The Detroit City Council of the regular session of Tuesday, January 6th, 2000 City, 2026 will come to order.

Madam Clerk, will you please call the role?

Councilman Ms.

Gott Benson.

Councilman Genzel McCampbell.

Present.

Councilman Letitia Johnson present.

Councilman Renata Miller.

Here.

Councilman Angela Wilfield Colloway.

Council President Poetim Coleman A.

Second.

Here.

And Council President James Tate.

Here.

You have a core president, Mr.

President.

Thank you, ma'am.

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

I would like to bring forward none other than Bishop William Murphy Jr.

to provide this morning's invocation.

He is of those of who I'm a small percentage of folks who didn't know.

He is of Greater Ebenezer Church here in Detroit in District 1, 1875 Avenue.

How are you doing?

God bless you.

Murphy, thank you again for being here.

All right, blessings uh to all.

Uh I first want to uh thank the council for this uh opportunity, and I want to say how proud I am to be connected uh to the great legacy of this city that we call Detroit.

Uh my father, the Bishop William Murphy Senior started Greater Ebenezer Ministries over 50 years ago, and until this day, it is still a viable part of our Detroit community.

So I see this moment and this season as an opportunity for a council to continue the legacy that has been passed down by the many pioneers, like my father, who was a servant to all of the people.

The legacy will continue as you continue the same spirit, seeing yourselves as servants of all the people.

The legacy will continue as we ensure that the voices of the community are heard and considered in the decision making processes.

This will help to create a safer, more vibrant community.

So I pray today, Father, that as we move deeper into this last half of this decade, as we gather today with hearts full of hope and responsibility for our beloved city.

You have already shown yourself strong and mighty, and you have shown yourself to have great love and compassion for the city of Detroit, even though many thought that it would not rebound nor come back, you caused a supernatural reset over our city.

So, Father, as I pray today, I pray for the release of strategic strategies that will serve the people of our city in such a way that every one of our citizens, no matter what race, creed, or color, may be partakers of the blessings that you would release through the hands of this council.

Father, I pray that what is done by this council over the next few years will be impactful, that it will be beneficial, but even the more that what is done by this council will be historical spiritually.

This decade is the decade to see, to hear, and to say.

Help them, Father, to listen deeply to your voice, to see what you're doing, help them to hear and listen deeply to the voices of the community so that they may act with integrity and compassion.

Father, I pray that their discussions will be fruitful and that their actions reflect the hopes and needs of every citizen.

I pray that you would allow them to work together to build a brighter, more inclusive future for Detroit.

So I pray, Father, in closing, that you would allow your spirit to settle in this room.

That you would allow your presence to overtake and to overcome every person that would enter these gates.

And this is my prayer.

Amen.

Thank you so much, Bishop Murphy.

If you would like to stay with us, you are more than welcome, but if you have to leave, totally understand that as well.

Thank you again for that powerful prayer.

The journal of the session of Tuesday, November 18th, 2025, shall be approved.

There being no reconsiderations or unfinished business.

We will proceed with the budget, finance, and audit standing committee.

Madam Clerk.

Yes, when we this one contact approved in the recess procedure.

The one report will be received and placed on file for the internal operations standing committee.

Seven contracts approved during the recess procedure.

The seven reports will be received and placed on file for the neighborhood and community services standing committee.

11 contracts approved during the recess procedure.

The 11 reports will be received and placed on file for the planning and economic development standing committee.

Three contracts approved in the recess procedure.

The three reports will be received and placed on file for the public health and safety standing committee.

55 contracts approved in the recess proceed.

All right.

For the internal operations standing committee, madam clerk.

Five reports from various seed departments.

The five reports will be referred to the internal operations standing committee for the planning and economic development standing committee.

A report from Detroit Economic Gulf Corporation.

One report will be referred to the planning and economic development standing committee.

For the public health and safety standing committee.

Nine reports from various city departments.

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

We will now move on to the voting action matters.

Under other matters.

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

Excuse me, Adam Barrett.

Followed by Sabrina McKenzie.

Morning.

Usually is Ms.

Blessman, so I really don't know what who to hand it to get it to y'all.

Um 313, 444-9114.

3134-9114.

31344 9114.

That number was made.

You can remember it.

That is my phone number, hotline number, and my cash app.

I enjoy and please that God uses a flawed vessel, east side, west side, north side.

Most of y'all wrote it on the bus with me, so you know I give out the low-income housing list, the bus tickets, um, things of that nature.

I love people.

And out of all my flaws and all my my idiosyncrasies, God still uses me.

And um, thank you.

There's an article about what I do in the community.

She's handing to you guys now.

Uh keep me in prayers as I pray for you.

Each and every one of you all.

Um, I'm in need of hats, gloves, hats, gloves, hand warmers, and money for bus tickets, hats, gloves, again, hats, gloves, hand warmers, and money for bus tickets.

I need that.

If you can, uh if you if you get that opportunity um to do so.

I had a big load of hand warmers from the Honorable Coleman Young's office, a huge load from uh Councilwoman Gabriel's Tanya Grover, a huge flow from Councilwoman Johnson.

I've gotten help from uh council member uh Miller and uh Council Member Cunningham, I do apologize.

Your two minutes is up, it's not showing up on the screen there.

My apologies.

It is up now, yes, sir.

All right.

Well, thank everybody.

We're having some technical difficulties with the auditor.

No problem.

Thank you.

Thanks for giving us two minutes.

Thank you.

Please read that.

Okay, bye-bye.

Team, we need a time.

If we need to come up forward with the clock and let folks know the two minutes while we've identified this challenge that we have, please.

Yeah.

It's up now.

Goodbye.

All right.

We're now live.

Okay.

Okay, Mr.

Barrett.

Uh yeah, Adam Barrett, deterrents for tax justice and moratorium now coalition, et cetera.

Um it's raining, so I got the day off again.

Forgot I'd come and see the new council.

But uh I I really am here to stand in solidarity with the Leland tenants.

Um, I hope that you uh consider and take action on all of their demands, um, including right to return.

Uh I also would like to see an independent investigation of why the power was cut in that building in the first place.

Uh they need to be, they still need to be given access to the retrieve their belongings.

Um, as far as I can see, uh, this is a clear case of deliberate neglect and to do an end run around the legal eviction process that normally uh would take place uh so they could evacuate people and gentrify the building or let DTE take the land and add it to their fiefdom or whatever whatever the plan was there.

Um not only is this building behind on its DTE, but it's also half a million or so behind on property taxes to the city, too.

Last I checked.

So I guess the city has an interest in this as well.

Um I kind of wonder what their water bill situation is like.

Um in my opinion, this is a dystopian sort of cherry on top of the pro-landlord and anti-renter Duggan administration.

And I'm asking counselor to do everything in his power to make this right and start fresh in a new era.

Thanks.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Uh member Santiago Romero.

Thank you, Mr.

President, and thank you for coming down for talking about this issue.

I don't think a lot of people know.

And if we do where we're at in the process, want to let folks know.

Yesterday, somebody also mentions that tenants were to be kicked out by the seventh.

Uh, that's going to be extended.

Um, so they will have an extension of staying hotels.

Uh protocol is every two weeks.

So the hotel may tell them you're done, but there's going to be an extension.

And then I am looking to talk to the judge.

Um, I'm I've talked to fire, talk to HRD.

I've talked to law.

We have to wait until the court date is what I'm being told.

I'm looking to talk to the judge before that court date so that she does something.

I'm not sure if it's a woman or a man, but that they do something as quickly as possible to be able to get tenants to get their things.

That is my number one priority.

For folks that may not know, we have tenants that have been living in Leland for for decades, who do not have clothes, do not have toilet trees, and not have their their personal paperwork, um important paperwork.

Um, and I really think it's important that the judge knows this at the city knows this, so that we're able to actually get them back into the into the building.

It's hard because right now there's no power in the building for the elevator to work to get them to the top floors.

Uh, but we have to be creative, get a generator, figure it out, and give the bill to the new to the new landlord.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh member Young.

Uh, from my understanding, uh, one, uh, usually when these problems happen in buildings, I think VC is supposed to be able to give us a determination of why it is and why that's not happening.

I know if that doesn't work, usually what we've done, our office, we've gone to HRD.

And we've gone after their um housing credits and other things they receive from the federal government where it operates.

So I'll be out be willing to work with you and you, sir, in terms of how that happens, maybe work with BC first to see what's going on as we get that regulatory process happen.

And then after that, if necessary, you know, we call it a hammer.

You know, you can go and go to HRD.

