I am now calling to order a regular meeting
of City Council Tuesday,
September 10th, 2024 at 7:00 PM Please
stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
I pledge all allegiance, the flag, flag
Of of the United States of America
to the republic for for which stands?
Nation, one nation under God, indivisible. With liberty.
With liberty and justice for all.
Roll call Madam Secretary Ms. Roy.
Here, Mr. Dwyer.
Here. Ms. McGee.
Absent. Mr. Bokey present. Mr. Nunan.
Here, Lafferty. Here Morris is.
Here we have a quorum. Madam President.
Uh, Madam Secretary. Thank you.
Tomorrow we will mark the 23rd anniversary of one
of the darkest days in our nation's history.
September 11th, 2001 remains etched
in our collective memory.
A day when the world seemed to stand still
as we witnessed unimaginable loss, terror
and grief, nearly 3000 innocent lives were taken
and countless others were forever changed.
But even in the shadow of that terrible day,
we also witnessed the incredible strength
of the human spirit.
On the eve of this solemn anniversary, we gather not just
to remember the tragedy,
but to honor the resilience, bravery,
and compassion that followed in its wake.
We remember the first responders, the firefighters,
police officers, paramedics,
and everyday heroes who without hesitation
ran toward danger.
Many of them made the ultimate sacrifice
so others might live.
Their courage reminds us of the best in humanity.
We also honor the families who lost loved ones.
Your grief is profound,
and your strength over these past 23 years is a testament
to the power of love and memory.
We stand with you in remembrance of the lives
that were cut short and the dreams
that will never be realized.
But we also stand with you in celebrating the legacies
of those we lost, for they live on in our hearts,
in our communities, and in the freedoms we cherish.
Tomorrow is a day of reflection.
It's a day to pause, to remember,
and to reaffirm our commitment to unity.
In the days after nine 11, we came together as a nation.
People of all races, religions and backgrounds.
We were united by a shared grief,
but also by a shared resolve to overcome the forces
of hatred and terror.
That unity, that spirit
of togetherness is something we must never lose.
Today the world is still full of challenges,
uncertainty, and division.
But we as, but as we reflect on the events
of September 11th, let us also reflect on how far we've come
and the strength we draw from one another.
We must remember that even in our darkest moments,
we were capable of profound kindness, compassion, and unity.
Let tomorrow be a reminder of what we have endured
and a reminder of our shared responsibility
to build a better future for ourselves, for our children,
and for generations yet to come.
We will never forget September 11th.
We will never forget the lives lost
and we will never forget the lessons learned about courage,
sacrifice, and the enduring power of hope.
And now, um, Mr. Lafferty, um, we're lucky to have him.
He's such a wonderful singer.
Thank you. Please stand for America. The beautiful
Oh, beautiful.
Four spacious skies for around
waves of green for Purple
Mountains, majesties,
the
America.
God shared his grace on the
and the good with
the hood from sea to
shining sea.
Thank you Mr. Lafferty.
Next item. Yeah,
Next item. Next item.
Adoption of the consent agenda. So moved.
Support Lafferty with discussion.
Discussion. Mr. Lafferty.
Thank you. I'd like to remove item 4G.
Madam chair, Madam Secretary.
That item will be 14 G on the regular agenda.
Any additional discussion? Hearing none.
I'll call the question. Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr. Lafferty? Yes.
Mr. Dwyer? Yes. Mr. Boye? Yes. Mr. Nunan? Yes.
Rogan C is a yes. Motion carries. Next item.
Next item is five. Adoption of the agenda.
So moved with discussion
Support, lty Discussion. Ms. Moore, one second.
Mm-Hmm.
Thank you. Um, uh, Madam Chair, uh, we are adding
item 14 G, which was 4G on the consent.
And just to clarify, um,
item 11 B is a public hearing
And C, no. No.
Yeah. 11. B and C. Okay.
C. Mary says C. Okay.
B and C or public hearing.
Any additional discussion makers of the motion?
Comfortable with the adjustments without objection.
Thank you. I'll call the question. Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr.
Lafferty? Yes. Mr. Dwyer? Yes. Mr. Bokey? Yes. Mr.
Newnan? Yes. Rogan C is? Yes. Motion carries. Next item.
Next item is six a calendar pending matters.
Motion to receive and file
Support. Lty.
Discussion.
Hearing None. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed?
Motion carries. Next item.
Next item is seven.
A approval of the minutes of the regular meeting
of August 27th, 2024.
So moved. Support Bokey.
Uh, discussion. Hearing none? I'll call the question.
Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr. Bokey? Yes. Mr. Dwyer? Yes. Mr.
Lafferty? Yes. Mr. Newan? Yes. Rogan C is a yes.
Motion carries. Next item.
Next item is eight.
A approval of the bills of the General Revenue Fund.
So moved. Support Dwyer.
Discussion. Hearing none? I'll call the question.
Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr. Dwyer? Yes. Mr. Lafferty? Yes. Mr.
Bokey? Yes. Um, Mr. Nunan? Yes. Rogan sees a yes.
Motion carries. Next item.
Next item is approval of the bills
of the water and sewer system.
So moved. Support Dwyer.
Discussion. Hearing none? I'll call the question.
Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr. Dwyer? Yes. Mr. Lafferty? Yes. Mr. Boye?
Yes. Mr. Newan? Yes. Rogan C is a yes.
Motion carries. Next item.
Next item is nine. Audience participation for agenda item.
Thank you. Good evening everyone.
Members of the audience who would like
to address City Council this evening, this evening may do so
by filling out an audience form
here on the right side of the stage.
This is a reminder that you must write your name and address
or give it at the podium.
You have three minutes and we have a clock in front
that will give you your time
and how much remaining time you have.
Uh, this audience is for agenda items only,
and there's additional audience at the end of the meeting.
First is Lori Harris. Sorry,
Ms. Harris, if you could wait one minute.
I need to reset their clock here.
Set five. Great. Start talking. Oops.
No, I want minus seven and a half.
Hold on.
Go ahead Ms. Harris.
Alright. Oh,
Try now. Alright.
It's a little seconds. Lori.
I am, um, wanting to talk about 4G.
I was, um, interested and concerned about this issue.
I'm glad it got pulled off the consent agenda.
Um, I looked through the e packett
and I don't see very much information about this.
And what I did see suggested this would be a one-time,
uh, item and then also done for other seasons.
Um, that would total $150,000 a year for
promoting parks and rec and library.
And, uh, I, I really want a good discussion, um,
on this, on this item.
Number one, I wanna know what other ways could we advertise
that don't cost $150,000.
And, uh, even if every month, I know it can cost a lot
to buy a half page or a page in the Warren in weekly
and advertise what's going on on the next month.
That's still $48,000 and not $150,000.
Um, I wanna know, um, who's, uh,
formulating these things that are printed,
where are they being distributed?
And if we are really looking at saving money
or promoting our money to do better things,
um, we need to understand, um,
where we can find other ways to do things.
And that is my comment. Thank you. Thank
You. Next
is Mr. Zamora.
Good evening Counsel. Just a, a quick note.
I'm here to speak on agenda item 14 D,
which is consideration of the reappointment of myself
to the Downtown Development Authority Board.
My motives have always been
with the best intentions for our city.
And through my previous actions on the DDA board,
I have contributed to the betterment of our city
through building and property improvements, vehicles
and equipment purchases for major city services such
as parks, police, fire engineering,
building services, and others.
My DDA meeting attendance record is at 100%.
I have served previously on two other city commissions
before being tapped for the DDA.
I appreciate the mayor's faith
and trust in me in submitting my name
for reappointment to this board.
And I hope your vote tonight reflects
that same faith and trust.
Thank you. And on a side note, Jonathan,
you do have a good voice.
Us. Usually when they want
to clear the place, they'll send me up.
But, uh, very good.
Thank you Mr. Zamora. That is the end of audience.
Next item, Madam Secretary.
Next item announcements. Madam Chair.
Uh, Ms. Moore. Thank you.
Um, first of very sad note, um, Richard
SBA passed away on August 29th, 2024 at the
age of 86.
Mr. Saba was a former Warren City councilman.
Um, a, uh, on the planning commission, uh,
county commissioner, deputy, uh, public Works commissioner.
And, um, his last job
before his retirement was
as public service director here in Warren.
Uh, I had the pleasure
of serving on the planning commission with him.
And, um, he's the one that talked me into running
for council the first time.
One of the people. And then when I got off council,
he had a, he's the one that tried to talk me out
of ever being in politics again.
He said I was, I was too nice for politics.
So he was very, he was always very, very kind to me.
Um, we send our sincerest condolences to his family.
As many of you know, his son was former,
um, district court judge here.
He's now in the circuit court.
But our condolences the entire save off family
Moment of silence.
Thank you.
And on a lighter note, um, the, uh,
Warren Symphony season is starting on October 13th
with a sci-fi
and fantasy program
that is at the Warren Woods Middle School at three o'clock
on October 13th.
That's a Sunday. Um,
if anyone would like complimentary tickets,
I actually have some with me.
