Highland Park City Council
Highland Park City Council12050 Woodward Avenue Highland Park, MI 48203 (Directions)
City Council Chambers 2nd floor
Note: Council meetings begin at 7 p.m. but are preceeded by a workshop at 5:30 p.m. Assignments are only for the 7 p.m. council sessions, but occassionally the workshop may still be in progress when you arrive or join the Zoom.
Check the source website for additional information
Reporting
Edited and summarized by the Detroit - MI Documenters Team
Councilmembers and residents said it was unfair the city was in a water monopoly with unfairly high rates. A utility finance consultant explained why those rates will steadily increase over the next few years. Councilmembers approved trash pick up and street sweeping contracts.
Happy Monday 😴
I’ll be virtually attending the Highland Park City Council meeting tonight at 7pm to live report for @detdocumenters.bsky.social
🔗 Links-
Tonight’s agenda: www.highlahttps://www.highlandparkmi.gov/media/sgedw1ad/250505a.pdfom last meeting: docs.googlhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1wnWd90fybKBCw9DSzwaBgUJU1ApLCQ2_WpSS5dcQeCM/edit?usp=drivesdk
04:43 PM May 5, 2025 CDT
Thomas has called the meeting to order at 7pm.
Present:
Robinson
Ash-Shafii
Manica
Thomas
Absent:
Martin
-Agenda approved
-Minutes for April 21 virtual wkshp: not approved, stalemate
Minutes for city council meeting on April 21: approved
Some confusion about how many lots were approved to be sold at this meeting. Some debate on how each council member voted on those lots.
Mayor’s remarks:
-Wayne County Business and Community Impact Initiative grant approved, so if you own a business and need a loan, let McDonald know
End of Mayor’s marks.
Public Hearing:
Thomas advises people to familiarize themselves with the budget. Budget will be available online once approved.
Proposed budget is available on Highland Park’s website. Go to their finance page and it should be there.
These are the proposals the public is invited to speak on. ⬇️
Very difficult to hear the first speaker. It sounds like she is voicing concerns about high price water prices.
Speaker 2: praised
April 29 town hall to share about water issues. Says 37 nearby cities supplied by same water provider. Of these 37, Highland Park pays the highest rate.
Speaker 3: owns two houses in Highland Park (one is her primary, the other is a family home). She says the city is forcing her to make it a rental even though her daughters live there and she doesn’t charge rent. Says she was given 30 days to get the house up to section 8 housing codes.
Speaker 4: Says she wonders when water rates will go down.
Street sweeping midday Saturday- inappropriate timing
Dequindre water plant- concerned it’s being vandalized. Wants to know if there are any security cameras.
Speaker 5: Last meeting workshop there was a review of proposed budget but appointed treasurer was not present. Says she wants to see the treasurer present for these meetings to do her job. Public applauses.
Thomas says treasurer is “the banker” and does not come to these meetings.
Oops just realized my own mistake😳
Present:
Thomas
Robinson
Martin
Ash-Shafii
Manica
Agency Information
Highland Park City Council
Pursuant to the Highland Park Charter, Chapters 5 and 6, the City Council of Highland Park is comprised of 5 members; 2 at-large and one from each council district. The council exercises all of the legislative powers of the city, except as otherwise stated by law, and provides for the public’s peace and health, and for the safety of persons and property.
The council meets in regular session in the established Council Chamber on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month.