Put the priority first.

And colleagues that have been asked that we do speak into the microphones.

They did ask us in the back.

Folks have been reaching out saying they can't hear us, and they've been having some audio challenges and potting us up.

So if we can please speak into the microphone.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Well, good morning.

Good morning.

Again, introduce yourselves, and the floor is yours to begin.

Thank you.

Good morning, Council President, Pro Tem and Honorable Council members.

My name is Tim Palozolo.

I'm the director of the construction and demolition department.

And it is my honor and privilege to present Mayor Sheffield's budget for fiscal year 2027 for the construction and demolition department.

We got to get the slide deck up.

This is always the fun part.

Yep.

Apologies, give us a second.

Good morning.

All right, there we go.

Morning.

I actually like to begin with one of our priority initiatives for fiscal year 27.

Next slide.

In alignment with Mayor Sheffield's vision to support youth mentorship and workforce development program.

CDD will create a rapid response team to address any repair and investigate any improvement to city facilities that provide after school programming to protect and promote a continuity of quality service for Detroit youth.

During peak operational hours, we intend to staff uh those facilities uh with personnel on site and during off-peak hours.

Our uh intended target is for teams to respond within one hour of notification of the c of the request or the issue.

Uh our mission next slide is to enhance and improve the quality of life of Detroit residents through the maintenance, repair, and improvement of city facilities and assets, the securing of vacant and open residential and commercial structures, and the cleanup of residential properties, and finally the elimination of blakant vacant and bladed structures.

Our core pillars are to provide a service that is first and foremost customer focused.

We will begin and end every day with our customers' needs in mind.

We will uh listen, we will ask questions, and we will engage our customers with honesty and appreciation.

Next, we will be data driven.

We will collect, utilize and share meaningful data about our services.

We will collect the data that matters to our customers and ourselves.

We will utilize that data to drive efficiency and effectiveness, and we will share data, our data to promote transparency and trust.

And finally, we will be dependable.

We will say what we'll do, and we will do what we say.

We will show up and we will be present for our customers and for ourselves.

I'd next like to introduce our operational units.

First, we have our facilities' maintenance team with a staff of more than 50 skilled trades, project managers and supervisors.

The facilities maintain maintenance team truly embodies the Detroit Hustles Harder Spirit.

The team provides routine and preventative maintenance and manages both minor and major repairs for over 140 facilities across the city and includes recreation centers, transit centers, splash pads, comfort stations, police stations, and firehouses.

On an annual basis, the facilities maintain maintenance team completes more than 6300 assigned tasks for an average of about 17 tasks per day.

You can see the breakdown of tasks by trade group category, structural, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing.

For fiscal year 27, we have proposed funding of approximately 7.3 million dollars for both professional and contractual services as well as operating supplies.

The department utilizes outside contractors to supplement our current capacity when necessary, and also provide specialty services that we don't currently have in house.

They are responsible for new construction and major rehabilitation projects.

The Capital Projects team truly builds the assets of tomorrow today.

They work in close consultation with the administration and client departments to align funding opportunities for and long-term service goals to deliver assets that truly work for Detroiters.

The team manages all aspects of new construction of major rehabilitation projects, including project planning, design, site preparation, construction, and closeout.

I know you all are familiar with their many successful projects.

Examples include the Chandler Park Dome, the Hellenmore Community Center, the Palmer Park Banshell, the Mount Elliott Senior Center, which is expected to be completed later this year, and the Patent Pool Renovation Project.

For fiscal year 27, we have a proposed budget of 10 million dollars to improve city facilities and assets.

You'll see on the screen only a partial list of proposed projects.

As I indicated earlier, we intend to utilize resources in areas where youth services are provided, particularly the recreation centers.

This includes Crowell, Adams Butzel, and Heilman.

However, we also have operational facilities that are in need of significant improvement.

For example, Russell Ferry, we have uh an air compressor system that is completely outdated and needs uh complete replacement, and also at elections where we need to do uh a replacement of the chiller system.

But as I know, as I have heard in the previous session, we do have some assets and resources targeted for uh firehouses as well.

So we know that though there are needs there.

Next, we have the stabilization team.

They aim to advance the health, safety, and welfare of Detroit neighborhoods through the securing of vacant and open structures and the cleanup of residential properties.

The team works to protect and preserve property from further deterioration or blight in anticipation of future rehabilitation and reuse.

On the next slide, you can see some of our metrics over the last 18 months and our projection for the next uh for the last 18 months and a projection for the next 18 months.

The team has stabilized thousands of properties in preparation for future rehabilitation and reuse.

For fiscal year 27, one of our new initiatives is the deployment of the clear board material, which you've seen in a number of residential applications, but we intend to extend that to high priority uh city-owned commercial real estate assets.

In the past, our deployment of the clear board was restricted because of the use of the prop end funds that we use to procure the material.

We could only deploy those resources to residential properties, but the proposed fiscal year 27 budget removes that impediment, and we're now able to deploy the clear, we would now be able to deploy the clearboard material across commercial applications.

So that is something we're looking forward to for fiscal year 27.

Finally, we have the demolition team.

Since the founding of our department in July of 2020, the demolition team has managed the demolition of more than 10,000 blighted residential structures and more than 380 blighted commercial structures.

From the small bungalows over in Brightmore to the massive extance of the power packard plant, we have uh tackled pretty much every project in between, and I believe it's clear we've left our mark on the city.

As you'll see for this coming fiscal year, this proposed budget marks the end of major demolition operations in the city.

Uh of course, we will stand ready to address any emergency issues that arise, and we will continue our close collaboration with the buildings department to address those emergencies.

But the uh days of massive demolitions are are likely coming to a near end.

Uh we will focus our attention and resources on the preservation and stabilization of assets that we have in the city, and uh we believe that the proposed budget provides the resources for us to do just that.

But as part of this shift in focus, I do want to recognize that we will uh see probably see a reduction in force for this coming fiscal year, and we are already working with HR uh to find other opportunities for impacted staff.

So I want to make sure that that's that's known.

Finally, I'd be remiss if I didn't acknowledge and recognize the support staff who back the operational units.

We have a very talented team who work very hard every day to ensure that those operational units deliver efficient and effective services for uh our clients and customers in Detroit residents.