So if you see me after the meeting, um, come up
and I'll be glad to give you some.
Um, also on the, um,
15th of September Sunday from 12 to 3:00 PM the police
and fire open house will take place at the
Warren Police Department.
Um, there'll be free hot dogs and chips
and refreshments, free gun safety locks,
child safety ID kits, bicycle helmets for kids.
There's a bicycle raffle and lots of activities for kids.
It's a really nice family event.
Um, the crime commission will be there.
Police chaplains, police explorers.
There'll be an EMS display.
Um, they usually do some things with the drone
and kids really like to watch.
That cert will be their evidence technician demonstration,
hazmat and tech rescue unit display, SWAT team tank
and motorcycle display dunk tank.
And I hear, I don't know, I didn't confirm this,
but the police commissioner may be in the dunk tank
and, uh, everybody will have the opportunity to try
to put him into the water.
Um, emergency vehicle displays a smokehouse building tours,
a K nine unit demonstration.
That's always a really, uh, popular event
for the kids bounce house
and vehicle extrication demonstration.
We hope to see you all there. It really is a, a nice event.
Uh, and I hope we have some nice weather that day.
And I think that is it for me. Thank you.
Any additional announcements,
Madam President?
Mr. Dwyer? Yes.
On, um, Saturday, September 21st from nine to two, the, uh,
animal Welfare Commission is gonna be having a low cost
vaccination clinic, uh, vaccines such as RAB rabies
and others will only going be going for $10.
Microchips for dogs and cats will be going for $10.
And it's, it's a really funny event.
It's been well attended. I believe when we had the clinic
earlier this year, there was over 1500
that came in and participated.
Um, the event is located at 1 2 8 0 1 Stevens,
and that would be between Hoover and Shaner by, uh, DPW.
So that's what I have. Thank
You. Any additional
announcements?
Madam Chair? I forgot something. Sorry. Ms. Moore. Sorry.
I forgot to mention, uh, last, was it Friday?
We went for our walk. Um, the police organized, um, uh,
a walking tour of neighborhoods.
We went in groups of two.
Um, Ms. McGee was there, the mayor,
people from the mayor's office,
and lots of, uh, people from the police department.
We walked door to door speaking with residents about
how things were going in their neighborhoods.
Um, just sort of reaching out, building relationships.
Um, we gave the, uh, residents, um, magnets so
that they could find the police department on social media
and invited them to the, uh, uh, police open house.
I think there's plans to do it, uh, again in the future.
And multiple times maybe.
It was a really, really positive event.
Great feedback from the residents.
We hadn't even gotten off the street
and one of the residents had posted something very,
very nice on Facebook.
They really, really appreciate it.
And, uh, I'm looking forward to the next event.
And people are, you know, in fact, last night one
of the judges said, I wanna go on the next tour.
So I informed the administration today of that.
So, congratulations.
And, uh, thank you to the police department for,
uh, putting this on.
Commissioner, um, Rushton, uh, captain Dale
and Beck was involved and Executive Lieutenant Chisholm,
I think maybe some others.
Mr. Uh, officer Roy.
So thank you all for everything you did.
Any additional
announcements? Mr. Newnan?
Madam President? I don't know
what the right time to, uh, ask this.
Um, melody was already approved to be out of town, right?
Yes. So her, um, absence is excused, correct?
I can, we can make a motion, but we did not do that.
Oh, okay. I'd like to make that motion if I could.
Do we have to suspend the rules?
We have to suspend the rules.
Thank you. Thank you so much.
I'd like to make the motion that, um, a favor
To suspend The rules. Motion
to suspend. Motion to suspend the rules.
Oh. Oh. I'd like to make the motion to suspend the rules.
Okay. Okay. Thank you.
Support. Any Support. I'll
support that motion.
All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay.
Rules are suspended. Oh, go ahead. You make your motion.
Okay. I'd like to make the motion that we, um,
excuse the absence of Melody McGee
because she had actually given us prior notice
and I forgot to mention it when we were, uh,
at that point in the agenda.
Support.
All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay.
Share, Uh, motion to resume the rules.
Someone
So moved. Thank you.
Support. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed?
We are back. Madam
Secretary. Next item is 11
A, which is a public hearing.
This item was tabled on 5 28 20 24.
Request to approve the demolition of a house
and shed at 75 51 prospect
through the nuisance abatement program consideration
and adoption of a resolution.
A need a motion to remove this from the table.
Motion to remove from the table.
Support. All in favor?
Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Item is off the table.
Motion to approve with discussion,
Uh, support. Thank
you. A discussion Mr. Lafferty.
Thank you. And so this one, uh,
through the chair to Mr.
Lizza.
All right. Um, this property,
I have a gentleman has made a commitment with a men's group
that is, um, trying
to help Mary here get this house in order.
I had a discussion with my building Inspector John and Azar.
We assure me that right now it's not
in a dangerous condition.
And this gentleman has been helping Mary. I talked to him.
He is trying to get donations for, to get the roof fixed.
And the last I spoke, spoke with him about two weeks ago.
And, um, he said he was gonna
start working on the front windows.
Is that correct, Mary? We have some
Screens ordered.
All right. Because Each one has dad on screen.
So this gentleman basically is trying
to round up people from his men's group, I believe is
so affiliated with the church
to help Mary get a house to live in.
'cause I don't even, not even sure
of Mary's living conditions right now,
but he says it's gonna take some time.
But he's trying to get donations
to help Mary get into this house.
Mary, you could go ahead and talk too as well.
I do have, um, um, someone coming out
for the electric book.
Someone to come out, um, for an estimate
for the electrical work that needs to be done, um,
and some other things coming up.
And I'm very grateful to the man that he is speaking on
Madam Chair, uh, through the chair to Mr.
Lase. Have all inspections been completed at last check?
Uh, all of the inspectors were locked out.
Yeah, we did the city C inspections.
Um, Matt, this Matt, I'm not sure Matt's last name.
I do have his phone number and I've been kind
of keeping in contact with him as we move forward with this.
And, um, we did the city, he has a copy
of the city cert violations.
He's trying to get the right now
with the exterior, the front windows.
And his first priority now was to get the windows,
the front windows and the roof is what he was working on.
That was our last discussion, which was about two weeks ago.
Okay. So I, I just, I'd like to see him, I mean, I've kind
of done a 180 on this and first I kinda went gun home.
Like I think we should tear this down.
After speaking with my inspector
and this gentleman helping, I, I, I'd like
to give Mary a chance to get in this house if we could.
Alright, thank you.
Uh, I'm inclined based on your update
to table this again, uh,
to put it back on the table until
90 days.
We could do 90 days, let's see here.
10th, Uh,
bring it back on December 10th.
Tuesday, December 10th. Mr.
Lizza, is that sufficient time? For sure.
Yeah, because I'll keep in contact with this gentleman.
He's very receptive.
He always answers the phone when I call him,
but I, I mean, the last conversation was like I said,
Bob, I wanna help her.
It's just, you know, to get people to donate, you know,
free is hard to ask for.
So he's really trying to work with this men's group
to help her and very sympathetic.
So I guess it's a good,
I think we should get another 60 days where we,
or December gives us basically October, November, December
90, 90 days.
And hopefully I'll see something,
hopefully get that roof done.
Get the roof weather tight, the windows.
That's my main thing. Get that exterior.
I went by today and checked it out.
The grass is cut, maintained.
So I'd like to see Mary get into this house. I really would.
Of course. Thank you.
Alright, if there are, there are no other comments
or questions, I'll make the motion to table
to date certain Tuesday, December 10th, 2024. Support,
Support. Mr.
Newan, uh, Mr. Laffer called
You Call Me? Yes.
To table. Mr. Nunan, what's your, yes,
What's your phone number?
Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr. Dwyer? Yes. Mr.
Bokey to call? Yes. Going on.
Item is table to December 2nd. Thank you Mary. And Mr.
Jose, what was that last sentence? 10th. Sorry, second.
Did I say second? 7:00 PM Sorry. December 10th. Next item.
Next item is 12 B, which is a public hearing consideration
and adoption of a resolution approving the demolition
of a house and garage at 32,431.
How much under the nuisance abatement program?
Mr. Lae, can you give us a summary?
If you're the re resident, I'll call you up in uh, a moment.
Alright.
All right. This house has been sitting in
that neighborhood for I think more than 10 years.
I mean, I've had four months of uc.
I'm not sure you've received the spec sheet.
I've had probably four months
of water usage in the last 10 years.
This house is, uh, right next to St. Ann's.
I was almost, I was familiar with this house
before I worked here in 14.
I coached at St. Ann's
and I remember, I know people from that neighborhood
and, uh, this came into me on a package
of few houses this person owns, or this RCR management owns.
And I went out there and I was shocked to see
what, what I seen.
It was still this long.
It's still vacant and ept
and not, you know, all the violations I seen are basically,
I had, I mean, I've got rodents living along the side
of the garage and the front.
I've got consecutive tickets for, uh, failure
to register, abandoned.
I have $1,187 and outstanding blight bills on this house.
