Live reporting by
Sherrie Smith
In a 10-hour final meeting of the year, City Council approved a resolution supporting a ceasefire in Gaza, a responsible contracting ordinance, a property tax reform ordinance, property tax exemptions for homeowners, and more.
Sherrie So Ultra
@SherrieSoUltra
Good Morning Detroit! I’m live-tweeting today’s City Council Formal Session for November 21, 2023 at 10:00am for #DETdocumenters
@DetDocumenters
Media partners: @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET
@freep @metrotimes @MichiganRadio
@media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit
@DetDocumenters
Media partners: @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET
@freep @metrotimes @MichiganRadio
@media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit
08:51 AM Nov 21, 2023 CST
For instructions on how to attend today’s meeting virtually, go to City Council’s website:
detroitmi.gov/government/cit…
If you feel there are errors or corrections needed to these tweets or you have questions, please contact documenters@outliermedia.org
Catch up on what happened in Council last week on this thread:
To catch up on last weeks meeting live-tweets, check out this thread:
Today there will be a Public Hearing on the Property Tax Reform Ordinance at 10:20a.m.
Here’s an article on the property tax reform ordinance from @BridgeDet313 :
bridgedetroit.com/tax-reform-ten…
@BridgeDet313 MI Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson is making a presentation updating what is being done going into the upcoming “consequential” election to protect residents from having their rights confused
@BridgeDet313 Secretary Benson said there was a devastating blow to the federal Voting Rights Act just yesterday, here’s a link to an npr article:
npr.org/2023/11/20/115…
@BridgeDet313 Voter Confidence Councils will begin in January 2024 to make sure faith and community leaders have what they need to ensure voters know how to spot misinformation
@BridgeDet313 Secretary Benson believes Artificial Intelligence (AI) may make confusion leading up to the election more prevalent
@BridgeDet313 SOS has been working to eliminate long waits at Secretary of State offices, Announced a new office opened 2022 in Detroit on Warren & St Antoine
Councilmember Watson asked Secretary Benson if the new branch was open for seniors to walk-in because many have difficulty making online appointments and that was confirmed that all branches allow walk-in
The Secretary of State also has a Mobile Branch that goes to senior centers
🚨 GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT 🚨 Each resident will have one minute
In-person: EB spoke against Solar farms in the Grixdale neighborhood
In-person: State Rep off Michigan’s 14th District, in support of property tax reform ordinance “it aims to provide more accurate information”
President Sheffield stated there are nearly 100 people making public comment today
In-person: Civil Rights attorney in favor of resolution 19.43 in favor of a ceasefire
In-person: Electrical Apprentice from Local 58 in favor of Responsible Contracting Ordinance
In-person: Grixdale farms Resident spoke against Solar farms, stated there was a proposal of 3 solar farm sites in a 1 mile radius
In-person: Resident if East side, senior citizen on LeMay St, RE: Lank Bank MOU, would like for the land bank to limit the number of properties an organization can get on one street
In-person: District 1 resident in support of Responsible Contractor Ordinance
In-person: District 5 resident gave details on atrocities in Palestine yesterday, and asked Council members if they would wait if it was their family members
In-person: Laborers Local 1191 representative in favor of Responsible Contracting Policy, “Put Detroiters First!”
In-person: KB, Grixdale Farms Resident in opposition to solar farms in his neighborhood
In-person: President of MI State Council, thanks President Sheffield for introducing the Responsible Contracting Ordinance, and fully supports the ordinance
In-person: Journeyman in IBEW Local 58 spoke about previous work with non-union companies burning lead paint and asked Council to support Responsible Contracting Ordinance
In-person: Union plumber, “if you want to do business in the city of Detroit but don’t want to invest in workers education and safety then we’re too expensive for you, and it should be the other way around.”
