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» Heat. Heat.
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» [music]

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» Good evening. I'd like to call this
meeting of your Westland City Council to

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order. We will begin tonight with the
pledge of allegiance led by Councilwoman

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Antonet Martin.
I aliance to the flag of the United

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States of America and to the republic
for which it stands. One nation under

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God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all.

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» Thank you, Councilwoman Martin, for
leading us in the pledge. Madam clerk,

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roll call, please.
>> Councilwoman Bowman,

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» present.
>> Councilwoman Martin,

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» Councilwoman Rowski is absent, excused.
Councilwoman Sampy

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» here.
>> Councilman Sullivan

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» here.
>> Prom Maxwell

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» here.
>> President McDermott

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» here.
>> A quorum is present.

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» Okay. Uh before we begin tonight, um you
know, unfortunately we have to do

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something that I think is happened all
too often um lately here in our city. Um

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I do want to take a minute to have a
moment of silence to recognize our

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senior services director, Beth Welcome,
who passed away the other week. Um Beth

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has only been with the city of Westland
in her capacity as senior services

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director for a few years, but she's been
very active and very engaged member of

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the broader Westland community along
with her husband, the late incredibly

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great Craig Welcome back for a number of
years. Beth obviously championed the

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cause of uh seniors, senior citizens in
our Westland community with the work she

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did as senior services director and
championed a number of other causes

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throughout her long involvement in the
Westland community. And uh we lost

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Director Walenbach after a long battle
of cancer. and uh my thoughts and the

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thoughts of my colleagues on the council
certainly go out with her family uh her

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daughters and all of her friends many of
whom uh are here and work for the city

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of Westland and to those out there. So
if we could take a moment and please

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have a moment of silence for Beth
Walenbach.

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» Thank you very much Beth. you will uh be
greatly missed here in our city. Um,

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tonight we do have two special
announcements and presentations. Uh,

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first up, we are going to hear from
Councilwoman Emily Bowman as she

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presents to the St. John's Church.
Councilman.

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Thank you. I want to welcome El
Boenshoots up from um St. John's

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Lutheran Church. And um last meeting we
actually approved a resol um a

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resolution or proclamation because St.
John's just celebrated 150 years. Um I

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will part of that was in just over
Michigan Avenue in Wayne, but most of it

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now has since how many years? 65 years
has been in in Westland. And so 150

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years is a long time. Um so it was
established in 1876 and I thought about

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the fact that that our nation was only
100 years old when this church was

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established. Um so we did this
proclamation. We um and I wanted to

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present it to the church and actually
get a picture with our council.

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» Yeah. Do you want to make any comments
at all?

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» No, not me. [laughter]

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» I've been there for 150 years.
>> Oh, yeah. [laughter]

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[applause]
>> That was actually one thing that they

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said like no one here was here when this
first church was established. So, that's

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kind of interesting. So, um, just so the
proclamation, we're actually going to,

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um, we when we get our last signature,
we actually will, um, get it very nicely

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framed for the church as well. Um, and I
just I I do want to mention um, one of

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the things I thought that was
interesting, they found, and I can't

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remember if I mentioned this last time,
but they found a fresco, I believe, an

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art fresco that was in one of the
original um, churches, the old stone

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church as they called it, right? And
they found it and stored away. They had

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it restored and now it's in the altar at
the church, which is really a neat

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thing. The old church too was in the
altar. Used to be in the altar and we

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didn't have it in our altar because we
had a modern church and it was kind of

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put away and I brought it out and we got
it done.

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» Looks beautiful.
>> Thank you. All right. If the council

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would like to come down the clerk for a
quick Hold on.

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Stop. Yes.

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Thank you guys.

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» All right.

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Well, thank you very much, Councilwoman
Bowman. Our next uh special announcement

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and presentation is going to come from
Paul Ruthenberg at Priority Waste. Uh we

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wanted to bring Paul in today to talk to
you, the residents here in Westland

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about the uh service issues, the pad
service, poor service that you had

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experienced for a number of months from
priority waste um to have some

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accountability to get some answers from
priority. So, we certainly appreciate

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Paul being here. So, the way this is
going to work is that Paul will give us

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an update to the council. And then I'm
going to let each council member go down

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uh the line and ask a question to Paul.
We're not here, you know, to have a

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45minut back and forth, but I do want to
make sure that council gets a chance to

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ask a question each and that we get to
hear from Paul and most importantly all

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of you out there in the audience and
those watching at home get to hear from

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Paul about the service issues, the
delays, the mispickups that priority

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waste had. So without further ado, I
will turn it over to Mr. Ruenberg and

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thank you for joining us, Paul.
>> Thank you, Council President, Council.

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Good evening, Mayor Prom Gaba, good
evening. And especially to the residents

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of Westland, good evening. Uh and I
appreciate uh Councilman that you

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invited me to come here tonight. Uh it
needs to be discussed as to where

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priority has been, where it is now, and
[clears throat] where it's going going

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forward. Uh, quickly I'd just like to
point out that one of my proudest

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features of being a Ruthenberg is that
as Westland celebrates its 60th

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anniversary,
there has been a Ruthenberg involved in

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the sanitation uh, business in Westland
since Westland left township. I myself

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have been uh, involved both owning and
representing Priority Waste uh, since

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1992. Should repeat that. I do not own
Priority Waste. I own my own company up

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until 2021. So that [clears throat]
being said,

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the main purpose of a garbage company is
to provide service to its residents and

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make the product go away in a timely
manner. Where we have been is

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fundamentally priority waste. In
February 28th,

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uh the board of directors removed our
previous CEO.

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They then went between February and
March and did a study in which um a new

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company came in and bought priority
waste. The new company is TPG Equity.

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That is a $327 billion equity firm.
In addition, we also brought in a new

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CEO, Aaron Johnson. Aaron Johnson is I'm
going to use this. He's a garbage man

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like me. We both were raised and brought
up in the garbage business, throwing

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garbage, loading, doing mechanical work.
So, he's a lot younger than I am, but I

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can tell you we think very similarly as
far as what needs to happen. But going

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back very quickly to February 28th,
the time period between February and

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April is very very important in a
garbage business because that is the

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time period where the volume is light
enough to where you can get your hands

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on the equipment and ready it for a very
very hectic spring. As we all know,

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spring is a lot of volume out there.
People clean the garages, the lawn is

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green and heavy. Um, one thing that
happened at Priority Waste because of

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the timing is between February and March
it was found that they did not do what

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was necessary to especially the rear
load packers. There's three different

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types of vehicles you'll see out there.
There's curado trucks that have the can

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in the front. There's auto side loaders
that have that pick it up from the side

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and a rear load packer where generally
you'll see people on the back of the

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truck putting garbage away. The rear
load packers is what's used to pick up

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yard waste and bulk. They did not put
the necessary time and effort into the

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fleet.
Aaron Johnson became CEO on June the

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1st. His first order was 91 additional
new trucks. And I did hear from some of

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the residents that they're actually
seeing them in Westland. Um we are

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sitting at about 70 of those trucks are
now in and running. It's an easy It's an

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easy job. I've done it my whole life. It
takes people and equipment.

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That's it. If you don't have one or the
other, you're in trouble in this

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business. The equipment was not ready
simply for operations in April.

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Um, I'm happy to report that between
April and about the second week in July,

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uh, Aaron was able to stabilize priority
waste.

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Um, it took a village, but we are
stable. We are collecting trash in a

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timely manner. trash, yard waste, bulk.
There are still things, that being said,

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that I am not happy with on a personal
level.

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Remember, I've been here my whole life.
Simply put, the way that I think is how

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many complaints are too many? One.
Okay. I'm never happy with my product.

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Um, matter of fact, I had a previous
mayor call me in 2008 said that I came

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back as the highest rated service in the
city of Westland. My comment was above

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what? sidewalk crack repair
and because I'm I'm never happy with the

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product, folks. So, where
[clears throat] we been? Where are we

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now? We're stable. We're collecting
trash, yard waste, recycling bulk in a

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timely manner. There are still things
within Westland that are annoying me,

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which is some uh the Joy Road border,
Newberg, things that we still seem to be

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inconsistent with that I'm working very
hard with operations to make sure that

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um that the residents can expect their
trash and other goods gone each day. So,

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where are we going?
Um my suggestion is is that Aaron

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Johnson spent 22 years of waste
management. He likes the footprint that

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waste management left. Waste management
is also known for providing very good

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service at an extremely expensive price.
That's their that's their thing. But I

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do believe that through Aerin's
leadership, we are going to get to a a

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much better product that we have that I
have ever seen in Priority since 2021

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when I joined Priority. So, one of the
features that I'm really kind of geeked

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about, if you will, is [clears throat]
we're actually developing a program. If

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you if you ever looked at the Westland
website for snow removal, you can see

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the snow plows and stuff like that. It's
really cool.

