City Council - Regular Meeting

the drop down contract. Okay. Okay. Yeah. I've never actually

Oh, we got a lot of firefighters here.

Yay for the firefighters. Thank you. All right, it's Tuesday, February 17th, 2026. We'll call the city council regular meeting to order. Would everyone please rise by uh for the invocation given by Councilman Curley, followed by the pledge of allegiance. Most holy one, once again, we are here tonight to do the business of the city. And Lord, first of all, uh thank you for all the firefighters that are here as we speak and bless the ones also that are at the fire house taking care of our city. Lord, we would ask that you would be with the council and be with the folks who are watching us on television and be with the folks who are here tonight that we may be together to do the business for our beloved city. We ask all these things in your son's holy name, Jesus the living Christ. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you everyone. Please call the role. Council member Baker here. Council member Curley here. Mayor Kleinfeld here. Council member Shadlick here. Council member Scott here. All right. Approval of the agenda. So move. Mr. Mayor, if I may, real quickly, um, for some I was, it was noted to me that the agenda printed AM instead of PM, so I didn't know if that needed a correction. Just to note that it's should have been PM. I didn't hear. Oh, just the time was wrong on here, but

But we have a a motion to approve. Is there support? Support. Please call the wrong. Council member Curley. Yes. Council member Shadlick. Yes. Mayor Kleinfeld. Yes. Council member Scott here. Yes. Council member Baker. Yes. All right. First item we have is proclamation for Black History Month, February 20 uh 26. And uh I will make a motion to approve. Support. Any comments?

Uh, just for myself, I'm going to abstain from that. I don't believe that a proclamation should be something, especially one of like this is one that we should be voting on. If we proclaim it, I believe we should just read it and celebrate it. But that's just my position for the record. Any other comments? Please call the RO. Mayor Kleinfeld, yes. Council member Shadlick, yes. Council member Scott, yes. Yes. Council member Bakerstein. Council member Curley. Yes. All right. Um and uh Council Shadik, I think you said you might read it out. Yes. Thank you.

City of East Point proclamation Black History Month, February 2026. Whereas the city of East Point recognizes the significance of Black History Month in our community, our state, and our nation. And whereas the city of East Point recognizes the month of February as Black History Month, which dates back to 1926 when Dr. Carter J. G. Woodson set aside a special period of time in February to recognize the heritage and achievement of black Americans. And whereas the city of East Point believes in representation and appreciates the importance that local leaders of African-American descent have in our community. And whereas the city of East Point recognizes our moral responsibility and duty to work to achieve a more perfect union. And whereas the city of East Point encourages its employees, residents, and business owners to practice active anti-racist behaviors. And whereas the city of East Point denounces all discrimination in any form as an affront to our inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And whereas the city of East Point condemns racism in all forms in our neighborhoods, in our policym, and in our policing. And whereas the city of East Point recognizes the work already done by employees, residents, and businesses, owners to achieve racial equality in our community. And whereas the city of East Point affirms that black history is American history. And we recognize February not to limit the learning of black history to one month, but to encourage reflection for all citizens so that we may preserve, strengthen, and further our shared

fundamental principles of equality. Now therefore, be it resolved that the members of this city council declare the month of February, 2026 as Black History Month in the city of East Point and urge residents to recognize the contributions and experiences of people of AfricanAmerican descent within our community. Proclaim the 17th day of February, 2026. Thank you very much. All right. Uh we'll move on to presentations for uh the fire department. Chief Clark, would you like us to we go down there?

I'm also going to call up Battalion Chief Jason Patini and firefighter Mike Damo. So, Mayor, council, thank you again for the time. Um, tried to squeeze these all in last week, but due to scheduling, we had to split them apart, but we definitely appreciate the fact that you guys let us do this here. I've said it last week, um, we're we're a modest group, so a lot of times these awards get done and uh, behind closed doors and trying to change that to let the community see what these guys do on a daily basis as as well as you. Um, but this next award that I'm going to present to these gentlemen here along with Sergeant Sar, who couldn't be here tonight, um, was a high-risisk, low frequency run. Um, Gordon Graham's a guy who talks about risk management in our profession and it would probably put these guys to sleep just at the mention of his name because his videos can be pretty rough. But the reality is this was one of those runs that was a a high risk, low frequency, not something we see all the time. I was sitting in my office and these guys got a call for medical. went over there. I heard him call for another engine which alerted me that this was more than something just a medical. It happened to be started as medical, but a patient drove through a garage. The garage collapsed onto the vehicle and they were pinned in the vehicle. So, um these guys were able to extricate the patient through the windshield assess situation and um because of that they got the patient out in a timely manner. Um I'll read you the award. This is going to be for a unit citation. The crew of Engine One is commended for exemplary performance on August 29th, 2025 when confronted with a vehicle collision that breached a cinder block garage and left the occupant trapped and unresponsive. Acting with urgency and precision under the potential collapse, the crew ensured scene safety, stabilized the vehicle, successfully extricated the victim. Their swift, decisive actions exemplify courage, teamwork, and dedication, bringing great credit to themselves and

the department. So on behalf of the department, I'd like to award Battalion Chief Fertini and firefighter Mico Sergeant Sar. The first hearing the public is now open. Would anyone wish to be heard?

Good afternoon. Oh, well, good evening, council and mayor. Uh, I'm here because Miss Holman and the director of DPW and I cleaned this city. I was told that it couldn't be done from 8 mile old 08 mile to grass. I got up for an entire week and proved them wrong. Now, we drive through the city and there's trash every place. I'm here to say that this is unacceptable. Um, I don't want to be rude and I don't want to be nasty, but it doesn't take a lot to clean um from 8 mile to 10 mile. Not at all. if I can do it alone. And then I put it on Facebook and two young men came from Warren. Nobody volunteered from East Point to do this. They came from Warren and they helped me do that. So if I can do it, I know it can be done. So that's all I came to say. I don't I don't mean to call out anyone, but this is unacceptable. Have you driven through from 8 mile to 10 mile? I saw one guy out there cleaning on grass. Now, I started to go do Kelly, but I said, "You know what? I'm going to wait. I'm going to see how long it takes for the people who actually get paid to do the job to do the job." So, that's all I came to say tonight. And I usually don't come to the city council meetings, but I wanted us as a city to get started early on this because if it keeps going on, it'll go on all summer long and I don't want to be out here. I'm 68 years old, but if I

have to do it, I'll do it. So, Mr. Mattis, and you're our new city manager. Everybody else knows me. They don't like me, but I do the best that I can cuz all I do is pick up trash. But I'm asking you, please make your people do their jobs. Otherwise, this 68-year-old woman will be out there with my puller and my garbage bags picking up trash. That's what I have to do. So, thank you for your time and I'm leaving now. I'll go and watch the rest.

Thank you. Anyone else? Good evening, Mayor Kleinfeld and members of council. My name is Shannon Dulan. I represent Comcast and I'm a member of their government affairs team. We've recently had staffing changes and I just wanted to stop in this evening to introduce myself and let you know moving forward I will be your primary point of contact for all things Comcast related. I did send an email uh but again just wanted to take a moment to put a face with the name. I'm looking forward to working with all of you and to serving the residents of East Point. And if I can be of assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out. I did bring some information that I'd like to leave with you if I can approach.

Yeah, if you want to just hand it to Okay, Randy. Thank you. Anyone else?

