Member Angela Whitfield Calloway.

Councilmember Scott Benson.

Councilmember Reneta Miller.

Renata Miller is going to join us, but right now she's going to be a little late.

Madam Chair, we have quorum.

Thank you so much.

Yes, ma'am.

Good morning.

Good seeing you.

Good morning, Councilmember Callaway.

It's good seeing you as well.

And thank you for your service on the human trafficking task force for the number of years that you um served.

We missed you last week in Lansing.

Yes, ma'am.

Thank you.

I've been uh recovering from an accident where I fractured my fibula.

So I haven't been moving around much lately.

All right.

Well, I'm glad you are here with us, and I hope you're feeling better.

Yes, ma'am.

Thank you so much.

It's a pleasure.

Let us pray.

Father God, creator of life, sustainer of life.

We pause to say thank you.

Thank you for every good and perfect gift which comes down from you, the father of lights in whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

We thank you for life, health, and strength.

We thank you for the gifts that you have given us, talents and abilities that you have shared with us so that we can impact the lives of others.

Uh for every uh elected representative that sits on this committee for all of those who come alongside them to do the work of this committee, the work of this council, and the work of this city.

We say thank you.

Thank you for Detroit.

Thank you for the spirit and heart of Detroit, a city that has literally and figuratively risen from the ashes time and again, a resolute and resilient city.

Thank you for the current leadership of our city, uh a leadership that is focused on helping everyone to rise again.

And so uh the deliberations of this committee and this council are of extreme importance uh not only uh to the greatest of these, but to the least of these in our city.

And it is our prayer today and every day going forward that everything they do, everything they say, ultimately has the goal of lifting all of the people of our city.

We could easily take credit for the advancements that have been made over the past few years, as our city has risen from the bottom uh back to one of the leading cities in our nation.

But we are reminded that except the Lord build the house, they that labor labor in vain.

And so we submit their work into your hands.

We ask that you lead guide and direct them in all that they say and do for your glory and for the benefit of your people, we pray, and we ask it in the name of our Savior Jesus, who is the Christ.

Amen.

Amen.

And thank you, Bishop.

You are um welcome to continue to join us on the call.

But again, we hope that you'll um experience a speedy, complete, full recovery from your injury.

Amen.

I want to get back to the committee and to the other work we're doing.

Thank you so much, Councilmember Callaway.

Yes, sir.

Have a blessed day.

Thank you.

Okay, there are no chair remarks.

Public comment is now closed.

It is 1004.

Public comment is now closed.

Uh Mr.

Brox, do we have anyone here in the audience who is here to make public comment?

If so, you can go right to that first microphone.

Take a seat.

You have two minutes for public comment.

If you can introduce yourself, you'll hit the base of the microphone.

It'll turn it'll turn green.

And if you can introduce yourself, you have two minutes to make public comment.

And good morning.

Good morning.

Uh, my name is Adrian Tines, and um I have tried to address this owner, uh, T.

A.

Smith's Guinness at 375 West Grand Boulevard.

And um the inspectors failed pretty much all the units in the building.

And what happens, I just got a letter from Southwest Solution and the inspector because Lisa Todd that's over our uh program.

Um she tells us to don't report anything, just tolerate things.

And uh issue that the building inspector failed, he said he can address it.

Now he's saying that they're gonna uh uh put me in a position where I don't have my unit, and they're not addressing the issues that need to get addressed.

And for some reason, um Lisa Todd does not to be does not need to be in her position because she's not addressing tenants that uh complain about uh you know uh legitimate issues, and the letter that I got there saying that oh well, you have to, we're gonna um what get rid of your uh your voucher and you have to uh go into another program.

And I'm like, no, don't displace me, fix the issue, you know.

And the owner already let people know he threatens you if you bring up any issues with the building.

So I find it to be very um, you know, disheartening that no one's addressing this owner.

He's been doing this for a long time, and all they need to do is come in and address it.

They gave him 30 days, 28 days to address it, then they gave him extension.

No one came in to address the issue, and now they're putting on my record as if I'm the problem with what's going on.

And the building manager laughed.

He said, Oh, yeah, we do that.

So you putting this on my record.

This is my first time ever having to rent.

I'll be 65 soon.

And why are you trying to displace me because I stand up?

So someone needs to address Southwest solution or pull their funding because they're not addressing uh the issues properly and give it over to somebody who will address these issues.

My unit is better than the all the units in there, so why would you tell me?

Oh, we gotta uh take you out of there and put you in another unit, and he knows the other units are really just bad.

So address the issue instead of doing this, you know, and bullying your tenants.

Okay.

You done you don't have to leave.

Um, is the administration on?

I know how uh we do things um on Tuesday, but I do want to have an opportunity to have some of your questions addressed while you're here if my colleague will allow me.

You have a lot of concerns, and I want your concerns to at least be addressed by the administration.

So um, can is the administration on Miss Sullivan?

We'd like to have someone on from would it be BC?

Who's telling you?

Who's Lisa Todd?

Uh she's at Southwest Solutions, uh-huh.

And that's a program, a housing program.

And the thing of it is uh by telling us not to to pick our battles and not to report anything.

These people are mandated reporters, they're not protecting their seniors.

Okay, I got it.

Um, is there anyone on from the administration, Mr.

Brox?

Is Miss Sullivan available or Mr.

Malik Washington?

Chair.

Um, we can work to get a representative from BC to be present today if we can bring this to the at the end of public comment.

Is that Miss Sullivan speaking?

Yes, it is.

Okay, good morning.

That sounds great.

I don't know if this if if this resident can stay till the end, but when you do have someone, just let um let me know, and I'll bring we'll have them brought on screen, okay, because she has a lot of concerns, and we certainly don't want there to be any retaliation against her um because she's here this morning expressing her concerns.

Thank you, Miss Sullivan.

So, Ms.

Tyne, if you want to wait, you can.

If not, if you can leave your information with my staff, I know it you said 375 West Grand Boulevard.

Yes, you can give that information to him.

If you have other things to do this morning, give him your contact information and someone from the district.

I don't know if that's district five or six, I don't know who your council person is, but we'll take the lead on it to give you some support.

Okay, thank you.

So you're welcome.

The next caller is uh next caller is Mr.

Sir, you have two minutes for public comment.

Oh, we have someone else in the audience.

Okay.

313.

You you're the reception is pretty we can't hear you.

You're the reception is pretty poor.

Yes, can you hear me?

Yes, we can hear you now.

You want to introduce yourself?

Yes, we can.

Want to introduce yourself.

Yes, ma'am.

This is Brother Cunningham through 9114.

313 44494.

313 4414.

Hear me.

Do we do those prayers again outside the building again?

Um, madam councilwoman.

And I'm very perturbed a lot.

Mr.

Cuttingham.

Mr.

Cunningham, can you hear us?

Mr.

Cuttingham, it's a very, very poor reception.

We can't hear you.

Can you hear me?

We can hear you now, sir.

Okay.

Well, I lost a couple of seconds.

Um the poor will always be among us.

Like there's no sense of urgency for the poor.

I was homeless for 10 years and COVID, pneumonia, mild strokes.

I had a very, very tumultuous time.

Oh, and I have a sense of urgency to help people.

And I don't know why a lot of Christians just say the poor will always be among us.

Like there's no urgency.

Also, um, I was at an event and they said if they made it here, they'll make it back.

Because I give out the bus tickets so folks don't use it for other times or occasions.

And she said they got here, they'll get back.

And this is clergy.

No, we got to learn a love on each other.

DOR is still like luster, not all the time.

It doesn't show up.

Um, and I I shouldn't care because I'm a cab and I make money off of bad bus service, but I was raised to care about others.

Would you done it to the least of ease?

You've done it again.

And so we need to approve the improve things.

I would like that prayer to come back again.

Uh, after all those years of empathy.

Give me a minute, Mr.

Cuttingham.

Mr.

Cunningham, that was that was your time.

Thank you for calling.

We do have someone here in the audience before we go to our next virtual caller.

Sir, if you can hit the microphone button, it'll turn green.

If you can introduce yourself, you have two minutes.

Good morning.

Uh, my name is Mike Roken.

I'm a manager of VBK Towing.

We've been proud of Detroit Police Authorized Towers.

On behalf of Detroit Police Authorized Town Companies, I'm here to support Peggy Goodwing's appointment to the toll rate commission.

She's an excellent representative of our industry.

We look forward to working with the city side by side with the Detroit Police Department and keeping safety on our orders on the streets for many years to come.

Thank you for your time and service.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Thank you so much.

Do we have anyone else in the audience who made it here before 1004 before it was turned off for public comment?

Seeing no one else.

Mr.

Brocks, who's next on the virtual.

Madam Chair, next is Dr.

Darnell.

Dr.

Darnell, you have two minutes.

Good morning.

And thank you.

This is Dr.

Darnell here of UCARistan LLC.

I'm a real estate development company dedicated to building and revitalizing communities through thoughtful housing design and a closed loop system incorporating workforce development, stability, affordability, and long-term community growth.

We create high-quality single-family homes designing accessible living environments for families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.

The area we have marked for development is neighborhood space number one, where one of the bullet points is preparing the neighborhood for future development.

So I want to give a quick update on our new real estate development there, which will be compliment the Joe Lewis Greenway going by that same area in North Compo.

My development team is actively working with Mr.

Prince.

Dr.

Darnell, give me one minute.

Mr.

Brock's the clock is not moving.

It's okay, Dr.

Darnell, you have 45 seconds.

Okay.

Working with the land bank authority, Mr.

Prince.

We get our broker's price opinions from him and submit some other documentation, plus additional pre-development information that we have requested.

We will move forward.

Thank you, Dr.

Darnell.

And thank you for all that you do in the community.

Um the next caller is Mr.

Brox.

Next caller is William M.

Davis.

Mr.

Davis, good morning.

You have two minutes.

You can be heard.

Okay.

Um I think the human track human trafficking task force is an important entity that should probably get more PR and more public service announcement.

Because I think far too often, you know, especially when black girls or black kids disappear.

You know, it does not seem to be the same urgency as when others disappear, or you know, when black and brown young people disappear.

I think we need to make sure the clock isn't advancing.

We need to make sure that we know what's going on in our community and we protect our people here.

Can you can y'all still hear me?

Yes, sir.

Oh, okay.

Uh and uh I also Mr.

Davis, just give us one minute.

Mr.

Brock, the clock is not advancing.

Madam Chair, the clock is moving.

Um, I'm I'm not sure why it's not showing on your end.

Well, it needs to show on our end for us to know what so whatever the technical difficulties um that are occurring, they need to get resolved because we gotta be able to see what time is left on the clock for our public commentors.

Mr.

Davis, you have one minute left.

I'm sorry about that interruption.

Okay, no problem.

I mean, I just would like to say a greater emphasis on on protecting and you know securing our young people, especially little black girls and black, you know, brown girls, and make sure our community is safe for everyone.

And that's all I have to say for today, other than the fact that I think it's good that we're bringing up the fact that more and more of our dollars need to stay in our city because far too many of our dollars leave our city, don't go to communities that don't send no dollars to us.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Davis.

Our next caller is our next caller is legendary Detroiter.

Okay, you need to clear the clock, Mr.

Brocks.

It's cleared.

Okay, you have two minutes, sir, sir.

Mr.

Legendary, you have two minutes, Mr.

Legendary.

You have two minutes.

Mr.

Brocks, can you move Mr.

Legendary to the end of the queue?

And um, we'll go to the next caller.

The next caller is Betty A.

Varner.

Good morning, Miss Varner.

You have two minutes, ma'am.

Uh good morning, uh, madam chair, and to all within the sound of my voice.

I'm Betty A.

Barner, president of DeSoda Elsewhere Black Association.

Uh there's seniors or people uh who are disabled.

If you are in need of assistance at your home, you have a caregiver that could use some relief and some assistance in assisting you.

Please call a Mrs.

Deborah A.

Royal, R O Y A L at 313484808.

Again, 313-484-3808.

This is a lovely lady, really nice to speak with, respectful, is just eager to assist you.

She has programs that her organization that will assist people, and you would need to have Medicaid, but she is a unique organization.

She has programs that assist people who don't have Medicaid, and she assists the caregivers.

There's a program, I think it's called Helping Hands that I'm in.

That uh she has people come in, they will assist you with your chores, provide uh light prepping uh for dinner.

