Benson defends resolution giving the city authority over libraries to public commenters, all of whom were opposed.
Good Morning Detroit.
I’ll be live-tweeting the Detroit City Council- Neighborhood Committee meetings today starting at 10:00am for #DETdocumenters Follow below
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08:31 AM May 12, 2022 CDT

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Detroit Neighborhood & Community Services Standing Committee:
Chairman- Councilman Coleman A Young II. Vice Chair-Councilwoman Angela Whitfield-Calloway. Member-Councilman Scott Benson. Ex Officio- Councilwoman Mary Sheffield. Assistant City Council Committee Clerk- Glenn Kersey

Recording of Zoom meeting is in progress…nobody on or talking yet https://t.co/qHl4khUbsz

Meeting started Roll Call Angela Whitfield-Calloway absent…previous meeting minutes approved.

Chair Young advised not taking up the library issue…so no need to waste time..now public comments. https://t.co/jBk2iqRwKV

Library discussion with library commissioner Andre Royster discussing false statements about library funding.! https://t.co/6Jl3wFMKrU

Library commissioner stated wants city to stop taking library money—$4.6 million of $30 million budget goes to city.

Public Comment Tyrone Winfrey discussing taste of Livernois.

Public Speaker Mr Michaels President of Ave of Fashion on Livernois advised 99% of businesses in favor of street shutdown for the taste of Livernois.

Public Speaker Jasmine Stallworth Also discussing Taste or Livernois https://t.co/4I0Me9jJMM

Public Comment Miss Warwick- discussing “hands of library” and library charter information…also discussed speed humps..was gaveled several times by Chairman Young..closed comments in person…onto virtual comments https://t.co/bJZcUEo0sM

Virtual Comment by Imara Hyman discussing Libraries…does not want mayors control of library system..Downtown detroit authorizes take 12% of budget.

Chair Young 3 x repeated “PUBLIC COMMENT IS CLOSED” back to virtual comments.

Public Comment Karen Winston—to Chair Young—“awfully irritable this morning”. Discussed library funding and the revenue from Old Cobo Hall center.

Virtual public Comment Block club member Wendy discussing library as they use it for community meetings..? “Why is there a scheme to take over the libraries?” Wants to see library and all public services strive…neglect neighborhoods in favor of downtown funding….cut off

Virtual public comments- Cunningham- asking for prayers for his mother—-gave a # not certain what for…gave another # for Detroit Metro Lift…that # is not set up…can somebody fix? Chair young said will keep family in prayers- member Benson ? Which vm did not work. Not certain

Public comment virtual Karen Hammer- discussing library issues-and funding

Virtual caller no name- discussed library and the @MayorMikeDuggan taking over libraries. No business taking them over…violations of bonds acts and tax election acts…and uniform security acts…time up! Cut off

Virtual Public speaker Taaja Goshay- wants no vote for library takeover by mayor

Virtual public comment- Patricia Bosch- asking members to protect the library… discussed contract for fencing of Mt Elliot car yard. ? The UTGO bond funding. Please do not vote on 6.24…cut off

Virtual Public comments- Aliya Moore - DPSCD partnership with libraries is appreciated and keeping the city moot involved. “Library should stay connected strongly with Detroit Public Schools”-

Virtual Public Comment- Terry Porter also opposing change in library control from Schools. Greed and corruption in politics should be kept out of it.

Virtual Public comments-Rev Bill Wylie-Kellerman - library near home closed due to flooding…public libraries and neighborhood institutions. Against mayoral control of library..will be watching closely how council votes on this proposal.

Virtual Public comment- Rukiya- against library takeover- passing this proposal don’t care about the people.

Virtual Public comment- Shea Howell- big distrust of takeover of library- closed comments- Chair Young? If can move to library issue—-yes…motioned…Bring back or discuss now? Motion to discuss. Discussing

Chair Young-after this “Library discussion will be Over”-Member Benson discussing library history…and how library uses city payroll…city should have more day…like Zoo. Wants voice to be heard…don’t want to take over the entire library…”its 2022 things have changed” https://t.co/vKFIZgt62Z

Member Benson still discussing libraries discussing budget deficits in library …state of Michigan regulations on library…says wants library partnerships..6.31 will be brought back at later date…back to unfinished business.