I just thought that'd be something to kind of help the conversation forward.

Thank you.

And I'm I'm sorry, pro too.

Yeah, no, it's all right.

Thank you.

I appreciate that.

Yes.

Thank you.

Uh to Pro Time.

Thank you for that support.

We will take it.

Um, the issue here really is that there is no power to get people up to their property to their to their rooms.

Um, and everyone's involved right now, HRD, BC, because there are issues with the property.

Um, so really hoping to be creative as quickly as possible.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Our next speaker, Dr.

Sabrina McKenzie, followed by Miss Betty Lyons, followed by John Farley.

Thank you so much.

I bid you all greetings.

I am Dr.

Sabrina McKenzie, an emerging developer in the city of Detroit with properties in two, five, and seven.

And I have a concern.

I come in the spirit of unity and collaboration.

Um, but I'm concerned that on November 10th, there was a homeless guy that died inside of a building of a church called Body of Christ.

In October, there was a homeless guy that died inside of Shady Grove, basically trying to start fires to keep themselves warm.

And I know countless women and children that are sleeping right now inside of buildings as it's called.

With that, keeping that in mind as an emerging developer, we're having problems reaching um city managers so that we can do the work of the people.

I've contacted Kim Tandy for six months, 10 times via cell phone via text.

I contacted the chief of staff, Ray Asolomon to help me contact her so that we can get some work done with the CDC building the community development corporation.

I haven't had help, and my concern is if we're really called to serve the people, why is it so difficult with us that have resources, contacts, and and assistance?

Can you imagine people, just community leaders just trying to call one time and not being helped while people are dying?

So I'm concerned.

I'm coming in in collaboration, and I just want to know how I can um reach a city manager for the current project that we're building um to get a CDC done.

Thank you.

Thank you.

We're supposed to project again.

2900 Tyler Street and Callaway Councilwoman has been so gracious and helped us, but we we need all boots on ground as people are dying.

We need we need help.

So that particular project, I think it's district five now.

If it's changed over, whoever the city manager is, I just I just need some help.

Okay.

Well, we want to introduce you to your new council member as well, uh member uh Renata Miller.

And so someone from her team may work to assist you turnaround.

That gentleman will give you that assistance we're seeking from the council side.

We're gonna see what we can do from the administration side as well.

Gracious, thank you, Mr.

Umber Calloway.

Dr.

McKenzie.

Um, I know um I've been working on that project um at 2900 Tyler since 2022 when a ribbon um was um put with the mayor at the time.

And I'm so proud of you, young lady for taking the bull by the horns, and you're gonna make sure that that project is completed, and you have an amazing council person, Renata Miller, who's going to help you with that project.

And I am here to assist you as well.

I'm here to assist you because you're doing gonna do some amazing things in that neglected community.

You're gonna bring life, you're gonna bring that miracle cafe there.

I'm gonna come there and have yes.

I remember I know exactly what your plans are and what your dream is for that area, but you have the councilwoman to my left, Renata Miller, who's going to be there to support you all the way.

And I'm not going anywhere, as you can see.

It's not in district two on the map, but it's still in district two physically, and I'm there for you.

And congratulations and happy new year.

Thank you.

Yes, ma'am.

Thank you.

Next speaker, Betty Lyons, followed by John Farley, followed by Tiffany Farley.

Congratulations, President Tate.

Thank you.

And Pro Temp Young.

Now let's get down to business.

Over 600 million dollars in overpaid property taxes belonging to Detroit residents, stolen and hidden by satanic Dugan, whom you allowed to escape investigation and continue his treacherous evil destruction.

Council as bullies each week, ignoring justice to Detroit residents, giving millions of dollars to lectures, carbon baggers, and turning your backs on the black residents who stayed through thick and thin.

Romeo, I mean Romero Romeo, yeah, right.

Uh Romero will probably continue her abomination with the murdering of unborn babies and praising people who act on perverted sexual acts.

Have you ever seen rectal warts, genital warts?

I have.

Have you ever seen full-blown AIDS oozing from source?

I have.

I worked with them.

So you need to look at yourself and change your evil, evil ways.

Attorney Whitaker, the word conversion should come to you.

You should know that by heart.

What it means.

It means that when a person wrongfully exerts control over another one's property.

That's what all of you, including Whitaker and Conrad Mallet has done to the people, stealing our property taxes and hiding it, not giving us justice, and you stand up here giving millions of dollars away to people who don't even care about Detroit.

You need to change your evil ways as well.

Mr.

President.

Member Santiago.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Through to Miss Betty Lyons.

Happy New Year, ma'am.

And I just want to share that your words really do hurt.

And they don't only just hurt me, they hurt other black and brown and white, gay, queer people.

I know because they text me.

Because they tell me I'm so sorry that you have to go through this.

Your words hurt immigrants.

You call out Jewish people.

You call out every single person under the sun, ma'am.

It is so painful.

It is so hurtful.

I often ignore you because you're allowed to say whatever you want.

But ma'am, I'm just telling you that your words do make an impact.

They do hurt, but I I pray for you.

I hope everything goes well for you.

Um, but I'm going to continue to make sure that I'm serving everybody.

Thank you.

Welcome to Santiago Nero.

It's something honored to have you here sitting with us on this council and all the work that you do in the city of Detroit.

Thank you.

All right.

Next speaker, Mr.

John Farley.

Good morning, council.

Congratulations.

Uh, my name is Jonathan Farley.

I am the owner of Access Point Transport and Towling.

Um, our emergency roadside assistance company here in the city of Detroit.

Uh I've been in business for the past 13 years.

Um I have a lot of plans that I want to do for the city, especially for young men.

Uh, as far as training and workforce development.

So I wanted to make it my business to come down today to uh greet you all, to speak to you all, um, and let you know uh some of the plans that we have in store.

Uh, the name of the company is Access Point.

It was an access point for me out of the streets.

And so I share that with each and every individual that I hire, uh, especially particularly young black men who I train up.

Um, I have a nonprofit that I started called Access Point to Stability.

And under this program is where I will begin to train young men.

Uh, I don't want to really focus on all young men.

I want to focus on any man that isn't uh getting a livable wage for itself.

And um, through this program, I will begin to train them up to earn a uh livable wage.

I also own a facility called Hayes and Charmers All Auto, where we are where we sell used vehicles and parts.

We're one of the only blacks in the city with these licenses.

Um, and we take them very serious.

So uh through these two facilities is where we're gonna begin to uh facilitate training.

Um, I do need some assistance from the city.

Um, I would like to be connected with people who can help me uh build out my facilities.

Um, they are up and running, both of them, so it's nothing that I need like a handout for.

Uh, we do generate income each year.

We are taxpayers.

Um, and so that's some of the things that I would like to say to this council today.

And once again, thank you all.

Happy New Year.

All right thank you.

Someone from my team will get your information.

The gentleman coming down right now, get your info.

Ms.

Farley.

Uh next speaker, Tiffany Farley, followed by Mario Kelly, followed by Gabe Wilson.

Okay, good morning, everyone.

My name is Tiffany Farley, and I'm a licensed professional counselor and the founder of Bewell Healing and Wellness Center, and also someone who grew up right here in the city of Detroit.

I'm here today because access to quality mental health care still remains out of reach for many families in the communities that need it most.

Long wait lists, lack of culturally responsive care, and limited preventative resources mean people are often seeking help only once they're already in a crisis.

So Bewell Healing and Wellness Center was created to help close that gap.

Our focus is on accessible community centered mental health support, therapy, wellness education, and programming that supports healing before a burnout trauma and crisis takes over.

This work is deeply personal for me.

I'm not bringing something into the city from outside.

I'm investing into the community that raised me specifically on this school craft.

Um I grew up right on Rutherford down the street.

So deeply personal for me.

Um I'm investing back into the community that raised me because I believe Detroit deserves quality mental health resources that are rooted in understanding dignity and trust.

My goal is to be part of the solution, partnering with the city, local organizations, and residents to expand access to mental health services and wellness support that strengthens individuals, families, and ultimate ultimately our neighborhoods.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak and for the work you continue to do on behalf of our city.

Thank you.

Are you with Mr.

Farrell's John Frown as well?

Yeah, that's my husband.

Okay, so my team is getting that information from them, and so we'll get it from you as well.

Thank you.

Mr.

Mario Kelly, followed by Gabe Wilson, followed by Shannon Austin.

What up, Doug?

Good morning.

Congratulations to the new incoming city council members and also congratulations to the returning ones.

My name is Mario Kelly.