Kevin, 30 East Point resident. I just got a couple things I wanted to mention. Uh the young lady was talking about trash. That was one of my issues being around businesses. The businesses that ran out they were responsible for trash surrounding business. Uh I stay on Juliana one block north of uh 8 mile over there and it seems to be a lot of traffic diverts down this street and looks like on the way here they were speeding. So I just wanted to maybe inquire about some speed bumps to slow these guys down cuz on the way here he was and it's foggy. They were just speeding and I think it has something to do with we the first street off eight mile person might miss their their uh street and they turn around they take east point for a new route. Uh the two uh biggest things I want to talk about. Okay.

Thank you. Anyone else wish to be here? Councelor Kelly wrote, "Uh, it is right and respectful that we do, uh, honor Black History Month, but we need to we need to refocus Black History Month. And I'll even take it back to right after the civil war when the birthright citizenship was was put into the constitution. The laws of the 60s and birthright citizenship were put into practice or or made into law for the descendants of African slaves. They do not include Nigerians, Somalians, or any other person that came two years ago. They are they are definitely for African descendants of African slaves. They are not for LGBTQ. They are not for abortion. They are not for any of the queer lifestyle stuff. They are for the descendants of African slaves. Uh Mr. Mr. Mayor, you you mentioned sun sunshine laws at the end of the last meeting. And you're right. I call them the open meetings act. We're talking about the same thing, I think. So, if you could tonight in your closing remarks

guide us to the way that you kept the meeting with Moses Moses roses away from the public because I'm curious, did you break the mo the open meeting act or the sunshine laws as you referred to them? And uh you know, I like you all, but you're politicians. We got to talk bluntly. Um Mr. Curley and Mr. Baker, you put up a lot of fuss about some of the comments I made at the last meeting. The one thing I didn't hear of the Moses Rose situation was any any excuse or let's not call

you have 30 seconds

like um any any rationale for taking that meeting off the books. I heard nothing from you about that. So, and uh that'll be it for now. Thank you. Anyone else Edwards, East Point Resident? Uh, I'd like to just kind of more or less piggy back off of what Mr. John had said and what have you. And he's absolutely right, 100% uh the uh so-called proclamation uh that need to be tossed or revamped and updated or something and what have you. Matter of fact, uh uh because of delineation and what have you that u most blacks are are referring to themsel as now are negroes is FBA uh black foundation Americans for the simple reason that uh everybody has been eating off of what was supposed to be for the negro and everybody else has benefited from it through one uh uh slick wording uh through the lawyers and what have you uh of adding m uh uh uh minorities under that term just there alone that threw in everybody else. Everybody benefited but the ones that was that it was supposed to been for and what have you. So I totally agree with him 100%.

Thank you. Anyone else? Anyone else wish to be heard? Jennifer Nicholas, East Point resident. Um, I know that you're going to be talking about the gas station setback ordinance again tonight, and I am asking that you either leave the setbacks at 2 feet as you approved at the February 3rd city council meeting to prevent creating non-conforming structures, or add language to the ordinance that allows existing detached accessory buildings to keep their original setbacks under any and all circumstances, whether their garage needs to be rebuilt due to fire, explosion, natural disaster, city condemnation, or because the homeowner simply wants to rebuild their garage and regardless of cost of rebuilding the garage or change in ownership. You know, this was brought up originally on the October 2nd, 2025 planning commission meeting. At that meeting, our building official, Mr. Meyer stated that if a garage were destroyed during a fire, it would have to be rebuilt following the new setbacks. He also confirmed that if a twocar garage would not fit within the new setbacks, the garage would have to be downsized. At the November 6 planning commission meeting, um, Commissioner Naylor actually expressed concerns with garage setbacks. She gave an example of a ne neighbor's garage that had recently burned down and said it would be a tragedy for the neighbor to try to now reduce what they had access for um because of this fire. Uh when she made the motion, she wanted to include

language that would in effect grandfather existing garages to allow the original setbacks if a garage needed to be rebuilt. Mr. Myers had softened and said he was agreeable to this and said that language did not need to be added to that motion because this is already covered under section 11.07 part D part one that in the event of a fire or a disaster a garage could be rebuilt with the old setbacks. I I sent you all a copy of that ordinance. I don't read it that way. I don't think it really protects a homeowner to be able to build their garage. Um, I know in my neighborhood all of the garages have twoft setbacks from the side lot. Most of them have five foot setbacks from the rear lot line. Um,

and you have 30 seconds. In the agenda packet, you refer to the two feet being a safety issue and also um promoting the growth of weeds. Um the two feet by our garages is cement. There are no weeds growing there. And the garages are staggered. So there's open space all the way around them. It doesn't matter if it's two feet from the fence line or three feet from the fence line. There's nothing on the other side of the fence line to um cause a fire to spread to a neighboring property. So if you can review that and possibly um amend the language, I'd appreciate it. Thank you. Anyone else wish to be here?

Council mayor, uh, East Point resident, Gary Merin, I agree with Jennifer. Um, everything should be, you know, the way it is, grandfathered in if you're already there, especially if the concrete is going to still stay there. Um, right now I have some problems with overgrown vines getting into the wires, not on my property, but next door. And they're on their way to the new telephone pole that's behind my garage. And um there's no garage behind the neighbor that has his garage close to the fence line. Um, and I told John Meyers and um, you know, showed him pictures. But I think the garages, you know, if you're already there, they should be grandfathered in. Because mine goes down, you know, it's going to be the same thing. I'm two feet from the front, two feet from the back, two feet from the side and the back.

Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else? The AL ALDF reported a four-month-old St. Bernard puppy in Dresen, Tennessee, endured a nightmare ending in tragedy that no animal should ever face. For four long hours, she was kicked, choked, stabbed all before her tiny body gave out. She didn't deserve this. No puppy, no animal does. We live in a world where animals are abused and tortured, exploited, and neglected for profit, entertainment, and fun. This cruelty will not stop on its own. It takes legal action to hold abusers accountable and change the systems that allow animals to suffer. That's exactly what ALDF does. You'd agree that animals like this puppy deserve protection and justice. Yet too often, acts of cruelty and neglect are brushed aside, sending the message that animal suffering doesn't matter. Side note, that's exactly what Chief Haynes did in abdicating his duties and responsibilities and failing to site the petting zoo owner for animal neglect and purposely doing an internal review to prevent the public and media from accessing the report through foil. This is also a conflict of interest since he chose to socialize with church patrons instead of enforcing the law under the anti- cruelty statute and federal animal welfare act. Ryan, you're his boss. It's your responsibility to request agencies outside East Point to do an investigation, a thorough one, to be a part of the public record. When animals I'm sorry, when animal cruelty and neglect are ignored, animals are left victim vulnerable to harm. Every case

ignored puts humans and communities at risk. That's why cross reporting of animal and child neglect are necessary. When you have one, you have the other. Collaborative response projects are necessary to have vets, prosecutors, and ACOs to receive specialized training to investigate and respond to cruelty cases more effectively and consistency consistently within their community. Uh, cruelty and neglect far too often goes unressed and in many states animal protection laws are incomplete, outdated or under enforced. The vet report from the previous meeting went on to state in regards to the rabbits living outside on a farm doesn't negate those concerns. Temporary transport exhibition in cold conditions in 30 seconds and carriers without thermal protection present risk distinct from permanent well-designed housing and should be evaluated independently based on veterary knowledge. The describe conditions consist cons There's significant animal welfare concerns. It's inconsistent with the requirements to provide adequate protection from the elements and generally accepted standards of animal care. We need ordinances for the rabbits. They have no protection.

Thank you. Last of all, rest in peace, Jesse Jackson. Thank you. Anyone else wish to be heard? All right, seeing none, the first hearing of the public is closed. Uh, we don't have any minutes to approve or scheduled hearings or unfinished business, so we'll go right into reports from administration. RC manager's report, Mr. Mattis.

