Councilmember Scott Benson Councilmember Fred Duhall III.

Present Councilmember Letitia Johnson Councilmember Gabby and the Santiago Romero.

Present Councilmember Mary Walters.

President.

Council President Pro Tim James Tate.

Okay.

Council President Mary Sheffield.

All right.

All right.

Thank you.

And um, Member John and Teller here as well.

So no.

We have a quorum.

We are now in session.

We will start with our uh invitation for this morning.

We have joining us uh Deputy Chief Chapman Chaplain Roy Heel, who will bring us an invitation this morning.

Thank you.

And I also bring your greetings from Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church and the Detroit Police Department Chapter Corps.

Heavenly Father, we lift up this great city before you today.

Lord, we know that you know the name of every street and every person that lives on that streak and in that neighborhood.

You know the heart, and you know our city needs you right now.

You know the history of our city, you know our triumphs, you know our trials, and you know our deep appreciation for the city of Detroit.

Father, we pray for your hands of protection over the city of Detroit, cover us, cover our neighborhoods from violence, poverty, and despair.

Let peace flow through our city like a river that runs beside it.

Silence the voice of division and replace it with the song of hope, unity, and love.

This is our prayer.

Amen.

Amen.

All right, thank you so much, uh, Chaplain.

We appreciate you, sir.

Thank you for joining us, and you have a blessed day.

I receive that.

All right.

All right, we have uh two presentations this morning.

We will start with Councilmember Callaway, followed by Member Young.

Uh, and after the first presentation, we will cut off the public comment for today.

So if you're interested in making public comment, please raise your hand.

Uh we will cut off public comment after our presentation.

Member Callaway, the floor is yours.

Thank you so much, madam um chair, and good morning, everyone.

It is my honor and privilege to present the Spirit of Detroit Award um to Marcy Feldman.

If you can just raise raise your hand, yes, yes, yes, for being the founder and president of Friends of Pastor School Detroit.

Friends of Pastor School Detroit is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the students, families, and staff of Pastor Elementary School.

As a proud alumna of the school, Marcy was inspired to take action after a chance encounter with a former classmate in 1996, sparked a powerful reunion of alumni.

What began as a simple gathering quickly grew into a full-fledged movement, culminating in the creation of the Pastor Elementary School Alumni Foundation, now known as the Friends of Pastor.

Under Marcy's leadership, the organization has flourished, providing students with tutoring, books, field trips, nutritious food, scholarships, and vibrant learning spaces with over 550 members and decades of impact.

Friends of Pastor continues to be a beacon of hope and opportunity for Detroit's youth.

On behalf of myself, Councilwoman Angela Whitfield Callaway, the Detroit City Council, and the City of Detroit.

We congratulate you, Marcy Feldman, for your outstanding accomplishments and impact in the community.

And for those of you who don't know where Pastor is, it is located on the corner of Stopel and Pembroke.

Let's give her a hand.

Thank you, Miss Marcy.

And before we hear from you on Miss Marcy, we also have a second spirit of Detroit Award for the Friends of Pastor Detroit.

Friends of Pastor Detroit for building a transformative and enduring legacy of support for Pastor Elementary School and its community.

Friends of Pastor School Detroit is a vibrant and inspiring nonprofit organization organization dedicated to supporting the students, families, and staff of Pastor Elementary School in Northwest Detroit.

Founded in 1997 by alumni Marcia, Marcy Feldman and fellow classmates, the group began as a heartfelt effort to give back and quickly grew into the first and largest.

I'm going to repeat that grew into the first and the largest elementary school alumni association in the city of Detroit.

And district two with over 1,500 alumni in its network.

1500 alumni in its network and supporters across the US, Canada, Israel.

Marcy.

With over 1,500 alumni in its network and supporters across the US.

Canada and Israel.

Friends of Pastor provide students with tutoring books, field trips, electronic tablets, nutritious food scholarships for post-secondary education.

The organization also invests in transforming the school's physical spaces.

You have beautified that space.

Creative environments that promote learning and pride.

What started with the Simple Reunion has become one of the most powerful movements, reconnecting old friends while changing young people's lives.

On behalf of myself, Councilwoman Angela Withville Callaway, Detroit City Council and the City of Detroit, we congratulate you, Miss Barcy, and the friends of Pastor Detroit for your outstanding accomplishments and your impact in our community and in our city.

Congratulations.

And if you don't mind, and if you have any of the members of the friends of Pastor Detroit, you can join her at the podium.

If you'd like to join her at the podium, Frank and I see Frank and Karen Hammer, please draw her at the podium.

Frank and Karen, if you want to join Miss Marcy at the podium, all the friends of Pastor Detroit.

If you can join Miss Marcy at the podium, thank you all so much.

Yes, look at that.

You got to press the button at the base.

Oh, that makes sense.

I have my tech wizard here, my Jewish daughter.

No, my Jewish daughter's over there.

I'm her Jewish mother, Tamika.

Anyway, um, wow.

Here's my speech because you just gave it.

Um, I want to thank the president, Mary Sheffield, for this, the whole council, Angela Whitfield, Callaway.

Thank you.

I mean, that was amazing.

Um, you should really be on our board, but I see you're busy.

Busy.

I'm uh I didn't know if I should get dressed up for this, so I did.

Um, always advertising.

In fact, um, there's one more person that we connected with yesterday.

A plumber came to fix my sink.

I was wearing a different pasture shirt.

I have many, um, because it's good advertising, and you get more people, and maybe somebody here went to pasture or their kid or their cousin or their friend or their neighbor.

Um, contact us.

I think the the website's on the front.

I'll turn around.

Anyway, I have cards.

Um, we got one more person.

A plumber came to the kitchen, and I I was wearing a shirt, and he said, Did you?

I said to him, Did you go to pasture?

He said, No, but my mother was a teacher's aide there in the 80s, and he gave me her name, Ruby Cheatham, and I put them on the list.

So we have one more person.

Um, but I I hope that other schools want to do this.

We the Detroit is our future in 1967.

I had a hole in my heart because everybody white left the city, which was horrible.

Not everybody, some of you are still here.

But um things changed, and I absolutely had a hole in my heart until I found Debbie Manning at uh grocery store, and we started this thing with our classmates from 1962.

Anyone remember 62?

Anyway, um, I want to thank not only our board, I want to thank Jack Chase uh who nominated me, who lives in the neighborhood.

He and his late wife Audrey are volunteers.

We have 25 volunteer tutors this year.

Nobody gets paid.

We have no money that comes in from grants.

We don't know how to write grants.

Um, so we don't have grants.

So it's just from individuals who really care about the children of Detroit.

So here's our board, and here is our principal, Carla Craig, who's fabulous.

She is fabulous, and we've been through quite a few principals in the last 29 years.

Um, but she's fabulous, and um, she will tell you too.

Last month we added to the school with uh a partnership with DPS CD and Kenny Eisenberg and our own money.

We have built an outdoor classroom because it's so hot in the schools, there's no air conditioning, so it gets up to 90 degrees.

How can kids learn in 90 degrees?

So we build an outdoor shelter with benches so teachers can take their classes outside and fresh air as fresh as it's gonna be with microplastics, but that's another story.

Um so we have that we put in uh solar window shades in every single room, and we gave fans to every single line.

So if you haven't done it yet, go back to your old school or come to ours.

Thank you very, very much.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Great.

Thank you so much, Member Callaway.

Thank you.

And we'll take pictures after this, Miss Marcy, because we have another presentation.

Thank you, Matt.

Thank you so much, Member Callaway.

We'll come down after our next president.

All right.

We will now turn it over to Member Young.

We also gonna cut off our public comment for this morning, and we will turn it over to Councilmember Young.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um today we are honoring as Family Court Awareness Month on November 2025.

Um, we are honoring Nicole Massey and Gerlin Morris.

Nicole Mass, yes, thank you.

I preach.

Nicole Massey is a protective mother who represents the families who want to increase the protections for children impacted in family courts.

Geraldine Morris is a founder of protective parents.

They travel the state and bring awareness of Governor Whitmer's annual signing of the Family Protection Act.

They travel the country and the world for the very important issue of protecting children.

As a result of the work of protective parents, 370 jurisdictions in 29 states have passed proclamations, resolutions, or certificates declaring November as Family Court Awareness Month and recognizing the importance of our family court system, headed by that prioritizes child safety and 15 states, including Michigan.

November 25th is hereby designated as Family Court Awareness Month in Detroit, Michigan, following a Detroit City Council resolution that highlights the critical need to prioritize child safety in family court proceedings.

This initiative aims to raise awareness about issues like domestic abuse within family court cases and to advocate for approved protections for children.

The timing of November was chosen because it follows domestic violence awareness month in October, which my colleague initiated a resolution.

And if I could, I just want to read a little bit of this resolution and then I will bring up uh Nicole Massey and German Morse.

Family Court Awareness Month has a mission to highlight the need to prioritize child safety in family court as one in three families in Michigan are exposed to domestic abuse.

And whereas Family Court Awareness Month sites that estimated 58,000 children in the United States are ordered into supervised contact with abusive parents each year.

Resulting in 1,000 children in the United States murdered during visitation with an abusive parent since 2008.

In Michigan, 39 children have been murdered by a parent since 2008 during divorce or custody disputes, including six-year-old Rowland Maury Poles of Caldonia, Michigan in 2024, and three-year-old Brian Thibault of Kent County in 2021.

Whereas Family Court Awareness Month is being supported by Rowan and Dylan's families who have been working diligently to increase awareness of child safety issues.

They have been honoring their children's legacy by introducing legislation to improve the safety of missing children in Michigan and improve Kit County's response to domestic violence.

Rowan's Act was introduced into Michigan House of Representatives this year by Angela Regis, who represents portions of Allegheny Kent County and Barrie Counties.

This amendment will allow a faster response for airborne alerts to be issued if police believe a missing child is in danger.

Kent County recognized the need for a specialized domestic violence court following six domestic violence-related homicides within three months of 2021.

The court is staffed by individuals knowledgeable about the intricacies of domestic violence.

They aim to support victims and families, hold offenders accountable, and prevent further homicides.

Family Court Awareness Month emphasizes the importance of improving safety and outcomes for families by impacting domestic violence as seen in efforts such as Washington County's commitment to improving safety and outcomes by directing law enforcement to change the way it responds to domestic violence caused throughout the implementation of lethality assessments in all such cases.

Family Court Awareness Month mission is to promote judicial education that would include training on domestic violence, child abuse, childhood trauma, coercive control, and post-separation abuse for all professionals involved in family court cases.

Family Court Awareness Month aims to encourage collaboration among legislators, advocates, professionals, and the community to improve family court practices, ensure that they are guided by evidence-based research and prioritize the safety and best interest of children.

Now, therefore, be it resolved.

The Honorable Coleman Alexander Young II, Council Member at Large, along with the entire honorable Detroit City Council, hereby declare the month of November 2025 to be Family Court Awareness Month.

I just wanted, yeah, go ahead.

They say that if you want to touch the past, touch a rock.

You won't touch the present, touch a plan.

You won't touch the future, touch a life.

And I wanted to say that what you are doing, the work that you have done has shaped the future and made it for the better by touching the lives of our most precious asset, our children.

Words cannot express, minds cannot comprehend, ears cannot hear, mouths cannot speak.

How thankful we are as a city or as a state and as a nation for the work that you do.

Because society is judged based on how we treat our children.

I just want to say thank you for your service.

If you have any questions, please or anything you want to say, please speak in your microphone now.

Thank you.

Thank you so much, Councilman Young.

Um, I am Nicole Massey.

Um, I'm a member of Protective Parents Michigan.

This here is our wonderful founder, Geraldyn Morris.

Um, give our volunteer applause.

Um, but she's she started the foundation in this work.

I would like to thank the city of Detroit for acknowledging that child safety should be the priority in family court and custody decisions.

Um, some of what I said is what you said, but I want to just go a little in detail.

Um, one in three families in Michigan are directed by this impact of domestic violence.

Um, but abuse also affects each one of us in our communities.

Um, like you said, without the proper training for family courts on domestic violence, children continue to be exposed to abuse, and families do need more support, putting extra strain on local services like shelters, counseling, and child protective services.

Um, post-separation abuse may put children in harm's way because abusive parents are more likely to seek sole custody and are successful 70% of the time.

Um, I want to ask the audience this question.

Can you imagine being a child and wrongfully separated from your mother or father at an early age, as early as seven or eight years old, not being able to see your parents, hug your parent, and share how your day was, sharing what may hurt you or what may bother you.

Can you imagine being a child and wrongfully separated from your mother or father at an early age, as early as seven or eight years old, not being able to see your parents, hug your parent, and share how your day was, sharing what may hurt you or what may bother you, and these children being separated from their parents, not due to death, due to wrongful judgment or evidence not looked at, the best factors being scored wrong, or victims not being rightfully heard or believed.

Tragically, abuse is often not understood or believed in the courts, and many children are ordered into unsupervised contact with abusive parents.

Adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse, negatively impact a child's development, their relationships, and their mental and physical health.

Children are three times as likely to be shot at home than in a mass school shooting, and one child dies every six days, and it custody fights in family court cases.

Since 2008, 39 missing Michigan children have been murdered during divorce or custody battles.

Rowan's mom had been unable to have an amber alert issue despite appealing to the police and family court judge.

A new law that is passed the Michigan House and is being considered by the Senate is Rowan's act.

This would allow state police to issue an amber alert more quickly when a child is considered to be in danger.

Cadence law is focused on prioritizing child protection over parents' rights.

So we would like to thank you at this time because Cadence Law will require training for all judges, all types of abuse.

And we ask that everyone, the citizens, if you would like to support Cadence Law, please contact your state representative and the family and veterans committee members in the Michigan House of Representatives to support Rowan's Act.

Please contact your state senator.

If you or someone you know is struggling to protect their children in the family court, please connect with us, the protective parents in Michigan.

We have Facebook.

We have a support group at the Rowan Project.org website.

Thank you.

My colleagues already have anything.

Did you want to say something as well?

I think Nicole said it very eloquently.

Um, we just want the most important best interest factor being considered in family court to be child health safety and wellness.

And that's what we're trying to accomplish.

We do have a support group on Facebook if anyone needs to connect with us to try to protect a child in family court.

And the Rowan Project.org is a new website that was started by Rowan's mother to try to help uh families that are struggling with this issue.

All right, thank you.

Thank you, team and for me.

We can now go down and have pictures with both of the recipients at this time.

Oh one by yourself and you won't get it so very shadow.

I think so right so happy with it.

Yes, you can are we rut and bird, I've not seen the little boy.

Oh well she's not emailed the afternoon.

Okay.

Yeah.

I just want to think about you there.

Yeah, it's yeah, I'm gonna go for all the hot um.

Whatever your pleasure is.

Yeah, I don't know.

Uh you want me to hold down my food.

Now the board, so Wendy.

Oh, we're the board at the end.

Oh boy.

What a hold the other one who's there.

Okay.

I'm blocking you.

No, don't worry.

Thank you.

So happy for it.

You burned up.

Oh thank you so much.

Thank you.

Absolutely not pleasure.

All right.

We are going to continue back to our agenda.

We thank both member Callaway and Member Young for those presentations.

The journal of the session of Tuesday, October the 14th will be approved.

There being no reconsiderations or unfinished business.

We will proceed to the budget finance and audit committee.

For the budget finance and audit standing committee.

11 reports from various city departments.

The 11 reports will be referred to the internal operations standing committee.

For the neighborhood and community services standing committee.

Five reports from various city departments.

The department is asking that line added 11.1 be moved from the agenda.

So there are 13 reports from various city departments.

Okay.

The 13 reports will be referred to public health and safety standing committee under the voting action matters.

Okay.

So we actually need the motion to remove the item from the agenda.

Okay.

And that was 11.1.

11.1.

Yes.

Your motion, motion.

Hearing no objections that items will be removed from the agenda and the remaining items will be sent to committee.

Under voting action matters.

Under communications from the mayor and other governmental officials and agencies.

All right.

And so we uh definitely need to limit the public comment.

Yes, pro 10.

Thank you.

I know that it may not be popular.

Um and I know in in PED we did give everyone 30 30 seconds to speak, and I know that may not be a popular sentiment this morning.

Um, but seeing that we have even more today than we had even in um planning and economic development, I would recommend that we do provide 30 seconds for public comment to allow everyone to have an opportunity to speak because if we were to do the traditional two minutes, uh we would be here you know, over four hours.

So we're we're we're in a situation now where uh we thankfully have seats for everyone.

I had to apologize for those because on Thursday we have the uh auction that takes place here, but at least we are in a more comfortable setting.

Okay, it is certainly our job, and we're gonna be here all day anyway with the rest of the agenda, but just want to make sure that everyone has an opportunity to be heard and not stuck at the parking meters uh all day long as well.

Okay, all right.

Thank you so much, Pro Temp.

That'd be my recommendation.

All right, we will move forward with uh public comment.

Everyone will have 30 seconds for public comment.

We will start in person, those who have joined us in person.

Um, Mr.

Cunningham will go first and uh Caleb, we can kind of line um individuals up so that we can proceed.

Uh Mr.

Cunningham, good morning.

Bye bye by Russ Ballon.

Strict five is having a mayor meeting tomorrow.

It's two-day notice.

I got um flyers they provide it.

Thank God for that 313 44494 three one three four four four nine one one four.

That number was made so you can remember it.

And on Facebook, not enemy.

I left with the council.

Just a reminder.

We all know United Way 211.

