Johnson present Councilmanada Miller present councilman Gabby Alyssa Vamiro present councilmember James State Councilmember Mary Walters present councilmember Ansley Woodfield Collarway Councilman McCoba Young the second we have a corn present manager thank you we will proceed with public comment via Zoom Mr.

Gilbert Hello Can I be heard yes we can hear you okay as I was saying that more needs to be done to help the people to live in the city of Detroit.

I think a good start would be if most of the appointees lived in the city of Detroit.

I think a good start would be if we did more, you know, I was an elected police commissioner four years ago, but even since this time, you know, we still have a lot of police lawsuits.

You know, we're still demifying and representing people to do wrong to violate city rules and policies.

We need to be doing more to cut down costs and improve the life of the people to live in the city of Detroit.

Because the city has not done a great job.

You know, most of that could put on the previous mayor, but now it's a new it's a new sheet, a new day, a new administration.

So hopefully we can get some improvements to help more of the people that live here because more people need help.

You know, everybody's not rich and well to do.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next, Andre.

Next we have Ruby Riley.

Ruby, can you hear us?

Hear me.

Yes.

Okay.

Good morning.

Happy New Year's to everybody.

Hoping and praying that this be a better year for the residents of the city of Detroit.

I also agree with everything that Bill Davis said.

Uh back last year when we would actually it was a couple years ago.

We were approved for some work to be done on our house.

It was uh I have the original paper with me.

I showed it to councilman at large, uh, coma young, but I have the real paper, and they said they ran out of money.

Well, I would like I and I'm sure everybody else that applied for that for that for that help.

We should be able to get it.

I've been going to the laundry mat every week or every two weeks or whatever to wash my clothes due to the fact that the water department, Gary Brown.

I would I was going to all the meetings, and that was never well.

The conversation that they offer me, that was I'm not a crackhead and I don't do drugs.

I'm gonna say that forever.

So I would like my washing my dryer.

I would like to get the same uh conversation that Southwest Detroit got, and then like I say, with the part that they uh sign us up for.

I have that original paper.

I need that.

Uh I suppose got a washer, dryer, stove, other items for the house, car insurance and all that.

So all of us that signed up for that.

I would like to see us to get that because it was approved, and then they said they ran out of money.

So I don't know if I'm gonna have to have it looked up through um uh freedom of information act to find out where the money went to, but I'm sure we would like to have what we was what we were supposed to get.

So with that being said, also we'd like for you all to look into this our auto insurance.

The insurance is too high for the city of Detroit, especially for the residents that live in Detroit.

You have people that don't live in Detroit, but you know, okay, and they said they got to do what they got to do to save money.

So I'm just hoping this year be a better year.

Thank you.

The next person we have for public comment is DTU.

Yes.

Can I be heard?

Yes.

Good morning, council.

Uh, just wanted to share with you all.

We have released a secondary legal opinion regarding the right to renew ordinance with good cause protections here in the city of Detroit.

Uh, this was uh the legal opinion was provided by Detroit Justice Center.

Uh we will be sharing the information with you all.

We would like to have some conversations with council members to see if we can move this forward.

Councilmember Sheffield was supporting us with this ordinance in the past, but now we're looking to see if we can start a new conversation with a council member who is interested in supporting renters in the city of Detroit.

And uh leads me to second the situation at Leland House.

Uh residents are they have no information of what's going on.

A lot of people don't have anywhere to go.

I spoke to residents last night who lost their jobs who lived at the apartment in Leland.

So a lot of people don't have jobs, don't have housing, and to our knowledge, they've been told they have to be out of the hotel by January 7th, which is in two days.

So I would like to ask the council to please do something about this to support these folks.

If you could extend the hotel stay working with the housing department and the Detroit tenants union, as we are working to form a union chapter there with residents.

So really appreciate it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Before we proceed with line item number one, we'll add the legislative policy division to explain the ballot process for the for the selection of city council president and president pro tem.