All right. Thank you. It's been a been a busy couple of weeks in the city manager's office. So, um, just a couple things going on. Um, we are scheduling lots of conversations around our budget. So, we're working diligently on that. We're working through it with our finance team. Um, we are scheduling lots of other things as well. So, we're uh scheduling some information sessions for council um to meet with AEW. U I'll let Karn speak to that more later, but uh um we'll probably get a presentation from him for our first March meeting is the plan. Um especially related to budget items. Um uh speaking of March meetings, I'm not going to be in in town for the March 17th meeting. So, just an FYI, I'll be at the Clerk's Institute that week. And then while we're on schedules, um, next meeting you'll see an item to reschedule our first August meeting because it coincides with early voting for the August election. So, we'll need to either move or reschedule that meeting. U, you'll see that next time. And there's lots of other things we're getting out to bid and um that you'll see in the near future. We are working on cleaning up lots of processes and uh just considering kind of those business as usual items. So, as I've settled in, I've I've learned a lot and uh I'm excited to learn some more. Um so, it's a good time to just look at how we're organized and what we're doing and um consider the the best things we can do moving forward. So, that's all for me. Thanks.

Any questions? And I don't recall if I had mentioned it before. I know that the school board would like to do a joint meeting at some point, not urgent, but we used to do that every year uh just to kind of see where you know, we were at and they were at um and I did uh I was looking for the review paperwork. Uh Councilwoman Pashadlick had created that for the last review we did. So, I think she's going to send out something before the next meeting. Yeah, I'd be more than happy to do that. Uh moving on to the finance director's report. Mr. Plum,

good evening, Mayor and Council. Uh, the only thing I was going to mention was budgets. Uh, we had our first budget re departmental budget review meeting today. Uh, eased Ryan into it with an easy one and just got him familiar with our process and, uh, it seemed to go well. And the rest of the week and I think early next week we have a few more meetings and then we'll start wrapping it up and getting it ready for council presentation. And that's all I have unless you have questions. Any questions for Mr. Bluffton? All right. City attorney's report, Mr. break.

Uh thank you, mayor, members council. Um over the weekend, I received several emails uh from uh one from a business owner and one from a resident. I have circulated all of those emails to the council. I didn't know if there was uh anything that uh you wanted the city attorney's office to do at this point. Um I haven't taken any action on those without direction from council. Any questions for Mr. Albbright? All right. Thank you. We'll move into new business. Item A, adoption of resolution uh 26 uh 2012, notice of intent uh resolution for water and sewer system revenue bonds.

Uh Mr. Mayor, Pat McGau, bond council is here tonight and he's going to come up if you have any questions.

Good evening, mayor, members of council. My name is Pat. I worked uh for the city as your bond council for a number of years. Uh what you have before you tonight, the first item is a notice of intent resolution for water and sewer system revenue bonds. As you may recall, the city has applied for funding through the state clean water uh revolving fund. This is a program that the state uses federal dollars to subsidize lowinterest loans and grants. Uh the city applied last year and was approved for funding in the fall uh for a sewer project uh that includes a grant uh of or principal forgiveness of approximately $633,000 in a loan of just under $5 million uh that would be repaid over 20 years at 2%. So in order to take advantage of this program, the city's required to issue bonds uh to memorialize the loan. So, what you have before you tonight is the first action item in a two-step process. Uh, the approval of a notice of intent resolution, which would indicate the city's intent to issue the bonds to essentially document the loan from the state for the sewer project that would pay for collection system improvements. Uh the notice uh requirement is that if approved by the city council uh the clerk would publish a notice in the newspaper letting the public know that the city intends to issue the bonds and the bonds can be issued without a vote of the people unless a referendum petition is signed by not less than 10% of the registered voters. That's a pretty typical process in a lot of bonding statutes. So, what you have before you here is to authorize the notice of intent resolution for the water and sewer project in an amount not to exceed uh $4,995,000 uh to pay for the sewer projects. Uh I'd be happy to answer any questions. Also here in the audience, Stephen Haydock from Benzinski and Company is the city's financial adviser that works on the financial aspects of these financings

and my colleague Connor Stars will also be working on this uh with the resolutions and the legal documents related to this financing. Uh so we'd be happy to answer any questions. Right. Uh anyone on council have questions? Would anyone like to make a motion? Right. I'll move to adopt resolution number 26-2012 as presented. Support. Please call the RO. Mayor Kleinfeld. Yes. Council member Curley. Yes. Council member Scott. Yes. Council member Baker. Yes. Council member Shadlick. Yes.

All right. Item B, adoption of resolution 262013. uh notice of intent resolution for capital improvement bonds.

Uh so while we're talking about bonds, let's talk about the next one. Um this relates to the police and court facility project that the city has been working on for a long time. Uh this is a very similar resolution, although it's a different bonding process. This resolution would also authorize uh the publication of a notice of intent of the city's intent to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $10 million to pay part of the cost of the construction of the new police and court facility. Uh this is a project that the city's been working on. The latest estimates from the city's engineers have this project around 18 $18.6 million. So it would be paid for with a combination of grant funds uh as well as some city funds on hand. Uh and then the remaining amount would be paid from the bond issue. So at this point, we don't know exactly what the size of that's going to be until the bids are taken later in the year. Uh but the action item before you to authorize the notice of intent resolution in an amount not to exceed $10 million to pay that portion of the project that the city would finance. Uh this would be a bond issue that would be payable from taxes pledging the city's taxing power. Uh and it would be uh sold in a competitive sale in the bond market and the bonds would be for a period no longer than 25 years. Uh so again, the action item would authorize the publication of the notice of intent and then we would come back to the city council later this year once we had the construction bids and a better idea of what the size of that bond issue would be. So this is just publication and then when we have a solid number we approve taking out the Okay. All right. Would anyone like to make a motion?

Mayor I would move to adopt resolution number 26-2013 as presented. Support. Please call the role. Council member Curley. Yes. Council member Scott. Yes. Council member Baker. Yes. Mayor Kleinfeld. Yes. Council member Shadlick. Yes. Great. Thank you. Great. Thank you. Uh item C, approval of extension of contract for sanitary sewer open cut repair program. Would anyone like to make a motion? This is for the uh sewer and open cut repair program. Yes.

I would move to extend, if I might, Mr. Mayor, I would move to extend the 2022 sanitary sewer open cut repair program district number one contract with Fontana Construction Incorporated of Sterling Heights, Michigan to include the 2025 2026 program consisting of 11 critical open cut repair locations in the amount of $371,980 and further authorize a city manager to execute all necessary documents. Is there support? Support.

Did anyone have any questions on this item? Please call the roll. Council member Curley, yes. Council member Baker, yes. Mayor Kleinfeld, uh, yes. Council member Shadlick, yes. Council member Scott, yes. Right. Item D, uh, which is the, uh, second reading of an adoption of ordinance number 26-1254. Mayor, this is the item that we had two people from here in the public comment on.

Yes. And I guess to start off, uh, administration, Mr. Mattis, would you like to comment on this?

Sure. Um, this one went through the planning commission. Uh, they reviewed it. They considered lots of options. They landed on a recommended three-foot setback for things like garages, uh, the rear setback for residential part residential parcels, excuse me. Um, it's one that we changed at the table and it's one that I want to make sure, uh, we don't do lightly. Um, I know there are existing buildings. I know we are aware of that, but um, instead of looking back, we would like to look forward. So, let's look at the next 20 years of what we want to see in East Point. And it's important to consider those setbacks for health, safety, wellness. Um, there's a myriad number of reasons to consider it. Um, three-foot being the the recommendation of the planning commission and a a very workable solution for now. Um, it's something we can always review in a future update. There might even be more things we would like to see uh to consider um regarding setbacks in the future, but for now I think a three-foot setback is highly recommended by planning commission and recommended by the administration as well.

