City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening everybody. Uh it is Tuesday, March 10th, 2026. Uh it is 6:30 and at this time I will call our city council meeting to order. We will start with the pledge of allegiance and then invocation will be given by the first person who volunteers up here.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. One, two, three. Not it. You know what? I'm always willing to give a prayer.

Um, reverence, in whatever way you feel most comfortable. Uh, Lord, I come before you right now. Um, and ask that you, uh, focus our minds here tonight on this city council meeting. uh that we complete and take care of all the business necessary for us to lead this city forward. Uh Lord, we thank you for your grace and mercy and all the things uh that you have done and will do and have done. Uh in Jesus name I pray. Amen. Amen. Madame clerk, if you will proceed with a roll call, please. Mayor Mahoney

present. Vice Mayor Dansancy present. Council member Robinson present. Council member Gun present. Council member Wood present. Council member Hunt. Council member Forgrave present. Okay. Um thank you madam clerk. Uh next I'd be looking for a motion in support to adopt the agenda. I move support. It's been moved and supported. And um in lie of giving some time, if madame clerk will proceed with a roll call vote, please. Council member Robinson.

Yes. Council member Gun. Yes. Vice Mayor Dansancy. Yes. Council member Wood. Yes. Council member Forrave. Yes. Mayor Mahoney.

Yes. All right. That brings us down to item number five, presentations and proclamations. And we have a presentation from our planning commission's annual report. Come on down, John. Thank you, Mayor Mahoney. Council persons, uh, just wanted to give an update of our annual report for 2025. Uh, we did meet all the requirements for the meetings. Uh, we had five meetings over the course of the year. We did review the city's master plan and it was determined on October 1st that we would put out a bid proposal for a new master plan in which we're working through that process now. There were uh text amendments for uh lot size, lot width, and setback requirements for the sidey yard that were adjusted. And we did have map amendments at uh Grisswald Street location and uh 905 South Martin Luther King. We did have uh four development re reviews, three of which were approved, one was denied for a conditional use permit for a homebased business. Uh we had no shared meetings for 2025 and we do have a plan in place for trainings in 2026, multiple trainings um that we're working through right now.

Council, what questions do we have? Okay. Uh, seeing or hearing, no questions. Uh, John, thank you for this splendid report. Yes, sir. You're welcome. Thank you for your leadership uh in leading our planning commission. Uh, do we need to adopt this, place it on the record or anything like that? I think you just get to see it. That's it. Thank you. Yes, sir.

Okay. Uh that brings us down to item number six. There's been a slight change, so there won't be a necessity for us to actually convene as a board of review, but I will take a motion to open the public hearing of confirmation for special assessment role number 3454.

It's been moved and supported. Any discussion? Seeing or hearing none, the clerk will tally and display the vote. Okay, madam. Clerk will proceed with a uh oh just a v voice v voice vote would be okay. Okay. All in favor say I.

I. All oppose the same. Okay. Public hearing is now open. Uh I know madam clerk has a couple things that were mailed in to us via email. Okay. Robert Lutan of 721 Bloomfield Boulevard just sent in an email in support of the project. Jennifer French of 732 Bloomfield Boulevard sent in an email in support of the project. And Dan Cile of 771 Bloomfield Boulevard uh sent in some requests for additional information. It's my understanding that he did get that from staff already.

Okay. Dan was the petitioner. Just let everybody know. Um, I don't have any other Did you want to speak, sir? Slips. Come on up. Come on up, sir. If you can just give us your uh first and last name, and then when you get done, just for the records, if you can grab one of the green slips by the door. You don't have to do that now, sir. You can go ahead and make your comment, questions, or whatever, and then just afterwards, if you'll please complete one of those for us.

Okay. My uh name is Timothy Powers. I'm at uh 709 uh Bloomfield Boulevard. Uh I'm in support of it. Um hasn't been paved in a long time, so uh we would uh appreciate that it be uh done expeditiously. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Are you uh speaking on this issue as well? Okay, come on up, sir.

