City Council - Regular Meeting

[clears throat] Get over there, right? Mhm. [laughter]

Okay.

[clears throat] [laughter]

So they have to go to the website [laughter] and visit That's the only All right. Hi everybody. How are you?

How's everybody?

Hey, Clark. admin aka [clears throat]

I skipped the rest. tomorrow. holiday

in Ham Tramik when I when I was working at Ham Tramik. Today is like night of the living dead. Oh yeah. The bars open at 7:00 a.m. People there all day in like middle of the afternoon got punches yesterday. [laughter] They were in line in the morning. Yeah. Martha Washington Baker I think used to have super long lines really early. They're closed now. Okay. But my husband

tomorrow. I thought it was tomorrow. No, it starts.

All of this is mine. Oh, you came with toys. Oh, that's so nice.

[clears throat] [clears throat] Thank you, M. Oh, I got this digitally, right? I got Never mind. I got a hard copy, not too. Thanks, man.

Yes. Say what?

By who? Evening ladies and gentlemen. I'd like to welcome you to tonight's Highland City Park Highland Park City Council in person and regular meeting scheduled for today, Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 7 p.m. Ladies and gentlemen, as we open this meeting, I want to make sure that we take some time to recognize the life and accomplishments of Reverend Jesse Jackson. He uh passed away recently. And if you will be kind enough, we're going to take a moment of silence in his honor. [clears throat] Thank you for your cooperation. May God have mercy on his soul and bring peace to his family. Uh moving on, would you please call the role? Madam Deputy Clerk,

Councilman Ashafi, Councilwoman Martin, he here. Councilwoman Manica here. Council Pro Tim Robinson is running about. Council President Thomas here. Going on to the approval of the agenda. Take a minute. City Council, we have the agenda in front of us. Chair will entertain a motion on this evening's agenda. The chair will entertain a motion on this evening's agenda at your pleasure. I want to make a motion to approve the agenda with amendments.

Well, would you please go ahead with those amendments? Yeah. I um want to walk on the resolution that I just gave the uh city council, the attorney, and the mayor. Can you please read it into the record, ma'am?

Yes, no problem. Uh the resolution for 2017 2026 publish before you punish moratorum on enforcement of ordinance prior to publishing. You want to read it, ma'am? Sure. I was talking to Miss Martin. Will you read the whole entire thing, please?

Okay. If no one has seen it before, I want to make sure that it's ready to

Okay, no worries. Um, resolution 2017 2026, publish before you punish moratorium on enforcement of ordinance prior to publishing. Whereas the citizens of Highland Park have the right to know and understand the laws ordinance that they are governed by in in the city and where they are they live and work. Whereas the city council of Highland Park recognizes that transparency and accountability are important and essential for public trust. Whereas the city of Highland Park recognizes both a the diligent work of the mayor and the administration in publishing many ordinances and b the need for this work to continue for the good of the citizens and of the city. Can you guys hear me? Okay. Um where are we at? Okay. Whereas many ordinance of the city do not have their full legal texts readily available and currently enforced through administrative processes, forms, applications, tickets, etc., which denies citizens access and understanding of the enforced rules and regulations. Whereas the handbook for municipal officials 2024 edition page 38 states that generally to be bound by an ordinance a person must have notice of an ordinance or the reasonable opportunity to have had notice of it. Whereas the people of Michigan enacted the Home Rule City Act of Michigan, Act 279 of 1919, which states in section 3, paragraph K, printed copies of the law, code, or rule shall be kept in the office of the city clerk available for inspection by and distribute to the public at all times. The publication shall continue a notice stating that a complete copy of the law, code, or rules is made available to the

public at the office of the city clerk in compliance with the state law requiring that records of public bodies be made available to the general public. [snorts] And in section five, each city shall have power, whether provided in its charter or not, to codify, recodify, and continue in codes its municipal ordinances. The ordinance adopting the code as well as subsequent ordinances repealing, admining, amending, and continuing a or adding to the code shall be published as required by law. Whereas it is the duty of all the mayor to uphold the rights of citizens and to ensure that ordinances are published and accessible. Whereas failure to publish ordinance publicly undermines due process, creates confusion and risks the unlawful enforcement of regulations leading to unnecessary lawsuits. Whereas city council has the affirmative responsibility to proactively implement and make legislative decisions for the good government, public peace, health, safety, prosperity for the citizens of Highland Park. Now there before, now it therefore it be resolved that one, the Highland Park City Council requests that the mayor proactively provide monthly updates to the city council and citizens at our regular schedule meetings regarding the progress of publishing ordinances or summaries thereof, including the total number of ordinance of the city as well as the number of ordinances not yet published. Two, the Highland Park City Council requests that the mayor seize and desist all enforcement of ordinances that are not properly published and wait a customary 30 days after publishing for said enforcement to resume. Three,

publication shall continue to be done in a manner that is complete, searchable, printable, and clearly indexed by chapter and section on the city's official website and/or via municode. Four, city council explicitly asserts the right of Highland Park citizens to know the full content of any ordinance before it is enforced against them and thus encourages said citizens to present their tickets received without knowledge of the full ordinance to these regularly scheduled meetings. Five, the council urges the mayor to recognize that full publication of ordinances as a prerequisite to enforcement is a duty to the citizens and that continued enforcement of not yet published ordinances is an actionable failure of government accountability. A willful neglect of duty and a denial of transparency [snorts] and a violation of citizens rights. Be it therefore resolved that a copy of this resolution be distributed to the mayor and the city clerk and made available on the city website immediately so that citizens can be informed of the request of transparency.

Thank you so much ma'am. Would you like if we brought this on it would go under five. So we have city council we have 5A. Would you like to bring this on as 5B? Would that be sufficient? You said 5 A. So I'm saying this will be under city council. Would you would it be sufficient to bring it under? Yes, Mr. Yes, Mr. President. 5B. Okay. Mr. Oshi, you had another walk on. Yes, sir. I do.

I submitted this to the February. I was going to wait until [clears throat] the the next council meeting, but I wanted to recognize her her professionalism that this is something that should be welcome. Now, I greatly appreciate you. Thank you so much. Um, so the resolution um a resolution for giving immigration detention, holding uh processing or staging facilities within the city of Highland Park. [clears throat]

restricting use of city property and cooperations and directing zoning and land use [clears throat] land use amendments consistent with this policy. Whereas the city council affirms the dignity, safety, and constitutional rights of all persons in the city of Highland Park. And whereas the city council recognizes that detention facilities, holding facilities, processing facilities, staging areas, and related operations, whether temporary or permanent, may create significant public safety concerns, community disruption, and civil rights impacting. And whereas such facilities are sometimes proposed [clears throat] or located in industrial warehouses, commercial or mixeduse zoning areas under [clears throat] under alternative classifications or whereas the city council intends to ensure that no immigration detention holding, processing, or staging [laughter] facilities is permitted within the city through land use. Approved uh excuse me, uh municipal cooperations, agreements, or city control property use. And whereas city council further finds that it is in the public's interest to prohibit city- owned property right away and facilities from being used for staging transportation processing or

administrative operations related to immigrations detentions or enforcement activities within the city. Now therefore be it resolved by the city council of the city of Highland Park, Michigan as followed. Section one detentions for the purposes of this resolution. The following terms shall be interpreted broadly to excuse me to excuse me to effectuate the intent of the city council. One, detention facilities, including any structure, building, property, or facility used for confinement, incarceration, restraint, custody, or detention of persons, whether temporary or permanent. Two, [clears throat] holding facilities, including any location used for temporary custody, confinement, or restraint of persons, including any temporary holdings, processing or short-term custody use. Three, processing facilities, staging areas, including any facility or location used for intake, transfer, Sorry. Um, transport coordination, interviews, interrogation, administrative operations, or deploying activities associated with detention or enforcement actions. Four, Immigration Enforcement entities, including Immigration and

Customs Enforcement, ICE, Customs and Border Protection, C BP, US Border Patrol, and any agent, contractor, affiliates, or [clears throat] I'm sorry, or or entities acting as their I'm sorry, acting on their behalf. Section two, city policy declaration prohibitation facility type. Be it be it resolved that it is the policy of the city of Highland Park that no property within the city shall be used, established, leased, maintained or operated as one a [clears throat] one an immigration detention facility. Two a detention center or holding center for civil immigration purposes. Three, a processing facility, intake center, staging area, or transfer points associated with immigration, detentions, or enforcement. Four, any facility used for the confinement, restraint, or detention of individuals for civil or immigration enforcement purposes. Be it therefore further resolved that the city council hereby declares their use to be inconsistent with the public welfare of the city and directs the I'm sorry and directs that subject you shall be prohibited from zoning ordinance amendments and enforcement

[clears throat] Yeah, I'm sorry. Mechanisms to the fulfillment extent [laughter] to the fullest extent permitted by law. Section three, no administrative workaround city actions. Did did it further resolve that no merg license approval occupancy approval like leases excuse me sir in the audience huh in the audience sir would you please Mr. Shafi is reading into the record. I hear another I hear an echo

license contract in I'm sorry intergovernmental agreements or other other [clears throat] arrangements under city control shall shall be used to authorize or permit any prohibited facility type described herein on public or private property within the city to the Maximum extent allowed by law. That's public and private. Section four, [clears throat] prohibitation on city property, public facility station. Be it be it further resolved that the city shall not permit city- owned property, city rights away, city buildings, city facilities or city control premises to be used as immigration detention facilities, holding facilities, processing centers, staging areas or operational hubs for detention of immigration [clears throat] enforcement related search.