She has a program where they work with a restaurant.

The uh person will pick up dinners for you uh twice a week.

They're very, very kind, trustworthy.

Uh you can trust them in your home.

And the caregiver gets a relief.

She gets a chance uh to go to events, uh, get the uh the female, get your nails done, uh your toes done.

She has events and uh boat rides, and you get a chance to get some relief and just network, and that's the unique for the caregivers.

Thank you, Ms.

Varner.

Then the person who needs the service.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Clock is not uh thank you, Ms.

Varner.

Um, Mr.

Brocks, before we go to the next caller.

I'm going to gavel in our public continuation of our public hearing, but I do need the clock to work properly.

It hasn't worked properly since we um gaveled in to this committee meeting.

So whatever we need to do on our end to work with um IT, the clock is not working properly.

That being said, I'm going to gavel in the 1015 a.m.

public hearing.

The law department requested a continuation of the public hearing for one week to allow a representative from direct TV to appear before this body and explain the franchise agreement that they have with the city.

Um is there a motion to continue this matter for one week, moving it to Wednesday, May the 13th?

Motion.

Hearing objections, that action shall be taken.

Discussion.

Member Benson.

Will Comcast will Direct CB be here next week?

They're supposed to be here next week.

That's why is is being continued because we wanted representation.

Is that Mr.

Mr.

Anderson?

Is that the case?

Through the chair Graham Anderson Law Department, that is correct.

I spoke to them uh two days ago and they said they weren't available today, but next week they will have a representative appear via Zoom.

Okay.

Hearing no objections, we will continue our um public hearing with direct TV regarding the franchise agreement that they have with the city next week.

Um at the same time, hearing no objections again, that action shall be taken.

The public hearing will be continued as stated next week, May the 13th, Wednesday at 1015 a.m.

Going back to public comment.

Do we have any other callers?

Mr.

Brocks.

Yes, madam chair.

Uh the next caller is Tyson Gersh.

Mr.

Gersh, you have two minutes, and good morning.

Mr.

Gersh.

Good morning, can you hear me?

We can hear you, Mr.

Gersh.

Great, thank you.

Um I guess I just wanted to comment on, I think it's agenda item 10, the interview for the BZA board.

Um I just think it's really important for any newcoming BZA board members to be very aware of the rules.

Um, not just coached by what the Detroit Law Department instructs BZA board members on.

I think it's pretty clear that the law department is controlling the entire BZA in bad faith and causing the BZA to make decisions that do not align with the law, are not consistent with the Detroit City Code, uh the zoning ordinance or the BZA rules.

The law department is currently uh engaging in a campaign to overhaul the BZA rules and procedures, and also try and overhaul the zoning ordinance slash Detroit City Code transcript and record requirements.

Um the law department is a bad faith actor in this process, should not be guiding the BZA on anything.

Um, because it's just a biased party, and I I think council really needs to assess um just separation of powers in general.

Uh it appears that the mayor's office is controlling all of the departments through the law department.

Um, and all of the departments are scared of the law department, and Conrad Mallet needs to be removed from office.

I can't believe that we put this guy back in.

I can't believe that guy was ever on the Michigan Supreme Court.

Um, I I'm just continually shocked at the um bad ethics of our law department, and considering that it is a taxpayer-funded entity that is supposed to serve the people first and foremost.

I don't understand why we're even in this position.

Thank you, Mr.

Gersh.

Thank you, Mr.

Gersh.

Yep.

Um, Mr.

Brocks, the the clock did stop at one minute and 32 seconds.

So I was taking um looking at the clock on my own phone.

So now we're down to four seconds, but I do need the clock to work.

So if we need to call someone in IT, I'm sure we're probably at the end of the queue for public commentors, but um, we've been struggling with having the time operating properly this morning.

Who's our next caller, Mr.

Brocks?

Um, our next caller is caller one two four.

Can you clear the clock from four seconds to two minutes?

Good morning, may I be heard?

You can be heard.

Okay, I second the emotions of Tyson Gersh and very politely, Bishop James Williams.

Ms.

Warwick, please.

I'm gonna make sure Mr.

Brocks.

Um the clock is not working.

Can you give her?

Can you go back to two minutes?

Thank you.

You're welcome, Miss Warwick.

Mr.

Brocks, can you take her back to two minutes?

My hand was also lowered twice and then you're on now, Miss Work.

You have two minutes.

Okay, thank you.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Um, I second the emotions of uh Mr.

Tyson Gersh about the law department.

I just find their behavior shocking.

Um, I don't think Bishop James Williams realizes some of the bad things that are going on in the city, like the illegal land taking, the very ill-advised uh solar plan.

Uh member Callaway, they're already cutting down um John Guchowa's land and they that trees, and they don't have title to it yet.

That is so corrupt.

Also, Mr.

Javern Davis is being interviewed for the land bank board.

What is he willing to do?

He he helped his got a consulting from the J.

Francis Group helped small the medium entrepreneurs.

Now that kind of service would be welcome to help out the owners they target with their illegal nuisance abatement program, and he should read the restated second amended governmental agreement in the Michigan Fast Track Land Bank Authority Act to learn that the clock's not rolling.

This is not co-op.

I also, and what will we do to disappoint discipline misbehaving attorneys at the land bank?

Because I caught them in the court in what appears to be an ex-party communication, and I'm further investigating it.

An ex-party communication that violates the judicial canon.

And some of these attorneys are real snotty, they won't talk to you.

They're claiming false things.

The land bank is one of the most disguised entities of the city.

And uh why isn't Mary Sheffield ending it?

She's having 12 years to figure it out.

So what would Mr.

Javern Glenn do to actually help all the Detroiters ride instead of go around and target people's properties that are not a problem, like all these great you keep hearing about?

Thank you so much, Miss Warwick.

That was your two minutes.

Do we have any other callers allow me?

Yes, the next caller is Julie Limberman.

Okay, Mr.

Brox, I have a question for you.

Um, I'm keeping the time on my phone.

That clock is not advancing.

Do we know what the issue is?

Have we called IT?

Um, we're we're trying a different solution right now as as we speak, uh, Madam Chair.

Okay, thank you.

The next caller is um Julie Limberman.

Ma'am, you have two minutes.

Good morning.

Can you hear me?

We can hear you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good morning, Miss Julie.

Miss Julie Limbert with some echoing in the background.

So I don't know if you're on a speaker phone, but uh we we can hear you, but it's with some strong echoing.

One moment, please.

Can you hear me now?

Yes, ma'am.

Yes.

Morning, council.

This is Julie Summer from 70s towing in the Detroit Towing Association.

Thank you for the opportunity to address you today and to present a recommendation for Peggy Goodwin to serve a second term as a towing rate commissioner.

Peggy has demonstrated a clear commitment to fairness, transparency, and collaboration throughout our services.

Her strong performance last year set a high standard for the commission, and to continue involving brings stability and expresses to a process that impacts both the industry and the residents of the city of Detroit.

We extend our sincere thanks to everyone involved in appointing Peggy Goodwin to the toll rate commission.

Your trust in the relevance of the value of her work and the confidence that you have in her ability, continue serving her effectiveness completely.

We look forward to serving the city of Detroit with professionalism, transparency, and dedication.

Thank you and have a bless day.

Thank you so much for calling.

The next caller is clear this.

The next caller, Mr.

Brox.

The next next caller is legendary Detroiter.

Legendary Detroiter, you have two minutes.

Okay, Angela Callaway.

The gig is up.

Now we're going to talk about a few things.

First and foremost, you're a KAFA.

I know quite a few Kappa.

You should have found out about me before you decided to go against me.

Until I spoke up for Bob.

Robert Bob Carmack.

You decided to cut off all communications.

Then you went on and announced a 203 million dollar affordable housing program or initiative or whatever it was she was doing.

You had a cheating in public official.

Janice is busted.

Gina A.B.

Walker needs to come before the city council and explain how Mary Elaine Beckman's ballot was counted in a 2024, February 27, 2024.

United States Presidential Primary Election.

I done dug deep, deep deep into this.

You're a lawyer.

So Conrad.

That's the General Corporation Council for the City.

And uh Janice and Wumphrey both signed and sent me a letter.

Something, Angela.

It's over with.

I'm missing over with too.

Joy Road Rule, Six Mile Rule, Seven Mile Rule, and a whole bunch of other monikers.

But you didn't cross the line with me.

Now it's time for me to F back.

Run all y'all.

Give it all y'all.

So Nini can get what she wants.

And I got the proof and the evidence and the facts to back everything I say out of my mouth up.

Did you hear that clearly, Angela?

Callaway.

Thank you so much, Mr.

Legendary and correction.

I am not a Kappa.

The next caller is that is the next caller is uh Dante Smith.

He's here in person.

Mr.

Smith, you have two minutes.

You can take the seat right there and hit the microphone.

When it turns green, it's activated.

Thank you, Mr.

Brox.

Mr.

Smith is here in person.

You have two minutes, Mr.

Smith.

Thank you.

Mm-hmm.

So I have a document before me from the state of Michigan.

It says uh notice of cancellation of voter.

It is to address to my sister-in-law.

So this comes from Jocelyn Benson.

So my sister-in-law has been on the voter roll since 2000.

Uh, and she's left the state in 2000, year 2000.

I was five years old.

I'm 31 almost now.

So 25 years, she's been receiving absentee ballots at my home because we all live there at one point, which makes no sense.

There's also a form here to her from the voter participation center.

So for 25 years, she's been on the voter rolls for no reason.

So now we have this federal complaint from the uh the federal government about voter roles.

Now we have uh we have some action.

So I just interviewed probably our next Secretary of State.

It was a nice interview.

I didn't ask him the tough questions, but uh was nice to have the interview.

Also, I want to say to Mr.

Benson, uh Avanash Roshmouth.

It's gonna come up a lot for you.

I got a call from the FBI recently, last week.

And uh this time, if you have a raid, I don't think you're gonna walk away from this one.

I am on the case, and when I get on the case, you're not gonna walk away.

You're gonna go down.

Also, when it comes to uh Conrad Mallet, there is a lady, her name is Danielle, she lives in District One.

He promised to help her at a district at a charter mandated meeting on the mic.

And so she lives in a house owned by a gentleman named John O'Brien.

There are 40 people who live in houses owned by John O'Brien in district one who are supposed to be homeowners who have not been granted and made whole.

We need to do something about that.

City Council, our governing body, uh legislative branch.

Also, I want to say uh I second with Tyson Gershad.

I also second with uh Colonel Stanley Anderson said yesterday very very eloquently.

And I I love the laughs and the smiles, uh Scott Benson.

Laugh now, cry later, because Scott Benson for prison.

Also, um I've been requesting a meeting with every single member of council about Chronos Concrete.

I'm gonna have four minutes to speak at the evening meeting, so you're gonna see me next Tuesday.

I know I missed yesterday.

I want to give you guys a little bit of suspense.

But uh Miss Callaway, uh, I want to meet with your office as well.

I appreciate Gabriella Sancha Gomero's her chief of staff.

She told me that chief of staffs are extensions of council members, and she gave me a nice assurance.

So make sure your chief of staffs are in line.

Thank you, Mr.

Smith, for um, for your public comment this morning.

I do believe that come um completes public comment.

We'll move back to our agenda line items.

I think we have a few um interviews this morning.

Mr.

Chair, yes, we do have Arthur Russian online for the to address the public comment.

Okay, we do still have Miss Tyne here from 375 West Grand Boulevard.

She's still in the audience, so Mr.

Russian Miss Tyne, you could this is unconventional, but I do want Mr.

Russian to hear your concerns if he wasn't listening.

Mr.

Russian, are you with us?

Mr.

Russian from B seed.

Miss Sullivan, you just said Mr.

Russian is with us.

Mr.

Brocks, can you promote Mr.

Russian from B seat?

He is on call.

Um unmuted.

Okay.

Mr.

Russian, can you hear us?

Yes, I can hear you.

Okay, good morning, Mr.

Russian.

Can you um introduce yourself and your title?

Yes, my name is Arthur Russian.

I'm the chief enforcement officer with BC property maintenance.

Thank you so much.

I don't know if you had an opportunity to hear from one of our residents this this morning who lives at 375 West Grand Boulevard.

She has a lot of concerns.

That property I do believe is managed by Southwest Solutions, according to her.