I'm a fifth generation Detroiter, and I'm also the co-founder of Believe in AI.

I just gave you guys some information in front of you.

Uh the next two and three speakers will be going through this information.

But what believe in AI is it is a call center AI, uh, where you can have 10 to 40 minute conversation in real time.

It sounds like a human being.

Um the caller actually captures the call into an MP3 player or a transcript prior to Emily.

All district managers are responsible for doing a ribbon cutting, working in the field, and also answering the phone and also using human data to track all of this information.

Where Ms.

McKenzie just let us know that it was always falling by it was falling short.

Let's just say that.

So what Emily does, there's no abandoned calls, there's no call to wait time or anything like that.

She can answer 18 calls simultaneously, and we ran a 12-week pilot program with district three and four, and it was very, very successful.

Um, like I said, any of the information that is in front of you uh can be go through all of the uh data of what Emily did.

Prior to, like I said, prior to Emily coming into the district manager, they asked they had to answer between 15 to 25 calls a day, where some of those calls was pushed to voicemail, where within a week you should have anywhere between 50 to 60 voicemail calls where some of those residents didn't let you know what the issue was on the voicemail.

Where Emily does, she takes every asks you all the questions that you need.

And she also can complete a lot of the problems without it, escalating to a city council member or a district manager.

Um, just wanted to bring this data to you guys because we know that Detroit City Detroit is big on data, and hopefully we can expand this to all districts and maybe all departments in the city outside inside of the city of Detroit.

Thank you.

Mr.

President.

Um, Linda Johnson.

Thank you, Mr.

President, and good morning to you.

Thank you so much for providing the information to us.

Um, I have actually gotten some phone calls and emails about this.

Apparently, it was piloted in districts three and four as you indicated.

Um, this is my first time hearing about it.

Um, I am aware that there are some people that have some concerns about it being in not personal.

Um, and I have had to ensure to our residents that we answer all of our calls and return all of our voicemails.

So I'd like to get more detailed information about the program, how it works, because when I look up the Department of Neighborhoods, particularly the District 4 Dons, when I look up their information online, it gives their cell phone number.

So I'm not sure how Emily interacts with their cell phone and how the whole process works, but I would love to connect with you to better understand that so I can assure our residents that they are getting the assistance that they need.

Most definitely.

So Emily, you could transfer for the calls before it all cell phone calls to Emily.

And and um before you respond, we actually can't go back and forth.

So I'm just going to ask my um team member to get your contact information and if we can have direct dialogue, so I better understand it.

Yes.

Um, especially if the administration is looking to expand it.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Mr.

Chairman.

Thank you.

Uh member Kelleway.

Yeah, thank you.

Good morning, sir.

I I saw it in the news.

I didn't even know we had approved it.

I see that you have the city's logo on this document.

And I'm just concerned that it looks like this is a city initiative, and it's not.

So yes, sir.

Well, I'll go back and forth.

Do you have anything else you want to add?

Let me let me finish.

So I'm just concerned because I read about this in the newspaper.

And so I would think that this would come before the council if anything like this is approved and rolled out, but it didn't.

So you know, we'll just have to see.

But I know that I'm just letting you know.

You got other folks that are coming and maybe they can add.

So I was just concerned that it looks like a city document, is it?

This is just nine things I printed out.

This is something I've got.

Okay, but you're using the city's logo.

Okay.

All right.

I was just concerned.

Because it I don't know.

It's your document, it's not the city.

See, I'm thinking it's the city.

Gotcha.

Gotcha.

So we're going to try to duly noted that it is not.

So we've got to figure out how to I wasn't done, but I guess I am, right?

No, no, no.

It sounds like you were going back and forth asking questions.

I just want to do that.

Because we had a water company, I think out of Massachusetts, that was illegally, according to our corporation council, using the legal on our logo on documents that were sent to people's homes.

And people were thinking that this was a water service offered by the city, but it wasn't.

It was a company out of state.

And they were illegally using the logo.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Sir, I just want to acknowledge you.

You and I had a chance to meet at the Columbia Young Community Center earlier this fall.

And then you let me know about this.

So you explained this to me.

And this was, I mean, it was quietly rolled out in districts three and in districts four, but just the city's ability and your ability, being a small business owner to have this level of sophistication to help a problem, which we saw, those of us who are working with our district managers, their call volume is overwhelming.

And to have two or three people trying to handle that just isn't possible.

You are bringing technology to bear as a way to help push those calls when they're missed into the proper location so that those issues can be handled, which I am very supportive of.

And now I know that we are now getting more visibility from the media on this.

I got phone calls myself asking for a comment.

This is an administration program, so I'll let them handle those responses.

But I do want to say thank you for what you're doing and the fact that you lean into technology.

Also, we share the same chargers over at the Coleman A.

Young.

So glad to see a fellow EV driver here today that looks like us, which often we're told we don't.

And so this would be wanna say thank you.

And it's great that you're coming before city council today to give us a uh a bit of an exposure to this program, which frankly should have been brought to us by the administration.

That's not your fault.

You're the person providing service, and so we'll deal with the administration ourselves.

And also just want to know that it's a different administration now that is in place that we will be discussing this with.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I just want to say I have an update involving the Leland Hotel.

Uh HRD staff states that all matters regarding the Lela Hotel are being referred to the city's law department.

And I know that um I think Graham, I don't know if he's in the audience or if he's available, and I don't know about the time.

I just want to give a dick.

Thank you, sir.

Uh Mr.

Gabe Wilson.

Thank you.

Good afternoon, Council members.

My name is Gabe Wilson, co-founder of Believe in AI.

I am the developer of Emily, the emotional intelligent voice agent that we're discussing today.

Uh so thank you all for the opportunity to speak.

So over the last 12 weeks, we ran a focused pilot in district three and district four to solve one clear problem.

And that was making sure that neighborhood calls were getting answered without delay.

Now, this wasn't um a limited test because 100% of the inbound calls and those two districts was routed to Emily.

So we could validate real world performance.

Now, I'm gonna be speaking to the data on page two.

Um, all of those being inbound with zero system downtime and no hold time.

I'm starting with numbers because Mike Duggan always says that knowing your numbers matters.

So during this 12-week pilot, uh, we capture more actionable call data than the department of neighborhoods have previously gathered across all seven districts over 12 months.

Another key outcome is resolution.

Emily successfully resolved between 65 and 75% of calls in the end.

So what that means is that she rough will roughly three out of four callers received help without the need for a district manager to follow up.

So that represents meaningful and efficiency at scale.

So I also want to address a common concern directly, and that this pilot is not about replacing city jobs, it's about helping the city become more efficient.

The strongest operational outcomes are simple.

There's the whole time.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good morning.

I appreciate being here, and thank you all.

I'm personally here as a community member, what I'll say at large, I'm one of the dynamic people, and I try to be here to be present.

Even today, I'm proactively listening.

I'm a social entrepreneur.

I'm the owner of the group, which is a pool of entrepreneurs and investors that looks to preserve the local economy by keeping things by keeping the local economy stimulated as a pool of local entrepreneurs but socially responsible business owners.

Even as I'm here, some of the things I do is proactively try to engage the city and use the tools that are in motion.

I really appreciate even the gentleman before me with the Emily system because it helped bridge the gap with some of the communication flaws, or let me not say it's flaws.

Everybody does the best they can, but they're their holes in the system.

So when I was actually using the system and have helped me connect directly with other community members and local resources to the point where even when I'm actively listening to this council meeting today, I I feel the ladies and I empathy empathize with it when you're trying to reach out to someone to kind of not know that route.

Whereas the Emily system actually helps streamline it and it was more engaging from it felt like a real conversation.

I just wanted to share that.

But I also want to advocate for more collective collaboration.

My two greatest local impacts are felt through showing people how to do farmers, chicks like egg-laying chickens from home.

And I try to address some of the financial literacy gap by actually showing kids how to own and operate their own businesses.

Um I specialize particularly in entrepreneurship through acquisition, meaning I try to acquire businesses and keep that helps keep the economy going, help preserve the money and keep things circulating locally to keep it stable and safe.

Thank you.

Thank you for being here.

We have a special guest here joining us today in our public comment section.

This is Dr.

Christelle.

Yes.

All right, I got it right.

Slaughter, she's chief of operations on behalf of Mayor Sid Edwards with Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Welcome.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Uh President uh Council Tate and Council members, uh, good morning.

We are delighted to be here.

Um, as was said, I'm the chief of operations for the City of Baton Rouge and uh consolidated city parish of East Baton Rouge Parish.

Um and on behalf of the mayor, uh, I want to thank you for your hospitality.

