18.

When it's Diaz.

Come on, Salas is so we're good.

I just restarted with the package.

Madam Clark, please please call the road.

Councilmember Scott Benson.

Councilmember Fred Duhal III.

Present.

Councilmember Letitia Johnson.

President.

Council Member Gabriela, San Jacob.

Present.

Council Member Mary Walters.

Present.

Councilmember Answer Flipfield, by the way.

Councilman McComa Young the second.

Here.

Here.

Council President Postum James Tate.

And Council President Mary Sheffield present.

You have a quorn president, Madam President.

All right.

There being a quorum present, we are in session, and we will start off with our invitation for this morning.

We have chaplain Michael Cadot, who is joining us.

Good morning.

Good morning, Madam President.

Thank you for having me today.

Thank you for being here.

Put ourselves into a mindful state of prayerful grace.

Heavenly Father, we know you by many names, Father Creator, Allah, Yahweh, God.

We come before you to offer thanks for the opportunity to serve this great city.

We pray for your spirit to give us guidance, wisdom, and grace as our elected officials and this honored council and their staff work through the issues on today's agenda.

I pray that you grant them discernment to make decisions that promote the welfare of all citizens and to help them always govern with justice, integrity, and compassion.

May this meeting be conducted in order with respect and a spirit of unity, even amidst disagreements.

Help us all, Father, to find common ground and work together for the common good.

Bless the great city of Detroit and all who live here.

In your name we pray, and I personally pray through Jesus Christ, my Lord.

Amen.

Amen.

Thank you so much, Chaplain, for the invitation, and you have a blessed day.

Thank you, ma'am.

Thank you, sir.

All right.

All right.

We have a presentation this morning by Councilmember Waters.

I will turn the floor over to you.

All right.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um, Sierra, can you come right here?

All right all right.

So good morning, uh Detroiters and fellow uh colleagues.

You know, you know, much of what we do here on this city council as a as a public servant as an elected official.

It is not that the ideas always originate with us, it comes from members of our community, and that's what I really appreciate about about honoring Sierra Gotzi today.

So in recognition of Sierra Gotzi's calling to the attention of Detroit Council member, including council member at large Mary Waters, that Detroit firefighters were on duty days at a time and sleeping on mattresses that were worn out, hindering rest and jeopardizing fire fighting effectiveness after investigating Detroit citizens Sierra Gossi's mattress concerns, new mattresses with betting were provided to all Detroit fire housing, improving firefighting capabilities as a result of Detroit citizen Sierra Gazi's advocacy, council woman at large, Mary Waters, and the Detroit City Council does hereby present this spirit of Detroit award to Detroit citizen Sierra Gotzi with profound appreciation for the difference one citizen can make.

Um Sierra on behalf of this entire body for being that one citizen making a difference.

Had it not been for you, all of our fine houses would not have received new betting.

Had it not been for you, all of our firehouses would not have received new betting, much deserved betting.

I just want to say thank you so much for your advocacy and for standing strong on that.

You are so passionate about it.

I got invited down to the post.

A friend of mine called me and said, come to the post.

So I've never been to the post before.

So I went to the post, and that's where I met Sierra.

She was there, just going on and on and on about firefighters and what they need in order to do their job.

She said, you know, they need to be able to rest well when they're in those firehouses.

So once again, everybody, let's give Sierra Gotzi a round of applause for her advocacy.

Thank you.

All right.

So, madam, madam president.

Oh, okay.

Yeah, through you.

Um, if anybody else no, go ahead.

I was making sure people weren't being ruled.

Yeah, go ahead.

Just make sure your microphone is on.

All right, turn your microphone up, Sierra.

All right.

Hi.

Um, thank you.

Um I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me and listen.

Um, sometimes it just takes Excuse me.

Okay.

Um, sometimes it takes just speaking up at a random moment to make something happen.

I didn't expect to be presented with any type of award or anything.

Um, this is something that I feel should have been already taken care of.

So I was just letting it be known.

And um I'm happy you are the council person that I ran into to speak to, and you listened to what I said, looked into it, and provided um the firefighters with new mattresses and um bed frames that they so much needed to get sleep.

So yeah, I appreciate you.

I appreciate Detroit Fire for what they do, the sleepless nights, the back-to-back runs.

Um you know, they're the ones that we should really be thanking.

Yeah, yeah.

We have and we certainly appreciate our firefighters who put their lives on uh you know on the line every day for us.

So do you have a firefighter here with you today?

I do.

My cousin uh Kenny Rosenboom, right there.

Okay.

Oh yeah.

Hi.

Yeah, just uh very uh thankful that my cousin did this for us and uh you know, love the job, love the friends I have in the job, and uh we need good sleep.

And it's been it's been great having new mattresses and being able to get good sleep that we need to help the citizens.

So very thankful.

All right, then thank you.

Thank you.

All right.

Uh if we're colleagues having the president, thank you, Member Waters.

Member Calloway.

Thank you, Mary Lex Sheffield.

Um, thank you so much for your service, sir.

And thank you for um over here.

No, no, you can stay there.

I just want to thank you for having a big heart.

Thank you for being the eyes and the ears.

And I hope those mattresses are thick, and I hope that they are memory foam to make it a comfortable.

Are they?

He's saying yes, they're good.

They're they're nice quality mattresses, because if not, we gotta we gotta do something about that.

They're good quality.

Okay, well, thank you so much for being the eyes and the ears.

We need more folks like you in our city.

And um, when you see something, you say something.

You see, because you saw something, you said something, and look, look, look what happened.

So thank you so much.

And thank you.

Member Johnson, thank you.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um, thank you to you and to member waters for recognizing the need.

Um, I think most of us don't realize how much time firefighters spend at the fire houses.

So it could be 24 hours or more at any given time.

And so for them to be comfortable, uh, to be safe is extremely important, especially with the work that they do to keep all of us safe.

Um, I I know we will continue to ensure that the firehouses are also up to par because I have known several firefighters over my life and have had great friends who moved up in the ranks and recognize that a lot of our firefighters help to maintain the fire stations.

That shouldn't be the case.

That should not be the case.

So we need to make sure that we, the city of Detroit, is stand on top of the condition of the firehouses, um, and that we take care of our firefighters as well.

Thank you.

Thank you so much, Member Johnson.

Member Young.

Thank you.

Man of Maryland.

I just wanted to say thank you so much for what you've done.

Most of times when you see a firefighter, it's usually the worst day of your life.

These are men who run into burning buildings, but most people run away from them who put their lives on the line, who paid the ultimate sacrifice of their life for people's safety.

So the fact that we are doing this for them.

They are called Detroit's bravest and heroes for a reason.

And they deserve to have a city love them as much as they love the city and the citizens within it.

So I just wanted to say from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for what you've done.

So I thank you.

I am eternally grateful.

Words cannot express how thankful we all are for you and what you have done.

You have truly made the city of Detroit better through the power of journalism and using your voice.

And I thank you for it.

Thank you.

Madam President, if I just may, and to what Member Johnson to her point, you know, I went by uh a couple of the firehouses while the mattresses were being delivered.

And I've got to tell you, I'm so so thankful that we were able to replace those mattresses.

They never should have been there.

Some of them way over 20 years old.

Um, and what I found interesting is that they some of them had made their own bed frames.

You know, they took a piece of plywood and made it themselves.

They had to get creative for themselves.

So those are the kinds of things that are happening, but we're going to monitor these things very closely in the future so that we can take care of our firefighters.

All right, Madam President.

Thank you, Member Waters.

Yep, we can come down.

Colleagues, we can come down now for a group photo.

We are also going to cut off our public comment for this morning as well, all right.

Thank you again, Councilmember Waters, for that presentation.

And we will proceed back to our agenda.

The journal of the session of Tuesday, October the 28th will be approved.

There being no reconsideration or unfinished business.

We will proceed to unfinished business.

Under unfinished business.

The status of the rules committee.

Just the update.

We're just bringing it back from last week.

Okay.

All right.

So this is line item 5.1.

This is the amendment to the rules of order for the Detroit City Council.

Is there a motion to discuss?

This was brought back from the last session on Friday.

So move.

Great.

Thank you.

Good morning, Attorney Barcliff.

Good morning.

You should have been provided with a memo from our office that outlines the amendments that were requested on Friday.

Is data speak up a little bit more?

Attorney Barclay, we can barely hear you.

I said good morning.

And you should have been provided with a memorandum from our office that outlines the four changes that are requested during the last session on this, which was last Friday.

Okay.

So on page three at the bottom, four point two point one members.

We've um added the language that no more than two members shall be appointed from any one district as requested.

And that's for the um the property assessment board review.

And then on page six.

On page eight, under 18.6 legislative agenda, we've provided a definition for a legislative agenda, which reads a legislative agenda is defined as a list of priorities, goals, and policies that the city council plans to address during the legislative term.

And the last correct um the last amendment is on page nine, and we're removing the language that indicates approval by the whole body is also required for presentation at a standing committee meeting.

If the body approves the standing committee presentation, the petition shall be referred to the appropriate standing committee.

So we've removed that suggested language, and those are the those are the amendments that were requested.

Thank you, Attorney Barcliff.

Um any comments or concerns from colleagues regarding the amendments that have been proposed.

Are we acting on it?

Okay.

All right.

So um there should be a motion now to move this forward.

I know there was a hearing on Friday for these proposed changes.

Um, and so I think now we're at a point where we move to actually act on the items before us today.

Correct.

Okay, member Young.

Yeah, yeah, I just want to make it clear.

We're gonna act on the items first, and then we act on the rules the whole, right?

Or do we add all of it together?

So I what we need at this moment is a motion to accept those changes, and then you can make another motion to put it with the voting action items.

Motion motion has been made to accept the proposed amendment.

Are there any objections to the proposed amendment to the council rules?

Hearing none, the motion is approved.

And is there a motion to approve the suggested city council rules?

Motion.

All right, and hearing no objections, the resolution will be approved.

Thank you.

All right, for the budget finance and audit standing committee.

What we put from the office of contracting and procurement.

The report will be referred for the internal operations standing committee.

A reports from various city departments.

The eight reports will be referred to the internal operations committee for the neighborhood and community services standing committee.

Four reports from various city departments.

Those reports will be referred to committee for the planning and economic development standing committee.

To be reports from various city departments.

The three reports will be referred for the public health and safety standing committee.

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

There are no ends, Madam President.

All right.

We will call now for a general public comment.

Just as a reminder, we do have a 2 p.m.

Um hearing today as well as an evening council meeting.

So we will do a minute and a half for public comment.

And we will start with Miss Adrian Tynis.

Just make sure the microphone is on.

Just press the bottom, it will turn green.

Yep.

Good morning.

I want to say thank you to the city council for getting in touch with the attorney.

She had contacted immediately.

However, she knows that there are criminal issues going on, and we're still trying to get someone to address that.

Um, and the issue is that no inspector has come back out since he threatened the last uh people to come out.

Um, he's still targeting me every night with tenants threatening me, uh, trying to physically assault me for speaking up.

He says he's going to evict me by the uh November the 30th for trying to organize tenants and me speaking out.

And that will be an illegal eviction.

I will be 64 December the first.

I don't need that.

And um, there are too many tenants still becoming ill in his building, including me, um, from whatever he's using to target certain tenants to you know to become ill.

And uh my thing is that I'm gonna continue to stand my ground.

I used to work with Detroit Action.

I'm gonna continue to try to find a way to address these owners who are uh abusing their tenants, you know, all types of abuse, elder abuse, uh, uh sexism, classism, you name it.

And um, it's not right, you know, and people are afraid.

So I just want to thank everyone.

All right, thank you.

And we're here to support um ma'am as much as we can.

Joe Pico.

Followed by Daniel Weber, followed by Jackson Hammer Armour, excuse me.

Okay, hi there.

Um, I'm Joe.

I'm a member of the Detroit Anti-War Committee.

Um, I'm here today to express support for um Detroit Community Action Committee because people are behind me on their uh presenting a sanctuary city ordinance.

Um and I'm here to support this on behalf of my organization because I know firsthand the consequences of this body failing to take action.

For over a year, my organization, Detroit Anti-War Committee has tried to get our divestment resolution passed, and by not passing that resolution, our tax dollars continue to fund the genocide on Palestine and now Trump's war on Venezuela.

The same can be said if you fail to adopt DCAC Sanctuary City ordinance, which would prevent more families from being torn apart and more harm from being uh caused to our community.

Yet instead of taking our concerns seriously, a lot of you tend to write us off as habitual complainers.

While this council is about to change in the coming year, I know many of you will continue to serve this city, and I think it will be in your best interest to listen to us and the change we want to make Detroit a better community.

Thank you.

All right, thank you.

Hello, my name is Daniel.

I'm a part of Detroit Community Action Committee.

We're an immigrant rights group located in Southwest Detroit, and we're here today to demand you pass our sanctuary city ordinance, which would end all cooperation between ICE and the city of Detroit.

The following is from our ordinance as we wrote it to protect and defend the civil rights and liberties of all residents of Detroit by becoming a sanctuary city and prohibiting the use of city resources, personnel, or property for the purposes of immigration enforcement or cooperation for federal agents.

Thank you.

Okay, thank you.

Hello.

Um, my name is Jackson, and I'm also with the Detroit Community Action Committee.

Um, and to further uh read off what's in our ordinance um from section three, prohibited use of city resources and cooperation, no city department agency, officer, or employees shall use city funds, resources, personnel, information, databases, facilities, or property to assist in the enforcement of federal immigration law, permit for federal immigration authorities access to city facilities, databases or individuals in custody without a judicial warrant, honor immigration detainer request or administrative warrant issued by ICE, CBP, and any other federal federal agency that are not accompanied by a judicial warrant.

Make individuals and city custody available to federal immigration authorities for interviews for immigration purposes, provide non-publically available personal information about an individual, including but not limited to information about the person's release date, home address, or work address for immigration purposes, including by providing access to city databases.

Identify, investigate, arrest, detain, or assist in the identification, investigation, arrest or detention of any person who is in violation or suspected of violating immigration law.

Respond to any civil immigration warrant or request to detain, transfer, or notify federal authorities about the release of an individual for immigration purposes.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Hello, everybody.

I'm Ashley Anderson.

I am also with the Detroit Community Action Committee.

And I'm just going to continue where it left off, which is that the city departments shall not inquire about or record an individual's immigration status unless mandated by judicial warrant.

Enter into agreements under section 287G of the Immigration and Nationality Act or similar programs that delegate federal immigration enforcement authority to local governments.

Next is enforcement.

This ordinance shall be enforced by the city government and personnel in coordination with the Office of Immigrant Affairs.

Violations may result in disciplinary action in accordance with the city personnel rules.

No individual shall have a private right of action under this ordinance.

And then I just want to finish with I am a native Michigander, born and raised in the Detroit area.

And I personally would say that immigrants are what make us amazing.

We are quite frankly nothing without people of all sorts of cultures.

And the fact that y'all aren't willing to do anything to keep that safe is kind of disappointing.

Our job is to protect the people.

And like I'm not really certain of his name, but the person who said the prayer earlier.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Good morning.

Morning to you.

My name is Perry Terry Rosenberry.

I'm a resident of Detroit.

And I'm here to talk about the bus stops that's here in Detroit on Woolworth.

Um, one bus stop was real bad to where they be doing crack, drinking, smoking weed, just doing a whole bunch of stuff.

And that's right on um Edison and Woolworth.

So Miss Tyler, she took care of the problem and took that bus stop up to where they can't sit down or be up under the cover thing that they sit up on and drink.

