City of Dearborn Heights, MI Dearborn Heights City Council Meetings, 26 Oct 2021

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From YouTube: Dearborn Heights City Council Meeting - 10/26/21

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The Dearborn Heights City Council Meeting taking place Tuesday, October 26th 2021 at Riverside Middle School.

A

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, today is tuesday october 26 2021.. This is our order of business in a regular meeting of the dearborn heights city council. Madam clerk, can you please take roll call? Yes, dave abdallah.

B

Here: zuhair abduhak here moby doom here robert constance here, denise malinowski maxwell here ray muscat here and tom winslow. Here, madam chair, you have a quorum.

A

Thank you tonight, moby councilman mo bedroom will lead us in the pledge of allegiance.

C

I pledge allegiance.

D

E

States of america.

C

And to the republic.

F

For which it stands, one nation.

D

E

G

A

And justice for all, thank you. Everyone, please be seated. First, we have agenda approval. Madam.

C

Chair councilman, they do the deal when I city council approve the agenda of the regular meeting of october 26 2021 as submitted support.

A

By councilman constant, is there any discussion, all those in favor say: aye aye, those opposed the eyes have it. Next we have approval of minutes. This is minutes from the electronically held regular meeting of october 12th 2021.

C

H

C

Abdullah abdela.

H

I moved that debunked city council approved the agenda for the regular meeting of october 26 2021 as submitted. No I'm sorry, I'm sorry, sorry wrong one. Is it the minutes? Yes, yes, I missed it. Sorry, um I moved at the demon heights city council approved the minutes for the electronically held regular meeting of october 12 2021, as outlined in item 4a support report, support.

A

Councilman bayden: is there any discussion? Madam.

I

Chair councilman.

A

I

There is an item which was the number submitted by the controller was off by around nine thousand dollars. That's motion. 21506..

I

I asked the controller to correct the number please and submit an amendment to reflect that number.

I

I ask the controller to submit an amendment next meeting to reflect the correction of the number he submitted to us last meeting.

I

I wish you would have asked mrs askin. She would have gave you the right number, sir.

I

I'm not going to go any further. I just want you to submit the right number to us. Please thank you.

A

Asking us to remove that from the agenda.

I

A

J

A

That's in the minutes, okay! Well, let's take a vote to what is that item number again. 21.

I

506., okay,.

A

This is from 1 21 506.. um Councilman of the hawk wants to remove that right now from the minutes. Until we get the correct number, all those in favor say aye those opposed the eyes have it. We will remove that and send that back for the correct number.

I

Here are the correct numbers.

A

I

A

Want to give it to.

I

Well, yeah, okay,.

A

Okay, at this time, is there any further discussion on the approval of the minutes with the removal of 21 506., all those in favor say: aye aye, those opposed the eyes have it. Next we have public hearing and comment on agenda items. There is a two minute limit. You come up to the microphone here. You can comment on agenda items. We cannot answer you back, though, so you can speak for up to two minutes. Council chair.

J

Councilman wenzel I'd like to speak on an agenda item. That's most likely going to be brought up uh item 9a before it could save us some time to run down the line through the public comments.

A

J

Take uh less than two minutes.

A

Okay, go ahead and get in line.

H

Ma'am chair: yes, I'm just thinking for just the proper protocol because we're not allowed to answer residents. Would he not have to comment as a citizen.

K

H

A resident as a resident, not as a council person,.

A

Right, you would be.

H

A resident yeah.

A

Okay, go ahead. We've got someone up here. What is your name? Yes,.

L

My name is charles blackwell. I would like to state about agenda item 11a, the owner of allen brothers, james allen sent offensive emails to me that were beneath the dignity of any profession, let alone a legal profession.

L

James allen told me that god destined for me to get shot and that's the reason that I'm paralyzed james allen made remarks sexual remarks stating that he can spread his dna into the world, and I cannot james allen also stated to me via email, that I was a pathetic little wheelchair boy. I am asking for this body to do the right thing and cancel the allen brothers contract. There are plenty of reputable and professional law firms in metro detroit that can serve this city. Thank you.

A

J

Yeah goody good good evening, good, I'm here to speak about item 9a and clear up a couple misconceptions.

J

Our intent by co-sponsoring this request to establish a public safety commission was to do something good for the overall safety and well-being of the residents of dearborn heights. Our vision is, for commissions, largely involve the public relations aspect of our police department and fire department.

J

We would also include the dpw and ordinance departments. Other departments may be added, if deemed necessary by the commission. Some areas that the commission could address would be city-wide, neighborhood watch programs. We have several excellent satellite neighborhood watch programs scared throughout our city.

J

I see no reason why we should not have the entire city involved in neighborhood watch programs. We should seek funding for these neighborhood watch programs. We should set a goal to have every street in devon heights involved in neighborhood watch programs within 12 months. The commission could look into city budgeting at least two neighborhood watch police officers to help residents establish and maintain top-notch neighborhood watch programs. The commission could also assist our fire department in promoting their events, including fire prevention week. Fire prevention week is a great awareness program for our residents.

J

Our fire department does a great job promoting the safety program, but they can't do it alone. Any firefighter will tell you. Smoke detectors are an absolute essential in every home. Our fire department has a great smoke detector giveaway program. The program includes installing the smoke detectors, if necessary in our neighbor's homes. I know for a fact that a large percentage of homes in dearborn heights do not have properly operated smoke detectors.

J

The potential for disaster is extremely high, a matter of life and death. The commission could help get the word out about these programs. Another great program, the firefighters offer, is file for life file of life, which is a refrigerator magnet packet containing vital medical information about the occupants of their home. In the event that the person needing assistance is the only one at the home, the commission could also assist in promoting fundraisers such as annual firefighters, cookie, chili cook-off, and making aware the charities, such as the great lakes burn camp.

J

The commission could help and assist the dpw as a city council member, a large number of my calls I get are related to dpw, which include trash pickup, trees and street damage problems. The other majority of calls I received are.

A

Okay, sorry time is up. Okay,.

M

Thank you next person.

A

We come up to the microphone. Please.

A

Two minutes.

F

Okay, names, leslie winless, two three, four: six: nine in napoli street dearborn heights, michigan, four, eight one, two five. um My comment is on 11 a and I just wanted to follow up from my comment at the last meeting regarding this item um and I kind of got choked up, because I didn't know that the person that this was said to was going to be here tonight.

F

I think it's very um disgraceful, and so I want to address two things that were said to me in response to my concern being brought up, and one was um a long list of things that this person said.

F

I guess that was supposed to justify what was being said. There's nothing that anyone could say that justifies somebody who works for a city saying these things. If it was one of you and I'm pretty close with most of you up there, I would feel the same way. I would feel that you should step down. I would feel that you do not represent our city.

F

We can't sit here and have a hate, has no home campaign and have all these signs around the city and then pay someone who says things like what was said and you guys all have a copy of it. The next thing I wanted to address was the comment about the fact that mr allen doesn't directly handle our um cases. His name is on the building, so any business that you give to him, as also stated by him, goes to his children's colleges, and I don't think that he deserves another penny.

F

So I need clarification as to why we can't just go with someone else for all of the things. I guess it was fema and some other things that were brought up, why we can't just go with another company that isn't discriminatory against people who are disabled, um I'll yield the rest of my time, and I really hope you guys answer this once it comes up on the agenda. Thank.

N

You good evening, madam chair good evening, mayor bazi and good evening, uh council members. um My statement really does not have anything to do with politics or condoning anything is basically just a direct statement about what I do and what I need to be done in the future.

N

Whatever decision nobody this about this honorable body makes an item. 11A is their decision obviously, and I would accept that obviously, but I think they need to transition through any transition very carefully. I'm as the director of cedd and cdbg like to emphasize that our department uses harry keller, caracas, as our designated attorney for the federal program.

N

Please take into consideration that harry is the designated attorney. He is currently working on quite a few projects with our department and just dropping them at um tonight basically will disrupt the department going forward. Please plan any transition very carefully, and I thank you all very much. Thank you.

A

O

Good evening, honorable, my name is david jones and I'm the other shareholder of allen, brothers plc and I stand today and respectfully request that you reject the council chair's recommendation as it relates to the allen brothers contract.

O

Not only does she misquote me in the proposed resolution as to the statement that our office put out saying we blame the victim, I'm going to read the part of the statement that she attributed to me. That clearly shows we did not blame the victim. First again, I would like to apologize like I've done in the past for anything anyone have made taking offense to mr allen's statements directed towards an anonymous person who we now know is charles blackwell.

O

But, more importantly, I would like to give this body a little bit of insight since 2000 january 2020, I'm the city attorney of inkster since 2020 mr blackwell has been filing frivolous complaints, dozens and dozens. I think it's reached a total of over 100, frivolous foia requests. We've been me, we and my partner have been subject to personal attacks, mockery.

O

All I have ever done as the city attorney in inkster is respond appropriately and legally. All we have done is gotten his cases dismissed, we've agreed to dismiss many of them, but that has not stopped the mockery that mr blackwell has done anonymously to me. My partner and members of my law firm again. We strongly urge you to reject the request by the council chair, and I would just end by indicating reading the bottom of my statement that was released to the press.

O

We have defended ourselves against the hyperbolic and unhinged attacks for many months in private and are saddened that now this has broken into the public view in this way, and I'm quoted saying that mr blackwell has attempted to use the first amendment. The open meetings act, the freedom of information act and now the press as a sword against our firm and against us personally. Thank you.

A

Your name- and it is two minute limit.

P

uh Thank you uh good evening, uh mr mayor council, chair and the other the rest of the uh respectable council members. My name is attorney ayad, I'm founder of the urban american civil rights league, a former commissioner of the state appointed by a former governor uh representing numerous civil rights organizations around the country and around the region here in southeastern michigan- and I say this not to boost myself but to talk about civil rights and talk about the importance of what the allen brothers has meant for this community.

P

Jim allen, I've known him for many years, I've known his family. I know that he has supported so many fights, so many causes to the vulnerable across this whole region. I can't there is not one individual from our community that has not been impacted and favorably with uh with the support of the allen, brothers and specifically jim allen. I know his heart, I know his soul, I'm not condoning. No one is condoning what jim did or said, or what have you.

P

But what we're saying is just because you have a physical disability does not give you. The right does not give you the right to sit there and bully other individuals, and I can assure you and I've dealt with the disability community.

P

When I was chairman of the airport authority, I can tell you one thing: they would be disgraced, they would be.

E

P

Towards us I mean I'm talking towards you. There would be disgrace the fact that all the good causes things that these individuals fought for, and yet this individual goes around for two years and bullies a certain individual calls them up after his father dies, who is very, very close to his dead and says some horrific things and hangs up talks about his daughter and her in her chest and everything else talks about his son and calls them a for two years.

P

Ellen brothers had at their disposal numerous things they could have done, including criminal investigation for harassment or things of this nature. He did nothing for two years this person continued and by the way, used an arab american female's name in the emails. I'm really truly disgusted that even some will be considering to support the bullyish act of this individual. Thank you.

A

A

Next, you have two minutes.

Q

Hello, I'm rachel lapointe and um from dearborn heights, and regarding item 11a, I would just like to say that um it doesn't matter if someone was responding to an anonymous email.

Q

The issue is that the city needs to contract with people who are behaving in an ethical and moral way and your actions when, when you're talking to someone anonymous, that shows your character. So I hope that the council doesn't get lost or bogged down in details about who said what or why it was said.

Q

What matters is the facts of what was said and that that illustrates someone's moral character and whether the city wants to be in a relationship, a contractual relationship with someone who is showing that kind of character?

Q

And that's all thank you. Thank you.

A

Anyone else, okay at this time, let's move on next item on the agenda is fund transfers and current claims.

