Health and safety standing committee for today, Monday, February 2nd, 2026.

May the clerk please call the roll.

Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero.

Present.

Councilmember Denzel McCampbell.

Present.

Councilmember Mary Waters.

Madam Share, you have a quorum present.

Wonderful.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Given a quorum, we'll go right into the agenda for today.

We have received our minutes from our last session.

If there's a motion to approve.

Motion to approve.

Hearing no objections, our minutes from our last session will be approved.

We will go right into public comments for today.

We do have discussion on the agenda for this morning.

So I will be giving everyone a minute and a half this morning and cutting off public comments at 10.05.

So if you are here in person or if you are online, please raise your hands now for general public comments.

Seeing no one here in person for general public comment, we can start with the folks that we have online.

And again, if you are online and you'd like to make public comment, please raise your hands now.

I'll be cutting off public comment in two minutes.

But with that, we can get started for this morning.

Good morning, madam chair and council members.

We have 10 hands raised online.

The first is William M.

Davis.

Yes, good morning.

Okay, I I think as y'all may know, I'm a former elected Detroit Board of Police Commissioner for District 7.

You know, I I think that y'all should look a little bit more closely what's going on at the Board of Police Commissioners.

I I think that is the community a disservice to have the corporation council or any city attorney that works for the city there, the Board of Police Commissioners need their own separate attorney as they had when I was on the board.

You know, I I think it's a very disservice to the community.

Uh also I think y'all should be looking at the fact that some of the surveillance techniques that the city of Detroit used and the availability of the federal government to tap into that.

I think that Detroit is not as forthright with you know what they do do and how they is accessible to others.

Uh also I think that more needs to be done to make this city a healthier city.

Um of course I'm older than at least two of the three of y'all.

And uh we used to have recreation centers, we used to have a whole bunch of stuff that we used to be able to do to make the city and the residents more healthier.

I think that since the time that uh Duggan's been in office, uh health care has dropped dramatically, along with child property and a number of bad things.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Public comments, general public comments is now cut off.

Who do we have next?

Next, we have Dr.

Denise Dornell.

Good morning.

Can you hear me?

Yes, good morning.

Good morning.

Yes, I'm Dr.

Denise Darnell.

I'm here from District 2.

First of all, I'd like to congratulate one of the chairpersons there, Councilmember Denzel McCampbell.

I was there for the swearing in ceremony, and I think that was an awesome event.

Also, I want to give a shout out to Councilmember Angela Whitville Callaway, who is my council member here in District 2, and member at large, Mary Waters for the well-attended town hall on deed fraud.

There was very knowledgeable speakers there, and a lot of helpful information came out.

Uh back in 2008, around the time of the crash, my family had an eight-year court battle getting my mom's house back in the family name.

And I think the information that came out during that town hall will help a lot of people be able to do the same thing.

Also, in terms of safety, I don't know if there's somebody there who represents uh forestry, but I did submit a request to cut down a tree that I perceive to be dangerous as the ground will begin to thaw.

It looks like it's gonna fall over onto the street, and that's at Mount Elliott and Charles.

And thank you very much for allowing me to make my comments.

Have a blessed day.

Thank you.

Hugh as well.

Vice Chair.

Uh thank you.

Uh good morning through the chair.

Um, thank you so much for attending and calling in.

Um, it definitely was a great event, and we will follow up with forestry on the Mount Elliott and Charles.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you.

Who do we have next?

Next is Owner Papa.

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

Yes, good morning.

Um what happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?

Or fester like a sore and then run.

Does it stink like rotten meat?

Or crust and sugar over like a syrupy sweet.

Maybe it just sags like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

That is a poem by Langston Hughes.

I know you like to recognize cultures.

Um, and I think this is the month that we recognize um the African American culture, but it's lost on this um chairperson.

Um I'm looking at the agenda, and as usual, there's really nothing on it about people.

This is the health and safety committee, and I would like to see more attention given to people.

Um we need more than just demolitions, which many of them are illegal, the way that they're done and how they're paid for.

I would like for this committee to have a health report for the citizens in the city of Detroit that is mandated by the charter and your job.

Thank you.

Thank you, and thank you for showing sharing that poem.

We love LinkedIn Qs.

Member Waters.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I I um the lady who called in um a call ago regarding the whole deed fraud piece.

If if she could call my office, if she's still listening, I'm not sure if she is.

Uh maybe my colleague from the 7th district has her contact information uh through you, madam chair.

But my number is 313 628-2363-313-2363.

We we'd like to uh speak with you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Member Waters.

Thank you.

Who do we have next?

The next caller is Cecily McLellan.

Thank you very much for this opportunity, Cecily McClellan with We the People of Detroit.

I don't know whether you uh this body is aware of the fact that uh DWSD has cut off or did cut off during the month of uh December, over 900 residents.

Um they indicate that over 400 of them were restored uh uh for various reasons.

They either pay their past due uh amount.

Uh this concerns me.

We've been through the height of shutoffs uh prior to COVID, and where we had numerous residents, hundreds of residents that just could not afford their bill, but because of COVID, they uh were required to restore it.

We do not want to revisit it.

The uh Detroit Lifeline Program is no longer uh as it was.

Uh it's not paying any arrearage, and I don't know anyone that seeks assistance uh because they have a uh uh uh uh a current bill.

Generally, people seek assistance because they are past due in the current program uh lifeline H2O does not uh allow uh an arrearage, and that needs to be addressed.

We are supporting uh legislation on the state level uh that was submitted by Emily Devendorth House Bill uh 4555 and House Bill 5170 through 5173, and we would also ask the new council person, uh Denzel McCampbell, um, to also consider coming aboard on water affordability, and we will be thank you, Madam Chair, yes, Mr.

Vice Chair.

