City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening. Good evening. The Monday, July 6, 2026, Inkster City Council meeting is now called to order. Everyone please rise for the prayer. Mr. Bradford, come lead us in prayer.

Good afternoon, everyone, Mayor, Council, and all the department heads. Can we please bow our head in reverence to our almighty God? Father, we thank you for all of the things that you have done for us, Lord God, in our individual homes and as we come together to have a community place to come and dwell with government. Lord God, those who have stood, Father, before the group, before the city, Lord God, we ask you to give them, Father, governance, wisdom, Lord God. We ask you, Father, to come into their places of respectful meeting places and give them knowledge. Lord God, help them, Father, to be able to make, if not all the decisions, but one decision that would bring balance of governance to this place we call City of Inkster. Lord God, Father, we ask you to put your blessings upon them. Surround them, Lord God, with your blessings and give them the courage to, Father, to be able to move forward in a way that's justice to this city. We thank you for all the things you've already done. And, Father, the things that are on the horizon, we thank you for even that. For it's in Jesus' name we pray. Every heart say amen.

Amen. Thank you. Continue to stand for the pleasure of allegiance.

liberty and justice for all.

Madam clerk roll call.

Mayor Nolan.

Present.

Mayor Pro Tem Chisholm.

Present.

Councilwoman Rutledge. Present. Councilman Bishop.

Present.

Councilwoman Scott. Present. Councilwoman Howard. Here. Councilwoman Richardson. Present. Mayor, you have a quorum.

Great. Everybody had a chance to look at the agenda. To the audience, we added three items. Item G was the approval of the language for the Parks and Recs millage. Item H is approval of the language for the Senior Citizens millage. Item I is a request for sponsorship for the Easter High All-Class Reunion Senior Citizens 10. I think it's $2,000, right? Okay.

$119,000.

Okay. So those are the three items we added. Anything else we need to add or delete from the agenda? All right. Do we have a motion to approve?

So moved. Second.

We'll probably move to second any discussion. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Opposed, say nay. It passes. We have no presentations tonight. Yippee-yay. Oh, wait a minute. The soccer game started in 12 minutes.

Right.

Oh, we got to hurry up. We got to hurry up. This only happens, what, every four years? Okay. Consent agenda.

So moved. Second.

It's been probably moved and seconded. Any discussion? All those in favor, say aye.

Aye.

Opposed, say nay. It passes. Boards and commissions? None. We've been slacking on that. We've got to make some appointments. People don't want a job.

I have asked several people.

No. No deal. It's hard to get people. Okay. You should voluntold somebody. Voluntold somebody.

Okay.

You. Right, right. All right. No ordinance readings today. New business. Item A.

Consider approval of the street closure slash block party second annual birthday community block party street to be closed. Princess Street, Cross Streets, New York, and Yale. Date of event, Saturday, July the 18th. Time, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. And the contact person is Regina Lockhart.

So moved.

Second.

Improbably moved in the second discussion. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed say nay. It passes. Item B.

Consider approval to remove the former city clerk and the former mayor names from Resolution 03-23-038R and add current administration city clerk Georgianelle Holliday and Mayor Byron H. Nolan to sign. So moved. Second.

We're probably moving to second. Discussion? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed say nay. It passes.

Consider adopting a resolution that authorizes participation in the project entitled Financially Distressed Cities, Villages, and Townships City of Inkster-Hellenpump Station Rehabilitation.

So moved.

Support.

Properly moved in support of discussion. All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed say nay. It passes.

Consider approval of the implementation of the Safe Cities Program.

So moved.

Support for your motion five or 10 years. 10. Okay.

Okay.

It's been probably moved to second. Any discussion? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed say nay. Passes.

Consider approval of amendment number two to water service contract between Great Lakes Water Authority and the City of Inkster.

So moved. Second. We'll probably move to second discussion. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed say nay. It passes.

Consider approval for Robichaux All-Class Reunion Picnic location Tyrone Wheatley Park. Date September 5th, 2026. Time 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. And the contact person is Warren Bradford. So moved.

Second.

We'll probably move to the second discussion. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed say nay. It passes.

Consider approval for millage renewal request for the City of Inkster Parks and Recreation, which includes senior citizens and youth services for the years of 2027 through 2036. So moved. Before.

We'll probably move to support it. Any discussion? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed say nay. It passes.

Consider approval for millage renewal request for the City of Inkster Senior Services operation for the years of 2027 to 2036. I move. Second.

I'm probably moving to second.

Discussion? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed say nay. Passes.

Consider approval for the request for the Inkster High School all-class reunion for sponsorship of a senior citizen tent in the amount of $1,900.00. So moved.

Second. Probably moved and seconded. Any discussion?

Go ahead. So for discussion purposes, so we are going to formalize a process where organizations would come before the city and ask for us to contribute, you know, an amount that they might need. And so once we get that process formalized, even though we are approving this tonight, we will extend that out to other organizations as well.

What's the total amount we have budgeted for that? $10,000.

$10,000.