And I went by today, I took some fresh pictures of it
and nothing's changed.
It's still exactly the last time I was there,
So I don't know what to do with this one.
It's a really nice, it's a nice neighborhood right?
Directly adjacent to St. Ann's, and it's really nice.
I mean, it's, it's a shame that's still that nobody's done.
This person has not done anything.
We also have back taxes on this, according to our title
2022.
Taxes are delinquent. 23 taxes are due Now.
I checked, today was a sale at the county,
and this was, this home was not on the list.
I was hoping it might have been on that list
or the sale for the county.
So maybe somebody could buy it.
So, and fix it because I have had two inquiries.
And, uh, once obviously once this hit the council agenda,
I've had two people call saying
what's going on with the house.
And, uh, I'm not, I'm not, I don't know the owner.
The owner did not attend the hear the hearing.
So I'm at a stand still with this one.
Thank you Mr La. I will open the public hearing.
Is there anyone from the audience
who would like to speak on the matter?
I'm Leroy Holmes and I live in the St. Anne's subdivision.
And I've been looking at this for, like, he just said years.
And I called and they said, well, long
as the people are paying taxes, then nothing they could do.
Well, it's time for something to be done
because just like this gentleman said, you got
trees growing out of the roof, out of the chinle and cats
and roach.
I don't know what all rats, uh,
are all hanging around in there.
So, uh, I mean, if somebody can buy it
and fix it up, so be it.
But either that or be demolished.
Okay. Thank you. You're welcome.
Anyone else want to speak on the matter?
Hi, I live in the neighborhood, uh, within 300 feet.
So we get the letter to come. Can you start your name?
My name's Carl Rader.
Thank you. Okay. And yes, it's an eyesore.
It is pathetic.
Every time you drive by the house, it's,
it's a house without a soul.
Something truly needs to be done.
Anybody who lives there knows it.
I just have to say, do you know the house?
Yes, they know the house. Mm-Hmm.
And it's been years, so that's all they can say.
Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else here
to speak on this matter?
Okay, I will close the public hearing
and turn it over to counsel for action.
Motion to approve with discussion,
Support, uh, discussion. Mr. Lafferty.
Thank you. Through the chair to Mr. Lizza.
Good evening again. Uh, in looking back at this,
I'm seeing tax delinquent taxes dating all the way back
to 2012.
There appears to be a one-time on-time payment
or relatively on-time payment back in the summer of 2021.
Uh, but all other taxes were forwarded to the county.
So this has been off the books for quite some time.
There are no permits active.
The last permits pulled, uh, were from building in 20,
uh, 2013.
I'm sorry, 2014. And those were canceled. Yeah.
Yes. Yeah.
But I have from, from the title date, this is titling from,
uh, March 7th of this year.
And what I'm showing is the taxes, like I discussed, uh,
22 were delinquent, 23 are due.
Sometimes the taxes do not show if
taxes are paid at the county.
Sometimes do they do not show up in our system.
Like you could, it will show a zero paid,
but it could go to the county and get recorded,
but not show up in the R-B-S-N-A system.
So that's why I rely on the title for what's current
and just as, just as of March of 23 being delinquent.
I don't not, or 22.
I don't know why 23 are not delinquent yet, but Mm-Hmm.
Yeah. And unfortunately, the, even the, the appearance
of the taxes going
to the county are usually indicative of a larger problem.
Oh, I agree. And it unfortunately, it's commensurate
with the, the, the condition of the home.
Uh, have you been, have you
or your team been inside the home? I
Have not been, we have not been
inside this house since 2014, 10 years ago.
So we don't know if the bones
of the house are No, we don't.
Are in any condition to be salvaged. No.
That, that's really what I'm after here. Right. Because
I've had two calls since this got posted on the agenda.
I had two people already called, they would like
to buy this, but what I don't know what to tell them.
I'm not a real estate agent.
Just the billing inspector here.
You know, this guy don't, this the person who owns this,
or I mean the investment company that owns this.
And I have two other properties that this, um, company owns
as well that I'm going next to that have been banking not
as long as this one, but they've been
vacant for probably four years.
Same company owns them.
And the same thing with the VPR tickets, the blight bills.
So I don't know what's,
why this person doesn't sell these properties or,
but nobody's came to the hearing,
so I don't, I've had no contact.
I send registered letters
and I've had no calls from the owner on this,
But we do know who the owner is.
Well, according to my title, I have Okay.
According to the title, that's, you have a copy of this,
who I have as a, as the owner.
So I don't know what to say.
I, I really would like to understand if
the county is going to, uh, do a sheriff's sale
where they're going to take ownership of the home
and, you know, at times like this,
Ms. Morris is a great opportunity for a land bank
and get, get our hands on the house, rehab it,
and put it back on the market
and, you know, cure the problem in the neighborhood.
Um, absent that, uh,
that should be on the mayor's desk for signature.
So we should be seeing that anytime soon.
I was hope. Go ahead. I'm sorry.
So what, what I'd like to know is in,
in your expert opinion, how much time do we need
or how much time do you need?
Can you reach out to the county to find out
what the status is at a potential, you know,
sheriff's collection on this to understand
how much time we might need
to move this into a developer's hands, potentially to move
It into developer that I'm unsure of.
My contact is some property maintenance that, um,
monitors the sheriff sales.
And there was one that, so I called down today
and there was one today,
and unfortunately I was hoping this would be on
that list and it wasn't.
Mm-Hmm. Because I would love to see somebody buy it, fix it.
But the problem is, I don't know when the next, I believe
that my contact and property maintenance,
what happens is she, she must reach out.
We must have a contact at the county.
It gives her ones that are coming up for auction
and then she flags them in my system.
So I can even see when I pull up
A-B-S-N-A-A flag will be there.
This property is going to back for tax.
Forfeiture auction date of today was sep mm-Hmm.
September 10th. And this one did not have a flag on it.
So I don't know when they, how often they do these auctions,
but I do have a contact where I can find out when it will go
to auction, I guess.
Okay. So that's, I don't monitor that,
but I have resources to find out.
Okay. At this, this home is in the
neighborhood that I represent.
I'm very familiar with this house
and the, the surrounding neighborhood.
Um, I want to give relief to the neighbors,
but my preference is, has always been if we can rehab
good bones of a house
and put it back on the market, that's my first preference.
If we can't, then we have no choice.
We follow our procedures, we demo the house
and, you know, we, we sell a vacant piece of property.
So, uh, I will yield if, uh,
if anybody else on council has
comments before I make a motion,
Madam President Mr.
Newnan, um, in, in my opinion,
this one's gone on way too long
and I think it would go send a good message
to property owners who are not doing
well by their neighborhoods.
I I, I think
that Councilman Lafferty's idea sounds wonderful,
but I, I'm, I'm not, I don't know how long all
that would take and
how much more should the neighbors have to suffer.
Right. And you know, I,
I'm not saying I'm totally against your idea.
I do, do you have any response please?
I, I agree with you Mr. Noonan.
Do Mr. Lafferty, do you have any, any response to that?
I'm, I'm not sure what, what kind
of response you're, you're asking for me. Oh,
Well, um, your idea is to consider,
uh, postponing the demolition of this house.
Right? Did I not understand
It right. The chair? Mm-Hmm. It,
it is that I always want
to try to preserve the house if we can.
Yeah. But my, my contention here is the city had,
by the time it's gotten here, how long has this been in,
in contention with the city months to get in touch
with someone and you still haven't been successful
in getting in touch with anybody?
I post this unsafe on March 6th
of 24 is when I started this.
I thought for sure I would have somebody come through
and do something with this property.
But nothing, nothing has happened since.
And, and this is, if, if I'm reading this correctly,
it looks like a rental property and it's a management a man.
It's under the control of an LLC in Bruce Township.
It was, yeah, it was. And I've,
I've sent letters to that address.
Mm-Hmm. This house is purchased from HUD back in 12,
I believe, according
To Mike. Maybe we
should ask the, uh, our police department to go out
to that address and haul that person down.
Ask them to live in the home until they fix it.
I would really like to be able to do that.
You know, these are slumlords folks.
We don't deserve to live like this.
This is our neighborhood.
If you want to own a home, well, darn it,
you're gonna take care of it.
This, this is not acceptable.
So officers, can you head out to Bruce Township
and pick this guy up?
I dunno. It, it doesn't look promising Mr.
LA is what I'm getting at.
I agree. And If, you know, we come back to the county,
let's say the county does put it up for, for auction,
by the time it goes through that process, I mean,
we may be looking at, you know, compelling these residents
to look at this house for another one, maybe two years
before any action is taken.
Perhaps I'm talking myself out of, uh,
No, I have no idea when any, when,
whenever, uh, any next pending sale of this, you know,
or forfeiture of the property to this county is
Alright. Well
let, let's do this.
I'm, I'm going to make a motion to approve this demolition.
Let's send a, a message to the owners
of this Bruce Township address.
Let them know that we're taking their house down,
that we're going to send them the bill for the demolition
and that they have 30 days to, uh,
contact us if, if they want to save the home
and come up with a plan within 90 days
to rehab it in totality.
