There are over 70 points on the new business agenda. It will be a long meeting.

In the zoom room are Kim Newby, Marcell Todd Jr, David Whitaker, James Tate, Janee Ayers, Roy McCalister, and Brenda Jones. Newby is parliamentarian. All the rest council members. President calls the meeting to order at 10:07 after a quorum is called.

Father Norman Thomas takes the council through a prayer before the meeting starts. Todd is with LPD/CPC. LPD is legislative policy division. CPC is the city planning commission.

Councilperson Scott Benson is also in the room. Jones thanks Father Thomas for helping her when she passed out twice and she woke to see Father Thomas for praying with her when she passed out and was diagnosed with a embolism. Father Thomas leaves the room after his prayer.

Tate presents a testimonial resolution to George Etheridge for his service to the City of Detroit. Councilperson Raquel Castaneda-Lopez has entered the room. There are 7 Detroit city council members in the room.

Etheridge has run for office in the past and he worked with the LPD. Todd is now giving a tribute to Etheridge. Etheridge has left to work for Thomas Group Consulting.
This is from Ballotpedia, where you can get more info about him and access his social media.

https://ballotpedia.org/George_Etheridge

Jones says that Etheridge is already missed. She says he has never said no when the city has asked for his help.

Here is Etheridge’s facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/george.a.etheridge
Nearly every member of the council chimes in and says he is a mensch.

Mensch is yiddish for good guy!! The Detroit City Council think that George Etheridge is a mensch. Ayers says he’s phenomenal!!!

Jones moves on to a Detroit Public Schools back to school update and Detroit schools superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti jumps in the room with a presentation and some of his co-workers to help.

Vitti says all schools are back except Cass Tech. They are on a hybrid sked based on student alphabet. Everybody else is back but there is a cyber school for those who don’t want to go back. 48,500 student are in person every day in Detroit.

He says they are following CDC guidelines. 70% of employees are vaxxed. Everyone must wear mask indoors. In order for students to get vaxxed they need a permission slip from parents. 240 positive student cases of Covid among Detroit school students.

Virtual school is available to anyone who does not want to return in person. 1500 Detroit school students are in virtual school.

They have a partnership with the health department with contract tracing and quarantine. Vaxxed students do not have to quarantine. Athletes are testing once a week. Only school district that Vitti is aware of that test athletes every week.

Nurses are at each school. Students are temp checked each day. They have tier two and three mental health support at each school. Covid relief funding is paying for all of this. A extra 100 teachers have been hired this year due to smaller classes due to covid.

Vitti wants to increase wages to attract employees. He says they are well staffed with teachers. “Positive opening. Our opening looked strong.” The presentation is a one sheet. Vitti is now open for questions.

City Council President Pro Tem Mary Sheffield is now in the room. Jones ask Vitti if the enrollment up or down in contrast to a normal school day. They lost 2,700 students. K-12 lost 2,700 students. 49,500 enrolled. About 1,000 fewer than the pandemic.

Vitti says they are trending to getting back to pre pandemic levels. “We are trending positive.”

Enrollment is higher than last year, trending toward pre pandemic numbers, says Vitti.

Jones ask about numbers of virtual teachers and Vitti says 20 but they need one more. Class sizes are 30-35 students, then he says it’s probably 25 to 45 students in each virtual class. One teacher for 25-35 students depending on the grade and class subject matter.

Jones ask how many covid cases since classes began. Vitti says 240 cases. Number of cases about the same as last year. He credits that to covid mitigation work.

McCalister is up next. He has already sent Vitti a list of questions that Vitti has answered and that the presentation answered, so he passed on questions.

Irvin ask about how much funding he got from covid relief funding he got. 1.2 Billion of covid relief funding to the Detroit school system. One time money, so they cannot use them on reoccurring expenditures.