And we have the data GIS team, planning and strategy communications and media, as well as the compliance team.

Again, I just want to thank you for the time to present uh Madam Mayor's budget for fiscal year 2027 for the construction and demolition department.

I'll do my best to answer any questions that you might have here, and if not, I will respond as soon as possible with uh most thorough answer possible.

All right, thank you.

Thank you for the presentation.

Pro Tim Young.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Good to see you guys, always a pleasure.

Uh tell me, what are you doing involving um 3D printing and what are you doing involving autonomous demolition and also environmental abatement?

And please wow me if you can through the chair.

Uh these are fantastic topics.

Uh thank you for the question, first and foremost.

Uh we're certainly looking at all of the opportunities that the new technologies uh provide and avail themselves.

So uh you know, obviously, in the uh in the 3D printing space, uh we uh I will say that we have investigated the the possibility of deploying that type of technology, particularly in our facilities maintenance world, uh, where to be honest with you, we have facilities that uh are of such an age that replacement parts cannot be found in uh in a in a normal in a normal setting or or through a normal supplier.

Um it is a newer technology that we are still investigating, but it is one that we see uh having benefits for our operational units for sure.

Uh autonomous uh operations in the demolition sphere, to be honest with you, are ones that are at this point based on my understanding of the technology and what I've seen, uh its capabil of its capabilities, are best left to environments elsewhere at for now, to be honest with you.

Uh the the best available uh because the size, I mean because you're about to say is that because the sheer size of the work that you're doing, yeah, it might be more focused towards smaller projects or yes, or or large-scale industrial demolition is probably or uh remote uh hazardous materials mitigation or remediation are usually the more common applications at this point.

Okay.

In uh a dense environment like this, uh the technology is not at a point where it uh at least I believe it can outperform a human.

So I I see a horizon where it it may have different applications and and opportunities, but at this point uh I I think it is limited.

Yeah, it's not there yet.

You talked about it something uh I thought it was very interesting.

I was going to ask you the next question, kind of ran my mind before I sell you and why you should implement AI and all my ideas.

But um the reason what you talked about this earlier, we talked about uh the issue of hazardous uh mitigation.

And I just want to say, are you saying that you're open towards using this technology towards that, particularly towards the issue that we've been having with contaminated dirt we had in the city of Detroit?

Do you see this technology as something you could do to be able to implement towards that?

And do you think this would be more efficiency or provide more be more efficient, excuse me, in the process of going through that?

So we can mitigate that.

Not only mitigating it, we can mitigate it at a faster rate.

I think that the future is coming when that that that day will come.

But not quite I uh do is do I believe it's here?

No.

Okay.

No, I do not.

Uh typically the deployment of uh the autonomous uh heavy equipment or the remote operated is probably the more realistic application in the short term.

There's the remote operation, uh, is best for high hazard environments where exposure is an imminent threat, usually to worker safety.

Uh my you know, first reference or point of reference is in uh highly radiated environments, to be honest with you, some of the examples that I've heard of where human exposure is just it's too dangerous.

So to protect workers, they they deploy units remotely and have remote operators.

No, I I understand what you're talking about.

I don't want to name names because I don't want to get in trouble contractually, but I could think of some of the machines you're talking about to be able to do that.

So I mean so if you so if you so if you choose to you know implement all my ideas, I'd appreciate that.

Uh let me just give you some of the benefits, and then I'm gonna be done.

So if you uh implement the AI permit plan review systems, um that would um be your automated permit review, your zoning compliance, your code enforcement, your drone inspection network, that's your roof inspections, your facade inspection, and your demolition monitoring, your autonomous demolition robots that's just structural demolition of unsafe buildings.

We kind of talk about that a little bit.

Your robotic hazard abatement systems, that's your bestis, your lead, your toxic material remover, your autonomous construction equipment.

That's your AI bulldozers, your excavators, your grading equipment, your 3D uh printed construction systems, that's rapid construction of homes and buildings, your robotic construction systems, that's your brick lane robots, your automated structural assembly, your AI computer vision and compliance monitoring, that's your safety violations, detection, structural monitoring, your AI construction waste and recycling robots that's sorting demolition materials, your digital twin building infrastructure.

That's a citywide artificial intelligence building simulation and monitoring of one building that's virtually to pair to another building that's real, give you that comparison, and your blockchain permit that's an immutable digital distributed ledger.

So it's a ledger that's not based on one computer, but it's across many different computers.

That's the decentralized aspect of that.

That would secure your construction permits and your inspection records.

Your total technology invests to be 40 million to 75 million, but your annual savings will be 50 million to 110 million dollars.

Your construction speed increase would be about 30 to 70 percent, your inspection speed increase about 70, 80 percent, and your permit processing time will be reduced by weeks and hours.

I also just wanted to say that your housing construction will be two to four times faster, the property values increase by five to fifteen percent.

Your new construction activity will be 200 million to 1 billion dollars, the property tax growth be 20 to 60 million, the job creation be 5,000 to 15,000 dollars, and the permit approvals will be up to 90 percent faster.

So, because of all that, I encourage you to do everything I told you and implement it, and I look forward to seeing that soon.

That being said, thank you, Mr.

President.

That is my time.

Thank you.

All right, uh, we will now go to member Benson.

All right, thank you.

And uh, thank you all for being here today, Mr.

Palozola, good to see you.

Uh talk to you on a regular basis about our electric vehicle charging infrastructure and it's good use or its malfunctions, and so glad to see that we're getting things worked on and uh Soleil is a fantastic uh representative and gets things done on a regular basis, and so I get a chance to see her whenever there is equipment not working, she can come out and reset it and or call in the proper technicians to come out and repair and hoping that we get home in a young community center up and running again as well, and that we're keeping a good look on our infrastructure when it comes to EVs because if we don't have reliable system, then we really shouldn't have it.

But with the number of EVs growing in the city of Detroit in just two years ago, we were at 17%, I believe we're closer to 21% now.

You're gonna see a continued shift, and our residents relying on that infrastructure is huge.

And so if the data or the app says that we have a charger here that's working and we get there and it's not working, now you just create a level loss of confidence in the city and in its ability to manage its own infrastructure.

Hopefully you guys keep a round turn on that.