So then there's another bus stop right here on East Grand Boulevard that's doing the same thing.

So what would is the main street of Detroit?

It represents Detroit to me.

And I like these bus stops to be really taken care of and you know, remove them because it's just it's just too much.

You know, you can't have no senior citizens sit down there, kids can't sit down, they're smoking weed in there, they're drinking.

And like I said, then the right hand with Edison, uh, one guy almost got hit and he put his pants down in the middle of the street.

So I like for y'all to just you know to look into that, you know, and take these bus stops up.

You can't take the whole bus stop up, at least take the product where they can sit down there and just relax themselves because anybody drinking don't want to stand up, official.

Okay.

So that's the only thing I like to say and let you know I do love Detroit.

It is my city.

I love Detroit.

Great.

You guys have great things.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you for coming down.

We appreciate that.

Good morning.

Oh, good morning.

I'm um Josh Medina from um uh from uh Detroit.

Um, yeah, I I want to I want to bring attention again to the trucking issue uh in Detroit.

Uh Southwest Detroit just, you know, we think got the restrictions passed.

And I want to urge the council to keep working to pass it throughout all Detroit um because you know these issues are these issues are not just exclusive to Southwest Detroit.

Um, and also urge the council to keep working uh with the communities on it and on an ordinance because that that is that is still needed.

Um, this is also a multifaceted issue.

Um, you know, also again urge the council to keep looking at the different areas uh to to solve the trucking issue.

Um, you know, I work I work in the Springwells community.

Um so I want to bring special attention to um to to uh the addresses 1411 um central and uh which is all started trucking school and 1500 central.

Uh these these are two trucking businesses located in the middle of a residential neighborhood.

I've been causing a lot of issues with health and and is disturbing uh the community.

Um Detroit has a lot of great projects, such as the Justice the Greenway that will be going right through that street as well, right?

Uh so also looking at at that because as we revitalize the community, uh we've got to make sure the zoning is compatible uh with the plans for for everyone, right?

For the for the city and the residents.

Uh so let's so just just urging the conference for the year end to keep this keep working on this multifaceted issue together with the communities.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Right ahead, Melissa Love, followed by Fed uh Fidel L.

Followed by Kenneth Hollowell, followed by Charles My So ghetto, no representation and lack of integrity to show up late.

I'm glad Donald Trump is attacking the massive fraud that's happening across the U.S., especially in the urban communities.

The Democrats are stealing and gotta go.

If we had representation, DTE wouldn't be so high.

Y'all need to get a hold of DTE ASAP.

Uh Love versus Vincent et on case number 25-C V13105.

The National Voters Registration Act of 1993 states that Secretary State must maintain clean voter roles.

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

I will not be silenced, and justice will be served, and respect will be on my name.

I will not stop or be stopped.

I will continue to speak about this evil corruption.

I am here to demand justice and represent representation for the hood.

I am here to collect my share off the pot.

Y'all been stealing from.

To the city of Detroit.

I am also here to speak about the public buses that's not showing up.

Tuesday, November 11th on Vetures Day, while y'all was off and relaxing.

I had to go to work.

And when I got off and had to ride the Wyoming bus number 8511 at 417 p.m.

And the bus never showed up.

I had to walk from Grand River to Finkel with no bus in sight.

I am here to demand Wyoming bus routes to be on time.

Every other and every other bus that don't go downtown.

Welcome to the most devilish low life immoral city council in all America, the Detroit City Council.

You just can't make a statement like that without some facts.

Now here it is.

You got the fireman saying that they sleeping on 20 year old beds and no bedfriend, and y'all got a massive budget, and y'all won't put the budget in there for them to have bids, but y'all give a reward out to a citizen.

How stupid are we?

Again, y'all got a massive budget.

How you don't know that, Waters?

How you don't know that?

Again, that's why I get when you get black representation and cheated in representation.

Hey, Colloway, uh waters, y'all get a bad meaning to the civil rights and Martin Luther King.

What y'all do up here?

He would never do.

And last but not least, this goes to Callaway, Waters, Sheffield, Ramirez and Johnson.

If this seems offensive, I got this from Sheffield.

Which one of y'all I gotta screw to get a contract?

Come on, where's what?

Who do I gotta do?

I got it from you.

Excuse me.

I ordered out of order, totally out of order, completely out of order.

He can be removed to be quite honest.

Yep, small-minded people say small-minded things.

Excuse me.

Excuse me, Mr.

Holloway, right ahead.

Order, madam president.

Excuse me.

All right, excuse me.

You use me.

Oh, yeah.

Mr.

Halloway, right ahead.

I know she gave you the wrong name.

My name is Holloway.

Excuse me, Mr.

And she said she wrote the wrong name.

So I'm not gonna hold it again.

Mr.

Holloway go right ahead.

Yeah, but uh I'm down here.

We need them life striks.

We done gave out all our we didn't resource all our the lighting company and everything.

I talked to my city council, like uh uh the Trisha Johnson and told them you you put cars in our alley, people back there freaking back there when I come home from doing my job.

Uh I have to come out the car with my weapon at night to make sure that I ain't walking up on somebody that's trying to rob me, and we have no lighting back there, and all it needs is a light bulb and uh the little fixture to go on top.

And they tell me to take out a loan for them to do that.

That's not my poll.

Allie might be mine.

If that's my alley, then remove that poll and I'll put a poll back there.

But they got all the wires back there.

We need the light up Detroit.

This is lit up, and we got a lot of work to do.

Chef feel you got a lot of you got a big job on your hand following Dougie.

We need money in our community.

We need contracts uh over there.

They won't give us grants because they said they gave us $15,000, which is pennies.

That's nothing for for poisoning us over there.

I'll vote my voice is gone, and nobody is getting none done.

Chrysler keeps saying they go come to the table and it's saying we gotta work better than that.

As uh it's sad that we have to go through all that in this city.

I've been here 69 years, I've been paying taxes, at least for 50 years, and they raised our taxes.

It's sad.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you.

Charles Miles, followed by Betty Lyons.

Okay.

Well, I'm coming here today to address the issue of uh you look you allowing these gas stations, uh, grocery stores and uh liquor stores to not accept bottles that they're charging taxes on, and you're not doing nothing about it, and these stores are clearly saying that they're not gonna take the bottles, and it's against the law.

You let them you allow them to sell Lucy cigarettes on green light cameras.

The police knows about what's going on, and you do well as well.

So these guys are clearly greasing your pockets, these store owners.

There's too many gas stations in the city of Detroit.

It's over, it's way too many liquor stores in Detroit.

So you need to close some of them down because you can't even keep up.

So with all this crime, so and uh you know I'm always gonna talk about my property that you live in this Mr.

Mallet, Conrad Mallet try to steal my property that I paid the taxes on, and you allowed the city uh Wayne County Treasurer to try to uh transfer my deeds to my properties that I paid to someone else to some Chaldeans or something.

That's going on right now, currently.

So I've been coming down here talking to you about it, and this is what I get every time I come, and you know I've been coming down here, and I got the receipts.

So, what you gonna do?

All right, Miss Chatfield, it's to you.

All right, thank you so much, Mr.

Miles.

Kimberwaters.

Thank you.

And so uh Mr.

Miles, good morning.

I just want to respond to what what you said about the gas stations.

They you can go in there and you can buy the drinks, and then when you go back there, they don't want to accept the the bottles or hands.

So I I have spoken with someone at in the Michigan State Legislature, and they are uh working on that, just so you know.

So you know, we were aware of it, and we're trying to address it.

All right, thank you.

All right, thank you.

Thank you, Member Waters.

Miss Betty Lyons.

Congratulations.

Over 600 million dollars in overpaid property taxes, stolen, belonging to the Detroit residents, stolen by that dirty Dugan and head, and no one investigates this criminal.

I'm gonna tell you what he did.

Conversion, the civil or criminal act where a person wrongfully exerts control over another one's property, interfering with the owner's rights.

This is what he did.

He is evil and Satan's heinous person.

He is awful.

He and that Dana Nessel, both of them working together and Mexican town, too.

No one should become an attorney who lacks integrity and watches the injustice occur.

This is to you, Mr.

Whitaker.

That other lawyer that's under the desk, I guess he where he is, and that Anderson.

This is wrong, and when are we gonna get our rights?

You're giving Mexican town millions, you give Dan Gilbert, and every week you read off this list, especially Romero, millions of dollars to people.

But when it gets to us black people, you tell us we don't have your money.

Yes, you do.

You're giving it to the Mexicans, to Dan Gilbert, and all these contracts, track contractors.

All right, Aaron McLeske, followed by Jadante Smith.

Good morning, counsel.

You all probably know what I'm here about again.

Uh, three three weeks ago.

Um, you guys requested a list of where the money went to what companies, to what individuals, um, how it was spent.

I followed up with an email, just asking to look up one name, the Ortiz family, see what happened there.

Um, they're one family that just keeps coming back to mind about how their generational home was taken.

It's completely demolished as well as their neighborhood.

Um, go through the state fair area.

There's piles and piles of tires piling up because the trees have been taken down.

Um 7.7 million.

You guys voted on it for Zousmer to take people's land.

Uh the original project was supposed to be between 10 and 12 million, and that was talking about conversion land that was money to take down a power plant, to take down a power plant and replace that with something else.

And you guys are using it to take people's property to install solar panels, which can go anywhere.

People have them on their backpacks, people have them on their houses.

You did not need to take people's private property.

It's a Fifth Amendment right to not be deprived of property without just compensation.

You guys used a statement from the CFO that is really a federal, federal fraudulent statement on the land values.

And uh everyone should go to the Detroit Solar Scam to learn more.

Thank you.

All right, thank you.

Good morning.

Uh, I was gonna say uh Scott Benson, I'm very disappointed in you for not meeting with your constituents when you call your bosses, Detroit Ham Trammon Coalition.

Um very, very sad.

Also, Angela Wilfill Callaway.

You call us habitual complainers, but I do appreciate you at least taking the initiative for the body cam ordinance, even though it was completely butchered from what we started with.

I appreciate you taking the initiative.

Thank you for that.

Um, I wanna say to Letha Johnson, uh hopefully we'll be doing some work in your district, uh, maybe around Whittier.

And so I like to work with you on that.

Also, you as well, uh, Councilwoman Romero.

I'll be doing some work in your district as well, maybe around Core City.

So I like to work with your office on that, have a meeting coming up.

Um, I wanna say about the COGs report that you guys passed through yesterday around the mobile cellular investigation uh technology for DPD.

There should be someone who comes from the Board of Police Commissioners to talk about these Sea Ox before you guys vote on them.

Also, uh, there are eight indemnifications from Friday's report of police officers and misconduct, and there's also one or two from today, this report.

Very, very disheartening to see that.

Um very, very unfortunate.

Also, congratulations, Mayor Lex Sheffield.

Uh, I miss you at your party.

I was there a little bit late.

I got a VIP, which is kind of surprising because I did not support you, but it was nice to be there and see all the familiar faces inside the party.

Um I also want to say I like look forward to having a meeting uh with you in Sarlevoy Village around the Bosa Felix and Development.

Also, I'll be the president of Helen Street Block Club, Heller Street Legacy Block Club.

So any development that comes to Island View will have to come through five institutions, not just the churches with building corporations, but also the residents.

Thank you.

Good morning.

Good morning, uh my name is David Gillespie.

Uh, I wanted to speak about the uh demolition department and a uh contractor, uh Gianca Cohen, Brian McKinney.

We've already seen what's been going on with that, that's been happening.

But I've done business with Brian McKinney, and I have not been paid.

It's been over a year and a half, and he owes me about 350,000.

I wasn't the only subcontractor that he hasn't dealt with that way.

But the city still allowed him to get more contracts after contracts, and he wasn't paying his contractors.

And correct me if I'm wrong, in the contract, it states that a contractor cannot receive another contract until he shows proof of paying his subcontractors.

So what is I don't understand what the problem is with that?

It's other contractors or subcontractors that are having the same issue.

So I'll just I I would like to know what I should do to be able to receive the unpaid invoices that I have and just to give the information to the other subcontractors as well.

I had to close my company last year, and I still haven't received anything.

I reported it to Lawrence Counts.

I gave her a list of what how what addresses I did the work on it was for his best as removal.

I did the I gave her the addresses, the PAC number, the date that it was completed, and I asked to verify if he was already paid for these properties.

I couldn't get any, couldn't get any help.

Nothing.

It's been a year and a half, still silent.

Okay.

All right.

Thank you for coming down.

If you want, we can get your information and connect you with uh the Office of Contract Contracting and Procurement while you're here.

Okay.

Thank you so much.

Yeah, here.

Actually, you know what I did too, Termon.

Harry, you want to give him title information?

All right.

Ms.

Nolan.

Yes.

Good morning, council.

Congratulations, Mary Lick Sheffield.

Uh, my name is Ianola, three-time WMBA chapter with the Detroit Shock, and I am expressing support for the proposed WMA redevelopment project.

Uh, at the former unaroyal site, a transformative opportunity led by the WMBA Detroit ownership group.

The project represents a bold and visionary investment in Detroit's future.

One with that revitalize a long blighted environmentally challenged site, expand access to youth sports and elevate women's professional athletics in our city again.

As a former Shark player, I know the support of a new WMBA team in Detroit will receive.

And I know the type of engagement, representative reprocity the players and organization will give to the community.

That was a focus for me and my teammates throughout our careers.

This plan will not only give the WMBA the new facilities they need and deserve, but the thought of making it publicly accessible and a broader plan to impact youth sports, make it all more special.

The redevelopment plan is not only about sports, it's about equity, access, and pride by expanding opportunities for younger students, K through eight, supporting schools of all types and enabling Detroit to host regional youth tournaments.

The project will ensure that no child is left behind due to lack of infrastructure.

This initiative aligns with the type of community investment that would make Detroit the envy of the WNBA once again.

It will turn a challenging site into a source of pride and progress progress for Detroiters socially, culturally, and economically.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Morning.

Come on.

Morning, Council.

My name is Simone Saigovac.

I work with the Southwest Detroit Community Benefits Coalition, the Trucks Off Our Streets Coalition, and I'm a 34 year resident in the city.

I just want to say something really important happened in early October that we thank you for in the city, and that was to remove trucks off of some residential streets in Southwest Detroit.

And to date, there's now about 75 to 80% fewer semi-trucks on Livernoy Street, just as one example.

And that is improving lots of people's lives.

But at 25% still on there, that still means about a hundred semi-trucks.

And I don't think anybody would put up with that.

And we know that the city is committed to zero trucks.

And so I'm just here today to say how important it is that you continue in your role to make sure that there are policies that move forward to reduce these truck impacts.

As we're making all these plans and building the like the brand new beautiful park at the riverfront, we are all enjoying these uh things that are happening in the city.

But if we don't have a healthy city, people are not going to stay here.

They're not going to choose to raise their children, kids won't come back.

And so this truck issue is an economic issue for the city.

Public health is an economic issue.

And I just want to urge you to keep taking the roles that you have to move truck policy and complete streets, um, buffering all forward so that we have a safer, cleaner city for literally thousands of residents.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Good morning.

Good morning.

I'm Juliet Knight, and I'm um on behalf of Trucks Off Our Street Coalition, and I'm reading on behalf of Miss Loretta Powell.

My name is Miss Lord Powell.

I live in District 4 Kettering neighborhood since 1967.

Our community is being destroyed by semi-truck traffic.