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We're going to be launching a program to
where any resident can pull up their

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home. There'll be a red dot once it's
collected. They can push on that red dot

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and it will actually show them a
10-second clip of their garbage actually

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being serviced.
So, what we're doing currently is we're

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taking the technology, but we're trying
to make it user enough friendly for the

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residents to simply be able to see
what's going on on a daily basis. They

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can know a lot of them had doorbells. We
know that. But this is really a neat,

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you know, they can wherever they could
be in Florida and still see the trash

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was picked up. So the technology part is
is coming for residential use and I'm

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excited about that.
Um we have taken the phone systems which

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were way behind. We now are experiencing
less than a 4-minute wait for on the

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phones. Um, simply put,
uh, you can have any phone system in the

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world, but if you have getting too many
phone calls because you're doing a lousy

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job, what good [clears throat] is it?
Okay, so

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I am very, very excited as to the
ownership now and where this company is

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going. That's me personally speaking to
you from spending my life in Westland. I

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have not been happy. Many of you have
talked to me. This gentleman over here

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has talked to me plenty. Um,
[clears throat]

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I've not been happy with the product
that we delivered through April, really

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through the middle of July. It was just
not an adequate product. Something that

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I was truly embarrassed for. So, for
what the residents of the city of

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Westland went through during that time
period, I am profoundly sorry. The

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company apologizes,
but especially myself, because I feel it

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in here every day.
Yeah, I'll rest because Jim Gabwa's

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looking at me and I talk too long.
[clears throat]

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» Okay. Well, thank you for the update,
Paul. I'm going to turn it over to the

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council for questions. Again, if we can,
you know, keep it to a question uh

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because we do have a meeting to get on
to, that would be greatly appreciated.

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But turn your light on and let me know
if you've got a question,

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Councilman Samp.
>> Okay. Thank you. Um I'll summarize this

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really quickly and then I'll ask my
question. So I I put out a survey from

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June 16th through July 8th and I think
that you know this but the issue that

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was found most often is that there was
repeat issues.

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» So you know it went four plus days as
unresolved and 50% of the time they were

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never resolved at all. So knowing that,
you know, and I'll I'm going to what I'm

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going to do is because obviously we
don't want to take up most of the

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meeting is I'll send you the survey.
That way you can kind of dive in and

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look a little bit deeper on what people
were saying. But a main issue which you

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and I have talked about obviously we
talk often because I respect you a lot

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is that the issues with certain things
regarding special pickup. I mean, I

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haven't heard as many um unresolved
issues with trash lately, but the

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special pickup is still a mess. Um, and
I see it. I see it in neighborhoods. So,

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is it something that city needs to do
better to educate those on the special

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pickup days? Is it something that you
guys need to do or have a plan in place

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of what you've done with other
municipalities? But from what I'm seeing

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and noticing, special pickup is not
necessarily going as smooth. And and uh

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Councilwoman, thank you. We do talk
often and I appreciate it. Um I'm I'm

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When you're talking about special
pickup, we're talking about bulk

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collection.
>> Bulk. Yes. Bulk collection.

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» Um you're correct. It wasn't up to par.
What bulk collection the way that we

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were doing bulk collection requires that
truck, the trucks that are out there

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» to go down each and every street, not
glance down the street and say, "Oh,

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gee, it looks like nothing's out there."
But we we're changing the way that we do

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that. The drivers are actually going to
have an active button on their tablet in

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their in their truck. Each each driver
has an iPad fundamentally.

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» Yeah.
>> That they can push to mark bulk. So

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remember when I said those red dots that
the residents can click on, that's what

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we're going to be using as well to route
bulk trucks.

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» Okay.
>> So that especially down backends,

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culdeacs and whatnot.
>> Sure. Um, the other educational aspect

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of it is we do still get calls where we
have the recycling, the bulk out on a

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week that isn't recycling. But, um, I
don't think that that's the main issue.

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I think we should get our act together
on bulk before we uh start talking to

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our residents.
>> Okay. Thank you. I I appreciate that. I

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appreciate you coming because I've been
an advocate for getting something out to

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00:21:11,039 --> 00:21:16,880
our residents because ultimately we
waited way too long to [clears throat]

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get you in here to speak to the
residents and explain what you're, you

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00:21:18,799 --> 00:21:24,159
know, what you internally were dealing
with, you know, and it comes down to

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00:21:22,559 --> 00:21:28,080
communication to let people know. It's
not like Westland residents are going to

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00:21:25,520 --> 00:21:33,120
say it's okay, but they needed to know
something. So, I appreciate you owning

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00:21:30,320 --> 00:21:37,520
up and coming this evening to take the
heat or to at least share a story.

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» It's my job.
>> I just So, one other quick thing if you

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wouldn't mind.
>> Um, we have also changed under Erin's uh

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um new leadership. We had a LDC program
which was a logistic driver coordinator

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which they were all housed in Clinton
Township in a room that looked like

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00:21:53,200 --> 00:22:01,600
Nassau, okay? And they would watch
trucks and what have you. We have

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changed that way. Um I'm old school.
I like foremen in pickup trucks.

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00:22:03,919 --> 00:22:10,159
» Yeah.
>> So we now are staffing um logistic

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00:22:08,480 --> 00:22:13,679
managers
which they're not in Clinton Township.

257
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They're in Wayne where Westland uh off
of Vanour. They're in Wayne where

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00:22:15,679 --> 00:22:19,919
Westland rolls out of. His name is
Anthony Barl.

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00:22:19,440 --> 00:22:24,480
» Okay.
>> He's a career garbage truck driver. He

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is a garbage man. So now you have the
combined

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00:22:26,000 --> 00:22:34,240
logistic and electronic package with an
actual person that can drive out and see

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if people are doing the job properly. So
I'm excited about that as well.

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00:22:36,080 --> 00:22:39,280
» Okay, great. Um, do you mind if I ask
one more? You want me to let the

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council?
>> Yeah, we got to Yeah, we got to let her

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go and then maybe we can get back to
you. But

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» yeah, I just have one more from a
resident that commented on my page. I

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00:22:45,600 --> 00:22:47,919
can
>> We're gonna I'm gonna get to the rest of

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00:22:47,039 --> 00:22:50,799
the council first.
>> That's fine. If Paul stays after, I can

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always talk to you then.
>> Maybe somewhere, but you can call. I

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I'll call you and ask you.
>> Yep.

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» Uh Council Martin, did you have a
question?

272
00:22:55,600 --> 00:23:00,640
» Hi, I'm sorry. Um did you tell us when
the technology was going to be rolled

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out?
>> Um they're going to be rolling that out.

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They're testing it, I believe, in a
couple cities within about six weeks as

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long as testing goes back a month after.
So, I'm going to say that we should

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expect to see that before Christmas.
How's that?

277
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And is this technology in phases where
it'll be first the trucks for pickup and

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00:23:20,640 --> 00:23:28,000
then the second where where I can see
when my uh trash has been picked up and

279
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then um the trucks will be able to mark
the bulk at the same time.

280
00:23:30,000 --> 00:23:33,600
» Yes.
>> Okay. Thank you. That's all.

281
00:23:32,000 --> 00:23:34,960
» Okay. Thank you, Councilwoman.
>> Counciloman Bowman.

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00:23:34,400 --> 00:23:38,320
» Thank you.
>> Yes. Thank you. Um, I know one of the um

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00:23:37,120 --> 00:23:41,360
concerns and I and you may have
addressed it and I apologize if I missed

284
00:23:39,600 --> 00:23:45,120
this, but with this new technology
because one of the concerns has been how

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00:23:42,960 --> 00:23:48,480
do I communicate when my stuff is not
picked up or people saying that they're

286
00:23:46,960 --> 00:23:53,520
not getting response even if they do
notify. So, does this technology allow

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00:23:50,320 --> 00:23:56,320
them to also quickly say I didn't get
picked up also just like the drivers are

288
00:23:55,120 --> 00:24:02,720
saying there's bulk.
>> Yes, it allows them to very easily

289
00:23:59,200 --> 00:24:07,919
communicate. It goes right to our
logistic manager Anthony. Okay. And he

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00:24:06,320 --> 00:24:12,080
can take care of that. It allows them to
directly and they can actually sign up

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00:24:09,600 --> 00:24:18,640
for a text message once it's done.
>> Okay.

292
00:24:14,320 --> 00:24:22,799
» Is that okay? Uh, Councilman, any
>> Thank you, Council President and Paul.

293
00:24:20,400 --> 00:24:28,159
Thank you for for coming and uh facing
the music and answering our questions.

294
00:24:25,039 --> 00:24:32,960
» Um, so I've been hearing
as how things were going to get better

295
00:24:29,760 --> 00:24:35,840
was the 91 trucks as you mentioned. Um,
you said 70 of them at this point have

296
00:24:35,120 --> 00:24:40,000
been purchased.
>> Probably. Yeah, it might be 68, might be

297
00:24:37,679 --> 00:24:43,520
71. I haven't checked over the weekend.
>> Okay. So, we've made a lot of progress

298
00:24:41,520 --> 00:24:48,480
with the trucks. Part two of that that I
didn't hear um you explain is we need

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00:24:46,799 --> 00:24:52,559
people to drive those trucks and to load
the garbage. So, how many more people

300
00:24:50,880 --> 00:24:56,320
have been hired over the say the past
six months?

