And thank you for joining us for the Internal Operations Standing Committee meeting on today, Wednesday, October 15th, 2025.

Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll?

Good morning.

Councilmember Letitia Johnson.

Present.

Councilmember Mary Waters.

Present.

Councilmember Angela Whitfield Callaway.

Madam Chair, we have quorum.

Thank you.

Having a quorum present, we are now in session.

Good morning, colleagues.

Is there a motion on the minutes?

Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

And we are going to move into public comment.

If you'd like to make a public comment, please raise your hand, whether in person or virtually, please raise your hand.

Public comment will be cut off at 10.07.

So you have one minute to raise your hand virtually if you'd like to make a public comment.

I do see three hands here in the committee of the whole.

Good morning, Miss Jackson.

How many hands do we have raised virtually?

Good morning, Madam Chair.

We have 10 hands raised for virtual public comments.

All right, and my clock says 1007, so we are going to cut off general public comment.

If we can please set the clock for two minutes, we'll get started with the gentleman in the committee of the whole.

313 444.

Oh, one moment, Mr.

Cunningham.

Okay, there you go.

313-444-9114.

313-444-9114.

313-444-9114.

That number was made so you can remember it.

As I was passing out bus tickets this morning, uh around Myers grocery store, an old friend.

Um he was a bus driver for 10 years.

Um so um I told him y'all don't bite.

Uh what what insight could he give on bus service and how can it improve since he works for D dot as a driver for 10 years.

His name's Mr.

Redman.

Um so um I appreciate all those that helped me get bus tickets and uh do the right-alons, et cetera.

Um so I just want to remind people that there's a DDOT meeting this Thursday.

You can put in Detroit Department of Transportation and all social medias and go on that page and please share it with your constituents or your family or your friends or your timeline.

So you need new voices to voice their opinion about the service.

It must improve.

Um I think um a shout out to Suntial Jenkins who sent me $50 yesterday.

Um, and uh used it to purchase bus tickets.

Um, I'm appreciative to all the help that I receive and I prayed over the donor and the donation, and I do appreciate it.

The cash app is 313-444-9114.

And I asked Mr.

Ritman just to talk about what he felt.

Um about the service and how can it improve?

Um I'm glad I seen him this morning passing out bus tickets.

Um that's it.

Appreciate oh, on the 22nd.

It'll be district six, a mayor's meeting.

They don't put the flyer comes out so late.

We only have like a two two two-day two-day period or three-day period before the meeting is there.

So it's the 22nd district six.

Thank you, Mr.

Cunningham.

Good morning, Mr.

Redmond.

Yes, ma'am.

You have two minutes for your general public comment.

Like Mr.

Clayhan was saying, I used to work with DOT.

Do I know how things go?

And the way I see it, ma'am, they need to get their stuff together.

Oh, so many fronts.

Does that conclude your comment?

Yes, ma'am.

Thank you.

All right, thank you.

Thanks so much for coming down.

We appreciate it.

Yes, ma'am.

Good morning, Mr.

Foster.

Good morning.

Um through the chair.

Um, wanted to come down and speak about a conflict of interest.

This is not my first time coming down speaking about it, nor is it the first time articulating the impact that it has in the community.

In particular, we have uh, and this is not just one organization, but it's several organizations that recur over the last four years.

And every one of council's priority bucket list, they seem to recycle the same people regardless of the work that they have done and the prior capacity.

Conflicts of interest when it comes down to Detroit 300, uh support our community, absolutely.

Uh, attend the board meetings as well and um and speak up.

But to be on the CEC, to be on the BOPC, to be on D Win, to be on the DDA, and to be on all these other things under one person and one body is a problem here.

This is not China or North Korea where we're consolidating power and get and putting it in the authority of one person or people's, and we're not gonna be going that direction into a authoritarian government.

Secondly, when it appears uh the FCC, I think that we have to get ordinances here to protect our citizens here.

I believe that there are statutes here already that uh have language in there that protect our citizens from home invasion.

I think there should be reinforced and up to date to include cyber, which means that people that have these FCCs that could go into people's houses, looking to their TVs and watch their children have to be accountable for that.

Breaking in entering cyberly have to be accountable for that.

Larceny, theft.

If you go in ahead investigating in people's houses and you steal something, you have to be accountable for that.

We have to have true accountability in this government.

Thank you, Mr.

Foster.

And if there is any additional information you'd like to share with my team, please do so and we'll look into uh the conflict of interest you mentioned.

Yes, ma'am.

Thank you.

All right, Miss Jackson, who is our first virtual caller?

This caller is Karen Winston.

Karen Winston, you have two minutes for general public comment.

Can you hear me?

Good morning, yes.

Okay, great.

Good morning.

Um, um, I'm gonna continue to advocate for the city of Detroit retirees.

Uh I can't help but say um there was uh a representative from council uh President Sheffield's office who spoke on a resolution, a fast track resolution, but that doesn't help us.

You know, making a resolution doesn't help us get our money back in our pocket.

We need something concrete, we need something solid.

We need to be assured that we're going to be made whole.