So $10,000 per year when the money runs out. So if you want to put in an application, get it in early.

Once we formalize the process.

Once we formalize the process. Okay. All right. Any other discussion? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed say nay. It passes. All right. Jonathan, did you have something before us tonight? Okay. I just want to make sure before we stop voting. Okay. Public participation. Dr. AJ. How you doing?

Good evening, Mayor, Council, and for everyone who is here. THE REASON THAT I HAVE COME BEFORE YOU AT THIS TIME IS BECAUSE OF THE LEANNA HICKS PUBLIC LIBRARY. AND I HAD POSSIBLY THREE, BUT THREE THINGS, I SAW THREE MINUTES. SO WHAT I HAVE DISTRIBUTED HAS BEEN TO MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE something that says upcoming events. So the upcoming events are June 8th, June 10th, June 27th. Those are starting events. Tech, office hours, 5 to 6, finicky flicks, 5... p.m. and June 27 silent book club we also have Gerald McBride who is an author he will have a talk on July 11 and August the first bird identification at one o'clock so I have a few of those I'll bring up we also have something which is unearth a story you can use your your telephone to access that, beanstock.com. Now I know a lot of people use their computers, but some people need the basics, so there will be a basics computer class, no experience needed. Also a one-on-one technology session, and that is personalized tech training. I just wanted everyone to know We have a very efficient director, Amisha Harazon, and the librarians who assist her. And they're doing a wonderful job. And I'd like everyone to come in and see the things that they are doing. Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Can I get the dates really fast for the computer class and the tech class? Oh, pardon? Can I get the dates for the basic computer class and the tech class? Make sure my mom is there. Put that on the record. Whisper that. I'm sorry.

You're saying your mother's illiterate?

No, no. One-on-one technology. Always having, she's like, can you do this for me? The one-on-one technology sessions are personalized tech training. And no registration is required. help is offered on a first-come first-served basis and this is Monday between 5 and 6 p.m. and then for the basic computer class no experience needed if you're new to computers or been a while since you used one Come to Computer Basics and learn the fundamentals of navigating and using computers. Learn how to use a mouse, open apps, learn the desktop, sort files. Tuesday, July 14th, 3 to 4 p.m. And we are, if you don't already know, 2500 Hamlin Drive here in Inkster.

Thank you.

Are there any other questions? Thank you so much. Thank you. Director Lisa.

Good evening, Mayor, Council, residents. Just a couple housekeeping things. Summerfest is coming up July 17th, 18th, and 19th. So make sure you guys have that on your calendar. July 17th, 18th, and 19th. 17th will be Hip Hop Night. The 18th on Saturday is R&B. And on Sunday, we'll have Gospel Sunday. August 5th of this year. So last year, well, normally we do National Night Out on a Tuesday. But this year, because we would like to have all the election people that work attend, we chose to do it on Wednesday. So this year it will be Wednesday, August 5th at the station for National Night Out starting at 5 p.m. Summer camp those of you who may have your kids signed up for summer camp We pushed it back for one week So summer camp was supposed to start this week and it should start on July Monday July 13th So just for anybody who was wondering what happened with summer camp emails went out phone calls went out summer camp will begin July 13th and I believe That's it. All right.

Opal Gray.

Good evening, Mayor and Council and residents. I'm just here to remind you and the citizens to come to our Inkstone Farmers Market. We've been there for about, this is the fourth week. Last week it was too hot and we canceled. But we will be there this Wednesday. And it is going to be at the Booker T. Dozier Recreational Center. And that's right on Middlebelt. Everybody knows where it is. And it's from 4 to 7. And if you would like to to have a table, well, vendors are welcome. We have crafts, games, and we have youth and adult vending. And you have to, I think it's about $25 to rent a table. So we welcome new vendors. So come, they have jewelry and all sorts of stuff there. And we get our food from the Eastern Market, fresh fruits and vegetables. So please come and join us. Haven't seen any of the council members, I don't think. And I haven't seen some of you.

So I want to call them out. Calling us out.

She's a council member. She'll say mayor. She's a council member. I don't know who she thinks she is trying to call us out like that.

Look, you got there from us. Milton Hunter.

Suddenly I'm feeling underdressed. Boy, you're sugar sharp.