Okay. That's your updated motion.
That's my, that's my motion.
Ms. Moore, are you, uh, comfortable with that update? Yes.
Any additional discussion?
Okay. Hearing none. I will call the question Mr. Lafferty?
Yes. Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr. Dwyer?
Yes. Mr. Buki? Yes. Mr. Nunan?
Yes. And I hope the other landlords
who are in similar positions here,
what we're, what we're doing here.
Rogan C is a Yes. Motion carries. Next item. Thank
You. Uh, point of order. Madam
Chair, while Mr.
Lizza is still standing there, uh, do have a question.
Michael Street, the home on Michael Street,
Still in court. I
had a discuss Inion with the city attorney today. Yes.
I may be dis dis I may be deposed
to a hearing for that house.
Okay. I'm not sure it's still, it's all, you'd have
to contact our legal department.
Right now it's still pending and there may have a hearing
at, at court in circuit court over it.
Okay. Is what I think is, it's still tied up in court.
I believe there was a motion filed just recently
this week by the judge.
And they're waiting for the, out, the outcome of the motion.
Thank you. Uh, through the chair, uh,
to the city attorney's office, if they could send a letter
to counsel office for an update on the Michael House,
uh, with, with all of the details and what we're looking at.
Laura Sullivan is, uh,
the attorney who's been working on
this in the attorney's office.
Okay. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Lizza. Well, you can sit tight.
There's another one. Um, actually no, it's just
to collect proceedings. So you're all set. Next item,
Madam Chair. Point of order. Mm-Hmm.
Um, just to let everyone know,
the screen by the flag is broken,
but a new one I think is coming in Wednesday or sometime.
So we apologize for that.
Next item is morning. Next
Item is 11 C.
Consideration and adoption of a resolution
to approve collection proceedings relating to the removal
of a garage only at 11 2 20 Dodge.
Pursuant to the 37th District Court
Motion to approve Public hearing. Public hearing
Hold this, I will open the public hearing.
Is there anyone from the audience
who would like to speak on this matter?
Hearing and seeing none, I'll close the public hearing.
I'll turn it over to counsel for action.
Still motion to approve? Mm-Hmm.
Support Motion. Lafferty Support More. Any discussion?
Hearing none. I'll call the question. Ms. Moore? Yes. Sorry.
Mr. Lafferty? Yes. Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr. Bokey? Yes. Mr.
Dwyer? Yes. Mr. Noonan? Yes. Rogan C is a yes.
Motion carries. Next item.
Next item is 12. A consideration
and adoption of a resolution approving assignment
of grant writing agreement for gov HR U-S-A-L-L-C
to MGT solutions LLC.
So moved with discussion
Support, lap Discussion Ms. Moore. Thank you.
Um, Ms. Michaels, are, are you handling this?
The letter came under over, under your signature.
'cause I was, I, I've read through the documents
and I'm not sure who this person
or this company is reporting to within the city.
So maybe you could address it.
I believe currently Mr. Knapp is,
is administering the services.
Okay. And that comes out of what budget?
That comes out of, I believe, lemme check
that. I should have
The original. I didn't
find it in here,
but I could have overlooked it. Certainly.
No, Mr. Fox.
Good evening Counsel. Uh, I believe it's charged
to the allocate the contractual services.
Okay. Did we discuss this during the budget hearings?
I seem to remember. Um,
I think so, but, but anyway, so what really happens is it,
he works through each department.
So if Parks and Rec has a grant
and they request, uh, Mr. Cotton to help him prepare it,
then Anthony would be doing it.
If it's through the police department or, uh, fire
or any department, he would work through that department.
But his actual cost is being charged to
that unallocated line item.
Okay. Have they been pretty successful For us overall?
Yes. I mean, I think there's been some things that, uh,
we, we, we haven't, uh, been able to dot the I
and cross the T in order to get the grant,
but overall, I, I personally feel he is done a, a great job.
He's a very, uh, professional
and, um, I think he can really help us.
Uh, his contract is good through, I think it's December 25.
Okay. Alright. Thank you very much.
You're welcome. Any additional discussion?
Where is it? I dunno.
Madam Chair, Mr. Lafferty,
Uh, through the chair to Mr. Fox, if,
if you could please clarify.
I I know you don't have a copy
of the budget in front of you.
I do. And I'm,
I don't see the line item under administrative
and allocated contract. Is it
Contractual services?
Contractual services is only the $50,000 line item
that we assigned to a project manager, uh, that was intended
to be used for parks and recreation. So I'm not sure.
Well, I would then just request I can, I can send a copy
to counsel where that being charged to. Of course.
Okay. That's, that's,
that's acceptable because there's no
Allocation. Thank you. No,
Thank you. Thank
Thanks Mr. Fox.
Any additional discussion?
Hearing none, I will call the question. Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr.
Lafferty? Yes. Mr. Dwyer? Yes. Mr. Bokey? Yes. Mr. Nunan?
Yes. Rogan C is? Yes. Motion carries. Next item.
Next item is 12 B.
Request of the RFP panel
to award RFPW 1214 health insurance
and dental insurance agent services for a five year period
with the option to extend
for an additional three year period, followed by an option
to extend for an additional two year period
with TMR Associates consideration
and adoption of a resolution.
So moved with discussion
Support Lafferty.
Discussion Madam
Secretary. Thank you.
Um, when we received the information over, uh,
for this, uh, RFP, um, there were,
we have an obligation to pick the lowest bidder
and the, um, company
that was put forward was not the lowest bidder.
And the justification for that was
that when reviewing references,
the city discovered an unfavorable response
to the lowest bid.
Um, I asked what that was
and I was told that basically
we couldn't have that information, that it was confidential.
I then, um, communicated
to the h the acting HR director, uh, she's not even acting.
I don't, I don't know what to call her,
but, um, um,
that any information she had was not exempt from disclosure
to counsel that we have to make a decision, um,
and we should have access and be, have that information.
So, um, I, the answer was that, you know,
they would have a team response by the end
of the team response, which made me a little leery
because I know what team responses mean.
Um, I then got information
that was very vague.
Um, where am I trying to find it here?
Our, our criteria is that the city needs our broker
to work proactively,
and the information we received did not align
with the city's needs.
We were told that the company client relationship started
strong, but has weakened over time.
They also mentioned that timely response was a concern.
I think this is pretty vague and ambiguous
and certainly wouldn't be enough for me, um,
to pick one per one company over the other.
And I was also curious
because the company that had the lowest bid, um, all three
of their references indicated to us
that they were never called by the city.
So I'm curious exactly who gave that information.
Um, Ms. Damon's not here.
Um, I don't think this is the way we should, you know,
if you have a real reason, give it to us.
Um, but I think playing this little game
with counsel is not, is not, uh, productive.
I spent, you know, two or three days going back
and forth with emails
and, um, getting, um, responses
that I thought were not quite adequate.
I don't know what counsel wants to do with this.
Um, I don't know where, who gave that bit of information.
There's no way for me to verify it. Verify it.
Um, this, this is not absolutely nothing against TMR.
They've done a really good job.
I've known Mr. Mueller for years and years
and years, more than either of us wanna admit to, I think.
And they do a good job. And that's nothing to do with that.
Um, I certainly am not out to stop him from getting the bid,
but I, this is just not the way we should have information
disseminated to counsel. So
Does anyone else in the
administration wanna speak on the matter?
Ms. Sworn?
Hi, I am Marilyn Warren, the benefits administrator.
I've been working with, um, TMR
and Associates for the past 16 years,
and they have done an outstanding job.
They've saved the city so much money.
We've make minor adjustments in various areas.
I don't feel a need for change. I really don't.
Why, why fix something that's not broken?
Um, I've, I've looked at the, all the RFPs that came through
and as well as, uh, a team of the people
that were on the RFP staff, um, their committee,
everybody felt that TMR was the best choice.
Um, so I I
I so just hope you vote, just some clarification
that that's one thing.
But what I guess Ms. Moore is bringing up is
that the reason why the lowest bidder wasn't picked is
because references were unfavorable.
And then that information wasn't necessarily provided.
And what she's stating is
that the references stated they weren't actually called,
that were at least listed on the application.
So that would be helpful for us to know if
that is accurate information or
I didn't make the reach out to the other cities.
Okay. So I can't speak to that.
Thank you, Ms. Warren. Ms. Warren, sorry.
I have absolute respect for you
and your opinion about, um, TMR, but that
because you're happy with somebody, there'd be no reason
for us to ever do an RFP.
Then you could just say, I'm happy with them.
I don't want somebody else, even
if they were the lower bidder.
And it's not just me.
No, no, no, no. I I I don't mean just you. Okay.
But as a city, um, you know, I'm happy with a lot of people
and I could say, Hey, I wanna give Mr. Fox, um, this deal.
I want him to be, you know, a controller for life.
And I don't care what he charges us.
But that's not the way it works here.
We, we send out, we have professional services RFPs,
and we have to take the lowest bidder.