And we have the ordinance which requires that we charge for our fast chargers, and that revenue was supposed to go back into the system to make sure that we can repair them because they're up, they're far more expensive to maintain and keep.

And so we need that revenue, and we don't have it, and then you've got three out of four chargers down, or four of our EV charge our DC fast chargers down.

This lens to think, hey, maybe we should enter the charging process faster than what we are already.

So hoping to see all of those DC fast chargers implement the 39 cents per kilowatt hour that is mandated by our ordinance, in addition, keeping the um the slower chargers at our rec centers or level twos free for use by our residents, and so hoping to see that.

Um couple questions.

Uh dirt.

We had some challenges with dirty dirt, toxic dirt being dumped, and we're looking at if I'm not mistaken, um, approximately 600 holes that may have this dirt in a large number in the third district, which is causing concerns from our residents.

What can we look at as far as testing those holes, making sure that we're cleaning them out, getting non-toxic soil into our neighborhoods?

So, where are we with that?

Can you speak to that?

Through the chair, yes, I can.

Thank you for the questions, and also thank you for the the comments earlier on the on the EV infrastructure.

We are very excited about the possibilities that the EV charging infrastructure affords, and thank you for the compliment on our team.

I can assure you that they get up every day and sometimes very early to make sure that those those charges are working.

So thank you for that.

On the uh on the back, Phil.

We have an assigned environmental consultant who is in the process of testing.

In fact, uh they are scheduled to test today, tomorrow, and as long as uh the weather abides, they will be testing.

Uh we are approaching about 400 of the publicly owned lots tested.

Uh we expect uh all publicly owned, and by publicly owned, I mean DLBA owned lots uh to be completed in the coming weeks.

As we receive the analytical data from the labs, we are uh having our environmental consultant review that data and provide that information to us, and then we are moving forward with removal and replacement if the uh cleanup criteria are exceeded, which is the contractual standard, and it's also the strictest environmental standard in the state.

So if there is uh an exceedance uh of those cleanup criteria, we're moving to removal and replacement.

Um we have uh prepared a presentation for the Doncast this evening, so I I invite all of you to attend that.

In fact, my counterpart here, Ms.

Harrington will be the one leading the presentation, and I'll be there as well.

But uh we will continue to provide as much available information as possible to residents, and we will direct residents to our website where they can find the most up-to-date information on our testing progress, which sites uh require removal and replacement, and where those properties are in that process.

Uh, we've uh developed largely through Ms.

Harrington's good work, a series of notifications that we have distributed around the sites that are in question.

Uh, as those sites are tested and as the results come in, we will distribute more notifications to uh surrounding residents for those sites that do require removal removal and replacement.

Once that process is complete, we'll again distribute more notices to let the the neighbors and residents know that uh the removal and replacement process is complete.

The last of the properties to be tested are the ones that are privately owned, where we're working with the residents to obtain the authorization to access the property so that we can test the material at no one no cost to them.

If the material does require removal and replacement, we will again do that at our cost.

Okay, do we have a report on this yet as far as source of funding's cost per hole?

We do not have a uh uh a report yet, but we are in the process of developing it.

We're moving very quickly.

Uh we can give you average cost of sampling to date.

Uh our removal and replacement data is relatively new, but we can give you what we have.

Okay, we can prepare that for you.

Yes.

All right, my team will be reaching out asking for a office uh meeting so we can get a better handle on what's going on.

This is a uh routine question that's coming in the third district, and really concerned about the health of our residents.

Then going into some of your core services, demolition, stabilization, uh trash outs, looking at the demos from fiscal year 25 to fiscal year 27, 90 percent reduction.

Uh stabilization, 75 percent reduction.

Commercial demos, zero scheduled.

Uh trash outs 91% reduction.

And these numbers probably moving forward look like what the city was doing prior to bankruptcy when we didn't have federal and or bond debt to support these type of activities.

What are we going to be doing in our neighborhoods now when we have one at we only get one in ten what we were doing before when it comes to removing stabilizing homes, getting down uh unwanted commercial along our corridors?

What are the plans for blight removal and stabilization of our neighborhoods showing this huge reduction in resources going to those activities?

Through the chair.

Uh one of the things I would note is that the slide that was provided notes uh initial stabilizations or initial uh securings.

What it doesn't present uh adequately are the revisits that our team does, and we can get you those data points as well.

As many of you are aware, a lot of the activities that uh require our services are repeat customers, so we go back multiple times.

I can assure you that we will have staff to address these issues.

Uh the staff are not the the teams are not going away.

We are facing a reduction in force, but we will have the resources to address uh the stabilizations as we need to.

On the demolition side, we have the resources to address the emergencies that come through, and we'll continue to work with the building department, the dangerous buildings team in particular, to make sure that we're responding as quickly as possible to those.

Planned commercial activities were largely funded through ARPA, and with the close out of the ARPA program, we will not have the resources to address many of those.

Planned residentials, uh, we have a number of properties that are currently in the pipeline uh for which we have some available funding under Prop N remaining.

I would defer to my colleague over in ODFS to talk about the available funding on Prop N.

Uh, but once that close out uh is complete, we would look at uh minimal planned residential activity as well.

Again, our focus, our efforts will be on the stabilization and the preservation of whatever assets uh the city has in its inventory or the land bank has in its inventory.

All right, thank you.

Uh motion to put the demolition department construction demolition um into executive session and into the closing resolution urging continued support for demolition where appropriate within our neighborhoods as a public health and safety issue.

So member Benson, I think I heard two different motions there.

The first motion is to put the entire budget question into the uh executive session.

Colleagues, any objection?

There's a motion on the floor.

Seeing none, that action shall be taken.

Can you repeat that second motion, please?

To place in the closing resolution advocacy to the construction demolition department to continue with demolitions in our neighborhood is a public health and safety issue.

Colleagues, there's a motion on the floor.

Any objections?

Seeing none, that action shall be taken.

Thank you.

Uh member McCampbell.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair, and good morning to you all.

I uh appreciate the uh conversation intro to the department um recently.

I just wanted to continue on that to ask about um looking at the uh let me go to it for the facilities, seeing that there's a projected increase in task for FY27.