Good evening, Mayor, City Council, and the people of Inkster. There is a difference between Saul and David. David wasn't afraid of Goliath because he could see the giant standing in front of him. The danger was obvious. He trusted God and faith. Psalm 117. But Saul's battle was different. Saul wasn't defeated by a giant. He was defeated by pride and by the misusing the authority God had entrusted to him. Instead of protecting the kingdom, he began pursuing David, the very man trying to help him. That lesson matters in Inkster today. My concern has never been about cars. My concern has always been about public safety. I documented overgrown lots, climbing vines, neglected city-owned property, and conditions that I believe created safety risks. I filed reports, I made formal complaints, I attended city council meetings, and I've appeared on Channel 4 News because I believe the people of Inkster deserve action. I came asking for dangerous conditions to be addressed. Then I attended a private meeting where there was a disagreement. After that meeting, my vehicles was towed from the community center where I had been volunteering and helping the community. I respectfully asked the council to review that timeline, determine whether every action that was taken followed the city policy and applied fairly. I also was told that the people around me will be messed with. If that statement was made, it has no place in public service. No resident or the people around them should ever feel intimidated for speaking up or reporting concerns. Isaiah 117 says, learn to do good, seek justice, correct oppression. Mr. Mayor, I want to be clear. I believe you are doing your job. everybody know that no mayor personally i witnessed everything i i personally witnessed everything that's happened in every department you have to trust the people who have been sworn into the city to carry out their duties honestly and report it back truthfully to you so i don't that's why i feel like you know they're doing their job but that's why i'm bringing this to the front you feel me i'm not looking for someone to uh SOMEWHAT TO ADMIT GUILT, I'M HERE FOR RESOLUTIONS. WHEN MULTIPLE RESIDENTS CONTINUE RAISING THE SAME CONCERNS WHEN HAZARD REMAINS UNDRESSED AND THOSE WHO SPEAK UP BELIEVE THEY ARE BEING TREATED DIFFERENTLY, THE CITY SHOULD SPEAK TO SEEK AWARE ANSWERS AND RESOLUTIONS THAT RESTORE THE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE. Item 524 says, let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Justice requires truth. Leadership requires honesty. And our community deserves resolutions, not excuses. Like David, I didn't come here to throw stones at people. I came to confront a giant, the giant of neglect and consistency, enforcement, and silence. It doesn't need to move. Inkster doesn't need more division. It needs the truth. It needs leadership. It needs resolutions. And Inkster needs public servants who remain who remember they were sworn and asserted people, not themselves. Thank you, and may God bless the city of Inkster.

Thank you. Give me a date on the cartel one day. I got you. Shirley Walton. You ain't got it today.

Mayor, council, and residents, before we start, I'd like to say, everybody can say happy birthday to my councilwoman, Dee Richardson.

You brought the turkey in on your birthday?

You should sing a song, but you know her husband's going to do it. I just sang, wish her a happy birthday.

I thought Shirley said she was going to sing.

What it is is that I'm Shirley. I'm the financial treasurer of the Instant Goodfellas. Y'all know Barbara. She's the chair of the Instant Goodfellas. You want to talk or you want me to do this? You can do it in language. It's like that. Okay. Okay. What it is is that we're doing No Child Without Christmas, paint with a twist. We put flyers out. It's $40, and it's going to be at the rec center. And we're going to have canvases and food. We're not serving finger food. We're serving dinner. Because you know it only lasts two and a half hours. Hours is from 5 to 9. We want you to mingle, relax. And enjoy. And we're going to have, I can't say it, but we're going to have you to relax. Read between the lines.

Hey, Chief, I think I'm going to put a car over there.

saturday august the 22nd on 26th time from five to nine we're gonna have raffle we're gonna have vendors and we do need some more vendors so if anybody and i have that flyer too and um you could contact barbara And you contact me, you'll see our numbers on the flyer. And you must be 18 and over. No child is left. This is for relaxing for adults. Not to bring the kids. And I would like to see people on the council buy two tickets a piece, because I know y'all ain't got nothing to do that day.

So don't even put it on your calendar.

Put hours on your calendar. so this is what i'm asking and this is what we would like for y'all to come and enjoy and we do need more members for the instant goodfellas so we hope y'all join us on tuesday second tuesday of each month at the library from four to five o'clock um on tuesday so we would love to see for y'all to come and join the instant goodfellas and we need volunteers Okay, Barbara, it's your turn.

Thank you so much, Mayor, Council, and residents of Inkster. First off, I would like to thank Councilman Richardson. I called the mayor. And I called my council person to let them know what was happening over there at Cherry Hill Square Apartments. And then I called Ms. Richardson, and she got to calling people. The problem was cleared up the next day, and I appreciate that. When our elevators are down and you have people on the second and third floor in wheelchairs.

Act like they fixed the elevator or something.

What's going on? No, no. No, we got on them.

The man sent the fire chief over, and the elevator got fixed.

I know you heard my message. I know you got my message. That's what it is. You got my message. Because I said, you know what? I'm going to come and hunt him down. I'm going to come and hunt him down.

Oh, I know. I didn't call you back just anymore. I know.

And I just appreciate the mayor and my council person, along with Ms. Richardson, for getting that straight for us. Now, while our lights went out, On Saturday, the storm, it was sunshine and bright, everything. I said, woo, time for Sister Cooper to move on. I need to correct an issue that I'm having with, so I need to meet with Mr. Carrington, and I need to meet with Mr. McDaniels. for something that happened at the rec, dealing with the Instagood fellows. And I think we can work this out without a problem. Two coolers, two, not one, two coolers. Got legs and walked.

Really?

Yes, they did. Brand new coolers. And I was like, ooh, we haven't even used them yet.

I was like, oh, no, mm-mm.

We'll have a meeting, and we'll discuss that. I just want to continue to, everybody, No Child Without a Christmas. We're going to try to do everything a little earlier. The ads and everything. Sister Richardson over there, she has tickets for the Prank with the Twist.

