I am now calling to order our regular city council meeting
on Tuesday, January 13th at
7:08 PM Please stand for the pledges of allegiance.
I pledge all pledge allegiance.
Flag to the flag Of
The United States of America,
and to the republic for which it stands.
Nation, one Nation under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice
For all.
Roll call man of secretary.
Um, present Rogan is ab absent?
Um, Dwyer. Here. Ms. McGee?
Here. Mr. Bokey? Present. Mr. Newan? Here. Mr. Laffy?
Here. Morris. Present. Um, make a motion to,
Sorry.
Make a motion. It is, it was on.
Make a motion to, uh, excuse, uh,
Councilwoman Rogan. C.
Support Lafferty.
All in favor? Aye. Aye. Thank you. Next item.
Next item is adoption of the consent agenda.
So moved with discussion
Support Lafferty with discussion.
Discussion. Yes.
I would like to remove from the, um, add
to the regular agenda for n for U
for Z four C four D, D
four M 4G, G four,
HHS, four
IIT four jj,
U 4K.
K. Everybody has a list.
I gave everyone a copy of that.
I have them. So those are being removed
to be put on the agenda or
Without Objection.
Okay. Um,
Any other discussion, Madam Chair?
Sure. Thank you.
In regard to item four, double L, we have the notice
of appointment for Penny Renee Pellegrini to the Parks
and Recreation Commission.
Uh, this item is not on the, the regular agenda
that I wanted to indicate and recognize.
Ms. Pellegrini, she's in the audience tonight
and, uh, will introduce herself under audience
and has an impeccable resume. She's not,
She's not been, She's on the, uh,
Consent On the list here.
Excuse me. She's under the consent. Yep.
She's,
Thank You. Mm-hmm.
Any other discussion? Hearing and seeing none?
I will call to questioning.
Moore.
Yes. Lafferty? Yes.
Okay. Councilman Bokey? Yes. Councilman Dryer? Yes.
Councilman McGee? Yes. Councilman Newman? Yes. Okay.
Motion. Carrie. Next item.
Next item is for adoption of the agenda.
So moved with discussion, support,
Labor.
Discussion. Um, thank you
Ma'am. Chair, what
was four N will now be 13.
K. What was four? U will be 13. L What was four?
Z as in zebra will be 13. M. What was four? C?
C will be 13. N What was four? D.
D will be 13.
O What was four? M will be 13.
P. What was four? G? G will be 13.
Q. What was four? H? H will be 13.
R what was four?
I I will be 13 s. What was four?
JJ will be 13.
T what was four?
KK will be 13 U.
Everyone have that? Okay.
Any other discussion, hearing, and scene? None.
I'll call to question.
Madam Secretary Moore?
Yes. Councilman Laverty? Yes.
Councilman Dryer? Yes. Councilman Bokey? Yes.
Councilman Newman? Yes. Councilwoman McGee. Melody? Yes.
Next item. Next
Item is calendar of pending matters.
Six. A, uh, motion to receive and file
Support. Lafferty.
All in favor? Aye. Aye.
Motion carried. Next item.
Next item is seven a approval of the bills
of the General Revenue Fund. So moved.
Support Lafferty.
Any other discussion, hearing in senior? None.
I will call the question. Councilman Moore?
Yes. Council, I'm sorry. Councilwoman Moore.
Councilman Lafferty? Yes. Council Councilman Dryer?
Yes. Council Councilman Bokey? Yes. Councilman Newman?
Yes. And councilman, um, McGee? Yes. Motion carry.
Next item. Next
Item is seven B, approval of the bills
of the water and sewer systems.
So moved. Support Dwyer.
Any other discussion? Hearing and seeing none.
I will call to question. Councilman Moore?
Yes. Council. Councilman Lafferty? Yes.
Councilman Dryer? Yes. Councilman Bokey? Yes.
Councilman Newman? Yes. And Councilwoman Melody? Yes.
Motion. Carrie. Next item.
Next item is audience participation
regarding agenda items only
Members of the audience who would like to address the city
of City Council relating to the agenda items
this evening may do so under the audience portion by fi,
filling out the agenda form located in the right
side of the stage.
Do we have any names so far?
I'd like to call Penny.
If I spell your name wrong,
please Let me say your name wrong.
Pelican Need. Could you say your name? Honey
Pei Please. You are
Close. Okay.
Alright. Thank you Your Honor.
I'm here because I have an appointment, um,
to the Parks and Rec Commission.
And I just wanna say, four years ago I bought my home here
in Warren, uh, my 9-year-old daughter.
And I frequent there and enjoy using our park,
but we were really, um, dissatisfied
with the state of the park.
And, uh, last summer I attended a Parks
and Rec commission meeting to share our grief.
Um, I was heard
and welcomed by the commission members, so much so
that they encouraged me to apply, um,
to be on the commission.
Um, and with this I have a lot of urban planning experience.
I currently work for the City of Detroit in the Grants
and Development Department.
Um, but most, um, relevant is my experience working with,
uh, Michigan State University's Center for Community
and Economic Development and Canfield Consortium
and East Side Detroit Community Development Corporation.
Um, back in 2021 into 2022, with their guidance,
I conducted a community needs assessment, an extensive
research of Detroit's master plan
and design of a community greenway,
utilizing vacant lots throughout a specified area.
Um, right now, that plan is currently being
completed in phases.
Um, and I am honored to be appointed, uh,
to this commission
and to serve our community. Thank you. Well,
Welcome aboard. Thank
You.
You do not have any other, um,
any special announcements from our council,
Madam Chair? Sure.
Uh, point of order.
I believe there was a mistake made on the consent agenda.
Okay. And I need to reconsider my
vote at this point.
What item? She has
Five minutes to take reason
for reconsideration and then you take a vote.
Okay. Your reason for reconsideration?
We, we pulled off all of these, um,
items from the consent agenda
and, uh, so that they would be heard on the regular agenda.
And, um, I, my motion would, would, should have been
to table the items on the consent agenda
because they're already, we would have
to pull each of those individuals
On we table what Your,
so you want to table the remaining items?
Correct. The motion should have been
to table the remaining items
that were not tabled on the consent agenda.
So I need to reconsider my
Vote Because we
vote, we we took off reconsideration
And then need to vote on whether
You want motion to reconsider.
Alright. Support Lafferty.
Discussion. Discussion.
Madam Chair, what we did is we took the items off the
consent agenda and put them on the regular agenda.
And then the, my, my intent was to table the rest
of the items on the consent agenda
that had not already been tabled.
Okay. Madam Chair.
So I would like to go back and reconsider my vote.
I assume that's how I do it procedurally, Mr. Schroeder?
Yeah. So you have to file a motion for reconsideration.
You need a vote on the reconsideration.
Yeah. So I would make a motion to reconsider my vote
Madam. Sure. Of
Support. Support
Any discussion?
Sure. Is the, uh, what was for four R?
The active mobility plan being brought up?
Uh, for a voter not being brought up
for vote not, not being brought up for a vote.
No, no, it was not put on the agenda.
Ah, Okay. Interesting.
If this is being reconsidered, can I ask that, uh,
for r the act mobility plan be brought,
put on the agenda. Ma
Madam chair? Did
I respond? I think the people here are not here
to discuss that today
because it wasn't gonna be on the agenda.
If you wanna just put, bring it out
and be done with it tonight, but I think you probably would.
We wanna have more discussion on it.
It Was okay. It was alright. I, I, I'll, I'll yield.
Yeah. Okay.
Any questions? So, point of point of clarification,
Madam, madam secretary, the
from four A to four N
those items are already tabled, right?
They Remain tabled and
They remain Tabled. So
we, you want to leave those on?
We're leaving those on the table just to clarify. Correct.
And then the balance, four O to
four MM with the exception
of the items that you pulled off as previously stated,
are on the regular agenda.
Correct. Alright.
And I, I apologize, we came in here in such a rush
that we were a little,
Anything Not moved to the main agenda either remains
tabled or will be tabled,
Okay. Yes. Both The
balance of the consent
Agenda. Alright.
So, uh, I'd support that,
but I would like to move item four ll
the Parks and Rec, uh, appointment
to the regular agenda, then
To be able to approve her Appointment support.
Discuss their Payments. Yes.
Oh, so now we That would be 13 B.
13 B And
you revote on her appointment?
Yes.
Okay. When get to that. Okay.
Yes. Right now you're gonna call a question
on the reconsideration
Call the question on the reconsideration.
Yes. Yes.
Councilman Lafferty? Yes. Okay.
Councilman Dryer. Yes. Councilman Bokey? Yes.
Councilman, um, Newnan? Yes.
And Councilman Melody, myself. That is a yes.
Motion carried. Next item.
My next will be motion to
table the remaining items on the consent agenda.
Motion the table, the remaining items on the table
On the consent, and with the addition of four 13 B,
which was four ll
Okay. With the exception
of 13 B, which is four ll
So more made a motion.
More made a motion. Yeah. Yes.
Councilman Lab Lty.
I'm, I'm sorry, what? What is the motion
Going? Voting on tabling
the, the remainder of the consent agenda.
Tabling the balance. Yes. Yes, yes, yes. To Table
Councilman Dryer.
Yes. To Table Councilman Bokey? Yes. The table.
Councilman Newan? Yes. And Councilman McGee?
The answer is yes. Motion.
We need one more. One more. And the
Agenda to add for ll
Motion to amend the agenda to add item
four LL under 13
Support. D Our,
any other discussion?
I'll call the question councilman. Uh, Moore? Yes.
Councilman Lafferty? Yes. Councilman Dryer? Yes.
Councilman Bokey? Yes. Councilman Newnan. Okay.
And Councilman McGee? Yes.
And I, I apologize we came in here in a rush
and I kind of mess things up.
I apologize very much.
Motion, Carrie. Next item.
And, uh, is there any other discussion on any Okay.
Council announcements.
Any announcements Yes. For our council,
Madam Chair? Sure.
Uh, yes.
Um, well, we had something very sad happen, uh, last week.
A, an absolute pillar of our community. Kingsley.
Sears passed away, um,
and, you know, just pretty much on the heels of the death
of his wife, uh, just a little more than a year
ago, I think.
Um, he was a remarkable individual
whose life exemplified quiet, dedication,
intellectual depth,
and a profound commitment to education,
music, and community service.
The city of Warren has lost a cherished leader whose
influence helped shape both our public institutions
and our cultural life.
For more than half a century, Kingsley Sears
and his family made war in their home in 1963,
when he was appointed Director of Personnel
for Warren Consolidated Schools.