You can just hand that to anyone up here. My name is Terry Daly. Uh 745 Bloomfield Boulevard. Um my family or my wife's family, I should say, has a long history on Bloomfield Boulevard. Her grandparents built the house that we currently reside in. It's always been a a family home. Uh I want to thank the city for the work that they've done on the capping of it, the removal of tree stumps. Thank you, Will. Uh, our driveway got replaced as part of that work. Appreciate that. Uh, because the tree just destroyed it. I'm in favor of this project because I don't know how long the structure under the cap that was laid is really going to last. Uh, I understand the project may have changed to include the area between the boulevards. Appreciate that. But at the same time, the city's been working on waterline replacement in the neighborhood, and I don't think that's quite done. I'm really hoping that that gets finished up before you guys go ahead and repave a road only to have it dug up. Oh, with my luck, 20 minutes later. So hopefully that can be the case. So I'm in support of it. So good work. Thank you. Thank you. Uh council, any questions, comments, concerns? Okay, seeing hearing none, I'd be looking for a motion to close the public hearing. It's been moved and supported. Any comments, questions, or concerns on the motion? Seeing or hearing none, all in favor say I. I.

All oppose the same. All right, that brings us down to item number seven, uh, citizen comment portion of the meeting. And I will start how we always do with reading the rules for speaking before the city council during the citizen comment portion of the meeting. Uh, number one, each speaker will state their name and address prior to addressing council. Number two, each speaker is limited to up to three minutes during the citizen comment portion of the meeting. Council members will not debate or answer questions at this time. Number three, each speaker should be polite and courteous to the council and members of the public in attendance. While any speaker is free to express his or her opinion on any subject, no speaker may direct personal attacks at any member of the staff or council unrelated to the manner in which they perform their duties, use obscene language while addressing the city council, or engage in disruptive or disorderly behavior during a city council meeting. Number four, should any speaker cause a breach of the peace through their conduct, the mayor may declare the speaker out of order. Number five, if a speaker is declared out of order by the mayor and refuses to cease and desist from disruptive or disorderly conduct, the mayor may order the person removed from the meeting. Number six, each speaker may speak once under public comment and may not yield their time to others. Christy Davis,

Christy Davis, 6124 Street. I have a couple questions. I know you can't answer anything. Just something to think about. Um, for a couple of people being put on boards tonight, I'm just curious. I've looked on the website several times for boards and commissions myself and for self and for other people. Just wondering if there's a list of ones that you have to be a city resident. One of the boards, um, the first two applicants, they're not they're not city residents. Um, they are county, which is great, but they're not city and one of them's only lived in Jackson just for a couple months. So, just curious on that one. Um, next, uh, let's see 10 I about the unions. While I'm certainly not opposed to assistance for the police or for fire or anybody that the pension stuff is adjusted for, my only concern is transparency. And maybe Mr. Hagerty can address this for our two uh two people that do have a little bit of connection to some unions. Um, Mayor and Connor, I know it's not necessarily a massive like direct um, you know, direct uh,

not at all.

Okay. I couldn't think of the right word, but yeah. Um, but just for transparency sake, I just thought it would be nice if that was addressed, although I do know you guys don't get any kickback or compensation from the unions. Uh last is my question about 10H the money that is coming from the state of Michigan um under issue statement and described consequences both JHC which I'm super excited they're going to get their elevator fixed finally and 100 homes those both have lengthy things under the issue statement and describe the consequences but there's nothing under RIA um and I did read that there are no changes but I still thought it would be nice to see something for that, especially since they're getting the money for homeless and homelessness and operations. They weren't even open this past winter and it was very cold. Um, as are most winters in Michigan, but they weren't even open this year. Um, I know that there's some certificate of occupancy, the stuff stuff that does have to be taken care of. Um, I don't know where they're on at on that. like other people. I've heard different rumors about the building's usage currently, but I'm just I don't know if we can reallocate that money, but it it seems like that might be at least something to think about um since they weren't even open this past year. But that's all just following up on stuff from when I was on council. So, hope you guys are having a great night. Thank you very much,

David Cover. Hello and good evening. Um, I'm a fourth generation furniture poster. I own Dovetail Furniture upholstery. I'm on the corner of West High Street and West Avenue. Um, I started my business in ' 07, January 1st of 07. I'm pretty sure that it was 08. I came here and I asked the city council, you know, if they'd be interested in having furniture upholstering done. And at that time, you guys had decided that no was the answer. So, I'm just coming back to see if you guys might not have some furniture. You might need to have it reupholstered. And if you do, would you consider me? That's all. You know, I sell fabrics. I sell foam. Um, I took an apprenticeship under President Nixon's a poster. I've America's foremost specialist of fine federal furniture is a poster. I've done work for the Boston Museum of Art. So, I'm not a craftsman. I'm an artist. I spent my whole life learning the variety of furniture and fabrics and believe me, there's quite a few. Anyhow, if you guys have any need at all, I would hope that you would consider having me do your furniture for you. Thank you and have a good night, guys.