C

Madam chair councilman fading. I move that the dearborn heights city council approved the current claim 6-1 through 633, as submitted support, supported.

A

By councilman constant, is there any discussion? Yes,.

I

Madam chair, I have a question about item 16.

A

Okay, councilman bill hawk, go.

I

To the department, I want to know if she exceeded the budget which she has, because the bill is for fifteen thousand dollars and in her budget there is only fourteen thousand three hundred.

E

I

E

I

Glass and metal incorporated.

A

On the microphone culture.

I

Okay, item 616.: they submitted bill for fifteen thousand and some dollars, and there is only in the budget. Fourteen thousand three hundred and three dollars did she exceed her budget? Does she have to come to the city council? Because it's over fifteen hundred dollars the access?

I

Does she have to come in front of us to ask to ask for more money for.

A

A budget amendment you mean.

I

Yes, comptroller.

I

Okay, I I do recommend that we remove this item until she comes with uh with the amendment to ask for more money to cover this expense. Councilman.

A

D

But I think she's using last year's budget money for.

I

It exactly but the bill is for 15 900 in some dollars.

D

Well, she's using 14 000 303 from last year's budget plus. I do believe that we gave her the okay to replace those doors not uh earlier this year we did.

I

Okay, if we did, then I was throwing my car.

A

Okay, we think.

I

A

Any further discussion in regards to this before we vote on it all those in favor say aye those opposed the eyes have it. Next, we have reports from there. This is the aflac group master application.

H

A

Councilman of gala.

H

All right uh here we go. Okay, uh I moved that the dearborn heights city council approved the aflac group master application city of dublin heights number 17738, subject to corporation council miyake's, further review and approval of the underlying policy documents. Further, the mayor and the city clerk are authorized on behalf of the city to execute the applica, the application and any other documents related to it. They are approved by corporation council miatki to put the group coverage into effect, as outlined in item a a support, supported.

A

By councilman bay dune is there any discussion, all those in favor say: aye aye, those opposed the eyes have it next item on the agenda is reports from city officials. This is councilman abdel hah councilman, muscat and councilman wenzel. Establishing a public safety commission.

I

Madam chair councilman.

A

I

I moved to approve this.

J

A

Councilman wenzel supports.

C

Council chairman, I just have a couple of questions on this. I think this is actually, I think it's a good idea uh for what it's possessing, but I feel like. We also need some information on this as well with respect to my colleagues on here. uh This is something that I I know I've had a conversation with the fire chief. uh This is something where it's a great idea, but I also think that this body needs to understand it a little bit more.

C

So I would love for this to be tabled to move to a study session.

C

Okay and- and I mean that with respect- because I don't know enough information on this yeah- and it's just it's something that I would want to learn about. I I I heard what uh uh you know our councilman uh tom once spoke about earlier today, and I I just want to know more information, and I also want to make sure that our police and fire also okay with this, and I also want to make sure that our police, the fire, also okay with this, you know, thank you so much, sir counselor.

A

Okay, I've got to try to finish councilman councilman muscat and I'm.

I

I'll be the last I'll.

A

Go the rest away: okay, yeah! Let me write over right now.

A

Yeah we're having technical difficulty tonight. That's not normal for us.

H

You just gotta bring your mic, usually they're,.

A

More sensitive tonight for some reason: they're not so I apologize go ahead. Please.

H

Okay, council, chair with, with due respect to this particular motion um I for one I did speak with both chiefs and I'd like to hear a little bit more from the council members in regards to their thought process. But I've spoken with multiple people in the police and in the fire department, and yes, I I do take into account and understand the fact that um there may be a little bias. Obviously there when they're, giving me their information and that's fine, but I'm I know enough to be able to dissect that.

H

But with that being the case, um you know I've always been the believer if something's not broken, why fix it- and you know- and I know- and I want to make it clear- I know this is no indication on the fire or the police department when they brought this forward by the council people. So I'm not indicating that. But with that being the case, I think we have a good thing going. uh Our police chief is doing a great job. Our police department is doing great.

H

Our fire department is doing a phenomenal job and I don't see personally a reason for this.

H

In addition to that, there were some things that were concerning, first of all, as far as how this is going to interact with act, 78, okay, as far as hiring is concerned, that's going to be very concerning because, in this with this particular commission, they'll be able to establish and administer the general policies of the police and firefight fighting functions of the city, and I have a problem with that, because no matter who you put on whether it's a council member and I'm just going to use myself personally, you know other than the fact.

H

I know that police carry guns and they give us tickets when we're doing something bad- and you know the firemen put out our fires, I mean in general, I don't know enough, and I don't consider myself educated enough in those two particular departments policies for me to administer and establish guidelines for them and policies number one, and if it's a resident it could be possibly the same thing. But again there is no problem to be able to add this type of a commission and the problem. I've got with that. You have two people in charge.

H

Now that are doing again a great job, I and I know that the council members didn't bring it forward as an indication as to the job they're doing, but I, unless I'm convinced otherwise, I don't see the advantages of this. Thank you. Thank you.

A

Councilman councilman thank.

R

You, mr constant, thank you madam chair. I agree with councilman abdullah. If it's not broke, don't fix it. I think this provision in the charter was put in when we had a volunteer fire department, a part-time police department, my father who's. I believe the only living charter commissioner said that they had a presentation from the city of highland park and uh they adopted acts 78 civil service. We have a police chief that has an mba a lot of expertise, a lot of training, a fire chief. That also has a lot of expertise.

R

We have a neighborhood watch program now. Citizen input, I know, is always welcome. We have a community police officer, but I think we need to leave the uh expertise of police and fire protection to the experts. Thank you.

A

Okay, I got councilman abdullah, I've know how good can you, oh.

J

Do you mind waving to me, so I can finish my reading my statement right before councilman.

A

Ray muscat.

D

uh Can you allow councilman wenzel to finish his statement from before or no or do I have to go first.

A

D

Go ahead, tom go ahead, go ahead.

J

Okay, just like I said before this commission, uh his intent is basically a public relation commission, the section in the charter which provides for establishing a public safety commission was written long ago. I feel our department heads officers in union representation have established general policies for their departments that are functioning well.

J

The commission has absolutely no intent on writing policy for these departments. The commission would consist, but not limited to representative of all departments included along with representatives from senior citizens and school districts. Also, participants may be added that would be deemed necessary while forming a commission. Our main goal is public peace and safety of persons and property. In our great city of dearborn heights, the commission will build a bridge between our various departments and the residents.

J

Our goal is to attract quality people to create a great place to work and live. This commission can be an important piece of the puzzle. Moving our city forward into the future.

A

Okay, councilman muscat.

D

Thank you, council, chair um with all due respect to my my fellow council members.

D

I I fully understand what we wanted to do with this, but in light I don't believe anybody else on the council knows what we really wanted to do. This was short vague.

D

I got phone calls from uh fire department, people, personnel and I I understand their their uh their feelings toward this, because they're not aware of what we really want, and I think the best course of action is what councilman um uh bay dunes said to to to move this to a study session.

D

So we can have everything outlined and to make sure that this commission never ever steps on the feet of the police or fire in their and how they run their departments, because I believe that would be the worst thing to do of having uh non-professional people tell professionals what to do so.

D

That's my say, and I guess we can go forward with um uh uh either a motion that mr um abdel haq put or uh councilman um yeah. I.

A

Too, do agree that we need more information on this, and I think a study session would be the best thing to do at this time.

D

We already have a motion on the table and a.

I

Second channel counselor, we'll have to say something sure councilman at the heart: either we follow the charter of the city or we don't. This is a commission in the charter. It was established long time ago. If this didn't happen before it doesn't mean we give away our responsibility to follow that charter.

I

I ask this council to follow the charter. No more, no less, then the details it will be worked out between the police and fire in the legal department in the administration. Then it comes back to us to approve it, but to be in violation of the charter is not acceptable to me. Whatever you want to vote on it's up to you, but personally I recommend this happen, whether today or next meeting.

I

If you want more information, I don't mind, and I hope that the fire in the police would have called me at least to ask me, since I am the sponsor of this. Apparently they ask everybody else except me. Nobody call me, but I do agree with mr mobile doom and I don't mind to set it for study session next meeting, not to drag it for next year or the year after.

A

Right, I want to follow the charter.

I

Or we are in violation of the charter, that is simple issue. There is a charter and we should have commission for ethics. We should have every commission, there is in the charter. We should follow it because the previous administration, if they didn't follow it, it doesn't mean we sit and do nothing.

I

We must follow the charter until we modify it, then we can talk about other things. Okay, as.

E

I

I don't mind to change my emotion to go to study session next.

A

I

Meeting, thank you.

D

I'll support that motion.

A

One hour um supported by councilman muscat, any further discussion before we vote.

C

I just want to understand- and I just want to say this a little bit here to my colleagues and thank you guys for bringing this forward. I think I mean no, I'm not nobody. I don't think anybody's shunning it down. I.

A

C

Just want to say, I think it's important that we want to get proper. You know information.

I

On here, that's all you have every right to know. I have been studying this for a long time. Probably it was my duty to talk about it more than just tray and time, but I couldn't because I will be violating you know the open act. You can do it individually individually. I will contact every one of you personally and discuss with you what we need- and I just not want to stop. I don't want the police on fire to understand or misunderstand.

I

We are not trying to step on their toes. We trying to help them do their job in a better way for the resident of the city. That's all and.

C

That's great- and I just want you know, and one of the reasons why I'm asking for a study session is because myself I have a lot of questions and, like councilman musket said it was vague. I didn't know what I was reading and I just didn't understand I mean it can be illustrated so many different ways, uh and so that was the I mean. But after listening to what councilman wanso said today, I mean it made some sense and seeing it moving in that direction.

C

I'd just like to have a study session and I'd like to hear from the police I'd like to hear from the fire and uh from the administration as well.

I

I'm sorry, madam chair, there is so many issues in the cities if just the police chief would sit at panera at night between seven and ten and see the dragon races see the noise which the cars the speed in look at it. The other day I almost got killed enjoying daily by somebody who didn't even recognize the stop sign.

A

Councilman we're out of order. Now I.

H

Have concern next because me, yes, okay, so I I tell you my experiences with with the police and with fire and never had a problem as far as calling them about just about anything and then give them giving me the right answers. But in addition to that I know, they've been very open. A different citizen input in addition to multiple town halls that I've been to where they've been there- and I know police chief mark myers- has been there and I know our fire chief has been there- they're- always open to ideas from citizens.

H

So the thing I wanted to understand in regards to this is as far as what is ultimately the achievement. That's trying to be for lack of better words achieved in this, and- and I don't understand the councilman hux uh comment about that- it's in the charter. I respect that and I get that. But with that being the case with the way the motion is, it doesn't clarify. What is the ultimate goal of this commission, and I know you guys are saying: let's have a study session and that's fine.

H

I have no problem with that, but I'd like to know what is the ultimate goal of this commission because there's an alternative to this, which would be like possibly an advisory board.

H

I have no problem with that, so in other words, it's made up of citizens, city council members may or whoever just advising or commenting on different things that they have concerns about and having them look into it. That's fine, but I'm not sure about a commission overseeing the police or the fire department.

A

Okay, if you don't mind councilman, I think that's something we will discuss at the study session. We've already agreed to take it to a study session. Any further discussion here.

H

I disagree with.

M

Council chair, I mean there was a statement that was made about the drag racing. I mean I there's two things I mean since that was brought up. I mean I can tell you that we've had a few meetings with the chief and some residents actually at the police station and the police has actually taken some strict laws right now against speeders drag racers they've impounded several cars already they've, given a lot of tickets, so they are taking precautions.