We have a small delegation here.

Uh, and we spent yesterday uh with your Detroit Economic Development Group and members of the city's housing staff uh and other staffs learning about blight, uh affordable housing, neighborhood revitalization, small business economic development, and all the wonderful things and the best practices that have really come out of Detroit and everything you've done.

Your city is beautiful.

The people are very, very gracious and very hospitable.

And we have absolutely thoroughly enjoyed our time here and have already sent home by social media if you want to look it up.

Um things that we've learned, ideas that we have.

Um, your turnaround time is impressive.

Uh, we actually toured neighborhoods and toured uh manufactured housing that you're putting up, very innovative sorts of things.

And so you have given us quite a lot to learn about and think about in areas that are very complex and challenging for a lot of our cities across the country.

Batman Rouge is no exception.

Uh, we do have a few uh people with us.

We have uh Jim Rocker, who is a council member, Mason Batts, who's the executive assistant to the mayor, William Daniel, who is over all of our public works entities, uh, Kelly Leduff, who is with the Office of Community Development, and Patrick Sloan Turner, who is actually covering our trip for the advocate, which is a homegrown newspaper that is now uh one of the best newspapers in the country.

Um, I'd like to thank uh Kevin Johnson and Derek Carrollhead, especially, uh, as well as their uh team, some of whom are here today.

We were able to listen and learn.

Um, and we are so grateful for everyone's candor and your leadership.

Um, and we look forward to continuing dialogue.

So thank you so much for your generosity and support.

We appreciate it.

Thank you as well.

How long are you all uh sticking around in town?

How long are you all sticking around in the uh well?

Some of us are going back tomorrow.

Unfortunately, the mayor had to leave this morning because he's doing the state of city address tomorrow.

Some of us are leaving tomorrow morning, but there's a housing conference, a HUD conference in town, and a couple of our people are staying for that.

We'll be back.

Definitely we'll come back and see you all.

Thank you.

Welcome, welcome.

Thank you for the call.

All right.

So we will now shift to our online public comments.

There's anyone uh who do we have first, actually?

Our online public comments.

Morning, Council President.

Today we have 15 callers online.

First caller is William M.

Davis.

If we can turn that volume down just a little bit, uh William M.

Davis, the floor is yours, sir.

Mr.

Davis unmuted.

Uh good morning.

Can I be heard?

Good morning.

Yes, yes.

I'd like to say that I like to uh publicly congratulate uh Tate and Young.

Uh did it I've also privately congratulated them.

I look forward to the whole council working productively together.

Uh I think that uh one of the things that y'all could do this year, y'all could advance the one of my proposals from before that the that the city of Detroit retiree um general fund uh pension board have an additional member because police and fire has more than one representative, and we should have more than one because we actually have more members than they do, and we actually have more retirees than the city of Detroit has workers today.

Uh also I would hope to see uh an authorization to continue the city of Detroit Retiree Task Force because it's an important things that we need to do.

And also just looking at the fact for the past the city had uh a pension holiday where they didn't pay into our pension fund for over 10 years, you know, that actually you know uh one to one and a half billion dollars that normally would be going to our fund was uh used for other purposes, and and we need to make sure the city is better than what it has been.

And also, I would like to see a mental health task force.

Uh, as some of you know, I was a former elected police commissioner, and far too many of the police runs dealing with mental health.

We have far too many mental health people on the streets of city of Detroit.

There's a whole lot more the city of Detroit can and should be doing.

We should be making our community better, not closing our eyes to the harsh reality of what's going on in the city.

So again, I congratulate Tate and Young, and I also congratulate all the city council members that are sitting there now.

Hopefully, y'all can work together and improve the city for everybody.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

Ruby Bradley, floor is yours.

Two minutes, general public comment.

Good morning.

Happy new year.

Happy New Year.

Can I be heard?

Okay, congratulations to all the people that ran and didn't cheat to get in.

Um I wanted to talk about um the seniors.

The seniors played a play a very important role in the city of Detroit.

They've been here for years, some of them 75 years, some of them more.

And for the work that they need on their homes, money's going out to other people.

They had work done on our homes that they paid out of their pocket when they were working.

So I feel that I hope you all look out for these seniors.

Uh for instance, I'm gonna address this to councilwoman at large Mary Waters.

Uh, like uh she's do you still have does she still have that program where the seniors can get bathtubs and uh additionals done to that bathroom because I'm tired of that big old tub now.

I'm 75 now, and I'm tired of stepping over that big tub.

So I do need some assistance over at my at my property.

So uh I like my big tub, but I'm tired of stepping in the big one now.

I need to get the smaller one, and uh so anyway, like I said, I hope y'all look out for the seniors more this year, because I know it's a lot of us.

I mean, I did get a roof after it rained in my house for almost two years, and the plaster and everything fell from the kitchen to the dining room to the hallway, uh, which I wish that I didn't have to go that long, but another city council member had told me they would help me, but they wasn't at large.

So I appreciate that person, you know, that would have helped me before it started raining in my house.

So anyway, I'm gonna cut it off and I'll talk to you all again.

Okay, thank you.

Next caller, please.

Next caller is before we go to the next caller, member waters.

All right, thank you.

Uh and good morning, Ms.

Ruby.

Um, that program, um, the senior accessibility program was created, uh, created the program using ARPA dollars.

There is still a long waiting list.

I do not know if you are on that list uh yet.

I would imagine that the list is probably closed by now because there is such a great need, and I am hoping that we can somehow find additional dollars uh for that program so that we can continue it because the need is is great.

Uh thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

Next caller is caller.

The floor is yours.

You have two minutes.

General public comment.

Good morning and happy new year to all within the sound of my voice.

I'm Betty A.

Barner, president of the Soda Ellsworth Block Association.

Congrats to uh President Tate and Pro Tim Coleman Young, and to all the council members.

Uh the lady just spoke.

I'm just gonna say this.

People are still in need of those um walk-in showers.

And I think it was about three years ago.

I advocated strong for it.

I understand the offer money is not there, but we are still in need.

Today I want to give some information about a wonderful program called Community Uh Solutions.

It is um the director is Mrs.

Deborah A.

Royal, and there's a lot of different um programs under her umbrella, but I'm going to focus today on a program that helps caregivers.

Caregivers need love also.

That is a hard job.

It is done with love, but it's a hard job.

And this program focuses on the caregiver and the person that they are caring for, receive services, and it gives them a chance to get some relief.

They uh can get a massage once a month, they can get their nails done, they have events, they take boat rides, uh small trips, and please call 313-484-3808 again, 313-484-3808.

Uh the person who is receiving the services that the caregiver is is servicing, uh, needs to have Medicaid.

Again, they need to have Medicaid.

There are other programs under this umbrella that I will be talking about in the near future.

Also, still advocating for our thinker corridor and for our park, D Bus Community Park.

God bless you.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

Next caller is owner Papa.

Caller, the floor is yours.

We have two minutes, General Public Comment.

Caller, are you there?

Caller, are you there?

Let's put that caller at the end of the queue and go to the next, please.

Yes, sir.

Next caller is Dante Smith.

Mr.

Smith, you have two minutes, general public comment.

Are you there?

Yes, I am here.

All right.

You may be sorry about that.

I was in the auditorium.

I just want to say good morning.

Uh, I want to say I appreciate um council member Johnson for voting the right way.

Thank you for president.

Um I also like to say there are so many issues in the city that are not being addressed.

Also, want to say that I am running for district nine state rep.

This is my official announcement.

Uh sorry for the echo.

I'm in the building and I can't control it.

Um we have so many issues that we need you guys to address.

Hopefully, you do a good job, Miss Miller.

Congratulations on the win.

Uh looking forward to working with you in your office because district five is my my home.

Island view is where I live.

So we're gonna do a lot of good work, hopefully.

Um I just want to shout out a couple organizations, Detroit Power Detroit, mothers keeping bullets in the ground, church and messiah, even though we're at odds somewhat.

Uh so also Helen Street Block Club, which I may or may not be president of moving forward.

Uh want to talk about the Bustler Family Center development that we hope does not happen.

We're not against affordable housing in the community, but we want to see affordable housing that works for the communities.

We don't want to see affordable housing that's not conducive to the neighborhood.

We can't park on Kercible.

You can barely drive down the street.

So if you add uh affordable housing right there and you tear down a part of Buster Family Center, it's gonna be very detrimental to uh our neighborhood.

We don't want to see that.

You can put it somewhere else, just not there, not in our neighborhood.

And so I love to see Genesis Hope.