And I just wanted you to hear some of what she said, and maybe she can reach out to you later so she can get some of her concerns addressed.

But she did remain here in in this space to talk to you directly.

So I'm gonna ask her just to share some of what she shared earlier this morning so you can um be aware of what's happening at that property.

Ms.

Tines, if you can hit your yes, thank you for allowing me to speak again.

Um the uh building is owned by a private owner um attorney, uh Software Solution contracts uh with him.

And um what the owner does when you try to address any issues that he needs to address, he basically will not address them and then continue to get public housing funding.

And we are told by Southwest Solution, Lisa Todd, pick our battles, let things go.

And to uh they sent me a letter, the owner with Southwest Solutions stating that they're going to displace me because he's not addressing the issues that he he can address because I'm speaking up about him not addressing pest issues, him uh he don't exterminate at all.

Um not addressing you know structural issues that he can address.

Why would you display someone and then threatening me on a regular basis through other tenants all day and all night, keeping me up?

Okay, all right.

That's some of some of her complaint and concerns, Mr.

Russian.

Um can you send an inspector out there today to 375 West Grand Boulevard?

Yes, I I can.

Um if once we get off the call, if you can give me her contact information.

Um that way I'll have an inspector to reach directly out to her.

Okay, we'll do that this morning.

Um thank you so much, Mr.

Russian.

I'll make sure he gets your information.

You just gave it to Mr.

Rose.

We'll make sure Mr.

Russian gets it.

Thank you so much, Mr.

Russian.

She just needed to hear from you from that department this morning.

Is that okay, Ms.

Tynes?

Thank you.

Okay, yes, ma'am.

So we'll make sure you get his information.

You'll reach out to him this morning or vice versa.

Okay.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you, Ms.

Tynes.

All right.

If we can have um Mr.

Javon Glenn to come to the microphone.

You are here to be appointed to the Detroit Land Bank Authority.

Is that correct?

That's correct, Madam Chair.

Are you currently serving on the Detroit Land Bank Authority?

I am not.

Okay.

All righty.

Um introduce yourself.

We do have your resume in front of us.

Ms.

Um Member Benson, do you have his resume?

I do.

Okay.

All righty.

Mr.

Javon Glenn, do you want to introduce yourself and share a little bit about your background and um your interest in serving on the Detroit Land Bank Authority?

Thank you, sir.

Absolutely.

Good morning.

We ask Mr.

Glenn, please turn his microphone.

Is that better?

Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Um, so I am Javon Glenn, the CEO and managing partner of the Jay Francis Group that specialize in scaling and helping small businesses get to the next level through a economic driver, because that's what you know we need really in the city.

We see a lot of businesses that are closing down.

Um my resume will tell you where I've been and what I've done, but not merely necessarily 100% my purpose.

So on the business side, I do that, but from a more perspective of this position is concerned.

I serve in my community.

I am the vice president of the historic Boston Edison Association.

I sit on the board for Detroit Historic District Alliance, um, as well as I am a uh school board member, um trustee rather for Detroit Waldolf School that my daughter will be going to as well.

So more importantly, I am a community advocate.

So this uh is really important to me because it sits at the intersection of change and growth for the city.

Because again, when we talk about land and parcels, is that was what we you know pronounce it as the the main driver is putting those that land back into the traitor's hands as well as responsible economic development.

So I think that's primarily the general introduction.

I didn't see any of your thank you for that.

Any of your education experience on this?

I just see um work experience, any education experience.

I've attended Wayne State, all right.

Decided that wasn't my route.

I'm a true entrepreneur, so I decided to help small businesses grow.

And I think city that um very well, I must say myself.

Um just recently this year we have helped uh a number of uh clients secure contracts with the city, as well as growth as over as an overall statement.

So whether that is uh employing new employees or um operational structure development.

So again, helping our businesses stay growing.

Awesome.

And who um appoint or who made the recommendation for your appointment to the Detroit Land Bank?

Uh Council um member Mary Waters at large.

Okay.

All right, and I'm going to um defer to Member Benson.

You have any questions, Member Benson for Mr.

Glenn?

Uh Mr.

Glenn, thank you for your willingness to serve the residents of Detroit as a member of our Detroit Land Bank Authority.

And Madam Chair, do yourself to LPD.

So this would be a joint appointment from the administration and city council.

Good morning, Edward King, legislative policy division through the chair.

Um I'm not certain that this will be a joint appointment.

Uh council has one appointment to the land bank authority.

And with this um nominee coming from a council member, I would assume that this would be the council appointment.

Yourself, madam chair to LPD.

I'm a trust but verified type person.

If we could please verify that this would be the joint or the council appointment, that would be very helpful to make sure that it does check that box and that's the expectation here.

Not that it matters, but I'm appreciative.

I want to make sure that that's what is actually happening here.

So, Mr.

Glenn, um, can you just talk about the Detroit land bank authority, why you want to serve there, and what you want to see happen as a land bank as a tool for the residents of Detroit?

Absolutely.

Uh, thank you for that question, um, Vice Chair.

Uh so one of the the biggest components that I I see that as lacking overall with the Detroit Land Bank is that one community trusts, it's it's it's has diminished tremendously.

Whether you hear callers calling in, whether I'm in community meetings, I hear that quite often.

So, one of the things is bridging that gap immediately.

Because again, the land bank is a tool.

So when you look at uh the parcel, I believe they have about six sixty thousand between six sixty thousand and sixty-six thousand.

That's a great opportunity because again, when we're talking about generational wealth, it it sounds clever when you put it on a tagline, but the real reality of that is putting those properties in the side of a Detroit's hand, but also give them the tools for such.

So, for example, if we say, hey, you know, there's a community that wants to do a community garden.

Well, how do you keep up the taxes?

Well, you partner with that community association and say, hey, let's you know make sure that you charge a fee or whatever the case is so you guys can pay your taxes on it and register your community association as a nonprofit.

So it's helping them along the way.

Because again, the success doesn't just come with we sold a property, it's how do we transform that property?

Those are the main major components to how we see Detroit really revitalize.

So again, not just from big corporations perspective, because again, you also have two folds of this.

You have the residentials who can buy property, correct, as well as business owners who can expand their properties.

These are where the opportunities should go and need to go.

Okay, sounds like you are pro-balance when it comes to how the land bank disposes of its property.

Residents, as well as pro-growth type opportunities for the city as well.

I'm a big supporter of that.

Uh, in addition, as a council appointment, how would you engage with city council to ensure that we are up to date with any things that are happening with things that are happening with the land bank?

We we've not had a successful appointee who's come back to let us know what's going on with the land bank.

We've made several uh since we started this process, but no one has ever really come back to just to brief us as council members, what's going on, what we need to be concerned with, and if there are any suggested modifications or rule changes.

Great question.

So one of the things that I have done successfully in my career is bridging the gap, right?

So my job is to represent uh the community perspective, also of course the Detroit Land Bank, but also this administration as a whole, because again, you represent constituents who have elected you all to office.

So it's my job to make sure that I am sitting in front of each and every one of your offices and talking with you directly and saying this is what I'm hearing and seeing, as well as what you're hearing seeing from your constituents as well.

Because again, it has to be a bridge gap that we're saying.

How do we come together and partner with this?

So it's an intentional action to say how do we all communicate together?

Okay, and then in the third district, one of the biggest issues we have is blight.

Correct and the continuation of blighted buildings, many of which are owned by the land bank.

Now, people will fault the land bank for that.

The land bank took our unwanted properties as a way to dispose of those.

So I thank the land bank for that.

But part of the challenge is often the land bank will keep these unwanted properties standing.

They'll be next door to viable homes in stable neighborhoods, and they present a destabilizing factor and a dangerous factor as well.

So my office, we worked with the policymakers over at the land bank and their board to change the policy to make it easier for the land bank to demolish blighted unwanted property.

I hope that will stay.

Are my constituents, my bosses, further um imposed upon with a negative blighting influence, dangerous influence in their neighborhood when we can simply let those properties go.

They were unwanted by the city to begin with.

People walked away from those properties.

It doesn't do as much good to keep them up.

I know people say we can go ahead and rehab those properties.

Absolutely.

Because I will just say, you know, in regards to that, at the end of the day, I'm a resident too.

I don't want that next to my house at the same time, whether it's in District 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

It shouldn't be anywhere.

Because at the end of the day, regardless of whatever tax bracket you fall into, you deserve a clean, safe environment to live in.

Oh, I'd like to hear that.

And just because you are low income, it's not mean that you are low quality.

Absolutely.

Thank you, Member Benson.

Um, I have a question.

What is your understanding of the new nuisance abatement program?

So I'd be honest, I'm not quite a hundred percent familiar with it, because again, I'm just now getting into the the thick of this and doing my my research as a whole.

Um, one of the things I can tell you just in general, my commitment is to learn what's all that's going on with the land bank.

Because again, I can hear what residents are saying, I can hear from obviously policy perspective.

But you know, um again, I am not necessarily torn because again, I hear it on both sides from the land abatement process or you know, just disembolishing the land bank as a whole.

The main goal is really to understand and then bring solutions to this because again, it's not about opinions.

Okay.

I would encourage you to read about the um nuisance abatement program.

Um it's um a very important component of the Detroit Land Bank and part of their responsibility.

It's one of the programs.

Um, and um we get a lot of um mixed reaction and mixed um opinions about its existence and the work that they do through the program.

So I would encourage you to um become familiar with the nuisance abatement program through the Detroit Land Bank.

Um is there a motion pinning the LPD um drafting the appropriate resolution for in support of the nomination, Miss Member Benson?

Motion LPD, did you have anything?

Because I didn't see the resolution attached.

No, no resolution is attached.

We can draft the appropriate resolution.

However, I just want to um just want to reiterate that uh this is the land bank authority and council has one appointment that was acquiesced by the mayor.

Okay.

Um that appointment has expired.

Okay.

Um we have a nominee here, but that doesn't preclude the body from interviewing other nominees for this same position.

Okay.

Thank you so much, Mr.

King, knowing that we do have a vacancy on the land bank, and it's a very, very, very important um authority.

Um I haven't received any other resumes or interest.

Um Mr.

King.

Madam Chair, I just want to um clarify that the term has expired, but that means that doesn't mean the individual has vacated the seat.

Okay.

All right.

Uh then I have a question.

I know there's a motion on the floor to move this to formal.

Um, Mr.

King, that being said, so the person with the is he's is he or she still serving on the board when the term has expired.

From from what I know, yes.

Okay, so we have to fix that.

All right, there's a motion pinning the um the appropriate resolution being drafted by LPD to move this to formal session with a recommendation to approve motion.

Okay, there's a motion to move line item seven, appointment of Javon Glenn for the Detroit Land Bank Authority, hearing no objections that action shall be taken pending the resolution um being presented next Tuesday.

Thank you, Mr.

Glenn, for your interest in serving on the Detroit Land Bank Authority.

I know you're gonna read more about the nuisance abatement program.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Yes, vice versa.

Right.

Thank you so much for your interest.

We have another interview, uh, appointment of Sawda Ahmad Green for the Downtown Development Authority.

If you could please take the seat that was just vacated by Mr.

Glenn.

Um, if you can introduce yourself, tell us a little bit about yourself and your interest in serving on the DDA.

And good morning.

Good morning, madam chair, Mr.

Vice Chair.

My name is Sauda Amad Green.

I am a native Detroiter, longtime resident of Detroit.

I am a practicing attorney for the last 15 plus years.

I am also in addition to that a real estate developer, primarily developing in the Virginia Park neighborhood, which is where also where I grew up.

Most recently just had a groundbreaking, I'm sorry, a ribbon cutting for the Merrill Place 2 project last month, and that uh is a 12 million dollar uh affordable housing project, 4% light tech um project with a renewable energy component to control utility um costs for the residents as well.

Um I think I'm uniquely um prepared to serve on the DDA due to my longstanding commitment um to affordable housing in the city of Detroit.

Um I worked uh tirelessly on the Merrill Place project to ensure that it could create the right mix of um opportunities for the residents of the Virginia Park neighborhood.

Um I would uh bring that same commitment uh to the DDA specifically Merrill Place and the remaining Merrill Place uh phases will uh compose of a geothermal system, which is what um controls the utility cost at Merrill Place 2.

So basically the tenants there do not pay for heating um and cooling, um, which is a great benefit to their uh to to controlling their cost and to um maintaining affordability, not just on the rent side, but uh more importantly on the utility side.

