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

Meeting has been called to order at 10:10

Council members Johnson, Young II, and Tate all appear to be absent to begin the meeting (Council member Durhall has just now entered)

And council member Johnson has joined the meeting now.

Council member Calloway is honoring Pembrook Academy with the Spirit of Detroit award.

Public comments have begun

A number of speakers from the Detroit Anti-War Committee advocating for the city to divest from war profiteering and in particular all companies profiting from the violence in Gaza, Lebanon, and Yemen.

A number of commenters speak to the impact of Michael Cunningham II, local activist and regular commenter before City Council. Here is an article discussing some of his work: bridgedetroit.com/meet-detroits-…

[Side note: Saying someone is an activist seems weird to me suddenly. Doing important work for your community and neighbors becomes distanced, rather than just part of how we can all live. Activists become "people over there" rather than a part of everyone's path.]

Winona Bynum from the Detroit Food Policy Council is speaking in support of the Animal Keeping Ordinance which, apparently, will receive another hearing (soon?)

Public comments have ended.

Line items 16.2 - 16.4, and 16.10 all have to do with police authorized tows and received attention from public commenters (both for and against). Decision on these contracts was postponed from last week.

Line item 16.6, providing demolition for a privately owned property, has been postponed for a week per Calloway's request – stating that she is not understanding how the city will see any returns on putting that much money into demolition of this particular private property.

Per a resolution from council member Tate (who arrived shortly after the meetings start), a public hearing regarding the Animal-Keeping Ordinance will take place October 28th.

Council member reminding the people and council to "protect your crown" – take care of your mental health and take that work seriously and without shame.

…and directed people to take the city survey, which begins collecting data for the city to better address mental health concerns. Here is the link if people are interested: detroitmi.gov/departments/de…

Much of this discussion on mental health is related to the man, an off-duty police officer, who was shot yesterday by fellow police officers

Meeting adjured at 12:10

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 meeting. Learn more about our coverage of local meetings here: Documenters.org