[snorts]

activities. I'm sorry. Section five, limited exemption existing location facilities. Be it further resolved that nothing in this resolution shall be construed to prohibit the continued operation of the following two existing facilities solely for their current lawful purposes. the Highland Park Police Department holding facility, jail for the temporary holding and detention of individuals under the jurisdiction of the Highland Park Police Department and or local court authorities and two, the existing juvenile facility detention center located within the city for juvenile justice detention services as currently authorized. as by law. Section six, no ICE CP CBP border border patrol operations out of out of exempt facilities. Be it further resolved that the above exemptions are strictly limited and shall not authorize permit or allow immigration and custom enforcement, ICE custom and border protection, CP, US border patrol, or any other federal immigration enforcement entities or any contract acting on their behalf. have to utilize either exempt facility for any immigration enforcement purpose,

including but not limited to one, detention, confinement or holding for civil immigration purposes. Two, [clears throat] processing, intake, booking, interviews, transfer or transports. Three, staging operations. deployment, interrogation, checkpoints, or administrative operations. [clears throat] Four, [snorts] renting, leasing, licensing, or contracting for space, equipment, storage, or support service. Be it further resolved that no agreement, memorandum of understanding,ou contract, lease, licensing, cooperative agreement or [clears throat] shared use arrangement shall be entered into by the city with permits which permits immigration enforcement operations to be conducted from either exempt facilities. Section seven, legal compliance limitations of intent. Be it further resolved that nothing in this resolution shall be construed to regulate or control federal operations in violation of the United States Constitution. Whether this resolution governs city policy, use of cityowned or city controlled property, city cooperation and contracting, and the city's lawful authority over land use, zoning,

licensing, and permitting to the fullest extent permitted by law. Section 8, interpretation and enforcement. Be it further resolved that this resolution shall be interpreted to effectuate its protective intent and city shall I'm sorry and city staff boards commissions and administrative bodies are directed to interpret and apply city land use and regulatory actions consistent with the prohibitations and directives stated herein. Section nine, applications pending zoning amendment direct [snorts] excuse directed to align ordinance. Be it further resolved that this resolution expresses the official policy and land use intent

intent of the city council and shall apply immediately to maximize intent permitted by law including as as as guiding authority for city staff board commissions in the review of land use, permitting, occupancy, business, licensing, and zoning related determinations. Be further resolved, the city council directs the city attorney, city planning, and all relevant officials to prepare and or recommend any necessary zoning ordinances, amendments, use, definitions, and enforcement provisions to ensure full consistency with this resolution and to prevent any immigration detention. holding, processing, or staging facilities described herein from being permitted within any zone district, any zoning district, including industrial zoning areas. Section 10 severity. Okay. Be it further resolved if any section, clause, sentence, or phrase of this resolution is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional. any by by by any court [snorts] of of of competent jurisdiction. Such portions shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent provision. As such holding shall not

affect the the verocity of this remaining portion. Section 11, effective date. Be it further resolved that this resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption. Thank you very much. Would you uh so on the agenda would that would you be comfortable with it going under city council as 5C? I am comfortable with that council president. So, we have a motion on the floor to approve tonight's agenda with the following amendments under city council. I have a question first.

Yes. Yes, ma'am. Wait, let let me let me declare the motion. So, we have a motion on the floor to amend the to approve and amend tonight's agenda by adding two resolutions. The first is to publish before you punish moratorum on enforcement uh of ordinances. And the second is 5C resolution prohibiting ICE detention facilities. You said you had all this m this motion was made. I can't hear you, Mr. President. woman Martin. It was supported by council We can't hear you, Mr. President. This motion was made by Councilwoman Martin who provided the first amendment for item 5B and supported by Councilman Ashi who provided item 5C. The item is on the This is on the floor for discussion. Miss Manica, you had questions. This is the approval of the agenda

for both amendment I mean not amendments for both resolutions to add addition to the agenda. One has a time stamp, one does not. So does elaborate please. If we have to get it approved and timestamped, then we need to wait on the publish before you punish. It has to go before the attorneys [clears throat] and it has to be timestamped by the clerk. I believe Mr. Ashafi already mentioned that he has had been stamped and approved and he gives the date. Yes, ma'am. Thank you so much. Any additional comments before we vote take a vote on the approval of tonight's agenda?

Hearing none. So, we're going when we ask you to take the vote, we can actually amend this resolution. Yes, we the the vote was to approve tonight's agenda. We've added two items. 5B, okay, is the publish before you punish moratorum. 5C is a resolution prohibiting ICE detention facilities. Right now, we're taking a vote on the approval of tonight's agenda. as it is with those amendments added. Would you call the role madam deputy clerk? Councilman, this is for the approval of the agenda with amendments. Councilman Ashafi. Yes. For the approval with amendments. Councilwoman Martin. Yes. Councilwoman Manica. No. Because both of them are not the same. Both have not been approved. Council Pro Tim Robinson. Yes.

Council President Thomas. Yes. Moving on to the approval of the proposed minutes in person virtual workshop meeting for February 2nd, 2022. City Council, what's your pleasure on the approval? Hold on. Hold on, Mr. President. Before we get started, um we we we're right now we're on the approval of the minutes. I got that. But can we before we get started, can we just recognize um our state senator, district three, Stephanie Chang, in the in the house today and Tanya Meyers Phillips, state representative, district 7 in the house, please. [applause] Absolutely. Welcome. Thank you for being here with us today. Okay, Mr. President, go ahead.

Right now, I'm entertaining a motion for the approval. I move to approve the proposed minutes second for February 2nd, 2006. We have a motion on the floor from Councilwoman Manica, seconded by Councilman Shopei. Questions, concerns, or descent? Would you go ahead and take the role on the approval of the virtual workshop meeting minutes? Councilman Ashafi, yes. Councilwoman Martin, yes. Councilwoman Manica, yes. Council Pro Robinson, yes. Council President Thomas, yep. Motion carries. Uh, next we have the approval of the minutes for the inperson and virtual regular meeting held on February 2nd, 2022nd. City council, what's your pleasure? I move to approve the proposed minutes for the inperson and virtual regular meeting February 2nd, 2026.

Chair offer support, questions, concerns, or dissent? Please call the role. Councilman Ashafi, yes. Councilwoman Martin, yes. Councilwoman Manica, yes. Council Proen Robinson, yes. Council President Thomas. Yes. Motion carries. Moving on to the section of our agenda held for the mayor. Madame Mayor, can you take the [clears throat] floor?

Good afternoon. Good. Good afternoon.

Land started tearing down their properties again in Highland Park. Once they finish their properties, they will start in the city of Highland Park. They are preparing the building on Woodward Avenue for demolition soon. That's wonderful. On February 25th, the Joe Lewis Greenway Partnership will have a Black History program at the Ernesty Ford Fieldhouse. Please plan to come out and enjoy this program. Time is 5:30 to 700 p.m. Buyers are located. They're here. I didn't take them downstairs. And join in in the fun. Um, Ask HP Live will be tomorrow, February 18th at 100 p.m. Log on and ask any questions you might have. I hope to see more people join the conversation. The Jo Greenway is moving forward. Greenery is being installed along the pathway. Meetings will be ongoing with the Jol Greenway Partnership. The Highland Park Fire Department is coordinating with Barbara Prep Academy and George Washington Harbor Academy to do fire prevention presentations. Uh I'm sad to say that the grant the senior department got permission to apply for was not granted in this round of grants. We are looking forward to applying again when the next round of grants come out. They didn't get their grant. Today the senior department in partnership with DAA and Little Rock Baptist Church took seniors to the Conadine to learn about how AI affects their lives. They found out that everything is not true on AI and then and they learned about how to identify what is real and what is AI generated because a lot of things are generated that is not true. ICE and HP ICE agents have been spotted in HP drive pulling over people. The city of Highland Park cannot stop them from driving through our city. However, please be assured that we are looking closely to make sure that detention

centers does do not pop up here. If you see something, say something. If you have been following the news, you saw recently that a warehouse was purchased in Ramos, Michigan by DHS. The resolution on the agenda today will help to make sure that DHS will have to follow these guidelines set by the council. I want to turn the [clears throat] rest of my time over and council member Martin gave them a welcome, but I want to bring up Senator Stephan Chang and Sen and State Repaya Phillips to just talk a little bit about ICE and what you know. Welcome ladies and thank you for joining us tonight.

Hello. Hello.

