Caitlin Santer

I need the rental ordinance and Martin’s resolution in front of me so I can read them in their entirety. It’s hard to comprehend when Thomas reads them aloud.

Also, what’s up with HP’s treasurer? I’d like to see the memo Bosnic says he’ll request from the attorneys. Def something to follow up on

Martin raised genuine concerns about the rental ordinance, but Thomas seemed so over it.

Ultimately, Martin’s resolution extending the rental ordinance moratorium for 120 days and requiring four workshops to discuss it was approved.

What are the implications of this extension for renters?

On a different note, tonight’s meeting ended at 8:42. It was another night of council members talking over each other and other unprofessional behavior. Ash-Shafii compared the rental ordinance to slave registries and cut off a public commenter during their two minute comment period.

Thomas’s remarks are shocking, even for me to hear. I work for a nonprofit facilitating writing workshops at Detroit schools, but I had no clue of the true extent of these literacy issues. I feel so lucky to be able to do this work, but these kids deserve so much more.

Thomas wraps up by relating low literacy rates in Detroit/HP to Robinson’s comment about not understanding the resolutions council is asked to vote on. He says that we should be very concerned about this.

Manica read into the record a statement honoring Martha G Scott.

Thomas talks about literacy in Detroit and HP. He says less than 1 in 3 students in his classes are reading at grade-level. Adds that Detroit has one of the lowest literacy rates in US. Also says income is tied to literacy.

Robinson says she wants the record to reflect that Thomas prohibited her from asking questions. She asks how council members can be asked to vote on matters they don’t totally understand and have questions about. This gets applause from gallery.

Martin says there is too much missing from ordinance for her to feel good passing it. She asks who wrote the ordinance and says Council should write it.

Ash-Shafii has left.

Ash-Shafii also says ordinance gives city the right to come into your home and do whatever they want. He says there’s nothing in ordinance about residents’ rights to appeal and grievance, no safeguards for residents.

Ash-Shafii warns public that “these people” don’t care about them. He say city is drowning in “house heads”. Manica cuts off Ash-Shafii. She says she’s tired of hearing about this. Really heated exchange between Ash-Shafii and Manica, but Manica quiets down quickly so Ash-Shafii can have his 5 min.

Manica also asks for update on situation with city treasurer. She says residents have reported not being able to access treasurer. Bosnic says that they are currently litigating with treasurer, so any update needs to be from attorney handling the case. Bosnic says he will request memos for council.

Council affairs

-Manica says she wants to talk about political distractions. She lists lots of examples of what might be considered political distractions. She adds that city gov can overcome this with shared goals, effective communication, etc. She says HP is not doing any of this.

Martin’s resolution is approved. Moratorium will be extended for at least 120 days.

Inspector Malone steps in via Zoom to clarify that residents set up appts for inspections. He says if something comes up and resident notifies inspector before they show up, that wouldn’t be considered a lock out.

Martin adds that ordinance says if someone owes for water and taxes, they won’t get COC. Martin asks if they can still get COC if they’re on a payment plan.

Manica asks Martin why the extension. She wants to understand Martin’s issues with the ordinance. Martin says the ordinance needs to include restricted blocks of times for inspections (e.g. Mon-Fri 10-3)

Now moving on to council affairs. Martin presented resolution to extend rental moratorium for at least another 120 days and require at least four workshops to further discuss ordinance.

Fifth commenter asks about dispersion of grant money. She says residents shouldn’t have to risk their mortgage when applying for grant program. She also says that residents’ personal info is being held in home in Pontiac and not kept in city bldgs. Worried that private info is unprotected.

Fourth commenter asks for images of proposed park rejuvenation. She wants to ensure that healthy materials are being used to build the playground.

Third commenter is Carla Oliver. She says people approve things without looking at what’s already in place. She has concerns about water prices that are going unaddressed as Council works out rental ordinance.

Second commenter is man who wants to buy two properties close to his home. He says he can’t because treasurer is AWOL. Ash-Shafii takes the time from the public commenter to say that the treasurer is not AWOL.

Public comment🗣️

-Man on Zoom says Thomas charged in 2018 for failing to pay his taxes. Also says the property taxes for the house Thomas currently resides in are past due.

Resolution to approve the gift of exercise equipment and swinging bench at Mulford/Glendale Park from SAY Detroit. Motion passes. Robinson
voted no.

Ash-Shafii seconds this motion. Motion does not pass. Martin, Manica and Thomas voted no.

Manica makes motion to support resolution with removal of line on pg 3 about applying for mshda neighborhood grant. Motion passed. Ash-Shafii and Robinson voted no.

Moving on to resolution in support of House Bill 4503 and 4504 to increase tax credits for owners of historic properties.

Robinson finds an error in the document which Bosnic verifies was probably a mistake. She makes a motion to table this resolution in Item VII.

Ash-Shafii compares rental ordinance to slave registries.

Thomas repeatedly asks clerk to call for vote. 2nd reading does not pass. Only Thomas and Manica voted yes.

Ash-Shafii says ordinance is too broad. He insists that Thomas had some part in writing rental ordinance. Thomas says Community Economic Development wrote ordinance.

Ash-Shafii wants Section A of ordinance removed completely. He also wants definition of dwellings removed.

Ash-Shafii says the rental ordinance is confusing. He says terms like “dwellings or non-occupied residences” don’t make sense.

Martin raises concerns about timelines for lockouts and inspections. She seems concerned that renters will be unfairly penalized for missing inspection appts.

Attorney Bosnic is now going back and forth with Martin and Ash-Shafii. Martin says she doesn’t think all her amendments were added to the ordinance (I believe she’s referring to the rental ordinance, not the graffiti ordinance).

Two police officers approached Ash-Shafii’s table. They appeared to tell him to calm down.