Um, if people call that number, they'll text them the information they request.

And food is a major need.

I talk about the bosses all the time, but next month is gonna be kind of rough.

So remember 211.

Um, have people call there and then they'll text them back the results.

Sorry, we didn't have a lot of time and grant for each and every one of you guys.

Thank you so much.

Thank you so much, Mr.

Cunningham.

Ruth Balan, followed by Betty Lyons, followed by Dual Clark.

Three 10 seconds.

Um first, I want us to uh indicate support for the 100-day plan to address the overassessments for the uh 2026 year, the first hundred days of that.

Uh secondly, uh, I want I want to ask for a uh public hearings uh before you know this is before the elections, and please show that you care about public engagement before the elections by doing hearings before you do the massive rezoning that you're talking about.

And finally, I want to say in honor to Joanne Watson.

There should be a street named after her in her first name.

You can use both words like we do for Woodrow Wilson.

Give it to her.

Thank you so much.

Good morning.

Um course, I'm always Miss Sheffield for your best interest.

Doan and Romera are not in your best interest, they have their own ulterior motive.

Look at the money.

He has no business on television talking about building something and dumping it in your lap.

He has no business given that Dan Gilbert, all those free grants, building that raggedy looking building.

It's an insult to the architecture of the buildings downtown.

All right, thank you so much.

Salaam, my name is Dao Clark.

I'm from District 5.

Uh, I'm here to support the streets renaming the street side of Woods Wilson to uh Mayor Medullah Elamine and Mayor Medula El Amin was one of the biggest supporters of interfaith relationships in the city of Detroit for over three and a half decades.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good morning.

Council members, Helena Nunn here.

On uh previously, I asked uh council member Mary Sheffield to present a law that supports uh why people can use the county jail to vote.

300 people were found using the county jail.

That's why we believe that there is voter fraud.

Finally, I was given a response on October 2nd from Janice Winfrey, given to Mary Sheffield, which was presented to me.

It has no law on here, no law was given to us.

So we're just asking at this point, even the law that was given doesn't even support it.

Supports our answer.

We need for you guys to just tell the truth, and we can't give us the truth.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Madam Presidents, Audible House and Bonders.

It's very refreshing that you open your sessions with the prayer reflecting your appreciations for God's blessings, but this is not enough.

Detroiters, many facing real heart should draw on that same faith.

They cannot count on the corrupt system that's stealing their money, so they rely on churches for practical support.

This congregation, especially those under 400 members, are lifeline providing food, youth mentorship, family counseling at no cost to taxpayers.

Yes, the crushing burden of the stormwater drainage fees are strengthening these churches.

I urge you to waive these fees for churches under 400 members.

And if it was not for her for the city of Detroit, every year at the end of the year, we go to the Kern Block to pray for the city of Detroit.

And because of that prayer for many many years, we see that the city of Detroit has flourished from the riverfront all the way back to the boulevard.

And we want to make sure she gets a nominated so that and she will have a sign for a secondary sign.

Good morning.

Good morning, councilman.

I'm Jasmine Hayes, and I'm here in support.

Speak up a little bit louder in a mic.

I'm Jasmine Hayes, and I'm here to support the Queen Martha Jean for the secondary street sign.

And in her honor, thank you.

Thank you.

Miss Tanya Miller.

Good morning.

Good morning, um, council members, and especially Call Me Young.

Uh thank you for sponsorship.

I'm in support for the honorary of Martha Gene the Queen Steinberg.

And um, she has definitely stayed committed and loyal to the city of Detroit.

Also, in 1984, she also used to um air with Hello Detroit, which was really special because it was a song written for an honor of the city of Detroit by the lane.

Sammy Davis Jr.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Hi, thank you, Detroit City Council.

Uh, my name is Angel Thornton.

I am the former executive director of MOGO, uh, one of the founders of the Detroit Electric Music Festival, and so many other things.

Uh, Greg Bush was my first roommate ever.

And we learned that to give was to receive.

Greg spent his entire career at Mudgy's giving to the community, to the district, and to the city of Detroit.

I strongly advocate for all of you to please honor him with a street sign.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Morning.

I'm uh gonna follow up on that and also advocate for Greg Mudge.

Um, as you said, very giving human, uh, one of the first people that believed in my business.

And yeah, he was really, really great.

Wish Renee.

Courtney.

Okay, thanks.

Hi there, Stephen Rogenson, Batch Brewing Company.

Uh, shout out to Sandy, Greg's mom who made these.

Um, she couldn't be here.

Uh, obviously, she's in support.

I spoke to my mother on the way, she's also in support, as is my wife, which uh, based on the data I've collected the sample size.

Moms are in support of a secondary street name sign for Greg Mush.

And we know the moms are always right.

So stand on the right side of history with moms.

All right, good morning.

Good morning, thank you, honorable body.

I'm here in support of a secondary street sign for Gregory Mudge.

I'm here representing the support of the neighbors of Corktown, including the original applicant for this, the incredible neighborhood booster, now dearly departed, Deborah Walker.

I also represent Greg's family as his widow, and I represent for the whole crew of Mudge's Delhi, which he founded 17 years ago, and we carry on still today.

Um, there's many deserving people.

We hope you'll consider the small business owner.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Good morning, Mr.

Miles.

Hello, my name is Charles Miles, and I've been coming down here for over well, at least this issue have been going on for at least 10 years.

So I am here today again, asking the city council members to see what they can do about getting my properties out of course foreclosure.

That uh I paid the bill, you know.

I did pay the bill.

I don't owe the bill that they say I owe.

And I showed you the receipts.

So I'm here today again asking for your help.

Thank you, Mr.

William.

Good morning.

Good morning.

My name's Ronnie Wagman.

In addition to being Marcy Feldman's daughter, I'm a volunteer with Coalition for Property Tax Justice, where I've met and spoken with many Detroiters whose homes are threatened by incorrect property tax assessments.

These errors have cost families stability, stripped away generational wealth, and left residents unheard and unprotected.

Election season is upon us.

What Detroiters need now is not more promises but action.

So today we're calling on the mayoral candidates and every candidate running for city council to commit publicly to the following in their first 100 days of 2026.

More people will talk about it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Hello, good morning.

My name is Jamon Jordan.

I am the official historian for the city of Detroit.

Also, in support of Dick Night Train Lane, legendary lion, and founding leader of PAL, Detroit PAL.

And of course, George Clinton, who recorded 15 albums in the city of Detroit, eight of them at United Sound System Studios.

Morning, Miss Taylor.

When do I start?

Hi, Deborah Taylor, co-founder of We the People of Detroit, a mentee of the honorable council member Joanne Watson.

And she has been regarded by Guardian Magazine as the most effective leader in the U.S.

I previously worked for her.

She has dedicated her and she dedicated her entire life to and serve the city to improve services.

And she has been served over a decade and gave her life for this city with love, with tender care and intelligence.

And I would hope that would honor a previous member of this body.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good morning.

Peace and blessings, everyone.

My name is Monica Lewis Patrick.

My organization, we the people of Detroit, along with the council president, Mary Sheffield, and also the supporting letters from Councilmember Waters, Pro Tim Tate, also from Councilmember Johnson, and also had the support of our community.

And where we are today is that we have the illustrious opportunity to make sure that the history books reflect the monumental service of the honorable Joanne Watson.

She was unwavering in her support of water affordability.

She set a set a national standard for environmental justice and human rights.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Wake up, Detroit.

Wake up, Detroit.

That is the voice of the Queen Mother, Dr.

Joanne Watson.

She has so many titles because she covers so many aspects here in the city of Detroit.

She served on this August body.

She also was the executive director of the NAACP.

She was one of the active board members of NCOBRA.

She was also very active in uh reparations.

She covered all from the neighborhood, the city, the state, and even nationally.

I recommend a secondary street side for the honorable Joanne Watson.

Good morning.

God bless you, and I love you.

I am in support of the street street signage for Martha Jean the Queen Steinberg.

I am Minister Hanifa Hightower.

She is my spiritual leader and my teacher, my mentor.

And also on YouTube, there is a video where she is interviewing the honorable Irma Henderson, who was the first black woman council president.

And this edifice, this auditorium is named after the honorable Irma Henderson.

She called this city the lady Detroit.

Peace and love.

And so we are taking we also have a plan, but not to unleash destruction, but to fix these illegally inflated property taxes in Detroit.

And we have something that we are saying the next administration needs to follow this plan to eliminate illegally inflated property taxes in the first hundred days.

We're asking city council.

Oh, and mayor to oh, yes.

Okay.

Hello, everybody.

My name is Alexandra Nichols, and I'm the youngest sister of Joanne Watson.

And I'm here in support of her street, uh uh street being named in her honor.

The accolades have already been said, and you guys know that name.

And I embody uh Joanne Spirit today when I say Detroiters deserve a people-centered property tax system.

Here's what that looks like.

Take action to fully implement the property tax reform ordinance, take steps to make assessments accurate and fair, improve the principal residence exemption by removing unless ineligible LLCs and PRE roles.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Miss Logan.

Um I prepared for a minute, but I'll have 30 seconds.

I'm hurt say this.

Hello, good morning.

Um there was a plan about 60 years ago that they would take people would take over the Bell Isle, they would take a Detroit's water department system, they would take make uh Detroiters lose their homes by the hundreds of thousands, and they would decrease the wealth and prosperity of black Americans, black Detroiters.

That was the plan, and it's succeeding, and is succeeding.

Thank you, Mr.

Mr.

Lee.

My name is Manura.

I'm a residential district five, and I'm also a member of the Muslim Center.

I'm here to request a secondary street sign between Davison and uh Woodrow Wilson for Imam Abdullah Bey El Amin.

He's a co-founder of the Muslim Center of Detroit.

He established an institution that has been a cornerstone of faith, education, and service here in the city of Detroit.

He was the visionary community leader who has been recognized not just nationally but also internationally by fostering relationships beyond you know all the different uh fates.

He was recognized by the state of Michigan and Detroit City Council and the Congress.

Thank you.

Good morning.

Hi, my name is Tasneen Diallo, and I am a community photographer, and I stand in solidarity with the coalition of property tax justice.

I'm also a member of Dream of Detroit, and I am here to advocate for the secondary sign for Imam Abdullah El Amin.

And I just want to highlight that during COVID, it was through the soup kitchen that he established that many people were able to still have food during a time of crisis where many didn't know where they were going to get their meals.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good morning.

Good morning.

My name is Arena Elamine.

I live in Rosedale Park, but I grew up on Woodrow Wilson and Davidson.

And that's because my father, Imam Abdullah Elamine, saw an abandoned bank building there and decided that that would be the home of the Detroit Muslim community.

And for decades, decades upon decades, we came down to Woodrow Wilson and Davidson to give back to give food to give each person a better future.

And so I asked for you to vote for Imam Abdullah El Amin for the secondary street sign.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good morning.

I'm a mammal for uh Muslim center in Detroit.

I'm here for support of uh the name of a world disposal after Imam Abdullah Amin.

Abdullah Amin is not only individual, he served this city and he served in the uh religious community and is a full force of uh uh interfaith group and also create a lot of leaders.

I am amongst them.

I'm the leader of the Muslim Center.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good morning.

Good morning, good morning, uh Steam Council members.

I am um Thomas Germain Carey.

I am one of the lead organizer for the Secretary Street name signing for uh Woodrow Wilson David in honor of Imam Abdullah Elamine.

I want to give a um thank you to the Elamine family, uh, my sister Dream of Detroit and also the office of Colma Young office thank I'm the one doing thank you guys so much.

Um also am a committee member of the property tax coalition, so please look into that.

Um so hopefully you all make the right decision and vote for Imam Abdul Elamine.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Morning.

Good morning.

I'm Khalid Ali.

I'm here in support of secondary sign for Abdullah Al Amin.

We hope to preserve the rich history in the city of Detroit.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good morning.

My name is uh Haroon Menezes.

I'm here in support of the secondary street sign naming for Imam Abdullah Al Amin.

Those of you who don't know, Detroit, Michigan is ground zero for Islamic indigenous black history in this country.

It's very suitable that Imam Abdullah Al Amin get that street name, being that everything that's visible on that corner.

There's nothing that you can see that his spirit that his legacy wasn't a part of.

Just that Woodrow Wilson says nothing about that street corner right now.

And if if someone was to go and look at it, that's what should be done with that street corner name.

Thank you.

Good morning.

I'm Dr.

Alisa Perkins urging you to choose Imam Abdullah Al Amin for the secondary street signed renaming in his honor.

Also all right.

Let's make sure we continue to um be quiet as we're doing our public comment.

Go right ahead, ma'am.

Okay, go right ahead.

Ma'am, you can continue with your public comment.

Okay, go and proceed.

You can proceed with your public comment.

Okay.

So the honorary street sign in the name of Imam Abdullah El Amin, but also to help us honor his legacy, help us protect all Detroiters by taking action to fully implement the property tax reform ordinance.

Imam Abdullah's uh street sign uh because Imam Abdullah taught us to strive for justice and compassion for everyone.

These two actions, the street sign in his name, and that housing justice action um to help protect Detroiters against foreclosure, would both show that the city of Detroit also shares these values.

Thank you.

Good morning.

Morning, good morning, council uh residents of Detroit supporters of Detroit.

I'm here in support of uh Imam Abdullah Bey Alameen uh for secondary street signing uh recommendation.

Uh Imam Abdullah spent a lot of time, uh, most of his service uh for inclusion of Detroiters, uh, not only in the Islamic faith, but as a general community at uh at large.

Uh so I would like to support his name and as for secondary.

Thank you.

Good morning.

Good morning.

My name is Benjamin Kehoe, owner of Bikes and Coffee, and now I have the privilege of managing MUTES.

Uh, Greg was an incredible mentor for me as I worked on opening that coffee shop, bike shop in Woodbridge.

And uh the biggest thing I learned from Greg was the power of community.

He gave back to our community altruistically, one of those ways by these little wooden nickels with a free sandwich for the unfortunate folks in our city.

Ask that you vote for Greg.

Thank you.

Good morning.

Wake up, Detroit.

They stacked the agenda so we don't could only get 30-second public comment.

Your job is to serve us.

You're gonna be here all day.

We would like to be all day.

You should give us more time.

Uh, I worked with the great uh mother Joanne Watson in Congressman Canyon's office.

She would not tolerate your disgusting solar takings, which is another land grab, and she would not tolerate the massive conspiracy rush job on these massive zoning ordinances that have been all your hearings, they haven't been done in compliance with the charter.

What you're really up to is to take away citizens' rights to go to the border zoning appeals and appointments.

That's what you're trying to do.

Thank you.

Thank you, Ms.

Warrior.

Mr.

Nota.

Good morning.

Uh good morning.

I'm Richard Nodo.

I'm the president of the Western Corcan Association.

First, I'm here to support Greg Mudge's secondary street sign.

And I think Deborah Walker should be the next one because she was great in this city.

I'm here to protest the DCFC uh plan that they've uh passed.

They ignored everything that we asked for for Western Cork Town.

We're the most affected by the new stadium, and we've got nothing.

We asked for guaranteed parking.

We asked for cleaning us, fixing our streets up.

But what did they do?

They got streets bagley, all the other streets, but not those little streets on 1415 street.

It's a mess.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Noda.

Helen Moore.

My name is Helen Moore.

Joanne Watson was one of our best friends in our organization.

I'm here to say to you, you must give her a street.

I if it was up to me, I'd give her a whole city because she saved my life at one of the school board meetings.

Yes, she did.

And a lot of you know the history.

My life was saved by Joanne Watson.

And some of you came to the meeting after they threw me out and and tried to beat me up.

So you all are here.

Many of you know what I'm talking about.

They've hit our history.

Joanne Watson saved my life.

Morning.

Good morning.

More than one street needs to be made named.

Joanne Watson gets my vote, and I mean as well.

This is uh from a former Detroit resident and his wife living in Chicago.

He said, This is targeted state terror.

There are not isolated incidents.

These are hourly realities in our city.

Reports from the community, legal networks, more than 1,500 people have been detained.

Talk to your neighbors.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Ms.

Hammer.

Morning.

Morning.

My name is Frank Hammer.

I'm here to share a message with the coalition of Black Trade Unionists.

The CBTU calls upon the AFFL CIO to organize a Union Day of Solidarity and rally against Trump's anti-worker, anti-labor, and anti-American value policies for the public rally to bring together union members, allies, and community organizations to stand in defense of justice, equity, and democracy, and that this event served as a demonstration of our collective resistance and a call to action.

Thank you very, very much.

Morning.

My name is Joel Batterman.

I'm campaign's manager for Transportation Riders United.

True.

And I want to urge you to introduce the Let's More More Housing Detroit zoning ordinance instead of public hearing on it by allowing for more multifamily housing and reducing parking requirements for new development, recognizing that not every household has multiple cars, not to mention those that don't have cars at all.

These zoning reforms will help to bring down housing costs and put more people within easy reach of public transit, reducing costs for families.

Please move forward.

Thank you.

Good morning.

David Greenwood, Director of Community Engagement, Detroit PAL.

I'm here to speak in strong favor of secondary street naming of Cochrane between Michigan and I-75.

Night Train Lane was not only a legend on the NFL field and a Hall of Famer for the Detroit Lions, he was a legend in the hearts of many Detroit uh youth like myself and across the Detroit community.

He led Detroit Powell for 17 years.

Please join me today in acknowledging uh Night Train Lane.

He raised millions of dollars for so many kids across the city of Detroit, including myself.