During his 22 years of service,
he played a pivotal role in the district's growth,
overseeing the hiring
and support of hundreds of educators during a period
of a significant expansion.
His leadership helped strengthen the foundation
of public education in Warren
and positively impacted generations of students.
Music remained a defining
and lifelong passion of Mr. Sears, a gifted tuba player
and devoted musician.
He was a founding member of the Warren Concert Band,
the Warren Chorus, and the Warren Symphony Orchestra.
Beyond his performances, he enriched the cultural experience
of countless residents through his insightful program notes,
which deepened audience's, understanding
and appreciation of the music.
Presented his service as choir director
at Celtic Cross Presbyterian Church,
further reflected his ability to unite music, faith,
and community in meaningful ways.
Kingsley's dedication
to music endured well into his nineties,
marking more than eight decades of musicianship, a testament
to his passion, discipline,
and desire to share the arts with others.
In recognition of his lifelong service, education,
and the arts, the city
of Warren proudly honored Kingsley Sears
with a proclamation, celebrating his 90th birthday,
acknowledging a legacy that had already touched generations
fondly regarded by many as a true warren treasure.
He earned that distinction through humility, perseverance,
and an unwavering commitment to the community.
He called home. Kingly.
Sears leaves behind an enduring legacy in Warren schools.
Its cultural institutions, its places of worship,
and in the lives of all who had the privilege to know him.
The Warren City Council extends its deepest condolences
to his family, friends, and all who mourn his passing
and honors a life that quietly
but profoundly enriched our city.
Um, I had the, uh, honor of, uh, having a lot
of interaction with Mr. Sears.
Um, he was quite involved with Warren Symphony
as I have been off and on for many years.
Uh, he wrote the, uh, music notes or the monthly newsletter
and, uh, my son, uh,
would put together the graphics and we did the printing.
So I got to know him pretty well as long as, and my son.
And, um, I was on the Warren and Consolidated School board.
And, uh, Mr. Sears was just a, an absolute treasure to all
of us from the school district.
He made such an impact in this community.
It's, I we've lost some very, very, uh,
important warren treasures just in the last year and a half.
And he joins a, a legacy of just some wonderful people.
Um, and it's really sad for me to see some of these people,
um, leave this world that have been so,
so instrumental in the success of our, our city
and friends to many of us.
Um, I certainly send, um, our condolences to his family
and everyone that knows him, his friends,
and all the, I've been involved in many
of the organizations he's been involved in
and, um, our, all of our lives, uh,
were better knowing Kingsley.
He was truly, truly a gentleman. So I'm going to miss him.
So I would ask for a moment of silence
unless somebody wants to say something else
before that. Ask a moment of silence.
Yes.
Thank you. Any additional
announcements from our council?
You're seeing none. Next item.
Next item is 10 A, which is an administrative hearing
that was tabled June 10th, 2025.
Request to confirm the demo, confirm the demolition
of a house in shed located at 75 51, uh, prospect
through the nuisance abatement program.
Motion to remove from the table.
Support Lty. Mr.
La the administrative, no,
We have to vote on the table. Sorry.
I'm sorry. Okay. Um, voting for the table Council.
All in favor? Council roll call. Roll call Moore.
Councilman Moore. Councilwoman Moore? Yes.
Councilman Lafferty? Yes. To remove the table.
Councilman Dryer? Yes. Councilman Bokey? Yes.
Councilman Newnan? Yes.
And Councilman Melody. Okay.
Um, um, motion. Motion to approve
Support Lafferty.
Okay. Madam Chair.
Mr. Lizza? Yes.
Good evening, counsel. Um, this is Mary Mahar.
She's the owner of the property
and I've been kind of working with her
and a gentleman by Matthew High, who is a contractor
who is attempting to help Mary get into this house.
Um, currently, um, Mary
and Matthew both showed up last month.
They honor aware that the council meeting was for tonight,
but, uh, Matthew sent me an email as well.
He said he visited the site last night. Last night.
Moving along, I've quoted for a furnace
and gas line repairs from HVAC company.
He gives a name, but I'm not gonna mention, um, he's looking
for funding from Macomb County, habitat for Humanity.
And he has a contact person here.
And, uh, she's gonna identify will Mary qualify for it.
While overwhelming his, uh, his words I think is possible
for her to get this done.
Mary's working herself diligently, even grouting the tile
and trying to set up rough electrical
inspections for herself.
And, um, and having electricians start their work on
their electrical permit.
So this Matthew is helping Mary, trying to get back into,
he's still continually trying to help
and he has been in contact with me
and meet with him as well.
Need a motion from the board.
Okay. We'll go turn it over to discussion to the council.
Madam Chair? Yes. Thank you. We need, we need
A motion to approve. Motion
To approve.
Oh, I'm sorry. I thought we already did that.
Uh, support Lty with discussion. Thank you Mr.
Lty. Through the chair to Mr. Lee.
The, it sounds like we are asking for additional time then
to, uh, allow the, the homeowner
to make the necessary repairs.
Do you have a timeframe in mind?
Um, myself, no. I mean, we could go.
I mean, I imagine we're gonna,
she's probably gonna need at least another
six months, I would imagine.
I mean, after speaking with Matthew, Matthew, you know,
he has, he's trying to get as much stuff,
as much work donated as he can.
He's trying to work with Habitat
and he's also trying, he told me today he's trying
to arrange a team of people to help other people like Mary
that need help that are trying
to get back, get in their homes.
And that's what he told me. That was
my discussion with him today.
Alright. I'm inclined to,
I think six months is probably short changing this process.
Uh, I've done a lot of do it yourself.
I know construction process takes times, permitting.
Uh, if counsel agrees, I will
move to postpone this.
I'll move to table this to date certain Tuesday,
September 22nd.
Madam Chair, could I ask a question
before we move on with the tabling of Of course,
Please. Here. Um,
Mr.
Lizza, is this home, um, open to trespass or,
or pose any problem in the neighborhood at all? No,
The home is secure. Okay.
Mary's client, Mary can speak at your house.
It is secure, ma'am.
Okay. No problems from the yard or anything like that?
Nothing leaking out of the house
that's gonna go into the street or anything like that?
No. Okay. Thank you.
Madam Chair. Councilman dryer.
Yeah, IJI just have one quick question. Um, Mr.
Lae, is that property still in tax
foreclosure or where we at with that?
No, I believe that that house is not Yeah.
That, that was taken out. The taxes were paid.
Am I correct on that, Mary?
Um, I'd have to look.
But it was taken, it was taken off.
It was not, it was not put on the list for foreclosure,
for, for redemption.
It was taken off that list the last I knew.
Okay. Thank you. Any additional discussion?
Yeah, um, I, I heard the motion is a motion to approve
the, uh, the subject is public hearing table
to 12 10, 20 24, request to approve the demolition.
So I think to, uh, that would I,
that would mean that we would be demo demolishing this
and not, so we need to change the motion, don't we? He
Made the motion Tuesday, September 22nd.
Yes. He made
A revised motion.
Okay. I, the table, I I thought I heard we did the secretary
Approved taking it off the table
and then a motion to table to
Tuesday. Sunday. Oh, good. Okay.
E everything's excellent. Sure.
Sorry,
Mo motion to support the tabling.
I have, I have one more comment. Sure.
Uh, in response to Mr. Dwyer once, Mr. New,
I'm, oh, are you Madam Chair counsel?
Uh, I looked up, uh, through BSNA.
The house has the summer
and winter taxes are presently due
for 2025.
So, and that's, uh, roughly in the amount
of $1,785.
So If that's,
Thank you, sir.
Can't approve that. Yep. We can, we can table it.
We just can't approve. We can't approve anything.
So I will, I will restate my motion to approve date certain.
September 22nd. I'm sorry. Motion table.
Motion to table to date certain. September 22nd, 2026.
Uh, with the condition that all taxes are paid by that date.
Okay. Get that married motion table. Any
Support d
Any additional discussion?
No discussion on the table. Okay.
I'll call the questioning Council. Councilwoman Moore.
It's, it's Laffy Ty
Councilman Lafferty?
Yes. To Table Councilman Dryer?
Yes. To Table Councilwoman Moore?
Yes. The table
Councilman? Um,
Bokey? Yes. And Councilman Nunan? Yes.
Councilman McGee. And that's a yes.
Um, motion carry. Next item.
Next item is 11. Thank You Mr. Lizza.
11. A consideration
and adoption of a resolution for approval
of the continuation of Medicare Advantage prescription only
policy for retirees post
Ms. I quickly, that
date was, uh, September 22nd.
Just to verify. Correct? Correct. Thank you.
Thank You. Post 65 retirees Blue Cross Network Medicare
Advantage policy.
Motion to approve with discussion
Support. Lafferty.
Mad of secretary. Thank you.
Um, Mr. Fox, did anyone wanna come up
and talk about this at all or are we good to go?
It's up to you.
Hi, counsel. Jared Gages, HR director.
I have our associates from TMR here, uh,
to answer any questions she may have, as well as, uh,
Marilyn Warren, our benefits administrator,
just to, you know, touch base.
And who is young? Mr. Mueller. That's you? Okay.
Yes, yes, ma'am. Good evening, counsel. Welcome.
Do you have any questions for us?
Do you just wanna explain what we're doing, please?
So this is just the, um, Medicare Advantage
prescription only plan, along with the BCN
Medicare Advantage plan that we put in
place, um, a year ago.
Yes. Um, so it is just to get the, uh,
rates approved for 2026.
Okay. Thank you very much.
Thank you for being here, gentlemen. Appreciate it.
Tell your dad I said hi.
Will do. Thank you. Any further discussion? No.
Hearing and seeing none, I will call the question.
Councilman Moore? Yes. Council La Lafferty? Yes.
Councilman Dryer? Yes. Councilman Bokey? Yes.
Councilman Nunan? Yes. And Councilwoman Melody McGee.
And that's a yes. Motion carry. Next item. Point
Of order. Madam Chair. Sure.
Thank you.
I would request, uh, my colleagues, excuse me,
from item 11 B.
Okay. I work for Comerica Bank.
And to avoid any conflict of interest, I request
to be excused from this item.
Support Dwyer. So, motion, may DW
Motion made by Support.
The support Is
that Support Noonan.
Okay. Alright. So call the question.
Okay. Call the question. Council.
Councilman. Councilman Dryer?
Yes. Councilman? Um, Erie. Okay.