301
00:24:53,360 --> 00:24:59,919
» The the estimate is right around 100 new
employees since June.

302
00:24:59,039 --> 00:25:03,919
» Since June.
>> Yes. Now, what we should what I wanted

303
00:25:02,400 --> 00:25:07,679
to say is we've always been fully
staffed. That's not been the issue. The

304
00:25:06,080 --> 00:25:12,799
drivers are not the issue. The trucks
getting to the routes was the issue.

305
00:25:09,679 --> 00:25:16,400
Okay? So, out of those hundred that and
I I own my own business, so I can say

306
00:25:14,480 --> 00:25:20,640
that say this, but out of the hundred
that you hire, it's generally because 70

307
00:25:18,640 --> 00:25:23,360
of them don't need jobs. 70 of the
previous people that are working for

308
00:25:22,080 --> 00:25:29,039
you.
>> Okay. So, we the company's always had

309
00:25:27,039 --> 00:25:32,000
enough drivers.
Okay.

310
00:25:30,400 --> 00:25:35,679
It just doesn't mean you've always had
the right drivers.

311
00:25:33,919 --> 00:25:39,039
» All right. So, if you're getting 91 new
trucks, you're you're saying you don't

312
00:25:37,279 --> 00:25:41,200
think you need more employees for those
trucks?

313
00:25:39,440 --> 00:25:43,440
» No, no, no. Those are replacing old
trucks.

314
00:25:42,000 --> 00:25:45,760
» Okay. Okay. So, those aren't
>> I'm sorry for the confusion.

315
00:25:44,559 --> 00:25:48,480
» All right. That's where I was confused,
too, then.

316
00:25:46,320 --> 00:25:53,919
» No, it's not 91 additional trucks on top
of it. It It's to replace trucks that

317
00:25:50,960 --> 00:25:58,640
really should not be performing on a
full-time basis now.

318
00:25:55,760 --> 00:26:03,840
» Okay. So then is that what was causing
the service to fall behind was the

319
00:26:01,440 --> 00:26:07,520
trucks weren't working were needing to
be repaired?

320
00:26:05,200 --> 00:26:11,679
» I described them at one time as yo-yos.
They'd leave and go back to the yard. Go

321
00:26:10,000 --> 00:26:15,279
back to the yard and they they were
having great difficulty keeping the uh

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00:26:14,159 --> 00:26:19,039
trucks on the road, especially the
yardways trucks.

323
00:26:16,880 --> 00:26:24,320
» Okay. And so we anticipate then well
with 91 new trucks and 100 new employees

324
00:26:22,159 --> 00:26:28,640
that we will be on top of the schedules
and not falling behind moving forward.

325
00:26:27,279 --> 00:26:32,799
» Yes.
>> Thank you. That's all I have.

326
00:26:30,960 --> 00:26:37,840
» Protend next.
>> It's good. Okay. Uh I think my colleague

327
00:26:36,640 --> 00:26:40,480
some of you answered. I just want to
just I think the basic question that

328
00:26:39,039 --> 00:26:45,360
everyone wants to know is when will
Westland will be at 100% before the

329
00:26:42,960 --> 00:26:48,400
changes with the CEO old CEO when when
can we expect 100% trash bulk everything

330
00:26:47,840 --> 00:26:52,640
back to
>> that's that's a really great question

331
00:26:50,080 --> 00:26:59,840
because it's two parts 100% we are
collecting everything 100% per day 100%

332
00:26:56,000 --> 00:27:04,240
in my mind I'll let you know
because I'm I'm a completely different

333
00:27:01,600 --> 00:27:12,480
animal when it comes to doing my job
when you councilwoman Sampi can put out

334
00:27:08,799 --> 00:27:16,799
a a survey and I come back great. Then
I'll consider that we're where we need

335
00:27:14,320 --> 00:27:21,039
to be. I'm very picky that way. And I've
been through a tough time and just

336
00:27:18,720 --> 00:27:25,600
feeling so horrible for the residents of
this community. So

337
00:27:24,159 --> 00:27:32,400
» whenever he can is where it needs to be,
where every garbage uh when any mess is

338
00:27:28,080 --> 00:27:36,400
picked up, okay? when we're timely every
day where people can get used to it and

339
00:27:34,720 --> 00:27:41,360
especially when we can earn the trust
back from this body and your residents.

340
00:27:39,760 --> 00:27:44,320
» You you mentioned like Joy Road, New
Bird, you know that there's still is

341
00:27:42,799 --> 00:27:47,600
that's that's why I was asking when do
you think that we'll we'll be at 100?

342
00:27:46,159 --> 00:27:50,960
Well, you know, there is no people
that's still not having their trash

343
00:27:49,120 --> 00:27:55,120
picked up and things those issues.
>> There is no good reason right now why

344
00:27:53,520 --> 00:28:01,679
people should not be having their trash
picked up on a on a daily basis. if if

345
00:27:58,399 --> 00:28:06,559
if they're missed, it's missed, but it's
not because of manpower or equipment.

346
00:28:04,399 --> 00:28:10,960
So, we are 100% fully staffed and we
have 100% of equipment. Um, understand

347
00:28:09,039 --> 00:28:18,559
that even new equipment breaks down. It
we put equipment through through a

348
00:28:13,120 --> 00:28:23,600
pretty tough day, but um we are able to
stay current and we I do see us staying

349
00:28:21,039 --> 00:28:27,039
current 100% going forward. There will
be some areas and as I indicated earlier

350
00:28:25,919 --> 00:28:31,279
a couple of them that are really
aggravating me because they they keep on

351
00:28:29,039 --> 00:28:34,080
repeating themselves. That's not
acceptable.

352
00:28:32,960 --> 00:28:38,240
» Thank you. Thank you.
>> Thank you.

353
00:28:35,440 --> 00:28:44,720
» Thank you prom. Um so I've been on the
council since

354
00:28:40,399 --> 00:28:50,000
2019 and we had this issue back in 20 uh
22 with priority and you know we brought

355
00:28:47,520 --> 00:28:54,320
you in had a similar uh situation. We
even brought some of the leadership in

356
00:28:52,000 --> 00:28:57,279
and we were promised some of the new
technology we're investing at the time.

357
00:28:55,679 --> 00:29:01,279
The route monitoring systems, the route
mapping, the tablets in every truck, the

358
00:28:59,200 --> 00:29:04,480
cameras that have the 360 view so you
can see that the trash was actually

359
00:29:03,039 --> 00:29:08,159
dumped into the truck and not all over
the street. And we were promised back

360
00:29:06,240 --> 00:29:12,880
then, we're going on four years now,
that things are going to get better.

361
00:29:09,919 --> 00:29:17,120
» And here we sit four years later and we
feel like we're back in the same

362
00:29:14,159 --> 00:29:20,080
situation as we were in 2022. And you've
talked about some of the upgrades that

363
00:29:18,880 --> 00:29:24,399
you're making here. I'm not asking you
to repeat all of that, but what

364
00:29:22,720 --> 00:29:28,399
assurances can we get that we're not
going to sit here in 2, three, four

365
00:29:25,679 --> 00:29:31,840
years and be in the same boat that we
were back in 2022?

366
00:29:30,480 --> 00:29:38,880
» And again, and thank you, Council
President. Um, and I remember 22 very

367
00:29:34,480 --> 00:29:44,720
well. Um, so does Councilwoman Sammy.
The difference is we are under new

368
00:29:41,279 --> 00:29:50,840
ownership and we have a new CEO that I
feel comfortable with.

369
00:29:46,559 --> 00:29:50,840
I don't want to go too far into

370
00:29:51,039 --> 00:29:58,799
anything else that happened in the past,
but you're absolutely correct. It's

371
00:29:56,559 --> 00:30:08,640
unacceptable to be here in 2022 and it's
unacceptable to be back here in 2026.

372
00:30:02,799 --> 00:30:14,960
So the asurances that I am portraying
are asurances that I've been given

373
00:30:12,320 --> 00:30:20,080
and discovered to be true. Now, to your
point, the technology is there, okay? We

374
00:30:18,240 --> 00:30:25,679
can track trucks. We can pull up video
off of trucks. We can do all that.

375
00:30:23,520 --> 00:30:29,600
But if you have
elite uh LDC doing that in Clinton

376
00:30:27,840 --> 00:30:35,039
Township, it's not the same as having a
street wise foreman. And that's really

377
00:30:32,399 --> 00:30:39,919
what we're counting on is that you
actually have a human being

378
00:30:37,600 --> 00:30:44,960
out there
studying, looking at streets, seeing the

379
00:30:42,399 --> 00:30:49,279
type of pro uh uh progress that we're
making,

380
00:30:46,799 --> 00:30:53,120
but I do realize it is not the first
time I've been here.

381
00:30:51,520 --> 00:30:56,559
I'm hoping it's the last over this type
of thing.

