

Uh colleagues, is there a motion to discuss and or approve?

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

I'm comfortable with this one.

I'll move to send a formal with a recommendation to approve.

There's a motion to send line item 10.2 to formal with a recommendation to approve.

Discussion.

With discussion.

Member Johnson.

Uh very quickly, Mr.

Chair.

I believe I've met with HRD and uh the Detroit Housing Commission relative to this, but I would like to ensure that we have a list of where the dollars are going to be spent on which projects.

Uh and so I'm just requesting that from HRD.

Okay.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Uh I know Mr.

Washington should be listening.

Um we would like for that information to be provided to this body uh prior to any approval.

Good afternoon, and absolutely through the chair.

Thank you so much.

Um please remain silent in the auditorium on the committee of the whole.

We appreciate you.

Thank you.

All righty.

Line item 10.3 submitting resolution authorization contract number 6007 349-I'm sorry, 100% city funding.

This is to implement skilled trades apprenticeship for DPSED, DESC, skilled trades instruction, and Brightmore Workforce Development Programs.

Is there a motion to discuss and or approve, please?

Move to send a formal with a recommendation to approve.

Thank you so much, colleagues.

This is a very important project we're working on in Brightmore to get folks employed and upskilled.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

There's a motion to approve line item 10.3 and send a formal with a recommendation to approve.

Seeing no objection, that action shall be taken.

Line item 10.4, submitting resolution authorization request for uh request for authorization to accept an appropriate fiscal year 2026 Medicaid chip community development led hazard control program grant.

Is there a motion to approve and or discuss?

Move to approve or send a formal with a recommendation to approve 10.4.

There's a motion to send line item 10.4 to formal with a recommendation to approve.

Seeing no objections, that action shall be taken.

Line item 10.5 submitting report relative to requested changes to screening text amendment ordinance.

I think we already touched on that one.

All right.

We dealt with that one.

Bear with me, colleagues.

There's a lot on this agenda here in my cheat sheet.

Line item 10.6 submitting report and proposed ordinance to amend chapter 50 of the 2019 Detroit City Code Zoning.

This is to provide adaptive use and tap tactical preservation of vacant and underutilized institutional buildings and residential zoning districts by allowing certain residential, civic, cultural, educational, retail, office, and food service, as well as light and industrial uses where new uh uses would otherwise be prohibited.

There's a lot of language here.

Um we got some time.

Can we get uh someone from CPC join us on this one?

Just give us a real give the public just a very brief understanding of what we have before us.

And when you introduce yourself, when you see yourself on the screen, please introduce yourself for the record.

Director Todd, I see you there.

Good afternoon, Mr.

President Pro Tem.

Good afternoon to you and members of the committee.

I believe Mr.

Jeffrey is in the attendee room.

Uh and he can provide you with that brief overview.

But the ordinance that has been well socialized among you and your colleagues and members of the public, and we are quite excited about it.

Yeah.

Anytime we see all this language, folks may think we're trying to hide something from it.

That's right.

That's right.

Uh Mr.

Jeffrey, the floor is yours, sir.

Mr.

Chair.

Uh, this is an initiative that CPC and the planning development department have been working on together, along with the historic designation advisory board, and also the uh historic district commission staff.

And so it's an initiative essentially to allow for public civic institutional buildings that are in residential zoning districts.

So your R1, your R2 districts to be allowed to have more viability to have 50 new uses that would be permissible on on a conditional basis, meaning that they will have to go to a special land use hearing where the surrounding public is invited.

And essentially these buildings, generally institutional in nature, such as um buildings that have been used as educational institutions, schools, fire police stations, libraries, museums, uh, religious institutions, any of those buildings that you might see in your neighborhood fabric that have gone vacant for many years, such as the schools that you mentioned earlier in the meeting.

This will give them more activities that they will be able to uh potentially use the buildings for.

And the hope is that these buildings will be revitalized and be brought back online to be used as new uses.

So that's what this ordinance generally does.

And I get we can entertain any questions that you may have.