I will say um thank you so much for calling in.

Definitely a proponent of water affordability, and I also um see on the agenda.

I know it's related to um natural gas and electricity, but um definitely want to explore if I I would check in with the water department as well on the shows, but uh I am on board with water affordability.

So thank you, madam chair.

Thank you, vice chair.

We also will have them in front of us today, so we can ask that question uh once we get to that contract.

Who do we have next?

The next caller is Betty A.

Verner.

Uh good morning to all within the sound of my voice.

I'm Betty A.

Vern, the president of the Soda Elsewhere Black Association.

Want to continuous uh advocate for uh just the city residents, seniors, and people who are disabled.

If you are in the situation and you need help at your home, you're a senior and you're not eligible for Medicaid.

There's a program at DEEAA, Detroit Area Agency for the Aging, uh, that uh is called my choice waiver, MI Choice Waiver.

And that program is a government, federal federal government program.

It's set up to assist uh seniors to be able to stay in their homes and not be in a nursing home.

So call uh 313 446 44 44.

313 446 4444.

And what's unique about this program, it allows you to earn up to 2900 a month and be eligible for state Medicaid.

And once you uh they come out to your home, they do the assessment, and you know you have to go through there is uh uh a procedure, you have to have documents and whatever, but it's worth the work.

Once you get on that Medicaid, get in that program.

You can use that Medicaid at any organization that requires Medicaid.

Thank you.

The next caller is Jadante Smith.

Good morning, Mabby Hurt.

Yes, good morning.

Good morning.

I just want to uh advocate for the residents of district three um around Coronel's Conquer facility um and down zoning.

I appreciate you uh councilwoman uh chairperson uh Sonia Romero for sending information over from your team.

I do need you to connect me to some of the folks from uh Core City Strong.

We're gonna start that process.

And we also ask for um a reduction in the fee to do the rezoned down zoning because $1,500 is a lot of money from grassroots effort, especially having to pay $500 every acre after, and there's about four acres, I believe.

Um also like to say there is a church within the city of Detroit on Orange Lawn Street that has four years back taxes, four years worth of back taxes for 69,000.

Um, and people are losing their properties over one year back taxes.

I am doing my research in the background about this issue and about the fact that uh the pastor of the church has pictures with Mark Hackle, the McComb County Sheriff, and uh Haley Stevens and apparently some nice strong connections in this in the Wayne County Treasurer's Office as well.

Um it seems like that's very unfair.

I'm looking at uh some of these agenda items for demolitions and things like that.

I see there's two million dollars for a renovation to 5815 Concord with 58 5811 through 5817.

I wonder if that's the Packard plant.

Um, and if so, could you guys elaborate on that a little bit more?

Um, and these demolitions are pretty expensive.

So I was just wondering if you guys could ask some questions about demolitions and the process and what's going on with that.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Yes, we will continue to ask questions on demolitions as we do in this committee.

And as you know, you can continue to work with my team who's helping you on the concrete crusher.

So, yes, feel free to continue to work with my staff.

Thank you.

Who do we have next?

Next, we have caller ending in one six nine.

Caller ending in one six nine.

Hello, can you guys hear me?

Yes, we can.

Okay, great.

Um, I just want to say uh thank you for praying for Brother Cunningham.

Uh thank you for having boldness and showing no fear, showing love to Brother Cunningham.

God will reward your blessings.

Good karma to you, Vice President Pro Tim of Detroit City Council for your bold, fearless moves.

Yes, thank you, uh Pro Tim Councilman Young.

Thank you, Chief of Staff.

I pray for you all.

And Cunningham coming through all the bad luck, more than a decade of bad look.

Um, I've seen on Cunningham's Facebook page, he touched more than 70 lives at the Rose of Park Transit Center downtown, Detroit, and the Hard Grove Transit Center with hand warmers, bus tickets, water, bag lunches, hats, gloves, agape, and more.

Cunningham is poor and uneducated, but God loves him.

When ill luck begins, it does not come in sprinkles, but in showers.

And that quote was by Mark Twain.

Thank you for my time.

Thank you.

Our next caller is Detroit City Code 50-2-6.

Our next caller.

Yes, good morning.

Can you hear me?

Yes, we can.

Yeah, that was Detroit City Code 50-2-6-6 matters.

Please have all your staff members write that down.

That is the code that requires the Board of Zoning Appeals to have transcripts of his public proceedings, regardless of whether anyone appeals.

Thank you, Member McCampbell, for saying you would look into this, cause now that they got caught switching it up on people, because you're two years ago they weren't charging for transcripts.

Um and now they are, and they put out an RFP saying uh the BZA gets to see the transcripts before they get released.

That would never happen in a court of law, and that is the law department.

That's why many of us who are you know know about Conrad Mallet, do not want him replaced.

Also, Black History Month.

For all of you who do not know the Detroit solar takings with using eminent domain to take people's private property for solar farms, even though the city has plenty of land, rooftops, and parking lots that are already publicly owned.

They are basing these takings on the 1951 in-race slum clearance of Black Bottom.

Now Maria, who got pushed out of Greenfield Park, told me she was bullied by the city people, threatened not to get services if she didn't sign the deal.

I tried to help her.

I think she was afraid.

She had a stroke.

She had a stroke.

So you can turn this thing around, even though you've blown a lot of money on those uncool attorneys in Farmington Hills.

But watch the movie Pole Town Lives and how people were dying of heart attacks afterwards.

Thank you.

The next caller is caller ending in 039.

Yeah, hey, Gabriella.

Hey, Dizel, uh, Mr.

McCallow.

Watch this.

Hey, Mary Wadi.

I showed up at that zoom of me, that town hall meeting you had about D fraud and this quick claim deed fraud that's been rash in the city of Detroit for some time now.