Used it for hazard pay, working on absinteims, laptops, internet access, pre and post school activities, facilities, nurses on school sites. 6 - 800 million on facilities. Addressing historic needs like heating and cooling systems. By next year they will have a 20 year…

facility plan. Vitti says they will look at where they need buildings and tearing down the few buildings they need to have razed. Not many are needed right now.

Castaneda-Lopez ask if there is a place on their website about his updates on cases in schools. With covid relief funding there is a dedicated website to track how it’s being used.

Vitti says once attendance has leveled off they can get a better idea about teacher staffing. Argo spending is asked about and Vitti says once again there is a website to track the funds. He said most of the funding will go to facilities. Most money will go into reserve.

Then it will go into a reserve that will pay for the buildings in the future. Todd is the Director of the City Planning commission. He says they are updating the city zoning ordinances. Wants to talk about the facilities plans with Vitti.

Vitti says that after the board sees the draft of how to use the dollars for buildings they will then ask the city and public to chime in. He says the board will vote on it in late spring, early summer.

Benson asked about returning the high school at Detroit Air Port. Wants school kids to be ready to take over jobs in the industry. I”m thinking he’s talking about the airline industry.

Benson ask about ideas about integrating the school and library systems. Vitti says they are open to discussion.

Jones tells Vitti that residents have tried to engage the school board with ideas and they have had problems getting in contact. Vitti says just send him a email.

or send a email to Miss Wilson, who is their assistant superintendent for communications.

A. Peterson-Mayberry, who is the at-large rep on the Detroit Public Schools Community District Board of Education. She enforces the mitigation efforts for covid in Detroit schools and the library and school system working closer together.

Jones says she gave Vitti questions in advance. And she excuses the school board members. Moving on to the next update. She says the Mack Ave LCA plant received a odor violation. The plant has until October 11 to fix the problem and submit a written response.

Gail Fulton is in the room on behalf of the administration. Crystal Rogers GM environmental affairs for BC. Scott Withington, the General manager of the Detroit Health Department.

Rogers says residents have had a bad smell downwind of the plant. Jones says she knew nothing about the complaints. This item is not on the agenda.

Jones says she was caught off guard by the complaints and ask Rogers to please pass along that info.

Withington says the levels are so low they cannot be detected by their devices. McCalister ask where this smell originates from. Withington says he talked to the inspector from Eagle and he has a idea of where the smell originates.

McCalister wonders if there is a fine does it go to the state?

Jermaine Ruffin, who is the associated director of equitable planning for the city of Detroit, says they have a representative in contact with LCA and the “knack” (this reporter cannot follow up to ask what that is) to stay posted on the problem.

Jones complains about not getting the info on the problem of the smell complaints. Benson ask about the threshold of the air quality standard for the smell and should there be a concern. Withington says it affects quality of life even if it does not violate health standards.

They are talking about a group called “Eagle”. Once again with no way to ask questions you cannot find out what this group is. And the sound is cutting in a out on some of the dialog.

Castaneda-Lopez ask about regular air quality testing at the site, and who is doing it? Someone mentions that LCA is going to do their own air quality monitoring.

She also ask what will be used for home repair in those areas due to the air monitoring. Rogers says they do not monitor “fugitive” outputs.

Castaneda-Lopez says WE need to monitor this, as Detroit is a industrial area. Ruffin answers and says the home repair plan is still active. Future money for home repair is a needed conversation.

Castaneda-Lopez says that LCA only reduced emissions in Warren, a mostly white area who have half the cases of asthma and half the rates of environmental justice issues. She ask for a resolution urging LCA to enter into a supplemental environmental program in response to…

the violations instead of payment of fees, which go to the state. This motion was approved. Several councilpersons agree on the motion to make sure the communities that are the victims of these violations receive direct care to overcome the violations.

Jones says the communities need to be warned when these violations take place. Jones wants some heads up when these air quality and smell problems happen. She has mentioned the lack of communication about a half dozen times.

Lopez wants a separate resolution for a comprehensive air quality monitoring program. Motion passes.

