Councilmember Scott Benson.

Councilmember Letitia Johnson, present.

Councilmember Denzel Anton McCampbell.

Present.

Council Member Renata Miller.

Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero.

Councilmember Mary Waters.

Present.

Councilmember Angela Whitfield Callaway.

Member Calibird didn't send a memo indicating that she would be tardy.

And Mr.

President, the clerk office has received notice that Member Gabrielle Satiago Romero will not be present today.

Thank you.

Council President Pro Tem culminated on the second.

Council President James Tate.

Mr.

President, you have a quorum.

Thank you, man.

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

Uh, we'd like to note Madam Clerk that we have been joined by Member Miller.

She's on the screen.

Clerk was so note, Mr.

President.

Thank you so much.

All right.

There being a quorum present.

We will now we are now in session.

We will now begin the collection of public comments.

Um for those who would like to speak.

Please raise your hand if you have not received one of these cards.

If you're in the com in the auditorium, please raise your hand again if you have not received one of these cards and you would like to speak before this body.

If you're at home, just raise your hand on Zoom, and we will make sure we collect you and put you in the queue to speak before this body.

Providing this morning's invocation, uh Pastor, if you can come on forward, please.

Uh, we have none other than Reverend Jerome L.

Warfield Senior, who serves as a senior pastor of Unity Baptist Church located at 7500 Higherman, also known along that stretch as Reverend Velman D.

Stotts Avenue following its secondary street renaming.

Uh, Pastor Warfield has been a consistent presence in both the faith community as well as in service to the people of Detroit for decades.

In addition to his pastoral leadership, he has served in senior executive roles within our city's criminal justice system.

He is a former two-term, two-term uh chair of the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners and currently leads the board's uh office of chief investigator, where he continues to work to strengthen accountability and improve case review.

We thank you for being here with us this morning, providing this morning's invocation, Pastor Boardfield.

Thank you, buddy.

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, thou who has brought us safe thus far on our way, thou who is by thy might led us into the light, keep us forever in the path, we pray.

Divine Holy Spirit, we invoke your presence within this chamber, occupy the hearts of those seated in these positions of power.

The Apostle Paul declared, now the Lord is that spirit, and where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

Father, we seek that liberty today.

Grant them the freedom to serve without ego and to lead without fear.

Grant these leaders the king discernment of a Joanne Watson to see truth.

Grant them the relentless advocacy of a Irma Henderson to speak for the silenced, grant them the expansive love of a Marion Mahathy to embrace the vulnerable, grant them the iron strength of a Clyde Cleveland to withstand the pressure, grant them the profound compassion of a Nick Hood Senior to heal our divisions.

The Prophet Malachi asked, What doeth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God?

Let justice be the foundation of every ordinance, let mercy be the filter of every budget, let human humility be the garment of every council member.

When the weight of governance becomes heavy and the battle breeds weariness, let the citizens of this city rise.

May they lift the arms of these leaders as Aaron and her lifetime the arms of Moses, ensuring victory, not for the powerful, but for the least of these.

We thank you for the tireless energy of a Kwame Kilpatrick.

We thank you for the sincere humility of a Dave Bean, for the administrative decision of a Mike Dugan.

And God, we thank you for the shifting of the paradigm of leadership in this city in the person of Mayor Mary Sheffield.

We thank you for the fierce community advocacy that is revitalizing our neighborhoods and leadership that she now brings to the mayor's office.

Shadow beneath thy hand.

May we forever stand true to our God, true to our native land.

In the name of Jesus the Christ, I pray.

Amen.

Amen.

Thank you, Pastor.

We appreciate you.

Thank you so much for joining us and providing us with that powerful prayer this morning.

You are more than welcome to stay with us.

We totally understand if you have a schedule that pulls you away.

We have some young folk before we go forward.

The journal of the session of Tuesday, April 7th, 2026, will be approved.

There being no uh reconsideration of nope, we won't do it here.

So we have some uh young folks, young dynamic people in the audience.

Y'all give it up for our young folks who are here today today, and they are here courtesy of member waters, and I don't want to steal your thunder, so member waters, the floor is yours, man.

Uh right.

So good morning, everyone.

It is certainly an honor today to honor our students from MLK Junior High School, which is my neighborhood school.

What's up, Crusaders?

Right.

So uh, Dr.

Perry, I just want to say thank you for all that you do.

That's for sure.

What a wonderful, wonderful principal you are.

Um, Martin Luther King Jr.

Senior High School Ambassadors.

The purpose, first they were established in 2025.

The MLK ambassadors is an organization that embodies the dream of Dr.

Martin Luther King Jr.

This group will serve as MLK's premier service organization representing the excellent leadership and pride of our school community.

Ambassadors will serve as the official student representatives of MLK Senior High School.

So their mission statement, the mission of the MLK ambassadors to serve as the student's voice and a model of service for MLK.

Ambassadors will actively support student recruitment efforts, promote a positive and empowering image of MLK, and engage in meaningful service within both the school and the broader community.

To date, MLK Ambassador has volunteered this school year at a senior citizen facility, giving gifts, playing games, and spreading Christmas cheer to Detroit Senior Citizens, and took gifts and lunch to Detroit Firehouse number nine, personally thanking service professionals for their service.

Now, students, you know, I was with you at that senior citizen bill when you were there, and you did a fantastic job.

Absolutely.

I danced with you a little bit, you know.

Yep, just a little bit.

Okay, so colleagues, these are all high achievers, ninth graders, all high achievers.

Our next generation of leaders is what you're looking at right here in this audience.

So they are starting their community service, and it's never, never too too early to serve.

And I just want to say thank you so much, MLK, uh, high school students.

Listen, you all have a responsibility for leading your school.

You ready?

You've already started doing a fantastic job early on.

So you make sure that as each group of students come in, when they are ninth graders, you have to lead them and to guide them so that they become fantastic students like you are.

We are counting on you because I know that you can do it.

And I'll be watching.

And so thank you so much for your service.

Thank you so much for your leadership.

Let's give them a round of applause.

All right.

So we have some certificates here.

We're going to start out with Dr.

Damien Perry.

Council Member Mary Waters and Detroit City Council honor Dr.

Perry for his outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to the students of Martin Luther King Jr.

Senior High School.

Through his support of the MLK Ambassadors Program, he has helped cultivate a culture of service, leadership, and pride among students.

His dedication to fostering student voice and community engagement reflects the enduring legacy of Dr.

Martin Luther King Jr.

and continues to inspire excellence throughout the school's community.

All right, so all right.

So we'll just uh we'll just uh read one of these and then we'll read the names.

Um this name is Jada Richardson, and it says Councilmember Mary Waters and Detroit City Council honor Jada for her dedication as a Martin Luther King Junior Senior High School Ambassador through her service to seniors and local first responders.

She exemplifies compassion, leadership, and a commitment to lifting the Detroit community.

So come on down, Jada.

Okay, all right.

Oh, yeah, that's right.

Um is La Kyra here, Gilmore.

No.

All right, all right.

So okay, then maybe I should not call all the names then.

Okay, Bruchelle Williams.

Okay.

Lee Andre Tucker Harris, uh Britton Waters.

That's a nice name.

Leah Thomas, Lashonda Greenwood, Nikaya Diller, Naeli Nespitt, London Tansley, Davia Lee.

Um is that Zaria?

I know I got Slater right.

Uh Kamari Atkins.

Anna Marie Scott.

Malia Vander.

Uh Relana Wright.

Well, okay.

Daire Williams.

Okay.

And well, come on down the others.

I don't know what happened to the others.

But um colleagues, let's give a warm congratulations to our students, and we thank them and appreciate them so much.

If it's okay, that Dr.

Perry has to do absolutely all right, Dr.

Perry.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Good morning to uh our phenomenal council.

Uh, my name is uh Dr.

Damian H.

Perry.

I am a proud product of Detroit Public Schools Community District.

I attended uh Chrysler Elementary, Buxle uh middle school, and am a graduate of Martin Luther King Junior Senior High School, where I'm proud to be the principal.

Um the students that were called that were not here, they're actually doing the SAT test.

So they are working to ensure that their futures are brighter by ensuring that they are uh prepared to do those higher level college technical and educational um skills um at the collegiate level.

So please excuse uh their uh presence uh not being here.

Um I want to say thank you uh once again to this great council.

I want to say thank you to Councilwoman Waters, uh, who has come uh and truly adopted King as uh her own, and we definitely do appreciate that uh to all of our DPS CD graduates on behalf of our superintendent, Dr.

Nicolai Vitti, on behalf of our elected school board.

We thank each and every one of you for representing all of our great schools within our portfolio.

We're definitely proud to be DPSCD strong.

There are great things that are happening in this district, and my grandmother would say it is a poor frog that doesn't praise his or her pine.

So let's begin to say something great about our district.

Let's begin to speak um our pride over our youth and the great things that they continue to do in this community on behalf of our ambassadors on behalf of our Eastern alumni as well as Martin Luther King Jr.

Senior High School alumni.

We are thankful and God bless each and every one of you.

Thank you again.

Uh colleagues, any words before we go and take a photo.

Let's go take a photo.

And I would also like to note that we are now uh closing off the collection of public comment cards.

Oh wow, right around the corner on air on your point, yeah.

Okay, thank you so much.

Appreciate you.

I bless you, Doctor.

This is gonna be the member cowway because of the dates to show everyone everyone everyone once again.

Please give another round of applause for the document junior high school senior high school ambassador's group.

Again, very proud of you all.

Thank you for representing us, representing our young folks as well.

All right, madam clerk.

There being no reconsiderations or unfinished business, we will proceed with the budget finance and audit standing committee from the budget audit standing budget finance and audit standing committee.

Ten reports from various city departments.

The 10 reports will be referred to the budget finance and audit standing committee for the internal operations standing committee.

Two reports from various city departments.

The two reports will be referred to the internal operations standing committee for the neighborhood and community services standing committee.

Two reports from the departments.

Seven reports will be referred to the planning and economic development standing committee for the public health and safety standing committee.

Several reports from various city departments.

Seven reports will be referred to the public health and safety standing committee for the rules.

Under under matters.

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

There are no items, Mr.

President.

We will now call for public comment.

We have in my possession in the auditorium 14 public commenters.

And our first is Nicole Small, followed by Stevetta Johnson, followed by Frank Silvey.

And I do apologize if I mispronounced your name.

Swave.

All right, there we go.

Got it right.

And we will give everyone two minutes.

Two minutes is the time.

Good morning.

Oh right.

Clerk will so note Mr.

President.

Thank you.

You may proceed.

Thank you, Honorable Brothers.

I am here today about the drag racing.

Um Sunday morning at 1 30 a.m.

I was awakened by probably more than 40 something cars, uh, three houses down.

I'm at the intersection of out of drive.

This continues every year.

I call the police every time while the police will come, um, sometimes sooner than later.

Only thing that happens is that all of the cars disperse.

This is escalating, and I don't know if this body is aware.

We have teenagers, teenagers that are in high school who are not making good choices, like these teens who just left here.

They're running in between our houses, they're fighting outside.

We hear gunshots.

We had one of the best neighbors in our neighborhood to move away the last time that this happened because they're throwing firecrackers or bombs up on the porch to make people go back inside.

They are terrorizing our neighborhood.

Each and every one of you ran on several different things on your campaign, but one thing that was consistent with safety, I don't feel safe.

I don't feel safe.

And running these adults and these kids out of our neighborhood is not enough.

Something needs to be done.

And what's going to happen is what I fear.

When you got kids running up between people's houses, up in their driveways at 1:30 in the morning, and they not supposed to be there.

Something tragic can happen.

I don't think this needs to be swept under the rug.

It's not even summertime yet.

I didn't move there for this.

We don't have enough officers in our neighborhoods to handle these situations.

Now, granted, I understand certain things take top priority, and I understand that whether it's a shooting, a fatal accident, robbery, rape, I get it.

But something needs to be done.

I don't believe that something that is so well planned every time that you mean to tell me that nobody knows who's planning.

Thank you so much.

And they need more than just to go play basketball.

So everyone knows that uh once your time is up, please remove yourself from the mic.

We will not be providing comment, and we've said this before, uh, until all of the public comments have now concluded, and then uh council will then provide remarks uh as it relates to those who have spoken.

Uh Ms.

Stevetta Johnson.

Yes, I'm here to say the same thing.

I'm right on Kentucky and Chippewa right off of Wyoming Avenue.

Uh it has started back again with this drag racing.

Um a year or so ago, two years when I came here about this drag racing, it had gotten deadly.

Right where we're building now some housing at Hick and Bottom, our car ran and hit you put the curves.

What is the bumps?

And the guy that was driving hit the bump and went right where uh the construction is.

You know, uh neighborhood, we're tired of this.

We have an association, we got a block club, we go to the meetings to the precinct meeting.

Still, we need something done about these kids.

Speed, and then we find out it's not necessarily kids.

These are grown folks between 21 and 30 doing this, encouraging these teenagers.

Something need to be done.

I'm going to the precinct meeting like I usually do Thursday.

I'm gonna bring it back again to Chief Edison.

I'm tired of this, so is our neighbors.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next speaker, Frank Swabay.

Followed by Jonathan Etz.

I do again apologize if I mispronounced your name.

Followed by James.

Yes.

Good morning, President Tate.

President Pro Tam Young and all the members of council.

As the president of Checker Cab, Checker Transportation, I'm right.

I'm here to advocate for the safety and reputation of Detroit's hospitality and tourism sectors.

However, we are deeply concerned by the escalating president, presidents of illegal, unlicensed and uninsured rogue taxis, and operators of vehicles presenting themselves as ride shares.

They're impersonating legal operators, and they are operating in full view and uh without any consequence in our downtown core.

These rogue operators are not merely unfair competition, they are a direct threat to public safety.

Unlike regulated companies, these individuals bypass background checks, vehicle inspections, and commercial insurance requirements by using deceptive signage to prey on unsuspecting passengers.

They create a high-risk environment during our most critical and high traffic windows.

They have no insurance in case of any accidents, and they leave passengers vulnerable to assaults and potential financial ruin in case of uh injuries.

There's economic harm uh to the revenue that the city gains from legal operators paying taxes and registration fees, and um they are also taking away stable employment from the other Detroiters.

I have three other gentlemen with me today, um, a driver and two of our independent fleet owners that are gonna follow up.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Um, how do you pronounce the last name?

Estes Estes, Mr.

Good morning to the council.

Good morning.

Appreciate you guys taking the time to listen to us today.

Um, my name is Jonathan Estes, and I'm here to just provide a little bit of context to what Frank was telling you earlier.

So I have my own um transportation company and we partner with Checker Cab, and I spend most of my time um training my drivers, and I drive myself, and we drive um homeless children and special needs children back and forth between school and their shelters and stuff like that.

Um the primary issue that I think we're facing is there's so many other drivers out there who are not licensed properly, and they pose a huge safety risk to what we're trying to accomplish daily.

And I think if we had a little bit of additional help from the police with enforcement, I think we can get a lot of these dangerous elements off the street because they are driving our insurance rates through the roof or making it difficult to us to drive these children back and forth safely.