We need to be assured that our uh that the pay uh pension cuts are going to cease.

So we don't want to get on a line in a line to be first at something that's free.

We want what we've earned.

We're not asking for anything except what we have earned, duly earned.

So I think that would be help a lot of uh candidates in this election um by making it, you know, making this retirees know that you are working on our behalf, not working on behalf of a resolution to put us in a line.

We don't want to be in line.

I stood in line for 30 years, punching the time clock.

I don't want to get back in another line for another 30 years.

Um it's pretty crispy outside this morning.

So we all know winter's coming.

We know we got to get these children and these single family uh parentheses off the streets and into permanent housing.

Perhaps we can stop demolishing and start uh to re rehabilitation on these properties.

And when we give out our tax abatements, those are the people who need the tax abatements, people trying to buy homes, young people, not old, filthy old rich uh millionaires.

We need to help the least of those.

And don't forget, let's say first they came for me, and you did nothing.

Let that ponder for a moment because sooner or later they're gonna come for you, and then we'll see who'll do what for you guys.

Thanks a lot.

Bye-bye.

Thank you.

The next caller.

Next caller is William M.

Davis.

William M.

Davis, you have two minutes for general public comment.

Good morning, young ladies cannot be heard.

Good morning, yes.

Okay, I agree with everything that uh not that Karen just said, because the city has and continue to rob us every month.

Those of us say Detroit retired is getting this in the newly claw back.

Also, uh I'd like to move on to something else.

You know, the city of Detroit throughout the whole tender of uh Mike Duggan has been a very poor steward of our resources.

You know, if you own something, you should be investigating and checking it out.

Like I said, there's a whole bunch of water department facilities that allegedly Great Lakes Water Authority is leasing from us.

So we should go and investigate and look at those and make sure they are operating in the way they are supposed to.

You know, we we need to know what's going on.

And also we need to renegotiate.

You know, we may not take back total control of our facilities, but we should renegotiate what they pay us, which is a penny on a dollar.

You know, how could you say you got a 50 million dollar lease, but 17 million of it comes from us?

You know, if we had a right level of compensation for that, the city Trent wouldn't be having so many problems that perhaps y'all can start paying us back the city retirements.

Also, I think it's horrible that we have to take a call back.

But you have these millionaires and billionaires that always doing these projects, but yet when they don't do what they say to, yeah, I don't call back anything from them.

Also, I see with General Molders starting the process of moving out the General Motor, the great, you know, the Renaissance Center.

That means it's gonna be less income tax coming because of more incentives that y'all give to millionaires and billionaires.

This has to stop.

Y'all need to start thinking about the average everyday people in the city of Detroit.

Thank you.

Thank you.

The next caller.

Next caller is Melissa Love.

Melissa Love, you have two minutes for general public comment.

The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 states that they maintain clean voter roles.

I'm Melissa Love never voted November 2020 or August 2024.

I will not be silenced and justice will be served.

And respect will be on my name.

I will not stop or be stopped unless God tell me to.

Until then, I will continue to expose this evil corruption that's been happening for years from y'all Democrats.

I am here to demand representation for our city from our city to our city.

The hood needs help.

I am here to demand my name off them voter roles and to collect my share off that pot charleston from.

Currently there.

And the way y'all doing the homeless woman and children is all the way corruption.

Those are deplorable conditions.

And sat in one of the rooms while they offer me my while they offer me my two-year-old and 18-year-old, two recliner seats to sleep in.

And the room looked like it haven't been clean in ages.

And millions of flies is around.

I couldn't even stand and sit in there for 10 minutes, let alone sleep in there.

So I told the caseworker that I'll prefer to give my two recliner seats up to an unfortunate mother with no car.

So yes, as me and numerous of other mothers and they children sleep in their car while we wait for a bed.

Detroit needs help, and I'm here to demand that help today.

Where's our representation?

One one.

Thank you for sharing that and HRD.

Um or to the administration, Mr.

Washington, if you're listening, if you can get that information to HRD and have them to evaluate the address that was provided.

And I'm I guess I just expect in general that HRD knows the quality and condition of the shelters.

They don't.

And if they don't, um, I'm asking that we along with B seed, inspect them to ensure that we're providing quality shelter to families, to mothers, to individuals.

Um, because I know that the city of Detroit provides a tremendous amount of federal resources to have these properties online.

So we should make sure that we know and understand the quality of these units before we are connecting someone with them.

Thank you.

Uh member waters.

If I may, if she's still listening, I want to give out my number so we can work a little closer closer with her.

Uh 313 628, 2363, 313 628, 2363.

Please call us.

Uh we can work this through with you and your children.

All right.

Thank you.

Thank you, madam chair.

Thank you.

Member Callaway.

Yeah.

Thank you, madam chair.

Um, and good morning, everyone.

Sometimes we have, and this is my own opinion, uh, folks in charge of different departments with that lack sensitivity to the lived experiences of the people who are calling in every single day.

Um, and it's just unfortunate that that um happens, not just here in the city, but across the nation.

