Detroit City Council Formal Session, 10 a.m.

You can see today’s agenda and watch the meeting live here: https://pub-detroitmi.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=ea6720fe-2cc9-491a-af06-0513e2b13dd1&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English

Go to the city’s website to join via zoom and participate during public comment here: https://detroitmi.gov/government/city-council

While you wait got todays meeting to start you can catch up on the live-tweets from last weeks City Council Formal Session here: https://twitter.com/kayleighrenel/status/1655929147405811712

If you feel there are errors or corrections needed to these tweets or you have questions, please contact documenters@outliermedia.org

Meeting called to order at 10:03am

Roll was called and quorum was present

Invocation provided by Rev. Curtis Grant

ASL interpretation is being provided via zoom

Presentation of Spirit of Detroit Award by Councilmember Scott Benson celebrating Mr. L. Newby on turning 100 years old https://t.co/1CDm59DNfz

All Councilmembers took a photo with Mr. Newby and family https://t.co/rmlpC6a446

Acceptance of requests for public comment cut off at 10:20am

Jefferson Chalmers Water Project Presentation by Jay C. Juergensen including a 100+ slide show https://t.co/yo4jJvhpBx

Water presentation stated over 200 million dollars of damage. Stated that Grosse Pointe was removed from the flood plain and the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood was put in it

Some residents have seen flood insurance increase over 600%

More info on the Jefferson Chalmers Water Project can be found on their website here: www.jeffersonchalmerswaterproject

CORRECTION: More info on the Jefferson Chalmers Water Project can be found on their website here: https://jeffersonchalmerswaterproject.org/index1.html

Proposed use of funds for Jefferson Chalmers Water Project https://t.co/eE7fYu4dHz

Councilmember Johnson thanked the presenter and asked where the numbers that are requested came from

Councilmember Young asked where the Army Corps of Engineers and the state’s EGLE are included in the project

Councilmember Santiago-Romero thanked the presenter for his hard work on this project

Presenting on Jefferson Chalmers Water Project concluded

Reports moved to committees

🗣️ PUBLIC COMMENTS will be 1 minute and 30 seconds. 3 in-person commenters

In-Person: Health Management Systems of America expressed disappointment that their contract was being given to a company out of Bloomfield Hills

In-Person: M. Shelton asked that an investigation of the way bonds are issued in the city

In-Person: Mr. H wants Inspectors to go out to gas stations and stores to have locks removed from the doors after the shooting last week. He also has a house next door that land bank is not taking care of

In-Person: ZW off New Era Detroit echoed concern over gas stations and liquor stores being able to lock patrons inside. Stated that if they find out that businesses are locking patrons inside they will have than the city to contend with

President Pro-Tem Tate stated that the city has put forth a memo looking into businesses that are not licensed

Council Member Calloway read a statement re: the gas station shooting in District 2 of 3 patrons over a $3-$4 dispute, where one resident died. Also started that she is asking that criminal charges be brought against the clerk

Council Member Young asked LPD if Stand Your Ground laws in Michigan are coming into play in these cases and if the city tracks these types of shootings

Motion for resolution to be drafted was approved

In-Person: JH of Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood in District 4. States the damage from the storm is ongoing, visiting a senior neighbor in the hospital with lung cancer due to the mold after the storm and asks that the court think of the people not just property

In-Person: MT of Feedom Freedom growers asked that Council diligently review the Jefferson Chalmers Water Project

In-Person: RF discussed the city’s motto “We hope for better things, it shall rise from the ashes“ and thanked Council for listening to citizens and hopes community members can join together

In-person: KM stated that he wrote down requirements about jobs needed in the city. Plant your seeds early in life. Don’t be a butterfly that doesn’t know how to use its wings.

In-person: MS of St Patrick Senior Center advocated for approval of event this Sunday, and Resolution 25.3

Council President Sheffield stated that there are changes being made to the events process

In-Person: RC started 1741 Ferry Park should not be on the demolition list

Moving to Virtual Public Comments. 17 hands raised

Virtual: Mr. C encouraged residents to ride city coaches. Saddened by gas station shooting

Virtual: Mr. W stated Metro Detroit Petroleum dealers need to be held accountable. Also asked if track marks from drag racing and donuts be cleaned up. Also asked for police leadership to step down after license plate reader presentation

Virtual: SH is upset about the video recorded meetings not being uploaded. Also started there should be gun-free zones. Is in support of cashless business ordinance

Virtual: TA thanks Council Member Calloway for getting dumpling cleaned up and thankful of the Cashless Business Ordinance. Also thankful for Property Tax reform and urged all members to support

Virtual: WD asked that Council and mayor set up task force to investigate GLWA.