I I gave it to We got one. Yeah. Yes, sir. I have a website also. It's dovetailry.com. Okay. Thank you. All right. Have a good night. Thank you.

James Minnik Jr.

Good evening, council. James Minnik, Jr. Um, I have some parcels in the city, but I'm speaking tonight as a precinct delegate from Columbia Township. Um, with elections coming up, I don't think everybody knows one of the lowliest positions on the ballot is called a precinct delegate, and it gives you a lot of power and a lot of due process in which certain things can't be taken away from you. Um, the reason I'm even talking about this tonight is because I'm seeing a huge uh fear in our youth. When I talk to kids that are coming of voting age um andor up until their early 40s right now, people are afraid of a lot of things going on, whether it's existential, financial, and I'm going to briefly talk about this girl that I seen 4 days ago in Austin Blair Park. I spent a lot of time in the fifth ward and kind of like uh Commissioner um Willis, I make everybody's business my business and I like to go up and just talk to talk to people. And there was these two people crossing the park and I just walked up to them and started, you know, rapping with them and asked them how they want things done and or excuse me, just making small talk. It usually takes a couple of sentences before I turn things around and I say to somebody, especially if they're young, hey, what would you like to see in 5 years? What what do you want to see in 10 years? What do you think's going on? 4 days ago when I seen this girl, she blew my mind. She couldn't have been, and it's hard to tell age anymore, but she talked to me straight like an adult. And when I was telling her about the great things that I've got planned and I think Jackson is prime for and Michigan itself and some other things, she looked me dead in the eye and she said, "Uh, didn't you hear World World War III is starting and none of that is going to matter." And she was dead freaking serious. I chased her and I started following her and again I'm I'm kind of a talker talker and I sold her on the idea that don't get lost in this right now. There is hope. There is hope for Michigan. There is hope for

Jackson and there's hope for this country. Now I've already went over my time and what I wanted to talk about being a precinct delegate, but we and me um I'm I'm the volunteer coordinator for Miss Shelanda Hunt in her fifth ward and I spent a lot of time trying to trying to work that ward. Um, and I would like to have a precinct delegate training. And this isn't for one party. You can join any party you want, but this is going to be for the youth and teach them how to participate in government. Because in 10 or 15 years, what we need to do is instead of saying we hate policy, we hate the law, we hate the rules in which we're governed under, we need to get engaged and get involved and we need to start changing these policies and roll back these restrictions and start participating in our government. and I'm I'm gonna kind of reach out to the youth and I want them to do that becoming a precinct delegate.

Thank you, John C. King.

John King 2033rd Street here in the city. Uh quick on the um need to add tying back. First track control order 2429 which is the West Washington and 4th Street. Uh exception needs to be given the stop sign. As I wrote to you a few hours ago, stop sign shouldn't be put up just to be put up, nor appease the neighbor that wants to slow traffic. Take it out of the consent calendar and vote it down. Election stata stat statistics were used during during the state of the city address to portray politically and personally beneficial portrayal of the crime in the city when the bullets to body stat was used to bring about an alleged decline. We know all know if the southside shootings just beyond the city line were included there would be an increase. Sometimes crime statistics rely on the compiler. That al doesn't take into consideration the bad start to the year with a couple of deaths including the one in which the shooter was a 13-year-old. Sadly, also during the state of the city address, the city's youth council chair praised anti-American behavior. When Derek Dobies first had the youth council on the agenda and mentioned to Jeremy Alexander to vote against it, he asked why. that statement uh is you know well that's where you go skipping classes to protest America while Jay High is a lowranking school and now in a now lowranking state when it comes to academics and the national level we had the Democrats wearing the lapel pins and of