Thank you so much, colleagues.

Any additional questions?

No, Mr.

Chair, I will note I think it's a very good ordinance to push forward uh as we talk about vacant school buildings within uh our neighborhoods or in our districts, opportunity to open them up for rec centers uh or opportunities to open them up for restaurants or anything that could provide need to the community.

So I think it's a really good ordinance, uh long overdue.

Uh brings us where we need to be as a city as we talk about some of these areas that are zoned, and hopefully, we'll encourage folks to come and develop and purchase uh some of those properties.

Um so uh with that I'd like to move and send line item 10.6 to formal for the introduction and setting of a public hearing.

There's a motion to send line item 10.6 to formal to uh introduce and set a public hearing.

Any objections uh heard a voice.

What was today that's more oh that's communicated, yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

I just want to uh make a note that we are expecting the approved as the form ordinance uh version of the ordinance to be uh ready by Tuesday.

What you have now is a draft, but also you know, as you've mentioned, uh there's many different things that are scheduled for the for the uh remaining slots for the year so as to meet uh the deadline to be able to have an October uh 30th public hearing.

Uh we put a draft ordinance on the schedule, but we should have the approved as the form version by Tuesday.

That's our goal.

All right.

Now the interesting thing is I have on my agenda that we have the public hearing potentially set for 11.6.

So we might have to talk offline uh about making sure those dates coincide, but it still sounds like we're in good shape either way.

Yes, sir.

All right, thank you so much.

I think we moved.

Uh, did we approve there's a we didn't call it Mr.

Chair, but I didn't think so.

Thank you, member vice chair.

There's a motion to oh, all any any objections.

Seeing none, then action shall be taken.

All right.

Now on to 10.7, submitting resolution authorization.

Extension of review period for proposed zoning ordinance text amendment screening.

I should have moved that one earlier as well.

Is there a motion to bring back in one week on this item, colleagues?

So move, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you.

There's a motion to bring back line item 10.7 in one week.

See no objections, then action shall be taken.

Line item 10.8 submitting resolution authorization for property sale of 8037 8043 8049 8055 8061 Nuremberg and 8080 8088 8094 8096 8110 812 8140 and 8160 Doyle.

Uh this is a property sale.

Uh dollar amount 27,000 uh and 740 dollars.

They're motion to discuss, please.

So move, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you.

I had a couple questions on this as well, Mr.

Chair.

Absolutely.

We can have the folks who have information.

I know Mr.

Trung typically joins us on this one.

We can bring them up.

Uh good afternoon.

Uh this is John Trong with the housing revitalization department, the real estate division.

Good afternoon.

Uh member vice chair.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

And noting that this is for a from a foreign nonprofit corporation.

Uh Mr.

Trong, I wanted to know uh first we look at the prices and the number of properties for 27,000 dollars.

So that's number one.

So what is the intended use for this property?

Uh through the chair to Councilmember Durhall, the Notre Dame Friday night is the adjacent church.

Um we've been working with uh Sister Mary there.

They're going through the process of rehabbing the former gymnasium as well as school.

These are adjacent vacant uh green uh spaces that they've been assisting with maintenance as well.

We believe they've been very good stewards of their current campus as well as um where they do assist with the adjacent properties.

Okay, and so uh this all the gymnasium is going to be expanded on all these properties.

We're talking one, two, three, four, five.

We're we're talking over ten properties here.

Thirteen.

That's a thirteen.

Okay, thank you, Mr.

Chair.

I so that's a pretty big gym.

Uh I I do want to clear it up.

This is in relation to the gym, it's uh current standing gym, which is currently vacant right now.

I know they're going through roof repairs of the two buildings.

These parcels are actually across the street from their campus and our 13 residential lots.

And again, through you, Mr.

Chair, to Mr.

Trong, what will they be utilized for?

Uh their future goal is to create uh playscape and greenscape for um their current parishioners as well as uh future attendees of what I believe they would have as uh a grade school Mr.

Chair, I hate to add on the next week.

Is it a way you can get the petitioner here?

