Councilmember Friend Duha III.

Present.

Councilmember Letitia Johnson.

Present.

Councilmember Mary Walters.

Member Waters did submit a memo indicating that she would not be here today, so her absence is excused.

Councilman McComan Young the second.

Yeah.

Council President Poe Tim James Tate.

And Council President Mary Sheffield.

Council President has indicated that she will not be here today.

You have a quorum president, Mr.

President.

Thank you.

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

We would now like to introduce our clergy.

Good morning, everyone.

Thank you for being here.

And I did see earlier on the screen, uh, Commander Chaplain Gregory Wilson of the Detroit Police Chaplain Corps.

Are you still there, sir?

Yes.

All right.

Thank you so much for joining us this morning.

And uh we'll now turn the floor over to you to provide this morning's invocation.

Thank you again.

Thank you.

Good morning to the city council.

Let's approach the throne.

Father, so many times we approach you with asking for things that we want you to do.

But this morning, we want to say thank you.

Thank you for what you've already done.

Thank you for life, help, and strength.

Thank you, Lord, for breath in our body and the blood running warm in our veins.

God, we ask that you continue to bless this council.

Continue to provide them with wisdom, God, so that they can do all things decent and in order.

Continue to let them serve this great city and the citizens, God.

God bless their homes and their families, and we'll be careful to give you praise as we go.

Thank God.

Amen.

Amen.

Thank you so much.

And uh Chaplain Wilson, if you would like to stay along with us, we would appreciate it.

If not, we totally understand the rest.

Possibly going to be a pretty long.

We thank you again for opening up our meeting with your invitation.

I plan to stay for a little while.

Thank you.

Okay, thank you.

The journal of the session of Friday, November 14, 2025, shall be approved.

There being no considerations or unfinished business, we will proceed with the budget finance and audit standing committee.

Uh but before we do that, we have two presentations.

They're coming before us with a presentation.

This is our first time hearing from them with a report on the full body.

We have the members present who will be providing the presentation.

Please uh come forward.

And for all of the uh speakers who come to the front, if you look at that button, there's a button in front of the microphone.

You want to turn there you go.

Hit that button to the red turns green.

And if you can please introduce yourself for the record, and I will turn the floor over to you for your presentation.

If there's anyone who would like to provide public comment, though you can begin raising your hand now, whether in person or uh at home on Zoom, because we will be cutting it very shortly.

You may good morning, Mr.

President Pro Tem and members of City Council.

Um, my name is Joe Miller.

I'm the chair of the Industry Standards Board for Sports Arenas.

Uh, and we'll be delivering the report today, but first I would like to introduce the Secretary of the Board, Mr.

Jeremy Bottery, for a few words.

Good morning, board members.

Thank you for having us.

My name is Jeremy uh Baudry.

I'm the Secretary of the Industry Standard Board for Detroit Sports and Entertainment Venues.

Morning.

Go ahead.

Um, board members, before we uh share our final recommendations, we want to provide just a brief summary of how far we've come.

Um, thank thanks to the unanimous vote by this here body in uh 2023.

The arena workers industry standards board was created to bring uh together workers, employers, community members, and government representatives to make recommendations for basic health, safety, and other job standards for our sports arena employees.

Earlier this year, the board commissioned a report designed by Wayne State University's School of Social Work to assess the needs of the workers and inform recommendations.

Thank you, Mr.

Bodary.

Uh, in that report, we learned that the arenas are a financial boon for Detroit, but many arena workers face financial insecurity, food insecurity, and a lack of employer provided benefits.

That survey, along with expert testimony, and the voices of businesses, unions, and community leaders, led us to chart a series of financial recommendations that we will share in just a few minutes, moments.

But before we dive in, I do want to give the floor to Catherine Barnett, who is an elevator operator at Little Caesars Arena to share her story, please.

Good morning, city council and everyone.

First of all, a little closer to the city council, everyone, and I also give my heart of prayers to you, Mr.

Door Hall.

Everyone, I'm here representing all the arenas, Lil Caesars Arena plus 10 years report field.

Hello, my name is Catherine Burnett.

I have worked at Lil Caesars Arena as elevated assistant since 2017, serving as the elevator assistant is more than just a job for me.

It's something I take pride in.

Every ship, I meet bands, meet residents, and tourists, and I have ensure they get where they need to go, safety and comfortably.

I am dedicated to my whole keeping my elevator clean, sanitized and well-clean for every guest.

I care about the people I transport and work hard to protect them while they're in my care.

And just as I protected the guests who rely on me, I'm hopeful that the industry standards board will soon provide the same sense of protection and relief for us as arena workers.

Earlier this year, I participated in the industry standards for survey to share my experiences and challenges arena workers face every day from loan shifts, late nights to safety concerns and the stress of leaving events after midnight.

As someone who relies on a public transportation, these improvements are especially important to me.

Additionally, lighting in keys areas will make a real difference in keeping workers safe.

The industry for standard sport recommended recommendations provide the protection and standards we've been asking for.

Clear safety measures, property training, proper training, stronger workplace protections.

They are proof that our voices are finally being heard, and I'm the voice.

Thank you to the city council and everyone involved for taking these issues seriously and supporting the workers who keep Detroit arenas running.

I'm proud to stand here today and to see what this progress means for all the arenas workers moving forward.

Plus, we also need lighting and cameras at the bus stops.

We are unsafe and dangerous west and east, standing there between night to mid-morning.

I'm there all the time.

Even Mac and Montclair.

Thank you all.

Thank you, Ms.

Barnett.

Thank you, folks.

Um, the council has provided been provided with the full report, but out of respect for everyone's time, I would just like to go through a few highlights of that uh report for the council and the audience today.

Um, in this in the report, the top recommendations include improving access to affordable child care, uh supporting reliable public transit, improving, excuse me, one sec.

Is that chair still on?

Yes, sir.

Improving improving job training to create a hiring hall and supporting heightened security protocols.

Um, number one, access uh to affordable child care.

The concern is that many arena workers face unpredictable schedules and affordability concerns.

The recommendations include expanding child care hours, especially evenings and weekends, when a lot of these people are working, incentivizing employer-provided care via vouchers and subsidies, and conducting further needs assessments.

Number two, support for reliable transit options, the concern being a lack of dedicated parking, a temperamental Detroit public transit system, and game day traffic, uh, which creates problems for workers clocking in and out.

The recommendations include municipal subsidies for incentivizing employer-provided transit benefits, after hour security for employees using employer-provided parking, uh, facilitating reduced fare or transit vouchers with regional transit authorities, and assessing further worker transit needs to determine the scope and impact.

Number three, uh improving job training and creation of a hiring hall.

The concern being that one out of four workers underscore job security training and/or career growth as a top issue.

The board's recommendations include in partnership with unions, employers, and community to explore workforce development training, such as a hiring hall, um, and ensuring standardized testing for all job classes to promote to provide support for growth.

Number four, supporting heightened security protocols.

The concern being that many arena workers did report feeling unsafe when leaving their ships and being andor being subject to harassment by guests and co-workers.

The recommendations include de-escalation training for security staff and expanding emergency reporting tools, enhanced lighting and security in parking and transit areas, and the creation of a worker health and safety council.

I'd like to take a moment uh to recognize Ms.

Jessica Parker, who is the group executive for public services.

Uh, she has already coordinated meetings with various uh city stakeholders to start digging into some of these improvements.

Thank you, Ms.

Parker.

And I'd also like to recognize Mr.

Bo Taylor, the director of public lighting authority.

He has already canvassed with our team of 50 block areas surrounding Little Caesars Arena to identify room for improvement in lighting, both on the streets and sidewalks.

We appreciate their work uh with the board.

Uh listen, also uh we hope that the uh arena standards board can serve as a national model.

This council made groundbreaking work creating this legislation to allow this board to happen, which we appreciate, and we believe that this could be a model for other cities in the country.

Um, above all else, we must be accountable to the workers in the Detroit community where our tax dollars fund major projects, our city deserves to benefit.

83% of arena workers surveyed cited wages as one of their top concerns.

One third of arena workers live in poverty, two-thirds work paycheck to paycheck, and 72% have no employer provided health insurance.

We recognize that the city of Detroit does not have legislative authority to pass laws around wages and working conditions for over 10 years.

Public Act 105 is restricted local legislative power on wages and labor laws.

Uh this concludes my report.

Uh oh, I would also like to reference one other point, please.

Uh, that these two points that these recommendations do offer a clear roadmap for the council and employers to create real change throughout this process, bringing business, elected leaders, unions, and workers to the table, created better outcomes for everyone.

Detroit is in the midst of a new major development, the Detroit City Football Club in Corktown.

Currently, the neighborhood advisory council selected by city officials and residents, just approved the community community benefits agreement that touches on many of the recommendations set out by this board, and that is heartening to see.

And with that, I would be happy to entertain any questions from uh the council, Mr.

President.

Thank you so much.

Uh, colleagues, any questions, comments, concerns?

I see member of Santiago Romero, the board of yours.

Thank you, Mr.

President, and thank you to the board for the work that you've done.

I really appreciate it.

Definitely believe that we can continue to work on that.

We can work on the recommendations that were put forward.

Um, biggest ask for us as a council, uh as a union, as people, as leaders in the states is that we remove preemption.

Because even going through this NAC process for the DFC, uh, the DCFC and realizing that you said it in your opening remarks, these stadiums are very lucrative.

And until we actually have a system where we are taxing or having a fee being charged for us to benefits from these stadiums, we're going to continue to lose out.

Um, and not only do we need to preempt remove preemption to be able to have an entertainment fee or admissions fee, we need to remove preemption so that we can have a minimum wage that actually provides our workers uh the ability to live with one job.

As someone that has been in the service industry for over 10 years, work three to five part-time jobs.

It is not okay to work three to five part-time jobs without health insurance.

Just peer.

We shouldn't be working three to five part-time jobs.

Um, so I appreciate the the real numbers, the survey, the information that's given back to us.

I'm gonna encourage us to continue to push to remove preemption so that we're able to set our own minimum wage and that we're able to actually have a fee on these stadiums that we are giving so much tax abatement money to tax breaks too, so that we're actually able to benefit and reinvest the money into public safety, into transportation, into opportunities for for child care.

So thank you.

This is just giving us more tools and the toolbox that we need to continue to advocate, not just here, but at the state level.

So I appreciate you and just wanted to let you know my marching orders are to before I leave.

I want to remove preemption for minimum wage and to be able to tax our CDMs.

So thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you, Member Santiago Romero.

Member Johnson.

Thank you, Mr.

President, and good morning to you all.

Um, thank you for advocating for the industry standards board.

Um, you all have put in a tremendous amount of amazing work that has culminated into this presentation that you provided to us today.

It is clear to me what we need to do and what we can do as it relates to some of the uh recommendations, your top recommendations.

Um, we can certainly work on public transit.

Uh, we can certainly make sure that as development projects come before us, that we are ensuring that the uh employees are safe and secure so we can advocate and make sure that we elevate those areas of concern that have been brought to us.

Um, I would love for us to continue to work on affordable child care because that within itself defeats the purpose of working a job for so many people because of the cost of child care.

Uh, so that's something that we can all advocate for, even if we don't do it here at City Council.

We can certainly work alongside of you to advocate for it within the state um and with the employers.

So thank you so much for this work.

We know what we need to do.

We will continue to have conversations and do everything that we can to support the workers who work at these um these facilities and beyond, because this is about Detroiters, this is about lower income individuals who need um the support, the opportunities as well to be upwardly mobile, to continue to make progress in their careers.

Uh, and so that training aspect is extremely important as well, so that we create those opportunities and not just talk about them being available, but we provide support to make sure that everyone has the ability to grow in their career within the stadiums and beyond.

So, thank you.

We greatly appreciate the work that you put into this.

You're welcome.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any further colleagues?

And I would just also like to thank you and all the members of the uh industry standards board for uh their service thus far.

You know, we've been waiting for this opportunity to get these uh recommendations before us.

And now they're here, and we look forward to certainly uh diving into them much deeper in 2026 and beyond as we work to try to improve the quality of life for our our working families as well as working conditions as well.

So really appreciate this.

Uh, any closing words?

Thank you, Mr.

President and Council members.

And I wanted once again thank all the members of the board, including Secretary Bodery for this work.

Uh the board has not been officially dissolved.

We will remain in existence for I believe 12 months to take up any further action that's deemed necessary by our leadership.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

We got one final comment from Member Young.

Member Young.

Thank you, Ms.

President.

Oh, good to see you guys.

I always go in the right place when I see you.

Uh, first of all, I just want to say uh should give a big shout out to SCIU out there.

I see Purple Ocean out there.

So you know, applause.

Yeah.

Always good to see you guys.

Uh, I just wanted to ask you a question.

I don't know if you did this or if you're empowered to do this or not, but do we you have an analysis of what the difference is between people who are in the union in terms of wages that they make versus those who are not?

And do we have that based on demographics, sex, race?

Because from my understanding, people who are in the union, it actually closes the racial wealth gap significantly.

If you're a woman, it closes the wealth gap significantly.

And so I just want to know have those conversations been had at all, particularly with these types of jobs that we're talking about, that more male dominated.

Thank you.

We'll probably some more research will be merited in that area regarding the disparity between the non-union and unit wages.

Yeah, I just think that's important because that is one, it shows in terms of what the unions do and why it's important to be in the union, but also it shows what it does for our economy, how it pulls people out of poverty right now, which is a major concern.

And so I think that whatever we're doing economic development, these investments, we can show how we can also reduce poverty by being unionized by having collective bargaining agreements, by having proper wages and things that nature as well.

So I really appreciate that.

If I could be of assistance, please let me know.

Thank you, Councilman.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Member Younger.

Thank you again for your service.

Thank you.

We will now close out the collection of public comments or today's general public comment.

And we would now like to bring forward, I believe, uh housing and revitalization department would like to come forward with the presentation.

I believe that Member Johnson had requested this particular presentation regarding homelessness solutions.

Good morning.

Who will be presenting today?

Good morning to the honorable body.

My name is Candice Morgan.

Okay.

And I am the manager of the homelessness solutions team within HRD.

Before we go forward, want you to come first.

A little bit closer to the microphone so we can hear you, but I want to turn the floor over to Member Johnson so she can set the stage on the uh requests for this uh presentation.

Member Johnson.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um, so as many of you know, we have um a variety of contracts that come before city council relative to the homeless work that we do here within the city.

Um, as I've gotten a little closer with it and really understanding the housing challenges and opportunities that exist in the city of Detroit and gotten closer to the homeless action network of Detroit and other entities.

It has come to my um realization that the city plays a part in what happens, but there are various entities that are involved in the work that gets done.

Um and so I thought it was important to have this conversation to have the presentation so that we all have a better understanding of what takes place, who does the work, um, and how it takes place.

Uh, and so I have had an opportunity, as I mentioned, I believe last week, uh, to do a ride along to have firsthand experience of what happens when we go out and providing or getting an understanding of the unhoused community that's in the city, throughout the city, and the support that we provide to them.

Um, and so when we look at the federal funds that come to the city of Detroit, um, my question was always are we using the dollars in the best way?

How are we using the dollars?

Are we actually addressing the unhoused community and how are we doing that?

Uh, and so as I delved a little deeper again, I realized how many entities are involved in shaping what's what gets done.

And I just wanted to make sure that we, as a body and as a city, understood what happens so that we can work through the challenges that exist um and ensure that we're doing everything that we can to provide greater support to our unhoused community.

So thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Um, and you are so true.

It is a collaboration of so many different uh people.

The city is a big part of all that we do, and thanks to this body, we have been able to um house a lot of people who needed who needed our assistance and help.

So today, um, in the essence of time, we just want to highlight some of the things that we do as it pertains to helping our citizens who are homeless, who are experiencing homelessness, and who are experiencing um being fragile in their housing situation.

You know, HID is a huge department, right?