You have people in charge of departments who lack the necessary um sensitivity and lived experience to serve the people that they have um been charged to serve.

Um sometimes I find it it's lacking in the city, and um, it's not against anyone in particular, but um you know, we gotta do better.

And sometimes it comes with being sensitive or having lived those experiences or having known someone who's lived those experiences or live in the city.

Let's start right there.

Thank you, madam chair.

Thank you.

And I will also add that um we requested that HRD do a presentation before the body uh about their homeless services that are provided.

And so I believe that's happening in a few weeks.

Um, so certainly be sure that we have all of our questions and and things that we want to elevate and raise um to be addressed with HRD.

We also have put a request in for um the Auditor General to audit the homeless services that are provided by HRD.

All right, thank you, colleagues.

Uh the next caller.

Next caller is Owner Papa.

Owner Papa, you have two minutes for general public comment.

Good morning, ladies, and through the chair, may I be heard?

Good morning, yes.

You hear a lot of things from the from the residents.

I mean the legacy residents or the residents who've been here for a long time, like Miss Winston, who says she's gonna leave now because she can't afford to stay here, and she worked for the city and she's a retiree of the city.

You all had a chance to spend 75 million dollars to stop the clawback, and you all said you didn't have the money.

When we had 267 million dollars in surplus, you said you couldn't use the money to give to uh the residents, they they couldn't have any of that money, and uh the 600 million that you've over taxed, they can't have that money either.

It's against the law.

I'm not I'm not sure what laws you all are looking at because it seems like we are going into fascism.

We have people who are ruling us, and we're the majority, and we're being ruled by the by a minority.

Um the bus system doesn't work right.

You guys are on committees, and the charter stipulates you can only be on the committee two years, and you guys don't respect anything that's in the charter.

You you you want to call Melissa Love now and find out what's going on with her and what's going on with HRD.

But whenever they come up with contracts, you don't have questions, you don't do your due diligence before you let out our money.

And we aren't getting the services that we deserve or that we pay for.

Um, I'm not sure where this committee or where this whole thing is going, but I think um we need to to readjust the city council because you don't seem to understand you work for the people.

Giving our surplus money to corporations is a disgrace.

When you have people in this kind of need and this kind of poverty, how can you justify giving our property tax surplus dollars to corporations?

Please explain.

Thank you.

And I would love for the administration to explain better what actually transpired.

So that narrative is not put out there as though we are giving money to corporations.

Um there was a short shortfall because of changes made by the federal administration.

Um, and I will leave it there to the administration.

If you can provide additional details, um, we can certainly ensure that we get that information shared out.

Thank you so much.

The next caller.

The next caller is Galaxy S22 Ultra.

Galaxy S22 Ultra.

You have two minutes for general public comment.

Good morning, good morning, all the physics council.

Which I said yesterday that I'm not here to bash you, but we need we need you guys to do more.

You're doing a lot of things for us, but we need more.

It's like excuse me, and my voice because of these films over here at Christra that I've been complaining about for three, four years that mess my voice up.

And all I keep hearing is they're gonna come to the table, but they never do.

And when they do, they send the off-brand uh uh uh assistant to come talk to us.

And when they do, they send the off uh uh uh assistant to come talk to us, and the first thing I mean and the wife try to get we try to get uh uh a grant from the city, and they told us no because Chrysler gave us 15,000 dollars.

That wasn't Detroit, that was Chrysler.

That wasn't the city money, you know.

Where the opera funds that's supposed to came over here and took care of us, you know.

It's sad that we have to come down here, and I take my head up to all the callers that's been calling in because they've been uh calling in and stand on point, but we need you guys to do a little more, you know.

We try Doug and messed us up in this city real bad.

Now he didn't give some things downtown, but we don't live downtown.

We live in the neighborhood, the community, and we need to build up.

We need something for us over here, you know, and it's sad we have to go through all that just to keep complaining to you guys about stuff that should be done.

I don't know why it's like that, but it is.

I I listened to other uh city councils on on uh my uh computer, and uh, you know, they doing a lot of things that we ain't been doing, like these uh these uh DTE editing, uh cleaning up this city.

I've been trying to get the city and working with this city to get these alleys clean far as they cleaned them one time.

They should be coming out writing uh uh warnings to the resident to clean behind their house, but we ain't got it yet, and it's sad that we have to keep complaining about the same thing.

You got dogs, coon, uh uh pops was running through the alley, and I use the alley, and I keep behind my house clean.

Why can't they just go by write a warning to these folks?

The house next door, they ain't cutting the uh grass in the bushes in the back.

I've been complaining to uh Inspector Meyer, he comes out here, but stuff is still the same way.

It said that we all right.

Thank you, Mr.

Holloway.

You have more than two minutes because we slept on starting your time.

Um, but do just want to share with you that Inspector Myett, as you are aware, has been um writing tickets in your general area, and if you can get neighbors to help keep that alley clean, um, then I will make a commitment to have it cleaned again.

But we need to have residents who step up to make sure the alley stays clean um because the city just doesn't have the resources to keep coming back to clean the alleys.

All right, thank you so much for calling in.