Virtual: RJ of CDAD thanking Council members for providing ARPA information. Questioned who decides what contracts get ARPA funding or not, and asked about more info regarding housing

Virtual: CH believes ARPA funds are being misused, addressed 25.8 and cited Environmental Racism in the case of Chrysler with their passing fumes. Does not want the land bank to receive any more land

Virtual: Wanted to thank Member Young for attempting to stop Retaliation Evictions

Member Young listed his phone number for caller to reach him 313-224-4248

Virtual: BV wanted to wish members a good day and echoes that businesses locking patrons in need to be addressed

Virtual: RM wanted to inform every third Thursday DDOT Community input meetings are happening. In support of ordinance banning cashless businesses

Virtual: R of Justice for Beniteau states we need to stop the divide re: air quality on Beniteau

Virtual: KW started the need for back up power to perfect the city water shed Plan. Power if needed to run sump pumps

Virtual: SR thankful for new ordinance to protect renters in Detroit

🗣️ PUBLIC COMMENTS CONCLUDED

Discussion of Line Item 15.1 Emerald Media Contract No. 6005209. Motion for Approval. Objections by Members Calloway and Johnson. Motion APPROVED

Line Item 15.2. Member Durhal moved for approval, waiver requested. Approved

INTERNAL OPERATIONS STANDING COMMITTEE

Office of Contracting and Procurement - Member Johnson requested to discuss Line Item 16.1 Contract No. 6005166 to AllOne Health Resources Inc. Member Calloway voiced opposition and stated the city should remain with legacy Detroit Contractor the city has used for 25 years.

Office of Contracting and Procurement - Member Waters stated that line item 16.1 Contract No. 6005166 was sent from Committee with the recommendation to deny based on bell being dropped by CRIO. Would like to vote today.

Director Stahls stated the legacy Contractor would not have had enough points, even if they had been CRIO certified and the company certification was lapsed for over a year

Council President Calloway asked if the contract was voted down what would be the process for choosing the next contractor.

Motion to Approve Line Item 16.1. 2 Yeas, 7 Nays. The resolution failed. Previous contract will be extended

Line Item 16.2 Approved and waiver granted with no objections

Law Department - Member Santiago-Romero corrected Line Item 16.3 to add Indigenous Peoples Day to the city’s observed holidays. Approved

Law Department - Line Item 16.4 to set public hearing APPROVED

Law Department - Member Johnson six line items APPROVED: 16.5-16.10

PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Office of Contracting and Procurement - President Pro Tem Tate moved to approve Line Items 17.1-17.3. All APPROVED

Office of City Clerk/City Planning Commission - President Pro Tem Tate moved to approve Line Item 17.4. No objections, APPROVED

City Planning Commission - President Pro Tem Tate moved for approval Line Item 17.5. APPROVED

Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority - President Pro Tem Tate moved for discussion Line Items 17.6 & 17.7. Members Calloway and President Sheffield voiced their opposition to Line Item 17.6. Question arose regarding accommodating handicapped residents

Member Young motioned to postpone Line Item 17.6 by one week. Motion FAILED

Member Young reconsidered the motion to postpone for one week. Member Calloway objected. Motion APPROVED

President Pro Tem motioned to approve Line Item 17.7. APPROVED

Housing and Revitalization Department- Line Item 17.8 APPROVED

Planning and Development Department - Line Item 17.15 moved for discussion

Planning and Development Department - President Pro Tem motioned to approve Line Items 17.9-17.15. Objections to 17.15 by Members Waters and Calloway. APPROVED

PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY STANDING COMMITTEE

Office of Contracting and Procurement - Member Santiago-Romero motioned to Approve Line Items 18.1-18.11. No objections. APPROVED

Office of the CFO/Office of Development and Grants - Member Santiago-Romero motioned to approve Line Items 18.12-18.13. No objections. APPROVED

NEW BUSINESS
Mayor’s Office- Member Young motioned to approve Line Items 19.1-19.7 with discussion. Member Benson provided clarity. APPROVED

NEW BUSINESS
Office of Contracting and Procurement - Line Item 19.8 re: Contact No. 3065672 for BSEED Air Monitoring near Stellantis plant. Member Santiago-Romero motioned to approve with discussion. Member Johnson questioned effectiveness of monitoring methods and procedures

NEW BUSINESS
Office of Contracting and Procurement - Line Item 19.8 re: Contact No. 3065672 for BSEED Air Monitoring near Stellantis plant. 4 Objections. APPROVED

Office of Contracting and Procurement - Member Young motioned to approve Line Items 19.9-19.11. APPROVED

Office of CFO/Office of Development and Grants - Member Young motioned to approve Line Item 19.12. APPROVED

RESOLUTIONS
Member Waters submitted for approval with discussion Line Items 19.13-19.14. Motion to end debate, 5 objections. FAILED to end debate. Member Durhal submitted a point of order

Motion to Walk-On amended resolution for Line Item 19.14.

Line Item 19.13 APPROVED
Line Item 19.14 APPROVED as amended. Member Johnson asked that the specific amended section be highlighted. Motioned to Call to Question.

RESOLUTIONS
LINE Item 19.15 to recognize May as Nurses Month APPROVED

PRESIDENT’S REPORT ON STANDING COMMITTEE REFERRALS AND OTHER MATTERS
All reports from City Departments referred to Committee
One Walk-on item to New Business by Member Santiago-Romero

Member Durhal Announced District 7 Mandatory Charter Meeting Tonight 5/16 at 7pm at New Providence Baptist Church

No Other Business

Meeting Adjourned at 2:24pm

This concludes my coverage of the Detroit City Council Formal Session on Tuesday May 16, 2023. For more meeting coverage, check out: https://detroit.documenters.org

Motion to Suspend Member Reports