Phil Callaway present.

Councilmember Scott Benson.

Councilmember Renetta Miller.

We did receive a notification from Scott Benson that he would be absent today.

Clerk was on note.

Madam Chair, you have a quorum present.

Thank you, madam.

Um Madam Clerk.

We will call the session to order.

And we have how many people in the audience for public comment if you could raise your hand.

Okay, we don't have anyone in the audience for public comment.

How many do we have on the call for public comment on the phone?

Good morning.

Good morning, madam chair.

There are six hands raised for public comment.

Okay, there are six hands raised.

We're going to cut off public comment in one minute.

Okay.

Okay.

All right.

We will take the first caller for public comment.

If you can just state your rec your name for the record.

The first caller is Betty A.

Varner.

Good morning, Miss Varner.

You have two minutes for public comment.

Good morning, honorable uh councilmember Callaway and all that's uh within the sound of my voice.

I want to start off by uh thanking our honorable council member Callaway for uh the projects she has done in the past to improve our neighborhood uh cleaning up projects, removing uh abandoned, having uh abandoned buildings, removed uh vacant properties, uh boarded up, and helping us to have a better community.

I'm asking in the future, I'm hoping that administration will work with our council person to uh improve our think of corridor.

We are uh in need of monies for redevelopment and for developers and new businesses to come to our corridor so that we can be blessed as other corridors have been and other areas to have a life in our corridor so that what we need, we can go to our immediate area and get what we need.

Uh there are a lot of people in this area who do not have transportation.

We are in need of a supermarket.

I want to thank honorable council member Waters and her staff, Miss Streeter, for reaching out to me to give me information to help my organization.

Uh possibly get a um supermarket in our immediate area.

Uh they offered information for a gentleman who might be able to help us resolve our problems.

We thank you for all the help that y'all are providing, and please continue to assist us.

Thank you.

Thank you so much so much, Ms.

Varner.

Before we move to the next um caller, I did skip over the agenda.

So we're going to um have an invocation, and Peter Rose shared uh another word.

Um, and this is from um the Royal Oak First United Methodist Church, and his wife is a member of that church, so we're gonna move back to the agenda and then we'll move back to public comment.

But every week we're going to have every Wednesday an invocation or inspirational word or word of motivation.

So today we're gonna thank Peter Rhodes again.

So moving to um line item two, which is the invocation.

I'm gonna read this from again the Royal Oak First United Methodist Church, and it says, Lord, we will all experience times of adversity, and when that happens, please give us the strength to always follow your path.

So thank you, Amy Rhodes, and thank you, Peter Rhodes, for that word.

Now we'll move back to our agenda.

Um is there a motion for the approval of the minutes?

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Is there a motion for the approval of the minutes?

Motion.

There's been a motion for the approval of the minutes.

Um hearing no objections, that motion is approved.

There are no um cheer remarks, and now we will move back to public comments.

The next caller is the next caller is Ona Owner Papa Owner Popper.

You have two minutes.

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

You can be.

Thank you to this honorable body.

Um, I am calling about your agenda with all of these um task force that you have, and you're you have all these memorandums to reassign and uh re resubmit.

Can you can you give us a report on each of the ones that you're restoring?

Um, especially the one with the youth.

Can you please give us an idea of what their agenda was and what their agenda is also for the uh senior task force, but actually all of them.

You you you all we should have an annual report of how effective these task forces are in resolving our issues and um your human trafficking.

I I thought it was quite telling when you didn't ask the chief about all of these missing children in the city, and you have a uh a resolution to uh resolve authorizing the human trafficking task force.

But do you know that missing children are generally um taken and they they are missing, but they're being uh trafficked, and uh this is a place where we are on a freeway that takes you to another country.

Um I I really I really think that unless you can show us how these task force are being effective and resolving our issues.

I want to know how much money we're spending on these task force and um human rights.

When you see people on the streets and they don't have money for bus fare or buses, don't come on time.

That that's a human rights issue.

And let me say this to you.

I I believe you all should take public transit.

I believe that one of the things that we should do is stop giving you so many perks and take away the automobiles and and force you unless you buy your own vehicle to thank you so much for your comment.

Yes, absolutely.

Member um member Miller.

Good morning, everyone.

Uh owner Papa, if you're still can hear my voice, would you please give my office a call at 313-2244505?

It's 313-2424-4505, or email me your number at councilmember Miller at Detroit Mi.gov.

That's Councilmember Member Miller at Detroit Mi.gov.

I would love to hear from you and speak with you in person.

Um, and I look forward to hearing from you really soon.

Thank you.

Thank you, um, Councilmember Miller.

Our next caller is the next caller is William Davis.

Good morning, Mr.

Davis.

You have two minutes.

Uh good morning, young ladies.

Can I be heard?

You can be heard.

Well, I like to speak about the task force.

You know, like I'm very interested in 9.1, the youth civic engagement task force.

And uh especially that like I mentioned recently, you know, I think the city of Detroit needs to be doing more engaging the Detroit schools, and I think they should be encouraging our young people to go to school and you know, get good grades and show up.

We have a horrible attendance party, you know, uh attendance in the city of Detroit.

Also, I think we need to be encouraging more young people and people in general to vote.

Uh voting is essential, especially this year.

We don't have to tell them how to vote or who to vote for, but to vote their interests.

Um, of course, I'm definitely in favor of the senior task force, like I'm we in favor of the retiree task force, but I think we need to do more to help to engage our community, do more to encourage people.

Uh, and you know, this this city can do better, you know, especially as a city of Detroit retirement.

And I listen almost every week, all these massive number of um indemnifications.