5.2 open for discussion- Chair has ?- contract for heavy duty vehicle rentals-nobody can hear chair if they are talking..in back ground hear Vhair Young asking for IT help- recessed. https://t.co/ct0SZP5neo


Hard to hear Chair- did hear him tell people in meeting they will not be discussing the library further so they can leave if that why they are still there…still waiting on IT https://t.co/RJ6yHjV4yA

Got the feed back for the board room…and we can hear them now.

People standing and walking…meeting still not back. https://t.co/ePHcwkDX9f


Somebody missing from the meeting…they are working on getting him in- Zach Meers- he’s in! https://t.co/4vn7HPOttQ

Office of Contract and Procurement- Toni Limmitt answered Chair Young’s ? Regarding old Business 5.2- waiting on clearance- advised waiting on state-Chair Young says “feels like a zombie contract”- looking for date to bring item back..no dates per Limmitt- Chair Young back1 wk

Recess for opening of next meeting-recessed back to this needed- call toll again- same- meeting back in session- item 5.3 & 6.25 motioned to be heard together sister contracts- discussion- Chair Young- ? 6.25-insurance issue- has it been addressed? Mr Gray defer to OCP-

OCP advised Chair Young insurance issue cleared for 6.25-LPD- Ashley Wilson advised her concerns cared for. Moved to formal session with recommendation of approval

New Business- 6.1-food truck program moved to formal session with recommended for approval

6.2 motion to move to formal session with recommendations to approve member Benson ? If can move all- Chair Young found issue with dates needing to be corrected on 1 contract- they will look at. Back 6.3-6.18 moved to formal session with recommended for approval. Now Reading

Reading is on item 6.12- …a lot of events going on this summer in the city!!

Read 6.18 moving to 6.19- read—-Moved to formal session with recommendation for approval…same for 6.20

6.21 Chair Young read—Moved to formal session with recommendation for approval

6.22 Chair young read-Moved to formal session with recommendation for approval…Chair You g thought he read 6.23…was advised that was 6.25..so read 6.23 Moved to formal session with recommendation for approval

6.24- Mt Elliot Tow Yard- public comments had concerns- $1.9 million for fence- ? member Benson- Derrick Gray-advised more than fence- complete renovation of admin areas- police faculty (car impound) in disrepair- for entire complex…not just the fence.

6.24 Moved to formal session with recommendation for approval. 6.26 next as 6.25 done earlier. 6.26- Chair Young asked somebody to discuss and explain what this is for community-

6.26 cont-Waiting on person who is going to speak on 6.26- Chelsea Neblett- assist residents with financial counciling-to help set up estate planning- Member Benson thanked-helps move generational wealth-Moved to formal session with recommendation for approval https://t.co/aJT8LDtKOk

6.27 Moved to formal session with recommendation for approval

6.28-Moved to formal session with recommendation for approval

6.29-Moved to formal session with recommendation for approval

6.30 member Benson request discussion- Derrick Gray- improve air quality in SW to eliminate emissions with city vehicles- 5 new clean diesel trucks- Moved to formal session with recommendation for approval

Mayors office and dates- 6.2 corrected..Chair Young’s microphone is low. Discussing typo of dates

Chairs microphone is low…char Bensons is just fine..he is discussing trade unions and job opportunities regarding a meeting with the youth. https://t.co/i6YKeYHPmD

Chair Young talking…again..very hard too hear. Saying something about trades and youth and jobs..speaker turned all the way up…still couldn’t hear…can hear now…his mic was off. He told us

Chair Young talking about $$ to live and opportunity of trade jobs—-Chair Young reading statement from Councilwoman Angela Whitfield-Calloway against changing the way the library is run. Motion to adjourn…ADJORNED.