Detroit City Council Formal Session, 10 a.m.

Here is the agenda: https://bit.ly/3Fv6BMp

The public can access City Council’s calendar, links to join meetings virtually and watch previous meetings on City Council’s website: http://video.detroitmi.gov/CablecastPublicSite/watch/6?channel=1

If you’re following along with me today, watch for a ‘🚨’ to signify the start of public comments

I am joining today’s meeting just in time for the Belle Isle update. President Sheffield recessed the 10:05 hearing for Right to Counsel so the Belle Isle presentation can go first

I am actually going to pause for this update and resume for the Right to Counsel hearing. Sorry folks!

The 10:05am public hearing is called to order at 10:56am! https://t.co/xJsX9SdH4s

Attorney Hassan Beydoun, Senior Counsel and Advisor to the Mayor, provided a brief update. He said the final version of the Right to Counsel ordinance reflects a collaborative effort and it has been approved by Corporation Counsel.

The final revised ordinance ensures that Right to Counsel is subject to appropriation and allows the city to use federal, state and city funding - including ARPA.

The revised version also amends the definition of “designated organizations”, requiring competitive bidding, and is in line with American Bar Associations standards on legal aid to ensure that Detroiters see served by the most qualified attorneys

Corporation Counsel said they are just here to support Right to Counsel (something we haven’t heard in a bit!)

Tanya Meyers-Phillips urged council to vote yes on the version before them.

Councilmember Scott Benson asked how the city will ensure that minority attorneys and small law firms receive some of these contracts. The Law Department said the ordinance allows for any and all firms who meet ABA standards for experience and competency.

Law Department said they will see the city conducting extensive outreach but there will be a strong emphasis on experience and capacity to ensure they don’t “drop the ball”

Councilmember Benson said he’s still concerned about funding in the future. Specifically, what would happen if Corporation Counsel decided they didn’t agree with the ordinance when they seek General Fund money to support the program.

Benson asked what insurance they have that general fund money will be protected. Law Department said they believe the constitutional constraints that currently exist are “the ones that are going to be legally recognized”

Those who are in charge of the ordinance will need to come back before City Council to outline how the program will work.

The 3 things they will be looking at are experience, capacity and cultural competency.

Contracts for Right to Counsel will have to come before City Council for approval, which allows them to see who will be representing Detroit residents.

In response to Santiago-Romero’s questions, Hassan Beydoun said the Right to Counsel creates the Office of Eviction Defense within Housing & Revitalization Department.

Beydoun also said the ordinance doesn’t speak to a specific fund that will support the ordinance financially.

🚨Public Comment for the Right to Counsel Ordinance only has started

1. Believes families facing eviction is a moral crisis and families are bearing the cost. He said evictions are causing blight. Expressed support for the ordinance

1. CEO of Lakeshore Legal Aid - they have been representing tenants in 36th District Cout providing a full range of legal services. Lakeshore also has a hotline to talk to a lawyer before they attend a hearing, so they know what their rights are

1. They’re an attorney that has represented tenants in Detroit for 10+ years. They’ve seen cases where legal issues would have never been noticed if not for an attorney. Supports the ordinance.

1. Encouraged Council to vote yes. Said Detroit residents are 18x more likely to avoid eviction when they have an attorney.

1. Attorney that has represented tenants in land contracts for 5 years. Supports the ordinance. Prior to the pandemic, there were very few attorneys in Court representing tenants while landlords were always represented.

1. (Left) spoke to the fairness of residents facing eviction without legal representation, especially when landlords aren’t in compliance. Supports the ordinance. https://t.co/RTL4IqgGdz

1. (^right) part of Detroit Right to Counsel Coalition. Spoke in support of the ordinance. Said the city and residents cannot afford not passing the ordinance

1. spoke about children and families that she’s heard from who are facing eviction. Supported the ordinance.

1. Retired steel worker, has lived in Detroit for 50 years. Attending to support Right to Counsel and encouraged Council to fully fund the program. Said they’ve seen many people unjustly evicted and it’s destroyed their neighborhoods.

1. Talked about a resident he spoke with through Detroit Eviction Defense. She was facing eviction and her phone didn’t have Zoom capabilities. She owed a month rent, she paid for 1/2 and wasn’t allowed to stay. He said w/o an attorney she would have been evicted over $400.

1. from Detroit Eviction Defense in support of the ordinance. Wants to keep it out of the hands of the Law Department.

1. Housing researcher and activist - supporting a fully funded right to counsel. Spoke on behalf of a District 5 tenant who could be evicted on May 10th. Her landlord refused to accept CERA funding that would have resolved outstanding rent, and her case would have been dismissed

12 (con’t) the landlord is not registered and has never received certificate of compliance for her. She said he has no standing, but this resident doesn’t have an attorney. She said Right to Counsel will be passed too late to help her but will help thousands of others like her.

1. Long time Detroit resident and has spent many hours in 36th District Court over the last 10 years. She said the issues they see are exacerbated when judges handle over 75 cases/day. Supported the ordinance.