You know, we we're we're representing people that you know that necessarily need to be represented by us if they are doing stuff that they this blatantly against city rules and policies are illegal or unethical.

You know, so I think the city can and should do better.

I think the city definitely have not been doing well by the city of Detroit retirees, just looking at the vast number that have died.

Uh it would it shouldn't be so many dead, but I think the former mayor did not have a policy to help us.

You have a policy of neglect to encourage more of us to die, so it wouldn't have the retiree problem or issue.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Davis.

And public comment is now um cut off.

Public comment is now cut off.

And to your point, um, Mr.

Davis, the youth and civic engagement task force since it has been established.

Um we routinely regularly go into all of the high schools in district two registering students to vote.

And um they're very engaged, and also most of the task force will be reporting out before the end of the um before I think the end of January.

Um, all of the um end of the year reports for all the task force should be reported out by the end of um, I do believe January.

But um, to your point, the youth and civic engagement task force, we are in the high schools.

Um, and one of the things that we do do is register students to vote.

All of those students who are eligible to vote in district two are registered.

Next caller.

The next caller is number ending in zero three nine.

Okay, caller number ending in 039.

You have two minutes.

What's up, Angela Callaway?

We used to be cool and we used to talk.

We text from the phone.

But when I stood up for Robert Carmack, Bob M Y G A D G A N Y VA.

You uh took a fist of that, and you gave me back that hoodie.

The one I gave you the flower red hoodie, you gave it back to me and said you couldn't accept gift.

Well, Sedra Smith was TV then SP Ballot Frog in that election that you won over Warren McAllister.

So guess what I'm gonna do?

I'm gonna take the black bag and I'll dump it all over District 2 where you at right now.

And guess what?

I am in District 2.

I'm what they consider uh legend.

I'm seven mile rule or six mile rule, George Roll rule.

And you it's busted, it's up.

Y'all been teaching that is what we've been teaching the elections for years and years and years, and that's my word.

My word, Angela, understand it, and I got a reputation around the city of Detroit for over four decades, four and a half decades.

Kinesia Coleman didn't shoot herself.

You ain't said nothing about what Nimi asked for, requested and deserved.

And you in District Two, and I'm Mr.

Rue.

Mimi gave me that name, so now I'm getting ready to demonstrate on you and all the rest of the TV there and city council, the school board, and the board of police commissioners, especially.

That's the BOPC.

You hear what I'm saying, Angela?

Uh look on your face, getting ready to tell everybody because you've been sitting up there playing kind of crazy, making all the motions and getting up and leaving when I'll be speaking out.

Now I'm getting ready to come with it.

I'm gonna dump the whole black bag right there on district two, up and down six mile road.

Be prepared.

And we'll be waiting on you to drop that black bag, Mr.

Rue.

Uh the next caller is the next caller.

The next caller is to Hira Amad.

Miss Amad, you have two minutes and good morning, ma'am.

Good morning, superhero.

I love what you're doing.

That's why we we overwhelmingly put you back in office.

We got to keep you there because you're doing fantastic things.

I just, you know, I'm I'm I'm gonna represent the coalition for property tax justices on this statement here.

Uh and I want to thank you and our other She Ros for passing the property tax reform ordinance.

And the goal of the ordinance, excuse me, for other people who didn't know the goal of the ordinance, increase accessibility, transparency, and accountability in Detroit's property tax system through several requirements.

The first requirement aims to better inform the homeowners, excuse me, about their tax assessments by ensuring that notices are accessible and clear to all homeowners, understand and understand their rights.

Excuse me.

City council has uh implemented many portions of uh this requirement, such as writing the notice in plain English using 12 fonts and explaining the formulas used to calculate um the state equalized value, taxable value, assessed value, and market value.

Uh clearly we want um the ordinance wants to clearly write the date on which the assessor um mailed the notice rather than merely including the date on the mail stamp, clearly state a reason for any change in the properties assessed value between the current and preceding tax years.

The reason uh should be uh descriptive and specific beyond simply stating market value.

Examples would be.

Thank you, Miss Um Amad for calling.

We will recess our 1015 um discussion through to the call of the chair.

Return to our agenda.

I'm sorry, return to public comment.

Who's next?

Next caller is seeing Sina Brown Anderson.

Miss Brown Anderson, you have two minutes and good morning.

Can I be heard?

You can be heard, ma'am.

Um, my comments this morning is about district three in our business corridor um along Seven Mile and alone Con it.

Um we haven't seen much investment in our area, and what we have is minimum, and that's with the business owners that are already owned businesses that are established here in our area.

Um we would like to see more of those investments coming in for our district.

And I'm hoping that you guys can, you know, kind of help or guide your um colleague to really look at you know being productive in this term because it's been a very shabby situation over for uh for us who have to live in this area.

Secondly, I wanted to talk about the police manpower that needs to increase in our area.

We have a lot of lotterying going on, especially in the summertime when we have young girls outside.

We have liquor stores who can't seem to control their um drinking um customers who linger around the outside of the building, um, urinating behind the building along garbage cans that's in plain view of the residents who have small children or young children.

Um, and all the task force that we're talking about.

I'm really looking forward to making sure that you guys put some job descriptions that attached to those so that the residents that um are paying the taxes for those jobs, understand exactly what those people are assigned to do on those task force and um gauging the um actual um progress of them.

Um lastly, I would really like to see a report of how the funding is coming into three.

It's a simple um solution to make sure all the zip codes in our district is being attended to because I don't see much funding coming in other than for recreations and parks, and we are more than residents who want to play.

So we really need some business um minds to really um help focus over in district three.

Thank you.

Thank you, Miss Brown Anderson.