the American flag and Ukrainian flags during the State of the Union address referring refusing to acknowledge the Ukrainian mother whose daughter was murdered on public transportation. They and other Democrats far and wide have have the nerve during the recent spike in oil to suggest they want oil to be more plentiful and cheaper after the all their efforts to close pipelines and other methods to raise the prices on fossil fuels to force Americans to have to go to Chinese-made batteries, windmills and solar panels. Then there's the residents and action money that uh is a major reason why there's inflation and the Federal Reserve is having trouble getting inflation back to 2.0. Uh Ryan Tarant made a crack on Fox 47 about parking rates going down, which was from his proposed rates. It, you know, just really irked me. Thanks.

Thank you, Mr. King. We did give you that extra time just so you know. Okay.

Just wanted to make sure that was noted. Uh Nicholas Thirsten. Good evening. My name is Nicholas Thirstston. I live in Jackson, Michigan. 410 Bambarian Street, Apartment B, W 5. Um I also saw that uh there was an agenda item. I don't if somebody could please uh describe what the funding is actually for if this is because it says 2024 uh budget. Is this reimbursements for things that have already been uh spent uh for these organizations or what? Because uh we all know that RIA is not a housing business. They're a DEI company. They uh build themselves as racial equity. Um, and that's what they focus on is promoting uh their own skin color and everybody else's businesses. Um, I think they're ineligible for government funding and they're not welcome in Ward 5 or the rest of our city. Um, I also wanted to bring up something else. There's the Black Lives Matter mural on I think it's Washington Street. I would like for it to be removed. uh several of the other Black Lives Matter murals around the country have been removed and some of the other things that were politically uh oriented. The whole goal is to have neutrality in our public resources and these things send uh the wrong message. Uh Jackson is a white city. Jackson County is a white county. Michigan's a white state and the USA is a white country. And um we benefit from that in a lot of ways. We have electricity 24 hours a day. Roads, sidewalks, schools, hospitals, churches, charities, libraries. uh colleges uh some of the most talented uh people of all walks of life were the melting pot and uh that company has uh intentionally promoted racial division and crime throughout our country costing billions of dollars in damage and uh some people died in the riots and protests. Um they

haven't offered any positive solutions to any cultural issues that affect the black community and they took about $90 million and went on luxury shopping sprees and vacations around the world. uh no black communities have been improved. Um and the company itself was started by black lesbians who hate men who do fundraisers every time black men are killed and mainstream media covers those stories. And um so really they're a gay business, not a race organization. And it shows in the way that they spend the money and they spend their time. Uh they're anti-American. They hate our country. And uh I think we have a beautiful home together and it's worth taking care of. Um something else, you know, the news is fake. Most of the news is fake. I wouldn't watch TV and worry about all the stuff that people are talking about. We're not in World War II. Um Iran has been saying uh death to America for like 47 years straight. And uh it's about time something happened. So um you know, the United States is not a good time right now to to play games. All right. Thanks for your time. Okay, council. Um, if you will refresh your screens, please to ensure that your voting apparatuses are working properly. Uh, that will conclude our citizen comment portion of the meeting and brings us down to our consent calendar and I'd be looking for a motion and support on the consent calendar. So move

support.

It's been moved and supported. Any comments, questions, concerns? Seeing or hear none, the clerk will tally and display the vote and consent calendar passes unanimously. That brings us down to other business, which we have none, which brings us to new business. And under item A, I'm looking for a motion and support to approve the award of the utilities improvement project contract to Dunigan Brothers Incorporated of Jackson, Michigan at a cost of 4,299,282.

So move support.

It's been moved and supported. Any comments, questions, concerns? Seeing or hearing none, clerk will tally and display the vote. item passes. That brings us down to item B. Looking for a motion and support to approve the award of the East Gansson Street Water Service Replacements Contract to Super Construction LLC of Bay City, Michigan at a cost of 369,000 and authorize the mayor and city clerk to execute the appropriate documents. So move.

It's been moved and supported. Any discussion? Seeing or hearing none, clerk will tally and display the vote. Item passes unanimously. Brings us down to item C. Looking for a motion in support to approve the contract with FishBck to provide design and construction administration services for the wastewater treatment plant. an uh anorobic digesttor improvement project in the amount of $360,000.

