Highland Park City Council

Politics

Monday, March 4, 2024
7:00 p.m. EST

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Agendas may be found at: https://highlandparkmi.gov/Reference/Agendas-and-Minutes/City-Council/2024.aspx

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Reporting

Edited and summarized by the Detroit - MI Documenters Team

Note-taking by Autumn Jackson-Hines

Highland Park City Council conditionally approved the settlement agreement with the Great Lakes Water Authority and the State of Michigan regarding HP's water debt. New wording regarding the trust will be written by Miller Canfield and presented to council for final approval.

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Live reporting by Roshaun Harris

Roshaun Harris @roshaun_harris

I'm Live Tweeting for @DetDocumenters from the Highland Park City Council Meeting starting at 7 PM. Follow this thread for more.
@DetDocumenters media partners: @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @media_outlier @metrotimes @michiganradio @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit

04:10 PM Mar 4, 2024 CST

Roshaun Harris @roshaun_harris 2/32

Tonight's agenda is packed with items that may cause a stir based on previous HP City Council meetings. The GLWA contract, a resolution to apply for federal funds, and multiple properties for sale are scheduled for discussion tonight.

Roshaun Harris @roshaun_harris 3/32

Meeting has been called to order at 7:00 PM.

Roshaun Harris @roshaun_harris 4/32

Council is currently going through the agenda and requesting items to be added to and others to be subtracted. These items pertain to the property sales that will be up for discussion later in the agenda.

Roshaun Harris @roshaun_harris 5/32

Agenda has been approved by the City Council.

Roshaun Harris @roshaun_harris 6/32

Last meeting's meeting minutes are passed with some contention from Council member Ash-Shafii.

Roshaun Harris @roshaun_harris 7/32

Public comment is now open. No one has come forward. Public comment is now closed.

Roshaun Harris @roshaun_harris 8/32

According to Kathy Square, Highland Park has a problem with the Trust Account set up by the GLWA. This was established in the 90's. An agreement was made that the Trust would be established by a third party, says Square. She claims the City has until June to settle this case.

Roshaun Harris @roshaun_harris 9/32

Kathy Square also claims that the conflict of interest clause would be lifted from terms of the settlement agreement if passed, which would provide Comerica Bank and Miller-Canfield protection while they draft the new trust agreement.

Roshaun Harris @roshaun_harris 10/32

Council Member Ash-Shafii is questioning Ms. Square about the trust agreement. There is much consternation about the current resolution amongst the council.

Roshaun Harris @roshaun_harris 11/32

Voices are being raised but the conversation is remaining civil for the moment . Audience members are filling the chambers with murmurs as the Council is going back and forth.

Roshaun Harris @roshaun_harris 12/32

Council Member Ash-Shafii has become indignant and claims that other communities are waiting for them to "blow" this contract so they can eat the remains of the contract left over from the Council's lack of approval.

Roshaun Harris @roshaun_harris 13/32

The audience has become outspoken and have levied their heckles at Council member Temeko Manica and her constant questioning of the resolution on the floor.

Roshaun Harris @roshaun_harris 14/32

The resolution has passed with the condition that the conflict of interest waiver be removed from the document.

Roshaun Harris @roshaun_harris 15/32

City Council has approved the resolution to apply for fiscal year 2025 Congressionally directed spending through Senator Stabenow's office.

Roshaun Harris @roshaun_harris 16/32

Council Member Ash-Shafii has attempted to abstain from the vote on Parker Pride parade. He claims to have been called names for not attending the previous year. An apology was offered and Council Member Ash-Shafii accepted. The resolution was approved.

Roshaun Harris @roshaun_harris 17/32

Council is moving through the resolutions to approve the sale of the listed properties on their agenda. All of the items up for vote have been approved. The last item in this portion of the agenda deals with the site plan approval of 20 Bartlett. That has been approved as well.

Roshaun Harris @roshaun_harris 18/32

There is a call for an emergency demolition contract for a house that has collapsed on another property on Rhode Island street. That has passed.

Roshaun Harris @roshaun_harris 19/32

Council has approved the last two agenda items dealing with Department of Public Works.

Roshaun Harris @roshaun_harris 20/32

Public Commenter claims to desire a means for minority owned businesses to obtain municipal contracts from the city of Highland Park.

Roshaun Harris @roshaun_harris 21/32

Another public commenter claims there is a need for recycling throughout the city of Highland Park. Currently there is none according to the commenter.

Roshaun Harris @roshaun_harris 22/32

Another public commenter addressed the issue of businesses and non-profits not paying their water bill. Says there needs to be something to protect the city and it's citizens from these bad actors.

Roshaun Harris @roshaun_harris 23/32

Another public commenter is addressing the issue of people buying homes and letting them become more dilapidated and putting other homes in jeopardy. Community member spoke with the Mayor during the meeting and they will have an offline discussion.

Roshaun Harris @roshaun_harris 24/32

The Police Chief is currently addressing accusations made by Metro Times and an article claiming that HP Police fabricated a warrant. He claims the allegations are false.

Roshaun Harris @roshaun_harris 25/32

The Police Chief says "there is no one who owns me.". Says he is very proud to serve the community. Claims he is making every effort to clean up the image of the Police Department. Says he would resign from his post if given an unlawful order.

Roshaun Harris @roshaun_harris 26/32

The Mayor claims the article has no merit and says that they will hire an attorney in regards to this case. Says the article is destructive.

Roshaun Harris @roshaun_harris 27/32

Council member Kallela Martin congratulates the council on a successful meeting. Says they are working together which is an outlier for this body according to consensus in the room.

Roshaun Harris @roshaun_harris 28/32

The Mayor of Highland Park is Glenda McDonald for those who are wondering.

Roshaun Harris @roshaun_harris 29/32

Council President says that young men and women need encouragement to further their education. Says FASFA applications are now open.

Roshaun Harris @roshaun_harris 30/32

Council has adjourned this meeting at 8:48 PM

Roshaun Harris @roshaun_harris 31/32

Highland Park City Council Pro-Tem Sharmaine Robinson

Roshaun Harris @roshaun_harris 32/32

This concludes my coverage of Highland Park City Council. To follow other community meetings in and around Detroit follow @DetDocumenters. ✌🏾

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Attachments

Transcript and recording

By Noah Kincade 3/4/2024

Agency Information

Highland Park City Council

highlandparkmi.gov

(313) 252-0050

@https://twitter.com/MIHighlandPark

See Documenters reporting

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.