And the number to your council representative is Miss Brown Anderson.

The number to your council representative is 224 1221, and that is Scott Benson.

224121.

And for clarification and for edification purposes, the volunteers um for the task force, they're volunteers, they're not paid position, there are no jobs involved.

Any job is a volunteer job.

So a lot of you um have a uh uh misunderstanding of the purpose of the task forces, and they will have end of the year reports at the end of January, but people who serve on the task forces are volunteers, and we encourage you to um choose one and maybe volunteer, serve serve um serve on the task force that you're interested in.

I'm looking for volunteers for the domestic violence, human trafficking, and the youth and civic engagement task force, and you are welcome to join um one of those task forces or one of your choice, and you don't have to live in district two to serve.

They are citywide task forces, but again, they are volunteer.

The jobs are volunteer.

No pay, no pay.

All right, the next caller is the next caller is Giudante Smith.

Mr.

Smith, you have two minutes, and good morning, sir.

Good morning, maybe I'll be heard.

Can I be heard?

Perfect.

Um, I want to start off by I have to get Ronaldo Miller some credit.

So I responded, you responded to my email, your staff did Thelma Brown within a week.

You are much better than Coleman Young, who took three months to respond to a serious issue.

Um, so I appreciate you for that.

I'm very fair and equitable, and I commend you for your response.

I'll get you over your information as soon as I can.

Um, I do have to, you know, have to be sandwiched method.

I gotta give you uh a rookie mistake.

You said that I was commenting on public comment because I um running for office.

I have been coming to public comment for multiple years, way before I decided to turn for office, which is January.

So I'm headed down there now through hell and high water through the snow.

I'm coming down there because I have a lot of work due all throughout the city.

I work in all districts.

Nothing to do with running for office.

I'm gonna do the exact same work now, but I'm gonna do in a year.

Whether I have uh a paid staff, whether I have an office, whether I have a elected position, because my job is to help the citizens and residents, as your job should be.

I'm not sure if you fully understand your job yet because you're new, but I'm I'm gonna be nice.

I'm gonna let that let that stand.

But ask your colleague, Angela Cowley, how much work I've done in the city and how many times I've been coming to council, how many years?

Also, Conrad Mallet, you are on the clock.

I love how you told uh the attorney, Lorinda Lindsay yesterday she could not speak to me.

She was going to speak to me about a property at 1940, West Chicago, and you advised her not to speak to me, only to speak to the lawyer.

Conrad, um maybe not as smart as you, of course, not as powerful, definitely not as connected.

But I got people on my side, I got the residents behind me, and I got a little bit of strategy.

So if you make me show my hand, I'm gonna show my hand as as good as I can.

My poker station has been nice up to this point, but I will show my full house flush, or whatever you call royal flush, I'll show it.

And I'll make sure news sees it, and I'll go throughout this entire city and find every property that's not in compliance to VC, and I'll make sure I put that out there, especially with these shelters.

Thank you, Mr.

Smith.

Um, member Miller.

Yes, I want to say Mr.

Dante Smith.

My number is 224505.

And I asked a question.

Were you running for a political office?

Um sometimes people use it as a ploy, so I just basically called it as I seen it.

My number is 224505.

Feel free to contact me at any time.

We don't have to do public display of conversation unless you choose to.

You can actually come see me at my office.

I am located on the eighth floor at this time.

I will meet you in person.

I prefer to put things to bed quickly as possible and find solutions to problems opposed to having a public display of conversation.

Sometimes the antics just don't play out right.

And because I am new, I like that consideration.

So if you would do me the honor of emailing again, setting up a date and time, I would love to meet with you, then we can iron out any differences because, like I said, I am new.

Please do not hold any prior representation against me because that is how I feel.

And because I am new, and you said you have respect for the office, and since you are running for office, let's let's meet.

I am available most days, Monday, Wednesday, or Friday.

I look forward to hearing from you really soon.

Please take this opportunity so we can address that issue.

Have a good day.

Thank you, Member Miller.

Any other callers on public comment?

Last caller for virtual public comment is Mr.

Cunningham.

Mr.

Cuttingham, you have two minutes, and good morning, sir.

Good morning, ma'am.

Uh, I do I know I'm uncouth sometimes, um, but I remember seeing you on West McNichols as I was doing outreach in the taxi cab.

And I I hey how you doing.

I was you know, I was just excited to see you, and I think I startled you, and I didn't mean no harm.

Uh you you gave me the spirit of the Detroit award.

You've given me tons of bus tickets, hand warmers, which I need again.

You've done right-alongs.

Um, you you that's why you won.

You know, you may not like me all every single time, but I'm a human being that respects you and thanks you.

Everybody at home, 313-444-9114.

313-444-9114.

313, four, four, four.

Nine one more vote.

That number was made so you can remember it.

And that is also my cash app on Facebook is not enemy Detroit.

Type in not enemy Detroit and click people, and you will see the page and all the donations.

Um people that have helped, giving me pistons tickets.

Um, just to get me out of the normal grind, the normal day-to-day.

I do not get paid for anything that I do.

I do it in honor of God.

I'm not a perfect person.

But I do truly, truly love this city, and I love the people.

I give out hand warmers and bus tickets at the bus stops.

Sometimes I'm attacked while being blindsided, helping people, but nothing's gonna stop me because no weapon formed against us shall prosper.

Anytime the rise up in judgment, thou shalt condemn.

May not have said the scripture verbatim, but it's in my heart.

And I just want to thank you.

Um every council person there has written the bus with me.

Uh, Miller, uh Callaway.

Just appreciate you guys.

Anybody.

Thank you, Mr.