1. Attorney and legal director for United Community Housing Coalition. Said a 5th courtroom opened to handle eviction cases where landlords want their property back w/o any rent. Encouraged support of the ordinance.

1. Spoke about a rental property in the city of Detroit that was owned by a landlord who refused to collect rent and later used it as leverage to evict the occupants. Additionally, the owner didn’t maintain the home and it had severe issues leaving tenants w/o heat and water.

15 (cont’d) this is one of the many situations people are faced with which is made worse w/o legal representation. Encouraged Council to pass the ordinance

1. District 4 resident - spoke about people who are charged w/ crimes that are provided an attorney to represent them. Also spoke about the # of renters who are going to be watching them vote on this ordinance

1. Said many residents face eviction for non-payment reasons and don’t stand a chance in court w/o legal representation. Supported the ordinance

1. Spoke about the moral injustices that have occurred in Detroit and elsewhere. Supported the ordinance

1. Said everybody is watching what Detroit City Council right now and they have an opportunity to lead by example. Said they used to be embarrassed by the city but this Council has “some sense”. Supported the ordinance

1. Retired auto worker, tenant in SW Detroit for 30+ years. Supports the ordinance and urged the City to fully fund it.

1. legal fellow with Coalition for Property Tax Justice - supported the ordinance. Said every tenant deserves the right to be advised by an attorney which ensures a fair process in Court.

1. Spoke in support of the ordinance and the impact that evictions have had on black women and children. Feels Right to Counsel is a crucial first step to lifelong changes in Detroit

1. Social Worker and tenant in SW Detroit supporting the ordinance.

2. Supported the ordinance. Spoke about a protest yesterday after the owner of his building trying to stop their outdoor food pantry and sharing table.

1. Said every citizen in Detroit needs the right to counsel when they’re facing eviction.

Now onto virtual participants! There are 27 hands raised. This means there’s approx. 52 participants for today’s public hearing for the Right to Counsel ordinance. So far, all have been in support of it’s passing.

1. Detroit Disability Power staff - supports the ordinance. Spoke about the instability community’s face due to the eviction crisis as well as the trauma tenants experience.

1. Supported the ordinance. Feels the city needs to protect residents who are most vulnerable and/or in need.

1. Supports the ordinance. Spoke about the ability to raise funds for the program.

1. Supported the ordinance and urged Council to fully fund the program. Says they need General Fund and ARPA funding for the program.

1. Supported a fully funded ordinance. Spoke about issues impacting housing security in Detroit.

1. Works for the public defender’s office. “I guess I’m just excited for the opportunity for City Council to, you know, make some legislation that will be a step, and hopefully one of many steps, in the right direction.”

1. District 6 tenant supporting the ordinance.

2. Supported the ordinance and commended City Council for preserving the ordinance and getting the city on board.

1. Had concerns about sustainable funding for the program and supported it’s passing.

The remaining 11 participants all spoke in support of the ordinance.

The public hearing has ended. They are now voting on the Right to Counsel Ordinance.

Detroit City Council has UNANIMOUSLY PASSED the Right to Counsel Ordinance providing residents facing eviction with the right to legal representation🎉🎉🎉🎉

Audible applause followed the passing of the Right to Counsel ordinance.

A waiver of reconsideration was requested and approved. This means that City Council cannot reconsider their vote that passed the ordinance.

Items under Sections 6-10 were referred to the appropriate standing committees.

🚨 General Public Comment is starting now

1. (Left) spoke about various concerns including missing children https://t.co/LfNewTFTvI

1. (On the right in the above picture) - purchased a Land Bank housing two years ago and it didn’t have a water line. Said the DLBA sold him “a false dream that was very cheap with tons of repairs.”

Councilmember Tate said he spoke with Gary Brown, Director of DWSD, who was supposed to speak with this individual. He said nobody has followed up with him. Tate is going to follow up.

1. Bob Carmack (left) - discussed an issue he has with a property owner not paying property taxes. Also said the Law Department isn’t accepting the subpoenas he brought for council members two weeks ago, he was told he has to serve them personally https://t.co/6mJeYA42dH

1. (right in the picture above) invited City Council to Come Home Weekend, on behalf of Detroit Public Schools.

Here’s more info on that event:

https://www.wxyz.com/news/community-connection/detroit-public-schools-celebrating-alumni-during-hall-of-fame-gala-weekend

Someone at the meeting asked Council to keep Tyrone Winfrey in their prayers as he is suffering from bone cancer.

1. Spoke about a fire and demolition (?) that destroyed Stacy Community Recovery. They’ve had issues with funding to rebuild due to economic issues.

1. Discussed issues they’ve had with their water (rust coming from the faucet)

Scott Benson said his office speaks with the caller weekly and will call her again today.

1. Discussed eviction problems in the Tiny homes Community, which she said is a “scam” paid for by “poverty pimps”. She said individuals living in homeless shelters are treated like prisoners and slumlords are forcing inhumane living conditions on tenants

1. Spoke against additional funding for metal detector. Doesn’t feel this would solve any issues the community is faced with

1. Also spoke against using funding for metal detectors and feels it only creates the perception of safety

1. Said council member Whitfield-Calloway visited her home to walk through and see what she needs repaired. She was approved for a home repair grant and hasn’t received the repairs yet.