Okay. Thank you. [laughter] Good evening, council members and mayor and residents of Highland Park. My name is Stephanie Chang. I'm the state senator for Senate District 3. And uh first I just want to thank the mayor and council for their leadership and responsiveness. Um you know when that Washington Post article broke in December uh we heard from you right away. um and we dug into it and we continue to dig into it. Um and while this situation continues to evolve and obviously now the focus is on on Romulus, I think it's so important and actually really critical that you all are considering this resolution today. Um because what we know is that what affects one community can affect all of our communities, right? And so, um, I have seen, you know, and directly work with a number of families who have been, uh, directly impacted by the terror that ICE and Border Patrol are wreaking across our state. And I think it's so clear that it's important that our elected leaders continue to stand up uh for our communities and to continue to stand up for things like due process and to continue to stand up for just basic humanity and dignity. And so you all taking up this resolution today is very very meaningful. Um and I've been so encouraged by just the the community standing together and saying that this is not something that we want here in Highland Park. Um I have visited uh one of the ice facilities in our state and I can just tell you while I I'm not able to they won't give us a tour. Um, but I I will tell you that it is truly heartbreaking because we know that for the individuals that are in there, so many of them um are have no criminal record whatsoever. Our family members, they are the breadwinners who now have uh children at home who don't have someone making an income. And the conditions that we have heard about um from folks inside these detention

centers, not just here in Michigan, but across our country, um shows that we have a lot of work to do just to ensure that people get adequate medical care, adequate attention, uh making sure that they are being treated with dignity, um and really also been being given adequate time to be able to have their family members visit them. Um, so I think that Highland Park sending a strong signal uh through this this resolution will be so greatly appreciated not just by the residents of Highland Park, but Michiganders everywhere who are cons who are concerned uh and appalled and angry about the situation that's happening in our country. So just thank you so much. I really am grateful for your leadership. Thank you so much.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Good evening, honorable members of this council and mayor. and community members. Good to see everybody. I won't be before you long. I know there's a lot to discuss on this evening, but I just want to add to what we're just compliment what Senator Chang was saying and underscoring that what we all know that this administration is not transparent. So things that we should know, we should know more than we do, but they are not transparent or forthcoming in giving information. But it's been um constant communication between the mayor, the senator, other members of the House of Representatives, our federal partners, other members of the state senate. So, I've been working a lot on kind of interchamber communication and interstate communication, trying to learn as much as possible from other states that have seen it worse um than we have. Uh I also want to just applaud everybody for coming out and standing up. As you all know, I'm not saying anything that you don't know, but resistance is key to stand up and say we are not going to allow people in our communities to be caged and trafficked and just treated inhumanely. And um we do know that the warehouse has been confirmed a warehouse in Romulus has been purchased. a le a building in Southfield has been leased for administrative purposes in ICE. What we're putting together speaking with other people across the country and again you could see it on the news it seems like they're attempting to kind of run this like a like an Amazon operation. So, while there isn't, they're maybe trying to get here, we're keeping a close eye on it, understanding that this administration does not tell you stuff and when they tell you something, it might not be true, but trying to run it like a logistics chain. So even if there's not something here

per se, what you're doing is critical to protect our community members from being kind of swept up into this inhumane system that they're trying to to build and treat people do this with the efficiency of Amazon packaging really is is where they're going and what they're trying to do. So getting these resolutions and sending the message, you know, through the legal means and through community means, getting together and organizing and getting mutual aid networks going as well and other means that we continue to support and look out for ourselves is so crucial. And we're going to continue working with everybody here with Senator Chang. We're writing to the feds. We're we're doing all that we can and we'll continue to work together. These are terrible times, but if we stick together, we will be able to see ourselves through it. So, I'm here and we're just we're just going to keep fighting. So,

thank you so much. Thank you. Y [clears throat] All right. Thank you so much. We'll continue to move on with our agenda. I get my timer set. So, we're going to go to citizens comments on items on the agenda. Give me just a second here.

Start with individuals online. We have eight attendees online. If there are those that wanted to make [clears throat] a comment related to the agenda items, agenda items are as follows. Under city council, a resolution opposing um the use of city buildings and face coverings by ICE [snorts] and customs. Item 5B is to publish before you punish moratorum enforcement. 5C is a resolution prohibiting ICE detention facilities. Item number six under community development is a resolution to adopt the Highland Park economic development strategy plan document. Item seven under waters, a resolution for city council to receive for filing the Great Lakes Water Authority fiscal year 27 proposed charges for wholesale water and sewage services for the city of Highland Park. And item eight is the 30th district court resolution to accept the Michigan indigent defense bond grant E2060117-00 from the state of Michigan. We will entertain comments on those items. You'd like to speak. Come right up. I'll wait till you give us your name and I'll start.

Carla Oliver. Thank you, ma'am. Go right ahead. First, [clears throat] I want to say Councilman Shafer, you did a great job reading. I also sometimes struggle with reading along. That's right. [laughter] So, I get it. Um, but I wanted to make a couple of comments. I totally uh some of you already know how I feel about the ICE. Also feel like, hey, we don't need it. We don't need it here at all. So, I'm hoping that because I don't didn't fully understand everything that it's for not just city- owned properties, but also the city as a whole, privately owned properties. But I want to mention one thing about this now that Senator Senator Chain and state I'm sorry Phillips

I'm sorry Miss Phillips and the chains I'll just say that um I have a huge problem with the fluff and the fluffy is hey we're going to handle the things that are now mainstream topics versus doing anything that's plaguing us as an underserved city of minorities for years, such as the high water bill charges that Miss Chain knows about that I brought to her attention. So, I'm I'm going to pause the timer. It's supposed to be on an agenda. Oh, okay. Well, I was talking about the ICE, but I'll talk about it later. No problem. Sure.

Um, please stay after. Um, in addition to that, I wanted to talk about uh the water. We got is we have to keep it to agenda items, ma'am. We'll have time. That is on our agenda, right? I'm sorry. Go right ahead.

Yeah. Um, so again, I hope that this water item shows the decrease that Gleewood has already started getting in regards to the meter charges that already showing a decrease in water. We have 12 months to accumulate sewage charge decreases that from my understanding, it's already being shown. It just can't be populated. But I'm hoping we see changes in our water bill for these decreases. Keep going. Okay. Thank you. Additional citizens that wanted to speak on agenda items. Come [snorts] on, sir. I don't like turning my back to people.

So, I want to speak on the agenda item on the Are you speaking as a citizen? Come on up to the podium. I'm gonna set your two minutes. I don't like turning my back on people. I got you. Hold on. It's It's a habit. So, I'm speaking on the item that was walked on. um the no punish before publish published.

So first there is a binder that I can't speak for the clerk's office but I know that she has all documents those documents are readily available in the clerk's office if anybody asked for those documents. Also the part about um not being published again those items are published in full if you click on the MUN code the MUN code is what is publishing our documents and so with all of those you have a sections please look at the MUN codes which they're uploading and they will continue to upload because we paid for it and as long as we pay for they will continue to do it. So, those documents are already in. And as far as walking on items, although they're being walked on and Councilman, I thank you.

You did do follow protocol which was to send it in advance to the uh our council for review and once it's been reviewed, it was published to form and so then it could be walked on. So that's process and that's what has to be followed. Thank you. Thank you ma'am. Was there someone else that wanted to speak on an agenda item? Good evening sir. Would you state your name before I start your time? Good afternoon. My name is Josh Mack.

Thank you sir. And I just want to say first of all uh I'm I've been working with the Highland Park Citizens and the Government Association for the last 50 years. I started back working with uh Mayor Blackwell back in the early 70s. I've had direct relationships with the junior college with Dr. Eugene King when he was the superintendent of the junior college, Arthur Carter who was a superintendent of the junior college and also uh I've been working with the boy scouts that used to be in involved in Harlem Park. So I've been involved with the Harlem Park community for over 50 years and I just like to commend first of all our state legislators for coming supporting this critical issue of ICE. Let's give them [applause] a round of applause. also want to congratulate and thank and appreciate the city council people who put together this resolution. Uh Mr. Shafi and and other uh council members who supported it, did a marvelous job supporting it. And uh I guess at this point I want to just remind everybody even if this resolution passes, we have a tremendous amount of work ahead. The job just is just starting if this resolution passes and if it doesn't pass, it's a catastrophe. And if it doesn't pass, we need to find out why it hasn't passed and who's responsible for being objected to it and they should be held accountable for their behavior if they don't support this resolution. So, I endorse it and I just like to say lastly that uh the actions of of this legislative body in Holland Park should be by the people and for the people. If it's not by the people and for the people, then it's wrong. Thank you very much. Thank you, sir. Come on up, sir. State your name and then I'll start your time.

Yes. Good afternoon. Uh, my name is Glenn D. Bri. I'm a resident of City of Highland Park. I would like a copy of your resolution, ma'am, if I may. Um, I was just coming back from picking up my mother from the um, recreation center and uh, I happened to notice that ICE was picking up some people on Grand Boulevard this afternoon around uh, say about uh, 3:45. They was picking up some people between Hamilton and Third on Grand. So, they're out here now.