I need some help getting some of this done, and I think the council can at least maybe reach out to the police or something and kind of inspire them to keep an eye out or whatever they can do in their capacity.

I understand Detroit has a substantive amount of issues for the police to direct their attention to, but the safety of our children and you know, making sure our insurance rates are reasonable should be I think relatively high on that list.

Thank you guys for your time.

Thank you.

Followed by Jake Van Dyke, followed by Brother Cunning.

There's James to be got uh I'm a representative from Checker Cab Company.

I was born and raised in this great city of ours, along with my 17.

Um we consider ourselves certainly as ambassadors extended.

Uh I started with Checker 16 years ago.

Uh writhing in the cab, and from there.

Uh I own 18 vehicles at this point in time.

I watched us grow and get downsized, you know, with the COVID, economic uh downtimes, etc.

But the illegal part is really what's so fascinating because individuals could see a profitable company, a legitimate company, and then they just do what they do from bad signage, uh no insurance.

Uh, you know, they're not uh vetted legally, and it really creates a problem.

And it puts a bad image on us.

Uh we've been around 105 years, and just like uh Detroit has put the world on wheels, we keep them rolling around here in Detroit.

Uh, you know, it's really, really just something that we as well support so that we can continue to uh service our you know community.

It's very, very important that we get the support, and we've uh talked about that before, but we need this support from the council and more awareness on that.

And we also say to some of the individual drivers out there that they're welcome to come and join.

But again, they're looking at the amount of money they can make, and we just wanted it to be legal and fair.

Thank you, council.

Thank you so much.

Next speaker, Jacob Van Dyke, followed by Brother Cunningham, followed by Shar Williams.

Members of city council, thank you for the opportunity to speak.

Uh some of you uh haven't come here to the podium before to talk about the city's bike lanes, but I try and check in every year.

And we were informed this year that Councilmember Tate, Council President Tave is about to go bike riding in the Netherlands this weekend.

Just trying to get ahead of that.

And uh we are super excited.

The city seems to be turning the corner and uh uh providing a lot more safety for cyclists.

Uh Milwaukee Avenue is about to get another high visibility lane, and uh I uh just had a couple pieces of show and tell.

We uh we brought a study that our group did in 2023 showing how much more dangerous Cass Avenue has become since the lanes went in.

So that's why we're trying to advocate for the correct type of bike lanes.

We are fully aware that the bike lane situation in the city has gotten very confusing.

But we believe there is a way forward that that creates a lot of safety and a lot of opportunity to grow the cycling community.

We uh we also found this really interesting academic article called Beyond Bike Lash, understanding community opposition to cycle lanes.

I am sure that the Duggan administration knew all about this.

We can avoid this.

We can develop the cycling infrastructure in the city without inviting the bike lash.

We can neutralize what is there.

We just need to do it correctly.

So that's why I'm here to encourage this council and the incoming Sheffield administration to advocate for the cyclists right to the road.

Right to the road, right to the road, right to the road.

To that end, our group does the ride every year.

This is a recreation of a historic training ride that the Wolverine Cycling Club used to do for many years.

It goes from Detroit to Pontiac and back, and this year we're changing the day to kick off bike to work week.

So the Sunday that starts bike to work week.

If any of you are in want to, you can meet at the 12th precinct station in the parking lot where council member Benson has led rides before.

And we take Woodward Avenue all the way up to Pontiac and back as a way to demonstrate that cyclists belong on every single road in Michigan, even the big ones.

So anyway, I really appreciate you guys.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you so much.

Our next speaker, Brother Char Williams, followed by Mark Hudson.

313, 444, 9114, 313, 444, 9114.

That number was made so you can remember it.

Over the weekend, uh it was glad to see you, Council President Tate and Councilwoman Waters and Council uh Men Young as it regards to the street uh naming.

It was a it was a beautiful event, and she deserves everything, everything.

And I remember coming down here doing public comment back then, and I can't believe it's just time has flown so fast.

So those who have means, I'm asking.

There's uh when I give out the hand warmers, gloves in the wintertime, but now just water and bus tickets, bus tickets, bus tickets, bus tickets.

Um, a lot of people say, Do you have any food?

Do you have any food?

Do you have any food?

I don't I I'm doing the best that I can where I am.

I have a couple pizza places when they have uh food that uh orders that didn't go through, they'll give me that.

I don't say which one, that would be a bad thing, but uh because it might stop.

But they give me the pizza that is left over, and I'll go uh and give it out in the community.

So I'm asking each and every one of you onto uh the state fair transcenter, but it's hard road transcenter.

Um, and also at Rosa Park Transfer in that area and inside are people that are unhoused.

Um, I was homeless myself for 10 years, and I think a man in this room, Councilman Young, for assisting in that.

I'm in district one now, thank God.

But if you got the means, majority of things I do is just outreach.

You know, it's it's that's what I do.

If you can, some ramen noodles, I don't know, just some type of food of any kind, get it to the people.

It's not a healthy meal, but whatever you can afford at the Rosa Park Trans Center and Harrove.

There's a lot of hungry and homeless folks.

Thank you so much.

If you can.

Thank you, Billy Cunningham.

You welcome.

Hello.

Um, through the chair.

I like to um eight kids lost their lives in uh Louisiana.

It's very unfortunate.

He killed seven of his kids and one of his nephews.

So I don't, I'm not aware if Michigan have a red flag law here, but it's very unfortunate that we have ex offenders on the Detroit Police Department, and they are not even supposed to be around no weapons, period.

I've been talking about this for quite some time, but at the end of the day, I don't feel safe.

My life is in danger.

Members of the Detroit Police Department, ex offenders is almost here, threatened to kill me.

I come down here constantly talking about this illegal corruption.

And I'm a U.S.

citizen, and it's unacceptable when you have nine of US citizens that's on the force.

I can't even get a job because of all this illegal corruption.

I can't take care of myself.

I'm not in a position to do what I need to do because of this corruption, and you all will be held accountable.

Miss Conduct, just for you, Constance.

I mean, President Tay, I don't know if you're dating a non U.S.

citizen that is on the Detroit Police Department, and you use in your credit card, and when you she you hidden it, she calling you copy, but you better get your stuff together because at the end of the day, it's going to be accountability for everybody up here when you do not comply to the constitution, the law, the charter, all of that.

And all these different locations.

I don't know who got that contract.

Remaro's not here, but I say it's her peace.

Um, up and down the third Fisher Theater, um Michigan, Rams Construction, all these locations where they go back and forth to work to these different priests in the headquarters, not American citizens, and it's not acceptable.

Thank you so much.

No rumors going out.

25 long years.

Just making it real clear.

Uh, Mr.

Hudson, followed by Anne Goulet, followed by Betty Lyons.

Good morning.

My name is Mark Hudson.

Good morning, City Council.

First time here.

I work for Checker Cab.

I've been working for Checker Cap since 2009.

When I lost my job in the auto industry, and um I was living in Rochester Hills at the time.

So somebody say I can make about a thousand a week driving a cab.

I thought I was too boozy, or I couldn't even park a commercial vehicle in my driveway.

Let alone be a cab driver because people look down on me.

But I took the risk and I started driving the cab as fast as they ever happened for me.

So I was able to put my daughter through UCLA, my son through college.

I have a daughter graduate next week in neurology.

But anyway, we want we really need something to happen.

When I first started with the cab company, we had all types of regulations from the city of Detroit.

You had to have the right car.

It was constantly inspected by the city of Detroit police.

We had to dress right, the car had to smell right.

We have no regulations.

And the word is out in a lot of these different communities.

It's no reason that when we have a convention and a lot of international guests, anybody that wants to throw a taxi sign and cardboard in a window, they sit in front of our convention center and our hotels and take people to the airport, charge whatever they want, lie to them, tell them they got credit cards.

They don't make them go to ATMS fees, checker cabs, get all the complaints.

All our cars are GPS.

You know, we know where they are.

We have cameras in our cars.

We pay the state of mission, we pay all our taxes, everything here.

And the word is out.

You don't need nothing to drive and be a taxi driver in Detroit.

You can go to Marriott right now, you have illegal cabs.

You have a ballet, have to come out and search through who got a clean legal car before they put a guest in it.

But when it's busy, they get anybody's car.

And we get all the horror stories because people call and say we were in the cab, they ripped us off, they stole my credit card information, and we tried to locate that, and we let them know that's not checker cap.

The city so much.

Thank you so much.

Next speaker, Ann Boulet, followed by Betty Lyons, followed by Lemastia Lee.

I do apologize if I mispronounced your name, Ms.

Calone.

Good morning.

My name is Ann Boulet.

I'm a property development specialist, professional project director and administrator, and a licensed architect and owners rep.

For six years, I have been examining Detroit's land development and rebuilding practices, policies, and procedures in every district.

I've heard dozens of community complaints about questionable property sales and condemnations, unnecessary and disrespectful demolitions, ill-advised private developments, ineffective and unlawful regulatory and accounting procedures, and unsafe and unhelpful land use practices.

Many of these policies disregard Detroit City Charter mandate for city officials to aggressively act against the encroachment andor dismantlement of Detroit's human physical and natural resources.

In some cases, PDD, DEGC, HRD, DLBA, DBA, BZA, CPC, BC, and other agencies are actively engaging in promoting and pursuing anti-community anti-safety and anti-charter behavior.

In particular, the city attorneys seem to excel at ineffective and ineffective action, financial waste and abuse of power whenever they insert themselves into professional architectural engineering, planning, zoning, code, and construction management matters.

I have tracked some of these quality of life issues into local tenant landlord district court and even to state MDCR and federal HUD human health and life safety complaints, the majority of which are unresolved.

At present, OIG declines to investigate these issues.

HRD's response is this is how we've always done things.

When I asked Mayor Sheffield at a charter mandated meeting, what the executive branch can do to address these practices at Butzel Family Rec Center.

She replied, I'll talk with the land developers.

Not I'll talk with OIG and the city attorneys.

Not I'll talk with my department heads.

Not I'll talk with the community.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next speaker, Betty Lyons, followed by Lometio Lee, followed by Josh Mann.

Students, listen, you follow by example to know who's following Jesus Christ and who's following Satan.

Remember that.

Our council has let us down.

There's over 600 million dollars belonging to the Detroit residents.

Stolen.

Stolen property tax.

There has been no design demand for the return of justice.

We're supposed to have justice.

No, but every week, if you stay long enough, they give out millions of dollars, millions of dollars to beggars, liars, and they're not for Detroit.

But me, they won't address our problems.

Look how they did Leland people.

Treated awful.

People have come here in tears talking about how some of them have died.

There has been no demand.

And that sorry Conrad Mallet ought to be ashamed for what was offered to the Leland people.

He has been more for the slum lord than for the people.

He has not asked them, set them down what they need.

They gave the Mexicans over a hundred million dollars.

Millions of dollars.

Whatever they needed.

And this was under dirty, satanic, dudent, doogan.

Duden is a good name for them.

So I ask you.

This might look good, and but in real life, evil has been done to the Detroit residents.

And they are gonna be seen by Jesus Christ.

And made to do right.

Followed by Josh Man, followed by a final in-person commenter, Reverend Dr.

Frazier.

Okay, I want to first greet everyone.

Morning to council.

And uh just a little bit because it's hard.

Good morning to the all y'all, yeah, in council.

And I just wanted to just say uh would like for someone to probably be able to look into the facts about how emergency ambulances that come to your house to take people to the hospital and then turn around and charge three or four hundred dollars price, you know.

When insurance for the uh senior citizens supposed to cover us all medical expenses anyway, you know, and how come your ambulance is be separated, and you know, so I'm gonna let somebody look into that, see who's calling self uh you know, undercutting or making money on the side or it'll be a middle person or something because the ambulance drivers already get paychecks.

So why do we senior citizens got to pay these uh high emergency uh ambulance bills?

Because I had to call the ambulance for someone and uh that had a mini stroke just down the street from my house, popper hospital.

I'm I'm I'm gonna buy Centennial Towers on you know what I'm saying, on what so right down the street, and they're gonna charge 400 for that.

That's all I was gonna say on that.

And I sympathize with this with the sister that was speaking about the uh drag racing and all that stuff people keep doing on the cars, you know, up and down the streets.

And I think the only solution that they gotta come up with is some type of make a device that make the car shut off the you know, like uh male far used to have, or they need to come in and come up with something that make the cars automatically stops.

That's gonna be all the solution to that immediately.

Uh I'll say that just well, that's a small time.

All right, blessings and forgetting forgiveness to you everyone for the shortcomings, and thank you so much.

Next speaker, Josh Main, followed by Reverend Dr.

Frazier to be the final in-person speaker.

All right, so this drag racing stuff, it's really easy to solve.

Six years ago in 2020, I started Detroit's first legal drifting and drag racing pit with help of Chief Craig and Commander Hayes, both of them had attended my events.

The first event I did, we saw a 73% crime reduction citywide on all car-related drag racing, speeding, any sort of takeover events.

The second time I threw an event, it was a 93% reduction.

The city needs to work proactive, not reactive.

Turning these kids into criminals, lifelong felons over trying to drag race at French Road and then do intersection takeovers.

We can simply designate a space for them and solve this problem.

Most people, if giving a legal option, will choose the legal option.

If there is no legal option, they only have the illegal one.

Two weeks ago, we had an officer get hit by a drag racer.

This weekend, we had three people lose their lives, got shot at a gas station, all part to do with this drifting and drag racing takeover.

We have empty space all over the city, and we are the motor city.

Why don't we solve this problem and save these kids from a criminal lifestyle by giving them a designated space?

It's that easy.

Commander Hayes or Chief Hayes now, Craig, both of them can testify this.

I have videos that I can share of this events with you safe, all colors there, all wealth there, harmoniously getting along, keeping the city straight, safe, and allowing the helicopter to do its job and surveil real crime, not chase drag racers around the city all the time.

Other than that, flock, we're here celebrating kids.

Let's also protect them by removing the flock surveillance and give them the future that they deserve.

Thank you.

Final in-person speaker, Reverend Dr.

Stray.

Good morning.

Good afternoon.

Uh, I'm here to I did 30 years in prison and got out in 2023, got into a slum landlord, and was evicted illegally, and now I'm in the streets.

So I have to say 3535 3rd street is like a Nazi camp for homeless, and should be re uh renovated.

Also, I need to apply for funding because I have five, I mean, not a five or three, but I have a domestic nonprofit called the Gureau of G O D O Girls, Sharing for Caring.

Love is in private.

And I'm here because I see that you have people first.

Like combining with love is so our philosophy is based on the same thing.

So we're based on the scripture of Ezekiel 341 through 11 to help the laws.

The homeless.

Those people that are called stagnant victims that's not being looked out.

And 35353 is like I said, like a Nazi camp.

Shouldn't be existing like that.

I'm working with Cam, so Cam is not providing the emergency shelter that supposed to be providing.

That's like false, false representation.

So they was trying to put me out of there.

So I went to the police station.