Please support Night Train Lane Secondary Street Naming.

Thank you.

Good morning, Council.

Richard Walker, son of the Dick Night Train Lane.

I sent everybody a short video out.

I hope you guys had a chance to look at it.

Speaks for herself.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Morning.

Morning, Council members.

I'm here to support naming a street after Greg Much, Detroiter who helped find Port Town.

Greg opened Mudge's Delhi in 2008 when others were still still deciding whether to bet on Detroit's future.

But Greg was already all in.

Celebrities, travelers, locals alike came through the doors.

Still do.

Mudgie's became a place you brag about when someone asks, what's good in Detroit?

Naming a street after Greg isn't just symbolic.

It's overdue.

Good morning, everyone.

I'd like to lift up the memory of Aubrey Lee Sr.

for Secondary Street Sign, whose leadership continues to inspire generations.

Mr.

Lee was the first black president at National Bank of Detroit, which is now Chase Bank.

Mr.

Lee broke racial barriers with grace and determination.

Mr.

Lee opened doors for countless others in the financial industry.

With great respect, I urge you to consider these greats that are mentioned today by grouping individuals in clear categories.

Entertainment, activism, sports.

And please reaffirm the five-year deceased rule.

Thank you.

Good morning.

Linda Bingadney, 75 years old, native Detroiter, speaking on behalf of my late mother Annie L.

McGadney.

In the first 100 days, please work on a plan where we can get our money back.

We need it.

We've been overtaxed.

My mother owned five properties in the city.

I own five properties.

And we were overassessed.

And we need a plan ASAP, not next two years from now.

We need something now to get our money back.

Thank you.

Morning.

Good morning.

City Council and next mayor of Detroit.

We need your help.

We need you to implement review and implement the 100-day plan for the coalition from property tax justice to stop the hurt of people losing their homes.

And wake up, Detroit.

That's what Joanne Watson did.

She stood strong, rageous, and she progressed this city.

This city has made progress because of Joanne Watson.

Wake up, Detroit.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Oh, good morning.

God bless you.

I love you.

I am Trunir Steinberg.

I am here for the secondary street sign for Martha Jean the Queen Steinberg for the city of Detroit.

Detroit is a woman, as you all realize, and hopefully that female energy will continue.

Queen has been here.

She has worked.

She is the patron saint of blue collar workers.

As you know, if you had a parent in the in the automobile industry, you probably have a house and you probably have college education, but Queen made those checks come straight to the family.

Well, thank you.

I have more.

Thank you so much.

Hello.

My name is Layla.

First, let me voice my support for the street signs in honor of Joanne Watson and Imam Elamine.

I'm also here to ask council members to please implement the Coalition of Property Tax Justices first 100 days plan.

I want to emphasize the demand to compensate overtaxed homeowners, the legal group I work for and many others.

We found in 2022 in a report that issuing financial compensation, such as property tax credits and cash payments is perfectly legal.

There is no law stopping us from doing this.

We just need the political willpower to get it done.

So please let's get it done and write some of the songs that happened.

Good morning.

God bless you.

I love you.

I'm Daughter Sign Victory, and I'm here to support the secondary sign for Martha Jean the Queen.

It's right there on the uh she founded the Order of the Fisherman Ministry, and my life was changed because of her having a church there to let me know that I am somebody.

I love you.

I am Fisherman Robert Okobal Martin from the Order of the Fisherman Ministry, and I'm here today to support a secondary street sign on my founder and spiritual leader, Martha Jean De Queen's Timeburg.

The importance of having that street sign in our city is reflection of the fact that many prayers and many courtesies were given through her on the renaissance of the city.

And we now are thriving and enjoying many, many things that are that have gone well in the city because of her efforts and because of her outreach, not only to this council, the mayor, but to the city as well.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good morning.

I am supporting the street sign for the honoring Martha Jean the Queen Steinberg.

Her legacy continues on through 80 plus units of affordable housing provided through the Queens Community Workers, educational scholarships for youth, TOFM head start programs that champion early education and five storefronts that empower Detroit entrepreneurs.

As a radio owner at WQBH 1400 Radio, she was also a black pioneer radio, giving voice inspiration to the community and women in ministry as well.

Thank you very much.

I do support Martha Jean the Queen's Tower.

I'm here in support of Imam Abdullah Elamine, the street signer.

He loved Detroit, period.

We did a lot for the people in Detroit.

I wish I had a lot of time.

I got a long list I could run down.

All right, everybody, have a beautiful day.

Me too.

Good morning.

Just came down from the Woodbridge neighborhood for two quick things.

First of all, Reverend Dr.

Joanne Watson devoted her entire life to love and justice in this city.

And she deserves a street sign.

And secondly, uh, I'd like to just call on council members to uh uh commit the first 100 days of uh 2026 to protecting, serving, and making amends to longtime low-income Detroit residents who have been overcharged on their property taxes, and I've been addicted.

Um that's it.

All right, good morning.

My name is Arena Johnson with the East Add Community Network and the Property Tax Coalition.

I work with supporting residents in need of the Hope program and other housing resources.

For years, Detroiters have carried the burden of illegally inflated property tax assessments, causing foreclosures, neighborhood decline, um, and loss of trust and government.

I work with residents fighting to keep homes they've lived in for decades, and they deserve fairness and dignity.

We're calling on Merrill candidates Reverend Salomon Kinlock and Council President Mary Shoffield and all of City Council candidates to commit to real action within their first hundred days.

Thank you.

Uh good morning, Eden Bloom, District 4.

Uh, I want to sign support uh for Reverend Joanne Watson and the Imam.

Uh I am here to ask you to sign uh the resolution regarding the Avita specialty services after the June 30th fire and shutdown order complaints in the surrounding east side neighborhoods have dropped by about 90 percent, according to state data.

Before the fire, residents frequently reported diesel and chemical spells after operations have stopped.

Those complaints have nearly disappeared.

The data shows a direct improvement in the neighborhood air quality and support strong oversight, real-time monitoring and accountability before any future restart at that site.

Please support the resolution.

Thank you.

Good morning.

My name is El Sannis, and I'm here to represent the homes of 100 days in Texas football.

I'm also uh representing the Ravendale community, which I live in.

And the homes are in the Ravendale community, are very corrupted.

I live on a home that very well needs to be repaired, but I've been waiting with the city council for 13 years, and nobody has helped me as of yet.

Thank you very much and have a great day.

Hello, I'm Linda Spina, and I'm the daughter-in-law of Tony Spina, who was photographer for so many years here in Detroit.

And his outstanding pictures really emphasize the world of Detroit.

And I say world because he took those everywhere and really talked about Detroit.

So I think his legacy needs to contend continue in a sign for him.

So everyone can enjoy his work.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good morning.

Hi, I'm Kathy Giles.

I'm Tony Spina's daughter.

My father had a great love for Detroit and Detroiters, regardless of race, color, creed, or political affiliation.

And he viewed Detroit as a city that held great wonder, and nothing gave him more pleasure than discovering and documenting that wonder with his photos.

It would be really exciting for both my mom and dad and my entire family if he was being considered for a street sign in the city that he loved so much.

I also support Martha Jean the Queen.

Okay.

Thank you.

Morning.

Good morning.

I'm Julie Spina Killar, Tony Spina's daughter, and I'm here to support his secondary street sign nomination.

Tony had job offers from Hollywood to DC, but he was devoted to Detroit and he never left.

He bloomed where he was planted for 44 years, right here in Detroit, the city he loved.

Tony would be thrilled beyond belief to have a street sign in his name.

And I thank you so much for your time.

Thank you.

Well, hello, my name is Eric Seals, and I'm here to uh talk in support of Tony Spina for the secondary street sign.

Uh I knew Tony going back to 1988 when I was a young scared young photo wannabe photographer working at the free press.

Tony's legend, his legacy.

It lives in me because I've been a Detroit Free Press photographer for 27 years.

Uh and this book is a testament to him that you've said you guys have hopefully seen.

And on the back of it, I just wanted to note it's very important.

Uh former mayor Coleman Young said, Tony, you're a legend, and that's one of many reasons why he deserves a street sign.

Thank you.

Thank you.

So good morning.

Uh, I'm Justin Moran, and um, I work for the free press, and I've never got a chance to meet with uh Tony uh speaker, but um he was I he left the free press before it was born, but I was moved by his pictures, and I strongly recommend you guys um to nominate like injury street sign in order in honor of him.

Thank you.

All right, thank you.

Morning, everyone.

My name is Carlita Tyler, and um home on the uh Lilinois, uh Lilinois six months area, and uh a tree fell on me in my neighborhouse, and we have made several attempts to get this tree cut down.

They came out to look at the tree, spoken tree that says nothing wrong with the tree.

The tree was cut in half, it was dead, it fell on my property and my neighbor property.

It also knocked a gas line loose.

Thank God no one was injured, no one was killed.

But the only thing they was asking us was the city was the city tree.

No one asked about anything about what are it's one on everyone okay.

My thing is if we could give black tickets or um complain tickets or whatever.

I feel like the city also should be the I'm just I'm upset.

I'm sorry.

Okay, no worries.

And thank thanks for coming down.

I know you're a member of Callaway's district.

Can we get your information work with member Callaway as well?

Absolutely, and thank you, ma'am.

This is my staff member.

You can come right over here and we'll take all the information.

Thank you, madam.

Thank you.

Good morning, everyone.

My name is Veronica Smith.

I am from the Coalition of Property Tax Tested Property Tax Justice, and as part of the 100 days implement plan, we want to ensure that Detroit can protect both its homeowners and its tax base.

The city of Detroit must one direct at the office of assessors to automatically remove properties that are owned by LLCs from the principal resident exemption role.

When the city identifies an individual owner, send at least two clear, plain language notices by email or text.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Hi, all my name is Michael.

I'm also here with uh coalition for property tax justice.

Uh, and I know a lot has been said about the first 100 days plan, but I just want to emphasize that this plan will solve a legal overassessment in Detroit, which we know has absolutely destroyed Detroit neighborhoods, has led to the foreclosure of over a hundred thousand homes in the city.

And you know, from working for the coalition for over a year and talking to many of you.

I know that you support solutions to this issue, but you know, a lot of them are vague, a lot of them are let's solve this issue.

This plan will solve this issue.

So please sign on.

Thank you.

Morning, my name is Teresa Williams.

Um, my in-person vote was switched to an absentee ballot in the um 2021 August primary.

I asked uh for an explanation for that.

The only thing that I was told by the gentleman there was I asked him why is that he goes, uh-huh.

So that was exactly what he said.

So I wanted to make that a direct quote.

But uh Mary Sheffield, Mary Waters.

Uh, audience members, I want to ask you real quick just Google, is it lawful to vote from the Wayne County Jail using the Wayne County jail address?

The answer is clearly no okay.

I guess it's my Cadillac.

I had to pull up in my cat back.

Good morning.

Um be uh with the coalition for property tax justice.

I want to first thank you so much for honoring Reverend Dr.

Joanne Watson.

We need a secondary uh street for her.

Um also we want to ask you for the mayor or candidates, please.

In the next 100 days after you take office, you take office, please uh implement the 100-day plan.

And also George Clinton, we want George Clinton's Martha Gene.

Thank you.

Thank you so much for the high.

Look forward to peace.

We have a change of season here by next week.

I don't intend to fall back, but I tend to go harder.

Um, I'm advocating for public trust through transparency.

Well, I appreciate the chief getting up and speaking about some things.

Um it's important that we have transparency in this city.

That's the only way that you'd be accountable.

I appreciate the body camera ordinance.

Um, but we got to do better with all transparency.

Thank you some nice.

Good morning.

Good morning, counseling community.

My name is Khalil Wokmin.

I'm the founder of Chill Don't Kill an Anti-Violence Initiative functioning in the city of Detroit.

I'm just one of the many people whose lives were inspired and impacted by the life of Imam Abdullah Bey Alamine.

Um, I think there are many people whose names deserve to be there, but with Ibam Abdullah, it would take a hundred generations for someone like him to come along and and and be uh um worthy of such a thing.

We all know oh god.

Good morning, uh James Tate Jr.

and uh Scott Benson.

So I want to start off by saying I had a server of PPO to officer Dion Dawson of Detroit Police Department last night because he is threatening witnesses of uh trials with the rest.

I want to say join Queen Mother Joanne Watson deserves a secondary street naming.

I want to say Scott Benson, you are so corrupt, you're taking money from the Rune family who own a thousand plus parcels in the city of Detroit and have one property maintenance agreement for a thousand properties.

I also want to say uh James Tate Jr.

There are 13 amendments sponsored by Councilman Waters.

They say eviction process, right for refusal, property commandation, board composition that you blocked.

It does not all say community engagement.

I can read, you can read, and it doesn't say community.

Don't be a snake all salesman your whole life.

See you next time at council.

Good morning.

I'm Tracy Rubin.

I work for Pal.

I'm here for the secondary street naming for uh night train lane.

Um he has touched so many people throughout his whole life, and he continues to touch people.

Um and one of your criteria is are they known throughout the city, the state, the country, the world.

Not only has he touched so many people here, after 37 years, he is still one of the number one players on John Madden video games.

How much more known can you be?

Thank you.

Thank you.

Tracy Rubin.

Good morning.

Good morning.

My name is Nicole Avery Nichols, and I am the editor and vice president of the Detroit Free Press in support for of a secondary street sign for Tony Spina with a free press career that's stretched more than four decades.

Tony is one of the most decorated photojournalists in Detroit history, having photographed presidents from Truman to Clinton and historic figures like Coleman Young, Mayor Coleman Young, Desmond Tutu, Martin Luther King.

His body of work and contribution to the city's historical memory is unmatched.

Thank you for the time.

Hi, uh I've been running for right in ever since they wouldn't let me on the ballot by looking at my protections because I didn't sign some paper.

They never gave me the sign, so they refused to go over.

So I signed for uh right in right about uh well after 10 days.

I waited and then they called me and said I didn't sign the right paper.

So I want to be put my needs to be counted, and I'm running trying to get people to know about a firm of voting.

And if uh by the way, command and reproduct voting machines so thank you, Ms.

Dara.

Thank you, Miss Dara.

Thank you.

Right, thank you, Miss Dara.

All right.

Ms.

Dara.

Ms.

Dara.

Okay.

Thank you.

Okay.

All right, Miss Darwin.

Don't push around.

Don't push her out.

All right.

All right, ma'am.

What's your name?

Blessings.

My name is Norrell Hill, and I have the honor and privilege of being the legal and public policy manager.

We the people of Detroit, um, an organization that was create created um and mentored by the honorable Queen Mother Joanne Watson.

I'm here in the support of her getting a street sign.

She wrote over 5,000 pieces of legislation, one which is water affordability and movement around the entire world.

I just came from an environmental justice conference and all around this country, all around the world.

We're talking about water affordability.

Clean, safe and affordable water for all, which we deserve to have here in Detroit first.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Did you Paris?

Do we have a way to give her a microphone?

You got it?

Yeah.

Okay.

Buenos días.

My name is Esther Garvis, and I represent the Hemohoe Tenant Council Senior Citizen Housing.

It's located at 1545 Woodward Avenue here in downtown Detroit.

There is presently a museum of illusions that's being constructed and set to open at our 1545 Woodward Avenue.

Um it's been a senior citizen's uh building for over 40 years.

We are concerned concerned and have not received questions answers about the sound barrier, the increase in traffic, and the impact on senior living.

So this is where we come to you.

Thank you very much.

Bless you all.

You as well.

Thank you so much.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Peace and love to everyone.

I'm Damon Williams with the coalition for public detects justice.

I'd like to just share that uh I'm a lifelong Detroiter.

I was born in Detroit and raised by some God fearing and loving people.

And there has been a lot of effort from a lot of people to come up with a solution for the injustice that we've suffered.

I've personally suffered.

My home was foreclosed on and sold while we were in it.

And that's after I had paid the inflated package.

So we want to implement the first 100.

Thank you.

Jason Jones.

Good afternoon.

My name is Jason Jones, co-founder and board member of Reed, an organization with over 250 developers with the housing in the neighborhoods one block at a time in support of zoning.

Detroit is growing again, but we are also in housing crisis.

Last year we added 7,000 new residents, but only 1,600 housing units.

When we don't build enough housing prices rise, and legate these legacy Detroiters get pushed out, regardless of how others look to exaggerate them.

The zoning code corrections are less than 10% of what's needed and are very minor corrections.

They are a start to removing barriers and returning missing middle housing to where it has always existed.

Zoning reform is needed.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you.

Okay, we will now go to those who have joined us online.

And are we we can proceed with our first caller?

Good morning, madam president.

There were 65 hands raised before you had cut off public comment.

And the first caller, uh excuse me while I look for her is uh uh chairon's iPhone is that Sharon Sanders my apologies with the pronunciation that's okay.

Good morning.

My name is Sharon Sanders, program director for 979W J O B and Mix 92.3 and the proposed Mac and Third Intersection naming for international recording artist Ken before the fame he faced homelessness and hardship through spirituality and the power of music.

Kim turned his pain into purpose.

He worked on his original songs while at the Detroit Rescue Mission on Mac and Third, which is also the namesake of his foundation, created to serve those in need.

More than an RB artist, Kim is a living example of Detroit resilience.

Thank you.

The next caller is Larry Donald Verse.

Good morning.

Good morning, Mr.

Larry Donald Verse.

Okay, let's come back to this caller, please.

Okay, the next caller is Mrs.

Mayberry.

Good morning.

Good morning.