M

They are actually enforcing they're, doing everything they can that we authorize over time, so they're they're already doing that part their part with that, and you know with this here I mean it is I mean everybody said the same thing. It is vague even with that, with even with the study session. We really don't know what we're trying to do here, because I mean I can tell you I visited you know both the state, the police station and the fire department, our fire department.

M

You know I just hope that whatever we're trying to do here is not going to really infringe on some of their procedures, their policies, you know whatever they have in place right now, because I can tell you um I went to uh the far the first station. You know just about a few weeks back, you know, they've had people from other departments training in dearborn heights. You know they have some of the most sophisticated stuff to pick up.

M

You know semi trucks, you know of vehicles in case there's, you know a car gets rear-ended we're into a semi truck. So we just don't. We don't want to lose any of the procedures any of the policies. If we do get somebody uh in place. You know somebody for uh under this commission to write policies then start changing policies, that's kind of really. You know these guys they put their life on the line for for the citizens.

M

We just want to make sure that we're not going to risk their lives by changing anything any of the policies. So even.

A

Okay, thank you.

I

This time would you like to, I will repeat myself again and again and again we're not trying to step on the toes of the police and fire. They doing a great job, and I told them this many times and I'm not against them in any way, shape or form. I voted for everything they asked for since I was appointed, but this is a charter we follow it or not. Then the detail will be worked out with mr mayatki yourself and the chief, both of them in the city council. We're not going to create.

I

You know whatever you want the electricity we just want to help the police and fire do better job for the resident, no more, no less.

A

Okay at this time, let's take.

C

A

C

All those things, what are you voting on there's the motion.

A

Is to go to a study session with this okay.

C

So that's what's on here: okay, corporate.

A

S

uh Thank you. I I just want to briefly say this, because if it's going to go into a study session, then I think a few things need to be clarified. Otherwise people are going to come to conclusions about what they should do before. They know these things, so one the charter provision authorizes the establishment. It does not mandate it. So it's still with you in terms of discretion.

S

Two remember what I told you before with respect to act. 78 the pair prevails, so the collective bargaining agreement sets policies to the degree it does. Nothing else can end up being done. That's contrary to that. Secondly, acts: 78, is the general law of the state?

S

Is the next set of priorities followed by something that would be in the charter? So if you have things that are already being addressed either through the collective bargaining agreement or under act 78, those things would continue to take priority to anything. That would end up being done with respect to this.

S

So if you're going to come into a meeting with an idea, recognize it's all going to be subject to those limitations, and I would also encourage you to be very careful about your discussions so that we don't end up having a potential open meetings, act, um violation alleged based on uh the fact that someone might consider you to be deliberating. If you speak too,.

T

Much about this.

A

I

We understand there is act 78. We understand all these details, we're not. We are not stepping on those we're just trying to help in any way that police and fire to improve. You know what they doing they doing a great job. We want to do it better than just the grade sure. If there's a way, I.

S

Can assist in writing that so this is.

I

All in my mind and we'll go ahead and.

A

Let's vote and move on because we're going to discuss this in the study session. Anyways. Okay, all those in favor of moving this to a study session, say aye aye. Those.

H

C

H

D

A

Let's do a roll call, councilman, muscat.

D

A

Councilman constant, no councilman, abdullah, no councilman baidu, yes, councilman abdulhat, yes, councilman wenzel,.

J

A

Malinowski maxwell: yes, we are moving it to a study session. Okay, next item on the agenda is ordinances and resolutions. We have council chairwoman, malinowski maxwell resolution, allen, brothers, pllc.

H

Council, chair I'll, read it to get the process started.

H

um I make a motion that the diplomats city council adopt a resolution terminating the legal contract with allen brothers pllc and ask administration to search for another legal firm, acceptable to city council to replace them, as outlined in item 11a support.

A

Supported by councilman abdul hawk, is there any discussion.

R

A

R

We know well from the last couple of years, our administration picks the city attorney the uh with the consent of council. Our our city attorney picks the associate city's attorneys, this awful email, and I don't condone it at all.

R

This came to light to me just a few weeks ago. I don't know the background. I don't know the whole scenario.

R

I understand that there's been a lawsuit filed in federal court, but I don't think it's this council's place to in a vacuum just vote and say what we're going to recommend to the administration, because that's what it would be to terminate the contract that the cdbg department has with harry kalakarakis, who, I believe is of counsel with the allen brothers law firm. Thank you, council.

D

A

D

Yes, you know um no one should be talked to in that manner spoken to spoken about whatnot, but in all due respect to mr blackwell, mr blackwell did the same thing to me at a city council meeting putting my picture up. Taunting me, okay. So this is a two-way street here, so you know buttons try to get be pushed and there's no apology from him to me. That was seen on a city council meeting with my picture because of something that happened to me a few years ago.

D

So it's you know it's like the pot calling the kettle black here and it's just not right either for someone to push someone else's buttons and then claim some sort of discrimination.

D

uh I didn't feel well about it when he put my picture up on the city council on his site. I didn't care for it at all, so you know, what's done is done and what mr allen did or did not do, and I don't know how things went. No one should be talked to that way, but that goes both ways, sir, and so for us to to to do something like this. I I think it'd be cutting off our notes. Despite our face.

C

Council, chair.

A

Councilman beijing thank.

C

You so much, and I'm just going to echo a few things here. You know you know. I listened to the attorney speak today. I listened to you know some of my friends here today come out and speak, and you know nobody should be talked to that way um from from either party. In my in my personal opinion and what's happening here is it's it's embarrassing uh and it being brought up over here in front of this council.

C

I think internally, an investigation should happen from maybe our police department or our chief of police, or maybe we can investigate, maybe emails to see really what happened, because I don't know you know the depths of really what's going on here. I don't know if that's our time and place maybe uh corporation miyako can speak on this a little bit to see. Maybe if somebody from our police department can look and see really what happened and who's potentially at fault here, because again kind of like councilman musk, we don't know enough. I don't know enough.

C

I know that uh you know mr blackwell was discriminated against and I hear that you know uh an attorney that we use their form with is also being discriminated against. um You know it's it's more of a he said she said.

C

Maybe our police chief, if you can speak up on this a little bit, maybe or if corporation counselor, can speak up on it. Well because you're putting us in a position right now where we could potentially be putting the cdbg uh director at harms, but I also I don't want to work with somebody if they're doing any type of discriminating way in such a way.

C

So I just want to know what can we do as a body to see where we can investigate this a little bit more because we're being put in a position to make a vote right now by either keeping or eliminating?

C

But there's been no internal investigation, not by myself, not by any of my colleagues here today or by the corporation council or the police chief. So I'm not going to uh cut somebody's ties with us. um If we don't, if I don't know the I don't know, I don't know the details, can I.

A

Do a study session.

C

I don't want to do this detail I want to do. uh I want an investigation done and if, if mr blackwell here was discriminated in such a way, then guess what we don't accept it as a board and if it didn't happen, then we're not going to cut ties, but I think an investigation needs to happen. What's the statement.

A

Councilman abdellah.

H

Thank you constant chair, um I'm so.

C

I had two questions that it was one to either the chief of police or to corporation council management.

A

Please go ahead.

A

So that's what you get for sitting so far away from the microphone.

U

So councilman, I appreciate your what you're saying the police department will investigate crimes that originate or somehow associate with dearborn heights. My understanding, what's going on, has absolutely nothing to do with the criminal act within dearborn heights, so it's completely out of our jurisdiction to investigate this is a civil issue and an issue for council.

U

So if an investigation and I'll defer over to mr miyaki at this point, but we handle criminal acts within our city. From my understanding from what was brought forward, there was not a criminal act that occurred that I know of within our city. This has to do between a gentleman and a law firm in another city, so the police department would have nothing to do with a civil investigation over who should do um that. That would be correct.

C

Great, so we can't have any type of investigation we're put in a position to make it. We.

S

Could investigate my sense was with respect to looking into this further. I'm sorry, I'm having trouble hearing.

C

S

Oh, I'm sorry my sense with respect to looking into this further was there is litigation going on and asking mr allen, or actually telling mr allen or mr caldrakas who's the person who's the real contact to provide us information. Mr blackwell has made a number of allegations.

S

Mr allen has made a number of allegations. I think they're going to be going back and forth about those allegations and that's one of the best ways for us to obtain information to the degree we need it. So I mean I could end up. You know doing a further more in-depth investigation.

S

My personal feeling is, I don't know that. That's I mean if the if the council would feel that that would be an unappropriate use of my time and city resources. But if that was the sense of this body, then I would follow up and accordingly.

C

Well, honestly, I want to know the truth. I mean so if that means you know we're you know, depending if we're staying with the law firm or for not how much are we paying this law firm by the way we're.

S

Paying them the standard hourly rate of 140 per hour, they came in as just 20 higher than the other proposal, but they have tons of relevant experience with respect to the stuff they're doing with the grants and with the cdbg I mean you know really they're.

S

They were in, in my view, clearly the most qualified and lowest bidder um and they're. Not it's not like they're charging, something that's excessive by any means again. 140 per hour, our standard, corp council, hourly rate.

C

Well, I I will say to mr blackwell that I'm sorry that this happened to you and into um the allen brothers and from what's happening here. I'm sorry. If this happened to mr allen, I don't know the truth on this. It's very hard for me to go out and make a vote on this. I don't think anybody should be discriminated on either side uh again. This is also not a like the chief of police said. This is not a dear behind city council thing, but I will publicly say if this did happen to mr blackwell.

C

I would not support working with allen brothers and if mr blackwell did this to the ellen brothers, I also don't want to see myself cutting ties with the allen brothers, if they're also a reputable law firm from what the other attorneys have spoken earlier. So I just me personally: I want to know more information before going ahead and either shutting this and putting this on and with respect to uh our council chair, I wish I would have had more information on this. I know you sent a few emails simon.

A

I did provide you with the exact emails that were printed.

C

And I I read this on the detroit free press, but.

A

I did print, I did provide you with the court case and all the information is in there.

C

This is still in litigation right now, correct.

A

Yeah, but it's timelined as to the emails are real. Those those.

C

Are not disputed.

A

At all, so we know that's a fact and it's in here and everything was stated, that's why I wanted you to read that to understand it before you got here great.

C

So I just want to make sure that we can. I- and I don't want to vote this down. Actually even keeping the tabling this to my colleagues.

A

You want to table it to the next meeting and do a study session, because I.

C

Mean a study session doesn't give me enough answers, though I want well.

A

If you read all this, you will get your answers. I.

C

Did I glimpsed.

A

The chair, she obviously didn't, read it all, but it wasn't. You know. That's.

C

What I did I did it, I read it all.

A

I've got councilman, abdullah.

H

Thank you, council, chair, so, in regards to your the resolution uh from you, council chair, denise malinowski. There were some things in the resolution that I agreed with, and there are some things in the resolution that I think we should definitely put on hold and I'm gonna tell you where I'm going with this.

H

The first thing I'll I'll read a couple of these lines, which are very important that we, we say them the first one says, whereas the city of david heights is responsible for selecting contracts for city services and holding those contractors to standards of work, quality and ethical behavior very important. I agree with that. Whereas darwin heights strives to be a community that welcomes neighbors of all races, ethnicities, religions and disability status and the city council's actions should embrace those goals.

H

I totally agree with that, and actually, as a minority myself, no discrimination is okay with me. So I I totally agree with that, and I felt it myself. So I know what that feels like not from this particular case for towards myself, but in my life and then the next one, whereas the city of dublin heights city council condemns the email communications by attorney james allen, directed to charles blackwell, on account of his disability status that were used to intimidate, belittle and hurt mr blackwell again on this one.

