Tough discussions for decision-makers

The Detroit City Council learned more about the city’s plans to move forward with solar farms in the Van Dyke/Gratiot, State Fair and Gratiot/Findlay neighborhoods. Boston-based Lightstar Renewables and DTE Energy have been selected as the developers . Community members and councilmembers have mixed opinions on this contentious issue, which is currently pending before the council.

Councilmembers approved an ordinance prohibiting establishments from unlawfully locking patrons inside. Controversy was sparked when a gas station attendant remotely locked customers in the store during a robbery last year, resulting in the death of Gregory Karlos Samuel Fortner-Kelly, for whom the ordinance is named.

To leverage private funding, the Detroit Housing Commission’s Board of Commissioners agreed to convert all units at Gardenview Estates into private units, so the ones owned by the commission will turn into project-based Section 8 housing. This “straight conversion” is a business process: There will be no physical development. Tenants can expect to remain in their homes without having to recertify, and the housing development would continue to be managed by the Fenton-based company Premier Property Management.

Wayne State University’s Board of Governors failed to address public concerns from Wayne Academic Union members regarding fair wages. In response to allegations made by pro-Palestinian protestors , the administration admitted the university has investments with weapons manufacturers.

Education

The Wayne State University Board of Governors usually meet in person . The June 26 meeting was only held online , and public comment was uncharacteristically moved to the end of the agenda . The board did not address ongoing calls by the Wayne Academic Union for better benefits and wages. But they did approve the budget for fiscal year 2025, including a 4.5% increase in tuition and fees for almost all students.

The board also did not take action to address protestors’ demands that the university divest funds from companies that support attacks on Palestine. But Chief Financial Officer Bethany Gielczyk did admit Wayne State has investments with weapons manufacturing firms.

Gielczyk said, in each of its funds, less than 2% of investments are in companies that manufacture components of controversial weapons. She said to divest completely would require a major restructuring of portfolio holdings and reinvesting with a significantly smaller selection of options. Gov. Bryan Barnhill said that would increase overall risk for Wayne State’s portfolio and reduce its performance. Such a move could be considered a violation of the board’s fiduciary duty to preserve its assets and prudently steward the endowment, he said.

6/26/2024 Wayne State University Board of Governors committee meetings, documented by Heather Alder

6/26/2024 Wayne State University Board of Governors meeting, documented by Maria Fortner and Perry Sylvester

Policing

After some criticism from Detroit Police Commissioner Linda Bernard, Chief James White defended the decision to close down some riverside parks during the Ford Fireworks show on June 24 . “That’s not the only viewing area of the fireworks. You look up once you get downtown,” White said, noting parks were also closed in years past . He said there were no injuries or fatalities reported in relation to this summer’s event.

Later, commissioners discussed recruitment strategies for attracting police officers who are from Detroit. Commissioner Jesus Hernandez pointed out that some officers move to the suburbs after growing up or living in the city for decades, whereas other officers could have just recently moved to Detroit. He said recruitment shouldn’t just focus on current Detroiters, but also on those who have a history with and a connection to the community.

6/27/2024 Detroit Board of Police Commissioners, documented by Laila Hamdan and Meghan Rutigliano

For more on the Board of Police Commissioners, check out the latest BOPC Watch .

Politics

6/25/2024 Detroit City Council Formal Session: Council President Mary Sheffield issued a formal apology to Black Detroiters acknowledging the city’s role in systemic racism and generational harm to Black families. City officials gave updates on Mayor Mike Duggan’s neighborhood solar project. And an ordinance prohibiting patrons from being locked inside stores was approved.

Documented by Karen Lemmons and Sherrie Smith

7/2/2024 Detroit City Council Formal Session: Councilmember Angela Whitfield Calloway pushed back on proposals that would use city funds to demolish neglected private properties.

Documented by Allise Hurd and Carole Hawke

For more on City Council, check out Malachi Barrett’s City Council Notebook at BridgeDetroit.

Development

6/25/2024 Detroit Land Bank Authority Board of Directors: The Land Bank is sitting on tons of vacant lots and still needs more time to complete its draft strategic plan .

Documented by Craig Notte and Kayleigh Lickliter

Transportation

6/25/2024 Michigan Department of Transportation I-375 Public Meeting: Department officials were excited to show off new street designs with shorter pedestrian crossings. Small business owners expressed concerns that they won’t survive years of construction and traffic that may turn away customers.

Documented by Craig Notte and Kayleigh Lickliter

Housing

6/27/2024 Detroit Housing Commission Board of Commissioners: The board approved a resolution to submit a financial plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that would allow the commission to convert its public housing units at Gardenview Estates into ones subsidized by vouchers.

Documented by Benjamin Haddix and Tamia Davis

Utilities

6/26/2024 Great Lakes Water Authority Board of Directors: Board members approved a 5% salary increase for CEO Suzanne Coffey. The board discussed a settlement strategy regarding litigation between the authority, the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, and the City of Highland Park in closed session.

Documented by Amber Umscheid and Gina McPherson

This story was written by Outlier Media’s Lynelle Herndon and Noah Kincade, and Detroit Documenters Amy Senese, Carole Hawke, Meghan Rutigliano and Perry Sylvester.

Tough discussions for decision-makers · Outlier Media