I'm sorry. I forgot about that. Councilman Dryer.
Councilman Bokey? Yes. Councilman Councilwoman Moore? Yes.
Councilman Nunan? Yes. And Councilwoman McGee. That's a yes.
Motion carry. Next item.
Motion to approve.
Same item. We're approving the item now without Mr.
Same item we approving without Mr. Lafferty.
With discussion. With discussion.
We have a motion by Moore. Need a support
Motion by Moore? We
need a support. Support. Noon.
And then discussion. Ms. Any discussion? Thank
You, Madam Chair. I would
ask Ms. This of Mr. Lafferty, but he can't talk.
Um, this, this is Comerica.
I assume everything will just be transferred
over to the new bank.
I'm surprised. We're, we're closing. We'll close.
We're closing this account to move. Okay. All right. Gotcha.
Oh, I, okay. I'm blind.
Thank you. Thank you. That's it.
Okay. Any other discussion? Mm-hmm.
Hearing and seeing none
May call the question. Ms. Moore.
I'll call the question. Councilwoman Moore? Yes.
Councilman Newnan? Yes. Councilman Bokey?
Yes. Councilman Dryer? Yes. And Councilwoman McGee?
Yes. Motion passed. Carry. Next item.
Next item 10 C. Request to approve ambulance.
Business license application for MedStar Incorporated.
So moved. Support, support. Lafferty.
Any other discussion? Hearing and seeing none.
I will call to question. Councilman Dryer?
Yes. Councilman Bokey? Yes. Councilman Newan? Yes.
Councilman Lafferty? Yes.
Uh, Councilman Morris? Not here. Councilman McGee? Yes.
Motion carry. Next item
11 D, request
to approve ambulance business license application
for a superior air ground ambulance.
So moved. Support
Any discussion, hearing and seeing none?
I will call the question. Councilman Dryer.
Yes. Councilman Bokey? Yes.
Councilman Lafferty? Yes.
Councilman, um, Nuner? Yes. Councilman Morman Moore?
Yes. And Councilwoman McGee? That's a yes.
Motion carry. Next item. Next
Item is 11 D.
Are we on Mr. VE? Sorry. Request to approve ambulance.
Business license application
for Universal Macomb Ambulance Service Inc. So moved.
Support, Lafferty. Support. Any other discussion?
Hearing and seeing none? I will call to question. Yes.
Councilwoman Moore? Yes. Councilwoman Lafferty? Yes.
Councilman Dryer? Yes. Councilman Bokey? Yes.
Councilman Newan? Yes. And Councilwoman McGee? That's a yes.
Motion carry. Next item.
Next item is 12. A legal update. Mr. Schroeder.
Thank you. Members of council.
Uh, following up from the last meeting, um,
there was a subpoena issued, served on the mayor's office
for documents the council had been requesting
for approximately two and a half to three months.
Um, today was the deadline for production
of those documents.
We did receive some items late in the day.
Unfortunately, due to all the other things going on,
including the closed session at six 15,
we haven't had a chance to review those.
Um, we will in the next few days, if not tomorrow,
and report back to the counsel on whether
or not this production is compliant
with the subpoena request.
Um, we did receive a letter from the mayor late today.
Um, so that will be reviewed in addition, um, on
January 22nd.
Is that right? Ms. Camp is the date of the joint meeting
of the zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Commission?
Yes. Um, I don't know if a location has
been decided for that meeting.
Um, I, we're waiting
For confirmation. We're
waiting for comp, for waiting on
confirmation for the cafeteria.
Uh, probably a first of its kind, at least in recent memory,
that the zoning Board of Appeals
and Planning Commission will have a joint meeting
to discuss, uh, various matters.
I know that, um, there has been an agenda,
draft agenda prepared,
and the zoning overlay district that's being proposed
for the, um, Patriot Place area of the city to be expanded
to allow for, uh, the missing middle overlay districts so
that it can enable the development
of vacant lots in the older part of the city.
Um, for residential development, uh, the plan is
that we'll have about a, uh, 20 minute
or more, uh, portion on that agenda.
Uh, the reason that's being brought up is
because, um, it affects both the zoning board
and the planning commission.
Uh, the planning Commission would have
to approve this new zoning ordinance to come
to council for final approval.
Uh, the zoning board would have an interest
because it would really reduce the amount
of cases the zoning board has to hear when
new homes are gonna be constructed on vacant lots.
We see these homes that get demolished,
and then were left with a vacant lot.
And then, because the lot is so old,
and it was from a, a, a bygone era
where zoning ordinances didn't exist, it's not buildable
unless you get a bunch of variances.
And that adds to the timeline and cost.
So hopefully, uh, this proposal will come to council
and this session will educate zoning board members
and planning commission members on this.
And of course, council initiated this last year with the,
uh, workforce housing ordinance
and, uh, all these exciting economic development proposals
coming from the council table.
So Land Bank be involved.
And also the yes, the Land Bank is going to be involved
and the Land Bank is also looking at getting some grant
money to, uh, take some of these lots
and promote development as well.
Um, so that's the update for now,
unless anybody has any questions?
Any questions discussion? Okay. Next item.
Next item is 12 B, approval of the minutes
of December 16th, 2025. So moved.
Support Lafferty. Any other
discussion, hearing and seeing none?
I will call the question. Councilwoman Moore? Yes.
Councilman Lafferty? Yes. Councilman Dr. Dryer? Yes.
Councilman Bokey? Yes. Councilman Newnan? Yes.
And Councilwoman McGee? That's a yes. Motion carried.
Next item. Thank you.
Uh, next item is 12 C Council Secretary Mindy Moore.
Discussion in Ray outside employment policy. So moved.
Support Lafferty. Uh, discussion.
Discussion. Madam Secretary. Thank
You. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Um, I'm,
I'm actually gonna turn this pretty much over to, um,
Mr. Schroeder.
Um, we've had some, an incident, um,
a couple maybe in the city where, uh,
outside employment has become a problem with some
of the appointees or, uh, one that happened current,
you know, pretty recently.
And we need to have a policy of how we're going to deal
with some of these issues.
And, um, I'd like to turn it over to Mr. Schroeder,
if I could, to discuss this,
Mr. Schroer.
Sure. Um, Ms. Moore was requesting
that the city consider an outside employment policy
for appointed officials only.
Uh, this would not be something that would affect
your collective bargaining employees
who have a collective bargaining agreement
that would govern such matters.
So there are several dozen appointed officials in the city
who are full-time employees of the city.
They get benefits. They're expected to be, you know,
working regular work hours during the week
and spending their time working for the taxpayers of Warren.
There was a recent issue we're still working on where, um,
a high ranking official, um, decided to, uh,
take a job in another city, not tell the city
of Warren about that other employment.
Um, thanks to the quick work
of human resources in the controller's office, this person,
uh, was caught and, um, ended up resigning.
But, um, it came to light that, you know,
prior administrations didn't have a solid
outside employment policy.
Um, did some research
and found that many cities, including Detroit,
a bigger city, has outside employment policies for your, um,
highly ranked appointed officials who aren't subject
to a collective bargain agreement.
And I think the first thing is, is that, um,
the policy needs to address the fact
that you can't be in two places at once.
So if you are the full-time person for the city,
and you take that similar job in another city
and you're working Monday or Tuesday there and coming here,
and you don't tell Warren, that's a big conflict, right?
I mean, it may even border border on, um, you know,
misuse of public funds.
That's number one. Number two, you have to make sure
that this employment doesn't conflict
with your duties in the city.
And number three, you have to make sure
that it's not something that brings, uh, um, embarrassment
to the city or dis disrepute to the city
because of whatever type of work you're doing.
Now, this is not intended to keep people from their hobbies
or, you know, legitimate evening
and weekend work if you, you do something.
But, um, the idea would be there's disclosure of that.
And number two, review of it
to make sure there's not these conflicts.
Uh, my thought was we're still working on this, uh,
civil service ordinance reform,
that we would fold it into the civil service ordinance.
But we would just have a requirement in the ordinance
that there be a policy addressing this.
And we will let human resources work with the administration
and they could adopt a policy from there rather than
dictate all the terms of that.
And we could provide some samples,
but the idea would be to require that there be an
outside employment policy.
I spent five and a half years working for the state
of Michigan, and when I did such a thing, I had
to sign a big document, uh, that I could not take
outside employment without running it through the,
everybody, even if I wanted
to teach a class at the community college,
I had to go get permission.
This is with the state of Michigan.
Here we have people who have run off
and taken jobs
that are in absolute conflict with what they're doing.
And there needs to be something to prevent that.
There needs to be a notification
and review system, then there needs
to be some penalties prescribed for those that feel
that they can, um, you know, take advantage that way.
Madam President. Okay. Go ahead. Good.
So my motion would be that we refer this to
whoever's handling the civil service rule
making update and have them come up
and incorporate our wishes into that document or
Whatever support with discussion.
Madam Chair. Okay.
Um, so, um, Mr. Schroeder,
I, I read this memorandum to all department directors,
deputies, and agency heads, uh, from the city of of Detroit.
And overall it looked really excellent.
Like we could almost adopted whole cloth.
Um, I was wondering would this also, um,
apply to senior housing?
And, um, is there any chance it might apply to
elected officials who weren't appointed?
I could answer that. I'll start with the easy one. Okay.
It wouldn't really apply to
necessarily to elected officials.
Um, I, I think that that's a, a different situation,
especially council members who are not full-time.
So Sure. Um, we could, we could consider
that when you're dealing with the duties
of elected officials, it would probably have
to be a charter provision uhhuh rather than a
policy for employees.
'cause elected officials are officers of the city.
Their duties and limitations on their
powers are prescribed by the charter.
So we would have to look to the charter for that.
But, um, respect to, to your, to your other question, um,
which is a little more difficult, uh, to answer.
So, uh, you know, elected officials are, are people we,
we can't really do that to,
but the senior housing commission, you know, I think we can,
and, you know, I think this is a good opportunity, uh, maybe
to say that I've worked last year very diligently on,
um, whole agreement for the senior housing.
Uh, we've drafted some ordinance
amendments to bring this up to date.
Remember, the senior housing ordinance, uh, provision was,
uh, from 1967, we brought that
to the modern age with some amendments.
Uh, we put together an agreement that would be
between the city and the housing commission, uh,
where the housing commission is the employer.
And, uh, and for whatever reason,
this is lost in the housing commission, uh, somewhere.
So if you have any context over there, you might want
to ask them to, uh, dust this thing off that, uh,
we've worked on, I've worked on
with the attorney's office as well.