H

I totally agree any type of comments or statements or emails or anything goes towards anybody, belittling them or or making any type of derogatory or or discriminatory comments towards anybody is not okay. In my book and and I've heard- and I made a lot of calls- I mean a lot of calls, try to understand. What's going on, I don't know just for full disclosure- I don't know mr um uh jim allen, I I don't know him whatsoever. I don't.

H

I remember ever meeting him as a matter of fact, uh but I did read up on this. I did search a lot of stuff online about this. I did call a a few attorneys that I know to ask you know just what they know about this thing and at this particular point I don't believe in my particular case. I am ready to be the judge and jury and say you know what we're going to cancel this particular law firm, just based on one proposal.

H

At the same time, though, however, I still think we need to make a decision eventually on this with a federal case still coming up. There's a federal case right now, and I read it and I thank you for sending that to me, um and I read it: okay, let's let the judges and in our system decide what is going on with this thing before we make our decision.

H

So therefore, with that being the case, what I think would be a better thing to do would be for us to put this thing on hold, and I don't know when the lawsuit was going to happen, and I don't know when it's going to end. But if somebody can give us an idea, then we'll put this thing on hold at this particular point until such time. I hypothetically 90 days: okay, at the same time, we'll put the firm on notice, and I heard it um unused apology.

H

Was it a great apology, honestly, no with due respect to a lot of attorneys? Obviously we all know they put just the right words together. Okay, so with that being the case, it was kind of a pc apology. No, I want an apology like I would apologize to my mom if I did something wrong, that's that is to me an apology. So, due respect to mr jamal, I would like to have a much stronger apology.

H

I've also heard throughout that this was meant to fish out who was sending him all these emails and his thought process. Jim allen's, that is, was by putting something like this out he'd, be able to fish out and find out who was sending him all these emails. We do respect him again. No, that is not okay, because that doesn't make it right. So that was his strategy.

H

I would not do it, but at the same time, there's accusations and I'm not gonna, I'm not gonna, repeat them, because it's not right for me to repeat them, and I don't wanna come out of my mouth, all kinds of accusations of things that the opposite side in this particular case, mr blackwell, was putting out. So with that being the case, I don't think we should be judging jury.

H

There is another quick sentence, I'd like to also add that we received an email all of us from a resident, and I like that as a possible idea.

H

One thing she mentioned is to end the relationship with anne brothers. I've already talked about how I feel about that, but she said end it with allen brothers, until they publicly apologize and undergo anti-ableism training by a disability-led organization.

H

That should be one of our criteria, no matter what we what we do with this I like, but I still think we should wait at least 90 days to see how the courts play this thing out. But with that being the case, mr blackwell, I am sorry that you had to go through this and I understand whenever there's hurtful words thrown at anybody, no matter who they are.

H

It is not a good feeling and I'm sorry you had to go through that. Thank you. Thank.

A

You councilman bill hub. Thank.

I

You I just want to share with the audience and mr black well blackwell,.

I

I want to share some little story with everybody and mr charles, I have a business in dearborn. I use to be very outspoken against the mayor of dearborn and every time I went filed the foia or spoke against the mayor.

I

My 11 windows in my store were shattered next day 11 times to find out after his death in 2006, two police officers from dearborn police force are the ones who wear to please. The mayor trash in my store was paint balls every christmas and shatter in my windows.

I

Every time I spoke on the city council and I used to be called mr charles. They called me nickname mr foyer, because I filed hundreds and hundreds in foyer and spent thousands and thousands of dollars, and I took the city of dearborn heights and beaten in the supreme court of the state of michigan twice because of foyer.

I

I feel your pain and I condemn in the strongest words what my friend, jim allen did. I know him and his dad and his family for the last 20 years.

I

I never knew him to say things like that, but there is petition you filed with the attorney grievance commission, normally from what I know within 30 days they investigate and they give you an answer. I don't know if that standard still stands or not. I would really recommend that we wait the 30 days or more and we bring this back if the attorney grievance commission found him in misconduct, I highly recommend that we terminate our business with him. If not, we should keep him because he has an excellent experience in this kind of work. Okay,.

A

At this time, do we want to amend our motion to table it for 30 days who made the motion.

D

Councilman abdullah.

A

Yes, would you like to well, I.

H

Don't mind amending it, but I think it should okay and I see councilman abdullah, okay, maybe we'll reassess because again there is a federal lawsuit and that's who's going to be deciding where this thing is going to go. I don't know when that is, but.

A

The grievance will come through quicker.

H

But you want to base it just on the grievance and the attorney.

I

Grievance will decide really because they are nine people on that commission and they are. Some of them, are chosen by the governor some chosen by their colleagues. I would think we take their decision above anything else, because the federal lawsuit might take two three years. Yeah.

H

Okay, but at the same time, but at the same time let's clarify here, do we want to tie ourselves to decide this just based on their decision, or are we going to just re-visit that that.

I

We have to revisit this with anything new comes up, but mainly, let's see what the attorney grievance commission says and we go from there. Yeah.

A

Okay, that's a good idea, so go ahead and amend that all.

V

J

Again, all right.

M

H

Council, chair.

K

H

Okay, I'd like to amend my motion in regards to 11a to table it at this particular point for 30 days from today and then come or more because it depends on when the next city council meeting would be around then to come back and revisit that as a council support.

A

Supported by councilman clerk.

H

Does that verbiage suffice, or do you want me to add anything, we're good, okay? Okay, thank you.

A

Okay, all those in favor say aye. Those opposed.

D

A

Okay, let's take a roll call: councilman muscat, no councilman constance, yes, councilman abdullah,.

H

A

Councilman bayden, yes,.

J

A

Abdel hawk yes,.

J

A

J

A

Malinowski yes, kate, passes. Next item is mayor: bazi wayne, county annual 2022 permit package and performance resolution.

D

Council, chair.

A

Councilman muscat. I.

D

Moved this, uh I moved at the dearborn heights city council approved the wayne county annual 2022 permit package and performance resolution for annual maintenance, pavement restoration and special events to be performed on wayne county wright, road right of way in our jurisdiction during 2022.

D

In addition, authorized robert conrad public works director to sign the documents on behalf of the city as outlined in 11b support.

A

Supported by councilman abdul hawk, is there any discussion, all those in favor say: aye aye, those opposed the eyes have it. Next we have comments from council members.

C

Council chair how.

A

Much one do you do I.

C

uh I just got a few things here to say, uh first and foremost uh in case I did not mr blackwell, I'm sorry that this happened to you, I'm sorry that these comments were being said. I condemn all those type of talking and that's not acceptable to anybody.

C

um Secondly, I also want to kind of just give my prayers and love to mr um mr b doing in the family. I know who works for the city. He just lost his brother, uh mr ali baedoon's, brother hajj. Nazepi doing so. um You know I just want to give my love and support to him and rick watlin and their team, and I know councilman muscat recently has been going through some things, and so my my heart is with you and your family.

E

Thank you. Thank you very kindly.

C

Sir sincerely um just a few things that I know I kind of focused on at the last meeting that I'm just going to continue to reiterate, there's a lot of these trees in our neighborhood in our community that are dead and that are falling. You know, as I walk through the south end of dearborn heights. I want you to know it's upsetting upsetting, because it's really is so beautiful, but when you walk- and you see these branches- I kid you not. There was a branch.

C

Massive branch and all I had to do was tug down and it's falling, and if the wind were like it was today, had I not pulled that branch down it was going to hit and it you know it could have injured anybody. um So I really I'm asking this administration to please.

C

You know when the time is right to figure out what we're going to do with a lot of these dead trees, uh especially because they're on city easements and it's dangerous. I had somebody recently sent me a picture of their mother-in-law running after their grandchild and because of the roots of the tree lifted the sidewalk. She tripped and her whole entire face was bruised.

C

You know I I again I apologize to the resident and I apologize to the mother-in-law, but this is something that we really need to really focus on. I think uh alid is doing a phenomenal job, but this is something that we really need to consider. The trees is something that I'm going to continue to to question and bring up at every single council meeting. Secondly, I know some of the council members, like myself, received a letter to their personal home about what's happening with the uh with the you know the garbage bin.

C

I want you to know me personally. I thought it was only me at first, but I received something you know bashing another uh garbage company. You know I. I thought it was just pointless to kind of just strong arm another company. At the end of the day. I want to look at all the facts. I don't think anybody should have mailed anything to our home. I mean at least I received one. I know some of some of the council members have as well. You know you know, I'm in my house.

C

It's me my wife, my son, my dog, I don't I don't want to get city council things there, send it to my p.o box or send it to my city uh mailbox. There was no need for anything to be mailed there. I thought that was you know, and I've received some phone calls. You know for for being outspoken on what's happening with gfl and look had geophile, not failed us, I would have been outspoken um and with that said, madam chair, I know it's election season coming up the following tuesday.

C

I know madam chair is sitting over here at lincenia who's doing a phenomenal job. I wish you and your staff dana all you guys kathy a wonderful job and I'm wishing the best for all the candidates. Thank you. Thank.

A

You councilman abdellah thank.

H

You ma'am chair um two things number one just highly highly highly recommend to all the residents to just go out and vote doesn't matter who you vote for, but this is a right that we all have in this great country that we should not take for granted and sadly, as madam clerk can tell us, the percentage of people that go out and vote is just way too low, not just here nationwide.

H

So please, please, please, go out and vote this coming tuesday or you can go out and vote absentee and register for absentee at the clerk's office with that being the case. In addition to that, uh my dad highly highly co went in and saw some services uh at the clerk's office, and they gave him just absolutely great service without knowing that he was my dad, but he came back and told me about how great their customer service was. So I was not surprised.

H

So I kudos to you, ladies in that office, we are so blessed in dublin heights. You guys have no idea to have the best clerk's office in the nation period.

H

The other thing is we are continuing to have. Problems is a lot of you guys know with the current garbage collector and I'd like to get an update from uh our mayor as far as where that's going as far as the the bids have come in as far as what we're planning on doing. I've spoken with lee gavin multiple times about different complaints and different garbage that it has or has not been picked well, has not been picked up and he's done a great job trying to help us and the residents.

H

But this is continuing to be a problem and they, unfortunately um I don't say the words that that's our strategy, but it could conceivably have been one of our strategies to scare them into hey, get the job done. Maybe we'll keep you guys, but unfortunately, we're still in the same spot. We were at three months ago or two months ago or four months ago, and I know it's not your fault, mr mayor, a lot of twenty.

H

So if you don't mind giving us an update as far as where we're at as far as possibly finding a new garbage collecting company. Thank you.

M

Also chair, you want me to talk now. I actually have other items I wanted to discuss as.

E

M

Just talk about the other items: okay, thank you. So I guess we'll address the first one with the garbage garbage pickup uh we did have uh about a week or so back uh all the companies that actually bid on on the garbage collection. They all came. We opened all the envelopes and we looked at the bids and there was one good potential uh company and- uh and I apologize councilman baidun.

M

You brought this to my attention, this company that actually sent you uh or somebody sent you uh uh an email or a mail bashing, one particular company. That was actually the company that came in with the best quote and I'm kind of disappointed, because I've heard that from another city councilman not from dearborn heights, that same same strategy was used at another city.

M

Well, I can tell you right now: priority came in the lowest and both five years and the 10-year contract. So I'm sorry, eight years, yeah, five and eight years, I'm sorry five and eight year contract. So they came in the lowest.

M

So my administration would be preparing something at the next council meeting for the council to to vote on and we're doing a lot of checking with other municipalities, with that particular company to check about their customer service and unfortunately uh um that was very bad taste. Actually, uh councilman uh brought this to my attention. Also, he actually brought me a copy which is kind of stupid. Excuse my language, but I've never actually seen anything like it that a company would actually send something like that.

M

You know bashing, a company that that came in the lowest bid, and I can tell you at the meeting when we opened all the bid sheets. There was the companies that made the bids and also was myself, my chief of staff, emergency manager and mr conrad.