They're doing it now. And I'm commend you And I'm going to work with you hand and glove about this proposal because they're doing it now. And as for just said, if we don't do nothing about it now, it's going to happen anyway. And if it does, we're to blame if we don't vote. Say, [clears throat] my only thing that I want to do now is be able to assist the council, the president, our mayor. Yes, I got I got your back. I got your back. Uh I was one of the first ones laid off from our president's uh Department of Commerce. I work for them and they laid me off way in June. So uh I don't know if I'll be called back, but Shane, you and uh Michaelers Myers, we have a representative. His name is Michael. Oh yeah, you go.

We got some smart people here. Uh talking with y'all. I'll be with you. Okay. And finally, legislators, we are under one. See, our God is one. We come together, we will all be okay. We'll all be all right. Now, I'm bringing all help. You all together on one. I'm bringing together all the help. I'm a member of the NAACP. Forgive me for interrupting you, sir, for just two minutes. Yes, sir. And I and we're going to talk. I'll meet you. We're going to talk. I'm always late. All right.

Thank you so much, sir. Next citiz National Acting Network Group. And no sir, your two minutes has expired. There'll be another time at the end of the meeting for an additional two minutes. All right. But your your two minutes. Decent and honor. Thank you. Amen. Thank you very much. [snorts] Good evening, sir. I'll wait till you state your name to start your time. Uh, good evening, citizens. My name is uh Anthony Alexander and I am a proud Thank you, sir.

taxpaying member of the community of city of Holland Park. I'm a lifelong resident. I too have an issue with the ICE um entity period being in the city of Holland Park. Uh, as the young man before me had stated that they were picking up someone on Grand between Hamilton and Third, I too seen that earlier today. Uh, I was perplexed because my next thought was where are they going to take them? You know, if not here, you know, Holland Park where so my question would be um the councilman Ashifi has said that he has given this resolution to the legal department several weeks ago. Will the legal department okay this resolution so that we can have it at a city council meeting to be voted on before ICE is able to how can I say this? put their fingers and their claws into the city of Holland Park before they can purchase any uh properties before the city can lease or rent or um have any of the properties privately or city owned that can not be used before we get the vote onto this resolution so it can be part of our city law.

Um that answer I haven't heard. All I know is that they have it. It'd be nice to know that they've went over. I'm sure if they read it, I don't know how many people in the law department, but you know, it's a good it's an extremely well-written resolution. Um, I would like to think that that would the law department would forward it. We can have this at a city council meeting so that it can be voted on. Thank you. Thank you, sir.

Come on up, sir. State your name for the record and I'll start the time. My name is Enel Littles. Uh, greetings council and uh, residents. I am also here to speak on the publish before punish. I myself as a, uh, result of being, uh, punished [snorts] before published. I received two parking tickets for parking on my grass. One was in my lot and one was on the grass. And, uh, I scoured the MUN code. I scoured the city ordinances. I scoured everything. In fact, when I was cited, they gave me the um the number that I violated and I looked up that and it had nothing to do with anything with parking. It was more of I believe it was on something to do with building. I went down to the clerk's office. I spoke to them. They in fact called me back, said they couldn't find it. They looked in the building. Um the building, no one could find this, but the officer who cited me the tickets was able to tell me that it existed. But how can we be punished if I can't find it? How do I know that it exists if it's not there?

Right. And I actually Right. Right. Right. [applause]

I actually went to uh the court and the magistrate uh sided with the the the ticket. So now I'm going to have to go ahead and uh what is it? A uh formal I'm have to uh request a formal hearing because it's nowhere. It's nowhere. I scoured it. I've had people in the city looking for it and I don't see why I should be uh liable or any other citizen is liable for parking um one on their property and two on the grass and there's no municipal code there's no ordinance there's nothing like that that tells us that we cannot do it. So I am a part of being punished before anything is published and if we are being updated again it's like a grandfather clause I am still I I can't see it. So, how can you hold me responsible for something I can't see? Thank you.

Thank you, sir. Thank you.

Good evening, ma'am. Come on up and I'll set your time. Go ahead and I'll wait for you to state your name before I started.

Um, hi, my name is Sandra Louise. I'm a resident of Highland Park. Um, I am not a longtime resident of the city, but I am resident of this land. Um, here to talk about the eyes detention facility that um, DHS wants to put here in the city. I probably not the only Latino here in this community, but I want to think that I want I could give voice to them that are afraid to come to this meetings. Um, I'm just here to thank you for the proposal that's been that's going to be voted today. Um, what I want to say is that it it's not even I don't I I don't even care like about politics. If you're Republican, independent, Democrat, this is not even about politics. Um, I'm just here to say that [clears throat] once they're done with the Latino community, we're they're not going to stop with us.

They are not going to stop with us. Mhm. Um, and I'm just here to say that as people that have been always oppressed by [clears throat] not only white people, but the government, um, I just want to say that that they're not going to stop with us. Um, you're probably okay with whatever immigration is doing with people. I mean, that's fine if if that's what truly resonates with you, but if you do care for your people, just think about that this government is not going to stop with us.

Um, and this is about what part of history you want to be. Thank you. Hi um everybody my city in Highland Park. I've been long lifelong residents here. Been in the city since like the late 50s. Would you state your name before? Uh my name is Lee Jacobs. Thank you sir.

Okay. Um I just want to uh mention that point and I'm glad I came to this meeting tonight thanks to Mr. Josh Mack and my other brother Glenn Bryant. I'm a member of National Network 2 and the Detroit Men Organization. and a couple of different organization. But um one of our brothers told us that um uh ICE was in Highland Park and that's their facility sitting up there on on Hamilton.

So by me living here in Highland Park, I say I got to ride by and look at that. And I saw the building and all this time I thought they was actually here getting ready to really open up with this um the bedrooms. They got the police lights and all that stuff up there. and through Miss uh Senator Stephanie Chang and Miss Phillips just told me they are not actually in Holland Park which I just asked. So that's good information I can send back to people I've been telling they in here. We don't want them in here actually. Okay. So I appreciate coming to this meeting. Okay. And I really thank you Miss Chain and Miss Phyllis for letting me know that cuz nobody else asked that. I asked it

because I wanted to know. So, I got that. Uh, thank you. Okay. Thank you. Thank you.

Good evening everyone. My name is Janet Spike White and I just want to ask, you know, we have all been hearing this. You know, I watch the news a lot and what have you. The resolution was very good, but the federal the feds are can over trump that resolution. all these um laws that we're making, they can come in and do as they please. Tell me if I'm wrong. So, we write the resolution, but we can fight, you know, help. We can put stuff that can delay it,

but we can't tell them to go. We can um protest peacefully and that's where we gonna probably win mostly with a protest, but we can't tell them we have this piece of paper and go away, right? And so the paper is excellent and then let them know exactly where our heart is and how we feel. But to certain people in the White House, it doesn't matter if they want this place.

So we just going to have to do like, you know, we've been doing and and fight peacefully. So, I just want to know the rest, you know, it's a good, you know, everything you you guys written up and everything it reads and covers so much. But if they want us, they can come for us. I just want Okay. Thank you, ma'am. One one you only get one one round, so you can come back again at the end and I'll be happy to have you. [clears throat]

Hi, my name is Miss Fry. Miss Miss Spite, that's anything the government can do anything they want to do to us, but it's time for us to fight. We just have to fight. They people like us, too. And there's laws that we have, too. We just have to study and know what we talking about. Yeah, it's it's laws for us. So, yeah. Don't stop making them resolutions up. Thank you, uh, brother Shaki and Councilwoman. That was really good because you we are getting tickets for some that's not on the books, right? [snorts]

Yeah. It's like but those are the tickets that they thinking about doing. They they thinking that and they just making it up as they go. Although I want to know about this resolution to adopt the Highland Park economic development strategy plan document. What is that about? Do the citizens get to read that document before it's voted on? We had a workshop last week on that last meeting on it. Okay. So it's a document for it like a [snorts] 181B or something to make it public.

Yes, because it it affects the citizen uh if you ask me. But anyway, um that's it. I think we're going to be okay with ICE and all that. Although they can do what they want to do, we can do what we want to do and what we need to do. So we're just not going to stop fighting. We're not going to stop here. Thank you.

Thank you. Let me check to see if we have people online. And then I have one more citizen that wants to speak on the issue of the ICE topic. And that citizen is Jamal Thomas. I have students that I teach every day that are from [clears throat] Latin countries. Uh my wife is a native Spanish speaker and these people are afraid to speak their native tongue in public. I've lost students. They've just disappeared from school because of the fear associated with the crackdown on immigration in the country. And I have always asked the other members of council to put it in writing and we have it in writing. And I am grateful that this has come before us now and I'll be voting in favor of it. Closing out. citizens comment. We'll move into our agenda which is city council item 5A resolution opposing the use of city buildings and face coverings.

He he spoke already. He'll speak again at the end. No, no, no. So, you're you speak one time during that's it for the agenda items and at the end it'll be citizens participation participation coming up and I'll give you another two minutes. You speak again. Okay. Item five, city council, a resolution opposing the use of city buildings and face coverings by immigration and customs enforcement officers, customs and border protection officers, and other contractors during several immigration enforcement activities in the city of Highland Park. Members of council, what is your pleasure on item 5A? So move. We have a motion to approve that resolution made by Councilwoman Manica, seconded by Councilman Oaf. We've had a great deal of discussion. Could we go on with the vote? Let's hit the hammer. Madame Deputy Clerk, would you please call the role on resolution 5A?