And the recommendation um is that if if the building burned down, the garage burned down, they couldn't rebuild the garage in the same spot with the twoft setback. If they lost the entire building, it would have to be built to the current spec. So if it right now it's only a if it would have to meet the three-foot set back. Why? Going forward. Why? Safety if it caught fire. So when they when they built this the garage it was illegal to make it two feet at the time. There was a different standard and well well wait a minute. So the different standards back then didn't regard any safety

typically. No actually. Um your garage is a place that is full of dangers if you think about it. It's the place that it's where you keep your old paint cans. It's where you keep your gas can, your oily rags. Uh you run your small engines in there. You store things in there. It's a place that you have to consider safety. Um an alternative route if you wanted to consider would be to require um that each wall be fire rated for at least two hours. Um that's what many cities do. If there for any garage or things that don't have fire suppression, it's it's a way. Um you can increase the distance. Uh you can there's several things we could do but having landed on the three-foot recommended setback by planning commission I'd recommend we continue with that now.

So I had a question with um I think sometimes we toss around the word grandfathering and realistically I don't think there's that actually kind of exists in our ordinances. I mean it I guess you saw the email that was sent probably earlier today with referencing that one section. Do you have any opinion? I mean I don't think we're doing anything that would sort of pressure any exist like existing structures.

No that I mean as cities develop regulations change things change we learn more and we do better right as a society. That's what we do. Um so existing nonconformities happen that's those are the things that become grandfathered in. That's what a lot of people call it. Um so as it stands now that's okay but now that we know more uh we can do better. So to increase the setback um is recommended at this point. Has I'm just curious that's a crazy question but I'll ask it anyway. Has anybody ever went out and took a yard stick and measured 30 or 40 or 50 garages and see if it was two feet or three feet?

Yes. So, most of them are two feet. I wouldn't say most. I don't have a good a solid answer, but I'm looking at John. John Myers, our building official. Sorry to put you on the spot, John. Um, some do, some don't. Um, I'll let John speak more to it, but between John and his team, they've looked at every building in town, and John can tell you more.

Council, thank you for the opportunity. The reality is depends on what district and neighborhood you're talking about. So, you take maybe particularly on the east side of of Kelly, you might find everything set back at a tighter range. You find the older neighborhoods, their setbacks are much further apart. Also, you find many don't even have a garage yet. So when they want to put one in and we want to put it tight up against both property lines. Now we have two major problems. It's just a wood structured facility, not like you might have on the west side, east side of the city, but now you have a historical problem of not only a fire once it started. We already had two fires in the history of the city where one garage got burned and it caught the other three on the fire because the back lines were set tight against the um the public rightway or utility right away. So the further closer we get to the right. Right now we have somebody in the city who's arguing to wait for the city to repair when the city had to remove half the back of the garage on our utility repair and still never finished it. And they're going, "Why aren't they going to ever finish getting my garage fixed?" and this is already six years later. So those problems occur. The other problem you're going to face is the argument of overgrowth. Once we get ourselves that close to each of the property lines, we're going to try to require green vegetation to be cleaned to kept maintained for road control and now you're squeezing it in. And our previous law was even with this three-foot setback is at the top of the at at the wall, not at the overhang or the gutter ridge of it. So now if I'm at two feet and I'm not counting the the the sidewall, but I'm counting the overhang of a of a 612 pitch garage roof. Now I'm actually letting all my water go into the neighbor's yard and vice versa. So we now have much more complications in the the overgrowth that we have in our city. Also, we have a difficulty with one fire get started in one garage, it

has much bigger risk of putting many other neighborhoods at risk.

Okay. Thank you. So, I guess what what I'm thinking about is uh realistically how many properties would this affect where uh I guess they're on the cusp. I think Mr. Mattis, he said if they're entirely, you know, burned down or something like that. Um, I don't think it would necessarily be harmful to have a caveat that existing structures can be repaired, uh, remodeled or, you know, something like that. I'm because I do get the argument that sometimes people will not fix something because if they take down a wall, they have to move it then, so they keep it up uh, while it ages. So, I don't know. What does council think? Well, I think you might have guessed with the questions I've had so far that I've I'm thinking that in a lifetime uh how many incidents are you going to have where a person has a two-foot setback and would be grandfathered in? Wouldn't that I don't think there'd be that many to begin with. But the but to have I don't um

right it does there's not a motion on the floor anyway. There isn't yet. It does impact what's already built and it will it very much impacts those being built in the future. So as we look to develop and as people want to add garages and things. This is important to set the standard that we want to see that's safe and we can regulate. I love I love them when I get to argue with the new city manager. I think I think it's fun. Me, too.

Yeah. Well, I in all due respect, you normally would probably scare a guy who hadn't been around for 50 years, scare him beies out of him because you use a word danger uh half a dozen or more times already instead of saying, "Well, this is kind of what what we want to do." But you're you're you're sure using the word danger a lot. And that's why the standard exists that imagine trying to get a ladder from, you know, the fire department between two things that are built right to the property line. You can't. It's not. It's two feet from the property line.

Like John said, the wall is two feet, but the the roof overhangs and the gutter overhangs that. So, well, don't put the ladder in the back. Put it in the side or to the front. So, I I got a question. Um potentially if somebody loses a garage through due to whatever disaster um depending on the size of the lot that they sit on, if they currently have a twoft garage, I mean, I'm sorry, a twocar garage, uh do they potentially run the risk of now having to reduce the size of their garage based off of the movement, or is there still plenty of room?

It totally subjective. Usually there's room. It would just have the footprint would be different. So they'd have to move it two feet forward or whatever it is to meet that requirement. It depends on the parcel. It depends on the driveway, etc., etc. But in general, there there's possibilities to move it two feet. It's got to be away from the line and other structures

because I I guess for me um I guess thinking about it if if I had a two-car garage the and I had to rebuild. Um I would want to be sure that I can rebuild what I what I've already had that meets the needs of me and my family. And so that would be my main concern. And I understand that maybe there's ways to work through this.

Um, but if this setback changes, uh, I need to be certain that I can rebuild what I what meets the needs of my family. Um, and maybe that's kind of a broad question, maybe it's a irrelevant question depending, but or maybe it's just like you said, subjective to the the property that it sits on, but if there's enough room for a twocar, I wouldn't want to rebuild a one car in its place. Um, you know, the other concern that I I guess that I have, but I guess that's subjective, too, is um does that also require me now to um have to pour more concrete potentially to cover depending on the uh you know, the size of the the slab that it sits on. And I'm, you know, I'm asking legitimately because I I don't know how all these things work, but um that that incurs another cost too there um depending on the uh property that it sits on. So I guess these are all things that I that I'm kind of taking into consideration um with respect to, you know, what was presented from administration.