Uh, we have some contractors
that actually don't do a very good job sometimes
that there's, their prices are different,
but we, we give them the work
because we have an obligation to take the lowest bidder.
That's my only point. Then why do an RFP
to get the prices from people?
If we're just gonna make a decision on who we wanna keep?
It's, and I'm not blaming you at all for this.
You had nothing to do whatsoever
with this information going back and forth.
I would know. I wouldn't have gotten the same
information if you were doing this.
So thank you. Thank you. I appreciate your time. Thank you.
Madam President. Ms. White Chair, chief Secretary Moore,
being an RFP, do we have a council member assigned today?
Yes. Okay. Um, unfortunately she's not here.
Was there any communication between you and her?
Uh, if she received the information that was un unfavorable?
She did not. She did keep in communication
with me whether I had received the information back.
Um, I don't know if I spoke with her with the last bit
of information I have.
Um, you know, I, I don't necessarily,
I don't wanna stop TMR from getting this business.
That's not my, my point. They, they have done a good job.
I agree. But why are we doing the RFP process if
we're, we're not gonna be, if
An r fp and we don't know the information,
how could the council person report back to us?
And we're not being trans transparent.
Any department then could say, you know, uh, Mr.
Rushton, they could go out for bid for body cameras.
And, you know, his friend comes in
and he says, all the other people are horrible.
Yeah. I mean, I,
I just, from my own experience,
my first phone was with Mr.
Muselli, with the Waste management, and we had meetings
and I was there for 'em all,
and all the questions were asked and answered and went back
and forth to get answers the way it's supposed to.
And now, for them not to give us the information,
uh, on hearsay information to begin with,
because they're not documenting it, uh, it is unacceptable.
Uh, and I'll just leave it at
The, and, and I would make, I, you know,
I made the motion to approve.
But I think we have some serious problems.
We all know we have serious problems in
hr, not with Ms. Warren.
Not at all. But something's gotta be done.
This pattern cannot continue on.
And we have an obligation
to the residents to be transparent.
This is not transparent.
Um, we shouldn't have to fight to get things for counsel.
I wasn't even offered, uh, information to keep confidential.
Um, so that, that's problematic in itself.
And I don't know that I should be the arbiter of
what should be confidential. But anyway,
You'll object to your chair.
I'm madam President Mr. Lafferty.
Thank you. And Ms. Moore,
I don't think you have to be the arbiter.
I'm certain City Charter has, has something to say that
through the chair to Mr. Schroeder.
Can you comment on what the,
the charter might say about such a situation?
It's actually in the purchasing ordinance under the
charter, which requires a purchasing ordinance.
With respect to this.
It says when proposals are issued,
and I'm gonna quote section two dash 3 3 7 0.8
for those who are following along.
Um, it says, when requests for proposals are issued,
subsection F when a proposal is accepted
and sent to counsel for approval,
it should also include the information, why it was chosen
and others were rejected.
And also a financial history
and references from other jobs it has done.
So when they're talking in code here
and saying that there's some major problem,
and you're getting this vague information, um, I don't know
that that's in compliance with the ordinance,
which requires, you know, you're getting references.
You are saying why you're rejected.
The, the companies that apply to the city
for lucrative contracts know that they're subject
to public scrutiny.
I certainly know that as somebody who has applied
and got a contract and got a lot of scrutiny.
But that's part of the deal.
When you apply for a, you know, city, a municipal,
a state contract, a federal
contract, you may be scrutinized.
We've seen congressional committees say all kinds
of things about contractors.
This is a public meeting. It's a public contract.
So that's certainly part of it.
So, um, I echo everything else, Mrs. Moore, um,
and, uh, Councilwoman Moore and Councilman Lafferty said,
but, um, that's what the ordinance says.
So
Thank you, Mr. Schroer.
Mr. Lafferty.
So we, we don't have to, we shouldn't even have to ask
for transparency here.
It's, it's codified in our ordinance.
And I can only shake my head at, I,
I saw the email exchanges,
and this is not something that I thought we were done
with this from the previous term.
So it's disappointing at best.
Uh, I am, I have no issue with
who the RFP panel has recommended,
but certainly would like
to see some improvement on the administrative side of this
to ensure that we receive all of the information
unredacted unrestricted
and in compliance with the purchasing ordinance.
Thank you, Mr. Schroeder. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Mr. Lafferty, would you, um, wanna approve it with, um,
some additional information
before the reconsideration period?
Uh, I'm, I'm happy with
what Ms. Moore was able to bring out from HR
based on her exchange.
Uh, if she has no objections, you know,
any further objections to it, then I'm going
to withhold any, any personal objections to it.
Madam Chair, Ms. Mark. I mean,
I would certainly like to know
where the information came from,
because if it didn't come from the references, where,
where did they get it from?
I know that this company does work for most municipalities,
big ones around, so I don't, now they can be that horrible
because they, they do Sterling Heights in Southfield
and Shelby and Grand Rapids, and I think, I, I don't know.
I dunno where they're Alright.
But anyway, I I, I just think that
I, this has gotta be,
this has gotta be just the last time we're dealing
with something like this from this department.
I mean, there's it, when is it gonna end?
I mean, everything is a mess. Mm-Hmm.
So, I, I don't know
Madam Secretary then Madam Chair, what I will do is,
is make an, an amendment to request
of the HR department to provide all
reference material pertinent to this RFP all references
received, dated and timestamped,
and to be forwarded to counsel office within 10 days.
Could I, if I could just make a note, you know,
we're not required to take the lowest bid,
but when you're giving justification
for why we're not taking the lowest bid,
it should be honest, and we should have a transparent back
and forth with counsel.
And if the justification is, um, you know,
this is the best company we've ever worked for,
and we heard this other guy steals money or whatever,
but this vague, you know, started out strong, ended up weak.
I don't know what that means. That means nothing to me.
That's, you know, somebody said, well, you know, whatever,
they started and then they weren't responding
to anything we said, and they were rude
and blah, blah, blah.
But this is a little too nebulous for me anyway.
I don't wanna see this happen again.
And we just have to do a better job.
So Mr. Lafferty has a modified motion on the floor.
You made, made the motion. Ms. Moore, you
Support. I support.
I support it. Okay. Okay.
Madam President, Mr.
Newan, I, and then we're going to move on.
Sure. I think that, um, one of the key items here would be
that we should be able to call people
to verify the information that we've gotten.
And it seems like we haven't gotten enough
information that we could do that.
And I'd like to ask the other council members if
that's actually the case.
Am I understanding that correctly? Thank you, Ms.
Uh, I yield
Madam Chair. Ms. Moore.
I think when there's a lack of trust,
and that's what's happened is we, we are developing a lack
of trust in a lot of situations.
Um, we're not getting, things are not
coming to us forthcoming.
We're fighting with everything.
We're gonna come down here to another item on the agenda
where we were not given the appropriate,
there's three things we're probably gonna have to table
because we were not provided the right information
and we shouldn't have to keep begging for information.
We have a court order that says anything the administration
has, we get, we don't have to fo it or anything else.
We get it. So anyway, I'm done with this conversation.
I accept Mr. Lafferty's, um, request
and call the motion if you want.
Ms. Warren, do you have parting words?
So Mr. Lafferty is, is requesting any, um, emails
or something that was p pertinent to this information?
My understanding it was all verbal.
Then I would say that, that someone should type up a
report and send that as, you know, a confidential memo.
Okay. If it was a verbal conversation. Okay. Thank you.
Call to question, uh, Ms. Moore.
Yes. Mr. Lafferty? Yes. Mr. Dwyer? Yes. Mr. Bokey? Yes.
Mr. Nunan? Yes. Rogan C is a yes. Motion carries. Next item.
Next item is 13 a Council Secretary Mindy Moore discussion
and Ray Downtown development authority.
DDA, uh, fiscal year 2025. Budget.
Um, I'm not gonna drag this out.
Um, I'm gonna give a little brief where I'm at
and why I'm asking for what I am.
Um, I'm gonna ask for a report.
Um, we had budgeted $10,000
for Atrium Furniture in the DDA capital outlays budget.
Um, and, uh, I was informed actually, uh, Mr.
Bokey was at the meeting on, uh, last week.
And, um, they, it was up to almost $74,000
and their, that amount wasn't budgeted.
Um, the indication from the controller's office was that,
um, there was money left over from another line item
and as long as there was money left over, they could use it
for anything they want.
Um, I listened to the tape. Mr.
Bokey asked the question, if we had budgeted $1.5 million
for the fire escape that was requested
and it wasn't put in, could that money be spent?
And the indication was that it could be spent
for anything they wanted to spend it for.
So once again, this is appearing to be the slush fund
of the mayor's office and we're not
going to do that anymore.
I'm gonna ask Mr. Fox, I know he is coming up here.
I'm not gonna have a conversation today about this Mr. Fox.
I wanna a report, um,
of all the expenditures from the DDA July one
and what item line item they came from.
Also, I wanna indicate that I did listen to the tape and Ms.
Michaels indicated that she didn't believe the city council
had any say whatsoever over the DDA
and thought there should be clarification, which
to me indicates that she is proposing they go to court.