382
00:30:54,080 --> 00:30:58,640
» We all hope so, too. Uh last thing, go
ahead and ask your resident question

383
00:30:57,679 --> 00:31:00,640
real quick and then we're going to move
on.

384
00:30:59,039 --> 00:31:04,960
» Okay. So, I just have a logistic
question. Hopefully this is quick. So

385
00:31:03,120 --> 00:31:10,480
resident had put something on my page
asked why when you pick up you put the

386
00:31:08,880 --> 00:31:12,240
blue and the black containers in the
same truck. Should they be separate

387
00:31:11,840 --> 00:31:15,679
trucks?
>> They should never be in the same truck.

388
00:31:14,080 --> 00:31:18,880
» Okay. So they said they saw it happen
and they're taking a video of it

389
00:31:16,880 --> 00:31:20,799
tomorrow. It happens all the time. I'll
let them know. They can send it to me

390
00:31:20,159 --> 00:31:24,320
and I'll send
>> the employee will be discharged.

391
00:31:22,399 --> 00:31:28,399
» Okay, perfect. I will let them know.
Thank you so much.

392
00:31:26,320 --> 00:31:33,600
» Okay. Well, Paul, thank you for joining
us. Thank you for taking questions here.

393
00:31:30,799 --> 00:31:37,120
um from the council to the residents in
the audience. I know Paul stuck around

394
00:31:35,039 --> 00:31:40,720
and talked to some of you before uh the
meeting here and then we can always put

395
00:31:39,360 --> 00:31:44,240
you in touch with Paul if you do have a
question for him. He's got his card. So

396
00:31:42,799 --> 00:31:46,799
if you do have a question for him, I'm
sure he's willing to sounds like hand

397
00:31:46,080 --> 00:31:48,159
out your cards.
>> Sure.

398
00:31:47,360 --> 00:31:53,120
» Question directly.
>> We can't we can't

399
00:31:51,039 --> 00:31:58,559
» we Yep. Paul talked to you right here
about it, sir. But thank you for joining

400
00:31:55,519 --> 00:32:05,279
us, Paul. And we are now going to move
on to citizens comments on the agenda.

401
00:32:03,757 --> 00:32:08,399
[clears throat]
So we'll now move on to questions or

402
00:32:06,640 --> 00:32:11,360
input on the agenda from members of the
public. This section will allow members

403
00:32:10,159 --> 00:32:14,880
of the public at the beginning of the
meeting to address the council regarding

404
00:32:13,360 --> 00:32:19,279
items that are on tonight's business
agenda. Questions asked may be responded

405
00:32:17,039 --> 00:32:23,360
to during the agenda item following a
motion and support from your city

406
00:32:21,279 --> 00:32:27,279
council. Is there anyone on my right
comments on the agenda? Yes, sir.

407
00:32:28,240 --> 00:32:36,320
Evening. Couple questions.
Consent calendar item H. Approval for

408
00:32:33,919 --> 00:32:41,440
bid for South Marman sidewalk gap
program. Which part of Marman are we

409
00:32:38,480 --> 00:32:46,240
talking about here?
And then

410
00:32:43,440 --> 00:32:50,880
the other item, item I, approval of bid
for Cherry Hill sidewalk gap program.

411
00:32:48,320 --> 00:32:52,799
Which part of Cherry Hill?
>> Thank you.

412
00:32:51,519 --> 00:32:59,519
» I'll comment on that for you here in
just a second. So, not a problem.

413
00:32:56,640 --> 00:33:03,279
» What?
>> Yeah.

414
00:33:01,120 --> 00:33:09,799
» Paul. Paul, could you maybe go in the
hallway? Sorry.

415
00:33:05,360 --> 00:33:09,799
» All right. Is there anyone on my left?

416
00:33:11,440 --> 00:33:17,840
Anyone on my right? Yes, sir.
>> Just speak, right?

417
00:33:15,919 --> 00:33:21,600
» Yep. And this is on the agenda. This is
the speak spot to speak on agenda items.

418
00:33:20,240 --> 00:33:24,399
» I'm sorry. There is a public comment
time at the end where you can get three

419
00:33:22,799 --> 00:33:28,679
minutes to talk anything you want. Not a
problem, sir. Yes, Ray.

420
00:33:31,440 --> 00:33:40,799
» I saw something on here.
Of course, I uh support the police

421
00:33:36,640 --> 00:33:44,399
department and I know the social works
$10,000 a month or something like that,

422
00:33:42,720 --> 00:33:48,960
but I know they do a lot of good work
out there in mental health. So, I just

423
00:33:47,279 --> 00:33:54,559
had a question about that because I know
it looks like it's being renewed and

424
00:33:51,200 --> 00:34:02,559
stuff here. So, here it is. It says
police department an agreement

425
00:33:57,600 --> 00:34:09,280
committing to uh October 1st, 20 2026
ending September 30th, 2028. Amount

426
00:34:06,000 --> 00:34:15,280
10,000 per month. I don't know how that
but um I do see them. I mean uh I do

427
00:34:13,280 --> 00:34:20,000
support mental health.
they need it. So hopefully continue with

428
00:34:18,720 --> 00:34:23,679
that. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Ray.

429
00:34:21,919 --> 00:34:28,280
Comments on the agenda. Anyone on my
left? Mr. Warren.

430
00:34:32,000 --> 00:34:39,119
Uh this is under vouchers under [snorts]
sanitation.

431
00:34:36,800 --> 00:34:44,280
Um [clears throat] presented a bill for
$352,000.

432
00:34:41,280 --> 00:34:44,280
$388.

433
00:34:44,888 --> 00:34:51,440
» [clears throat]
>> And here we're still talking about new

434
00:34:47,440 --> 00:34:56,000
technology on a garbage truck.
The old technology where the garbage for

435
00:34:54,079 --> 00:34:58,480
the sanitation people came down the
street in the back of the truck, they

436
00:34:57,200 --> 00:35:05,960
dropped something, they would sweep it
up. Old technology, new technology, we

437
00:35:01,599 --> 00:35:05,960
got cameras watching them.

438
00:35:06,240 --> 00:35:14,160
And we still had the same results and
the city pays the bill.

439
00:35:11,040 --> 00:35:19,040
And uh like I say for the last 10 or 15
years since

440
00:35:16,400 --> 00:35:25,499
the city stopped doing it um there's
been problems but there going to be more

441
00:35:21,760 --> 00:35:29,200
problems because as I said before the
[clears throat]

442
00:35:26,320 --> 00:35:33,680
multinational mega corporations and
individuals are buying up all of these

443
00:35:31,920 --> 00:35:37,119
smaller companies and you're going have
to deal with them just like you deal

444
00:35:35,280 --> 00:35:41,599
with DTE. you're not going to get the
results you're looking for because

445
00:35:39,440 --> 00:35:45,200
they're pretty much in position where
they're gonna be untouchable and they're

446
00:35:43,599 --> 00:35:49,839
going to pick up the trash like they
want to pick it up and and Paul will be

447
00:35:48,000 --> 00:35:53,920
back here again trying to explain away
the problems. Thank you.

448
00:35:51,760 --> 00:35:58,800
» Thank you, Mr. Warren. Is there anyone
else in the audience? Anyone on my right

449
00:35:56,640 --> 00:36:03,520
comments on the agenda? Anyone on my
left?

450
00:36:01,599 --> 00:36:08,320
Okay, seeing and hearing none, we will
move on to the consent calendar. Is

451
00:36:05,760 --> 00:36:11,839
there a motion?
>> Motion by Councilwoman Martin, supported

452
00:36:10,079 --> 00:36:14,720
by Councilwoman Sampi. Are there any
changes to the consent calendar?

453
00:36:13,520 --> 00:36:20,480
» Yes, Counciloman Bonn.
>> Yes. I would like to move item L to new

454
00:36:18,079 --> 00:36:23,359
business.
>> There's a motion on the floor to move

455
00:36:21,839 --> 00:36:29,640
item L to new business. Is there
support?

456
00:36:25,040 --> 00:36:29,640
» Supported by Councilwoman Sampi.

457
00:36:30,000 --> 00:36:36,480
» Madame Clerk. Roll call, please.
That's just

458
00:36:34,480 --> 00:36:40,880
Councilwoman Bowman.
>> Yes.

459
00:36:39,440 --> 00:36:43,359
» Sorry. Councilwoman Martin,
>> yes.

460
00:36:41,440 --> 00:36:46,000
» Councilwoman Rakowski is absent,
excused. Councilwoman Sampi,

461
00:36:45,200 --> 00:36:48,720
» yes.
>> Counciloman Sullivan,

462
00:36:47,359 --> 00:36:50,160
» yes.
>> Prom Maxwell,

463
00:36:49,760 --> 00:36:51,760
» yes.
>> President McDermott,

464
00:36:51,200 --> 00:36:54,960
» yes.
>> Motion passes.

465
00:36:53,119 --> 00:36:58,480
» Now, back to the consent calendar as
amended. Are there any other changes to

466
00:36:57,119 --> 00:37:04,640
the consent calendar?
>> Yes. Counciloman Sampi. I would like to

467
00:37:00,960 --> 00:37:08,760
move item F um on the consent calendar
to new business for discussion.

