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The Highland Park City Council meeting is adjourned at 8:57pm. For more information, check out detroit.documenters.org.

Members Ash-Shafii and Manica give closing remarks that are highly reflective toward the council and its interworking. Manica indicates that there are a lot of distractions, and that the bigger issue is the city's treasurers office and how effectively tax dollars are able to circulate in the city.

A discussion regarding a motion from member Martin is taking place. Her motion seeks to make ordinances accessible online to residents, and two council members who voted to table the motion, are arguing that all this information is already accessible on the web.

… (though unfortunately from this meeting I'm not immediately clear on more details than that).

Someone from Wayne County treasurers office shares that, contrary to what the mayor was saying earlier, there is an accessible unit in Highland Park where people can come to pay their taxes and arrange payment plans. …

Line item IIV passes – the resolution approving the 5-year pilot program for Solar Tonic and Soulardarity to install, operate and maintain 60 solar streetlights at no cost to the City.

Someone with the council (cannot tell who over Zoom) suggests that while it is unlikely that Highland Park will have a lighting authority in 5 years, like what Detroit has, but that the city should make a budget for lighting and begin saving.

Member Ash-Shafii asks what if, in 5 years, the city does not have the money to afford these solar lights. Solar Tonic suggests that they have 5 years to work out the terms for a longer contract that works for both parties.

Per one of her questions, as opposed to reconvening in 5 years, Solar Tonic is interested in creating a longer sustainable contract.

Council member Martin is asking some questions to Solar Tonics regarding line item IIV, the resolution approving 5-year pilot program for Solar Tonic and Soulardarity to install, operate and maintain 60 solar streetlights at no cost to the City.

Line item IV, a resolution to appoint Willie Johnson to the Recreation Commission, is approved.

The council moves past line item V, the veto of resolution to extend moratorium of the City's rental ordinance, due to a lack of support.

Public comments have ended. I believe every single comment was regarding the lights.

A few residents speak to concern over the cost of the lights, suggesting that Highland Park's financial debt is a bigger concern than the lights. Another resident argues that working with Soulardarity is cheaper than other options.

There seems to be multiple perspectives/opinions regrading the contract with Solar Tonic and Soulardarity. One residents suggests that there is more control for residents working with these contractors as opposed to DTE.

One resident suggests that no workshop was offered to educate the public, let alone the council members regarding this resolution.

Public comments have begun – a number of residents speak to the solar light resolution (line item VII).

She reminds the council that they are responsible for selecting 2 candidates for the ethics committee.

It is a little unclear through the Zoom feed as she is not speaking into the microphone, but the mayor speaks regarding the city treasurer and how the role is in limbo currently. She suggests that residents will need to pay their bills online rather than in the treasurer's office.

Mayor McDonald is speaking briefly before the council.

… The presenter offers to take some questions from the room, to which council president Thomas allows, though suggests it is very unusual. It is an interesting change in the energy of the room, breaking the formal in this way.

To be clear, this walk-on presentation here at the start of the meeting is from the court to provide information to the residents regarding jury duty and the roles of the different courts.

Council member Ash-Shafii is objecting to this walk-on presentation (which is regarding the services of the 3rd circuit court), suggesting that it is unfair to the council members what with the suddenness.

Council member Martin introduces a walk-on resolution regarding… I think Highland park government transparency.

The meeting has been called to order at 7:05.

Here is a link to this evening's agenda:
www.highlandparkmi.gov/media/lnfflo...

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Hello, Detroit! I will be live reporting the Highland Park City Council meeting for @DetDocumenters.bsky.social at 7pm (about to start!). #DetDocumenters.

If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@outliermedia.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.