This is how I found out about uh Mary Sheffield being the new mayor.

And that's why I'm here today to see if I can uh be of assistance because I have a lot of plan on some of the things that I heard people say to resolve these issues.

All right, because one of them is basically helping the community to be right.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Um we should now transition to our online commenters.

How many callers do we have and who do we have first?

Good morning, counselor and council president.

We have 22 callers online with our first caller being William M.

Davis.

Mr.

William and Davis, the floor is yours.

We have two minutes, general public comment.

Good morning.

Can I be heard?

Yes, sir.

Okay, I like to say that this was a very exciting weekend that we just had.

You know, starting off with uh the naming ceremony for my good friend, and who is a strong advocate for City Church retirees, and uh going to the Democratic women's luncheon on Saturday, which was outstanding.

We had the former vice president of the United States, a black woman who was an outstanding person who should who should be president now.

We had Corey Booker there, and we had a uh outstanding crowd there.

And Sunday, you know, we had the Democratic Convention, and we had so many people come out that it was most unusual because I've been going for over 30 years, and this was the most well attended one I've seen.

And you know, like everyone that I voted for didn't necessarily win, but I was pleased to see that there was people there that was voting and advocating for different candidates.

I think we all should be advocating for who we want to see elected.

I think we all should be doing a better job of getting the voter turnout out.

Uh right now we have an evil person in Washington that wants to take our ballots, wants to look at stuff, kind of depress our voter turnout.

You know, so we should be challenging that and make sure we have major voter turnout, major voter turnout.

I know I'm older than most of y'all, but Detroit used to control who's gonna win the Michigan primary for president, who is gonna win the governor's race, who's going to win the U.S.

Senator spots.

We should we should be able to return to some of our former glory, and I should I encourage every city council person to encourage more people to vote.

You don't have to tell them how to vote, but to vote.

If our numbers was up, we'd be better.

Thank you.

Let's call the police.

Let's put them at the end of the queue.

Maybe having some issues with this action and those who next caller.

Hello.

Yes, can you hear me?

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

Are we there?

Who's our next caller?

Our next caller is caller inning at 169.

Caller ending in one six nine.

We have him again.

Um, yes.

Hello, can you guys hear me?

Hello?

Yes, sir.

We can hear you now.

Okay, great.

Thank you.

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

Um, revenge is the act of harming or punishing someone in retaliation for a past wrong or injury.

Again, revenge is the act of harming or punishing someone in retaliation for a past wrong.

Um, thank you for my time.

Thank you.

Our next caller's uh one, two, four, four.

Caller ending in two four four.

The floor is yours.

You have two minutes, general public comment.

Yes, can I be heard?

Yes.

Yes, I was um I wanted to speak about the parking uh downtown the um the gouging of the prices.

You try to go to a concert in the city of Detroit, and the parking is almost a hundred dollars.

If you're gonna pay for a ticket for the concert, then why should we have to pay over a hundred dollars for parking for the city of Detroit to go to an event?

That's why I don't go to the Fox or to uh C arena because the parking around an area, and then you have to walk for, you know, if you don't park in the garage, you know, around the area, they will tow your car or what have you.

Um so I'm uh want to be an advocate about the parking in the city of Detroit, the gouging of the prices for the parking down in the city of Detroit.

And also I need to have uh still speak with um uh Matt Campbell, uh district manager over uh in District 7 about um I'm still dealing with my uh front yard being dug up by the city of Detroit, and they have not replaced the grass in the front of my house.

I still have you can't cut the grass, and it's just mud, it's just mud.

Um I will um leave a comment or I will try to get in contact with him if he can give me his contact number and so forth.

We can uh get that resolved, and I think have a great day today.

Thank you.

You as well.

Next caller, please.

Our next caller is going to be Frank Hammer.

Mr.

Hammer, are you there?

Hello, can you hear me?

Yes, ma'am.

Wake up, Detroit.

This daily call to action by the honorable Reverend Dr.

Joanne Watson, pierce the radio waves, honored April 17th, naming the street in her name adjacent to her alma mater central high school.

No Detroit lame stream media covered it despite a channel four camera recording it.

Thank you to the many who initiated and guided this dedication, paying for the ceremony from their own pockets.

You can donate by contacting Monica Lewis Patrick, Kari Frazier, or others on the planning committee.

Thank you to Baba Malik Yakini, President Tate, Councilpersons Waters, Young, and Mayor Sheffield, Helen Moore, and Dr.

Gloria House, among many others for speaking to Reverend Dr.

Rodson's innumerable contributions to our mutual struggles.

A few being water justice, reparations, African American Heritage and Museum, reducing poverty, community benefits, labor rights, public education and welfare rights.

Lift up Detroit, be woke, act on our city charter, act for majority black Detroiters in policy funding and programs.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

Our next caller is please help the pollinators.

Are you there?

Yes.

Good morning.

May I be heard?

Yes, ma'am.

Um, yeah, well, I brought up uh for a while now this concept of no moy, which which other communities are doing where they don't aggressively mow during April and May, so the pollinators can procreate.

We need them to live.

Member Santiago Romero told me that uh they were looking into that.

I think it should be more concerned about all the dirty garbage that gets mowed over than some people letting their grass grow so the pollinators can uh survive.

I think we've got some real uh mixed up priorities, and you use blight as an excuse to take people's property to bulldoze people's property, but the litter everywhere just doesn't seem to matter.

Uh the other thing I wanted to bring up was uh 27.2 on the agenda, a contract uh regarding zoning, 290,000.

What happened to all the money that was spent about six or seven years ago on zone Detroit?

I think it was about 500,000.

I signed up to be a zoning ambassador, but I was very rarely contacted.

And so the one meeting I did go to that people seem to be surprised that I went to tried to go to their little zoning secretive group.

Um, they admitted that they weren't getting input from around the city.

So once again, there seems to be secretive, it seems to be secret who the stakeholders are.

There's uh not a good effort to reach out into the communities so people understand the zoning in their communities, how any of these changes could impact their communities, and uh they're really doing a lousy job on the master plan because people don't want to plan their entire district, they want to plan their own neighborhoods.

So, like we're blowing money on all these consultants when you need to be speaking with you.

Next caller, please.

Our next caller is Darren McCluske.

All right, caller, the floor is yours.

We got two minutes, general public comment.

Good morning, council.

Um, I don't know if I've mentioned this in the past, but my uh educational background is environmental engineering.

I have a master's at U of M.

Um, I haven't been in the industry for a few years, but um that's my background.

And um, I have Airbnbs elsewhere in the state.

I had a one-year booking for someone who works for a construction company installing solar panel farms out in the Blissfield area, uh, Blissfield, Britain, Deerfield area.

It's about a thousand-acre solar panel farm on farmland out there.

They had people resisting the project um because they didn't want to look at them, but this was uh a normal sale of a farmer owned land they sold to a developer who did it.

There wasn't eminent domain or anything like that, and currently they're starting on their project.

They're concerned right now because they did soil testing, imagine that, before they broke ground, and they found PFOS on the Virgin Farmland.

Um, likely due to uh either manure spreading or municipal solid waste spreading for fertilizer back in the day.

Anyway, this is all to say.

I'm very curious now that you guys have bulldozed a few neighborhoods, uh mixed up all that dirt, lots of dirty piles of dirt that were dumped, who knows when.

Um, in the state fairgrounds area.

I'm wondering what kind of soil testing has been done prior to this construction to see what kind of exposure the the construction workers and the downwind communities are getting while all of this dirt is being moved, leveled, graded, and whatnot.

Um, I'm just very curious on that.

Don't want to have another scandal erupt in Detroit.

Thank you for your time.

Next caller, please.

Our next caller is going to be Jacqueline.

Caller, the floor is yours.

You have two minutes, general public comment.

All right, let's put that caller.

I I'm here.

We can hear you.

Good morning.

Okay.

My call is for um Councilman Benson.

Bicycling Benson.

I would like for you to take your bicycling friends to bicycle down Tacoma, where the children bicycle in that area where all that dirty dirt is on the sidewalks and in the streets.

Just show them since they want to bicycle and have perfect places to bicycle, and people uh don't want to um, I guess they feel that they someone is against them from bicycling.

I really want them to bicycle down Tacoma Avenue with you.

And that is my comment.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

Next caller, please.

Our next caller is going to be Jadante Smith.

Caller, the floor is yours.

We have two minutes.

General public comment.

Good morning, Mabby Hurt.

Yes.

Uh so I want to uh echo the sense of Mr.

Darren McCleskey and also uh Joanne.

Uh also Queen Mother, uh Dr.

Joanne Watson, her street naming was wonderful.

I think that Asada Shakur deserves a statue in the city of Detroit for her contributions.

Also, Nicole Curtis at 451 East Grand Boulevard needs needs her home to be nuisance debated.

Uh Scott Benson, I'll be calling Tian Bay to again to schedule a meeting with you because she hasn't answered the phone previously.

Uh Coleman Young, I'm very uh saddened by your lack of uh response to the question of having a meeting with the Detroit Ham Trammet Coalition and myself.

I would formally ask you once again to have a meeting with myself and the Detroit Ham Trammet Coalition about Cronos Concrete and the down zoning.

Also in uh Angular, I generally appreciate your comments, but to say that no down zoning or rezoning needs to happen, you need to talk about specific projects because Cronos Concrete located at 3405 Gaylord needs to be down zoned.

Also, the concrete mixer on Greenfield and 96 needs to be, or mixer, crusher, whatever it is needs to be downzoned as well.

Also, uh I just toured D4 uh around Grash and Hazel Ridge, Cedar Cedar Grove.

Very disappointed in what I saw.

I look forward to being able to work with the black woman leadership, who I'm very, very proud of uh so far and getting some action around there.

Uh I may be critical of some some people, maybe even a new administration, but trust and believe I support my mayor, I support uh District 4 City Council.

I support most of the black women leadership we have in the city of Detroit, and I'm proud to work alongside of them.

And I may complain about a lot of stuff, but I'm looking forward to uh to being a part of the solution.

Also, uh I want to say uh to you, James Tate.

I look forward to seeing you soon.

Uh and I hope you are doing things to mitigate Elizabeth Salmett and Joe John O'Brien and your district.

Also, I'll be bringing all of my business owners that I work with uh to your meeting, hopefully, as many as I can bring to your meeting coming up.

Thank you.

Talk soon.

Our next caller is owner papa.

Owner, Papa, the floor is yours.

You have two minutes, general public comment.

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

Yes, ma'am.

I'm glad the young people are here to hear.

This is what democracy looks like, young people.

You can't lie down, you have to stand up.

Um, Miss Lyons, I I appreciate you and your diligence and bringing out the fact that this residents in the city, your mothers, your fathers, your grandparents are owed 600 million dollars while we give away millions of dollars to people who don't deserve it.

Um thank you, Miss Lyons, for listening, lifting up Jesus Christ and young people always believe these people are not your saviors.

These people are not there really to help you.

I don't know why they're there right now.

Um, except for the two new members, Mr.

McCampbell.

I'm sorry I got your name incorrect.

Charge it to my head and not my heart.

I appreciate the things that you are trying to do.

Um district where we have no recreation center for the young people.

While you look in their faces, Miss Councilwoman Waters, explain to them why the police are always uh harassing them.

Explain to them why we're always indemnifying these police who do harass our citizens, why we pay for their representation, why we why their parents are uh uh are now being forced to pay tickets for their delinquency when you have no programs for them.

Young people, look at these people and demand more from your representatives, but never look for them to be your saviors.

Always look to Jesus Christ as your savior.

These people are there to work for you, and they don't seem to understand that many of them.

But we as citizens must make them understand that they work for you.

Um thank you.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

Our next caller is Mr.

Foster, Mr.

Foster.

The floor is yours.

You have two minutes, General Public Comment.

Um, good morning.

Just a couple of things.

Um, very happy to see the presentations and the invocation.

I too am a proud graduate of MLK, had graduated at the age of 16, and went to the Air Force probably a couple months afterwards.

So being an ambassador or being a parent has often been an ambassador.

Very happy that my daughter was able to follow in my shoes.

Audrey Foster, honorable student at MLK, a freshman on a band, as well as on the track team.

And so um, just give a shout out to the children there.

Power and prosperity always starts at home.

Secondly, when it comes to rubber warfield, appreciate all the things he's done on the commission.

I know him from his church.

I think his church has done a good thing in the community, and that's what I'll stick on.

And I hope they take the suggestions that I'll offer them on Thursday.

Thirdly, although this ballot for governor is all white, it should show you that this is not a white black thing.

So if you hear me talking about who appears to be you guys a savior and mayor Duggan, then it's not personal.

It's about the last 10 years and the agenda that's been sought and the new strides that we have today.

I always preach about opportunities to start new and start fresh.

There's no exception for him, but he has to acknowledge the wrongs he's done and not continue to participate in a coercive way to try to get his means and the things that he wants.

I too enjoyed the MDP this weekend.

I do too enjoy hearing Corey Booker, Senator Booker talk about standing up for democracy.

Something that's been going on here for the last four or five years without any type of reconciliation.

Stand up for democracy.

Leaving us with 10 callers remaining, with our next one being Miss Betty A.

Varner.

Miss Betty A.

Werner, the floor is yours.

You have two minutes.

General public comment.

Good morning to all within the sound of my voice.

I'm Betty A.

Verner, president of the Soda Elsewhere Black Association, advocating for uh disabled and seniors.

If you are in a situation where you need help at your home so that you can stay in your home and be safe in peace and not be in a nursing home and you're not eligible for Medicaid, please contact DAA at 313 446, 444.

Again, 313 446, 44 44, ask for the My Choice Waiver Program.

That program is a federal government program, particularly for disabled and senior folk who aren't eligible for Medicaid, but they want to assist you to be in your home and not be in a nursing home.

It is more expensive to give care for an individual in a nursing home.

You can earn up to $2,900 a month and be eligible for this program to get Medicaid.

And if you are then eligible for Medicaid, they come out, do an assessment, find out what it is that you need to be safely in your home, and they will provide those services.

Once you receive that Medicaid, it can be used for any other organization or programs that you have to be have Medicaid.

You can use it.

And so it is a wonderful program.

I'm in the program.

I've been in it for three years.

It is not getting enough publicity.

And so I'm trying to get the word out.

Please call them.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

Our next caller is caller ending in 700.

Caller ending in 700.

The floor is yours.

You have two minutes.

General public comment.

Caller, are you there?

Yeah, I'm right here, Jane.

James Z Tate Jr.

Your name on the annex over in the eighth precinct.

That's where Genesha was murdered at, assassinated, but at 4700 in unemployment insurance money.

And then that was in 2020.

In 2023, November 2023, you called her mother.

Not just once, twice, two times.

And you mentioned me both times.

And you said I wasn't the right representative for the family.

Daisy Tate, you're a fraud.

You're a fake.

And I'm gonna expose you.

Now look to your right.

You see Angela Whitfield Calloway over there.

The look on her face now says it all.

I know she done heard my voice.

Didn't heard me say her name.

