Highland Park City Council

Today’s agenda is posted below 👇 Tonight’s meeting will include final reading of an animal ordinance, several community developments and public comment. https://t.co/ZnkQmgdjee

Information to join the meeting via Zoom can be found on their website >> https://highlandparkmi.gov/Government/City-Council.aspx
or you can watch live on Facebook >>
https://www.facebook.com/235957518567751/videos/1289127081816393

Check out the twitter thread from the last meeting on March 20th 👇
https://twitter.com/grenadine/status/1637952998122070016

Tonight’s Highland Park City Council has been called to order with all members present. The agenda was approved along with all three sets of minutes listed on the agenda. https://t.co/mlXLSqrnMk

Mayor McDonald remarks –
The Rec center tomorrow at 11am will be a seniors walking club. Thanks to Councilwoman Manica for the dumpsters. Thanks to Councilwoman Martin about citizen at Manchester so they could receive help. April flyers are ready and available.

Moving to discuss the Administrative Code Section 608- Animal Ordinance
Concerns raised by Councilman Ash-Shafii about faulting on this resulting in a misdemeanor; that police will walk into someone’s home without probable cause and a barking dog will send someone to jail.

Other concerns raised about 608.18 regarding how false complaints will be handled.
Response was that complaints are made under oath and false complaints will results in perjury.

Question on if the number of dog limit can be raised to 4?
Response is that the number listed is in line with state laws and if they have more than 3 they can apply for a breeder license.

Reading was passed by majority. No public commenters at this time. Ordinance has passed and will be adopted📜

Votes on Code 608 Animal Ordinance
Thomas - Yes
Robinson - Yes
Manica - Yes
Martin - Yes
Ash-Shafii - “Hell No”

Moving along to Community Development about resolution to sell vacant residential adjacent lot at 142 Colorado adjacent to property owner at 146 Colorado.

Questions about what the intent for this 142 Colorado property is and the speaker present said the LLC based in Madison Heights that will purchase it wishes to beautify. Discussion of including a reverter clause if the intended use is not met.

Mayor McDonald told Councilman Ash-Shafii that if he reads the charter and reads the ordinance then he will see how property is suppose to be disposed. The purchase agreement specifically tells people what they have to do once they receive that property.

Agenda item 6A sale of vacant lot at 142 Colorado vote fails. Chair Thomas voted yes. Robinson, Manica, Martin, and Ash-Shafii voted no.

Agenda item 6B sale of vacant lot at 373 Elmhurst to the adjacent property owner passes unanimously.

Agenda item 6C sale of vacant lot at 126 Florence to adjacent property owner passes unanimously.

Agenda item 6D sale of vacant lot at 238 Ford to adjacent property owner passes unanimously.

Chair Thomas commented that having interested parties present during voting time should happen for future property purchases.

PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor McDonald cautions members to watch what they say on video and in writing. Giving an example that preferring to give properties to city residents is discrimination and could result in a lawsuit.

cont.. The Mayor’s office has received calls that they are not doing the business of the city. If it is not in the charter or ordinance the Mayor’s office does not move forward. It is the purview of the Council to sell property and approve contracts.

Second Commenter, Mark from the School Board, is in agreeance with Councilmember Ash-Shafii regarding the animal ordinance. Shares he thinks Council and the Mayor are doing a good job.

Third Commenter asked how to purchase property and get on the council agenda. He was informed that purchase procedures go through administration.

With no other public commenters, we move to council affairs starting with Ash-Shafii.
He shares his experience in 2015 sold a house in Allen Park and city didn’t own house to sell. He says he was elected to voice citizen’s concerns and will step down if he is no longer helping.

Ash-Shafii shares concern about Police Dept and an officer that sued the city, settled and is trying to come back. The Mayor asked for evidence of this accusation to be emailed to her and the State.
Ash-Shafii began speaking over The Mayor and Chair Thomas had to bang the gavel!

Councilmember Martin thanked those in attendance and apologize that she is hungry so doesn’t have much to share tonight.

Councilmember Manica encouraged folks to attend School Board Meeting April 4th at Barbara. Chat with the Chief April 26th 6-8pm at 1323 Hamilton. Youth Baseball Clinic April 15th at Ernest Ford Field House ages 5-12.

Chair Thomas shared about Albert Einstein how they have two things in common…one seeing students and a few things immensely curious and spending all hours accumulating knowledge, filtering data and not opening their mouths. https://t.co/IL5YRZyP0y

That concludes the Highland Park City Council Meeting for April 3rd, 2023. For more meeting coverage, check out http://documenters.org. #detdocumenters

If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@outliermedia.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.