The next caller.

Ending in 482.

Caller ending in 482.

You have two minutes for general public comment.

Well up, Detroit.

Now at 4545 Chrysler Avenue.

This toward destruction of something special, something good in the city, veterans housing facility, one of two that has been opened up in the last three and a half four weeks.

Now the damage is excessive, but it's gonna be rebuilt now.

Um Letitia Johnson, you run the internal operations committee.

I need you to send an email to the president at the Detroit City Council.

The Halloween decorations are still up over here for the party that was planned for the kids on Halloween.

Now we're gonna have to do something different.

So I need you to send an email to the council president immediately called the city council together.

I need to speak with y'all.

Now I would turn the whole city upside down today is Kenita Coleman's birthday.

Yes, the 15th is her birthday.

Y'all been playing games with her daughter.

I'm not entering around with none of y'all downtown, and I'm headed down there, and I ain't broke no laws, committing no crimes, and I just got back from Washington, DC.

So I'm gonna let y'all know the feds is coming.

I need you to give me a car on my business line 313, 333, 8039.

As soon as this meeting over with, you yourself personally.

I need to talk to none of your representatives, none of your staff members, and I'm serious.

We're gonna have Halloween for the kids.

All right, thank you.

The next caller.

Next caller is Riley.

Riley, you have two minutes for general public comment.

Good morning, Riley.

Good morning.

Can I be heard?

Yes.

Look, I was trying to mute with my finger, but I forgot I had to use the air.

Good morning, ladies.

Good morning.

City council members.

Um I wanted to mention about one of the people that was down there yesterday where they mentioned saying that they going red where they can go red by themselves because I'm not going red.

I'm gonna stay a Democrat because if they see what's going on in that house, they need to turn if they had to vote yellow, vote yellow, but don't vote no red.

And I'm not doing it.

So I wanted to say uh I don't I haven't noticed you all to retaliate on nobody when they be speaking because you know, even though they talk about you all this stuff and against you, but you got Scott Benson that's uh retaliating against people because they want to go a different way, and yes, I'm gonna vote for Cranston Anderson for District Three City Council.

He's been there 12 years, and as I said before, if you are with the drive through district three, you would say, Well, god darn look like Beirut hit.

So it's from the district cover from Eight Mile to Carpenter from Woodward to Kelly, vote for Crashna Anderson for City Council District Three.

That's my choice, and I'm hoping a lot of other district three do the same thing because as I rode around or walked around with her campaigning, knocking on doors, the area looks terrible, you all.

I'm serious.

Take a look, come out here and take a look.

Let me know when you come out this area and take a look at District 3.

It is terrible, and I'm just saying it.

I'm only speaking from the heart.

I've been here since 77.

I've been in yeah, I've been in district three since 77, but I've been in Detroit for 75 years.

So I mean, and I know we've looked better back in the day, but right now it's no way.

Thank you.

The next caller.

The next caller is Tyson Gersh.

Tyson Gersh, you have two minutes for general public comment.

Hi, excuse me.

Hi, can you hear me?

Good morning, yes.

Oh, thanks.

Um, let's see.

I don't know.

I don't know what's the point of calling into city council is.

Uh I mean, I you know, I don't want to be one of those people that goes to every city council meeting.

Um, but you know, it I don't even know where to begin.

Um I get why people are frustrated.

Uh I don't see you guys solving a lot of problems.

Uh, instead of solving the problems people are bringing to you, there is this weird kind of like game that council seems to play where it just pretends to care and then does a whole bunch of stuff and then creates a lot of confusion and then nothing, no change ever happens, and it it almost like doubles down on maintaining the problem.

And uh like I get why people are mad.

I get why you guys have so many people coming to all these meetings just raging against you because I don't know.

I mean, maybe you guys think the public is is stupid and like can't see what you're doing or do anything about what you're doing, it's weird.

I don't get why we operate this way.

Um, I mean, the BZA transcript thing, like everybody knows the whole thing is ridiculous, and I just see instead of council actually just addressing it and fixing the problem, which is like a simple and easy thing to fix, you're going through this like incredibly elaborate strategy to defend this abhorrent practice, and I I don't care why you guys are doing it this way.

There's no need.

Thank you so much for calling in.

I will say that change doesn't happen overnight.

Um what you shared with us and the way that others keep track of their minutes and and public comment, that information is being evaluated.

Um, what has been mentioned previously about the cost for the transcripts?

Uh it was mentioned some time ago that those are the costs that are incurred by the department.

Um, and essentially just passed on.

But we are looking into alternative ways to um take minutes and provide that as a public record, um, so as to not have to incur the the fee for the transcript.

But change certainly does not happen overnight.

And because we don't respond to every public comment when people call in regularly, it doesn't mean that we're not doing anything.

Thank you so much.

The next caller.

The next caller is phone number and one two four.

Caller ending in one two four.

You have two minutes for general public comment.

Good morning.

May I be heard?

Good morning, yes.

Yeah.

Well, you know, it's quite simple, Miss Johnson, and you were on the BZA before I understand.