I want you to pay close attention.

You and Sam Reynolds.

Now, Gabriella Cartiago Romero.

I'm over in District 6 now.

That complete the whole mission that's every single district in the city of Detroit.

I got a foothold now.

Now I'm about to put my foot down.

Gabriela Hustonella Lopez.

Oh, she doing the office.

And you cheated in.

You keep it in because Dennis referee been cheating Detroit elections for years and years and years and years.

And now I'm about to turn the city of Detroit upside down and inside out.

My words.

What Nini asked for February the twelfth, twenty twenty-one was helped with her mama, and she got that.

Now she just asked me to come see her.

Now I'm gonna ready to show y'all exactly why they call me Black Bag Road.

Thank you.

Who do we have next?

Madam True, the last caller before you cut off public comment is Mr.

Cunningham.

Brother Cunningham, you're up next.

Thank you.

All right.

That was our last caller.

So we will now go into unfinished business into the rest of the agenda for today.

Thank you, everyone that called in.

Uh, under unfinished business, uh, five points one through five point nine.

These are all various emergency demolition contracts.

I did read these into the record last week.

Is there a motion to discuss five points one through five point nine?

Motion.

Thank you, Member Waters.

Um, just so that we are all caught up five points one through five point nine.

We're bringing these back because last week there was notes uh that the funding um there was no funding available for the bonds uh that we were paying uh that we were using to pay uh these contracts.

We have received the fund balance where it's coming from.

This is coming from a neighborhood improvement bonds.

There is twelve million available.

Um, but wondering, and that was my question to make sure that we were clear on the funding source.

Uh, but to my colleagues, are there any other questions for five points one through five point nine?

If there's not, um, is there a motion to uh uh um approve or to discuss Madam Chair?

Yes.

Uh no question, but I would actually put forth a motion to um motion to approve without recommendation.

Okay, there's a motion to approve five points one through five point nine without recommendation.

Are there any objections?

Hearing none, five points one through five point nine will be sent to formal with no recommendation to approve.

Okay, moving us along five points ten.

Five points ten.

This is contract number six zero zero five eight nine eight.

This is regarding a uh vehicle repair service for labor and parts um from Jefferson Chevrolet for police.

Is there a motion to approve or discuss five points ten?

Motion to uh discuss five point two.

Vice chair.

Um thank you, madam chair, and and thank you to DPD for responding the questions that we have regarding the 90k.

Um I did have a further question just to believe I know the answer, but I just want to make sure for clarification.

Um, if we have folks on from DPD, uh, but my question will be with the 90k increase.

I know they want to make sure that they have enough, but will if we do not use that full contract, does that money come back or what happens with in that case?

Okay, we should be joined by if we can make Captain Jason Adams, Commander Stacey Alvar uh Alvarado and Valerie Massy into panelists.

If they are with us, uh they should be able to discuss this with us.

Captain Adams has been promoted to panelists.

Thank you.

Good morning, Captain Jason Adams, Detroit Police Department Management Services.

Thank you for joining us.

Were you able to hear our vice chair's question?

Yes, I I heard the question.

All right.

I if you wouldn't mind letting us know whether or not um any remaining funds will be sent back to the general funds.

The yes, the the funds that are not used for the contract will be retained by the city.

Vice Chair.

Thank you, Captain, and um that's all the questions I have, madam chair.

Okay.

And um to our captain, I know that there in this economy things cost more.

Um, and you have a certain sense of um how much funding you will need.

Uh the opposite end of the question is do you think that you'll need any more funding to address um incidents, accidents, um, any uh uh vehicle repairs.

Well, I hope not.

Uh we've made uh projections off the best information that we have.

Uh there's an unpredictable nature to car accidents, but uh we're pretty confident that this should get us through to the end of the contract.

Okay, great.

Um, and if there if there is more to come, if you wouldn't mind letting us know um what has been repaired so far, and to let us know what the differences that we need to meet.

Um, but glad that you feel confident that this should be enough based on what you've needed in the past.

There was a motion to discuss.

Are there any other questions for 510?

If not, is there a motion to approve?

Motion.

Are there any objections?

Hearing none, 5.10 will be approved, sent to formal with the recommendation to approve.

Thank you, Captain.

Thank you.

Moving us along to 5.11.

This is a memo and resolution supporting Michigan bills 508, 59, and 51.

Uh if there's a motion to discuss, motion.

Thank you.

Uh, to LPD, just wondering how much time do we think we'll need to draft the resolution?

I'd like to request it be brought back in a week.

In a week.

Okay.

Wonderful.

Thank you.

Um can do.

And um this is for Senate Bill 508, which would limit ice activity in sensitive locations, 509, which will provide privacy protections for data, and SB510, which would limit mask for officers, um, making sure that they are transparent in who they are and identifying themselves.

Uh, there's a motion to bring this back in one week without objection.

5.11 will be brought back in one week.

Moving us now under new business under the Office of Contracting and Procurement.

Six points one.

This is contract number six zero zero forty-four ninety-four.

Amendment number three.

This is to provide an extension of time only to allow the completion of the Russell ferry truck wash project.

The contractor is the angelis diamond construction.

They are located in Novi, Michigan.

This will extend their time through September 28th of this year.

September 28th, 2026.

No increased amounts, but this contract um is for 1,500.

If there is a motion to approve a discussion.

Motion.

Thank you, member Waters.

And for 6.1.

Ms.

Evangelista, do we have group exec counts with us?

If so, if we can please make her into a panelist.

Yes, ma'am.

She has been promoted to panelist.

Thank you.

Good morning, interim deputy director of public services Lewan Counts.

Good morning.

I'm going to need to remember this new title moving forward.

Uh so I will work on that.

There's a lot of changes happening in the city.