Yeah, those are valid concerns. Um, I'm not the building official, so if you would like to speak to uh what it looks like if you had to move, if you weren't able to build in the same footprint,

have an an imperative effect against the project. If the property already has granted enough floor ground space and this city's hard surface coverage in the city is 60%. If you already had a twoft garage and you were going to move it one foot to the left to get your three foot because it burned down to the ground, you wanted to rebuild it. You'd still be permitted to build a two foot uh two car garage because you're only moving it one foot to the left to properly get your distance to meet the city code. The also issue with even driveways in the city ordinance at present in an existing or repairing of your driveway is it's allowed to have three feet of concrete on the width of the door. So whatever the side of the door is, you're allowed three feet on each side extension. So you still wouldn't have a bigger driveway. You'd just be moving your your property building in a new rebuild back to one foot to the left. So, no, it wouldn't be in a major at the cost of building a whole new garage. One foot of concrete isn't going to offset the massive cost of removing it to to a proper size if it needed to be rebuilt after a tragedy brought it to the ground. I have a quick question. So, if we're doing hypotheticals, what if a garage did burn but not to the ground? So, you know, it's still there and uh you have to reconstruct, so to speak. Um what would the requirement be? So, let's just say my my garage um there's a wire falls on it, catches the top of it on fire. The rest of it is preserved somehow, and I want to rebuild it.

The answer is if you're going to leave it as existing and repair it, you're legally allowed to do so. As all if you have to build one wall, that's the three walls are staying one, one wall has to be rebuilt or the trusses have to be put in. That won't change your position of your setback because you're not removing the entire building by accident, by intent, or by purpose. So, like if you had a cinder black garage, say, and the roof basically caught fire, rebuild the roof. Okay, that would be all. But you wouldn't have to. No. No, ma'am. Thank you.

All right. There's a couple things we could do from here. Um, as well as the setback question, there was the legal description that we caught. Um, it got cut off in the first um, pass of the ordinance and we want to make sure we correctly adopt the, um, the legal description. If nothing else, um, we could proceed with the motion that was made and go with the two foot step back. We could table it till next time and John and I could do more homework for you if you'd like. um we could send it to the planning commission to review either this section or the entire ordinance or other things and get give us more information uh regarding their thought process and what that should look like. Um and I got to warn you, they might sharpen their pencil and want more requirements. So uh that's that is something to be considered. Um or we could proceed with the three-foot setback as recommended by planning commission and administration. Well, well, first of all, it motion hasn't been made yet.

Nope. And secondly, I love everybody on the planning commission, but the word recommended is what they do. They re they don't they recommend something to us. It's not something that we have to do if they don't make it official. That's right. That's right. Well, I talked enough, but the rest of the people can I have another with respect to the planning commission. Um, you know, they They are very thorough. I've gone to many, many meetings. They're beautiful. They're wonderful.

They really do a very thorough job and I I'd hate to be offensive towards that work that they've done, too. Um, you know, it's not an easy job. I know they've made questions as Jennifer Nicholas had mentioned. You know, Miss Naylor is very thorough in her questioning and and you know, why her reasoning and things like that. So, you know, I know that there's a lot of work and effort that goes into that recommendation. Um, but you know, I don't want to negate um that commission at all in any way, shape, or form. I I certainly do appreciate all the hard work that they do. So, I'd just like to mention that as well. Well, I guess my position is uh I think I'm compelled to go with the three feet change. I don't know if it would be um if it really does any harm to add any language saying that existing structures can remain at the two feet so they're not in non-compliance. I guess it it I don't know that it would matter either way. Um because until there's new construction we don't do anything about it.

Do you have any thoughts on that? I don't think we need to add the language. um if we want to instruct the planning commission to review um you know something like that of how to how to go from here I would love to talk about what else we need to do regarding setbacks. Um if we wanted to give direction to them to um consider language like that we could as a as an additional motion but um I think we could treat them as separate items. Oh, Mr. Mayor, from a legal standpoint, having that additional language would not legally be required. Okay.

So, I'm not sure where we're at. Um, well, is

Rich, you're going to have to help me out there here with it because I'm I want to make a motion to have um grandfather the two feet in if the but I don't know how how the how I can write that down. Other words, you know, if if you have a fire and you had two feet, u you would you would be grandfathered in to you could build the garage again with a twoft instead of requiring it to move to three. Everybody knows on the council what I'm talking about, but we got to got to be in it's got to be in Riley someplace. I'd want to think about that rather than coming up with that language just off the hip at tonight's council meeting. So, if the council would like to adjourn this just to the next meeting and give me an opportunity to come up with some proposed language, I'm happy to do so.

Can I take a strong vote so I know what the council's going to do? I I'm fine with adjourning it. You're fine. What? I'm fine with adjourning it to the next meeting to

No, I'm just trying to I've heard three people speak, but I I don't know I don't know the feelings of anybody. I think I I think I got I think I was pretty clear that I agree with this with the grandfather, but I haven't heard anybody else on the council. If the council is going to vote for what the planning commission wants, there's no point in our having our city attorney spend a few hours getting some language that I want. So, let's Can't we get some feelings of what the council wants?

I'm frankly on the fence. I think uh Councilwoman Pashadik's questions were sort of hit the nail on the head for me, like at what point does a structure have to be moved. Um I'm okay with the language as is, but I would be okay with having some sort of grandfather language in there, too. I don't think it's going to affect realistically that many garages because it would be in the circumstance where for some reason So you wouldn't have any problem to grandfather in if it was two feet. No. Okay. So that's two votes for it.

I'm making a hard sale, aren't I? Mayor Kleinfeld. Yeah. I would move to amend the February 3rd, 2026 motion to give second reading and adopt ordinance number 26-1254 to amend sections of the zoning ordinance as follows. Section C, detached accessory buildings. The side and rear yard setback shall be a minimum of three feet. Zoning map. The legal description is amended to include the entire legal description as shown in the attached ordinance number 25-1254. Sir, support. Support.

All right. Um, any comments on that? Again, I can only uh comment that the you know, planning commission does work very diligently on on these uh issues for us. Um they they do a great deal of work and I do appreciate their u work on the comm commission. Councilwoman, I agree 100% with you. I I've known everybody on the planning commission for decades. Of course you do. And I appreciate all of them, but I I I don't want to I wouldn't want to make a motion because I don't want to hurt the feelings.

That's what I'm making an emotional I am not making an emotional decision without due respect. Council member Curley, I happen to know that the fire department uh also wants the three-foot setback. It's a safety issue as they were. I mean, I granted it may be one of those scenarios, but if they come across something like that, it does give the extra room. We have vacant houses and stuff like that when they're removing debris, you know, in yard work. You can get a lawnmower in between there with the three feet instead of with the two feet. There's there's different reasonings that I have for it. I mean, I guess I I didn't go into great detail. I just don't want to come across as being offensive towards the planning commission as well. Maybe it seems like I'm being emotional, but I'm not.

Okay. I assure you I I have checked into it. So, you know what? I believe you. Okay. So, let's call for the motion. All right. Any other comments?

Um, yeah, I guess I was kind of, you know, I was sitting here mulling it over, but I think um I did I was interested in the language that Councilman Crowley was presenting about grandfathering in, but being that there's a motion already made um I don't know if it would uh matter to ask if you'd be willing to amend it with that proposed language or if you would prefer to keep it as you just made it. Again, I only I only um went with this motion because um you know, if you do have a scenario as I had just suggested, say my garage that's 2 feet, it's a cinder block garage, the roof catches fire, and I need to redo my garage, restructure it, it would still be quote grandfathered in to be redone. Yeah,

I think the scenario is it has to burn completely down to the ground and a complete new rebuild. Yeah. And I think that's where Councilman Curley was going with with his uh question. But uh if I mean, but it sounds like I got my answer already. I mean, with what you just said. So, I think your answer is no. Yeah, I it could have just been no. I would have been okay with, you know, but Okay.

Okay. Um let me try something here. And by the way, folks, I don't want somebody coming up with the second hair in the public saying, "I don't understand you. You spent a half hour in something and I don't know what you're talking about." Well, we're here. We're I'm having fun. I And I'm not mad at anybody. This is democracy in action. So, Mr. City Attorney, yes. Could I make a substitute motion? Well, there has to be a motion to amend. There's a motion on the table right now. This is not to amend it. It's just a substitute motion. Period. No, it has to be a motion to amend.