I was calling in regards to um is voting is going to be next week, please.

Everyone get out and vote.

Uh I um I'm also wanting to know would it be publicized October the 31st for reparations?

The outcome of the reparations committee.

Um if it's a yay or nay, which we are hoping that the city council would say yes to reparations for the residents of the city of Detroit.

And I thank you for your time.

The next caller is William M.

Davis.

Good morning.

Can I be heard?

Yes.

Okay, I like to say that uh there are many outstanding candidates, but I would throw my support behind my friend, the Honorable Joanne Watson.

I think she's an outstanding individual.

I know that only five could be chosen.

Uh, hopefully, she will be one of those.

Uh, she was an outstanding individual.

She was a champion of City Detroit Retired's a champion of water rights, a champion of so many things that we need more champions.

City Detroit is the land that we had giants walk the street, and she was one of those giants.

Thank you.

The next caller is owner Papa.

All right, good morning.

Good morning, and through the chairman, I speak.

Yes.

Those people who are speaking on the um uh the overassessment on October 7th, 9 to 0, 16.2 was passed, and this is a council voted in steal the people's wealth, especially black people in the community and give it to uh corporations.

42 million dollars.

Uh Councilman Durha, we don't have a recreation center in 7, and 42 million dollars would go a long way to giving the residents in 7 a center.

Thank you.

All right, thank you.

The next caller is Tomby Stewart Fiddler.

Good morning.

Good morning.

I am Tom B.

Stewart Fitler, a Detroit educator, activist, and creative, standing in full support of Detroit residents using their lives in service and sacrifice for the progress of our people to receive street signs, representing the communities that shape them and the need for more significant women to receive this honor.

I am advocating for national civil rights activist Viola Liuzo, Joanne Watson, and on behalf of Amp Fittler, I send love to the P Funk family.

Thank you.

Thank you.

The next caller is Roz.

Right, good morning.

Unmute.

Hi.

Advocating for a secondary street sign for Viola Liuzo and also Joanne Watson.

Viola was a civil rights activist from Detroit who fought for voting rights in the 1960s during the march from Selma to Montgomery.

Notably, the only white woman killed during the civil rights movement.

And that highlighted the risks faced by those promoting racial equality.

Her participation motivated the passing of the voting rights acts of 1965.

The street sign will help the children and adults.

Okay, thank you.

The next caller is Walt Watkins.

Good morning.

I have seen many entertainers, athletes, and community crusaders chosen for recognition, and that is laudable.

But I think Aubrey Lee's contribution to the economic growth of Detroit should be recognized, particularly in the financial district with the street sign.

By standing up for minority businesses and by recruiting and mentoring the next generation of black bankers like me, he left a tremendous impact on our city.

So I recommend you're thank you.

The next caller is Theo Pride.

Good morning.

Good morning.

We all want to see more housing and development in Detroit, but it's got to be done responsibly.

Uh, if this upzoning had been in place 15 years ago, the only thing that would have changed is that the displacement of black and brown Detroiters from Corktown to Midtown would have happened even faster and on a larger scale.

Uh, so let's not repeat the same mistakes, uh, acknowledge the harm and add strong anti-displacement measures for legacy detroiters before we move forward.

Uh, we deserve development that builds community, not pushes it out.

Uh, thank you.

Have a good day.

The next caller is Galaxy S22 Ultra.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Yes, we can hear you.

Good morning.

You know what sad.

You guys give us 30 minutes when it's a lot of people, a minute and a half when it ain't a lot of people.

But we the same people to pay your salary.

Y'all can't take go overtime when I work.

My job ain't finished.

I have to stay there and do overtime.

That's showing you how much you care for the people.

It's what you won't even let them get they they say now.

You cut them short.

Tate, you know, you need to be shanged, speaking of about 30 minutes.

We pay your salary too.

Y'all shine.

Y'all thank you.

The next caller is IFLC.

Good morning.

Can you hear me?

Yes, we can.

Good morning.

Okay.

My name is Steve Spritzer.

I am a long-time interfaith organizer, and I'm calling to support the street sign in the name of my dear friend Abdullah Alamine.

Met him in about 95, and uh over the years, found him to be a force for good and justice, both in Detroit and throughout the region.

Thanks so much.

Thank you.

The next caller is iPhone.

Morning.

Good morning.

This is Betty A.

Barner talking about the Lifeline Program.

Now it's been a couple of months, and we are having to pay our water bills.

Now, here comes November 1st.

Some of the same people are going to lose their SNAP.

EBT, uh school food stamps.

There's going to be a crisis.

What is the council and administration going to do to assist people with this problem?

You're going to have the same people struggling.

Thank you so much.

The next caller is phone number ending in 039.

Okay.

Good morning.

Caller 039.

Good morning.

Right.

Caller 039.

Okay.

We can come back to this caller, please.

Okay.

The next caller is Gwendolyn Howard.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Can I be heard?

Yes, you can.

Good morning.

Thank you for taking my call.

I'm advocating for the street sign for Joanne Watson.

She's done so much for this city and and abroad.

Her her legacy stretches across the United States of America and out the country.

We know that she's well deserving of this street sign, being advocating on your on city council, and as well as um trying to figure out what we're going to do with our people about the lifeline program as well.

Thank you for taking my call.

Okay, thank you.

The next caller is Sawa Kinsey.

Apologies.

This is uh Principal Kinsey from Pembroke Academy.

Can everybody hear me?

Yes, we can hear you.

I'm here with the student.

I have my part, she has her part.

I just wanted to say that we are here in support of the secondary street sign for Viola Liuzo.

Uh, this school was formerly the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Um, and she served as a parishioner here.

We teach our students about moral focused virtues such as courage, compassion.

And now I'd like to hand it off to my scholars so that she would be able to speak as well.

Hello, my name is Inigo Miller.

I am a proud student of Pembroke Academy.

At our school, we learn about moral focused virtues like perseverance and compassion.

Mrs.

Viola Liuzo showed all these virtues when she stood up for thank you.

The next caller is SAR SAR.

Okay, good morning.

Hi, this is Sarah from D5.

Can I be heard?

Yes, you can.

Hi, my comment today is in opposition to agenda items 19.1, point three, and point six.

I'm concerned that the proposed zoning changes could limit or weaken the rights of affected citizens to object to proposed projects.

Public participation and transparency are essential in accountability.

Any action that reduces our ability to provide input is going to be harmful and undermine the process.

I urge the council to either reject these items or just refine them to ensure our rights are heard and that we are meaningfully involved in the future of our community.

Thank you for hearing me and also throwing my support behind Joanne Watson.

The next caller is phone number ending in 169.

Hello, can you guys hear me?

We can hear you.

Great.

I just want to say Brother Cunningham's Facebook page is very encouraging.

Um I'm not religious, but I read the Bible a few times.

The poor, you will always have me with you, but you will not always have me.

Matthew chapter 26, verse 11.

Um, a lot of Christians use that scripture to take away the urgency from helping the poor folks.

Helping the poor folks is a 911 urgency.

Thank you for helping Cunningham and praying for him.

Bad public transit hurts the poor, and affordable housing is not affordable.

Folks, in the next caller is Yvonne Jones.

This is Yvonne Jones, resident of District 5.

I'm here to support the 100-day plan implementation, tax justice.

I support the street signs for Joanne Watson, Martha Jean the Queen, and Al Hamine.

I also support the changing of the ordinance of the uh secondary signs that we can make all of these notables recognizing a secondary sign, which is within your power to do as long as they meet the requirements.

Thank you.

The next caller is Mark Crane.

Good morning, Council.

Mark Crane from uh Dream Detroit.

Uh, shout out to the Coalition for Property Tax Justice, George Clinton, the P Funk, and Honorable Joanne Watson.

I want to ask you all, implore you all, beg you all to recognize Imam Abdullah Elamine with an honorary street sign.

You all know several of you deeply that Detroit is a city of faith, and it should be a shame on all of us that there are only two notable Muslims with honorary street signs in the city, and that's Malcolm X and Elijah Muhammad.

In our tradition, we learn that the best of you are the ones who are who serve others the most, and that was Imam Abdullah, the busiest clinic in the free clinic in the state of Michigan is in the city because of Imam Abdullah, the community development organization.

The next caller is district five resident.

Okay, good morning.

Good morning.

Can I be heard?

Yes.

Good morning, City Council.

I oppose items 8.6, 19.1, 19.3, and 19.6.

These ordinances ordinances reduce the rights of citizens here in Detroit.

Our district five CAC was only made aware of these ordinances within the last two weeks.

These ordinance should be addressed district by district.

More deep roots, community engagement, detailed city mailers to the home.

And I endorse uh recognition of the women.

All right, thank you.

The next caller is phone number ending in 076.

Residents in Detroit.

We ask we ask Mary Sheffield and Mary Waters, of course.

Mary Waters and Mary Sheffield, before you say something, you should know the law, not say something and act somebody to provide a law for what you said.

You need to recap that because it's no law to support what y'all said.

Thank you.

The next caller is R.

Caller R.

Caller R R.

Okay, let's come back to this caller.

Okay.

The next caller is Tyson Gersh.

All right, good morning, Tyson.

Good morning.

Um, yeah, it's just literally not possible to comment on all of the things wrong on the agenda today.

Uh, just shocking that anybody would structure a hearing this way.

Uh completely removes the ability for the public to participate in government in any way.

Um so yeah, no on 19.1, no on 19.6.

Also 19.3.

Conrad Mallet's the chair of the DEGC.

The DEGA is funding the DEGC.

Developers are funding that like this.

The next caller is Herb at our our true group.

Good morning.

I'm Eric Herbert, the director of the award-winning train documentary.

I'm here to advocate the secondary street naming after Dick Knight Train Lane.

Lane was a hall of fame.

But more than that, he was you know, beyond football, he was more than that.

As director of Powell for 17 years, he mentored thousands of kids.

I would like to end our documentary with this street naming.

Let's honor his legacy where he lived, played, and worked.

Thank you.

You guys have a beautiful day.

The next caller is Kevin Westbrook.

Right.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Hello.

Yes, I would like to say with one of the most outstanding contingency plans in the history of major city throughout the United States.

Thank you, Mary Sheffield and the council team for being a remarkable leader.

And so where a person feels very comfortable today living in Detroit, a lot more comfortable than they have years before.

Your pedestal that you stand on is full of accomplishments and greatness.

But I must say a woman like yourself who has taken their pedestal and turned them into pillars, has remarkable future for the city.

Thank you.

Thank you.

The next caller is Susan.

Susan, good morning.

Good morning.

I am representing Susan.

Dr.

Robert Bland and Minister Matilda Bland.

Barack Obama stated one voice can change your room.

And if one voice can change your room, then it can change the city.

That is Joanne Watson.

That is Mama Joanne.

That is Wake Up Detroit.

The entire city of Detroit was her home.

She not only had the responsibility of the people and to the people, she was tasked with moving to them to action.

And it made an incredible difference.

God bless you.

And we are advocating for a sign for Mama Joanne.

Thank you.

Next caller.

Next caller is Rochelle Riley.

The floor is yours.

General Public Comment.

Yes.

To Madam Council President and through the chair to the council, I urge you this year and in future years to name streets for four local heroes and one global icon who has brought worldwide recognition and acclaim to our city.

So please approve secondary street signs for civil rights legends.

Joanne Watson, Aubrey Lee, and Viola Lioso as local heroes and music legend George Clinton for bringing global acclaim to Detroit.

I am Rochelle Riley, writer by trade, warrior by necessity, and director of arts and culture for the city of Detroit.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

The next caller is SN Sayed.

Caller, the floor is yours, General Public Comment.

Hello, thank you, uh, honorable counsel.

Here also to um speak in encouragement of uh uh secondary street renaming for Imam Alamine.

He inspired so many people in Detroit and so many people beyond Detroit.

He worked served so many people in the city and beyond.

Um I've been inspired by him to invest in a neighborhood and it would be lovely to have that uh that corner renamed in his honor.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

The next caller is Danielle Nelson.

Caller, the floor is yours, General Public Comment.

God bless you.

I love you.

I'm here to express my strong support for the secondary street sign honoring Martha and Jean, the Queen Steinberg.

Martha Jean was a pioneering broadcaster and a steadfast community leader whose influence helped shape Detroit's cultural identity.

She used her platform to promote peace, unity, and empowerment.

Values that continue to reflect the best of our city.

Recognizing her in this way would be a befitting acknowledgement of her extraordinary contributions and lasting symbols of Detroit's appreciation for her legacy.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

The next caller is Samsung SMS92.

Caller, floor is yours, General Public Comment.

Caller, are you there?

Are we let's put that caller at the end of the queue and go to the next speaker?

The next caller is El Amin.

Caller, the floor is yours, general public comment.

Good morning.

Can you hear me?

Yes, ma'am.

Um I am calling this morning.

I'm here to support the naming of a secondary street in honor of Imam Abdullah Bay El Amin.

Imam El Amin was a respected community leader, activist, and advocate for the less fortunate.

He was one of the founding members of one of the largest masters in the city of Detroit.

He dedicated his whole life to building bridges across racial and religious divides and to uplift the people of the city.

It will be named in this street in his honor is not only fitting, it's a lasting reminder of his leadership, his faith, and his lifelong commitment to serving Detroit.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

The next caller is Dorothy Bennick.

Dorothy Bennett, the floor is yours.

General Public Comment.

Good morning.

My name is Dorothy Bennett.

I'm also president of the East End Corktown Block Club.

I'm here to recommend the street sign for Greg Mudge.

And I would remind everyone for the 169 letters of support that have been sent in.

He is Greg was a great citizen for Detroit, helping the homeless and the community.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

The next caller is Rich.

Rich, the floor is yours.

General public comment.

Hello.

Detroit City Council.

My name is Richard Lane Jr.

It is an honor to ask for your vote for my father, Dick Nitrane Lane, to have a street naming directly outside of Detroit Power, please Athletic League, where he proudly provided many years of service to Detroit and the community of children striving for a better life through sport and education.

Nitrine is Detroit.

Detroit is Nitrine.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

The next caller is Ernest.

E-R-N-E-S.

Ernest, the floor is yours.

General Public Comment.

Hi, I'm Ernest Harden Jr., actor graduated from Michigan State University.

And then I am also one of the stars of the movie with Betty Davis, the only black man in history to ever started her.

And also one of the stars of the television show, The Jeffersons, as Marcus Henderson.

And currently on this year's Emmy Award-winning show, Pit for HBO Max.

I just want to uh my dream is the legacy for my father.

Thank you.

The next caller, please.

The next caller is Rebecca Robishad.

Caller, the floor is yours.

General Public Comment.

Good afternoon.

My name is Rebecca Robishou.

I am a law professor and uh licensed attorney.

Um at Wayne State University Law School, and I work with community members on zoning issues.

I'm calling regarding the agenda items 19.1 and related items.

Um, I don't think proper attention has been given to due process issues related to these items and the taking away of um community voices and really understanding the consequences of these items on safe, affordable accessible housing.

Thank you.

Next caller.

The next caller is Raymond Solomon.

Um Raymond Solomon, floor is yours, general public comment.

Are you there?

All right, we're gonna put him at the end of the queue and go to the next caller, please.

The next caller is Toya.

Toya, the floor is yours, General Public Comment.

Can you hear me?

Yes.

Yes, morning.

My name is Toya Was, uh, president of Shallow Board Village Association in D5.

I'm calling about the zoning issue that we're doing.

Um, you getting to do, and I think it's a disrespect and uh push out for the people that's been here.

So I would like a bear better clarification on the issue of zoning with the residents of any district.

So we need to be educated on who's gonna benefit us to be pushed out or the developers.

I would like to have a form on that.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

Uh next caller is Charlotte.

Charlotte, the floor is yours, general public comment.

I comment in opposition to items 8.6, 19.1, 19.3, 19.6, and current Noah's and comment practices for the reasons stated in my written comments.

These changes massively reduce zoning protections for residents combined with the land bank's reclassification of many lots, 19.3 shifts access to purchase vacant land from neighboring residents to whichever developer of the Detroit Economic Development Association chooses, who will then be able to build that unprecedented density.

These changes in opaque undemocratic processes are what developers want, not Detroiters, which is why they are scheduled with street naming right before the election and given 30 seconds for public comment.

The next caller is Nefertier Nkenge.

The floor is yours.

General Public Comment.

Good afternoon, Dr.

Nefertari and Kenjay calling on behalf of my mother, Queen Mother, Joanne Watson, speaking with humility, privilege, and gratitude for the entire village of support that the community has given her today, both in person and online.

Deep gratitude to this honorable body, where she served two terms with distinction.

She deserves to have her legacy cemented by this sign on Lynwood in Tuxedo, where she graduated from Central High School at the top of her class.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

The next caller is Christie.

Christy, the floor is yours.

General Public Comment.

Good morning.

My name is Christie Tanner.

I'm a reporter at the Detroit Free Press.

I'm speaking in support of Tony Spina's nomination for a secondary street sign.

His photojournalism's capture Detroit's history from everyday life to presidential visits, sports victories, and the 67 riots, creating an invaluable visual archive at Detroit throughout the 20th century.

Now more than ever, we need more Tony Spoiners in the world, document events that shape our communities, inspire others to capture what most would overlook and hold the powerful to account.

Thank you for considering her street sign honoring his legacy.

Let's call it please.

The next caller is Idris Elamid.

Caller, the floor is yours.

General Public Comment.

Good afternoon.

Am I heard?

Yes, sir.

Good afternoon.

My name is Dr.