Have them dust that thing off
and send it back over so we can finalize that
and we could possibly incorporate some of the
outside employment rules that you're talking about.
Because what we did have in the initial draft of the, um,
uh, housing commission intergovernmental agreement was that,
you know, for example, they would file the city's
procurement policies and, you know, employment
and, uh, ethics policies. So
Yeah, I don't think I have any ability to get that
to happen, but, um,
perhaps the city council can figure out some way
to get that to happen. I, I yield Madam
Chair Council, go ahead.
Council, question for Mr. Schroeder.
Uh, don't know if you could address it with, with this,
but can we have you work with the HR
to do background checks that are
at a higher level for appointees?
Um, you know, not a cursory check, you know, a credit check
and a resume.
Uh, this, most, most
of the positions are public trust and they deal with money.
They deal with contracts
and they gotta be held to a higher degree.
And I don't know if we're doing that,
but if we're not, we need to do it.
So I don't know how you wanna address that to,
I think he a charter amendment or ordinance,
or if you could take care of that.
We, I certainly can talk to, uh, the attorney's office,
see what we're doing now in terms of background checks.
I'm sure that they're able to do that.
I know in the past, things didn't
necessarily get done the right way.
I know there's been a lot of changes
happening, uh, in that office.
So I'll check up on that and report back to
You. Thank you,
Madam Chair.
You, you mad chair.
I I think this also brings up a good point that, um,
for a lot of like appointed positions,
we don't have job descriptions
and we probably should have job descriptions for every,
um, appointment
or, um, job within the city of some sort.
Because you have to be able
to measure someone's performance against
what their job description is
and what they're expected to do.
Even though someone's appointed, they're,
they're still accountable to the public to do
what they're supposed to do.
And there's gotta be accountability for all of us.
I have duties that I, I'm responsible
and if I didn't show up, you know, three meetings out
of four, you should hold that against me
and make a point of getting rid
of me if I'm not doing my job.
And we probably should have that
for all appointed positions within the city
that we should have, you know, job descriptions so
that we have something to measure their performance against.
Um, and the, uh, you know, the outside employment policy,
I don't think it includes, you know,
it wouldn't include things like maybe, um,
Mr. Fox volunteers at the local church to keep their books
or, you know, it's not something that's a conflict.
But, you know, if he was, um, at the,
at the Dryden City Hall drafting their taking care
of the county, that might be a, a conflict.
I don't know. But I think that, you know, we have
to be a little careful
that we we're not gonna turn people's ho hobbies off if
somebody works in engineering
and they go work on the weekend
and help somebody clean up a park or something.
So I think we had to be careful what, how we deal
with those, what, what are conflicts and things like that.
I believe the last time that I spoke with, um,
the office manager, Christina Lui, that she was assisting
with putting job descriptions together.
I, I I believe you had put all of them together.
So, um, she was willing to show me
that she has put some together already.
And that was over a year ago. Am I correct?
So, um, she's put those, my concern is,
are you seeing there's a conflict while working,
or if that person can work
after, if they work a regular 40 hour job here
with the city, are they able to work part-time,
someone at somewhere else?
Certainly if it's not in
conflict with their regular duties.
Okay. So there are certain situations where somebody
might wanna work an evening job,
but it's a conflict with what they do during the day.
Okay. So if you're an inspector in the city,
and then you're taking a job as a contractor
and installing, you know, something
that you're gonna inspect the next
day, I think that would be
A problem. But will we include
our human resource director in this?
Because I'm sure they probably have some things in place.
No, what the, the proposal was that counsel
by Ordinance require such a policy
and then HR would develop that policy.
Okay. That'd be great.
Any other discussion regarding the sign? Mm-hmm.
So the motion is to send it over to whoever's dealing
hr, probably initially.
And Mr. Gages would take care of this.
Thank you. So that would be my motion
to just send this issue over to Mr.
Gages and let him deal with
It. Support.
Yeah. We,
We already have that's, that's,
that's in the motion. Okay.
I need discussion, hearing and CNO. Yes. Ms.
Councilman Moore? Yes. Councilman Moore. Council.
Councilman Lafferty? Yes. Councilman Dryer? Yes.
Council Councilman Bokey? Yes. Councilman Newman? Yes.
And Councilman McGee? Uh, motion carry. Next item. Next
Item is 13.
A request of the police department to transfer funds
between line items in the amount of $112,120
to cover the costs of purchasing Microsoft 360 5G five Plan
two licenses, consideration
and adoption of a resolution. So moved.
Support Dwyer. Any other discussion?
Hearing and seeing none? I will call to question.
Councilwoman Moore. Yes. Councilman Lafferty? Yes.
Councilman Dryer? Yes. Councilman Bokey? Yes.
Councilman Newan? Yes. Councilwoman McGee.
That's a yes. Motion. Carrie. Next item.
Next item is 13 B.
Request of the police department to award the purchase
of Microsoft 360 5G five.
Plan two, license to Technology Solutions worldwide
for a three year period in a three year total amount
of $707,120.
Consideration and adoption of a resolution. So moved.
Support Dwyer. Support.
Any other discussion, hearing, and scene? None. Yes.
Councilwoman Moore? Yes. Councilman Dryer? Yes.
Councilman Lafferty? Yes. Councilman Bokey? Yes.
Councilman Newnan? Yes. And Councilwoman McGee I a? Yes.
Motion carry. Next item.
Next item is 13 C.
Request of the fire department to approve an RFP
for stainless steel cabinets
and shelving for new fire stations number one and five.
And to appoint a member of counsel
to serve on the RFPI.
Is Mr. McAdams here?
'cause I've got some questions about this one.
Oh, he's not here. I'd make a motion to table.
Support the table. Support the table. No discussion.
Any discussion? No. No discussion.
No discussion on table Call question.
Councilwoman Moore? Yes. Councilman Lafferty? Yes. To
Table Councilman Dryer?
Yes. To Table Councilman Bokey? Yes.
To Table Councilman Newan? Yes. And Councilwoman McGee.
That's a yes. Motion carry. Next
Item. Next item is
13 D.
Request to approve a proposed one year contract extension
with Catalyst Q.
Alert for job order management
and complaint reporting, consideration
and adoption of a resolution. So moved.
Support Lafferty. Support Lafferty.
Any discussion, hearing and seeing none?
I will call to question. Councilwoman Moore. Yes.
Councilman Lafferty? Yes. Councilman Dryer? Yes.
Councilman Bokey? Yes. Councilman Newnan? Yes.
And Councilwoman McGee as a yes. Motion carried. Next item.
Next item is 13 e.
Consideration and adoption of a resolution
to approve contract modification number one
and pay estimate number nine
to city contract WT 24 821 Common Road pavement,
reconstruction and water main replacement.
Increasing the original contract by 750,000,
extending contract end date to May 31st, 2026.
And to approve payment number nine
to Mark Anthony Contracting, Inc.
In the amount of $764,381 58 cents.
So moved with discussion
Support Lafferty.
Discussion Madam Secretary.
Yeah, you know, I'm, I'm noticing over
and over again that apparently our,
the bid process is certainly not working on road projects.
We're, I mean, this is a lot of money.
We're adding things and, you know, they keep getting bigger
and we don't always go out for bid
for those contract modifications.
So somebody bids and they could be 50,000 cheaper,
but then we're giving them 500,000 more business
and we don't know what that 500 more would've been.
So, I, I just wanna make that comment that I think that,
you know, we need to be very careful about
who we're awarding work to
because we're all seeing there is some work
that's much better than others.
Um, we've got a mess on, we, we know 13 Mile
and, uh, Chicago Road.
That's just a mess.
I don't know if they, you know, everything we do,
'cause we're so old, they find things underground
that we don't expect.
There's not a, a roadmap of everything under this city.
So it does, um, cause problems.
So I think sometimes in this bidding that we should not put
as much interest on how much the original bid is for,
but the quality of the work
and the history that we have with that contractor,
because we've approved some contracts with contractors
'cause they were the lowest bidder
and I wouldn't let them do work at my own home.
And it's certainly not on that scale,
but I just think that's something we need
to look at going forward, that we,
we may wanna change our criteria on how we bid out work.
So that's just my comment, president.
I certainly think we should pay the bill,
But Madam President.
Yeah. Um, I was wondering if, uh, engineer Tina
might please step forward
and, uh, help us to help to explain, uh, $750,000
addition to a contract
with $6,010,704 and 79 cents.
Sure. What's, what's going on there?
It seems, it seems excessive.
Well, um, in the contract, in the, um, packet,
it shows a detailed breakdown, but I can give you a summary.
270,000 of this increase was due to adding a,
a whole additional 300 feet of Flanders.
That road was a pacer rated one, it failed.
And it, and so I had unit prices
and it was right next to Commons.
So I thought it was a good idea
to add it onto this contract.
Also, we had, we encountered some, uh,
additional subgrade undercuts the road.
So we take soil borings every three, 400 feet,
but in between, we don't really know.
So we take a good guess.
And when we bid this out,
and there were additional, um, subgrade undercuts needed,
that was about 150, 200,000 was, um,
gate valves on side streets that were failing
while we were putting in the new water main.
So, um, to, um, the secretary's, um,
point, yeah, we, they did go over,
but there's unit prices for everything.
So it, we're getting additional work for it.
So it's not, um, you know, it's not, I guess
what I'm saying is, you know, it's all accounted
for the pricing for everything that we went over know.
So if it had been any other contractor,
they would've experienced the same problems
and course the same efficiencies would, would've been,
um, requested. Of
Course. Yes.
Okay. Well, I feel a lot better voting Yes. For this.
And typically, I, I like to come ahead, you know, as soon
as I find out that we're gonna add like a whole road.
Um, but they're removing pavements
and I don't have time to go, you know, wait
for city Council to approve.
So I just go ahead and make that decision.
'cause I was gonna do Flanders anyways.
That was a road that was gonna be on my list, so,
Okay. That's Troubling.
Thank you. That's very troubling.
Madam Chair. Madam Chair.
I'm sorry. Councilman Bokey.
Just a follow up question.
Uh, the bids go out for Common Road. Yes.
It was only for Common Road, right.
Is it common to spin off that and do other jobs?
Yes, we've done that Yes. Times Or would
It, you know, because Flanders is right on the south side
of Common Road, it's right attached to it.
It would that be another, another job, uh, description,
you know, or, uh, you know, brought to us.
We, we designed it. We actually worked quickly
and got it designed in house
and ready for them to redo that.