468
00:37:09,040 --> 00:37:14,320
» There's a motion on the floor to move
item F to new business. Is there

469
00:37:12,320 --> 00:37:18,400
support?
>> Supported by Councilwoman Bowman.

470
00:37:16,960 --> 00:37:20,480
Madam Clerk, roll call, please.
>> Councilwoman Bowman,

471
00:37:20,000 --> 00:37:22,480
» yes.
>> Councilwoman Martin,

472
00:37:21,839 --> 00:37:26,240
» yes.
>> Councilwoman Rowski is absent, excused.

473
00:37:25,040 --> 00:37:28,560
Councilwoman Sampy,
>> yes.

474
00:37:27,280 --> 00:37:31,599
» Councilwoman Sullivan,
>> yes. Prom Maxwell,

475
00:37:30,640 --> 00:37:33,440
» yes.
>> President McDermott,

476
00:37:32,720 --> 00:37:37,119
» yes.
>> Motion passes.

477
00:37:35,119 --> 00:37:39,599
» Back to the consent calendar as amended.
Any other changes to the consent

478
00:37:38,400 --> 00:37:42,800
calendar?
>> Do you have another change, Councilman?

479
00:37:41,040 --> 00:37:46,240
» Yes. Um, my understanding is I can ask
you a question about a consent calendar

480
00:37:44,560 --> 00:37:50,000
item. Yes. We don't have to move it.
>> Yes. Correct.

481
00:37:47,440 --> 00:37:56,160
» So, through the chair, I would like to
have um just some clarification on item

482
00:37:52,720 --> 00:38:00,640
J. um one of the and I I did ask these
questions before and I did let um uh the

483
00:37:58,640 --> 00:38:05,200
director know and chief that I just
wanted to have things publicly answered

484
00:38:02,800 --> 00:38:10,480
um and me not be a messenger but I did
ask questions because one of the roads

485
00:38:07,119 --> 00:38:16,079
that will have the mobile way station
part of the project which I think I I

486
00:38:12,320 --> 00:38:21,200
support that project by the way um is a
road that um it's a Henry Ruff a road

487
00:38:18,960 --> 00:38:24,079
that actually we just approved signage
to say that commercial vehicles were not

488
00:38:22,640 --> 00:38:28,320
allowed so I just wanted to speak to
that because I think I want the

489
00:38:25,760 --> 00:38:30,960
residents to hear why that would be um
you know why that is and what and what

490
00:38:29,680 --> 00:38:34,000
this what this project is going to do
for our city as well.

491
00:38:32,400 --> 00:38:38,240
» So uh director comfort you want to take
that

492
00:38:35,599 --> 00:38:42,079
» um through the chair. So Henry Ruff that
mobile way station is only going to be

493
00:38:40,160 --> 00:38:46,240
used or only have commercial trucks on
it when they are under investigation

494
00:38:44,000 --> 00:38:50,960
from our way master. Um they'll be
escorted there and only be there for an

495
00:38:49,200 --> 00:38:55,839
hour or two while he's performing his
investigation.

496
00:38:53,440 --> 00:39:03,119
Okay. Do you have a follow?
>> Thank you.

497
00:38:57,040 --> 00:39:08,560
» That's it. Okay. Any other discussion?
Any descent? Any descent? Consent

498
00:39:05,920 --> 00:39:11,440
calendar passes as amended.
>> Council has approved the following

499
00:39:09,760 --> 00:39:16,400
consent calendar items. Minutes of
regular meeting held August 17th, 2026.

500
00:39:14,480 --> 00:39:20,800
request from the local impact alliance
to host their 17th annual veteran summit

501
00:39:18,560 --> 00:39:26,480
on Tuesday, September 15th, 2026 from
11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Westland

502
00:39:23,520 --> 00:39:30,160
City Hall. The nonprofit fee of $325 is
the requested fee to be waved. requests

503
00:39:28,480 --> 00:39:33,440
from develop a dance project in
partnership with the Westland Parks and

504
00:39:31,599 --> 00:39:37,359
Recreation Advisory Council to wave the
administrative city hall rental fee to

505
00:39:34,960 --> 00:39:43,920
host an enchanted pumpkin family ball on
fe on Friday, October 2nd, 2026 from 6

506
00:39:40,560 --> 00:39:48,400
p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Nonprofit fee of 375
is the request fee to be waved. Request

507
00:39:46,720 --> 00:39:51,839
from the Alliance of Rouge Communities
to wave the administrative fees to

508
00:39:49,920 --> 00:39:56,720
utilize the city hall grand ballrooms
for a public event to be held Wednesday,

509
00:39:53,520 --> 00:40:01,839
October 14th, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. until
8:00 p.m. Total cost of this fee waiver

510
00:39:58,880 --> 00:40:05,440
shall not exceed $65. Request from the
Develop a Dance Project to wave the

511
00:40:03,520 --> 00:40:10,480
administrative city hall rental fee to
host a daddyaughter dance on Friday,

512
00:40:07,680 --> 00:40:15,440
February 5th, 2027 and Saturday,
February 6, 2027 from 6:00 p.m. until

513
00:40:13,520 --> 00:40:20,240
8:00 p.m. at the Westland City Hall.
nonprofit fee of $750 is the requested

514
00:40:18,160 --> 00:40:25,040
fee to be waved.
Request for additional funding regarding

515
00:40:21,920 --> 00:40:29,040
the purchase of three 2026 Ford F-250s,
including vehicle outfitting outfitting,

516
00:40:27,280 --> 00:40:36,800
excuse me, for the Department of Public
Service. Total amount of $14,13610

517
00:40:33,680 --> 00:40:40,480
for increased supplier costs.
bid for South Marramman sidewalk gap

518
00:40:38,720 --> 00:40:46,920
program administration recommends low
bidder varientos contracting total not

519
00:40:43,200 --> 00:40:46,920
to exceed $51,191

520
00:40:48,240 --> 00:40:54,720
bid for the Cherry Hill sidewalk gap
program administration recommends low

521
00:40:52,000 --> 00:41:00,119
bidder berentos contracting total amount
not to exceed $134

522
00:40:57,119 --> 00:41:00,119
$134,000

523
00:41:00,240 --> 00:41:03,800
excuse me $134,698

524
00:41:04,000 --> 00:41:09,839
request for the mobile weigh stations
project project involves installation of

525
00:41:08,400 --> 00:41:13,920
three mobile way stations.
Administration recommends awarding

526
00:41:11,520 --> 00:41:18,240
property awarding project to Hartwell
Cement Company.

527
00:41:16,240 --> 00:41:21,520
And the last item on the consent
calendar tonight is a request of

528
00:41:19,839 --> 00:41:25,040
replacement animal care and rescue
vehicle including outfitting for the

529
00:41:23,440 --> 00:41:29,839
police department. Total amount not to
exceed $110,000.

530
00:41:27,839 --> 00:41:34,880
Now moving to payment of voucher.
>> Is there a motion? So motion by

531
00:41:32,400 --> 00:41:37,880
Councilman Martin. Is there support?
Supported

532
00:41:38,160 --> 00:41:42,960
by Councilman Sullivan. Is there any
discussion from the maker?

533
00:41:41,760 --> 00:41:45,359
» No. Thank you.
>> Any discussion from supporter?

534
00:41:44,880 --> 00:41:47,040
» No.
>> Okay. Councilman, do you have

535
00:41:46,480 --> 00:41:48,960
discussion?
>> No.

536
00:41:47,359 --> 00:41:54,319
» Oh, treasure light on. Okay. Any
discussion from the council? Any

537
00:41:51,280 --> 00:41:59,520
dissent? Any dissent? Hearing and seeing
none. Motion passes.

538
00:41:57,520 --> 00:42:02,640
New business item number one,
confirmation of reappointment of David

539
00:42:01,119 --> 00:42:05,680
Rapaort to the Westland Planning
Commission for a three-year term

540
00:42:03,920 --> 00:42:09,520
effective upon council confirmation and
expire in August 5th, 2029.

541
00:42:08,400 --> 00:42:12,960
» So,
>> there's a motion by Councilwoman Martin,

542
00:42:11,200 --> 00:42:16,160
supported by Councilwoman Zampi. Uh,
Director Aub, did you have anything you

543
00:42:14,480 --> 00:42:19,200
wanted to add to any of these uh
nominees?

544
00:42:16,960 --> 00:42:24,000
» I do. I wrote a few short sentences
about each commissioner so the public

545
00:42:21,200 --> 00:42:27,200
and yourselves uh are more familiar with
our planning commissioners that are

546
00:42:25,200 --> 00:42:31,119
being re reappointed tonight. [snorts]
Um I'm going to share both of them at

547
00:42:29,680 --> 00:42:34,800
the same time if that's okay with you.
>> Please do. Yep.

548
00:42:31,839 --> 00:42:39,520
» Thank you. Uh so David has served our
planning commission since 2013.