But thank you for joining us.

Uh, we are discussing 6.1.

This is regarding the Russell ferry truck wash project.

If you wouldn't let us know, if you wouldn't mind letting us know where we are with this project and why the increase of time, um, what is left to be completed?

So the through the chair, the major portion of this work is a pump that needs to be replaced.

And unfortunately, the lead time on securing that pump is anywhere between 28 and 32 weeks.

Um, and so that is the reason for the request of the extension.

It's not because of any work that the contractor is not proceeding with.

It's just that they were they're not able to um get the pump in any faster than that time period.

Okay, thank you.

That's what we're doing.

And is this what is this uh going to be?

So this is to wash um if you wouldn't mind sharing with the public.

What is this project?

It's the Russell Ferry Truck Wash Project.

Will this be to maintain our fleets?

Our trucks.

The chair, yes, it's gonna be for our heavy-duty vehicles, so vehicles that are too large to go through a standard um car wash, um, because the city does have contracts in place for um those light duty vehicles to be washed, and basically it's a part of the maintenance and servicing of the equipment.

Um, we're not able to clean properly clean the larger equipment because this truck washes down, um, but once we replace the pump, we're we'll be able to return the truck wash to service.

Currently, right now we're we're using power washers to wash off the vehicles.

Understood, thank you.

Okay, uh, are there any other questions for 6.1?

Hearing none, there was a motion to approve.

Are there any objections?

Hearing none, 6.1 will be approved, sent to formal with the recommendation to approve.

Thank you.

Thank you.

6.2.

This is contract number 6007603, utilizing 100% grant funding.

This is to provide commercial alteration of 5811 Concorde, 5813 Concord, 5815, and 5817 Concord.

The contractor's inner city, they are located in Detroit.

This is for one year, one year.

And this total contract will be for two million four hundred and thirty-one thousand two hundred and eighty.

If we wouldn't mind bringing back Ms.

Counts, and if there's a motion to discuss six points two.

Thank you.

Thank you both.

Uh, thank you for joining us again.

Um, we are discussing six points two now.

Um, and if you just wouldn't mind sharing with us, um what is this commercial alteration and also the grants?

Um, it's noted that once we go through this contract, we'll have about 40,000 left in the funds.

I'm just wondering if this con if this grant uh was specifically for this project.

Um that's my first question.

Well, through the chair, this grant was not specifically just for this particular project.

There were several um projects across um the city, but also across different departments.

Um so there were um, and and I can't really speak to the other projects.

I just know that there were some other projects that were not um a part of the pack or demolition portion, but we did um use funds from the state issued um land bank grant to do the demo efforts north of the boulevard um for the Packard plant during the course of performing the those those demolition efforts of the structures that we could see above ground, we could also see that there were um a significant amount of debris that was left on the site and also some um kind of sub um subgrade structures that were um presenting a challenge not only for you know this the is jutting out from the ground, but there's also some openings that would lead you to underground tunnel areas.

So, in order to make the site safe, um we decided to move forward with this portion um as well, so that we could completely be done at the Packard plant and then turn that that portion over to the development arm of the city so that they can do whatever it is that they're gonna do with it beyond that.

Okay, thank you.

And then any idea then what the uh roughly 48,000 left in the fund will be used for through the chair.

I don't um I know on for is the as far as the packard is concerned, we would not be requesting any additional funds.

Um I'm not certain if the other departments who had other projects taking place if they have a need for the balance of those funds.

Okay, understood.

Thank you.

Um there any other questions for 6.2 hearing none.

Is there a motion to approve motion to approve?

Are there any objections?

Hearing none, 6.2 will be approved, sent to formal with the recommendation to approve.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Moving us along to 6.3.

This is contract number 600725.

This is a 12 million dollar contract for DWSD.

This is utilizing 100% SIP funding.

This is to provide water system improvements.

The contractors major contracting.

They're located in Detroit.

This will be for two years.

And again, the total amount here is 12 million 898,000.

And there is to my colleagues that there's a request for this to be sent to new business.

If we do, if we can please make her into a panelist.

But we should be receiving the presentation on what this funding will do.

So looking forward to hearing more about this project.

Good morning.

If you wouldn't mind seeing your name and title for the public.

Good morning, Mark Ratha Welch, procurement supply chain manager for Detroit Water and Silver Department.

Thank you for joining us, Ms.

Welch.

I do believe we received a presentation.

Would you be ready to go over that with us today?

So I didn't have the presentation.

I just was going to kind of go over the details verbally, but if you are have the presentation that you want us to share, we can.

Yes, it's a two-year contract with major contracting group.

Um the contract is to provide water system improvements.

Um these approvements will uh happen in districts one and districts five.

The work consists of replacing and rehabilitation of about 22,000 linear square uh linear feet of existing water main, including any um known or found existing lit service lines, fire hydrants, or other water uh peniters that may be attached to that line during the replacement project.

Um this contract is one of several of our um water system improvement um contracts that contributes to us replacing aged infrastructure throughout the city of Detroit.

Um this contract will be funded by SRF funds, which is our state revolving funds.

Um procurement did advertise the contract for 33 days.

We did receive six B responses and major was the lowest bidder.

Um they are Detroit certified business and have um indicated to DWSD that they will have approximately 51% Detroiters assigned to perform work up under this contract.

This contract was approved by our board of water commissioners in November of 2025 and also by uh previous mayor administration in December of 2025.

Um and so I see that our deputy director, Mr.

Smiley has joined.

If um there's additional commentary that you all would like to questions on have questions for.

Thank you.

Appreciate that.

And I believe uh we need a discussion.

Motion to discuss.

Thank you both.

Uh with that, uh, thank you for joining us, Deputy Director.

Anything else that you would like to share?