Um, and so I think that um there's an opportunity to do development and more of that um in our downtown corridor.

Um we have a lot of um new affordable uh housing projects or at least components coming in some of the uh downtown district area, but I think that uh along with that we need to push and do more with sustainability and with renewable energy sources um because that is a um a trouble spot, right?

Not just for us but for the world um as a whole.

So um I would really um work to advance bringing more uh sustainability and renewable energy to our developments.

Okay, thank you so much.

Member Benson, do you have any questions for um attorney green?

I do.

Attorney Green, thank you for being here today and willingness to uh work on the DDA on behalf of the residents of the city of Detroit.

Thank you.

Um I'm familiar with your work.

I'm glad to see that we have a uh developer in the space.

And as a developer who's doing work in the neighborhoods and close to the uh to uh midtown, um just north of Henry Ford, and what do you see going on with the future of health and and the past work that Henry Ford has done and then your work in the LITEC affordable housing space?

Just talk about what you want to see uh done with the DDA, different boundaries further to the south, uh typical different constituencies there, as well as landlords and property owners.

What do you plan to do and what do you want to see done with the DDA when it comes to uh the city of Detroit and growth?

Yeah, so um that's a great question, thank you.

I think that there is an opportunity um to potentially expand the DDA boundaries.

Um we've done a lot of development in the downtown corridor and it's been needed.

I mean, it's it's been the catalyst for so much growth in the city, and so we need to continue the uh the growth in the downtown corridor.

Um, but we need to potentially look at you know, looking at how the tax increment financing can benefit um uh more of the neighborhoods.

Um I know that there is some legislation um legislative things that have to be done in order to perhaps broaden the scope there, but I think that if the will is there and if the desire is there um collectively that it's possible um to look at broadening um bringing some of the um the benefits that the DDA currently um uh bit experiences to other parts of the neighborhoods, um especially um like we said, Midtown and Virginia Park, which is very very close to the DDA corridor.

So um I would love to be able to explore expanding um uh having the discussions um because I do think the DDA is doing a great job, um, but I think that we can always push and do a little bit more and um more at least in terms of what I um would bring to the table is uh obviously uh expanding the the the type of projects that are brought on and incorporating things that um have longer uh longevity for our um city and for our projects and for our citizens.

So I think um that I am very open um to having those discussions and collaborations with uh the other board members and the city residents and the the council proper as as a whole.

Okay.

Thank you for that.

And there has been there have been conversations in the past.

Oh, the DDA is terrible, we're doing all these terrible things.

What we don't want to do is appoint a board member who is looking to dismantle the DDA and doesn't see the value of having a robust downtown for the city.

And I had a conversation this morning with a group of um government officials from Washington State as well as four provinces in Canada, all very impressed with our downtown.

As I told them, this is basically the living room for the city of Detroit.

And while we have to have a robust and have to see the investment in our neighborhoods, we also need to have a thriving downtown to draw and attract people investment to the city of Detroit.

Where do you stand with the future of the downtown development authority?

I think the DDA needs to continue the great work that it's doing.

I think I started by saying that I think the DDA has done a great job, and I believe that the DDA will continue to do a good job.

Um, and it's important is the heartbeat, right?

Of the body of the city.

The your downtown corridor has to be strong, and it's really what's driven so much of our economic growth thus far in the city, not just downtown, but the interest into the neighborhood.

So it doesn't exist.

The the neighborhoods really don't exist without our downtown.

So it has to it has to function, and we have to have members that believe in uh supporting uh the board's um responsibilities to the downtown area, and so um I believe wholeheartedly in that, and I um would work with all of the board members and existing um uh members um to advance the DDA and continue advancing the DDA.

Um, the downtown is very important, and um I think we did continued growth.

We need more projects, we need more projects with affordable components, um, maybe even deeper affordable components to some extent, but definitely um we have to continue the development and the growth of the downtown area.

All right, thank you.

And your development background and experience in the residential space and in the affordable space, I believe would bring a different voice to the DDA table, and I hope that you'll use that voice.

I also hope that you'll talk about mixed income when it comes to downtown development, and oftentimes we don't want to talk about deeply affordable, but at the same time we don't want to talk about market rate either, and even the the dreaded L word.

And I hope people are open to that as well.

And I hope that you will be open to that and have a voice because we need both.

We need all of that to expand and grow our downtown.

We can't grow as a city based on any type of segregation of income.

We need to invite everybody throughout the city of Detroit.

Absolutely.

Total agreement.

You're welcome.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Um attorney Green, I have a question.

I'm gonna disagree with you on one thing that you've said that the downtown can't exist without the neighborhoods.

I believe that the neighborhoods um play a large role in um the support of downtown, the downtown Detroit authority, if it wasn't for the neighborhoods and the people who live in those neighborhoods where you wouldn't be able to capture the taxes that you do to pay for all the development that's happening downtown.

So I believe the neighborhoods come first and then downtown without the neighborhoods and the people who make up the neighborhoods, there would be no need for DDA, right?

So I definitely disagree with you on that.

That um the downtown um is like it's more important than the neighborhoods because it's not that's I do believe that's where how we're capturing the taxes that we do capture to fund the projects that are approved by the DDA, sometimes the neighborhood and the folks who live in those neighborhoods, i.e.

me, don't support all the time.

Um our neighborhoods have been suffering for decades.

Um lack of we don't even have an entertainment or family center for our families.

What's happening downtown now is sports and bars, and that's um um geared toward a certain demographic.

And I don't need to say anything other than that, but our neighborhoods have suffered because most of the resources have been pumped into the downtown area.

It's flourishing now, but what we still lack as a city is anywhere to take our children.

There's not one place in our city for families to go and enjoy bumper cars, puphuck golf.

I've been saying it.

Um we don't have anywhere for families to take their children and enjoy um an afternoon.

Um you can drag your kids to an NBA game, go pistons, you can drive drag them to an NFL game, go Lions, baseball game, go tigers, but there's nothing really for children to do in our city.

Our parks and recreation, they have sporadic um hours, but um a lot of the smaller cities around this city have family entertainment centers, water parks.

We don't have that.

Um so I don't want to hear about the Chandler Park.

I'm not talking to you.

Um, but we don't have indoor water parks for our children.

We don't have anywhere for them to go to have a decent birthday party.

They have to travel to Novi, Canton, Troy, and Wine Dot now that have these family entertainment centers.

So I'm hoping that the administration is listening.

Um, and maybe it could happen in one of the towers.

Um I don't think all of them are gonna be demolished.

We can talk about that.

Um, I know two will, but we need somewhere for our families to be able to take their children and have a decent birthday party.

We don't have a Chuck E.

Cheese, we don't have um uh Dave and Busters, we have none of that in the city.

We don't have a Target, we don't have a Walmart.

Um, but Davison Township, they're getting a 26,000 square foot target with a population of 20,000 people.

How is that so?

What can the DDA do to attract a large retail store like Target, like a Walmart, like a Costco, like an Aldi's, um, like a Kroger's, um, anything that's large, we don't have it.

And and I find that really interesting that a small township like Davison, or might be, I think it might even be Davisburg, is getting a 126,000 square foot target, and we don't have one with a population of close to 700,000 people.

I find that really interesting.

Because what happens is when you go to a target in Southfield, they ask for your your zip code.

They know where you're coming from.

And so um I'm hoping, I don't know what role the DDA could play in that, but I um for the next four years I'm going to be advocating um for a Target, for Walmart, for a Burlington Cove Factory, for TJ Maxx, for a Ross Dress for Lex.

Um, if you go down Greenfield, they have a Burlington brand new next to Ross for Less.

And you know who's in there?

Shopping?

My neighbors and me, because we don't have it in Detroit.

We're forced to go across eight mouth for everything.

We don't have a fruit market in our city, we don't have a western market, we don't have a Westbourne, we don't have a fresh fruit market.

Well, Easter market when it's open.

But um I'm a lifelong Detroiter, and um sounds like you are too.

And I would like to see a Walmart.

We go to Dearborn, we go to Lavonia, we go to Troy for Walmart, and they have half the population that we have, half the resources and the income that we have.

It's our income that's supporting and upgirding and sustaining all of these businesses outside of our city.

Um, and I don't know if that's intentional or not, but it needs to change.

So I'm hoping the administration is listening and have something in the works regarding that.

Um Atlanta has a couple targets, Chicago has a couple targets, um, etc.

So I don't know what role the DDA can play in that.

Do you have any um insight or remarks?

I know that was a lot.

I'll definitely say that I concur with everything that you've just said.

I mean, I'm a lifetime-long Detroiter, I live in the neighborhoods.

Um, and honestly, my husband and I say the very same thing that you're saying.

Um we have young children, and we raised our children right here in the city.

And let me ask you this put a pin in that.

Where would you take them to have besides your backyard in your home?

Where do you take them to have a birthday party that's fun in Detroit?

Um they can have buffer bowling experience, putt-puck golf, a little bit of that, a little bit of this.

Most experiences have been at home or outside of the city limits.

I mean, we have to go, we have to do that.

Um, the things that the kids want to do don't exist here in the city.

Um, we can't even go and get a cup of coffee outside of our house at a coffee shop at a well, I'll say this, at a chain coffee shop, right?

There's not a Starbucks, there isn't a Dunkin' Donuts, there isn't a uh any of them, right?

And so we complain about that.

There aren't actually fresh food or fast casual options.

You know, I'm talking about the Chipotle's and the the tropical smoothies, those type of places that are in between uh true fast food and I guess a Coney Island or something like that.

So I a hundred percent share your sentiments.

Um I think that you know it's gonna require larger discussions about how to open up the maybe uh I won't say reprogram if you will, but to move uh look at the resources that the DDA currently um commands and how that can uh funnel back to some extent into our neighborhoods, right?

Because like you said, we are certainly funding it, right?

So, how does that how does there is there a give back?

Is there some reciprocation here that can occur?

So I I don't disagree with anything you said, yeah, and I appreciate it.

Absolutely.

Um, unfortunately, my four children are all grown now and never had an opportunity to have a decent birthday party in the city of Detroit.

I always find myself booking um places outside of the city.

Um we do have a lot of land entering Bell Aut to the left.

I know that um the WNBA will be to the right, um, but there's some space to the left.

It used to be a um like a fair, um, like a mini little state fair going on over there.

I saw some um Ferris Wells over there, some old pictures.

We could have bumper bowling there, we can have a bowling alley there.

Our children deserve to have a downtown experience, and they've been robbed of that.

There's nothing for them to do.

They don't want to take it over, they just want to participate and enjoy it.

And right now they cannot.

There's no bowling alleys, it's no skating.

That little area that's on what were for skating, that's just for certain people.

That's not for children.

So I am going to continue to talk about it.

Um advocate for it because our children deserve to have a downtown experience and not through the eyes of their fathers and mothers looking at a professional.

Um, not that they don't like it, but I'm sure they would want to do something that they're interested in.

They think that they really can sincerely enjoy.

So I'll keep talking about that.

But I don't have any other questions.

Hopefully, we'll continue these conversations.

I'm happy.

Who who who made this um appointment recommendation?

Who I do believe our uh Madam Mayor meeting.

Okay, so hopefully um, and I think they're in cabinet, but I'm hoping someone um has an ear tuned into this conversation.

I'm looking forward to you serving on the DDA.

Um, I do support it, but I hope that what I've said to you, you you got small children, and um I know what you're going through.

You you can do nothing in your city, there's no not one family entertainment, and he has a young son.

They don't, I mean, I I know they ride bikes and stuff, but you don't have a family entertainment center for your son.

You don't.

You go ahead, go ahead, Member Benson.

My children are all grown now, so we've missed it.

Well, I I do have a young child, and we've done each of his birthday parties in the city of Detroit, Sands One, and so the opportunities that we do are a bike party at the Velodrome with all of his young friends.

We do bowling this past birthday at Garden Bowl on Woolworth.

And so there are opportunities there.

We do have a Dunkin' Donuts in the third district where I buy coffee in bulk for my teams.

We also have a target in the third district.

Do you have a target?

And it's not a retail location, but it is a distribution center that we have in the city of Detroit.

We used to have a target in the third district, the Bel Air shopping center that has been gone for a number of number of years, a couple decades.

And Target recently declined to bring a retail center to the city of Detroit.