Semi-trucks are coming down Mount Claire Street, which is a residential community through the day and night.

They are also on East Warren Avenue, going to and from the Stellantis plant.

This is happening because Detroit has no citywide truck ordinance.

I have health challenges now because there is no truck ordinance in Detroit.

Diesel particular matter or DMP, which is harmful subset of PM 2.5.

Um, I now suffer from scarred lungs when I had no one in my house who smoked um high blood pressure, lupus, and recently chronic kidney disease.

The trucks are also damaging my home.

My cement steps have cracked in the foundation from the vibrations.

I can't sit outside and enjoy my beautiful flowers because of the dangerous fumes.

We're breathing poison, and we urgently need a citywide ordinance to protect our homes and our community health.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Councilmember Johnson.

Thank you, Madam President.

And young lady, thank you so much for coming down.

Um, so we have been supporting Member Santiago Romero and her efforts in advancing a trust robbing ordinance.

In the meantime, what we can do is communicate with the businesses in the area where the trucks are going, just to make sure that they understand what the truck route is and to work with our local police department to make sure that we're enforcing those routes.

So thank you for coming down.

Okay, thank you, Member Johnson, member Santiago Ramiro.

Thank you, Madam Presidents, and want to also thank folks for coming down and talking about this issue.

We are going to make sure that we are expanding truck routes across the city.

It does take time to figure out what are the best routes, but we will go through that.

And I know for us, our next targets are 42 and 7 and district four, because there's a lot of advocacy that's coming forward city council, and just a note for council and our in our incoming administration to the points of enforcements.

I really do believe that we need our own um DPD or enforcement's uh division that tickets that is constantly monitoring that brings resources in that'll allow us to continue to grow our enforcements in the city um to keep our streets um free of trucks.

Uh so just the notes.

Hopefully, we're able to do that next term and continue to expand across the city.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Councilmember Santiago Romero.

Good morning, Andre James.

Good day, council.

How are you?

Great.

Good.

Um, my name is Andre James.

I'm in District 5.

Um, I have a land bank problem.

Um, there's a parcel that is said to be sold, have been sold a couple years ago.

And I'm getting a runaround, and there is no proof that the parcel was actually sold.

I'm trying to find the person.

If it is sold, I just want to try to find a person.

And now I'm getting a run around.

I did um, I was told that a business or nonprofit did own it.

I checked with that nonprofit, they did not own it.

And now, I mean, it's up in limbo, and it's this is an easy one.

Yeah, like I'm just I'm just trying to find out where the who owns the process.

It does say um land bank authority owns it, but there's no proof of sale, there's no records.

I went down to the title search, paid for a title search, went down to the register of deeds.

They land bank still owns it, and I'm getting a run around.

Okay.

Sorry you had to come down for that.

Um, I'm gonna have you talk to my team right now before you leave.

Ray Tyler, we can reach out to our uh our partners at the land bank to see if we can get a response for you while you're here, okay?

Yes, ma'am.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

Appreciate you.

All right.

Um Mr.

Cunningham.

Followed by Benetta Hale.

Followed by Ronald Foster.

313 444, 9114, 313, 4449 114.

That number was made so you can remember it.

Um this Thursday.

First, thank off to the mayor for riding the bus with me.

Um, and we wrote the burner.

Um, and then I want to talk about the D Dot input meeting.

Pizza will be there.

And 31-day bus passes are not cheap.

There's about $70 per bus pass.

We're raffling off $270 uh 31-day passes.

Um, I do have a flyer if anybody in the room would like one.

Um so I think it might increase the turnout to get some new voices and some new faces, not just the same old people over and over again.

So we're trying something new.

And I thank uh God for the uh open-mindedness of Mr.

Kramer, the director of DDOT.

Um, but hopefully there's more attendance, some new faces and new voices.

D.

Still lackluster.

Um, I always need funds for purchasing bus tickets, hand warmers, hats, gloves, blankets, etc.

So it's homeless folks and those that ride DDO.

I've been doing a very long time.

You can do it vicariously through me or do it yourself.

If you don't like me, do it yourself.

And my cash app again is 313 444 9114.

That number was made so you can remember it.

Take care.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Vanetta Hale, followed by Ronald Foster, followed by Portia at works.

Good morning.

My name is Vanetta Hale, and I'm down here on behalf of the lack of response from the police through the eighth precinct.

Uh, when you call the police from the eighth precinct, you barely get a response, if any.

And if they come out there, um, they have a lack of knowledge to handle the situations that's going on.

I had a situation last week with my neighbor.

He blows his leaves from the backyard to the front in the middle of the street.

And the two officers that came out there said that it was okay for him to do so to blow the leaves in the middle of the street.

Now, if you have all the citizens on the block blowing the leaves in the middle of the street, then you're gonna have the um drains clogged up and everything.

And then the officers did come out when as far as to tell me that I can't put um canyon pepper on my property to keep the raccoons from tearing up my roof as they did before.

So the issue that you was coming out here for, you didn't have it.

Now you I have a license landscape person that lives live next door to me, supposedly.

So then he's registered with the city, so he should know that you can't blow the leaves in the street.

But the officer told him it was okay.

I came down here to the city county building last Friday, and found out who owns the property because they're written.

So they gave me the number to the register of these.

I've been calling the register of these since Friday, left a message, no response.

I called them yesterday, left a message, no response.

I'm trying to find out who owns this property.

The next issue that I have is they have this fence attached to my my fence without my permission.

Nobody asked me or anything or whatever.

Thank you so much.

President Pro Tentate.

Thank you so much, ma'am.

President, uh, good morning, Miss Hale.

Um, nice to meet you.

I know you came by.

Uh we met you, uh, my team met with you yesterday, came down meeting that we had.

So it's the first time we heard about it.

So we're jumping on.

You've talked to Lynn McNeil.

We're gonna make sure we connect with you again and do what we can to assist you.

Um, but by it being just literally about eight o'clock last night when we when we met with you, uh, give us an opportunity to work on this and work with you.

Okay.

All right, thank you.

Thank you, Pro Tim.

Mr.

Foster Good morning to the Mary Elect.

Um, just a few things.

I wanted to speak uh very briefly on checks and balances.

Um, in the service, frightenization is strictly prohibited because it can destroy a unit morale and objectives.

What the young man spoke about today, the appearance of it is very much relevant.

Um I wanted to speak about state law here, post point and prohibition.

Although there was a memo submitted by the law department here.

This city council has continued to hire outside of those state laws, and in particular, Inspector General Mirable, Veteran Affairs Manager, Miss Alan Ha is not supposed to be involved in these things that's going on.

And so when we talk about rules and enforcing it in our community, the rules start right here.

And so, what is the remedy for this continuative hiring of folks outside of state law?

Secondly, Miss Ken Worthy, I'm very grateful that she came out with the Sentinel Report.

But as I've previously spoke down before, I've encountered the same thing 20 years ago.

I spoke on these things in the last four years.

I've caught several cases as a consequence to what I believe is council staff, and so I'm glad that she's going to look into some of those things and relief be given.

But depotism, fraternization has no place in our government.

It is damaging, it diminishes morale, it diminishes a lot of other things that goes on.

How can poor oversight make a better community?

Thank you.

Thank you, uh Mr.

Foster.

Portia Edwards.

Good morning to the council.

My name is Portia Edwards Brown, recently married.

Um, but good morning to you all, and congratulations to you.

Uh, Mary Sheffield from the Detroit Grassroots Coalition.

Your win opens the door for real possibility at our town hall earlier in 2020.

Um was that earlier this year in 2025 when you attended?

Okay.

Um, but we you promised that you would work with the Detroit grassroots coalition on reparations, and we haven't forgotten, and we're ready to work with you.

Let's begin this chapter in partnership.

The Detroit grassroots coalition will continue to organize, educate, and demand accountability.

We are not here for lofty ideas with no roadmap.

We are here for repair, direct repair, and repair starts with paying a debt that is owed.

Providing city services is not reparations, reparations must be specific, funded, and lineage-based.

Detroit voters, 78% of whom are black Americans passed the reparations ballot initiative by 80%.

That was not symbolic.

That was a mandate.

We're very concerned about the language that you're going to submit today.

Uh the draft from the reparations task force.

We want to note that um all reps from the National Conference of Black Lawyers are pan-Africans and pan-Africanism agenda must be exposed.

Um, we are not gonna allow our reparations to be pushed by a diaspora agenda, erasing lineage-based efforts.

We are nothing like immigrants.

Thank you so much.

All right, that will conclude all of the in-person public comment, and we will go to those who have joined us urgently.

Good morning, madam.

The first caller is Miko A.

Williams.

All right, good morning.

Yes, hello, good morning, madam president elect Demico Williams, District 5 resident, Chief.

I'm the chief director of Hydrate Detroit.

I'm a taxpayer, resident, legacy Detroiter, and I just want to say congratulations.

You done a great job, and I'm very thankful uh for your leadership here in District 5.

And I'm very thankful for your leadership here in District 5.

And as you excel to the mayorship, I hope that you have good blessings.

You remember the people that elected you and also the taxpayers that are depending on you to deliver us from this evil of white supremacy, corporate colonization as such.

Let me just say this.

I'm leaving.

I will still run hydrate Detroit and fight for the water.

But I will not continue in my capacity to serve and to help the citizens of Detroit.

I tried everything I could personally.

I have become dischanted with this city and the people in it.

And the way that the things happened over the past four years or so.

Don't even show up down here.

So what is your excuse to try to tell off Ronald Foster?

You disrespect.

Next caller is William M.

Davis.

Good morning.

Yes, you can.

Okay, I'd like to start off by saying that the city of Detroit retirees need some money.

We need to be restored.

We need to be getting at the very least the cost of living.

We need to be getting at least the new declaw back removed.

I especially bring this up today, looking at the agenda at 20.7, 20.8, and 20.9.

Whereas the mayor, who's already one of the highest paid mayors in the country, is going to get a five percent, then a three and a half, and a three and a half over the next three years.

We get nine percent and three point five and three point five.

And the one that really stands out, the city clerk is gonna get a 19% in one year and a 3.5 and 3.5.

I worked for the city for 34 years.

I never got an increase over 4%.

This is crazy.

Uh also let's looking at the city uh clerk's position.

How in the heck can we have allegedly 519,270 registered voters, and every adult in the city church is not a registered voter.

And yet the population supposedly is 639,000, and 31% of the population is children and people under 18.

The numbers don't add up.

I think an investigation might need to be looked into.

Thank you.

All right, thank you, Mr.

Davis.

The next caller is to Hira Ahmad.

Excuse me.

Good morning, said council.

Excuse me.

Congratulations.

Uh um to um Mary Sheffield, uh, Mayor Mary Sheffield.

Uh, I supported you.

I'm surprised that Miko Williams made the statement that he did because he's been raking me across the court across the code of social media calling me a sellout for supporting you.

Umgratulations, uh, Angela Whitfield Callaway.

You have been given a mandate.

And 15,000 votes is not uh is not small.

Uh also I want to say to Mary Sheffield, thank you so much for um uh admitting that we need to have the first 100 days.

Um, and I'm and uh also agreeing to it.

Um, we don't need a sanctuary city.

Uh it's a mess everywhere.

There's a sanctuary city.

Look at the mess it created.

We already have legal uh immigration here.

Uh I also want to encourage you, Mary Lick, uh, to make us whole 600 million dollars, make us whole 100,000 homes were illegally foreclosed.

Let's find those homes and those owners and make them home.

And uh please uh continue to um support the dignity restoration project.

Uh that's one way of how we can do that, make us whole, and also continue to uh look at the um thank you.

The next caller is owner papa.

Good morning.

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

Yes, we can.

You've heard a lot today about uh taking care of the residents.

It was wonderful that you take care of the fire department, the fire department has a budget.

Um you're giving her all of these accolades, but how how how about the children in the city of Detroit who are three times the poverty level of the of the national average?

Does she write about that?

Um 19.1 is a contract 100% bond for commercial uh uh demolition.

Uh that's illegal.

Um 18.5, uh 2.45 million dollars for a website seems with using ARPA funds when people are in the streets asking for you know help.

Uh all we get is uh bad uh ordinances, which um the reuse ordinance is is rushed, and we need to know what this reuse ordinance does.

We already have a reuse ordinance because we changed the school already into apartments, so we already can do this now.

And why are you rushing this through before we have a chance to really digest what is in this reuse ordinance?

26.15 is very disturbing.

Um, a contract possibly for um emergency food.

This is what this council has done to the people in the city of Detroit.

And I don't care how many people will give you congratulations or pats on the back.

I can tell you this.

The quality of life in the city of Detroit has deteriorated, and it's done so under you getting billions of dollars from the federal government.

You all ought to be ashamed of the state of the thank you.

The next caller is Chip Roadie.

All right, good morning.

Good morning, can you hear me?

Yes, we can.

Good morning, President Sheffield and City Council members.

Uh, my name is Chip Roadie, and I am a business owner of 75 years in the city of Detroit, across from uh Shane Square.

I'm also president of the Rivertown Detroit Association, which is made up of the businesses in the Rivertown area, small and large, as well as residents.

I'm here today to support the Rivertown Business Improvement Zone Project that we have discussed over the last several years.

Um my organization has held several discussions on this very important topic, and it has received overwhelming support.

The residents of Rivertown, the small businesses of Rivertown, the larger businesses of River Town do not want to see us go backwards from the days when trash was on the street, and it was the wild west.

We are looking forward to improving and growing with the city and with you, Mayor Elect Sheffield.

Thank you very much.

Great.

Thank you so much.

The next caller is Sylvia Crawford.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Congratulations, Mayor Let Sheffield, and greetings to the council assembled.

Again, my name is Sylvia Crawford, and I am here to express strong support for the former uneroil site and the proposed development by the WNBA owners.

My husband and I are lifelong Detroiters, and we are both former employees with the city of Detroit.

With these modest incomes, we raised our three sons, and we relied on neighborhood volunteer organizations, often youth camps, some recreation programs, and very rarely pro and youth camps.

But this enabled us to find a way for them to burn off their energy in a positive way, guide their interest, and build their skills.

Sports does more off the court as well.

It develops character, discipline, confidence, teamwork, and leadership.

And it also creates a boost into the local economy, job creation, and business opportunities, which is evidenced by Ford Field, Comerica Park, and LCA Arena.

So we greatly strongly support uh this development and look forward to the opportunities it'll bring to the youth and our community.

All right, thank you.

Next caller is not back.

Good morning.

Hello.

Yes, we can hear you.

Great.

Um everything, Ms.

Hughes said, little everything that um that's his name is my mind right now.

In any event, the city of Detroit retirees, we we do need our money back.

The fast track that was uh introduced to us, it didn't really do anything except put us in a line that we'd have to qualify for.

We've already been in that line.

We've checked the clock, we've checked in and worked 30 years and we've given our time, and now we we just waiting to be made whole.

The fact that you guys can get raises on top of raises, and we still are stuck in 2013 um wages, doesn't make any sense.

It only proves that it's um almost like it's it's intentional that we would be stuck in the class that we're we retired in.

Um the Waymaster, the Waymaster would solve all your trucking issues.

The Waymaster would police the streets for trucks, oversized trucks.

That's what we need to get back.

That Waymaster needs to be investigated and see what happened to the Waymaster.

I don't think it was the city of Detroit uh department, but yet it was a state.

I think either the state or the county.

But we need to get back to that Waymaster.

I just need you guys to remember you may be getting all your raises now, which is something we rarely got.

