Detroit City Council Formal Session

The agenda for today’s meeting can be found here:

https://pub-detroitmi.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=1cc18bb9-6e7d-4401-ab12-f731051832b5&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English

Nothing yet, I’ll let you know when they call the meeting to order

Meeting was called to order off mic, and the mics came on for the invocation

First up, Comm’r Callaway presented the Spirit of Detroit award to Andrea and Andria (identical twins) Garwood.
https://themetrodetroitnews.com/detroit-twins-graduate-high-school-college-together-with-highest-honors-both-headed-to-u-of-m-for-masters-in-social-work/

Next up, a Spirit of Detroit Award going to the Corktown Business Association

Next up a presentation from an organization called Strive

Strive is from Harlem, NYC and focused on job training and placement

Focusing primarily in Healthcare, Logistics and Construction, it claims to help people develop soft skills like budgeting, how to dress for unfamiliar settings, workplace culture, etc

Now the Council is receiving reports from the various committees, and quickly moved on to public comment

First commenter is basically calling all the Council members liars, boasting about his background and toughness and making vague, but definitely threatening, references

Next commenter is also coming in hot, calling the Mayor and State AG evil and demanding immediate repayment, in cash, of overpaid property taxes, with some added anti-Mexican racism and Islamophobia, closing with an exhortation to remember Emmett Till

First Zoom commenter lamented high appraisals of homes and the dismissal of lawsuits against alleged slumlords

Next caller had a lot to say about the mayor, about Saunteel Jenkins, and about DTE rates

Not sure what the next caller was talking about, accused the Council of “stealing” her vote

Two consecutive callers urged retirees to vote, and the second caller urged retirees to form a formal voting bloc

Next caller says Michael Cunningham, the city’s one-man humanitarian organization, has a car now, and was able to get an anonymous personal loan, and urged the city to support his efforts.

https://www.bridgedetroit.com/meet-detroits-other-people-mover-michael-cunningham-ii/

Next caller talked about how DWSD has an option now to receive large print bills. This is an important step forward for accessibility

Next caller complained about complacency in the Health Department in the face if troubling reports about health statistics in the city

Next caller wants to be granted a house under adverse possession, saying she has cared for the property for many years.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adverse_possession?wprov=sfla1

The concept of adverse possession is a useful one to become acquainted with, especially for long time Detroit residents

Next caller has complaints about the removal of seating in transit stations, and the unannounced closures leading people to be outside in the heat or cold

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hostile_architecture?wprov=sfla1

Public comment concluded and the Council moved on to the agenda items. Item 17.1 was postponed for another week.

18.1 was approved

Also postponed 1 week

Item 19.1 is a request to speak before the Council. The city attorney argued that the matter is better pursued as a lawsuit and should be removed from the agenda.

The request was unanimously denied

Next item is bringing Davis Aerospace academy back to the airport

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davis_Aerospace_Technical_High_School?wprov=sfla1

The motion was approved

An ordinance is being laid on the table for several provisions for electric vehicle chargers

The action was just to schedule a public hearing, which was done

20.2-20.6, several grants, were approved

The Council is now referring reports to the various standing committees

Meeting was adjourned at 12:26

Well folks, this closes my coverage of the Detroit City Council meeting for June 3rd. Learn more about our coverage of local meetings at https://documenters.org

‼️IMPORTANT: If you believe anything in the coverage today is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@outliermedia.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line