We have been to the Supreme Court.
I certainly don't wanna see any more litigation
between the administration and city council,
and I hope that is not the intent of this administration.
So I would just ask for that report of all line items.
I know it was mentioned by Mr.
Melli that we had praised him for, um,
saving money and using money for something else.
I don't know that I looked at the,
the line item at that point.
Um, and, uh, you know,
sometimes we don't know if something comes
that's left over from the previous year's budget.
Uh, we just don't know that.
So that's all I'm asking for from this year, fiscal year,
uh, 24, 25, July one, what was spent in the DDA,
what line item and where that is at.
Um, so that is my motion
and once we get that information, then we can figure out,
um, you know, how things are gonna work.
It could be absolutely that the, the, the accounting laws
and rules of the state for DDAs say that if,
if you put it in another bucket, you can take it out of
that bucket and put it in this bucket and spend it.
Hi. On however you wanna do it.
I don't know that if that's the case, we're gonna have
to go back to zeroing out, I guess every item
and having the DDA come for everything they wanna spend
that's cumbersome and a waste of everybody's time.
I hope we don't have to do that.
But let's get the information first.
That's information that can be done. Yep. Thank you.
And then we'll, how about we deal with it later? Okay.
So my motion is just to request all the expenditures
of the dda, um, what line item that came from
and where we're at in the, the balances.
In each of the line items.
Support. Anyone Support Lafferty
Discussion beyond Ms.
Moore's note. More than a note, I suppose.
Alright, I'll call the question. Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr.
Lafferty? Yes. Mr. Dwyer? Yes. Mr. Bokey? Yes. Mr. Noonan?
Yes. Ancy is a yes. Next item.
Next item is 13 B. Council member Jonathan Lafferty.
Discussion in Ray Ordinance protecting the use
of city logos, insignia and emblems. So moved.
Support Lafferty with discussion. Discussion.
Mr. Lafferty. Thank you Mading Chair
on Friday, September 6th.
Council received an invitation via email to a private event
or what appeared to be a private event.
And upon review of the flyer, I found it to contain the city
of Warren's Dawn logo.
And after emailing an inquiry to the mayor's office
and advising that the city attorney's office should contact
the host of the event for illicit use of the logo, uh, Ms.
Haw from the mayor's office responded
that the event was indeed not city sponsored.
Uh, I then took to do a little research bar, city charter
and any applicable ordinances.
I found that chapter two, article one, sections two, one
through two three, apply to the establishment
of our city seal, municipal flag,
and deceptive use of a term or symbol representing the city.
Chapter 12, article three, section 1214, uh,
is in regard to filming
and the use of the city logo insignia, badges,
or decals for filming purposes.
Otherwise, I found no relevant sections
that define the appropriate use, uh, of our city logo
or seal and, uh, any, uh,
likeness of the city.
So I reached out to Mr. Schroeder
and confirmed, uh, my findings.
And so what I'm requesting tonight is that city council
make, uh, a formal request
to create an ordinance establishing the standards
and procedures for use of the city seal, its emblem,
and all insignias.
The primary goal of this ordinance shall provide standards
and procedures for the use of the city, seal
and insignia, logos, et cetera,
to develop a citywide enforceable policy framework
to ensure the appropriate use for clear identification
of city, sponsored and
or endorsed publications, correspondence and property.
Further, this ordinance shall govern all materials,
whether printed, electronic
or virtual, identify all entities, offices,
and also identify officers within the employee
of the city permitted to use the city seal.
Further, the ordinance shall determine all permissible
and requisite use of the city seal
and exemptions where the city council may deem it necessary
by resolution for an alternative seal or emblem,
or grant an exception.
Further, the ordinance shall explicitly identify
restrictions and prohibitions
constituting the inappropriate, inappropriate use
of the city seal.
Further, the ordinance shall call for the establishment
of a style guide to define exact colors, fonts,
and precise allowable proportions, which will further define
and will further define a timeline
for all materials not compliant with the ordinance
to be phased in within six months
of adoption of this ordinance.
This timeline includes
but is not limited to printed materials, brochures,
business cards, letterhead folders, envelopes,
invoices, and vehicles.
Further, this ordinance shall establish sanctions
for the misuse of the city seal in the form
of a civil infraction, fine, and all manners of enforcement.
Counsel, that is my motion for consideration,
Madam Chair, support Dwyer.
So it was my understanding
that the city seal cannot be used by others.
I don't know where, if it's in the chart or whatever,
but that the logo could be
because it had never been copyrighted and we don't own it.
So I don't know if we have to do that first
or Ms. Michael.
I don't know. You can, you can
come up if you have something to say.
This has come up in, um, campaign literature.
No, that issue,
I'm sorry for clarification.
Dawn is copyright.
Oh, it's the artist obtained the copyright assigned it
to the DDA, but the city seal is separate and it is true.
It is not copyright.
Okay, I got 'em mixed up. Okay. Thank you. Ms. S.
Okay, because dentist
and everybody in the, in the,
I get all the time from a dentist with dawn logo in the city
every week from who?
A dentist. Oh,
people use it on campaign literature, all kinds of things.
Yeah.
Any discussion? Other discussion?
Madam Chair, Mr. Bokey,
Uh, through the chair to Councilman Lafferty.
And, uh, would it matter if, if this was a city sponsor
and having that logo on there, and
I have no issue if it's a city sponsored event,
put the City Seal, the Dawn logo, what whatever manner
of representation of a city sponsored, endorsed,
sanctioned and insured event. I
Have no issue with that. I feel
the same. Um, have we received any notification if
this is a city sponsored or a private event?
The only notification I received was the,
was the response from the mayor's office from Ms.
Haw that said this was not a city sponsored event.
But given the turmoil following, uh, the,
the June Pride event and the questions
that have arisen, I know Mr.
Dwyer is still awaiting information, uh, that, you know,
our logo appeared.
It, it wasn't there then it was,
and this is how questions arise
because we don't have this information clearly codified in
our charter, within our ordinances that cover
and govern all of its use.
Thank you. Yield back to chair.
Any additional discussion? Madam Chair, Mr.
Lafferty? Just as anecdotally, uh, we have,
we ran into this A couple of years ago.
There was a ballot question committee that was looking
to, uh, save our city,
and one of the flyers that was sent out
by the Citizens Alliance, uh, illegally used
the county logo.
And I knew that an ordinance had been passed
by the county back in 2014
governing the protections of the logo.
And we don't have a, a strong enough based on the sections
that I've read, uh, of course I'll defer to, uh,
Mr. Schroeder for the, the strength and,
and intent of, of those ordinances, uh, those mentions,
at least in those sections, I don't believe that we are,
we are properly protecting the likeness
and the identification of our city.
Uh, it's logos, it's insignias, and it's identity.
So I, I believe this is a good step forward.
We should have this on the books
and something that we can point to saying that this is, uh,
what governs it, even with, you know, reaching out to, uh,
an individual saying you're not allowed
to use the, the city logo.
Well, show me where I I'm not allowed to.
Well, we can't, it's, it's our logo. You shouldn't use it.
But I don't have a, a rule of policy
and ordinance stating as such.
We're, we're in an indefensible position at the moment.
Okay. Uh,
I will call the question just through the chair, Mr.
Speaker. Mm-Hmm. Just one last question.
Um, the, uh, city Seal,
there's a copyright on that, correct?
No. I thought it's on the Dawn logo, correct?
Is that what I heard? Mm-Hmm.
On the Dawn Logo. Okay. Thank you.
Any last call for discussion? Okay. Hearing none.
I'll call the question. Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr. Lafferty? Yes.
Mr. Dwyer? Yes. Mr. Bokey? Yes. Mr. Nunan? Yes.
Rogan C is a yes. Next item
14. A request of
the 37th District Court
for an increase in budgeted revenues
and appropriations in the amount of $400,000 to account
for the receipt of a grant from the Substance Abuse
and Mental Health Services Administration, consideration
and adoption of a resolution.
So moved, five votes are needed.
Support Lafferty.
Discussion. Hearing none?
I will call the question. Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr. Lafferty? Yes.
Mr. Dwyer? Yes. Mr. Bokey? Yes. Mr. Nunan? Yes.
Rogan C is a yes. Motion carries. Next item,
14 B. Requests of the police
department
for an increase in budgeted appropriations in the amount
of $95,000 to cover the increased costs for the installation
of police vehicle accessories
to meet the police department's specific needs,
consideration and adoption of a resolution.
So moved. Five ohs are needed.
Support Dwyer. Support
Dwyer more made the motion.
Any discussion? Hearing none? I will call the question.
Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr. Dwyer? Yes. Mr. Bokey? Yes. Mr.
Lafferty? Yes. Mr. Nunan? Yes. Rogan C is a yes.
Motion carries. Next item,
14 C, requests of the police department
for increase in budgeted revenues
and appropriations in the amount of $112,500 to account
for the receipt of a grant from the state
of Michigan's Michigan Commission in Law Enforcement
Standards, M Cole's Consideration
and adoption of a resolution.