The LCA smell complaint was not on the agenda. We are now back to the agenda.

No committee reports, so moving onto public comment. First comment is via the phone and kind of hard to hear. Cannot understand the question.

Michael Cunningham Jr is next. He is concerned that he cannot see the words under his picture. Detroit DPT has terrible services, does not pay their drivers.

Tammy from the Virginia Park Community thanks George Etheridge also.

Jamy Schoby has been working on the Detroit Cannabis project and homegrown Detroit. He wants to build a social equity collective of black and brown and other social equity applicants.

A caller called Mr Overwith ? Say’s there is corruption in the POPC, OPI and the VOPC. Jones tells him that the only way he can get Ray Soloman on the line is if he calls heaven cause he’s dead. Jones disagrees with Overwith when he says that no one at Jones office contacted…

him. She says that’s not true. Yvonne Jones wants residents to have access to the emergency rental assistance program. She says 30% of residents living in poverty and people need to know about the program. She also wants a better bus proposal.

Renard is concerned about the three bus routes being cut. He says the council has city paid cars, but many in the city do not. He’s concerned about paratransit service going away. He wants to know if the council is just going to run interference for DDOT.

Jeffrey Nolish complains about losing three bus routes. He says the city recieved 160 million dollars for the system via AARP? and that money should be used for a better public transportation system.

McCalister says the bus issues are not overlooked. There is a meeting before the public health and safety meeting coming up where it will be brought up. He says the council is looking into this but they need “good” info before they can make decisions about the buses.

Robert, a resident who lives near the LCA plant with the smell problem. He says it’s more than a smell. It’s having a effect on people’s health. Says people have moved from the area due to the smell and the houses in the area do not have adequate

ventilation to curb the smells.

Brenda Hill says the “Detroit City Council has become a criminal enterprise.” She says not all of them, but with two councilmen who have admitted guilt and one to go under investigation. She also does not understand how the q line operates in the red but did not get cut..

One resident complains about the food desert in her neighborhood. She also wants two houses to get demolished and some trees need to be cut down. She is at six mile and davidson. She says there was a car parked in front of one of the houses with a dead body inside.

She is in councilman Benson’s district.

A district 5 resident calls in for the second time and was cut off. A resident writes a letter to the council and feels that the speed bumps are a waste of money and time. She does not have the money to pay for the bumps and wants to know where the money is coming from?

Brenda Jones concludes public comments. Council goes to Standing Committee reports with Budget, Finance and audit up first.

Two resolutions for purchases. $210,000 to Randcom, Inc in Liviona to provide “Emergence Remediation” and will apply for FEMA to reimbursement and to Daisy Cleaning Services in Detroit for $120,000.

both approved. Two rehab application for building rehabs in Detroit came up but line item 11 was postponed to get more info but line item 10 did pass which ask for a Neighborhood Enterprise Zone Certificate Application for rehab at 459 E Milwaukee

459 E Milwaukee is in the Vanguard/E. Grand Blvd Development Neighborhood Enterprise Zone.

A bill to support funding for city poll workers was passed.

The office of contracting and procurement looked at two contracts for consulting services for 200 cannabis businesses in Detroit. One business is in Detroit, the other in Southfield. The Detroit contract is for $63,000 and $126,000 for the Southfield location.

Jones is concerned that Detroiters will not be involved with the dispensaries. Megan Moslimani, the director of the marijuana ventures, answered Jones’s concerned. They sent out emails to people who had been working with their programs for them to get involved.

Moslimani says they have a list of over 1000 people who want to get involved in the business. They have a creole list online. They informed the council about their programs. Jones asked if they posted info on the cities site, and Jones says that 1000 people notified are not.

enough. Councilman Tate approves of the contracts. He says he talked to people in the boot camp run by ventures and they are very happy about it. He wants as many Detroiters ready to go to get into the industry.