Gabe.

Myself. But I'm looking for all the counsels. To see her. Amen. Come and support. Even our city attorney. Thank you. Thank you. Oh yeah. Everybody over here. Everybody that helped. Chief, I know she gonna do what she gonna do. Amen. But thank you so much. And I'm just asking prayer for the Cooper family. My husband's only sister that's left is in hospice now. So just continue to keep the Cooper family lifted up in prayer. Thank you.

Thank you. And there's one more thing. Forgot to recognize Tim, Gabe, Carinthia. Y'all know Tammy.

Anybody else in our Eastern Goodfellas here?

Asians not here. All of us have tickets. Okay, Randall.

Speak further.

And Sweet Booger. Got a Godzilla over here. So if y'all can, please support the children, you know, because that's what we do. We work hard for those kids, and we need all the, you know, raise money for them for their Christmas thing. Thank you.

Thank you. Gabe Henderson.

Okay.

Okay. Hello, family. Glad to be here and all that. First of all, I want to say, you know, what was I going to say? Well, I know what I'm going to say. I'm with a good fellow. But I want to say beautification. I want to talk about beautification. We did have our last, you know, beautification in July. I did show up that time. I had donuts, coffee, and all that. And I just wondered what happened to all the folks. I had to take a half dozen home. But anyway... You know, Brother Van, you know, we had this beautification kickoff. You know, we have people to come up, you know, they can sign and say if they got a problem, a certain area and all that, and we can look into it. And I'm volunteering my truck. And, you know, the city of Inkster, I think they do a pretty good job. with the manpower they have. I know there's a lot of blight in certain, well, some blight in certain areas and all that. We got some good old boys come from other neighborhoods. They be dumping some of their trash. And I find stuff, you know, for like Trace and Wayne, Garden City and all that. I know they do a lot of work in there, you know, fixing up people and they want to dump their stuff. You know, sometimes, you know, they do a wrong thing. Want to make us look bad. But then I want to say this. I want to thank, you know, Chief, you know, about, you know, the autistic program. They had sweatshirts and T-shirts and all that, you know. I tried to pay them. They wouldn't let me. They said, well, Gabe, you can have it free. I want to appreciate that. I have a niece that's autistic and all that. Okay, uh, And Fred, Bishop III, we had a meeting, our block club and all, we had a meeting, and Ms. Williams already came, and we talked about some ways to improve mainly that middle belt corridor, And we talked about, you know, that's one of the main stretch, you know, through Inkston. People ride through there and all that. We're going to work on that. Thank you for coming there and supplying us with the good old sandwiches and all that stuff and all that. But, you know, Granddad in heaven, he'd be proud of you. You know that. But I want to thank you. And we're going to have another meeting. That's going to be the third.

Last Thursday.

Yeah, we're going to have another meeting. So people, Middle Park, Manor Block Club, you know, everybody's welcome to come. We're trying to get it going again. And there was something else I was going to say.

Yeah.

Okay. Yeah, of course, Bishop and Ms. Williams was there. And I'll thank you for that, you know. You know who made me think of? Mr. Johnson. You remember the councilman? I think his spirit runs in me. But I want to say something about Mr. Johnson. Now, he was right on a whole lot. I remember all the programs he tried to get started in the city of Houston and all of that. And I just think about him. And he was a wonderful person.

I think that's all I got to say. No, you forgot an announcement. You said what? You forgot an announcement. Did somebody get an award on Father's Day? Can you talk about that a little bit?

Oh, yeah. You know, people keep on surprising. I can't figure out what they see in me sometimes. But I got it. I appreciate the Father's Day award that was given at the Father's Day picnic and all that. And I really, you know, and I guess somebody, quite a few people like me, love me, you know. But I love my city, I love y'all and all that. I try to do my best, you know, let God do the rest. And there was something else I wanted to say, but yeah, I think that's about it. Oh yeah, can I just tell you a story? You know, somebody ran, no, no. I'm gonna tell you, they said, Gabe, they said, Mr. Dibna, every time I see your city council meeting, you got on Bill Bovaros and all that. And they think I just got the one pair. I went down to my basement. I went down to my basement, and you know how many pairs I found down there? I got everything but leather and silk. So the next time that person, I'm going to say, you know, I got more than one pair. I do got more than one pair. But anyway, but somebody come up, they say they see me at city council meeting. I got on the same bib overalls and all that and all that. Shoot, I done wore out over 100 pairs. Well, anyway, I love y'all. I got to see you. It's funny how people watch certain things on the city council meeting and want to question it. They want to question my billboard. Why don't they come here and question it on something that's really important other than my billboard? Anyway, I love y'all. Five more.

Mayor, that's one of the senior vice chairs. He's going to be in the tent.

Good evening, Mayor and Council. I came to tell you guys some very good news. So last week, well, our summer program started June 22nd, but from the 29th to July 3rd, our kids, thanks to Lindsey Scott, District 3, also Ms. Felicia Rutland in District 1, and also Ms. Nicole Scott. They brought a coding program to our kids. They were so good. It was only supposed to be for grades 6, 7, 8, and 9. But we had over 30 kids.