Idris Elamine.

I'm honored to speak on behalf of my late father, Imam Abdullah Alamine.

Thank you first to all his supporters.

As a founder of the Muslim Center and as a neighborhood city hall manager under former mayor Dennis Archer, he dedicated his life to faith, service, and unity.

And most importantly, family.

If the family is strong, the city will be strong.

And naming this street in his honor ensures future generations remember a man who built bridges that still stand today.

Thank you for the consideration.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

The next caller is Anthony Liuzu.

Liuzo.

Caller, the floor is yours.

General Public Comment.

Yes, I'm calling regards to the street sign, secondary street sign for Biola User.

My mother, she dedicated her life, in fact, gave her life for the right to vote.

And uh also she was continually helping people down at Cass Corridor, bringing them, getting them into medical, getting them clothes, getting them housing.

She worked tirelessly.

She was a member of the NAACP since 1947.

And uh she gave her life for the right to vote.

So also please vote coming up in November 5th.

Thank you.

The next caller is Anthei Liuzo.

Caller, the floor is yours.

General Public Comment.

Are you there?

Hello.

I'm here for my mother-in-law, the late Viola Liuso, the only white woman violently slain by the Klan after fighting for the black right to vote.

A right currently being sought to be taken away and eroded by this current administration.

It is vital that she and her contemporaries be remembered with statues, plaques, signs, and streets.

I implore you to consider Viola.

We love you.

Next caller, please.

The next caller is Barbara Mahaffey.

The floor is yours.

General Public Comment.

All right, let's put that caller at the end of the good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

I'm Barbara Mahath here, and I'm in support of the secondary street sign for Martha Junior Queen Steinberg.

The Queen was a community look community leader and inspirational voice for the city through her daily broadcast on WQBH Radio.

She was also um she also afforded housing in the community within the Grand River Monica area.

Uh started the first hair start programs in the community and all that still exists today.

The Queen has established scholarships for college students, and that's still in resistance today.

So I urge you to support Martha Junior Queen Steinberg for secondary street.

Thank you.

The next caller is Melissa McNabb.

Good morning.

Good afternoon.

Good morning.

Can you hear me?

Yes, we can.

Oh, great.

Hi.

Um Melissa here.

I am calling in support of my friend Greg Mudge in the secondary street signing.

Uh Greg was a champion for the city and one of the biggest allies.

His reach extended beyond the restaurant here and into the community directly surrounding it and beyond.

His name is in debt is excuse me.

His name is etched indelibly in ink at the corner of Brooklyn and Porter to honor his legacy by renaming a street for all to see and remember his spirit, sense of humor, charity, and friendship would be amazing.

Thank you all so much for your time.

Thank you.

The next caller is Zara.

All right, Sarah, good afternoon.

Hi, I'm Zara, an entrepreneur and resident of Indian Village.

Detroit's proposed zoning amendments to chapter 50 would open the door to loft conversions, commercial uses, including crematoriums and alcohol-based businesses creeping into our R1 neighborhoods.

Cities like Denver, Portland, Minneapolis, and Austin did this and saw parking chaos, blocked emergency access, late night noise, and intoxicated people in front yards.

We are experiencing this today on Kirchwell with increasing dangerous intersections.

This process has lacked meaningful face-to-face neighborhood input.

Please vote no and protect.

Thank you.

Caller 656.

Okay, let's come to our next caller, please.

Okay.

The next caller is Olivia Williams.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

I'm calling in support of the honorary Queen Mother, Joanne Watson.

With the secondary street sign.

Julianne Watson supported the city of Detroit and its employees.

And she deserves a secondary street sign.

She was always fighting for the city of Detroit retirees, and she would definitely would have been uh in support.

Thank you.

The next caller is Miko A.

Williams.

Miko Williams.

Yes, can you hear me?

Yes, we can.

Yes, hi.

I would like to nominate Joanne Watson, Kim, Night Train Lane, and other Detroiters mentioned on the uh secondary street naming.

I'm also in solidarity with my neighbors of District 5 opposing those amendments and the agenda.

I also want to say that uh Joanne Watson made me who I am today when I was a little boy watching Wake Up Detroit on TV 68.

And I cry every day because her dream is being disbanded, and you are all about it.

The next caller is Tiana Starks.

Hi, thanks.

I'm Tiana Starks with We the People of Detroit, and I'm calling in support of the secondary street sign for the honorable Queen Mother, Reverend Dr.

Joanne Watson.

There's no one who better embodies the spirit, the fight and drive of Detroiters.

And then this time when inspiration is hard to come by.

The remembrance of her name, her and her work with the street sign will be a beacon and a light for Detroiters continuing in her legacy in the fight for equity and justice for all.

Thank you.

Thank you.

The next caller is Darren McCluskey.

Hey, good afternoon, Council.

Can you hear me?

Yes, we can hear you.

Hi.

Um, I'm here today.

I do respect the renaming of streets.

I think it's really important.

I think it should be called out separately because the flood of comments really drowns out some other very important things that are happening.

The zoning changes are drastic and are being pushed through very rapidly.

And then the additional funding of attorneys to take people's land for the solar farm.

Um, you guys were at $33,000 per lawsuit.

Now you're at $50,000 per lawsuit.

People are only getting $2,500 per lot.

The next caller is Tinya and Coach Rob Sims.

Okay, good afternoon.

Hi, good afternoon.

Can you hear me?

Yes.

How are you doing?

This is Kania with the Movement Stop Device Detroit and with Pinco Avenue Business Association.

I just want to call in support of we need more funding and more help for small minority developers.

We have been developing on our business corridor in Finco and District 2 for over 20 years.

We need the support of the city.

Just like y'all did Dexter, just like y'all did McNichols, just like you did Seven Mile Libinoids.

We need the same support.

Thank you.

Okay, thank you.

The next caller is Larissa Ahmad.

Good afternoon, everyone.

I'm calling for the secondary street sign naming.

And I would like to uh nominate Imam Elamine.

Um he started the Muslim Center.

He's been a pillar in the community and a beacon of light for everyone.

So we would love for you guys to consider him and actually give that street naming to him.

Thank you.

Okay, thank you.

The next caller is Amy Hameter.

All right.

Good afternoon.

All right.

Good afternoon.

Can you hear me?

Yes, we can.

Okay, great.

Sorry.

Um I want to and I'm a district of resident, uh resident of District 5.

I volunteer with True, and I want to thank Council President for sponsoring the Let's Build More Housing Detroit ordinance.

I think it would be um really beneficial to especially transit writers to have more density and walkability in the city.

Um, and I strongly support it.

I would love to see it passed this year um before we change everything.

So thank you so much.

All right, thank you.

The next caller is iPhone 313.

iPhone 313.

Good afternoon.

Hello.

Am I heard?

Yes.

Okay, thank you.

My name is Medina Mohammed.

I'm a niece of the honorable Elijah Muhammad, Nation of Islam.

I'm only calling to support the street sign of Imam Abdullah Alamy.

I stand behind all of the accolades that has been mentioned about him.

And I uh definitely support the street signing of renaming Woodrow Wilson, Imam Abdullah Alameen, and Joanne Watson as well.

Thank you.

Okay, thank you.

The next caller is phone number ending in 237.

Caller 237.

Caller 237.

All right, let's come to the next caller, please.

Hi, can you hear me?

Oh, yes, we can hear you.

Hi, yes, my name is Amber Simpson, and I am the granddaughter of the late honorable Congresswoman Barbara Rose Allen.

And I'm calling in support of a street renaming on shame at Matt in the city in the neighborhood that she lived in her entire life.

Even as she became the first black Congresswoman from the state of Michigan.

She never left her neighborhood.

Her dedication has been unparalleled.

She has served on city council, the school board, and as a state representative.

Thank you.

The next caller is Aliyah Mahdi.

Good afternoon.

My name is Aliyah Mahdi, and I am calling about the secondary street sign in support of Imam Abdullah Alamine.

His work and legacy speaks for himself.

The street sign will be a meaningful way to honor him for all that he's done for the community.

Thank you.

Okay, thank you.

Apologies.

I was muted.

The next caller is Karen Winston.

Hello.

Yes.

We can hear you.

Yes, good morning.

Thank you for the 30 seconds this morning.

I'm uh standing in solidarity with Coalition for Property Tax Justice.

And um, yeah, we do need to, in the first hundred days of the new administration, we need to make some some things happen for the housing in our housing in Detroit.

Excuse me.

Also, um, Martha Gene the Queen, I think she deserves a secondary street uh street name, as well as the honorable Joanne Watson.

Thank you once again for the 32nd.

Okay, thank you.

The next caller is C Gina Brown Anderson, Detroit.

Residents will spend a week to resolve the problems in our city if they were sure council would take action on their quality of life issues.

Furthermore, parking for residents coming to formal sessions should be free.

140 comments will take 2.5 hours.

You're paid dollars to hear us to represent us.

It's the it's in the best interest of everybody that you hear us, and it's in your job description.

Icranston Anderson District 3, City Council candidate, support the secondary street sign for joining watching imam.

The next caller is Waziri.

Good afternoon.

All right, can we come back to this caller, please?

Okay.

The next caller is Larry Donald Verse.

All right, good afternoon.

May I be heard?

Yes, you can.

Good.

My name is Larry Donald Verse.

You're a resident of the city.

And first, I'd like to ask Cunningham.

Who are you voting for?

Cunningham.

Who are you voting for?

Cunningham.

Who are you voting for?

Cunningham.

Who are you voting for?

Cunningham.

Who are you voting for?

In addition, I would like to ask Council to consider an amendment to the charter, whereby the director of Dodot would become an elected official and not be beholden to another official for what they okay.

The next caller is Wilma Taylor Costin.

Our next uh good afternoon.

Hello.

Yes.

Can I be heard?

Yes, you can you can be heard.

Your floor is right.

Right.

I'm Wilma Taylor Costin, and I'm calling in support of a street, it's secondary street sign for Kim.

I did send in some information earlier regarding why I believe he should be.

Um, he's a native um son who cares much about our city um and the way that he has supported people who are her citizens without um permanent housing.

I'd like to see a sign named after Kim back and third.

Thank you.

All right, thank you.

The next caller is Carolyn Phillips.

Good afternoon.

Can you hear me?

Yes.

I'm Carolyn Phillips, a member of the Order of the Fisherman Ministry, past president of the Wayne State University School of Social Work.

I'm calling on behalf of the secondary street sign for Martha Jean the Queen.

She can be heard every day at 12 noon, who blessed everyone.

And Dennis Archer, name December 31st, Martha Jean the Queen, Steinberg Day.

Thank you.

Thank you.

The next caller is Tanya Cudla.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon, Tanya Cutler.

All right.

Can we go to our next caller, please?

Okay.

The next caller is Aubrey Lee Jr.

Good afternoon.

May I be heard?

Yes.

Great.

Thank you.

To Ms.

Riley, to Mr.

Watkins, to Mr.

Tyson, to Jason Tinsley, and so many others who've written and spoken on behalf of my father, RBW Lee.

I bring you comments from my mother Jean Lee.

Aubrey was more than an accomplished banker.

He was a man of faith, kindness, and quiet determination.

But what made him remarkable wasn't just what he achieved, it was how he lifted others along the way.

A street in his name would be a beautiful reminder of that spirit.

All right, thank you.

The next caller is Alyssa Crane.

Good morning, council.

Yes, my name is Alyssa Crane.

I am calling in favor of the secondary street sign.

I mean, in honor of Imam Abdullah Al Amin.

And I hope that you are accept this as a petition for his behalf.

And honor the street sign in his name.

Thank you.

Great.

Thank you.

The next caller is Tawana Patty.

Thank you.

I'm just calling to reiterate my support for the honorable Reverend Dr.

Joanne Watson to have her legacy further cemented in the city that she loved and fought tirelessly for with a secondary street sign.

She is more than deserving of this honor.

Thank you.

Thank you.

The next caller is phone number ending in 264.

Good afternoon.

Hello, can you hear me?

Yes.

Yes.

Okay.

Yeah, go.

Sorry.

Good afternoon.

My name is Eric Rhines, and I'm calling to support honoring my hundred-year-old uncle, Andrew Starks with alleged with uh street sign at St.

Patrick and Guston.

He was the first black pilot at the city airport, uh advocate for affordable housing.

During the 1970s, he purchased 13 homes on St.

Patrick Street and Sage's neighborhood from blight and destruction after white flight by renting or selling the properties of the local families at the low market rate.

He was the first black pilot to the airport, and he truly reflects the spirit of Detroit and his sign is more than recognition, his legacy.

Great, thank you.

The next caller is Jabril.

May I be heard?

Yes, we can hear you.

Awesome.

Good morning, esteemed body.

I greet you all with the greetings of peace.

Asalam Aleykum.

My name is Jabr Affman.

I'm a resident of District One.

I'm here to voice my support for the secondary street sign for Imam Abdullah Alamid.

Mulam El Amin was a real visionary in Trailblaze in the area of community building, inner faith and politics.

He helped to establish the Huda Clinic, which is a free clinic in the city of Detroit.

The Muslim Center Soup Kitchen, which has been running for decades.

He also was an advocate for youth involvement as well as political engagement.

While there are many deserved individuals from the list to truth.

Yes, you can.

Yes.

Um, I'm calling in to um hoping the council will consider um name giving the secondary name in honor of the Imam Abdullah um Bay Alamine.

Um, although although one of the first things that people said about him, he was also a cultural bearer.

Um, his supporter of the arts.

Um first person I met when I came to Detroit.

So I really will cons.

I hope you consider naming the street after him after all the one of our works he did with the interface.

All right, thank you.

The next caller is Maya Watson.

Thank you so much for taking my call.

I am calling to support a secondary street sign in the name of the honorable Reverend Dr.

Joanne Watson, Queen Mother Joanne Watson was born, raised, and educated in this beautiful city of Detroit, a lifelong resident for the rights of the citizens of Detroit.

Uh Joanne Watson's work and legacy extends throughout this country and other parts of the world as she organized for the rights of oppressed people.

She was an elected member of the city council and bought valiantly for the water rights, voting rights, and humanity of residents of the city.

She is most deserving.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

The next caller is Galaxy Tab A.

Good morning, Mabby Heard.

Hello?

Yes, we can hear you.

Uh I'm in agreement with uh secondary street for Queen Mother Joanne Watson.

Um Quinlin.

And uh also I would like to mention about uh City Council, people just running for city council, city council at large.

Um police commissioners, district three, Crash and Anderson.

Okay, thank you.

Um we are now back to the end of the queue.

Um, and the caller, the next caller is Samsung SMS926U.

All right, good afternoon.

All right, Samsung.

Good afternoon.

Going once, going twice.

Oh hello, all right.

Yes, go right ahead.

Hi, good afternoon.

Hi, peace and blessings.

My name is Tara Winston.

I'm a lifelong resident and homeowner of Detroit.

Um I live in District 5, and I'm a member of Dream of Detroit.

I'm here to ask you all to support us with naming and honor the free name honor of Imam Abdullah Amin.

We appreciate your support in this and honoring his legacy, his impact, and his continuance remembrance.

Thank you.

All right, thank you.

The last caller for public comment today is Tanya Cudlow.

Okay.

Can you hear me now?

Hello?

Yes.

Oh, thank you.

You couldn't hear me the first time.

Um, uh good morning, council members.

Thank you so much for the work that you do every day to lift up the city and its people, and I truly mean that.

Um, did you know that President Barack Obama stated directly that he would not have been president without the sacrifice of a woman from Detroit?

And of course, that woman is the uh wonderful Viola Liuzo.

Viola was not a politician or a celebrity, she was just an ordinary Detroit woman, a mother, a student at Wayne State, someone who loved her family and believed in equal rights for all people.

And she thank you.

All right, that was our last public comment, and we will now proceed to our agenda.

Um, if there are no objections, we will take up 19.8 first, which is the secondary street name application process.

And uh movement president.

Great, thank you, pro Tim.

Do we have attorney barkley with us?

She did this.

Right.

We can have someone from LPD grab her.

Okay.

Um, Madam Kirk, if we can move 19.8, please.

Madam President.

Yes, we can president.

We have a ballot process being presented for the secondary street naming, Madam President, and all apologies.

It actually was not listed as a ballot vote today due to the discrepancy and thinking that this was just a resolution item.

So the agenda does read a little bit different on how we're doing this process right now.

Okay, she was just saying it doesn't say that it's a ballot on the agenda, but it is a ballot that has been distributed to all of our colleagues.

Uh pro temptate.

I'm not sure if you wanted to give an overview on the process to uh to date.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um, and I'm definitely, if you don't mind through you, invite uh members of HDAF, Dr.

Chapman.

Yeah, and to come forward and kind of walk us through.

But they're uh this is an arduous uh process that they have um uh undertaken and want to uh commend HDAF for the work we did in PED.

So for all of you who um are nominating individuals who are coming down here, please give them a round of applause because this is not easy work.

It was not even work.

We have uh before 20 the names of 23 individuals uh that have come before us, a number of them are rollovers from previous years.

Um, and I'll let them continue to tell you the rest.

We did have a about a hundred or so uh public commenters who who called in and came uh before us um in PED, uh many of which we've heard this morning.

Um, and I just always want to say that we have five selections, but each and every one of these individuals are absolutely worthy of this uh this honor that we're providing today.

So if you don't hear the name of your uh person that you're supporting today, uh understanding again that there is a five-year rollover period wherever they are in this process.

Uh so that means you don't have to reapply uh next year and pay the additional five uh fees uh or or uh yeah, fee uh for the application process.