Good morning, city council.

Um, you have two items before you the uh appointment or the election of both the city council president and the president pro tem.

And with that process, for the benefit of the new members in the public, um, there it's a ballot process.

So, first with um this particular election, we will take nominations.

So any all of the I will call first we will call for the president, and we will take nominations for the individuals who seek to be um uh appointed the city council president.

Then based on those, you will choose an individual from that list of names and put it on and write it on your ballot along with your name.

This is a similar process will go on in most cases with other um appointments, but I'll explain those when those come up later on in the um in the term.

So um if there's any other questions, I'll take them now.

I have a question.

At what point can I make a comment?

I'd like to make a comment prior to the vote.

Can you repeat that a little bit?

I I have a statement that I want to make prior to voting.

At what point will I do that?

Um that's um a point of special privilege.

She can do that now if you'd like.

If you're done with your I'm I'm done.

And at the end of this question, and uh, if anybody else have any questions, um they can ask, but after that process, you certainly have the floor.

Thank you.

Uh good morning.

I'm sorry, I missed it.

I was out using the restroom.

Um, the we have nominations that are gonna happen, correct?

Yeah, there will be nominations and then the voting will proceed after the nomination.

To member water's point, I think it's appropriate for us, those who are nominated to be able to make a few uh remarks prior to the actual vote.

And that would be a request for me.

The chair has indicated that that's the chair will take place.

Thank you.

As a I am a little confused about your comment.

Are you saying that if I'm not nominated, I can't make a comment?

Oh, that's not what you're okay.

All right.

Uh member Waters.

Oh, I can okay.

All right.

So good morning, uh, Detroiters.

I just um wanted to make a public statement prior to our vote.

This has been quite uh the break that that we've had.

A lot has been going on.

Um, I know that many of you uh did reach out to me, various community organizations and so forth, and you ask me to uh run for president.

Um I tried explaining to a number of people that the highest vote getter is no longer the case here in this city.

The charter says you have to be elected as president and pro tem by your colleagues.

on um i know that many of you uh did reach out to me various community organizations and so forth and you ask me to uh run for president um i tried explaining to a number of people that the highest vote getter is no longer the case here in this city the charter says you have to be elected as president and pro tem by your colleagues so you need five votes in order to do that and i i wanted to express my appreciation uh to you for reaching out and wanting me to assume this position but i also want you to know they only have one vote just mine i couldn't get another single vote for my run for president of this city council and i thought it was important uh that you know that so that you understand i mean i ran last time too four years ago i only had my one vote but it did not stop me from taking care of business on behalf of the people and guess what it's not gonna stop me this time either because i'm a leader myself period even without the title so i want you all to know that i certainly appreciate it and i certainly appreciate at least i heard from one candidate this running who had some votes had more votes than i did and that was um member benson he certainly engaged me uh and says well can you can you support me if you you know if you can't make the first ballot and so forth well may and and then you know uh i appreciated that i never heard one single word uh from the other candidate uh uh tate um member tate who's running for uh president himself i never heard one word from him so i'm not sure what that says for partnerships and our ability to work in the future you know we we're that that's we're off to a bad start uh with that and you can always count on me to speak up and to speak out it takes five votes to get anything done around here i will exercise my leadership both here at the table and publicly I will do that and so anybody who's in leadership can count on that I wanted to make that statement Madam Clerk and I do appreciate the time thank you madam clerk thank you madam clerk yes um thank you um I just wanted to uh um correct my colleague um member at large number one waters um you said you had one vote in 2022 it was I've supported you all the way um member waters and I just wanted to record to reflect that I did support your run for president in 2022 and for pro tem I did that so I just wanted to bring that to your attention and just to correct the record thank you thank you ma'am member calloway for you madam I I was talking about this time around I only have but one vote and that's my own I'm not talking about 2022 all right thank you okay yeah oh I certainly remember your support okay all right madam uh we will now move under resolutions okay number one and for um now we're taking nomination and now I will take nominations for the um office of city council president madam clerk member johnson yes ma'am I'd like to nominate James Tate any further nominations Madam Clerk before we I see that there's a collection of ballots that's happening and currently but we have not finished taking nominations so I'm not sure how everyone's voting so I will ask that we finish the nominating process first do we have any further nominations yes um madam clerk council member angel with calloway nominate Scott Benson for city council president are there any other nominations or that does that conclude our nominations see no other um nominations the the two um candidates for city council president are member james tate and scott benson members member scott member kate thank you may I at this time address the body i'm sorry may I at this time address the body do we know we you already announced those that were nominated yes okay yeah all right thank you all right so happy new year first of all to everyone welcome back glad to be back i probably thank you for allowing me to say a few words as we can consider our next council president I'm asking for your support not because I see this role as a prize but because I see it as a responsibility uh to protect the unity and dignity of the body at a time when uncertainty uh still surrounds our city as well as our nation and our residents are looking for steady