We mostly took pay cuts and and you know, we stayed where we were stagnant when we were working, waiting for our little two percent or three percent raise.

But first they came for me, and you did nothing, and next they'll come for you.

Thanks.

Great, thank you.

The next caller, Joyce E.

Jennings.

Great, good morning.

Good morning to everyone.

And it is my prayer that all of those that have been elected, re-elected, that you would create concerning all things and lead the people of Detroit righteously, because whatever we do unto others, we're doing it unto our creator, the most high God.

I thank God for another opportunity to be here today.

I would like to address an issue that I've been dealing with for a while.

Um, earlier this year, I was referred to um DTE Energy, their solutions for energy assistance um efficiency program, and they sent a contractor into my home who never pulled a boiler um to replace the boiler that is in my home.

They started working on the boiler in February of this year through August.

After so much time and delay, I went down to building and safety in August to request an inspection and learned a boiler permit was never pulled.

So therefore, the contractor was illegally working in my home.

I am now heating my home with an oven, electric heaters, which is forcing my electric bill to be high.

In addition, I have been applying for home repairs.

I have a hole in my roof.

I've tarped twice this year, once last year, and I've been using water machines to pull water out.

Someone needs to investigate what's going on with the home repair dollars, especially in district three, Van Dyke Lynch solar stand area.

Thank you so much.

Okay, thank you.

The next caller is Tysinger.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Can you hear me?

Yes, we can.

Thanks.

Um, let's see.

Uh regarding the zoning ordinance changes.

Personally, I don't have that much of an issue with the adaptive reuse one.

At least I don't think I do.

Um, the telecommunications thing.

Uh, of course, I can't get any responses from the FOIA department.

Um, we really need to talk about how the law department is run and hopefully the new administration will make some changes there.

Um, but I I guess just some thoughts about the, you know, the this the reality that we have these four huge packages all at once.

One, the charter says one subject at a time, and I I just strongly disagree with the approach of these massive packages.

It just makes it impossible for anybody to do anything.

Um, that's why we have the rule, one subject at a time, so that there's uh process for each of them that entitles people to respond and participate in a meaningful way.

Um and yeah, we should do some tweaking to the zoning ordinance, most likely, but not all at once in a way that just it's not the way to do it.

Um also I we have an amazing zoning ordinance.

It's incredibly well written.

We have an amazing charter.

It's incredibly well written.

I think the the real solution, like if developers are be are stuck waiting, the solution is to improve the efficiency of the agencies that administrate the ordinance, not to change the ordinance itself.

All right, thank you.

The next caller, Betty A.

Varner.

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

I'm Daddy A.

Varner, president of the Soda Elves World Black Association.

I want to start off by saying uh congrats to our mayor, our honorable mayor, elect uh mayor Sheffield.

I want to talk about uh uh think of corridor, and uh we have as an organization and myself, we have been working uh to get monies to improve our uh corridor.

We have worked with the city.

Uh it took me approximately three years to get uh the attention that was needed for the thinker corridor.

And uh honorable mayor uh Duggan, he uh had a team come over, work with us.

We've had plenty of meetings, beautiful ideas for the corridor, but there's no money.

So I'm hoping that uh Mary Lack will uh get on board and uh help us to find money to uh redevelop our thinker corridor.

We're not asking for anything special.

We want to be treated like the other corridors that are had and have had amazing work throughout the city of Detroit.

Uh Warren, uh Dexter, uh Magnicolus Sherwood Force.

We're here, we uh have been committed to this community, and we just want to be treated the same.

Thank you for this time.

All right, thank you.

The next caller is please comply with Charter Section 6-205.

All right, good morning.

Good morning.

Hello, yes, we can hear you.

Good morning.

Okay, great, thank you.

Um so you know that Detroit solar scam, it really is a scam because 8.4 is a privileged memo, and you disguise it as real estate proceedings, but let's just tell everybody what it is.

It's eminent domain, and Mary Sheffield, your current job is district five representative, and but you weren't here last Friday.

Your other job is president of the city council.

That no one in the city voted for you except for the council members to be president of the city council.

I called your office and asked where you were on Friday, because there were very legitimate concerns about this massive zoning packages.

And the response I got was, can I help you, Joanne?

I said, Yes, you could please answer my question.

And then she said, it's none of your business.

I said, Well, actually, it is my business because she is my district five representative, and there are uh district five residents here with very legitimate concerns about these massive zoning changes you're trying to ram through in violation of six charter section six-205.

Well, I noted that perhaps Member Sheffield didn't want to be here when the council voted for a two and a half million dollar increase for the Zhausmer law firm, again, disguised as doing real estate and relocation services when they're doing eminent domain to take people's property for the solar farms, and then the city went around and cut stuff down before you even have all the land.

This is so abominable, folks.

All right, thank you, Miss Warwick.

Excuse me.

The next caller is Sam Thung SM A166U.

Good morning.

Can I be heard?

Yes, you can.

First of all, I want to congratulate you on your new elected mayor for the city of Detroit.

And council president Mayor Sheffield, please do not disappoint us.

Because you know, they waiting to do any kind of harm to put you in the limelight to say, well, you see, a black woman can't run the city of Detroit.

And I'm sure you can.

So please do not just disappoint us.

Okay.

Number two, I want to talk about the uh cargrove uh bus terminal where I was at uh the other day.

And so when I went in, I don't like going to the through the metal detector, especially because I don't have to go to the bathroom.

So I like I like standing in the corner, right?

And one of the guys that work down, I even have his number.

And he knows that I usually either talk to him or I stand the corner, wait on my bus because that corner bus takes forever and a day.

The cease are hard, and then no, I do not like sitting in those hard seats.

I am 75, and I'm sure I don't know if anybody else wants to sit in them, but I don't.

So anyway, the guy that was telling me, asked me for my ID, and I told him, I said, Genie, my ID for a time, I'm trespassing.

I said, Boy, I pay taxes here.

Well, I said I pay taxes.

I say, boy, but to him, to me, that's what he is.

So, anyway, uh, matter of fact, when I showed it to my precinct, 11 precinct and went to the meeting, uh, third uh district meeting, and I showed him the video.

The guy didn't have no name tag on there.

So I was told to file up a report with this with the police department and thank you.

Next caller is Dominique A.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Can you guys hear me?

Yes, we can.

Good morning.

My name is Dominic Abner, and I am here in strong support of the new youth sports complex as a part of the new WNBA HQ.

I was born and raised in Detroit, just three blocks from the United site on Concord Street between Charleville and Verner.

And that site has been an eyesore for longer than my entire 30 years, 39 years of life.

After five years in Chicago, I came back home and I've been back for two years in my neighborhood of 48207.

I'm a mother, I work in marketing and digital media, and I also coach PAL sports.

Um, as a kid, I played basketball at Barrie Elementary, usually on the only girl on the court.

But when winter came, we had nowhere to go.

And that put my peers into situations that followed them for years.

I played AAU basketball in my entire childhood.

I would spend Saturdays at St.

Cecilia, Sundays on the lodge selling bottled water to raise money for tournaments, and those experiences gave me discipline, teamwork, structure, and purpose.

Now in my third season with Pal, I've seen how much the landscape has changed.

The passion is still there, but the resources are not.

We continue to lose incredible athletes to suburban programs because they have the facilities and development pipelines that we don't.

This is not just about sports, it's about the lack of safe, consistent, positive spaces for our youth.

A WNBA headquarters and sports multiplex will be transformational.

It restores something Detroit once had a historic Detroit women's basketball presence.

It's bigger than one team, it brings jobs, programming, mentorship partnerships, long-term opportunities, and it shows our kids that they can have access to opportunities that help them become who they're meant to be on and thank you.

The next caller is Teresa Williams.

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

Okay.

Uh the next caller is Stacey Clayton.

Good morning.

Good morning, Mayor Alex Sheffield and City Council members.

This is Stacey Clayton, Regional Relations Director for Wayne State University, and a resident of Lafayette Park.

I'm calling today in both capacities to express support for the proposed WNBA practice facility and youth development academy.

As a resident of a neighboring area, I'm excited because this project represents a bold and visionary investment in our community that will vitalize and long blighted environmentally challenged site.

This project also will be a catalyst for jobs, youth development, and community engagement.

The team behind it embodies Wayne State's values of collaboration, integrity, innovation, excellence, diversity, inclusion, and leadership.

And most importantly, it can help develop future Wayne State warriors like alumni Sheffield, Tate, and Vincent.

Thank you so much.

All right, thank you.

The next caller is Summer Crawford.

Good morning.

Well, hello.

Good morning.

Good morning, Mary Leg Sheffield.

Good morning, Pro Tem Tate, and the rest of the Detroit City Council.

As a I'm putting on my different hat today, and I'm putting on my youth advocacy hat.

And I want to say that I am in full support of the new WMBA facility youth development academy that is coming to the city of Detroit.

As a sports mom who I who now has two adult children, uh golf mom, I have been.

I have been that volleyball mom, I've been that football mom.

But in this case, to see a wonderful multiplex coming to the city, Detroit to where children who eat growth and play here, where their parents don't have to go far will be amazing.

So I'm asking all of you and the community to get behind this wonderful project to support the WNBA facility youth development academy.

Thank you.

All right, thank you.

The next caller is Richard Nodo.

Good morning.

Hi, can I be heard?

Yes, you can.

Hi, uh, congratulations, Mary.

This is uh Richard Nodo, and I'm the president of the West and Corktown Association.

Um look forward to working with you in the future.

Um, I'm here to discuss the extension of the historic district designations, which we are in favor of.

The triangle building's been around in Corktown for a long time and should be preserved.

The art installation is a great idea, and it's really going to uh perk up the area.

Our area western Corktown needs work.

Uh, unfortunately, the NAC for the DCFC did not mention anything about improving the streets from 15, 16, 17, and 18th and 20th Street in terms of proving proving the uh area uh and ongoing to fight for that as it moves through city council.

As far as the zoning changes goes, I'm in favor of it, but I think uh it needs to be broken down into smaller areas, as other people have said, so that the people can understand which zoning changes they're gonna be seeing and voting for, and I think it'll be much more accepted in that way.

Uh also we'd love to develop a commercial corridor at Michigan and 20 at Michigan at uh old West Demarca and look forward to working with the city developing that in conjunction with DCFC uh commercial car that they have on 20th Street.

Thank you so much.

Okay, all right, thank you.

Next caller is phone number ending in 337.

337, good morning.

Caller 337.

Good morning.

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

Okay, the next caller is Najee Wilson.

Morning, my name is Najee Wilson, and I work for the villages CDC.

We are in district five.

The trucks in our neighborhood are coming from the Stellantis plant on Mac in St.

Jean at all hours, making it unsafe for children to play or walk to school.

We need the city to commit to re revealing revealing our other neighborhoods for heavy truck impacts and ensuring citywide accountability.

Thank you.

Okay, thank you.

She making an impact on pop.

The next caller is Barry Blackwell.

All right, good morning.

Good um good morning to this honorable body, good morning to Mary Alex Sheffield.

Just wanted to come on today on behalf of the Marlborough Street Block Club to offer support for the WMBA practice facility.

And I'll just say, in keeping it short that this project has the ability and potential to have a ripple effect all across the city and certainly along the East Jefferson uh corridor.

Thank you for your time, and you all have a wonderful day.

All right, thank you.

The next caller is Renard Monsonsky.

All right, good morning.

Good morning, madam president and um mayor elect Sheffield and Honorable Council.

My name is Bernard Muschowski.

And can I be heard?

Yes, we can hear you.

All right, good morning.

I um just wanted to speak.

Um, honestly, as a resident um of the city of Detroit, not so much in my actual role.

It's just been disturbing over these past weeks and stuff with the type of comments that have been thrown, attacking ethnic groups, attacking people's orientations, and I think this climate uh needs not to continue into the next city council.

And I do appreciate the efforts of the members to um call that out and the fact that bigotry has no place in the city of Detroit.

Detroit is a majority black city.

And with uh the city of Detroit being a majority black city is a welcoming city of all types of people because it's majority black.

And so many people come here because they feel safe and welcome here.

And we don't need to have this acrimonious culture of people coming on here with their religious or their anti-whatever biases on here um based on ethnicity and group.

This Trump regime is attacking all of us.

This federal administration is harming all types of people of all walks of life.

And us tearing each other apart is unacceptable in this city.

This is not the city that I've grown up in.

And we do have some challenges, of course, but when you have this bigotry and using public comment as a platform for that, it's unacceptable.

And I want to speak out against it.

Thank you.

All right, thank you.

The next caller is calling user one.

Right, good morning.

Good afternoon.

Um Mayor, I would like it if you can make sure that you are bringing more vocational skills into the city of Detroit.

I would also like to know, Mayor, why is it that at the roads of parks transit center, you have it barricaded and metal gates that block entry?

If you're at the Linwood bus and you want to walk over to the Dexter that's outside of this gate, why is it no signs up that is difficult for those that are wheelchair um and blind, having to walk all the way outside to get back to the original spot that's been open over 85 years?

Why do you have that barricade?

And I also want to know when did it become a policy when you get on a D dot bus and you pay with a dark path.

Um if the machine doesn't accept it several times for bus drivers to take those passes and pocket them and not reimburse you'll fair um your Robert Kramer.

Great.

Thank you so much.

The next caller is Paul Cannon neighbor from Lindsdale present president, excuse me.

Hello, good morning.

Can I be heard?

Yes, you can.

Hi, good morning.

Uh, first, I'd like to congratulate uh all of you who ran uh for seats for city council, and I'd like to congratulate you as well, Uncle President Sheffield as our new mayor elect.

Um, I'm calling um just on behalf of myself.

I'm a resident of district six.

Uh myself and some residents have been attending meetings about a brown field on junction and McGraw that a lot of us aren't in favor of.

Um and we're just trying to figure out, you know, the level of communication between, you know, whether city council or you know, um, you know, the planning or procurement office uh in regards to future developments.

Uh, we have other brown fields in our area, and you know, we like to be at the table when things are talked of and discussed uh before the development actually happens.

Um at these meetings, you know, uh junction is being cut off, uh, the overpass over I-94, and there are multiple schools over there, uh, a lot of bottleneck traffic on liver noise by I-94 Michigan Avenue and McGraw.

Um 30th Street is an alternative, which is not a good alternative.

And a lot of us are upset.

Um, also a lot of us are set upset about uh what we think is the disinvestment in our neighborhood.

Um, you know, we need schools, rec centers, grocery stores, more retail, customer-friendly businesses, as well as uh home repairs for legacy and generational residents.

Um my time's about to be up, so you all have a good day.

Member Santiago Romero, thank you, Madam President Paul, get to hear from me.

Just want to share with you that we did request um from the administration and developers working on the junction site to hold six community meetings instead of the three that were originally proposed because we understand uh that residents want to share concerns, have inputs, um, and ultimately be a real partner in this work.

Uh, of course, we will share this out through our newsletters, uh, through our text messages um that I'm sure you receive.

Uh so thank you for calling in.

And also, we are working with DPS CD um and residents regarding Samson Weber um and the need for us to have a school in Midwest.

Of course, we will continue to let you and other residents know uh when we will be having those meetings, but thank you for calling in.

Thank you, Madam President.

All right, thank you.

Our next caller, please.

My apologies, I was muted.

The next caller is Rick Mahorn.

All right, good morning.

Good morning, may I be heard?

Yes, you can.

Hey, um, congratulations, Mary.

You did a great job as uh city council, and also you know, good luck with being the mayor, being a first mayor that I kind of like really like.