Uh church and community development corporation also support not having this pro not not having this project happen in our neighborhood as they did um on Facebook.

So I hope you stand with that.

You put that the public comment, please stand with it.

Also, shout out to Councilmember Mary Waters.

Love to see Denzel McCampbell and Gabriela Santaka Romero.

Um and Councilmember Benson, I love to meet with you.

And I also want to give a shout out to Malik Shabazz.

He's trying to set up a meeting, but it's gonna be the same thing.

Detroit Ham Trammy Coalition.

All right, all right.

Next caller, please.

Next caller is Rochella Stewart.

Shall I steward?

The floor is yours.

You have two minutes.

General public comment.

Stewart, are you there?

Michelle Shelly Stewart, are you there?

All right, let's put that caller at the end of the queue and go to the next, please.

Yes, sir.

Next caller is Charles Miles.

Charles Miles, the floor is yours.

You have two minutes.

General public comment.

Carl Smiles, are you there?

Yes, sir.

All right, floor is yours, sir.

Thank you.

All right, I'm here today to congratulate the new team of city council.

Uh also I'm here in regards to what's going on at these uh shelters.

Uh and uh are we on top of this about the uh shelter situation?

These places are not like being uh ran properly.

And what are we gonna do about it?

That's my concern for today.

And also it's a lot of issues going on around here about these bottles uh not being collected at the stores, expired food being sold, spired products, little cigarettes sold on camera on a green light camera.

I mean, you got these gas stations and party store owners doing whatever they want to do, like they own and make the rules.

Uh and you guys are not doing nothing about it, and this is very concerning.

Is that it?

You done are you finished or are you done?

All right.

Thank you.

We appreciate that.

Who do we have next?

Next caller is Jacqueline Iller.

All right, Ms.

Iller, go ahead.

Stuff like that.

Oh, I I'm I'm good.

Thank you.

Um stop.

Okay.

You okay?

Next caller is phone number ending in one six nine.

Okay, okay, one six nine, the floor is yours.

Two minutes.

Hello, can you guys hear me?

Yes.

Okay, I just want to say thank you all for praying for Cunningham.

Um Cunningham was homeless for 10 years plus and is still helping people.

It boggles my mind that he does not hate God and he still believes in God.

It does not matter what cars you are dealt, is what you do with those cars.

Never complain, just keep pushing forward, find the positive and anything, and just fight for it.

That quote was made by Baker Mayfield.

Thank you for my time.

All right, thank you, sir.

We appreciate that.

We're near Nikil.

Yes, Pro Tim.

The next caller is Reynard Montsuski.

Mr.

Monchunski, floor is yours.

Two minutes.

Mr.

Munchansky going once.

Mr.

Munchansky going twice.

Mr.

Munchancy going a third time.

Mr.

Munchunski going a third time and a third.

All right.

Thank you, Ms.

Munch.

Hello.

Hello, hello, hello.

Yes.

Can I be heard?

Yes, sir.

Go ahead.

Yes, sorry.

Uh Mr.

President Pro Tembler, the microphone was to turn on soon enough.

Um, can you please restart my time?

Bernard Meshewski, District Six resident, and I'm organizer with Detroit People's Platform.

I just want to wish you all a happy new year and um congratulations on all your elections.

Whether you're new or rejoining us again, the people have clearly chosen you.

Um I'm excited to announce to this body as well, and I'm gonna work with this body over the new year to um make sure that D not is on a solid footing, um, which from the last administration um, you know, in the last council, um, with the actions of raising the driver's wages and things of that sort um before leading to this.

This administration, I do appreciate um the fact that this new administration will have a solid footing to um start to improve D Dot and make some meaningful changes to it.

But I want to um make sure the council heed this.

I do um have a feeling that the due to the lack of federal funding in the future, the city council uh you will have a tighter finances to work with.

In that regard, we want to make sure that we focus on core services in the city, including D D dot as well, to encore priorities in case we can't do everything that we want to do under D Dot reimagined.

I um want to be the one to say on record that these superfluo kind of mobility projects have to have some sort of purpose, they have to be accessible to everyone, and it shouldn't just be for people that are privileged to have debit and credit cards.

It doesn't solve the day-to-day problems that writers face.

Reliable, frequent, on-time service.

It is not hard to do that before we start doing all these other kind of amazing things that uh could benefit us in the future, but for now, we need buses to run frequently and reliable, and not just on main routes, but on all routes, neighborhood routes.

And we need an equitable fare program so that veterans, returning citizens, and those that are homeless have access to our system without being shamed for not having any money or bus fare.

The city can do it through several offices.

I'm willing to work with you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

Next caller is calling user one.

Calling user one, the floor is yours.

You have two minutes in general.

Public comment.

Happy New Year.

Um I want to know council member.

Uh is it President Kate and Pro Tim?

It's gonna be young.

I'm sorry, I didn't know.

Is that correct?

That's my first question.

I also would like to see that you all make sure they hear that no one has to freeze to death.

Um, when contacting this office asking for help like Tatiana Williams.

I am still troubled by it.

I don't like the fact that later Detroiters that their families have been in this country longer than 500 years to get to see migrants and illegals get um hotels paid for while a woman whose family can be trapped as being foundational black American was her children was allowed to freeze to death.

Um it needs to be a law to stop these slum landlords from retaliating and giving you eviction notices or lease violations for complaining when things are not up to code in these buildings, and I like for you, uh James Tate to address in 2026.

What are you going to do about that?

Happy wonderful new year.

Please answer my questions.

Um, instead of saying you'll get back with me.

Thank you.

Uh, new and cumbers.

Congratulations for being blessed to serve the people of Detroit, especially the majority black people.

Housing justice was the number one issue uh last year and this year, and that is being addressed in the recommendations of Detroit Reparations Task Force.

Their um recommendations directly um deal with the housing issue.

We were illegally over tax one hundred, I'm sorry, six hundred million dollars and one hundred thousand homes were illegally foreclosed.

This crisis is the root cause cause of homelessness.

Um right now you all need to deal with the crisis.

Uh the root of the crisis and a homelessness crisis is partially directly associated with the unqualified chief assessor Alvin Horn.

He needs to be fired due to his role in this injustice.

Alvin Horn is unqualified.

He has not passed the required Michigan Master Assessing Officer's examination under state tax commission certification rules, community representation uh of uh this uh processor is not being held responsible for these problems.

We are also uh concerned about the board of directors of the Charles H.

Wright Museum.

Um we want we need our community representation placed on that board of directors.

We have demanded this for years since Juanita Moore and Charles Farrell were um were extracted from the museum.

We need that community representation so that we can direct the museum.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

Next caller telephone number ending in 482.

Caller ending in 482.

The floor is yours.

You have two minutes, general public comment.

I hope everyone can hear me clearly.

We have a technical difficulties in the city of Detroit, which is nothing new, and I just wanted to put it out there.

Mini wants what she wants, asked for, requested, and deserves.

So therefore, I'm gonna expose all of y'all.

I'm gonna start off with the new mayor, Mary Sheffield.

Mary Sheffield is gay.

You should be a strong advocate supporter for the LBD Q community here in the city of Detroit, right along with the liar, Gabriella Santiago Romero.

Now I've talked to my lawyers and I had discussions.

We're gonna have to file lawsuits.

The after the violet fraud that has been committed on the city of Detroit over the last decade has been exposed this morning in Washington, DC.

Today in Washington, DC, both Pastor Borinho School and Ramon Jackson are gonna be outlining the affidavit and the afterty valley fraud that is plagued Detroit.

All Detroit elected officials are cheated in, and Dennis Werfrey has been teaming in Detroit elections for over a decade.

Z Maybe Walker and Daniel Baxter over the at the Detroit Department of Elections are corrupt and they busted.

And I'm Mr.

Rue.

Mimi got to get what she wants.

So that's why I'm gonna turn the whole city upside down.

My word.

Next caller is Marjorie Scarlet Medic.

Marjorie Metto, Scarlet.

Thank you for joining us.

I believe that's remember.

Miss Ms.

Maddows, uh, your your your line is breaking up.

So ask if you would like to call back.

We can do that, but your your line is breaking up right now.

Okay.

Okay.

And if you if we have a challenge, uh getting back in touch uh with your your your line, we will make sure we contact you and get your your public comment.

We'll get it placed on the public record.

Okay.

All right, thank you.

We'll go to the next caller.

We'll bring you back.

Next caller, please.

Okay, next caller is Tara Brown.

Ms.

Tara Brown, the floor is yours.

You got two minutes, general public comment.

