City Commission - Regular Meeting

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. We'd like to call the City of Benton Harbor Commission meeting to order. We begin with an invocation by Commissioner Eth Clark Griffin. We begin with an invocation by Commissioner Edward Isim followed by the pledge of allegiance, Mayor Pro Tim Shaquille Turner. All rise. Thank you for meeting forward and better people. To the flag of the United States of America nation, indivisible with liberty andice for all

like to ask Mr. Hoy if you could straighten that straighten the [ __ ] for us please. Thank you, Madame Clerk. Commissioner Clark Griffin, present. Commissioner Fields, present. Commissioner Henderson, present. Commissioner Henry, Commissioner Isam, present. Commissioner Canard, present. Commissioner Warren, present. Mayor Prom Turner present. Mayor Muhammad present. We have a quorum.

This brings us to the approval of minutes February 17, 2026. Is there a motion for the approval? Motion for approval. Motion is made by Commissioner Henderson. It is supported by Commissioner Isa. Madame Clerk, Commissioner Canard, yes. Commissioner Warren, yes. Commissioner Clark Griffin, yes. Commissioner Fields, yes. Commissioner Henderson, yes. Commissioner Henry, yes. Commissioner Isam, yes. Mayor Prom Turner, yes. Mayor Muhammad, pres. This brings us to approval of accounts payable listing. Is there a motion for the approval? Motion.

Motion made by Commissioner Ism. It is supported by Commissioner Henderson. Is there discussion? Chair recognizes Mayor Pro Tim Turner. I also want clarity. It was stated that the city of Ben Harvard would not have enough funds to pay us bills for the month of March. Can we make sure we have clarity because it was said that we don't have money in our account to pay bills, which I I know we do, but I will make sure it's out in public that we will pay our bills and staff this month.

Thank you, uh, Mayor Pro Tim Turner. Um, that's exactly correct. uh we in transferring the $420,000, not only will we be able to pay staff, but we'll also be able to pay our bills. Um and and the manager can speak to it if he sees fit. Um but doing both is where the challenge came from. Um Mr. manager, would you like to?

The mayor is exactly correct. We will be able to do both. And had we not had the 420,000, we would have been faced with having to pay bills and would not have had the money to pay the um Okay. Thank you. Chair recognizes Commissioner Henderson.

Thank you, Honorable May. I just have one uh quick question. um uh chair through the uh city manager for um when we're paying the bills and if the motion for whatever reason didn't pass and our commission stipens and things are also in that particular item um are those still paid? What is the um when um it's voted no or not or not supported to to pay it? Those things are in there as well. Um are those still paid? because I know it's are those transactions stopped? How how does that work?

Having not been there anytime recently, I'm not sure of the right answer to that. But it all depends on whether or not we have the money to pay and then what you decide to pay. Madame Clerk. Commissioner Warren. Yes. Commissioner Clerk Griffin. Yes. Commissioner Fields. Yes. Commissioner Henderson. Yes. Commissioner Henry. Yes. Commissioner Isam. Yes. Commissioner Canard? Yes. Mayor Prom Turner? Yes. Mayor Muhammad? Yes.

Motion carried. This brings us to the next item on the agenda which is an update from Representative Joey Andrews who is not present on this evening. So we'll move to citizens comments or public participation. There is a threeminut maximum per speaker. Please sign in with the clerk Lee Reed. Good evening commissioners.

Good evening. Last meeting I did not get the opportunity to explain to you about the handout I gave you. I asked a question how many of you have actually read the voting ordinance. Only one of you replied. So I'm assuming that there's a possibility you all may not have had time to review this. So what I would like for you to do is to take out the copy. This is just a copy of the first two pages. And I'll explain something to you very briefly. If you look across the top of it, it says how to how to use this code. And the operative I want you to understand here is the term code. What does it mean? We have a zoning map which does not have a lot of information on it, but the code if you understand how to read it, it's very valuable for you to have. and you can barely just basically look at it and it'll tell you basically the what you need to know about it. Now, when you go into the zoning ordinance on the third page, which is actually the first page of the ordinance, it's four steps. I'm not going to take the time to try to read this to you, but I want to direct your attention to the very last paragraph where it says, "If you want to change your zoning district," do you understand what I'm saying? If you want to change your zoning district, only the city commission may reszone property following a public notice and hearings. Since the zoning ordinance is part of the master plan, you're going to have to have a hearing. The people created the

