While you wait for today’s meeting to start, check out the thread from last be month’s meeting here: https://x.com/colleencirocco/status/1825571175138791487?s=46&t=RpYzZ1EoOiisPIGmWFspMA

Here is the agenda for today’s meeting. It’s also available online at: highlandparkmi.gov/media/dtlo4r5a…

For more info about how to join today’s meeting check out the Highland Park City Council website at: highlandparkmi.gov/government/cit…

The workshop meeting is being adjourned and the Council meeting will begin in 5 minutes per President Thomas

Here are visuals of today’s agenda

Here is a snapshot of Highland Park City Council members and their corresponding districts

Meeting called to at 7:09 pm. All members of Council are present

Council President Pro-Tem Robinson made a motion to remove item VII applying for an EV charging grant for the city. The motion FAILED

The Mayor will not be joining tonight’s meeting

🗣️ PUBLIC COMMENT 🗣️ Each speaker will have 2 minutes to speak

In person commenter: LS commented that the office of the Treasurer is not vacant but she is unable to take office because city administration is asking her alone to get a $2 million bond, no other city employee is bonded. She asked council vote that the city get a blanket bond

In-person: husband of LS spoke regarding her interim treasurer role and the amounts she has spent for $500,000 and $1 million bonds that were both rejected by City administration

CORRECTION: Brandon Parker is no longer a member of City Council. Council members are: Jamal K. Thomas - Council President Sharmain Robinson - President Pro Tem Temeko Manica, District 1 Kallela Martin, District 2 Khursheed Ash-Shafii, District 3

Multiple members of community spoke in support of LS as Interim Treasurer.

In-person: commenter stated that she googled the closest EV charging station and it is 2 miles away and only has two spaces

🗣️ END OF PUBLIC COMMENT 🗣️

Item V. Re-appointment of vacant City Treasurer position. Present Thomas shared the following on his screen re: requirement of treasurers in Michigan and stated he has no knowledge of anyone taking the MMTA Basic Course

President Thomas stated the council previously agreed that the Treasurer is supposed to be bonded at the level of the previous Treasurer, a minimum of $2 million. Council Member Ash-Shafii reminded attendees that they will be able to vote in November

Item V. Motion to fill the vacant City Treasurer position FAILED

VI. CITY CLERK: establish polling locations and election worker pay. Councilman Ash-Shafii stated there were system failures during the primary and precinct votes were later being counted. The Clerk stated the issues were county issues and have been fixed. Motion APPROVED

VII. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT to submit application for “Plug-in” a Michigan Tri-County EV Charging Station. It was clarified that this would only be to submit an application. If approved for the grant the council would need to approve receiving the funds. Motion APPROVED

VIII. DEPT OF ENGINEERING Submission of documents to vacate parcels for Means Highland Park, LLC, Hamilton Corridor Project. Resubmittal of corrected legal description of previously approved project. Motion APPROVED

IX. DEPT PUBLIC WORKS to terminate contract with Kone Elevator. The contract was taken over by the company who purchased the company Detroit Elevator, but service has been poor. Motion PASSED

CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Now citizens can speak on any topic for 2 minutes

One resident asked who she could speak to about installing sited bumps on Buena Vista near Barbour school

BAH has returned to the Council for the third time RE: his property that was damaged when a crew cleaning up a lot next door to his home knocked a 10-foot hole in the side of his property

LS spoke to mayor re: Having street lights and speed bumps placed on California St. 2 cannabis businesses in Highland Park are operating but there was nothing put forth to the citizens for vote. President Thomas stated there is no highland Park ordinance but the state allows it

Online caller stated that when city staff members apply for grants that is extra work for the employee and council should be supportive

Online caller about the “craters” in the parking lot of the market. Who can citizens address about businesses maintaining their property/parking lots? Advised to contact Code Enforcement, Mr. Malone

In-person commenter stated the treasurer issue needs to be resolved with the interim treasurer or find someone else ASAP so the other entities do not get involved

COUNCIL AFFAIRS - Khursheed Ash-Shafii raised concerns about water rate hikes that were supposed only be 6 months but it’s the 9th month. Made a motion to put a moratorium on residential water shutoffs until rates come down. Council must suspend the rules to add the motion

COUNCIL AFFAIRS - Khursheed Ash-Shafii Motion to suspend the rules to add the motion was APPROVED. Motion to place a moratorium on water shutoffs on only residential homes until 12/31/24. President Thomas believed it would be an overstep and is uncertain it would be legal

COUNCIL AFFAIRS - Khursheed Ash-Shafii Motion to place moratorium on water shut offs until 12/31/24. Motion APPROVED

COUNCIL AFFAIRS - Temeko Manica encouraged residents to go to Commission meetings, like Traffic or Police. Stated the business on Victor that is painted with cannabis signage but is not operating. Citywide Cleanup Sept 14th

The councils sound was suddenly muted so they cannot be heard

The sound has come back, not certain what was said during the muting.

COUNCIL AFFAIRS - Jamal K. Thomas, Great Lakes Water Authority meters are still not in. Urged citizens to be a good example of critical thinking for our children

Meeting adjourned at 8:39pm

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This concludes the Highland Park City Council Meeting for 9/3/24. For more meeting coverage, check out: detroit.documenters.org