Highland Park City Council

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

https://www.highlandparkmi.gov/media/pyrhr21p/250421a.pdf

The meeting was called to order at 7pm exactly

The roll was called and those present were:

Ash-shafii
Martin
Maniac
Robinson
Thomas

Motion was made to add setting out public hearings on the budget and water contract for May 5th and approved the agenda. Both approved.

Meeting for the workshop and meeting of April 7th was approved.

It is the custom in Highland Park to allow the mayor time to speak every meeting. She did so, and spoke about a lack of adequate housing for Black residents, and that this problem is shared by other mayors throughout the nation

She went on to address the problem of fake news being spread on Facebook, and shared several examples of recent fake news stories targeting Highland Park

The examples the mayor cited were stories obviously formulated to portray Highland Park, it’s civil servants and citizens in a racist and demeaning way

Moving on to public comment, a representative of a local church spoke to change their proposal to purchase vacant lots near the church

Another local church representative wants to purchase adjacent property for a parking lot.

Public comment having ended, the council voted to go into closed session to discuss an unpaid water fee. I’ll let you know when they’re back in order

The meeting was reconvened at 7:51pm

Moving on to the tabled items. First:

Carlton Clyburn, Director of Community and Economic Development is speaking on the matter

He is laying out the requirements and documents given to the council. These documents have not been made available to the public

In summary, Director Clyburn states that all the documentation is in order, and he recommends approval

Councilmember Ash-Shafii objects to the building of a parking lot, saying “where does it end?

He also wants to limit what the purchaser can do with the land.

Councilmember Tameko Manica said that she does not want to obstruct the process, but she has a problem with the land being zoned for mixed use

President Jamal Thomas showed a snapshot of Hamilton Avenue, and pointed out that the lack of parking impacts businesses and causes a safety hazard due to the street being only 2 lanes and a bike lane

Thomas’ also advocated for the church that seeks to purchase the lot, saying it’s a upstanding and longstanding community pillar and that they’re on the level.

He further said that they do not have enough parking and that the council constantly demands people thread a needle to be approved , and demands onerous modifications. He was interrupted several times with vociferous applause

Thomas says that the entire area is designated mixed use as a matter of course, and that the objections are over simple nomenclature and that the mixed use label is simply a byproduct of the master plan.

Council is now questioning the church representative on their hours, their membership, and what the church needs a new lot for

Johnson just pointed out that the block in question has only one resident.

The vote was called

Ash shafii no
Martin yes
Manika yes
Robinson yes
Thomas yes

The motion carried.

Next item is also a church buying a vacant lot. The motion carried

Next, a resolution to accept donations of water as a result of a recent boiled water emergency

Approved

Next up, a resolution to retain counsel in a lawsuit

Approved unanimously

Motion to hold a public budget meeting. Approved

Motion to hold a community meeting on water. Approved.

The agenda being completed, the council will move on to the second round of public comment

First commenter criticized Ash-Shafii for voicing his personal opinions on the police department in a public interview, saying it brings unwanted attention to the city and makes the city look bad

Thanks, commenter praised the setting of a public meeting on the budget and suggested that his suggestions for transparency be followed

The next commenter voiced criticism of excessively high water rates

The same commenter also voice disapproval for marijuana dispensaries, strip clubs, and liquor stores being approved in the city and said she does not want the crime that she claims they will inevitably bring

The pastor of healing spring Church spoke and thanks for the approval of their purchase of a lot

Ash-Shafii spoke angrily to the assembled, described himself as a raging inferno, said that if others want him gone, they should come get him.

He said “fuck” twice, insulted those gathered, used the phrase “tough titties” and threatened critics with vengeance, saying “revenge is a dish best served cold”

To clarify, public comment is over and the council has moved on to council affairs

Councilmember Maniac urged citizens to attend other city meetings and increase participation.

Thomas said that as a Muslim, he always enjoyed Easter sermons, and remarked on the story of Barabbas and Jesus. He said he was always surprised that the people chose to kill “their Messiah” and free Barabbas.

He went on to say that the council is being condemned for doing their mandated jobs. He said that the lack of housing is destroying the next generation and barring young people from ever owning homes.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:07pm

ייקס

Well folks, this closes my coverage of the Highland Park City Council meeting for April 21st. Learn more about our coverage of local meetings at https://documenters.org

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