I'm a district two resident.

I'm a whole, I've been called a Detroit legend.

District two is my stumping ground.

My second neighborhood.

I grew up off Joy Road in Greenfield.

I'm Joy Road Route.

Six-mile route, seven mile route.

That's from telegraph all the way to the far, far, far, far, deep, deep east side.

Now I'm gonna take the black bag, because that's one of my monikers, black bag.

I'm youngblood from the Brewster Projects in 1980, and in an N-word in the city of Detroit, they can say truthfully.

What I say out of my mouth ain't the truth.

And y'all have been cheated in.

Can smoke D.

And James E.

Tate Jr., you could smoke double D.

And you know we'll can smoke triple D now.

Next caller, please.

Our next caller is going to be Samsung.

Samsung, the floor is yours.

You have two minutes, general public comment.

Are you there?

That's what they call at the end of the queue and go to the next, please.

Our next caller is going to be iPhone.

The floor is yours.

You have two minutes.

General public comment.

Yeah, uh I've got some requests.

And uh Betty Varner and some other people.

And uh, and I'd like you to open up chat so we can connect.

But uh, if you won't tell me their numbers, uh Foster, if you're listening, and Betty, uh my numbers 313 414 51 81, EIGHT one.

So it's real easy.

Just 313, 414, 51, and an 81.

Okay, so please get a hold of me so we can work together.

And uh hopefully the city will open up chat so that uh we can connect it and uh work together and stuff.

I I don't like working alone, and I'm not very fast anymore.

I'd like to get uh second request is to get a tape of the Viola Louisia, and even if you've got one for uh uh Joanne Watson, I'd like it to tape for those uh uh uh events so I can share it with this friend.

My one of my very best friends, Carolyn Dorney.

She's uh she's in a sister living, and I want to take that out to her so she can see it.

And uh if you would I talk to people uh the uh I talked to people that work for the the uh media services, and they didn't know anything about uh Zoom or putting chat or putting a transcript, but they could help do this and with the uh technology department media.

They should be able to put these things up online for us so that people can see the meetings and the transcripts at night, make their public comments and next caller, please.

Our next caller is going to be Marv.

Caller, the floor is yours.

You have two minutes, general public comment.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Um can you hear me?

Yes, sir.

Yes, um, so I'm calling from DPDCO.

Um veteran housing.

Um, I got maybe four veteran housings, and actually on four different districts.

My concern is the school buses that's dropping the kids off.

Um, and these kids still have to walk home at least two to three or maybe four blocks from the school buses, dropping them off.

And I feel that that's unsafe because they have to cross a lot of main streets during the traffic time.

And I'm just wondering how could we put a team together to make sure that these kids get home safe once they get off these school buses?

I would love to be part of that program if you can put a program together.

I know you have a lot of groups out here that get funding for um uh um certain things, but if y'all can take those groups and and allow them to be part of the community and making sure that these kids get home from walking from getting off those buses.

Once again, I see them all day in district seven, district five, different on district two.

These kids have a long way walking home, and these kids is coming up missing.

People is grabbing them because of the distance, and nobody is watching them.

What happened to the safety boys and girls to where we watch each other or teach these kids how to cross streets?

So if y'all can put something like that together, I would love to be part of that.

Thank you and have a blessed day.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

Our next caller is going to be calling user three.

Call in user three, the floor is yours.

Can I be heard?

Can I be heard?

I don't hear anything.

Yes, ma'am.

Maybe heard I can't hear.

Yes, ma'am, you may be heard.

Are you there?

Are you there?

She might be our last caller, but if not, let's put her the end of the case.

Okay.

Can you hear me now?

Yes, ma'am.

There you go.

Good afternoon.

I hope my time can be restarted.

Member Tate, I would like for you to stop the drug selling that is in front of 1055 Washington Boulevard across the street is the hotel indigo.

Um, we have to be plagued with that.

Stop the heroin use on Lynnwood and West Grand Boulevard up the street is Northwestern High School, as opposed to ducking and dodging.

I would also like for you to make a policy that stops uh building and safety when we bring complaints and show pictures and videos every day uh that we're being put in risk of either lease violations or evictions, and why isn't it we can't ask the mayor something during public comment this evening with district six and this week Thursday?

Why do you have a virtual number that you cannot ask the mayor these kind of questions?

This is something you need to bring.

When bringing something to your secretary, Karen Williams is going nowhere but narcissism, and I'm tired of it.

Nobody should have to live in inhabitable uh filthy environment when I show you every day elevators is three feet off the floor.

It's a tripping hazard.

Can you start getting tickets instead of giving uh certificate of compliance to slow landlords while they're paying inspectors, and you get to watch that cash transaction?

This is a shame.

Please do your job other than just ignoring and saying next caller acting as though we didn't even call get it a dress.

Thank you so much.

Our next caller is going to be Tahira Ahmad.

Caller, the floor is yours.

We have two minutes.

General public comment.

Good morning.

Thank you for taking my comments.

Shout out to our Reverend Dr.

Watson.

Uh, and uh her tireless work here in our city, and shout out to her family, and and the dedication was wonderful.

Um Saturday um Saturday for her or Friday for her.

We the people of Detroit shout out to you.

You all are awesome.

Uh also the Black Legacy Coalition was founded by Reverend Dr.

Watson, uh which she demanded, we all demanded an elected board of represent representators, uh, representatives in on the um uh Charles H.

Wright Museum Board of Directors.

Uh we still have not achieved that, and we need to have that um remedy right away so that the corporate uh fascists are not controlling the narrative of our community as a representative of the coalition for property tax justice since 2010.

Detroit has overtaxed its homeowners by more than 600 million dollars in 2022.

A research report produced by the ACOU of Michigan National Uh Lawyers Guild, Detroit and Michigan Chapter, Michigan Poverty Law Program, Detroit Justice Street Democracy and the Coalition for Property Tax Justice found that issuing financial compensation, such as property tax credits and cash payments is legal and does not violate Michigan's lending of credit clause.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel subsequently agreed to issue a legal opinion, but has failed to do so.

So we're calling on her to do that.

The uh reasoning for the uh legality of confidence is confidence that's politics.

Our next caller is Miss Marguerite Maddox and Scarlet.

Margaret Maddox Scarlet, the floor is yours, general public comment.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning, Miss Maddox.

Can you hear me okay?

Yes, ma'am.

Excellent.

Then we'll be the easiest way for our young people who be addicted.

I am full in thinking of a baby room.

And the expert to that with me.

We need to do a better job in catching just so uh they can get their execution and we can back the back in um Cass Avenue Over against it at the beginning of it over against it because John Event from Third Avenue Second Avenue and Glenmother and Japan Glen River Moon Avenue that could be there could be a both ladies, yes, but not almost got hit with this patient now getting the water this street with my own this um these about two years ago and across Avenue I would miss the cook the street and I'm about to do that about the Grant Racing and I drive or any of the city is dangerous so we need to come up with another stand for the grant leg to go to the school we we got big lands that can be better the grant races and artifacts who like to cross and I would like to say a DT and she am a good of coming high and I would like to say he found working he found chucking he found dreams he found dreamy because that would be a growth technique and then thank you next follow this our next caller is Bobby Johnson Bobby Johnson the floor's yours two minutes general public comment greetings um my concern is that in district seven we've been promised this recreation center and with us being promised this recreation center.

It's a simple message.

We deserve access to recreation health and opportunity.

Since 2022, District 7 residents have been promised a new recreation center.

We were told it is coming.

We were told help is on the way.

Yet here in 2026, there's no there's no fruit and no tree cut down, no shovel on the ground.

No, not one child has walked through a door because those doors don't exist.

At the same time, Cody High School is moving forward and being built.

That shows that something important when the city decides something matters against done.

So the question is why district seven recreation center is still left behind.

Right now, many families in Franklin Park across District 7 must leave their own neighborhoods to find recreation.

The closest is Dearborn, and that is over two miles away.

The next closest is Carwell, which is over three miles away for many of us.

For many children without transportation to get to one of this or seniors with fixed income, the it's a barrier.

So I ask council immediately action for District 7 to get record to get universal uh memberships to all recreation centers for free until a recreation center is given.

That should be a very easy give that all residents in district seven get a free access pass to go to any recreation center that they choose to.

That's gonna help the seniors.

That's gonna help the residents, but we also need access to transportation to get our kids there.

Thank you.

Our next caller is going to be Frank Hammer Hammer uh two.

All right, Frank Hammer, the floor is yours.

You have two minutes, general public comment.

Thank you.

Good morning, members of City Council and President Tate.

I venture to say that all of us have heard the use of the term unprecedented more times than we care to count, all in connection with the illegal actions by the Trump White House.

Just think about the Donald tearing down the east wing for starters.

It's time we give the term unprecedented the positive sheen.

It deserves nine days from now.

We will have that opportunity at 4 p.m.

on Friday, May 1st.

Detroit's labor unions and their supporters will gather at Roseville Park on Michigan Avenue to commemorate May Day.

This is truly unprecedented and reflects the threatening times we're living in.

Just this week we learned that Detroit is in the bullseye with threats to our voting rights.

This mobilization should not be confused with Labor Day.

May Day is an international day of working class solidarity.

We in the U.S.

are late to the table.

The working class in 160 countries celebrate May Day.

Many is an official holiday.

Building solidarity to defend our worker and human rights.

We won't be alone.

There may be 2,000 such rallies across the country.

There would be more than two dozen here in Michigan.

Many of you on council won your elections with union endorsements.

It's now time to return the support.

Endorse and attend Detroit's revival of May Day.

For more information, go to Mayday Detroit.org.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next caller, please.

Council President, that was our final caller.

We're now returning to our caller in the queue.

Samsung SM G91U.

Carler, are you there going once?

Caller, are you there going twice?

Caller, are you there?

Going thrice.

Unfortunately, we're gonna have to move on.

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

Our last caller, sir.

Yes, sir.

That concludes our online public comment.

All right, thank you so much.

This now concludes public comment.

All right, madam clerk, understanding committee reports for the internal operations standing committee from the law.

Mr.

I hear a voice.

Hold on, hold on one second.

My apologies.

You are absolutely right.

One of the I uh reverted back to old.

So we have this is that time that we have an opportunity to respond to residents who uh um provided us information.

And I want to start first on her member Callaway, then I heard Member McCampbell.

Um thank you, Mr.

Chair.

I do believe um assistant chief Franklin Hayes be may be on the call regarding drag racing, what their plans are this summer to address those issues.

I've had two residents to um join us in person this morning, Miss Devada Johnson and Nicole Small from District 2.

And um they are expressing concerns about drifting, drag racing, and other other concerns regarding our um teenagers, and sometimes these drivers are not all teenagers.

So I was hoping if he is on the call, if he would have an opportunity to share what their plans are to address those issues this summer, sir.

All right, looks like we do have uh AC Hayes joining us.

Good uh morning, sir.

Thanks for being here.

Are you there?

We see you, but we can't hear you.

Gotta unmute AC, we we still can't hear you, sir.

Well, we're gonna what we'll do um is allow you to turn your system off, turn back on.

We'll return back to you, AC, if you don't mind, so we can uh clarify that uh Wi-Fi issue or whatever that bug is that's going on.

Member Callaway will come right back to you.

We'll just bounce over to uh member McCampbell uh for your response statement.

I wasn't I wasn't finished.

Oh, okay.

I thought you wanted I wanted to give you your whole time all together.

No, that that's one issue.

There were three for my district.

Okay, what I was gonna do is give because this consistent didn't just give you all that time yourself.

All right, member McCampill.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Um, just really quickly, um, there was a resident that called in about uh her front yard need to be restored um because of city work.

Uh my phone number in our office is 313 224 2151 again.

313 224 2151.

Um, please call us immediately so we could uh get the right folks connected to make sure that that work does happen.

Um, it was also mentioned around the school buses.

I believe that was um Mr.

Walker, um, who does work in District 7.

Um, I have lifted up with D dot the need to have uh folks on the buses around community of bass to make sure our students are stayed, but I understand that you're calling in about that that place from the school buses and I would say bus stops overall to home.

So I think this might be something to have a conversation with the um not only the district but also the neighborhood and community safety office as well.

So if you want to follow up with me on that, that would be uh great.

And I believe as you know, I understand um the need for us to immediately get a recenter D7.

We talk about it quite often.

We did secure the funding for the city for that work to continue um in partnership with the Pistons.

I wish I could speed up the building schedule.

Um, but we have to go by that.

Um, I do want to remind folks.

I understand that it is a little bit far for Franklin Park residents.

Um the same way living in um uh West Arter Drive.

We do have a district uh recenter in District 2 uh Adams Butt.

So and a recenter that was in District 7 before the lines were redrawn at the Hill and Moore uh Center on Dexter and District 5.

Um, so I I encourage folks to get to those records recreation centers as we get this one built and online.

Um, and I will try to follow up a seo for those who may need additional assistance.

So thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Appreciate it.

All right, thank you.

We'll return back to you, Mr.

Callaway.

McCalloway, I see we've been joined back uh by uh AC Hayes.

AC, can we touch that mic again?

Oh still having some challenges there.

Oh, okay.

Let's try now.

No, nope, nope, nope.

Unfortunately.

No.

All right.

Well, Member Callaway, I know you have a couple of other issues.

AC, maybe you can knock some of those uh bugs out while uh member Callaway uh continues her uh comments on the floor.

Thank you.

Um thank you, Mr.

Chair.

And um the residents have returned, so hopefully we'll be able to hear from the assistant um chief.

We want to know what the plans are to address um what was brought up this morning regarding drifting, drag racing, and um several areas across the city, but particularly at Vassar and West Outer Drive and Kentucky and Chippewa.

So we can defer back to him when he gets online and gets unmuted.

But I did um get in touch with the sheriff's office because West Outer Drive is a county road, and parts of Greenfield is a county road and parts of West Seven Mile Road are county roads, but it's inexcusable that um along those roads, Greenfield, West Outer Drive, and seven, there's a lot of drag racing, a lot of speeding.

So, regardless of whether or not it's in the um gov under the governance of the city or the county, um, we have to join together to make sure that these um issues are addressed permanently because it happens every single summer.

Um, the summer of 2021, Miss Ms.

Small went viral on Facebook, and some of those tires look like they were on fire, and those uh marks are still at the corner of West Outer Drive and Bassard.

They they're there, and it it went viral on Facebook.

So it's continues to be a problem.

We're gonna work with the county and the city, and hopefully we'll hear from our assistant chief.

Also, with respect to the young man who called about safety for students getting off the bus, the number to call is 313-240-4377, and that's the Detroit Public Schools Community District School Safety Office.

The number again is 313 240477.

Um, they were listening to your comments, sir.

So if we can hear from the chief, if we okay, thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you.

All right, AC.

I think I see your screen lighting up this time.

Mr.

Chair, may I be heard?

Yes, sir.

Thank you.

Good morning uh to this honorable body and uh through the chair member Callaway.

My pleasure to be here to be able to talk to the residents about some of the initiatives and work together through the challenges that they're having.

