Live reporting by
Heather Alder
City council approved a $45 million grant to purchase 45 new city hybrid buses, and appointed Eva Garza Dewaelsche to the Board of Police Commissioners for a term that starts immediately and ends October 2028.
Heather P In The D!
@HeatherPInTheD
Good #Hot morning #Detroit!!!
Stay cool!!!
I will be live tweeting Detroit City Council meeting @ 10am for #DetroitDocumenters @DetDocumenters & media partners: @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @media_outlier @metrotimes @MichiganRadio @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit
Stay cool!!!
I will be live tweeting Detroit City Council meeting @ 10am for #DetroitDocumenters @DetDocumenters & media partners: @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @media_outlier @metrotimes @MichiganRadio @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit
05:13 AM Jun 18, 2024 CDT
Here is a link to the city council meeting information including zoom and agenda information.
detroitmi.gov/government/cit…
Here is the #agenda link…. With over 670 pages for this meeting!!!
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pub-detroitmi.escribemeetings.com/FileStream.ash…
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IMPORTANT ::::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.
Here we go! Roll call. Didn’t hear Mary Waters, Coleman Young II, Fred Durhal III OR James Tate.
Prayer in session now
Prayer in session now
Green Task force Recycle and Waste member Natalie Jakub presented this diversion rate % has big hopes of an almost 50% increase this year!
Discussing solar energy- speaker Diane also thanked Councilman Young (who is there -didn’t hear him during roll call) for providing staff assistance.
Presentation over-
Members Santiago-Romero & Latisha Johnson spoke in support and ? About contact info.
Member Johnson explained specific issues with her District 4 including water issues, rain water, clay soil,and composting,
Members Santiago-Romero & Latisha Johnson spoke in support and ? About contact info.
Member Johnson explained specific issues with her District 4 including water issues, rain water, clay soil,and composting,
Green Task force meets the third Thursday of the month at MSU center at 3pm. Can call 3132241198 # for councilman Benson office to get more information on meetings.
Standing committee reports being referred to those committees.
Miss Shiela is owner of 3D Wrecking asking no votes on contracts for demo work she tried to contract…wasn’t able to get contract.
Pres Sheffield has note to get better understanding of her situations when they vote on those contracts.
Pres Sheffield has note to get better understanding of her situations when they vote on those contracts.
Mr Arthur Edge representing Miss Sheila’s business 3D wrecking and her good reputations. make contracting fair
Mr Cunningham - provides
Bus passes, helps out with bus issues, it’s hot, homeless man speaking about unfairness of treatment on buses just because homeless.
Bus passes, helps out with bus issues, it’s hot, homeless man speaking about unfairness of treatment on buses just because homeless.
Larry Hill Cmac Scooters was told April 14th by Detroit Scooter had to get scooters off the streets due to permit.
Asking support to overturn permit denial due to company not being big enough.
Members Calloway and Sheffield worked on the permits and will follow up.
Asking support to overturn permit denial due to company not being big enough.
Members Calloway and Sheffield worked on the permits and will follow up.
Betty speaking on the $600,000,000 in overpaid taxes.
“I don’t know who you sleep at night knowing Money that belongs to the people is not given to them.”
“I don’t know who you sleep at night knowing Money that belongs to the people is not given to them.”
Miss Logan speaking on over assessment of property taxes- lost home due to taxes over assessment causing mortgage payment increase of $1000.
Start investigation “Resolutions are not Restitution “.
Start investigation “Resolutions are not Restitution “.
Miss Logan was advised there are laws binding what city council can do.
Member Sheiffield advised of some philanthropic activities that may be able to assist.
Member Sheiffield advised of some philanthropic activities that may be able to assist.
Miss Mayberry thanked President Sheiffield for #Juneteenth flag raised that Wednesday.