Um, and with that, Madam President, I would like to turn over to uh HDA Ms.

Tillman and good afternoon.

My name is Janice Chapman.

I'm the director of the historic designation advisory board.

I'm Janice Tillman Historic Plan with Historic Designation Advisory Board.

I'm gonna turn this over to Janice, who uh we're very um hired on this uh project.

Um she was the person responsible for making sure that the applications were completed, and she'll give you just a very of um the process itself.

Thank you.

Well, I think Mr.

Tate, um President Pro Tell Tate just did a beautiful job summarizing it.

There are 23 applicants, eight of them are rollover from last year, 15 are new for this year.

So in the process, we went through and made sure everyone was eligible, everyone's had everything submitted as needed.

So right now you only have five selections according to the ordinance, um, and then everyone else will roll over to the next year.

We have two applicants that's in their fourth year this year.

That's Greg Mudge and John Lee Hooker.

Both of them are in their fourth year, which means if not this year, next year is their last year.

Everyone else has four additional years.

Okay, if there's no other questions.

No, it's just not there last year.

Most of them have three to four years left.

Thank you.

Any additional questions or comments from my colleagues regarding the process.

Okay.

All right.

So if I don't know if the if the um your honorable body wanted just to summary as to what had transpired over this year, um and some of the challenges.

And I didn't know if that was something that okay, you want to hear about go right ahead.

Okay.

So some of the challenge now, of course, this is the largest number that we've had in a while.

So we are suggesting that there's some changes that need to be made to the process, and particularly to the ordinance.

So with the ordinance, we know that's not gonna be something that's gonna happen right away.

But for the process, the way we're seeing it is that maybe we can have like a memorandum or a moratorium to suspend the process for a year for us to revamp the process, because now we have 18 rollovers as of next year.

We have 15 new applicants this year.

So with those 15, if we get 15 next year, we're gonna have 33 applicants.

So we need to look at the process and how to revamp the process.

So far as like another idealist to maybe only do those who are deceased for no less than five years, which this year, if that was the criteria, we would only have five new applicants.

So those are some things that make the process a little more complicated because you have so many applicants this year.

But going forward, we would like to change the process.

I don't know if there's something else you want to even speak to.

The only other thing that we wanted to address was the concern was uh making sure that council members were aware of what the ordinance says and how it operates and how many um folks that they can submit or names they can submit to the process itself.

Um so those are the kinds of things that we wanted to look at also to make sure that other departments that the secondary street and the issuance of secondary street signs is under the um direction of the Detroit City Council and no other entity, and they need to come through the city council if they want to uh produce or manufacture secondary street sign outside of this um process that we have already um have that you guys have put put in place that was a concern that we've had um and questions came about um with other um departments um this past year we wanted to make sure that those kinds of things are addressed as we move forward.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Councilmember Johnson.

Thank you, Madam President, and thank you for that information.

I do have a question relative to the number of letters of support that council members can submit.

Is there a limit through the chair?

Um, there's no limit to the letters of support, the limit is to the sponsorship, sponsorship makes um applicants eligible.

Letters of support is just that letters of support.

Uh through you, madam president.

Can we clarify um the letters of support?

Because I believe the ordinance gives council the ability to override the qualifications for an applicant.

So if a council member has the ability to submit 15 letters of support, then that may help to override the people a person being deceased for five years or um being a alive.

Does the council do the council members have an infinite amount of letters that they can support or they can submit in support of an application to override the ordinance?

Um, I'll let Ms.

Chapman follow me up through the chair, but the sponsorship letter is the only letter council can write to override the ordinance.

The letters of support can come from anyone, and everyone is welcome.

I do not believe a number of letter support can override the need for a sponsorship letter because a sponsorship letter is what gives someone eligibility.

Okay, then let me let me rephrase that then.

So are council members allowed to submit an infinite number of sponsorship letters?

Well, it has been the practice.

This is one of the things that need to be changed in the ordinance.

It has been the practice that council members usually sponsor one candidate per year.

That's been a practice, but that's not a part of the ordinance.

That's one of the things that I would like to see change as a part of this process.

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam President.

All right, thank you so much, Member Santiago Ramiro.

Thank you, Madam President.

I wholeheartedly agree.

Um, limiting the amounts of sponsorships through council uh should be uh helpful for this process and provide the opportunity for community to submit names and get sponsorship for who they want uh for us to honor.

Uh, but I am in support of making these changes.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you so much, councilmember.

Any additional comments?

Okay.

All right.

So colleagues, we all have been given a ballot to fill out.

We are to select five names from the list.

Attorney Barclay, did you have anything on the process before we move forward?

No, I don't have anything to add.

I think you're explaining it well.

Okay.

I think everyone has turned in their ballot, and so we will wait for the BERC to uh let us know the results.

Madam President, we have the results.

Okay.

For George Clinton, Councilmember Waters, Councilmember Santiago Romero, Councilmember Benson.

For Barbara Rose Collins, Council President Pro Tim Tate.

For George W.

Cook, there were no votes.

For Reverend Dr.

Clarence L.

Cruz Sr., there were no votes.

For Gabrielle, for Gabriel Fred Crutcher, there were no votes.

For Imam El Amin.

Council President Sheffield.

Council President Pro Tim Tate.

Councilmember Young.

For Dr.

Hafad for Corey, there were no votes.

For Ernest Hard Jr.

Councilmember Waters.

Councilmember Whitfield Callaway.

Councilmember Benson.

For Ronald J.

Hewitt, there were no votes.

For John Lee Hooker, there were no votes.

For Dick Knight Train Lane, there were no votes.

For Arbre Lee Senior, Council President Pro Tim Tate.

For Viola Luizo, Councilmember Waters, Councilmember Durha, Council President Sheffield, Councilmember Whitfield Callaway, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Young, and Councilmember Benson.

For Daniel J.

Lope, there were no votes.

For Gregory Mudge, Councilmember Durhall, Council President Sheffield, Council President Pro Tim Tate, Councilmember Santiago Romero, Councilmember Young, Councilmember Benson, for Kim Owens, Councilmember Waters, Councilmember Durhall, Council President Sheffield, Councilmember Whitville Callaway, Councilmember Johnson, and Councilmember Benson.

For Pastor John Payne Jr., there were no votes.

For Jalen A.

Rose, Councilmember Durhall, Councilmember Whitville Callaway, Councilmember Santiago Romero.

For John St.

Clair, there were no votes.

For Tony Spina, Councilmember Whitville Callaway, Councilmember Santiago Romero, Councilmember Young.

For Andrew Starks, Councilmember Johnson.

For Martha Jean, the Queen Steinberg, Councilmember Johnson, for Reverend Dr.

Joanne Watson, Councilmember Waters, Councilmember Durhall, Council President Sheffield, Council President Pro Tim Tate, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Santiago Romero, and Councilmember Young, Madam President, Viola Luizo, Gregory Mudge, Kim Owens, and Joanne Watson were the top five.

The third person, Madam President, George Clinton, Amon L.

Amin, Ernest Hard Jr., Jalen A.

Rose, and Tony Spina all received three votes each.

Viola Luizo, seven votes.

Gregory Mudge, six votes.

Kim Owens, six votes.

And Reverend Dr.

Joanne Watson, seven votes.

I'm sorry, can you repeat the top five one more time, please?

Madam President, there are the top four.

Oh, so we need one more for the fifth.

That's why I was confused.

Okay.

Originally, I thought you had mentioned five.

Okay, go ahead.

So the top four the four that have already received the majority vote will go forward to those four individuals, which is Viola Umzo.

Sorry if I mispronounced the name.

Well, I'm sorry, Gregory Mudge, Kim Owens, and Reverend Dr.

Joanne Watson received, they they will all go forward and will receive a secondary street name.

The the tie votes for three, which were George Clinton, Imam Eline, Ernest Hardin, Jalen Rose, and Tony Spinner, they were all um go forward with another vote to choose between those individuals who will receive the fifth secondary street name.

So on this next ballot that you receive, choose one name.

Right.

So from the name to get the five that we can choose from.

So that's George Clinton, Imam Ella Himine, Ernest Harden, Jalen Rose, and Stoney Speena.

Madam President, we have to vote.

Okay.

Council President Pro Tem Tate.

Council President Sheffield.

Council Member Johnson.

Councilmember Waters.

Councilmember Benson.

For Jalen A.

Rose.

Councilmember Santiago Romero.

Councilmember Durh.

For Tony Spain.

Councilmember Young.

Madam President.

I'm Al Amin and Ernest Hard and Junior both have three votes.

So you will have another round of vote, and that will be between Imam Elamine and Ernest Harding Jr.

Okay.

Madam President, we have the votes.

Okay.

For M Ame, Councilmember Durhall, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Young, Council President Sheffield, Council President Pro Tim Tate, for Ernest Harding Jr., Councilmember Santiago Romero, Councilmember Waters, Councilmember Benson, Councilmember Whitfield Callaway, Madam President M Io MA has five votes.

And Ernest Harden Jr.

has four votes.

Thank you.

All right.

If I may, I just would like to explain the set the um the next process for those um applicants who were awarded a secondary street sign for the um twenty twenty-six year calendar year.

Your next step is to um check with the department of public works.

They are the um department that will be issuing the um or manufacturing the secondary street signs.

There are a total of two signs per intersection.

Um they will there is a cost of four hundred dollars that has to be paid at the time that you um submit or um di the application or go to to the um to the department to order your sign.

Again, I would like to thank um the city council for all of your um hard work and I would like to thank all of the applicants um who um had um had a desire to um honor those Detroiters and how they have helped help to make this such a wonderful city.

So for for the folks who have been granted a secondary street sign honorary sign, congratulations.

And for those who are not, just remember that this is rollover so that your names of those names will be um submitted again in the next fiscal year, which starts January first, twenty twenty-six.

Thank you, madam chair.

And just um just an FYI, please do not call the Department of the Public Works this week.

You have to wait at least until next week, uh until the audience has been published.

So give us a week before you move forward.

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam President.

All right, thank you so much.

We are going to proceed with our agenda.

Please be quiet.

We would like to proceed with the agenda.

A resolution.

Secondary street, line item nineteen point eight.

All right, President Pro Tim Tate.

All right, are there any objections?

Hearing none, the resolution will be approved.

Through a request for a waiver.

Okay.

Hearing no objections, that action will be taken.

From the law department.

Councilmember Johnson.

An introduction of an ordinance line item 17.1.

All right.

Councilmember Johnson.

Thank you, Madam President.

I move that the ordinance be read twice by title, order printed and laid on the table.

Hearing no objections, that action will be taken from the law department.

Councilmember Johnson, a resolution set in a public hearing.

Line item 17.2.

Member Johnson.

Thank you, Madam President.

Move for discussion.

Okay.

Councilmember Johnson.

Through you to the chair of budget finance and audit.

Um, I'm not certain if a date has already been identified.

Through Member Durhaw.

Thank you, Madam President.

Through you to uh member Johnson, uh, we were looking at uh our calendar uh for November the 12th.

Okay, thank you, Madam President.

Move for approval to set the public hearing on November 12th at a time to be determined.

Okay, hearing no objections, that action will be taken from the board of review, council member Durhaal, two resolutions, line items 17.3 and 17.4.

Councilmember Durha.

Thank you, Madam President.

Line item 17.3 uh as well as 17.4 deal with the Hope exemptions.

17.3 uh is the homeowner's property tax exemption amended, uh noting a change in state statute.

Line item 17.4 is the policy and guidelines in accordance with MCL 211.7U uh as amended, also knowing for the pays or pay as you stay program.

Move for approval for line items 17.3 and 17.4.

All right, are there any objections?

Hearing none, the two resolutions will be approved from the office of the assessor.

Council member Durhaw, a resolution.

Line item 17.5 member Durha.

Thank you, madam president.

Line item 17.5 is a request to hold a hearing before BFNA budget finance and audit uh to consider the expansion of the Bagley neighborhood zone enterprise homestead.

Um brief discussion, madam president.

Yes, uh, through you to Mr.

Todd, I believe we set a date for this in committee or we discussed the date.

Um Mr.

Todd is checking out you have the date November um November 5th, November the 5th, it's November 5th.

Just clarifying.

So uh for this resolution, Mr.

Todd.

Uh I believe we already set the public hearing date in committee for November 5th, but I just wanted to make sure here at the table that does not have to be reiterated or clarified through this resolution, excuse me.

Think the president's chair, member Durhall.

Mr.

Durrhall, it is not my understanding that I would concur with you.

It's not my understanding that it does need to be that it needs to be restated.

Okay, thank you.

So, Madam President, I'm for approval for line item 17.5.

Okay.

All right, motion has been made for 17.5.

Are there any objections?

Hearing no objections, the one resolution will be approved from the office of the budget, council member Durhaw, a resolution line item 17.6.

Councilmember Durha.

Thank you, Madam President.

Line item 17.6 is supplemental public safety funding for community violence intervention.

Move for approval for line item 17.6.

Hearing no objections, the one resolution will be approved from the housing and revitalization department.

Councilmember Durha, a resolution line item 17.7.

Councilmember Durha.

Thank you, Madam President.

Move for approval for line item 17.7.

This is a resolution of authors authorization for Willis Street Apartments payment in lieu of taxes pilot.

Hearing no objections, the one resolution will be approved.

Madam President, I request waivers for line items 17.3 through 17.7.

Any objections to a waiver from those items.

Right.

Hearing none, that action will be taken.

Thank you, Madam President.

For the internal operations standing committee from the law department.

Councilmember Johnson, nine resolutions.

Nine items 18.1 through 18.9.

Councilmember Johnson.

Thank you, Madam President.

Move for approval on line items 18.1 through 18.9.

These are various lawsuit settlement requests.

Hearing no objections, the nine resolutions will be approved.

Under resolution.

Councilmember Johnson on behalf of Council President Sheffield, a resolution line item 18.10.

Councilmember Johnson.

Thank you, Madam President.

Move for approval.

This is a resolution to cancel city council's formal session on November 4th and reschedule the meeting to take place on November 14th at 10 a.m.

Which I believe is a Friday.

Yeah.

Right.

Any objections.

Hearing none.

The resolution will be approved.

For the planning and economic development standing committee under resolutions.

Council President Pro Tim James Tate in ordinance, noting a roll call and also noting that this line item was postponed from last week formal session.

Pro Tim Tate.

Thank you, Madam President.

Through you to the parliamentarian, uh, due to this being such a long copy, just wanted to make sure that uh it is required that I'm uh read all of the copy again.

I believe I read it into the no, I may not have.

I believe I read it into the record last week.

As you did last week, I believe it's only necessary for you to move it for approval.

It's already been taken from the table and read, uh, put on the order of third reading.

Okay.

Thank you, madam president.

Thank you, madam clerk.

I make madam uh parliamentary.

Uh I move that the ordinance be placed for line item 19.1.

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

Okay, so we're doing a roll call on this one.

Yes, ma'am.

Okay, madam president.

So discussion discussion.

Okay, we will open it up for discussion.

Yes, Councilmember Santiago Ramiro.

Thank you, Madam President.

I would like to bring this back.

Uh if possible, um I frankly am reviewing a lot of zoning changes in front of us.

I need a little bit more time.

Um, I'm gonna be honest giving the election.

I need to make sure I'm caught up before we're making these votes.

Uh so if you could please bring this back in one week or if we can keep it here for a while.

Um, just allow us the time to read through this storily to come prepared um to make sure that we're discussing what's in front of us.

Thank you, madam president.

Thank you.

Any uh objections in postponing this item.

Okay, all right.

Hearing no objections, we will postpone and this will come back during the next session, which will be on the I think that's Friday date that we just schedule in November, the 14th.

The 14th.

Okay.

Right.

If there are no objections, we will postpone line item 19.1.

Move to postpone line item 19.1 into the next uh formal session.

Hearing no objections, that action will be taken from the office of contracting and procurement.

Council President Pro Tim James Tate, two resolutions, line items 19.2 and 19.3, contract number 6005774-82, 100% opera funding, amendment two to provide an increase of funds and to amend contract terms and conditions for home repair services for low-income Detroit residents, contractor, CHN housing partners, total contract amount six million nine hundred and fifty thousand.

That's for housing and revitalization.

Contract number 6007527, 100% CDBG funding to provide management and design and process to facilitate the creation and pre-approved housing plan program to reduce costs and process barriers to infield housing development.

Contractor, Detroit Economic Growth Association, total contract amount 350,000.

That's for housing and revitalization.

Council President Pro Tim Tate, two resolutions.

Pro Tim Tate.

Mr.

President, I move approval of line items 19.2 and 19.3, please.

Are there any objections to 19.2 and 19.3?

19.2.

Excuse, excuse me, Ms.

Work, please um not make out first, please.

Any objections to 19.2 and 19.3.

Hearing no objections, the two resolutions will be approved.

From the law department.

Council President Pro Tim James take two resolutions.

Line items 19.4 and 19.5.

Pro Tim Tate.

President, I move approval of line items 19.4 and 19.5, noting that both are set for public hearings we have on the agenda for November 13th.

Okay.

And these are the public hearing for the business improvement zone plans.

Are there any objections?

Hearing none, the two resolutions will be approved for the scheduling of a public hearing.

From the city planning commission.

Council President Pro Tim James Tate and introduction of an ordinance.

Line item 19.6.

Pro Tim Tate.

Thank you, Madam President.

For line item 19.6, I move that the ordinance be read twice by title title order printed and laid on the table.