In-person: daughter of Maggie DeSantis read statement from her mother
In-person: Resident came to the podium to pray for the council re: ceasefire
In-person: “To support the ceasefire is not to be anti-Semitic”
In-person: Resident on Ashland St in Jefferson Chambers, stated there are 3 active sink holes in the basement of her house and received little help. Council Member Johnson stated she will personally follow up
In-person: Bishop Charles H Ellis III, asked Council to support new development of Brewster Wheeler site for people leaving foster care. Here’s an article on the development:
axios.com/local/detroit/…
In-person: Reading of “Who will cry for the little boy?” and expressed support of the Brewster Wheeler development
In-person: Resident near 7 Mile re: special assessment tax, stating that she is paying for something she does not get. Councilmember Calloway will follow up with her
In-person: DI is returning from last week re: a lot that the land bank “sold illegally” has been trying to get the lot for years
In-person: Green Taskforce President in support of Energy Waste Reduction Ordinance, get more info about the task force and their work here:
detroitgreentaskforce.org/energywastered…
There seem to be some technical difficulties, online caller comments are not being heard over Zoom
Oddly I can hear the Council replying to the callers but not the callers themselves, will try switching to the other online viewing option to see if it’s better
After logging off and logging back on, I’m able to hear callers. Whew! 😥
Online: WMD caller has asked for more support of retirees, in support of ceasefire, and workers’ rights
Online: SH caller quoted the news re: Hamas, supports a peaceful two state solution
Online: LM, Detroit Resident in District 5 sees how “Detroit has a unique opportunity to pass this (ceasefire) resolution and put pressure on our federal government”
Online: Metro Detroit DSA, in support of Responsible Contracting Ordinance, and primarily wants to support the ceasefire resolution
Online: caller whose family immigrated to the US in 2005 to escape ethnic cleansing in Burma.
Online: “People of Detroit send about $9 million dollars of our tax dollars to Israel”, urged council to support a ceasefire in Gaza
Online: CJ is disappointed at the objection to Brewster Wheeler development by Brush Park neighbors.
Online: M, “Do not repeat the mistakes the US made after 9/11, do not believe the propaganda….” Asked that Council call for a ceasefire
Online: “Palestinians are often asked to stop and frisk even children, Palestinian children cannot go to the same schools as Israeli children…”
Online: DDOT is only on time 63% of the time. Gives out hand warmers at the bus stop, if anyone can help out would be great, Forced Subservience Cunningham on Facebook
Online: CC asking for Council to pass the property tax reform ordinance and compensate homeowners who were over taxed and as a result are homeless
Online: asking Council to hold line item 18.12 that would give downtown sidewalk to Detroit Athletic Club and re-evaluate the request
Online: BS, Resident on Outer Drive, lives in home where she was raised, wants the help of City Council to make sure taxes are kept up
Online: “I ask Councilmembers to think about what Christmas will look like on Gaza this year…”
Online: SN, is listening to the meeting with her children homeschooling, wants to ask Council how hundreds of people can come to meetings in support of ceasefire and council continues to delay the vote
Online: called speaking against sanctuary because it wasn’t brought to the residents “there’s no transparency, we’ve been hoodwinked by Van Fox and this council…”
Online: caller wanted to dispel myths of Hamas using human shields based on logic
Online: called re: lights on W Grand Blvd and Linwood near Northwestern High School, “this can cause children to be raped”. Member Sheffield stated they will be due to get that information about the intersection
Now calling back to order the 10:20 Public Hearing on the Property Tax Reform Ordinance
The members of City administration have joined virtually, Counsel Conrad Mallett is walking to council chambers
Primary features of Property Tax Reform Ordinance according to Prof. B. Atuahene: The ability of city council to ask for appeal instead of each individual person, reformatting of assessment notices, assessment notice in readable font and more
Corp Counsel, Conrad Mallett is reading a letter that he sent to Council regarding the interpreted illegality of the Property Tax Reform Ordinance.
Councilmember Durhal, suggested an amendment to Section 44-4, stating that the CFO would hire the independent evaluator and the council would have the power to veto the choice
Professor Bernadette Atuahene, responds and stated the “Approval as to form” process is “being abused in the City of Detroit”
CORRECTION: Council Member Durhal made a motion to amend section 44-4, stating the CFO would hire the independent evaluator and there would have the power to veto the choice
Councilmember Tate stated that a process was created and wondered why it wasn’t followed, and questioned if he had the ability to request the individual counsel today
Council Member Young interrupted President Pro Tem Tate with a Motion, then withdrew it
Council Member Benson motioned for an independent review of the ordinance based on the concerns of Atty B. Atuahene, which would not stop the vote on the Ordinance from going forth today. The auditorium became very loud.
Council Member Calloway motioned to request LPD to describe in writing the “intent of approval to form” and how it has morphed or evolved today.
Council Member Durhal moved to Call to Question his motion mentioned above. The motion passed to end debate. Council Member Durhal’s motion failed 4-5.