So moved, five votes are needed.
Support Voki.
Discussion. Hearing none?
I will call the question. Ms. Moore. Yes. Mr. Bokey? Yes.
Mr. Dwyer? Yes. Mr. Lafferty? Yes. Mr. Nunan? Yes.
Rogan C is a yes. Motion carries. Next item.
Next item. MS 14 D.
Request approval of the reappointment of Oscar Zamora
to the Downtown Development Authority with a term expiration
of June 30th, 2026.
Motion to table
Support to table.
I will call the question Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr. Lafferty?
Yes. To table Mr. Dwyer? Yes. To table Mr.
Bokey? Yes. To table Mr. Nunan?
No to table Rogan C is a
no item is tabled.
14 e. Request approval of the appointment
of Shaniqua Sanders Pierce to the Sidewalk
and Tree Commission with the term expiration
of June 30th, 2024.
Motion to table
Support to table Ms. Moore?
Yes. Mr. Lafferty? Yes.
To table. Mr. Dwyer? Yes. To table. Mr. Bokey? Yes.
To table. Mr. Nunan?
Yes. To table. I think the reason for tabling
Might No, no, we have no discussion
On, no discussion.
Fine.
Was it a yes or no? Sorry. If you could
Repeat. That was a yes to
Table. Thank you.
Rogan. See is a yes. Next item.
14 F Notice of reappointment of John Perry
to the Civil Service Commission with a term expiration date
of June 30th, 2027.
Table.
So motion to table? Yes. Support to table
Ms. Moore? Yes.
Mr. Lafferty?
Yes. Mr. Dwyer? Yes. To table. Mr. Bokey? Yes.
To table. Mr. Newan? Yes. The
Table C is a yes. Next item.
Next item is 14 G,
which was 4G on the consent agenda request of the library
director to award bid ITBW 1 3 22, printing,
bundling, and shipping the Warren Winter Program Guide
booklet to Grand Printing, Inc.
In a total amount not to exceed $37,660
Consideration and adoption of resolution.
So moved with discussion
Colleagues. I need a
support.
Support Dwyer. Thank you. Discussion Mr. Lafferty?
Thank you. In reading the,
the resolution, I have an amendment,
but I wanted to preface this.
Uh, this is the, the first time that we are looking at a
revised approach to the news beat.
So as people will recall that we used to have
the News beat publication that was a line item
of $150,000 in the communications budget.
And this council split that allocation, uh,
$50,000 to the library
and $90,000 to Parks and Recreation.
So they do have, uh, sufficient funds to cover this.
Uh, my concern is that absent the,
the establishment of a seated mail
and publications commission Or a communications commission,
that we do not have any oversight as to the content
of what is being printed.
And that was the issue of how we arrived at this solution.
To give two departments that have a necessity to communicate
with residents, uh, the ability to properly fund them
and to give them, uh, the means to come up with something
that is more reasonable.
Uh, you know
and believe Ms. Moore, you had suggested a, uh,
looking at McComb Community College
and the way they list all of their classes, it's effective,
it reaches meant multiple homes.
It doesn't have to be glossy and photographic.
It just has to be functional.
And so, looking at this, uh, looking at this cost,
there were no, uh, um, uh, examples
of what was going to be printed.
So I am asking to amend the resolution
that, uh, it is resolved that the bid
of Grand Blank Printing is hereby accepted by City Council
and the total amount not to exceed $37,660
pending the review
and approval of the publications final draft.
That is my amended motion
Support. Dwyer,
you're comfortable with that amendment, Mr. Dwyer?
Yes. Thank you. Any discussion,
Madam?
Mr. Newnan? I, um, I think that
I can generally support this,
but I think that, um, it needs
to be better coordinated in order to make sure that what
has been drafted comes out in a timely fashion.
I don't know, uh, what would be added to, to this except,
uh, that the administration should be, uh, clear
that they need to, um,
get those things put together, uh, rapidly in order for us
to have time to approve it,
and for them to still get it out in a timely fashion.
'cause, uh, the parks and,
and the, uh, library are talking about events,
and if, if the publication comes out
after events have already happened,
then it's gonna be problematic.
Thank you.
Any additional discussion?
Madam Chair? Mr. Lty? Uh, just in response to Mr.
Newnan of Absolutely.
And with this type of publication, it
based on the discussion that we had at budget hearing time,
should have said it was rather inferred that we wanted
to see the, you know, the materials
before they were going out.
So the timeline should have been built into this,
and in case I wasn't abundantly clear, the,
the amendment should read, pending the review
and approval of the publication's final draft
by city council.
Okay. Alright.
Any additional discussion?
Hearing none, I will call the question. Mr. Lafferty? Yes.
Mr. Dwyer? Yes. Mr. Bokey? Yes. Mr. Nunan? Yes.
Ms. Moore? Yes. Rogan C is a yes. Motion carries. Next item.
Next item is audience participation for general topics.
Members of the audience who would like
to address city council this evening may do so
by filling out a form located Thank you.
At the right side of the stage, uh, reminder,
write your name and address on the audience
form, or give it at the podium.
You have three minutes. Uh, the clock is here.
First up is Lori Harris.
Hi, Lori Harris. Um, to the citizens in Warren,
I want to apologize for
not fighting harder against injustice that I see
where our citizens are being victimized
and I'm not gonna stop fighting.
Um, and it's come at a cost in terms
of what has been, uh, set about me, uh,
and to me, but that's okay
because I am fighting for you for the citizens.
I also want to remind people
that we really would like more residents involved, come
to the planning meetings.
I went last night to the planning meeting,
and sad to say that the planning
director put something on the agenda,
but the, the petitioner is in court,
has not had a certificate of compliance for two years,
is operating his business.
Without that certificate of compliance, why are we thinking
of giving him more opportunities in the city?
Why isn't there communication between the departments?
So that kind of mistake doesn't happen.
And if I'm wondering, if I hadn't mentioned it,
would anybody on the commission have even addressed it?
So, um, we need more people to pay attention
and come, uh, get involved with the city.
Um, I also wanna remind you that there's, uh,
uh, that a DA is a civil law,
and I'm sure some of you are probably noticing now that,
um, when you go to shopping centers or strip malls
or businesses, you can see now where there aren't signs
or there aren't ramps, there's no access.
And Tony Baker and Dorothy have been fighting really hard
for this, and we're going to keep trying to bring that up
so we can make progress.
There is a disabilities, uh, commission meeting
Thursday at six 30, uh, at, at the library at Civic Center,
and I am sure they would welcome, uh, residents to come
and give input on accessibility issues.
Thank you.
Thank you. Next is Yvonne Pa.
Good evening City Council.
Last time I was here, I presented you a
petition enforcing city ordinance section 23 6 on
maintaining Veterans Memorial Park,
24, 700 Campbell Road.
I was trying to accomplish a sign to be installed.
No mini bikes allowed, uh,
because I didn't want any more excuses
or ignorance, uh, not knowing about this ordinance
with the juveniles and the juveniles parents.
I first step, I came to you.
The second step, I tried to get ahold
of the road commissioner.
I went to DPW
and then I went to the police department.
Sergeant Frank Kiran was nice enough
to take time out and listen to me.
I gave him a copy of the petition I had.
I explained to him what I was trying to do,
and I'm new at this and I'm trying to figure out
what the next step is to do.
Um, I had told them that July 17th,
around 8:40 PM I have footage
of the juvenile running through on a mini bike
and right through the main, uh, middle
of the park almost hitting people.
I have footage of the police sitting at the end
of the park, not doing nothing.
This is what's making me upset. What do I do?
I'm trying the best. Okay, the next step is
we have homeless all around the park perimeter,
leaving their stuff, pillows, blankets, whatever.
And, um, I've talked to them
and I've asked them, what's bringing you here to this park?
Well, they got run out of Hoover, where the Kroger's is at,
behind the Kroger's.
They were told to move on.
They're telling me a police officer's telling them to come
to this park, sleep on the picnic tables at night.
If it's too cold or rainy, they can go inside
the bathrooms and sleep.
You know, we're getting sick of it.
Our community wants something done.
Everybody's afraid to speak out.
I'll try my best to do whatever I can.
Um, also, I'm sitting there in the park having a golf,
um, cart, driving right through
and almost running over my feet.
What do you, what do you do? What do I do? I don't know.
Uh, how can I help? I don't, I'm trying step by step.
Thank you for your time.
If you give your contact information to Ms Camp,
we can follow up with the, the police department,
I think would be the appropriate, uh,
place to bring this up.
She can, uh, forge your information to counsel
and we can send it on to the police
Department. Awesome. Thank you.
Alright, next is Michael Ti.
Hello, council members. Um, I'm being harassed
by the Department of Property Maintenance and Inspection.
On the fourth, I received a warning notice
for rubbish on my property,
specifically a bounce house in my driveway.
The bounce house does not obstruct the sidewalk.
It's deflated when not in use,
and my children use that bounce house every day.
I called the supervisor and asked him
what code I'm violating since the bounce
house is not rubbish.
And he couldn't answer, said he suggested.
