Here is a link to today's agenda: pub-detroitmi.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?I…

The meeting has been called to order at 10:09.

Presentation honoring the Cass Tech football team, who won the 2024 Division I State Championship.

*…is happening now.

And now the Council is hosting a presentation from RacquetUp Detroit. An organization that braids Squash (like racquet ball?) and academics.

Here is a link to their website if you re curious: racquetup.org

I had never heard of RacquetUp but it seems pretty cool. If for no other reason than to recenter the body (and exercise) in how people learn – – as opposed to being forced to sit still in a chair for 8 hours every day and there's something wrong with you if you can't do that.

Public comments have begun.

There have been a number of comments from public commenters disparaging immigrants (sometimes specifically illegal immigrants), suggesting that the only immigrants are Mexican, and additionally suggesting that the council prioritizes immigrants over black Detroiters.

… This is a theme that has grown in public comments over the past few weeks.

A lot of discussion in the public comments regarding houseless Detroiters access to safe housing and shelter – specifically related to the recent death of 2 children who died from the cold while sleeping/living in a van.

A number of public commenters calling for more funding be assigned in the new budget toward DDOT and broader public transportation infrastructure.

Public comments have ended.

Some discussion regarding micro-purchases by the city (like catering for city events, for example) and how the city can prioritize Detroit-based businesses. Specifically an amendment to fund an e-bidding system for the city to find suppliers and contracting businesses.

… And the idea is that the e-bidding system would be more accessible for Detroit-based businesses (because of its design, not necessarily because of the technology).

So some clarity, this is an ordinance, line item 16.1, that would, with certain requirements and redesign efforts, prioritize Detroit-based small businesses for city contracts. It was approved.

Continued conversation with the city's procurement for Police uniform tailoring. This is related to a conversation last week, and is related also to this broader conversation regarding where the city is granting contracts (and whether it is local to Detroit or not).

Benson suggests that the council needs to be careful not to bring black, Detroit businesses to the table only to then hold a bidding that structurally favors big companies over small local businesses.

This discussion about the tailoring contract for the DPD is related to line item 19.5. The contract is currently with Sonya DZines Custom Couture out of Eastpointe, MI.

*or rather the proposed contract would be with that company.

Santiago-Romero will host an info session about the city budget and how to advocate for what you'd like to see. Tomorrow, 6:00-7:30 @ UAW Local 22, 4300 Michigan Ave.

Others on the council discuss opportunities to learn about the city's budget planning and to advocate for changes to the budget. Here is a link to the city's event page where you can find more: detroitmi.gov/Calendar-and-E…

… And a specific event offered in District 2 by Calloway regarding the budget: detroitmi.gov/events/navigat…

Meeting has adjourned at 1:55pm.

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