And if you wouldn't mind introducing yourself for the public good morning, Sam Smalley, Deputy Director of Detroit Water and Sewerage Department.

Um, this is part of our uh annual capital investment in our water infrastructure to ensure that we can continue to provide safe, clean, affordable drinking water.

Um these assets have been selected based on our asset management program as a result of comprehensive inspection and assessment of um our water and wastewater assets.

While this is a water project, um we are going neighborhood by neighborhood doing comprehensive inspection and assessment.

Happy to answer any other questions.

Thank you, Deputy.

That was going to be my question is where do we think, where do we know we will be doing this work?

Do you have a plan of action of where you'll start first and and what your strategy is?

I don't have the specific streets.

I do have the streets that we will be working on, but I don't have the order in which the contractor um will start at.

We can certainly provide that schedule.

Okay.

And our are we looking to because we've seen a number of major water contracts come through this committee.

And I'm wondering, is this in connection to any of those?

Is this funding going to repair um problematic sites that we already know of?

I guess I'm just trying to understand a little bit more how this is going to connect to the larger picture.

So as part of our asset management program, we base our capital investment based on risk.

We define risk as the probability of failure times the consequence of failure.

The probability of failure, we look at the assets break history, when it was installed, what material it was, um, to give us an empirical sense of the probability that it may fail again.

The consequence of failure, are there critical customers, such as a hospital, school, major bus routes, uh dialysis centers, um, fire department?

We look at those things for criticality.

Um, that if that asset were to fail, what would be the impact to the community?

Um the assets that we have selected in these neighborhoods are the ones that are warrant of uh replacement or re rehabilitation at this time to lower the overall risk for those respective neighborhoods.

Okay, thank you.

Are there any other questions, Member Waters?

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Uh I believe this goes to uh procurement.

You did mention that it were six people uh bid it.

Would you mind sharing with us who who uh who those were?

Yes.

Uh I'll read them off in order of lowest to highest.

So major contracting was the lowest bidding lowest bidder, um, LGC global inner city, any city, inner city contracting, bit of gear contractors, five-star energy in Anglet Silver or the six bidders.

All right.

So if major does not have the capacity to do all of this work in a in a timely fashion, do you know, and maybe you don't uh know if they will be looking at some of these other bidders to do some subcontracting with.

Um, yes, that is uh a possibility, and it is not limited to the people who submitted a bees, so they do have the option to be able to provide subs, and once they um solicit subs, they will submit those subs names to procurement, and then we go in and make sure that they're actually register registered and have approved tax cleaners.

All right, then thank you.

Thank you.

Any other questions, Vice Chair?

Madam Chair, um, through you.

Thank you all so much for explaining the contract.

I do have a question on overall, I don't know if you heard public comment today, but we had a um caller call in about water shutoffs.

And um, Deputy Director, since we have you here, could you just are you able to provide the water shutoff numbers from the last month and go on to uh first to try to make sure people are made um that they are caught up today and have their service and water flowing through the chair, yes.

Um I will say that over the last couple weeks and for probably a couple of weeks looking forward based on the temperatures, we are not doing service interruptions.

Um if we were to interrupt stopping the flow of water may lead to additional uh service line bursting.

Um, so we are not doing interruptions right now, primarily based on the temperatures that we've had and the temperatures that are forecast.

Thank you, Deputy Director.

Um, and if we it doesn't have to be today, if you have information, that'd be great, but it would be um good to get if if it is okay with the madam chair, just a report on the lifeline program and uh shutoffs um in the city, just so we can um know about how the efforts to uh make sure folks have their service continuum, how that is going as well.

And and also want to just say thank you to you and your team for getting back to our team regarding the um situation over in district seven last week.

So thank you so much.

Welcome.

We'll be happy to provide that information through the chair.

Thank you.

Thank you both.

That would be great.

And I just wonder with all the need that we have, how our planning repair um and what that looks like.

Umfortunately, we're seeing water main breaks across the city.

Um, we have seen some some major flooding.

Uh and I know folks know where the needs are.

Um, I just think it'll be very helpful to get a sense of what the plans are.

Um, because from and we all get it.

Uh the public is wondering when we're going to be able to um finally address our flooding.

I know it's gonna be difficult, uh, but just really wondering what the plan of action is.

Um we will continue to meet, and this is just a note for the water departments.

Um, the same way that we're asking HRD and housing and the administration to give us a comprehensive plan on housing and how we're actually developing affordable housing.

I think it would be very helpful to know what's the comprehensive plan on addressing flooding.

Um, and when we plan on making repairs and and what that looks like moving forward.

Um, because what I also want to make sure is that we are spreading these repairs across the district and across the city, um, and making sure that that we are um preparing for that.

Uh so maybe we can have a full discussion.

The water department can share resources um for for the public, as as was mentioned by our vice chair, and we can talk about what our comprehensive plan is to address the old infrastructure in our city.

I think that would be very helpful for all of us to know.

That's just a note for for the future.

Okay, I see our deputy director taking notes.

Thank you.

Are there any other questions from my colleagues for six points three?

Okay.

Uh to the water department.

Yes.

I can write a little bit about I can touch on what you just mentioned.

Obviously, it's not the comprehensive plan that you asked for.

Um, but we have currently have 56 water main breaks.

We have about 150 locations that we are salting andor removing uh frozen ice and snow from.

Uh, we have 11 water main breakthroughs working around the clock.

We have eight crews that are doing nothing but removing the salt and ice from leaks.

Um, in terms of prioritization, the highest priority that we have is if there is a customer out of water, um, they go right to the top.

And then we look at are there major thoroughfares, freeways being impacted, major roads being impacted, um, and critical customers.

Um, so our our men and women out there are working in these frigid temperatures.

Not only is it cold, but they also get wet while they're doing this work.