Just show us where under section nine five zero seven of the charter that you ever approve, charging six dollars and thirty-five cents a page for a transcript.

Like you can't just say court reporter price per page.

Because also nine section five zero seven says you have to approve any increase.

So just put it in writing.

And I talked to you about BZA problems uh uh over a year ago.

And member waters, I met with your staff on J.

Sorry, I'm talking loud there's uh uh uh uh uh traffic here.

Member Waters, I met with your staff on January 17th of this year.

Where's the follow-up?

And hey, everybody, take a look at a video I found online, the billionaire that runs the Michigan economy.

If that video is right, Dan Gilbert's family has 26 billion dollars.

26 billion dollars, but he's always coming asking for a tax break, and you you're whatever, and have the administration put in writing why they can't give this money to the retirees, and you're gonna give it to the corporate whoever.

And please don't tell us you don't have the money to fix some of this because you because you uh and your predecessor spent a hundred million dollars of American Rescue Plan Act money, bulldozing commercial property, including against people private property against their will.

So I am just thoroughly disgusted with this government.

Mary Sheffield may serve some people, but her people ghost me.

You all didn't care about us in North End Landing, and and and Kevin Watts is faced in the planning uh uh department told me Doug and did a handshake deal on North End Landing.

I get the impress.

Thank you.

The next caller.

The next caller is Miko A.

Williams.

Nico A.

Williams, you have two minutes for general public comment.

Yes, hello, good morning.

I wanted to say uh personally, uh Detroit will never ever turn Republican.

If Mike Rogers were to drop his congressional campaign and were to run for the mayor of Detroit, he would have low numbers.

Martell Bivings could not get elected in the city of Detroit, and he's black.

Uh Wayne Bradley is scum is scorned of the earth uh in Detroit.

He will never ever be elected in anyone's office.

So he could be a consultant for the party of fascists of bigotry and hatred.

And anyone that's claiming to flip the seat red is out of their minds and obviously ignorant to the information that the legacy Detroiters is such, they're gonna vote for someone that's gonna do for them, but also those that are with the administration that believe in the administration.

If Pastor Lorenzo Sewell were to run today, he would not be elected.

He would not be elected for any Senate office, he would not be elected in Detroit.

He can run outside Wayne County.

That's the only reason he can win, but he will never win the city that's majority black, 80%.

So get those facts straight, please.

I had to speak a guy.

I thought about that yesterday.

You know, if Joel Olstein was to run for the mayor of Houston, Texas, would you think he win?

If Jamal Bryant, Pastor Jamal Bryant from New Birth down in Atlanta, if he were to run for mayor, he would win.

That's a majority black town.

And as that debate happens tonight, uh let's all remember that a good man is up there fighting for the underprivileged and the um people that have been left behind by this uh administration.

The lady taking over for the administration is going to continue the same outcome.

Just riding off the backs of the previous administration, not making her own.

That's an argument that needs to be proven.

And hopefully tonight, uh, may the best person win.

Thank you so much for taking my comment.

Thank you.

The next caller.

Madam Claire, that was our last caller, noting there was one hand raised after you cut off public comments.

Okay, thank you.

So that now concludes our general public comment, and we are returning back to the agenda with unfinished business, beginning with line item 5.1.

Line item 5.1 is a settlement request in lawsuit of Deanna Smith as personal representative of the estate of Deonta Marshall versus City of Detroit.

Case number 23-011615 C Z.

This is for the Department of Transportation in the amount of $22,500.

I was able to get my questions answered.

Colleagues, is there a motion to approve or discuss?

Motion to approve.

There's a motion to send line item 5.1 to formal with recommendation to approve.

Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

Line item 5.2 status of council member Letitia Johnson.

Submit a memorandum relative to questions regarding City Council's ability to revoke delegated authority for contracts subject to administrative approval.

And without objection, I'd like to combine line item 5.2 with line item 5.3.

Line item 5.3 is the status of office status of the Office of Contracting and Procurement.

The July and August monthly report of contracts approved administratively between the amounts of $25 and $50,000.

Colleagues, is there a motion to discuss?

Discussion.

Thank you.

Attorney Anderson, can you provide any insight?

Yes, through the Chair Graham Anderson Law Department.

Regarding the memo, I'm still working on the finishing touches and want to just have some things clarified with LPD as well as uh OCP.

So I'd ask for a two-week bring back on that.

Um regarding item 5.3.

The question that was posed to us uh from this body was regarding whether there can be uh a revoke um if the delegation of authority can be revoked from these matters.

And just uh a minor preview of uh some of the uh details we'll be getting into it with this memo is this specific items here, the July and August monthly report for contracts 25,000 to 50,000.

They cannot um have their delegation of authority um revoked.

These are micro purchases as defined in the procurement ordinance of uh February of this year.

Minor um purchases, those there is the flexibility to revoke the delegation of authority, but for micro purchases such as these at 5.3, uh council does not have that option.

Thank you.

Thank you, Attorney Anderson.

And what how do we define minor?

Um so micro purchases are anything under $50,000, minor purchases are from $50,000 to $150,000.