Good morning, counsel, and congratulations to the new members of council.

I'm wishing you all a successful term.

Thank you to council member Angela Callaway for always willing to ask the tough questions and to stress the legality of things brought before this council.

I really appreciate it because you all you make sure to step out and ask questions.

You and Mary Waters do a pretty good job of that, even when everybody else is in silence.

I want to bring y'all attention to the homeless problem.

I'm sure you all got a chance to see some of the stories that WDIV ran over the break about the conditions in the homeless shelter, and they're boring.

And I don't know if you all also saw that the woman who made one of the complaints about DRMM was kicked out of the shelter.

This is an ongoing problem, and I had the chance to notice before council went into recess.

Uh COC members and HID members here begging like paupers for more money for the homeless problem.

We keep throwing money at this problem and not making anybody accountable.

And just so you know, most of us wrong with homelessness in Detroit was standing right before you.

I'm sorry, when that shelter was given 387, 100,000, and they were still failing inspections.

I wrote to Tara Linsner and I wrote to Julie Snyder requesting a call back or requesting a clawback of those funds and a response to my letter.

I still have not gotten one.

Nobody is being held accountable for these millions of dollars just being thrown at the homeless system for homeless people to be taking pictures and video of conditions that are not even safe for pets.

And the fact that in Detroit, the pet shelters have more licensing, the home uh dog shelters have more licensing than the actual homeless shelter that are housing people.

That is a problem.

And that pedophile I mentioned to you all before has been visiting homeless shelters where women and children reside.

The floor is yours.

Two minutes, general public comment.

Are you there?

Yes, good afternoon.

Can you hear me?

Yes.

But um the last caller is talking about the homeless people, and I'm saying to you that I have spoken to you over the last four years about how you're spending our money and how nobody has any accountability.

Um I I want to draw your attention too to the police and the uh and the effect that we have a new ordinance, but that but it doesn't make the police accountable for anything that they that they do.

Um can you hear me?

We can okay, yes.

And so I want to yes, I'm here.

Can you hear me?

Yes, ma'am.

Yes, I'm I'm looking for accountability from the police department.

I'm looking for accountability from the police department and shooting at that woman 10 10 times.

Um, I would like to know where that police officer is and where we are, because I don't want to see him with legal representation or indemnification from this body or from this city.

Um Graham is not a very good representative for the people in terms of giving you advice.

He he told you that it was okay for the for you to pass along illegal contracts to the to the majority black people in this city, even though they're unconstitutional, which also means they're illegal.

But my problem is is that you passed it and you allowed it to happen.

I want you to rescind those contracts because lawsuits are going to be coming down the pike, and we have plenty of reasons.

Mr.

Graham gave you bad advice.

We are picking this fight.

Thank you.

Let's call it please.

Next caller is Charles Miles, Charles Miles.

The floor is yours, Charles Miles.

Are you there?

Going once going twice, going three times, Mr.

Charles Miles.

Are you there?

Unfortunately, we're gonna have to move on.

Go to the next caller, please.

Next caller is Rochella Stewart, Miss Rochella Stewart.

The floor is yours.

Two minutes, general public comment.

Ms.

Stewart, are you there?

Going once going twice.

Going three times, Ms.

Rochella Stewart.

Are you there?

Fortunately, we're gonna have to move on.

If you would like to provide your comments to the clerk's office, they will be placed on to public record.

Next caller, please.

I'm surprised that is the end of public comment.

All right, thank you.

We'll now close out public.

That now uh brings us to the end of public comment.

Uh under committee reports, there are no items, Mr.

President.

We now move to the new business portion of the agenda under resolutions.

This is putting the standing committees.

Uh member Vincent.

Yeah, Consumer Young.

I'm sorry.

Oh, member Young.

I didn't hear that.

Sorry.

Member Young.

Standing committees.

Um boarding members of the new price of the council standing committee.

It's a motion to approve line item 21.1.

Any discussion, colleagues.

See none, then action shall be taken.

Mr.

President, sir.

I do have a lot of the boards.

We we do have those with us as well.

That is coming up.

We have city council state community.

We also have the plug in for the board.

Ms.

Barcliff, just to make sure the the resolution is I don't have the actual resolution in front of me.

Uh I have the individual, but they it appears on the agenda that they were put together the boards as well as the committees.

I thought they were going to be separate.

Good um, good afternoon.

There are two different things that's happening.

There's the appointments to the standing committees, which is the resolution that I gave you, and that they that you just voted on, and then there's the individual resolutions that need to be passed for the various boards and commissions.

There's not an omnibus resolution for that, they're all individual.

Yes, you have to read.

So just procedurally, just to make sure.

That's correct.

All right.

Yes.

No what?

Here forward.

Thank you.

Appreciate you.

They also need to be walked on because they weren't on the calendar.

The only thing that was on the calendar was the resolution for the standing committees.

So you need to walk.

I guess you can walk them on as a group, and then um he can read read through them.

Well, he could read through them and walk them all individually and then vote on them as a group, unless there's objections.

Is there a motion to uh walk on to new business?

The uh city council board appointments.

Motion see no objections that action shall be taken.

Madam Clerk.

Councilman, Council President Po Tim Young a resolution in itself for the um board appointments.

You gotta read amendments.

Okay, thank you.

Uh Madam Clerk.

Uh herefore be it resolved.

Detroit City Council hereby appoints member Mary Waters to the general retirement system board for a term ending in December 39th, 2029.

Alex, there's a motion to have that's a motion to approve uh appoint council may council member Mary Waters to the general retirement system board.

Are there any objections?

See none, that action shall be taken.

You seriously requesting a waiver or okay.

Where do they requested?

Request for a waiver.

Can we can we do them all at the end?

Waters?

Can we do them all at the end?

Just put a waiver on all of it.

Okay, I didn't know we could.

Yes, do them all at once.

Okay.

Sounds good.

Member Young.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Herefore be it resolved.

The Detroit City Council hereby appoints member Coleman Alexander Young the second to the police and fire retirement system board for a term ending in December 31st, 2029.

Any objections?

Say none, that action shall be taken.

Member Young.

Thank you, Ms.

President.

Herefore be it resolved.

The Detroit City Council hereby appoints member Letitia Johnson to the continuum of care for a term ending in December 31st, 2029.

Alex there's a motion to approve.

Any objections?

See none, then action shall be taken.

Herefore be resolved.

The Detroit City Council hereby appoints Member Angela Whitfield Callaway to the Detroit Wayne County Health Authority for a term ending in December 31st, 2029.

Colleagues says a motion for approval.

Any objections?

Seeing none, that action shall be taken.

Okay.

Herefore be it resolved.

The Detroit City Council hereby appoints Denzel McCampbell and Renata Miller to the Eastern Market Corporation Board for a term ending in December 31st, 2029.

I like to the motion for approval.

Any objections?

See none, that action shall be taken.

Member Young.

Therefore be it resolved.

The Detroit City Council hereby appoints Member Renata Miller to the Historical Museum Board for a term ending in December 31st, 2029.

Colleagues, there's a motion for approval.

Any objections?

See none that action shall be taken.

Herefore be resolved.

Detroit City Council hereby appoints city council member Scott Benson to the retiree protection investment advisory committee for a term that begins immediately and ends on December 31st, 2029.

Colleagues, there's a motion for approval.

Any objections?

See none that action shall be taken.

Member Young.

Herefore it be resolved.

Detroit City Council hereby appoints President James Tate to the rear front conservancy board for a term ending in December 31st, 2029.

There's a motion for approval.

Any objections?

See none that action shall be taken.

Member Young.

Oh, I'm sorry, Pro Tim.

No problem.

Resolve the Detroit City Council hereby appoints council member.

Yeah, Councilmember Scott Benson and Council Members Gabriela Santiago Romero to serve as delegates to the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments.

There's a motion for approval.

Any objections?

See none that action shall be taken.

motion for approval any objections seeing none that action shall be taken member young i'm sorry pro tim no problem resolved the troy city council hereby appoints council member uh yeah council member scott benson and council members Garyella Santiago Romero to serve as delegates to the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments there's a motion for approval any objections see none that action shall be taken pro Tim Young therefore be resolved the Detroit City Council hereby appoints President James Tate and member Scott Benson the zoological society board for a term ending in December 31st 2029 for approval any objections seeing none that action shall be taken herefore be resolved that the Detroit City Council hereby appoints council member Letitia Johnson as city council liaison to the Detroit public school district community public school district community district there's a motion for approval any objections seeing none that action shall be taken colleagues a request for a waiver on all boards appointments any objection none waiver should be attached to each resolution thank you colleagues uh madam clerk now we move into the consent agenda mr president uh under the consent agenda there are no items mr president we will now call for member reports member McCamp Mr.