We're big, but we do a lot of things, and I can't go into all of those things we do.

So I'm gonna try to focus um just on homelessness solutions.

Um DHS, of course, who's here and who's a partner with us here at the city of Detroit, has a lot of programs that interface and help homeless individuals that you all know about, the shelter exit program, the cold blue, the new housing initiative.

There's a lot of things under that umbrella.

Um, but um we do all things together.

We all work together to attack the uh crisis that we um experiencing.

So um everything we do touches and affects the lives of people.

That's the one first thing I want to say, because our citizens need us, and we've been putting up in a position uh to help the most vulnerable in our city, um, the unhoused, um, the homelessness solutions team, we provide funds to entities who provide services to that population.

So they are service providers, um, they are community um agencies that we help do the work because they cannot do it alone, and neither can we do it alone.

So we work alongside our community partners.

We help fund rapid rehousing programs, shelters, prevention services, outreach services, which you are familiar with, I am sure.

So the Detroit Housing, okay, how to get access.

There we go.

How to get access.

All roads lead to this number.

The Detroit Housing Resource Help Line, 1866, 3132520.

All citizens experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness can find the guidance, the solution and the listening ear by calling this number.

Citizens can also call this number for a myriad of other reasons.

Housing issues that they may have, different, we know we have different projects that they may gain access to just by calling that number.

This line is operational 25 hours, 24 hours.

I gave an extra hour in the that's how hard we work.

So 24 hours a week, seven days an hour a day and seven days a week.

We are open.

We are here to address the our citizens who are calling us in a most in their most vulnerable time.

You know, they are experiencing trauma and we are there to meet them where they are and to help them navigate the terrain that they are experiencing.

I want to talk to you about the services, the things that people experience, how they can, what they can expect when they call that 1866 number.

They can expect a lot of things.

We're going to um listen with a listening ear.

We have professional people who answer that phone, um, professional people who are skilled and can meet people where they are at any time, right?

So when they if they call that number and their housing insecure, which means they are on the verge of losing their home, right?

Maybe they're doubled up, maybe they're um living with someone and they can no longer stay there and they know that.

So they're looking for services right there, right?

So they're housing insecure, they're right on the cliff, getting the edge of the cliff, and they're getting ready to fall out.

They call Detroit Housing Services, and uh someone who's gonna answer that phone is gonna provide them with some guidance.

They're gonna help them navigate the terrain to whatever area they need to go in.

They're gonna talk about prevention and they're gonna talk about diversion.

Is there any place else you can go?

See, we don't we don't push people into shelter.

Shelter is not the answer for everybody.

So we talk to people and we figure out what exactly is it that they do need so we can work with them in that area.

So um everybody does not go to shelter and diversion happens all along the road, no matter where they're at.

If someone calls us and they're on shelter, that means hey, they're sleeping in your car, they're on the street, they're actually sleeping on the street, um, and they call that number, they're gonna get connected to our street outreach teams, and we have a myriad of street outreach teams, right?

So they go out to the individuals and they talk to them, they provide services right on the street, they carry things with them.

Do you need water?

Do you need food?

What is it that you need?

Resources.

And then we take it from there.

If they need to actually go into a shelter, then we make that uh that referral to our drop-in center.

Um we make referrals into um, well, we don't make referrals, but Cam, and you're gonna hear about them later, makes referrals into emergency shelter.

So it's all coordinated.

No one is doing anything out of sync with each other because we're partners.

Um, if someone enters our system, say they they make it to shelter, right?

Um, so they've come in the door, but we need to have an emphasis on going out the door, you know, outflow.

Once they come into the system, we're good at getting them in.

But we have to be extra good at getting them out, helping them get to that next destination, that next level of self-sufficiency.

So we help them with um the system will help them with transitional housing, connecting, connecting them.

Is this what you need?

Then they help them with that.

If they need rapid rehousing, we help them with that.

And these are services that are funded, some through the city of Detroit and a lot through our continuum of care, right?

And you'll hear about that.

Do they need permanent supportive housing?

We will get them connected to that intervention.

Most importantly, whoever enters our system, we take care of them as much as we're allowed to do.

And this body helps us do it.

You help us meet the need.

Homelessness is is vast.

It's a dynamic situation because we're dealing with people.

We cannot control how fast, like a ball.

You need to control how fast it's gonna go and where it's going to land.

We cannot do that with people.

What we can do is show up.

We can provide the services that they need, and we can walk with them as they take the road that they're going.

So someone asked me before I turn it over to my colleague, someone asked me what time what do you do?

I said, I help people.

And I said, you know, because they don't need all that top level stuff.

I help people.

I help people find a way.

I help people, you know, get to where they need to go.

And I do it with empathy and with care.

And then another person asked me, this is my last statement.

I'm I'm I'm being just I'm being prolific today.

Someone asked me, how do you solve homelessness with a home?

People, they don't need to keep going through the same cycle.

They need relief.

And we provide them with as much as we possibly can.

So in 2012, I'm I don't have all my numbers correctly on my dates because I'm old.

Um, but HUD mandated a long time ago that if we're gonna have any of their money, then we have to have a system, and we have to have a body that um looks and and and governs that system.

One of our partners here today is the homeless action network of Detroit.

They do a lot of the work, and uh, we want them to have an opportunity to share.

Good morning.

Um my name is Tasha Gray.

I am the executive director of the homeless action network of Detroit.

Thank you all for the invitation.

And um, as Ms.

Morgan shared, um, we work alongside of HRD and we help to provide resources uh to people who are experiencing homelessness in our community.

Um, so HAND is uh our our mission is to provide leadership to end homelessness.

And as the name implies, we are a network.

We work with a myriad of service providers, um, probably anyone that you can name here in the city of Detroit.

Um, we are working with to provide housing and resources to people experiencing homelessness.

We also work with a very amount of stakeholders, including um our city government, we work with uh the state with MISHTA and um with a number of providers uh just to be able to provide those resources.

So as uh as Ms.

Morgan mentioned, um, there's a destination by HUD that is called the Continuum of Care.

And so a continuum of care is made up of a group of stakeholders who are all vested in ending homelessness in our community.

And so we make up the Detroit Continuum of Care, which includes Detroit, Highland Park, and Ham Tramic.

You will see on the slide, there are various entities that are a part of the Detroit Continuum of Care.

Um, first and foremost, starting in the middle with our people with lived experience and homelessness.

Um, these are folks who are either currently homeless or have uh experienced homelessness in the past, and um, they are at the table with us.

They are helping to make decisions, providing feedback on um how resources are allocated, how programs are operated, um, and the quality of those programs.

And so we value their work.

Um, we pay them for the work.

Um, we're not expecting them to volunteer.

We also have what is known as our general membership, and our general membership includes uh our um professionals, including our service providers, but it also includes the general public.

So anyone, and I'll leave some resources here um on the table and back, can be a part of that general membership.

You just need to attend a member a meeting with us.

We have our public funders, which includes the city of Detroit, but it also includes others like HUD, it includes MISHTA, uh, which is the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.

Um, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is also another uh funder within our um continuum of care.

And then uh we have our Detroit COC board.

It is an elected board.

Um, actually, um, mayor elect uh council uh president uh Sheffield has a seat on our board, but that seat will be opening, and so we hope that you all will be appointing someone else who will uh sit on that board.

But that board makes decisions on how the resources that come from HUD on the competitive side are allocated to the various entities within the city of Detroit, Highland Park, and Ham Tramic to be able to carry out those services.

And then lastly, it's hand.

Um, we are designated entities.

Um, and so again, this is a HUD that HUD terms, but essentially um, what we do, uh we are the HMIS lead, and so think of data when you think of that.

So we collect uh enormous amount of data on people who are experiencing homelessness, also the programs that are serving those, and what we're able to do is then disseminate that information and share it with you all so you know who is experiencing homelessness, how many people are experiencing homelessness, and if the programs that are serving them are actually working.

We also uh um are the collaborative applicant, which means that we apply on behalf of our entire community for all of the funds that uh come from HUD on a competitive COC side.

The city receives the formula funding.

And then lastly, we oversee uh the coordinated entry.

A lot of you all know as Cam, and that helps us to make referrals and um uh just bring all of us service providers together.

Um, just really quickly, because I know we may be running out of time on our next slide.

Just want to show some data.

Uh, you all will see three years worth of data here, looking back to 2022, and as most recent as 2024.

Um in 2022, we saw about 6,000 people who were experiencing homelessness.

Um, and uh most recently in 2024, we're down to about 5,865 people.

So uh pretty par for course.

Um we, you know, uh homelessness varies uh and can fluctuate up and down, as Ms.

Morgan mentioned earlier.

What I do want to draw your attention to though is that um we have broken it up, and you can see that we have uh a number of seniors who are experiencing homelessness is one of our uh growing SEG populations.

Um we also have for families, a lot of families that are experiencing homelessness, and they're not always as visible on the streets, right?

But they are experiencing homelessness nevertheless, and we need to have options for them.

Um there's also some data there.

I won't go through it, but uh data around limited time experience and homelessness.

What I can share is that um unfortunately there are more uh people are experiencing homelessness for a longer period of time.

And so I think that speaks to some of what Ms.

Morgan was mentioning about outflow.

Once we get them into the system, then how do we get them out of the system, right?

So that they're not continuously expending homelessness.

Um, and so lastly, I will share with you all on our next slide.

Um, and it's a slide that you saw earlier around uh services.

Um of the things that uh Miss Morgan indicated is that there are mirrored as services depending on how you enter the system, their shelter resources, their transitional housing from the continuum of care side of things, we're mainly concerned with the resources and getting people out of shelters and off of the streets.

So what that means is we're looking more toward our our resources are mostly invested in the rapid rehousing programs and a permanent supportive housing, which tend to have a uh a bit of permanency.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention to you all though that these resources are under threat.

Um we have about 34 million dollars that are invested in permanent housing right now.

Unfortunately, our federal administration um has determined different priorities, and so we're set to lose about 23 million dollars.

So, what that is going to mean to all of us in this room is that homelessness will go up and we will have a harder time getting people out of the shelters and off of the streets.

Um, and so I hope that we can do something about that uh as a community.

And then, lastly but not least, uh the last slide is just a different uh resources that you all can connect with.

Um, our website if you want more information, um, more data, things of that sort.

I am happy to provide.

You can either scan the QR code, we'll have some resources outside on the table, and I'm here to answer any questions that you may have.

Thank you so much.

Member Johnson, the floor remains yours.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair, and thank you all for the presentation.

I think what is key for me is um getting people out of the system, right?

Uh, and I think that takes a multifaceted approach for all of us to continue having conversations on income-based housing, um, what housing looks like as a whole in the city of Detroit, making sure that we are addressing those that are unsheltered.

But a key to getting them out of the system is making sure that those that attempt to get into the system can get there.

Yeah.

Um, so many times we hear residents who say, we've called, we've called, we've called, and we hear nothing.

There's nothing available for us.

How do you can you address that?

So the eight eight six six three one three 2520.

That number, if people call and no one answers the phone, does someone respond to voicemails that are left at that number?

Yes, they do, Councilmember Johnson.

Um, that that number is operated 24.

Okay, you come just a little bit closer.

Yes, they do.

Um, that number is operated 24 hours.

Unfortunately, I'm sure there are some people who don't get through.

They have to leave a message, and then we have to be responsive and return those calls.

So we have an outreach team.

If they're calling um in the evening, or if they're calling on the weekend or a holiday, um, there is a message that they leave, and then someone calls them back.

So someone is making those calls back to them.

And we we understand from you and from other council members that this is a concern, and we are are dedicated to making sure that people's calls are answered.

Thank you.

So I do recall the conversations that we've had um in the Planning and Economic Development Committee as it relates to off hours, if you will, but they are hours that an individual says, okay, it's time for me to identify where I'm sleeping tonight.

So those off hours are the most important hours for someone who's unhoused, right?

It's in the evening, it's it's getting dark, it's getting colder, um, it's time for me to lay down, and I have nowhere to lay my head.

So I know that we expanded the hours.

Um, but I think one of the things that's most important is making sure that when people call and leave a message, someone is calling them back at some point in time sooner rather than later, even if there's not shelter that's available, but making sure that there's a connection that's made for the entire system.

I'm saying, so that people number one feel heard, right?

And we understand what the need is.

And so as we look at the data that was provided, I'm interested in knowing how many of those people have left messages that we've had to follow up with to understand and to make sure that our system that we have in place is actually working to understand the need, because before we address it, we need to understand what it is, and then we identify ways that it gets addressed in various forms.

Um the chair to member Johnson.

We wholeheartedly agree we are actually rolling out a technology solution um starting next week that is going to provide a ring group.

So the number of calls, callers that are seeking shelter, need emergency assistance that are receiving a voicemail is actually going to reduce.

So that way the the number can ring to multiple phones for people who are working those really important after hours, 6 p.m.

to 8 a.m.

and 24 hours on the weekend.

So we agree and we're actively working on that solution, and we'll absolutely provide an update to this body as we launch that, roll that out, and start receiving that data.

Thank you.

And lastly, I will just say that I think it's extremely important for this continuum of care or hand or somebody to have access to the lower income housing that is being provided, the income-based housing that is available in the city.

So we are making the connection for those that are unhoused and recognizing their financial restraints, um, but also connecting them with housing that they can actually afford.

Um, and so this is this is something that I've really been focused on.

And um as Mayor Elect moves on, whomever becomes council president, I'm gonna raise my hand and say that I would love to be part of um hands board and be involved in the conversation and the solutions that are being created to address the homeless population.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you.

Member Callaway, followed by Member Santiago.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair, and good morning, everyone.

Um, I have my staff looking up a contract that um my colleagues voted for, and I did not giving a uh multi-hundred multi-hundred dollar contract to Motor City Mission to do exactly what I hear my colleague complaining about the um the phone calls, and we uh I didn't.

My colleagues did approve, um, and I think we have it here.

What happened with that?

Because I opposed it.

Um, Motor City Mission, and now they're back and forth again for another contract.

So here it is, I'll read it.

Um, Motor City Mission.

Um, and I think it was contract, it's called the helpline contract.

Contract number 6007 85.

And um, I'm just not understanding we are paying them all this money, and I'm sure all of our offices, I know mine do.

Nobody's answering the phone.

Thank you, thank you.

Thank you so much.

So I don't know through the chair two who can ever um come up with an answer for that.

Ah, good morning.

Uh through the chair.

So that is the contract that allows a provider to be answering the phone, to responding to calls um and to be texting and uh directly assisting residents who call the helpline.

So that's um before we had that contract in place.

Um we had to put an emergency contract in place after um after the tragedy in February.

Prior to that, we did not have anyone answering the calls.

It was just a voicemail, um, the same call back the next day.

So this provider is the one to answer those calls to respond to those texts that allow us to have a 24-7 um avenue for people experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

They work in coordination with the police department.

So if someone approaches a police department, a precinct, and for some reason they're not able to go to the drop-in centers that we do have.

They work with uh, they work with that resident to find a safe place for them to go to.

And so they are that after hours, um, they they are that after hours services.

That contract also is the contract that we will have that ring group set up for so that we have that direct access, and so the resident doesn't have to call a second number.

They can simply press a prompt and have that direct um that direct line so that will lessen the burden for the residents who are in crisis.

We will then have that direct data about those number of calls.

Um we won't have to rely on uh provider reports, so it'll also increase a lot of transparency.

Um, and so we can provide we can provide real-time data um to this body whenever we need um without having to get that information from from our sub-recipients.

Um, and so those are um, those are the things that that contract is allowing to do um that prior to we were not able to provide.

Through the chair, thank you so much.

Do we know how much that contract was?

I just know it was a couple hundred thousand dollars and um um it's broken, and everybody knows um um in the city that we have a broken system in terms of our delivery of services to the homeless and getting the homeless um housed.

The system is broken.