Councilman Ashafi. Yes. To ban face coverings. Councilwoman Martin, yes. Councilwoman Manica, yes. Council Pro Tim Robinson, this is just a base face cover because the fourth be further resolved, not just speaking on face cover. And it should have in this privately owned as well as city owned. We're taking the role, ma'am. No. Thank you. Council President Thomas.

Yes. Motion carries. Moving on to item 5B. Published before you punish moratorium on enforcement. City council. What's your pleasure on item 5B? Motion to approve. Have a motion to approve by made by Councilman Oshaki. Do we have a second? We're on your resolution 5B. I want to make a motion. We have a Mr. El Shafi made a motion. Are you going to offer support? He made a motion to approve it. No, I want to make a motion. I Okay, I can withdraw mines. Uh, council president motion. I withdraw my motion.

Thank you. So, we're on item 5B. This is the publish before you punish moratorium on enforcement. City council, what's your pleasure? I want to make a motion to table it to give a chance for the legal department uh to review this resolution. I want to uh take it off the table. I want it on the table until March 16th. Chair offer support. We have a motion on the floor at the table. Item 5B published before you punish moratorum. Motion made by Councilman Martin. Support offered by the chair. Questions, concerns, dissent. Please call the role on tableabling item 5B. Councilman Ashafi, yes, the table. Councilwoman Martin, yes, the table. Councilwoman Manica, yes.

Council Pro Tim Robinson, yes. Council President Thomas, yes to table. Moving on to item 5C, resolution prohibiting ICE detention facilities. City Council, what's your pleasure on 5? One moment. One moment, please. What was that? To March when, Miss Martin? 16th. 316. Thank you. So moved on the second. Uh we have a motion made by council for council manica for approval of item 5 C. Do we have support support uh with amendments? Uh council president, you want to amend the Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I it's a it's a minor amendment on my end. I believe that the council uh prot.

Okay. So, so uh on the amendment anywhere in this resolution where where where we have made the statement of uh uh that something is restricted, I want to change restricted to prohibited under no circumstances is allowed. If I've said restricted anywhere in this resolution, I want to change the word restricted to prohibited. Could you please go through and show what page is that? Yeah, we got to go word for word. just hold a second here. Just want to make sure cuz I'm pretty sure I saw uh restricted and I just wanted to update that that

just a sec. Can we get a copy of that resolution for Mr. Bos? Oh, I thought we gave him a copy. I thought you sent it to legal. I did send to legal. You said he turned his original copy over to someone else. Oh, okay. Okay. So, before that, let me ask you a question. Did legal ever respond to? Uh, yes. Uh, they approved the form. Okay. They approved the form as soon as I came in. Today? Yes. They approved it today. Uhhuh. Yeah. So, let's go through it. Now, you said you want to get the word restricted.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I'm looking right now, Council President. Just want to make sure if it says restricted, I just want to uh to change restricted to prohibited. Okay. Boom. Boom. Boom. We going through it right now. I just want to make sure. I I want Yeah, I want to use the strongest word possible so there'll be be no misunderstandings as to how we feel here. How many resolutions have we had? You know what? I'm not going to go there.

Okay. Okay. All right. The view one more. Okay. [clears throat] Yeah. Uhhuh. To to prohibit it. No, that's all I'm saying. Right. Right. Right. I'm not seeing it either. Okay. All right. Council President, I'm good to go. So then no amendment. Right. Uhhuh. Yeah. Yeah. I'm good to go. Okay. So we have a motion on the floor to approve item 5C made by Councilwoman Manica, seconded by Councilman Ashi. Would you take the role on item 5C? Council council pro 10 pass an amendment. Council president.

Uh go ahead. [clears throat] On the six whereas it only mentions city own property. Wait wait wait hold on hold on. The six whereas. So yes it only mentions city owned properties. I would like to add privately owned properties as well. Yeah, we don't have the authority to to to uh restrict the actions of private property. Okay. Well, with that being said, I have something for that going council affair. Okay. Okay. So, [clears throat] are we are we good here on the form?

I I take the role on the approval of the resolution 5C prohibiting ICE detention facilities. Wait, what page is that? Go ahead, ma'am. Would you please call the roll? We're not amending anything. No, ma'am. Councilman Ashafi. Yes. Councilwoman Martin. Wait, wait. What are we doing? We're not amending anything. Uhhuh. We're approving it as it is. Yes. Councilwoman Manica. Yes. Council pro Tim Robinson. Yes. Council President Thomas. Yes. Nice. Moving on to item six under community development. We go.

This is the resolution to adopt the Highland Park economic development strategy plan. This for those people in the audience who were not here for the workshop. We had a workshop where we had um Donovan Smith from McKenna and Director Clyurn give us an hour 30 almost a 35 to 40m minute presentation on this. And at that time members of council had other questions answered and it is brought back to us. So, I will entertain a motion on item six of the community development resolution to adopt the Highland Park econom economic development strategy plan doc.

Mr. I' I'd like to make a motion at this time, and I know this is not going to go over well, but I would like to make a motion at this time to table. And the reason I'm asking the table is is because we just got back the supporting documents in which we asked for for this particular item and we haven't had a chance to go through it yet and we could just move to the next council meeting. I'm not saying no. [clears throat] I just want to go through these documents that Mr. to call the fire burn just gave us so I can be well verssed in this matter. Sure. For for the record, I I sent a copy of that document, the documents you have in your hand. Okay. The zoning plan on within our first 30 days of membership, the 2015 IMPC international property code is

available through Detroit that works. And I also provided a copy of the 201 Yeah, council president. I just want a little bit more time to go over it. I just want to make sure to Sure. Yes, sir. Yep. So we we we would need a motion to table it. I I I I motion to table. Made a motion and I table. So we have a motion to table from Councilman Ashafi supported by Pro Tim. Would you call the role on the motion to table? Councilman Ashafi. Yes. To table. Councilwoman Martin. Yes. Councilwoman Manica. Yes. Council proton Robinson. Yes. Council President Thomas. No. Moving on to item seven, underwater. Yep.

Okay. So, so, so we'll be tabled until the next meeting. Absolutely. Okay. Perfect. Thank you so much.

All right. So, item seven under water resolution for city council to receive for filing only. We're receiving for filing only the Great Lakes Water Authority fiscal year 27 proposed charges for wholesale water and sewer services for the city of Highland Park. Council President, I would like to make a motion to approve with questions. So, we have a motion. Second. So, that it [laughter] says a resolution for the city of Highland Park to receive for filing only. There's no approval here. It's just receive it for. Right. Right. Right. Okay. Okay. So my can I ask a question then please?

Okay. So I'm concerned uh right here at the bottom uh it says at the top of this resolution to receive for filing only. Correct. But but right here at the bottom it says passed and adopted this 17th day of February 2026 by the vote of the Highland Park City Council to receive and to file. Okay. Yeah. Is there a is there a a better way to word that? [snorts] We are approving.

Sounds like we have adopted the decision to receive and file. The resolution says a resolution for the city of Highland Park, the city council to receive for filing only. Okay. The word only is there. Okay. So that a resolution for the city of Highland Park to receive for filing only the Great Lakes Water Authorities fiscal year proposed charges. Okay. Okay. All right. Council President. So do we have [snorts] Okay. So uh I'm I'm uh I'm going let y'all uh Let's strike it through that line. Passed and adopted. Yeah. Strike it through. Okay. Perfect. I appreciate that, Council President. Striking the whole line or just the word pass.

We're striking through cuz we're just receiving and filing. Let's We're striking through where? Off of it. The last line, pass and adopted. Let's just get that off the page. Pass and adopt. We're striking that. Item seven, a resolution for city council to receive for filing only. Yeah. I do have some questions, though. We We don't have a motion on the floor yet. We [snorts] don't have a motion. I thought I supported it. No. No one's I we have no motion on the floor. I haven't taken any notes to claim you make a motion. I support motion to receive and file. Thank you. Cuz you was approved. Motion to receive and file made by council minor with questions. Miss Martin is offering support. Go ahead, Miss Martin. First, I see your hand, Miss Man. Yeah. So, he did he made a motion to do it with adoption and I and I second at the same time. At the same time,

I'm sorry. As we were going through the point of receiving file, I want to make sure that that was clear. So, the motion was made by Councilman Shaki, seconded by Councilwoman Martin to receive and file with the striketh through, right?

Yeah. I just have a few questions. Um, you know, my questions are just reading over this. I'm just curious if we're if people are getting charged for the snow melting. Um, what is the cost pool task force? Is that a committee that's being formed? Um, why are the numbers of the bills increasing? Um, can we do a town hall meeting about on the water bills? You know, [clears throat] people bring in their bills and ask questions and um bring in their water history bill um to discuss this as a conversation. Now, I do Can someone I'm sorry for can someone come to speak to that for this?

I do. I do recognize that we're only filing and receiving. I I I am aware of that.