Okay. I I You're both wrong. You're both No, because I you know, I read up on that stuff like a substitute motion. If you got a motion up there and you want to Okay, you say no. Fine. But I'll next two weeks I'll bring the book and show you the page and the verbiage that's in there and you'll apologize to me. I would. Okay. So, anyway, my Mr. Mayor, my substitute motion was going to be to table this motion, but I'm out of order. Thank you. Any other comments on the motion?

Please call the RO. Council member Bashadlick, yes. Council member Scott, yes. Yes. Mayor Kleinfeld, yes. Council member Baker, no. Council member Curley, no. All right. Moving on to item E. Um, introduction and give first reading to ordinance number 261255. Amend the um addition of the International Property Maintenance Code. Would anyone like to make a motion?

Uh, Mr. Mayor, I move to introduce and give first reading to ordinance number 26-1255 to amend the uh addition Edison of the property maintenance code to the 2021 uh addition to the IPMC and to schedule the second reading and adoption of the regular council meeting uh for March 3rd, 2026. So for any questions, Council Member Curley, yes. Council member Scott, yes. Council member Shadlick, yes. Council member Baker, yes. Mayor Kleinfeld,

yes. Uh item I could add, sorry to interject. Um if you do have comments or thoughts after reading it, that's why we do two reads of ordinances. So if you have thoughts or comments, please share them to the city manager's office um or to this council. But it's why we do two reads. So let's do it between now and the second read please. That would be much appreciated. All right. Um item uh

F F. Thank you. Approval of memorandum of understanding for participation in the Southeast Michigan Reccast Leaders Cohort. I move that we approve the memorandum of understanding for the Southeast Michigan Recast leaders cohort with Recast City and the Michigan Municipal League and further authorize the city manager to execute all necessary documents. Sparty any comments?

I have a quick question. Um, I was just wondering if we had checked with Roseville's trade inspectors to see if they would match those prices or not. You jumped ahead one doing a recast first. Okay. But we will.

Please call the roll. Council member Baker. Yes. Mayor Kleinfeld. Yes. Council member Scott. Yes. Council member Curley. Yes. Council member Shadlick. Yes. Item G, approval of contractual trade inspectors. Council Shadley. That was my question. I'm sorry. Um I was just curious if we had um checked with the Roseville to see if they would match those prices or not. We have. Um we've spoken with Roseville a couple times about the our shared services. Um and we realize it is some cost savings for us to take it in house. I mean, it's significant. It's, you know, really big difference.

Yep. And Roseville was very helpful in a pinch when we needed to rate inspectors. They were incredibly helpful. Uh, but it's a a different time where we were able to find qualified, very good inspectors at a very reasonable rate. So, we'd like to move in that direction if council agrees. Would anyone like to make a motion? I would move to authorize administration to use independent trade inspectors for electrical mechanical, plumbing, and other trade inspections and for plan reviews and further authorize the city manager to execute all necessary documents for the inspectors and to end the agreement with the city of Roseville.

Support the Any questions? Please call the role. Council member Shadlick, yes. Council member Baker, yes. Council member Curley, yes. Mayor Kleinfeld. Uh, yes. Council member Scott. Yes. Item H, approval of policy for Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA, um, audience participation. So move.

Support. Um, I support the policy as well, although I suppose I could bring it in a future meeting uh to propose an amendment. I did want to include uh a little bit of language which we can just pass this so we have a policy in place going forward um that would require if someone's appearing via Zoom that their video be on unmuted while they're speaking um and language that you know the chair might mute them or whatever uh to prevent interruptions just to kind of spell out that one of us will be kind of in charge of the meeting assuming we use Zoom or something similar.

I'll I'll amen it as such currently. I don't have the language yet. Um but I just thought that might be something good to spell out just so there's no complaints in the future. But uh I mayor I think that's something being it's good just to have this framework so people can utilize this policy and then as time goes on if we see things that certainly can be improved uh the policy can always be amended. All right any questions? So this would be via Zoom. Is that correct? So this that would be the the participation for the ADA requirement would be via Zoom. Is that what we're thinking or

I I think it's written vaguely as uh remote public comment but Zoom or some sort of similar technology I think is what we had in mind. So if we utilize Zoom would um because you know there's there's different varieties of Zoom that you can use variations where you can use um the party themselves can mute themselves or the administrator can mute themselves. So would we be looking at like an administration um muting ability if if

I think we'd have to work on it. Um because I think there's been some issues with plugging it in so that it's visible here. Um I think so. I mean, just from being in a courtroom and seeing if the judge doesn't have control, how crazy it can get quickly. You can you can mute them and they'll mute unmute themselves right away and yeah, you know, continue. So, I'm just just asking that. So, it would definitely be a feature we would utilize. I think.

Yeah. And mayor, if I could just ask, Ryan, where do where does city administration anticipate this policy will be uh posted here at city hall? Of course, on the website, but um where do you anticipate it will also be posted? Um policies once adopted are on the website. They go on to documents on demand. Um we um just began a policy of public comment that is received u per the the five days ahead of the meeting that's written on the front of the agenda. Um, there's a binder in the city manager's office where we print those out and put them so they are publicly available. Um, we encourage council to check those out before meetings. Um, so it'll be posted in all the normal ways. Thank you. I have another one. I'm sorry, Mr. Mattis. You're good. I'm going to be a thorn today.

Good question. Um, my other question would be, uh, do we know of other cities who utilize Zoom for their city council meetings and allow remote participation?

Some do. Um the open meetings act is very clear that you as voting members cannot be remote. You have to be in person currently and that has changed over time. But uh participation remotely is allowed. Um some cities do sometimes it's one way. Sometimes there's a variety of ways that different communities do it. Some you record the message and um it's played during the during the meeting. Some um they're read into the minutes. Uh there's a variety of ways that people are able to participate remotely. And uh like like the mayor said, this gets us started um on that on that track. Thank you. Any other comments?

Please call the role. Council member Baker, yes. Council member Curley, yes. Mayor Kleinfeld, yes. Council member Shadlick, yes. Council member Scott, yes. All right. Uh item I reschedule the joint city council and planning commission meeting. Uh Mr. Mayor, I move to reschedule the joint city council and planning commission meeting for Thursday, March 5th, 2026 at 6 pm in the council chambers. Is there support? I'll support. I had a question.

Go ahead. Um, isn't that the same day as the planning commission's regularly scheduled meeting? March, Thursday, March 5th would be their regularly scheduled meeting? It is. So then there really wouldn't be much of a difference except that it's their scheduled meeting versus our scheduled meeting. So it's kind of the same. Yep. There's a little bit of um advantage to doing it on this Thursday that um the consultants who are helping with our master planning will be available. Yeah, of course. And so that's why um if council's okay giving up home court advantage to planning commission on that Thursday instead of a Tuesday. Okay. Sure. Yeah.

Any other questions? Please call the RO. Council member Curley. Yes. Mayor Kleinfeld. Yes. Council member Shadlick. Yes. Council member Scott. Yes. Council member Baker. Yes. Right. Payroll bills. Move we pay the bills in the amount of $3,814,43759.

Support. Any questions? Please call the RO. Council member Baker. Yes. Council member Curley? Yes. Council member Shadlick? Yes. Council member Scott? Yes. Mayor Kleinfeld?