And this topic is of the seasonal issues that we're seeing with uh the uh felonious driving, drag racing, drifting, uh, and also uh some of the illegal street gatherings, whether it be at these drag racing or street drug events or just a party uh that they they've decided to take over a block or neighborhood or something to that effect.

Uh we started our uh campaign or our detail to address these issues uh in late March uh and we've had some success uh by the residents that are here.

We still see that there's some areas of opportunity.

So I'd just like to share what it is that we're doing and solicit the help of the community so that we can do a better job uh in our efforts.

Um first of all, when we uh address these issues, uh we are aware of some hot spots.

There was one that was just added, uh, and I'll get with you offline, I believe was the Kentucky location.

Uh, we we frequent those uh and we have spotter vehicles uh that are out that are looking.

Uh this detail uh is broken up heavily enforced on the weekends by a um an east side team and a west side team.

Uh, but during the weekend during the week, it's managed by the uh commands uh or the precincts themselves, which are in within the districts.

Uh once we are able to locate one of these locations, we not only address the drivers, but also we uh take it and address the spectators as well.

Um what we are able to what we've gleaned through um those hot spots or through 911 calls in the past, we're also leveraging technology in a real-time crime center.

So we're looking on social media for posts as to meet up locations, and that is where we uh we'll will deploy our resources.

Uh additionally, we're using air support.

Um the dangerous driving that they're doing now uh with police sirens uh or lights behind them, it would only get worse.

Uh and we will not chase.

Uh so for that, uh, we have our helicopters up and we're able to identify one of these vehicles.

We will uh use air support to win that vehicle to stop, and then we will move in.

Um, and our hope is that we take that vehicle and they never get it back, and we can add that to the police fleet or for an auction for a resident here in the city that that could utilize a vehicle to get to and from work, but those that operate these vehicles in this way, um, they don't need to drive.

Uh once those vehicles stopped, or once we get information uh where these vehicles are, we still have follow-up investigations.

Uh, a lot of times we seize the vehicles and they're taken through either nuisance abatement or through a court order with the warrant for the felonious driving.

It's also uh oftentimes reckless driving as well and any other applicable charges.

If the driver didn't have a license or any of that nature, in addition to petitioning the state to take their license.

So these are some of the efforts and what we're doing when we find these vehicles.

So although they uh disperse from the area, we are still tracking uh and and there is follow-up to what you can't see.

Uh, my plea to the residents is that if you uh these locations, if if if you know where they are, if you hear them, call 911 so we can send our folks over there.

Again, the overlay with technology if we're able to use it to help identify these vehicles.

If you have any descriptions, a lot of times the vehicles that are uh uh doing this type of driving are very distinctive.

Uh, please provide that in a 911 call.

And we will again add this uh to our detail uh to these vehicles that are known to do this or that we find as a repeat offender because that'll help the court case.

Uh, but we are out here.

Um we uh again welcome the help uh from the residents.

Please call 911.

Uh again, if you see this um type of driving uh happening here in our streets, uh, and we will continue uh to with full accountability uh to let them know that our city streets are not a racetrack, uh, are not a drag strip.

Um and they will lawfully uh order or I'm sorry, operate vehicles here in the city of Detroit.

Um thank you for allowing me to uh share our strategy regarding this uh initiative or issue in our city.

Mm-hmm Calloway.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you, um, Assistant Chief Hayes.

I do have a question though.

I was reading where um West Outer Drive is a county road.

It was designed in 1920 um as a scenic route, not a speeding route, um, not for heavy traffic.

So if it is under the jurisdiction of the county, how can the police our Detroit police officers work with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, maybe to put a marked car there or an unmarked car there starting this weekend?

So we can catch them before they get started instead of going there after and then chasing them down west out of drive, causing possibly loss of life.

How do we get ahead of this before the summer?

Because it's already started.

Can we work with the sheriff's office to put some marked cars there or even unmarked to stop it from even starting?

Uh through the chair, and please forgive me.

There is something uh that I left out.

It's Chief Medicine always indicates it's the end.

So we partner with the Wayne County Sheriffs and we partner with the Michigan State Police um to address these issues, whether it be air support or ground support.

So I can assure you uh you will not have to worry about outer drive this weekend.

Uh, but one of the other tools that we uh are working with uh is DPW.

Uh as you mentioned when outer drive was designed as within many streets in the area uh throughout the city.

I'm sorry, how it looks now maybe a little different than when it was uh designed years ago.

So we are looking at streetscape, traffic calming, uh, and a redesign, uh, whether it be rumble strips, uh, whether it be the ballard that you're seeing in bike lanes when we talk through turn lanes, but we are looking to redesign some of these problem intersections in the city to make it not so inviting, uh, or areas where where this drifting and and drag racing activity uh are happening.

So there is a multi-layer approach to addressing this, council member.

Okay, thank you so much, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you, um, assistant chief.

Thank you, Member Benson.

Just want to let it be known to the caller regarding Tacoma.

We have been working with uh Mr.

Palazzolo, he's director of our demolition and construction department.

There are eight holes that are open now, and these are part of the unauthorized dirt um remediation.

If we can speak a little more into the mic process, and those will be completed, but as the time is, those are unauthorized dirt holes.

They are open, they are properly fenced and secured as per code, and they will be closed in as we as um authorized dirt is provided for those holes, and more than happy to do a bike ride down to coma.

Please call my office, 313-530-0587.

313-530-0587.

Thank you.

All right, thank you.

I hope the AC did not leave because I believe we've got a few more questions for him.

Assistant chief.

There he is, I see you on the screen.

Uh, member McCampbell followed by Pro Tim Young.

Thank you.

Uh Mr.

Chair, good morning.

Uh AC Hayes.

I just have a question.

Um, because definitely want to make sure that our streets are safe and folks that there's accountability there.

Um, I also know that pretty soon um that downtown our streets will be used in a legal and sanctioned way for the Grand Prix.

Um, and you know what these events are happening in the city, I think that also brings interest for folks when it comes to racing as such.

So we had someone door public comment talk about uh, you know, a legal safe sanctioned way around drag racing and such, and and that the department has been engaged with years ago.

So just wondering, are there any plans around that moving forward or how can we get to a place where we can do this in a in a safe and legal way for folks who may have interests around races and such?

Thank you.

Um through the chair, uh we had in fact uh explored that uh a few years ago.

Uh we did not uh see the results that we were looking for.

So at this time, uh, we do not have an interest uh in moving forward um with a a space uh for this, respectfully.

Okay, thank you for that.

I would I would love to follow up just to get a better understanding of what were the results you all were looking for and what we can do to possibly explore some changes and get that because as we said, does it this is happening every year?

Um I appreciate the enforcement around it, but I think this also for I I would say if we are to be in the city that is the motor city, and we are also hosting the Grand Prix.

Um, I think we should think about ways to harness that interest.

So I'll follow up on that.

Um, so thank you, AC, and thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Through the chair, I look forward to working with you, Councilmember McCampbell.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Pro Tim Young.

Thank you.

Uh kind of piggyback off of uh uh member Kim McCain will kind of stole my thunder a little bit there.

Uh good to see you, uh, assisted police chief hayes.

I just want to ask you, why wouldn't you build a uh racetrack either through the city or partner with the private sector, whether it be NASCAR, whether it be um the Grand Prix to be able to build a racetrack in the city of Detroit?

Why was that not viable?

Thank you.

Um through through the chair, I'd love to uh get in the detail.

I'm not sure we have enough time on today's agenda.

But as it relates to the resources and the other uh corporations that you mentioned, I'm unaware uh of their willingness or or willing to come in and do that.

And certainly when you look at space programming, um, that's a little bit outside of my purview.

Uh so if that is the will um uh of this body uh or the uh administration for that matter to go in that direction, you certainly uh will have DPD at the table uh to uh make sure if that space is designed that it is uh followed through uh and utilized uh as design.

Um and again, we we certainly want to be supportive and good partners here at DPD.

So I look forward to further conversations.

Uh, again, if that is the will of this body.

Yeah, I don't know if we I said Mr.

President, I don't know if we have anybody from um from uh general services or parks Iraq that can speak to this.

And if we don't, that's fine.

I think probably in the future we should have a committee of the whole to talk about solutions or how to address this, and one of those things should be either through um the city building a wreck set or maybe a motor uh motor uh park or something of that nature.

I think we should have this.

I I remember this a long time ago.

Um, but there was a young brother by the name of Damon Grimes who was gunned down and killed for a ride A TV up and down the street.

And so I feel that this is something that they can serve multiple purposes.

Um I also think from artificial intelligence, you can also have drone parks, experimental areas with this as well.

It can be built in a way that I think would be successful in terms of dealing with this issue because a lot of these kids are really good kids.

They just need an outlet to be able to express this type of talent and ability.

This is a profession, high paying profession.

People should be able to learn how to do this and being with a motor city capital.

And I and I I've dealt with my uh education foundation.

I have come in contact with plenty of people who are young kids who are learning how to be able to drive these type of vehicles or racing vehicles for learning how to be able to fix up these type of vehicles.

I don't know why we would not have one here.

I think this would save in terms of law enforcement.

I think it's gonna give kids an opportunity to be able to learn another skill that would in a profession they wouldn't be exposed to otherwise.

And so I think it's gonna be a tremendous opportunity economically to be able to raise wages, also to put people to work through jobs and also keep away so much from the law enforcement side of having to lock people up.

And I'm glad that you have a helicopter because part of the reason why you had a helicopter was because you didn't want to be able to chase you know these folks because when you're chasing them, not only are you putting them in danger because they could crash and die on impact, you're also putting the police officers in danger that are chasing them through the streets as well as citizens and the residents.

So I think that we actually had a place they can express this type of talent and ability.

I think this would be beneficial long term.

So I know we don't have anybody from uh partisan recommendable.

So I think that's just something we put in our feather in our cap for later today.

Thank you, Ms.

President.

I am down.

Thank you so much.

I know a question came up.

We had our uh satellite hours over in D1 this past Friday, and we had over 80 people who showed up and they were talking about drag racing and car chases.

Uh, and one of the issues that came up was the possibility of drones being utilized to uh help uh reduce the cost of helicopters, multiple helicopters trying to uh find these cars after they are speeding away.

Um, and also just the overall potential efficiency of that type of, if you want to call it monitoring or surveillance.

Uh, it's a controversial issue, but I would tell you that the great majority of folks in the room raised their hand and said that they would be in support of it.

I I advise them that they probably uh would meet a number of folks who had resistance to that thought as well.

So this is one of those conversations that we gotta have.

I know Pro Tel often talks about technology and AI.

Um, and we can have that conversation independently, but we I think it's now time to really genuinely have that conversation publicly about uh how to utilize technology safely, transparently, uh, and legally, uh, but to do so in a way that will help benefit our community long term.

So looking forward to that conversation and actually may um begin generating some of the the questions very shortly.

Uh as I do know that uh drones are uh one of those tools that the police department has um at least talked about, discussed, uh has not moved forward yet.

Uh AC, you wanna add anything to that uh conversation before we move forward.

Thank you, uh Mr.

Chair.

Uh yes, uh they are uh on the roadmap uh for DPD as they are incredible to uh to utilize, not only for DPD, but from public safety uh as a whole.

And I'll give you an example and sorry for my distractions earlier.

We had an incident this morning where a vessel capsized on our Detroit River right uh outside of Huntington and both uh men and women uh uh the fire department, uh Marine Division as well as Detroit Police Harbor Master are out trying to identify and rescue uh these individuals.

Uh my last update is that all four were rescued and the vessel uh has been brought to shore.

Um and uh yeah, it and everyone's safe.

Uh there are instances where drones can be highly effective uh in locating uh individuals that are responsible, uh, whether it be through misfortune or if they are committing a crime, being hypersensitive uh of the privacy concerns, uh as do I, uh as it relates to ensuring that anyone uh would would uh misutilize technology.

We have rigor in our policies.

Uh going back to our facial recognition policy.

Uh we have uh we are the first uh police agency to in concert with the ACLU develop a policy to ensure that this technology uh is utilized properly.

That is uh the same rigor that we will have when we present to this honorable body um uh a drone program that we will be utilized that that we can send to triage uh uh instances, whether it be drag racing, whether it be an accident scene, whether it be uh a fire where we're need to survey from upper levels to see if someone's in a window.

Um, we are utilizing this again, drone as a first responder, uh, not uh in the sense it's a surveillance tool or to use uh surreptitiously to record anyone of that nature.

These are real-time instances when we would utilize this to be the eyes and ears as we are also sending um personnel uh to these scenes.

So we have a robust uh strategy around that, and we look forward to speaking not only we we started talking with members of the community, uh, but we look forward to putting this uh in front of this council or this body as well uh to talk further how this would be an incredible tool um to utilize as our counterparts, every agency around us has already uh began utilizing them.

I read last week that Dearborn is utilized them to uh to stop a car theft ring uh in their city.

So uh we have some ideas around it uh and a great conversation to have.

Uh and again, it's coming before you very soon.

Thank you so much.

Colleagues, any additional comments, questions, concerns, issues before we move forward.

I see uh member Miller.

The floor is yours, ma'am.

Good morning.

Well, good afternoon.

Good morning, afternoon.

Great conversation to the chair.

I just wanted to say in district five, I believe about three weeks ago when we had our first hot day.

I received uh over a dozen emails and calls regarding drag racing on Jefferson.

And it's always in the midnight hour, and it is a nuisance.

It bothers people sleeping, they are not able to put their children to bed or even prepare for school the next day.

I am launching something for the uh drag racing myself.

I grew up by the cemeteries by the city airport where kind of going into outer drive was a hazard for drag racing my entire life.

It always ends in tragedy or shootout because they're gambling.

It is nothing that I would promote or support in the city of Detroit, but I am asking that the officer continue their great work and I look forward to partnering with the police department to stop drag racing.

Um, and if you do have a list where those auctions are, I've gotten two text messages as we are sitting here to know when those auctions are, when you take those cars, because people love those new fast cars.

We know they have Hemi engines.

I uh made a living on uh the first Hemi that hit the diagram.

We would like to participate in those auctions, and I'd like my residents to actually be have the opportunity to bid.

So if you have those dates, would you please share with district five office?

We'd really appreciate it.

Thank you.

Thank you through the chair.

I look forward to working with you, uh, councilmember Miller, and we will get uh those uh auction dates to uh this body post haste.

Thank you very much.

Thank you, Chair.

Thank you.

AC, I think that's the last question for you.

Thank you for joining us.

Uh we do have another hand here at the table.

Uh, member Johnson.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair, and I just wanted to respond to the gentleman who called in about um the bus routes uh for children.

Um I did do a bus ride along with the DPS C D administration and the board chair, and we have started those conversations to review um safe routes to school, uh, as well as engaging the community to act as um safety patrol folks.

Uh, and so I'd like to invite him to reach out to the office um to be involved in those conversations because I'd like for this to be a citywide effort, just making sure that the city uh is aware of the safe routes to school and that we are addressing any challenges that we see, whether it's tall grass, it's a property that needs to be boarded up, um street that needs to be repaved and things of that nature.