Um, there is also some additional increases if it is a uh Detroit-based business or uh Detroit resident business, uh, but without getting into that nuance there for um all other contracts, it's from $50,000 to $150,000 minor purchases.

And attorney Anderson, I'm not sure if this is for you or for Director Stahl.

How do we ensure that there's no creativity happening around the dollar amounts in order for things to be approved administratively that are micro?

Well, through through the chair to council member Johnson, and I'm confident director stahl would reiterate this is the language that is put in the ordinance.

Uh, I want to um read here is that uh the procurement shall not be considered to be um uh artificially divided if it is reasonably anticipated that a single vendor could not provide the goods or services required under the procurement or if goods or services to be pure cure procured are not integral, dependent upon or necessary to complete a separate contemporaneous procurement.

Essentially, what that's saying is the the we we can't go and say, oh well, you know, this is a 200,000 dollar contract, but we're gonna slice it up into 10 20,000 contracts so we can circumvent the process.

Um so the the ordinance does specifically address that to make sure that um nothing improper is done in that uh specific case that you suggested.

And how about if a contract had a two or three-year term that came to us for more than the micro purchase amount and now is being approved administratively for a reduction of time that now fits within the micro procurement amount?

So um through the chair, that that's another really good question.

The these these only apply to contracts when they first appear before council when we are getting amendments to contracts, they have to appear before the body regardless of the the the amount.

Thank you for that.

So we'll have a conversation offline um about one in particular that I had some questions about um so we can walk through the pathway and how this has come before council.

Through the chair, absolutely.

And I'm hoping to have uh the more uh detailed flushed out conversation in two weeks for this body.

Thank you.

Member Callaway.

Um yes, thank you, madam chair.

You said a lot, um attorney Anderson.

What is it that you said that the council could not do and according to the ordinance and who wrote the ordinance?

Did the council approve the ordinance?

Does count okay, and does council approve amendments to ordinances?

Through the chair to uh council member Callaway.

Yes, this is in regarding the procurement ordinance that was passed in February of this year by uh this body.

Um, and uh to your question, uh, what is defined as micro purchases are uh all contracts fifty thousand dollars and under uh council does not have the ability to revoke the delegation of authority as is currently written in um the procurement ordinance.

But to your other question, yes, this body, of course, does have the ability to make any amendments to any uh ordinances through the chair to yourself.

So if we see that it's not working to our satisfaction, then we can amend the ordinance that we just approved not even a year ago.

Through the chair, absolutely.

Okay.

All right, so I um thank you, um, attorney Anderson, and this is a question to you, madam chair, um, regarding line item five point two.

Um the concern that you raised um regarding one contract that you're aware of, is that what prompted this it is.

Okay.

Thank you, madam chair.

Thank you.

And I and through the chair, I believe we probably need to revisit it.

Um, and we do have the ability and the authority to amend any ordinance that we are the ones who set forth.

Um, maybe you know, um, in the new year um or prior to probably the new year, we can take a look at making any ordinance changes that uh are reasonable and feasible.

Thank you, madam chair.

Thank you, Mr.

Anderson.

Through the chair, absolutely too uh councilmember Callaway, you're you're absolutely uh right.

Um this uh this is uh your power um as city council to um uh make uh changes to legislation and and sometimes that's how it is.

Sometimes it's a little trial and error.

We try things and um uh we you know maybe we love it and we go further in one direction.

Maybe um it's not as um uh helpful as uh we thought it on paper, and maybe we scale things back a little bit.

Um that's you know the process of government, which uh we all um are happy to perform here every day.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Member Callaway.

Colleagues, there is a request for a two-week bring back on line items 5.2 and 5.3.

Is there a motion?

There's a motion to bring line items 5.2 and 5.3 back in two weeks.

Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

Line item 5.4 status of council member Angela Whitfield Callaway submitted memorandum relative to request for a report and a resolution establishing a domestic violence task force.

Is there a motion to discuss?

Motion to discuss, madam chair.

Discussion uh to either member Callaway or LPD.

Is there an update?

Um well through throw yourself to the to LPD.

Madam Chair, good morning, Edward King LPD.

The report associated with this item has been completed.

It was submitted to EScribe in the council offices on Monday.

It should appear as a referral and be referred to this committee next week.

This item, this actual item is the request for the report.

This can be received in front.

Thank you.

Any additional yeah, thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr.

King of LPD.

And um I just read the report because I just got it in my hands um just now, and it is an outstanding report.

I don't know who wrote it.

I'm looking at all the citations.

This is all the just amazing, and um it's very enlightening.

I didn't know that much about domestic violence from this perspective with all the information is provided.

You you think you know, and here in this report, if you'll allow me, um, madam chair, it talks about most people think that it might just be physical, but it's not always physical.

It's not always um physical violence.

Um and so, and then you also, whoever wrote it, there's a domestic and sexual violence prevention and treatment act.

So I'm gonna read that, and in some of that language is here.

And then what I like mostly, I just highlighted it at the end on page four.