It was 300 feet of that section of road.
I understand, you know, water main, the need
to have it done and quickly.
Mm-hmm. But my thing is that you advertise a bid for comment
and you're adding a lot of money onto that.
Well, compared to 6 million, that's really not,
I mean, it's a lot of money.
I understand. 750,000.
No, but the 700,000 is a lot of money.
But the Flanders part was 2 70, 200 70,000.
Yeah. No, I I if that's a common practice, uh,
I mean, whatever you see be necessary, you could,
you could approve it in your office, correct?
Well, yes or no.
Yes. But, um, I'm making decisions according
to my experience and my knowledge
and what I think is going to,
I'm just asking better the city.
You know, I'm not just adding it on
because I want to add on Well, more work.
I I just know that if you would wait till
that project was over and then bid that out separately,
you would not only get higher pricing,
but that road would really fall apart.
It was a one, it became, it failed. What
Did you agree to other contractors see that, um,
and they, they, you know, what's going on?
Why, why, why couldn't I bid on Flanders? You know? I know.
They're, I'm just saying Yeah.
We have plenty of projects that we bid out.
Okay. Thank you. Mm-hmm. Beck,
Madam Chair. Yes.
So my point, Ms.
Gaff just really is that, so we, we have a job
and say I bid 5 million, somebody else
bids 500
and, you know, five, uh, 5 million, 500,000.
Right? Right. I get the bid. Right.
And then it turns out to be $8 million.
We have a big portion of that that we don't know what
that other contractor,
and what I'm concerned about is I don't think we're always
giving the work to the best contractor.
We might be doing it to the least expensive, or,
and I know you weigh some things,
but there is a
noticeable difference in contractors in the work
that's being done in the city.
And I can almost go and say, yep, I know who's doing that
because there's cement all over this,
the stop signs and they're sloppy.
And the, the curb cuts are not good. And I know who it is.
Um, and I think that we have to start thinking about
really quality and putting that at the forefront.
And, you know, I know we, you know,
if it's a billion dollar difference, that's a big deal.
But with the, with the price of some of these things, two
or $300,000 to get a quality, the best job we can get
to me makes more sense.
Great. Um, and I
Agree, but, uh, to your first point though, if,
if the second bidder is a million dollars more
and then they get $750 extra work, the low bidder,
the other one would've been 1,000,700 $50,000 more.
Right. I'm, I'm not talking about
So you're, we're talking unit prices. We're not.
Right. But I'm not talking about
millions of dollar difference.
I mean, if somebody bill bids
1 million, somebody's 3 million. Well,
I just brought up arbitrary numbers,
But I, I get it. But
we all know that some people do a better job than
others and Right.
But I, like, I'm living in the middle of a huge debacle.
Mm-hmm. That Chicago Road 13 mile is a mess.
It's been a mess since the very beginning. It's a mess now.
It's stuff's everywhere.
You know, barricades are up, they're down,
they're knocked over.
It looks like a war zone. That whole area.
And you know, I, I know things happen in life
and we don't always know.
We're a really old city,
and I know we don't know what we're gonna get in there.
They encountered a bridge foundation under the ground
and they encountered all kinds of Right.
All kinds of things that were not expected.
Encased pipes, wind, steel. Yeah.
And so th th those were delays that unfortunately,
but if there's anything up wrong, barricade signs,
people call our office
and the contractor will go out and fix it right away.
I know. You know what? I, I'm very busy
and I just notice things. I, and
They drive it Very often.
I, I don't call in very many things
because I, I don't, I'm not an inspector, but you can know.
Call me in. I know, but you know what?
I, I have bigger fish to fry than worrying about, you know,
if there's, you know,
if the grass is too tall somewhere or whatever.
I'm, I'm trying to move the city forward Sure.
And do some really positive things.
And I don't wanna constantly just be complaining
and, you know, calling about, I'm not Mrs.
Kravitz next door looking over the fence.
So, but I, I just think that we need to look at the quality
of the workmanship
and the history we have with some contractors.
We need to build that in a little bit more
and not be so focused on the lowest
price. I understand. We have to,
Well, I picked the lowest qualified bidder.
That's what my recommendation always says.
So it's based on what I feel that
that contractor's qualified to do the project.
Right. Qualified and quality are different to me.
That, and I've, I've seen the difference certainly,
um, through the city.
But this is a discussion for another time. Sure.
Um, this, we, we put this on the agenda
'cause we wanna get these people paid.
Okay. It was, you know, we had put it somewhere else
before, so we wanna get them paid.
There's no, there's no, I don't,
and I don't have any pro,
I don't have know anything about this
project itself and nothing.
I have no complaint or complaint and I've not heard a word.
So. Okay.
Thank You. Anything else? Alright.
Thank you. Any other discussion?
Hearing and seeing none? I will call to question.
Councilwoman Moore?
Yes. Councilman Lafferty? Yes. Councilman Dryer?
Yes. Council Councilman Bokey. Oh, co.
Councilman Newnan? Yes. And Councilman McGee.
That's a, that's a yes. Motion carry. Next item.
Next item is 13 F.
Request of the police department to award bid ITBW 1610
for the purchase of 12 Nikon Digital cameras
and training from focus camera LLC be increased from a total
amount of $52,400 to a total amount
of $53,108 consideration and adoption of a resolution.
So moved.
Support Dwyer. Support Dwyer.
Any additional discussion?
Hearing and seeing none, I will call the question
Councilwoman Moore?
Yes. Councilman Dryer? Yes.
Councilman Lafferty? Yes. Councilman Bokey? Yes.
Councilman Newnan? Yes. And Councilwoman McGee as a yes.
Motion carry. Next item. Next
Item is 13 G.
Notice of appointment of Connie Bonkowski
to the beautification commission with the term expiration
of June 30th, 2027.
Absolutely. Yes.
Support Dwyer. Absolutely.
Support dryer. Any additional discussion?
Hearing and seeing none. I will call to question.
Councilwoman Moore.
Yes. Councilman Dryer? Yes. Councilman Lafferty?
Yes. Councilman Bokey? Yes. Councilman Newnan? Yes.
Councilwoman McGee. That's a yes. Motion. Carrie. Next item.
Next item is 13 H.
Notice of appointment of Maria McCarville
as library Director.
Any discussion? I think it's really,
I think it's just motion to receive and file.
I don't think we have an actual vote on this. Item is a
Motion to Receive and Yes.
Motion To receive and file
Motion. Any support?
Any support. Support. Okay.
All in favor? Aye.
Aye. Opposed? No. Opposed.
Next. Next item.
Next item is 13. Aye.
Notice of appointment of Annette Mica
to the library commission with a term expiration
of June 30, 20, 28. So moved.
Support.
Any Discussion, any discussion,
hearing and seeing none.
All in favor? Aye. Opposed? No. No opposed.
Motion carried. Next item.
Next item is 13 J, which was tabled 12 nine.
2025 Requests of the water division to waive the bid process
and award the purchase of East Jordan hydrants
and hydrant parts to E-J-U-S-A Inc.
For a two year period in an annual amount not
to exceed $325,000 consideration
and adoption of a resolution.
Motion to remove from the table.
Support to remove from the table.
Questions? Yes.
Councilman Councilwoman Moore?
Yes. Councilman Lafferty?
Yes. To remove from the table.
Councilman Dryer? Yes. Councilman Bokey? Yes.
Councilman Nunan. Yes.
Removed from table and Councilman McGee? It's a yes.
Nice. Motion to approve.
Motion to approve. Support Dwyer. Support Dryer.
Any discussion? No discussion.
Call the order. Councilwoman Moore.
Yes. Councilman Dryer? Yes.
Councilman Lafferty? Yes. Councilman Bokey? Yes.
Councilman Newnan? Yes. Councilwoman McGee. That's a yes.
Motion. Carrie, move The next item.
Next item is 13 K, which was four N,
which was table 12 16, 20 25.
Motion to remove from the table.
Support to remove from the table.
Support. Laughing.
Call. The question on removing
Call the question on removing
Councilwoman Moore.
Yes. Councilman Lafferty? Yes.
Councilman Dryer. Yes. Councilman Yes.
Councilman Nunan? Yes. And Councilwoman McGee. That's a yes.
That's been removed.
Motion. Motion to approve. Motion to approve
Support Lafferty with discussion
Support Lafferty.
Go ahead Mr. Councilman.
Thank you Madam Chair. Uh, through the chair to, uh, Ms.
Michaels please.
And a program note, uh, council, we did receive as, as part
of the backup, the addendum to the
local franchise fee agreement, but their pages one
and two are duplicated, so we have
that twice in, uh, in the packet.
Uh, it did validate.
It's the same information is just a, a minor error there.
Uh, good evening, Ms. Michaels. Good
Evening, counsel.
The, the question I have,
and I was looking at the,
the net position report in city budget
and we're we're projected, uh,
to continue a decline in cable franchise fees.
So from 2017, we had, uh,
an estimated income, uh, revenue
of 2.26 million end last year.
Uh, fiscal year end, we had 1.49 million.
It's a difference of three quarters of a million dollars.
These franchise fees have nowhere to go but down.
And my concern is with the addendum here, that
that is being proposed, adding the PEG fee,
and that's the, the public education and government fee.
And it's being passed on to subscribers.
So where a diminished subscription base
is then being placed, that
that burden is being placed upon the,
the remaining subscribers for that particular service.
I, I'm not certain I'm understanding it correctly.
And I'd like you to, to clarify, are we permitting
by, if we were to adopt this tonight, are we permitting as,
as a council, the ability for Wow.
To pass that PEG fee onto their
subscribers as a pass through
Madam Chair? May I?
Yes, yes, yes.
We're authorizing the PEG fee to be
paid to the city, and by law,
the cable provider can pass it on to subscribers That's
directly in the statute, both federal and state.
Okay. So Comcast does the same.
It's a 0.5 fee for Comcast,
but it could be increased to 1% the remainder of the term.
But 2% is by law the standard.
So yes, that fee will be, will be most likely passed on
to two subscribers.
We're not requiring it,
but it does allow the cable provider to do that.
I'm sorry, can you repeat that last sentence?
It allows the cable provider to pass it on to subscribers.
So, but you're saying that the state
and federal statute permit them to do so,
but they require our authorization as, as the final leg
of the agreement to do so, if we say no,
they're not allowed to do that,
That is correct, then we would not receive the 2% revenue,
the 2% PEG fee.
Okay. However, If I may Yes, please.