I just wanted to talk about and you know, for me, there's been conversations uh bringing up around the contractor services uh and what we can bring in housing.

You mentioned that in your um presentation.

So looking at that increase in task, are are there areas that you think would be beneficial to bring in-house under um your department uh to handle that increase?

Through the chair, thank you for the question.

That's a very it's a very broad question.

Uh and to be honest with you, I would need to I wouldn't I'll need some time to reflect on that, particularly with specific trades, to be honest.

Uh it we have capacities in-house uh in in certain respects, and in other respects we do not.

Um so it is going to be somewhat trade dependent uh and and in terms of category of activity.

So I I'm I I look forward to further conversations on the topic, but it's unfortunately such a a massive question that uh we're gonna need some time to talk through it.

And I I appreciate that.

And as a uh follow-up to that on those trades, um, you know, DWSD has apprenticeship programs and and their department.

Um have you all had a couple thoughts or conversation around apprenticeship programs within uh CD?

Through the chair, we we have had some, but admittedly uh not many recently.

But I do look forward to uh working with Madam Mayor's uh labor relations team uh to see how we we might be able to do that.

Gotcha.

I'll I'll make a motion if we can put into the executive session um a discussion around um in-house services and apprenticeship program for the department.

Is there a motion on the floor?

Any objections?

See none, then action shall be taken.

And uh just a question uh in addition to the conversation that my colleague member Benson brought up around the backfield and such.

Uh I know there's plan is still being planned out and costs around that.

Um I'm just thinking about, and I brought this up before in this conversation around this is that the were the as recouping that cost as it will be to go back.

Um has there I know there's still investigations going on, but were we all in a process of you know, because this is gonna be money to uh pay to go back and do this.

Where are we on that to figure out who is gonna pay for this ultimately and not fall on Detroit taxpayers?

Through the chair, thank you for the question.

I can assure you that I I have conversations with the law department about this topic at least a couple times a week.

So I I I know they are on it.

They are they are working through that process for sure.

I rest assured they are on it.

Because they asked me for a whole lot of information and and data and documentation, and we're getting them everything we can as soon as we can.

Yeah, and I'll definitely follow with the law department as well.

All right, thank you so much.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you.

Member Santiago Romero.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Good morning.

Good to see you.

Uh looking forward to the results of that investigation and what we will be doing to correct um what happened.

You mention um working closely with B seed really when it comes to our addressing our our dangerous buildings.

As the chair, we often see a lot of properties um that are uh uh deemed dangerous to be demolished that might just be missing a window.

Um they might just have some shingles that are falling, and uh quite frankly, we always send them back for a cost analysis.

And now if there's fire insiders damage that we don't see, it's we should demolish, we understand that's but sometimes it just really is um that or its overgrowth.

Um so just wondering how do you decide um and if you wouldn't mind sharing with us, because we're often trying to save properties from being demolished, and then they are um and I understand if a property is left vacant and if it's exposed, it can lead to folks going in, animals, all the things, and then the property becomes dangerous.

Just explain to us a little bit more of maybe the challenges of preserving properties.

Um understanding the longer that estate's vacant, I think the longer the problem that is.

I think the solution will be getting it occupied as quickly as possible.

But we're not there yet.

Um and I'm trying to prevent from demolishing properties that can be saved or that will cost a little less to save a window.

Um how are these conversations that you have with BCED when you're looking at properties?

Because we're thinking about maybe instead of demolishing properties, can we set money aside to maybe just fix the window or fix the roof?

It might cost 10,000 to fix a roof, but it's gonna cost 25 to demolish.

Um if you wouldn't mind sharing a little bit about these conversations because we have them often in public health and safety for dangerous buildings, and we're trying to see how we can preserve demolish what's dangerous, but you know, work through these challenges.

Yeah.

Through the chair, thank you for the question.

I I really do appreciate it because it is our primary focus is to preserve and protect assets in the city of Detroit.

And our our buildings and our homes are our assets for sure.

There is no doubt about it.

Um our team works closely not just with the building department, but also with the Department of Neighborhoods, the land bank to preserve and protect as many structures as possible.

While demolition is in our name, it is our last resort.

We do not want to demolish a building if we can save it, if we can somehow preserve it.

That is always our first option.

And we have fantastically talented uh almost artistic team members who are capable of finding creative ways uh to secure structures.

Uh unfortunately uh we have some equally creative persons on the other side of the equation who are exceptionally good at uh getting into structures and uh if we could find them, uh to be honest with you, we'd love to hire them because their skills are actually quite good.

Uh and it's uh it's uh a constant cat and mouse game, to be honest with you.

And uh we uh we work tires tires tirelessly to make sure that we preserve and protect as many assets as possible.

But it is a conversation that involves not just BC, it is the DON's, it is the land bank, uh all their other uh departments and agencies within the administration, and we are uh ready to work with any in them, any of them and all of them to make sure that we can preserve as many structures as possible.

Okay, thank you.

I appreciate that.

I I need to see it.

Uh quite frankly, as the chair, we're still seeing a lot of properties coming through that we believe can be salvaged.

Um I think this is a conversation, and I know um that our director from BC is uh willing to have this as well.

Um I think this is a closing resolution, Mr.

President, that I'm I'm gonna make that that that we've come up with the preservation plan for detracters.

Uh we we we spent down a lot of our money for construction, I mean excuse me, uh for demolition.

Um would love to see more of the construction.

Um, but I I we're still not seeing that.

Um I I I want to see preserving uh properties.

So Mr.

President would like to add to the closing resolution a preservation plan that we can work with with construction demolition and B seed.

It might already be the case, but where are the resources, where is the help?

We need more residents to know.

So that is uh a motion, Mr.

President, for closing resolution of a preservation plan for our properties.

Thank you, ma'am.

There's a motion on the floor, colleagues.

Any objections?

Seeing none, that action shall be taken.

Thank you, Mr.

Presidents.

Um that's really my line of thinking for construction and demolition.

Um, more construction, uh, less demo if we can prevent it and and uh more preservation of our properties uh for our residents.

Uh so we'll continue to work on that.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you.

Just got two brief ones, and we're gonna place them into uh a memo sent your way, but salaries and um wages increased um uh even though the total department staffing has dropped by a number of positions, at least according to the information I have before us.