Okay. What this is basically is please proposed uh charges for fiscal year starting in July. Uh there is an 11% decrease in sewer and a 10% decrease in water. Uh we will be preparing a statement. They are having their public hearing at Gleewood next week on the We disagree with their methodology and their computation. Um, we're taking the position that there is a hidden tax that we are now, we've been charged it, but after 11 years of litigation, we've got all of the discovery and all of the records and we have meters now. And our position is that if they are not using the meters, then they are charging us an illegal tax. [clears throat] That's right. And we will be preparing a statement for their their public hearing is next Thursday. Everybody is welcome to attend that. I think you can even attend by Zoom. [clears throat] But the fact of the matter that if they're going to increase the rates every year, then it doesn't matter millions of dollars. And we are appreciative and thankful for everything that has happened in the settlement. State of Michigan has been fantastic. You got the whole city torn up put in new water lines. But if we're going to spend all these millions of dollars and we're not going to see a decrease and our bill is going to still be five or$6 million a year, we got a problem.

Right. Right. Right.

I'm glad Stephanie Chang was here today and because you know there needs to be amendment to the current combined sewer overflow. That's what you're talking about, the the rain and the storm. And everybody hates that storm water charge anyway, but the fact is that's a sneaky little tax because a portion of it is coming off of your property coming from your sewers and uh Highland Park, Detroit, Ham Tram, Harper Woods, Dearborn, and Redford all have combined sewers. like the old green cities and they all have this sneaky little tax in sewer bill [cough and clears throat] which is a subsidy for everybody else. So, you know, when I I always tell you that, you know, we got to fight for ICE, we got to fight for this, we got to fight for everything. Fact of the matter is, you know, coming for us, they've already come for us for 400 years.

We're already already paying high bills [clears throat] and paying everything else. And so, you know, uh bottom line, this is their proposal. Uh and again, we're going to, you know, Yeah. 7% but we we're counting about a million and a half and and the other important thing about this issue and I'm sitting about this fact of the matter is that the state law supersedes anything that they have just [clears throat] like federal law can supersede state law yes and they're not following if they're not going to use the meters then they're in violation of state

right if they're going to use the meters, then we're going to get a break and they won't be in violation of so [clears throat] they're just trying to have it all. And unfortunately for them, we have learned a lot over the last 11 years. That's right. And uh so we will be responding to this in full appreciation of the reduction, but there's another million five on the floor, right? We're still paying anything that we're paying more than what we should be paying. This is a user fee. [clears throat] Is a tax. It's an illegal tax.

And uh and it's not just park. It's the other six communities that I named as well. But they haven't been in litigation. Well, they don't have all the charts and have all the information that we have. So, we're going to uh submit our response to Leewa and we're in the process of writing an editorial. We can't continue to not be able to afford to have water and sewer in the city. Right. Thank you. Thank you. Um I got one more thing to say, Mr. President. Y

um for any of those that want to um show up in person or in Zoom or on um on telephone, I'm going to go ahead and just take a picture of this and um send it back so you can show up on Zoom or however you want to in person. Okay. All right. Madam Prom had her hand up first. Uh Miss apologies. Go ahead. Go ahead, Miss uh Madam Pro. I just want to state for the record that this item should have been in a workshop. So we could have asked of questions. The question the questions need to be asked at Glee and we would have been prepared for the meeting on the 25th to give to you to go to and it should have been in the workshop.

You cannot explain bleed. It should have been in a workshop. Well, they're they're having a workshop next. Okay. We should have had one today. That's talk about technology because we disagree with ahead man because they're not using the meters. Okay, man. We have all these $5 million worth. I made my statement and they're not in there. I made my statement. So that downtown is where the meeting is. Okay, Miss Manica. I just had a question. Um I just want to verify and make sure the date of it because here it says Wednesday. Right. So, is it Wednesday or Thursday? It's Wednesday. 25th one. All the communities will be there

and that's at 100 p.m. Yes. Thank you. So, uh can the public write comments? That is it is their public just like we have a public hearing when we do our rates. We have workshops for our rates where you all go through every line that we are charging something for something. Okay?

We we post it. We put it in the newspaper. We have a public hearing. People come in, they voice [clears throat] their concerns. See, this is tricky because the city always gets blamed for Bleea when we're just buying service from and they are down there and unregulated utility. I can't say public utility that acts like a taxing authority. They come up with how much money they need and then they send the bill out to the community

and we're supposed to charge the user. Well, we know in this town we got all these vacant lots and [clears throat] the state and the county land banks went in and had the law changed, but they didn't have to met. So, it's less. We have met with them. They the water department meets with them all the time. [snorts] And so, we've got meters now and state law says if you got the meters, use the meters to come up with charges and they don't want to do that. So it is time for the fin residents to go to Cleveland just like you go to Detroit medicine public hearings or many other public hearings for any other they want to hear from you that's where you're going to hear see all the people from the 190 communities online or down at that

question. So they're not using the meters. How are they even are they doing like a comp? Are they comparing [clears throat] like city, you know, saying the same size city to another city? This is why we're disagreeing. Okay. So, we can't answer why they're not using. This is why it's very difficult for us to have a workshop about glee

because they're down there with their consultants and their engineers making up stuff. The state law says [laughter] if you got me, this is why this was so important to get the meters because the meters were going to put the city first time ever to put the city on the track where it was going to be charged for its usage, which is what a user fee is, right? And so we, you know, we don't want a beef. We just want them to follow the law.

Okay. So, if we have any other questions, we'll take a we'll call the role in a resolution to receive and file only this document. If you would, Madam Clerk, the motion was made by Councilman Ashi, supported by Councilwoman Martin. Councilman Ashafi, yes. To receive and file no approval. Councilwoman Martin, yes. Councilwoman Mana, yes. Council pro Tim Robinson, [clears throat] Council President Thomas,

yes. Thank you very much. This next item, 30th district court resolution to accept the M Michigan edition indigent defense fund grant E2060117-00 from the state of Michigan. I'm going to read this to the people in the audience because this grant provides legal support for people in our community who don't have money. The purpose of this grant is to provide funding and legal representation for people in the community who cannot afford it themselves. is to accept the Michigan Indigent Defense Fund Grant E202-60117- Z00 from the state of Michigan whereas the state of Michigan under the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission Act of 2013 MCL 780-981-780.1003 requires minimum standards that are designed to ensure that the provision of indigent criminal defense services meet constitutional requirements for effective assistance of counsel And whereas the city of Highland Park applied to the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission, [snorts] MIDC, for grant funds in order to implement the state mandated requirements. And whereas the city has received notification from uh the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission advising of its intent to award the amount of 1,230,254.93 in order to fund an implement an implementation. And whereas a city has a local match requirement of 13,864,50. And now therefore, it be resolved that the city of Highland Park Council hereby authorizes the appropriate city officials to accept the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission grant in the amount of 1 million 23,000. I'm sorry, 1 million$123,25493 and to budget the appropriate revenue expenditure accounts and fund 260 indigent defense fund. This is dated for

the 17th day of February, 2026. City council, what is your pleasure on I want I want to make a motion for resolution to accept Michigan indigenate defense fund grant E202617-00 from the state of Michigan with questions for support. Go ahead. Okay, I got questions. Miss Martin had questions, sir. Okay. Sorry, Council President. Okay. So, I am It's been brought to my attention that the 30th district court was going to be dissolved. Is that true? That was brought up at our last city council meeting. Is that true? What's going on? Who can answer that? I can't speak to it. I can

Let's be Let's make sure that we keep the the conversation on the on the order. What we're doing is we are accepting funds that will allow poor people in our community to get legal representation. If they cannot afford an attorney, an attorney will be appointed to them. Okay. So, this is okay. So, that makes sense. Now, I guess Well, hold on. I get that. That's the resolution. But my question is, what good is the money if we're not going to have a 30th district court? The court is the court will see cases tomorrow if I'm not mistaken. The court The court has saw cases today. They'll see cases tomorrow. They'll see cases on Thursday. They also see cases on Friday. We want people in front of them. So they need a lawyer tomorrow.

Okay. So you're right. They do see they're going to see people tomorrow. I don't know how long they're going to see people if it gets dissolved. The 30th district. So my question is then my next question is you were talking about millions of dollars. So it gets dissolved. Where does that money go? No. I'm sorry. Let me go back here. M. Let me let me let me own my hair. is what I read,000.

It is 123,000. Okay, I'mma comma off. I need new glasses. It's 123,25493. You see me taking these glasses on and off cuz I need some new ones. We only have to match 13,864. So these funds, I don't know, what is a lawyer now? $100 an hour for a good council. $100 an hour. Yeah, $100 an hour. I'm in the wrong profession. I'm just saying. I'm just saying. So again, you that's a great question. I don't think I don't think

I don't think anybody here behind the deis is in a position to answer. What the resolution is asking for is will we accept the funds today for Highland Park citizens today? Yeah, that's the thing. Will we take they're offering us funds for people in the community who cannot afford an attorney. And the question is will we accept these funds so that those people can have legal representation. So we don't have the funds as of right now. Current fiscal year money has run out. Yes. June 30th. So that money to fund up to June 30th. Okay. So we don't know if the 30 30th district court is going to be resolved or not or when. [clears throat]

No ma'am. As it pertains to the item up for vote. We are here to accept the defense fund grant to provide legal representation for call. We'll call the role. Okay. Thank you so much. Call the role. Madam clerk, council president, I have a question. Go right ahead.

