Oh I think my uh interpretation is going public councilman Gabriel Santiago Romero present conceivable Gabriela Santiago Romero Councilmember James Tate Consehal James Tate here Mary Walter present Mary Waters Councilman Angela Willfield Colloway Conseil Angela Witfield Callaway Councilman McColeman A Young the Second Here Consehal you have a core member thank you it appears that we have some technical difficulties going off but it's the name hopefully that'll be technically because there being a poor present the council should be in session there being no reconsiderations or unfinished business will all now for public comment no but the consideration is negotiating this person will be given two minutes to speak that some cards do we have any cards for public comments no one for public comment and present okay we'll move to public comment via Zoom Andre will be in charge deputy clerk first person we have is first person we have is William M Davis uh good morning can I be heard buenos dias me escuchan see um uh I'm calling again saying that the fact that the this whole massive recovery has been on the backs of city Detroit retirees perhaps this year with a new mayor to perhaps care a little bit more than the last one we could get city council to agree with the fact that the city deterrent retirees need to have this call back discontinued they need to be re you know you know need to be restored we need money the average city church retire only gets 20 000 a year which is like one fifth of the the salary the city council get and like say you know one tenth let you know less than you know less than one tenth of what the mayor gets so we need to make sure that more is done to help city detroit retirees more is done to help the average uh poor person in the city of Detroit we have a lot of unhoused people we have a lot of problems that the city needs to be looking at and also we have a fact that you know millionaires and billionaires they do projects in the state of Detroit and then most of the time they don't live up to their promises but they do the city do not claw back anything from them no compliment the city needs to do more to help the people a little help us may look in the city is this is madam clerk yeah hi madam clerk would it be possible to take a reset to figure out the technical issues we've been trying really hard to make sure we have language access we have to make sure it's working um so if we take the time to figure that out then we can continue to make sure that it's all working well yes so the issue is um we've asked her to un to mute herself and she has but then she unmute so we'll work with it okay thank you get my time back i'm sorry am i gonna get my time back i'll stop later you can continue he's uh we stopped it well i was being interrupted that the that's powerful the course with the city of detroit um more needs to be resident okay we're gonna call retail at this time i'm sorry we're gonna allow you to have your uh public comment over again but we got to stop this um this interference with the uh interpreter so give us a uh recess call to the chair please thank you one minute gives me also this is the sign language interpreter the other interpreter has not been allowed into the meeting either so if someone could allow the other interpreter sign language interpreter into the zoom meeting that would help thank you and son mcampbell here council letitia johnson present

The other interpreter has not been allowed into the meeting either.

So if someone could allow the other interpreter, sign language interpreter into the zoom meeting, that would help.

Thank you.

Here council Letitia Johnson present councilmanada Miller present councilman can be a little sense of miro.

Present councilmember James State.

Councilmember Mary Walters, present councilman Anslaw Willfield Colloway, Councilman Colbin Young the second.

Here we call him present manager.

Thank you.

We will proceed with public comment via Zoom, Mr.

Gilbert.

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, Andrew.

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 a couple years ago, we were approved for some work to be done on our it was uh I had the original paper with me.

I showed the councilman at large, uh, 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 apply 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 went, 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, and I'm gonna say that forever.

So I would like my wash and 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 to sign 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 like for you all to look into this 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 say 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, counsel.

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 that information with you all.

We would like to have some conversations with the 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 leaves me to second the situation at Leland House.

Um 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.

Madam Clerk, that is all we have for public comment at this time.

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?

Yeah, 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?

Yes, 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 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, um, 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, 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, and then you know, uh I appreciated that.

I never heard one single word uh from the other candidate, uh uh Kate.

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, madam.

Member Callaway, for you, Madam Point.

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.

Thank you.

Uh we will now move under resolutions.

And for um now we're taking nomination 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 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 Angela with the Callaway nominate Scott Benson for city council president.

Are there any other nominations?

Or did 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 Scott Member Scott Benson.

Member Tate.

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, yes.

All right.

Thank you.

All right.

So happy new year, first of all, to everyone.

Welcome.

Back.

Glad to be back.

My 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.

I've always tried to be fair with each of you, colleagues, and with everyone we serve.

And I intend to continue to be fair.

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

I care about our residents and a built genuine relationship throughout this entire city, and I believe that they deserve a council that can disagree without dividing, and that can be that can make progress without losing trust.

Let me be clear.

If appointed to this position, uh my focus will be simple.

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.

That matters because it increases transparency, accountability, and it also provides the public a way to see our priorities and measure our progress.

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

When we succeed together, Detroit wins.

Let us lead with purpose, protect the sanctity of this body, and continue to put impact ahead of rhetoric every time.

Thank you.

Thank you, Member Tate.

Discussion.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

We stand at a threshold.

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.

Madam Chair, we have the results of the votes.

Scott Benson.

Voted for Scott Benson.

Denzel and Tom McCampbell voted for James Tate.

Letitia Johnson voted for James Tate.

Nalan Miller, voted for Scott Benson.

Gabriela Santas Romero, voted for James Tate.

James Tate, voted for James Tate.

Mary Walls voted for Scott Benson.

And Colma A.

Young, the second voted for James Tate.

James Tate has five votes.

Scott Benson has four votes.

Scott Benson, a resolution.

Member Benson.

Resolution.

Yes.

Detroit City Council.

We're by 20 hours.

Or your current remaining immediately.

Are there any objections?

None.

The resolution will be approved.

Under resolution.

Thank you, Gentlemen.

We'll now take um nominations for the um election of this Detroit City Council President Pro Temple.

I'm clerk.

Councilmember Tate.

Thank you.

I would like to nomination.

Let me finish with the nominations first.

Yeah, let us finish the nomination process.

Okay.

Are there any further nominations?

Are there any further nomination for pro tem?

May I clerk a nominate Mary Waters for Pro Tem?

Any 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 temper, 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 movie tax credits, and passing landmark civil rights law that gave equal pay to Michigan's pregnant women.

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 seven percent its lowest since 2000.

The Green Grocer Program, which gives $25,000 grants with the DEGC, which I appropriated $850,000 over three years.

The Green Grocer Program 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.

It's public officials, and in the great quote, my task as a leader is to get all of us from where we are to where we've never been and where we need to be so we can be the best version of ourselves, and so we can add value to the constituency in which we serve.

We can all move forward together in unity and lead with a spirit of cooperation, collaboration, and togetherness.

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 do accept um your nomination.

Really, really a surprise.

Um 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 certainly understand the role of leadership.

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 uh 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, and you can begin voting, Madam Chair, we have the results of the votes.

Scott Benson voted for Mary Waters, Denzel and Thomas McCampbell voted for Coleman Young, Patitia Johnson voted for Coleman Young, Renata Miller voted for Mary Waters.

Gabriela Satanera voted for Young.

James Tate voted for Cosmirma Young.

Mary Watts voted for Mary Waters, and Little Phil Calway voted for Mary Waters.

Answer Goodfield Cowway voted for Mary Waters.

Coleman Young voted for Coleman Young.

Coleman Young has five votes.

House member this.

Thank you.

Councilman Scott Bissman resolution.

Resolved that 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.

And I'd like to just say thank you to this member, this group of council members.

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

I've been trying 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 adjourned.