Yes. All right. With that, the second hearing of the public is now open. Would anyone wish to be heard? John Sera Council. Uh, regarding Mr. Mattis, I don't think you understand East Point. These these changes to codes. I'm not a person that's lived here 30 years. I bought a house built in 1957. I'm looking at replacing roofs. I I looking at replacing a lot of other things. Furnace, hot water. um got issues with the basement cement. You cannot pile these these codes that increase prices. It is just part of this liberal uh overregulation. Uh if my garage burns down completely, then I got to pay to add another foot on the other side. I I don't think the people proposing this stuff understand East Point. It's not like I bought a new house and everything's going to last for 25 years. I bought a house in 2020 and it was built in 1957. There's a lot of repairs to be done. And adding these burdens, you're just going to raise prices where people can't live here. Um, before I forget, it's President's Month also, I believe, along with the Civil Rights Act. Let let's recognize Abraham Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves. He died for it. There's plenty of criticisms of Lincoln, but he deserves credit for what he did. Um, regarding the um opioid money, I don't think you folks

understand optics. It stinks to high heaven that you you sued for East Point, but now you're distributing the money to what looks like Democratic organizations, a teachers union, a 501c3. So, I I don't know. It looks It looks like moneyaundering to me. It's probably technically legal, but it don't look good. And I don't care what you think about it. And my last motion is there is a school bond proposal coming up. I I urge the residents not to vote for it. Uh Christina Gibson does a terrible job running these schools. Barely better than Detroit. People leave there, the kids leave there barely able to read and write. So down the proposal, you're not hurting the kids. Christina Gibson is just greedy. She doesn't need that. I urge you to vote against it.

Thank you.

Good evening, Mayor and Council. Gary Sassic, East Point resident. Um the policy for the ADA policy tonight that you approved I'm hoping will also carry over to other boards and commissions. Uh just recently the planning commission had the gentleman reach out to us. Um so it could affect other boards and commissions as well. So we may need some direction. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else wish to be?

I just have concerns that with East Point residents uh concerned about u the D uh uh setup and what have you. Uh last year, last summer, they ran through all of East Point, cutting down uh uh trees and uh branches and so on and what have you. And now they uh uh intended on coming and doing the telephone pose, a utility pose and what have you uh uh starting in the spring. And I'm just wondering uh uh what kind of uh uh guideline do they follow through East Point and uh what department gives that type of uh authority to them through East Point uh if it's coming through East Point anywhere at all. And I know when they did the trees, they would cut down the branches and then leave uh for the residents to remove all of the uh trunk of the tree and all that and what have you uh at their own expense on inconvenience and what have you. And u uh I feel that's totally disrespectful. Uh I didn't ask for it to be done and you came and voluntarily done it and what have you and then you leave me with your cost of what you the mess that you made and what have you. So I'd like to get somebody from council to give me some kind of information. or guide me to where I can get the information to where uh where is the authority and their policy coming from to where they can just go and do uh as they please in people's yards. The telephone post is going to involve anywhere there's telephone post is they consider damage. So that's not only on residents that's out on the streets wherever and what have you to get that type of power and that type of rights.

Thank you. Anyone else wish you heard? Anyone else? Jennifer Nicholas, East Point resident. Um, thank you, Councilman Baker, for expressing your position on the proclamation tonight. I agree with what you said for a multitude of reasons. Um, I had a question. I believe there is a board of ethics meeting tomorrow at six o'clock here. I wasn't sure because it was not posted on the city website calendar as of yesterday. Um, just wanted to verify if that's still happening because I do feel that the topic is fairly important to some of the residents here in East Point. Uh, as far as the planning commission, uh, Councilwoman Pashadlick, I know you are liaison to planning commission. I know that you aren't always able to attend the meetings, but I know that you were there November 6th at that planning commission meeting, and you would have heard Commissioner Naylor um, making a motion for the three-foot setpack with concerns about grandfathering in if there were a fire and somebody had to rebuild. and she wanted to add language that ensured that Mr. Meyers said we don't need to add language because there is a section in our ordinance that covers that which as we see tonight really does not. So um you know your support of the planning commission you did not support what the motion was that she tried to make and for her issue with her neighbor whose garage burned down. Um, fortunately that was prior to this being passed. If if it had happened a

few months from now, he would have had to either move his garage and possibly reduce the size of his garage based on what you have voted on tonight. So, um, um, other than that, um, you know, again, it's just very frustrating because in my instance, if my garage moved down burned down and I had to move it over a foot. It would actually put it closer to the garage that's behind my backyard. Whereas now there's nothing around it. This would make it closer to another garage. So if my garage caught on fire again, it would probably set that garage on fire. So it's not making it safer in any case. And I really wish that you all had taken the time to really research this a little bit more. You might think that it doesn't impact a lot of people. I think it will. a lot of people. Um, and it's just really not supporting the residents here. And Mr. Mattis, you're new to this city and you you don't really know the setup of the city. And I wish that you would, you know, take a little more time um before deciding to put something on the agenda that you really don't have much experience yet about. Thank you.

Thank you.

Anyone else wish to be here? council uh little horse. So I had one question and concern. My wife and I, we ride bikes in the community and we walk sometime. So my question is on 8 mile, the road to 8 mile going towards grassy. Who's responsible for the overhang of the greenery? Because we ride bikes like we have to duck and you know so we don't get knocked down and as well as the cement. Who handles the cement? Because a lot of cement is offset from tree roots and stuff like that. That was one of my biggest concerns that I missed.

Hey, thank you. Oh, could you say your name just for the record? I'm sorry. Thank you.

Anyone else wish to be here? So, in regards to animal ordinances, um I can't remember how many years ago it was, but you all know about the chicken ordinance. That thing's pretty extensive. You look at animal ordinances for rabbits, it's pathetic. A person shall be permitted to keep or maintain a maximum of two rabbits per household. Where's the protections? They don't exist. So, I um I worked on my first draft and I emailed that over to you, Mr. Albbright. I hope you received it. Um, and I said that I would work on a second draft to tighten up the language. But in a nutshell, um, this is what needs to be incorporated into the uh, rabbit uh, ordinance. Rabbits shall be housed strictly indoors to protect from predators, neglect, heat stroke, freezing to death, so on. I don't have time to go into all the details. I've got less than three minutes. I want to bring to everyone's attention on January 24th, Hadell found a domesticated black rabbit frozen to death outside. This is outrageous. Also, um, animal control must be

provided proof of the rabbits either being spayed or neutered. They shall be vaccinated for Rhdvb2 vaccine. It's the rabbit um, it's a rabbit um, uh, disease where it's just gruesome. They hemorrhage to death. Um, It started, you know, overseas and eventually worked its way over to Canada, the um western st side of the United States. Now, all the veterinarian, all the vets are requiring that domestic rabbits are vaccinated for RHDB2 and that they get annual boosters. Um, so there's more and again, Mr. Albbright, I will work on the uh second draft to email that to you. Also, we need to um

You have 30 seconds. Get it on to in in an ordinance. With all the neglect going on with these petting zoos, they need to be prohibited flat out. Law enforcement is not trained in regards to animal neglect. Animal control is never ever available when these clown shows come into town. There's there's no oversight. Nobody's paying attention. Animals have even died because of the public feeding them the wrong food. Thank you very much. I'll discuss more at another meeting. Thank you.