Any discussion?

Discussion.

Yes, Member Johnson.

Thank you, Madam President.

I believe we had a fair amount of conversation about this ordinance in PED.

Just want to just share with my colleagues the reason that I was not in support of moving this forward is for two reasons.

I do believe that as we've had some discussions with the administration around giving developers the ability to build an all-residential property on the commercial corridor.

I think it undermines our commercial corridors within our neighborhoods.

And I think those two things are very challenging for me as we have been talking about reactivating our neighborhood commercial corridors and with these strategic neighborhoods that have been identified throughout the city of Detroit.

If we give developers an opportunity to develop all residential properties within the commercial corridor, I think they then choose those areas as opposed to the vast amount of vacant land that we have, especially on the east side and certainly throughout District 4.

I really want to figure out how we identify ways to provide to encourage developers to develop develop within the residentially zoned vacant land that we currently have for residents to reside.

I will also just add that I was driving through our district four yesterday evening and on CADU.

Just as you approach Moraine, there are several vacant apartment buildings.

That's it.

And so reducing the amount of commercial property we have within our commercial corridors is really something I would love to have a deeper level conversation about.

And that is the reason that I did not support this moving forward for a public hearing, but I was outvoted by my colleagues.

And so we are moving forward.

I just wanted to put that on the record because I do believe those are two things that we need to be very mindful of if we are seriously talking about rebuilding our neighborhoods, especially those areas throughout the city of Detroit that have a vast amount of vacant land, specifically our two zoned vacant land.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

Member Durhaus.

Thank you, Madam President.

And obviously, as a uh sponsor of this ordinance, uh, very supportive of this.

Uh as we talk about our commercial corridors here in the city of Detroit, we need to find more opportunities to expand them.

If you look at cities and municipalities across the country, uh, it is not uncommon to have residential uh apartment buildings on commercial corridors because they often frequent the businesses that are there, uh, allowing for more walkable cities and communities is the direction that uh Detroit needs to go through.

Uh as we talk about the opportunity for smaller and minority developers uh to develop on these commercial corridors.

I think it is important to craft policies that allow for that, that push forward for that.

Uh and that is why this ordinance, uh, which is supported by READ, uh, which is our minority black developers here in the city of Detroit, uh, transportation writers united, uh, who always talk about creating walkable neighborhoods and walkable cities uh here, uh, it is a it is a step forward.

Uh, it is not an end-all be-all uh to solve that issue.

It is my hope though, uh that when you start somewhere, somewhere like this ordinance, uh, it will spawn other changes to come.

We know parking is an issue across the entire city of Detroit and multiple corridors that we have.

Uh, but until we spark tools that could possibly allow and continue development in these corridors, we'll continue to see the same thing uh and get the same results.

Uh, and so we've got to take a step forward to do that.

Uh, the second piece of this is it goes into the neighborhoods.

When we look at some of our neighborhoods over the years that have been decimated, some now are desolate, uh, that have a tremendous amount of opportunity for in field housing uh here in the city of Detroit.

We have to become my more diverse as we continue to focus on revitalizing and rebuilding neighborhoods.

Uh, and that can include uh again, whether that be it be townhouses on blocks that have no housing at all, uh, or other options uh for multifamily housing.

Uh and so I think this is a step in the right direction.

It does not solve all the issues of housing here in the city of Detroit.

I will reiterate that.

Uh we would like to see more two, three bedrooms here uh in the city of Detroit.

But again, as stated before, uh you have to start somewhere.

And I believe uh through some of the recommendations and the work that has been done by Mr.

Todd and Zone Detroit and so many others, this is a step in the right direction uh to be able to do that.

And so uh that is my comments on that, uh, noting that this is not a vote on the actual item, uh, but just to move it forward for a public hearing, uh, which uh is and will afford more discussion, uh, whether that be from community, whether that be from developers uh or anyone who would like to chime in.

And so uh it is my hope that my colleagues vote to push this forward for a public hearing so we can discuss this when we talk about moving the city of Detroit forward regarding housing development as well as rebuilding our commercial corridors.

Thank you, Madam President.

Madam President, thank you.

Yes, Member Johnson.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um I just want to remind everyone that removing the requirement for commercial on our commercial corridors gives us a walkable city to go and visit neighbors.

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam President.

Okay, thank you so much.

Councilmember Santiago Ramiro.

Thank you, Madam President.

I just want to share that I would rather have all of these zoning amendments come before us next year.

We have less than a month, I believe, a very few amounts of meeting times left.

And I am incredibly supportive of these ideas.

We talk about it often.

Um these are not new.

These are things that are progressive that a lot of people ask for, but we have heard from the public over and over again how confused they are, how they don't want us to move forward, how they feel as if this is being rushed, and their input is not being taken into consideration.

As someone that wants to come back here next term, I do not want to deal with the negative impacts that we did not think about and have to then fix and amend things that we just didn't take the time to really think through.

Uh so it's why I asked uh LPD to help us with the cheat sheets uh so that we're able to ourselves and the public see what's all in front of us.

Uh but quite frankly, um, Madam Presidents, I wish we had more time.

I wish we did this uh with more community input so that we can all collectively understand and support uh these changes.

Um I will ask that we do that.

I will most likely be a no, we'll try my very best to make sure that whatever we put forward is something that that is helpful.

Uh, but I think more than anything, we need to give this the time, the attention, the process that it deserves.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

Member Durhaus.

And thank you, Madam President.

I just want to follow up again and reiterate this is to set a public hearing.

Uh, this is not passing the ordinance forward today.

Uh so if it is in in the will, when that comes, if it goes to the public hearing and happens to come out of committee, that's when this actual body will vote on that.

But if we talk about having the opportunity to gain more information, having more opportunity for public engagement, that again is what a public hearing is for.

And so not only that, to add this has already been engaged through 20 meetings throughout the city of Detroit.

And that engagement has started.

Of course, we will all want more community engagement on each ordinance that is passed.

But again, today what is here before us is just to set a public hearing to allow for the public to weigh in, to allow for the opportunity for us to discuss this in specifics in the committee through the public hearing process, and then make a decision after that if it is to move forward and actually be passed as an ordinance.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

Any additional member Benson?

Thank you.

Good afternoon, Honorable City Council through the President Chair.

Again, just taking quickly the opportunity to recognize you have the unprecedented four text amendments before you at this time.

The one that you're discussing now is the last and most recent that came through the City Planning Commission at the request of the mayor's office through the chief operating officers.

To the office of the chief operating officer.

The thrust of this ordinance is to encourage more housing being built in recognition of the housing crisis that we're going through.

This is again an interim step with much more work expected to be done under the Pro Housing Grant, where CPC is working with HRD to do an even deeper dive and really cover the majority of the city in terms of broader reaching changes and bringing to bear more of Zone Detroit.

The uh roughly two thirds of the city is zoned R2.

What is before you now is zoned R1, single family residential.

What is before you now is focusing on our two, which is basically the core of the city, providing for more dense housing in a pattern like unto what R2 already has or has historically had, particularly in the older core of the city, um, wherein particularly those neighborhoods that were built without uh driveways.

So the planning commission did work diligently with the administration with the working group, and we did scale back a number of what were uh the the originally proposed items or the the scope of those items in order to come to something that we all mutually agreed was more reasonable and we felt more palatable, uh given some of the sorts of concerns that we've heard from council as well as from the public over these last few weeks.

So what is before you again will help in an interim way to stimulate more housing development, particularly in the R2, also making some additional changes as alluded to with respect to parking in order to make housing development a little bit more affordable, to make it so that more projects will pencil so that more projects can be done.

A lot we're that we're dealing with is market-driven.

Uh, and the hope is that as this process evolves and as the housing market continues to evolve with affordable housing, with various uh with with the missing middle housing with uh more typologies being utilized that we will get to that point in the very near future where we can do the in fill housing and we can start to build new single family homes on top of what is basically been a rental market post-housing bubble bursting and post-bankruptcy for the city of Detroit.

Can you just go a little bit more specific about the actual recommendation though from the CPC as well as CPC staff?

So uh starting with the parking, uh the commission recommended the utilization of the commission recommended that when it comes to multifamily housing, that uh the housing requirement be uh uh.75 um uh uh spaces per uh per per unit.

What was put forward was uh uh was 50 percent to reduce it in entirely by half.

Um and this provision was originally to be applied to your major transit corridors.

We already had it in place for major transit corridors throughout the city, covering somewhere between 60-65 percent of the city.

It was our intent to pilot that and look at what the next step would be.

So, as opposed to going with half of the requirement, we it landed on 0.75 citywide for multifamily.

There was also a proposal to utilize uh to restructure another provision that's already on the books that had not been utilized for alternative parking plans.

This would allow a developer to be able to come in and prepare a custom plan, an opportunity for them to pull together where they're looking at district planning for parking or remote spacing, remote spacing for parking, but to pull together a custom parking plan that the planning and development department would uh would lead the review of in association with traffic engineering and with building and safety engineering in order to really provide the specific leaf valve relief valve that it seems that some projects need when we look at the expense in acquiring land or otherwise developing parking, particularly in large amounts.

And again, the opportunity to maybe do so in a coordinated fashion with other area development existing or also proposed to be constructed.

Those are the two primary parking uh features.

There were two others that were removed from the proposal.

Um moving then to the primary, which is R2.

We're looking at going from uh a by-right limitation, which is on single family and which is currently limited to single family and two-family structures, and being able to do triplexes or quads, so that you could do by right in an R2 district a as um as large of a development as a four-unit structure, again, like unto what we see in different parts of the city, even today in North End and other areas where you do have that current mix of uh housing typologies.

Uh uh quads, sixplexes, even uh eight-unit structures that sometimes occupy the corners of some of the streets in those and other neighborhoods, and also in district six as well as elsewhere in district five.

That proposal would also allow for the maximum number of units that could be developed on a conditional basis.

Conditional basis still requiring a hearing before building and safety engineering to move that from eight units to 12 units on a conditional basis.

And uh this would also allow for town homes to be developed as another typology, but town homes again being done on a uh conditional basis.

Um I just surmise that the planning commission and does the planning commission staff support the recommendations from the planning commission?

The planning commission uh the planning commission's recommendation that is before you is equal to the recommendation coming from the staff, which was a consensus uh recommendation from the working group, including not only the uh mayor's office, but BC, HRD, and PNP.

So that's so to me that says that our staff, city council staff, as well as our appointees to the planning commission have come to a consensus.

There has been a compromise on what was originally submitted to what we have before us today.

And if I can summarize what we're doing is reducing the parking requirements from what is it, one to one, one car per unit for multifamily?

To uh.75 of the of the parking lot.

Four units would have resulted in four parking spaces.

Now four units results in three parking spaces.

In essence, yes.

Uh, again, true and it it will vary from the different typology in terms of what's required.

Senior senior uh housing requiring um only uh half a space per unit versus uh one uh 1.5 or two when we get to single family.

And so then my question is are we seeing a reduction in the demand for parking when it comes to multifamily?

I know lots of newer residents, younger people who are moving into the housing market into multifamily rental, don't have or won't have cars.

You see a number of residents who don't have cars period.

So do we see a reduction in demand that would justify a 25% reduction in the number of vehicles for a family home?

Through the Chair Member Benson, this is one of the more hotly debated items in well.

The answer to your question is certainly yes, as we look at the demographics of the city changing, as we look at the values and the needs of the various um um members of our citizenry who are here now and those who are coming.

But there is still definitely the opposite mindset.

There is still that traditional sort of Detroit attitude, if you will, but then there are also the unique uh the peculiarities of different parts of the city itself.

One of the reasons why CPC staff was moving at a slightly slower pace and looking to address this in the next phase with HRD, because while most of these um provisions certainly do fit citywide, we can see, such as in the Corktown area, again, something we're already aware of with the proposal of the soccer stadium.

But again, there's one off uh uh additional project.

But we do know that there are some places in the city where the parking issue could be exacerbated, and again, where not only the desire but the practice is more along the lines of that traditional set of values where people have at least one, if not in fact, two cars, and where they're otherwise maybe still looking for that walkability and that improved mass transit in their area to come in in order for them to benefit from that might other that then that may then cause their them to change their values and practices.

Okay, and then if I'm not mistaken, we also have a parking permit process that allows us to help protect uh parking and prioritize residents in denser neighborhoods when they request it.

Is it also correct to say that this compromise consensus that came from the administration, our CPC staff as well as our appointees to the city planning commission was to allow for a greater level of density without having to go to a public hearing?

And so we're allowing for a greater level of density by right in existing units.

The suggestion is that we should allow a greater level of density just by right without having to go for a public hearing, and to then move that conditional hearing, keep the public hearing requirement for now a higher level of density.

So the communities don't lose control of density, but we are looking to allow more density in neighborhoods than there were before, before the community needs to come in and have a say.

Again, through the chair, the generally speaking, yes, the distinction, just again make it clear as noted, the addition of the tri of the triplex or the or the quad, that would no longer require a hearing, which it would today.

But yes, anything above that moving to uh an eight-unit or more um or um, I'm sorry, uh I guess I should say really anything from five to twelve uh per what is proposed, um uh those would require the public hearing as conditional land uses.

Okay, and then the new quads or a newly constructed quad would only require three parking spaces versus four, and you wouldn't have to have a public hearing for that that property.

That is that is correct.

And and I will also say to your point, Member Benson, yes, we're trying to make it easier, uh, but and we want to be very clear, and this was certainly a made major discussion among commissioners, these regulations are not aimed at any one segment of the building population.

They are across the board available to any and everyone.

And one of the things that the commission discussed uh with the land bank, which we did cover at the last uh committee section, is the request being made of the land bank to eliminate deed restrictions on its um side lot program that currently restrict those purchasers from being able to sell that land or develop it without the land bank's uh approval.

So we're in properties uh with um properties that the land bank has conveyed with such deed restrictions would uh serve to hinder those purchasers, those neighboring Detroiters, those Detroiters who may be down the street but uh may own some of that property.

Uh the land bank did agree at its board last its board meeting last week to remove that in order to certainly level the playing field in that regard, making those individuals immediately eligible should they desire to be able to participate in this program.

Commission also asks that the administration otherwise look at ways to further incentivize this so that the appearance that this is just to benefit the you know major development community uh certainly uh is again is not the case.

We're looking to benefit any and all individuals who would be looking to build in the city.

Obviously, again, your professional developers, small or large scale, uh local, statewide or national, obviously do have more experience and more capacity, but the provisions that are being put forward and those that we envision putting forward in the future are available to any and all property owners.

Minister Todd, just knowing that Reef represents the Black real estate development community, and not all of them have high levels of capacity.

Why was Reed supportive, or why is Reed supportive of this amendment change?

Through the chair, certainly uh they are more than capable of speaking for themselves, but as has been expressed to me, uh, certainly with um a more challenging financial reach for some of them.

Any and all savings make it possible for them to do more, whether it is to do more on an individual project that may be given, or in fact, to do more projects.

The lower uh the more barriers we remove or otherwise lower, it helps their bottom line.

As certainly uh I think every council member knows and is has heard over and over again for the last few years.

How do we get a project to pencil?

That's what everybody, not just read, but everyone is saying here and abroad when it comes to trying to make these projects feasible, whether it's affordable housing or market rate.

They're looking for the ways whereby they can make it cheaper to build, thereby being able to build more and to make it more affordable.

Okay, I'll just end here.

And so it sounds as if Reed, who represents the Black Development Community, has come in in support of this just based on the ability to get more of their members into the game.

Planning commission commission staff and the administration see this as an opportunity to build more housing, ergo more affordable housing, and then market rate as well.

And we have a huge dirt when it comes to workforce level housing.

I'm a big proponent of supporting that.

And so I am supportive of this.

And there has been a ton of pressure applied to the process from the city council staff side, yourself included, as well as our planning commissioners.

I appreciate that because you're looking out for the concerns that have been expressed to me by my bosses as well.

And so I am supportive of this.

I'm glad to see that we're having these type of conversations.

This is not a new process.

You all have been working on this for quite a long time in to get to the finish line with a product that has taken everybody's issues into account.

I think it's a good piece of work.

And so I just want to commend you all for what you've done for holding the line and ensuring that we do have a solution, and albeit the first one, well, could be many coming forward, how we address the construction of housing, how we address the ability to provide more opportunities for our own local developers, and how we prioritize density to bring in more affordable housing as well.

And I really do appreciate that, and the fact that we're seeing a much younger population.

This is just part of the natural progression who are coming in and who we need to make Detroit competitive.

And so if Royal Low or if Harper Woods, or if Farmington or Southfield were more competitive, they will choose to go there and rent and/or buy.

We're making this an opportunity for them to come here.

We don't want to lose the brain.

We don't want their brain drain, continue to lose our young people, different cities, Chicago, New York, the popular, the typical.

We need them to see Detroit as that, and we need our development community to build these homes and these apartments.

And so I'm glad that you all have been able to come to a uh what I believe to be a very responsible compromise and concessions on both sides.

Thank you.

Great, thank you.

Member Santiago Ramiro.

Thank you, Madam Presidents.

Uh, through you to Director Todd.

Um Southwest Trade Burner has a lot of commercial on ground and residential on top.

Wondering why the CPC agreed to remove uh that requirement to have commercial on the bottom of the in commercial corridors.

Through the chair to Member Santiago Romero, the sixth general text amendment that was the first item uh before you included that.

And again, just by way of clarification, that was started two years before we even started with the COOs or COO ordinance.

And again, COO referring to chief operating officer.