President thank you uh good morning everyone um again is an honor to serve district seven and thank you all for the congratulations uh we are getting our team together so we'll make sure folks are uh able to reach us uh but Mr.

President I know during the public comment there was um a few comments around ARPA dollars and I wanted to uh if I can make a motion um as we are going into uh budget season for LPD to uh create a report around the ARPA funded programs and uh and those and also to signify that they could be funded by general funds um as well as this appropriate motion i'm sorry i missed the motion yep uh a motion for lpd to draft a report on ARPA uh funded programs and services and whether or not we can fund those through the general fund all right thank you so much colleagues there's a motion on the floor any objections seeing none that action shall be taken you did indicate you're gonna present that in writing for LPD as well course all right thank you so much sir we'll go down to the other end of the table member calloway oh thank you thank you mr chair um happy new year and happy blessed new year to everyone um here um in person and anyone listening um god bless each and every one of you and may you have a healthy and prosperous um and safe um 2026 um i want to thank for um drafting a resolution recognizing human trafficking prevention month we did it in 2025 and um january is human trafficking awareness month human trafficking is a public health issue and crime that exploits the most vulnerable among us and weakens the health and well-being of individuals families and communities across generations human trafficking can be prevented by building individual community and societal understanding and resilience reducing social inequities and addressing the conditions that contribute to this exploitation every individual family community and organization can contribute to enhancing human trafficking awareness prevention and response learning about ways to help we passed the ordinance um mr chair about a year or so ago um requiring um for those of you who don't know um every hotel and motel and lodging um venue in the city of detroit to have a nine by seven placard posted in a place as soon as you hit the hotel or motel or venue you'll be able to see it the sign cannot be hidden it has to be where you can see it as soon as you walk into the lobby and we'll be hanging the first one on January 12th um and I if you visit my website you'll get all that information but it is a requirement that you have the placard and the placard simply provides a 1800 number for you to call if you see something that's the number that you'll call to report what you think you uh might see might be seeing in terms of human trafficking and then um our city is so amazing and my colleagues are so amazing as well this particular ordinance also requires the placard to have a 313 number and most other cities only have a 1800 number which is a national number but our chief of police has allowed us to have a 313 number posted on that same placard so anyone who's in trouble or being coerced being um forced to do anything against their will in terms of human trafficking and it's not always sex it can also be labor can call that local number um 313 so we'll be um having a press conference on January 12th and you'll actually be able to see the new placard that was designed by survivors um and I do have a human trafficking task force that's been that's that was established in 2022 and we have about 11

So anyone who's in trouble or being coerced, being forced to do anything against their will in terms of human trafficking.

And it's not always sex, it can also be labor, can call that local number 313.

So we'll be um having a press conference on January 12th, and you'll actually be able to see the new placard that was designed by survivors.

And I do have a human trafficking task force that's been this that was established in 2022.

And we have about 11 members on that task force, and they've been doing some incredible work.

This ordinance was inspired by them.

Then I want to also um congratulate our new mayor, uh Mayor Sheffield for um on day one.

She's putting children first with our ex kids.

I've been working on getting our ex kids in this city for about two years.

And um, I was close to getting across the finish line last um February during our budget deliberations here with this body.

So I'm very, very proud that our mayor took the first steps on day one and introduced RX kids, which aims to improve health, hope, and opportunity for families.

Because when you have a child, your income plunges and poverty spikes right before a child is born.

And sometimes you're always concerned about how are you going to have the resources to take care of a new baby.

But our ex kids is a way to address that.

And that was rolled out yesterday with Dr.

Mona Hana.

And our office has been in touch with her since around 2023.

So I'm ecstatic about the possibilities.

It was first launched in Flint in 2024 and has expanded across our state.

And according to our amazing new mayor, we will be the largest municipality rolling our or adopting our ex-kids.

And it'll be a first-time 15 um hundred dollar um cash payment, and then $500 for the first six months of the child's life, which will be a blessing to all the new moms and all the families with the new baby.

So again, um, that completes my members' report, Mr.

Chair, and again, God bless each and every one of you.

And again, happy new year.

Thank you.

Um thank you, Mr.

President, and good morning, everyone.

Happy new year to all of you.

Uh, thank you all so much for the support that you have provided to us as we get this new term off the ground.

Um, and certainly do appreciate all of the work that you all do just throughout the year.

Uh, so we look forward to that.

I want to say welcome to my new colleagues, Member McCampbell, Member Miller.

Um, we greet you.

We are here to provide support to you.

Um, so happy to offer any knowledge and assistance um that I can to each of you because I remember four years ago how things were um when I took off as being a newly elected official, having never served um in a in an elected position prior.

Um, I think it's different for us.

I think it was different for us than it was for my colleagues who came from the state legislature.

So just want to um just let you all know that I am here and available.

Um I also want to say welcome back to all of my other colleagues.

Uh, certainly do appreciate you all as well.

Looking forward to coming together and working together for the benefit of all of our residents throughout the city of Detroit.

I want to especially welcome to District 4, the new eight neighborhoods that I inherited from District Five.

Uh, so want to welcome them.

Uh, certainly looking forward to connecting with all of them so that we can get to know one another so that I can understand um what they have going on in their respective areas and we can work to address their concerns.

Um I want to congratulate the District Four Community Advisory Council members who were elected last year, who start serving this month.

Um, certainly we'll stay connected with them and work with them to make sure that we're doing outreach throughout the entire district to uplift District 4 and certainly looking forward to some new development projects in District 4 as we've been working on that for the last four years.

Um, and lastly, want to share with everyone that our first coffee hour for this year is taking place on January 16th.

Friday, January 16th at 8 a.m.

It is, so I'm going to invite my new colleague member Miller to this coffee hour because it is technically in District 5, but it's right across the street now from uh District 4's new boundary at the Commons at 7900 Mack Avenue.

Uh again, that is Friday, January 16th at 8 a.m.

at the Commons.

We invite all of our previous uh residents in District 4 to join us and new residents in District 4 so that we can start to get to know one another.

Thank you so much.

Uh did I congratulate, I didn't congratulate President and Pro Tim.

Uh so certainly want to congratulate the two of you, looking forward to your leadership on this body.

So we appreciate you for um just even considering um to be elevated for leadership and the work that is ahead of you.

Thank you so much, Mr.

President.

Thank you.

Member Benson.

Thank you.

I just want to say happy new year to everybody.

Uh looking forward to the new year and new work, new administration.

Uh just really want to say thank you to my colleagues as well for being prepared to uh take on this for another four years.

I was looking forward to getting work with everybody.

Happy New Year.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Presidents.

Hello, everyone, and happy new year again.

Congratulations to Pro Time and our new presidents.

I'm looking forward to the work ahead.

Uh, looking forward to coming back to PHS.

We have a lot of work that we've gotten done and a lot more to do.

So making sure that we have real public safety rooted in community, that we have a bus system that is reliable, safe, and fast, that we have a city that works for us today.

We heard regarding AI and I can how that can help us with communications.

We also already have systems within our city like um a lean team can help ensure that we are providing excellent quality service uh really for all of our programs.

Unfortunately, during recess, I've heard more stories regarding our zero down uh or zero percent down uh payments assistance program, the the loan program, um, and just some pretty terrible experiences from residents um dealing with um city staff.

Um so we have a lot to do.

We have to make sure that we are providing excellent services to residents when they do access our services.

Um, I know that there is going to always be uh need for industry protections.

There's a huge need for truck route expansion.

We are going to be working with that.

I know residents in district four and district and district three have reached out to us in order to help get that done.

We absolutely uh will continue to work on that.

Um, congratulations to our new colleagues, Member Miller, uh, member McCampbell, like Member Johnson.

I am here to help however I can.

Um, happy to do so, and we're looking forward to um our next term.

Thanks, everyone.

Member Waters.

All right, so thank you.

Thank you very much, um, Mr.

President.

Thanks to all of the ums here today.

I want to thank um the entire city for returning me to this position to serve on their behalf.

I do appreciate it.

I'm very humbled by that uh public service is no joke, it's a very serious job, and we have to take it very serious.

And I and I do.

Uh so here in the year 2026.

Um we plan to continue to work on housing uh initiatives because that has been a passion of mine since my arrival.

Uh that means home ownership, home repair, senior accessibilities programs, the Detroit Land Bank.