Um, and um, we know that um it was right in our face back in February when two children died in a van.

I heard that mother say she kept calling.

She called multiple times.

And um, I don't know if that would have saved her children, possibly could have if someone had answered the phone or returned a phone call.

I heard I heard her crying for help.

And so um, hopefully in the new year, the system, our delivery of services, us our ability to answer the phone um and return those calls.

I definitely objected to that contract going to Motor City Mission.

Um, and it doesn't sound like they're doing their job.

Maybe they are.

Um, I don't see that they are um because we're still getting complaints, but the system is broken, and um you will have to go from top to the bottom to fix it because um everyone deserves housing and housing dignity, and we don't do a good job with that in Detroit.

And two children died as a result of that because we don't.

Um I'm not pointing the blame, not pointing my finger at anyone, but our system is broken because if it wasn't, that would never have happened.

And I'm looking at your chart, and um, you know, we can talk about it later, I suppose um, in the new year, but um, you know, I'm looking at uh families with children, they're still going up.

It's still increasing.

I'm looking at your graph here.

The number is still ticking up.

So we got to get and it I have my own suggestions.

I'll talk to the mayor about it in January.

I know probably what what I would like to see happen, um, because we don't take it seriously, in my opinion, um, because these numbers would not continue to grow as they're growing according to your information.

But in any rate, thank you so much for that.

But I know we gave that, I did not.

The contract was awarded to Motor City Mission, and I think um we should not renew that if it ever comes up again.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you, ma'am.

Thank you.

Member Santiago Romero.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you for presenting the system as it currently is.

I think it'll be really important to also make sure that we are presenting our system in addressing the issues of mental health.

Um, there are a ton of issues when it comes to mental health, and this is the city does also have a lot of partnerships.

It also does overlap with homelessness.

And I think the more that we do understand the system and the gaps and the needs, we're better able to advocate and fill them to the points of people not being able to access and then get housing.

Um, when they do, we also know of examples of people being in shelter or being in in in a place who then are timed out.

They are there for too long, who then are have to be let go and are then back to being unsheltered.

What are the plans for when these things happen?

How are we addressing this gap?

Um, once they are out, leaving out, they are it seems to us um left to fend for themselves again.

There are incidents, um, I'm sure where people are um homelessness is reoccurring, but our job is to make sure that that's rare and that's brief and it doesn't reoccur.

So our object is always to move people from shelter or temporary solution into a permanent one.

That is what we're always trying to do.

When incidents happen where something other than that happens and it's brought to our attention, we immediately address or readdress that situation because the object of the system is to move people to self-sufficiency and to permanent housing.

That is our object.

And if you have, if people come to you or you receive something other than that, please let us know because it is not our desire for anyone to be homeless.

Um, we're working so that that does not continue to happen.

Um, I still want to point out though, as I mentioned earlier, with the funding that is going away as a result of the cuts with HUD, this is going to be harder to do.

It is gonna be harder to place people in permanent housing.

We are losing 23 million dollars.

Those are units, those are people who are currently in housing, that is housing that would turn over for people to get in.

So it is gonna be extremely hard for us to help people who are experiencing housing homelessness come 2020, 2026, excuse me, when these cuts go into effect.

Yeah.

And I am someone I used to work for alternatives for girls.

I was in that office when people were calling in.

I was calling people back if they left a voicemail, but unfortunately, I was telling them we have no more shelters, we have no more food.

I have no bus passes to give you.

So unfortunately, while we did call back, or while we did answer the phone, we had very little to give to them, which is the most heartbreaking parts of all of this.

I appreciate the mortar city mint in contract.

I see them out in the streets talking to people, feeding them.

So understand it's not perfect, but we need all that we can get.

So thank you for doing that.

Um, member Johnson, I wholeheartedly support you moving forward and having more of these conversations as you do.

Um, I know that I'm very interested in public housing.

How do we create more housing opportunities and options for folks besides shelter, besides this very, very expensive affordable housing that is being built?

What is the city?

What is the government's then able to provide us as far as far as housing?

The government did a very good job of this at one point in our history here in this country, would like us to get back to that place.

How can we do so?

Are the conversations that I'm interested in having, continuing to meet these gaps, fill in more resources, but then be creative with our solutions with the power that we do have?

Thank you all for presenting the reality that we're in.

Um very much dedicated to making sure that we are lessening the burden of homelessness and mental illness.

Um, that is really um, it's very real here in the city.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you.

Alex, any additional uh member Young?

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um, first of all, I just want to say to everybody, Ms.

Deswonder, thank you so much for your wonderful service.

And I know we've called you personally, and you've helped us be able to pick up people who are homeless and give them housing personally.

So I appreciate you and all your guys' work.

Um, I wanted to ask you just two questions.

Uh, first question I wanted to ask is with the ARPA dollars running out soon, what kind of impact does that have on the services that you're gonna be providing or um or on your department as a whole?

And then secondly, I just want to know is are there any sort of analysis, there are any sort of technology that we're being able to use to determine when people potentially would qualify for homelessness?

And I I know I think it was Los Angeles County, they use artificial intelligence to be able to find who potentially would be at risk for homelessness or who would become homeless, and then from that information, they were able to be able to provide services to that individual, be able to flag that person, provide the service that they need to be able to prevent them from going into homelessness.

I just want to know um, do we have that?

Do we know how much money we have to spend on this problem to be able to end it or to reduce it significantly to account um to for to be able to account for actually making a serious reduction in this?

Um, do we know you know the connections that this has, why people are homeless?

Um, do we know the percentage for the number of percent that poverty goes up?

That's how many people will also be homeless.

Um, the people who are homeless, do they use their unemployment benefits?

Do they use their SNAP benefits like they're supposed to?

Do they not?

Do they qualify for that?

They qualify for earn income tax credit.

Do we track all this at all?

And if not, would we have to build that apparatus locally, or would we have to have state partnerships in order to accomplish that?

If you can answer all that 10 seconds, but I will do my best.

Um, the chair to member young.

Um, HRD is working with the government performance lab at the Harvard Kennedy School of Business to do that, to do that analysis.

We have a lot of data through the helpline, through our Detroit Housing Services Office, and through our homelessness HMIS data.

So we are doing that data pairing to understand what early indicators of housing instability and homelessness are, so we can best pair the resources that are available to residents at the point where it will be most impactful to help reduce housing insecurity and homelessness.

So we have grad students that are listening to calls, doing data analysis, and early in 2026, we will be able to present present that data to get to your point.

How are we most effectively using the limited resources that we do have?

Okay, excellent.

And also just want to know do we know how many shelters we would have to have to address this problem?

Or is that not the only way we want to address that?

Well, is there other sort of means we would have to have to be addressed?

Do we know how much that would cost?

We have to go into public prior partnerships in order to be able to mitigate that to get that done.

Uh, through the chair.

So, yes, to all of that.

So emergency shelter is an extremely cost costly intervention.

It's also the most um probably uh the most intensive intervention, right?

Um, and so it's definitely part of the homelessness response ecosystem that we have.

And so we do absolutely it's it's part of it's part of our response.

It is not the only response that we can have for households who are in a housing crisis.

We have to have cured approaches um to our homelessness response so that we can try to keep people in housing as much as possible so that those emergency shelter beds that we do have are really reserved for the households who simply do not have anywhere else safe to stay and really do need those without those beds, they are going to be sleeping outside and are going to have significant health and safety um risks to their to their lives.

And so it has to be a balancing act.

The more that we can have other interventions, especially through Detroit housing services, which is absolutely critical to providing other interventions in our system that can keep people where they're at.

Um, diversion options for households to be able to stay with family and friends safely, stay with family and friends.

These are all really critical and much needed interventions that did not exist five years ago in our system to the extent that they did and are going to be a very much um they're very much needed to continue in order for us to combat homelessness.

And then if I may uh Mr.

President, I I also just wanted to ask you just to kind of reiterate two things.

One, I want to ask again uh what the running out of the ARP funds that if that your budget at all and what people that have.

And then secondly, I just wanted to ask.

Um, I know we're not doing that this year, but we had a conversation about zoning in terms of housing and things of that nature.

And I and I just want to know um is part it is would we need to have zoning changes to take a lot of these um abandoned uh motels that we have and convert them into homeless shelters.

I know they're the program they did that in New York.

I was wondering, would that be something that we would have to do through a zoning process?

I don't know, dynamic zoning or changing the zoning process, or is that something that already exists that we would just have to implement that through the chair, uh Julie Schneider, director of the housing and revitalization department.

Uh currently the services funded through through ARPA related to the scope of work are really concentrated with the Detroit Housing Services work.

So ARPA is been funding uh the a large portion of the overall helpline.

It is also uh funding the diversion services right now as well as the the case management services.

Um we can we can provide a breakdown of that that that budget um based on those services and how we've tried to we've worked to scale them to make sure that also we have um resources to serve as as many people in stable um diversion options as possible.

Um secondly, to your second question regarding regarding zoning.

So if we were talking about a particular building that in we would have to look at that that zoning and under the zoning of that existing structure to understand what what would be needed in terms of changes.

We've had to go through a couple of rezoning processes, and it depends whether or not you're seeking a variance or you need a rezoning depends upon the the existing zoning of that of that structure.

But you know, ultimately we're talking about uh an issue where house homelessness is a housing problem.

And you know, as we the country estimates that we're about a we we need about five times more vouchers than than are currently available to really address housing insecurity um for the lowest income households in the country.

You know what that is in the city?

We we don't, it's but it's it would probably be about um those ranges tend to be pretty consistent between five and six times the the amount of vouchers that are currently allocated in any given place.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you.

So what what are we seeing uh around the country?

Because I know you all don't just stay here in the city of Detroit.

You travel around the country, you talk to other municipalities as well, and there's other cities that are going through some of the same challenges that we are uh in terms of the loss of HUD funds, um ARPA funds as well, uh, federal dollars, period, you name it.

Uh what are you seeing in terms of other municipalities that has experienced uh disinvestment um in flight outside of its city and suppressed incomes as well as you know, and maybe this is a Detroit uh challenge that is, I don't want to say exclusively ours, but maybe uh more of a uh challenge here, the lack of available uh accessible housing itself.

And I know that wherever you go, you wherever I read, it's always in it increase the number of homes, increase the number of housing uh units, uh, it will decrease the uh rents across the board.

Heard that time and time again.

We're working on that, but what are you hearing and seeing in other cities that have similar challenges to ours that is working?

Um, because it's it it sounds as if we have a lot of tools that are in place, but it is not providing us with the answer that we're looking for.

Is it helping?

Absolutely.

But what's going to what are you seeing around the country and other cities that have similar situations that have been able to um you know turn the corner if you will.

I know we had the Barbara Barbara Poppy report, and as we talked about reports that I didn't necessarily support, it was one that I had a challenge with because I was looking at what the outcomes would be, and I'm still looking for the outcomes that will lead us to where we want to be in terms of the situation of uh uh the unsheltered and unhoused in the city of Detroit.

But anybody can answer that question.

I know it just threw a lot out, but feel free.

Um well, I can take a stab at answering the question.

Um, one of the things that I would say, um, so as Ms.

Morgan mentioned earlier, uh housing ends homelessness, right?

Um, and that's the most simplistic answer.

However, I think what we are seeing in other parts of the country um versus what we see here is uh the investment of other dollars outside of federal resources.

Uh here in uh the city, we are heavily reliant upon our federal resources in terms of being able to provide housing opportunities for people who are experiencing homelessness.

Um and unfortunately, those dollars comes with restrictions that don't uh allow us to always serve the population in the way that we would like to serve them.

And then as I mentioned earlier with the cuts, we won't be able to serve the numbers that we have.

So I think what we need to see is more partnerships.

We need to see more of uh private uh and public partnerships.

We need the business community coming to the table.

Uh, we need it was mentioned earlier about mental health.

We need all of our partners really at the table and investing dollars in the the solutions that actually do end homelessness.

So I think that's one of the things I've seen.

Um I've had the pleasure of working in a Los Angeles uh in the homeless system there.

Another thing that I have seen is uh that they're able to use um different tax uh sources to fund uh um uh programs for homelessness.

Um so some of that is you know funding related, and who is bringing that funding to the table.

Well, and that's kind of what I want to ask.

I mean, you all are the experts.

Um, and then when we talk about city council, we rely on contracts to come from the experts for us to approve analyze um and and then have deliberation and then approve.

So, what is preventing us from those doing just those things that you you you just mentioned, because again, as I mentioned, we've got some of that happening, but what is going what's preventing us from doing it in a way that takes us to the next level?

Yeah, we don't necessarily have them at the table though.

Um, and so I think uh with uh you all and your your network and your connections, I think that is one of the things that we can do is really bring folks to the table in a meaningful way.

I know HRD and I don't want to speak for them.

I know they're doing some work around that, um, but we really need to bring those partners to the table in a meaningful way so that they are investing the dollars.

Well, it's kind of I was actually looking to HRD to provide that response.

I think we can both answer um before I came to the city of Detroit, I worked with the organization called Community Solutions, and they're based out in uh New York and Los Angeles, and what they do is they're an advisory group to a lot of cities on homelessness.

So I was able to advise different cities on strategies on how they can reduce their numbers, and a lot of it is truly connected to investment.

Truly, uh community solutions had um some unrestricted dollars that they've been put within our city to help reduce homelessness in the veteran space, right?

So when we have those unrestricted dollars, and I know that again is the simplistic, that's what helps us move, you know, because there those restrictions are not as heavily upon us as they are in some other organizations.

So I spent a lot of time in DC and DC's system is different.

Um, they have a lot of um government um support, if I can say that, or their city support, and we we have a lot of support here as well, because we couldn't do half of the things we do without you, right?

But there's more investment.

I think what I'm hearing today is that we need to um dive a little deeper into what uh what some other cities are doing, and we talk to them, we meet with them.

Um, but because they're different, their makeup is different, their structure is different.

Sometimes we can't do what they do.

We can we can do some testing and we can try to figure it out.

But um, I think from um our opportunity here, we're learning that we do need we do need to bring more people to the table, the people that we've been asking, maybe, and they haven't shown up yet.

Maybe we can continue to ask them and continue to get that deep investment that we need so that we can bring those proposals to you, those proposals that you would like to like to see.

If I could add um to the chair, so if we're talking about Los Angeles, if we're talking about Washington DC, we are talking about places that have significantly greater populations of unhoused people than the city of Detroit.

Detroit is um currently, while any homelessness is a is a problem.

That's um statement statement number one.

Compared to a lot of places we've been able to Director Stein, can you get a little closer?

Sorry, I just I was saying to someone earlier that you always ask me to do that.

I always have to speak up.

Some of my colleagues, you don't have to ask uh to speak up.

Um so it there are a lot of things that we we need to keep doing, some things that we've started doing within the last couple of years.

So you mentioned the the homelessness strategy.

So one of the things coming out of that was a recognition that we need to break down some of the silos between providers that or funders that have similar interests, but we're not we're not acting in a coordinated way.

And we have been talking with the state of Michigan, MDHS really recently to talk about how do we make sure that the research is the MDHS can bring to the table is available immediately or or with with seamlessly at shelters.

So uh so that you're not having to, if you are presenting yourself or you're in a in a in a shelter and you need your SNAP benefits or other resources, you're not having to make an appointment at a at a state facility and then somehow then also having to get to that facility for that appointment at a very specific time.

And then if you don't have your your ID, you are not able to complete that process there.

So, how do we bring those services where people are going to need them?

How do we create uh mobile options for for people that are unhoused so that we're able to fully deploy resources?

Um we need to make sure that we're continuing to invest in supportive housing.

Well, yes, there are really significant changes happening at the federal level that are going to impact um existing supportive housing.

The way that Wellington Housing Tax Credits can work, we still have have a window there to produce supportive housing there, and we still we need to make sure that we're continuing to prioritize that.

