Highland Park City Council
Highland Park City Council
Politics
12050 Woodward Ave Highland Park, MI 48203 (Directions)
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https://zoom.us/j/361243988
Agendas may be found at: https://highlandparkmi.gov/government/city-council/agendas-minutes/2024/
Check the source website for additional information
Reporting
Edited and summarized by the Detroit - MI Documenters Team
Live reporting by
Nathaniel Eichenhorn
After an initial disagreement and ultimate reconsideration, the council unanimously approved a 2-year extension on a trash contract with GFL, but failed to approve the 2024-2025 budget. Instead, councilmembers voted 3-1 to meet June 14 at 6 p.m. to review the budget line-by-line.
Good Morning #Detroit ! I will be live tweeting the Detroit City Councils Formal meeting @ 10am for #DetroitDocumenters @DetDocumenters media partners: @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @media_outlier @metrotimes @MichiganRadio @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit
08:22 AM Feb 27, 2024 CST
The Detroit City Council is the legislative body of Detroit, Michigan, United States. More info on the Council, its business, and its meetings can be found here : detroitmi.gov/government/cit…
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If you believe anything in the coverage this morning is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@outliermedia.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.
I'm going to continue my thread here, where it belongs. This app...
This caller is against using public funding for the New Center project.
Caller says that the project would reduce blight in the area. The next caller simply says they support the project and the Pistons.
A local pastor is saying that this project neglects the poor, and suggests that the project will displace poor citizens.
The next caller is also critical of the Future of Health project for neglecting the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
The next caller is critical of diverting taxes to reimburse or otherwise incentivize developers.
A local businessman now calls in to support the project, and emphasizes that it will create jobs. He talks about the stress and despair of poverty.
The next caller is also criticizing the apportionment of funds, and says the City is funnelling funds from the poor of the city to rich developers and billionaires.
The next two callers are both in support of the Future of Health project and both say it will create jobs.
The next caller, speaking in Spanish, Councilmember Santiago-Romero will interpret for him.
Councilmember Santiago-Romero is relaying the callers support and pointing out the importance of getting reliable interpreters for people who prefer to speak in a language other than English.
This commenter is in person. He is skeptical of the benefits of the Future of Health project, and says the deal should be postponed until the proposal can be significantly reformed.
The present commenter is now saying that billionaires should be able to fund their own projects without relying on public funds.
There is another Spanish-speaking commentator, and again the professional interpreter is unable to translate, and Councilmember Santiago-Romero is being called upon to translate.
The Councilmember detailed the commenter's support of the project, and emphasized the importance of making sure interpreters are reliably present at meetings and able to translate.
There have been a couple of outbursts from the room regarding Councilmember Santiago-Romero being called upon to act as a translator. The Chair just said if there are any more such outbursts, they will be removed.
The next commentator is joining others in saying that the project takes from the poor to give to the rich.
The next caller says the community benefits in the agreement are vague and constitute "bad business" on the part of the City.
The next commentator is criticizing the tax breaks that the project is giving to private developers and billionaires.
A representative of a local carpenters union is speaking in support of the Future of Health project.
Reps of the Coleman Young Foundation are speaking in support of education grants for Detroit students.
Present commenter says that the civic improvements and public improvements that will accompany the FoH project will improve moral and general welfare.
This commenter is saying that the Foh project is resulting in the displacement of poor citizens without sufficient remuneration to avoid homelessness.
The next commenter disputes that the project will positively impact local residents and points out that there is nearly $1 million unaccounted for.
This commenter is urging the Council not to mortgage the City's future to line the pockets of billionaires.
A commenter is now praising Henry Ford Health, and relates their history as a patient.
The present caller praised God and began speaking in tongues for the remainder of their comment period.
The present caller is very animatedly pointing out that the creation of jobs is not the most important thing, and further points out that under slavery, there was also job security.
This caller is swearing on the Zoom. Real spicy language. Criticized the Carpenter's Union and called them some choice names. Had similar verbiage for Tom Gores and the Council.
This caller is saying that historically, urban campuses of the Henry Ford System have been of significantly lower quality than those in richer, suburban areas, and asks how this will be addressed by ordinance.