We're not allowed by the current, by the current state law
to negotiate any in kind contribution.
We were in the cities, were in the driver's seat ages ago.
That has changed. The legal framework has changed. Mm-hmm.
Now we can award a franchise, grant a franchise according
to a state prescribed form.
Mm-hmm. We don't have the discretion.
So it's because we're giving the right of way,
we're allowing them to use the right of way.
Mm-hmm. They used to be able to support cable services
and maybe through cameras.
A studio Comcast used to give us a studio, a truck. Mm-hmm.
We don't get that anymore. We're not allowed to.
Okay. Consider,
But by, by the addendum, they will continue to maintain
their fiber in the right of ways for the duration
of the agreement.
But it doesn't say that it's tied to the PEG fee.
So if, where I'm getting at is, if, if we were to
say we don't agree with passing this fee on to subscribers
that are already overburdened with a, a hefty,
uh, a hefty monthly fee, for those who haven't cut the cord,
if we take that away, are they in a position
to remove public educational and,
and government services as part
of their, as part of this agreement?
They would still have to provide the channels,
but there wouldn't be any in kind support.
You just said that The, he is in lieu
of inkind support.
Understood. But we're already not getting
that inkind support today
For wide open West.
No. They made a very large payment to us in 2001.
In lieu of mm-hmm. Charging 1% to subscribers.
They weren't willing to do that this time.
Right. For at and t
and Xfinity, Comcast.
Mm-hmm. What are we have not seen a similar
franchise agreement come through,
If I may? Yes. Yes, please.
At t from the inception has paid the
2% PEG fee.
Alright. So they're, this would be
consistent with Correct.
With the other, with the other agreements.
Correct. Comcast pays, pays a lower fee
because back when we renegotiated in 2016, 2017,
we couldn't, we did not want the PEG fee at the time.
Mm-hmm. We wanted to negotiate more
of an in kind contribution.
And we had the inet,
Comcast was providing the INET at the time,
building it out at cost.
It was free and then charged just cost no markup.
Um, we weren't able, we reached an impasse
and we ended up being taken to the city of Lansing
before the license. The
Michigan Public Service Commission.
The commission. Yes. And I can't think of the board
that actually, um, negotiates.
It was an informal dispute,
but the result of that was we would receive two extra years
of free inet service
and in exchange they would pay a 0.5% PEG fee,
not the 2% 0.5.
And once they no longer
provided the free INET service, we could increase it to 1%.
We haven't done that yet, but we could
because they just recently discontinued the
free I a, we just
Okay. Reached an agreement
with them.
Um, the, this is,
this is a tax by another name.
It really is. I'm torn though,
looking at consistency.
That's why I asked about Comcast, Xfinity and at
and t that they have similar agreements.
And why would we
not be consistent in the application of
our agreements with, with Wow.
At the very same time,
If I may, Comcast?
Yes. Wow. Has not provided us with an i net,
but the institutional network, Comcast built out
to 12 buildings, then 24 buildings for free.
Wow. Has not done that.
And I understand it's a small company.
We wanted competitive service
and it's, it is a much smaller company.
They have not been able to ride in kind, Comcast did mm-hmm.
Up until recently. So it's maybe
apples to oranges, but it is comparable.
We had to prove to the commission,
the public service commission that there was in kind given,
that equated to the 2% because at
and t always had and now pays 2%.
I think it's called DirecTV now. Mm-hmm.
So with Comcast, it was a combination
of in-kind plus the 0.5%, which could be increased to 1%.
And council did approve the agreement in the entirety.
It wasn't done just before the commission.
Alright. And we've got at, at,
you said 0.5 would be the, the introductory rate,
is that, uh, what we're looking at 0.5%
With the wide open west, it would be 2%.
Point five was introductory with Comcast,
because we had the 0.5 plus the value
of the additional in kind, which was the inot councilman.
Okay. Alright. That was the real,
Now I'm following you. It was more
the meaningful contribution.
Alright. So a monetary equivalent of 2%
based on their past gross revenues.
And so, and it cannot exceed 2%.
They can't arbitrarily change it beyond this agreement?
Absolutely not. No. The law doesn't allow that.
So we do have that protection.
And this, this agreement is for 10 years.
It is, yes. I could add in there.
It we're proposing 10 years.
Uh, it's, it's stated here, uh, page three,
section two, subsection a 10 years from the date
of the last party to sign the, the franchise.
So does that, is that the franchise agreement
that that is referring to?
Or this, this addendum?
The addendum's, the agreement
and the addendum is part of the agreement.
It's 10 years. Okay. And that's what we're proposing.
I 10 years is the standard by state law.
All right. So 10 years locked in at 2% for the PEG fee
on top of their
subscription. Correct.
The 5% franchise fee? Correct.
Alright. So we have 7% total in fees,
government fees on top of their subscription.
Correct? Yes. Okay.
Alright. I will thank you
for answering all of my questions.
I appreciate that. I'm gonna yield, uh,
Madam Chair to my colleagues.
Ms. Michaels, we talked about this in detail,
uh, about a year ago.
Um, it was mentioned
that there was a court case going on about streaming
and how it's gonna be billed to the, to the franchises.
Has anything helped happen with that? In state?
There was a bill that would work in our favor.
So that streaming would become part of franchise fees
or gross revenue that has since died in committee.
And it's been replaced by a new bill,
which takes it to the opposite extreme.
So it would not be a part of Okay. The gross revenues,
But nothing's passed.
It hasn't passed yet. Okay.
We're hoping for a similar simmer.
I'm inclined to agree with, uh, Councilman Lafferty.
Uh, this is another tax, uh, any way you look at it, it,
it's passed on to the residents.
My fear, I know it's a 10 year contract,
but it opens the door to all the other franchises.
I mean, uh, vendors to come in
and rework theirs also.
You said they can't change it,
but the city could always change it.
Could we increase, as you said, 1%?
I mean, Comcast, Comcast could be increased from
0.5 to 1%.
Okay. That's with the current contract,
obviously in 2016.
Didn't you say what, while it's, you know, being
that it's, uh, half percent
or whatever it is that the city could have went more,
but you didn't want it.
Uh, we could not have increased beyond that 2%.
Okay. And I could actually put it in there so that,
that agreement can't be changed in years to come.
Well, but again, like I said, you know, it is,
it might be apple and oranges to them,
but not to the resident that has to pay the bill.
And I'm very concerned about that.
Um, everything keeps going up.
D-T-E-I-I, I bring that up all the time, you know,
and I'm not inclined to go along with this,
but, we'll, I'll go back and
Any other discussion, Madam Chair?
Sure. Uh, two, uh, two last questions.
'cause if I say one, I always have inevitably
have an a follow up.
So if we were to
suggest that they can, that wow.
Cannot pass this through to their customers,
what, what are the, what are the next steps?
What's the likelihood of what will happen next?
The likelihood is we won't
receive 2% of gross revenues.
Understood. That's one scenario. One extreme.
Second scenario is a wishlist that we could
drive their hand to come up with more of a, a resolution.
Resolution. So the city's received some support without
it being passed on.
I've tried to negotiate, you know,
a lump sum like we did back in 2001,
and the very best ad nauseum that,
that I could do is 25,000.
And that was a stretch to Wow.
Because they cannot like Comcast or at
and t pass it on to subscribers.
But, you know, I could,
if counsel does not want to adopt this with a 2%, I could
try and force the hand of Wow to do something differently.
All I could tell you is I've tried hard up to this point.
I, I'd certainly like to understand
what the alternatives are other than raising costs
to subscribers.
And certainly I,
and if you, if, if I may, my other question, Madam Chair.
Sure. Through the chair to Mr. Fox, the,
the revenues we projected in
budget were $1.6 million for franchise revenue.
Did, did our numbers include the peg fee revenue?
Did we anticipate this for specifically for Wow.
Um, Richard Fox, city controller?
Uh, good evening counsel. Um, good evening.
No, we did not at this point.
Not for last, the, the budget that we adopted. Mm-hmm.
Okay. So that, that's not part of the 1.6 million?
I don't believe so. Okay.
So we're, we're not, we're not hurting our,
our communications budget.
I would imagine that it would take several cycles
to start receiving this revenue once this agreement was put
in place, maybe 60, 90 days
before we, the city started realizing the revenue.
But to,
and it's not, it is clear that this is 2%
of W'S gross revenue.
What, what is that? What is
that figure at?
I, I don't, I'm not asking. You don't. Okay. I'm asking it.
It's, it's a question. I don't know who has that answer.
What is the gross revenue of, of wow,
Councilman? I have what
it would equate to,
I have the last franchise fee check,
which was 54,000 approximately.
So an additional 2% of that figure would be 21,000.
And they pay quarterly. I don't have their gross revenue.
We're, we're talking about $54,000
Quarterly. Quarterly.
That's the franchise fee.
So 21,000 would be the PEG fee.
An additional 21,000 quarterly.
21,000 quarterly. Correct. Yes.
Alright. So still less than a hundred thousand dollars.
It's, it's a hundred thousand dollars.
But to each subscriber, that's where it comes from.
It's revenue for the cable, the communications operation.
I understand where, what it's revenue for. Yeah.
And, and I'm cognizant of that
because as I stated earlier, we've gone nowhere
but down with our franchise fee revenue.
That's, that's why I'm asking this question.
If we are exploring all of the options possible, if we've,
if is just simply taxing the residents
for the communications commission,
are we just perpetuating a larger problem?
The revenues are going to continue to decrease
as people cut the cord, move to streaming?
Uh, I have absolutely zero faith in that bill moving
through, through the house.
Uh, it's, it's lingered for what, the last eight years now?
Six to eight years. And so I'm,
I'm, I don't see that additional revenue stream.
And we have to become more creative.
So as their franchise fees decrease
because of, of a reduced subscriber base,
their gross revenue decreases, our PEG fee decreases
and we're back to square one with a dwindling revenue stream
to our communications department.
Yep. Yes ma'am. Um,
Wide open West has represented to me, and things change,
but they will always need the right of way.
And as long, so long as that continues,
and if they're being accurate in their assessment,
they would still have to pay to be in the right of way,
whether that's a Metro Act fee
or some other fee that we could devise under the
Michigan Telecommunications Act, which is very arbitrary,
but does allow us to negotiate for use of the right of way.
Alright. So then my, my final question then,
we do have the ability to approve this tonight,
but we could put, we could amend
and say they are not allowed to pass this,
pass the PEG fee revenue onto their subscribers
or their, their, their fee to the subscribers.