Uh so I'd like to share the office number.

It is 313 224841 again 313 224 4841.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you.

Colleagues, any further seeing none, thank you so much again, AC, for joining us.

Okay.

Councilmember Whitfield Callaway, six resolutions, noting that line item 18.1 was postponed from last week's formal session agenda.

Councilmember Whitfield Callaway.

Um member Whitfield Callaway.

Thank you so much, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you, uh, Madam Clerk.

Motion to approve.

The motion to approve line items 18.1 through 18.6.

Any objection, colleagues?

See none, that action shall be taken.

Under resolutions, madam clerk.

Council President Pro Tim Young, a resolution line item 18.7.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I'll move to approve line item 18.7.

There's a motion to approve line item 18.7.

Any objections?

Say none that action shall be taken.

Ms.

President, yes, sir.

Okay, the waiver.

That's a request for a waiver on line item 18.7, colleagues.

Any objections?

Seeing none, a waiver shall be attached.

For the planning and economic development standing committee from the Office of Contracting and Procurement.

Councilmember Johnson, two resolutions, line items 19.1 and 19.2.

Contract number 6007267-A1.

100% grant funding.

Amendment one to add funds to provide general contracting services for occupied single family or multifamily residential homes for Stellantis Home Repair Program Phase 3.

Contractor DMC Consultants Incorporated.

Total contract amount 1,135,000.

That's for housing and revitalization.

Contract number 6007266-a1.

100% grant funding.

Amendment one to add funds to provide general contracting services for occupied single family or multifamily residential homes for Stellantis Home Repair Program Phase 3.

Contractor, Blue Horizon Construction LLC, total contract amount, 1,135,000.

That's for housing and revitalization.

Councilmember Johnson, two resolutions.

Councilmember Johnson, line items 19.1 and 19.2.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Move for approval.

There's a motion to approve line items 19.1 and 19.2, colleagues.

Any objections?

See none that action shall be taken.

Mr.

Chair, I'd like to request a waiver on both line items.

Colleagues has a request for a waiver on line items 19.1 and 19.2.

Are there any objections?

Seeing none, waiver should be attached.

From the economic development corporation, Madam Clerk.

Councilmember Johnson, a resolution line item 19.3.

Member Johnson.

Thank you, Mr.

Chairman for approval.

There's a motion to approve line item 19.3.

Any objections?

See none.

Then action shall be taken.

Mr.

Chair, I'd like to request a waiver.

There's a request for a waiver on line 19.3.

Colleagues, any objections?

See none.

Waiver should be attached.

From the planning and economic development department, Madam Clerk.

Council member Johnson, a resolution, noting that this line item was postponed from last week formal sessions agenda.

Member Johnson.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Move for approval.

All right.

There's a motion to approve line item 19.4.

Are there any objections?

See none.

That action shall be taken.

Under resolutions now, Clerk.

Council Member Whitfield Callaway, a resolution.

Line item 19.5.

Line item 19.5.

Member Calloway.

Um, thank you, Mr.

Chair.

This is a res a resolution urging the recovery of costs.

Okay, yep, sir.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

This is a resolution urging the recovery of costs and fees concerning the Leland House civil action and the bankruptcy proceedings.

Motion to approve.

Line item 19.5.

Colleagues, any objections?

Seeing none, then action shall be taken.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you.

Line item.

Uh I'm sorry.

Um, Madam Clerk, uh, for the public health and safety standing committee from the Office of Contracting and Procurement.

Mr.

President.

Yes, ma'am.

Council Member McCampbell, 11 resolutions, line items 20.1 through 20.11, noting that all contracts are for the construction and demolition department.

Contract number 3091362.

100% blight funding to provide emergency commercial alteration at 5645 Livernoy.

Contractor BMC consultants consultants incorporated.

Total contract amount 38,747.

Contract number 3091447, 100% bond funding to provide emergency residential demolition at 12072 Stopel.

Contractor SC Environmental Services LLC, total contract amount 24,253.

Contract number 3091449, 100% bond funding to provide emergency residential demolition of 3264 Tyler.

Contractor, DMC Consultants Incorporated.

Total contract amount 21, 736 dollars.

Contract number 3091589, 100% bond funding to provide emergency residential demolition of 18079 Pelkey.

Contractor Intercity Contracting, total contract amount $30,430 and 40 cents.

Contract number 3091722, 100% blight funding to provide emergency commercial demolition of 15128 Plymouth.

Contractor inner city contracting total contract amount $38,640.

Contract number 3091693, 100% bond funding to provide emergency residential demolition of 14103 Pinehurst.

Contractor SC Environmental Services LLC.

Contract number 3092111, 100% blight funding to provide emergency commercial demolition of 693 Connor.

Contractor DMC Consultants Incorporated Total Contract Amount $55,500.

Contract number 3091695, 100% bond funding to provide emergency residential demolition of 19132 and 19140.107 dollars.

Contract number 3091450, 100% bond funding to provide emergency residential demolition of 4236 sturdevant contractor inner city contracting.

Total contract amount 22,575,000.

Contract number 3091698, 100% bond funding to provide emergency residential demolition of 1592 B Wick Road Contractor in the City Contracting.

Total contract amount 27,114 and contract number 3091945, 100% bond funding to provide emergency residential demolition of 2025 or Myra Contractor SC Environmental Services Total Contract Amount 17,875.

Council Member McCampbell, 11 resolutions.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Motion to approve 20.1 through 20.11.

Alex says a motion to approve line items 20.1 through 20.11.

Any objection?

Discussion with discussion.

Member Johnson.

Very briefly.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Um, several of these properties had fire damage.

Um, I'm just wondering to either BCED or the construction and demolition department if fire escrow funds are used to demolish these properties.

Let's see if we can get someone from the fire department on uh Mr.

Washington.

Good afternoon through the chair.

Um, we have Raquel Harrington from construction and demolition.

If she can be promoted, all right.

We will promote her over Ms.

Harrington.

When you see yourself on the screen, please introduce yourself for the record.

Good morning.

Can I be heard?

Good morning.

Yes, please introduce yourself for the record.

Raquel Harrington, press secretary, construction and demolition department.

Great.

Thank you for joining us.

Member Johnson.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Um, just wanting to know if there are fire escrow dollars that are utilized to demolish fire damaged properties that end up being demolished.

Through the chair, that's a great question.

So emergency demolitions uh like this one, they're initiated uh when the structure is determined um to be an immediate threat to the public in um health and safety.

Uh, and so that is uh that entire thing when we're talking about those funds are done through BC and finance.

Uh, and then we go through it and we make our recommendations from there from a construction and demolition standpoint.

Thank you.

So essentially the department is just utilizing bond funding, but fire escrow dollars could be in the city's possession.

Through the chair, I don't want to misspeak, but we are working to draft up a response to this um specific question with a complete detail and all that information um in writing for you.

So I'm happy to explain further uh through that, so I don't misspeak or or give you the wrong information.

Um, but what I what I can tell you at this moment is that all of that is figured out through finance and B seed.

Okay, and currently all of these emergency demolitions are being done with steel property.

It just it says bond funding.

Yes.

Okay, all right.

Thank you.

Look forward to the response.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you, colleagues.

Any further?

Uh member Miller.

Was that inadvertent?

If I could be included to the chair, if I could yes, to the chair, if I could be included on the response to that, I believe there is um a large pot or lines that can be reallocated for that.

I would like to see the answer as well.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any further colleagues, Mr.

Chair, uh member Johnson.

My apologies.

Um, in regards to line item 20.1, it speaks to being an alteration.

I was just trying to understand what the alteration was.

Ms.

Harrington.

Yep.

Through the chair, my notes.

Um I'm sorry.

Uh, through the chair, let me work to get more clarity on that.

Uh, because our notes simply says it was an um emergency alteration.

Um, and that reflects how it was entered into our system.

I can work to get some more information over to you, council member.

Okay, thank you.

Any further colleagues seeing none, there's a motion on the floor for approval line items 20.1 through 20.11.

Any objections?

See none, that action shall be taken.

Uh, for the request to speak before city council, madam clerk.

Council President Pro Tim Young, a resolution line item 21.1, not only that this line item was postponed from last week's formal session.

Also, Mr.

President, we I am in receipt of a response that was written from LPD pertaining to line item 20.1.

I believe you all have a copy of the response from LPD.

Yes, ma'am.

We do have that response that is before us in our possession.

Uh pro Tim Young.

Thank you.

Uh Mr.

President, uh, I would like to postpone this uh TVD.

Uh I want to be able to read through this, and from my understanding, he's still kind of putting together this uh presentation as I speak.

So I just wanted the motion to postpone this TBD.

Um Timson, so we don't have the ability in a formal session to TBD it.

Uh we only have the ability to postpone for one week, and we would do that you know, um uh week by week by week.

Uh we're gonna be referred to committee and then postpone.

Let's refer.

Um let's prefer at that point.

I think we should refer back to committee.

We can we do that, Miss President.

Let's refer yeah, absolutely.

I'd like to make a motion to refer a line of 21.1 back to committee.

To committee.

Refer to committee, excuse me.

Okay.

Colleagues, there's a motion on the floor to uh refer line item 21.1 to committee.

Any objections?

Seeing none, then action shall be taken.

Thank you.

We will now move to the new business portion of the agenda from the mayor's office, madam clerk.

Council President Pro Tim Young for resolutions, line items 22.1 through 22.4.

So Tim Young.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I'd like to move to approve line 22.1 through 22.4.1 through 22.4.

Any objections?

Seeing none, that action shall be taken.

From the Office of Contracting and Procurement, Mr.

President.

Uh Madam Clerk.

Through you to Council President Pro Tim Young, if he could request a waiver for line item 22.1.

Okay.

Tell me there's a request for a waiver online item 22.1, noting that the date is uh May 3rd.

Ms.

President, uh yes, sir.

I like to request a waiver online 22.1.

Is this a request for a waiver on line item 22.1?

Any objections?

Seeing none or waiver shall be attached.

Take it, Mayor Clerk.

Okay, madam clerk from the Office of Contracting.

Council Member McCampbell, five resolutions, line items 22.5 through 22.9, contract number 6004802-82, 100% revenue, amendment two to provide an extension of time and updated terms for mobile bus ticketing application.

The contractor token transit incorporated.

Total estimated revenue is 5,808,644 dollars.

That's for transportation.

Contract number 600737, 100% city funding to provide supplemental emergency ambulance coverage for city of Detroit.

Contractor Hart EMS Medical Services, PLLC, total contract amount 1,56,540 and 42 cents.

That's for fire.

Contract number 600727, 100% city funding to provide supplemental emergency ambulance coverage for the city of Detroit.

Contractor America Pro EMS of Michigan, LLC, total contract amount 1,682,445 and 60 cents.

That's for fire.

Contract number 600741, 100% city funding to provide supplemental emergency ambulance coverage for the city of Detroit.

Contractor Superior Air Ground Ambulance Services Incorporated Total Contract Amount 1,770,615.

That's for fire and contract number 6007822, 100% city funding to provide transit vehicle tracking system contractor swiftly incorporated total contract amount 1,222,179 and 38 cents.

That's for transportation.

Council member McCampbell, five resolutions.

Member McCampbell, line items 22.5 through 22.9, sir.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Motion to approve line items 22.5 through 22.9.

Colleagues, is a motion to approve the items before us.

Any objections?

Discussion.

With discussion, Member Callaway.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Is there anyone on who can talk to us about line item 22.6 through 22.8?

I brought this up a couple years ago when these ambulance contract contracts were before us.

And I'm so concerned still that they are to me double dipping.

We paid them to provide these services and they turn around and charge the senior citizens.

And when the senior citizens' insurance don't pay, they go after the senior citizens and start to garnish their wages.

And I think it's very, very it's unconscionable that that's happening to a lot of our seniors.

We heard from a gentleman today.

It happened to him.

The person lived right down the street from him, having a mini stroke.

And um no consider no consideration was provided.

So before we move on, these I'd like to um hear from someone from the fire department.

We also heard we tried to hear from somebody from Treasury because it is happening, and they were supposed to um not allow that to happen.

If we're paying the ambulance companies already to provide these services, then why are they allowed to go back and recharge these residents, charge their insurance, and if their insurance don't pay, they go after the residents personally.

So it's the a lot of these residents um are being um turned over to third-party debt collections, and one of the companies was in Jefferson, Ohio.

So thank you, Mr.

Chair.

All right, Mr.

Mr.

Washington, you have anyone available from uh fire department.

It's through the chair.

We have second deputy commissioner Derek Hillman online.

All right, we will promote him.

Good afternoon, sir.

Please introduce yourself for the record.

Uh good afternoon, council.

Uh, second deputy uh commissioner Derek Hillman with the fire department.

Thank you so much.

Uh, member Callaway.

Yeah, thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Um, good afternoon, Mr.

Hillman.

Um, are any of the three contracts that are before us today are ones that we voted on about a year or so ago?

Because I thought the ones that we voted on a year or so ago were already multi-contracts.

I don't see the one that we voted on, I think about a year ago.

It was located in Southfield, if I'm not mistaken, sir.

I don't see that on these contracts.

Yes, ma'am, these are the same three companies that we have had in the past.

Um, through your um through the chair to yourself.

What about the company that we approved last year that was located in Southfield?

I don't see that listed here.

I see another Detroit company that I didn't see last year, um, which is great.

But there was a company that we um had a contract with last year located in Southville, but I don't see them here.

Through the chair, yes, ma'am.

Uh, that company uh superior has moved uh from Southfield into Detroit.

Okay, so superior is now in Detroit.

Um, through the chair to yourself, Mr.

Um Hillman.

Are you aware that some of these companies are um charging residents after they've already been transported to a hospital or clinic after um we're paying you, we're paying these three companies to provide these services, but they're going after these um residents personally, they're holding them personally liable for any of the fees that haven't been paid through these contracts, and then they also try to build these residents insurance companies.

And when the insurance companies don't pay, they go after the people personally, and then they're garnishing their wages by turning over the unpaid debt to third party collectors.

Are you aware of that, Mr.

Hillman through the chair?

Through the chair, yes, ma'am.

We are aware of that, and that is the current practice for not only um their uh these three companies, but with the fire department itself, we do bill the insurance companies for the services rendered, Mr.

Chair.

So, Mr.

Hillman, if we're paying you to provide these services, then you're saying that you are still going to charge the insurance companies when the insurance companies don't pay.

We're paying, we're paying for these services.

These are three-year multi-million dollar contracts, and I'm not understanding why we are then going after the residents after we're paying for you to provide these services, and it's like triple dipping, it's beyond double dipping because first we're paying you to provide these services, and then you're charging the insurance company, and then when the insurance company don't pay, you go after them personally, and when they don't pay, you turn over to a third-party debt collector.

Through the chair to you, Mr.

Hillman.

Second fire commissioner.

Yes, ma'am, through through the chair.

Uh the current practice of billing is uh standard throughout uh the industry, first off, and secondly, we're paying for the the company a standby service.