Cuttingham.

That does conclude.

Thank you, Mr.

Cunningham.

That does conclude public comment this morning.

Now we will recess our 1030 um discussion and interview through to the call of the chair, and we will call our 1015 discussion with our um with our IG inspector general.

Is he available?

Oh morning.

When you take your seat, if each of you can um press that button on the base of that microphone, and when it when it's your turn to talk, it'll turn green.

Okay.

This is a um discussion with our um Inspector General regarding the extension of interim suspensions for Ganyanga, LLC, and Mr.

Brian McKinney.

And we will turn it over to you, sir.

If you can introduce yourself for the record.

Good morning, Kamal Mirable Inspector General.

Thanks, sir.

Uh Jennifer Bentley, Deputy Inspector General.

Good morning, ma'am.

Ty Green, OIG attorney.

Good morning, ma'am.

Good morning.

Okay.

Good morning again, and thank you for having us, Madam Chair, Councilmember Miller.

Um, I guess by way of context, I'll read some information, give you what I got, and then respond to any questions that you may have.

Uh pursuant to section 175, 360A and B of the debarment ordinance, the Office of Inspector General is extending the interim suspensions issued against Gyenga Company and its owner, Brian McKinney.

This is the second extension of the suspensions that were issued on September 11th, the original suspension that was issued on September 11th, 2025.

This extension period will expire on February 9th, 2026.

And after that, there will be another extension available to us.

Section 175360, interim suspension.

Prior to a final department determination, the inspector general may, upon determination of a need of immediate action, may one suspend a contract from eligibility for award of city contract, to terminate the services of the contract under any existing contract.

And three, prior to any such suspension, notify the procurement office officer and allow seven days for comment, at which time period may be waived by the chief procurement officer.

The contractor will be suspended for the lesser of an initial period of 90 days until the inspect Inspector General makes a final determination with respect to the department.

The initial suspension may be extended for up to three additional 30-day periods.

A copy of the interim suspension shall be filed with the city clerk for transmission to city council.

Please note that in addition to transmitting this notice via email to each member of City Council.

So we are continuing our suspension because our department investigation of Mr.

McKinney and Gyanga Company is still ongoing.

Much like at the appeal hearing held on November 18th of last year, we cannot divulge details of our investigation.

However, one additional bit of information that I can share with you or reshare is that uh former Mayor Duggan did announce during a press briefing on December 22nd that the Detroit Police Department has initiated an active criminal fraud investigation into Gyenga and Brian McKinney.

While we were aware of the DPD investigation at the time of the appeal hearing, we were not at liberty to reveal its existence.

Also, please note that it is our practice to allow a criminal investigation to play out before we conclude our debarment investigation.

Are there any questions that I can answer at this time?

I don't have any member miller.

Yeah.

No.

None at this time.

All right.

Yeah, I do.

I'm going to ask you this one question.

Um, relative to the second extension of the suspension, it expires on February 9th, and then you'll have another um extension after the February 9th.

Would that be your final extension request?

Because I know you get three.

We get three.

So the final would be that March 9th or the March, somewhere around.

Your second one is February 9th, and then your third one would be in March.

Right.

30 days after 30 days after February.

February 9th.

Okay, so after February 9th, do you anticipate asking for a third extension and final extension?

And if you do after that third expansion expires, do you qualify for additional suspensions?

Or is it just three and that's it?

It's just three.

So let me state it in in this way because I knew this was the question that was coming.

So, yes, our interim suspension will expire uh as stated uh on or about March 11th.

And based on what well, actually the third one will be at that point.

Based on what I know about investigatory and prosecution processes, they will not be completed by then.

So our investigation will not be completed by then.

Um so at that point it would be on the administration, not the process any contracts and counsel not to approve any contracts on Gainga while the investigations uh are ongoing.

But uh so um I I I would hope that we wouldn't get any contracts from um through contracts and procurement.

None of their contracts should be even processed or can up for consideration if they're suspended.

Is that correct?

Well, at this time they're suspended, but we believe that there will be some period of time after our suspensions expire.

Um that technically uh Gayenga would be uh eligible for a contract.

So at that point, we've done what we can do.

But I'll note this is not the first time that we've been in this position.

Um during the appeal hearing, we talked about the comparison between the department of Denman um and its principles.

So that interim suspension and all of its um extensions expired.

Um, and there was an additional 232 days before we were able to complete um our full department investigation.

So we've been there uh in the past and and we're prepared to wait it out.

All right, thank you so much.

Um does my colleague have any questions?

Okay, there are no other um questions, not unless you have something else you want to um share.

No ma'am.

Okay, well, this discussion is concluded, and thank you so much for your time and thank you for your report.

Thank you for having me.

All righty, thank you so much.

All righty, we will go back to our agenda, and we will um have our 1030 interview with Ms.

Rhonda Paul.

Is she pre is she um available?

Is she here in the audience or is she going to be um virtual?

Rhonda Paul for I am here.

Oh, great.

Yes.

Good morning, Dr.

Paul, and you are here for an interview to be reappointed to the human rights commission.

Yes, and I'd like to say no.

Let's go.

Yes, now first like to say good morning, and I would also like to thank uh your honorable body as well as the mayor for considering me once again uh for reappointment to the human rights commission.

Um so I'm available to answer any questions you might have at this time.

Okay, well, why don't you start off by telling us what is the role um your role on the commission, how long you've been serving, and your interest and continuing that service in terms of being reappointed to that commission.

We'll start off with you.

So my uh tenure on the commission dated back before the pandemic.