master plan. They also are going to ask you or have questions about their zones. And recently we've had quite a bit of controversy about the zoning. So if you're the one who can change it, what's the issue? Change it. But in doing so, I would like to make sure that you understand that you need to read this document first. and it's going to explain to you why we changed it in the first place to allow for multifamily housing. It goes into quite a bit of detail. You need to read this first before you go back and make any changes to the master plan which is part of actually the zoning ordinance enforces. Now, it's the duty of the planning commission to maintain the master plan and the zoning ordinance. That's why I came to you last time to get your permission to change. So, since my time is up, you have the documents. All I'm asking you to do is to please read them. Thank you.

Thank you,

Michael Hoy. good evening. Um, I was asked by a variety of governmental officials what was my involvement in this past election uh here in the city of Benton Harbor November 4th. and my credentials were a pole challenger. Those are my credentials. I was asked what actually took place in a variety of different ways. One, there's a police report against Reverend Pitney and his involvement in also Dedra Fields with her involvement that took place over on Well Street. They also asked about how it states here in the charter you cannot have any outstanding um debt to the city or any municipality. This was submitted to the clerk's office on 1010. It shows where Dedra Fields actually had an outstanding balance. It was not paid until June 5th. As you can see here, DJ Fields 6:30 Thrasher was not paid until 6:30 of 2025. You cannot be a candidate on the ballot to be any kind of commissioner if you have an outstanding ballot. So if you're on the ballot in April, how she got on the ballot in April when she had an outstanding bill and didn't pay until as you can see here in September. There's also another property that she had over on um I think it's Apple Street, maybe Maple Street, but she also defaulted in that property too that was not paid in time. You can see on her um uh history here that she submitted to the clerk that she actually lived over on Benjamin at one time. She also has a name change. And in the name change,

that's where you'll find her criminal history cuz he changed her name. If you look at the petition here, it's signed by Eddie Pinkney. That's not his name as it appears on his driver's license. It's Ed Pinkney. So, those should not have been actually submitted, okay, as ballots. These are all things I shared with different entities. They said, "Well, what do you know about her living on Benjamin?" I don't know that she lives on Benjamin, but yet they submitted to me two pictures from January 18th, January 15th of her car being over on Benjamin going into um the water problem over with Wanita Henry. She said that nobody lived at 11:15 Union. That's her own statement, okay? That she said nobody lives in that building. Then why on her petition does it say 11:15 Union if nobody lives there? How can you be on the ballot? How can you actually be part of it to be a candidate? How can you have an outstanding water bill to the city and who knew it and who knew it when? If you go to the other conversations that we had is who was actually registered as a city business. If you look at the registry for city businesses, there's no total wellness and no is there anything for nominal woman or Mary Kay or anybody else. Okay. So these are all questions that need to be resolved.

Thank you. No more comments.

This brings us to the consent calendar. The following ordinance resolutions will be adopted by one motion unless requested for separation. Chair recognizes Commissioner Henry. Uh thank you mayor. I would like to separate number three uh from discussion. Duly noted. Is there a motion for the approval of the consent calendar? Motion is made by Commissioner Henderson. Is there a second? It is second by Mayor Pro Tim Turner. Madame Clerk. Commissioner Clark Griffin. Yes. Commissioner Fields. Yes, Commissioner Henderson.

Yes, Commissioner Henry. Yes, Commissioner Isam. Yes, Commissioner Canard. Yes, Commissioner Warren. Yes, Mayor Prom Turner. Yes, Mayor Muhammad. Yes. Motion carried.