But here's the thing.

My name is Rick Mahorn, of course.

I'm the bad boy of the Pistons, but also I'm a championship coach of the Detroit shop.

And I'm here expressing my support for the WMBA redevelopment project at the former Uneroyal site.

And I've been here since 1985, and that thing has been killing me every time I drive by uh looking to my left.

But the thing that's really important is that this project will represent a bowl and visionary investment in Detroit's fused future, and it will revitalize a long blighted and environmentally challenged site.

And as a former coach, I support the WNBA team uh because we should have never lost it anyway.

So I would love for that to be back here.

But what it does is opens up jobs, it opens up uh, you know, uh a light, a seed planted in Detroit, and all that does is grow and making sure the youth from K to eight, where the we had a lot of support from the mothers, but also from the fathers and also from the kids coming to the game.

So I'm in strong proposal to make sure that this happens.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Member Young.

I just want to say I'm a huge fan.

Uh Mr.

Mahorn, I just want to say thank you for calling in.

Uh this presentation, hand me a hello, but I just want to say you kind of sealed the deal.

I just want some huge fan.

And I hope I see uh so we could talk about the good old days of a pistons bad boy.

So appreciate that.

Thank you very much.

Thank you, Member Young.

Our next caller, Ari.

The next caller is Fred Hunter.

Okay, good morning.

Uh good morning, honorable council.

Um, thank you for the time and congratulations, uh, Mayor Lex Sheffield, uh, Fred Hunter with Detroit POW, and uh you know, appreciate the opportunity just for a few seconds to express my support for the Uniroyal Project and what we're uh doing down there with uh Detroit Pows.

Great to hear a parent and a coach speaking.

Uh amazing to hear Deanna Nolan, amazing to hear Rick Mahorn.

So just want to uh express my support from uh a pal and a youth sports standpoint.

A couple things important.

One uh for the city and for PAL, we want to grow opportunities for children and in youth sports, what the limiting factor is is facilities.

So being able to have a facility where we can do multiple uh basketball courts, multiple volleyball courts give us an opportunity to uh to make some great things happen for the children of Detroit.

Um, and then secondly, uh Detroit PAL focus on youth sports has a girls changing the game initiative.

The motto is girls who change the game, become women who change the world, and to have uh WNBA and an opportunity to focus in on volleyball, girls basketball, those sports is uh something very important, you know, for all the girls, in addition to what we'll be able to do for the boys for the city of Detroit.

So uh for me for Detroit Powell, we express our support and the uh uh opportunity to uh grow uh youth sports.

Um right there at the United site and uh appreciate your time and appreciate all you do, council.

Thank you.

Thank you.

The next caller, we're back to the end of the queue.

The next caller is phone number ending in 337.

All right.

Yes, we can hear you.

Good morning.

Thank you.

I'm a resident of Northeast Detroit, otherwise known as District Three.

And I am concerned because District Three is a forgotten district.

All the developments that people have talked about and done the agenda is not happening in District 3.

Instead, we have the Kronos cement factory behind Buddy's Pizza.

It's no wonder they moved downtown.

Secondly, when we talk about getting trucks off of residential streets, we are in favor of the truck ordinance, but it benefits Southwest Detroit primarily.

And we are happy for those residents of Southwest Detroit.

But you knew when you closed six mile, uh, that that would force the traffic on East Outer Drive.

And that is a county road.

So when we are checking into it, we are finding out that county roads are allowed trucks.

Um the best we can hope for is enforcement.

Um, which when we talk to the local police department, they raise their eyebrows.

Um, and secondly, uh community engagement.

The agenda has been loaded with all kinds of right, thank you.

Uh Madam Mayor Elect that was the last caller who had raised their hand before you would cut off public comment.

Okay.

All right.

So we will now proceed back to our agenda for this morning.

For the internal operations standing committee for the law department.

Councilmember Johnson, three resolutions, line items 17.1 through 17.3.

Councilmember Johnson.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um, and just want to acknowledge Mayor Elect Chetfield.

Uh thank you so much.

Move for approval on line items 17.1 through 17.3.

These are uh legal requests for legal representation and indemnification and a settlement request.

Thank you, Member Johnson.

Are there any objections?

Hearing no objections, the three resolutions will be approved.

Under resolutions, council member Johnson, a resolution line item 17.4.

Councilmember Johnson.

Thank you, Madam President.

Move for approval.

This is to appoint Sharice Butler to represent City Council District 3 on the Board of Zoning Appeals for the term beginning January 1st, 2026 and ending December 31st, 2028.

Hearing no objections.

The one resolution will be approved.

Question waiver 17.4.

Hearing no objections, a waiver will be attached to 17.4.

Thank you, college.

Under unfinished business from the planning and economic development standing committee.

Council President Pro Tim James Tate and ordinance noting a roll call.

Also noting that this line item was postponed from last week.

Formal session, line item 18.1.

President Pro Tim Tate.

Thank you, Madam President.

Wanted to uh move to discuss please.

Okay, discussion.

Thank you so much.

Now we do have a uh pretty large script here uh of the copy and we did consult with uh yeah, very huge.

We did consult with uh the parliamentarian and uh indicated that we could provide a summary as long as the information is provided uh to or there's access to the actual language uh before us.

And so with that being said, it's still gonna be a little long, but it's not the eight pages that I have.

Uh so uh with that being said, I move that the order, excuse me.

The ordinance permits approximately 50 additional uses on a conditional basis, requiring a special land use and public hearing and mailed notification to nearby residents before approval.

It allows buildings that historically operated under one of 11 eligible intentional use institutional uses, excuse me, to be considered for adaptive reuse, permits parking and loading reductions of 50% for adaptive reuse or tactical preservation projects to incentivize the rehabilitation of historic buildings and establishes demolition restrictions that require retention of at least 75% of a building's gross floor area.

The ordinance also defines tactical preservation as a development approach that enables partial and incremental building reuse through BC's problem solving review process.

Additionally, it permits new multifamily construction on the same zoning lot as eligible buildings, uh subject to conditional approval.

Overall, the ordinance is intended to facilitate uh investment and increase permissible uses and support the preservation of reuse of existing institutional structures period for that I believe we ran this by okay.

All right, hearing no objections, that action will be taken.

President Pro Tem Tate.

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

Hearing no objections, that action will be taken.

Pro temptate.

My president, I move that the ordinance be passed as submitted.

There being a roll card required with the first please call discussion.

Yeah, okay.

All right.

So um we had submitted something.

Uh, you know, it was my motion, Madam President, to bring uh this back, and I'm not trying to hold it up.

I just want to point out some things that we submitted.

We submitted via ES5.

We also submitted it.

Um the uh um Mr.

Todd had an opportunity to review it as well.

So um I just want to point out some things that was in our uh memo.

Additional use limitations, high density residential uses, including multifamily dwellings, exceeding units, shall we I can't hear because I hear Dr.

Powers talking.

Oh, I can't, I can't concentrate on what you're saying.

Oh, okay.

All right, sorry.

Just couldn't okay.

Well, that I'll wait a second.

Yeah, go ahead.

Well, okay.

There's multiple conversations going on.

So I just was trying to listen to what you were saying through the chair to Madam.

I thought I was supposed to be quiet for a moment.

Okay.

No, I just wanted to point out some of the things that was that uh we submitted, just so that uh it's a matter of record.

Um, high density residential uses, including multifamily uh dwellings, exceeding units shall require a conditional use hearing and neighborhood impact review.

Uh number two, shelters, transitional housing, or similar uses shall not be permitted by right uh right in residential districts and must meet enhanced review standards, demonstrating no adverse effect on residential characters, adequate security and on-site management compatibility with surrounding land use.

Number three, commercial or institutional uses shall be limited to those that generate low traffic, minimum noise, and minimum storm water impact.

Um stormwater and infrastructure requirements and a proposed redevelopment shall include a stormwater stormwater impact assessment, demonstrating no net increase and runoff to public systems, a green infrastructure plan shall be required for all site modifications, neighborhood compatibility standards, architecture alterations shall maintain the scale, uh rhythm and visual character of surrounding residential structures, outdoor lighting, parking, and signage must be screened to prevent impacts on adjacent homes.

A community impact statement shall be provided describing compatibility with neighborhood goals and potential impacts on traffic, noise, parking, and safety, priority reuse categories, support neighborhood stability, provide direct community benefit, generate low environmental impact, and preserve historic and cultural character.

I wanted to uh point those out, madam, madam president, and perhaps if if we we can't visit some of these this time around, we can do so uh in the next session.

Thank you.

I I do want to hear uh if you don't mind from Director Todd on this, and I'd like to hear from the from the sponsor as well.

That would be uh Member Durrhall is this director.

Good morning, Madam President.

I good morning, city council.

Through you two, member waters.

Uh, with respect to this ordinance, there is no sponsor.

This is a city planning commission ordinance.

It's coming coming through as most ordinances do come through.

Every now and then there is an instance where we have a request or we do have a sponsor, but there is no sponsor for this one.

This is an initiative of the commission.

Do I need to repeat everything?

That's better.

Thank you.

My apologies.

Um, getting right to the point.

With respect to the memo uh that you submitted, we did have the chance to review them.

We wanted to make sure, as I mentioned to your chief of staff in a uh text message earlier.

We wanted to make sure that we do have a complete and full understanding of the scope and intent.

But with respect to everything that you name, the ordinance does do those things, and um there's only one issue where there is a question as to how effectively it is covered, but the ordinance does in fact include those things.

I can allow Mr.

Jeffrey to speak to them with greater specificity, and in particular, the one item that while the ordinance itself does not speak specifically to it in terms of the caps on the number of units, the process would in that those items would still be subject to a special land use hearing.

Generally, uh the ordinance um referring to your memo, uh member waters.

The ordinance does generally uh capture the spirit of your memo.

Um, and the reason being uh you speak to uh things such as stormwater um measures, you know, stormwater uh facilities and things of that nature.

Stormwater ordinance will still be applicable in this in the case of this ordinance because uh the stormwater ordinance applies to uh any time uh uh there's a disturbance of earth over a half an acre, the stormwater ordinance is triggered, so that will still be applicable in the case of adaptive reuse projects.

So that would there will be no difference, you know, um in any of these cases, so that still applies.

Um as it relates to you know applicability as far as um I think your the ordinance speaks to just compatibility projects and things of that nature.

We do require a special land use hearing for any project.

So we wanted to make sure that any project, any adaptive reuse project that's proposed has an opportunity for the community to be able to weigh in.

So that was very important.

So there's actually no buy right path through this.

So the benefit for developers is that it no longer requires a rezoning, but the benefit for the community is that there's still an opportunity for them to weigh in through the special land use hearing, which is a quicker uh pathway, it's an expedited pathway, but it's still quicker for a developer, but still allows the community to weigh in.

So that's where people can see the character of the development that's being proposed.

That's where they can weigh in.

That's where conditions can be applied.

That's where the number of number of units can be ascertained to what's being proposed, if it fits in with the character of the community, things of that nature.

And then people from the community are invited to that public hearing, and they can weigh in, conditions can be applied, or it can be denied.

And so that's where all of that feedback is taken in and the buildings department uh issues averted on that proposal.

Yeah, with conditions or denial or thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Member Waters, Member Benson.

All right, thank you.

Thank you for doing this work.

Um, and thank you, Member Tate, for getting this through the committee to this point.

So my question is going to be um R1 districts.

R1.

A lot of feedback coming.

Oh, I'm scared it's gonna do such and such in my district.

They can look at existing um transformed uses of churches that are in an R1 district where you see extreme um parking pressures in a residential neighborhood.

How will this ordinance impact the quality of life for residents who are in pro who are living R1 zone districts, neighborhoods, but then have a potential reuse of an institutional property and the what could be parking pressures?

How will that be addressed?

Yes.

So excuse me.

So one, I do want to uh just take this opportunity to make the distinction that this is separate from another ordinance that was proposed.

I want to keep reiterating that.

There was another ordinance.

So even today there was mention of four ordinances that were on the table.

So this is one of multiple ordinances that were on the table.

So this is one.

The most uh the ordinance that had the most attention is no longer being considered for this year.

So we want that to be clear.

The the ordinance that had the most attention is no longer being considered for 2025.

So that's not on the table for 2025.

So just to be clear.

So I also want to note that this was the most well received ordinance, the one that we're currently discussing, the adaptive reuse ordinance.

Um, my colleague, uh, my colleagues from planning and development department, uh Mr.

Weena King, uh, Mr.

Greg Moots, uh, Miss Karen Gage, uh, as well as um uh historic designation advisory board, uh historic district commission, um, uh Miss Lisa Dekier.

Uh we all went on a road show and we've been presenting this across the city.

This has been very well received.

Uh we've presented this to hundreds of people.

Um, out of those hundreds, uh, realistically, we've probably gotten opposition from maybe two or three people, realistically out of hundreds.

We presented at every single district.

Uh we had the opportunity, we appreciate uh even Member Callaway allowing us to present at her meeting.

We thank you for that.

Um, and even many of all of the DOM meetings, um, and even we've presented individually to each council member uh staff.

Um, so we just thank you all for uh receiving us.

Uh but this has been well received in all of the meetings that we've presented at um because I believe that even in the R1 districts, people see that uh if these buildings are not reused, it could be the difference between these buildings sitting derelict or uh being allowed to be reused for a new purpose.

So this started as a grassroots sort of initiative, as people wanted to, they they came to our office looking to reuse buildings such as churches, buildings such as fire stations, buildings that are within the community that may no longer ever be used as what they did in the past, they want to be used them as something new in the future, but because they're in the R1 or R2 zoning districts, the right now they can only be reused as a single or two-family home by law.

So what this ordinance is proposing is to allow them to be reutilized for 50 new uses.

But because sometimes we don't know what those conditions may be surrounding that, what the parking situation may be uh or the other circumstances surrounding that, we apply this special land use hearing requirement to it, so that once a proposal comes, we still have the opportunity for the community to see the specifics surrounding that.

And so, because of that, even in to get to your original question, member Benson coming back around full circle, because of that, even in the R1 districts, um, this was well received because there's still an opportunity for people to get their eyes on it once a specific project comes before the community.

People that seem to curtail people's, you know, um, initial what might in the past might have led to opposition.

People seem to have some comfort because they will get a chance to see what the proposal is in the end.

So then, can I interpolate from your response that the community will have the opportunity to weigh in because these still will be conditional uses and the parking issue can be vetted at that level and the conversations had.

And so while there may be an impact if you transform a former institutional use, i.e.

church, into a commercial use, say it becomes a coffee shop, that becomes very popular.

There is no off-street parking to support that, which then could push commercial traffic into the neighborhood.

The community will have the opportunity to discuss that during the conditional use hearing.

Is should I take that away from your response?

That is correct.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

All right, colleagues, any further discussion.

Seeing none, uh, member Durrha.

I did wanted to note that I read the wrong uh motion.

So if you can reread the correct motion where we place it in the third reading and considerate red.

Uh thank you, Mr.

President.

I move uh that the ordinance be placed on the order of third reading and considered red.

Thank you so much.

Discussion with further discussion, member Santiago Romero.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um, there was uh mentions that there were no sponsors or really what seems like nobody trying to move this forward from council.

I had spoken with planning and offered my sponsorship, and quite frankly, the reason that I didn't push this was because of the process having so many in front of us.

I was not in agreements with, but we are here with the one that I agree has so many solutions, has so much opportunity.

Happy to offer my sponsorship for this ordinance, make it move through.