Um we're prioritizing use of of city land and creating those resources because supportive housing does work in ending people's um chronic homelessness or or homelessness.

Just certainly looking forward to additional conversations we move forward.

Um very timely discussion.

And before we close, before we wrap up this discussion, um then member Benson will be the last uh member uh because we will allow you all there's many, many additional conversations that we have to have.

We're not gonna solve this today.

Uh, and we have a full agenda with 57 uh public comments before us as well.

So um, member Benson, uh the floor is yours.

So thank you.

Um, and thank you all for being here, number one.

And so I've had the opportunity to do a few write-alongs now directly in the space with the substance use space around the homeless uh medical space, and then just around the interventions that we do for those who are unhoused as well.

And so I just want to say thank you.

For anybody to be in their space, there has to be a level of passion for this work, but unfortunately, passion doesn't pay your mortgage, nor does it pay for your child care.

And that's also an aside to SEIU.

We came out and talked about the importance of affordable child care.

The ecosystem for the homelessness, and this is something that you all addressed a few years ago through the CDBG process when you indicated there has to be a movement to get people out of the system.

We cannot continue to have the same families, the same individuals staying in the system forever.

We have to move people out, which then also talks about how are we compensating the people and the professionals that are in the space.

And for my view, when we have these conversations, it's not a sustainable area.

You cannot keep professionals in this space who are committed and dedicated when they cannot feed their families.

We have to have that conversation as well.

People have to be paid a living wage, they can support their families lest they themselves fall back into homelessness.

We have to have an ecosystem that supports this industry and keeping professionals there, or we're going to lose and continue to chase our tails here, which is not sustainable.

In addition, you also talked about dignity.

And so that was something that was very important to me.

I was really glad to see that you all leaned in there.

We have to treat the residents and we have to treat the clients that are in this space with a level of dignity, and that was not being done.

I also think that that was also a part of the low amount of resources that we put in.

And I say the city's fault, it's not the federal government's fault, it's just a fact.

There needs to be more resources poured into this space if we're going to find some real solutions.

We cannot keep robbing Peter to pay Paul and hope to find a solution.

And we cannot treat the homeless as if they are a commodity, which has been done.

You all spoke up and said something about that.

I hope that has changed now.

Was for me the disturbing trend of families, homeless families now continue to make up a larger and larger percentage of the homeless.

We are seeing a reduction in the overall numbers, but families with children make up a larger percentage, and the housing options for that group is very small.

And you're probably always going to see this space oversubscribed by the need versus the actual ability to provide, but we have to take a look, as all my colleagues have said, we have to address this issue.

It's extraordinarily difficult.

This is a very difficult population by which to serve.

And those of you who are here are here because of passion.

Many of you have a history where you know what's like to be homeless.

And so you are committed and dedicated, and I appreciate that, but you can't pay your mortgage with that.

And so I also need us to be acknowledged the fact we have to have an ecosystem where it can now educate and try to solve the problem and not continue to brought Peter to PayPal.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right.

So uh we talked, we've had this conversation of portions of this conversation in PED uh over the year.

Uh, and I think it is very ripe to uh ensure to the best of our ability.

We have quarterly reports of some type of regular reports right here in the formal session so that the broad general public uh as well as other colleagues have an opportunity to ask questions and get this information.

So thank you for coming before us today and um looking forward to additional uh conversations on how we can and and and actions and movement on how we can help uh our unsheltered and how unhoused uh in the city of Detroit.

Thank you.

All right, Madam Clerk.

Uh, there being no reconsiderations or unfinished business, we will we will proceed to the budget finance and audit standing committee.

And we pull from the chief financial officer, officer budget.

The one report will be referred to the budget finance and audit committee for the planning and economic development standing committee.

Three reports from various city departments, the three reports will be referred to the planning and economic development standing committee from for the public health and safety standing committee.

The reports from various city departments.

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

We will now move to voting action matters.

Under other matters.

And as I mentioned before, we do have 57 uh comments here today, noting that we do have some pretty uh high level uh items on our agenda, and we want to give folks an opportunity to speak.

So we're going to provide everyone with a minute 45 today for uh general public comment, a minute 45 for general public comment.

We start off first with Mr.

Richard Noto.

Good morning, council members.

Um Richard Noto, president of the Western Cork Association, resident of uh Western Cork Town.

The clock hasn't begun yet.

All right, let's let's take that clock all the way back again because it stuck.

All right, now the floor, George.

Hi, I'm Richard Naruto, president of the Western Corktown Association, uh resident of Western Corktown and run the old Old West to market, trying to bring back Western Market to Western Corktown.

First of all, I'd like to thank uh the BED committee for really uh working on the potential problems of parking, uh, which is gonna be dynamic as time goes on in the area.

Uh I had a long discussion with Sean Mann, uh CEO uh of the soccer club, and he's agreed to work with us proactively in time as things go on.

I'd love to write a grant to really monitor what's going on.

Uh and uh hopefully with drones and things like that, and have an active thing going on on a weekly basis.

I think we could lead the country in terms of how you develop and change parking because whatever we do, the people are gonna change how they park and move around.

So that needs really to be done.

Uh as far as the NAC goes, the NAC totally denied everything we wanted for Western Corktown, even though we are um part of the most affected area.

Um they beautified, they wanted to beautify Bagley.

They want to beautify Western uh Verna, but those streets third, 14, 15, 60, 17, 18, are disaster and embarrassment for the city.

We need to make that area look beautiful as we move forward.

Furthermore, uh Michigan area was going to be changed in this spring, and we have heard nothing in terms of what's gonna happen.

There needs to be when the new mayor gets in, a change in what happens.

The community needs to be involved with these changes proactively.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next speaker, the Quanzi Workings.

I apologize if I mispronounced your name.

Thank you for being here.

Hello, counsel.

My name is Twansei Workings, and I am here speaking on DCFC, um, and our stadium located in Southwest Detroit.

My name is Twanse Workings, and I am a diehard soccer mom to six kiddos.

Our homegrown gym is forever Detroit City Football Club.

My oldest son, Brock, a 2012, began his soccer journey with DCFC.

My oldest son is now an MLS next athlete.

However, Brock did not get to this level by himself.

He got to this level because of the time, commitment, and passion of his DCF coaches and the entire DCF DCFC community.

Coach DeWayne, Coach Dennett, Coach Maxwell, our hometown hero award recipient, Coach Yazid Matthews, the other Coach Max, have been instrumental in my kids' development on the soccer field.

As my oldest son Brock grew within his passion for soccer, we found ourselves having to venture out to the suburbs to partake in a high level of soccer, which is unfortunate because we are east side detroiters, and there's no reason we should have to travel 45 minutes to the suburbs to reach that high level of soccer.

This stadium, located right here in Detroit, will open so many doors for our inner city youth whose parents aren't in a position to make that daily commitment drive out to the suburbs because it's so expensive to help our children carry out their dreams at a high level of soccer.

Our DCFC coaches still continue to train and pour into our boys at DCFC for extra touches and time whenever asked.

Doesn't matter what click, what club my kids are part of, DCFC is always home.

My boys are welcomed, encouraged, and trained with four hearts every time.

From having my oldest son help out with DCFC youth clinics, they're also committed to teaching him both on and off the field.

Detroit is beyond talented with soccer players with the stadium.

Thank you, Miss Markins.

Our next speaker, James Ford.

That's right.

That's right.

My name is James Ford.

I'm founder of the Obama weekend.

I'd like to say God bless everybody here, and God bless everybody that wanted to be here.

I just want to take my head off to police chief Bettison.

I think he's doing a great job.

He's hard, he works hard.

I think we should acknowledge that.

He's accepting the challenge, and he's dedicated.

He's strategic, and he's concerned, and he always keeps moving.

He's an excellent role model for the children in the city, if you notice.

And he's a role model for the young officers coming up behind him.

I think that we ought to be glad to have him here.

At least thankful that you're here.

Thanks for your service.

God bless you.

Wherever you are, and I hope you're listening.

I think you're very dedicated.

And I think that the city of Detroit ought to acknowledge that.

God bless you, Chief Benson.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next speaker, Ms.

Jasmine Kellen.

Keltonbach, I believe.

I apologize for mispronouncing.

No, you're not good.

Thank you so much.

Good morning.

I'm Jasmine Kaltonbach.

I work for the Home Row Project.

First of all, you know, condolences to Councilmember Durhal and your loss.

Really quickly, I wanted to speak about uh your vote later today on the DCFC Community Benefits Agreement.

So part of this agreement is a $17 per hour wage floor and union neutrality among a lot of other provisions.

A recently released report from Wayne State University really calls into question the extent to which Detroiters benefit financially from these developments.

Over 30% of Detroit Arena workers live at or below the federal poverty line.

Little Caesars Arena received over $800 million in incentives and public financing in 2023.

And DCFC is asking for an incentive package more than nine times smaller than that, and is actually committing to a wage floor and union neutrality as part of this agreement, which is pretty striking.

So I just wanted to highlight for the council is also Councilmember Santiago Romero highlighted that if the state lifts these preemption laws, Detroit can make these standards permanent and enforceable in perpetuity for all developments, not just this one and this agreement.

So yeah, that's it.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Next speaker is John Sarge.

Good day.

Good day.

I'm a resident of the area of the zip code just west of the benefits.

I've been a resident and a homeowner over there 210 for 38 years and a supporter of the CFC since they played in Cash Tech.

Um I just wanted to I had a chance to sit through all the CBO meeting public meetings.

They had some private meetings, but all the CBO public meetings, plus all of the uh public um subcommittee meetings after this.

And I think what we need to realize is how forthcoming the developers, the DCFC leadership has been of 57 requests from the NAC, 50 were approved uh with my with at most minor changes um by the uh developer.

Um I think it's worth noting, as the last speaker did, that DCFC is uh come out for union neutrality, me being a retired union member, understands how important that is.

And a 17 dollar an hour wage basement, basement for part-timers.

I happen to be in a stadium not much smaller than the proposed DCFC stadium down in uh Louisville just a couple weeks ago, and wages there are $10 or less for their part-time helpers.

So it gives you an idea.

Plus, the board that was spoken earlier's studies show what some of the wages are at some developments that are much larger.

And just the final point.

Um have a good day.

Thank you so much.

Next speaker, Dwayne Daniels.

Um, good evening, council, um, President Pro Tim and all members of City Council.

I just want to thank um and give my gratitude for you all for allowing me to come in this morning and speak on behalf of the developments surrounding around our new soccer stadium in South West Detroit, alumni five field.

Alumni Five Field.

For me growing up on the East Side, of course, I did have a lot to suscumb to as far as violence and trauma.

And the only thing that I had hope for and aspiration for was looking downtown Detroit, asking myself, will I be relevant?

Will I have an impact?

Will I be somebody?

And luckily for me, I have the ability through DCFC, through our youth programs as a youth coach to go into schools on the east side, go into schools across districts three, seven, and four.

And the aspiration, the embrace that I get from our youth, our kids from grades three, third to fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh grade when they see a young east cider, a young black east cider from these zip codes coming to their school, um, doing um something that seemed impossible, especially for me wanting to be a professional soccer player.

It's is it's the it's the inspiration that they see and the drive and you know the possibility of having dreams.

So around this new stadium, we do have the ability to not only affect the entire city, but also affect the youth that live in it and potentially save lives as well across all districts in my city.

Um so with that being said, um, I just want to say thank you and good day, council.

Thank you.

Next speaker, Fidel L.

Here we go again, y'all.

Y'all been on city council all these years, and now y'all just want to address homeless.

If y'all really feel like addressing homeless, why do y'all give a majority of our money away?

Give it to the homeless, give them ladies 50 million dollars.

Y'all give Dan Gilbert DeFord and the others 800 million in the form of bonds, grants, and contract, but y'all won't help the real people that y'all say y'all represent.

Callaway, I will give you this.

You the only one that says something mature.

I will give you that one.

You guys are acting like political thugs, political gangsters here.

This has nothing to do with white people, this has nothing to do with Trump.

This has nothing to do with Republicans.

This was all black representation, Christians and Democrats.

Now, how y'all gonna get out of that?

If you want to stop poverty, if if people was to get a home in the city assessment, raise their taxes, they're gonna be right back homeless.

If you put a waters drain out speed, they're gonna be right back homeless.

Why do y'all don't get these homeless people to license and permit to run the essential business?

Walking in here, I had to walk past the non-majority got parking lots.

So you tell me a homeless person can't tell somebody, give me $15 and you go park there.

All the people that y'all get these money to day in and day out, they not homeless.

Keep that in mind, which all devilish sales.

I usually open up with it, but I'm gonna end it with it.

You guys are public enemy number one.

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

Well, next speaker is Mr.

Marcus Miller.

Uh through chair.

On behalf of uh the Creative Union of Detroit, an initiative started to unite creative professionals, entrepreneurs, and both city and national leaders.

I want to extend our greatest thanks to Mayor Leg Mary Sheffield, Chair Gabrielle Santiago Romero, and the entire Detroit City Council for supporting the Living Wage for Musicians Act.

This was originally drafted by the United Musicians and Allied Workers, and it was introduced in September 2025 by Congresswoman Rashida Taleb.

This legislator, this legislation moves us towards a fair, equitable compensation for artists from streaming platforms, reversing the predatory rates that musicians have endured for far too long.

You know, I'm from Detroit all my life too.

And I gotta say that this is one of the greatest communities in the world.

You know, being able to build out of the city, I'm from the east side, and we're building an initiative that's providing resources, funding, opportunity out of Chroma Detroit, um, over there on Grand Boulevard is such an honor.

And to be able to work side by side by such an amazing community with the our city council and mayor like Mary Sheffield has honestly been game changing.

Detroit, you know, it's it's the world's greatest export of talent.

But with bills like this, we have the opportunity to be the greatest retainer of talent to keep our talent here for our future and actually make a change.

So I'm just inspired.

I want to say that through community, we honestly can do anything.

It's the most important thing in the world that with every step forward, we make every step together.

Because that's the only way we're gonna make a difference through our voices, through our shared efforts, through knowing that the only real change comes from the people and for the people and by the people.

And we will see this through.

So I really want to thank you guys because now with this momentum, we're headed to Washington.

We're about to really make a difference.

So thank you.

Appreciate it.

Thank you.

Next speaker, Michael Villegas.

And I apologize if I mispronounced your name.

It's all right.

How do you say it?

Because we want to say it right.

Viegus.

Yes.

Thank you.

Um, I'm Michael Viegas.

I'm uh the owner of Genie Contractors.

I'm here to touch basic in about the issue we had, the meeting we had last week about the Guyanga thing, but no bonds.

I'm up a little closer than Mike.

Um I'm here to touch base again about the issue um with Gyanga and the no bonds thing we had a meeting about last week.

I returned last week after Tuesday on Wednesday, and I provided a few of the council members with a list of properties, my contract with Ganga and the invoices that he owes outstanding is 274,000.

The list I wanted to provide it with was because there are 48 properties that are currently wide open with no concrete that I performed removing them and got them ready, but because the no con there's no no payment.

I refuse to do the work.

So and there's about 20 of them there are listed on one street, and all of these properties are in Southwest Detroit.

Okay.

I'm from Southwest Detroit, so it hits home for me.

But just think about where you where these children are gonna stand for the school bus.

Ain't no sidewalks.

What about if these children are outside playing now?

These sidewalks are prepped and ready for concrete.

So you guys are familiar with how it works, right?

There's forms and there's stakes sticking up to hold these forms before report of concrete.

If one of these children, it could be think about if it was one of your family members or grandchild or one of your children's niece or nephew.

They fought on top of one of my stakes that I have.

It impales them and they die.

Who's at fault?

So I just want to know how we're gonna proceed.

Are we gonna proceed?

And I'm willing to fix this.

I would love to finish this work for the city of Detroit, not for Brian McKinney, but for the city of Detroit.

Let's just make this deal happen, whatever we gotta do, and let's figure it out.