Okay. So, um, my concern and, um, I can tell you for a fact that they are definitely trying to dissolve the court, which concerns me because it puts me at a a real uh, uh, crossroads. on on on on one hand, I can't stand the courts, but on but on the same hand, I don't want our court system dissolved because it hurts the city for them to say that we're not a proper municipality if we don't have a court system. Okay? It's an opportunity to dissolve the city of Highland Park into the city of Detroit.

Okay? Now, that's definitely happening. Okay? I don't care what nobody tells you at the end of this year is what they're planning on doing. Okay. So, you'll all be down at 36 District Court and Highland Park won't have a court system anymore. But my concern is what was said at the last council meeting when I clearly asked the young lady that spoke if they've ever went over budget cuz she said that this money is to ensure that they don't go over budget [clears throat]

for attorneys. And she clearly stated that they have never went over budget for attorneys. They have never gone over budget and they've always had money left over at the end of the year. So my question is if they've always had money left over at the end of the year, what is this grant for? And this scare tactic about telling the people that if we don't approve this, they won't have an attorney. It's an outright lie. The MDC does not play around. You have a constitutional right to an attorney. They are the ones who fund the attorneys. They have the money already established to pay for any attorney that comes into this city. Okay? There's not one person in here who's not going to get an attorney. You have a constitutional right to an attorney. So, these are all scare tactics. I'm not scared. Okay? My question is, what is this extra money for? [clears throat] Okay. All I'm simply saying is what is this extra money for and what is it going to be used for? And if they don't use it for the attorneys, then what's the outcome of where it's going to be used at afterwards? Where where are they going to try to adjust it afterwards? Because if I re, if my memory serves me correctly, the last packet they gave us was more expensive than this one page. And they clearly stated in the last packet, I don't have it w with me now, but I'm going to find it because I keep all my council packets and I'mma post it online. They clearly stated that if the funds are not used completely for attorneys, it will be used in other areas of the administration of the court. And that I got a problem with that. That means that you're moving around money that's meant for a defense for something else. And that's another issue of mine. But like I said, the money is there. The scared tactic about you not getting a lawyer, it's an outright ballfaced lie. you will get your attorney whether we approve this garbage or not.

Okay? So, don't be scared at all. Don't let them waver you and shake you tell you and uh uh and put a match to your feet and light it and say if you don't approve this, we going to burn your toes off. Don't do don't budge. This is all a scare tactic. And that's simply what I'm saying. I don't understand what this money is for. I'm not getting enough information about it and I can't in good conscience give this knowing that it's going to be used inappropriately.

Okay, Miss Hold on. The attorney was standing at the podium and it was asked why this has not come before city council before. She held up six documents in our face and said this is where it has come before city council before. All of them approved unanimously. The reason why she stated, "The reason why you've never gone over budget is because the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission has always provided funding for people in the community who could not afford an attorney." She stated, she stood right there and held up six documents showing previous approval of two from this council, three from the previous council, and she said, "The reason why we had never gone over budget is because we took the grant money, so we always had money." She also made it clear if you don't have indigent funding in your community to represent people, it justifies even more so sending them down to 36 I mean 36th district court. She made a point. She said six times in the last 5 years this grant has been approved twice by this city council, three times by the previous city council. She said without these funds, she made it very plain. She said without these funds, yeah,

basically they would have to go to 36th district court. We should be in favor of making sure the citizens have funding. And the question is where does the funds come from? The state of Michigan, the the the state of Michigan. So here we are getting from the state of Michigan funding allocated for our citizens in our city who are too poor to receive legal representation to ensure that they had legal representation. It's not a scare tactic. Miss Martin, you said you had something you wanted to offer and I'm going to call the road. Yes. Um, you said that we're matching. Our matching portion is $13,864. Yeah. But if we ran out of money, how we match it?

What the what the attorney stated is the reason we have never run out of money is because we accepted the grant every year. If we don't accept the grant, we will most certainly run out of money. She said by June, you will be out of funds if you don't take this. There are people in court right now who are counting on courtappointed attorneys and the funds from that to to cover them are in this grant. Right. Can we roll back the tape because we just said we we ran the court we just ran out of money but then we're also going to match. How do you match

this portion for that $123,000 they're going to they're going to give us? The city is only required to match 13,864. That's all they're asking of us. Yeah, but we can't match it if we don't have Okay, let's let's go ahead and call the role. Let's go ahead and call the role on item eight, please. Motion was made by Councilwoman Martin, supported by the chair. Resolution to accept the internet and defense fund grant. Would you call the role on item eight, please? Councilman Shafi, I'm going to have to say no. Councilwoman Martin, yes. Councilwoman Mana, yes. Council Tim Robinson, no. Council President Thomas,

yes. Motion carries. Thank you, Lord. Okay, so we are at the end of our agenda here. I'm going to set the timer for two minutes and I will entertain comments from anybody that will come up to the podium. Please state your name. Once you state your name, I'll start your two minutes. Are we going to restrict it to two minutes? That's the procedure. Two minutes in every municipality. Before we get started, hold on a second. Stay at the podium. I have Yeah, she do. Oh, boy. The attorney is online. She said, "Thank you." Oh,

hey. [laughter] Give me a second. Give me a second. You're welcome. I didn't get a chance to go to the store. I promise I get you. Uh, no, I did. No, you're fine. I didn't want to get you involved in that. You're good. So, [laughter] let's go ahead. Ma'am, thank you for your patience. Go ahead. State your name and start. J Edwards. I just I'm a retired city employee. I received my W2 forms. They were open

and I'm just trying and I ended up having uh Miss Parham call me and she said hers was open as well. So, can we make sure that when we send out our W2s that they are sealed because I don't want nobody to get my identity. [cough] Again, my name is Anthony Alexander. I reside in Seven Hill. And speaking on the water issue, those meters that they put in, there's one a block away from me. That meter is not working or are they using the meters within our home? That those aren't the meters. So, master meters are underground.

Yeah. Okay. So there was work done. I live at again at 87 Hill. There was um major sewage and sewer work done within a 100 ft of my house. When they closed it down cuz they had to break the pipes up, put the new pipes in. Within a month of that, my basement started flooding. And as we speak right now, it's running like a the bathtub and the sink all at the same time. Soon as you walk down my basement steps, you can hear it. I've had to have my basement dug out so that I can have I'm almost scared to be away from my house for any extended period of time because of the pump that I have in if something goes on the pump, I'm looking at having a foot or two feet of water.

The water department is here. You can lie to that complaint.

I did go to the water department. I was told that it was rain water. This was before uh actually it was the first of Jack. I had it snaked out. I did my part all the way out 100 feet to the alley. Um, they came out. I was told that it was rainwater because my down spouts were not far away from my house. This was before it snowed. So, the water was trickling in. now because we have water and snow and that snow is melting all down the alley. That water is coming directly and I mean running directly into my house because of the work that was not done when they put the pipes in. They blocked something and I' I've owned the house for 35 years. I was going in and out of it for 20 years before that. I grew up across the street from the house once house across the street from my parents love the village that raised me by the way [clears throat] and that work has had a detrimental effect to my home. I don't want to abandon my home. I don't want to have to leave it because I can't stand it because I'm walk one day and I got two three feet of water in my basement and the city and or the companies that did the work won't do anything about.

Okay. Thank you, sir. That was two minutes. Mr. hear it. Can you please assist him? Sir. Ah. Ah. No, no, no. Don't don't don't don't. Yeah. State your name, ma'am, and I'll start your time.

Carla Oliver. So, I want to say two things real quick. The water department, um, I agree with you. You know, when I saw the numbers for what they were charging wholesale sewage, it's ridiculous. during the and I mentioned this earlier last summer about the numbers that I had, but also also want to mention even though those numbers are high consistently every year since I want to say 22, we had decreases in water and sewage charges wholesale yet our water bills haven't reflected that. Yeah. Right.