Um, and would like to make that motion, Mr.

Presidents, if that's what we have to do now before we vote this out.

Okay, there is a motion on the floor, colleagues.

Any objection?

Discussion, this point of information will be the motion, please.

Members will be to just add my name and sponsorship to this ordinance.

Any objections to Member Santiago Romero's name being added as the sponsor with discussion, further discussion.

Like to add my name.

Perfect.

In the name of the council, that is the motion, Mr.

President.

Thank you so much.

What a difference from Friday.

Exactly.

Look at what happens when you go through the process.

That's right.

There is a motion to place this item in the name of the council.

Seeing no objections, then action shall be taken.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any objections, colleagues?

Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

Member Durh.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I move that the ordinance be passed as submitted.

There being a roll call required.

The clerk, will you please call the rope?

Council President Mary Sheffield.

Councilmember Scott Benson.

Yes.

Council Member Fred Durh.

Yes.

Council Member Letitia Johnson.

Yes.

Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero.

Yes.

Council President Pro Tim James Tate.

Yes.

Councilmember Mary Waters.

Yes.

Councilmember Angela Whitfield Calloway.

Councilmember Comey on the second.

Number two, yes.

Eight years that motion passes, Mr.

President.

The ordinance is approved.

Member Durrhal.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I move that the title of the ordinance be confirmed.

Hearing no objections, that action will be taken.

From the Office of Contracting and Procurement.2 through 18.5 for all postponed from last week's formal session.

Contract number 6006747-A1.

100% city funding, amendment one to provide an increase of funds for 220 beds for drop-in shelter services for those experiencing homelessness.

Contract at Cas Community Social Services Incorporated.

Total contract amount, 6 million 196,008.

That's for housing and revitalization.

Contract number 6007479, 100% city funding to provide homeless support outreach AMP.

Contract a motor city mid-inmission.

Total contract amount 420,000 housing and revitalization.

Contract number 6007519, Mr.

President has been amended to represent 100% CDBGDR funding to serve as the project manager for the Jefferson Charmers flooding and flood pain mitigation, studying projects.

Contract the Detroit Building Authority.

Total contract amount 20 million.

That's for housing and revitalization.

Contract number 6004032-A4 has also been amended to reflect 100% CDBG DR funding to provide an extension of time and an increase of funds for housing resource website.

Contractor XG Incorporated total contract amount 2,453,998 and 75 cents.

That's for housing and revitalization.

Council member Durhall, four resolutions.

Colleagues, there's a motion for approval.

Any discussion?

Discussion with discussion, then move to approve, Mr.

President.

I did not like the most motion to approve.

Member Benson.

Thank you.

On line item 18.2, the 220 bed dropping shelter was, and this is to the administration.

Was there a correction or modification amendment to that contract to reduce the beds from 220 to 185?

And allow HRD to come down.

Good afternoon.

Tara Lindser, Housing Innovations and Stability Division Director in the Housing Revitalization Department.

I'm through the chair.

I'm sorry, I did not hear the full question.

On lineup 18.2 to 220 bed for drop in, was that was there a correction to that one from 220 to 185?

Yeah, through the chair.

220 was the total number.

185 is the number at CAS Community Social Services.

Okay.

So is this an accurate narrative here?

Or should we have a correction letter says 220 still?

There was a through the chair.

There was a correction letter that was sent out for the 1850 uh prior to um yesterday.

Okay.

And so I saw that yes, we didn't let here.

I just want to make sure that that's reflected and people are aware of it.

Yeah.

Yes, through the chair.

The 1850, there's 185 beds at CAS Community Social Services at this location.

Okay, just want to verify that's accurate.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Colleagues, any further?

Yes, Mr.

Chair.

Member Kelly.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Um, line item 18.3.

Of course, uh I'm gonna object to this one.

I don't believe that they're providing these services.

Um, and um, I'll share information in the coming year, but I just don't believe it.

Um, we just gave them award them a contract in the summer.

I think for them to do hotline services.

I don't even know, I didn't get a report on that.

I don't know how many calls they're taking in, but for for 420,000 almost um a half a million dollars, and there are no beds, they provide no beds.

I guess they say they're driving around the city.

I don't know.

I know they were providing blankets to folks who were um camping out in my neighborhood under the VIDOC at 8 Mile and Woodworth.

I didn't think that was a good use of um funding.

They those folks needed housing and not blankets, but um, so I I'm not um I'm not pleased at all with their services, so I will absolutely object to this contract.

Um, and I shared information about their board makeup.

Um, and that's troublesome to me.

They have no one from Detroit on their board.

The grandmother um of the founder of the company lives in Florida.

I think she's like 89 years old, and she runs the gift shop down in Florida.

So this whole contract is troublesome for me and has been for a while, but um we'll see if things change in the in the new year with the new administration.

But this contract um absolutely does not have my support.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

You uh member Johnson.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Um, to the HRD team, just wanted to say thank you for giving my team and I an opportunity to do um a ride along with Motor City Midmission.

Um, it is work that is very difficult.

Um, it's difficult to see.

Um we had an opportunity to go to some areas where we know there are individuals who um appeared to be unhoused um and had an opportunity to provide them with food, um, to offer shelter to them, all of which during my ride along declined shelter.

Um, and they shared their personal stories as to why they declined shelter.

It was something that was surprising to me.

Um, but certainly do appreciate the work, do appreciate the effort.

Um, and if there's an opportunity for other organizations, other vendors to do outreach to provide that support, uh, please let us know.

Please let us know.

But um I will also say that what I perceive to be individuals who may have experienced um homelessness themselves were the ones that were doing the outreach and doing the work, and that I do appreciate because there is a level of empathy that they have that many of us may not have.

So thank you for that opportunity.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Councilmember Johnson.

Any additional questions.

All right, there was a motion to approve 38.3, excuse me, 18.2 through 18.5.

Are there any objections?

Objection, Madam Chair, um, Councilmember Callaway on line item 18.3.

Motor City Committing.

Clerk, the clerk would know, member waters.

Clercal Sonho, Madam President.

Waters no on 18.3 and 18.5.

Okay, clerk would note.

Clerk will so note, madam president.

Yes.

Also, I am a no, Councilmember Callaway on 18.5.

I never got the answers to my question that I presented last week.

That's why this was brought back.

Never did receive those um answers for the website, which is very lackluster.

So I'm objecting to line item 18.5.

Thank you, madam chair.

Okay, and if you could show me as a no on 18.5 as well.

Clerk will so note, madam president.

Member Johnson, Madam President, I just wanted to uh make mention that 18.4 should be as amended as amended.

Okay.

So note that, madam president.

Any further objections.

Hearing no further objections.

Four resolutions will be approved.

From the law department.

Council President Pro James Tate.

A resolution line item 18.6.

President Pro Tem Tate.

And President, I move approval line item 18.6 with discussion, please.

All right, discussion.

Thank you.

So this item came before us uh a few times as the uh individuals and entity behind its uh creation sought to um gather the support for this within the area as defined in the item here before us.

And uh we did have an opportunity to from what it appears there was additional support that was um garnered as a result of multiple engagement with businesses before we came to a final vote in the committee and brought it before us or what we see here uh today.

Uh I would like, if you don't mind, for those who are um championing this uh item to come before us and explain a bit of information.

I know I did have an outstanding question myself regarding the individuals or the individual businesses that would be at the upper end of the assessment uh and the support level of that.

I know we had uh multiples that had about 25,000 assessed, and you had some that were in the areas of 10,000 and some that are in the area of 5,000.

And that has been my concern from the very beginning that this is a very uncertain time for a lot of folks.

And as a result of that, the last thing I want to do is be an additional burden.

Um and I don't know if you submitted that document that did show that, but I I did not see it.

And if if you did, I I don't have it in front of me.

So they can uh respond um with actual numbers that would be helpful.

Good morning.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Um great to see everyone.

Thank you for everything you do.

I'm Josh Ellen, CEO of Jefferson East for the past several years been working with our friends uh Chip Rhode at the Rivertown Detroit Association as well as Riverfront Conservancy, uh Downtown Detroit Partnership to really move forward a mechanism that will help grow and support residents and businesses within the river town neighborhood of Detroit.

To date, we've received uh you know confirmed support, almost 57% of property ownership within the River Town Business Improvement Zone.

These are individuals that have signed the petition to uh authorize the uh the vote, uh the property owner vote, as well as express support to us during this process of extension extensive engagement.

Uh to Council President Pro Tem Tate's questions, the range the supporters range from your major property owners in the district that'll be paying the bulk of the assessment, firms like Princeton Management, Bedrock, McCormick Barron, Salazar, uh, Curlin Electric, um, down to you know, individuals that will be paying a couple hundred dollars a year, such as you know, the Channel One event venue and uh and uh you know other other smaller entities up and down up and down the corridor.

The way that the ordinance works is we have to do a vote of property owners, right?

And we have to achieve a minimum of 60% uh yes vote from ownership within the Rivertown business improvement zone.

So what we're asking for today is to authorize the election, which would be the final sort of engagement that we would do to really ascertain the support there.

We're confident there is.

In addition to that, that large percentage that 57% of yes, there's another 20% of property owners that are supportive, but you know, we're still working with them to fully fully understand it.

This would be groups like Triton Management, which is the apartments in Harbor Town, um, you know, working with Great Water Capital, which is renovating the Palms Apartment building, um, as well as we had a really great meeting with the owner of the Pasadena apartments for them to understand how they can really minimize the impact of the assessment by its deductible from your corporate taxes on the state and federal level.

And most apartment owners receive you know amazing savings in their exterior maintenance that allows them to not have upward price pressure on rents.

You should have received an email this morning from Franz Herbert, who is the executive vice president of Princeton Management.

They're the owner of the uh River Place apartment uh there uh on Joseph Compo, expressing how they would, you know, they're gonna see such savings from the biz that they would not use not need to have any upward pressure on rents at that establishment as well, too.

So affordability is very important to us uh there as well, too.

So um I sent around, I believe earlier in the week a spreadsheet that sort of detailed out you know the hard yeses at at about you know which we're 55 now, it's 57 percent, and those that were on the uh you know, still mulling it over but are leaning towards towards support.

And those are individuals that will continue to outreach to during the during the election election process.

So um, council president, um, did I any more specificity or yeah?

Thank you, madam president.

So unfortunately, I did not see that email, and I apologize that that's on my um my side here.

But if you can talk to us on again, we talked about uh in committee that there were um percentages of individual or entities, businesses that would be assessed at certain levels.

And my concern is always those that have much a real high level of uh assessment that you didn't anticipate from the very beginning, and here we are.

And now you with the uncertainty that we're facing in in the upcoming years and now um we don't know how that assessment is even going to fluctuate, you know, along the way, and the ability of the individual business that would have an opportunity to actually pay that increase assessment because of the volatility that we're all experiencing.

So if you can walk through that, that was the question I have, but then also with the Pasadena, right?

Uh, how they are potentially changing their communication to their uh uh tenants.

So I have not heard that, and maybe that was in the email as well.

Yeah, I'll I'll talk about that on the second point.

No, so the the way the business assessment works is it's based on for each building or parcels assessed based on a combination of its assessed value and the floor area ratio.

So that's designed that larger buildings that are that are worth more and have more businesses or individuals in them, pay a higher assessment, assessment race that goes in collectively to allow us to do things like safety, public cleaning, domestic violence prevention, a range of safety issues in the area.

Um, so for example, the largest uh contributor in the business improvement zone in Rivertown is obviously Bedrock.

They would have an assessment of almost uh 188,000 each year around based around the office buildings that they own in in the Rivertown neighborhood.

So they are the largest owner in in Rivertown, and they are supportive of this endeavor.

The second largest owner is Princeton Properties.

They're the owner of the apartment buildings that are adjacent uh to the the old Strove River Place campus.

Um and and so they have an assessment of 139,994.

The second largest owner, or the third largest owner is McCormick Barron Salazar.

So they are the owners of the Orlean Landing Mixed Income Housing Development, which has both affordable units that are rent controlled as well as market rate units.

They have an assessment of 7707,632.

All three of those top three owners are in support of the Rivertown business improvement zone, and they will be paying close to 47% of the total assessment in Rivertown coming from those three owners.

And they all are in support of the Rivertown Biz.

Once you get beneath that, you bring some individuals that are on the fence that we're still talking to.

You have our friends at Triton Investment and AF Gona, they're the owners of Harbor Town and the retail on Jefferson, having continued conversations with Ron Warren, the CFO of Triton, for him to fully understand it.

And so those conversations are ongoing, but they realize the value of a business improvement zone.

We're just working with them to see how they can minimize any negative impact on their operations and realize the full benefit and savings.

Once we get down there, there's an individual named Honey Boutros.

He had picked up several properties in Rivertown several years ago.

They're sitting there.

He voiced opposition to that as an absentee owner.

He's uh he'll he'd be assessed at about 24,000.

Then we get to the Pasadena apartments.

Um we had a great meeting yesterday with Scott Turnbull, who is the owner of the Pasadena apartments.

On Sunday, I had a meeting with 20 residents of the Pasadena apartments.

Need to do a big thank you to Alicia Pardo, resident at um Pasadena, who helped organize the residents and get them information.

But anyway, the uh the Pasadena Apartments would have an assessment of about $22,779.

One thing I want to point out about all these assessments, they're considered business expenses, so they're deductible by the corporate parent from their state and corporate uh taxes.

So all of these numbers take 30% off the top, right?

Because they're reduced by that.

So it's another way we minimize uh the impact.

Um, once we get down there, we have um, you know, uh James Tellier, Jefferson Chevrolet, he's expressed some concerns about it, uh, the biz.

Um, then when Dennis Kefalinos has a few properties, we've not heard back from Mr.

Kefalinos on his properties.

Um, and then we get into our friend Amir Faruqi, uh Banyan Investments, um, that you know, his assessment would be at about 14,424, and then Great Water Opportunity Capital, uh, which are the um uh they own the Manchester apartments and the renovating the Palms apartment there at uh Rivard and Jefferson.

So that rounds out sort of the the top 12 that represent more than 71% of ownership and assessment uh in the in the uh the district.

I could go on uh down this list, uh, but you know, we we get beneath there.

We have other organizations that we have you know support from, such as you know, the curlins, which would be they'd be at about 8,267 assessment, and you start to go progressively down lower and lower on assessment amounts.

But what we've talked to about folks is that how all of these pooled resources will create the opportunity to do amazing safety programming together, expand the clean ambassador team.

Uh Council McCalloway, one of the things I was mentioning is it even allows us to use some of these funds towards our domestic violence advocates.

You know, that support was cut by the Trump administration.

We've been struggling to bring that back.

The biz could contract um to do some domestic violence advocate support within the precincts there as well, too.

So, you know, we're confident now that that we we after you know 500 contacts with residents and business owners, property owners that you know, we're feeling confident about the vote.

Um, we're continuing engagement.

I'm gonna be going out and still meeting with people during the election process to make sure that everyone is comfortable with this.

I've got a meeting right after this with the owner of the mobile gas station at St.

Alban to run them through it, and then a few other meetings the rest of the rest of the week.

Um so we're feeling confident on the Pasadena, this is very important to me because as you know, we develop affordable housing, we do eviction prevention, we do housing counseling and rental counseling.

Demetrius Stinson, our senior housing counselor is here along with Canita Harris, our chief resiliency officer, we take affordability very, very seriously.

And what we've discovered in talking to residents of the Pasadena, you know, obviously they were concerned about any potential you know positive impact on rents.

We all are.