That's good.

that we did the fifth, the fourth, the third. And we even had the kindergarten. He was really involved. He was the youngest in the whole group, but he was involved. They enjoyed it so much. They left knowing how to do applications. They learned how to do coding. I think the really big part for them was doing, they were able to code and put in all the credentials for them to run the cars. I mean, they had an excellent time. And this was from the University of Texas. And we thank them so much. And they were so enthused on our kids and how well they did, like I said, because they were only born to do 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th. But we noticed that the 5th, 4th, 3rd, they did better than the 6th, 7th, and 8th, and 9th. So, you know, it was so good. I just wanted to let you know. Troy did come by and take pictures. So if you get a chance, look on the website. You'll be so surprised. We thank you again. Both of you ladies. And at the end, the kids decided that they wanted to, I don't know how they schooled all 30 names in this little bitty thank you card, but they did and bought flowers for Miss Lindsay and Don from University of Texas, which she said she would definitely be back again, and we welcome her. So I just wanted to share that good news with you guys.

Thank you. Pastor Stephen Stubbs.

Good evening, Mayor, Council people, and the great community of Inkster. I'm here because the Bible says you have not because you ask not. But for here, I just wanted to share some good news that I hope that the council and the mayor can help me celebrate. Amity Baptist Church is celebrating 100 years of service. I would love to just see your presence for a photo op so we can get this on the news that says that the church did something. city was involved and the community came along. One of the things that we're kicking off is a cornerstone ceremony because we've been the cornerstone for a hundred years. We were on Hemlock Street at one time, but we've been at Amity Baptist Church on Carlisle since 1960. So we've been there for a while. What we're trying to do is give back to the community. We want to have bounce houses for our Cornerstone. We want to give popcorn, hot dogs, have the news come out and let people see the brighter part of Inkster. Our community Cornerstone celebration is August 15th. We're having a banquet on August 21st. We're having a morning prayer service on August 22nd. And then on August 23rd, we're having a morning and afternoon service that will be different. So when you think about church service, we're thinking about bringing in some vendors, as I would like to call them, community quarterstone marketplace, where people can come and give back to the community of things about health, finances, and things like that in between service. If we can get the community to come out, we would love to have that. And then finally, we're going to have... September 6 now depending on how many people come but immediately after church we're having a a family picnic we know that's right before Labor Day but at the church we just want to get back to the old churches where you get to have service eat fellowship go home so we're trying to make this just one big celebration that we can just keep Amity and Inkster in the spotlight. So people can say, look at the things that Inkster is doing, not look at, Oh, that's what they're doing. So I want to change the scope and what we're doing in these hundred years and moving forward. So I want to thank you all for the time. Hopefully I see all y'all there as they already pointed y'all out. I won't do that, but I hope to see everybody that's here in the community as well. Thank you for my time.

Thank you.

Pastor Stubbs, do you have any flyers?

I do not, but I can make sure that I have them.

you could just email the clerk as well and she'll uh disseminate it amongst us as well yeah we'll definitely get it out we'll get it betty ward

Good afternoon to the Mayor. My name is Betty Ward. I live on 26837 New York Street. I guess for about the last four years, I was going to Preston, asking them about the lot behind my house. The vines are just growing over the alley, coming over. It got about an eight-feet fence coming over that. I've been trying to pull over. I guess I've lived over there for about 47 years. And during this time, these vines are constantly coming. And I found out that I was allergic to them. I had to be hospitalized a couple of times. I was growing over on Princeton. couple of times a year, and they would say they would come over and check them. I had one lady come and check them, I guess, about three years ago. She was in a black truck. She wanted to know who owned the property because it's empty. I guess it's like about three lots that's empty on, I think it's Norfolk and Princess. And so far, The lady came. She wanted to know who owned the property, but I don't know who owned the property. So she said she was going to send somebody back, but haven't. And now it's just gotten so bad now until the people behind me, the vines are growing over their yard. They're coming over their wooden fence. The house next to me is a vacant house. And even up the poles in the back, the lines started coming down to my house. Last year, it was some firemen out there, not firemen, DTE, get the vines off the poles. And I asked them because it was running towards my house, coming on the wire from the pole that goes to your house. So they took them off of those. But so far, I think in March, I was here. I talked to one of the gentlemen, I think it was this one, that because now you can't go open press because they're in the trailers. And I think it was March when I was here. I didn't get up to speak publicly. I just spoke to him. They said they were going to send someone to check on it. But so far, it hasn't. And it's gotten so bad now, you can't even get up through the part of the alley. The house next to me is an empty house. And now they're starting to come from that side of the house. So I just called into Access City because they sent someone out there to look at these vines. Because at my age now, and I've had a lot of health problems, I'm just not able to keep up with these vines. The more I cut and spray, the more they come. And they're actually just, if I don't get them down, they'll be in my yard and they'll be coming, you know, in my backyard because I have a lot and I have a house. And the majority of the vines is where the lot is. And like I said, I have a really tall fence. Now they're over and almost to the ground. And I usually have a lot of flowers and stuff planted back there. But now I'm kind of afraid to go back there because even though when I went to the doctor, he said wear long sleeve gloves, long pants, socks and all that. And I'm reaching up to cut, and as I cut, before I could get through cut, the vine had fell on my arm. I didn't go to the doctor that day, but it just instantly starts burning and I get blisters.