Wants # for non emergency calls for speeding on her streets
Wants # for non emergency calls for speeding on her streets
Mr Burton-
71 yr old- solar panels in neighborhood…people not showing up at meetings…he is offering to bring others to meetings to show desire for Solar panels. Said call him for ride to meeting #800MissVan
71 yr old- solar panels in neighborhood…people not showing up at meetings…he is offering to bring others to meetings to show desire for Solar panels. Said call him for ride to meeting #800MissVan
Member Calloway advised she supports solar panels on structures not in residential areas…”until I see solar panel farms in Birmingham” she then might consider moving her needle on solar panel farms in residential areas.
A couple more line items passed and back to public comments!
Karen- solar farms- wire- has electro magnetic field. Not against solar but not farms.
Richard Noto- support Larry Hill and his scooter business.
He does a great job.
He does a great job.
Woman speaker to councilman Durhal and mayor- retiree from city- 2015 caused her to mortgage house due to loss of some pension $ and dental bills.
Loss her only son in 2021…doesn’t qualify for assistance, but needs help for repairs.
Retirees sacrificed and need help.
Loss her only son in 2021…doesn’t qualify for assistance, but needs help for repairs.
Retirees sacrificed and need help.
Miss Betty Varner asking council members Durhal and Waters to help with programs helping seniors with repairs.
Public comments continue-
Another for #solarpanels - Chuck encourages solar panel farms advised no fire issues associated with solar.
? When is upcoming meeting on solar panels? Pres Sheffield wants speaker b4 council next Tuesday.
Mmbr Calloway request law dept 2 explain zoning.
Another for #solarpanels - Chuck encourages solar panel farms advised no fire issues associated with solar.
? When is upcoming meeting on solar panels? Pres Sheffield wants speaker b4 council next Tuesday.
Mmbr Calloway request law dept 2 explain zoning.
Frank Hammer- calling out Mega supporters (he says are climate deniers)in city last week.
Meeko Williams denouncing racism, homophobia, and shame on Kwayme Kilpatrick and others.
Also supports water for all.
Also supports water for all.
Public comments—
Renard Monczunski-Dist 6 President-
Discussing public transit - calling on state to invest in public transportation.
“We are experiencing climate change”.
DDOT should be a part of the discussion also.
Renard Monczunski-Dist 6 President-
Discussing public transit - calling on state to invest in public transportation.
“We are experiencing climate change”.
DDOT should be a part of the discussion also.
Final public Comments- Detroit ADOS-
Discussing environmental issues causing asthma at higher rates/ solar farms poisoning people from toxic waste.
Discussing environmental issues causing asthma at higher rates/ solar farms poisoning people from toxic waste.
Back to agenda —- settlements approved-
Numerous Planning and Economic Development 18.1-18.8-some discussion on items …approved excluding 18.5- no objection.
Postponed 18.5 to end of agenda-
Numerous Planning and Economic Development 18.1-18.8-some discussion on items …approved excluding 18.5- no objection.
Postponed 18.5 to end of agenda-
Correction 18.1-18.4 approved…then 18.6 & 18.7…discussion on 18.8 about sale of lot owned by city to Detroit Athletic Club for outdoor space at a cost of $10 per sq ft ..$34,000…Real Estate says lower due to easements. Pres Sheffield asked to be postpone 18.8- no objections
Public Health and Safety 19.1 amend chapter 47 For changes to unlawful conduct of streetcar system to include additional violations including no spitting, no animals unless service animals, no shopping carts, no fireworks or unauthorized firearms-passed-(all members present).
Numerous resolutions for demo of structures - Member Santiago 19.2-19.10- asked
19.2, 19.4-19.5 brought up today to bring back next week.
Tate ask 19.8 be brought back and Santiago added 19.3!
Member Young ? Contract approvals and bid process 2Office of contract and procurement
19.2, 19.4-19.5 brought up today to bring back next week.
Tate ask 19.8 be brought back and Santiago added 19.3!
Member Young ? Contract approvals and bid process 2Office of contract and procurement
Office of Contract & Procurement - advised co. needs to be certified. Detail 3D Wrecking specifically- not just certified but lowest bid.