I'd I'd love to find out more.

Um, you know, we're saying green spaces again.

This is a number of lots.

This is uh like 13 lots and green space, and you know, I I don't plan to see that many community gardens uh in that area, but uh could is it possible you can get the petitioner on next week, Mr.

Trump?

Yep, I'll make sure to have uh Sister Mayor join us next week.

Okay, thank you.

Yeah, we also want to talk about the uh dollar amount.

I mean, we talk of 13 properties here, parcels, and you know, I've seen some you know, single parcels go for $5,000, $6,000, and we've got $27,740.

Again, I always want to make sure that whatever we do is benefited in community.

Um and if there is an opportunity for some community use, you know, we find a way to um reduce costs if if it's a benefit for the community.

But right now I have not heard that how this is going to benefit the folks who are outside of that particular uh establishment.

So we you miss uh member vice chair, you're in my head.

Uh a lot of the same questions that you have are the ones that I have as well.

So uh there is a motion to bring back line item 10.8 in one week.

Discussion with further discussion.

I'm sorry, Member Johnson.

Yes, ma'am, floor is yours.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Um, Mr.

Trung, if you can also be sure that they share with us the current status of the properties that they own and um what they're planning to do with them so that uh this all comes together so we have an understanding of their capacity to do it as well as what they are doing it and the benefit to the community.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

All right, thank you.

Again, colleagues, there's a motion this to bring back line item 10.8 in one week.

Seeing no objections, that action shall be taken.

Line item 10.9 submitting resolution authorization for a property sale by the Detroit Land Bank Authority.

Grant Great Lakes Water Authority Development, generally bounded by I 75, Sanders Street, and Pleasant Street.

Is there a motion to discuss and or approve, colleagues?

Discussion.

With discussion, Member Johnson.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

I am just interested in knowing if any community engagement has taken place for uh the youth of this land.

Um of course we know the work that the Great Lakes Water Authority does, and sometimes it can be a bit intrusive uh to the community.

So would like to understand if any community engagement has been done, Mr.

Trump Apologies through the chair.

Uh there should be a representative of the Detroit Land Bank Authority, I believe it would be um Mr.

Ben Newman.

Uh this is not an item for me for 10 point nine.

All right, we're gonna port him over.

And Mr.

Newman, when you see yourself on the screen, please introduce yourself for the record.

Mr.

Ben Newman.

There he is.

Afternoon.

Good afternoon.

Please introduce yourself for the record.

Ben Newman, uh Program Manager of the Detroit Land Bank Authority.

All right.

Did you hear the question or you need a it to be asked again?

Um regarding community engagement.

That is yes.

The question regarding community engagement.

Yes.

Yes, I heard that one.

Thank you.

Um I don't believe there's been community engagement on this one.

I will note that these parcels are in an area where it's almost all vacant, so there's not a residential area nearby.

Um it's mostly the Great Lakes Water Authority treatment plant, marathon refinery, I-75, kind of on an underpass there.

Okay, thank you.

I visited the area not long ago.

Um, thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you.

Colleagues, is there a motion for line item 10.9.

Move to send line item 10.9 to formal with the recommendation to approve.

There's a motion to send line item 10.9 to formal with a recommendation to approve.

Seeing objections, that action shall be taken.

Line item 10.10, submitting resolution authorization for a property sale.

Uh part of 501 3rd Street.

Is there a motion to discuss, please?

So move.

Thank you.

Mr.

Trong, we got you on here for this one.

Talk to us about this item when we see part of uh through the chairs, John Trong again with the housing revitalization department uh real estate division.

Uh as it relates to the part of um, I don't know if I'm able to share my screen or have that right.

It may be easier um to come.

We'll give you that, we'll give you those privileges.

Okay, cool.

Give us two seconds.

Thumbs up.

Floor is yours.

I think I'm having permission issues.

I apologize here.

Uh are you able to see my screen?

Uh yes, sir.

Yes.

Okay.

Um, so 501 3rd Street, it actually encompassed the people mover station and a portion of around.