So moved.

It's been moved and supported. Any discussion? Seeing or hearing none, clerk will tally and display the vote. Item passes. Brings us down to item D. Looking for a motion to support to approve the the construction management contract with Fishbach for the digtor project in an amount not to exceed 4% of the total approved bid price. Authorize the director of public works to execute the same on behalf of the city. and authorize the city manager and or city attorney to make minor modifications as needed.

Support. It's been moved and supported. Any questions, comments, or concerns? Seeing or hearing none, clerk will tally and display the vote. Would you do increase your size?

Okay. Item passes. Brings us down to item E. Looking for a motion in support to approve the award for the Morell Street Engineering contract to Hubble Roth and Clark Incorporated of Jackson, Michigan in the amount of $442,48850 and authorize the mayor and city clerk to execute the appropriate documents in accordance with the purchasing agent.

Been moved and supported. Any discussion? Seeing or hearing none, clerk will tally and display the vote. Sorry.

I need a medic now. Item passes. Brings us down to item F. Looking for a motion in support to approve a resolution to establish a fee schedule for right-of-way permits issued by the engineering department. Support.

It's been moved and supported. Any discussion? Seeing hearing none, clerk will tally and display the vote. Item passes. Brings us down to item G. Looking for a motion in support to approve the 2026 Park Cemeteries downtown and trails mowing and irrigation contract in the amount of $285,98727 to Picture Perfect Lawn Care LLC of Concord.

So move support.

It's been moved and supported. Any discussion? Seeing or hearing none, clerk will tally and display the vote. Item passes 5 to one. Brings us down to item H. Looking for a motion and support to approve uh budget and programming changes to the city of Jackson's uh Jackson housing 24 state of Michigan allocation grant. Authorize staff to administer grant funds in accordance with the approved budget amendment and scope of work changes and authorize the city manager to execute any and all documents related to these changes. So move

support. Moved and supported. Yes, Mr. Mayor. It pains me so bad so much. I really hate doing this, but could you please have someone come up here and talk? I think somebody wants to come up and talk. I don't think anyone except anybody except him. It's too late. He already on the way. Anyone except him. He's the best person to talk about it. 90. Take your time. Bet. Take your time. Take your time. Thank you, Councilman Danzy. Good evening. Good evening. Good evening. Were there specific questions or did you just want me to uh provide a synopsis? Yes.

Happy to do it. Happy to do it. So, I I'll start by just um saying I'm not exactly positive that council needs to approve this agenda item only because this is related to a state allocation grant direct from the legislature. But I have it in front of you because I'm a big fan of transparency and because we're discussing kind of a change in scope. I really I thought it was appropriate that both of you looked at it and had a chance to discuss it and that the public uh heard your comments. So that's why it's on your agenda. I think that that transparency is really important. This state allocation grant is direct from the legislature thanks to Senator Sushink. City received it back in 2024. It's a three-part grant with three recipients. the housing commission, residents in action, and the city of Jackson. Uh each of those entities receives $300,000 as part of this grant, and then the city receives an additional $100,000 in administrative fees. Uh so that's 100 $1 million grant. The proposal that you have tonight is for two different budget amendments. One for the city's portion and one for the housing commission's portion. I heard mentioned during public comment, I think it's worth noting there um there isn't a mention of residents in action in that agenda item because their budget portion and scope of work is not changing. That's not part of the proposal. So that's why there is not a mention of residents in action in uh in that language this evening uh just to be transparent. Uh because this is direct allocation grant um those monies just come from the legislature. They come from the senator and then we're bound by those rules that are put forth by the department of labor and economic opportunity up at the state. The two changes that are proposed for you will start with the housing commission's change. Uh their budget included some repair work for an elevator, but they would like to put more money in their budget into a a complete elevator overhaul. That's why that change is in there. The the housing commission has an elevator that is in great need. So that is the only change in the housing commission's budget and scope. The the change that you're discussing uh from

the city's portion is related to down payment assistance. uh staff is requesting that we layer down payment assistance from this program with the down payment assistance that's already provided uh under the ARPA funds for the 100 homes program uh providing uh quite a great benefit to those who would be moving forward in that program and I think really helping with what we've already identified and discussed at length being the um growing gap in affordability in the 100 homes in any kind of new construction home. So, um, that's kind of a as quick a synopsis as I can provide. I have two questions. Well, one question, maybe one question and a followup. How many homes do we have left in the 100 homes?

