Here is a link to today's agenda: pub-detroitmi.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?I…

Meeting has been called to order at 10:10.

The agenda will proceed until someone (from BSEED?) arrives to discuss the water main break that occurred in SW Detroit.

*Sheffield tells us.

Public comments have started.

Commenters (from Detroit Tenants Association, for example) are advocating for the Right To Renew Ordinance.

Here is a link to the Detroit Tenants Association Instagram page: instagram.com/detroittenants…

A lot of advocacy for addressing houselessness in the city at its roots – racist infringements of tenants rights, for example.

Sorry, *a lot of commenters are advocating for (supporting houseless people and remediating the causes of houselessness)

Public comments have been paused for an update regarding the water main break in SW Detroit.

Update from Detroit Water and Sewage Department director Gary Brown and DPD – they speak to meaningful collaboration and success to clearing water from the area of the break.

DWSD director Brown indicates that while this is a situation that happens because of the deep frost line. He articulates the progress and continued, systematic work on improving the aging infrastructure (not clear if this is the reason why the break happened). …

… He suggests this is an unusual situation because large water mains like this usually are not running through neighborhoods, but it is the case here because it is close to a water treatment plant.

Council member Young II asks the rep from the DPD [paraphrasing]: because the city is going along with the mass deportation, how can people feel safe getting support and their claims met after this disaster without fear of being targeted?

… The DPD rep says that the DPD is not in the business of deportation and we never will be. He says indicates that related to this concern, the number to call for claims related to this situation is a generic number (rather than having to call 911 for claims). …

… That number for damage claims related to this water main break in SW Detroit is: 313-774-5261.

We are back to public comments now.

There has been a number of callers referencing that the woman who lost her children to the cold while living out of their van had previously come before council asking for help. Sheffield suggests that she does not remember this happening and that it is untrue.

Todd Bettison is being officially appointed by the council to chief of police.

Most items on the agenda have been approved by the council so far without too much discussion. Line item 16.4, regarding compensation for various roles with the police commission, saw an objection from Calloway (for a reason I either missed or was not stated?).

Council member Calloway also objects to line items 19.6-19.9 after some discussion with a rep from the Department of Transportation regarding the lateness of the department seeking a contract renewal …

… i.e. with only a week left before the contract expires, Calloway suggests the council has their back against a wall in their decision making process.

In terms of line item 19.15, there is some discussion regarding the status of a grant from Michigan Economic Development Corporation toward Jefferson Chalmers Flood prevention. …

…It appears that the status of the grant will be known in the next few days. The council approves, and accepts the grant worth 1 million.

Line item 19.16, a resolution to set the towing rates and fees in accordance with the recommendation of the Tow Rate Commission, is passed with a majority, seeing however 4 objections. …

… This is an item that had saw a couple advocates during public comments. At least one of these callers was a representative from a towing company.

The council has voted for a closed session on February 25th to discuss with the law department a confidential communication titled: "City of Detroit Reverse Conviction Lawsuit Status Report" dated October 4, 2024.

Meeting has adjured at 1:07pm.

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