In this one, what we were looking to do, interestingly enough, to your and member Johnson's earlier comments actually was to help diversify the pool.

We were looking specifically at how we could better uh that mix of um that that mix of residential commercial opportunities, be it uh commercial service or commercial retail.

And we said, let's go ahead and offer this only to the multifamily.

And to the extent that a developer is desirous of having first floor um, you know, multifamily, they could do that.

Otherwise, they could have the supportive services for that particular development on the first floor and begin housing at a second or third floor, and not necessarily have to have uh retail commercial.

What we are noting, um, particularly given the changes in retail market with so much online with brick and mortar, uh, thankfully still being desired and successful.

Many people after the pandemic thought that that was it for brick and mortar.

We don't have enough.

We we have incredible amount of commercial frontage in the city, particularly with our gateway radio radio, gateway radio thoroughfares and our mile roads.

We do not believe that we have enough to warrant the build out of the past, and certainly not until such time as the population increases to that amount to support that level of commercial development.

So having that greater mix, we think again uh contributes to greater density, which hopefully would then draw certain other types of retail.

We always feel over and over again and for decades, rooftop, rooftops, rooftops.

That's what commercial uh investors um uh and developers want to see.

So uh by by putting a little bit greater emphasis on some of those corridors, we're actually hoping that it might take some of the drain, if you will, when we talk about typology, particularly on the traditional single family neighborhood, because we know again, and we have not gotten there yet, but we know that is where we have the greatest opposition from the public to disturbing, if you will, the sanctity of that traditional environment.

Yes, we still want to encourage again through that next phase of uh ordinance development um under the pro housing grant, uh, that missing middle housing, a greater diversity of housing typology by and large being um uh denser housing and um more rental, but we also think we will be able to leverage more condos, more home ownership across those different typologies.

But we thought, bottom line to answer your question, by doing that, we could actually take a little bit of the impact potentially away from the neighborhood, given that there is still a great deal of opposition to change in the traditional single family neighborhood.

So you could still um have an increase in housing.

You could encourage in fill housing within the R2 areas as they are uh as the current ordinance before you uh looks to do.

And then as we figure out exactly what should happen with that uh roughly two-thirds of the city that is R1, where we can maybe go in um where there are larger swaths of vacant land.

Some of the thinking coming initially out of uh Zone Detroit is that we may have two flavors of R1, traditional R1, and then another that is more diverse, more mixed uh in terms of its typology, but still residential.

Thank you.

Uh thank you, Director Tyde.

Um there is so much in front of us.

I wish we could take it piece by piece and actually give it the time that it needs so that we're able to have these discussions.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you so much, Member Santiago Ramiro.

Councilmember Calloway.

Yeah, thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Good afternoon, everyone.

Um I I would like to see us bring this back.

Um, you know, I haven't read everything.

I've done my best to read and digest as I read.

But this is very, in my opinion, very, very perplex and complex.

I don't know what the rush is.

Um, and I don't like to feel like I'm being rushed, and then I'm probably not giving it due diligence in my review of it.

Um, and I don't know why we can't split it.

Why can't we divide it?

Just divide it and take pieces at a time instead of putting all in one ordinance.

That would be my, you know, if I were to make a motion now, it would be to bring it back after the first of the year to give everyone an opportunity to review it and take our time and not, I can only speak for myself and feel rushed.

I've gotten quite a few um phone calls from my constituents that I report to.

Member Benson says bosses that I um, and I have a lot of, and uh, they are very much engaged and in tune, but they're asking me if we could slow down the process.

And uh, you know, I know this is just uh uh a vote for setting a public hearing, but even we before we set the public hearing, can we just kind of take our time?

And my motion would be, which I'm not making right now.

Um, I don't know if there's a need for it to bring it back after the first of the year to give all of us an opportunity to um digest it um comfortably and not feeling speaking for myself, not feeling so rushed.

This is a lot.

And I've gotten complaints from across the city.

Boston Edison, Indian Village, and I don't even represent them, but they're making their voice voices known.

And I know the voices can be heard at the public hearing.

I get that.

I'm just feeling that we are rushing it and we shouldn't have to feel like that.

I mean, not we.

I should not have to feel like that.

And that's how I'm feeling because I can't speak for anybody else.

I can only speak for myself.

So thank you, madam chair.

Thank you.

Thank you, Member Calloway.

Thanks a couple of letting you.

Thank you.

I see a couple of hands raised, Member Durha.

Thank you, Madam President.

And again, in that same vein.

If the idea is that you don't want to vote for it when it comes before you, that opportunity will exist.

When we talk about the public hearing again, I don't see the issue of getting more information at the public hearing.

I don't see the issue of having more weigh-in from these community folks at the public hearing.

That is what the process allows for.

So if it is not or decided or palatable to the entire body uh in a majority at that time, uh it can be decided.

Uh, but again, there are many ordinances that come in front of this entire body.

Some folks agree with them, some don't.

I think the great percentage of them get a public hearing and they are allowed to be heard.

Uh, it helps bring awareness to the community, it helps bring awareness to the body or folks uh who may uh want to learn more about that issue.

Uh and again, I don't see a problem with having a public hearing uh on that.

Now it'd be a totally different thing if we're voting on that today.

Uh, but it is my firm belief for someone who will not be on this body next year or at this table next year.

Uh if you decide that you don't want to deal with this until next year, well, at least you'd be teed up because you'd have more information uh and be ready to deal with it next year.

Uh, but I do believe again, uh, the opportunity to have that heard from folks who have been working on this.

And by the way, it may be new to some, but not new to all.

Uh in all fairness, uh, for folks who have been working on this, uh, whether it be the administration, other council members, council offices who have submitted it, Mr.

Todd, CPC, Zone Detroit, uh, to have a hearing, I think uh is just for this issue.

Uh, and again, that's not core.

That that's not trying to suggest that someone uh should support it.

Uh, but to get that information uh is important.

We don't know what the composition of this body will look like, or nor who will lead it, or nor if it will be taken up uh next year.

But I think the time is now because it isn't in front of us now.

This is an ordinance that has been pushed through, uh, sent through to form.

It is before us, uh, and at least to have the opportunity to hear it.

By the way, I am a member of the committee in which the public hearing will take place and be heard.

If you don't want to hear it, you don't have to be there at that committee.

I do, unfortunately.

But but I will say uh again, to have it heard, I think uh it it deserves that.

You will not solve everything uh in a public hearing.

You do not solve everything in one ordinance ordinance.

It is not my belief that this ordinance will solve the entire housing crisis of the city of Detroit.

Uh, but again, where do we start uh when we talk about discussions on how do we fill in neighborhoods when we talk about discussion on how do we fill in commercial corridors?

Yes, we would love to have a retail component attached to every residential uh uh building that we have that sits on a commercial corridor to allow for more commerce.

But the reality is uh in the in the world that we live in the city that we're continuing to grow is that we have commercial corridors now that are spotty.

And if you're a developer and you walk into a commercial corridor, we have parcels that are not even contiguous, and then we have restrictive zoning that if you're a smaller developer, a black developer, minority developer.

You say, how can I afford to build on this commercial corridor?

And most of the incentives that come through that help developers are on the housing lane, not on the commercial side of things, but on the housing, whether that's li tech or otherwise.

So this allows for it not to be as restrictive for folks who are trying to develop.

And again, you know, one thing that I've learned as a legislator, laws are meant to be changed, and they will constantly be changed.

And so even in that same vein, uh, there's opportunity to change that next session as well, if there's something that needs to be tweaked.

And I think all we're asking for again is the opportunity for the public to weigh in.

Uh, and if this body is to decide that at that time this ordinance will not be passed, and hey, we have more information for uh the next session.

Thank you, Madam President.

Gotcha.

Councilmember Benson?

All right, thank you.

Uh, and just looking at the process practically, uh this ordinance, if introduced today, couldn't get back to this body until the 18th of November, unless I'm mistaken.

That gives a substantial amount of time for the committee to do its job.

And right now we're doing committee work.

I'm not a big proponent of that.

Allow the committee members who have been assigned to those committees to go there.

The committee chair who often does if requested, will open it up to a poor maybe present.

This would give the at least two meetings, if not three in that committee.

Three meetings in that committee.

If the committee doesn't believe that it should come forward, they don't have to vote it out.

There is no requirement to vote it out.

We could do effectively what members are asking for here today to not hear this at this table again until next year.

But allow the committee to do its work, allow the public to come and speak to this.

Let's make a decision there.

Why stop the education process at the introduction process at the induction stage versus allowing council members and the public to express their concern in the committee were appropriate?

So I support moving it out of the committee.

It doesn't come back, it doesn't come back.

That's on the committee.

But if it does come back, allow this body to make that decision.

We can vote it up or down right there.

And it may get voted down.

I don't know.

But let's give the opportunity for people to make a decision and not hold it up.

All right.

Thank you so much, Member Benson.

All right, we're gonna start to wrap it up now.

Um, Member Johnson, followed by Member Durha.

Um thank you, madam president.

I'm not sure if that was a question to the chair of PED or if the chair wanted to respond to that.

That's a statement.

Okay, gotcha.

All right.

Um, thank you, Madam President.

So through you to Director Chai, um, can you just clarify whether or not triplexes are allowed to be developed on R2 zone land today?

On a conditional basis, excuse me.

On a conditional basis.

And how will this ordinance change that?

So again, through the chair to member Johnson for the triplex or the quad uh moving, not moving from what is allowed today, single family and two-family residential, we would be adding the triplex and the quad, and they would now be a they would, if approved, then be able to proceed without requirement for a special land use hearing or conditional land at present.

Anything beyond the single and two family will require uh hearing at building and safety engineering as a conditional land.

Thank you.

And so just make sure I understand and that the community understands the a triplex would be allowed in an R2 zone single, one single vacant lot next door to my house without me being involved in the conversation, knowing anything about what's being developed there, correct?

Through the chair, that is correct.

Okay, I just want to be clear about that because currently a triplex or a quad could be built.

I understand that the setbacks are being changed to allow a greater footprint on the uh the the ground level.

Um, but at the present time, the community has the ability to weigh in again through the chair.

If this were to move forward, they would not.

That is correct, it would change it for those triplexes, and then again within what is currently conditional, they would still be able to have a hearing, but that again that range would increase from eight units to 12 units on a conditional basis.

And their ability to weigh in would take place with the board of zoning appeals?

That would be with the building and safety engineering department.

Board of zoning appeals would handle an appeal of a zoning decision.

The building and safety engineering handles those items that are uh that require a special land use hearing as it is referred to by state law, otherwise known as conditional land uses in our zoning ordinance.

Let me make sure I'm following you.

Um and so if in the future, if this were to move forward, if a triplex or a quad is allowed by right, when does the community have the ability to weigh in?

There would be no requirement to weigh in as is done today.

By right uses in any zoning district, are able to proceed to the building and safety engineering department and pull a permit, thus the term by right.

If it is conditional, then that is what indicates that a hearing uh is required with building and safety engineering department, at which time they can review, they review the matter, they can hear testimony, and then they can also apply conditions to the given um uh project if approved.

Thank you, Director Todd.

I I want you to make it a little bit plainer.

Um, so I asked if the a triplex or a quad is allowed by right.

At what point in time does the community get to weigh in to that triplex or quad being developed next door to my house on a one vacant lot that is zoned R2?

Through the chair, there is no requirement for public notification or hearing on by-right uses, which this proposal would make a triplex or a quad.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you, Madam President.

Member Waters, followed by Member Calloway.

Thank you, Madam President.

Uh, it's probably just gonna be one of my last times.

I promise, Madam President.

Um, if we can get someone down here or even to Mr.

Todd, I know there's been a lot of concern uh about uh historical districts, uh, what the effect will be.

Uh and I know I think we got Josh Roberson here from the mayor's office, which by the way, tonight is their 25th meeting of engagement for this ordinance for folks that don't know.

There's seven more other meetings subsequently to uh follow.

And I think they got videos up on YouTube, the website, and all that other stuff.

Folks want to tune in and see Mr.

Ty's great work.

Can we touch on the historical uh uh aspect?

You know, we've heard that there may be some concerns, which could be valid concerns.

Um, how does this ordinance affect folks in historical districts with these zoning changes?

Certainly through the president's chair to member Durhall.

Uh, I will yield ultimately to I guess Mr.

Roberson or to uh Mr.

Verna with the specifics, but we did go back and do the research by and large, our historic districts, particularly our large historic districts that would encompass an entire neighborhood, such as Indian Village, Russell Woods, etc.

Those districts are by and large our one zoned, uh have our one zone land.

There are only a few that have some portion of R2 land, and again, I'll yield to them with the specifics, just how much.

So when we talk about what is on the books or what is what is before you today, what is proposed, those R2 proposals would have very little impact, direct impact on a historic district, maybe in the instance where there is a historic district that abuts some R2 zone land where this is done, there would be that tangential impact across an alley or across a property line.

But the historic districts, the um the large historic districts that encompass a neighborhood by and large are zoned R1.

Through you, Madam President, I know Mr.

Roberson is here.

I want to have the opportunity to for him to chime in because I know we said we heard some from Boston Edison.

From my understanding, Boston Edison is not is not R2 through R6, but it's R1.

Uh, if I'm not mistaken, I grew up in a historical neighborhood, Russell Woods always shout that out.

Love that.

We passed uh member Watson, she she lived there too.

Um what we see generally in those historical districts, which I why I understand the concern.

The concern is are we going to preserve the integrity of that historical district?

But again, most historic districts are zone, R1, particularly some of the biggest ones uh that become part of you know, uh conglomerates or whatever the case may be.

Can we talk about uh to you or or to Mr.

Robertson?

Again, we know that impact because this zoning ordinance only affects R2 to R6.

Can we talk about you know, maybe the possibility of who may be affected, how many that is, uh, and what engagement has looked like because you've been on the ground having conversations with them.

Thank you, Member, through the chair, um, Josh Robertson, deputy director for the department of neighborhoods.

I do want to again reiterate that as of this evening, uh, through the chair, the member Benson will be in your district this evening.

Um, and this will count as our 25th meeting.

We have seven more scheduled, um, and that number is increasing as the days go on and more people hear about it.

Um, we will um we have a like again, a YouTube video, channel 21.

I had a presentation that I recorded.

It was sent out via gov delivery to almost 90,000 residents.

We've sent it to over 600 block clubs, and we have district specific PowerPoint presentations for every district so that residents can understand how it affects their individual district as well.

And we have created a website landing page for this ordinance.

Finally, to address your trust your question, Member Dural, who the chair, uh, we have had two historic alliance.

There's a Detroit Historic District Alliance organization.

We've had two meetings with those members.

Um, the currently Boston Edison, Indian Village, Joseph Barrie Sub have zero R2, zero percent.

I want to repeat that R2 in those districts.

They are primarily R1.

Of course, we know that districts one, two, and seven have mostly R1 on the west side of the city, and R2 is heavily uh dense in districts three, four, five, and six.

Um, so we've had thorough meetings with them.

Uh, I have an email currently drafted that has all of the statistics as it pertains to how many parcels exist in each historic district.

I will note that also some of the people, some of the organizations that are a part of the historic district alliance are not deemed historic by the historic district commission.

They are just a part of the alliance.

And finally, the historic district commission has the final say so of anything that happens in historic neighborhoods.

And so their authority trumps anything that we do here today, because they have the final authority about what is built, rehabbed in those deemed historic districts.

Thank you.

So again, through you, Madam President, say that one more time just for the record, Mr.

Robinson.

That if let's just say this passes, if someone wants to build in that historical area, let's just say for some reason it is designated historical, is a part of it and a piece of it is R2.

Does the historic district have the authority to deny that that new building of that structure based off of what current ordinance?

Yes, sir, it does.

The historic district commission has through the chair, has the final say so as it pertains to what is built or rehabbed in historic district neighborhoods, deemed historic by the HDC.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

Member Callaway, motion to um call the question, Madam Chair.

Well, I was already the hopper.

Oh, okay.

So before we do that, um, Member Water, or is the motion already?

I'm sorry, I I'm sorry, I apologize.

Um Member Waters did have her hand raised as well.

So we will go to member waters, followed by Member Callaway.

Yeah.

Yeah, I'll uh I'll be quick.

Umber Johnson basically kind of lays some of it out, but I just want to make it a little plainer.

So a resident Paris, for example, if she lives in a single home, and um she doesn't own the lot right next to her.

Nobody needs her permission to come build on that lot.

And what if she doesn't want a triplex or a duplex or whatever right next door to her?

I just want to break it down so people can understand because sometimes people don't want that next door to them.

I I I hesitate telling communities what to do.

I want us to work with them and have them tell us what they want and what they need.

That I've been saying this for years.

And so and so here we are.

And when we do this, this this development, these homes, I don't, I still don't know if we're reaching the people that we really need to reach at this time.

And we're talking income-based and low-income families.

We have a whole lot of affordable housing that's around here.

And a lot of a lot of it is empty, people because people cannot afford it.

So I just want us to be careful and and and not rush things to make sure that we are doing the right thing on behalf of the people.

Uh, in terms of the historic areas, I mean, they lay out other things.

I mean, the fact that they can deny it, they do lay out other rationale, uh reasoning why they don't think is it's a really good idea.

And so can we have more conversations with all of them?

Um, so that they clearly understand what their rights are as well and how this is going to affect their their neighborhoods.

They believe that it will, uh, even though you're saying we won't affect historic communities, but you're talking about surrounding areas just connected to the historic areas.

It will indeed.