Tate says funders for the cannibis industry have walked away and that it would be tough to get funding. It has to be “cobble” the funding as best as can.

Moslimani’s group has the boot camp for anyone who had a business plan or want to make a business plan. They put out fliers that said they have access to those business programs including one on one access to consultants to write those plans.

1200 dollars per client is the goal for the camp. One consultant per 10 campers. “Intense” support of financial plans. We are here to support you.

The group told campers they would get 10 hours of personal consulting and leave with a business plan.

Kimberly Rustem from the campers says it’s important to get city funding since some groups hesitate giving money to their group.

The council votes for the two resolutions, 4-3 on both. Sheffield, Benson vote no, but the resolutions pass, so the city of Detroit will fund consulting for 200 residents who want to get into the cannibis business.

Resolutions 25 and 26 dealt with appointments to the Downtown Development Authority. #25 was postponed, but 26 was approved, so Kimberly Rustem is on the authority. Jay Rising’s appointment will wait.

Council President Sheffield has two resolutions for two events. 27 is the Le Run for Le Rouge and the March 4 HOPE at Focus Hope. Both resolutions pass.

A resolution for a contract for $1,138,879 for software and a call center to support covid and flood emergency services to Rock Connections in Detroit. Council believes this item is actually in new business.

Item 29, the contract for software and call center for covid and flood relief, is withdrawn and will be voted on in new business in line item 31.

Resolution to extend a study period for a Detroit City/Coleman A Young International Airport Historic District. It will be approved if a waiver can be found.

There are now at least 10 contracts up for emergency demolition of properties all over Detroit. Highest contract is for $134,331. The lowest $13,910.

A purchase order for 100 Motorola radio’s at the cost of $598,110 is brought up for vote.

The next contracts are all for public works and water and sewage. A contract to fill crack on city streets for $146,415. A contract to increase funds to inspect and rehab of existing sewers in Detroit for $7,000,000 dollars along with a increase funds for traffic bumps

for 214,200. The big item is for a sewer replacement, inspection and rehab for $19,924,315. Big money to fix the sewers in Detroit. All items pass, although some with waivers.

So the council is now voting on a contract for STAND-BY EMERGENCY AMBULANCE SERVICE FOR DETROIT CASINO’S FOR $3,000,000. Waiver requested. This is for the fire department. Why don’t the casino’s pay for this?

Please see the new business agenda. Sheffield has left the meeting, but they still have a quorum, so the meeting goes on.

Jones is going back to resolutions that were already voted on by the council.

Jones “My technology is acting crazy!”

Resolutions are being moved to standing committees for votes during those standing committee meetings.

Council members are discussing personal events. Castanea-Lopez tells the council about Indigenous Peoples day on Monday, October 11 in Spirit Plaza. Time is around 10, since she didn’t remember.

Now they are talking about council birthdays in this month. Benson reminds the council about a vote ride on the 24th of October and a job fair on the 29th of October from 10 AM to 1 PM.

There is a virtual meeting to discuss the move of the Grand Prix back to the streets of Detroit downtown on October 13th from 5 to 6:30 PM. Zoom ID is 88387889786. President Jones announces the info for the grand prix Zoom meeting.

Here is the very long new business agenda. Most of this was not discussed.
https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/events/2021-10/New%20Business%20Agenda%2010-5-21.pdf

There is a discussion about filling the 4th district council seat that is vacant. Jones says a committee of the whole will get together to make that decision.

Jones calls the meeting adjourned at 2:01 PM. Here is a agenda of the entire meeting. https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/events/2021-10/Formal%20Session%20Agenda%2010-5-21.pdf

Meeting adjourned at 2:01 PM. For more information about the Detroit City Council please go to their website at https://detroitmi.gov/government/city-council.

The Detroit City council has to meet at least every business day for 10 months out of the year. This concludes coverage of today’s Detroit City Council meeting. Please go to http://Documenters.org for more meeting coverage.