Yeah.

And so that was also an opportunity.

So I I just want to say, and the next party for his bridging ceremony is going to be at our local multiplex movie theater with his family at the Bel Air Theater.

So I also want to suggest that we may want to modify our vision of what some of these activities look like.

We have all the museums in the city of Detroit, and those are also act locations for activities, and we do summer movies in campus marshes with he and his cohort of friends during the summertime with the moms and with the dad.

So we do have activities, they may not be mimicking completely what you do in the suburbs, but we have very unique opportunities right here in the city of Detroit.

And so I just want to add that to the conversation as well.

And so my wife and I, we are very prescriptive and very intentional when we have these type of activity to ensure he understands he can do this in the city of Detroit.

But you're right though, when it came to the birthday party at uh Chuck E.

Cheese, that was out in Macomb County.

We just we don't have that opportunity here.

But for me, not all those opportunities are the best opportunities going to the museum, going to the Tigers game.

They can't do that in the suburbs.

You can't go to a basketball game, you can't go to campus marshes movies in downtown.

You can't ride the Q line for free out in Oakland County, which you can do that.

You can ride the Q line from downtown to East Warren and then walk one block over to the Charles Detroit Museum of African American History, then walk two blocks over to the main library, then walk another block to the historical museum, and then walk right back across the street to the DIA.

And they have special programming for youth at all those locations.

So I take a different vision when it comes to this.

And I do have a six-year-old who we raised intentionally have activities with in the city of Detroit, and will be at our Bell Owl Nature Center this summer for the summer camp that is hosted by the bank on Bell Isle, as well as the summer camp that is at the Detroit Zoo.

Both locations, assets, and owned by the city of Detroit, one being in Oakland County and one being on Bell Isle.

So I just want to I just take a different tack when it comes to that.

But I do also agree you do need those type of big box retailers right here in the city of Detroit.

And I'm supportive of you being on the DDA.

And just knowing that the DDA is that's not really the space for those type of activities, but we do have other organizations that do that.

And they and the DA is supported by the DEGC.

So I'll be holding them accountable when it comes to making sure that my colleague gets her big box retail locations within the city of Detroit and a Chuck E.

Cheese.

Not in the second district, but in a third issue.

I'll be far more supportive.

So I'm looking forward to that conversation as well.

But thank you.

And thank you for bringing that up, madam chair, because very important conversation that we don't have often enough.

Yeah, but it needs to be had.

Thank you.

No, thank you, Mr.

Benson, for taking us around the world and back.

All the activities that your son is participating in right here in this city.

That's right.

Um, I still say that we need bumper bumper cars.

Um we used to have them on um, I think it was grass shit right around eight mile, that's gone.

Um, and we still are finding ourselves going out to the suburbs to enjoy a family type of activity that they're building all over.

Wind Out just got one, some somewhere it's called Slick City.

Um, Troy has one now, Macomb County.

Um I remember back in the day, um, I do believe um the mayor, the former mayor Duggan's wife opened one in Lavonia.

Didn't it stay open very long, but I think it lasted a couple years.

It was a play space um for children.

Um, and I looked into that.

Um, it didn't stay open, but Mrs.

Duggan did have a um a family type of entertainment center that she opened in Lavonia.

I don't know if a lot of you remember that.

Um, but we do need that in the city of Detroit.

We need that.

Um, our children deserve it, our families deserve it.

And I'll continue to um say that.

This was a long interview.

I took up most of it, but thank you so much for allowing me to dump on you because the DDA is capturing these taxes, and I'd like to see um I don't know you talked about expanding the boundaries of the DDA.

I don't know if that's um something legally that has to happen, but they're capturing the taxes from all over, right?

Um, I believe that's part of how they're able to sustain themselves.

Um, I don't understand the full um gamut of what how DDA gets their funding and don't quite understand how they they make some of the decisions that they do.

Um they don't come back to the people to make the decisions, but come to the people for the funding.

All right, but um, do you have anything else you want to add, Mrs.

Um Attorney Green?

I don't.

I appreciate this uh conversation and very patient, and I appreciate and I appreciate your support.

Absolutely.

Thank you so much.

Um is there a motion pending uh um the resolution, the appropriate resolution.

Um, Mr.

Kingdy, do you want to chime in before we before I um ask for a motion?

Yeah, madam chair, the the resolution is attached to item 13.2.

Okay, 13.2.

Okay, is there a line uh is there a motion to move line item eight, combine it with 13.2 to formal and 13.2 is the is the resolution.

Okay, there's a motion to move line item eight and line item 13.2 to formal session with the recommendation up to approve.

Any objections?

Hearing none, that action shall be taken.

Thank you for allowing uh me to to dump on you, and um thank you for your interest in serving on the DDA and thank you for all those unique features that I saw um at the Merle um mural place too.

Yes.

Um I saw it on TV, and I'm like, you did a good job.

So thank you so much.

I'm looking forward to having more of those types of developments in the city that are um energy um creative.

Thank you so much.

You're welcome, and thank you.

Yes, ma'am.

All right.

Our next line item is line item nine, the appointment of Catherine Nelson Richardson for the tenants' rights commission.

If you could please join us, I think you're here in person.

You can take the seat that attorney green is vacated.

I do believe the microphone should still be on.

If it's not on, you can press the button, it'll turn green.

Okay.

If you can introduce yourself, tell us a little bit about yourself, who is making this recommendation for your appointment to the tenants' rights commission?

The mayor.

Okay.

All right, you want to introduce yourself?

Yes, my name is Catherine Nelson Richardson.

I'm honored to be before you all today on this appointment that she selected for me.

First of all, she and I have worked numerous of times together.

I've been doing uh seniors' affairs for over 30 years.

I work with them because the good book says you twice children and once an adult.

Somewhere as we get older, such as myself, 73, we are gonna need some help and support from other people, other than just families.

We're gonna need outside people.

We're gonna need people that really care about a human being and how you're being treated.

Sometimes we can't protect ourselves.

So we need somebody else to do it for us.

And hopefully they're doing it in the right frame of mind for the best interest of us.

Also, I am the first one that ever asked for the green lights to be put on the senior buildings.

I was with Jewel Ware, Mary Waters at the time that it was done.

It was publicized, it was in the newspaper and everything.

I fought hard.

And the reason why I did that is because we had a lot of assault in a senior building.

I don't know if anybody they don't tell everything, but in a time of sixty-nine-year-old woman get raped in her apartment, and then we call the police out.

They do what they have to do.

But the irony, it never changes.

That's why I continue on to fight much as I possibly can.

I hope today will give me another opportunity to continue to fight for us.

Thank you.

And I appreciate you all listening to being to do that.

Well, um, thank you so much, uh, Ms.

Richardson for your advocacy on behalf of our seniors.

Thank you for fighting to have the green light um installed at our senior buildings.

Yes, ma'am.

I know sometimes our seniors and our children are um are more vulnerable than we desire them to be.

So thank you for taking a stand.

Thank you for working on behalf of our seniors for the last 30 years of your life.

Thank you.

And thank you for your compassion and your passion.

Yes.

And um thank you.

And thank you so much.

Thank you so much.

Um, Member Benson, do you have any questions?

I don't know if Member Miller has joined us yet, because I know she said she was running behind.

Has Member Miller joined us?

Member Miller has not joined us.

Okay, thank you, Mr.

Um Brox.

Member Benson, do you have any questions for Miss Nelson Richardson?

I do.

Miss Nelson Richardson, thank you for uh your willingness to serve the residents of the city of Detroit.

And just talk to me about the Tenants Rights Commission and what you want to do there.

What do you see?

It's brand new.

So you would be one of the plank owners.

Oh, yes.

So what is it that you would like to see come out of it and how do you plan to impact?

First of all, I want uh the you all to pay close attention to things that's not being told to you all.

Everybody can walk in this room and say, we need this, I have this, I can do this.

We want people to come in here and fight for us.

It's not that we are not human beings.

I'm not telling you that some of us don't make mistakes ourselves, even at this time.

But don't just throw us in the corner somewhere and think we are garbage.

We somebody's mother, sister Brook.

We deserve better.

These owners need to be checked.

This gentleman, yesterday we had a meeting at my building.

I had to go there with the team, the one to Mary Sheffield have together.

And the gentleman walked in.

I stopped and I looked.

I said, said to myself, Catherine, you your eyes are playing tricks on you.

So I turned around and went back in the room where they were still in there, and he had walked into.

This gentleman was arrested, ladies and gentlemen, in my building six years ago from jumping on a lady, raped her in her apartment.

He went to jail, he out.

He's not the ever step foot back on that property.

But where you think he is at that building right now as we talking.

And he daring killed that woman.

I wish you all could have seen her.

I wish you could see her today.

She can't out of move from the way he abused her.

I stand strong on my conviction when it comes down to this.

I would do whatever I have to do.

My mother gone to glory.

But if my mother was living, I'd still be fighting.

I didn't have to fight as hard because my mother was strong.

And I admired her for that each and every day.

When I was in school, I wanted I was set up and think what I can do for the lady next door or the lady down the street.

I come home, I said, Mama, you know, Miss So and so, she always wants me to go to store for can I have that for a little job for the summer?

My mother said, sure, baby.

That's what put me in it.

That clap that clicked me at the age of 14.

I enjoyed serving them because they had nobody.

Husband was dead, they had no children.

You know how half-time relatives don't visit.

And the little kids definitely don't come around.

It meant something to me, and I learned from that.

I really did.

Compassion can go a long way in life.

Not just right here.

At home with mom, dad, grandmama, all that.

Compassion go abroad if you know how to give it to somebody.

It'll make them smile the next day.

Okay, that's all my questions.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Um, thank you so much, um, Miss Nelson Richardson.

I am concerned about something that you mentioned about um the convicted rapist living in the building where the victim is.

Yes.

Um you know that to be true?

I know.

Raise my right hand to God.

Okay.

Um, you don't have to tell us where the building is, but if you can make sure you give the information to my staff, um, they're right back there.

Um, because that should not be happening.

That should not be the case.

Thank you so much.

Um, I thank you for having the courage to oh yeah, not say any names, which is great, and not even no locations.

So um that is problematic.

That should not be happening.

No, but we thank you so much for your willingness to serve.

Thank you for the 30 years plus that you have um dedicated to serving in the city, and I'm so grateful that Mayor Sheffield exercised her wisdom to um make this um appointment nomination.

So um is there a resolution through um to LPD for this um for this appointment?

Uh madam chair, resolution is attached to item 13.1.

Okay.

Is there the um is there any further discussion?

If not, is there a motion to move line item nine point thirty and thirteen point uh one to formal?

Motion.

Okay, there's a motion to move line item um the appointment of Catherine Nelson Richardson, which is line item nine and 13.1 to formal.

Any objections?

Hearing none, that action shall be taken.

Thank you so much for your courage, your bravery, thank you for your commitment, and thank you.

Keep serving.

I will.

God bless you.

And happy Mother's Day.

Thank you.

Say to you.

Yes, ma'am.

Thank you.

All the ladies and all the ladies.

Thank you.

All right.

The next interview will be that for the appointment of L.

Renee Johnson to the Board of Zoning Appeals.

If you are here, if you could take the seat that Miss Richardson just vacated, the microphone should still be on.

If it's on, it'd be green.

If it's not, just press the bus button at the base of the microphone until it turns green.

We do have your resume in front of us.

Thank you for being here this morning.

And if you could take a minute to introduce yourself and express your interest in um serving on the BZA and who um nominated you to to um to serve on the BZA.

Great.

Thank you.

Good morning.

Um, I am Renee Johnson.

And I was born and raised in Detroit.

I graduated from Redford High School.

Um, I am currently serving as a real estate broker and a HUD housing counselor.

I am the president of one of our local trade or associations, and I'm also a board member at the Fair Housing Center for Metropolitan Detroit, and I rode a couple weeks ago with Mr.

Benson and the uh fundraiser, Bikathon.

So I do love my city.

I love helping people, and I'm just honored to be here today.

And my appointment came from uh councilman Tate.

Um I typically attend all the meetings, and I refer family members, friends.

I do a lot, you know, to help.

Um last week I was the co-chair representing Detroit as a third stop of an eight-city affordable housing bus tour, and we had a community expo, um, and it was really great just to you know to see that come to fruition where we were serving um affordable cities, uh cities that have affordable housing and the incomes to actually support it.