Um what classifications, um pay assumptions and reclassifications explain that increase uh in the wages and salaries.

Uh Mr.

President, uh I would say that the changes in the salaries that you see is largely due to, and I can uh uh I'll defer to my colleague from the finance department for clarification and backup, but those changes largely reflect the close out of uh the use utilization of Prop N to fund salaries uh for uh for blight staff.

So that is going up though?

Shouldn't it go down?

So overall, I believe that there is a modest adjustment uh for salaries overall for person or for staff who work on blight.

However, it is probably not as dramatic as you might think because the prior fiscal year paid for most of uh the staff salaries out of prop and funds.

If you can assist, please.

Sure, thank you through the chair.

Um yes, so that the task there were TAS employees at the time this budget was created.

Um that was to increase, but as of F5 FY27, those task employees will decrease.

So it it's in alignment, it offsets, so that's what the issue is in terms of why you see the increase right now based on the blight and the TAS employees from bond being transferred over to the blight fund, and for FY27, there's also a decrease because the program is coming to an end.

Gotcha.

Thank you.

And then my last question is from our folks who are watching uh in D1.

I know that it's indicated that it's a proposed 10 million dollar uh capital improvement plan, which includes uh Crowell Rec Center, which is in District One.

If you can talk to us about some of those improvements, upgrades that uh residents in D1 should be expecting at that location.

And what amount of the 10 million president?

So I know that there are some inspection issues that came out of our regular inspections with BC that we need to address with those funds.

I also know that there is an ADA compliance issue that we need to address over at that facility at the entranceway, I believe.

Um for more specifics, I I would consult with our capital projects team for more of the specific details, but those are some of the ones that immediately come to mind.

Okay.

Because I know there was a uh complete overhaul of the parking lots, uh both both sides, if you will.

Um do you know if there's going to be any additional uh rooms that are going to be uh created as a result of this capital funding or any adjustments to the the gym?

I know I know you said you want to consult with your folks, but maybe those are top of the morning.

Yeah, Mr.

President, off the top of my head, no, those do not sound like uh projects that would be included under this capital allocation.

Okay, more questions coming your way, but right now we'll go to member waters.

Member Waters.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um I was going to really ask you about how you build out apprenticeship programs, but my colleague from the 7th district did ask about that.

The purpose of my question was because we I started an apprenticeship program last budget cycle.

I put a million dollars in there and in it, and of course, I want to be able to put additional funds in it this year.

Um I'm assuming that you haven't heard a single thing about it either.

I'm assuming.

Is that correct?

Through the chair, that that is correct.

Okay, well, we've got to get to the bottom of this now, don't we?

Because the whole purpose of it was to work with with uh unions to help build it out, and so that those would be secure union jobs for people here in the city.

I I don't get why you haven't heard about it.

So at any rate, um it's not your fault.

Thank you.

Um, I'm gonna go on to the next question because every time I ask somebody about it, everybody's looking at me like, what I don't know what goes on around here sometimes.

Okay.

Um, what percentage of the overall budget goes to contracted out services?

What what percentage do you contract out and what goes to in-house workers, and then how has that evolved in the past several uh fiscal years through the chair?

Uh council member, my response will be somewhat bifurcated because I think the answer depends on whether we're talking about the facilities maintenance side, or if we're talking about the blight side.

Uh for demolition, 100% of our services are contracted out.

We don't perform any demolitions in-house.

Conversely, we do 100% of the stabilizations in-house.

Okay.

So those are our own crews, those are our own teams, those are our own people who go in and do that work.

Uh so all of the the work to secure those buildings, the removal of debris, moving it to the curve, working with DPW to have that picked up.

That that's those are people that do that.

Okay.

Uh on the facilities maintenance side.

I I believe the answer is uh unfortunately, it depends.

It depends on the trade that we're talking about and and the type of work that needs to be done.

And we can try to get you a more detailed breakdown uh by trade category, but it will depend on trade.

Uh-huh.

So a lot of those stabilization uh positions in um those union positions um as well, and they have to go through how much training for to do those.

Uh through the chair, those positions are not unionized, those are task positions, those are contractual, yes.

Okay.

All right.

Okay, yeah.

So much to learn, uh, Mr.

President.

But but oh, yeah, you'll be hearing from me on the apprenticeship program that I started.

Oh, yes, it's gonna be happening.

Very good.

Thank you.

Look forward to it.

Thank you.

Uh, member Johnson.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair, and good morning to you.

Um, I know we just met not long ago.

I do have a series of questions that will be emailed over to you.

Um, I kind of want to talk about two things.

One is very brief.

Um I've noticed um, so since the Chandler Park Dome has gone up and opened up, there have been some challenges around keeping it open when it's really cold outside.

Um, the the temperature, we have difficulties raising the temperature so that staff can uh work in the dome, um, and as a result has been closed.

I'm wondering if there are any conversations about doing additional improvements and another generator, anything that can help with that particular situation just to make sure that the dome is open when it is scheduled to be open.

Through the chair, we have had conversations with the team at GSD about uh expectations in terms of ambient air temperatures in the dome in uh colder periods of the season, and uh we have not admittedly investigated the implementation of any additional mechanical units to try to uh improve uh or enhance the the air temperature during colder weather.

Um the dome is it it is uh it is an architectural wonder to be honest with you.

It is it is uh a unique facility uh that uh we are constantly learning more about every day.

Um the the challenge we have is that we the two units that we have, while each one, each mechanical unit on its own could independently keep the the dome inflated to push out the type of air temperature that would increase the the indoor ambient air to a point where it would be more like an indoor environment uh would likely damage the units permanently, and so to protect and preserve the the the mechanical units, we run them at uh a maximum operational efficiency, and unfortunately, when it is colder outside, it won't significantly increase the indoor or ambient air temperature inside.

So I I can't say I told you so.

Um so I know we had conversations before these dollars were um utilized for the dome, and I was advocating for some additional dollars so we could have a brick and mortar structure.

Um as much as everyone loves it because it's unique, it's our first dome.

Um, I was always focused on making sure that we had a full-fledged recenter in the district and the dome is it.

So when the dome is out of commission, it creates a tremendous problem.