Who's gonna pay the bill?

That's all I got, man.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And as you as you know, there's a uh interim suspension that is in place, and there's some legal issues that have to be addressed, and they're in process of being addressed.

You can't go back and forth, though.

That was okay.

Just giving you that bit of information.

You mentioned that you provided the information to some of the colleagues.

Um, it has been received.

Thank you.

Thank you so much, Mr.

President.

Um, Member Johnson.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

So this gentleman came to the IOS committee um on Wednesday, and my team has provided the information to Director Counts.

Um, I would request that director counts come on online um before the conclusion of public comment to provide an update because as he indicated, there are open holes that are throughout the city that need to be addressed.

ASAP.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Chair.

Thank you.

Before we go to member Callaway, uh, Mr.

Washington, are you available?

And if yes, I see you on the screen.

Uh, are you able to uh comply with that request from member Johnson?

Yes, thank you.

Okay, we will look forward to my apologies.

Yes, good morning.

Uh, through the chair and committee, yes, uh, director council be on towards the end.

Okay, we look forward to having uh her join us uh certainly before we wrap up this meeting.

Member Calgary.

Thank you, thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair, and good afternoon, everyone again.

Thank you, sir.

I actually left the table and came out and met with you and several of the other subcontractors, had an opportunity to go by the properties and took pictures.

Um, and um sent all that information to our corporation council, Conrad Mallet, um, Lawan Counts, um, and everybody else I could list on that one email.

So I did um keep my word to you, and I followed up, and I still would like to meet with you, and I have your telephone number.

Um, but we are aware of those properties, and they are too right after I met with you.

I sent the email.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

Our next speaker is Miss Betty Lyons.

Yes, the system is broken, it's shattered.

Money is going everywhere but where it belongs.

This Brian McKinney, he's got millions and refuses to pay people.

This other one, do you get that political thug, Dana Nessel?

Over 600 million dollars belonging to the Detroit residents, stolen by the satanic minded man refusing to give what belongs to us.

The attorneys do nothing for us, won't even tell us what to do.

That coalition, they don't even call back when I call.

They have no answers, they sound like Dugan.

This country was founded by the criminally insane.

So you can use that word mental illness, but it means demons.

Look in the Bible.

Jesus dealt with demons.

Not no mental illness.

The black slaves, the most heinously treated in the history of slavery.

It lowers nothing compared to these plantation owners over here.

You show your lack of justice and integrity.

You close schools, but yet you want to put up exercise and sports arenas.

But the kids can't even carry on an intelligent conversation.

Drall fights for no smoking, but homosexuality, lesbianism, he won't challenge that.

No, he won't challenge that.

Next speaker, Tamara Cook.

Tamara Cook.

Hi, thank you for having me.

My last name is Crook.

Brooke, I apologize.

No, that's fine.

That's why I want it on the record.

Yes, sir.

Um, I'm here from uh district three, and I'm here to oppose the parking at the Farwell Field Plan 2025.

Now I am very passionate about my neighborhood.

I'm new to this.

I'm new to this, but I'm always involved in the neighborhood as in looking out as a neighborhood watcher.

And one of the things that I do oppose, and I spoke with Scott Benson, who was very helpful in the information that he did provide for me, is that the safety of our kids here in District 3, we have the most kids.

They're making a parking area across from residents' home where they can park there and they can look at kids' houses.

I'm I went by each house to do a petition, and my petition was 100% backed up by those residents, and I did not stop through cold storms, rain.

I made sure I heard their voices and they were baffled, behooved about the parking area that's going to be in front of their house or around their house.

Their safety, they pay taxes like we all do.

And we are all passionate about that neighborhood.

We that is my village, my village where I've been raised.

And the kids there needs to have safety.

No trees or no fence can provide any safety where a predator can look at them or even say anything to them.

I walk a dog every day around that tennis court.

No police officer, nothing.

I've been approached, I've been exposed to people have came up to me trying to sell me drugs.

No, thank you.

No, thank you.

I have watched the kids there.

I stick around a little longer so the kids can get home safe.

And I'm just one woman.

And I just want you guys to know that we do not want that parking area there.

If you need a solution, we'll come over.

Hi, you thank you.

Thank you.

Next speaker, Charles Goldby, excuse me.

Good morning.

I'm Shark Coolsby.

Good morning to this honorable body.

I'm here representing SCIU Local One.

And I'm speaking on behalf of Detroit Area Arena Workers.

SCIU strongly supports the soccer stadium available uh development and the community benefits agreement reached between the neighborhood advisory council, which includes real Detroiters and the Detroit City FC developers.

This CBA is a real win for workers and neighborhoods because it ensures that developments create number one good union jobs, fair wages, and real opportunities for Detroit residents.

This agreement includes a $17 wage floor, which is in line with our latest historic agreement that we just negotiated for downtown Detroit area janitors.

12 years of union neutrality and meaningful community investment.

This sets a powerful precedent for when responsible development happens in our city.

Detroit is a proud sports town.

We have our lions doing well, our pistons, which are amazing, and the Detroit Tigers.

But the real backbone of our stadiums are the arena workers.

The people who come in there every day and make our stadiums ready for our guests.

Period.

And we don't think about them.

Thank you so much.

So we appreciate being included in the conversation prioritizes workers.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

My brother, next speaker, brother Michael Conning Cunningham.

Like you're in the festive mood today.

It lights up.

313 444, 9114 313, 444, 9114313, 444, 9114.

That number was made to you can remember it.

And on Facebook, not enemy.

Two words.

I just shout out and uh thank uh Mr.

Jeffrey, appreciate you for showing me some love to pay it forward to folks.

Uh um, I I want to thank um Miss Sabatini who gave me some more hats, some scarves to give out as I go along my journey, and everyone who gave me hands.

I need bus tickets, hand warmers, um, whatever you can do.

My Cash App is 3134 9114.

And uh just want to make you aware if you wanted a flyer.

Um, the community meeting, the last and final charter mandated meeting, the last and final uh will be tonight at Greater Emanuel Institutional Church.

Oh, my Island Schaefer.

Uh, so and that begins at seven o'clock.

You don't have to really be from that district, they prefer it, but you know, if you got some issues, hopefully you're talking about the bus service.

We can come at the council about it, but we can also go to the mayor about it, and this is the last one.

I'm gonna give them a high five.

I don't agree with everything, but I appreciate what he's done with the buses, and I was homeless for 10 years, and his deputy mayor and the coming on his office, they uh assisted me.

And so I know homelessness.

I'm giving out bus tickets and hand warmers and stuff.

I'm touching these folks.

I'm I'm hearing these folks, I'm right there with them.

And that motor city mitten group, they outdo me because I'll be seeing them out there like they do a lot from what I see being in the streets all the time.

Um, I don't know them, I don't get nothing out of it.

I'm just saying what I observe.

Happy Thanksgiving, happy Thanksgiving, happy Thanksgiving, happy Thanksgiving, happy Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving, happy Thanksgiving.

We appreciate you, brother Cunningham, all the service and all the work you do.

Next speaker, Paul Jones.

Good morning, distinguished council members and community.

I'm speaking in support of the DC FC Community Benefits Agreement.

I am the CEO of Prosperous Detroit, and we democratize opportunities to generate wealth through entrepreneurship to Detroiters throughout all of our communities in our wonderful city.

We're the most active micro lender in the city of Detroit, and in Corktown and Southwest Detroit alone, we've provided over a million dollars of microloans and provide training for hundreds of entrepreneurs in Southwest Detroit and Corktown.

Given this organization's alignment with our mission and share commitments, providing access to opportunities, market, and space for community and community centers for entrepreneurs, I without reservation.

So submit my endorsement of the city's ordinance 3616, the CBA agreement for Detroit City Football Club.

Thank you.

Next speaker, Melissa Love.

Um, last week I got cut off because of the timer.

Um, I do want to give a shout out to badge number 6432, as he is doing a fantastic job on the buses.

Thank you, Councilmember Calloway, for always moving with integrity.

Y'all are actually mocking homelessness.

I've been homeless for a year.

I'm 34 years old.

I experienced homeless as a teen as well.

Uh Love versus Vincent et al.

Case number 25 CV 13105.

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

I'm Melissa Love Never Voted, November 2020 or August 2024.

And I am here to demand my name off the voter ropes to collect my shot to pay y'all been stealing from.

I am here to demand justice and true representation from the city of Detroit.

So the city of Detroit, if you are here and you hear me, if we had representation, then why is the poverty rate 34% and child poverty rate is 51%, the highest since 2017?

Why is DTE so high?

Why is it more dispensaries and liquor stores?

Why is impound fee so high?

Why is it water drainage fees?

Why are elections being stolen?

Why the hoods not gentrifying clean?

Why is mental people running rapid?

Why over the course of the year in 2024, more than 8,500 people experience homelessness?

That's because we are being robbed with no gun by the city officials.

Thank you.

Next speaker.

Good morning.

My name is Andre Duthard.

I am a lifelong Detroiter.

And for the past 11 years, I've owned and operated a business in Detroit called Pardon Me to Sound, which resides downtown.

I'm also a Southwest Detroit resident.

My family and I live in the Chassis Condon neighborhood.

And I also own a property in District 6 that will be affected by the stadium.

I've been a supporter of the club since uh the Castech days in 2012.

My son is a nine-year-old, it's been a part of the youth program for four years.

And I think what we have witnessed as Detroiters over the past 13 years has been nothing sort of sort of astounding.

The transformation from a grassroots football club into a legitimate professional team on the precipice of solidifying a long-term foundation in the stadium is it's come from over a decade of work, and as a fellow entrepreneur, it's just an achievement to be respected and celebrated.

But more importantly, to do this through community building is something incredibly rare.

It is salient trait that is a part of the fabric of what Detroit City FC represents.

And the word community is used so ambiguously, I think.

And our businesses are not communities, right?

But what we have the ability to do is become vessels and become mediums for community to be built.

And my personal litmus test for facilitating facilitating community is pretty simple.

Is does what you do physically connect people for a greater purpose?

Um I think we live in a in a in a world where our digital future in our lives is daunting and uncertain.

And as a spaceholder with over 11 years of experience of connecting Detroiters, there's nothing more important than finding ways for us to exponentially connect each other as human beings in the physical world.

And Detroit City Football Club does this exceptionally well and deserves our support.

Yeah.

Thank you.

Next speaker, Ari Turner.

Welcome.

Good morning, members of council and councilman Durhaw.

I want to offer my condolences to you and your loved ones.

Uh, I am Kyrie Turner.

I'm executive director for Coleman A.

Young Foundation, and I am the proud father of a Detroit City Football Club youth player.

I'm here to voice strong support uh for the stadium initiative and the compute and the community benefit.

Uh my son has played in DCFC's youth program for four years.

Uh, it's one of the most formative experiences of his life.

He's growing up and competing with kids from different neighborhoods, backgrounds, and stories, and an environment that sees and stretches all of the participants.

He feels at home there.

So my wife and I feel at home there.

But DCFC has helped my son evolve and gave us gain a sense of who he can become under their guidance.

He and many of his teammates qualified this year for the Michigan Olympic Development Program.

And he earned the chance to play in Madrid, Spain this coming February.

I lead an organization that is committed to developing Detroit youth so that they can become Detroit leaders.

Your own Arthur Harrington is our exhibit eight.

Uh, I believe through my lens that inclusive opportunities that center Detroit youth in the midst of this beautiful game and around playoff tested professionals and players represent the best that this city has to offer.

Uh, a new stadium in the city is more than a venue, it's an anchor.

It's a place for Detroit youth and families to gather to dream and to participate in a world-class soccer culture.

As a parent and community leader, I thank you in advance and urge your support for DCFC's vision because it's not just good for soccer, it's good for the D.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Our next speaker, Tanya Wells.

We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and wickedness and high place.

We can't hear you.

I'm sorry.

Yes, we wrestle not against fresh and blood, but against principalities and wickedness and high places.

Um, the Fair Housing Act, the right to council, the B S E D compliance rental certificate, uh became a label on my back.

I can't get a landlord to rent to me because I have an eviction conviction.

We're gonna say that again.

An eviction, conviction.

They want us to pay for the applications to give us to give them private information, such as our social security number, our driver's license number, credit checks, and criminal background checks.

That's not legal.

The only thing you entitled to is my name and phone number.

I am against um what's going on in the 36th district court as a whole.

It's seven-day notice, 30-day notice.

Then you go to court, you have 20 to 57 days.

Not like I had 22 personal appearances in 283 days.

I paid my rent, and I have copies of Section 8's payments in my purse.

I did not do anything wrong, but I'm being held like a criminal.

A criminal gets treated better than I do because they'll take my money for the application and then find a way to say real nice.

Oh, well, you have an addiction conviction.

We can't have you on our roster.

We don't uh rent to rental convictions.

We don't rent to people who have been convicted.

Uh short hands, right quick.

Everybody that's homeless.

Everybody that's home.

Okay, you know what?

Think about me.

When you turn your key and you go inside of your house, me and Emmanuel, we need you.

Thank you, Member Johnson.

Thank you.

I enjoy myself for hearing.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I will be in trouble.

I'm so sorry for our next speaker.

Is Yvonne Purafort?

No, I'm sorry.

Card stuck.

Next speaker, Irving Marlowe.

Irving Marlowe.

Good morning.

Um I read for state rep in 1996, came in third place.

I think um Fred Durha, Father Ran, or something of that nature, and um Kwame Kid Patrick, right?

And um, I wanted to sit back and say my condolences to your family, Fred uh Fox and um Big Wayne just told me to let you know.

You follow me?

All right, and I sit back and I say this is we have an issue with the city is 85% of the general voting age population don't go vote.

So what we're doing is we're starting a political action committee that's gonna target market the voters that's not voting, right?

Because something has to be done as far as getting the youth involved in the politics.

That's one of the issues that I was looking at, and I wanted to bring up.

And I haven't been in government in a while.

I hadn't did politics at the wall, it's been a while since I got into it.

But sitting down here and seeing actually what's going on, I'm thinking we need more individuals that's involved in it.

I'm glad that my friend Fidel brung me down here to get involved.

You follow me.

Take your um my district in my district.

I think you're the um council member.

My wife been wanting to meet you.

I'm glad to chance I got a chance to meet you.

I enjoyed the way you spoke as far as what the homeless goes because for them to sit back and like not knowing what's actually going on to me was something wrong with that picture.

You follow me.

I just want to sit back and say again, thanks.

I'm getting involved, my feedback on the ground, and just wanted you guys to know that we got to force the record with because we're gonna do what we can to get these other individuals that don't vote to get them out here to vote, and it's gonna help you guys out.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you as well, Mr.

Marlowe.

I've got someone from my team that's gonna come and connect with you to make sure we connect afterwards.

Next speaker, Miss Yvonne Purfoy.

Good morning, counsel.

I thank y'all for having me.

I'm here concerning the grass and MacDougall.

Ms.

Perfor, if you can pull the closer to you, that way we can hear you.

I'm here concerning the grass and MacDougall homes.

Uh, the um contract number is 67514, 100% CDBG funding to facilitate down payment assistance to the scattered site single family homes.

Well, I'm one that uh of nine that haven't received our deeds.

IDs are pertaining to United Housing Coalition that's holding our deeds, and we can't receive our deeds unless this down payment assistance is given to them that who paid.

So I'm here asking, is this funding?

Are we a part of this funding that's coming from the CHN housing uh podcast?

So I'm asking the council to help us out because we've been waiting on IDs for some years now.

I've been in my house since 2008, and yet to receive the down payment assistance that the city has applied.

So I'm seeing this all this money is allocated, 784,486 for this specific reason.

And I want to know it's the grass and MacDougall now, Hunt MacDougal homes is included.

There's nine of us do not have our deeds because of it.

So we can't get our taxes, we can't apply for any of the revision programs, and I'm a senior citizen.

I can't get any help because I don't have my deed.