So we do a lot of those every year.

We have a really big uh turnout for our expos and things like that.

So um, and I believe in the board supporting the appeals process and hearing all the questions and concerns.

So when I was asked, I thought it was a great honor to be asked, first of all, but secondly, to um to be able to come before the city and have some help, you know, and to help uh to help my community.

And I'm in I'm interested in seeing you know my city rise higher.

I really believe in that slogan that um the mayor has put forth, and I see all the efforts and whatever I can do to help being on the board to help explain and help people with some of these, you know, zoning ordinances and understanding you know, you know, where to go and what to do.

Thank you.

And what is your understanding of the uh serving on the Board of Zoning?

What is the purpose of the um of the BCA, the Board of Zoning Appeals?

The the purpose is is to hear the appeals to look at if it's a if it has to do with the structure or is it something personal, right?

Because a lot of times people want to change ordinances and do different things simply because personally they have money invested, or they've done something and they need to correct it, right?

But there's a process, there's a way to go about it.

Um we need more development, we need more entertainment complexes and places where we can take our families.

So understanding that this is a lot of this is coming through with our development and wanting to do things differently.

Um my understanding is that this board is is is really important to those processes.

Thank you so much.

I have a question um regarding data centers.

I know that Councilman Member Benson, I believe we have a moratorium on them, or at least you had a resolution uh supporting um a moratorium on the um establishment or the development of data centers in our in our city.

Member Benson, did you put forth a resolution for that moratorium?

I did, and my and the colleagues supported that resolution.

Okay.

Is it is it uh a limp at time?

Well, the moratorium was requested for two years.

We haven't heard back from the mayor yet, so we're hoping that she will implement a moratorium.

Okay.

Um thank you so much, Member Benson.

So we did put forth through his leadership um and sponsorship of a resolution to just place a moratorium on the establishment of data centers um in our city, and we know that that's a big controversy around the country.

We know right in Celine, uh Michigan, they fought against um having data centers, but um I do believe they're bringing it there anyway to the um against the will of the people.

So um, and it's happening around the country.

So my question to you is would you um I know it's in the future possibly because we're gonna have to have those tough conversations, and border zoning probably is gonna have to uh make some decisions.

So if the people say they don't want the data center in their neighborhood, how would you um balance that with respect to and they're saying now the argument is that the data center is gonna bring all these jobs, etc.

Um what about the people?

How do you think you might support uh what the people want?

And I do see member Miller.

If you can acknowledge Madam Clerk that Member Miller is on the screen, she's present with us.

Clerk will know.

Good afternoon, Member Miller.

Um we are right now um interviewing um Miss Renee Johnson for the Board of Zoning Appeals, and we're just asking about data centers because that conversation is going to come.

It's knocking on our door.

What is your feeling about data centers being built in the city?

But I do believe there's a data center either in Memphis, Tennessee, or Nashville.

I think it's Memphis.

I think they meet may even have one or two of them already.

It's either in Memphis, Tennessee, or Nashville in the city.

What are what are your thoughts on data centers being built in the city?

Knowing that we got a lot of vacant land.

Because that's always the argument that we got a lot of vacant land.

I I think the data centers are needed.

They may not be needed in the city.

And everybody's saying that these data centers are going to support that.

And if it's the will of the people to not have that, then I think that that's you know, that's that's the vote, right?

Because it's it needs to be supported by the legalities of the city, the ordinances and zoning, but at the same time, is it really necessary for it to be in the city, right?

When we know that we need other things, like we talked about the entertainment complexes, you know, being able to have places for family, we need to grow jobs, and we know that it's a possibility that those jobs will come.

Um, but I think a study of how it's working in those other cities and what the environmental concerns are, because that seems to be a lot of what people are looking at, and we treasure, you know, our waterways, right?

I'm a boater.

Um, I love outdoors.

I like being outside, riding my bike and doing those things.

Um, I have allergies and you know, that type of thing, and I know that pollution and all of these things are are of a concern.

So I look at, you know, what's what's what's the inter what's the information going to look like for our city?

What does the data show?

What are the consequences of having it in the city?

And whereas there's land everywhere.

There's Michigan is big, there's a lot of you know, rural space that could be more conducive to having a data center there.

So that's fair.

Thank you so much.

Um, do any of my colleagues have any questions for um Miss Johnson?

Um, Member Miller, I see your hand raised.

You have a question for Member Johnson?

Yes, I do to the chair.

How are you, Miss Johnson?

Good morning.

Good, ma'am, thank you.

Um, I have a question.

I noticed on your resume, you're a real estate uh you went to real estate and commercial sales.

And I noticed when I came on the first statement, was um we have to bring the businesses here.

Um I have a question.

Do that supersede uh residential or community input for you?

No, ma'am, there's a balance for it all.

We need more residential, affordable housing, we need to do something with these commercial buildings, um, you know, bringing those back to life.

Okay, the for me, the BZA hold a very important role with development.

Um, we have a project right now that needs to be on residential land to exist, and the community is saying no.

And we have people weighing in on it that don't even live in the city, that it's not residents, that don't even live in the area.

Um a lot of them are developers, and it seems that we've accepted the notion that the community does not count.

Community does not make a difference, that the community uh don't know what they're talking about.

They look at them being illiterate or unable to explain their position.

They're um often uh have um negative derogatory comments when it comes to Detroit residents.

Um maybe it's because of the lack of education.

Um, and they're often just pushed around.

And the BZA for me, the person that is at the BCA has to be able, first of all, I'm gonna say, are you a Detroit resident?

First of all, yes, ma'am.

You live in Detroit your whole life.

Do you understand the plight of our residents when we have a downtown that is extremely beautiful?

Our corridors are finally started to be developed, but our residents and our neighbors have been left last.

So while we while while we build out, and I have no problem with being, I'm a business owner.

I must press upon you the need for community engagement, like coming out behind the BZA, maybe going out to the site.

But how on a scale of one of 10, where does the community lie with you and your decision making?

I I know there's policy and things that line up because someone taught me that well, we just don't have the votes.

Well, in Detroit, we know how that works.

So for you, if you could just expound that the community portion, being in the resident, being a taxpayer, and then and then in some of the most exclusive areas where they pay the highest taxes, or someone's parking in front of your house every single day, seven days a week, 24 uh 12 hours a day because of a business.

Everyone says yes, but not next door to me.

Right.

Does that how does that scale for you being a business out being a real estate agent, a commercial developer?

How does that wait for you?

Because we know what we need, but to what capacity do we need it?

Well, like so it's mainly an opinion.

This is an opinion, not necessarily a question.

I'm gonna know how do you feel about this.

So, like Miss Um Council Member Ms.

Johnson?

What Whitfield said, you know, it's it's important that our people are are heard.

It's important that the residents of the city of Detroit are here, you know, are listened to.

They have they're living in the city, we're all paying our taxes, we're all part of a community, and the community speaks for the community should speak for itself.

Um I know I attend almost every council meeting every month.

I listen to what's being brought forward, you know, from the constituents that you know, my council member serves, and I go to my district commissioner meeting, you know, county commissioners, our state rep meetings, and I hear what people are saying.

And when I I actually lived out of the city for 20 years, I went away to school, I worked, and then I came back.

I've been back approximately 22 years, and I've seen the city grow and come back to you know the city that I remember as a kid somewhat, but with all these technical advances and a lot more um opportunity.

So I know that, and I believe in equity for the people.

That's one reason why I serve on the Fair Housing Board, and I'm always always watching and looking for opportunities to educate my community and to be a part of the solution.

Um, I know that development is important.

I do know that community involvement is just as important as well.

And I believe if you say on a scale of one to 10, you know, the community is the community is the 10 because they are the people that have to live in the community with whatever decision is being made.

And if people aren't happy, then I don't see the city being happy.

It's you know, it's it's like we're we're a family, and if everybody is disgruntled, how can you flourish and how can your your kids go to school?

How can your kids be out in the community?

How can we how can we really survive?

How do we make it pass this?

And we have a whole lot of other things going on.

That that is a true statement.

How can you be happy?

Um, oftentimes I found out that people don't care if you're happy.

You know, we're about dollars and cents.

Somebody's gonna make the money at the end of the day.

And the question for me is is the money even staying in the city?

Do they live here?

People that are getting some of these developments, but the residents for me, I have to answer to the residents.

So that's why I'm asking the question.

And I must ask, who who appoint who's bringing the appointment?

Because I don't see anywhere where there's a name attached to your um resume or on the file.

Who's your who's appointing you?

Ms.

Johnson, councilman Tate.

Okay, councilman Tate is pointing me.

Okay.

Uh well, I with that being said, I just asking that um if your appointment goes through that you make the residents a priority.

Because at the end of the day, this is where you live, this is where you reside, and this is where your family, your grandkids will be visiting you, and to have music next to your home, other development next to your home, right under your bedroom window, in some cases, parking uh less than six feet from your house.

It's some things that I've noticed.

Um, it's just unacceptable, it's unacceptable.

And so we are responsible for the people who we um recommend.

I hold that very dear.

If I if I'm recommending someone, we better be lining up.

We should be lining up because this is what we represent.

So, with that being said, I don't have any other questions.

Um thank you, madam chair.

Thank you, Member Miller, member Benton.

All right, thank you.

Uh and Ms.

Johnson, thank you for your willingness to serve the residents of Detroit.

Good to see you again as well.

I'm glad to know that uh you were out there on the front lines when it comes to affordable housing.

And that was a very successful um bike ride.

And I'll let your uh fellow chair or your fellow board member who's the chair know that as well.

Um, can you just talk about variances?

And when you see the necessity of them, not a big fan of variances, just based on the fact that it means you don't have to comply with our zoning ordinance.

So can you just kind of talk about your philosophy when it comes to allowing people not to comply with the city zoning ordinance?

Well, to me, the law is the law, right?

There are ordinances put in place for reasons.

Um a lot of our housing stock was built before a lot of these ordinances came into play.

So there's always that challenge.

There's always the challenge of the personal reasons why people want this for monetary gain or for simply the fact that a lot of people we find start work and do work without permits, and now they have to come back and make those corrections, right?

This is another way to hide it.

Um so to me, I look at what was the process.

What were you required to do?

What does the law and the ordinances that state that can be done, and where does it all fit together and how and how do we work through it?

Is it you know something that and the way I also look at it is how how how did it come up come to being?

Is it personal?

Does it have to do with the land?

Is the land or the building is there something going on with that building?

It's because the building was bent, was was um actually built, you know, like I said, before the regulations were put in place, and is there a re what is the hardship, right?

You know, how does that happen with approving or not approving this process?

You know, is the law gonna be adhered to?

Is the variance really needed?

If it's just because you want to build a bigger house because your family is bigger, and there's you know, you you have this land and you want to do some other things, and that's probably not you know gonna work.

But if it's because you know you have this property and you want to develop it, but there's some old ordinances in place, then it's a possibility that you know it it could be you know, a variance could be allowed.

So I think you know, looking at it from the way that the ordinances are designed, you know, personal versus is it an actual property issue?

All right, thank you.

Thank you, madam chair.

Okay, thank you so much, Ms.

Johnson.

Um, I don't have any other questions for you.

Thank you for um your experience, and I know it's going to um be um beneficial to um you serving on the Board of Zoning, um zoning appeals.

Is there through the um Mr.

Um King, is there a um resolution attached for this particular appointment?

Madam Chair, there is not.

We'll be happy to draft the appropriate resolution.

Okay, is there um is there a motion for LPD to draft an appropriate resolution for the appointment of Miss L Renee Johnson to the Board of Zoning?

Motion.

And uh is there a motion to send this to formal session?

Motion.

There's a motion to send line item 10 to formal session with the recommendation to approve pending the um appropriate resolution being drafted.

Um hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

Thank you so much, Ms.

Johnson.

Thank you.

Our next interview is for Peggy Goodwin for the Towing Rate Commission.

If you could please take the seat that Ms.

Johnson is vacating, the um microphone looks like it's still on.

And when you take your seat, if you could please introduce yourself, tell us a little bit about yourself and your interest in being reappointed to the towing rate commission, and how long have you been serving on that commission?

And who is um recommending you to be reappointed to serve on the towing rate commission?

And good morning.

Good morning, thank you.

Thank you, Chair Whitfield Calloway, um, Vice Chair Benson and Councilmember Miller.