So, so my question is is how is uh MCA calculating the water bills that's itemized to the residents? That's my concern out of wholesale. Um which I'm not a big fan of MCA and I would let them know that. Uh that's one. Also, I want to quickly mention that if you guys get your lead line water replacement, lead line replacement, they are installing 1 inch meter uh meters in your home without your permission, which will increase your water bills. Do not allow them to do that. Number two, number two, the Yeah. Three, the issue with the rental ordinance. The rental ordinance, you know, my my position on that. Technically, we shouldn't have to have me memorandums for ordinance that's repealed already. And the lawyer should know that. So I already said already says a lot that the city is being allowed legally to issue tickets that should not be issued which is a gre should be a grievance with the grievance commission for the lawyers allowing the these type of tickets to happen which is also wasteful and and and misuse of resources for us to have to get tickets appeal them and have to go to formal he hearings due to rental ordinance that don't even exist right now. not to mention call them at the court's stat

and they are exactly that's what I mean by resources in addition to that they're not published thank you ma'am thank you miss

hello my name is enelles um I'm again here for the uh publish before punishment I actually have both of my tickets that were with me and I also have I printed out a copy of our parking ordinance um and I can pretty much. It starts at chapter 480 and it runs from 480.101 to 480.17. I printed out each and every one of those pages. And when I got cited my tickets, the officer told me that I have violated um the ordinance 1220.08. Now, I looked on the city. I looked through it. I looked and I only found it at one place which is the city municipal code uh MUN code and it says 12.0 point 1220.08. It says staff and assistance. It has nothing to do with parking. So, and the bad part about it, the uh the officer that cited me pulled out a white binder, flipped through the white binder, found a piece of paper with blue highlighted writing on it, and he read me the code in which I violated. and I can't find it. And then I called and asked the officer, "Where did you find it?" He that's when I ended up with the building department. That's when I ended up with the city clerk. He pointed me everywhere instead of saying, "Hey, it's showing me exactly where it is." I could not I don't know where he got it from, but when he showed it to me, he pulled out of a binder. I didn't see what was on the binder. It could have been another city's uh code for parking that was being inflicted on me, or maybe it's our own, but I don't know it. I can't see it. So, how can I be held responsible? We have laws for a lot of things that go on in this city and uh whether we know all the laws or not. If you break it, then you find it in the code, then it's understandable that you have broken the law. But I cannot find this code that I have supposed to have broken. And I am

being uh not one but two tickets and I have a wife and two children. I have bills to pay and I am not trying to pay a ticket that I should not have to pay. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Yes. Good evening, ma'am. One just a second. Let me go ahead and set the timer up and once you state your name, I'll start the time. Yes. And I don't know if this is the right place to say this, but my name is Kimberly Hill. Not okay. Sorry about that. My name is Kimberly Hill and I am actually running for I got We don't No, nothing related to No, ma'am. Nothing at all related to that. Yeah, I want you to know. We don't do anything related to No announcements of not for us or for anyone else. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, ma'am.

Sorry for the inconvenience. It's a little be up. Please call me. I I love to to talk with you. Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Yes, sir. Thank you for being patient, Mr. M. Come on. Yes, sir. Mr. May, thank you, Mr. Chair. Just be very briefly, I just want to first of all apologize. Uh uh I'm a little uh down tonight. Jesse Jackson was my fat brother, Omega Sci-Fi and uh so that's a heavy burden on on Sorry for your lost. I just want to say also that um I was his campaign manager for North End in the Jeff Project in 1988

when he went when he uh ran and won the state of Michigan. And I just want to briefly respond to the lady that said that the government would not be able to do anything, would not be able to adhere to the request by the city council, the resolution on ICE. I I just want to say that the resolution to me is so significant. It represents the foundation to the fight.

Yeah. And I just want to say if uh sir truth would have said the slave owners were not free the slaves, we' have many slaves still remain to be slaves. And I want to say I I've been on the fine line for a long time. I marched with uh Martin Luther King and Jesse Jackson in 1965 in Selma, Alabama. and I've gone to jail and so I'm used to being able to confront the issues and deal with the the uh this the rights for citizens and uh if thug thug Marshall would have taken the position that he can't change the educational system we'd have had a the same similar situation now that we were able to get out of with Marsha our legal expert doing what he had to do and if Martin Luther King had said he cannot change the system we would would have been further behind than what we are now, including Jester Jackson. And lastly, if Barack Obama would have said, I cannot win the president uh and taking that position that the system would not let him win the presidency, he would have never become the president. So, I would hope that we would refrain from saying the system would not allow us to uh have uh this resolution passed. And I just want to encourage the city council to go ahead and pass this resolution and get ready for the big fight because we got a big fight ahead of us. Thank you, sir. Amen.

I hope he wasn't referring to me. I I'm for this brother. Oh, yeah. Very much. You'll be the last, sir. I don't have anybody online. Thank you, my lord. Again, like to thank you for having this opportunity to have a forum for the citizens of the city of Highland Park. I don't just talk. I like to be more involved in the city with the political arena as much as what you're doing. So I decided that I'll be work running for the sixth precinct here in the city of Highland. All right. As a precinct jelly. All right. Announcing my candidacy. Ah, sir. Sir, we can't we don't do none of that.

None of that here. None of that. None of that here. None of that here. We can't we don't do anything political related. So, I'm going stop you right there. Okay. All right. Thank you so much. All right. All right. So, we're going to move into council affairs, starting with the councilman from the third district. Ladies and gentlemen, I'm going to end on a positive note here tonight. I want to thank everybody who came out tonight, everybody who supported this resolution, everybody who made their voices heard. Do you see the power of what I say? When you speak, we listen. If you're silent, nobody listens.

I need your voices to continue to speak. I need you to continue to fight and I need you to continue to stand up for your great city and fight alongside of the council members who are willing to fight alongside you. I want to thank you so much and I want to thank everybody who came out to the town hall uh this Sunday that passed. It was a big success. We are the talk of the town. I didn't know you were so eager to hear from me like that. [clears throat] I want to thank you. It was amazing. Great turnout, great information, no slander, no chaos, no drama, just the issue at hand as it should always be. And because of that, we will be doing one every month from this point on. I promise you we will do a town hall once a month so we can keep you informed as to what's going on as much as we possibly can. And I thank you HP.

Thank you ma'am. Thank you sir. Miss Martin Councilwoman from District 2. Yes. I want to say um

uh thank you for uh coming out and being out here. um that um res that resolution uh published before you punish is is a very important piece. You know, there's a lot of tickets being passed out and nobody can find an ordinance that supports the ticket that's been written or any fees. There's a cost that comes with that and you can't find the ordinance that goes with it. That's a problem and an issue. So, I'm definitely going to be standing for that. Also, I want to say did the um the information that I sent out for uh Gleewood, did everybody who wants to see take a picture of that so it could be seen? Great. I'm going to encourage you to to either show up by Zoom or in person. I plan to be there um myself. Yeah, we need to sit up there and be in this fight with this water. It's it's crazy. It's ridiculous. And it's great. Thank you, Kathy Square, for everything you do for Glee and everything like that. But we also all we all of us need to rally behind her and definitely talk to Gleewood and get our water down. It's not making any sense.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. So, where are they giving this all over the city? Well, I'm sorry, Miss Different people for different reasoning to go right ahead. Forgive me. But I'm going to go ahead and I'm going to turn it over to uh my city council woman, Monica.

Good evening, everyone. Thanks for coming out this evening. Just want to give you two reminders. February 25th seems to be a very important day. So remember that you have Joe Lewis Greenway history in motion that's happening at 10 Pickicket. That's at 5:30. Also the Glee public hearing that's also February 25th at 100 p.m. And that information I'm sure you can find on their website as well as some of our pages. Other than that, have a great night. Thank you. I got one more thing to say. Somebody left their keys at the podium. Who? Who? Miss Fork. Mama Nandi. Does this look familiar?

Hello. Those are her keys. Okay. All right. That's it. Okay. Go ahead. Uh, Madam Pro, I turn over to you. I just want to thank everybody for coming out um tonight cuz you know that our strength will be in our numbers and we can't just stop with tonight, right?

Um I've asked since they brought the rate guy in and he I asked the question how many cities water and sew sewage runs through Highland Park. He mentioned 15 other communities sewage runs through Highland Park and I've haven't got another conversation on that since that day. I also want to mention that I've emailed Kathy Square, the attorneys, and MCA stating that if this resolution gets squashed by the federal government, we can put leans on these private properties and that way they cannot sell them to the government. And I just want to state that for the record.

God bless you. All right. Thank you so much. Let us not forget that this we are in Black History Month and I would like to take just a moment here and feature a two prominent people in Black History Month. Both of whom, one I had a pleasure of knowing personally and one I had the pleasure of meeting. Are you pull up on the screen?

Yeah, I'm put up on the screen. On the screen, you will see a picture of the United States of America's first African-American woman zoo director. Her name is Kadija Shelby and she was the first black woman appointed as a zoo director in the United States of America. Before she was the zoo director, she worked in public affairs and helped to get Coleman A Young elected to office and John Kany. She also did this in 1981 at a school on the east side of Detroit organized by Koma Young and Alonzo W. Bates who was a Detroit school for the gifted and talented. It later became Bates Academy.

I had the pleasure of being one of the students at the school and in the room when Jesse Jackson was there. Here's that image.

Uh my mother has this thing. You never know what impact you're going to have on people. She always says so inspiration is the greatest gift that you can give. He was a figure in the newspaper. This is long before the internet. And the simple fact that he thought it was important enough to come to Detroit to recognize the fact that our city was focusing on the development of gifted children meant quite a bit. And the fact that we lost him, we should lament the loss of someone who over so many years uh stepped forward to represent our community. As I said at the beginning of the meeting, I hope God has mercy on his soul and brings peace to his family and that we all think about the enormous contribution that he made to our community. And with that, the chair will entertain a motion to adjourn. All those in favor.

Thank you.