However, when you talk to apartment owners, the savings will incur from having these shared services and the fact that a business improvement zone can create the conditions where it reduces vacancy and reduces resident turnover.

When you have an apartment that turn over, I know this from operating the Marlboro Affordable Apartments in Jeff Chalmers, you know, it costs you anywhere as an owner between a thousand to five thousand dollars to turn that unit.

If you make a neighborhood safe or people aren't having their cars broken into, they're not going to leave, they're gonna stay in that apartment.

That's going to reduce your overall operating expenses.

So we project, and we're talking with Mr.

Turnbull about this yesterday, the savings that he would achieve on this plus the tax deduction really makes it sort of like a revenue neutral type of scenario, and they'll be able to attract more tenants to the buildings through the enhanced marketing, collective marketing we can do as a business improvement zone as well, too.

So that's why I'm comfortable with that.

Now, there is a fail say, and I share this with residents.

If within two years that we realize to your point, Council President Pro Temp, that um things have just gone terrible, right?

Uh I doubt that with newly elected Mayor Sheffield.

But let's say we have some hard times, the economy and all that.

We have the ability through um the through the Biz NATO labs election to actually vote to rescind the business improvement zone.

And so that gave me comfort and in talking to residents.

I told about 40 residents this last night in our online meeting, that that gives us a fail safe on this if if we do have challenges and there's a lot of fiscal challenges with there that we could we can vote through a action of the Biz Board, uh, of which the city of Detroit will have a seat on that board.

It functions a public body um to rescind the biz if if things got really, really tough stuff too.

So that gives me comfort as a someone who's personally um committed to affordability.

I also pledge to the Pasadena residents, we'll be right there with them monitoring everything, looking at what are the impacts on pricing.

We'll be able to do annual sort of rental surveys internally at GI, we can do quarterly rental surveys to see where prices are going.

But it made me feel really good to get that commitment from one of the major supporters and apartment owners that they would not increase rents because of all of the value they would get from the business improvement zone in River.

Tim.

Thank you, Madam President.

Uh last question from well, question for me what you you mentioned the umbrella fail safe that that's available.

Well what what are some of the things that would trigger that fail safe?

I know that having the ability to do it is one thing.

Yeah, actually doing it is another.

What would trigger that fail safe or the at least discussions about triggering that fail safe?

Gina Cavalier, Downtown Detroit Partnership.

Um, I serve as the executive director of the downtown Detroit business improvement zone and have been providing technical support on this effort.

Um, the way that the statute works, every year um there is an annual meeting of owners of assessed property.

So every owner of recessed property, it's it's a public meeting.

Um, every owner is required to receive notice directly by first class mail at their address of record.

And at that meeting every year, two years, a minimum of two years into the establishment of a zone, the property owners can initiate themselves a vote to determine whether or not the zone should be rescinded or not.

So that is the fail-safe that Josh was explaining.

It happens at the annual meeting of property owners.

So it's not something that is initiated um exclusively by the board of directors.

It can be initiated by any property owner who is assessed in the district.

Thank you.

And I'll just say, Madam President, for me, this is almost like a game time decision, to be honest with you.

It's one where I believe it's extremely well-intentioned.

I've seen the work that you all have done to uh gain additional support, but I also understand again that the challenges that folks are having in, you know, uh trying to pay with these increased costs that uh we see on a daily basis.

Now, when you start looking at the potential of revenue neutral uh situations, that makes it again now swing back in this direction.

Also, um my experience, so I was the council member that sponsored the special assessment district uh legislation, uh, and we saw some neighborhoods uh supported, uh certainly over in district two.

Um, but then we had other neighborhoods that will originated in district one and it tore some of our communities apart while they were having these discussions, unfortunately.

They've repaired themselves since then and you know, very proud of that.

But I saw the contention that it um that it caused uh within uh the the neighborhood.

But I will say that we never reached in in terms of the level of support 57%, which is higher than I believe the 45% that's necessary to trigger this this uh this vote where we are today.

So because of that again, I'm swinging back and forth, and I will um I'm leaning closer to supporting it and again, game time decision, but there's a lot that has to be taken in consideration because these are I I don't live in the area myself personally, I don't have property in there.

I visit the area, but it's one thing if as a visitor versus someone who uh owns property in that area.

So I again appreciate your um willingness to continue to move forward and work with folks that may have been um in opposition and I've actually seen the the change in the temperature of your wheel.

And I've actually seen the the change and the temperature of your will.

But as I know there are still some who are you know, not on the list that you mentioned, but they are still uh vehemently against it because it is uh an expense that they did not uh anticipate um in the past.

So with that being said, thank you, Madam President, I yield the floor.

Discussion.

Thank you, Pro Tim.

Member Benson.

All right, thank you.

Um thank you all for doing this hard work in this heavy lift.

Uh and Josh known you for decades now, and I know that your advocacy and your work along the Jefferson Corridor, so I want to acknowledge that as well.

Um, and DDP and the work that you do and all the other good work from board members and property owners in that area as well who own coffee shops in the city of Detroit, at least landlords there.

So, question for residentially zoned property that could fall under the assessment.

Is it part of the biz and will it be assessed developed land, residentially zoned as well as undeveloped land that's residentially zoned?

No, uh, through the turn, thank you for that question, Councilmember Benson.

Um, per the state statute, single family residential, single family residential zone land, single family condominiums are not accessible.

Okay, so they are not accessible under under the under the state, the state statute.

If those were in the future to be rezoned and then become commercial proper, then they would be would be assessable.

In the addition, also things that are currently publicly owned, once they become developed and accessible, they would contribute into the biz.

So, for example, we anticipate that this biz will raise about $864,000 in the first year, and over a 10-year period, uh, you know, just north of 10 million dollars that can be invested in Rivertown for the benefit of residents and property owners.

As more development comes online, that'll grow that that pot so we can do more.

And so hopefully in the future, when our great friends at the Pistons build their facility, we'll be able to have, you know, they'll be in in the biz.

We've been talking to them about this so they understand the impact.

And then eventually all of those young people that'll walk back from the sports facility to cred cafe to buy them out on power smoothies will walk through clean safe streets from the new pistons facility.

So okay, and then residentially zoned versus residentially used, single family.

Is there a difference in the assessment?

No, anything that's zoned resident single family residential is not accessible land or otherwise, actually G NAFTA.

If I could make a point of clarification there.

Um, the the biz statute states that any properties that are assessed under the general property tax act as commercial are assessable.

So it's it's not a matter of residentially used or zoned, it's a matter of how they are assessed.

So anything that is commercially assessable by the and commercially assessed by the city of Detroit is assessable by the by the proposed biz.

Which would then mean if I have a PRE, I cannot be assessed, correct?

If if I have a property in which I live, that is a residential and is my home, be it on Jefferson.

I'm not sure how many um R1 or Ridley zone properties that you have on Jefferson proper.

But if I am saying in a B1 or B2 on Jefferson, but it's now my home and it's a PRE, I cannot be assessed, correct?

That that's correct.

And in most instances, I would I would um think that that would be uh an owner-occupied condo.

Okay.

And that is not not accessible according to the biz statute.

Residentially used, i.e.

multifamily, what is the biz assessment a foreclosable event on any properties if you don't pay your biz assessment?

The um the way that that works is that it would it follows um the same foreclosure ability through the through the county um treasurer.

So it follows those same so it is a foreclosable event if it can be assessed, correct?

If if it is accessible, I I can I can tell you that the um the track record, you know, we can compare to our experience downtown.

Um number one, when we went for um renewal, because the downtown biz was established in 2014, and when the property owners voted on renewal in 2023, 100% of the property owners who voted voted in support of renewal.

That did include some people, some property owners who were originally opposed when the biz was first established.

Um, and throughout the the 12 years of the downtown biz, the on-time collection rate, the on-time payment rate by assessed property owners has been um very close to 100%.

It it is exceeded 98%.

Any foreclosures based on the business assessment?

No.

Okay.

Very, and I just want to be transparent.

Those are questions that came from my colleague who can't be here, but she did want to ask those questions when it came to foreclosable and how residentially used property with the PRE is assessed.

Thank you.

And if I if I could add, um, this would be a situation where just like any property assessment situation in the city, if there was a property owner who was struggling, just as the city works with those property owners, um, any biz would work with the property owners as well in conjunction with the city.

This is something that is done in lockstep with the city assessor in the city.

Okay, and then please reach out to uh member water.

She may have additional questions.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Right, Member Johnson.

Thank you, Madam President, and good afternoon.

Um, can you share how the assessment is calculated?

I will um defer to my colleague Gina Cavalier to walk through that math.

If I could give the formula pulling up the formula, okay.

The biz assessment that was that is being proposed here is a combination of the assessed value and the floor area.

That data is given to the biz to calculate.

Um work very closely with the city assessors department, but it's based on city of Detroit data.

So the um the assessed value rate is 0.003 per 100,000 of assessed value at the city.

So if there was a 100,000 property, if if a property was assessed at 100,000, that assessed value rate would be 300 300 a year.

And then the floor area rate is 0.058 cents per dollar.

So if there was a um for that, if there was an 8,000 square foot property, um, that floor area rate would be approximately 464 dollars.

So it's those two.

So it's and it leans heavily toward the the formula leans heavily toward the size of the property as opposed to the assessed value.

Um, the biz formula also calls for no more than a 3% increase on any biz assessment unless there is a change that would be an untriggering event, the same as is an untriggering event with city property taxes.

Additionally, um, there's proposed a 100,000 dollar cap on any individual parcel in the in the proposed zone, and this mirrors the downtown assessment.

So what I think is really important as far as this discussion goes is to understand because Rivertown has a lot of vacant property right now, those undeveloped parcels are assessed very low.

The anticipation is that the assessment would increase when they develop, but it's intended to um not be a prohibitive carrying cost to any of the current property owners.

Thank you for that.

So with that being said, there's no ability to reduce the assessment and work your way up and grow to the level that um we see assessed being proposed to be possessed uh assessed today.

That is a very good question.

Um, we are anticipating actually that the current calculation based on the the 2025 City of Detroit data is that um 81.5 percent of all parcels will be assessed $3,000 or less.

What I think is is really important to understand too is that um nearly 43% of properties will be assessed $500 or less, and 20.9% are a hundred dollars or less.

So there are several vacant parcels, all of those vacant parcels are you know very, very low assessments.

Um we anticipate that most of them would be $50 a month or less.

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam President.

All right, thank you, Member Calloway.

understand too is that um nearly 43 percent of properties will be assessed 500 or less and 20.9% are a hundred dollars or less so there are several vacant parcels all of those vacant parcels are you know very very low assessments um we anticipate that most of them would be $50 a month or less thank you thank you madam president all right thank you member calloway um thank you madam um Mary Let um thank you so much for this work um some folks over in my area are trying to get a biz established uh right around the Avenue of fashion um they've done a lot of work so I'm hoping that um you know all their um good work will yield some good results my question is I was watching the um your presentation last week from beginning to end I was in my office just a couple questions that letter that tenants received um regarding 300 increase is that actually going to okay so if you can talk about that and then I have one more question certainly the thank you thank you member Kelloway no the letter that residents received was was factually incorrect um when we went back and looked at the numbers uh of what the assessment was of the Pasadena apartment um you know there's 169 units in the Pasadena apartment um when you take the the the corporate tax deduction off the assessment if the owner were to choose to pass the cost on to residents the increase the increase the possible total possible increase that that they could do if they chose to do it would be $8.85 a month increase in rent right when we met with Scott Turnbull the owner of the Pasadena we sort of articulated well look you know you're gonna have this assessment but you're also going to get enhanced exterior clean and enhanced safety work things that I realize that I when I spend money on private security for the Marlboro apartments that costs Jefferson East about 10,000 a year that's something the business improvement zone can do for apartment owners in in Rivertown thereby taking that cost off the books.

So you know what we then went in talking to other um apartment owners in the biz in downtown Detroit talking to Princeton management they're gonna realize such savings in reduced vacancy loss and also other services that they don't think they're gonna have to pass on on any increase but we will keep our finger on it and I told that to residents too I said look I was like worst case scenario if this owner decided to do this you're looking at an additional $8.85 a month but we'll be right there with us with our counseling service under Demetrius eviction prevention defense all that good stuff there as well too I also did link up Mr Turnbull because too is credit he's a very nice guy.

I mean everyone we've interacted with even those that oppose us like Penny Duval and and you know Jefferson Chevrolet they're all great people and we're all going to keep working with them.

But you know um you know I told Scott like he wants to keep the building affordable and so I got them linked up yesterday with Jason Friedman at the city of Detroit and HRD to figure out ways we can support his efforts to keep that building you know affordable for middle class and working class folks and stuff too.

And the last thing I'll always hear with residents but one thing I love about the bids if we get it it's gonna be great advocacy for us and we're gonna have to advocate for the construction of more affordable housing in Rivertown.

So we've got to build our way out of this affordability crisis.

All right thank you thank you through the chair um my other question is regarding security would it is it going to be uniform security across the board for all of the property and building owners or are they still going to be responsible for their individual security um coverage.

I'll give that to uh to my colleague Ms.

Cavalier but one thing I can say you know we're gonna build upon a collective infrastructure we already have there like the the Comstat process that we have um the roving security patrols that we have our public safety Americans the domestic violence advocates that we have but I'll let uh Gina talk a little bit about the the strategy we're thinking of because safety is the biggest thing we've heard from residents what they want safety is absolutely the number one concern of all of the stakeholders we spoke with in the area um we see a a big opportunity to um have the collective forces of the property owners so if you have each property owner individually hiring private security they are nowhere near as effective and it's much more expensive than having some some common shared security so that is what the stakeholders have represented they would they would like to have that doesn't mean that they're that individual property owners won't layer something additional on that they would like um but that's that's up to them there's also the opportunity for um common to use technology together to enhance security so you know for example something that we use at the downtown Detroit partnership is we have have some um cameras in public parks that is monitored by our private security firm that we contract with so that's something that property owners can do more collectively um we also had um at the public hearing um commander fullenzi from the third precinct came and supported this effort as well as commander johnson from the seventh precinct um and with chief bedison what they are discussing is how we kind of blend that that line between the the downtown and rivertown and extend what has been very successful coordinated site safety efforts um through the safety committee downtown as well as project lighthouse which is um an effort that was um established some time ago it's been nationally recognized as the best practice and in fact downtown Detroit partnership um has had that trademarked and we have people from around the country asking us how to do that so those efforts will be able to with this resource be extended into Rivertown not not necessarily as a is an entirely separate

It's been nationally recognized as the best practice.

And in fact, Downtown Dutch Trade Partnership has had that trademarked, and we have people from around the country asking us how to do that.

So those efforts will be able to, with this resource be extended into Rivertown, not necessarily as a is an entirely separate safety effort, um, but as a is a you know, is a related effort and in coordination to utilize a lot of the technology that also already exists there.

Okay.

Thank you so much for um for that response.

And then through the chair too.

Uh, I don't know who can answer it, but what about an opt-out opportunity?

Because I did listen to all of the business owners, and there were several who don't support it.

I think it was Jefferson Chevrolet.

And um, we have several of them who've been over there for 30 something years.

I heard the whole, I heard all of it.

And uh, how do we I'm not gonna say that we're ignoring them, not overlooking them, but how do we take all of that into account when they are wanting to opt out?

And they've been there for such a long time, i.e.

Jefferson Chevrolet.

Now that's what we said.

No, thank you for that.

Think about that question.

You know, that is the mechanism we have now.