So I'm asking for the my council, the city, which is one of the city members that have been working with us to uh receive the monies we have not lodicated.

We have not lodged it.

So I need to answer, please.

Thank you.

Ma'am, what district do you live in?

Just making sure.

Five.

District five.

Okay.

So we will work with uh the council uh district five office to see if we can get some assistance for you.

So someone from my team will connect with you.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Mr.

President.

Um, Member Johnson.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

That is um the contract that Miss Purafort just spoke about is on our agenda today.

It does include Grasha McDougall.

I would request that someone from HRD speak directly with her to determine whether or not she is included within the properties that are part of the contract.

We'll do Jack will um execute that.

Thank you so much.

Our next speaker, Mr.

Ronald Foster.

Oh, good morning to the council president.

Um, doses to the Durha family.

Um I empathize.

Secondly, uh, just after watching this interview today, or it's important.

My um opinion is that we need to scrap the housing and development, start fresh.

The innovative thinking there.

Um, you know, for example, after tens of 40s of millions that they spoke of, the city of coin, the term unsheltered, and these people don't even have the sense to come down and speak the language here after getting all this money.

Secondly, I would like to know what are their salaries.

What have the city gotten in return for the funds that they've been getting, huh?

And as I ride around this city, I see a lot of the housing projects are empty.

A lot of these houses are boarded up.

So, you know, we just have to do better with our with our thinking and and and our hiring processes.

One of my suggestions with hiring should be a test should be given to hiring recipients to test their aptitude of the position in which they're hiring for.

I think that'll minimize a lot of fragmentization, a lot of all this familiarity here.

We need people here that know what that what they're doing, not just based upon degrees or anything else.

They have to be able to articulate and formulate something that makes sense after 40 million dollars, and so with oversight issues with firefighters and other issues is popping up on a day-to-day basis.

We have to do better with oversight, we have to do better with ethics.

So 19.9, 0.11, 0.12, 0.13.

We need scrutinized oversight over our dollars, and we need to know what they're coming.

Thank you.

Thanks, Speaker.

Mr.

Francis Gruno.

Thanks, uh, Council President Pro Tem and uh condolences to Councilmember Durhal.

Uh, good morning, everyone.

My name is Francis Gruno.

I'm the former chair of the NAC for what's become Little Caesars Arena in District Detroit.

Between 2014 and 2019, I spent a lot of time here advocating on behalf of the uh lower caste corridor.

During that time, we learned a lot about priorities and vision uh for um I'm sorry, for certain billionaire actors in Detroit, uh, which promises were kept and which we're still waiting for now, six years later.

I'd like to think we've learned a lot collectively since then, as residents, community leaders, elected officials, and developers, maybe some more than others.

Today, you're considering tax breaks for a different sports facility developed by a different owner.

While specifics of the process may not please everyone, I believe the values and intentions of leadership at DCFC are genuine.

I also believe they'll make good on what is agreed to, as well as continue to be a different kind of developer and neighbor.

Personally, I look forward to seeing DCFC show us what is possible in terms of corporate responsibility to provide opportunity and connectedness in the Detroit neighborhood and for Detroiters as a whole.

I urge you to support the proposal before you today and wish you a happy Thanksgiving.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good morning.

The price is blight.

The city council and the mayor spent one billion with the B.

One billion dollars to enrich private developers and mostly non-Detroiters.

They get to enrich themselves, their children, their children's children, and their children's children.

Children, our children and us, we get to walk by and live near dangerous vacant schools that's been sitting in our neighborhoods for decades.

37 votes paused the ham tram election for mayor.

Yet 270 votes during the August primary election, fraudulent votes go untalked about, unaddressed.

We have to have fair and honest elections, period.

Councilman Benson, we found this information out when we were out doing a recall on you.

But I say this to say, um, my vote was changed from an absentee ballot to from a five to from an in-person ballot to an absentee ballot with no explanation.

Myself and others, and it's never been really addressed in the way that it should be.

We're at we're demanding a forensic audit of the current of the last election, November 5th, and for the August primary in partnership with Ramon Jackson, who led this all of you, Mr.

Benson.

Thank you so much.

I wish I'll now go to our online callers.

Ari, uh good morning.

Good afternoon.

Who's our first caller?

So I know we have 17.

Uh no, I'm sorry, 33 callers online.

Good afternoon, Mr.

President.

There were 34 hands before you would cut off public comment.

And the first caller is Galaxy S22 Ultra.

All right, caller, the floor is yours, General Public.

Good morning.

You know, first of all, y'all need to change them programs into after we pay taxes, we pay y'all salary.

Y'all have us on whole while they come down there.

Nothing against the homeless.

I'm for uh I appreciate their helping the homeless.

But we have to we have things we have to do just like y'all when y'all only give us 30 minutes or a minute or a minute and a half.

But you expect us to wait around for two hours to say what we have to say that's important.

We have things over here on the east side.

You've got a school over here on French Road and one that's been vacant for the longest, but we have more marijuana dispenses than we have grocery stores and schools in the city of Detroit, which is sad, and we want quality life over here.

Everybody say they're doing stuff over here, but how long I've been waiting for these fumes over here.

I hear my city council been working on it, but how long do I have to keep inhaling this and have a messed up voice?

I'm gonna have to file a lawsuit against the city because you want to give us crumbs and say that's enough for us over here to fix up our home where you invaded, y'all invaded, let the city uh Christ invade us over here with that paint and then fume, and nobody give a darn about it.

Y'all need to sleep over here for about a year and the hell these fume.

Y'all need to care about the people, quality life over here.

We tired of it coming down the same stuff, no lighting.

We catch hell, the the lightings over here, but y'all say y'all care about the quality of uh uh uh life of the people in the city, but we pay taxes to you guys to fight for, and we have to keep waiting and waiting and waiting, which is saying.

Next caller, please.

Next caller is William M.

Davis.

William M.

Davis, the floor is yours.

Uh uh, good afternoon.

Can I be heard?

Yes.

Okay, I like to say that I am very disappointed with the city council, and especially with the mayor, in so much that just within the last four or five years, the city of Detroit has gotten in over a billion dollars of federal funds that could have some of that could have been to also help city chart retirees because just during the time that the mayor's been in office, you know, we've lost over 4,000 city church general fund retirees, but nobody seems to care.

Nobody, you know, like say just like let more and more of us die.

Yet the mayor, you know, his salary's gone up over 40 percent.

You know, he's you know, he's already received more than 70,000, and he started off as a millionaire.

Uh very few city retirees can say that they are a millionaires unless your name is Gary Brown.

You know, I think more needs to be done to have the city Detroit retirees.

I think that hopefully this next administration and the addition of the two new city council people who's strongly look at doing things to help City Detroit retirees.

That's one of the reasons why people ask me without vote for Douglas.

I would not vote for somebody that has allowed thousands of city Detroit retirees to die.

And don't get me wrong, many of us would have been dying anyway, but there was things that the city and the mayor could have and should have done with the federal assistance that came in.

Especially so much you have the city clerk is about to get over a 90% pay raise just for one year, and then another seven percent over two years.

These scales are not balanced.

More needs to be done to help people like me and other city chart retirees.

Have a good day.

Enjoy your vacation.

Right.

Apologies.

The next caller is phone number ending in 169.

All right, 169.

Hello, can you guys hear me?

Yes, sir.

Great, great.

I just want to say greetings and salutation.

Um, thank you for praying for Brother Cunningham.

Don't just pray for him.

You watch him over the years.

All he wants was the community is the best.

Um, Cunningham needs gloves, hats, hand warmers, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances, bus tickets and finances.

As you can watch all.

Next caller is Owner Papa.

All right.

One minute 45 seconds.

The floor is yours.

Good morning.

And uh, through the chair, may I be heard?

Yes, ma'am.

Okay, Carolyn Hughes.

That's interesting, the presentation today about the homelessness and how we oscillate between uh unhoused and homelessness.

Can you say unhouselessness?

Uh that's pretty difficult to say.

And when they when they told you a hotline, people when they when they think of hotline, they think of something that's an emergency, something that has to be taken care of.

You don't call a hotline to get a message.

Uh, this whole uh billions of dollars that we've spent, and Mr.

Foster hit it on the head.

Do we have the right people in the right places?

Mr.

Tate brought Poppy and its associates and along with the came of Tara and all of these other people who really don't know what they're doing.

So we're spending billions of dollars, and I mean billions of dollars, and we're not getting the kind of results that we ought to be getting.

And this council, as well as this mayor, but mostly this council, because you have the ability to push back.

You have the ability to say no, but you never say no.

And let me bring you to 16.2 on October 7th.

This council voted after knowing that this city owes its residents and homeowners $600 million plus in over taxation.

You agreed to pledge $42 million to billionaires and millionaires to plug their shortfall.

I think that's atrocious.

I think that you all ought to all be fired.

I don't think any of you deserve your positions.

Anyone who voted to give our dollars after you owe us 600 million plus to rich people to plug their shortfall of all of the glory and things that you promised and they promised to you.

You guys are saps, and we don't want to roll with you.

The next caller is Raymond Lozano.

Paula, the floor is yours at a minute 45.

General Public Comment.

Good afternoon, and thank you for the opportunity to comment.

Soccer has played a central and meaningful role in many people's lives it has been a historically prominent sport and become the favorite pastime for countless people having this new soccer stadium is a significant tribute to this sport and for it to be in this neighborhood is a tremendous achievement Mexican town community development corporation has proudly supported this development recognizing it as a stimulus for economic advancement and long-term revitalization.

The stadium will not only provide a state of the art venue for sports and entertainment but will also create new jobs attract local and regional visitors generate increased revenue for nearby businesses offer opportunities for local partnerships and most importantly youth sports this project also reflects Mexican town CDC's commitment to inclusiveness with promise for a vibrant future for our city and Southwest Detroit we look forward to seeing this development become a source of unity and opportunity for generations to come I would like to thank the Detroit City Council, the Planning Commission and DCFC's co-owners for considering Southwest Detroit as the location for the stadium thank you everyone next caller please the next caller is not Karen.

Okay the next caller is please help resolve all right caller the floor is yours you have a minute 45 general public comment are you there are you there?

Yes um so I'd like to ask that you figure out how you get the city to deal with issues where they don't notify someone of a blank ticket but somehow you get a collection notice in the mail so you can't just send out a collection notice in the mail and not show that the city people who ticketed somebody didn't follow proper procedure and then spend the residence time trying to fix what the city didn't do.

I would hope that's what the city what you would be there for is to investigate and make sure that's not happening to people and get it fixed and corrected.

So hopefully with the people that are there you can still help me with this situation because they should be if they can send a collection notice to me then that shows they could send me a ticket in the first place which didn't happen so shouldn't they have to show that they allegedly served me and followed city code um the other thing is um I don't think you need to do a bunch of lame ducks things and ramp through zoning ordinances I'm not saying throw all the work away but slow down put a whole bunch of stuff up just leave it for the new year incoming council incoming government and give people meaningful opportunity to take a look at some of these things instead of you know put put put put it through when you heard from many many people break this step break these zoning things and other things into smaller more digestible pieces next caller please next caller is phone number ending in 992 caller ending at 992 the floor is yours general public comment all right the gig is up investigation over with the take junior you're a fraud Gabriela Santiago Ramira you're a liar you're not reading the findings on the allegations of voter fraud by anonymous citizen report on May the night and all those members of the council that's up there right now didn't have it either so they can testify that you didn't have it Dennis Worthy on April 25th 2024 is a liar and Detroit election commission meeting where she said she mailed all you members of council the mayor's office in the law department with Conrad Mallet Jr sitting right beside her findings on the allegations of voter fraud by anonymous citizen report none of y'all got it I took it down on the 22nd after calling all the council members the mayor's office

Detroit election commission meeting where she said she mailed all you members of council.

The mayor's office in the law department with Conrad Mallett Jr.

sitting right beside her, the findings on the allegations of voter fraud by anonymous citizen report.

None of y'all got it.

I took it down on the 22nd.

After calling all the council members, the mayor's office and the law department on the 20th.

I took it down on the 22nd of that uh May 2024, and I gave it to the committee that was holding a hearing there.

Y'all busted.

Now, James E.

Kate, you told Kenisha Coleman's mother that I wasn't the right representative.

Well, Charmaine McCloud did it.

Now there it is.

For everybody to digest.

You're a fraud and you're a liar.

I am the right representative, JZ Jr.

Next speaker, please.

Uh next caller is Darren McCluskey.

Dear McClowski, the floor is yours.

General Public Comment.

Hello.

But you guys know what I'm gonna talk about today.

So evidently, there's a lot of homeless people in Detroit.

Um, some are in that room with you right now.

Um, if you guys are at your computers, it would be very nice.

You don't pull up a street view of 749 Adeline.

That's A D E L I N E Street.

That is in the northern edge of the State Fair Solar Farm footprint.

Um, that house was beautiful.

New roof, new siding, new windows, rented out.

Uh even had a ring doorbell on it.

Great condition.

I don't know what you guys paid.

My guess is somewhere between 1680 grand to the landlord who had that.

Now it's torn down, completely put into a landfill somewhere.

Uh look at 1921 Danbury.

I could go on and on.

2030 houses in great condition, torn down.

And you guys are spending money so that you have another problem on your hands.

And I'm gonna yield my time to Jadante Smith because his hand was put down.

Thank you.

I want to say uh to Angela Whitfield Callaway, thank you for your amendments.

Uh not amendments, but see your uh points that you made in the uh the council in the agenda 17.44, not something no 19.36, 19.37.

Also, I want to highlight 17.44 for DGC development, which is probably gonna use eminent domain.

Also for 17.37.

I want to ask, what is that about?

Also, I want to say we need a down zone chronos, and also when it comes to Scott Benson, section four of the charter one thirteen says that there's no pro that you can't uh interfere with the administration, but you also have the ability of city council to investigate any matter within city call within city council.

So I read the charter, Scott.

Next caller, please.

The next caller is Melanie Harris.

Caller, the floor is yours, General Public Comment.

Hello, this is Melanie Harris.

Can you hear me?

Floor is yours, ma'am.

Thank you.

Uh so as I mentioned, Melanie Harris, I'm the president of business operations at the Detroit Pistons, and I frankly could not be more energized to speak in support of and champion the vision whose time has truly come, which is returning a WNBA team to the city of Detroit.

And this isn't just about adding another team.

Elevating women's basketball, and giving the very best athletes in the world a stage that reflects their talent, their grit, and their relentless determination.

And in my view, there's no city that embodies those qualities more than Detroit.

We all know Detroit is built on resilience and on innovation and on the belief that when we invest in people and when we believe in their potential, remarkable things happen.

And the WNBA team training and competing in Detroit and the Associated Youth Development Academy will inspire our daughters and our sons, create new opportunities in our community, and deepen the legacy of basketball excellence.

This city already holds.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

The next caller is Michelle Jackson.

Caller, the floor is yours.

Minute 45 General Public Comment.

Caller, are you there?

I am.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Um, good day, everybody.

And oh, um, somebody said something about being on.

I put my hand up at 10 and it's 12, it's two hours.

Ooh.

So anyway, let me hurry up.

But I am calling because I would like to know how is it that, and first of all, I am coming from Channel Park Neighborhood Association where I'm the president.

I would like to know how is it that we could get first rights to refusal in our area?

It's a number of things that's going on that I don't understand.

We have a number of LLCs where they are coming in and getting property, but it's not going to foreclose where it's in an actual auction.

They're actually getting it before it goes to auction.

So I don't know.

Um, I do have a few addresses.

Um, I was putting together an email.

Um, don't want to put anybody to shame, but some of these renters in these particular properties, not sure if um they've actually been prone for renting.

So it's supposed to be some kind of uh when it's inspected for you to rent the property to have that.

And I'm not sure that these do because the people are moving in and out so quickly.

So I will send these particular addresses.