We could present that, that directive.
I cannot guarantee the response.
I mean, I'm, I could return to council with
how while they'll process that direction.
Well, that I will make an amendment
to restrict wide open west from passing on
the 2% PEG fee to subscribers.
It's, it's a, I'm, I'm making a, a motion to amend
the, the, the main motion.
I'll support that And I'll yield
the floor for discussion.
Any discussion?
Question? Call to question.
Councilman Lafferty?
Yes. As amended.
Okay. Ms. Councilman Bokey? Yes.
As amended Councilman Dryer? Yes.
As amended Councilwoman Moore? No.
That's a no. And Councilman Nunan? No.
That's a no no.
Council councilwoman Melody McGee. That's a no.
Motion fails.
Motion fails. It's a fails. It's a tie.
That means it'll return to the next agenda.
It'll return on the next agenda. Okay. Next item.
Next item is 13 L.
What was for you?
Proposed resolution approving the Metro Act
Telecommunications right of way Permit
for easy fiber Texas LLC
to install high speed fiber consideration
and adoption of a resolution. So moved.
Support Lafferty.
Any discussion, hearing, and seeing none.
Councilwoman Moore? Yes. Councilman Lafferty? Yes.
Councilman Dryer? Yes. Councilman Bokey? Yes.
Councilman Newan? Yes. And Councilman Woman Magee.
That's the yes. Motion carry. Next item.
Next item is 13 M. What was for Z?
Request of the information systems department
to award the purchase of three.
A three year license and service contract
for the VMware server virtualization platform
for Gov Connection Inc.
For a total three year cost of $60,211 20 cents.
Consideration and adoption of a resolution.
My motion includes a no reconsideration
Support, Lafferty Support by Lafferty.
Any discussion, hearing, and seeing none.
Call to question Councilwoman Moore. Yes.
Councilman Lafferty? Yes. Councilman d Dwyer? Yes.
Councilman Bokey? Yes. Councilman Newnan? Yes.
And Councilwoman McGee. That's a yes.
Motion carry. Next item.
Next item is n What was for CC?
Request of the Parks and Recreation Department
to authorize the purchase
and installation of a new play structure for
how much park from game time in the total amount
of $810,150.
Consideration and adoption of a resolution.
So moved with discussion.
Support. Support Dwyer. Support dryer.
Discussion. Madam Secretary.
Jason, would you like to come up and discussion?
Explain what we're doing?
Do you evening members of council?
I'm excited to, uh, present this, uh, this playground
that we designed for Helmers Park.
I think this is gonna be a, a catalyst for,
uh, the city of Warren.
Uh, this playground that we designed is fully, uh,
a DA compliant in every aspect of the terms.
It has accessible ramps, transfer platforms,
inclusive swings, ground level play, and ensuring kids
and children of vulnerability can, uh, uh, work together.
It also has, uh, braille panels, musical instruments,
tactile elements, visual panels
and comm communication, excuse me, communication boards
for all abilities, all sensory abilities, all,
uh, non-cognitive.
It's gonna be really interactive police structures from the
highest point of the police structure.
Anybody with ambulatory issues can still make their way up
to the highest, uh, point structure.
Uh, it's a very interactive, very sensory, uh, built, uh,
point structure with the ground soft, uh,
pour in place structure that will, uh,
really fit highwood prop really nicely
from where it's gonna be designed. Terrific.
Terrific. That's terrific. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you so very much. Mr. Bokey.
Uh, thank you. You answered my question.
It didn't say here. Uh, it's a DA compliance. And thank you.
Uh, great job. Thank Beck.
Thank you. Any other discussion? Any questions?
Hearing and seeing none. Thank you. Thank you.
I hope you're enjoying your, your time here.
I am. Good. Thank you.
I'll call the question. Councilwoman Moore? Yes.
Council Councilman d Dryer? Yes. Councilman Lafferty? Yes.
Councilman Bokey? Yes. Councilman Newnan? Yes.
And Councilman McGee? Yes. Thank you very much.
Can't wait. Next item. Next
Item is 13 oh, which was four DD request
of the sanitation division to purchase bar carts
and lids through source.
Well, cooperative contract number 1 2 0 3 2 4 CEI from
Cascade Engineering Inc.
In the amount of $41,210 consideration
and adoption of a resolution so moved.
Support Dwyer. Support Dwyer.
Any discussion, hearing, and seeing none?
I will call to question. Councilman Moore? Yes.
Councilman Dwyer? Yes. Councilman Lafferty? Yes.
Councilman Bokey? Yes. Councilman Newnan? Yes.
And Councilwoman McGee? That's a yes. Motion carry.
Next item. Uh,
13 p. What was
four M, which was table on 12 16, 20 25.
Request of the wastewater treatment plant
to increase the award for furnish furnishing sodium
hypochlorite ITBW 10 96 from an annual amount not
to exceed $102,410 40 cents to an annual amount, not
to exceed $124,810 40 cents
and increase of $22,400 retroactive
for a period February 16th, 2025
through February 15th, 2026.
Consideration and adoption of resolution.
Motion to remove from the table.
Support to remove the table.
Call it a question from removing from the table.
Councilwoman Moore?
Yes. Council. Councilman Lafferty? Yes.
Councilman Dryer? Yes. Councilman Bokey? Yes.
Councilman Newan? Yes. And Councilwoman McGee? Yes.
Motion. Carrie. Next item. Next
Item is we have to do the approval. We have
13 people Motion to approve with discussion.
Support, Lafferty
support. Call the question
Ms for Discussion.
Discussion. Me? I'm sorry,
Ms. Um,
I'm just wondering why we're going retroactive
to February 16th, 2025.
Lemme look. That's a,
This was in the, uh, the mayor.
I don't think the mayor did this.
I think this comes from a different department.
To answer your question, Joel.
Yeah, I'm not really seeing,
I think Mr. Elli, do you know
Elli coming?
Okay. Yep. Take your time.
Good evening, counsel. Good evening.
I'm going, uh, director of Door House.
He couldn't be here tonight, so I'm going off of her notes.
So excuse me for
You Sure. Fought to
get her stuff on the agenda and she doesn't show.
She does a fantastic job. I, I,
I know She does. Every chance I
get. She
Absolutely does a great job.
No question. No
Question. Um, going by
what, what her notes say.
It looks like this, this contract was a year,
so we're just adding money to the already existing funds.
So that's why I think that just the terminology
and how it was written is just a little wonky.
Okay. We're adding money to the funds that already exist.
Okay. I mean, it's not very much money.
I'm not gonna lose my mind over it.
I get thank, thank, thank you for trying to explain to me.
Appreciate it.
Okay. Calling to question.
Any discussions before I call to question?
Calling to question Councilwoman Moore? Yes.
Councilman Lafferty? Yes. Councilman Dryer? Yes.
Councilman Bokey? Yes. Councilman Newan? Yes.
Councilwoman McGee. That's a yes.
Um, we are ready to move to the next one.
Um, Madam Chair, I would just, I just get got a out motion
that the contract began on the February date.
Thus the dates coincide with the contract.
Somebody real smart sent me a text. Sorry.
The next item is q uh, which was for gg,
proposed resolution to approve contract modification number
three and final to city contract
WW TP 23 0 0 3 main pump station
Dry well column repair, resulting in a final contract amount
of $2,179,387 and 50 cents.
And to release interest on retainage consideration
and adoption of a resolution so moved. Support
Lafferty. Support
Lty.
Any other discussion, hearing and seeing none.
Council, um, call into motion. Councilwoman Moore. Yes.
Councilman Lafferty? Yes. Councilman Dryer? Yes.
Councilman Bokey? Yes. Councilman Newnan? Yes.
And Councilwoman Magis? Yes. Motion. Carrie. Next item.
Next item is 13 Q. What was four Gigi?
Proposed resolution to approve contract modification number
three and final to city contract WWTP 23.
I I just did that one, right. Sorry. I apologize. Yes.
R four HH request of the wastewater treatment plant
to award bid ITBW 17 0 5 for furnishing roof maintenance
and repair services to Shayna Roofing
and Sheet Metal Company, Inc.
For a two year period in an amount not to exceed $52,696.
Consideration and adoption of a resolution so moved.
Support Lafferty. Support Moff. Any discussion?
Hearing is seeing none. I'll call the question.
Councilwoman Moore?
Yes. Councilman Lafferty? Yes. Councilman Dwyer? Yes.
Councilman? Um, Councilman Bokey? Yes. Councilman Newnan?
Yes. And Councilman McGee? That's a yes.
Motion. Carrie. Next item.
Uh, next item is S, which was a four i I request
of the wastewater treatment plant to award bid ITBW 17 0 4.
For furnishing laboratory analysis on dewatered sludge
to microlab to micro back labs
for one year period in an annual amount not
to exceed $35,676.
Consideration and adoption of a resolution so moved.
Support Lafferty. Support Lafferty.
Any discussion, hearing, and scene? None.
Call each to question. Councilwoman Moore. Yes.
Councilman uh, Lafferty? Yes. Councilman Dwyer? Yes.
Councilman Bokey? Yes. Councilman Newman? Yes.
Councilwoman McGee. That's a yes. Motion carry. Next item.
Next item
is 13 T.
What was four? JJ request of the wastewater treatment plant
to extent and increase bid ITBW 0 5 7 4
for the hauling of ash grit and filter.
Press cake for the third
and final one year period
to DHT transport LLC in an amount not
to exceed $96,157 17 cents.
Consideration and adoption of a resolution so moved.
Support Lafferty. Support Lafferty.
Any discussion, hearing and seeing none called a question.
Councilwoman Moore? Yes. Councilman Lafferty? Yes.
Councilman Dwyer? Yes. Councilman B Bokey? Yes.
Councilman Newnan? Yes. Councilwoman McGee. That's a yes.
Motion carried. Next item.
Next item is 13 U. What was 4K?
Proposed resolution to award bid
and approve contract for city project
WW TP 25 0 0 5.
Belt filter, press parts
and service to Andre Separation, Inc.
In an amount not to exceed $370,256 82 cents.
And authorizing the mayor
and clerk to execute the contract consideration
and adoption of a resolution.
Support Lafferty. Support Lafferty.
Any discussion, hearing and seeing none?
I will call to question. Councilwoman Moore. Yes.
Councilman Lafferty? Yes. Councilman Dwyer? Yes.
Councilman Bokey? Yes. Councilman Nunan? Yes.
Councilwoman McGee. That's a yes. Motion carry. Next item.