They detailed bids from 3D Wrecking higher even w/ equalization credits.
They go to small vendors to advise what’s needed to get contracts
They detailed bids from 3D Wrecking higher even w/ equalization credits.
They go to small vendors to advise what’s needed to get contracts
Member Calloway says she will be watching Thomas trucking in Brownstown,to make sure they don’t come back to amend to get more $$$ feels they are lowballing.
But she will be a no.
Procurement advised not lowest but lowest responsible bidder.
But she will be a no.
Procurement advised not lowest but lowest responsible bidder.
Member Johnson also asked postpone 19.10 due to some questions she has.
No objections.
Other Three resolutions approved.
Now at 19.11-19.14…
19.14 did not pass-
No objections.
Other Three resolutions approved.
Now at 19.11-19.14…
19.14 did not pass-
Unfinished business-
June 24th 2024 fireworks (or rescheduled dates)-curfew enforcement ordinance.
Approved-by all members.
June 24th 2024 fireworks (or rescheduled dates)-curfew enforcement ordinance.
Approved-by all members.
20.2-20.4 member Calloway discussion- upset about fact events are being sent to them after the events occurred.
Asked if there were any writing to show them there are violating rules? Advise nothing in writing
Pres Sheffield advised was in committee before the date-
Asked if there were any writing to show them there are violating rules? Advise nothing in writing
Pres Sheffield advised was in committee before the date-
Special Events dept stated we request 60 days before event…sometimes before 60 days and we try to approve.
They are working on streamlining the process.
Grand Prix, Draft, Michigan Central caused additional backlog.
They are getting over 30 petitions per month.
They are working on streamlining the process.
Grand Prix, Draft, Michigan Central caused additional backlog.
They are getting over 30 petitions per month.
Special Events office further detailing the delays and also advising some new processes some events not aware of.
Member Santiago wanted to assure all members are following these rules equitably.
20.2-20.4 all approved no objections.
Member Santiago wanted to assure all members are following these rules equitably.
20.2-20.4 all approved no objections.
20.5-20.7 contracts including 45 new hybrid buses.
Member Benson advised great way to reduce carbon footprint.
Pres Sheffield? Why not electric?
Benson advised due to our climate causing issues with electric vehicles at this time.
Member Benson advised great way to reduce carbon footprint.
Pres Sheffield? Why not electric?
Benson advised due to our climate causing issues with electric vehicles at this time.
-Young ? How much it’s lowering our carbon footprint? -
DDOT representative Geo Joy advised no real time study but calculation will be provided to him later today-
DDOT representative Geo Joy advised no real time study but calculation will be provided to him later today-
Unto 20.8-20.14 funding for youth campers, rec center & park improvements etc..all approved no objections or discussions.
All other items passed no objections- unto line items delayed til end 18.05——
Pres Sheffield ? Use of funds specifically for first, last month rent…MPH rep Davis Bowser..looking into.
Shes detailed experience of person trying to work w/process but service was just giving the resident list of websites no additional help like case managers…over $13 million
Shes detailed experience of person trying to work w/process but service was just giving the resident list of websites no additional help like case managers…over $13 million
MPH Bowser said can look into caller e/ phone # to see what they qualify for.
Most common outcome is routing to resources.
Maybe person did not meet threshold.
Most common outcome is routing to resources.
Maybe person did not meet threshold.
18.08 line item back 330 John R sale to Detroit Athletic Club for $34000..postponed til next week.
Member Durhal- last day for Mr Leonard his Chief of Staff.
Giving gratitude & appreciation.
Honor with Spirit of Detroit Award.
Giving gratitude & appreciation.
Honor with Spirit of Detroit Award.
This concludes the documenting of the Detroit City Council meeting today.
Please stay cool and be 😎 cool!
Please stay cool and be 😎 cool!
AGAIN——IMPORTANT ::::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.