M

There was nobody else in that meeting, so I don't know who came up with this, but I can assure you probably from one of the companies that was on a bid sheet and with that we will be choosing something here shortly and we'll put on an agenda for you guys to approve or disapprove just give me a uh another week or so I put on an agenda for the next meeting. Thank you so much, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! uh So the other thing is uh this: set.

M

Last past saturday we had uh we had a meeting with wayne county executive and his staff and also city officials from dearborn heights, and also a contractor that came into the e-course creek. So that was the initial cleanup day, so we pulled a lot of stuff from the ecorse creek, and that was we wanted to uh find out really how much work that needs to be done to the ecorse creek.

M

We pulled actually five shopping carts, including them and all the logs, and there was a scooter.

M

Actually, mr conrad told me uh today there was a scooter that was pulled out of out of the ecorse creek and there's actually many many other items there still so we we do have a plan early spring, a big initiative uh to go and tackle some of the things in the e-course creek and bring in you know more more trucks and pass. You know suck out the soot that is actually coming out.

M

You know that they're the dr the drains going into the ecourse creek, because some of them already have full or even to the top. So a lot of water is not going into the creek. So we are working on that and mr deeb is uh is looking at that he's, assessing that that the situation with uh with the e-course creek and that's one of the reasons that we we want to accelerate purchasing homes off the e-course creek, a couple of streets that rated high you know flood areas to tear down those homes.

M

You know we actually had a meeting today with fema and we're talking about a lot of grants that are available, that we can purchase homes and demolish them and possibly using the area for a retention base in some of the homes. So I hope that's. Okay, but.

H

Yeah, well, I commend you for something for keeping ecorse creek at the front lines of things that our city's gotta continue to look at because again, this has been way on the back burner for a long time, and I commend you for continuing to be and then also I. I commend the fact that our city has a good working relationship with wayne county because, as you know in the past, sometimes there's a little bit of a rocky relationship.

H

I don't know if I should say this publicly, but yeah, I'm glad we're going in the right direction. Well,.

M

Mr warren evans, the warren county executive, was was there on saturday, I think with congresswoman rashida and they committed on working together with the city of durban heights, and I want to commend some of my staff that were there, you know dpw. Were there mr conrad, mr blackburn, mr ali, deep? They all got down and dirty in the creek trying to get a lot of the stuff, so they, uh mr conrad, his wife, actually showed up as well, and uh she was. uh She was dragging huge branches uh to the uh augers.

M

So uh thank you uh for uh for taking the time out of your schedule on saturday with that to help us out.

Q

M

Thank you, yeah, and also because.

A

We made it, we.

H

Need we need the county's help like know tomorrow on this and the states and the federal government's health, because, as a lot of residents may or may not know us as a city, you just don't have enough funds to be able to take care of that problem. So I'm glad there's a good working relationship trying to solve this problem. Thank you. Yes, thank you.

A

Council councilman abdullah thank.

I

You, madam chair, I want to thank you, maya. I want to thank you mayor for what you do and he's busy hello.

I

I want to thank the mayor, yes hassan, I will say it again for what you're doing and the good relation with wayne county. That is great and I hope it continues like that and last meeting we were promised that we will have the forensic auditors here, and I don't see anybody here today, so I don't know why and lots of residents have been asking me specifically, what did we find?

I

Did we find anything? Do you know anything you like to share with us and with.

M

Well, I thought the council was going to put on an agenda, so I was waiting since I don't. The the mayor does not control the council agenda.

V

M

You guys put on the agenda, but one thing I want to tell you that it has to be a zoom. The auditor will not come in in person wants to do zoom. So if we do schedule for them to go over some of the findings, you know please schedule a zoom meeting with them, because he will not do an in-person meeting.

I

Madam chair, I move to bring the uh to authorize you to talk to the auditors to bring in.

A

I

It's not your job.

M

Councilman I just put on an agenda. I will bring him he's right, he's ready to come to a zoo meeting, so you guys schedule the meeting and I will make sure he comes there since you guys control the agenda quran agenda and I will make sure that he's present via zoom.

I

E

M

I

Send you you know the problem is mr mayor. This could be my last meeting of city council because my term ends the 2nd of november and if I don't win the election, I will be out. So that's why I put some of those items which I consider them of importance to me and to the residents on this agenda.

I

So I I have a chance to talk about them and to present my way in my case to the resident to the public.

I

That's the reason, because the second of november, if I don't win the election, I am out, and that is the reason all these things were brought in today and I would like to suggest, since I don't believe the lowest bidder is the best that you put the bond of half a million dollars on any company, we're going to choose to pick up the trash that we can use any time. They are not in compliance and they don't do their job.

I

We can use that money immediately to hire other companies to do that, job for them and we.

A

Pay from that idea.

I

I would like that to be entertained in any agreement with any company. You choose okay. The last thing I want to say I really want to thank my colleagues. It was pleasure, nine months working with you, I might have differences with some of you, but I always consider you, personal friends, no matter what exchange happened between you and I and to the heads of the departments.

I

You made my job lot easier because every time really, I called you. You went out of way to answer my question each and every one of you without exception. So thank you for everything you're doing for our residents and to the clerk. You always been a good friend of mine and you always been there when I needed any information, any contract anything and to donna and everybody in your office. You guys are a blessing in the city. Thank you for everything you do and mayor.

I

I consider you a very, very close friend and I supported you from day one. I met you and I wish you good luck in your job and anything you need whether I am on the council or outside you have my full attention and anything you need any help. I am willing to do. Thank you. Thank.

A

A

Councilman councilman go ahead. Please.

D

Thank you, council chair. um I just want to say you know years ago. What brought me to city council was blight and blight is what's going to keep me here until we see a massive cleanup in this city.

D

It's uh you know, things have got to change somewhere along the line um and it starts with a residence. It's it really isn't the city's fault. It starts with us, the homeowners, and if we as homeowners, don't take pride in where we live, then we have nothing. We have nothing.

D

I see you know lately it's my wife that now that's doing it. Since I've been kind of down and out with my shoulder she's going down the street and cleaning off the leaves off the storm drains, so the water can drain.

D

And then you know there was a time that she told me I was a kook sitting out there with an umbrella and a shovel cleaning off the the greats in the in in the in the streets, but now she's doing it, and um uh you know- and I I hear the voices of the people complaining about the speeders and uh the drag racing and um stop signs.

D

uh You know it might as well just take all the stop signs in a city down because it seems like nobody even cares about them anymore, and what I want to bring back one more time is. I brought it forward a few years ago about having some sort of traffic control device out in front of crestwood high school.

D

I don't care if we put some sort of we, you know beach daily, belongs to us at that point right on their school zone, slow down, put some sort of light. There that's flashing, so uh kids can cross the street instead of having to walk all the way down to to beach to ford road or all the way down to wilson across the road.

D

You know we have some autistic kids in the neighborhood that crossed that street and- and I watched these cars flying down beach daily- and I said my god somebody's going to get killed and at one point someone said well, that's a big cost to the city. My contention is: what's the cost of one life, I mean we need to go back and look look at that again and help some of these people who have children across across the street uh that don't get bust or you know parents don't think they need to drive their kids.

D

I mean they just live right across the street, so I'd like for us to look at that one more time. If we possibly can, I can support.

H

That councilman.

D

Good idea and um and residents, let's take it upon ourselves- let's you know, put the trash cans where they belong. I watch the street sweeper going in and out trying to clean the street. You can't clean the street because the trash can is in the wrong spot. People leave their trash cans out to the day before the trash comes pick up the next following week.

D

I just don't know what to say to these people. I don't know if I should knock on our door, say: hey move your trash can, but let's have a little pride in where we live. It starts with us.

D

uh You know we only have so many people that work in dpw, and so many people work in ordnance and I'm glad to see, as I was going through, the packet today of the court cases that ordinances it has going forward uh to the courts now uh they're doing a good job, with the tools that we've given them and the manpower that they don't really have and the work that dpw does with their being short-handed is just outstanding and and of course, our police department of fire department are second to none fire department.

D

Thank you for helping me my mom, my mother-in-law um and the police that are out there on guard 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Thank you.

A

Thank you, councilman baidu wants to say two words and he promised to keep it to two words.

C

I I just want. I just want everybody well.

A

C

On quick, second happy halloween, everybody be safe this weekend, go to all the trick or treats and trunk or treats and remember this weekend on saturday go green.

E

C

D

Councilman cole, green, I think you fell on your head.

A

Councilman wenzel.

J

You know like councilman, muscat was saying about the blight issue. I was asked recently by no local newspaper about my opinion on a couple things in dearborn heights. Our ordinance department can write a ticket for tall grass and in two weeks, send a contractor out there to cut it and charge the homeowner. Why can't we do that with a blight?

J

Why do we have to wait months and sometimes, six months or a year, to solve a blight issue? We have to give our ordinance department the power to send a contractor in there to clean up blight in a reasonable amount of time within like a couple weeks or a month, and another thing he mentioned was a stop sign at crestwood.

J

That's another reason why, on the public safety commission, we want to include school district officials because we're all part of the same city, even though we have no jurisdiction over the school districts they're in our they're in our city, and we we have to work together.

J

I want known that I don't condone any of the language and the emails in item 11a. No one should be should be subject to such such uh comments and the wait for court decision on making our decision. I think we should high of our own standards and be have higher standards for the residents of dearborn heights and not wait on someone a court decision. This is our city.

J

It's our decision, it's not someone else's and um we shouldn't let them dictate what we do and as far as the clerk goes, there's election time coming up and the the clerk's office is doing a great job and obviously, with this election, you'll you'll know how fast we get the results almost immediately, and uh one thing that you don't know is uh us counsel. People up here. We read these motions. These. We say these fancy motions that we we present for each one of these, and that's not us talking. That's the clerk's office.

J

They write these motions for us to read: it's not us, it's them, so they're, the ones that deserve the credit. For that. Thank you.

A

Madam clerk, I'm sure you have something to say.

B

Yeah there's an election coming next tuesday november 2nd. um I would like to let you know that the clerk's office will be open this friday for election business only from nine to four in saturday from eight to four so come and see us we'd love to issue we've issued over five thousand absentee ballots right now about just under sixty percent have been returned, but just to let you know. Last november we issued 16 000.

B

okay, so there is a big. Obviously it's a local election, but it's just as important and maybe more important. Okay, so come and see us.

B

We will be there as far as those have that have um absentee ballots at home. Fill them out the quicker you get it into us, the better.

B

I don't know if I would put them in the mail being being it's closer to the election right now we do have a drop box down at the jfk junior library. We have one at the end of the walkway at city hall as well as we have one connected right to the building. So any of those are open. 24 7 we'd love to zap some more in before election day, and then thank you for all the the comments about the clerk's office.

B

We have a phenomenal staff, although you only see four of us in the office, there's a pr pit crew that that is, seasonal, that comes in prior to each election as well as thereafter that sits in the it's not sits in the back works in the back in in and gets all this stuff um everything ready for the election uh they process and keep track of the absentee ballots. They get.

B

The you know test the equipment for us if we need them to test the equipment, they do just just about anything that we need them to do as well as the deputy clerk and I just finished last night training, all of our poll workers and those we have probably about 150 that work just that day between the polls and the absentee county board. We also have a wonderful working relationship with crestwoods national honor society, where we have a student at each one of the precincts that helps with us that aren't so tech savvy.

B

We are, but you know they were born. These kids were born with computers, so we love that relationship as well as all of our um all of our staff. So I do wanted to let you know a couple more things. We do have sample ballots that you can visit our website. It'll tell you the positions that are on there, as well as the the you know, the actual sample ballots.