Um I can't um for some reason uh I can't remember the exact uh year, but um since I've been on there, we um have been available, and we our primary function has been to oversee the Creole department uh as it relates to the ordinances, you know, the ordinance uh 2024, the 51% goal for uh Detroiters working on projects as well as our goals relative to business Detroit businesses.

Um so that has been our primary objective.

So, in addition to that, of course, the CREO department oversees the community benefits ordinance and other initiatives, for example, the um skills trade initiatives, etc.

So our primary function has been to oversee the CREO department, and we we've done that pretty much by receiving reports, asking questions, making recommendations, uh reaching out to the community, um, also chairing and serving on committees as well.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Um member Miller, okay.

I don't have any any other questions, and we thank you for your willingness to um continue your service on the human rights commission.

Um, is there anything else you want to add?

Because my um colleague member Miller doesn't have any questions, and neither do I.

Well, I just once again like to uh thank uh your honorable body as well as the mayor, and I like to say this is an exciting time.

Uh we have a uh it's just so wonderful to work with a city council that has demonstrated commitment to civil rights and inclusion and to have a mayor coming from a civil rights family.

So it's really really an exciting time, and I'm very very excited to what uh we can accomplish in the near future.

Thank you.

Thank you so much, Dr.

Paul, and I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you a happy 118th um founders' day.

We are uh members of the same sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.

So happy Founders Day, Dr.

Happy Founders say to you, Councilwoman.

Yes, yes.

Thank you so much and enjoy the rest of your day.

Thank you.

All righty.

That being said, um LPD, before we move to our 1045 interview with um Lauren Stovall to the same commission.

Is there a resolution that needs to um be prepared in accordance with this um appointment to the commission?

Madam Chair Edward King LPD.

It appears that a resolution is attached to this item.

Okay.

And is one attached for Lor Lauren Stoval as well?

Yes, it is.

Okay, great.

That's wonderful.

Okay.

Um we will move to our 1045.

We have just a couple minutes, but if she's available now, um, we can begin the interview process of Lauren Stoval.

Oh, Laura's here.

All right, wonderful.

You don't mind going a couple of minutes early, do you?

Okay.

We're about seven minutes um ahead of ourselves, but good morning, Miss Stovall.

Absolutely.

And if you can introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about yourself and your interest in serving on the Human Rights Commission.

Absolutely.

Um, good morning, everyone, council members.

Um, my name is Lauren Stovall.

Uh, I am a um a community advocate um that has an interest in um in human rights, and um my interest in serving on the human rights commission comes from my years of community-based work, uh, and that is in uh prevention as a certified prevention specialist.

I work with a nonprofit agency called the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, as well as through uh legacy preservation advocacy.

Um, so I've seen how human rights show up in our everyday experiences.

Uh, and so I have an interest in uh stewarding this opportunity to serve on this commission.

Um coming from uh listening, uh respecting process, contributing uh to the uh commission of this mission.

And you know what?

I forgot that's right in front of me.

Is I wrote a whole statement of interest, and I'm not sure if you all can receive any any paperwork that I can leave with you, or who can I give that to.

You can give to the clerk.

Okay, so I'll give that to you.

Do you mind if I also read it to you all?

Okay.

All right, and so I'll make sure that you all have that.

Um, but it's just a statement that I uh prepared this morning and just to leave with you all.

Um, but it uh tells about my interest and why I'm seeking uh this appointment.

So I am seeking appointment to the City of Detroit Human Rights Commission out of a deep commitment to equity, to dignity, and fair treatment for all Detroit residents and Detroit inhabitants.

Um, my professional and civic work has consistently uh centered on advocacy, community engagement, and ensuring that individuals and communities, particularly those uh historically marginalized, um, are seen, heard, and protected.

So I do have a background in political science, uh, again combined with over a decade of community-based prevention work again with that nonprofit agency.

Um, and that work has grounded my understanding of how inequities um have an opportunity to fester before they become formal complaints through direct engagement uh with youth and families and adults across Detroit.

I have seen how access, education, and respectful treatment directly impact community well-being.

Um, this work that I've been doing again for over a decade has shaped my belief that human rights are not just abstract principles, um, but they are through lived experiences, uh, reflected in how people are treated uh by institutions and also by one another.

So, in in recent years, uh my advocacy has expanded to include cultural and economic equity uh through the founding of my organization, the Institute of Legacy Preservation, um, and my voice in helping to bring forth the now first ever Detroit legacy business project.

Um, this work has involved engaging with city stakeholders, uh legacy business owners and community organizations to help elevate conversations uh around cornerstone business displacement uh and the preservation of community identity.

Um I view this work as deeply aligned with human rights, as the loss of cultural and economic legacy often affect uh dignity, stability, and belonging within neighborhoods, cities, and communities.

As a member of the Human Rights Commission, I uh would bring a community grounded, thoughtful perspective, rooted in listening, fairness, uh, respect for process.

I do believe I understand the responsibility of commissioners to act with integrity, neutral um, neutrality and care, and to uphold established policies while remaining responsive to the lived realities of Detroit's residents and again inhabitants.

So, lastly, my goal would be to contribute meaningfully to the commission's mission by supporting equitable equitable practices, fostering public trust, and helping ensure that the rights of all Detroiters are protected.

And so I thank you.

I'm honored to be considered for this role, and uh, I would welcome an opportunity uh to serve um the city, the community in this capacity.

I know I said a lot, I thought about it a lot.

Well, thank you, thank you so much.

Um member Miller, you have any questions?

No, I'm only a statement.

I was quite pleased with your resume, your community engagement, and your lifetime commitment to legacy.

I was totally impressed, and I am I supportive of your appointment.

Appreciate that.