One second.
Next item is, uh, 13 V.
What was LL notice of Appointment
of Penny Renee Pellegrini to the Parks
and Recreation Commission with a term expiration
of June 30th, 2028.
Motion to approve Lafferty
To approve support Dwyer.
Four.
Any discussion? All
All in favor? Aye. Aye.
Aye. Any opposed?
No. Next item.
Next item is audio participation.
I'm sorry, one second here. Do we have any, okay.
Okay. Members of the audience who would like
to address the city council, um, for this evening may do so
by filling out the form in order for you to, um,
speak on tonight.
You have three minutes to speak.
Our first person is Warren William Barnett.
Please come to the mic. Hello, Mr. Barnett.
Hello, ladies and gentlemen of the council.
Um, I'm William Burnett.
I'm a resident on Walt Street
and for the past two years plus at the address 2 4 8 3,
which is, uh, across the street from me.
They, there was a field there about three years ago.
Now, there currently is a, i i,
I guess it's like a trailer home that got put there.
I'm concerned for the safety of the neighborhood.
The, the kids. Um, as of yesterday,
they had a, I don't know what it's called.
I'm, I'm not a contractor, but a wet saw sander.
They cut the street up. We couldn't go down.
They, they got a street ripped up from their side
of the street, across the street.
There's, um,
I almost stepped in the manhole cover yesterday.
Pulled up the, they took up a manhole cover
as I was walking home, I almost stepped in.
It. Didn't know it was missing. There's no,
there was no cone or nothing by it.
I'm just concerned of the concern
of the safety of, uh, the wellbeing.
And it's just an eyesore looking at it.
This has been going on for two years.
I've been looking at a tractor that's been sitting there
for, uh, god knows how long.
Um, just the animals, the, the rats, the, it's, it's just,
it's a nice sore.
It's a safety, safety for, for the neighborhood.
Madam Chair. Um, I would like to suspend the rules. Sure.
Um, to have, to discuss something with, um, uh,
this gentleman support.
Is this the pictures? Yeah. Okay.
Um, um, just for everyone, um, um, all in favor, I should,
aye, Mr. Burnett sent some pictures to council office.
We got late and we, I sent them to, um, uh,
Patrick, um, for everyone to look at.
I'm not sure, um, what is going on here.
Everybody seems to have disappeared from the audience that,
um, maybe could answer,
but could you tell me this one photo, um,
that looks like it's coming from maybe your house?
It, it is looking out at a porch
and there's a, a, a home under construction in the back,
and then there's some folks working on the street.
Right. How long ago? How long ago was that photo taken?
That was taken yesterday, I believe.
Oh, okay. How and how long has this been going on?
This has been going on for over two years.
They purchased the property in, I believe, 2003.
They, they brought the, the, the trailer home in two halves.
And I believe it was right
around somewhere in 2004 when they brought the house
over in two halves.
Part of it fell off off the, whatever the trailer had it on.
And it was, it sat there
for like a week blocking the sidewalk, blocking the,
that was back in 2004.
Now it's on the property, but there's no siding on it.
I don't understand how they're living,
living in if there's no water.
They, they tore off our street yesterday.
I'm concerned about our,
what's gonna happen with the street.
How are they going to put our street back if they, they, I,
I don't wanna talk, talk down on the, on, on, uh,
whoever's doing their, their work with,
it doesn't look like they, they're, they're professionals.
It doesn't look like they're
licensed to be doing what they're doing.
So, and I don't understand how somebody could buy a house
or a property and then just tear up the street.
Right. Um, I mean, yeah, it looks like a problem to me.
I would like to have this sent over to, we'll send it to Mr.
Elli just because he'll dig down
and figure out, um, uh, I, I, I would make a motion
to send this to Elli and have him re check onto it.
We'll, we'll forward all the information
to the public service director
and see if he can't look into it and report back to counsel
and find out what the problem is.
And maybe we can, um,
help your problem a little bit over there.
I can, I can see where you would be very concerned. I
Mean, I, I don't have a problem with them doing
what they're doing, but it's been over
two years now. You know what I mean?
I I totally understand. That's a long time.
So let me see if I can get a timeline.
We'll have someone, uh, we have your email
and we'll have someone, uh, reach out
to you from the Public Service department
and see if we can't get you an answer.
Okay. Thanks for coming. We appreciate it. Thank you.
Support Lafferty. Yeah.
Make a motion to send this over to Mr. Maselli.
All in Favor? All in favor to,
Aye. Aye. Okay.
Any Opposed? Any opposed?
Okay. Our next person is Joe Vanderham.
No. Okay.
Anyone else? Ms. Lori Harris.
Sorry.
Hi, Lori Harris. Um, I,
um, really wanted to repeat that.
I would love to see us working on an ordinance against
Sharia Law, so that doesn't become an issue in our city.
Um, but beyond that, I just want to
embellish on what Ms. Moore shared about Kingsley Sears.
And we really were privileged
to have him in our community,
and I was privileged to know he
and his wife, um, and benefit from their kindness
and their humbleness.
And, um, I just wanted
to say we want more people like that.
And I hope that I can be one of those people.
Um, I probably have a little more rougher edges
than Kingsley and, and Lene did.
Um, but we, um, we were blessed.
We were really blessed to have them.
And I know that we have a lot
of people in our community just like them.
And, um, we just have to celebrate them.
So, thanks. Have a good night.
Thank You. Good night. Thank you. Next we have Mr.
Gerald Ter Hector.
I, Good evening.
I did not attend the October 28th City Council meeting
about the RFP for a climate plan,
because I just figured it's gonna pass.
Well, maybe some other people thought it was gonna pass too,
because this presentation didn't seem to be prepared for it.
So I did go back and take a look at the video
and I made some notes on what was said by the council.
And actually what was said by the council seemed to me
to indicate a lack of understanding of
what climate change really is and why we need to address it.
So I wanna start with talking about two goals that
appeared in the 1980s.
And one was to keep the parts per million
of carbon dioxide at three 50.
And the other was to keep the temperature increased
to 2.7 degrees.
So if we talk about the 2.7 degrees, how are we doing?
Well, you know, you can check that on your own phone.
And if you go to an app called Weather,
it's just a cloud and a sun,
and you scroll down, you'll find out that
we are 11 degrees
above the average since 1970.
Another way to check that is to take a picture
of the 10 day forecast.
And I took that picture on December 31st.
And on that picture, everything day
and night was supposed to be
under 32 degrees, basically freezing.
So of the last five days up to January 9th,
the actual temperature for January 5th was 39.
January 6th, 38, January 7th, 42,
January 8th, 51,
and January 9th, 58 degrees,
which is 30 degree, 30 degrees above average.
So you can get an idea of
how far we are off just by looking.
Do two things on your phone as far as the,
um, parts per million above 360 in
1988, uh, there came before the Senate to approve this 360.
And by that time, it, uh, already gone past 360.
So we are now at 4 28.
And the increase is not like that.
It's logarithmic exponential.
And if we continue to go the way that we're going,
those numbers that you're seeing
above average are going to go up.
So I figured I didn't have enough time to go into
any other more detail about that,
but I would like to if I could the next
Time, the time, time. Some
other time. Yes, we have to move. Okay, thank you.
Okay, thank you. Any additional? That'll be all.
Okay. Next item.
Counsel. Yes. Counsel
Response. Mad madam
Chair. Yes. Um, I apologize.
We got a little late start, um, this evening.
We had a pretty important meeting upstairs
and we were going
through some construction in this room
on the first floor here.
So we had to meet at another place and drive here.
So we were a little bit late, um,
and we were dealing some important things,
but I appreciate everybody's patience.
Um, we've been having an issue where, um,
the mayor did not turn over, uh, documents, um,
and deal with some things.
And so, um, we have been, um, having some problems
with the agenda, um,
because the mayor has not been forthcoming
and giving us information.
So we had a lot of add-ons today
because in an effort,
the department heads have contacted council office
and asked them to bypass the mayor
and to please get their items on
because they wanna still do their work
and not be stopped by the mayor's stubbornness.
So we did that. So we had a lot of things to add, um,
to the, uh, agenda tonight.
Um, we did one week where we tabled some things hoping
that would get the, uh, mayor's attention,
but apparently she cares more about being stubborn,
getting her own way than doing what's right for the city.
So it's been very, very, uh, difficult the last few weeks.
Um, the department heads are having a difficult time trying
to operate under such circumstances.
I think, uh, all of them have really felt, um,
very uncomfortable
that the position the mayor has put them through.
Uh, we did get a communication, uh, the,
the mayor was subpoenaed, uh, last,
last week, I believe it was.
And we did get a response today.
Um, and we have not had time to really delve into, um,
what is said, uh, a cursory look.
It doesn't seem to cover certainly what I was interested in,
but we'll be doing further analysis in the, uh, next couple
of days or week perhaps.
Um, and, uh, I just wanted to explain,
we got a little late start today
and we were dealing with a very important issue early on,
so we may have seen a little discombobulated,
but we were just trying to get our legs here. So thank you
Madam Chair. Yes.
I just wanted to thank, uh, Mr.
Hes Packer for coming in
and, uh, helping to give us an idea as to why
a climate action plan could be very important for the city.
Um, my understanding is that, uh, the city
of Warren is way behind the, a city like Sterling Heights,
and many of the objections were around, oh,
that one only cost so much money.
And they had already done a, a, a couple plans on that line
before they actually got their climate action plan
written anyway.
Um, I think it would be extremely negligent of us not
to do one the catches us up.
Um, the exponential part of the, uh,
greenhouse gases going up also means that, um,
eventually the temperatures will follow
that kind of curve also.
They already are, have started doing that, um,
and fairly dramatically.
And it's a public safety concern.
We've got the fire department
and the police have to handle emergencies.
Well, uh, cities like, um, two cities
and, and, uh, on the California coast had, uh,
pretty much burnt down off of climate change.
Uh, one in North Carolina had an atmospheric river from,
um, from a hurricane in the Gulf that landed there
and, uh, pretty much wiped out the city.
These things are gonna become more and more common.
If it's Warren, we're gonna have a very hard time recovering
at the rate things, uh, stand.
It's not a situation normal.
Um, public safety is very important to our council,
and I hope that they'll take this matter
seriously in the future.
And hopefully we'll have a committee
of the whole about it. Thank you.
Thank you. Anyone else? Okay, next item.
Motion to adjourn support where support.
All in favor, aye. Aye. Have a good night everyone. Aye.