Is it poison ivy?

Beg your pardon?

Is it poison ivy?

It's not poison ivy, because the doctor was asking me, what did you say you got into? But their vines, they just run, you know. And the people's next door, like I said, they have a wooden fence. I mean, they have like a wooden fence. And now you can't even get up through that part. But the other part over, the three houses next to me are renter houses. And so they don't, the trees, little trees, bushes, and the vines are growing up in the trees and everything. And I would just ask that someone send someone out there to see what's going on with the bags.

Somebody be out there tomorrow. We got the address.

How are they going to see Tori?

Tori, make sure she knows exactly where we're going. Make sure you clear that alley tomorrow. Have somebody clear that alley, okay?

All right, thank you.

All right, thank you. Brian Croucher?

Good evening, Mr. Mayor.

Good evening, sir.

Hello, council members. Good evening.

It's pronounced Goucher.

Goucher. Goucher.

I'm here tonight to make you aware of a predatory landlord that's trying to purchase properties in your city. This man's name is William Asper. Oh.

Can you say it again? You're a familiar Westland.

I am a former tenant of his. And I can attest and witness to his harassment that continues to this day. I moved to this city six months ago. He continues to harass us, stalk our house, make threats, and file false lawsuits. He's very good at this, and he is very consistent with it. And the numbers that he tries to sue, he will even sue the city. or anybody. I just want to make you aware that this man is in your midst and he's trying to come into the city and he's also in deep trouble with the DOJ for sexual harassment. He is a predator and he prays mainly on young females and I myself have witnessed this I think that he needs to be kept out of this city as much as possible. Thank you, sir.

Good evening, Mayor. Good evening, Council. I'm also here to speak about William Asper. I do have the federal lawsuit, if you would like to see it, that has been issued by the DOJ. I, too, am a victim of William Asper. He has purchased two properties here in the city of Inkster within the last week. I've already gotten reports from his tenants that he is sexually harassing them and that they went to the police and the police told them that it was a civil matter. which I don't understand, but that's beside the point. Also, while I'm here, the property that is at the corner of Walnut and Cherry Street is about four and a half, five foot tall, has not been mowed at all this season. There is a fire hydrant there that is completely encased in grass and trees. Fire department would not be able to get to it, God forbid, if there was a fire in our neighborhood. Cherry Street? Yeah, I've called in about it twice already in the last two months and nothing's been done about it. If I was in a lot better health, I would have gone down and taken care of it myself. Thank you.

All right. Thank you. That's it. We got one more public comment that was sent in. You want me to?

All right.

All right. One more public comment.

We have a public comment that was sent in from Charles Blackwell. Hello, I want the following public comment read out loud at the July 6th Inkster City Council meeting. Good evening. It's way past time for the Inkster City Council to settle my federal lawsuit against the city for the First Amendment retaliation committed against me by the city councilman Stephen Chisholm and city attorney David Jones. The city should write me a six-figure check for the emotional distress and pain and suffering I endured in 2022 due to the city's government retaliation against me. That is all. Oh, and I'm sorry, clerk, you had submitted that to all of us already, right?

Yes. Okay. So we are down to, Madam Clerk, do you have anything?

Yes, I do. I have a couple things, Mayor. First, I would just like to announce this week I will be out at the high rises, making sure the residents are registered to vote and if they need to be signed up for absentee ballot. Today, I was at Cherry Hill Square from 9 to 12. Tomorrow, I will be at Cherry Hill Place from 9 to 12. Thompson Towers from 2 to 4 and Friday I will be at St. Clement's Manor from 9 to 12 and Friday 2 to 4 at Twin Towers. After the residents come in, they sign up or whatever they need to do, I have a vendors truck in partnership with International Fuller Woman Network to serve food. Today they had chicken hibachi and rice and shrimp alfredo. So I will have vendors truck at each location after they come in and we give them free food. Also, myself and my chapter Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated, Zeta Nu Zeta chapter of Inkster. We have asked to be a part of a part of a And a part, I'm sorry, a part of speaking of called We Matter, our voice, our health, our future. It will be Saturday, July the 18th at Oakland University from 1 to 3. And I have been asked to be a speaker under our voice. All right. Look, and I'm mumbling up here today. Oh, that's all right.

You got time to practice.

And that's why I'm dressed down today, because I've been out in these streets. And that's all I have.

All right. Thank you. Mr. Treasurer.