So they're doing a phenomenal job.

We think we thank our customers for their patience and understanding.

Um, we are sparing no resources in trying to uh uh manage this frigid temperature that we haven't seen, these frigid temperatures that we haven't seen for quite some time.

Um, we are also getting assistance from DPW from GSD and the Great Lakes Water Authority.

Um, we're getting resources from those uh colleagues to help us uh mitigate the negative impacts of this frigid winter.

Thank you.

And we do appreciate your work.

We know this is incredibly difficult, so thank you.

Hearing no other questions for six points three.

Is there a motion to approve and to send to new business?

Motion to approve 6.3 and sent to no business.

Are there any objections?

Hearing none 6.3 will be approved, sent to new business with the recommendation to approve.

Thank you all.

Moving us along to 6.4.

6.4 is contract number 600 7605 utilizing 100% city funding to provide uniforms and related services.

The contractors, Phoenix Safety Outfitters, they are located in Southfield, Michigan.

This will be a three-year contract at 700 and 7007 765, 552 with 94 cents, and this will be for the fire departments.

Is there a motion to approve or discuss 6.4?

Motion to discuss 6.4.

Discussion, vice chair.

Thank you, madam chair.

I'm not sure if we have someone on we do.

So for discussion for 6.4.

If we can please move uh DC Hillman or Mr.

Washington, who do we have?

I believe we should have Ms.

Evangelista.

Do we have DC Hillman online?

Good morning through the chair.

Yes, Mr.

Washington.

Um, through the chair for this one, we have Robert Stokes from the fire department as well as Lola Clark.

If we can make them both into panelists, Mr.

Stokes has been made a panelist.

Thank you.

Okay.

And Lola Clark as well.

Thank you.

Yeah, both are made panelists.

Thank you.

As folks join, if you wouldn't mind stating your names and titles for the public.

Yes, madam chair.

Good morning.

Uh, my name is Robert Stokes.

I'm deputy fire commissioner with the Detroit Fire Department.

Thank you for joining us.

And I believe we have one more person joining us online.

Oh I apologize.

I'm having a problem getting my video to show.

So it's not letting me no worries.

If you wouldn't mind just introducing yourself, we can hear you.

This is Lola Clark, um contracting and procurement specialist from the Office of Contracting and Procurement.

And I'm still working on this video.

Thank you both for joining us.

No worries, Ms.

Clark.

Please feel free to stay off uh video.

We can hear you.

If we have any questions, uh, we'll turn it over to you.

Uh, but for now to our vice chair.

Thank you, madam chair, and good morning, Deputy Commissioner and Ms.

Clark.

I um I have a question two part one.

If you can just for the public go into uh what type of uniforms this contract would be for, and also just want to clear um confirm there were no uh Detroit or Wayne County based contractors who commit who submitted a bid for this to whoever can answer, not sure um there was a bidding question, OCP.

I'm sorry.

Uh yes, I apologize.

I can't answer that question.

There were no uh Detroit vendors that submitted a bid for this.

However, we did reach out to uh over a hundred that were invited uh but not responded.

Thank you.

Thank you, Ms.

Clark, and thank you for the due diligence.

And um, and if yeah, if uh Ms.

Clark or Deputy Commissioner, if you can go into just explaining what type of uniforms these are for.

Just contract.

Yes, sir, through the chair.

Through the chair.

Um so most of the uniforms that you see that that's listed for this is our station wear, uh, our basic uh class A uniforms, which is our dress attire, uh, which is almost similar to a suit that we wear uh for special occasions and/or events, and then we may have a day-to-day uh uh clothing that they wear every single day to work.

So that covers their station wear, their uh class A uniforms, which is like I said, for those special type of events, um, as well as uh some of your additional uh gloves, boots and PPE.

So this is basically to make sure that they're they are receiving all the necessary uh safety equipment as well as uh uh regular wear equipment uh during your tenure on the department.

Great.

Thank you, Deputy Commissioner, and thank you, Madam Chair.

That's it from our questions.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you all.

Are there any other questions for 6.4 hearing none?

Is there a motion to approve?

Motion to approve.

Hearing no objections, 6.4 will be sent to formal with the recommendation to approve.

Thank you guys for joining us.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Moving us to 6.5.

This is contract number 6007602.

100% grants funding to provide six lactation pods.

The contractor is space works, they are located in Maryland.

This will be for two years, the total amounts being 149,000.

And this will be for the health departments.

Is there a motion to approve with discussion?

Motion.

Thank you.

And I believe if we can please make Leah Smith into a panelist, if she's on with us.

Yes, Miss Smith has been made a panelist.

Thank you.

Good morning, if you wouldn't mind stating a name and title for the public.

Um good morning through the chair, Leah Smith, Director of Administrative Operations for the Health Department.

Thank you for joining us.

Good to see you, Director.

Uh we are on six points five.

This is regarding lactation pods.

I'm just excited uh to see this and wonder if you wouldn't mind sharing with us in the public uh where we might find these.

Uh this is the first that I'm seeing.

Um, so if you wouldn't mind sharing a little bit more of the um the programming behind this as well.

Um, absolutely.

Through the chairs.

So this is made possible by a grant through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services called the Healthy Community Zones Grant.

And part of that grant is focusing on increase of you know breastfeeding classes and also lactation and breastfeeding space.

One of the biggest items that we identified as we were applying for this grant was just the lack of space for nursing mothers or pumping mothers to utilize, especially in public.

A lot of times they end up going into like the handicap stall in a restroom, or you know, they're trying to hide their baby and hide themselves, which is not always necessarily the most comfortable for the mother in question.

So, as part of this grant application, we included a request for the purchase of lactation pods.

So these lactation pods will have a smart lock where the mother can scan the QR code to open up the pod.