Um Director Perkins and I have both uh received emails from residents in regards to that, and so um I'm not sure if there is a way to address the issue without damaging the dome, but would would certainly ask that you all continue to have those conversations to see what we can do.

I am also wondering if other domes that exist throughout Southeast Michigan have the same problem.

Um perhaps we can communicate with them and and see if they have a solution for that.

Through the chair, we we have had conversations with other dome operators in the region, and they face similar similar ambient air issues in inside a dome environment, precisely because it is a dome environment, and so during cold weather, it becomes very difficult for those domes to maintain an indoor temperature standard that is equivalent to a facility like this.

Thank you.

And I'll I'll put my thinking cap on on what to include in the executive session or the closing resolution as it relates to that.

Um, my second question is really more in alignment with several of my colleagues as it relates to um doing what we can to preserve properties as opposed to demolishing properties, and so I am going to send you a question that kind of speaks to what we've seen in the past as it relates to properties that are secured, um, whether clear boarded or or plywood is put on them.

Um but I am interested in in understanding how those properties are marketed through the chair.

Uh I would need to defer to my colleagues at either the DLBA or the DBA to answer any marketing questions.

Okay.

So then there because I'm referring to residential properties, they are under the purview of the Detroit Land Bank Authority.

Do my my question to you then is as it relates to stabilization.

One of the things that I have seen is we would board up or put clear board on a property, but we don't trash it out.

We don't clear it out so that people can see what the property actually looks like because you know when you see a property that's trashed, um people have a different perception of it, right?

It becomes maybe a little bit more difficult for them to be able to see through going through a rehabilitation of the property.

So can you speak to why we don't do trash outs for all of the residential properties?

Through the chair, the circumstances for a trash out can be a bit complicated depending on the condition and depending upon access, safe access is our first priority.

So if there are any potential structural issues with a with a with a house that could limit our access, that is one of the reasons why we would not trash it out.

That said, if you have properties that you're thinking of, and uh I I think that you do, uh you can certainly share that list of properties with us, and we're happy to take a look at them and see what we can do.

Thank you for that.

And and the only reason I ask is because I think they would be probably better candidates of being sold, um, as opposed to us then turning around and having to demolish the property because it's continued to sit.

Um with that, um, Mr.

Chair, I'd like to make a motion to add to executive session the trash out services for boarded properties.

All right, colleagues.

There's a motion on the floor.

Any objections?

Seeing none, then action shall be taken.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you.

Member Miller.

Good morning.

I have a question regarding the construction portion of this department.

I I have two council members here, members here, colleagues that do not have rec centers in their areas.

There any talk of actually building these out.

I mean, we're doing improvements at rec centers, but is there any talks for actually constructing rec centers?

Through the chair.

Those two areas because we're talking about it, but I haven't heard any resolutions for something to come forward.

Through the chair, uh Madam Councilmember, this proposed budget does not have the resources for any new construction.

Okay.

Thank you very much.

And the last question is would you be willing to get your mic?

Would you be willing to meet with me over at Brush Park for a conversation with residents?

I have several requests to come and to answer questions regarding the soil there.

And they're upset because they were supposed to they would have a children's park and a dog park.

And they believe they were not for the dog park because they had to remove all the soil.

And they've sent pictures of everything.

They've had children there that were clearing everything out.

And I just don't have all the questions for them.

I can give them what I know, but if you're there firsthand or someone for your team could join me at the brush park, um, I would ask if that request could be made.

Before you answer that question, we will now open up for public comment, the collection of public comments.

If there's anyone from the public who would like to speak, please raise your hand and someone from the team will come by and provide you with a card if you're online, raise your hand as well.

Through the chair, of course.

So we can set that appointment.

I would appreciate it.

They have so many concerns, and they have so much documentation that I think someone need to actually lay it lay eyes on it and could answer their questions.

Let us know when and where we'll be there.

Okay, thank you very much.

Okay.

Colleagues, any additional uh motions.

All right, seeing none, floor is yours.

Any closing remarks?

Mr.

President, both um honorable members, thank you so much for the opportunity to be here today.

Uh we look forward to your questions.

We'll respond as quickly and thoroughly as possible.

And as always, we're we're here if you need us.

We're we're a small department, but we are mighty, and I think we provide uh great value and service to the city, and we look forward to continue to do so.

So thank you.

All right, thank you.

Thank you so much.

Um congrats on both of you for your both your first budget presentation as well.

All right, we shall now go to public comment.

Uh there, I think we have a couple of our folks who are in the committee of the whole, as I mentioned to everyone, we will be having during the uh duration of uh budget hearings.

We will have abbreviated public comment sections in light of the full public comment uh opportunity for everyone on uh March 30th, March 30th.

It's coming.

And we have two cars that are in front of us, and the rest remain online.

Anyone else going once, going twice, going three times collection of public comments have now concluded.

I'm gonna bring first Ms.

Kamal Clark, Kamal Clark, as well as Mr.

Ronald Foster.

Take one of those two seats.

I'm gonna ask everyone to please be mindful.

I know the time may seem short, but you can get a lot accomplished in one minute, especially we uh in verbal conversation.

We've seen it.

Um but we also need to let you know that once your time is up, we're gonna have to move on to the next person.

Um that is by law, not simply because I want to.

But we're gonna start first with Mr.

Uh Kamal Clark, then we'll slide over to uh Mr.

Ronald Foster.

Uh hit that button up in front to the red turns green.

There you go.

Ooh, fancy.

Okay, cool.

Um good morning, uh, council.

Um happy to be here.

Um, and also say hello to some students from the University of Massachusetts Amherst that are observing how city government works in the train.

Um when you invite me somewhere, I bring people.

But um, I'm here to actually ask a question because um I was coming here to uh expecting that the health department was going to be here um because we pulled the list on Thursday, and that's what it said.

And I think it shifted.

Um, so just curious when the health department hearing is.

Um, if we could get a confirmation of that, and you'll probably hear from a few more folks um who I'm organizing with around the importance of investing in mental health.

Um, we have a few things specifically that we'll talk about, and I'll actually leave that to them to explain um and for for the rest of my time.

Okay, thank you so much.

And we'll get answers to questions once we get through all of the public comments.

All right, Mr.

Foster, the floor is yours, sir.

Uh, good afternoon, duty president.