This brings us to the separated item from the consent calendar approval of Davyy Resource Group work area expansion contract for Ox Creek debris removal. The resolution reads as follows. Whereas the city of Benton Harbor is recipient of a grant from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for debris removal in the Ox Creek Valley. And whereas the city has already entered into a contract with Davy Resource Group for removal of debris within the valley along Ox Creek from four previously identified sites within the project area at a cost of 300,000 that has been nearly completed. And whereas additional debris consistent with the grants terms has been identified in adjoining and adjacent areas and the city desires to expand the area and the Davyy contract by 276,000 to remove debris from these additional areas. And whereas there is sufficient grant funding to cover the cost of this expanded work activity. Now therefore, be it resolved that the mayor and the city commission of the city of Binh Harbor does hereby approve acceptance of the proposal and authorize the city manager to execute this agreement and continue execution of this project as approved. Is there discussion?

chair recognizes Commissioner Henry.

Thank you, Mayor. Um, of course, you know, we're trying to really improve that area about Ox Creek. I think this um it's a great thing and that we're not going to be taxed. Uh, the city's not going to be taxed. The money's in a from a grant. I just would like to see um documentation on the project before and after pictures with um dates on them and um cuz I went down and looked at some of the stuff that they picked up and it it was a lot of a lot of stuff. So, and it's still more down there. So, that's the only thing that I want is to for us to have a before and after picture with a date on it and present it to the body so we can see the good work that they're doing.

Thank you, Commissioner Henry. So, um I was just going to say that I had taken a tour down there when they began to look through and um and uh looked at that area, which at one time I even worked down there at the tech center and uh saw a lot of the debris down there. I haven't been down there for quite some years, but uh I looked that a whole lot of dumping had been down there, so I it I know it really needs a good cleanup down there. Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner Canard. If there are no further comments or questions or dialogue or even debate, I call for the question. Commissioner Fields. Yes. Commissioner Henderson. Yes. Commissioner Henry, I would say yes if the city manager says do not about my request. Do they noted? Yes. Commissioner Isam? Yes. Commissioner Canard? Yes. Commissioner Warren? Yes. Commissioner Clark Griffin? Yes. Mayor PM Turner? Yes. Mayor Muhammad? Yes.

Carried. This brings us to our staff communication. I'd like to recognize the public safety director, Director McInness. Never cease to amaze me. Well, uh, good evening, commissioners. Good to see you all. Uh, that's pretty efficient. So, uh, public safety wise, uh, do want to make you guys aware of some things that will be upcoming on, I believe, Commissioner Henderson's committee Wednesday. Uh, some things that we we are working on. Uh, one of, uh, about about three three things, two of them we spoke about before, we didn't necessarily get any traction. We're bringing them back. One of which was the uh vacant property, uh, an ordinance for vacant property. make sure that they're registered. Another one is a requirement to um require property owners, renters, not owners who live in, but property owners to have liability insurance in case their property catches on fire. So, we'll be bringing that back as well as uh I think a pretty quick and simple update to uh parking and the emergency snow route. There are a couple literally a couple of words missing that we can take care of. Uh but then also um the municipal civil infraction bureau which I think now I look at this let's not take too big of a bite at the apple for Wednesday. Let's maybe present that and then of course we can segue into the city attorney. So those are some some things that we're bringing uh for efficiency for quality of living for citizens and some things that will make us more efficient as operating as a city government. Uh and

that's all that I have I believe for now. Thank you. Thank you. Chair recognizes the city attorney, Attorney Synica.

Thank you, honorable mayor. Um, as our public safety director mentioned, we are looking at an ordinance to create a municipal civil infractions bureau, which means that if you get a civil infraction ticket, you would have the option to come and pay that at city hall. There's a few caveats there. So, if you have a property that's blighted and it needs to be cleaned up, you couldn't pay the ticket until it was cleaned up. But, it's really a way to allow our citizens to have a little bit more flexibility. Um, it takes away the sting of having to go to the courthouse and take off work. It allows people to come in kind of at their leisure. They get a time frame that they have to come in, but it's really to benefit the citizens. So, that will be before several of our committees. We want everyone to look at that and make sure everyone's comfortable, but I think that's a good thing for the city of Benton Harbor and its citizens.

Thank you. Chair recognizes our assistant city manager and city clerk, Clerk Moore. Nothing further, just working on the aforementioned items. Pretty big. Thank you. Chair recognizes the city manager, Mr. Little. Nothing special this evening, sir. The chair recognizes our fourth ward commissioner, Clark Griffin.