There will be, you know, light, it will be heated or cooled depending on the time of the year.

There will also be, you know, a nice comfortable bench, a small little table.

Um, it's not gonna be quite as big as the ones you see in like the airports, for example, but it's still going to be big enough for like a mother and a baby and potentially another child.

A lot of times moms, you know, have a couple kids under the age of five at one time.

Um, and so in addition to that, where where we're where we're going to be placing these is a combination of community-based organization partners and also recreation centers.

So we don't quite have the recreation centers identified yet.

I can confirm that we are working with Henry Ford to have one of these placed on their campus as well as placed in new center one.

And then in addition to that, we're also looking at the placement of potentially at another hospital, such as Detroit Medical Center or Cyanai Grace.

Again, just to give all those mothers more of an option.

So, what will happen is once we purchase the lactation pods and they are ready to be placed, then we will execute a memorandum of understanding with the community-based organization who will be you know taking the pot, basically taking over the placement of the pod, and they will be responsible for the maintenance of it.

Um, and so I will say that we did have quite a few bids.

This was the most comprehensive we felt like, and also happened to be the best price.

So thank you.

Okay, I appreciate this, Director.

Thank you for doing this work.

Um, I believe that we can be doing a lot more as a city and with our private partners to make our spaces more welcoming and accessible.

And this is part of that conversation.

Um, you mentioned utilizing the QR code.

Um, can you share with us what the thought process is?

Um, I guess how would this work?

Do you know?

Um, and just as you mentioned, scanning a code, um, will there be a way for uh parents who may not have a smartphone to access the space as well?

Yes, so we're still trying we're still working on the access for you know individuals who may not have a smartphone to scan the QR code.

However, we do want to have a way to track usage of the lactation pods throughout the city to see if there's an area that perhaps has more usage, and maybe that's an area that we need to be doing additional outreach for through our breastfeeding programs and you know our um maternal child health programs.

And so the whole idea, you know, is you take your phone, you scan the QR code, it unlocks it, and then once it's closed, you can lock it from the inside, and then the mother and the baby are safe during their time there.

So whether they need to be in there for you know 10 minutes or 30 minutes, they're safe.

We know that someone utilized the pod, and then that way too, it also allows us to monitor if the pod is still operating, if there's any functionality issues, and so that's why we're going with the smart lock.

We thought about doing a more traditional, you know, like um key lock.

The challenge with that is if a parent needs to use a pod and it's perhaps after hours, or they can't find the person who has the key.

We wanted to make sure that parents had the most easy, easy way to access the spaces for when they needed it instead of trying to have to track down a key.

That kind of defeats the purpose of placing the pods and making it more accessible for our residents.

Okay.

And thank you.

And this is new, understanding that.

Um as you're speaking, um, I can imagine us maybe through the health department, because that would make sense if you had if you give out a card to expecting parents to new parents.

Um, and then maybe that QR code still allows you to keep track of that data, but also allows it to be accessible to them.

Um I know this is new, but would be really wonderful for this to um once it grows, uh, that more folks are able to access it.

Um I'm glad to hear that we are partnering with other organizations and hospitals, but just wondering, and this is grant funded, which is great.

Um this just brings more questions to me like do our hospitals not have lactation?

There's just a lot of need, it sounds like um for us to just in general uh make our spaces more accessible.

Um seriously considering if that will require an ordinance that makes it so that we do this um so any public space, um, any new build is thinking uh intentionally around this, put people with disabilities, families.

Um I'm just hearing a lot of instances where we're not um necessarily the most welcoming, but so this is a a great a great step in that direction.

Thank you, Director.

Those are all of my questions for now.

Are there any other questions for 6.5?

Our vice chair.

Thank you, um, madam chair, and thank you, Director.

I I'm also very excited about this.

I I think having public spaces and spaces that mothers um can uh breastfeed and and safely um is key, and especially as we're thinking about uh maternal and infant health in the city as well.

I feel like this is also a part of that.

So thank you for that.

And uh similar to the I know this is new as the chair stated.

I'm wondering if since these were being places inside, if we could explore maybe having like if there's an iPad that can be attached to the uh station, so maybe that will help with the QR code or if you didn't have a phone there that could still help with that um and capture and information.

So uh just wanted to uh express that, but also uh director.

If there, I know this is the first instance of these.

Um I'm also thinking about you know, places that mothers are that maybe in the park or uh such or areas that we know is high traffic.

Um, and I know this is the first iteration of that, but if you could talk to your plans on if the health department has plans on how we are tracking how well this goes and and um add into that moving forward.

I'm through the chair, so this is a one-time grant from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

So the funding will not continue, most likely after this year.

We may get a continuation of the funds into next year, but after that, this is not an ongoing program through the State Department.

So we would need to um explore alternative funding for this work if we wanted to continue it moving forward based on you know demand and usage.

As far as the tracking, again, it's really just to track number one, you know, the the usage, how many residents are actually utilizing the space.

And then also again looking at location-wise, we are trying to spread them out throughout the city.

You know, we want to make sure that they're not just in one location, you know, just in midtown or just in downtown to really put them where the people are.

And so again, depending on the highest usage areas is probably the areas where we would focus on potential placement of additional pods if funding was identified and made available.

Um, I will also say as well that we are already planning on doing outreach and outreach flyers inside of the pods.

So when mothers go in, like they can see, you know, you can call this number for rides to care for the maternal child health programs, which includes you know, safe sleep and sister friends, and so for us, this is also an opportunity to continue to expand our services throughout the community to potential mothers and parents who may not have heard of the programs we have before, so they can take full advantage of those.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

And I would also yes, I hope that this is uh is a show and this is a message to various stakeholders in the city that um having places for folks to uh breastfeed in a safe and comfortable place is a need.