Um folks from Oregon, um, Minneapolis, Philadelphia.

Uh, we do have somebody here on Davison, but just really would like to know what is going on and how can I get in on it?

Because I mean, if it doesn't have to go to auction, then why are they telling me I need to wait for the auction and LLCs get it before it goes to auction?

So y'all get the addresses and homelessness.

Thank you so much.

Look forward to the information.

Mother Johnson.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I was just going to say um, I'll certainly uh look forward to the email so that we can work with BC to respond to the rental properties.

And um certainly willing to have a conversation to talk about the properties that are being purchased.

Not sure if they are publicly owned or privately owned, but happy to have that conversation with you.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

The next caller is Claude Molinari.

Visit Detroit.

All right.

Through the chair, may I be heard?

Yes.

Good afternoon, Estable members of City Council.

On behalf of Visit Detroit and the Detroit Sports Commission, I'm expressing my support for the proposed WMBA redevelopment project at the former Univoral site, a transformative opportunity led by the WNBA Detroit Ownership Group.

This project represents a bold and visionary investment in Detroit's future, one that will vitalize a long-blighted and environmentally challenged site, expand access to youth sports, and elevate women's professional athletics in our city.

Importantly, this initiative will serve as a catalyst for economic activity in the surrounding neighborhood by drawing families, athletes, and fans to the riverfront.

The development could successfully increase foot traffic, creating new opportunities for local businesses to thrive.

Restaurants, retail shops, and service providers will benefit from the steady influx of visitors, helping to drive revenue in the area.

It also supports possible future tourism activities, drawing people to Detroit.

The redevelopment plan is not only about sports, it's about equity, access, and pride by expanding opportunities for younger students, 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 a lack of infrastructure.

This initiative aligns with the type of community investments Detroiters want to see.

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

Thank you for your attention, City Council members.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

The next caller is Tiara Clayton.

Caller, the floor is yours.

General Public Comment.

Good afternoon, everyone.

Thank you so much to the city council.

Um, the whole city council and also um council president Tate.

Good morning.

First, uh, I am Shiara Clayton.

I'm with the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries.

I want to send my condolences to Councilperson Durhall.

I worked very closely with your dad for the last three years.

He was a light.

He was a positive influence on my career here at the Detroit Rescue Mission.

Your family has my ultimate condolences.

Um, my name is Chiara Clayton.

I'm a Detroit resident.

I'm also the director of communications for the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries.

And we're located on near Little Caesars Arena.

I'm calling today to express my support for the proposed WMBA team, the practice facility, and the youth development academy.

Um, as someone who lives in Detroit and also works in this great community, I'm excited about the project because it represents a bold and much needed investment in our city.

It will help transform a long blighted environmentally challenged site into a vibrant hub for activity and opportunity.

This will be a catalyst for jobs, youth development, and meaningful engagement.

The vision behind this project aligns with the values that we uphold at the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, service empowerment collaboration and creating pathways for bright futures.

So I just wanted to lend my support of this initiative.

But also really quickly, um, I've listened to the whole meeting.

I wanted to just chime in on the situation in reference to homelessness in Detroit.

The Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries have a long-standing history since 1909 of helping those who are homeless.

I invite all city council members to partner more strongly with us, and I would love to be a catalyst for that.

Thank you for your work, you guys.

Have a good and happy Thanksgiving.

Thank you, Ms.

Clayton.

Always a pleasure.

Next caller, please.

Uh next caller is Sam Butler.

Sam Butler, the floor is yours.

You have a minute 45.

General public comment.

Good morning, honorable body.

Uh, thank you for the time.

I actually want to comment on the screening and landscaping amendments that are before you today.

Um, these amendments today will help improve neighborhood aesthetics and mitigate harmful impacts of pollution.

Thank you to the PED committee, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Santiago Romero, as well as CPC and PDD staff for their hard work on this issue.

I know that there are additional buffering provisions under consideration for next year.

And I want to thank the entire council and city staff for their continued dedication to improving the public health of Detroiters.

Thank you and happy Thanksgiving.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

The next caller is Kelly Bertrand.

Caller, the floor is yours.

General public comment.

Caller, are you there?

All right, let's put that caller at the end of the queue and go to the next caller, please.

Oh, there you go.

Hi, sorry about that.

Um good afternoon.

My name is Kelly Bertrand, and I'm speaking today in support of Detroit Boat Works Project on St.

Jean.

I live on Sanbar Lane, and I'm excited for the vacant street St.

Jean lot to become something more than just a rundown blighted piece of property.

I like that the project will bring new jobs to the neighborhood and expand our boating and marina industry, which will add value to the area.

The project is an expansion of an existing business.

It's already been there for several years, and the owners of that business cleaned up their existing site on St.

Jean and removed old boats that had sunk in the canal.

This is a good project, and I hope the city council approves what is before them today.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

The next caller is Bill Peek.

Call of the floor is yours.

General public comment.

Good afternoon, everyone.

Uh Bill Cheek from North Corktown.

Um I'm asking council to reject the DCFC CBA for failing to provide equitable community benefits to the impact zone.

From the start of the CBA process, the community has received only partly formed plans for construction, traffic, demolition, parking, and expected us to create a fully formed community benefits agreement without a complete picture of the project plans.

We know the negative impacts from a stadium in Corktown, but there's no plans for mitigating those impacts.

There's no soundproof windows for our neighbors in Fountain Court.

There's pitifully little home repair dollars for the oldest housing stock in the city.

There's no parking plan, no traffic plan, no noise abatement plan.

The CBA as contemplated is completely inadequate compared to the negative consequences the neighborhood will experience if this project is built.

This council has the power to demand better from this developer and insist on a better deal than contributing 700 grand for free tickets.

Our seniors need roofs.

As for the People's Platform's passionate advocacy about the need for affordable housing, but disingenuously claiming another contribution to the trust fund will solve it.

Ignores people in single and multi-generational homes.

The most affordable home is one that's already built.

Finally, I'm still advocating for the dollar fee for home repairs.

The club is already doing it for the youth soccer program.

So I'm asking to scale it up and split it 50-50 with kids and home repairs.

The club won't do it, but they can.

They choose not to reject the CBA until they do.

Thank you and happy holidays to council and staff.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

The next caller is phone number ending in 066.

Caller, the floor is yours.

General public comment.

Caller ending in 066.

Are you there?

Uh yes, I am here.

Sorry.

I was trying to figure out how to unmute.

Um good afternoon.

Um, my name is Marie, and I am part of GNM contracting.

Mike Villegas was up there speaking.

Um, I just want to say, you know, like I I really hope that you guys don't forget about us, you know, and just put us on the back burner with that whole Gaianga thing.

And first, first off, I do want to say I do understand that uh Gaianga is on a back burner, they're on suspension on hold.

But from my understanding and the information that I've collected, Gaianga also has been paid in full, meaning he is no, he the money, whatever money he has or whatever, he's not gonna pay us.

So who's gonna pay us?

The bonds that he was supposed to get that he never got um for a 60 million dollar job, he never got those bonds.

So who's responsible for taking care of us, our small mom and pop businesses?

That money right now, the 274,000 makes or breaks us.

We're at the verge of losing everything because of situations like this of what us through, Brian McKenney.

And I really hope that you guys don't forget about us and that you keep us in mind.

I know that the situation has been very stressful.

I know that there is a lot of us out there.

Um, I want to thank uh council member Callaway for taking the time to talk to us and showing interest.

She hit it right on the nail when she said that a lot of us wouldn't be having a Thanksgiving this year, and she wasn't wrong, but you know, God is with us, and even if we have rice and beans on our table, that is what we're gonna eat for the day.

You know, we have our kids, we have our health.

Um, thank you all for next caller, please.

The next caller is McPhell.

Caller, the floor is yours, general public comment.

Hello, my name is Joy Bill.

Appreciate you guys having me in today.

I'm calling for the Detroit More Works Project here.

I've been a part of the Marina District community for over for over a decade now.

Uh, and seeing that wasteland over there and knowing that something that can add value to this community um is in the works, was very exciting to me.

Uh, being in contact with uh the group with any concerns that I had, um uh as well as things that they'll be bringing to the community as well, as far as more jobs for the community and also bringing more value just to the overall area.

So I do want to give my complete approval with support for this project.

Thank you.

Yeah.

Next caller, please.

The next caller is Mark Pasco.

Caller, the floor is yours.

You have a minute 45, general public comment.

Good afternoon.

Mark Pasco, director of public relations at the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy.

The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy gives its enthusiastic support to the proposed WNBA redevelopment project at the former Uneroyal site.

This transformative project represents a bold and visionary investment in Detroit's future, one that we will revitalize a long glided and environmentally challenged site, expand access to youth sports, and elevate women's professional athletics in our city.

Would also serve as a stunning compliment to the East Riverwalk Promenade.

This project will provide even further opportunities for recreation and dynamic public use and will directly address the citywide shortage of fields and facilities for Detroit's youth.

We will provide year-round training, mentorship, and off-season development access, multiple sports, while offering underved, underserved teams, a home base for practice and competition.

The redevelopment plan is not only about sports, it's about equity, access, and pride.

This initiative also aligns with Detroit's broader goals for economic development and community investment.

This project is a commitment to community, empowerment, and legacy.

It is a catalyst for jobs, youth development, and civic pride, and it reflects the best of Detroit's spirit and the promise of what we can achieve when we all work together.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

The next caller is Bob Roberts, Corktown Business Association.

You have a minute 45, general public comment.

Yeah, Bob Roberts.

I actually uh have a couple of different hats of speaking um about the DCFC proposed.

I'm a resident at Port 1642 Street.

I own McShan's Irish pub at Michigan and Trumbull, and also president for the Corktown Business Association.

As owner of McShane's, uh, we have a long history with uh with the club.

Uh in fact, we're one of the one of the locations that the founders would uh show up to often uh as we're as we're planning.

And I think that uh as a small business owner, one of the struggles that we have, both as uh small businesses, the city and even the state is keeping the our our young folks, our young residents, uh, and uh, you know, keeping them uh here in the city.

And it's interesting that the average uh soccer watcher is between 18 and 36 years old.

That's the largest demographic.

So from that perspective and the the good that I've seen the club do, uh, we would certainly like to keep uh would certainly like to see them uh here in Corktown.

From a business perspective, it's a little bit worrisome because we do not feel that we're we're 100%.

I shouldn't say 100%, we're very in favor of uh of uh of the club.

However, we do have concerns mostly around uh parking, and we would like to see some type of safeguards put in place, whether it's not charging uh for the parking structure, a cap on the price that surface lots are able to charge, and maybe even the ability to revisit uh the parking maybe after like a two-year period.

Next caller, please.

The next caller is Karen Winston.

Call of the floor is yours.

Hello.

Hello.

Yes, you know.

Um thank you for the minute and a half today.

Um I'd like to thank Consulwoman Callaway for the beautiful decorations that we have on West McNichols this year.

Multicolors, much better, I think, and just the solid blue.

We could hardly see that last year.

And also, I'm glad that we're taking serious the homeless situation, and we're getting some questions, getting some answers to some questions about what's not being done, even though mostly I just heard excuses, and that's not my job.

But I heard a lot about coordinating the uh efforts, but it doesn't seem that the coordination is uh meshing very well.

So I'd like to see um basically that one-stop shop, and you come there and you get help, and you don't get referred somewhere else.

That's gonna refer you somewhere else.

It's gonna refer you somewhere else and leave you homeless from so said and done.

Um City Detroit retirees.

We don't want that fast track, we just want our money back.

Uh, we like to see that clawback ended.

We like to see the lack of cost of living.

We'd like to see that a remedy to that.

I think it's um just absolutely evil to say no cost of living while the cost of living soars and it leaves us left behind, destined to be uh in that homeless line eventually.

Um, so everybody have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

And um, if you don't make it back to another meeting, then we'll talk to you after the holiday.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

The next caller is Stephen Haring.

Paul, the floor is yours.

Can I be heard?

Yes.

So I'm calling in support of the I'm in a Starbucks right now in to the DCFC club.

Um, you know, I think this is a very important development.

You know, I think that all together that pretty much it will um eliminate a huge eyesore that has been pretty much hurting the neighborhood of Port Town for years.

You know, I think the only people opposed are opposed because they have an agenda or they're a NIMBY.

And you know, I think that, you know, I hope this passes, and I think it will, and I hope it passes unanimously because this is a critical.

I mean, this is gonna bring a lot of vibrance, a lot of young people to the businesses.

You know, it's a very important development.

Um lastly, is you know, I just think the community benefits the CBO is just it's all bureaucracy, you know.

In Miami, they don't have the CBO, and they're able to get a development approved within a week.

You know, the CBO, it just takes so much time.

It takes, you know, they gotta at least do some type of reform to make sure, you know, that it doesn't take, I mean, two months or three months to just approve a development.

You know, this is getting ridiculous.

You know, this soccer stadium is a development by Detroiters for Detroiters and other fans, you know.

I think that altogether, you know, the community benefits agreement is just it's just bureaucracy, you know, bureaucracy that holds everything back, you know, and they don't have that in Miami.

Next caller, please.

The next caller is Cindy Dara.

Cindy Dara, the floor is yours.

General public comment.

Cindy Dara, are you there?

All right, let's put Ms.

Dara at the end of the queue and go through the.

Hello, hello, I'm here.

Yes, I'm here.

Yeah, um, I want to just uh while you're on vacation, please read about approval voting, or you can vote for as many as you want.

And you're not restricted to one vote when we got a lot of people running in, particularly in primaries.

That'll give us a better idea of the consensus.

The people with the most approvals, that's all you do, count them up.

And then you can uh from there, you know who wants.

But with ranked choice, the way they do that, and they're going around getting, and I want you do not sign that petition for ranked choice.

It's inferior and expensive.

And uh the clerks don't want to charge it to administer.

But what they do, if nobody gets uh over 50%, they go to the least popular candidate who comes in last, throw away their first place votes for that candidate, and find out what the voters that chose that least popular candidate chose for their second choice.

Move the second place choice up and see if they uh have over 50%.

If that doesn't do it, they go down to the next to the least popular candidate and take those votes and throw those away on the first place and find out who they want to put their second place choices for those voters and see if anybody gets over 50%.

That is illogical.

That makes sense.

If you wanted to wait everything, oh everybody's second place choice, that'd be one thing.

But if you don't, uh anyway, so uh you can't understand it if you did that, but they need to change the state law, which is a uniform, everything has to be the same, so we can try it out here in Wayne County because it'll be much better.

Caller, please.

The next caller is Teresa Rowland.

Caller, the floor is yours, general public comment.

Hi, good morning.

Thank you.

I am calling to oppose the um vote for the sale of to St.

Jean's Street.

Looks like the zoning was approved based on a letter that is basically untrue.

The petitioner stated that they spoke with residents and they did not.

We I and I am speaking.

I live actually on the canal, so I will see the new development directly outside of my window.

So the 12 residents, there was one at 90 San Born Lane that was contacted, the other 11 were not.

They're also they also state that the development would not impact the the St.

Jean public launch, which half of the um parking lot is going to go away.

So the fishermen will not be able to back up their boat.

Apparently, there is a new project development that we have not received.

We have not spoken with the petitioner.

The master plan is not consistent.

This new plan is not consistent with the master plan for the city of Detroit.

It also states that it would not impact natural environment, which it will, ducks, muskrats, minks, and swans, everything that we see outside of our home, the noise, um, the increased traffic, the lower property values.

So I would like to go on record to um please do not vote for the sell of two St.

G.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

The next caller is bad boy 44.

Caller, the floor is yours.

Are you there?

Yeah, I'm here.

I just kind of slow.

We had a game last night.

Um, this is uh counsel, may I be heard?

Yes.

This is Rick Mahorn.

I'm doubling down on the WMBA project.

You know, calling last time for the council meeting, and I thank you so much for listening to me.