Like, I'd like to thank everybody for coming out tonight and everybody listening. Let me read something real quick. I'm start. The commission shall not permit personal, abusive attacks or slanders or profane remarks about any person. Nothing here is intended to limit or restrain negative, positive or neutral comment about the manner in which an individual, employees, officer, so on carries a duty. Violation of any of these rules will be considered a breach of order for which the speaker's appearance will be terminated. Refusal to the floor will be considered a breach of peace and subject to violation to remove from commission chamber. Now here for months, almost a whole year with the accuser accusing again.

This is going to stop. We sit there quiet, the videos from the accusers that just spoke and uh some of the other people working with them, even false page, fake pages. We're not going to continue to do this. The rule states that we do not have to do go through this and we will not be going through this. Whoever is supposed to stop it. If you do not stop it, I will do it because I am going to protect myself, my character, my dign dignity at all costs. And accuser is talking about other people business and people on this. The 292 Belleview is in violation. should have a sticker up there. I'm hoping that it get put up there soon. You can see algae. You can see nobody staying there. Yet the accuser is using that to run for as a second w delegate when you don't stay there. Isn't that a violation? If you're using that address to run as a second w delegate, it's been the water bill's been payments have been concerned for years, which it's inhabitable if the water is not on right for nominal woman is county. You go to the county, pull the papers for for nominal woman. So all this foolishness has to stop and it's for uh community outreach. Mary Kay is nationwide all over the world been around 61 years and most of his online websites and all that. So what is that does not exist? And you know what? I had an uncle die. I just got from Alabama like 10 something last night riding 18 hours because we

dropped a family member off in Tennessee on the way. On my way up here I had a cousin 24 years old. I know you guys seen it all over Facebook and Breeze die. We don't have time for this foolishness. We are volunteering our service and I know I do a lot of stuff in the community out a lot of my own pockets. I will not be attacked, harassed up in these chambers. These are our chambers. I do good and I don't have time for it. And I assume whoever is supposed to stop this foolishness red should not need to stop it or how you all. Thank you. Have a good night.

Chair recognizes third ward commissioner Henry.

I just hate it when I have to go after her cuz she's always on point. And I want to I want to say that it is not a good feeling to have people to say untrue things about you. No matter where they say it to your face, behind your back on on on social media, it's not a good feeling. And what what what my colleague just read, it says that someone should be protecting us from that kind of behavior. And I hope you hear that you do have a responsibility to protect us, chair. It's your responsibility to protect us cuz you run this meeting. So maybe we need uh opinion from our attorney as to how we should handle these situations and um maybe I should can uh contact my lawyer and ask them if uh if I'm being aligned. So, I am not sure how to handle it, but I know it's a problem.

And if it if it's a problem, it needs to be handled. Have you Are you yielding the floor? I'm done. Yes. Chair rec is commissioner at large Canard.

Thank you, mayor. I'd like to say how much I think the we got very few people here but being here I hope that we'll leave here with a different feel. I pray every day for this uh commission because we're in this and we need to have leave here with a lot less headaches than we did coming in the end because it's nine of us to work for this and we really don't need to leave here feeling heavier than we did when we came in. One of the things I do want to uh do is say we was elected to be a voice for the community and not only a voice, but I do get on my knees for not actually on my knees, but cuz I'm my knees hurt a little bit, but I bow and pray and ask the Lord to help us through this because we are in this here and we all should be working for the uh areas of having a better Benton Harvard because I we have our children and we that have worked many years here in this city and uh as we get older we begin to look at things even from a a wider perspective you know because we really want the best for our young people and we want a better Benton Harbor. One of the things I do want to add is that we did have and I'm this is to you mayor. Uh I would like to get uh some information for because I did run into three young people, two Caucasians and one black young man over here near the um monument of Dr. Martin Luther King uh some months ago. I may have mentioned that. And they were homeless. And we did uh talk to uh I think uh it