Anyone else wish to be heard? All right. Seeing none, the second hearing of the public is closed. We'll move on to uh mayor and council reports. Uh, Councilman Baker,

thank you. Um, just a couple things. Um, Mr. Ford, I believe it is, um, some years ago, I did actually inquire about speed bumps because we were talking about certain areas in the city where there's a lot of speeding, but I know one concern that came back was uh in regards to emergency vehicles. Um, so that was kind of what I was told as to why that wasn't a doable option. Um, but I know that and this was this was several years ago, but the area that was brought to our attention, I know they did increase a police presence uh as they were able. Um, and it was specifically like around school hours. Um and one of the res the resident that actually brought it to our attention did follow up and say that uh they had noticed some improvement. So um as these things are happening like we're more than happy to try to pass this information on um with our police. Um they do a great job. We see them. they're they're out in the community, but um you know, if there's a problem, I mean, they're always open to hear like the things that we see. Um you know, but uh that I just kind of wanted to share that with you. Like it it was something I brought up se several years ago, but that was kind of the feedback that I had received in regards to that. Um, in regards to Black History Month, there is I don't have a reluctance or an aversion to learning about history. Um, I do have some opinions like one uh it's a 28 day month. I think history is history regardless as to um who's a part of it. But if we want to recognize black history, it's something that can be taught year round, not just relegated to

28 days. specifically tonight. One of the issues that I had was that we are we have 11 days left in the month. Um, and I know it's come up before, but to have a proclamation come to come before us with 11 days left in a month, to me, I would have rather not have read that proclamation. Um, because to me, that doesn't really embody what that proclamation, the the wording of that proclamation, but that's my assessment of it. Um there's more that I could say to that, but I I'll I'll leave it there. Um I think simply is that when you celebrate something, you proclaim something, uh you do just that. My personal feeling is that when we vote on it, it makes it political. And me as someone who is uh a black man um and I seldom bring up race or talk about race to that degree, but this is supposed to be something that celebrates what is supposed to be my history or history of my ancestors. Um I don't feel like that that was done properly. So that was my aversion to uh even voting on it. To me, if you celebrate it, just do it. I feel welcomed in someone's home when you just welcome me in, not labeling or taking a vote as to whether or not I can come in. Um, so that's my position about that. Uh, Mr. Silera, in regards to the closed session, uh my recollection is that Mayor Kleinfeld did mention that there was uh some litigation discussed pertaining to that closed session and that he wanted to be sure. Um well, that was why he didn't elaborate more about the closed session because there was still an ongoing

matter. Um, so that would be the attorney client privilege uh when deciding how to move forward uh and listening to the recommendation of our city attorney. Um, my biggest push back with what you said last week was really when you said about passing around blunts and bags of money. That's a federal crime and I and I and I get it. You and I have never had a cross word or had issue back and forth, but I'm not doing anything illegal and I I take a I take that very serious. Um, so that was my push back with that, uh, or my response back to that. But being that there are some attorney client privileges, um, and certain information, um, sometimes we can't really say more until matters have been resolved. So, um, that's all that I have for tonight.

Thank you, uh, Councilman Kurley. Thank you, Mayor. Um, first of all, you all saw on television when the car went to a didn't stop and smash the car and the other car went into somebody's house. It was on rain and help me out.

Thank you. Yeah. So, I went over there Saturday and sat there for about 45 minutes and only one car went by. They slowed up and went ahead. Now, the police department is going to take a look at that. They're going to examine it. Um, maybe they'll end up putting four stop signs on there. Uh, that might be the safest way to go. I I don't know. It's they're going to have to make that decision. And you know what? I'm going to go home as happy as when I got here. And you know me, if you know me for the last 60ome years that the discussion we had today, I you know I I just can't sit here and talk a little councilman I don't I like to shout. I like to yell, but I love everybody. I really do. And so please one, what was it two weeks ago? Somebody got up there and said, "Well, how come you take so much time on it?" Well, you know, I told him, "You could leave if you want to." Third thing I got, I I talked to two people out in the audience. Um, what is a day of remembrance? Anybody know on the council either? Anybody know? No. Okay. This is not a necessarily a joyful thing, but um February 19th, 1942, President Roosevelt son signed an executive order that all Japanese Americans shall be picked up and put in camps. Now, I I say it was prison camps. And um so Thursday that February 19th uh President Reagan um made it an official day of remembrance of all the

the 120,000 Japanese Americans were picked up, men, women, and children and put in prison in prison camps. And then in 1988, President Reagan said, "Well, we're going to compensate." So, anybody still living that were in any of those camps received a check from the government for $20,000. So, hooray for for Reagan. Uh interesting part of that. Uh and Mr. Mayor, if I take a little bit too longer, um there was a mom and dad and sister and brother who were put in that prison camp in California. And when they left there in 1945, uh they went to Chicago and then they went to another state and somehow or another they sent an ad that my church put in there that they needed a maintenance man. And so the father came up to me to to Royal Oak and he was hired. So the gentleman, his son was a member of our church uh for many years. He died in 2009 at the age of 85. But I have a little book that they wrote about his escapades in in the prison camp. And they were able to form churches and schools and football teams and basketball teams. So the little kids were were kind of calm. They were they were they were pretty good on that. Adults weren't treated very well. If anybody wants to read the book, you can read the book and you can return it two weeks from now back at the council. So, I'll set it up here if there anybody wants to take and read it. So, but uh so on Thursday the 19th, just kind of remember that uh as long as far as 1942,

sometimes our federal government wasn't very nice. So, someone must have learned something from not being very nice because that's what's happening today. So, that's it. And again, don't worry about us shouting. Well, I've did most of the shouting. The council council members don't shout, but don't worry about it. We're still friends. God bless you guys. And be careful. It's really foggy out there. Drive really slow. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Um, Councilwoman Pashadik,

um, I just had a couple of quick things to say. Um, first of all, I'd like to, um, piggyback on, uh, the proclamations. I I don't think, um, they're done as a political I disagree, uh, Council Member B with Council Member Baker. Um, I don't think it's a political situation. I believe it's more about diversity, equity, and inclusion. I think that's why we have proclamations and that we vote on them. That's just my opinion. Um, and I like to think that um, the rest of the group kind of agrees with that. Um, I'd also like to thank uh, the library. They recently hosted arts and cultural diversity commission. We had a hair wrapping event there and it was well attended. It was very nice. And uh, I'd like to encourage you to go check out the library when you get a chance. They do have a lot of good things going on there and um, you know, a lot of community events and stuff too and of course wonderful books. So, if you can get a chance and get over there, it' be a good thing. And that's all I have.

Right. Uh, Councilwoman Scott.

Um, I just wanted to go ahead and um address some issues. I know there was some concerns made by members of the community regarding my vote towards the opio opioid funding. Um, and I know Mrs. Solaris had a big concern about money laundering. I have no financial or personal interest um in the vote, nor does any member of my family while I'm employed for McCome Monastery and teach there. My vote was based solely on what I believe served the best interest of our community and the students um that could benefit from the opioid funding and education. Um just to address any of those concerns you had. Um, and also I wanted to um redirect my attention to Mr. Blum. I know it was a little heated and I didn't want it to kind of seem like I was questioning your work. Um, but I just wanted to extend an apology if it may have looked like that um to members of the community and that'll be

you. Um, just to touch on a couple of things. I know there were some comments about uh the litter. Um with all the snow melting right now, it's going to be a minute and before we can clean everything up. It doesn't look great near me. I I live by 8 in Grashet. Um so I know how bad that is right now. Um and we do have the ethics meeting tomorrow at 6 o'clock. It is occurring here in Chambers if anyone wishes to attend that uh meeting for the board of ethics. Um and that's Thank you. Okay, that's all I have. Uh, motion to adjurnn. So move.

Support. Please call the roll. Council member Baker, yes. Council member Shadler, yes. Council member Scott, yes. Council member Curley, yes. Mayor Kleinfeld, yes. Meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m.