We have 48 left to go. 48 left to go. Um, is there anything else besides uh this change to the program guidelines that uh we are putting in motion to help sell these last 48 homes that doesn't actually need council approval, but we'll uh say it tonight. Well, we'll it will need council approval at a later date, but tonight we can announce it.

I appreciate the chance. I'm going to actually provide a few answers to that uh this evening. So staff is committed and I I can't say that strongly enough that we are committed to getting to the finish line on 100 homes. 70 homes, 80 homes, heck even the first 10 was an incredible victory for the city of Jackson and and that is to be celebrated. But I will not be happy unless we hit 100. I just won't. Um and neither will any of the other staff in the community development department. We are adamant on that goal. You you laid that out for us. you supported our mission two and a half years ago and it is incredibly important that we reach that finish line. Failure is really not an option. Not not from where I sit anyway. So we are investigating as many possible flexibilities, options, ways to encourage participation as possible, advertising, billboards, signage, um extended deadlines, working on our ARPA timelines to see if there's any flexibilities in in closing dates. uh working with our builder on speck homes. If as you'll know uh Norfolk is how now has five speck homes under construction with it with at least five to 10 more planned almost immediately. Any and every option we have to build and get buyers in the program and approved we are doing it is all hands on deck. Um this motion in front of you represents yet another option which is we recognize that the bulk of the 100 homes buyers so far have been kind of in that 100 to 110% AMI. that's almost at the top of the range, which is which is fantastic, right? The program is designed to serve those up to 120% AMI, but that also means that we're not maybe serving everybody else. And so layering more down payment assistance will open this up to those folks that are earning a little bit less, but still hardworking families that just need a little bit more of a leg up. So this is really going to help, especially when the community has said over the last couple years, is the 100 homes program for everyone? Well, we we can't design it for everyone, right? But this will allow us to even broaden that pool and make these homes even more affordable for

those folks that we're really trying to help. And that's a win. Some some really wise person last week um said to me um and it was it was actually Councilwoman Gun at an affordable housing morning. She said, "We should be so proud of the work that we're doing. It's not a negative that we're looking to layer more DPA funds. It's actually a positive because we get to help more people in a different way." Uh our building inspector, Brian Taylor, said to me um a couple weeks ago, he said, "Corey, you know that even if you don't get to 100, it's not a fail. Think about all the amazing work that the city has done and our department has done and city council has done. This is to be celebrated." And I I really appreciate those positive comments. It doesn't take away our goal, but I think that those positives are worth noting. Um, another piece uh to the puzzle that we're considering, and I'll I'll freely say this, this was a decision that that we made a couple years back um that may have ruffled some feathers in our community, and we recognize that as a staff, but I I think that um while this program never set out to exclude our our uh local real estate professionals, we nowhere in the program guidelines does it say that that realators aren't allowed to participate. In fact, we welcome them if a buyer wants to utilize their services. The problem is that we just didn't have money to pay them to pay for them. And we recognize that those real services come with a cost and those folks are hardworking folks trying to earn a living too. We just didn't have a way to pay them. And so at the time when we kind of built the program, some of our our real estate professionals were, I think, um fairly a little irked. Uh and and I recognize it. I respect that. And so I'm excited now because um Mr. Leaport and I and uh Mr. Green have been discussing some options on how we may be able to bring realators to the table now and and use their help in getting more qualified buyers to the finish line. We're working on a funding model right now and a proposal to play a to pay a flat commission rate to our realers. Not not, you know, not six or seven% as as industry standard has been over the years, but we think a really

fair rate and something that will that will appropriately compensate their time and and hopefully extended all the branch to that community and say, "Hey, thanks. We really value what you're doing and we're sorry maybe we missed you the first time around, but we really we do want your help and and we appreciate the partnership. So, I don't have that ready for you yet, but it's coming uh teaser. It should be ready in about two weeks at your next council meeting and I'm excited to bring that to you, but I didn't want to put it up tonight until it was all the way ready. So, those are all the flexibilities we're working on as a staff. Again, failure for us is not an option. So, we want to make sure that we are doing everything we excuse me everything we can to uh get over the finish line. Cy,