And it it's this kind of gate area.

The portion that we're talking about is this part of um, which is compensates for this this piece of the driveway.

Um, and so this sale is just a portion of this, but uh for whatever reason this uh the city's history didn't get cleaned up and carved out.

Um, and so the petitioner and purchasers looking to purchase this to complete this.

This of course, um this parking lot is owned by uh subsidiary of the Sterling Group, and this is gonna support uh the adjacent projects um as you may know across the street between the parkman building and the hotel uh that's currently under construction.

All right.

And uh the cost uh the the purchase cost is uh 48, excuse me, 47,816 for those who are are watching.

All right, colleagues, any further on line item 10.10.

See none, is their motion.

Move to send line item 10 point 10, a formal with a recommendation to approve.

As a motion to send line item 10 point sin to formal with a recommendation to approve.

See no objections, that action shall be taken.

And that takes us to the end of the agenda, unless I missed one, Mr.

Clerk.

All right, we are good.

All right.

Member Vice Chair, member reports.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

I just want to let uh the public know our 29th policy session will be taking place Monday, October the 26 uh 27th uh from 6 p.m.

to 7 30 p.m.

at the Edison Library, located at 1840 Joy Road.

This is our 29th policy session session set to take place October 27th from 6 p.m.

to 7 30 p.m.

at the Edison Library, located at 1840 uh zero Joy Row.

Uh we will be discussing part two of the importance of voting.

So we're inviting everyone to come out.

Uh that is a week uh before the election.

Uh so we want to be able to have folks uh have information about the importance of voting.

Uh we will also uh give you some valuable resources if you do not know where you vote, so you can find out where you vote at.

Uh and again, uh just a great opportunity as always to learn alongside fellow residents for uh for our policy sessions.

Uh other than that, that concludes my member report.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you, Member Vice Chair, Member Johnson.

No report.

No report.

Thank you.

Uh no report for me, but just want to uh a question to Mr.

Anderson.

Attorney Anderson.

Uh so the reason I I continue to discuss the fact that we are you know reaching the end of this particular term uh is because if an item that we have floating in committee is not addressed by the end of by the time we go into recess or the end of this year, um talk to us about what happened.

I'll I'll let you say it in your words.

What happens to those items that are not addressed but are in committee?

Yes, through the chair to uh council member uh or to pro tem t.

I'm actually been putting together a memo response to this because it's it's a it's a great question.

It's something that obviously uh we haven't had to deal with in a while as we are going into uh new legislative body.

On top of that, a new executive body.

Um but for not just unresolved uh committee items, but also unresolved items at formal session, they will uh the language that Roberts uses fall to the ground, which means they they are finished, they they are done, they no longer continue.

Um the key thing about that has to do with we don't want one session to place a question beyond the reach of a later session, as we will have at least two new um uh councilman.

Council members, thank you.

That it it's uh it would be improper to bound the new committee by um actions of the previous one.

As such, it of course items can be re-escribed in the new year to reappear on the new agenda, but they they they will um uh be uh fall to the ground as uh Roberts uh says.

What what about any items that may be in any of our uh support um uh like the BZA or the CPC even any items there?

What happens to those particular items as we transition uh to terms?

Through the chair, it depends.

It could be because it can some of those are independent of the legislative body, they can continue.

Um I I don't want to speak on all of them because I think there is some difference between um a few of those.

Um so I'll I'll provide a more detailed answer to that in my memo response what when I uh I'll hopefully have that to you guys uh early next week.

Um which I will uh also take the time to share with uh the community as well.

But it it it's a it's a fantastic question, and it's uh it's obviously it's very pertinent to uh as we approach the new year.

Yes, sir.

Thank you.

All right, looking forward to that memo or looking forward to that response.

And with that being said, I have no additional uh members report.

Colleagues, if there is there a motion to adjourn.

So move, Mr.

Chair.

See no objections that action shall be taken.

Thank you for your patience and your participation.

We'll see your Lord Willin next week.

This meeting is adjourned.