Yes.

Okay, yes.

All right.

Thank you.

All right.

So happy new year, first of all to everyone.

Welcome back.

Glad to be back.

Colleagues, thank you for allowing me to say a few words as we can consider our next council president.

I'm asking for your support, not because I see this role as a prize, but because I see it as a responsibility to protect the unity and dignity of the body at a time when uncertainty still surrounds our city as well as our nation.

And our residents are looking for steady leadership.

My integrity is non-negotiable, and my dedication to this institution called the Detroit City Council runs deep.

Let me be clear.

Impact is strongest when we are moving together.

Finally, I will continue to strengthen how we operate.

For years I have pushed for a legislative agenda, and while we have not fully realized that goal, I did help usher into our rules a process that can move us there.

Colleagues, I am asking you today to support me because I want us all to succeed.

When we succeed together, Detroit wins.

Thank you, Member Tate.

Discussion.

Today's vote isn't just about a title, it's about the identity of this body for the next four years.

We have a new mayor and a new mandate.

And the people of Detroit deserve a council that is co-equal of the government, one that is professional, fiscally disciplined, and fearless.

My vision for this presidency is simple.

Checks and balances, not obstruction, support, move forward.

I am not interested in maintaining the status quo or presiding over a rubber stand body.

I am committed to moving the heavy lifting back to our standing committees, ensuring every contract and every development is vetted for its fiscal impact and its tangible benefit to our neighborhoods.

In addition to ensuring the administration complies with all rules and laws, I believe in leadership that empowers.

That is why I reached out across the political spectrum and to each member on this council.

And while our philosophies may differ, we all have one goal that aligns to continue moving our great city forward.

Today's vote isn't just about political leadership.

It's also about a blueprint for how I intend to lead this entire body by synthesizing our diverse views into a resilient, strong, effective council.

I'm asking for your vote because I have the experience to manage this body and the discipline to protect the taxpayers' dollar.

Let's build a council where every member has a seat at the table and where the resources of this city finally reached the front doors of our residents.

Thank you.

Let's make this happen, Detroit.

Thank you.

We'll now move forward, Clerk.

We have the results of the votes.

Oh, we're collecting votes.

I'm sorry.

Madam Chair, we have the results of the votes.

Scott Benson.

Voted for Scott Benson.

Anton McCampbell voted for James Tate.

Letitia Johnson voted for James Tate.

Alan Miller followed for Scott Benson.

Gabriela Santa's Romero voted for James Tate.

Well, for James Tate.

Mary Wallace voted for Scott Benson.

Answer Phil Calibur voted for Scott Benson.

And Colma Young, the second voted for James Tate.

James Tate has five votes.

Scott Benson has four votes.

Scott Benson, a resolution.

Are there any objections?

Hearing none, the resolution will be approved.

Under resolution.

I will now take um nominations for the um election of this Detroit City Council President Pro Temple.

I'm clerk.

Thank you.

I would like to nominate pro town.

Let me finish with the nominations first.