I just put it in my garage again.
I asked him, what code am I violating
because that is a hassle.
He said, I am not, oh, wait minute. Hold on again.
I'm asking, uh, what code I violated.
He said, just put it in the garage until he, I told him,
until he produces a true code violation, I will not move it
at 9:00 AM this morning, five days
after the original notice, three men came out to my house
to take pictures of my property.
These men tried to claim again
that the bounce house is in violation of city code
because it's rubbish.
A kid's toys is not rubbish.
And we told him that I asked for his name,
which he did not disclose,
and asked multiple times what city code I'm violating.
And he never answered. As I'm discussing this on my
property, he decides to try to look over my fence
and take pictures to look
for anything else he can harass me with.
This is not a HOA, this is a private property that I own
and didn't have any rubbish on my property.
He's repeatedly come on my property, which has forced me
to install a front and backyard camera.
I will not be harassed on my own property.
When will this end? Thank you.
Thank you. Okay.
Next is Wesley Arnold.
Sorry I'm old. I'm running.
Thank you very much for all your time.
It is greatly appreciated.
Uh, I'm the very old worn historian
and I always have to mention that.
Uh, citizens can see thousands of free pictures
on Warren history.info.
Reason I'm here. I'm a former fireman.
I almost died, uh, a few times once, uh,
in one of the fires in Warren.
Uh, therefore, I must remind every, everyone,
this is mostly for the audience, TV audience,
that it is time they replace the batteries in
their smoke detectors.
And if you have a smoke detector
that's more than 10 years old, it's best to get a new one.
Uh, CO 2D detectors also have problems
and is wise to have more than one.
It is also very wise to have more than one smoke detector,
especially have them in living areas
and in teenagers bedrooms.
I guess I don't need to explain that,
but, uh, if the earlier fumes are detected,
the more lives can be saved.
And, uh, because if people don't have several smoke
detectors or if they don't check the batteries,
lives are at risk.
This is very important.
Uh, just a note on the lady that talked about the, uh,
problem in the parks.
I was at the, the, the Centerline City Council last night,
and they have a similar problem, uh, over
by Sara Line High School with teenagers
and other people, you know, just running wild.
So, so you're not the only one that's got a problem with
mini bikes and teenagers and speeding and things like that.
Thank you very much.
Thank you. Next is Joel Vander livin.
Cool.
Joe Lin, longtime born resident.
Members of this council has already talked about
how they don't want to go legal battles
and stuff with the mayor
and go head to head with her, subpoena her.
You have the power to bring her here in front of you,
in front of the public, and ask these questions
as she's refusing the answer.
You have that power.
If you don't want to court, go to court, subpoena her.
That'd be the first step.
The second thing is, she's not listening to you.
She's not doing her job. She doesn't care.
As long as she's not afraid of you,
she's gonna walk right over you.
It's time for you guys to stand up
and represent the people that are here, the citizens
of Warren, and stand up to her and her socialist ways.
Lord knows, if it was Jim Fouts,
we'll be burning down the city to get 'em, rightfully so.
But she shouldn't have any carte blanche.
It's been 10 months now.
Positions aren't filled, committees aren't filled,
jobs aren't being done,
things aren't being put properly on the agenda.
In fact, during, uh, uh, correspondence from the mayor,
there's hardly anything on there anymore.
Why is she not doing her job as her, uh,
department's heads not sending the stuff through?
What the hell's going on with this city?
It's a sad fact that nothing's being done.
She's actually worse than Foss
and you're letting her be that way.
Stand up, make her take responsibility
for her actions and lack of put her on the spot.
Get her out of hiding in her office or over whoever's house.
'cause she ain't here half the time.
Don't worry about disappointing the party.
Worry about disappointing the citizens that voted you in.
Thank you and have a blessed day.
Thank you. Next is Gerald Haba.
Hi. I'm gonna talk about the potential repurposing
of the Warren Racket
and Fitness Center, uh,
right across from the police station.
And, uh, I understand that this city council approved
the purchase of, of the building through using DDDA funds.
My concern is that no one from the city council
or from the DDA ever went over to the building
and found out what was going on there.
And what's going on there is that there are hundreds
of athletes, martial arts groups, church groups,
different kind of sports racquetball kids teaching their,
uh, parents teaching their kids soccer.
There's all kinds of stuff going on there.
Most of these people have thought up to this point
that the building was owned by Parks and Rec,
and of course it wasn't.
So when these athletes found out
that the place would close, I
saw their reaction
and I think you should go see it too.
And you can see that on a, a variety of days.
There's a group on Saturday morning, I play
with sometimes 10 to noon.
You can stop by, stop in Sunday
from six to eight.
There's the volleyball warriors,
and they have about 80 members on Monday
is also, uh, a group of people.
So it happens every week.
And they've started a petition to try to get the city
to not repurpose the building.
Now, I know it's supposed to be used for a parking lot,
and I think it can be used.
I, I meant that the parking lot is in the works to be used
by the police department, and I think that's okay,
but the building can stay open for the purpose that it is.
You may have signed off on what's gonna happen to
that property, but I think that if you went over there
and you talked to some of these groups, you would find out
that you would say something for their benefit
and to have them stay in this group.
Most of them are wallyball players.
If you s if you, uh, search wallyball,
nothing comes up.
Search Wallyball, Southeast Michigan, nothing comes up.
There's one school somewhere in southeast Michigan
that has teaches kids how to play wallyball.
So this is sort of like
You're out of time. Mr. Has,
thank you. Thank you. Okay. bye-Bye.
Have a good evening, Gloria. Sanker is next.
Good evening, counsel. Uh,
I passed a yard sign the other day
and it said, we support choice, freedom.
Is it on choice, freedom and democracy?
I kind of have an idea of what freedom and democracy is,
but what about choice?
Choice to have a job, choice to have an education.
What does a choice mean in this case?
Choice means for the democratic platform, the choice
to dispose of a baby.
It's contradictory though,
because it really isn't a choice at all.
It's decision to get rid of a life.
This happens to be the main topic of the Democratic campaign
to winning the presidential election.
Abortion is on the ballot.
It's not the border, it's not public safety.
It's not a better economy, it's abortion.
Statistics show more than 63 million
babies have been aborted in the United States since Roe
versus Wade in 1973.
Following abortion will be euthanasia.
That's getting rid of the older folks.
Of course, in a merciful way, that's how that will be sold.
The Democrats are too much for abortion
and too little for life.
Carmilla Harris wants a national pro-abortion policy
that is abortion for all the states.
And some of her democratic colleagues don't want any medical
help to the baby should it survive the abortion.
This is extreme for normal thinking people.
So the only way you can stop this atrocity is to stop voting
for the party that promotes abortion.
I heard Jennifer Granholm in a commercial say
she personally opposes abortion, but she's going for it
because her party is for it.
She is a democrat.
What kind of a person is this
that does not vote their convictions?
And we have politicians who will not allow the parents
to notify their parents if a child
is seeking to have an abortion.
For those of you who say politics don't affect you,
check your water bill.
Warn residents, it just went up 7.5%.
Your life is greatly affected by politics.
And if the socialists get in in November, it will be they
who will decide your wealth
and not you, how it will be distributed.
The world runs by those who show up to vote.
I suggest you go to the polls
and vote for the party that respects life
because one day you may be at their mercy. You're
Out of time. Thank you, Ms. Anchor.
Jonathan, thank you for singing that beautiful song.
You're out of time, Ms. Anchor America, the beautiful.
It is much more beautiful and we respect life. Thank you.
Good job. Next item,
Um, council response to audience.
Madam Chair? Yes. Just to follow up on Mr.
Um, Arnold's, uh, discussion about smoke detectors
if you are in need of a smoke detector,
if you don't have any, if yours need to be replaced,
please call the Warren
Firefighters at
(586) 759-9320
or you can email them at smoke
detector@warrenfiredpt.org.
I'll put this again on, um, council's Facebook.
You can always call council office
and they can give you the number,
but don't go without a smoke detector
because you don't know how to get them, how to install them
or you can't afford them.
Please call the fire department because most people die
because there are no smoke detectors
in their houses during a fire.
So please call if you need
any one, two, three, four, six, whatever you need.
Thank you.
Any additional response? Madam Chair?
Mr. Lafferty? Thank you.
The individual, I believe Michael Otti
that indicated he's having, uh,
consistent issues with property maintenance.
There could be a follow up with, uh,
property maintenance to council office.
And on that particular issue, uh, just to understand, uh,
what the chain of events were
and what what codes are, are in violation
so we can clear this matter up.
I'm certainly certain that there's a misunderstanding
between the two and we can help facilitate that
Ms. Camp's address.
Thank you. Any additional response?
Madam Chair? Just one more. I don't think Ms.
Michaels was in here. I'm just gonna
update her on what the issue was.
Someone has a bouncy house in their driveway
and property maintenance is coming out.
So, so
you're up to speed on that.
Thanks.
Hearing and seeing no additional response. Next item.
Motion to adjourn Support.
All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? We are adjourned.
Have a good evening.