1. Former Detroit Public Schools employee - Spoke in support of the metal detectors as a means of deterring violent crime

1. Believes people should be able to access Belle Isle year round instead of using it as a race track.

1. Discussed using Belle Isle in other ways and Metro Lift transportation services.

1. Has concerns about various items on the agenda. One is a contract using UTGO bond funding for improvements around a tow yard. Doesn’t think hookah bars should be allowed in industrial areas. Opposed to a property sale on Van Dyke b/c of a lack of community engagement

1. Spoke in support of the metal detectors.

2. Opposes a street streetscape project and the corrugated fence around a tow yards. Also opposed a Smalley Construction contract.

1. Offered words of appreciation for the work City Council did related to Right to Counsel ordinance.

2. Spoke in support of metal detectors. Feels it would be a less intrusive way to maintain security at events w/o sacrificing efficiency.

1. Russ Bellant, Detroit Public Library Commission - said he appreciates council’s receptivity regarding a resolution about the governance of Detroit Public Libary. Feels this Council is showing an interest in what people’s concerns are and appreicates their engagement.

1. Thanked Council for their support for Right to Counsel and said more work needs to be done related to the Rental Property Ordinance.

1. Asked Council what will happen after the water moratorium expires. Specifically, what are they going to do about the large bills that have accrued?

1. Spoke in support of metal detectors for the police department because of how effective they’ve been in the past, particularly where events occur

1. CEO of the Parade Company - spoke in support of the metal detectors which he said will allow kids and families to enjoy large events without feeling like they’re safety is threatened

1. Director of Programs and Operations at Detroit Police Athletic League - spoke in support of metal detectors.

1. Executive Director of Force Detroit - supported metal detectors. Said she supports this “as long as we live in a city where 5 year old’s are being shot in the face at the same time as their parents are being overly criminalized” as she feels it addresses both issues

The next 5 callers called in support of the metal detectors. One of which was the @NAACP Board of Directors. They said this is what NAACP is encouraging nationally.

1. Discussed various ways to improve the availability of affordable housing and financing projects.

The last 2 callers voiced their support of metal detectors.

And this concludes public comment for today! 🙌🏼

We are now under New Business on the agenda.

I need to step away for 5 minutes and will be back in 5! Council is now discussing non-compliance with demolition contractors.

I’m back! Now discussing metal detectors with Assistant Chief Bettison and Deputy Chief Hayes.

The metal detectors will be mobile and can be relocated for use at various events. Organizations and event holders will also be able to request them through the Department of Neighborhoods. They can be used at no cost to the community.

For larger events like the fireworks, the city will use all 10 metal detectors

DC Hayes said the metal detectors are to encourage better decision making and nonviolent alternatives.

President Pro Tem Tate said his appointment to DPD was a result of the 2004 fireworks shooting which claimed 9 lives. He said using metal detectors in this capacity make a lot of sense to him.

AC Bettison said they have applied for grants for an additional 10 metal detectors, on top of the immediate 10 they’re discussing today.

After a metal detector is requested for an event, AC Bettison said they’ll have their team go out and assess the location to see what is needed to use the technology such as barricades/blocking the street off

Tate said he wants to ensure the community isn’t thinking about using them for their block party because he doesn’t feel it’s a feasible use. Tate said he’s going to ask that they ensure each district has what they need for resident’s events

Durhal briefly discussed the challenges that DPD has ahead of them as they enter the first summer after COVID restrictions.

Regarding the cost of the metal detectors, Durhal said he can’t put a price on someone’s life and they should be using all available resources and tools that can be used to protect residents

Councilmember Santiago-Romero shared her concerns about the root causes of violent crime in Detroit and provided an emotional testimony about her experience being robbed at gunpoint while working at her family’s restaurant.

Santiago-Romero said she was robbed numerous times during the peak of the recession.

Santiago-Romero: “I don’t believe that our residents want to walk around carrying guns, but it is what we’ve been told to do. Our previous police chief encouraged it.”

Santiago-Romero wants to encourage residents to seek resources and mental health support, fund organizations that help residents find housing and support services, etc.

Whitfield-Calloway and Santiago-Romero both voted no on the purchase of metal detectors

Line item 16.4 for the purchase of metal detectors has been approved

Whitfield-Calloway requested a report on the directors and officers of Major Contracting Group who is awarded contracts for line items 16.1 through 16.3. She referenced 5 contractors listed by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

These contracts were discussed when I stepped away earlier.

Line items under Sections 18-22 are referred to the appropriate standing committees

Revisiting line item 10.8. This was approved.

President Sheffield suspended members reports for today.

With nothing further on the agenda for today, the meeting was adjourned at 2:04pm.

This concludes the Detroit City Council Formal Session meeting on Tuesday, May 10th, 2022.

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