Yeah, let's finish the nomination.

Okay.

Are there any further nominations?

Any further nomination?

For pro temp.

Not sure.

May I clerk a nominate Mary Waters for Pro Temp?

Further nominations?

Are there any other nominations?

Any further nominations for pro tem hearing none?

I think Member Young wants to be um acknowledged to speak.

Oh, you want to, yes.

Go ahead.

I'm sorry.

Yes.

As Detroit City Council president, pro temperature, the goal is to provide the best circumstances that I can for my colleagues.

The vision is to do all that I can to make things as easy and efficient for you to be as effective as possible.

The mission is to make sure that you are treated with the respect and honor that you have earned and deserve as elected public service.

But let me tell you a little bit about myself.

I have nearly 20 years of elective service with two terms in the House and two terms in the Senate, where I passed 13 laws and appropriated over a billion dollars back to my district and the state of Michigan, including 10,000 jobs with moving tax credits.

While I have served the people of Detroit at the city council, some of my accomplishments have included working with my colleagues and the administration to fund the jumpstart program with 100 million dollars in adult scholarships, which put 1,800 people back to work and help lower the unemployment rate in Detroit to 7%.

It's lowest since 2000.

The Green Grocer Program, which gives $5,000 grants with the DEGC, which I appropriated $850,000 over three years.

Expands the number of new grocery stores in Detroit and helps grocers to renovate their stores.

So that police officers do not have to make mental health calls.

Let us move forward, Detroit.

Thank you for your support and thank you for your vote.

Thank you, colleagues.

And let's move Detroit forward together.

Thank you.

Thank you, uh, member young.

Member Waters thank you, Madam Clerk, and thank you to my colleague from the second district.

This is a surprise to me.

I so I I do accept um your nomination.

Really, really a surprise.

Um, so I just want to say that as a former uh leader in Lansing, Democratic floor leader, first African American female floor leader in the history of the Michigan House of Representatives.

I do.

I did it and I did it quite well.

I also understand that part of the role is number one is to be here, to be engaged with your colleagues, to be engaged at the table, and to make sure that your colleagues have what they need in order to be successful.

I'm really good at doing those kinds of things.

So I just want to say uh to my colleagues.

If you elect me as your pro tem, I will be here.

I will be at the table.

I will make sure that you have everything that you need in order to get your job done.

Because the president sometimes has to be engaged in other things, and that's where the pro tem comes in, making sure that things run smoothly.

And so I ask you for your support.

My record speaks for itself.

I've gotten the job done.

I don't have to list all the things that I've done.

The people spoke loudly and clear when they sent me back here to this table.

They spoke very loud.

And so, and I appreciate that.

They know that I've been doing the work.

I don't have to give a sales pitch because the work has been done.

Now, I'm asking you, colleagues, for the opportunity to get the job done for you.

And I want to thank you for your consideration.

Thank you, madam clerk.

Thank you.

You all have received your ballots.

You can begin voting.

Madam Chair, we have the results of the votes.

Scott Benson voted for Mary Waters.

Denzel and Tom McCampbell voted for Coleman Young.

Patitia Johnson voted for Coleman Young.

Renala Mitter wanted for Mary Waters.

Gabriela Santangle Bera voted for Young.

James Tate voted for Cost Member Young.

Mary was voted for Mary Waters.

Answer Goodfield Collie voted for Mary Waters.

Coleman Young voted for Coleman Young.

Holman Young has five votes.

Thank you.

Let me have order, please.

House got this in the resolution.

Resolve the Detroit City Council hereby appoints Coleman Young as President Pro Tempore of the City Council for a four-year term beginning immediately and ending January 1, 2030 at 1159 a.m.

Are there any objections?

Are there any objections?

Hearing none, that resolution will be approved.

This is the thickest that we've ever gone through this process.

I've been praying for you all.

And I look forward to working with you.

Congratulations to you all.

If there's no other business to come before this body, we will stand adjourn.