549
00:42:37,760 --> 00:42:44,800
Following the retirement and passing of
our remarkable longtime chairman Ken

550
00:42:42,240 --> 00:42:49,440
Sharp, David was elected by his fellow
commissioners to serve as chair. Uh he

551
00:42:47,920 --> 00:42:54,240
has done an excellent job leading the
commission as an attorney. David also

552
00:42:51,920 --> 00:42:59,040
brings a legal perspective and serves as
our unofficial ad hoc attorney during

553
00:42:56,720 --> 00:43:04,240
discussions. Uh David, we're very
fortunate to have you and he truly makes

554
00:43:01,200 --> 00:43:08,400
my job easier. uh Daryl who could not be
with us tonight uh he joined the

555
00:43:06,000 --> 00:43:13,440
planning commission in 2024 so this is
his first reappoint in a relatively

556
00:43:11,119 --> 00:43:17,760
short time uh he has already become a
valuable member of the planning

557
00:43:14,720 --> 00:43:21,520
commission uh Daryl brings an impressive
professional and educational background

558
00:43:19,839 --> 00:43:25,760
he has a bachelor of science and
engineering from MSU a [snorts] master

559
00:43:24,079 --> 00:43:29,440
of science and construction management
from EMU

560
00:43:27,520 --> 00:43:34,720
and a doctor of business administration
from U ofM Flint uh I really you

561
00:43:32,640 --> 00:43:39,280
sincerely appreciate David and Daryl's
willingness to continue serving uh the

562
00:43:37,040 --> 00:43:43,599
city on the planning commission and also
uh appreciate your support for both of

563
00:43:41,119 --> 00:43:47,520
their reappoints. Thank you.
>> Wonderful. Is there any discussion from

564
00:43:45,839 --> 00:43:53,520
the maker?
>> Hi. Um I'd like to thank David for Mr.

565
00:43:50,560 --> 00:43:58,160
Raport for serving again with all his
experience as an attorney. He does

566
00:43:55,440 --> 00:44:02,319
handle planning commission um pretty
good [laughter]

567
00:43:59,760 --> 00:44:06,640
anyway. But thank you again for bringing
all all your services to us.

568
00:44:05,200 --> 00:44:09,280
» All set council
>> and then anything from our supporter

569
00:44:08,640 --> 00:44:14,880
council.
>> I would just I encourage the council to

570
00:44:10,960 --> 00:44:18,800
also support both um David and Daryl. Uh
although we can't attend every meeting,

571
00:44:16,800 --> 00:44:23,599
I watch all the planning commission
meetings and you do a great job uh with

572
00:44:21,359 --> 00:44:28,880
running the meeting and I think that
it's the city's huge win to get you to

573
00:44:26,800 --> 00:44:34,480
come back and we appreciate your service
for uh running the planning commission

574
00:44:31,359 --> 00:44:40,720
meeting so smoothly. So I obviously
support both of you. Thank you again.

575
00:44:37,920 --> 00:44:44,800
» Any other discussion from the council?
Any other discussion from the council? I

576
00:44:43,040 --> 00:44:48,560
will just say and echo the sentiments of
director Aub and my colleagues. Mr.

577
00:44:46,960 --> 00:44:51,920
Rapour, David, we've had the chance to
meet and sit down and talk and go over a

578
00:44:50,079 --> 00:44:55,520
number of city issues over the years.
Your leadership, your institutional

579
00:44:54,079 --> 00:44:59,760
knowledge, I think most important, and
your insight as an attorney are all

580
00:44:57,359 --> 00:45:03,680
greatly valued in different ways on the
planning commission. You really do bring

581
00:45:01,760 --> 00:45:07,119
a lot beyond just your general
experience of having served on there.

582
00:45:05,200 --> 00:45:10,640
bring a unique skill set to the planning
commission that we're really lucky and

583
00:45:08,319 --> 00:45:14,079
fortunate to have on that planning
commission that I think a lot of cities

584
00:45:12,319 --> 00:45:17,440
are missing on their planning
commissions when you're dealing with

585
00:45:15,440 --> 00:45:21,280
some of the most complex issues in the
city, zoning laws, ordinances, and

586
00:45:19,680 --> 00:45:25,200
requirements. And as you know, a lot of
legal wrangling and legalities and that

587
00:45:23,599 --> 00:45:28,880
you have to look out for when you're
making a decision on the planning

588
00:45:26,560 --> 00:45:32,000
commission. And your institutional
knowledge is not only passed along to

589
00:45:30,400 --> 00:45:35,040
your fellow planning commissioners, who
I know I've spoken with in the past,

590
00:45:33,599 --> 00:45:39,359
speak very highly of you, but it's
passed along to all of us here on

591
00:45:36,480 --> 00:45:42,800
council when we're making decisions as
well. So, thank you for all that you do

592
00:45:41,440 --> 00:45:46,560
on our planning commission, all that you
do in our community more broadly. We're

593
00:45:44,640 --> 00:45:50,480
very fortunate, very lucky to have you,
your institutional knowledge, your

594
00:45:48,160 --> 00:45:58,160
unique skill set. very appreciative of
it. Uh and is there any disscent?

595
00:45:55,839 --> 00:46:01,511
Any descent? Seeing and hearing none,
motion passes. Please stand and be

596
00:45:59,680 --> 00:46:03,531
recognized.
[applause]

597
00:46:08,960 --> 00:46:16,800
New business 1A. This is formally
consent calendar item L, introduction of

598
00:46:14,160 --> 00:46:23,119
ordinance 262, an ordinance to amend the
Westland City Code of Ordinances. Um,

599
00:46:19,119 --> 00:46:27,040
chapter 27, article 4, sections 27 to 23
to change public hours for marijuana

600
00:46:25,119 --> 00:46:33,000
businesses. Amendment would allow
marijuana businesses to be open to the

601
00:46:29,119 --> 00:46:33,000
public at 8 a.m.

602
00:46:33,680 --> 00:46:39,520
Is there a motion?
>> Approve.

603
00:46:38,079 --> 00:46:44,319
» Motion by Councilman Svin. Is there
support?

604
00:46:41,839 --> 00:46:48,960
» Yes. Supported by Councilwoman Martin.
Is there any discussion from the maker?

605
00:46:46,240 --> 00:46:54,240
» No. Any discussion from the support?
>> Yes. Um I believe what I've read about

606
00:46:51,839 --> 00:46:58,160
this um change is necessary for the
people um not not necessarily those

607
00:46:56,480 --> 00:47:01,599
people that need it for recreation
because they can figure that out the

608
00:46:59,440 --> 00:47:05,359
night before but people who use it for
pain management because originally in

609
00:47:03,440 --> 00:47:09,520
the state of Michigan that's how it
started if you needed uh another option

610
00:47:08,000 --> 00:47:16,480
for pain management. That's how the
marijuana ordinances um came to our

611
00:47:12,240 --> 00:47:18,960
state and I I'm for it. Thank you. All
set, Councilwoman? Yes.

612
00:47:17,440 --> 00:47:22,240
» Okay. Thank you. And Councilwoman
Bowman.

613
00:47:20,160 --> 00:47:25,200
» Um I I did move this off because one of
the things with consent calendar is that

614
00:47:23,520 --> 00:47:28,319
if uh if you want to say no to
something, I am going to be a no vote on

615
00:47:26,720 --> 00:47:32,319
this. Um one of the things I talk about
is that, you know, I I hear a lot of

616
00:47:30,079 --> 00:47:36,800
people say that well in 2018, the
majority of Westland voted to approve

617
00:47:34,880 --> 00:47:39,839
recreational marijuana. I understand the
medical part of it, but the medical part

618
00:47:38,079 --> 00:47:42,720
was there before that. So the hours of
business, we already had that ordinance.

619
00:47:41,040 --> 00:47:46,880
It wasn't being it wasn't necessarily
changed at that time. But the fact is

620
00:47:44,720 --> 00:47:51,440
that 36% of the voters of Westland
actually voted no to approve to to have

621
00:47:49,280 --> 00:47:55,200
recreational marijuana. So we always
talk about the minority needs a voice.

622
00:47:53,359 --> 00:47:58,720
Um so that's one of the one of the
things um I you know I I personally you

623
00:47:57,200 --> 00:48:03,599
know I am a little concerned because we
already have a no left turn on you know

624
00:48:01,280 --> 00:48:06,640
we we've got you know traffic issues so
on Ford. So I don't know if I have no

625
00:48:05,359 --> 00:48:10,800
idea if this will increase traffic at
all but I will be a no vote on this. So

626
00:48:09,119 --> 00:48:14,240
thanks.
>> Thank you Councilwoman Bowman. Is there

627
00:48:12,720 --> 00:48:18,720
any other discussion?
>> Yes, Council Zavi.

