Detroit City Council Formal Session

The meeting was called to order at 10:06am and the following were present at the roll call: Benson Johnson Santiago-Romero Waters Galloway Young Sheffield

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Chairperson Sheffield is receiving and filing the reports of the several committees. Hundreds of reports received and filed.

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Quickly moving on to public comment, the first commenter voiced praise for the Council before pleading for help with parking issues in Corktown.

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The next commenter urged the Council to "take a close look" at several properties he claims are in distress

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The next commenter accused Mayor Duggan, Dana Nessel and Dan Gilbert "Satanic". They continued to criticize the city for the delay in overpaid tax refunds.

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They then complained about "the Jews", referring to several antisemitic conspiracy theories and tropes before calling Jewish people "the synagogue of Satan" and accusing them, collectively, of various crimes reiterated their complaint about the city.

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The next commenter bragged about preaching at Mar-a-Lago and brought up voter fraud conspiracies.

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The next commenter voiced his disapproval of city money supporting White businesses when the city is majority Black.

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Another commenter alleged voter fraud. Sheffield said that the Secretary of State, the FBI and the US Attorney found no evidence of voter fraud.

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Another commenter voicing concern for voter fraud saying "hearing about these things is very upsetting"

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Next commenter, "how are we supposed to get what we want if our votes don't count!?"

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The next commenter said that God's wrath will come down on the nation and made accusations of voter fraud

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The next commenter urged the Council to divest from "so-called Israel"

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Next commenter criticized the city council, but it's actually hard to figure out what exactly he's got an issue with.

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Another commenter with voter fraud concerns.

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Commenter urges the City Council to investigate price gouging of grocery basics, and the lackluster inspection standards vis-a-vis meat safety

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One more voter fraud commenter

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Councilmember Benson emphasized the danger of spreading election misinformation. He explained that much more than actual voter fraud, the muddying of the truth is the real effort to disenfranchise citizens, especially poor citizens and citizens of color.

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William M. Davis called in to advocate for city retirees, whose pensions have been severely affected by the city's bankruptcy

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Next caller voiced his concerns about property tax refunds. They emphasize how long people have waited with very limited information or results

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Councilmember Waters advised the caller that the only remedy seems to be legal, as she has tried to find a city solution and has not been successful

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The next caller voiced concern about the incoming presidential administration's plans for mass deportations and asked what Detroit 's plans are for defending its residents

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Commenter called in to advocate for more DDOT funding

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The next caller protested the planned demolition of the Renaissance Center and asked for a funding increase for DDOT

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Next caller called on Detroiters to call her organization and get tax refunds. They then thanked councilmember Calloway and mocked councilmember Durhal for what she described as his inaction

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The next caller complained about the use of eminent domain to gain land for the city solar initiative

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Meeko Williams of Hydrate Detroit called in to push for the passage of a water affordability plan through the legislature

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That's it for public comment, now back to the agenda

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Now the council is quickly accepting and filing more reports from various committees and swiftly moved on to Member Reports

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Waters emphasized the importance of gun safety around children, and offered condolences to the family of a deceased police officer

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Councilmember Calloway gave an update on the Human Trafficking Task Force, and detailed their upcoming visit to Lansing.

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506 victims of human trafficking were identified in Michigan last year

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Back to the agenda, mayor's report was received and filed and Councilmember Young moved item 31 and the item was passed.

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The meeting was adjourned at 11:48am

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Well folks, this closes my coverage of the Detroit City Council meeting for January 7th. Learn more about our coverage of local meetings at documenters.org

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‼️IMPORTANT: If you believe anything in the coverage today is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@outliermedia.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line

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Agency Information

Detroit City Council

www.detroitmi.gov

See Documenters reporting

The Detroit City Council is the legislative body of Detroit, Michigan, United States. The Council is responsible for the creation of local laws—called ordinances. Additionally they pass resolutions, motions, and the proposed city budget. The full-time council is required to meet every business day for at least 10 months of the year, with at least eight of these meetings occurring at a location besides city hall. The council may convene for special meetings at the call of the mayor or at least four members of council. Areas of responsibility for the Budget, Finance and Audit Committee include, Budget, Finance and the Auditor General.

City Council members are elected on the same cycle as the Mayor and will be elected in 2021. Seven members represent the seven council districts, while two members are elected at-large.