back to item H. Just generally, I guess to put a finer point on, I want to make sure I'm following. Essentially, what we what we have in front of us is a budget amendment that highlights 700,000 of a million dollar state grant. That's correct. Okay. Thanks. Thank you. I've got just one question on one of the changes that you just mentioned with uh adding some additional funding for down payment assistance. Uh does that bring some of those individuals who may be in the pipeline currently into the scope of being able to get approved? Hundreds.

Perfect. Thank you. We have 1,800 pending applications and this is going to open up wide for folks that have really been on that line. They've got a good credit score. They're right there, but 25,000 wasn't quite enough. This is going to provide that lifeline that we've been looking for and that they've been looking for. Okay, council, do you guys have any other questions? No. Again, great work to the housing commission. Thank you, Corey. Thank you so much. I appreciate it. Thanks, Corey.

Uh, we have a motion and support on the floor. Uh, seeing hear no other questions, the clerk will tally and display the vote. Item passes. Brings us down to item I. Looking for a motion and support to approve the letter of agreement modifying pension benefits for members hired after July 1, 2012 who participate in the city's act 345 retirement system. So move support.

It's been moved and supported. Any comments, questions, concerns? Mr. Hagerty. Um, if myself, no members of my family, my employer, if none of those people in any way benefit financially, do I have a conflict of interest? No. Thank you. The same holds true for the mayor. I was I was going to ask anyway, just to be safe and clear. Thank you.

Any other questions? Council seeing hearing none, the clerk will tally and display the vote. Item passes unanimous. And that brings us down to item number 11. Uh, council member comments. Vice Mayor. Oh, man.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I appreciate each and everyone who stepped up their comments. Uh, that's all I have. Good night. Go green. Council member Gun. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, I just want to thank the council for um voting positive, yes, on the changes to the housing um contracts so that we can push people over the edge, get more people in homes, and hopefully meet our goal before the end of this fiscal year. All right, Council Member Robinson.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, I want to thank everyone for coming out tonight and for your uh comments. Um, thank the council and staff for all that you do. But I do want to just comment on the the uh specifically on the 100 homes program. Um, it's a plus in my mindset because we can bring some more people into that loop, uh, making it affordable for them to be able to get a new home. So, I'm appreciative of what you've done in community development, Corey. Thank you,

Council Member Fore. Thanks, Mr. Mayor. Um, so I I don't necessarily want uh public comment to turn into um you know, a late night advertisement situation, but I also do want to say that it was kind of serendipitous. We own a dog. We also have a couple old uh chairs that are nicely upholstered. Uh they used to be nicely upholstered, so that was nice that that that happened tonight. That was really nice. Um also, I didn't grow up here. I don't know him personally, but it was hard to miss the last couple days. I want to say congratulations to Nathan Martin on winning the LA Marathon. That was really cool. If anybody's seen that video, you should look it up. Um, and that's all I have. Thanks. All right, Council Member Woods.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, staff. Thank you members of the public. Thank you members of the press and the 100 homes team. Glad we're able to get our police officers, as we did with our firefighters earlier, uh, to a better and more sustainable retirement plan. Um, I will also say that repeatedly implying the existence of a conflict of interest does not mean that there is a conflict of interest and transparency is incredibly important. It is personally disappointing to me to have sat next to somebody for a year repeatedly explained how that works and then have the same accusation uh thrown up at us. So, I thought that was disappointing, but I do think the transparency is important, and I appreciate Matthew for, uh, providing some clarity to the community that there is no conflict of interest when there's no conflict of interest. Thank you.