Council Member Benson clarified that without the amendment the corporation counsel would not approve to form the ordinance as written. Corp Counsel confirmed
Councilmember Calloway raised that, It has not been the process that Council approves ALL contracts since she has been on the council
In-person: SS stated that $600 million in over taxation has caused distrust and Member Calloway said it correctly
In-person: Resident stated she was over taxed $15,000 and is disabled
In-person: District 6 Resident whose family home was foreclosed on stated “approval to form is not required to pass this ordinance”
In-person: FL, lived in her home since 1970, started “Do the right thing, and pass that ordinance and let’s move on!”
Online: Office of Rashida Tlaib called in support of Tax Reform Ordinance
Online: “Corporation Counsel shouldn’t have his license” caller stated that he put in multiple Freedom of Information Act requests over a year ago that were not fulfilled to cover up corruption
Public Comment for 10:20 Hearing on Property Tax Reform Ordinance is complete
Motion to move Property Tax Reform Ordinance to New Business and is moved the ordinance be passed. Roll call is required, motion passes with 6 yays and 3 nays from members Durhal, Tate, and Benson.
Council President suggested taking a break but only 3 members voted for a break so the council marches on!
Councilmember Santiago-Romero reading a statement regarding Line item 19.43 Calling for a Ceasefire in Gaza, requesting vote and roll call. After multiple statements resolution PASSED with only 7 Yays and 2 Nays from members Tate and Young.
I’m online waiting Council’s return from their 45 minutes break.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - Line item 15.1, known as the Responsible Contracting Ordinance, read aloud and opened for discussion, PASSED with 9 Yays and 0 nays
Line item 15.2- to provide janitorial supplies for various city departments, PASSED
Line items 15.3-15.4- Re: Homeowner Property Exemption (HOPE) both PASSED. The first amending the 2024 application packet and the second to approve 2023 Carry Forward allowing homeowners who had tax exemption in 2022 receive the exemption for 2023
w/o reapplication
w/o reapplication
Line item 15.5-renewing Special Assessment District for Detroit Golf Club, Palmer Woods and Sherwood Forest PASSED
Line items 15.6-15.7- two resolutions regarding Meyer Senior Limited and Meyer Limited II dividend housing associations making payments in lieu of taxes, PASSED
Line item 16.1-appointing Charles Simms as Fire Commissioner, APPROVED
Line item 16.29- to recognize Model-T Automotive Heritage Complex as a nonprofit so they can obtain a Charitable Gaming License was APPROVED
Line items 16.32-16.33 were sent back to Committee and not voted on today
Line item 17.1-amending chapter 50 of the Detroit City Code on Zoning was APPROVED
Line item 17.3-increasing the number of members of the Board of Zoning Appeals to nine, was APPROVED after much discussion.
Line item 17.14-the Land Bank MOU was decided to postpone the vote until the next City Council meeting. This was APPROVED
Discuss of Line Item 17.18-included a new resolution to encourage continued public engagement and was PASSED
Line items 18.1-18.6 which were postponed from last week were all APPROVED
Line item 18.12-Detroit Athletic Club requesting permanent vacation of each 20ft of John R St, which was objected to by DTE. This item was SENT BACK TO COMMITTEE
Line item 19.1 was requested to be postponed, this motion was APPROVED
Line items 19.3-19.13-various demolition and construction contracts were APPROVED
Line item 19.20-to provide tasers to the Police department, contract amount $23,176,198.54 was APPROVED
MOTION TO RECONSIDER Line item 15.1, the Responsible Contracting Ordinance, then Amend to add a 120-day implementation period was PASSED
Councilmember Benson asked that two items be removed from the ordinance because as currently written, it would remove 60% off current contractors. Motion was made and FAILED
Demolition Director, LaJuan Counts, joined the meeting via zoom
Group Executive of Economic Development, Hassan Beydoun , joined the meeting via zoom to address questions
After much discussion, the word “suspend” was removed from the Ordinance. Line item 15.1 was APPROVED AS AMENDED
REFERRALS- Councilmember Young made motion to pull items from Neighborhood and Community Services Standing Committee and place them on New Business today for a vote, these items are not on today’s agenda so I clipped them from the committee agenda
Line items from the Neighborhood and Community Services Standing Committee were APPROVED. Line item 7.6 was motioned to RECONSIDER and POSTPONE. Postponement was APPROVED
President Pro Tem Tate Madear motion to walk on 4 contracts from the Planning and Economic Development Standing Committee to New Business for a vote today. That motion was approved and Council APPROVED all 4. These items were not on todays agenda, see pic
Discussion of Expanded Trash Removal services, Council was asked by DPW to wait until January to take this issue to the vote.
This concludes the Final Detroit City Council Formal Session of 2023. For more meeting coverage, check out:
detroit.documenters.org