was with you as an assistant to the to um to our um

city manager as well as uh Mr. uh our commissioner Shaquille. And we did ask the question because it had been asked to me and I want to be sure that I get a clear understanding for the people. So I'm not making any assumption. I just want a clarity for them. There was $15,000 that was put aside for the use of having uh housing or taking care of the homeless. And he did say that he returned a check. So, I would just want to know that we make him to uh if you could get a statement as to why the money was returned and um that he'd openly uh tell them what he told us about the monies that wasn't put towards housing or for the better uh interest of the homeless. So, these are questions I want to have clear. I don't want it to just come out of my mouth. I want it to come out of, you know, for the best interest of everyone knowing that I'm homeless. I've seen some wrapped in a comforter walking down the street and it looked very painful to me. And then those people were standing there in the park right across here. And so I talked with them and we're here for anyone that has a a place or standing. We are not to say who can be here or who can't be here in Benton Harbor. But when we have a problem that there's money that has been put forth for be used for their better housing or interest or something that I think we should look to the best interest of trying to find a place for them or do what we can for them. And I know he knows more of his responsibilities and it may have been something he couldn't handle right at that point. So, I just like a clear understanding for the people that ask me. Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner Canard. Madame Clerk, do you have that? Noted. Thank you. Chair recognizes Commissioner at large fields.

Good evening. Good evening. Thank you for those that are here. Um, I am appreciative of everyone's presence as well as those that are watching online. I would like to say thank you to um, Commissioner Ethical Griffin. Um, but I would like to again still as always be positive because God is good all the time. And I have always been I don't know just always been excited about finding a higher route in situations versus um even being responsive which you know the devil likes that right? He wants to get a reaction. That is the whole goal. And so um I was voted in and I am here um gratefully and um I will continue on with the work such as the hub that are actually helping serving as respit um and providing services to those that are in transition whether they're on house or need respit of some sort and um I appreciate the different support I've had commissioners bring items I've had different community levers leaders um come and sit with us and the res and the different individuals there. And so again, donations are always appreciated and the work will continue. Um so I again appreciate everyone and thank you for coming tonight.

Chair recognized the second w commissioner Warren. Thank you, honorable mayor. Um I'd like to thank everyone for coming and for those that are watching. I don't really have any uh new second w updates. I've said this a couple weeks in a row. Uh spring we will have a cleanup, but I don't have that date on the calendar yet. Once I get that, I will get flyers made and let everyone know. Thank you. The chair recognizes commissioner at large is Thank you, honorable mayor. No comment tonight. Chair recognizes Mayor Pro Tim Turner.

Thank you, mayor. So, first I want to say um I do con um agree with Commissioner Clark Griffin that something do need to be done because there are too many fake pages going around with false information. We do need to get a hold of that. Uh second, I wanted to congratulate all of Ben Harbor Boys and Girls Club uh youth of the year. They called me in and I was not feeling the best and so I served up there and I don't know how I made it through but one of the young mans touched my heart and he lost his mom and to see that young man pursued through it means a lot. Yes.

And he pushed on through it. So I want to congratulate them on their their successful this year. I I don't think the fourth ward or the first work uh commissioners they also didn't echo their fourth W have her cleanup plant coming up. It's uh March 21st and then the first W is having her town hall. I forgot the date so please help me out. Um we also having sink holes in our city. I am not the happiest seeing them. Uh pictures have been shared to all commissioners. I've seen them on social media. I pass along to everybody. I found three more today. We need to address those sinkholes immediately. I'm not happy about them sinkholes. The graveyard is in need of immediate assistant immediately. We have people, loved ones being disrespected out there by snow plowing. We need to address that because it can lead to something totally out of control pretty soon. So, I'm hoping that the city manager will work with public safety and Ben Township Police to addressing that because it need to be addressed. Whoever hit those people love stones need to be prosecuted. That is a major disrespect out there and they should not be tolerated. With that, I have no further comments.

Chair rec Commissioner Henderson.