Um, kind of on a streak, got got in late last night, but I'm just doubling down on the proposal for the WMBA community center downtown or at the Unitroyal uh development.

I think it's just gonna um help the community out tremendously with jobs, not only jobs, but the youth.

That's what's more important in in life that we continue to keep going and making sure that everybody has a chance to develop their skills, not only for the professional women, but it's just for the community.

So I'm just doubling down.

Thank you so much for listening to me, counsel.

Have a blessed holiday weekend if you're celebrating it, and go pistons.

Thank you.

All right, next caller, please.

The next caller is Meek Williams.

Caller, the floor is yours.

We have a minute 45.

General public comment.

Yes, hi.

Good afternoon.

Um, rest in peace to Fred Durhall's father.

Happy birthday, Agnes Hitchcock, and congratulations to uh Helen Moore.

Your dream has been realized.

Um I do not support the Detroit FC project.

It's not a co-op, it's not made for the community, and it's also a circle jerk of billionaires trying to get in on Corktown when Corktown is united.

I don't support the WNBA, it doesn't have a feasibility or environmental study on the Unero site or even so much as a community benefit agreements plan for the neighborhoods.

Um, I'm also in opposition of my taxes being used to tear down the rent send.

You all, I mean, this today is bittersweet for me.

I am leaving.

I am giving up my count my pulpit as a speaker as a council watcher.

I passed down the pull pit um of my speakership to Renard Manzoski, Adam Barrett, and Theo Pride.

Hopefully they will be effective.

Stephen Harwing, Melissa Love, and Tahira Ahmad are not effective.

Keep my name out your mouth.

You will never be effective.

You won't even get half or anything done as you keep talking, you voter deniers.

Get out of here.

And to the city council, I have lost faith in all of you.

Democracy depends on the people of the city of Detroit.

We put you there to represent us, and we don't have any representation whatsoever.

You know, as my last words, uh, I will not be here anymore.

I will leave the city of Detroit.

I'll still be here, but I ain't going nowhere.

But as I said before, and I say again, God will have the last say over your lives, and he will judge.

The next caller is calling user one.

Call in user one, the floor is yours.

You have a minute 45, general public comment.

Can I be heard?

Yes, ma'am.

Happy early Thanksgiving.

I want to address you had individuals that was talking about the how they help with the homeless and how they have a number to call in.

And we know that that's a blatant lie because you all allow Tatiana Williams children to freeze to death.

And every time she called that line, they would not take her and her two children.

When she called city council, she could not get any help.

And so because these babies froze to death, yet you all made sure the next following week when Watermain broke uh in Southwest Detroit.

You put these people in elaborate hotels, and this young lady, Takiana Williams, is a foundational black American, meaning her descendants can be traced back to slavery.

So she wasn't an illegal immigrant or migrant, however, you want to call it.

In the summary, the wrath of God will affect those that didn't think about her.

Another thing I don't like is that you're allowing people to sell drugs at the Rosa Parks Transit Center.

You will not keep that clean, and it is completely dark, putting you at risk of being raped.

You need to do something.

Nobody should have to keep saying that.

It's time to replace Robert Kramer, as he really does not know how to handle Detroit.

It's too ratchet.

Excuse me.

The next caller is Nokia G310.

Caller, the floor is yours.

General public comment.

Good morning.

May I be heard?

Yes.

First of all, I'd like to say you have my greatest condolences, Councilman Durhal on the loss of your father.

Much love and prayers to you and your family.

Second of all, I'd like to say, are you serious?

You all know what the homeless situation is from.

It's from the over taxation that many of us have endured.

It's the fact that we never got most of the funds back.

Some folks got their main homes represented.

But what about the multiple properties we may have had that have caused people to be homeless due to?

Second of all, the eviction, that mass eviction that took place, which is getting ready to take place again this January.

Those things need to be stopped until we're able to get the homeless situation under control.

BC going through blight and demolitioning homes.

I personally offered up one of my homes with the help asking help to get it fixed up so that we could put families in it.

Instead, I got BC and Blight departments coming out there trying to ticket me for a property, saying that if you got to register it for 30 days if no one's in it and then pay again to register it when someone's in it.

That's double dipping, and that makes no sense.

These LLCs that's going through taking over people's property, making them come up out of their pockets and paying less than what it would have been to save the homes through foreclosures.

Be there at these courts hearings when these people are being put out of their homes or forced in foreclosure.

Put a stop to these LLCs coming through, buying up multiple plots of land and putting people out of these homes.

That would make the greatest difference in stopping this homeless situation.

Not hoarding them into warehouses like herds, talking about emergency shelter, putting home.

Next caller, please.

The next caller is Dante Smith.

Okay.

He was part of another call, though.

Hello?

I'm just looking at my folks.

I'll only use hello.

You may proceed.

Hello?

Can you hear me?

Hear you.

Oh, I only use 45 seconds of my time since I got 45 seconds of Darren's time.

You may proceed.

I just want to say there is a charter mandated meeting today for District 2.

This is the last meeting of uh Michael Edward Duggan for his tenure as mayor, which I don't believe has been good.

It's going to be 19190 Schaefer Highway at 7 p.m.

Please come out if you have any issues in your city department.

All the heads of all city departments will be there.

Um we need to come out and talk about our issues in the city of Detroit.

We definitely need to have representation for our issues.

A lot of people come in and talk about different things that are going on.

They don't talk about the issues in the neighborhoods because they don't live here.

Also, the Boston Family Center development is not equitable for the community, and there was not enough outreach done around that.

Also, the Detroit Legal News is not the right medium to have development news and news about things going on in the city of Detroit because it's only 13 newsstands for 139 square miles.

Please, city council, do something about that and give us some uh some other medium, a bigger news platform to get the information out.

Thank you.

Let's call it please.

Um we are back to not that Karen.

She spoke early under her regular name.

Okay.

Um then although there are hands raised, they all raise their hands after you cut off public comments.

That would be the end of the public comment.

All right, that takes us to the end of our general public comment.

Thank you all for participating.

Colleagues would like to uh take uh the uh riverfront uh uh the uh uneral WNBA uh practice facility items uh next, madam clerk.

I believe those are line items 17.17 and 17.39.

If there's no objection, colleagues.

Sure, Mr.

President.

So member Durhal, two resolutions, line item 17.17, and line item 17.39.

Thank you so much.

Line item 17.17 is a request.

This is actually the site plan review of the special uh development district.

Then line item 17.39 is approval of a commercial rehabilitation certificate.

Uh member Durhal.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Move for approval for line items 17.17 and 17.39 with discussion.

Thank you, sir.

There's a motion to approve line items 17.17 and 17.39 with discussion.

Member Durhol.

Thank you.

Uh Mr.

President, before I turn it over to our uh our colleagues, uh, would just like to express my uh support for this project.

I think it is an amazing project uh as we look at uh what our riverfront is to become uh and can become.

Uh it should be full of opportunity for our youth and for our families.

Uh we are talking about a site that is set vacant for many years, uh, contributing uh to environmental decay uh of our city, uh, but also blight.

Uh and so when the opportunity comes for someone uh to develop it, remediate it, clean it up, but also provide an amazing use that will benefit our city for generations to come.

Uh, I think that it is incumbent upon us to support such uh a project.

Uh I will say I am elated for what is to become.

I know my wife and my daughter is.

I've said that many times.

Uh the excitement of having a WMBA team back here.

Uh, but also uh I'm very supportive because I know what this organization has done throughout the city, uh, helping revitalize over 80% of our parks by providing basketball courts uh in those parks.

Uh and in my district alone, uh helping rebuild or building, should I say, a brand new recreation center uh that will help and benefit uh residents.

Uh I often say you can tell a lot about what a person will do by what they've already done.

Uh and I think uh this organization has helped uh push our city in the right direction, and I think this project will be no different from what they've done before.

Uh so wanted to put that on the record, Mr.

President.

I think it is a great project.

Uh, I think it will help our riverfront and again provide uh access for um and resources for our families uh and our youth and seniors.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you.

Um, Member Johnson.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um, I know we discussed this during the planning and economic development committee, but I'm wondering if there is someone who can speak about the contamination of the land and what has to be done prior to development.

And we have a number of individuals who are here to speak on the project.

There was that information, please come on down.

Please introduce yourself for the record and you may uh provide the response to Mr.

Sure.

My name is Adam Patton with pension.

I'm the environmental consultant for the project.

I have to look lean in a little bit more on that microphone.

You look called in some.

Adam Adam Patton with pension, and I'm the environmental consultant for the project.

So the site is contaminated due to a long history of industrial uses, although some cleanup has occurred uh specifically on the western portion of the site.

Uh really in combination with that remediation.

Uh a lot of investments.

If you can't just get a little bit closer to that, Mike.

Maybe I'll put it up a little higher.

There we go.

All right.

So, in addition to the remediation that has occurred, a lot of investigation has occurred uh at the site really over the past 30 years.

Uh, about I don't know, several hundred soil borings have been done across the site in several zones.

Uh, but in addition to that, we've done another 1,550 soil borings uh across the property to ensure that we understand the site conditions, understand the extent of contamination and know where contamination specifically is versus where it is not, and have developed a plan uh to mitigate those conditions in combination with the uh the planned use of the property.

You have specific yeah, let's go a little bit deeper because we talked about the removal of some of the dirt and there's a capping of the plastic film, if I'm not mistaken, and then additional that's what you talked about in committee.

So, in addition to just identifying what's there, we've developed a plan to specifically ensure that surface caps are going to be installed across the entire site.

That's going to include removal of roughly two feet in some areas it will be a little bit less, some areas it'll be a little bit more uh to install a thermal contact barrier, which will include the installation of a geotextile liner to separate specifically the contaminated media from the media that will be put on top of that, and that will include up to 18 inches of clean material overlain by grass or synthetic turf.

And what we'll have there is the demarcation barrier will ensure that the contaminated material is known and that there'll be an actual physical separation from that across the entirety of the property.

And the buildings will be similarly treated.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I'm also okay.

So just really quickly in terms of the degrading or potential degrading of that covering how extensive is the testing to ensure that it does not degrade 20 years, 50 years from now.

Very good question.

So as it pertains to the material that's imported, and as it pertains to the construction that actually occurs, an operation and maintenance plan will be prepared and implemented to ensure that regular inspections occur of that.

And if any maintenance is required to ensure that uh its condition is maintained, they will be completed.

Reporting will be uh conducted in order to verify that they've been done and any records associated with those maintenance activities will be maintained by the property owner.

Thank you.

Colleagues, any further seeing none, there's a motion to approve line items 17.17 and 17.39.

Any objections?

Seeing none.

Those items shall be approved.

Mr.

President requests a waiver from line items 17.17 and 17.39.

Well, this is the request for a waiver on line items 17.17 as well as 17.39.

Any objections?

Seeing none, waivers shall be attached.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you.

Give everyone an opportunity for a health break as well.

And Madam Clerk, if you can please Councilmember Durhal.

Mr.

President, are we just going to do um 17.22?

17.40, 17.41, and 17.44 all together.

Yes, ma'am.

Councilmember Durhal before resolutions.

Member Durrhall.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Uh move for approval for these items.

Uh uh noted that there is a brownfield plan attached to it, uh, as well as as the other items in the resolution.

Uh, and 17.40 is a commercial rehabilitation uh certificate as well.

Move for approval for all those items, Mr.

Uh President.

Thank you, sir.

There is a motion to approve line items 17.22, 17.40, 17.41, and 17.44.

Any discussion?

Discussion with discussion.

Member Santiago Romero.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I want to say a huge thank you to the NAC uh for residents in District 6 and across the city for being a part of this process to the administration and to the DCFC team.

I am supportive of this project.

I am excited about a soccer stadium in Southwest Detroit says a girl that played soccer in the neighborhoods.

Um played as an adults in the neighborhood league.

Um it's a really fun, fun sports, and Detroit is deserve a stadium that centers them through this process, though.

There have been a number of NACs that have gone through uh district six, and I I have some final thoughts on that, but there have been things that community members wanted to see more of in the community benefits uh uh arrangements, agreements.

Um, some things that I believe our office can help with.

Um, so first, there was concerns about not having any money set aside for Noyer Rights materials or or branding or um supplies that we can have around the DCFC.

Um, something that I am happy to work with DCFC, community organization, see what we can do.

Is that something that we can print from our office?

That's something that we are hand in hand with you.

We can help you get that done and work with community to make sure that we are meeting whatever need.

Um there is the second is parking.

The huge, huge concern of parking, it is an issue even way beyond the stadium and what we can do.

Um, and where we are right now is we don't have enough time to talk about what a partnership could look like in detail um with the dot.

Uh, there are ideas around having your DCFC tickets also be a bus pass for the day to allow you to go from a game to the Rosa Park Center and back.

There's ideas around being there are shuttles being provided.

We don't know what those details are just yet.

Another idea is working with the Bagley hub from the Ford Motor Company and the Michigan Central Station.

Again, those details aren't figured out just yet, but these are commitments that I am committed to working with DCFC with our partners to make sure that we try to continue to figure out parking.

The last, and I think the biggest is how many residents do not feel as if the community agreements is doing enough.

And that I completely agree.

And quite frankly, after going through many of these in district six, I do not believe that the CBO is going to ever yield the results that the judges deserve based on how much we're giving.

I have a lot of feelings and thoughts on now.

Um just one is the need that we have to prepare and respect the NAC and what they're asking for.

Um there are other residents, other orgs that want to ask for more.

They're asking me to ask for more.

That's not the point.

So it's not the points of this process.

It's to put people NAC members that are appointed to come up with that agreement.

Um, that I'm realizing is never enough.

Then I am now being asked to do my own work, which I don't mind, but again, that is not the point here.

And I'm trying to get the most benefit for Detroiters.

Which brings me to my last comments.

Uh, I don't believe we have another stadium to build.

We have all of them here in the city.

They need to be again, we need to tax, we need to have a fee to the comment that was made.

Um around having that extra dollar going to home repair, going to affordable housing.

When I mentioned this with DCFC, they said we already do this.

Also, it is unfair, I believe, to have them be the only stadium that could potentially be charged or have this tax additional fee to their ticket.

When we have other stadiums that we can be benefiting from that we can be collecting this fee from, reinvesting it into the things that we're proposed to today, public safety, child care, transportation, and making sure that we're also also raising um the minimum wage for our workers.

So those are my comments.

A lot of learnings, a lot of thoughts.

We need to evaluate this process even more.

I have ideas on how we can do this, but for now, uh, thank you, everyone.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I think we have a lot more to do.

Um, that I've got my marching orders and how we do so.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Colleagues, any additional any addition?

Say none.

There was a motion to approve line items 17.22, 17.40, 17.41, and 17.44.

Are there any objections?

See none.

Those that motion shall be uh approved.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Request a waiver for those line items, please.

Fellows, there's a request for waivers on line items 17.22, 17.40, 17.41, and 17.44.

Any objections?

Say none, waivers shall be attached.

Thank you.

All right, colleagues.

Uh, I think this is a good time for us to uh take a recess.

Do have a number of items to come before us.

Uh I do know, member Young, I'm gonna get to you.

I do know that um member Durhaw has uh supplied uh lunch for uh council members and staff.

Thank you uh for that.

We appreciate it.

Uh and we're going to recess after member Young's comments.

Uh I just want to know uh what how long are we recessing for?

Is it 35 minutes and 45 minutes?

And is there is there a rule and bringing snacks and sodas into the auditorium because I know I'll violate it a couple times and I'm feeling I might violate again today.

So I want to make sure I'm that rule iron clad or a couple of years.

What is that?

Um, but at this moment, I think we're good with that.

Okay.

Um, so colleagues, what are we thinking?

35, 45, 35, 45 40.

35.

45, so two o'clock.

Bad.

All right.

Uh we shall recess to the call of the chair, noting that we shall uh plan to return back here at 2 p.m.

All right.