Um, Madam Chair says, Councilmember Callaway could also consider consolidating the existing human traff trafficking task force, which has been so successful in the city.

And you came to our rally and you were there, you saw the people who were there, and a lot of victims.

You had a chance to interact talk to them, um Madam Chair.

This is recommending that we combine the domestic violence task force and the human trafficking task force into one, which I I believe I'm gonna support.

So I thank you, whoever wrote it for going beyond just writing a report, but also um offering recommendations to me as the council person who wants the domestic violence task force established.

So um I've given whoever wrote it.

I I commend you, it's wonderful, and I appreciate it so much.

So um motion to receive and file.

Thank you.

Uh, there's a motion to receive and file line item 5.4.

Any objections?

Hearing none, that action shall be taken.

And I'm looking forward to reading the report.

Very good.

All right, and then you know what?

Member Waters.

Thank you.

And I'm happy that they mentioned that because I um I didn't know how closely they were related until Saturday.

I told you I went to that domestic violence walk.

And literally, some of the same women who suffer domestic violence were also sometimes sold off as as well.

So they all just kind of connect with each other.

So I was I I thought I was surprised to hear that.

In fact, you know, the human trafficking and domestic violence.

So I think it's a great idea that that they suggest emerging it.

Yeah, and um um thank you.

And through the chair to you, member um Waterson to everyone.

I had an opportunity to listen to Congresswoman Debbie Dingo's story, although she wasn't personally um physically abused, but her dad was abusing the mom who um was the daughter of one of the Fisher brothers, and so they came from wealth, they came from they had the silver phone smooth um spoon in their mouth.

So you would you would think it wouldn't happen, but it did, and she was subjected to um seeing her dad um threaten all of them by gunpoint, and so when you hear her story, it's online, it's amazing.

And um, Congressman Um I can't remember his name.

He's from South Carolina.

Who's the Congressman from South Carolina?

I just we just saw him at the CBC.

Yes, James Clyburn.

Clyburn.

And um he encouraged her to share her story on the floor during domestic violence month.

Um, I think about a year or so ago, and it brought everybody to tears because you think you can judge people by you know their demeanor, their stature in the community, but you just don't know what's going on behind closed doors.

Well, and through you, madam chair, member Callaway.

You know, that's interesting because a lot of times we think that it happens more often in low-income areas and and so forth.

But that is not the case, it can happen anywhere.

Um, you know, I mean, we were certainly low income in my household, but it happened.

I mean, it really happened, and so uh, and it happens everywhere at all levels, and it's a very, very painful thing for a child to have to carry that burden around.

Um, and and uh State Representative Stephanie Um Young when she talked about her uh experience as a child on Saturday.

I mean, it brought me to tears, and the pain came back for me as she was giving her testimony, and so oh yes, and it just it's never ending.

And so, oh yes, and it just it's never ending.

It affects one generation after another.

So I just want to thank you, Member Callaway, for taking this issue on.

I thank you.

Thank you, um, Member Waters, and I hope that you all will come out on October the 25th to the band shell.

Um, Wayne County Sheriff Raphael Washington and our brand new um county commissioner Angelique Maybury Peterson will be there, and I'll be there at the band shell on Seven Mile next to our 12th precinct, and um I'll mention it again during my members' report.

So I thank you all so much.

But you know, when you do these types of task forces in the city, you don't know the impact that they ultimately have on the community um at large, and to know that you know our congresswoman Debbie Dingle experienced it and she was able to open up about it, and I think hopefully um madam chair, we will talk about our ex kids in the in the new budget season because a lot of times domestic violence.

I was talking to Peter, we were just walking down the hall when um you know there's not enough money in the household, and the mother knows the child needs food or new shoes, and the father has done all he can do.

Sometimes things happen, emotions and um you know, um kind of hit their peak in those types of situations and domestic domestic violence, sometimes not all the time, can be the result.

So hopefully we will have conversations about our ex-kids and Dr.

Mona Hana um in the coming budget year because it's happening all over the state and it's giving people relief, um, young mothers relief that financial burden if she knows she's gonna have an extra $500 a month that can relieve some tension in the household.

So we'll talk about that during budget, but thank you for allowing us to have this conversation, madam chair, and thank you, Member Waters.

Thank you, Member Callaway, and I would encourage you to probably get a report from DPD.

A number of years ago, I did a ride along with the fifth precinct, um, and I was with them for about six hours.

Every single call they responded to was a domestic violence situation.

Yeah, so I would get a report from the department just understanding the percentage of calls that they respond to that are domestic violence related.

Thank you.

All right, colleagues.

We are going to move into now our new business, beginning with line item 6.1.

Line item 6.1 is a settlement request and lawsuit of Transcare Detroit versus City of Detroit case number 24-15595-GC in the amount of $4,700.

And without objection, I'd like to combine line item 6.1 with line item 6.6.

Line item 6.6 is a settlement request and lawsuit of Eastside Chiropractic Clinic, PLLC versus City of Detroit.

Case number 24-015837-NF.

This is for $20,000.

Colleagues, is there a motion to approve or discuss?