B

um If you have any questions, even though this is a local election, there are some things on the election that might not be so clear. There's partial terms, there's full terms, there's right there. There may be writing candidates for um for physicians, so give us a call 313-791-3430.

B

And we can help you out with any questions you might have and oh two more things.

B

If you want to know any more about the candidates, you can visit the league of women voters website nonpartisan, it's vote, vote411.org and if you have been issued a absentee ballot and want to you can track it online. You would visit michigan.gov vote. You would know when the ballot was issued to you as well as whether or not we have received it and we receive the ballots daily as far as zapping them in so you know exactly that. We receive them.

B

They don't get counted until election day at the av county board and get out and vote.

A

Okay and last but not least, is councilman constant and then we will move out to the public.

R

Thank you, madam chair, regarding the loud mufflers, the speeders and our many residential areas. I know our police force is out ticketing as much as they can in the neighborhoods and we're not the only city. Dearborn has a terrible problem, especially on ford road, um but really before someone is killed, uh people really need to slow down.

R

um I, too think that the tree ordnance that was originally authored by when one of our councilmen needs to be redrafted, and if somebody has a large tree on the city property on the tree lawn, if they want to cut it down, they should be able to cut it down, and I have a draft of an ordinance that I'll circulate to everybody.

R

I, too want to say what a great job the clerk's office is doing. um They were there late last night and I probably interrupted them and I'm sorry.

R

They're working 14-hour days, I too uh share the outrage of the comments that were directed towards mr blackwell. I have yet to understand the full context.

R

I've known attorney james p, allen for over 20 years, and I was very surprised to find out.

R

He would have been the author of those comments and I it shouldn't go unnoticed, but I think we have to know the full context. Thank you, madam chair.

A

Thank you at this time. I will open it up to community comments and then it will be public comment.

C

My favorite community comment coming up yep.

H

Radio announcer.

G

Hello, council, chair and mayor first off this saturday on october 30th at carolyn, candy library, from 6 to 10 p.m. We will be doing a trunk or treat and haunted mini golf event. We will have two nine-hole courses at ck, raffle prizes, a book giveaway, treats and more for everyone. The library will be taking donations for goodfellas for the event, so have fun and make sure no child gets left behind.

G

If you want to sponsor a trunk or donate, please leave a message via facebook or or call 313-791-3800, and leave a call back number and we will return. Your call also wanted to give thanks to uh some of our trunkers and donors uh rachel point mo baidun, the dearborn heights, firefighters, raiders football, the community and cultural relations, commission, the friends of the library, c, l c s, healthcare and other community members for doing trunks or sponsoring the mini golf event. I also want to thank the police department and building maintenance for their assistance.

G

They gave us a lot of physicians, so next I wanted to talk about an upcoming technology program at jfk library, uh saturday november 20th, at 1 pm. There will be a program on the future of robotics there's going to be a robotic dog. I don't know if anyone's seen the video with robotic dog dancing with the band, but um it's going to be a robotic dog similar to that a drone demonstration and a presentation on our 3d printer that was donated by ieee.

G

Please call 313-7911.

G

Reservations, so thanks for your time and see you at the library.

S

Thank you. Thank you.

W

Hello, everyone good evening. uh I just wanted to once again remind everybody that we do have a fema grant in process today. The meeting that we had with mr jamal, as well as the michigan state police, was the next step in our process. For this grant the first one that we're going to need to finish is the home purchasing uh that we're doing along the hanover street and courier street of the acres creek.

W

So I just want to remind everybody that if you know someone that's been affected by the creek and leaves right adjacent to it to please contact the mayor's office if they need a physical form, we have some in city hall or we can gladly mail it to them so that they can fill it out and we can put them on our application for this grant. So just a quick reminder on that again, we should be done with the application by next month. So time is running.

W

A

X

Okay, I'm gonna do the announcements portion now nancy breyer and the two that I have one starts tomorrow evening and we've already talked about the lovely work that was done on behalf of the e-course creek on saturday.

X

I'd like to thank everybody, and let you know that the public is welcome to the second meeting of the ecorse creek commission from 6 to 8 pm at 333 south beach daily, and this is a new commission- we're working very hard with the mayor and mr ali deep and quite a few of the people that are involved in this. So if you have any concerns, questions want to hear more or the latest. Please come to our meetings and you'll be right up with it.

X

When is that meeting it's tomorrow night, uh it's going to be the fourth wednesday of the month from six to eight. So it's the 27th, which is tomorrow.

C

33 south beach daily.

X

Triple three five south beach daily three, three, three five.

B

It's posted on our website too, underneath it.

X

Is posted on the website, so this is kind of a friendly reminder and then, if tomorrow isn't enough for you with the creek on thursday evening, we have another meeting opportunity at the same address from seven to eight thirty, with the south dublin heights, civic association, we will have mister kinesic david knight speak on what's happening with the county, and hopefully we can ask him for more money for our creek.

X

um So please be there too to to witness that, and we have our favorite librarian will be there, because we'll also be talking about yes, mr mccaffrey, and we will be talking about uh things in dearborn heights, historical sites, uh how things happened and a little bit of a history dearborn heights in the surrounding area. That meeting is 7 to 8 30., so you have at least two opportunities this week to come and see us at that same location. Thank you. Thank.

A

You now it is public comment. uh Time limit is three minutes and sir after her I'm gonna. Have you go because you've been coming to too many meetings and you leave because it gets too late. So I.

Y

Know yeah rose true, pepe tulane street dearborn heights. Please get rid of the garbage gfl. I put mine right in my driveway and I find them in my neighbor's front lawn and I'm just tired of it. This might not be the proper place, but since march the 15th I have tried to get a meeting with mayor. Bassey never happened and it just getting worse and worse and worse, I asked to meet you, I'm sorry. I asked to meet him. I end up with denise kim constance. I don't want to talk to them.

Y

They cannot help me. I need the mayor's help. The eaton center needs you there. We got a letter that the guy they're fixing the bathrooms. Well, it's been what two months now there's not even one done what is going on we're losing people they're all quitting.

Y

We have a new girl in wonderful girl that she's here tonight katie, but we need people there. We need workers and we don't have them, and I asked you in the last email do I need to set up the meeting or does the mayor need to set it up? Whichever way it has to go, let's get it done, because it's getting ridiculous out there.

V

Y

You and have a good night. Thank you, mr mayor.

D

Council chair a response to this, please yeah, oh.

A

Okay, go ahead.

D

uh Okay, uh well, hang on a second, mr mayor, please um you know we were talking about getting. You know, a new trash pickup company and I'm hoping that we get to. You know to speak with these companies before we vote on who's going to pick up the trash.

D

uh You know we went through this debacle a few years back with gfl and we were almost forced to pick a one company. I don't want to have to go through that again I mean it made. You know we voted, no, no, no, no, yes, yeah and it come down like five or six times before somebody just finally gave it and said yes, I want to be able to talk to these people. Maybe.

A

We should have a study session for that.

D

I I believe that you know.

A

D

To bring all the pertinent people and the companies in and and talk to him, because I understand mr pepe's problem- I I watch them pick up. My can and drive it to my neighbor's house. uh You know, uh maybe, for somebody like me, won't be still bad walking on there, but you got people that aren't you know able to walk far or you know, carry that big can any further into what they have to, and I believe mr mayer has something to say about the meeting that was requested.

D

M

uh Okay, so there's there's a lot of mix up here with what was said uh initially, when mr pepe uh asked for a meeting, it was re, it was a legal issue and that's when I wanted to actually discuss this with mr miyaki. It was an issue and there was, uh I don't want to say too much over here, but it was something about legality that could put the city at uh at. um I guess a risk for lawsuit, and that's one of the reasons why I actually wanted mr miyaki to be involved.

M

You know with with that meeting so after that I know we discussed that and again we want to discuss all the pertaining to that one meeting that you requested, and you know you. You asked the same question when during an endorsement here with the uiw, I told you the same thing so with the meeting that you guys set up at the eaton.

M

I was not aware of the meeting you guys set it up, and nobody told me that there was a meeting until I found out from a couple of people in this room other than you. They told me there's a meeting at the iain center and it was the same time we're having meetings with. I came up with either with the state or the county and the eaton there's, there's already work being done. I know there's contractors over there and I know my my director is doing an amazing job uh kim constant at the in center.

M

Both you know at the end and also the berlin. So I don't know what the issue is with that you know with the work. I know there's work being done right now, so the other thing with staffing you know we do have. You know we interviewed. You know several several people for for the positions and I know we're in the process of going to that process with the hiring. So we are looking at that- and I know we just brought in not too long ago, with a deputy director to the parks and rec.

M

So I don't know what the concern is. You know we are working on the eaton center and also we are looking to hire people. We interviewed they've done the testing so we're in the process of that. As well,.

A

Okay, thank you. Go ahead, sir. You have three minutes your name, please sure.

K

My name is larry henny. I live in on hickory uh bridge in uh dearborn heights. A couple of years ago I ran for city council. I got beat like a drum and that that was sorry about that.

K

But one of my main priorities was the the flooding at the south end and to me, that's probably one of the most important issues that that the city can deal with, and I just want to thank the mayor, and I want to thank the city council for getting started on this and and moving on it because, because I think that's probably the most important part of of getting things done in the city. Thank you. Thank.

G

You thank you, sir.

K

C

Z

C

I just want you to know I've watched you come into the last three city council meetings.

E

Yeah, I'm up here.

D

Hey, that's my old neighbor man leave him alone. It's your old neighbor! Yes! Well, it looks like a young neighbor. Well, we'll go back a long way.

C

ah Cross knight street two: three, you don't know what is the very large seven years.

C

I love this. Thank you so much for coming about this. This is my kind of work.

H

Council chair, if you don't mind just for disclosure, the gentleman asks for extra time, so we will be giving them extra time because that's what he asked for in the council chair allowed it. Thank you. Go ahead.

Z

Okay, my name is ron frenzy and I live on fairwood and my my presentation is really timely because all these council members are talking about cutting of trees. So I'm here to I'm here seeking your help to cut down a hazardous tree using dearborn tree or some other company across my street at 6230. Fairwood is a very large tree, approximately 70 feet tall and it's uh it's actually hanging over some houses and it's about and it's between the sidewalk and curb.

Z

So it's a city tree and it's breaking up two sidewalk squares shedding branches, all the time and it's leaning over two neighbors homes and cars in their driveways, causing great risk to their family members and property. Before someone really gets hurt, please have dearborn tree or someone else cut down the whole tree and grind up the stump. It's a real hazard for those two homeowners, both council members ray mr ray muscat and mr ray saw her abdulhaqq, have seen this tree and have deemed it hazardous because the large branches were leaning over two adjacent houses.

Z

This is very rare, very rare that large trees have branches over houses.

Z

Considering the ordinance department, the orange department has adopted to protect the health safety and general warfare of residents ordinance ensure the different heights continues to be clean, safe and works to protect your investment as a homeowner. Therefore, by ordinance this tree should be removed and the stump ground up. It pulls the health hazard. It's not safe and is against the general wear fell of the residents where the tree is leaning. It is not clean, presents the situation that imperils the investment of homeowners, damage to homes and cars will far exceed the cost of the tree.

Z

Removal action as soon as possible is needed. I believe dearborn tree is needed because to cut down this unusually large top branches, you need rope to lower the branches to the ground, so they will not fall on the roof of the two houses. A good trim will not do the job, because the large branches are at the very top of the tree, leaning over two houses.

Z

Thank you for your consideration. Also. This is also a protective action to hinder future property damage and personal injury, just as the city plows the snow to prevent possible accidents or sweeps the streets to keep them clean or has a fire department that has inspections to prevent future fires. So too, should the city give a contract to different tree to remove this hazardous tree, to stop the potential injury to residents and their property, and with the second page, you can see the the top two are the trees leaning over these two houses.