It's a pleasure to be before you this morning.

And I've been interested in everything I've heard today because it it hit home in so many ways if you've read my resume.

So um, but I have been working proudly working with the Detroit Towing Association for more than seven years.

Um they are one of the most integral groups um in terms of what they've done for the city, what they do for the city, and how misunderstood they have been.

Um the toll rate commission in 2024, as you know, the to um police authorized tolls had gone 12 years without an increase.

So we worked very diligently um, and God bless our auditor general very d diligently on that committee um to vet and justify a toll rate increase.

Um we looked at the toll rates across the state and across the country.

We looked at the consumer price index, we looked at inflation, the size of the city at 142 square miles, um, the dangerous nature of police authorized towing.

Um we vetted everything um and we made the recommendation to you in 2025.

So I the toll rate commission then did not meet since then, so now the reappointment is happening.

I have been um recommended by council member Gabriela Santiago Romero on the council.

And I look forward to working with the tow rate commission again.

It's kind of a misnomer because we do talk about the big picture of towing because towing is misunderstood by by the public, and we love every opportunity to educate the public about police authorized towing, consensual towing, and non-consensual towing, so people understand the differences.

And it's very dangerous, very dangerous.

Towers are 15 times more likely to die from their career than other industries.

So it is a very dangerous um labor-intensive um career.

It really is a career because you have to be very invested and you have to invest in training to do it right.

Um our towers are um a large part of our tax base, although I do agree with you, um, Chairman.

Um your residential tax base is your tax base, but they have a large um investment in the tax base.

They are zoning compliant, they are professional.

As I said, they invest in their training.

So I'm proud to represent them.

I've been doing advocacy and public affairs for more than 20 years.

Before that, I was regional marketing director for Starbucks, where I advocated for this first Starbucks to open in downtown Detroit, and I was very proud of that.

Um, and we did it, and it made national news.

But that's an aside.

So I'm I'm very much a cheerleader of Detroit.

I am very pro-Detroit.

Um, I've worked on more initiatives than I can mention in this meeting.

But um, I'm very, very, very proud of our towers because they are the good guys in Detroit, among the good guys in Detroit.

Okay.

Um any questions for Ms.

Goodwin who is interested in being discussion.

Member Benson?

Thank you for raising your hand to uh work for the residents of Detroit.

Just why do you want to be on the uh toll commission?

It is a unheralded and little known uh commission in the city of Detroit.

Exactly.

Um, it is in and it's because I think you know, and it's in it's the right group of people.

You work with somebody who works with the towers who understands the towers.

You work with the captain of the police who understands the police towing in Detroit, and then you have the auditor general and you have B seed.

So you have a really good mix of people to um discuss and debate, and believe me, there's a lot of deliberation, and I think it's a quiet committee, but we did a tremendous amount of work.

Obviously, we had 12 years to catch up the last time we met.

Um, so I think this next go round, we've got our house in order.

We I think it'll it'll be um a pleasure to be on it because we've done so much homework to catch up from the 12 years in 2024.

So I think you know, meeting every two years is good just to check in and see where we're at and just follow the ordinance and um do everything right by the city and by the residents and by the taxpayers.

Thank you.

Thank you, madam chair.

Oh, thank you, Member Benson.

Member Miller, do you have any questions for Ms.

Goodwin, who's looking to be reappointed to the um towing rate commission?

I didn't really have a question regarding the towing rates.

Mines was regarding something else.

If if you don't mind uh through the chair.

Hi, Ms.

Goodwin, how are you?

How are you?

Oh, good.

I didn't really have a question regarding the rates.

Um, but I did want to actually regarding health and safety.

Do you all do you do you ever have the opportunity to hone in on anything regarding healthy and safety?

I'm asking because I know last month the tow driver was crushed with his own truck.

You're actually it was really disheartening to um hear about it, and I knew some people who actually knew the guy, and um I I don't know if you ever have any opportunity to like deal with health and safety on the job or the tow drivers.

We do I'm sorry, that's okay.

Ms.

Goodwin.

Thank you.

Through the chair.

Um, yes, we do um train, we we invest in continual training, and it's very important.

Anyone in the towing business, and unfortunately, um, God rest his soul, he was not a member of the DTA.

We wish he was, maybe we could have helped.

I but that is a sign, it was a horrible accident, and it could happen probably to anyone, um, but hopefully it will not happen again because it's the training, and it's um the right equipment for the right tow.

There's a lot that goes into it.

Um, there's there's six kinds of tow trucks.

Was he using the right truck?

Did he have the right training for that truck?

Um, so yes, we would love to further educate and let towers know we are a source.

We are a resource, as is the Michigan Towing Association of training of resources of help um for the towing community.

So we don't want to see that ever happen again.

That was horrible.

And we are also working on which is a big issue in in Detroit and has been a big issue.

Um we're working on something um it's kind of AI technology related that we're hope hopeful to announce in the next before the year's over that would help prevent predatory towing in the city.

So we're working on something um that would be um, and we would we would welcome all towers to participate in it once it's announced.

Um, but it's especially for Detroit to help prevent predatory towing, because that's been a big issue for as long as I've been around.

Um, and we hear about it elsewhere, of course, but it seems to have been a major issue in Detroit.

One one last question I want to ask.

Does the city council help um draft the actual uh rate of pay for our citizens?

The rate of pay for our citizens?

Yes, once their cars are towed, uh the city council, you know, who has the real power in determining the rates.

The police.

So yes, the police determine um they'll dispatch for police authorized towing, the police will dispatch if it's a vehicle, it's considered a light duty tow.

If it's more of a truck, RV, bus, then it would be a medium or heavy duty tow.

Um, so they'll and that that's to your question about safety.

So that determines who needs to come out and is trained in that type of equipment.

Um so, yeah, there's light duty, medium duty, and heavy duty.

Um, the police dispatch for the police authorized tow.

So they determine what what's happened.

It's an accident, how many vehicles, what types of vehicles are there, what what is the debris situation?

They'll call for one or maybe two towers if it's that bad of an accident to come out to the scene.

So it's the police who ultimately helps at the rates.

Yes, and then they'll also the police also determine if there's a hardship, so they can apply for hardship through the police, and the police make that determination for hardship.

Oh, thank you for that information.

So, where can we find the hardship information?

Because I know uh people often tow and they may not have the money initially, but as a day's amount uh the price increase and sometimes it becomes overwhelming to receive your vehicle because sometimes you may have to go to court or license may suspend it, and you may have to pay the fees to get your license to actually approve um ownership.

When you arrive at the tow yard, so where do because I've never heard of um um any type of assistance with that.

Right.

Um, so the police do offer that.

I don't know if they've published that on their website because the rates were supposed to be published as well.

And I'm I'm well, I I shouldn't say I haven't seen them published yet, but that should be published on the Detroit police website with the police authorized towing.

Um, and that because there's an application process for hardship, so they um administer that and they take care of that, and then they advise you know the car owner.

Well, that alone is some excellent information.

Thank you very much for sharing.

I will be on the lookout for that or reach out to our commanders to see how that can be publicized because there's uh those when you when the car stays there two and three and four or five days a week, the price becomes costly.

And I've known people that I have heard over the years who wind up actually losing their vehicle in the pound because they never could come up with the rate to get their car back.

And um it's just unfortunate.

So thank you for that information.

I appreciate it.

And um I'm no other questions, chair uh to the chair.

Thank you, um, member Miller.

Um, Miss Gott, when I have a couple questions for you, we talk about unscrupulo unscrupulous tactics, predatory towing.

Um, I call it unscrupulous, you called it predatory.

Um, one company comes to mind, gotch or GAC G-O-C-H.

I've been reading about them for about a decade now, and some of their practices in terms of towing and the way that they prey on um some residents here in the city of Detroit.

Um, do you know anything about their practices?

Do you have any involvement with that towing company?

Are they a police tower?

Or can you can you expound on this particular towing company that's been problematic for a lot of our residents, and they filed complaints, it's been in all the news.

And I know what you know because they've been in the news.

Um, I will say they seem to be, I think they were um I I'm not sure if they were ever a police authorized tower, to be honest with you.

That would be a question for Captain Jason Adams, who's over police authorized towing at on the police level.

But they I think the issue has been the with the non-consensual towing, and that is they're hired by a private property owner, or any tower could be hired by a private property owner.

And say it's a McDonald's, and you park there, and then you go down the street, you don't go to McDonald's while your car is there for an hour.

Somebody's keeping an eye on it.

So the owner, the manager calls their tow company to tow that car.

Um that's legal.

What's not legal is like targeting or um it's very hard because there's really not a law against certain a lot of it, and so there's there's issues with that, um, but there's things you can do to prevent it.

But the tactics can be maybe it's not illegal, but it's not like the best ethics in business.

Um, and that's the problem that I think a lot of I think some companies have.

Um they are right on the car.

Maybe it hasn't even expired, maybe they don't, you know, if it's a meter or if it's a private situation, um they're too aggressive.

Um, I'm not sure.

You know, again, nobody likes to have their car towed, but when it happens, did it happen legally?

Did it happen appropriately?

Were you dispatched by the property owner because that car has been abandoned or has been sitting there for a day or several hours and um you have a capacity parking lot and there's no parking, and so um that's legal, but there are aggressive tactics that are very um unnecessary and I should and should be illegal in some cases, but the law doesn't um really go against there's no clear law on predatory towing.

That's why we're trying to help what do what we can.

We're not attorneys, but what we can on maybe a technology and public education level.

Yeah, I have a question for who is um nominating you to be reappointed to the towing rate commission?

Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero.

Yeah.

Okay.

I have um some more questions.

So is there a motion to bring this back in a week pending the answers to my questions?

If my colleagues don't have any others, I don't believe my questions can be answered today.

So is there a motion to bring this back?

Um I'm gonna before we I um get the motion.

I'm gonna ask LPD um can I have a two-week bring back, or is it just one week I I can request or can to be determined?

Because I have quite a few questions.

Okay.

Two weeks is the maximum.

No, you can do um any number of weeks really, or to be determined.

Um things can be pulled from committee after 30 days, technically, but there's not really a hard hard limit.

Okay, I have quite a few questions.

So um, is there a motion to um bring this back date to be determined?

Motion.

There's a motion to bring um line item um 11 back, date to be determined.

Any objections?

Hearing none, that action shall be taken.

Um we're gonna bring this back because I have quite a few questions.

Um, and we um you'll be hearing from our office, but I do thank you for your interest in being um um reappointed.

Um thank you for your seven years of service, and thank you for your um willingness to um be reappointed to the towing rate commission.

But I still have quite a few questions, so um, you'll be hearing from our office and also from your um the person who nominated you to be reappointed um that council person for district six.

Do you have anything else you'd like to add?

No, I look forward to working with the with you and and the commissioning again.

So thank you.

Thank you so much for being here with us this morning.

I'm sorry, this afternoon.

Thank you so much.

Um we will be moving to line item 12, unfinished business, status of council member Scott Benson submitting a memorandum relative to tracking incidents during city council public comment.

Member Benson.

Uh thank you, Madam Chair, in discussion.

Umdate on this Attorney Keller?

Just to the chair, uh, this was submitted last week as a privilege and confidential uh opinion from LPD.

Motion to receive and file.

There's a motion to receive line item 12.1.

Any objections?

That action shall be taken.

Line item 12.2, status of council member Denzel McCambo submitting a memoranda relative to follow-up questions on report on City of Detroit contracts involving data sharing with third parties.

Um LPD chair, we're still awaiting information uh from the administration.

We asked for two more weeks on this.

Okay.

Is there a motion to bring line item 12.2 back in two weeks?

Motion.

There's a motion to bring line item 12.2 back in two weeks.

Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

Thank you, Mr.

Keller.

Line item 12.3.

Um council member Angela Whitfield Callaway submitting a memorandum relative to a request amended settlement resolution concerning the case of motor city law pl.

Um Mr.

Anderson.

Through the Chair Graham Anderson Law Department, we would ask for a one-week bring back on this item as uh but we'll get ahead to 12.5 in a moment here too.

We're not ready for that discussion yet, so I figured we handle it all together next week, probably makes the most sense.

Okay, so since 12.3 and line item 12.5 are related to the same matter.

Is there a motion to bring line item 12.3 and 12.5 back in one week per the law department's request?

Motion.

There's a motion to bring line item 12.3 and 12.5 back in a week.

Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

Thank you, Mr.

Anderson.

Thank you.

Okay, we are now at line item 12.4, status of council member Benson's memorandum regarding City Council Media Services Division requested a report on the feasibility of City Council operating its own media services division.

Member Benson.

Uh motion to discuss, madam chair.

Thank you.

Um any update from LPD on this report.

Uh through the chair to member Benson, uh, we are still working through it.

We're also requesting two weeks on this item.

Is there a member Benson?

So will two weeks be enough time.

I believe two weeks will be enough time.

Okay.

Motion to bring back in two weeks.

Okay, there's a motion to bring line item 12.4 back in two weeks.

Any objections?

That action shall be taken.

Line item well, new business.

Line item 13.1.

We've done that.

That's the resolution for the appointment of Catherine Richardson to the tenants rights commission.

Line item 13.2 was the resolution for um attorney green to be appointed to the DDA.

And now we are on line item 13.3, Office of Contracting and Procurement.

Um these are this is a law, uh, an extension of time and increase of funds for legal services for contractor Fink Braz, PLLC of Bloomville Hills.

Um is there a motion for discussion?

Motion.

Mr.

Anderson, um, there's a correction for the contract, and what is the correction that I'm I'm supposed to be looking at?

Through the chair, Graham Anderson Law Department.

Again, it's my understanding the original submission did not include the 400,000 dollar increase.

This one does.

I believe that's the the loan distinction.

If if if I'm wrong, someone from OCP please correct me, but that's my understanding.

Okay.

Um, to make sure we have a concrete understanding of what's happening here.

Um, Miss Sullivan, is there anyone on from OCP who can tell us exactly what the change is to this line item 13.3?

Miss Sullivan.

Can we please bring this item back to the end of the agenda?

Is there a motion to bring line item 13.3 back to the end of the agenda?

Motion.

Okay.

Hearing no objection, that action shall be taken.

We are now at the law department line item 13.4, settlement and the lawsuit of Anderson, Quinnetta versus the City of Detroit, and Jacob Goodman.

Case number 24-11910, file number L is in love, 24-01150, police department in the amount of 200,000 dollars.

Is there a motion to discuss?

Motion.

Um, Mr.

Anderson.

Through the chair, I'm available to answer any questions.

Mr.

Anderson, um, maybe we should have someone from the police department to join us as well.

So, Ms.

Sullivan, is there anyone from the police department who can join us regarding line item 13.4.

There's a lot going on in this case.

I don't even know if we want to take this to close session, but I have quite a few concerns about this particular case.

Through the chair, if I may, I haven't heard any need to rush the settlement through from litigation.

I'm happy for a two-week bring back on this matter to make sure all your questions are addressed from DPD and law if necessary.

Um, before we have a motion to bring this back in two weeks, Member Benson or Member Miller, do you have any questions on it?

No, not this time.

Um, Member Miller, line item 13.4.

No, I support the bring back.

Okay, there's is there a motion to bring line item 13.4 back in two weeks.

Motion hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

Thank you, Mr.

Anderson.

Thank you, Member Benson.

Line item 13.4 will be brack will be brought back in two weeks.

Line item 13.5, settlement in the lawsuit of Erica Diamond versus the City of Detroit for 4500.

And this is um a no-fault PIP claim that she has against the city of Detroit.

What department is this?

Is this D dot?

Through the chair, that is correct.

This is D dot.

All right, is there a motion?

Motion to approve this in the formal.

Yep.

There's a motion to send line item 13.5 to formal with the recommendation to approve.

Any objections?

Hearing none that action shall be taken.

Line item 13.6 settlement in the lawsuit of Riverview Pharmacy LLC, Robert McKinney versus the City of Detroit.

Um this is another D D dot case in the amount of uh $5,800.

Is there a motion?

Motion to approve this in the formal.

There's a motion to send to formal 13.6 with a motion to approve.

Any objections?

Hearing none, that action shall be taken.

Fire department.

Um this is a settlement in the amount of thirty-nine thousand dollars, three individual checks, one in the amount of twenty-two five hundred, the second amount is for ten thousand, the third amount is for sixty-six hundred.

Um, this is a case um case number 24-016127.

Um, in as a Nancy Epheson Frank, file number Ellison Love 24-01402, fire department, Rizelle Scott and Atanya Miles and their attorney Applebaum and Stone, um, and Miller and Tishler, Gross Beck, RX, LLC, and its attorney, AK Law, PLLC, and all no fault PIP claims, which Roselle Cornelius Franklin Scott, Atanya Denise Miles may have against the city.

Is there a motion?

Motion to approve this in the formal.

There's a motion to send to formal with the recommendation to approve line item 13.7.

Any objections?

Hearing none, that action shall be taken.

Thank you, Member Benson.

Line item 13.8, settlement and case evaluation acceptance award of truck trust street advisors versus the city of Detroit.

The Detroit Public Safety Foundation, John Doe and Jane Doe.

Case number 25-005370-CS in CAT B as in boy, file number L is in Love 25-7939 in the amount of $10,000 in full payment or resolution of any and all liability.

Is there a motion?

Motion to send a formal recognition to approve.

There's a motion to send line item 13.8 to formal with a recommendation to approve.

Any objections?

Hearing done that action shall be taken.

Line item 13.9, Office of the Inspector General.

Discussion, Madam Chair.

Discussion, sir.

Member Benson.

Before we go into this next line, I just want to go back.

There is what seems to be a scrivener's error.

On the previous line item.

Line item 13.8.

Yes.

Okay.

In the letter.

Uh the law department indicates lawsuit and render an award of 30,000.

Then in parentheses, it says 10,000.

Thank you, Member Benson.

The agenda it indicates 10,000 as well.

So I just want to verify if that's the accurate number.

Mr.

Mr.

Anderson.

Through the chair, I am also looking at that at this moment.

The $10,000 is the correct number.

Okay.

And then the 30,000, are we seeing this as a scrivener's error?

I'm seeing that as a scrivener's error.

Is even there it has in parentheses the 10,000 dollars.

Um but I'll absolutely double check to make sure before this gets to the agenda on Tuesday.

Okay.

Do we need to make a motion or anything here to identify this?

Or does it we have to I'll make a note to myself.

But if this body's more comfortable, I I'm fine with a one-week bring back if that provides more comfort to this body as well.

Motion to reconsider the vote for line item 13.7, madam chair.

Um there's a motion to reconsider the vote on line item 13.8.8 13.8.

Any objections?

Hearing none, that action shall be taken.

Member Benson?

Uh motion to bring back line of 13.8.

And what what amount of time, Member Benson?

One week.

Okay.

There's a motion to bring line item 13.8 back in one week.

Any objections?

Hearing none, that action shall be taken.

Line item 13.8 will be brought back in one week.

We are now at the office of the inspector general.

Line item 13.9.

Um, the office of inspector general 2026 first quarter report.

Is there LPD?

Is there is this a motion for a receive and file?

To the chair, correct.

That would be receive and file.

Okay.

Is there a motion to receive line item 13.9?

Motion.

There's a motion to receive and file line item 13.9.

Any objections?

Hearing none, that action shall be taken.

We are now to legislative policy division line item 13.10 submitting a report relative to request for AI policy.

Councilmember Callaway has requested that the legislative policy division prepare a report concerning the development of a municipal artificial intelligence policy.

Um LPD.

Motion to discuss.

Motion to discuss.

Member Benson.

LPD.

To the chair, the report is attached.

Uh LPD is participating in the working group.

Uh draft policy has been developed and it's being circulated to directors uh before it comes to the mayor and city council.

Okay.

Is there so would this would this be a motion to receive and file the report?

Um attorney Keller.

Yes.

Is there a motion to receive and file the report for my request for an AI policy?

Motion.

There's a motion to receive and file line item 13.10.

Any objections?

Hearing none, that action shall be taken.

We are now on line item 14, members' report.

Member Benson and then Member Miller, Member Benson.

I just want to say happy Mother's Day to the incredible mothers and women of Detroit.

You are the strength, resilience, and heart of our community.

Thank you for your dedication to our families and for building a stronger, brighter future for us all.

I and Detroit City Council honor you today and every day.

Happy Mother's Day this Sunday.

Thank you.

Thank you, Member Benson.

Okay.

So it has been brought to my attention that we did per the administration's request to bring line item 13.3 back.

Is the administration on to discuss line item 13.3?

If not, we're going to I'm gonna ask for a motion to bring this back in a week.

Line items to the chair.

We do have Leonard Jones on.

Okay.

For line item 13.3.

Correct.

If he could please be promoted to a panelist.

And thank my staff for bringing that to my attention.

Um, before we go to member miller's report, uh member's report, we need to go back to line item 13.3.

Mr.

Leonard.

I think is it Mr.

Leonard?

From OCP.

Good afternoon, through the chair.

Good afternoon.

Can you um introduce yourself and share your title?

Yes, my name is Leonard Jones, supervisor in the office of contracting and procurement.

Okay.

Um we are at line item 13.3, and there's a um a correction here.

Can you explain the correction that we're being asked to approve today for this line item?

Yeah, the correction was to add the contract increased amount to the original um information that was sent up to city council.

It didn't include that there wasn't going to be a contract increase amount of 400,000 dollars to um actually for amendment 16 of this contract.

So that information wanted to be brought to you guys uh uh for your um advisory.

So it's just the addition of the contract increase amount.

Okay.

Any further discussion from my colleagues on line item 13.3.

Is there a motion?

Motion to approve send the formal.

There's a motion to approve and send to formal line item 13.3.

Any objections?

That action shall be taken.

And thank you, Peter, for bringing that to my attention.

All right, uh, member Miller, members report.

I have no report, but I do want to wish all the women in Detroit a happy Mother's Day as well, and give a special shout out to those who continue to sacrifice and give unconditionally to the people that they love.

And to the women who are not mothers by birth, but who give as aunts as teachers as next door neighbors?

May they be also recognized for their uh giving and for their unconditional love as well.

Without the additional uh family structure, we would not have a lot of successful young people and that continue to uh give into the lives of others.

So I just want to say a special shout out to those.

And let's not forget Mother's Day is not just one day.

Mother's Day is to be celebrated every single day of our lives for those exceptional women who did the ultimate sacrifice.

So may you have a great time this weekend with your family, great food, and of course, great gifts.

Do not forget to provide gifts for those amazing women in your life who've been a true blessing to you.

Happy Mother's Day.

Happy Mother's Day to you as well and to all the women of the city of Detroit.

And I hope my four adult children were listening and remember that gift and that good food.

Um so had to throw that in there.

But um, we're inviting everyone out to come and enjoy our coughing conversation this Monday at the Judge Mathis Community Center located on Greenfield at West McNichols, and that does complete my members' report.

And again, happy Mother's Day to all our mothers.

Discussion.

Discussion, Member Benson.

I just want to ask my colleague if that recognition of mothers every day of the year also is going to be extended to fathers in June when that comes up as well.

And if there will also be advocacy for a substantial Father's Day gift for those who are acting in that capacity throughout the city of Detroit.

Absolutely.

And when you've been, I was raised also that to whom much is given, much is received.

So as parents, we pour into children's lives, nephews, nieces, and it's it is um mandatory in our family that you reciprocate once you become a certain age.

Once you become a certain age, it is your responsibility to give back to the parents and grandparents and great-grandparents.

So as far as fathers, absolutely, Mr.

Benson, there's some amazing dads, and I know you're one of them that deserve the recognition all year round, not just on a celebratory um nationally recognized for economic um finances because we know why we have these holidays, but honestly, honestly, some people have to be prepared with days like these to actually recognize and give.

So, yes, sir, men as well.

Thank you for that, member Miller.

And I will just remind my wife that hopefully she's listening.

Race 68 X would be a fantastic.

See what you started, Member Miller.

The husband.

Thank you very much.

Well, I hope you're listening, Mrs.

Benson.

That being said, we're gonna wish all of our fathers a happy early Father's Day.

Um, and uh a special one to you, Member Benson.

And um, that being said, hearing no other further business coming for this body.

I just do want to say uh Member Callaway, and those gifts does not stop at flowers.

Oh my mom has told me my entire do not bring me a flower.

We love you, member Miller.

Thank you for all those recommendations.

And again, I hope my four adult children were listening to you today.

This meeting is adjourned.

Thank you.

Thank you.