First uh first part of our proactiveness and prevention is awareness.

Um, when it comes down to fire department, I know they've been improving with their risk management, but that has been the issue, pay road issues, auto accident issues.

Secondly, cancer is high risk and hereditary potentially, so that needs to be factored in.

Benefits need to be given to the children of those uh firefighters.

Thirdly, um, with the city's proximity to water access, recent wildfires in Canada, the local geographical area, uh um, to minimize risk to our firemen and to safely and expeditionally distinguish structure fires.

Maybe you guys can consider fire copters, the fire airplanes.

Um, those things should be considered in moving forward and being top-notch in this nation.

Um, and lastly, Chief Harris and the community have been doing a very good job.

We're really appreciative.

They can always do more.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

We should now transition to our online callers.

Good afternoon, good afternoon, council.

Good afternoon, council president.

There are 12 callers online.

Our first caller is Tahira Amen.

All right.

Caller, the floor is yours.

You have one minute.

General public comment.

Okay, I got 30 seconds per hearing.

That's not fair.

Um, okay, good morning.

Afternoon, rather.

Uh testing uh the demo sites for the dirty dirt.

I got one of those uh let uh letters in my door.

Uh I'd like to have a question about uh what if these lots are are owned uh by uh uh private uh persons.

Uh are they gonna are they required to also help pay for the cleanup?

Um are you gonna help me with my health because now I'm contaminated and um you know I'm elder and disabled already.

Well, I'm just here, ain't I?

Okay, and then for the um the the uh fire department of the fire houses.

Uh I'm sorry, uh make sure that they're clear.

You know, the contamination uh is cleared out for them.

I have so many more things I wanted to ask.

Um I guess I don't have enough time for this.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

Our next caller is Betty A.

Verner.

It's Betty A.

Verner, the floor is yours.

You have one minute general public comment.

Good afternoon to all within the sound of my voice is Betty A.

Vernon, president of Soda L for a Black Association, advocating for seniors and people who are disabled.

But I want to speak today in regards to associations.

Black clubs, please help us pay that land use hearing fee.

Uh that is required by the city of Detroit to go in front of BC, and we have to pay that fee for application to uh for projects that we want to do to improve our neighborhoods.

Also, please allocate monies for corridors who have not been blessed to be improved to make our corridors uh accessible.

We want to be able to shop in our uh neighborhoods.

We want the same type of treatment and at the corridors who have not been serviced and including the Finkel Corridor.

Thank you for that.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

Our next caller is Dadante Smith.

All right, caller, the floor is yours.

We have one minute, general public comment.

Caller, are you there?

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

Our next caller is Justin Dale.

All right, Justin Dale, the floor is yours.

You have one minute general public comment.

Hi, my name is Justin Dale.

I'm with uh black man work in Ginger Root.

Uh I really was kind of expecting that the health department would be at this meeting.

And so uh kind of wondering why there wasn't any notice as to the change.

It feels like it was happened pretty suddenly.

Um I think that's my question.

All right, thank you.

For for those who may be calling for the health department, you still feel free to ask your question.

And there was a change in the uh agenda.

We'll talk about when the health department is before us.

But feel free um since you're here to uh indicate the question you have.

Next caller, please.

Our next caller is Jabari Cook.

All right, Jabari Cook, the floor is yours.

You have one minute general public comment.

Uh hi, my name is Jabari Cook.

I'm a 22-year-old district five voter and resident from Ginger Root.

Um, on construction, I do believe that the preservation of assets and stability is important, but it's also important that we look for sustainability and how we use those spaces.

I was also hoping that the health department would be here.

I want to advocate for investing in more restorative care and mental health programs for black men, boys, and families, and actually expanding access to that care and connecting these existing programs into a feasible ecosystem for people to get the care that they deserve and need.

Just because we have a beautiful city, if people are constantly undermined by the fact that they can't afford anything and that they're constantly going through these issues, is no point of really adding all this money to the beautification efforts because we can't even utilize the space correctly because if we know we're gonna be over policed or we have issues that are gonna make those spaces unattainable for us, there's no reason to have that space.

So, frankly, all this money should go toward better mental health and making sure these spaces are adequate for those services, not just making the city look pretty and it's getting an actual term over real issues.

That's my time.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

Our next caller is owner Papa.

All right, caller, the floor is yours.

You have one minute general public comment.

Caller, are you there?

Caller, are you there?

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

Our next caller is Samsung S M.

Caller, the floor is yours.

You have one minute general public comment.

Good morning, may I be heard?

Yes.

My question is for the dirty dirt that was put into lots, and that people that uh have brought them.

When will the people know when they're gonna check test the dirt?

To see if it's uh contaminated.

So where they send the people that the residents that brought these lots information when it'll be done or the outcome, because I know for a fact there's been some some of the lots around my area that have put sand in there.

And I was wondering why they're putting sand and not uh black dirt.

So will other residents know that purchase lots.

Yes.

Yeah.

Okay, thank you.

As mentioned, uh, we will be providing any responses after all public comments have been uh extended.

Next caller, please.

Our next caller is William M.

Davis.

Mr.

William M.

Davis, the floor is yours.

You have one minute, general public comment.

Uh, good afternoon, yes.

Okay, first off, prior department.

Overall, I I like a lot of the stuff they do.

What I continue to be disappointed is the fact that they're still predominantly white.

And you know, that's a problem looking at our demographics.

I think a greater effort need to be made to diversify that workforce and also to do more to encourage more of them to live in the city.

It's like we need to make sure, do more to make more of the Detroit police department live in the city.

Also, as it relates to construction and demonic.

Um, the people that brought this dirty dirt in, uh, we used to have a whole lot of inspectors.

I guess we they don't anymore, especially since we had Dougman in.

But um, if these uh people who brought this dirty target dirty dirt in, aren't they bonded?

And shouldn't this shouldn't we be able to go after that bond instead of we the taxpayers may have to pay for it?

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

Our next caller is Mia.

All right, caller, the floor is yours.

You have one minute general public comment.

Hello, yes, my name is Mia.

I'm a district three um resident.

I wanted to make my comments regarding the demolition department.

So now that we have most of these land bank homes demolished, um, I guess we have contracts for those uh companies that was doing that.