628
00:48:15,760 --> 00:48:25,040
» Um, thank you for I guess bringing this
forward. Um, Mo, I know that in issues

629
00:48:22,880 --> 00:48:29,280
like this, you open up a can of worms
where now others are going to come to

630
00:48:26,880 --> 00:48:36,800
us. Just to give a little background,
this actually came to us from a business

631
00:48:32,880 --> 00:48:41,680
asking us to adjust the hours. So now if
we're adjusting the hours for one um

632
00:48:40,160 --> 00:48:45,920
it's going to allow for others to be
open as well. It's not just the one

633
00:48:43,440 --> 00:48:51,280
that's currently open. So I guess
through the chair to Mo looking at the

634
00:48:48,720 --> 00:48:55,760
change of public hours, is it possible
that we can have a study session to kind

635
00:48:53,200 --> 00:49:02,240
of go through um the difference of the
change uh before we approve this or

636
00:49:00,079 --> 00:49:08,480
um can you maybe weigh in on on the
reason why it came forward to us or

637
00:49:05,520 --> 00:49:13,440
» Yes. Um this item is from the attorney's
office and the and the planning office.

638
00:49:11,040 --> 00:49:16,880
We also have Liv in the room who drove
about an hour to get here. So perhaps

639
00:49:15,119 --> 00:49:21,440
you may have a question or two for them,
but from the administration's point of

640
00:49:18,720 --> 00:49:25,680
view, the marijuana business ordinance
allows marijuana retailers to be open to

641
00:49:24,079 --> 00:49:32,559
the public between the hours of 10:00
a.m. and 900 p.m. Uh, Live Cannabis, who

642
00:49:30,000 --> 00:49:39,359
was the only retailer operating within
city limits for almost 2 years without

643
00:49:35,280 --> 00:49:43,359
any um violations or uh any issues or
concerns from any of the the internal

644
00:49:41,839 --> 00:49:48,720
departments.
uh recently requested via email to you

645
00:49:46,079 --> 00:49:54,000
uh to reconsider the uh uh hours of
operation, specifically the open opening

646
00:49:51,920 --> 00:49:59,280
hours to extend that timeline 2 hours
and allow them to open at 8:00 p.m.

647
00:49:56,640 --> 00:50:04,160
They've indicated that this is for
customers primarily who are older

648
00:50:01,119 --> 00:50:10,319
adults, uh have early working hours or
on their way home from uh night shifts

649
00:50:07,119 --> 00:50:14,720
to allow them to uh stop at the store to
pick up their product on their way home

650
00:50:11,839 --> 00:50:20,559
or to wherever they're they're going. So
that's what the intent of bringing this

651
00:50:16,800 --> 00:50:26,000
forward is. We have one other retailer
uh in town, Thanos, on Inkster Road, who

652
00:50:23,680 --> 00:50:30,240
you may recall. So, those are the only
two retailers operating within city

653
00:50:28,240 --> 00:50:38,720
limits. As you know, the council has
great authority on uh approving um or or

654
00:50:36,400 --> 00:50:42,960
allowing any new licenses to be issued.
So, that's your control mechanism there.

655
00:50:40,800 --> 00:50:51,240
If you don't feel comfortable issuing it
to live, I think you can avoid any

656
00:50:45,440 --> 00:50:51,240
further issues in that regard. But, um

657
00:50:51,520 --> 00:50:59,200
that's what we have tonight. Thank you.
Thank you. I guess no problem with Liv.

658
00:50:57,200 --> 00:51:04,319
I mean, I understand they've been
operating, but Thanos is right by a

659
00:51:02,000 --> 00:51:08,880
school, which is very close, so it's
open at early morning hours. What is the

660
00:51:06,640 --> 00:51:14,880
control that they're not going to have
kids trying to sneak in or or whatnot.

661
00:51:12,079 --> 00:51:20,480
I'm just I I guess I'm just concerned. I
understand Liv has a very busy Ford Road

662
00:51:18,640 --> 00:51:26,160
entrance, but again, if you open to one,
you open to all and then that allows for

663
00:51:23,280 --> 00:51:29,599
the other um marijuana facility to be
open even earlier. I'm not against it.

664
00:51:28,480 --> 00:51:32,960
I'm just trying to really kind of
understand

665
00:51:31,119 --> 00:51:36,640
» we can't How do we control that? How do
we manage that?

666
00:51:34,400 --> 00:51:40,480
» So, I I can speak on the school issue
and

667
00:51:38,720 --> 00:51:43,280
and I'm I'm not trying to put live on
the spot. The only reason I'm asking

668
00:51:41,839 --> 00:51:46,800
them to do this is because I know they
are well equipped to answer these

669
00:51:44,640 --> 00:51:51,280
questions. But I would like to, if the
chair is okay with this, invite them up

670
00:51:48,880 --> 00:51:55,839
to the podium and and talk about
>> additionally anything that I've missed,

671
00:51:52,800 --> 00:52:00,800
but also measures of control and
policing

672
00:51:58,240 --> 00:52:03,200
these questions.
Mike knows I'm not putting him on the

673
00:52:02,240 --> 00:52:06,880
spot, I hope.
>> First,

674
00:52:04,160 --> 00:52:12,720
» welcome, gentlemen. Floor is yours.
>> Thank you. Um, I'm Mike Beck. I'm the um

675
00:52:10,720 --> 00:52:17,599
director of uh community and government
affairs for Live Cannabis Common

676
00:52:14,800 --> 00:52:22,079
Citizen. And um you know, this came we
we appreciate you even considering this,

677
00:52:20,000 --> 00:52:28,800
but this came from through our staff.
Sean Green is here. He's a he's the

678
00:52:24,160 --> 00:52:32,000
manager of the retail store here. Um
they were looking at cameras, right?

679
00:52:30,480 --> 00:52:35,920
Because there's cameras everywhere. That
is one control that we have that, you

680
00:52:34,000 --> 00:52:41,040
know, it's like a casino inside and
outside. the the state mandates lots of

681
00:52:38,400 --> 00:52:46,319
cameras in these facilities. So, and and
public is under 21 is not supposed to be

682
00:52:43,520 --> 00:52:50,079
in the facility or on the facility um
parking lot. So, that is one part of it.

683
00:52:48,000 --> 00:52:53,359
And they started looking at the cameras
in the morning, what went on through the

684
00:52:51,599 --> 00:52:58,880
nights before and the days. And they
started seeing cars coming in at about 8

685
00:52:56,240 --> 00:53:03,920
8:30 9:00 turning around, trying the
door, turning around, going back. And so

686
00:53:01,040 --> 00:53:09,520
they did a little bit of a um just a
kind of a very informal survey of how

687
00:53:06,800 --> 00:53:15,119
many there were over the course of time.
And I they sent that out and it was um

688
00:53:12,720 --> 00:53:19,680
um
roughly six to eight guests a day come

689
00:53:17,040 --> 00:53:24,559
in between the hours of 8 and 10. And
that number factors out to 210 guests

690
00:53:22,240 --> 00:53:29,040
missed a month. Now again, that's just a
number by the cameras whether they came

691
00:53:27,119 --> 00:53:33,040
back later, whether be came back at a
busier time or all those things. I can't

692
00:53:31,040 --> 00:53:38,640
speak to that, but that's the number of
cars that would normally on average come

693
00:53:35,440 --> 00:53:41,920
through from 8 to 10 in the morning. And
they [clears throat] would get um two to

694
00:53:40,240 --> 00:53:44,720
three unanswered calls a day in that
time period because there's nobody

695
00:53:43,200 --> 00:53:49,920
answering the phone. So all in, all
done. If those folks that came through

696
00:53:47,119 --> 00:53:54,079
at that time didn't come back at another
time or didn't go to one of the other

697
00:53:51,680 --> 00:53:58,960
facilities in the area right outside of
Wesland, um they' say roughly 300 guests

698
00:53:57,359 --> 00:54:03,920
missed a month. Now again, that's just a
number that says here's the number based

699
00:54:00,640 --> 00:54:07,359
on the the vehicles and the phone calls.
They could go to Garden City, they could

700
00:54:05,440 --> 00:54:11,440
go to Ingster, they could go to Wayne.
Um, and then if I looked at, if I'm

701
00:54:09,440 --> 00:54:18,960
correct on the other allowances, I
believe, um, Wayne allows 8:00 a.m.

702
00:54:15,040 --> 00:54:23,247
opening. Um, Garden City is 9:00 a.m. U,
and of course, um, Inkingster is, I

703
00:54:21,119 --> 00:54:27,200
believe, 9:00 a.m. as well. So,
[clears throat] they just did that

704
00:54:24,559 --> 00:54:32,079
process and then they started trying to
interpolate and we can get better depth

705
00:54:29,599 --> 00:54:36,160
in the data if you'd like where those
folks might come from. and we just kind

706
00:54:33,839 --> 00:54:40,880
of anticipated that it is that morning
consumer on their way to work or on

707
00:54:38,480 --> 00:54:44,800
their way home from work. Um, and again,
I can't say you for a fact that they

708
00:54:42,800 --> 00:54:49,359
would don't go anywhere else and get
their product or they don't come back

709
00:54:46,640 --> 00:54:54,400
later in the day. But it was just doing
that analysis, thinking about it as a

710
00:54:51,839 --> 00:54:58,480
business. Um, and if it if it was to
open in those hours, you know, business

711
00:54:56,480 --> 00:55:02,160
decisions need to be made as well. So
maybe it doesn't work and we don't open

712
00:54:59,839 --> 00:55:06,880
those hours. But the protections from
our side, and I can only speak to our

713
00:55:03,760 --> 00:55:12,880
stores, is we have cameras um inside and
out. The parking lots covered all the

714
00:55:08,800 --> 00:55:17,520
time, and um young young folks aren't
allowed. So,

715
00:55:16,240 --> 00:55:20,319
I don't know if that gets any of the
questions or answers some of the

716
00:55:18,559 --> 00:55:23,839
questions or helps at all. I'm just
trying to bring from the impetus of

717
00:55:21,599 --> 00:55:28,000
where this came from. And we've um we
we've appreciated our partnership with

718
00:55:25,839 --> 00:55:33,599
the with the municipality for the years
now. on. Um it we again we greatly

719
00:55:31,760 --> 00:55:37,359
appreciate just even your ability to
entertain this for us.