Z

This is again is very rare, and that's because the tree is leaning, all these sycamore trees are all leaning. And what spurred me to do this is the last tree. My tree was right across the street and we had on august 11th a large storm, and my tree was look. It looked that was alive and it blew over to my neighbors on top of my neighbor's car and it crashed right on their their roof, their windshield and their bumper, and they were hopping mad at me.

C

I live around a block from you, I know exactly where this tree is yeah. I remember this and I seen this yeah there you go so.

Z

So that kind of that kind of spurred me to come and do this to kind of like pay penance to the to the fellow that has had so much damage to his car. So as a kicker, I have a valpak coupon for a dearborn tree and you can save 400..

Z

So my only question is: who do I give this coupon to give.

C

It to mr deeb he's the best, and you know what mr deeb honestly. This is something we're talking about. We, the trees, are definitely an issue. I know that tree he's talking about and one of the issues that I had. I think I brought it up to you believe it or not, uh and I seen it after that big storm, I mean the the trees- are clearly an issue. I know we are a city of trees, but there's a lot of dead trees.

D

You know council chair, excuse me if we're butting in, but you know, we've seen these sycamore trees that are, you know, got plenty of nice green leaves on them and then, when the branch breaks off it's hollow in the middle they're rotten and they look alive but they're not and they keep shedding. um You know, like uh councilman bay.

D

Doom, said we're we're known as the city of trees, but I know in my heart that this city, over the last 10 15 years, has taken a back seat to taking care of the trees in this city. If you look at our trees now the trees are sprouting branches at the bottom of the trunk.

D

They look like bushes now, instead of trees, uh you know they're not been properly maintained over a period of years and- and uh you know out of sight out of mind and until something happens I saw the tree that fell on the uh gentleman's uh neighbor's car. uh I mean with a brand spanking new car, and that would have just I meant I don't know what I'd done at that point in time, but uh he.

Z

Was really mad at me.

D

Well and and there's no reason to be mad at you, because it's not your truth and me: okay,.

C

It's his cousin, you.

D

Know we and we spoke to him- we spot. You know you and I spoke to him along with councilman zohar abdullah, that's right, and but we need to get back on the good foot of taking care of the residents and doing what the city is supposed to be doing is taking care of the city along with the help of the residents taking care of their own properties, and that goes hand in hand and I'll keep saying it over again.

D

We start with ourselves, but we also need help from the city as far as the trees go so um yeah. I agree with you. A lot of these sycamore trees really are not alive. They're they're, it's an accident waiting to happen.

D

Okay, uh that's my my opinion on that. I saw that tree and it very heartbreaking to see that.

A

Councilmember go ahead. Please thank.

I

You I would like to recommend something to the administration and the city council. If the dpw or the ordinance they look at the tree and they feel it is dangerous or it is dead or any way it needs to be removed and the owner of that property is willing to pay for it.

I

I recommend that we give them a permit to cut that tree. If we decide that it, it could be cut.

C

Yeah, I think if a homeowner wants to be able to cut down their tree on the east and they pull.

AA

C

And it's dead and we don't have the manpower to do it, let the homeowner do it or if it's overgrown or if it's overgrown, like it's popping up I've gotten this phone call from this resident for the last. So, however,.

I

Long I've been uncovered, the residents need to know too. We have limited budget, we have limited resources every year, that's how much we can do. Otherwise. We have to use money from other places which might be more priority than the three which need to be removed. I think.

J

It might be a liability issue. Yeah the president cutting down a tree on city property too,.

D

Yeah, you know some of these trees cost three four five thousand dollars to cut down and.

J

The correct size to correct uh our council members here: it's uh we're, not city of trees, we're a tree city. Yes,.

D

And uh whatever, whatever you want to call it trees.

J

I'm sure there's a device that I've seen dte use it where you, the machine that put it gets a tree and plunks it and see if it's solid or hollow inside. I'm sure it's something like that. We could probably uh check into something like that. Well, you guys.

A

We've all seen them trees and giant trees that are completely.

J

A

Okay, guys we're getting off track, go ahead. Sir, are you.

Z

Done so will the tree? Will the city cut down this tree.

C

Deep, can we help him out.

A

C

You he said, he'll take the coupon as well. Oh.

Z

So the city, the city, will cut down that.

C

Gentleman he's right there, mr ali deep he's the superstar of the city. Well, thank you. Thank you.

AB

Made my neighbor.

AB

My name is james blizatus. I live on gertrude street south end and I'd like to address an issue of north branch, e-course, creek or river. I should say- and everybody says a cleanup cleanup cleanup- that's not the problem with that- that branch, it's those old, 1930s, culvert bridges that are blocking the water from flowing down to the detroit river.

AB

You get all the branches they clog up on them culverts and there and northern l park. They got the same old bridges and it's a mess uh um emailing the wayne county every time, there's a heavy rain. Those culverts are blocked with branches, and I think she ran out of money for her mile for what is through dearborn heights there. They got so much for per mile that they can spend a year and recently, these past few months she hasn't been doing much and I don't know whose responsibility is for when to replace those bridges.

AB

But that's the main issue of that creek, and uh so is that the city or is that the county? That's wayne.

C

D

C

D

The county city county owns the creek. Pardon me the county takes.

AB

Care of the yeah, but who owns the bridges.

D

uh That I think the city owns the bridges.

AB

They say it's a city.

I

Madam chair depends on where they are.

R

It was deemed a creek instead of a river, so it's under the jurisdiction of the county. We pay a lot of money every month for wayne county to maintain the creek and years ago. When we did the e-course creek cleanup, the county would come out, they would have people there, probably the last seven eight years, there's been nobody there.

R

I was there last saturday and we did see the county employees and a commitment that they're going to help keep the creek clean, but so through two sections of the course creek heading into allen park, the the ecourse creek is forced to go through these old metal culvers and there's no support for those bridges uh uh once the ground wears away from the erosion. Those bridges are going to collapse.

R

So with this american rescue money that the city is getting, we really need to look at replacing those bridges. uh uh Those culvers are always clogged yeah.

AB

They've been saying every crate, so we keep it. The next thing, 80.

U

AB

70S and 80s and.

T

To be updated,.

AB

There's there's open bridges that have been replaced that work great. Those culvert bridges are there's a lot more water going into that that river branch than there ever was and those bridges can't handle the flow.

R

Those culvers can handle the flow.

AB

R

AB

Okay, so could that be addressed somehow? Yes,.

R

Yes, we're going to ask the city engineer and yeah.

AB

You guys didn't even know who responsible for the bridge I'm just a resident, and I knew it was a city.

R

And I've got photos a lot of photos of them.

A

Thank you, okay. Any further public comment.

C

Yes, you got one.

A

More in the back- and I got mr ali.

C

A

I think he wants to talk to him. Yeah.

C

Go ahead, yeah.

A

Go go ahead. You can okay.

T

Just uh just for the record, the uh the city owned the bridges, so uh the county is responsible. County drain, commissioner, is responsible for the actual dream, maintenance and the upkeep, but we own the bridges, so the bridges are under a federal program for inspection and maintenance, so the bridges over the creek are currently going into their two-year cycle inspection and I believe the last council meeting. You approve the contract and they are currently being inspected. So the result of this inspection will give us an idea of the life expectancy. The load rating.

T

This cover this cover is what is what is the technical name for the water movement and the impact on the bridge structure? We will determine the flow we will. We will get a recommendations for improvement, whether it be minor improvement or or planned replacement.

T

So I haven't been with the city long enough to see what was done in the past, but I tell you going forward. We were following the bridge program, the federal program where and we will get the result and we will implement them. So we are currently doing the two-year inspection and we will look at the 14 bridges owned by the city and they are ours to maintain and upkeep and replace, if needs be, and there are two different kinds of bridges: the the culverts with tube uh flow or the open.

T

So again, it's not a cheap thing to to replace, but there are a lot of things that you can do to increase the flow. So we will wait to see the result of the inspection and we will act accordingly.

Q

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Ma'am.

K

Q

A

Councilman abdullah, you have one.

K

A

Here I've got two more.

H

Nancy, I'm just going to read I'll go ahead.

A

Go ahead I'll, have you.

X

A

H

Okay, that's fine.

X

Go ahead all right in in response to what was just said. This is my three minutes for the remark. I did see the men from wayne county there uh before the saturday that we were cleaning and they are working on the bridges and they were checking them out.

X

I stopped to see thinking they were from the county and were going to be working the weekend, but they were the bridge people there and you could see at pardee at that bridge right there, where part of our problem is the silt and the mud that builds up to where nothing can get through the drains that we have established and that's something that has to be addressed and then back to the tree incident.

X

I have a neighbor whose tree fell a week and a half ago on academy street went across the street. They were not home that had to be taken care of. It was on the easement there's a home over at. I believe, 26 100 courier, that has a tree. That's been dead for three or four years on the easement.

X

Our city property problem has not been addressed and then, as we discussed at one of our neighborhood meetings with mr conrad about trees, we have one of those sycamore trees over on princess street that is raising the street and flooding that area worse. Every time we have water and then, if I've got another minute left, I just a couple more things. I thank you all for making this meeting shorter than five hours.

X

That's a definite plus- and I do want to address the lovely speech by mr zuhair and let him know that he is not totally finished. He is a write-in candidate for the balance of this year and.

A

I just want to let people know I can't campaign, I'm sorry.

X

It's not a campaign speech, but I want to thank him for his thank.

A

AC

C

How are you doing.

AC

Good we've all been here together before um mr muscat, councilman muscat. I agree with you completely about how the city needs to um the citizens need to step it up a bar in regards to take care of their properties. Another thing as far as trash goes what the mayor said about another company, that's great, but if you're still using one of those kind of machines that dumps the baskets into the into the garbage truck the biggest problem, is people aren't managing their garbage?

AC

So if there's loose papers, plastic styrofoam stuff, like that all over the place, it's blowing down everybody's street, if you're in the way of the wind, that's blowing, uh guess what it all ends up in your front yard. As far as the management of the basin covers and stuff like that, that's another thing: neighbors in the neighborhood should pay more attention to. I think this city needs to adopt an ordinance that puts a ban on anybody mowing, whether it be residential or commercial, where their lawn, clippings and stuff are going out in the street.

D

There is an ordinance against that. There.

AC

Is a this is in dearborn, where they suck up everything you put it out in the street. The city comes up and cleans it all up, but I see these commercial guys cutting the lawn and they're just out there with the blowers, throwing it all over the middle of the street.

D

There's an ordinance against that somebody.

AC

Else's yard, I'm sick of that. To be honest, we do have an ordinance.

D

Against that well,.

AC

I'm still seeing it all right. The other thing I was in here about what three months ago, I think regarding a property 25314 warren avenue. Now I understand the landlord of this business and multiple other rental income properties in the city passed away and I'm sorry for his family.

AC

But when we lost the mayor of our city, somebody else stepped up to the block and continued the ball rolling, whether it was the councilwoman or now acting mayor, bozio, elected mayor, whatever you you're running, the show the show is still going on is what the bottom line is now, I'm sorry that that family had a loss, the back of that business. It's like you judge a book by the cover you look at the front of the cover. It looks nice, you look on the back, it looks nice!

AC

Well, you look at the back cover of this place and it looks like it's been shot at and missed and pooped on and hit, because it's terrible, it's disgusting, it's a pigsty and it's like. I don't know how people can even walk into that place and buy food from it, because it's so disgusting, it's all mismanaged the wall has still been done totally and up to code, the property.

AC

Next to that business is owned by the same group, they did their driveway and they remodeled the front of their house, but all that stuff on that commercial business still looks like you know what and 30 seconds. Well, I'm glad I could voice my opinion and let you guys know that it's in the and the property on the corner, that's the new medical facility.