So now we need to shift those contractors to demolishing uh the schools now.

Um District Three has the largest amount of schools and as well as the largest um in size.

Um so Crackett uh was demolished last year in 2025.

Uh we have Washington, we have Burbank, and we also have Corville, which stands as the uh largest schools that are currently um abandoned.

So I would like Courtville to be demolished.

That is at 18030, St.

Auburn.

Um, that's that school initially closed because it was in disrepair uh when students was actually going to the school.

So taking care of the school so that we can, you know.

Thank you so much.

Next caller, please.

Our next caller is Matthew Murray.

All right, caller, the floor is yours.

You have one minute general public comment.

Yes, sir.

Okay.

Good afternoon, council and fellow residents.

Uh, my name is Matthew Murray, and I'm a member of Ginger Root.

Uh, I came here with the expectation that this was a hearing for the health department.

And I want to know um where we can go to make sure that we know what changes are occurring.

Um, and I'm advocating for greater resources being put into uh mental health services that invest more into restorative care and mental health programs for black men, boys, and families, expanding mobile and remote access to care, connecting existing programs into a more accessible ecosystem, expanding supportive counseling and other community-led strategies, and escalating funding gaps up to our state lawmakers.

Um, so things that we might not be able to get here, we can find ways to get it from up above.

Uh so I would just like to make sure that that was known and also get a greater understanding of where we can go to understand if any last minute changes happen because we understand things do happen and things do change.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

Our next caller is Tyler Caton.

Caller, the floor is yours.

You have one minute general public comment.

Caller, are you there?

Hello, can I be heard?

Yes.

Good afternoon, Council.

Tyler Caden with you.

We heard a lot today about workforce programs and youth programs as well as community centers and the challenges around those.

Um, we're asking uh first we want we also expected the health department to be here and want more information about where that's being moved to.

Additionally, we're asking what commitments are being made to mental health programs and services, as well as workforce programs and services, like mentioned the one million dollar program unaccounted for, and what enforcement strategies and accountability policies are in place for these programs and services, particularly for the black and immigrant communities.

Uh, we are also looking into investing more in restorative care and mental health programs for black men, boys, and families, expanding mobile and remote access to that care, connecting the existing programs that exist into an accessible ecosystem, expanding supportive counseling and other community-led strategies and escalating our funding gaps up to our state representatives.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

Council President, we are now going back to owner Papa.

All right, caller, the floor is yours.

You have one minute.

General public comment.

Thank you.

And through the chair, Matthew Hurt.

Yes.

Carolyn Hughes.

Thank you, Councilwoman Miller, for your uh diligence to um at least asking the the good questions or the the questions that really pertain to the citizens.

You are the best example of how a council member should behave at the table, and we need to clone you.

Uh D seven can now be assured that there is no rec center, Mr.

or Councilman.

Like Don Duco or Donald.

Well, there is no so you're just blowing smoke up our dresses, telling us to expect a rec center when there is no rec center even in the capital budget for a rec center, which we've been asking for for the last 10-15 years.

Um I'm not sure where we're going, but we're going nowhere fast.

You all are making us powerless.

And yes, council member Young.

I would love to change this council over to AI.

Yes, I would.

I think they'd do a better job.

Thank you.

All right, thank you.

Next caller, please.

Council President, that was our last caller.

All right.

Thought that was our last caller.

Okay, so just wanted to clear up.

Not sure where it was seen that today we were supposed to have the um health department.

It may have been some confusion with the public health and safety standing committee that's taking place today.

But looking uh online right now, as I'm on, when I hit the um the link at the bottom, it does show that today we had fire department at 10, uh construction demolition at 11, uh Detroit Transportation Corporation at 2, and the Detroit uh Department of Transportation, also known as D DOT at 3 o'clock.

So not sure, but I would advise all those who are uh looking in, go on to one way you can do it, go on to Google and type in Detroit City Council budget um uh for 2027.

It'll give you the uh City of Detroit's uh page uh for the budget.

Look down at the bottom, and once you do that, uh it will have on there uh an option uh under documents where it says City Council budget hearing schedule fiscal year 2027.

So I would say use that as your guide uh moving forward, but that is the most accurate uh document that we have, Mr.

Whitaker.

Yes.

The health department will be Friday November 20th at 2 o'clock.

Yep, that was my next statement.

There was a there was an earlier version of the calendar that showed it would be today at 11 o'clock, but during the budget season, things change.

So you do have to look at the calendar daily because there are times where directors are not available for the times that we slot for them to appear.

So that might be the confusion.

Gotcha.

Okay.

Colleagues, any additional that you want to add, uh, member McCampbell?

Mr.

Chairman said it correctly, McCampbell.

Yes, thank you.

Um so I just want to address the rec center.

Um the rec center in District 7 does plan for Brennan.

Um, is through the funding that came from the Detroit Pistons.

So it would not be in this capital budget for C D D.

So I just want to make that record clear um that that is was on the table.

As I mentioned before, um, I am in constant communication.

I met with the Pistons to make sure that there are no long no longer any delays there.

Um when GSD comes before us and already submitted questions for them um to make sure that is on schedule.

So I just want to make that clear um that the advocacy for a recenter district seven um to have their groundbreaking in the spring is still being so thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you.

And noting that you are a new member, just uh beginning this year as well.

So the 15-year discussion has not been on your uh head, it's been the on the rest of ours, those of you who have been here.

Thank you again.

Thank you.

Um Pro Tim Young.

Uh to Member McCamp, uh, thank you so much for your advocacy.

I just wanted to ask, did you want to put a recreation center in the capital improvements, or are you just kind of waiting for the pistons in that agreement to go?

Because I'm I'm supporting if you want to do that as well.

But I just want to know what your intention was.

Uh through the chair.

Uh my yes, that's my intention, but I want to speak with GSD before just to make sure I'm clear on where things are in that okay.

Thank you.

All right, thank you.

Any additional colleagues, any additional motions, any additional responses?

Seeing none.

Okay.

where we will have the Detroit Transportation Um Commission as well as the uh as D dot at uh two o'clock and 3 p.m.

Colleagues is there a motion to uh recess uh this meeting until 2 p.m.

Vote.

See no objections that action shall be taken.

This meeting is on recession