There's a motion to send line items 6.1 and 6.6 to formal with a recommendation to approve.

Hearing no objections, those actions shall be taken.

Line item 6.2 is a settlement request and lawsuit of Van Dyke Spinal Rehabilitation Center.

And on behalf of William Gator and William Gandhi, MD versus City of Detroit.

Case number 21-001655-NF in the amount of $17,000.

This is for the Department of Transportation.

Colleagues, is there a motion?

There's a motion to send line item 6.2 to formal with a recommendation to approve.

Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

Line item 6.3 is a settlement request and lawsuit of Robin Johnson versus Ronald Remitz and City of Detroit.

Case number 24-000 575-NI.

This is in the amount of 40,000.

Is there a motion to approve or discuss?

There's a motion to send line item 6.3 to formal with a recommendation to approve.

Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

Line item 6.4 is a settlement request and lawsuit of first care transportation inc.

Ken Thomas and Tina Favors versus City of Detroit.

Case number 22187 914-GC.

This is for the Department of Transportation in the amount of $8,000.

Is there a motion to approve?

Motion to approve.

Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

Line item 6.5 is a settlement request and lawsuit of Stephen Coleman versus City of Detroit in the amount of $24,900.

This is for the General Services Department.

Is there a motion?

There's a motion to send line item 6.5 to formal with recommendation to approve.

Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

Line item 6.7 is a settlement request and lawsuit of level one physical therapy versus city of Detroit case number 24-015174-NF in the amount of $10,000.

This is for the Department of Transportation.

Is there a motion?

Motion to approve.

There's a motion to send line item 6.7 to formal with the recommendation to approve.

Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

And line item 6.8 Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero submitted memorandum relative to language access ordinance implementation update.

Colleagues, there's a request for a two-week bring back.

Is there a motion?

There's a motion to bring line item 6.8 back in two weeks.

Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

And that now brings us to member reports.

Member Vice Chair Waters.

All right.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Just want to remind everyone that the last skill trade task force is today at Crowwell, which is on Lancer Recreation Center, from 4 to 6 p.m.

That is from 4 to 6 p.m.

Then this Friday we have a breast cancer awareness luncheon that's geared toward city employees.

It is it starts at is from noon to until 2 on Friday, right here on the 13th floor.

And so we do hope that employees will come out, participate, learn a little bit more about it.

And then on the 24th is our shelter sheltered by faith luncheon.

Well, we're inviting out people from the faith-based community as well as nonprofits to come out and learn more about how they can get engaged and assist uh with um uh housing and and the homeless initiatives.

So thank you.

Um thank you, madam chair.

Thank you.

And I want to make sure I get that information from you.

Okay.

The 24th.

I'll send you flying.

Thank you.

Okay.

Member Callaway.

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Um, the District 2 City Council Community Relations team will host office hours tomorrow, October the 16th from 10 a.m.

to 12 p.m.

at the strategic community partners located at 10240 West McNichols Road.

Stop by to share your concerns, ask questions, get resources, and learn more about the work my team and I are doing in the community.

So again, that is tomorrow at Strategic Community Partners 10240 West McNichols from 10 a.m.

to 12 p.m.

My community team will be there holding office hours.

And then this Saturday, um, October the 18th.

We will be um at the Finkel and Woodingham area to clean up.

And um that'll be my team and the team of All Notes T TV.

It is a district two community cleanup right there at Finklin, Woodingham this Saturday at 1.30.

Hopefully, we can get it done in an hour, hour and a half.

We need as many volunteers as possible to make the load lighter.

You can call my office at 224 4535.

That is this Saturday.

And then this Monday coming up the 20th is our district two community webinar.

It starts at 5 30 and ends at 6 30.

And our special presentations will be from the city clerk's office and the property assessment border review to discuss the homeowner's property exempt exemption application.

You can also call my office for more information.

224 4535.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you.

And I'd just like to remind everyone that we are hosting our monthly community meeting on Monday, October 20th at 5 30 p.m.

at the Matrix Center, located at 13560 East McNichols.

We will have DTE Energy there, speaking about reliability as well as outage updates and their energy assistance programs.

And to Mr.

Holloway, if you are listening, please be sure to join us.

I heard you say something about DTE and some challenges that you have.

So again, Monday, October 20, October 20th at 5 30 p.m.

at the Matrix Center.

And then next Friday, October 24th at 8 a.m.

We are hosting our coffee hour at Decent Detroit.

It is a new coffee shop in the district, located at 148-34 Kirchville.

So please come out and check it out.

Decent Detroit.

Again, that is Friday, October 24th at 8 a.m.

And I will be heading out shortly for our ribbon cutting of AB Ford Park.

Looking forward to the ribbon cutting and seeing all of the progress that's been made there and hopefully have a great group of residents that will be present with us.

It is just outside of the community center at AB Ford Park at Lennox, the the Water and Lennox, Lennox Street.

So that starts at 1 o'clock today.

So hopefully we'll have a great time.

The weather is nice, crisp fall morning.

We'll see you all at 1 o'clock.

If there's nothing else to come before us with without objection, we shall stand adjourned.