AC

They put up concrete pillars to border the parking lot of a party store to the new doctor office. No re-rod, no reinforcement, no steel tubing, three of the seven that they put up have already gotten knocked over from people bumping them. There's a pile of mortar this high in the backyard or in the alleyway busted out semester, time's up and on my house on my.

A

AC

Three houses from my street and I can give you the address so.

A

Quick, sir three minutes is.

AC

The limit sitting up there for three weeks now at 7434 highview street there's a pile of trash on the boulevard. That's been sitting there for three weeks, the current tenant moved out and that stuff is still sitting there and, whether it's the landlord's fault or whatever. It's is this inner city, or is this dearborn heights? Thank.

A

C

Council chair, I want you to know that that address for the highview trash I've had a conversation with uh our director lee gavin, and uh it has been out there for about three. Maybe four weeks and I've spoken with the resident who lives next door, and so I believe, as director lee gavin gfl has been set to come out and pick it up. I don't know why they haven't yet I mean we've been having an issue with geophiles since mid-june or maybe even april.

C

I think, but I agree with you that trash there and I know which property you're talking about the business.

I

You want me to go down there.

C

I have a question.

I

Thank you. I just remember resident called me just before I walked in here that some gentleman, his name is joseph claimed that he's from the assessor's office walked to the backyard of his house and took pictures and looked at the house. He didn't have name tag. He didn't leave a phone number or a business card or anything do we have anybody?

I

We send them out to check for assessing properties in the city. His name is joseph joseph. What joseph that's the name he gave the lady of the house.

M

I will talk to the assessor's office. You have to talk to the assessor.

R

Yeah we privatize our assessing, so that would be tony fuko's office and I.

I

R

I

They should still have a tag name tag. They should have a business card, they can't walk to the backyard of somebody private home and take pictures and not leaving their name or piece of paper or anything. So I like to bring it to the attention please to them. Thank you.

A

Okay, is there any other further comment before we.

E

A

V

A

Abdullah, okay,.

V

Hi, my name is chuck simmons, I'm on power street and the gentleman that was talking about that creakiness and that I've lived there 25 30 years. It's been the same thing, nothing's getting done nobody's held accountable.

V

Why we had problems with our garbage pickup and this and that you guys are looking into a new contractor and this and that well, the buckets pushed from the city to the county to the feds. Now with the bridges and hoping for some pie in the sky dream, that's never going to happen.

V

Where is the accountability mr mudkit musket said about residents need to step up this at the other thing, where's the enforcements on these landlords and these rental properties, where everything looks like hell. Oh, I just went you just went back to somebody owns these properties where's the enforcement.

V

They don't cut their grass, they leave a mess, they leave this and that where's the enforcement. I understand the the cops and the ordinance people yeah. You can write tickets for this, that the other thing where's, the collection where's, the money where's the punishment. How do you stop it? That's my question to all of you:.

D

Sir wait, you know just a quick comment. If you don't mind, go ahead to the gentleman uh I have numerous emails in to the ordinance department. I think mr miyaki, to the legal department of how we go about enforcing these ordinances. Why? Where is the punishment? Well, hang on a second, please.

D

uh You know: why does it take so long to go from point a to point b and I'm of the one if you get a ticket for not maintaining your high grass or whatnot, and I gotta come out the second time and I don't care if it's the following year, it's an automatic ticket and it gets cut immediately and you get charged. That's the way, I'd like to see it, but, according to my understanding, the law people have due process now who makes the laws.

V

A lot of that's why.

D

V

E

D

Let me defer that to corporation council because I believe a lot of that has to do with the state if I'm not missing,.

V

Where's, the enforcement where's, the punishment.

D

So I'd like it maybe corporation council can answer some of this council chair. I understand.

A

I believe that corporation council is part of the enforcement. Is the enforcement part of it? So, let's let him talk. Go ahead. Corporate council miaki.

S

Okay, sir, specifically, what is it that I mean you've said a lot of things in terms of enforcement. What is your specific concern.

V

Number one the e-course creep, this has been going on and this ain't just happened the last month or two with the storms we've had. This has been going on for 20 30 years.

S

Well, the ecorse creek is, I mean, to be frank, one of the comments that was made by councilman amidala is one of the one.

E

S

On-Point comments that's made. If you looked at the map that the county of wayne had come up with in terms of the assessments that would have been imposed if they were all born by homeowners, the cost would be astronomical and very difficult for most homeowners to to deal with. That, I believe, has been an issue. All along is the financing.

S

Frankly, I probably still have the thing showing special assessments. This way in which these things get taken care of.

S

Unless we get federal grant money, is assessments are made against properties and all the properties that are closest to the creek, as well as those that are going up the whole watershed do receive an assessment, but the assessments are the greatest closest to the crete and that's the way it would end up being done under the drain code, which is actually administered through the probate court, which is very strange, but that's the way would end up being done.

S

So I think what has been looked at all along with respect to this is trying to get money through the federal government and through state government in order to basically deal with those costs, because otherwise no one believes that they would end up being able to afford that, and I haven't been asked to end up actually addressing this issue before.

S

But since you asked and I've been told to end up answering that question, that's the answer that I would give is that costs would be huge. Frankly, I haven't looked at the map and since we got the consent judgment against wayne county, but I think that's the biggest reason why I understand.

V

Things have taken a long time being huge and this and that, but the people in that area are still getting charged for flood insurance and this and that and they live in these planes. The basements get flooded and there is no recourse they're paying this money because they live in a flood plain that everybody knows about, but they still got to kick up to the insurance company and this and that and.

S

Who was bought and paid for here and ultimately, what I think everyone is looking forward to, hopefully, is that there will be money that will end up being received from the federal government to cover a great deal of this cost, and then the flood insurance would end up being able to potentially- potentially I wouldn't say for sure, going away.

S

If someone else told you that it would be for sure going away, I don't know that they necessarily have an accurate assessment, but that was part of what has been looked at in terms of a way to ultimately deal with some of these issues, get federal money and basically end up making it better and then hopefully being able to convince the federal government that we don't need to end up having the flood insurance, which generally hasn't been very helpful to the residents anyways, because the water normally is not coming up through the top.

S

It's usually coming up through the bottom, so that would be, I think, the clearest most concise answer. I could probably give to you on that point.

V

So in conclusion, the buck gets passed.

S

No in conclusion, you either make one choice or you make another choice: you either make a choice to basically end up bearing potentially thousands of dollars a year in assessments, or you try to make sure that you cannot be getting money from the feds and if you live close to the creek, that might be more difficult assessment to make.

S

No one's ever asked me this question before sir, so I thank you for allowing me to end up saying it, but I think that's the that's. That's the underlying issue that I think has been percolating that no one has ended up necessarily addressing as clearly as I have right at this moment. Hopefully.

V

That's helpful, but that gentleman with the culverts and everything else, that's a simple thing and you guys had a hard time determining who takes care of what I mean. I'm sorry, but, from a resident's point of view, that's kind of sad well.

S

Mr deeb has indicated that these I and I know that hennessey the engineering firm is going to be going out there. um I'm I'm. I'm have to say that I'm glad mr deeb is uh is working for the city and allows us to have a little more of a city focused emphasis on issues, and I think he's mindful he's here. He'll raise these issues with hennessy, and hopefully we can end up having more of a more of an issue uh addressed with regard. I personally.

V

Appreciate your response and everything else, um the other one was is like the rental properties and this and that and the ordinances and how do you enforce them? And this and that I mean I got local houses in my neighborhood, you can see which one have rental properties and who's the owner, and I mean where's. The enforcement are these landlords or bank owners or whoever owns them? Are they paying a price.

S

Then I believe that that they are, but it does take some time.

V

S

Look up, I mean you could probably end up contacting the 20th district court and ask them about the ordinance enforcement and ex tickets. There.

V

Are a specific type of citation of tickets? I want to see the collection. Yes.

S

But they could also go. They may also be able to address that sir, I think they're, the ones who keep the statistics they're known as x tickets, they're for municipal civil infractions, they're, a type of ticket that ends up getting issued. So if you have a concern, you might end up addressing it to either the court administrator uh michelle atkins or the deputy court administrator, katie shaw. Okay,.

V

Thank you very much. You're.

S

A

Thank you. Thank you. All thank.

C

E

T

A

I

I just have a question for you.

I

I just have a question for our controller. Please are we, you receive all the payment from the treasurer do on daily basis, and you recall them in your general ledger. How are we on the collection of tickets and violations?

I

Do you have any idea? Are we where we supposed to be, as we predicted in our budget.

I

If you came forward those pleas to the city council members, I do appreciate it. Thank you. Thank.

T

I

No, we we have revenue from ordinance department from court from traffic. I would like to see if we are within the budget, which we predicted and forecasted for the year are we behind, and I would like to know why we are behind why we are not doing this.

I

A

Thank you. Okay, coming up.

AA

Tanya sterlini of south brookside darwin heights, so I'm just to piggyback off councilman musket said about people. You know picking up after themselves if people would just clean the drains when it's flooding, that would be very helpful. I see a lot of people posting the streets flooded, the street flooded. If you just clean the drain, guess what the water goes down, it does some. Not always I get people's basements flooded, that's a bigger issue, but that is also helpful. The other thing about the ordinance and I'm not trying to beat up the ordinance.

AA

But I've mentioned this um to come to certain people. um We've had a problem house in our sub for quite some time now. Ordinance has been called constantly, but we still have the problem with the house. I don't know, I don't feel the ordinance is following up following up, because this house is a mess. If you were following up, I would think something would be done. Maybe they're not getting high enough tickets, maybe we're not issuing tickets. I know a neighboring city.

AA

I have a relative who works with the ordinance and I believe it's after two two dings like say: the grass isn't cut that. Then the city will come out, cut the grass and they will charge them a hefty fee and then also the homeowner. If it's a rental, the homeowner.

D

Send me the address.

AA

D

C

Address me as well: okay,.

AA

Okay, and so now we have a police officer that so we've also had an issue with dogs from this house. That's attacked several dogs.

AA

There has never been, as far as I know, and I could be misspeaking other cities or the neighboring city that I'm referring to they would avoid, would have been issued and the dog would have been pulled. The dog has never been pulled, there's been multiple dogs, um so this is a problem house.

AA

So I don't understand that why dogs can't be pulled. I hear different information from people in the city of why it's not done and why it is done. I don't know, but I think if it's a dog, that's a problem, they should be the dog should go or something anyway I could be misspeaking, but um that's all I had to say thank you.

R

Thank you very much. The dogs have bit multiple dogs, multiple people, you.

AA

Know what house I'm talking about.

A

Okay, any other public comment.

AB

A

Abdullah has one email we got that he's going to read and then we'll be done.

H

Thank you, council, chair, so I've got a public comment from one of um I'm not sure if it's a resident or not, but she sent this and asked us to read it.

H

My name is casey messer and I am the policy analyst of detroit disability power tonight. I'm writing to urge the city of darwin heights to end all contracts with allen. Brothers firm following the owner, james allen's, recent horrific at ableist, ableist behavior, to say that such behavior is unfitting for someone in his position would be a gross understatement.

H

This city needs to show up for its 8706 residents with disabilities, who are counting on you to represent them, support our community and stand proudly against ableism. I urge you to publicly condemn the heinous comments that were made and end your relationship with the allen brothers firm until they undergo anti-ableism training by a disability-led organization.

H

Thank you for your time. Casey messeter detroit disability power policy. Analyst she slash her. Thank you.

A

Thank you at this time. Do I hear a motion to address.

C

Motion to adjourn support.

A

Adjourned by council may do support by councilman of double bella abdel hawk. All those in favor say: aye aye. Those opposed meeting end.