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

And the formal session has been called to order now at 10:03

Waters, Calloway, Tate, Young appear to be absent to start the meeting

The meeting begins with an update from the board of ethics

…an update regarding ethics around campaign activities.

Slides are being shared in this update, I will share some of the them here:

The presenter goes on to say this is not a complete list of guidance and can be expanded as new situations arise.

Representatives of the Black Caucus Foundation of Michigan are sharing during a special privilege public comment – they are speaking in regard to Detroit's history of collection of property tax

I'm not exactly sure I understand what the nature of this discussion is – I will venture to say that it sounds like there was an infringement of a past legal representation agreement between the city and the Black Caucus Foundation and Motor City Law

A legal representative for the City Council suggests that this conversation is not appropriate for a formal session, and that this is a contract disagreement between the city and a law group – Motorcity Law and the Allen Group in particular […]

… and that these law groups feel they are owed money by the City on the basis of a contract that, per the city council legal rep, was never approved.

Council members Calloway and Tate are now present (they arrived shortly after the initial roll call was made)

In person public comments are now live

Some discussion regarding a raid that occurred at the Psychedelic Healing Shack in District 2 – some individuals who were there as customers and feel their rights were violated by the police, and were traumatized by the experience […]

Council Member Calloway indicates that the police were executing a legal warrant, while another commenter suggested that irregardless of this, the police did not practice deescalation to a degree that would protect bystanders / customers.

A number of commenters speaking to "the buffer ordinance" which could, per the commenters, help mediate dangerous and conflictual situations between protesters and health care providers / patients. This is in regard to reproductive health clinics.

I believe these comments are in reference to line item 17.19 in the agenda

Public comments have concluded

I am unfortunately not sure when she arrived but Council Member Waters is now present

A long discussion prompted by Council Member Calloway regarding demolitions in the city, and added costs AFTER private firms have bid successfully on demolition rights.

In particular, this is prompted by the demolition company discovering a basement, and then adding over $100k to their contract

Which, per council member Calloway, is a common occurrence.

Council member Young (who, btw, IS now present) inquires about technology that could be used for locating these "anomalies" (e.g. basements) and allow the city to properly assess the additional costs to the city within the auctioning process for demolitions.

A waiver was requested for line item 17.19, which is regarding the buffer zone for individuals around medical clinics.

Not totally sure what that means, but it seems there is agreement and enthusiasm regarding this line item

Council member Waters is introduces a brief discussion regarding the possibility of normalizing "gun free zones", particularly in terms of eastern market and the tailgating incident over the weekend

Meeting has adjourned at 12:51

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

This concludes my coverage of the Detroit City Council formal session. Learn more about our coverage of local meetings here: Documenters.org