So hopefully this will help to continue spread spreading awareness and and movement.

So thank you.

Thank you, Vice Chair.

Hearing no other questions.

Thank you, Director again for this work.

This is exciting.

Is there a motion to approve 6.5 motion?

Hearing no objections, 6.5 will be approved, sent to formal with the recommendation to approve.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Moving us along to the departments of appeals and hearings, 6.6.

This is a dangerous buildings findings and orders for December 5th, 2025.

Is there a motion to receive and file?

Motion to receive and file.

Hearing no objections, 6.6 will be received and filed.

Under the buildings safety, engineering and environmental department 6.7.

This is a recommendation for deferral of property at 11945 lane.

Is there a motion to approve or discuss?

Motion to approve.

Hearing no objections.

Under the legislative policy division 6.8.

This is a report regarding natural gas and electricity shut-off.

Um a moratorium on both.

Is there a motion to discuss 6.8?

Motion.

Thank you.

Member Waters.

To LPD, I just want to confirm the information.

So member Callaway sent out a question whether or not the city can put forth a moratorium on natural gas and electricity shutoff.

So DTE.

And it states that essentially city council cannot do so.

This is a power exclusively by the Michigan Public Service Commission.

So want to know if that's true.

And two, whether or not there is already a program within DTE that prevents them from shutting off power.

I believe in cold or extreme extreme weather to LPD.

The first question is yes.

Okay.

Thank you, madam chair.

Uh for and this might be an additional question for LPD and uh in the powers of city council.

What about when it comes to water shutoff?

The uh through the chair, member McCampbell.

The uh what's the name of the entity?

The this this entity does not have jurisdiction over water.

The water's a completely different analysis in that sense.

Okay.

However, you have the uh analysis of the Great Lakes Water Authority and the bankruptcy and the relationship between Great Lakes Water Authority and Detroit Water and Sewage Department.

And you should talk to them about that.

But we have done reports on that, and there's a basically the idea is that when these entities were broken up and reconfigured, there's a flow of all the funds to pay off of all the bonds, and that's the way that they have explained it in the past is that all of our money is committed to that, and so the the dis the power is limited to the extent that it if it would adversely affect that, if that makes sense.

Right.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thanks.

Thank you, Vice Chair.

Any other questions for 6.8.

Hearing none, is there a motion to receive and file?

Motion.

Hearing no objections, 6.8 will be received and filed.

The report will be received and filed.

Under miscellaneous 6.9.

This is a memo requesting information regarding public restrooms.

Uh this is through our office.

We're going into budgets, and we have a lot of questions around accessibility.

Um so we have been told to bring this back in three weeks.

Uh hearing no objections without objections.

6.9 will be brought back in three weeks.

That brings us down to member reports.

Member Waters.

Thank thank you, madam chair.

Um, first of all, I just want to thank everybody for coming out on this on this cold Saturday morning to the Northwest Activity Center.

Um for the defraud discussion.

And so this Wednesday, uh, we have another default discussion, which will be in district one.

I'm doing that.

Uh we're doing that in conjunction with uh President Um James Tate.

It's from 4 to 6 p.m.

This Wednesday, February 4th at Crowwell Recreation Center, which is at make sure I get this address right.

16630 Lasser Road.

1663, Lasser Road.

And of course, this is hybrid as well.

That means that you can join us virtually, like so many people did.

This past um Saturday, they joined us virtually.

So we had a great deal of um participation.

Uh February 4th, this Wednesday, 4 to 6 p.m.

Crowwell Recreation Center at 16630, Lasa Road.

My office number is 313 2363.

313 628-2363.

If you want the uh webinar uh ID and passcode, uh we also shared it on um on a social media page.

All right, thank you, madam chair.

Thank you, Member Waters, Vice Chair McCampbell.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I first want to thank everyone who came out to our SWARN and vision of session last Wednesday.

It was a packed house at St.

Suzanne.

So really appreciate it.

And thank you, Member Waters, for attending as well for being there.

Um I yeah, it was such a great time.

I also want to say happy black history month to folks.

Um, I think about not only this month to reflect on um the history of black folks in this country and and around the world, but also the need to make sure that we are thinking about the intersectionality of all the issues that are impacting folks, and as we see how um unfortunately in this country, issues have been disproportionately impacting black folks um in every area.

So absolutely, um, with this committee and as a council as a whole, I know my colleagues share and have been working on how to make sure we we lift our folks and and that will be the duty not only this month but throughout the year to come and beyond that.

So just want to say happy black history month and and really ask all of us to really recommit ourselves to uplifting black folks in the city and around the world.

Thank you.

Thank you, Vice Chair.

Uh, just want to share with residents in District 6 that this month, I will be uh guest at our office hours.

Today we're gonna be at Equity Alliance.

Uh we will be there until 5 p.m.

We do have a closed session today at 2 30, so hopefully I get to make our um our office hours at least by 3 30, 4 o'clock, we shall see.

Um, and if you miss me at Equity Alliance, I will be at Kemini Rec Center from 4 to 6 p.m.

on Monday, February 16th.

I too want to wish everyone a very happy Black History Month.

This year marks the hundredth anniversary, although we know um that uh this is much more than a hundred year history in this country.

Um and to just want to um re-emphasize the need for all of us to work together.

Um the the division in this country is is very real.

Um and quite frankly, unless all black people are safe and secure, nobody else will.

I deeply believe this about everyone.

Um so grateful to be able to serve this beautiful black city.

Um looking forward to a fun and educational black history month.

Um, my team and I are reading origins of an urban crisis.

So if anyone's interested in learning about black history in the city and the issues that we have now, I encourage you to join our book club.

Uh, but other than that, uh hearing nothing else to come before us, we are now adjourned.

We are now adjourned.