Hard for me to follow that up. Right. I don't have a choice. Just wanted to let everyone know our summer tax bills have gone out. They should have been hitting mailboxes over the weekend. So everyone should start getting those sometime during this week, hopefully, depending upon mail delivery. If

information always be looked up online or if you uh like to don't receive a copy you can come up to city hall we can provide you with a copy for that all right cool all right mayor council communications how's woman scott okay i got a couple things you know um one just to follow up with miss moore um the coding camp was beautiful i couldn't have done it without you ladies some special thank you this miss moore Miss Cooper, Miss Pope, Miss Jocelyn, pretty much all of Inkster Residence Council. Chief Jenkins came out and provided the ice cream truck, sorry. Big Dog came and provided like family celebration for hot dogs for our students. But one thing I really took away is that Our kids are truly special. Like I'm telling you when, it was like first graders coding. And I'm like, okay, like, so how do you do this? And they're trying to walk me through. I'm like, you got it. Like, you know, so I just really want to point that out because we as a council, you know, approved to really be a partnership with University of Texas Austin. A couple of things that they did, they took a tour of Wayne State. They were super engaged for their age group. I usually do the tour for 12th graders. and they were asking more questions, and they were more engaged than my 12th graders, which says a lot. And then they also got to write the queue line, they went to the illusions museum, and then they did dinner at Andiamo, which the, right? Right? Texas, right? The University of Texas money, right? But we got nothing but compliments for our students. And my mom mentioned, she's like, what did they expect for our kids? Exactly. But they really came and they showed out. So I appreciate all the parents, but also the Inkster Housing Residents Council, because you all really showed up and showed out. And I really couldn't have done it without you. So I really appreciate that. um and then also councilman rutledge and i are having a town hall tomorrow at the library um from six to seven pm it's called mocktails and conversation um we will provide a little bit of city updates but overall we just want to hear from everyone so this is kind of your place to come and um kind of just talk to us everyone is invited obviously um but know for district one and three in particular uh please come and show out especially because we have the um the updates for our housing community. So we want to kind of talk about that. And then lastly, we have a candidate forum in Dearborn Heights, July 9th, so Thursday at 6.30. It's at Warren Valley Banquet Center. I'll be there supporting our mayor, but please come out and hear all the candidates and just kind of let our voice be heard. at the as the city of inkster um it just really showed our voice is powerful and our vote matters so uh and that is once again thursday um july 9th 6 30 p.m at warren valley banquet center and that's it all right thank you councilman bishop uh yeah i'll be quick we also want to thank dps i know it was burning up last week because you guys are out there working um

cleaned up the dump site over there on Harrison, cleaned up the dump, and got all the brush pushed back off the street. It looks great now, so I appreciate that. And secondly, I want to talk about the Clean Box Initiative for District 2. Like Gabe said, we had a successful first meeting. The next meeting will be on July 23rd. I posted flyers over there on the site, and I'm just hoping to get some more support, have some residents come out. We're looking to build with the residents and different organizations just to get together and figure out how to create ways where we can make a impact on our city and just clean up the streets and increase the visual appeal of our city. So I hope you guys support and see you guys on July 23rd. Oh, and it's from at 6 o'clock at the Doja Rec Center. That's it. Thanks. Councilwoman Roberts.

I got a few announcements, too. Thank you, Jerome, DPS, staff, Victoria, for coming out. I had a huge tree that fell on my street. Cars didn't even get through the street. It was so bad. So I want to thank them for their prompt response. Also, my counterpart down here, Councilwoman Richardson mentioned the unity breakfast at the last council meeting. I don't think she mentioned all the shrimp and grits. I don't think she mentioned the... the catfish the french toast but um that breakfast has had to be rescheduled um due to an unforeseen circumstance so it will be rescheduled till august 15th from 10 to 12 p.m so it had to write it had to be rescheduled um this is a free uh breakfast for everyone so we're encouraging you to come out The women of council and the police chief are hosting this event. So we're going to have some giveaways. You're also going to be serenaded, and you're also going to laugh out loud, I hear. So just come out and have a good time with us. It will be August 15th from 10 to 12 p.m. And then I don't know about you all, but I received my absentee ballot. So I made my vote. As you all know, we do have a familiar name that's on the ballot that you need to be circling in. So I'm going to encourage you all to do that because if he wins, we win. And so I want you all to circle in the correct name when you get to it. I think everybody knows who it is. So the absentee ballots are out. And tell somebody to vote. Tell somebody to get out and vote. If somebody needs some assistance, help them. Help them vote. Thank you.

Thank you. Councilwoman Richardson.

well i guess i talked enough today um but i just still want to piggyback and encourage everyone to make your voice known get out and vote it is very important that we do that um we you know stand and vote we lose out period we just do So just look at the ballot, get your ballot, make sure you go to the box, fill it in, and make your voices heard. And that's all I have.

How about that?

That was short. That was real short.

Okay.

Councilwoman Howard?

Nothing at this time. I love my people.

They're just crazy.

Mayor Poteau? Yes. Thank you. On June 28th, I had the opportunity to be the keynote speaker at Womack Temple for their Men's Day celebration. It was a great turnout, well received. It was an enjoyable time worshiping with other members of the community. Due to the fact that I do have my own home religious institution, home church. I had a choice to join the mayor yesterday at Citadel of Praise in Detroit where we worshiped with the members there. All right.