Thank you, Honorable Mayor. Um, just like to thank, as um all the other commissioners have said, like to thank everyone for coming out. Thank you, Mr. Reid, for again for the um valuable information that you always provide. Um just again, love having conversations about our city and how to improve our city and to grow it. Um, I'd like to again invite everybody out on Thursday for uh the town hall at uh the Boys and Girls Club on Empire at 6 PM. Uh, you'll hear updates um about Project T about the new Wall Street project um and Miss Tracy uh will be coming out from Whirlpool to talk about um their day of impact as well and she'll have information about that u on Thursday. Um, as you heard the chief talk about um the legislative committee, there's a lot of things on the agenda um that uh things that that are being brought back to help again improve our city and to hold um people accountable. Um we've had house house fires um in the past where um young people were killed. Um one I knew um all three children who were killed in that fire and the landlord um yeah didn't have insurance so kept it or whatever he did. So, it's a great opportunity to protect our residents um against uh people being uh reckless. And this is reading. March is reading month. So, um all of the local schools are doing celebrity or guest readers. Um it will be great to have uh anybody that wants to come in to read uh to our babies um this month in Benton Harbor School. So, thank you.

Thank you. I'd like to thank everyone for coming out tonight and I'd like to uh thank the staff uh for your hard work um and the city commission because it takes staff and and legislators working together in government in order to continue to move it forward. Um tonight we did get a lot done. Um we have um more infrastructure being um repaired or to be repaired a territorial which has been a one of the oldest streets in Benton Harbor uh where that was used to go to Detroit uh prior to um Interstate 94. Uh they would go down territorial. In fact, there's a rock that was a marker uh at the Morton House uh and is still sitting there to this day. Uh but territorial Wanda is another uh street uh that is one of the oldest um part of old Bitten Harbor and that one will receive uh sewer work. Uh the scope of the project includes replacement of the sanitary sewers, sewer service laterals, hot mix asphalt paving, curbs and gutters, sidewalk as well as storm sewer and sidewalk ramp improvements with all associated traffic control work. And that would include cherry water street sewer improvements. Um and so that's a big deal. 1,873,9619. uh worth of infrastructure work in Benton Harbor in the inner city. Uh but I am sure that those on water street uh

which you can see that is in bad shape as well. Um so big big big big stuff there. I I did attend the state of the state uh governor uh Gretchen Whitmer who delivered her final uh state of the state address very well address uh and housing is huge uh on her and the legislators uh agenda for 2026. In fact, uh I have a meeting coming up uh with Christian Grant, who's one of the sponsors of a bill that will put zoning in the ballpark of the legislators and that new zoning laws uh will restrict uh the um ability of municipalities uh to vote on certain legislation. So, similar to last commission meeting, um we voted to make those changes, but with the state legislation, they will already be in place. And under the Home Rule Act of uh 1909 279, the local municipality cannot pass a resolution that is not in compliance with uh state law. Uh, so I'll be bringing that information back. And for those who are going to the Michigan Municipal League, um, I believe Mayor Pro Tim Turner, Commissioner Large Canard, Commissioner Fields, um,

Commissioner Isam

and Commissioner Clark Griffin. Uh, they will have a full report because it's a huge huge deal um around the state right now. Um, so it's something that we have to stay ahead of and hopefully we'll be able to get some information uh from you all when you come back. Um, we have had some tragic um deaths in our community uh just recently. So I ask that we keep um those families uh in prayer. Um but I do agree with the sentiment of the council uh that although we have our differences uh disagreements uh but as we see what's taking place and going on in the world uh it's very important that we have a united front uh and that we work together uh in unity uh notwithstanding our uh different perspectives ives uh and I do want to say this that every voice uh has the right to be heard whether that's on the public comment side or on the council side. But I do agree and we are bound by our council rules that personal attacks uh slander um would not be tolerated. character assassination um would not be tolerated. Uh because if it is disturbing the peace of the meeting uh then we do have a right to keep the peace which is why we do have a peace officer um present

uh at every meeting. Uh however uh we do have the first amendment uh where people have the right to petition their government. They also have the right to express grievances uh to the government. Uh but of course that comes with a responsibility. Uh and that's a very thin line. Um you know I don't want to make it personal. Uh so that means that is there a motion to adjurnn? Motion to adjurnn. A second. This

motion is made by Commissioner at large fields. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tim Turner. Madame clerk. Commissioner Clark Griffin. Yes. Commissioner Fields. Yes. Commissioner Henderson. Yes. Commissioner Henry. Yes. Commissioner Isam. Yes. Commissioner Canard. Yes. Commissioner Warren. Yes. Mayor Prom Turner. Yes. Mayor Muhammad. Yes. Motion carried.