You know, right now in Rivertown, we rely on a handful of contributions from small property owners.

And so that's paying for all of the clean ambassador work that we funded since 2010 on Jeff on Jefferson Avenue, the safety work.

And Jefferson Chevrolet is getting a benefit from that, but they're not contributing.

So a biz flips that argument on his head and says everyone has to basically contribute their fair share to support services that benefit everybody.

I mean, for example, Bob Maxy is offered to be on the board of directors.

He's in full support of the Rivertown Business Improvement Zone because he realized the safety enhancements and marketing enhancements are going to reduce his cost of doing business.

And so I've I've I've met with our friends at Jefferson Chevrolet Labor and continue to support them.

We've linked them, it wanna link them into more resources to help them.

But but there we have if we do it collectively, it's cheaper for everyone, and everyone who's receiving the service benefits from it.

So, but you do have the two-year sort of like you know, opt-out when we could we could look at rescinding it.

So that gives me some comfort there.

But we do need everyone to contribute for services that everyone is benefiting, benefiting from.

Okay.

Oh, and I'm also the statute does not allow for an individual opt-out too.

So we are constrained by the by the by this by the state statute as well.

Yeah.

Um, and through the chair uh to you, um, is there a fund that will be established for those business owners or property owners who are struggling to um pay that fee, that extra fee on their property?

That's a very good question.

So, I mean, what what we can what we're committed to do is through the work of Robin Twee, who is our senior manager of neighborhood resilience and small business, really engaging with resident uh pro business owners to understand their situation, get them plugged into business resources, counseling, you know, we do free accounting services, and so we're gonna work with them to understand that.

So hopefully before we get to that point, we would be able to help help identify those issues and stave off uh that hardship.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you, ma'am.

Thank you.

Um Mary.

Thank you, Member Callaway, Member Waters.

Thank you.

Um, I want to thank uh Member Benson for asking my questions while I had to step up for a moment.

Um, but uh I want to just ask you once again, like I did on Thursday when I was in PED.

Um, what are we going to do for um the vacant uh land?

You know, people I'll use one as an example.

I know somebody who has who lives here, uh residence here, primary resident, and but owns property, Donald Jefferson, the land is vacant.

So now you're saying you want to reassess, you want to assess them.

Is it 17% for this vacant land?

What's the percentage?

Oh no, the percentage is based on the assessed value of the property and the field area ratio.

So we've seen vacant parcels as low as 17 assessment.

It really depends on the parcel, but vacant land is assessed at a much lower value than uh build uh parcel with occupied buildings now.

Now you know the property one of them that I'm talking about.

So we don't have to get into, but you know.

So um what do you think?

Well, you know, I think one of the things individuals that have owned vacant land that have not developed those over the years or face barriers to development.

Well, we've pledged that individual.

I mean, I told this with Miss Duvall, you know, she owns a lot of vacant properties and vacant land.

We're committed ourselves to sit down with any owner that's looking to develop to help them craft a plan, figure out how you navigate some of the new tools the city's made available, like the housing pilot.

But then also, you know, the nice thing about a business improvement zone, it sends a strong signal to the market that the area is committed to growth, committed to creating the environment for growth.

So I believe this is going to make development easier.

We are going to sit down with all of those owners that have struggled with development over the years to find ways to move them forward based on our experience in driving some of our projects in Jefferson Chalmers.

And thank you.

I I am so concerned about owners, especially those, like I said, who are primary residents here.

So they're paying property tax on the personal side, and then we're going to be sticking them up again on the business side.

Um, and then those areas uh down there by the soup kitchen and other down in that area, who they ended up closing after the whole casino tobacco.

So I'm concerned about legacy Detroiters, uh, for sure.

And I just um I just want to make sure that you all are going to start doing something about that, helping people uh like Mr.

Vaughl, for example, um, to find uh people that can help develop that property because it isn't prime property right there on Jefferson.

And I'd like to see that happen.

And I know a lot of people of the owners, in fact, uh of vacant properties have just been desperate for help.

And we just have not been able to provide that help.

And I want to see it happen.

Yeah, Councilmember Waters, thank you for that.

I mean, that's what Jefferson East has done for more than 30 years, right?

And we need to do more because there's a lot to do.

But having Robin Tui on our team was a long history at IFF and other other CDFIs, having that development experience, having expertise like a mirror for Ruki around the table.

We'll be able to collectively put our arms around these owners and help support them to do it.

And we've already linked up uh some of these owners with the DEGC as well, too.

So I I commit to you to do that, Councilmember Waters.

They'll do that regardless of what happens.

Then finally, let me just say that I'm certainly concerned about rent increases.

I know that the landlord was there and says he's gonna have to pass it on to renters.

Uh, our homeless population is growing uh every single day uh in this city.

So people are on fixed incomes, they just can't afford the rent increases.

So I am concerned about that about that as well.

And I know I greatly appreciate that, Miss Waters.

We are too, and we're gonna we're you know, we're linking in landlords to help minimize any of that.

Um, evidence shows that that doesn't generally happen, but we're gonna be watching that like a hawk and then plug people into the resources provided by uh Demetrius on our team with rental counseling eviction defense, things of that nature too.

And the end of the day, we just need to build more housing down at Rivertown for everyone and more affordable housing too.

So thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

Any additional questions?

All right, hearing none.

To approve line item 18.6.

Are there any objections?

Objection.

The clerk would note.

Clerk will so note, madam president.

Any further objections?

Hearing none, the one resolution will be approved.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

From the Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority.

A resolution, line item 18.7.

However, Madam President, this particular item, if you could move line item 18.12 as this is to property transfer will need to um be approved prior to line item 18.7.

President pro Tim Tate.

And the president, a move approval of line item 18.12.

Discussion.

Right, discussion.

Councilmember Vincent.

All right, thank you.

Uh, to yourself to the applicants.

This body via resolution requested an activation, your consideration on an activation of the riverfront.

I understand there have been some conversations.

Can you please share with us the results of those conversations?

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon, Mayor Elect and honorable members of this body.

I'm Richard Haddad.

I'm here with Pistons Sports and Entertainment on behalf of W Detroit and the group that's working to bring a WNBA team back here to Detroit.

Council Member Benson, we have had some good conversations with the Detroit Boat Club, Crystal Perkins at the City of Detroit about working to support and amplify and collaborate with organizations that are currently supporting voting and rowing and activating the riverfront in that way as we work to develop the vision here to increase youth sports participation and sports sampling across kids here in Detroit.

We have committed to continue to work with those groups to support and amplify the work that they're doing and to collaborate to try to increase participation and voting and rowing in addition to basketball and volleyball and soccer and football and the rest of the activities that we're planning at the United Royal site.

Okay, and I appreciate the expanse and into sports sampling for other opportunities for our youth.

The resolution specifically requested support in activating the riverfront.

I'm not sure if that's a space where you all can do that, but I I do like the idea of you all supporting others within a rock's throw who may be activating the space.

Yes, absolutely.

Okay, thank you.

Then my next question will be the name of the WNBA team.

What will that be?

The name has not yet been determined.

We are exploring multiple options, including the Detroit shock, which as hopefully some or all of you know it was the name of the team that was here before.

We're open to suggestions if you have any, but we're excited to continue to work through that process.

Okay, thank you.

And then through the chair, Mary Lect to LPD.

Will there be additional bytes at the app for this proposed use?

Good afternoon.

Exactly.

What do you mean when you say additional bytes at the will there be additional opportunities to approve or deny the request to bring this use to the riverfront?

My understanding let me check with let actually let me get some more information about that in terms of what additional um approvals have to be put in place for this.

Okay, because right now I can't give you a whole answer on that.

So let me get back with you.

Thank you.

Then my understanding is there may be additional bites at the apple, and so I'll be asking similar questions at that time about how we've moved forward with any potential partnerships with those who are on the river and your commitments to supporting the sports sampling side of this to encourage different opportunities for our youth, in addition to what you'll be offering right there.

And so I want to say also thank you all for looking to make this type of investment there.

Thank you.

I'll come back, but I do know that within the framework of the development that is proposed on the site.

Um, with regard to what is proposed on the site, I know with the with the brown field includes the whole the whole parcel because it's a 42-acre parcel.

However, with the PA 2T, it only applies to which is not before you today will be before you next week, is only with the the practice facility.

It is not with the the balance of the site.

So I do know that there will be some additional approvals with regard to that in terms of the youth development academy and the um the different um indoor and outdoor fields.

So I know there'll be additional approvals with that.

Um beyond that, I do have to get additional information.

Okay, thank you.

And then through the chair, is there a timeline by which you will be naming the team or announcing that name?

Member Benson, the team is scheduled to start play in 2029.

So there's no target date to name the team and announce the team, but announce the name of the team, I should say, but it'll be well before the team starts playing 2029.

That's helpful.

Thank you.

The President's chair.

So that will be before the planning and economic development standing committee this week and back before this honorable body next week for action.

Thank you.

Member Benson.

Thank you.

Any additional questions or comments?

All right.

There was a motion for line item 18.7 for approval.

Excuse me, 18.12.

Sorry about that.

Thank you.

Are there any objections?

Hearing no objections, the resolution will be approved.

Thank you.

Are you sure?

Okay, okay, that's the roll.

Okay.

President Pro Tim Tate.

Madam Clerk, under the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority.

Council President Pro Tim James Tate, a resolution line item 18.7.

All right.

Pro Tim Tate.

President, I move approval line item 18.7, please.

All right.

18.7 is the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority for the 6,000 East Jefferson Avenue Redevelopment Plan.

Are there any objections?

Hearing no objections, the one resolution will be approved.

Madam President request worker for line item 18.7.

All right.

Any objections to a waiver for 18.7.

Hearing none, that action will be taken.

And 18.12, pardon me, Madam President.

And 18.12.

All right.

Any objections to 18.12.

Hearing none, a waiver will be attached to that item as well.

Under the housing and revitalization department.

Council President Pro Tim James Tate, two resolutions, line items 18.8 and 18.9.

Pro Tim Tate.

The President will move approval of line items 18.8 and 18.9, please.

Right.

Hearing no objections to 18.8 and 18.9.

The two resolutions will be approved.

For the planning and development department.

Council President Pro Tim James Tate.

Two resolutions, line items 18.10 and 18.11.

President Pro Tim Tate.

And the President will move approval of line items 18.10 and 18.11.

All right.

18.10 is a city acquisition of property.

18.11 is a property sale.

Hearing no objections.

Discussion, madam chair.

Discussion, yes, member Callaway.

Hi.

Thank you, madam.

Um Mayor Elect.

18.10 was um brought back for my motion last week.

And I um just concerned about us um purchasing um property from DPSCD.

I did get some vague answers from um director count, but um, I remember just a year ago, the DPSCD owed the city money for us demolishing their buildings, and now they're turning around charging us to buy a building.

It should be like a clean swap.

So I just don't know why the city is investing.

Um I thought it was 43, but it's saying 45 today for DPS um D property when we have to tear them down, madam chair, to keep our neighborhoods safe.

So um, I'll be um objecting to this one, madam chair.

Thank you, member calloway.

Thank you, ma'am.

Any additional discussion or questions.

And are there any objections?

Um, objection, madam uh mayor elect on line item 18.10.

The clerk would no, please.

Hearing no further objections, the two resolutions will be approved.

Madam President, through you the for clarity from member um Callaway, you were rejecting to both items 10 and 11.

Um just 18.10.

Just 18.10 through the yes.

Right for the public health and safety standing committee from the Office of Contracting and Procurement.

Councilmember Santiago Romero, a resolution line item 19.1, contract number 3087968, 100% bond funding to provide an emergency alteration for the commercial property 5631 Stanton Contractor Adamo Demolition Company, total contract amount 11,280 dollars.

That's for construction and demolition.

Councilmember Santiago Romero.

Member Santiago Ramiro, thank you, Madam President.

Motion to postpone, we are in need of a correction letter for this item.

Postpone for one week.

Hearing no objections, we will postpone 19.1 for one week under new business from the Office of Development and Grants.

Councilmember Santiago Romero, six resolutions, line items 20.1 through 20.6.

Councilmember Santiago Ramiro.

Thank you.

Motion to approve.

These are all grant applications and acceptance.

Are there any objections?

Hearing none.

The six resolutions will be approved.

Under resolution.

Councilmember Johnson, three resolutions, line items 20.7 through 20.9.

Councilmember Johnson.

Yes, member Benson.

All right, thank you.

Um these three line items.

I was a mistake and unless I am mistaken, did not go through committee.

I'd like the opportunity to review them and at least give them a chance to be deliberated in committee prior to coming to this body.

I haven't had a chance to review these.

Refer them to committee.

Okay.

Um, are there any objections to sending these three items to committee?

All right, hearing no objections, that action will be taken.

And before we go to referrals, uh, we do have two walk-ons to be referred, madam clerk.

If we can madam president, we have three.

Yes, three.

Okay.

The first one we have, madam president, is a walk-on for the internal operations standing committee, which is from human resources.

It's the implementation of 2024-28 labor agreement, and that's to walk on as a referral.

Councilmember Johnson, a resolution.

Councilmember Johnson.

Um motion to walk on this item to IOS.

Right.

Hearing no objections, this item will be referred to the internal operations standing committee.

Madam Clerk.

And Madam President, we also have which was passed out.

There was a total of three items to be referred to the planning and economic development standing committee.

However, two of those are actually two items into one.

The third amended restated memorandum.

Understanding 2025 memorandum of understanding actually goes with the third amended and restated memorandum of understanding resolution.

So that will actually be one item.

And then the Detroit Land Bank Authority 2026 first quarter report.

So there are actually two items to be walked on to the planning and economic development standing committee as a referral.

Okay.

Council President Pro Tim.

Nice.

Pro Tim Tate.

Move move to send move to walk these lines on line items on as referred to PED.

All right.

Hearing no objection, that will be referred to planning and economic development.

All right.

Moving to the president's report on standing committee referrals and other matters for the budget finance and audit standing committee.

Four reports from various city departments.

Those items will be referred to the committee for the internal operations standing committee.

Five reports, four from the law department, and one report from the housing and revitalization department.

Those reports will be referred to committee.

And council member Young would like to remove an item for right ahead.

Yes, thank you, madam president.

Um it's come to my understanding that this item accords to the administration would not be necessary.

So I'd like to remove my item 24.1.

Um there it goes.

I like to remove one item 24.1 as the administration has stated this item does not need council approval.

So let's remove line item 24.1.

Thank you, madam president.

Right.

There are no objections, we will remove line item 24.1, and that will be no reports being referred to neighborhood and community services for planning and economic development.

15 reports from various city departments.

16 reports from various city departments.

The 16 reports will be referred to committee under the consent agenda.

There are no items, madam president.

Move to suspend member reports, madam president.

Okay.

There's a motion to suspend member reports.

Are there any objections?

All right, that motion is approved.

Under adoption without committee reference.

There are no items, madam president.

Under communications from the clerk.

A report on a proceedings, approval of proceedings by the mayor.

And under testimonials in special privilege.

Councilmember Young, a resolution line item 31.1.

Councilmember Young.

Thank you, Mayor President.

Move to approve line item 34.

31.1.

My bad.

31.1.

Move to approve.

Hearing no objections, the one resolution will be approved.

All right.

If there is nothing else to come before us, we will um stand adjourned and we'll see everyone back at two o'clock for our um hearing.

All right.

This meeting, do I need to adjourn this one?

Yep, two o'clock here.

This meeting will now stand adjourned.