And um, thank you so much for your commitment to um the Detroit Legacy Business Project.

I had an opportunity to meet you for the first time last year at the Detroit Historical Museum.

Yes.

Um, and one of the residents and business owners in District 2, I think it was Morrison Shoe.

Yeah, shoe repair.

I think they were the recipients of $50,000.

And that work that business was able to replace their roof.

Yeah.

And then this past year we were at, I think AB Ford, where no.

At the Dawson at the Dawson Museum, yes, and it was a beautiful, beautiful um event.

And I had a few more of District 2 businesses who were recipients of the grants dollars, and I'm hoping that we'll be continue to fund that.

So too, yeah.

Continue to fund that because it's so necessary to support and reward and acknowledge those businesses who have been in the city for over 30 years.

Yeah, some 37 years.

I think Dixon Barber, I know Dixon Barber, three generations of barbers right on Livernoy.

And they were also recipients.

And um, I was just proud of the work that you've done to bring all that to the city and to work with um our mayor, Mayor Sheffield, but she was president of the council at the time.

And um, what an amazing partnership, and I'm looking forward to us continuing to support that Detroit Legacy Business Project.

Thank you.

And thank you for your leadership in that role and bringing it to pass and participating in it.

And thank you for your willingness to serve on the human rights commission.

I do have a question for LPD though.

Um, how many appointments or how many vacancies vacancies do we have on the human rights commission?

Because I know um Dr.

Paul is being reappointed if it when we send it to formal um formal session with a recommendation to approve.

That's a reappointment.

This is a new appointment.

So, how many how many vacancies do we have?

Do we know?

Madam Chair, I I do not have this information readily available.

We can get back to you.

Okay, no problem.

I thought I saw I I you know it was uh a couple vacancies.

I thought I saw two vacancies.

Okay, when I had well, thank you so much, uh, Miss Dovel.

I don't have any other um comments or questions.

We thank you for your willingness to serve and thank you, and please continue to work with the Detroit Business Legacy Project.

Thank you for all that.

Thank you so much.

And you'll be hearing from um the administration regarding um your appointment.

Okay, okay, and I do believe um with the resolution.

So is there a motion to move um these two appointments to formal with the recommendation to approve, knowing noting that the resolutions are attached?

No sea motion.

Okay, okay.

There's been a motion to move line item seven and line item eight, the reappointment of Dr.

Rhonda Paul to the Human Rights Commission, and the appointment of Miss Lauren Stovall to the Human Rights Commission.

Are there any objections?

No.

Oh, that motion is approved.

These two line items will be moved to formal session next Tuesday with the recommendation to approve.

Okay, thank you so much.

Line now we are at line item nine, which is unfinished business.

Line item 9.1.

There is a memorandum request for resolution reauthorizing the youth and civic engagement task force.

Is there a recommendation to approve?

Motion.

Thank you so much.

This is the youth and civic engagement task force.

We're gonna move this to uh formal next Tuesday with the recommendation to approve.

Hearing no objections, that motion is approved.

Line item 10 under new business, Office of Contracting and Procurement submitting a resolution authorization contract number 600626-A1.

100% city funding amendment one to provide an increase in funds for structured network cabling installation services to various city locations.

Is there a recommendation?

Discussion.

Discussion.

Member Miller, discussion.

I wanna is there someone there from do it?

Is there anyone from do it here from yes?

If you can um come to the microphone, you'll press that button at the base of the microphone when it turns green.

It's active.

If you can introduce yourself for the record.

Um good morning, and happy new year.

My name is Robert Millennium, the director of public safety IT.

Your your last name again, sir?

Robert Millender.

Millinder, okay.

Mr.

Millinder?

Hi, Ms.

Miller, how are you?

All right, how about yourself?

I was wondering um what specific project demands or additional city locations are driving the additional 150,000 dollar increase.

And how will it expand the scope and improve the network reliability and capacity?

Um, through the chair.

What this is is a low voltage cabling um contract that we have.

So really, I can't tell you what we do is is we provide services as an ad-needed basis as part of this contract.

So what happens is if we need cabling for different projects throughout city departments and all that, they come to us that within that this contract provides us the means to get that.

So right now it's as needed, and that's what that is.

And what happened was the reason why we had such a large stand, we had some major fiber cuts.

We had a fiber cut in 2024 that we had to spend money on, as well as we had the DDC.

When we took over the DDC, it requires some daily cable and we needed to write away.

That's what this contract functioned for and allowed us to do at that time.

Right, thank you.

Thank you.

Okay.

Um Mr.

Millender, fiber cut 2024, what's that?

A fiber cut is we had communications right now.

This building communicates with our public safety headquarters over a line of fiber.

Fiber is just how you know what fiber is, so we have that today.

What happened was during actually during the draft, we had a major cut that shut that communication off.

We have a backup line that kept us up and was able to get on.

We had to repair it immediately.

So that's what that contract allowed us to do and get that fiber back in place immediately.

So that's what happened during that time.

And that's why we spent so much on this contract that normally we wouldn't.

When we go back into this contract, what we're going to do is is that it's going to be more related to low 10, no drops more than 10 will this contract be used for.

For that one major issue, it took a lot of the funding from it just to get that fixed at that time.

Okay.

Uh, another question to you, Mr.

Millinder.

How did the cut occur?

And how do we prevent those kind of cuts in the future?

What happened was the cut occurred was because they were doing construction work on the project.

Well, we've identified this is that what we've identified and marked that with I can't remember the actual company right now, but there's actually something that marks your fiber in there.

So we have actually identified that fiber line and we rerouted it to a reralled around that.