So they're standing by, and we're paying for the dedication of those units to be here within the city so that way we have a stable environment for the best response times and uh to off to help us with uh our peak escalation times to make sure that we can keep our response times uh at a really good uh rate for the citizens.

Thank you, Mr.

Hill Um Um Hillman through the chair.

It's still problematic what we're doing.

This practice is unconscionable, sir.

We have a senior citizen through the chair to yourself.

We call them, they call for emergency ambulance.

The ambulance gets to their home.

We're paying you to do this because you're on standby.

This is a million-dollar contract for you to stand by and wait for a call.

You get the call, the ambulance goes to the home.

Now you're collecting from the city, then you're turning around billing the insurance company.

And then when the insurance company doesn't pay, if there's a gap or deficiency in payments, you go after the senior citizens who are on fixed incomes.

I'm asking that we stop that practice.

We're in control of this whole process.

We're victimizing folks who are sick and trying to have many strokes.

Sick, trying to get to the hospital.

It's triple dipping.

And it's so unfair.

We need we have to change it.

I've been complaining about this since I've joined this council, and you guys are still practicing.

You're still doing the same thing.

And it's just it's just not fair to the residents, especially our seniors.

Through the chair to yourself, Mr.

Hillman.

Yeah.

Thank you.

Uh for turning it back to you.

Through the chair, uh, we do have a uh process for um the individuals if they are a hardship policy.

If you want to want to say that the uh resident that falls within that hardship policy, uh, we can help them with that aspect of their bills.

Mr.

Chair, I am um Mr.

Chair, um I don't even know what questions to ask because I I get a lot of complaints and um I objected to this a year ago, and they're still doing the same thing, causing hardship for people who are on fixed incomes, call for a lot of senior citizens are even scared to call an ambulance now.

They they have fear.

I go to my buildings and they don't even want to call an ambulance, they don't want to call an ambulance.

So I think we need to look at this.

I really do because it's not a good practice that we are triple dipping, and that's what we're doing.

We got all these ambulance companies on stuff standby with multi-million dollar contracts for three years, and they're standing by for what?

They're standing by to get the call, then they turn around and charge the insurance company and then turn around.

If there's a deficiency in payment, they charge the seniors and the seniors can't afford it.

So that's why they don't even call you.

So I don't even know why these companies are standing by to do what to rip off seniors.

That's what you're doing.

So um it's I guess it's my job to work on how we can resolve this issue because I've been talking about it.

So, you know, probably got to do something about it.

But um, thank you, Mr.

Hillman for everything.

But I just think we're triple dipping and we're taking advantage of the least fortunate.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you.

Member Miller.

Through the chair, member Callaway, if you would like to draw something up, I would love to join you on this.

The gentleman that spoke earlier said he was at the bicentennial in District 5.

That ambulance with approximately four houses, proper hospital, four houses to receive a 400 bill.

That's totally unacceptable.

And that is the standard price.

I was just in the ambulance myself.

And now to be new in here that is triple dipping.

We have this notion in Detroit.

If you want to get paid, come to the city of Detroit.

This is where you can get over, get contracts, and no one will say nothing about it.

It is insanity to continue to hear these disgusting conversations where our residents are constantly being taken advantage of.

So please conclude me in on anything regarding the ambulance uh chasing.

Uh it's just not right.

Four houses for 400 to a resident that the bicentennial person spoke about in district five, and we're in the hub of the um medical center.

That's not right for our seniors, and it should be some type of legislation or policy set up where we don't have to say if you have a hardship.

No, I want to hear the gentleman say we're going to it should be broadcasted.

Everyone should know that there's an application, that there's a process, not after you get a bill, not after your um credit is damaged, not after you've went into a delinquent status.

How about be proactive and do it beforehand?

These seniors should know.

Everyone should know because no matter what your situation is, everybody cannot afford 400.

And you don't think about it if you're having a heart attack or if you're having a stroke.

It is unfair that people have to sit up, they have to make a decision.

Do I live or do I die because they're afraid of a bill?

It's not right.

You think this was some type of third world country where we cannot even help our own residents, our own taxpayers.

And it's it's sad as me to just hear this conversation.

So I just want to say, please let me know what you do, or we can collaborate on something or pull some some of our resources together to uh find out what we can do to stop this uh raping of our residents for financial gain.

And uh, I'm glad to hear that they at least the company you mentioned did move to Detroit because half of you that benefit from us don't even live here.

We send so much money out of the city of Detroit, out of the state of Michigan that it's is is I'm I cannot begin to tell you how when I return, how I plan on trying to stop some of this insanity.

It's just crazy.

But thank you very much to the chair.

I I feel sorry for a lot of our residents who've been complaining and sending emails and it's falling deaf ears.

It's like the deaf ear council at times, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you.

Let me fire commissioner.

Let me ask you a question, though.

I I definitely want to make sure this conversation is based on um data facts uh as well.

Chair thank you let me fire commissioner let me ask you a question though I I definitely want to make sure this conversation is is is based on um data facts uh as well are there any other municipalities uh let me just ask this one let me let me re recalibrate our policy that we utilize uh how do we come up with that policy uh are we talking about a situation that's different outside of what other major cities do have done continue to to do um because that I think that's where and talk to us a bit about what cities you've surveyed to determine that we are in line I know it's legal I mean that's the one thing the law allows for it to happen but again if this in terms of best practices and practices that take place may not be preferred practices but there's a reason why certain things take place.

So talk to us a bit about that sweet question uh uh council president so the practice the current billing rates are um determined here with the council and we we use industry standards for those billing rates and all municipalities across the country do get reimbursement for ambulance services through insurance companies through Medicare Medicaid private insurance companies those are all um standard for for those services um so you can look at any large city or even on the small cities they they do this practice of uh billing the insurance companies for these services um we we have looked across the nation and um we can pull all this data together for you if you'd like to see uh different rates and um we do have that information available yeah so that I think that's where we want to have this conversation uh go towards uh policy and and uh research uh so college can I get a motion and we'll word the chair I'm I'm sorry I have the floor that the the chair has the floor chair has the floor uh so what we will do is college we'd like to get a motion on the floor to get a memo together to uh have that particular information uh on how the department came up with this determination of uh the process that they utilize in billing uh the patients who go through EMS services uh as well as any other cities that have been uh looked at to determine if this is indeed best practice uh and standard practice is there a motion colleagues motion with discussion any objection with discussion we're gonna start with member miller then we'll go to member mcamp member miller to the chair with all due respect we always talk about what other cities the municipalities are doing it there comes a time when we have to set a standard we set a precedent for where we live we set a presidents for our residents we cannot continue to do the same old same on what they do in Madison Heights they're not Detroiters the the the income is not the same we had that flexibility even when we're dealing with the AMI when we combine with Oakland County and McComb County and all these other counties to determine where we stand and we're always at the lowest we have to be intentional when it comes setting policies for our own people we can never contender to say well they do it over there well they over there don't care about their residents or they can afford it but we have to care about ours and set our own policy for our own uh residents we can step aside and be individuals we can be creative we can sit down and drop something but all that data sometimes is just a way to say this is why we're doing it and this is why we're gonna stick it to our residents because they're doing it over there.

That does not always work thank you to the chair so with with all due respect that is not what I'm saying.

What I'm saying is I'm someone who is based on data and not on emotion.

I want to know exactly what I'm opposing.

I want to know why I'm opposing I want to know what based on what I receive I now know the direction to move in and not just eliminate just willy nilly I want to make sure that it is fact based and based on the data.

So once we do that and if anyone had this average we had the budget before us and it was not brought up at that time.

So let's keep all that on the table.

Member McCampbell thank you Mr.

Chair I think um one thing I think we're seeing the results of our health care system in this country um and the the inequality that exists in it um is I think it's one thing for folks without insurance I mean with insurance we also know that that is always not reimbursed at the level that needs to be um I also that we know that there are folks who are underinsured or uninsured as well not only it comes up with ambulance ambulatory services it comes up when once they get into the hospital as well um I know my office has been looking into that that gap that exists but I think this is a another example of how a municipal government is trying to handle the cost around serving our residents and with our inadequate health care system and I you know just to bring this in I think this is what folks as we talk about things like Medicare for all that we talk about that there needs to be a standardized service for folks when it comes to health care.

And I, you know, just to bring this in, I think this is what folks as we talk about things like Medicare for all that we talk about that there needs to be a standardized service for folks when it comes to health care.

So, in full support of uh exploring this and seeing what we can do to help our residents, but I wanted to bring that point across, so thank you.

Thank you.

Uh member Callaway, followed by Pro Tim Young.

Thank you so much, Mr.

Um, Mr.

Chair, for elevating the discussion.

Um, it's a very serious discussion to be had.

Um, I'd like to know from um through yourself, Mr.

Chair to Mr.

Hillman, or first for or from someone from contracts and procurement, because we just voted on this last year, and I thought that was a multi-year contract.

This does not say amendment.

I don't see the word amendment.

So is this an addition to the contract we just approved, or is this an amendment to the contract?

Is this a new contract or an amended contract?

And um, because if it's already an act of in force, we're already under they're already under contract to provide these services.

I would like to after we discussed it, Mr.

Chair, make a motion to bring this back after we can get some of our questions asked instead of moving forward with it, because I'm not comfortable.

But I think we just approved these contracts, although one has moved to Detroit from Southfield just a year ago.

So I'm just wondering what was the um date, the end date of that contract before we move with another three-year contract.

So if someone from contracts and procurement can come on, Mr.

Chair, just to let us know.

What did we just vote on?

What was the deadline for that one?

Because now we're here again for another three years.

So, what we could do, colleagues, is postpone these items for one week to allow for all of the questions that we have because I got a feeling that's the direction we're gonna be going either way, but to allow us to uh postpone it now.

Uh ask all the questions that we need to ask, and then this these items come back before us, and then we can truly have a uh discussion on uh the information.

Uh is that open for one week?

There's a motion to I'm sorry.

Oh before before we go to the motion.

Yeah, before you do the motion, we you allow him to have his question for the motion.

Anything about uh question is it is uh is it on these items?

Because if so, then let's just again yeah, no, it don't no, it's on these items.

No, no, no, it's is so can we can we bring them back to give because that's the whole goal if we postpone it, allow us to ask all the questions, and then we bring it back.

We have we're more informed.

Well, I just want to ask this question about uh what member Callaway is um proposing.

Yeah, so she hasn't proposed anything exactly too well not proposed, but what we're talking about doing to fix the problem.

We you want to bring you all just okay, I'll bring it back.

We bring it back.

Yeah, all right.

I think we have to do that.

You kind of hit to me, you just won't bring this back.

That's what's right.

And and I and I will just say, unless there is hold on one second, unless there is, in fact, a necessary need to approve these contracts this week.

That is what we need to know as well.

Putting on the floor, will we now no longer have these services?

I would hope that contracts like this wouldn't be brought to us that close to the day of mine.

Uh second fire commissioner, talk to us.

Yes, uh to the chair.

Uh, these contracts will expire in May.

Uh, I believe the middle of May is when they're going to expire.

Um so we do have some time to discuss, but uh as far as um the contracts itself, these were uh a two-year contract previously.

So we have the these are coming to the end of their two-year, and that's that's why we're bringing these new, we went out for bid again and did a uh bid process to uh make actually we lowered the rates with this bid process, so and that's why we're looking to re-engage with these same companies in three in a three-year contract.

Okay, thank you.

I believe member waters was going to uh move uh to postpone these items.

What's your numbers?

I believe that was 22.6 through 22.9.

Mr.

Chair, point of order.

Um we have a motion on your on the memo that oh I never close that one out.

Yep.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Motion to approve but uh the memo.

I was I was approving the memo assignment, and I didn't close that out, it sounds like unless I did.

I don't think I did.

Okay, uh thank you.

All there's a motion uh to approve the assignment uh that we were discussing on this particular uh motion.

Any objections, colleagues?

Let me make sure I said that.

See none, then action shall be taken.

Thank you, Member McCampill.

Thank you, madam parliamentarian member uh waters.

Motion to postpone can hit their mics.

So post motion to postpone 22.6 through 22.8 for one week.

All right, there is a motion to postpone the vote on line item 22.6 through 22.8.

But uh with discussion, colleagues with discussion.

I do say second, our chief commissioner raising his hand, sir.

I'd like to apologize real quick.

I was just informed by OCP that these do expire May 1st.

Why would they bring it to us this late?

It's almost saying you better vote on it or else.

Can we get some we're gonna need some?

We're definitely gonna need someone from OCP now.

Oh, let's say we got time on wow.

Because we don't like that Mr.

Washington, yes, if we can promote Eric Cooper.

All right, Mr.

Cooper.

I see Ms.

Jamila Wilkins Watkins.

Uh good afternoon.

Uh who are you representing, ma'am?

Good good afternoon.

Good afternoon, uh, council president.

My name is Jamila Watkins.

I'm with the Office of Contracting and Procurement.

Okay.

Maybe you can help us out.

Why why is it coming to us so late?

I mean, it's basically saying either you do or you we're gonna put everybody at jeopardy.

Um, so through the chair, I would not, I would like to state that that was not the intention of OCP or DFD um to present these in this time frame.

I will say that these contracts uh took a very long time to draft and to negotiate and to finalize.

So that does kind of speak to the timing.

Also, the expiration date of May 1st was actually an amended expiration date.

These were scheduled to initially expire, I want to say in January, and we did an administrative process to extend them in order to actually get more time to get these contracts in place, the existing to get the new contracts in place.

And so we extended the existing three that councilwoman Callaway referred to earlier.

So please know that it was not our intention, it's never our intention to present anything to council to say vote now or else.

That is not the intention.

Please understand it was just a long process to get to this point.

And please know that these contracts were hard fought um with interviews, like I said, with negotiations, and then with just making sure that all the wording was correct.

So I just want to clarify that.

I hope that that answers your questions.

It doesn't.

Um, I do appreciate that though, uh, Ms.

Watkins.

So here's the here's the reason why I say that.

If this is as important you all work is hard, and I believe you did.

I'm not saying that at all.

Why am I just learning about this today?

Why are we just learning about it during council session that it is this tight and that it's May 1st?

So for me, when I know that things are extremely tight, I give folks heads up because I don't want them to be surprised.

I don't want there to be any issues, so it's hard for me to accept.

Again, I'm not gonna put you in that position because I'm not gonna say it's you, but it's hard for me to accept that it wasn't a desire to place it before us and then say either vote on it or people will not be covered.

That is where my concern is.

I'm the council president.

Nobody reached out to me.

I don't know if they reached out to the chair of the committee and said that it was this dire that we had to go through all this leading up to it so that we understand and know in partnership, so we can move this forward.

First time I'm hearing about it is right now.

And I was willing to move it forward and bring it back.

So um I hope you can respect that as well.

I think that we have any additional hands up, colleagues.

With further discussion, uh member Benson.

So then what are our options in this situation?

Do we either vote this up or down?

If we bring this back more information, would there be an additional extension of existing contracts?