We've got two prominent members of Citadel. Call this out, too, then.

I just want to encourage everyone to practice good hygiene, especially with that parasite that's going around. It is rapidly spreading. I would advise everyone to contact their local health department for best practices. I do know a few people who, unfortunately, I guess you could say were victims of it and ended up in the hospital, and they said it does not go away. You have to get antibiotics and can come back. So please practice good hygiene. Also visited with residents on Amherst Street to address issues of concern, especially after the storm. And then other concerns that they have. And the storm wasn't nice. Like you heard Councilwoman Rutledge talk about the tree that fell on their street. I watched live on my camera when a branch fell and unfortunately missed the house by about three, I'm sorry, missed the car by about three inches. And I was outside playing lumberjack yesterday with my saw cutting everything up because There's no way to move it. I think I might have about one horsepower, because when I was dragging that branch, I figured I was going to have to hook it to a truck. But I just sympathize with everybody who is recovering from the damages from the storm, those who lost power. Because prior to the storm, my power actually went out at 7 o'clock in the evening. Fortunately, DTE came the next morning, replaced the transformer, and then the storm hit. And also just be aware of your surroundings. I happened to be out at the lake when the thunderstorm hit and I thought it was a tornado. And I was running with belongings in my hands trying to get into the car and then there were no keys. And that was, I had my keys, my keys were in my pocket. But that was quite scary. And even the fact that when you're way out that way, Make emergency plans because the route we were going back home, a tree had fell and shut the whole road down. And being out in those remote areas, we depend a lot on technology. And if you do not know your way around or have a map and know how to read a map, you will be stranded and looking for help from emergency services who will not be able to locate you if you can't communicate with them and tell them exactly where you are if you don't know those areas and back roads. And that is all I have.

Y'all, he thought he was going to die. He called me on the phone. He said, just in case I don't make it.

That's exactly what I said. I was like, I got to let somebody know with a calm mind where I'm at.

Yeah, because he's going to call y'all and say, go get your shit. I told him we'd send a helicopter for him, but it was a tornado, so we couldn't do it. All right, real quick, Summerfest, 17th, 18th, 19th. If you're concerned about the lineup, I think we have some flyers out there with the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday lineup, so you can see who's performing at what time. Who are these people?

I don't know not a name.

You know all those rappers on Friday. You know them all.

You only know Snoop Dogg. He's not there.

He's not coming. You can check that out. On that Saturday, we had a suggestion that we have a men's mental health kind of powwow seminar. So we're going to do it outside at the Summerfest at 12 noon. Men only. Women stay home. The men are going to circle up, get some chairs, and talk about health, mental health, all different forms of health, how we need to communicate more and talk about health more and share information. So we're going to do that. Of course, we're going to break bread, so we're going to have some food out there.

So we'll let y'all ladies know how it went.

But that should be fun. That's going to be on the 18th at 12 noon. Everyone heard that, I don't know, people who follow politics might have heard that Mallory McMorrow dropped out of the US Senate race. For those of you who voted for her already absentee, you can go to the clerk's office and spoil your ballot if you would like to vote for one of the other two candidates. So I'm sure she'll be happy to see you. Just go see Gina. And she'll pull out, find your old ballot that you sent in, and we can destroy that, and she'll gift you another ballot. So if you voted for her, you might want to vote for one of the other two folks. But you don't have to. It's up to you. And lastly, last Thursday, the state budget was passed. I'm sure you saw they had a 21- to 22-hour session up in Lansing. A part of the state budget was a grant for the city of Inkster for $250,000 to build an amphitheater. So the amphitheater is more like a stage and a covering. If you guys have seen the one in Dearborn, that's kind of how we envision it. A nice open area, and it'll be where the old city hall is going to be. So if I can get about 100 of y'all to show up with some sledgehammers, we need to knock down the old city hall and scoop it up and carry it away so we can build our amphitheater. So that'll be right next to the Cultural Events Center, Amphitheater, and then we're going to have the Farmers Market Shed closer to Inkster Road. So they'll be all next to each other. So our downtown area will now be complete. So that's kind of exciting. So that's something to look forward to, but I will help you need, I need y'all to help me knock down the old building. So that's all I have. Does anybody got the score of the soccer game? Okay, Mr. Richardson, I know you're going to serenade your wife. Come on and do it.

Godzilla.

Godzilla.

I'm James Richardson, husband of D. Richardson, councilwoman. I want to make an announcement that me and my wife, the Archers Richardson, are going to be in a contest for the most Favorite couple in Michigan? America. And we would like to have y'all vote. She's on Facebook. Just Google her name and you can probably get it. But I won't sing until the end of the day. So thank you very much, Mayor.

Thank you. They got a chance to win that, y'all. All right, we have a motion to adjourn.

So moved.

Probably move second. Discussion? All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? All right. Meeting adjourned.

Who moved it? Who moved it? Who moved it?

Who moved it? Welcome it down here.

Go come down there.

Thank you.