It was during the time the cut happened at Coboha when the Cobo Hall when they build in the hotel.

So we've done is we have made sure that we identified those lines and this fiber communication is running across the with all of your DTEs and your teleco-providers, so they actually will notify us.

This is Ms.

Dig.

We've notified them, they know where the fiber is, and next time when that happens, we'll be notified to make sure that doesn't happen again.

Who's okay?

Who's at fault?

Is the city at fault for cutting the line?

Who was um involved with the cut?

Who caused the cut?

I mean, it was the construction at that time.

Who was who was the person?

It was the I'm just the construction company at that time.

And the problem that we had at that time, that line wasn't clearly marked.

So we were at fault at that time, and that's why we had to repair it.

We didn't clearly mark where that location was.

That's what we took care of going forward.

So that's why we were at fault during that.

We didn't clearly mark that we have fiber, and they thought that everything in that communication was abandoned.

But going forward, we have clearly marked those type of communication lines.

So we won't have that issue again.

So we didn't have the line marked.

Right.

The construction over at Huntington Place.

That's correct.

They cut the line.

Yes.

Accidentally.

Accidentally.

Because we didn't mark it.

We didn't have it pre-marked.

We didn't have it pre, we didn't identify this pre-marked when we ran it at that time.

So did we approach them about sharing the cost of the repairs?

Yes, we did.

And the problem we had is that the line was identified as being abandoned because we ran an older POD conduit, so they weren't aware of it.

So they weren't aware of it.

They thought it was abandoned.

So we had marked as being abandoned.

So going forward, that's what we we've realized in going forward that won't happen again.

And what's the DBC?

I'm sorry.

You said DBC.

You said fiber cut in 2024.

And then you said something with the DBC.

Now the DDC is Detroit Detention Center.

When we took over the send it to Detroit Detention Center from MDOC, there was a need from additional daily low voltage cable in the building.

So that's what that was for.

We had to rewire stuff because the MDC had it.

We needed additional cameras and there's no cameras, there's no communication lines within the building.

You know how we had to do that right away when we took control.

That's what that part of it was there.

Okay.

So the DDC that you just have to do.

I'm sorry if I've said that incorrectly.

That's okay.

All right.

Any other questions, Member Miller?

Okay.

I don't have any other questions.

I appreciate it.

Thank you.

You have wonderful questions.

Mr.

Miller.

And happy new years.

Happy New Year's too.

Okay.

Is there a motion, Member Miller?

Okay, there's a motion to um send line item 10.1, contract 60062 661-A1 to formal with the recommendation to approve.

Any objections?

No.

Hearing none, that motion is approved.

Thank you, Member Miller.

Historic designation advisory board line item 6.2, submitting a resolution authorization reappointment of Sharon Sexton to the historic designation advisory board effective February 15th, 2026 for a three-year term expiring February 29.

Um LPD, Mr.

King?

Madam Chair.

I don't have them down as an interview, so what's the next step for this one?

Madam Chair, you can you can set the interviews for these individuals if you like.

Okay, so that's what we'll do.

Um we are gonna go ahead and set the interview for these.

We have, I think three.

Yes, it is.

Okay, so why don't we go ahead and set these interviews?

Because we have two more line items six um 10.2 is Miss Sharon Sexton, and then we have line items um 10.3, Mr.

Osvaldo Rivera, and um line item six 10.4.

So we're gonna go ahead and set those interviews now.

Is that good?

Is that okay with you, madam clerk?

Do the chair that's fine with me.

You would just let us know what times they are.

Okay, so we will make these interviews.

Um we have our calendar out.

We're gonna take care of that right now.

Okay, uh, why don't we say um January 28th?

Wednesday?

No.

So maybe one.

Uh yeah.

Okay.

All righty.

Um January 28th is not a good date.

We're gonna take the next Wednesday, which will be February 4th.

Is that good?

February 4th?

That's fine.

Okay, let's set the time.

So February 4th, we will have Sharon um Sexton reappointment to the historic designation advisory board 1015.

And then um 10.3.

Okay, let's have time.

We have sharing uh council member um Miss Janice Chapman from H stab is online.

Okay, thank you.

We're gonna continue with um what we're working on now, and then we'll go over to Ms.

Chapman.

Line item 10 um point three.

The interview for the reappointment as uh uh for Osvaldo Rivera will be 1030 on February 4th, and then the reappointment interview for William Warden to the historic designation advisory board will be the same date at 1045 a.m.

We may have to change this after we hear from Dr.

Chapman.

Did you capture all of that?

Uh Madam Clerk?

Okay, so February 4th, we have three interviews, and now we will go to um Dr.

Chapman, Dr.

Chapman.

Dr.

Chapman Dr.

Chapman, yes, here you go.

Yes.

Yes, sir.

Good morning.

Can you hear me?

We can hear you.

Thank you.

Janice Chapman, I'm the director of the historic designation advisory board.

And um just wanted to um let you know that none of our which we've reached out to all three um prospective candidates, and none of them were available for the date that we originally thought that um you were going to do the interviews.

Um so I'm looking at the the date that you kind of chosen.

We did reach out, and apparently what we looked at is um that um if you want them all on the same day, Wednesday, February 11th, would be the best date.

Bill Wardness of um out of the country right now, then he won't be back until the 7th of February.

Okay, all right.

So what we'll do is thank you, Dr.

Chapman.

We will just change the date from February 4th to February the 11th for all three interviews to the chair received.

Yep, the same time.

So let me just go over those times again.

Sharon Sexton, 1015, February 11th.

Osvaldo Rivera, 1030, February the 11th, and then William Warden, February the 11th at 1045 a.m.