A caller from Brightmoor is adding to the chorus of objections to the project and cites an unfair CBO.
The president caller is advocating for Detroit's poor seniors, and their need for affordable housing.
The present caller is worried that, like in other instances, that the CBA will not be honored. The next caller similarly pleads with the Council to make sure the CBA is honored.
Same caller also has questions about accessibility in the new proposed developments.
This caller, though clearly very upset, is also driving, and is therefore hard to understand.
This caller echoes some previous caller's sentiments, namely that while the project itself seems like a good idea, the involvement of Tom Gores, and the extraordinary consideration furnished on him, is inappropriate.
Two further callers with reservations about the provisions of the CBA
This caller suggests that the City should be responsible for the building of hospitals according to the city charter.
This caller notes how much money has already been given to the Pistons, and says they think the current plan is unconstitutional.
A totally blind Detroiter has called in to say that this project will divert funds from educating those with disabilities.
This caller is criticizing Tom Gores' involvement in the project, and says he is using the Pistons as a shield for shady business tactics. He also points out Gores' connection to the prison industry.
This caller is pointing out that the Pistons have yet to break ground on a promised community center.
A rep from Peace Players, a partner of the Pistons, has called in to praise the team, and emphasize their fulfillment of past promises.
This caller is also saying that the language of the CBA is unacceptably vague and contains insufficient binding language.
I feel compelled to point out that most Zoom callers so far has been cut off mid-sentence by the time limit. People seem to be having a very difficult time making sometimes complex or subtle points and questions on a 60 second timer.
Just to illustrate, 60 seconds is two (2) Final Jeopardys. Hum the theme twice in a row and you've got an idea how long you'd have to speak.
Now a caller is pointing out the poor state of civic infrastructure, and its impact on the community
An organizer with Detroit People's Platform says he supports a new hospital , it should be done is a more above-board manner.
This caller echoes the previous caller's views, and also added advocacy for solar power for the City.
Source for Final Jeopardy timer being 30 seconds: ! en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeopardy!…
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeopardy!…
Public comment has ended and we're moving on to the rest of the agenda.
The Budget, Finance, and Audit committee has items up for approval. They are: pub-detroitmi.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ash… pub-detroitmi.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ash…
pub-detroitmi.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ash…
pub-detroitmi.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ash…
The Office Of Contracting and Procurement has 3 contracts to approve: Items 17.2-17.4 on the agenda. Calloway objected to 17.2
Briskly through that, moving on to the Law Department, where 4 motions are approved and one more approved by the City Clerk.
Now moving on to unfinished business, we reach the Planning And Economic Development Standing Committee
A rep from Henry Ford and the Pistons is breaking down some changes from last week.
She emphasizes new expenditures on the project and emphasizes their focus on taking care of local seniors.
Talking about bringing the Pistons back to Detroit. Says the Pistons are committed to the city and to the New Center neighborhood.
Now moving on to the Piston's partnership with Henry Ford. including building the Performance Center.
Notes the Pistons was one of the first organizations to voluntarily engage with a CBA.
For those following along in your agendas, these issues are 18.1 though 18.10.
Someone's yelling from the audience, and is being threatened with expulsion.
Waters is making a statement about the FoH and states her strong support of the project. Emphasizes single-patient rooms and a new rehab center. Admits she is "not in love" with the CBA
Waters: "One thing I know is that the Pistons organization is dedicated to the City of Detroit.
Councilmember Young describes how his grandmother had to be driven to Cleveland to get treatment for her cancer, and asks what the plans include to address cancer.
Response: Henry Ford already has a world class cancer center in the community.
Young now asks about the new projects plans for diseases associated with tobacco smoking, specifically emphysema. Response: HF has a smoking cessation program and an excellent pulmonary department.
Young now asks regarding mental health care in the city. Response: The ER will have a sizable behavioral health unit, and has virtual outpatient mental health care.
Durhall is now detailing his support for the project. Thanks HF and the Pistons for being willing to make changes in response to public feedback.
Councilmember Santiago-Romero asks about removing language in the executive order to prevent double dipping and asks whether that language has been incorporated into the CBA. Response: Yes.