Um, looking forward to um taking those homes and renovating them so that Detroit is gonna have home ownership.

Looking forward to working with my colleagues to um readdress to um um change the agreement, the intergovernmental agreement between the city of Detroit and Detroit Land Bank.

That will be done not by Mary Waters, but it has to be done by this entire body.

Um, I want to thank you, Member Callaway, for all of your hard work on RX Kids, uh, because I know that you you've been working on this since our arrival uh here at this city.

And I was kind of disappointed, in fact, not to see you on TV with the mayor regarding um RX kids because I know how passionate you've been about this and how much uh you've pushed it.

Um welcome to uh to my new colleagues.

I live in District Five.

Um, so welcome to Renata Miller and um Denzel McCampbell.

I've been watching you for for a while since your time on the Charter Revision Commission.

And you've already said, hey, member Waters, let's work together on several initiatives.

So I do look forward uh to that.

And I just want to thank uh all of my colleagues uh for everything.

Um I want to point out that I still have some to the president in particular.

Um, I still have some outstanding uh projects that are out there, and I'm looking forward to seeing those through.

And I might need your help uh with our new mayor to get those things uh through.

Um we uh I put money in the budget to uh renovate the Northwest Activity Center, uh, where it would include a smoothie bar for senior citizens.

I think they are renovating that room.

I'm looking forward to the completion of that.

Uh the senior center uh also uh they're still renovating the building down on Lafayette and Mile Elliott.

That senior center will be for senior citizens only.

Nobody else can come in there.

And and it's gonna be a smoothie bar in there and some other things so that seniors will have an opportunity to go in and relax.

It will be their time and their time only.

The other piece of it that that is outstanding happens to be one of the buildings that will be named after Kamaya Davis.

And so the last time that I spoke with the director in um HRD, and I know things have changed now.

Um, this they're trying to get one of the developers to agree to allow that name to be placed on one of the buildings.

Well, a developer ought to be happy to have Kamaya Davis' name placed on a building.

And colleagues, you all remember that was one of my initiatives.

Remember early on, because three of you, Callaway and Santiago Romero and Johnson, you are part of my 203 million dollar housing initiative during that time.

Well, we don't have the name on the building as yet.

Uh, we want to make that happen, and the goal is to make sure that we are all reminded, just like we have the 12th floor with her name on the door downstairs on the 12th floor.

Listen, we cannot forget that that baby fell through a hole in the floor, drowned in water and feces.

All right.

So it is to remind all of us is help to, you know, so that we don't forget that no child, absolutely no child should have to live or die that way.

And so that's why I am I am excited about getting all of these things done and making sure that Kamaya Davis' name is on is placed on the building, just as we agreed.

Um, I still consider those agreements binding, and I look forward to making those those things happen.

So I want to thank you so much, uh, Mr.

President, for this time.

And thanks again, Detroiters.

I love you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Member Waters, and look forward to assisting uh however we can with those two projects and get them over the threshold and many, many more that we have planned.

I'm sure.

Good morning, everyone.

How are you?

I am excited to be here.

Happy New Year.

First, I want to say it was an amazing run to be present.

I want to thank Member Waters and Member Benson for being instrumental in my election.

They were amazing, and they saw the heart and my intent for the city of Detroit.

I'm not new to this, just new to this platform because I've been here probably for 10 years straight, fighting for different issues in our city.

But I do want to say I want to thank our my colleagues for standing in District 5 during my transition.

There's a lot going on.

You've heard it today, Leland House, uh, the address on Tyler, uh, member Waters, uh Pro Tim Tate.

I'm sorry, Pro Tim Um Young and Member Saliago.

Thank you for your help.

But our phones will be up and running in a matter of days.

Our emails are just starting to come in for setup.

I am looking forward to serving District 5 with tenacity and drive and intentional help to help bring resources for our residents and to help extend the small businesses in our area.

You can call us firsthand, and I'm inviting everyone that comes before us on the phone and in person to seek out the district five.

Um our staff, we're here.

See us firsthand so we can have the first opportunity to address your issue.

It's my responsibility.

And I look forward to serving each and every one of you in District 5 and to bridge the gap between our colleagues.

Thank you all for welcoming.

It has been an amazing two days.

And um, even with our technical difficulty here, I hope everyone can actually see that this is gonna be a new year.

I'm calling it a reset year for myself, so we can move forward in the city of Detroit and do the things that we're tasked to do and that we were elected to do.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Uh Pro Tim Young.

Uh thank you, Mr.

President.

I appreciate uh recognition of first of all.

I just want to say to the cities of Detroit, uh, it's my colleagues.

Thank you for allowing me to have the honor of my life to uh be elected to serve you at large and uh to be president pro Tim.

You know, I can hopefully I made my father proud.

I felt after the election, you know, his warm embrace and love over me.

And so I just want to say from the bottom of my heart, thank you for everyone.

I could not have done this without you.

Um I also just wanted to thank my staff as well for going out there and doing the hard work out there in the trenches, you know, behind every great man is a greater staff and uh greater team.

And so I just want to say thank you so much.

I would not be who I am and where I'm at without you.

And um, yeah, go ahead.

Go ahead.

Thank you.

That's that's my team.

Glad basically that's how that's that again.

They are my team or my generational run.

Um, but no, but but all serious is I just want to say thank you and I appreciate you.

Um, and happy new year.

But while I have this time, I know there was an update uh that uh Graham that uh we talked about earlier.

I wonder if Mr.

President, we could take that time just to have an update about the Lila Hotel.

Sure.

And what is going on in regards to that with the law department?

Yes, through the chair, Graham Anderson Law Department.

Understand.

Okay, if I may.

There will be a hearing next week.

A little closer for better.

Thank you.

Uh but there will be a hearing next week on the 12th.

We'll have additional information after that.

Um, I know Chelsea Neblet is also online from HRD.

She might be able to shine some light on some additional new developments as well.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I appreciate that.

And with that, everybody happy to be here.

That is my report.

And also, I do want to say and congratulations and thank you, Mr.

President, for your graciousness.

And you're allowing me to be able to serve with you.

I look forward to having great four years together.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh, and uh for my member reports, just want to thank uh colleagues for allowing me an opportunity.

First, I want to go to the residents who allowed me to sit here in the seat.

Uh, yet again, another term.

Uh, blessed and honored.

Uh, don't take it for granted by any means at all.

Uh, really appreciate my colleagues for uh believing in me to uh lead this body, and I will continue.

I will ensure to do so uh as I said before with fairness, uh making sure that there is no um divisiveness at least coming from me and do whatever I can to address those concerns.

As member waters mentioned, if there's issues with the administration, my role, my job is to figure out how to smooth those things out and make them happen.

So now I'm committed to doing that.

Um so again, thank you for uh also wanted to welcome our two new members, uh, member McCampbell as well as member Miller.

Uh, we've had an opportunity to speak uh in advance uh several times uh prior to today.

So um looking forward now to us actually moving and getting work done and hearing all the things that the both of you have said that you're looking to do.

We are going to be busy, y'all.

We're gonna be very busy, but we're gonna be busy in a great way.

Um, and then hearing from all of my uh incumbent colleagues as well.

A lot of plans that we had, a lot of projects that uh have not been completed just yet.

Um, but we're gonna make it happen.

Uh, working with the uh the mayor, who you know, former council members should understand clearly, you know, the challenges of being a council member in this strong mayor form of government.

And uh in my conversations with her, I think it's very clear she understands that.

I'm looking forward to again uh that strong relationship, keeping that strong relationship with her and this body here, and so that we can execute uh all the the great things that we all have worked on, talked about, campaigned on, promised to our residents, and also have in our heart to make happen for the residents of the city of Detroit.

I also want to uh congratulate my colleague member, excuse me.

I gotta get that out of my system, pro Tim Young uh for his elevation to this seat.

Uh, I look forward to uh all the great things you have uh in store for this position as well.

And uh again, thank you all for allowing me to uh sit in this position uh as council president.

I do not take that lightly at all.

All right, and also, oh, my staff.

Gotta thank my team.

Uh yeah, we had some challenges today, but we all pushed through it.

Wash Mr.

Peak next week, so be prepared.

We're gonna do it again.

Under adopted without community, excuse me, with adoption without committee reference.

There are no items, Mr.

President.

Under communications from the clerk, it will put on the pool of the seatings by the mayor.

The report shall be received and placed on file under testimonial resolutions and special privilege.

There are no items, Mr.

President.

There being no further business to come before this body, this meeting shall stand adjourned.

Thank you for your patience and your presence.

God bless.