Okay, all right, Dr.

Chapman.

Yes, thank you very much.

No, thank you.

Thank you, madam clerk.

All righty.

So we um is there a motion to um to bring these back on February the 11th for these interviews?

Member Miller motion.

Okay, so we have a motion to bring back line item 10.2 through 10.4 for interviews for these reappointments to the historic designation advisory board.

Hearing no objections, that motion is approved.

We are now at line item um 10.5 under miscellaneous council member Scott Benson and Council Member Member Mary Waters submitting a resolution authorizing the continuation of the Detroit City Council Senior Task Force.

Is there a motion?

Motion there's been a motion to uh move to formal session the resolution to continue the Detroit City Council Senior Task Force.

Any objection?

None hearing none, that motion is approved.

Line item 10.6, Councilmember Waters submitting a memorandum regarding at large board of zoning appeals appointment.

Is there a motion to receive and file?

Motion.

There's been a motion to receive and file the memorandum regarding at large board of zoning appeals appointment.

Are there any objections?

No.

That motion is approved.

Line item 10.7.

Councilmember Callaway submitting a memorandum requesting a resolution authorizing the domestic violence task force.

Um before we um have a motion, LPD.

I understand um is there is the resolution prepared for the domestic violence task force, or do you need additional time?

Madam Chair, can we bring uh both of these items back in one week?

However, we will have the resolutions prepared prior to that.

Okay, is there a motion to bring back line item 6.1, which is the memorandum regarding at large board of zoning and appeals appointment and line item 10.7 memorandum requesting a resolution authorizing the domestic violence task force?

Motion.

There's been a motion to bring back in one week line item 10.6 and line item 10.7.

Hearing no objections, that motion is approved.

Thank you, Mr.

Mr.

King.

Madam Chair, I apologize.

I was referring to 10.7 and 10.8.

Okay.

All right, so I'm gonna go to the parliamentarians since there's been a motion.

How do we rectify this?

You can amend the motion.

Okay, so we'll amend the motion.

Okay, so the motion we have to we we're gonna strike 10.6 because that was a motion to receive and file and include in the motion 10.7 and 10.8.

I haven't read 10.8 yet, so why don't we just make a motion to um bring back line item 10.7 um in one week and strike line item 10.6 motion okay.

There's been a motion to strike line item 10.6, which is just a motion to receive and file that report, and then a line um move 10.7 to formal with a recommendation to approve.

Hearing no objections, no that motion is approved.

Now we are on line item 10.8 through the chair, yes, for clarity, yeah.

10.7 is gonna be moved to formal.

Um, we're going to bring that back in a week.

In a week, okay, thank you.

Yeah, thank you, madam clerk.

strike line item 10.6 which is just a motion to receive and file that report and then a line um move 10.7 to formal with a recommendation to approve hearing no objections no that motion is approved now we are on line item 10.8 through the chair yes for clarity yeah 10.7 is going to be moved to formal um we're going to bring that back in a week in a week okay thank you yeah thank you madam clerk now we are on line item 10 point eight is there a motion to bring back line item 10.8 in a week which is a memorandum requesting a resolution um authorizing the human trafficking task force motion okay there's a motion to bring back line item 10.8 which is a memorandum request and a resolution to authorize the human trafficking task force any objections hearing none that motion um is approved now we are at members report and we're doing good good member um miller we are it's 11 o'clock early lunch so members report member miller um hello everyone uh i just want to say our first district five community kickoff is going to be next wednesday the 28th at Contadine Center the address is 8904 Woodward that's Considine Center that'll be the first district five meeting for our residents I'm asking everyone to come out and join us it is for um to hear your voice and to hear about your district and have real talk it's a real talk conversation basically for everyone in district five at 6 p.m 6 p.m constant line center at 8904 will be the first district five community kickoff and we want to hear your concerns there'll be resources there also available six o'clock one more time I'm sorry Wednesday December I'm sorry January 28th next Wednesday that's it that's it okay thank you member miller um we have a um a residential contractor mixer which is going to be held at Liv 6 which is located on 6 Mile and that if are you a homeowner who needs a fix at your home there will be 15 skilled trades professionals and contractors who are looking for clients and projects to take on this spring contractors are welcome to participate and that is tonight um from 6 30 to 8 p.m at Liv 6 on West McNichols you can call to get the exact address 313 5780304 and this is free and open to the public refreshments will be provided again this is um residential contractor mixer 630 tonight at LIV 6 on West McNichols 6308 for skilled trades professionals and contractors and for more information you can call 313 5780304 we also have on January 26th a notice of public outreach office of budget is holding a series of budget priority forms for each city council district Monday 26th is the budget priorities form for district two and that is a virtual call you can call my office at 224535 and we will give you the call in number and the meeting ID and that call will occur I do believe at 6 o'clock so again that is Monday January 26th and this is being sponsored by the Office of Budget and it's called a budget priorities forms and it is occurring in each and every district across the city and for district two it will be um January 26th also on January 26 at 5 p.m at the youthnique startup center located at 19456 Livernoy for the launch of the mental health is wealth podcast for more information you can call our office at 224535 again that is January 26 at 5 p.m at the youthNE startup center located at 19456 Livernoy to launch the mental health is wealth podcast and then lastly our first coughing conversation for 2026 in district two will be Monday February the 9th at 8 a.m at the Northwest Activity Center which is located at 1810 Myers Road you don't have to live in district two to attend the coughing conversation is open to the city citywide our first one again will be February 9th Monday at 8 a.m at the Northwest Activity Center and that complete my members report hearing nothing else we will adjourn our um internal operations standing committee for Wednesday January what's today's date January 21st