Or those extensions done automatically.

All right, uh, I see Mr.

Connor just you can't dip on us now, Mr.

Collin.

Come on back, Miss Watkins.

So I do want to point point out that with expiration through the chair, and with expiration on May 1st, it is entirely possible that you all can hold them for a week.

We can come back, hopefully, and answer your questions by the 28th.

And if you all approve, if you decide to approve with waiver, they will be in place by May 1st.

I also do believe, and the CPO may have to answer this and correct me if I'm wrong, that if necessary, we could extend them again on the existing contracts if more time is needed, but I'll have to verify that before I make that statement because it would not be my decision.

But I do believe that, you know, I believe you all could hold them for a week to answer, get additional answers to your questions, and hopefully approve on the 28th, and then that will be fine.

Um so I did want to put that out there.

Motion to postpone for one week.

Okay.

Uh there is a well, I think it was already on the floor, colleagues.

There's a motion to uh postpone the vote for line items 22.6 through 22.8.

Any objections?

See none, that action shall be taken.

Thank you so much.

We appreciate y'all joining again.

We're not beating up on you, just the process does not feel right.

Don't feel right.

I thank you so much.

Okay, and Mr.

Washington, let me just ask you real quick.

Can you pop up for us?

Were you aware that that these contracts were this tight?

Because again, uh, we weren't notified.

And I think that's part of the relationship that we hope to have.

Through the chair, um, no, I was not aware that the these contracts were this tight, um, but we are working um still through the transition and trying to refine some internal processes so that we can all be aware in advance.

Um, so that this body does have the time to deliberate.

Okay, we appreciate you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right.

Uh colleagues, there is a motion to approve line items 2.5, 22 point nine.

Any objections?

See none.

That action shall be taken.

Mr.

Chair.

Um, member McCampbell.

Uh request no waiver on 22.5 and 22.9.

There's a request for waivers on line items 22.5 and 22.9, colleagues.

Any objections?

See none, waiver should be attached.

From the office of the chief financial officer, office of development and grants.

Madam Clerk.

Councilmember McCampbell, a resolution line item 22.10.

Member McCampbell.

Motion to approve 22.2.

There's a motion to approve line items 22.10.

Any objections?

See none.

That action shall be taken.

Mr.

Chair.

Ms.

Member McCampbell.

Uh motion to uh request or request a waiver on 22.10.

As a request for a waiver on line item 22.

Uh 10 uh with discussion.

I see your hand, member Miller.

You're on mute, ma'am.

That was a mistake.

Oh, no words, no words.

Okay, college.

There's a request for a waiver on line item 22.10.

Any objection?

See none.

That action shall be taken.

Under resolutions, madam clerk.

Mr.

President, we had a request to remove this line item.

It actually was added today on the agenda in era.

There was motion to come back in committee in two weeks.

So it should not have shown up today on the agenda.

All right, colleagues, can we get a motion to remove line item 22.11 from the agenda?

Motion.

Any objections?

See none.

Then action shall be taken.

Under resolutions, madam clerk.

Councilmember McCampbell, two resolutions, line items 22.12 and 22.13.

Uh member McCampbell.

Um motion to approve 22.12, 22.13.

There's a motion to approve line items 22.12 and 22.13.

Any objections?

See none, then action shall be taken.

Mr.

Chair.

Uh member McCampbell.

Um motion to be added to 22.12.

Uh is it my name?

There's a request, madam clerk, to add member McCampbell to line item uh 22.12.

So note, Mr.

President.

See no objections to be added.

Uh member Benson.

Madam Clerk, if you can know, Member Benson would also like to be added.

Clerk was on note, Mr.

President.

No objections, that action shall be taken.

For the president's report on standing committee referrals and other matters for the budget finance and audit standing committee.

Mr.

President, we do have a few walk-ons if you like to do this first.

We do we do have walk-ons.

We have one walk-on before us.

This is a resolution in support, and this is from uh member McCampbell, a resolution in support of uh declaring May 1st, 2026 is May Day in the city of Detroit, and to celebrate the power of the working people in this city.

And this is from uh member McCampbell, a resolution in support of uh declaring May 1st, 2026 as May Day in the city of Detroit, and to celebrate the power of the working people in this city.

And then we have another walk on, which is uh from member uh Callaway.

This is a resolution recognizing international compost awareness week, and that is for May 3rd to May 9th.

Is there a motion to place these items on to new business?

Motion on the floor, colleagues.

Any objections?

Seeing none, that action shall be taken.

Madam Clerk.

Mr.

President, first we do um council member with Phil Callaway, a resolution.

Member Callaway.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Motion to approve.

As a motion to approve the resolution, uh recognize the international compost composting awareness week.

Any objections?

Seeing none, that action shall be taken.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

You're welcome.

Madam Clerk.

Mr.

President, Council Member McCampbell, a resolution.

Member McCampbell.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

As mentioned, this is a resolution to recognize May 1st as May Day in the city of Detroit.

And if I can just read to uh just a little bit of, I won't read the whole thing, but um just the reason whereas May Day or International Workers' Day is observed on May 1st each year, has its roots in the labor struggles of the United States and has become a global day of solidarity celebrated by working people in more than 100 countries around the world.

Um whereas May Day commemorates the Haymarket affair of 1886 when workers in Chicago fought for the eight-hour work day down from the usual 10 to 14 hours, a demand that required decades of organizing, sacrifice, and collective action to achieve and when police attack a peaceful rally at Haymarket Square.

Many workers and police died in the subsequent violence, and four union leaders were trying to execute it on trumped up charges of incitement.

And then whereas in Detroit, nearly 4,000 workers went on strike that first May Day in 1886, demanding a shorter work week from rail car companies and other employees, employers demonstrating our city's long history of worker solidarity and collective action, and to skip down to the resolves that the city council does hereby commemorate May Day on May 1st, 2026 and recognizes this day to celebrate the power, dignity, and solidarity of working people throughout Detroit, Michigan, the United States, and the world.

Um so with that motion to approve, Mr.

Chair.

Colleagues has a motion to approve the resolution.

Any objection?

Discussion with discussion, member Johnson.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

I'd like to join Member McCampbell on the uh Mayday motion or resolution, and I'd also like to join Member Callaway on the composting awareness week resolution.

Right.

Uh Madam Clerk, if we can note that member Johnson would like to join on both.

Mr.

Chair resolution.

So note, Mr.

President.

Um before we go to you, Pro Tim, Member McCall McCampbell.

Uh also would like to add um member Sarto Romero to this resolution as well.

We can note can another member place another member for joinage.

I think the sentiment is there.

There are no objections that action shall be taken.

This first time, I never had it before.

Yeah, pro term.

Yes, I would also like to add uh by name to uh both resolutions as well.

Uh madam clerk, if you can note, uh pro Tim Young would also like to name add his name and a theme member Benson with his trigger finger going as well.

Oh, okay.

All right.

Clerk will so note Mr.

President.

Thank you.

Okay.

So Mr.

President.

Madam uh Madam Clerk.

Yes, I am still in receipt of a resolution that was to be walked on by member McCampbell.

It was a resolution to recognize April 15th as use youth homelessness matters day.

Is that still the um ask of member McCampbell?

Don't have that one before me.

Maybe get them off.

Uh-uh, got you.

Okay.

Uh, there is another walk on here again, recognizing April 15th as youth homelessness matters day.

Um, member McCampbell.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair, and just know then that this was from um Member Satar Romero, but this is a as mentioned to recognize April 15th as youth homelessness matter day.

A motion to uh add to the business.

There's a motion to add line this uh resolution to new business colleagues.

Any objections?

See none that action shall be taken.

Madam Clerk.

Council member McCampbell, a resolution.

Member McCampbell.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Uh motion to approve.

There's a motion to approve the resolution.

Colleagues, any objections?

See none that action shall be taken.

Okay, madam clerk for the president's reports on standing committee referrals and other matters from the budget finance and audit standing committee.

One report from the Department of Public Works Administration.

One report will be referred to the budget finance and audit standing committee from the internal operations standing committee.

Five reports from various city departments.

The five reports will be referred to the internal operations standing committee for the neighborhood and community services standing committee.

Four reports from various city departments.

The four reports would be referred to the neighborhood and community services standing committee for the planning and economic development standing committee.

Three reports from the Office of Contracting and Procurement.

Three reports will be referred to the Planning and Economic Development Standing Committee from the for the Public Health and Safety Standing Committee.

11 reports from various city departments.

The 11 reports will be referred to the public health and safety standing committee.

Under consent agenda, Madam Clerk.

There are no items, Mr.

President.

Thank you.

We will now go to member reports.

We will start with Member McCam.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

I will just note that for District 7 residents.

Let me make sure this Thursday.

And it will be at uh Caddish Baptist Church from 5 30 to 8 30 p.m.

So please do join us, uh District 7 residents.

Uh also um this Friday, there will be the grand opening of the Littlefield Skate Park uh in District 7, and that will take place at 12 noon this Friday, April 24th.

And that is all for me.

Thank you.

Thank you so much, Member Waters.

Member Reports negative report.

Okay, member Johnson.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Um want to say thank you to all of the residents.

We've had a very busy week.

Um yesterday evening, our office hosted our monthly community meeting in collaboration with the planning department to talk about the uh master plan uh specifically for district four.

The room was filled to capacity as was the parking lot.

Um, so I'm ecstatic that the residents showed up and are engaged in what's happening throughout the district.

Um, I do want to share that we do have another meeting tomorrow with the public lighting authority um to discuss the uh residential mid-block lighting expansion program that is tomorrow, Wednesday, April 22nd at 6 p.m.

at the community center at A.

B.

Ford Park.

So look forward to seeing our residents there.

Um, and thank you again for being engaged.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you.

Our member Callaway.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Um, thank you to the Joe Lewis Greenway Partnership.

Um with uh Miss Metley, the housing and revitalization department with Mr.

Sam Woods and the City Health Department for joining us yesterday during our um district two community webinar.

Our next call will be on May the 18th at 5:30.

It lasts for one hour.

Thank all the residents for joining us yesterday.

Today, Detroit at work is hosting its race to talent event from 230 to 5:30 at Mockery Zero Proof, located at 740 West McNichols.

Join them for an engaging discussion on registered apprenticeship programs and how they can drive growth.

If you want more information, you can call 224 4535.

And that event again starts today at 2:30 at 7400 West McNichols.

The Department of Public Works has released the 2026 speed hump program list, which includes plans to install 312 new speed humps.

Residents have until April the 25th to opt out of the program.

For more information, you can um look at the DPW website at Detroit Mi.gov and navigate to DPW complete streets traffic calming section.

Next, the DEA national prescription drug take back event will take place citywide at all Detroit Police Department precincts on September.

I'm sorry, on Saturday, April the 25th from 10 a.m.

to 2 p.m.

The DEA national prescription drug take back event will take place citywide at all Detroit police precincts this Saturday, April the 25th from 10 a.m.

to 2 p.m.

Join District 2 City Council team in partnership with foraging initiative for the motor city makeover on May the 2nd from 10 a.m.

to 2 p.m.

We will be meeting at 15720 Alden Street.

That's where you can pick up your supplies, and then we will be cleaning up lots of trash and debris on Puritan from Murlin, Quincy, and I do believe Wiljamere.

For more information, you can call 224 4535.

Thank you so much, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you.

Member Miller.

No report.

Right.

Member Benson.

Pro Tim Young.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Last week, Friday, April 17th, I hosted a fantastic senior luncheon with the village of St.

Martha's.

Thank you all for having me.

We had a great time.

Also, please note the next evening council meeting will be on Tuesday, May 12th, 2026 at 7 p.m.

at Northwestern Activity Center.

Before the meeting begins, we will be serving dinner at 5 30 p.m.

as a celebration to mothers.

So please, RSVP by calling 313-654-3147.

Again, we will be serving dinner at 5:30 to celebrate mothers.

All are welcome to attend.

So that's Tuesday, May 12th.

Tuesday, May 12th, Tuesday, May 12th at 7 p.m.

at the Northwest Activity Center for the meeting.

And then before the meeting begins, we will be serving dinner at 5 30 p.m.

as a celebration to mothers.

So please, RSVP.

313 654-3147.

And we will start the food box deliveries again on Wednesday, June 3rd at 12 noon to 2 p.m.

at Buncil Family Center.

That's the food box deliveries again on Wednesday, June 3rd at 12 noon to 2 p.m.

at Buttle Family Center.

So Wednesday, June 3rd at 12 noon to 2 p.m.

at Bustle Family Center.

And don't forget again the RSVP for our special dinner honoring mothers on Tuesday, May 12th at 5 30 p.m.

RSVP 313 654 3147 for our evening council meeting on Tuesday, May 12th, starts at 7 p.m.

And we'll be serving dinner at 5 30 p.m.

as a celebration to mothers RSCP 313-654-3147.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you.

And everyone worked extremely hard during the uh budget process.

Uh today marks the uh beginning or tomorrow, the beginning of our one-week spring recess to allow us to kind of stretch and collect ourselves because we've been moving a hundred miles around to be doing a great job, uh, everyone.

Uh so that will I just want to let everyone know that uh committees will not be taking place for the remainder of the week, and we will reconvene next Tuesday, next Tuesday.

We do have uh, we should have sent out everyone should have received a memo of flyer about an afterwork event that we just wanted to pull together that we can kind of just let her hair down, so to speak, um, today happening today.

So we'd love to see you.

Um look forward to just being able to just talk to some folks.

I haven't even met, you know, uh in this building.

So we'll love to see you all there.

Um finally it is with um heavy heart that I um announced.

I mean, uh some of you may have already heard, but a very phenomenal woman who we just honored here uh last year um during April, April 8th, I believe it was.

Uh, she passed.

Uh, then it's Miss Gina uh Steele Hughes, uh former fire uh captain, 28 years of service with the city of Detroit.

Um and she has a phenomenal son.

Uh that young man is just a great, great, great young man.

Um, so we just want to send our prayers to uh the family um for peace, understanding, and comfort along this journey.

Um, and uh all who knew her.

No one had a bad thing to say.

If they did, something's wrong with them.

So we just I'll just ask colleagues if we can get a moment of silence for Miss Gina Steele Hughes as we remember her.

Great work in the city of Detroit.

Thank you.

This is the importance of being able to give folks their flowers when they have an opportunity.

So thank you for bringing her down here and the family, uh member Callaway again just almost a year ago, a little over a year ago last year.

A little over a year ago last year.

We knew things were tough and tight, but she held on until she couldn't.

So God bless you.

Thank you.

All right, madam clerk.

Um, under adoption without community reference, committee reference, excuse me.

There are no items, Mr.

President.

Under communications from the clerk.

A report on approval of proceedings by the mayor.

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

Council Member Benson, on behalf of Council President Tate or resolution, line item 33.1.

Motion to approve.

As a motion to approve line item 33.1.

Colleagues, any objections?

See none, that action shall be taken.

Hearing no further business coming before this body.

If there's no objections, this meeting will now stand adjourned.

This meeting is adjourned.