Thank you, uh, Mr. Wood. Um, I'm I'm very glad somebody brought up the Black Lives Matter. um artwork uh displayed on Washington A because Mr. City Manager, there's another art piece that has faded over time, uh that I would love to see repainted that is over on um High Street, uh which was done by the community and I know the individuals to reach out to to make sure that we make that happen. Um, but I also wanted to provide just a a brief explanation um of Black Lives Matter. Black Lives Matter is actually three things. Um, yes, it is an organization. I'm not sure if they are for-profit, nonprofit, I don't know because I don't belong to the organization Black Lives Matter. Uh, Black Lives Matter in addition the words I mean because they are words. um is in addition a movement, a group of individuals in this country who were motivated to gather in protest to black people's lives being taken. Um and then there's the the last thing. It's literally a a statement. Uh it's not a movement of people. It is literally a statement. I think the artwork that we see displayed uh behind our sheriff's office as well as on High Street um are displayed as a statement uh that black lives matter. Um because they do shouldn't have to be said, but I'm okay with saying it. Um, man, today was today

was a a very roller coaster day. Um, I want to send a a huge shout out to the lieutenant governor who came to Jackson and the uh Jackson school board members, specifically uh school board trustee, uh, Derek Dobies, who uh, made some phone calls to make sure that, um, that the lieutenant governor made time in his schedule uh, to come and read to the children. There's a a ton of different things that um I I could have called and asked him to be present in Jackson for. Um but to me pouring into our youth, uh being present with them and for them um is uh of the utmost uh importance and and in a lot of ways probably more important than me asking him for resources for our city because I feel like they know we need resources in our city. Um, and we have plenty other staff people who will call and make that call for when we need things from the state, from the governor, from the lieutenant governor, and and everyone else at that ranking. Um, so it was a a special moment uh not only for the students, but for a very long time dedicated educator. She's no longer a teacher, but she is still devoted and dedicated to educating our youth, specifically around reading. and she has been asking me, Madame Clerk, since September to make sure that we got uh someone from the governor's office. And so, um it was a a honor to be able to uh follow through on that promise to Miss Kathy Davis that we would get the lieutenant governor over to make sure that he read some books. Uh and she was she was elated. Uh, and she's already working on next year. On the list of people to ask is Lavar, is it Lavar? Uh,

Burton. Yes. From Reading Rainbow or Michelle Obama. She got a tall list. Uh, so we got to get to work on that uh for next year. Uh, trustee. Uh, that's the that's on the list. Okay. Um, I told her we would make it happen. Um uh but in the in the same breath like I left before everything was even over because I had to go to a funeral today. Um and you know I I had a proclamation uh written for Cara Braxton. Um and you know I connected with her family but I I understand even more deeply now that like when somebody passes you have to be gentle. you had you can't be um is like you had you had to show up in the way that they want you to show up in the way that they need you to show up. Uh and so the discussion I had with the family was writing this resolution and uh bringing it uh and presenting it uh they had two services for her. This is a a 10 season WNBA player uh who uh was raised here in Jackson. um that died tragically in a car accident. Uh and so we presented a resolution uh and in that resolution uh recognized February 18th as Cara Brown Braxton Day. Uh but I didn't get to didn't get to present it uh today because they had a very very strict um program for the funeral. And you know, part of me was very happy with that because this is the individual I went to school with. Uh when we were in I think uh just after she graduated or prior to her graduating, her and her twin sister um I don't know if they were all state

or or what they were. I just know they was in a magazine. And everyone knew uh everyone knew that they were getting ready to take off. like everybody just knew it. Um, and the way that that made me feel to be able to uh just reflect on that moment of opening that magazine and and seeing them um and then see them live those dreams out and represent Jackson everywhere they went and then also made sure that they made time to pour back into this community uh just means uh means so much. Uh, and so it's a it's an honor uh to be able to have honored her life and in celebration uh just as a a member of the community and not have to worry about what to say uh when I I got up there. Uh and just to echo um also uh Mr. four graves on the accomplishment of Nathan Martin. Um winning the LA Marathon uh and planning to honor him next as well. Uh so Jackson has some some great individuals. Um sad to have to mention, but in case anybody missed it, they are both black. Uh Jackson is not a white city. Uh, you can't say a statement like Jackson is a white city and then follow it with Jackson is a melting pot because they're contradictory. It sounds stupid to even say something like that. Um, and so, um, I will keep pointing it out. Uh, cuz I don't want to have to do it, but I don't mind doing it. Um, that concludes my comments.

Nothing for me tonight. Let's go home. Thank you. So move by. Yeah, that's what I'm talking about. traffic.