Santiago-Romero says she will oppose the project because, she says, there is not nearly enough earmarked for the community.
Councilmember Johnson says that the project must support affordable housing now and into the future, and says the community land trust will ensure that.
Says the benefits are enough and that she is satisfied they are secure for the future, and therefore supports the project
Proposal to add certificates to the proposal that mandates the matter be readressed after 2 years.
Emphasises the importance of enforcement. Reminds the council that a hotel promised to be refurbished in return for Little Caesar's Arena, was delayed.
Now detailing several examples of other such promises, left unkept by developers.
Says the City Council does not have sufficient power to enforce compliance.
Councilmember Benton details the steady decrease in hospital beds in the city for decades. Says this is a unique opportunity, as other hospitals have been moving out of the city.
Says Henry Ford bucks the trend by continuing to support the City of Detroit. Says the affordable housing is very competitively priced, and prices are unusually low already.
Says this will also provide dearly needed support for Black developers in the city.
Says other major cities would be delighted to have a hospital campus such as is proposed now within their cities.
Councilmember Tate says is now speaking about the difficult process of shepherding this project through the city's civic process.
Says he had concerns about the community benefits and how they are structured. Nevertheless, he will support it and work to ensure the deal is honored.
Discloses his wife works for Pace, which is majority-owned by Henry Ford
rundown: remove 18.1 approved move 25.7 to new business. Calloway, Calloway, and Santiago-Romero object
Approval of line items 18.8 and 18.9. Waters, Calloway object. Approved
Roll call on 18.1: Durhall: Yes Johnson: yes Santiago-Romero yes Tate no waters yes calloway no young yes sheffield yes benson yes
Next to approve items 18.2 to 18.9. Approved over objections of Councilmember Santiago-Romero
Now we're voting on 18.3 and it's approved over an objector who wasn't identified by name
The Henry Ford items now being past, the Council moves on to the Public Health and Safety Standing Committee. Line items 19.1 through 19.12
Calloway votes no on 19.1 and 19.2 Tate no on 19.1 and 19.2 Waters no on 19.1, 19.2, 19.3 HEaring no other objections, the resolutions are approved
Line item 19.13 is being brought up by Durhall, instead of Santiago-Romero as in the agenda
Those being approved, the Council will now move on to New Business
20.1 For the annual St Pat's Day parade. Approved. No objections
20.2 though 20.9 are all emergency demo orders and 20.10 is about buying new parts. 20.11 is for transportation. 20.12 is also for transportation and 20.13 is and 20.14 are for transportation and replacement parts.
Motion to send 20.2 to committee and is approved with no objections
There was a mistake, the motion was to move 20.8 not 20.2, so 20.2 is approved with no objections
so now a vote to reconsider 20.2 and that is approved. And 20.8 is duly sent to committee instead
Now from the office of the CFO 5 resolutions. 20.18 through 20.22 are approved without objection and waivers will be attached to all of them
From the Health Department we have item 20.24. A Food Safety Inspection agreement between WSU and the Health Department. Approved without objection and a waiver added
20.25 is approved with no objections, as is 20.26, and waivers attached to both
And item 20.26 to recognize March as Social Work Month is approved without objection
Now for the President's Report on the Standing Committee. Several reports are submitted perfunctorily and duly referred to the various standing committees
Waters is speaking about a gathering of the Nation of Islam, and is asking if the council could investigate the economic impact of the gathering.
Member reports are going on. it's basically housekeeping and some event announcements by council members
Moving on, Young is presenting items 31.1 and 31.2. With no objections, both are approved
Well folks, this closes my coverage of theDetroit City Council formal meeting for February 27, 2024. Learn more about our coverage of local meetings at documenters.org
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If you believe anything in the coverage this morning is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@outliermedia.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.
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Agency Information
Highland Park City Council
Pursuant to the Highland Park Charter, Chapters 5 and 6, the City Council of Highland Park is comprised of 5 members; 2 at-large and one from each council district. The council exercises all of the legislative powers of the city, except as otherwise stated by law, and provides for the public’s peace and health, and for the safety of persons and property.
The council meets in regular session in the established Council Chamber on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month.