720
00:55:35,520 --> 00:55:42,640
» Thank you. Anything else?
>> Uh no, I thank you for that explanation.

721
00:55:40,160 --> 00:55:46,880
Um and I again I don't have an issue
with the live opening because I think

722
00:55:44,960 --> 00:55:51,839
you're more in a business district. My
concern is that the other place around

723
00:55:49,359 --> 00:55:55,680
town is near school. You know, I kind of
struggle with the placement anyways,

724
00:55:53,359 --> 00:56:00,240
which that was on the record. So, you
know, my concern more or less is will

725
00:55:58,559 --> 00:56:08,240
they have the same protect and they're
probably not here. The same liberties as

726
00:56:03,760 --> 00:56:12,640
you to have protection um cameras. It's
just you Yeah, I'm just

727
00:56:10,640 --> 00:56:16,480
» by state law they have to have those
same things. Every square inch of the

728
00:56:14,799 --> 00:56:22,400
parking lot and every square inch of the
inside is supposed to be covered with

729
00:56:18,880 --> 00:56:25,599
highde cameras. So, um,
again, I can't speak for it. I can just

730
00:56:24,000 --> 00:56:28,799
say that's what the cannabis regulatory
agency says they're supposed to

731
00:56:27,520 --> 00:56:32,880
» and they would be jeopardizing their
license. Correct. If they were caught,

732
00:56:31,359 --> 00:56:36,160
» like, we know there are tobacco shops
that are caught selling to underage kids

733
00:56:34,559 --> 00:56:39,440
in these stings. They would be outright
jeopardizing their license and their

734
00:56:37,760 --> 00:56:42,799
ability to even operate as a business.
Unlike a tobacco store that probably

735
00:56:40,799 --> 00:56:47,200
gets hit with a fine by a city or county
that does a sting operation in your case

736
00:56:44,720 --> 00:56:50,319
with marijuana. If a child was caught
purchasing there, that company would be

737
00:56:49,119 --> 00:56:53,680
jeopardized losing their license.
>> You'd be summarily suspended. I mean,

738
00:56:51,920 --> 00:56:57,520
there wasn't the CRA doesn't really
tolerate a lot of that stuff. And they

739
00:56:55,119 --> 00:57:02,400
do they do random inspections. So like
they'll come at least every 3 to six

740
00:57:00,079 --> 00:57:06,160
months on their as a random inspection.
You have yearly inspections and you have

741
00:57:04,319 --> 00:57:10,079
to renew your licenses and submit all
this information and show the cameras

742
00:57:08,079 --> 00:57:12,720
and everything. But when they come in on
their random inspections, they'll just

743
00:57:11,440 --> 00:57:16,960
come back and they'll just they'll
basically say, "Oh, by the way, I want

744
00:57:14,720 --> 00:57:22,319
to see um the camera on that piece in
the parking lot on this day two weeks

745
00:57:19,920 --> 00:57:26,240
ago at this time." And if you can't go
clickity click and pull it up for them,

746
00:57:24,880 --> 00:57:30,000
um you're in trouble. So, the
protections are there, you know,

747
00:57:28,000 --> 00:57:33,920
regulatory and they're supposed to be
internally,

748
00:57:31,280 --> 00:57:37,599
» but again, I can only speak to us.
>> Anything further, Councilwoman? Okay.

749
00:57:36,079 --> 00:57:40,640
Any other questions from the council?
Council Bowman,

750
00:57:38,720 --> 00:57:45,119
» I I just want to make um just clarify
because as I understand this um

751
00:57:43,200 --> 00:57:48,880
currently the business is open 11 hours
a day, right? 10 to 10 to 9 is 11 hours,

752
00:57:48,559 --> 00:57:52,160
right?
>> Yes, that'd be correct.

753
00:57:49,920 --> 00:57:55,280
» Um every day, seven days a week. Okay,
>> that's correct.

754
00:57:52,880 --> 00:57:58,799
» And um just so people I I know um so the
public knows, I know there's there's

755
00:57:56,799 --> 00:58:03,280
always the Okay, the benefit to the city
by having marijuana stores in our

756
00:58:00,799 --> 00:58:07,520
community is um from the state is
somewhere roughly in between 56,000 or

757
00:58:06,240 --> 00:58:11,200
something like that. that doesn't change
regardless of how long the business is

758
00:58:09,040 --> 00:58:15,680
open. So, this is it is interesting that
this is a single business requesting an

759
00:58:13,200 --> 00:58:19,119
ordinance change to our um that that
we're making an ordinance change to our

760
00:58:17,839 --> 00:58:22,400
entire thing. So, then I know this is
just the introduction, but I and so I'm

761
00:58:20,880 --> 00:58:26,319
not trying to, you know, belabor this
because if we have more conversation, um

762
00:58:24,319 --> 00:58:32,480
I think I do want to kind of back up on
to uh Councilman Stampy's um uh question

763
00:58:30,400 --> 00:58:36,480
at the So, after the introduction and
just so public knows through the chair,

764
00:58:34,640 --> 00:58:38,880
what is the next step? We introduce this
today. What is the next step in this

765
00:58:38,319 --> 00:58:41,680
process?
>> The next step would be at the next

766
00:58:40,160 --> 00:58:45,440
meeting, we would have the formal
adoption. So, should the council choose

767
00:58:44,079 --> 00:58:48,720
to vote in the affirmative on this
today?

768
00:58:47,119 --> 00:58:52,240
So, at the next at the next council
meeting in September, this would likely

769
00:58:50,400 --> 00:58:54,480
be presented as the adoption. Today's
the introduction of the ordinance and

770
00:58:53,359 --> 00:58:57,200
the next meeting, similar to what we do
with all ordinances, we have the

771
00:58:55,760 --> 00:59:00,400
introduction and the adoption.
>> Is there a study session or any other

772
00:58:58,880 --> 00:59:01,920
opportunities?
>> Director, do you want to comment on

773
00:59:01,520 --> 00:59:06,079
that?
>> I I'm not sure what the point of of a

774
00:59:03,839 --> 00:59:10,799
study session would be. I I'm happy to
if the if the administration wants one

775
00:59:08,640 --> 00:59:13,359
we study session.
>> I agree with that.

776
00:59:12,240 --> 00:59:16,799
» That's fine. I I just want to make sure
I'm asking the questions for people to

777
00:59:14,960 --> 00:59:18,720
know how because you know we don't
ordinance of changes aren't every day

778
00:59:18,319 --> 00:59:20,880
either.
>> Right. Yep. Nope. Thank you for asking.

779
00:59:20,319 --> 00:59:23,040
All set.
>> Yep.

780
00:59:21,359 --> 00:59:26,799
» Okay. I just want to say thank you for
your continued business and support uh

781
00:59:25,040 --> 00:59:30,240
here in the city. We appreciate it. You
know, you guys have run an outstanding

782
00:59:28,240 --> 00:59:33,520
business. I've had relatives from
outside of West End who come in and

783
00:59:32,319 --> 00:59:38,000
shopped at your store and are like,
"This is like the Apple store of, you

784
00:59:36,240 --> 00:59:40,799
know, marijuana shops. It's so nice in
here. It's like

785
00:59:39,040 --> 00:59:45,680
» I mean, back in the beginning, early
days, it's like some one of our first

786
00:59:43,040 --> 00:59:49,520
stores that was open um somebody came in
and said, "This is like an Apple store

787
00:59:47,920 --> 00:59:50,720
and a weed store had a baby."
>> That's right. They're looking for the

788
00:59:50,319 --> 00:59:53,520
genius.
>> That's what we like. We want to keep it

789
00:59:52,000 --> 00:59:56,640
professional like that. But that's us
across the state. So, we appreciate the

790
00:59:56,000 --> 01:00:00,000
partnership.
>> Yeah. and you guys run a great business

791
00:59:58,480 --> 01:00:04,079
here. So, thank you very much and
appreciate your continued support. Any

792
01:00:01,119 --> 01:00:09,520
other uh discussion from the council
and any disscent?

793
01:00:06,880 --> 01:00:11,680
Yeah. Yeah. Roll call, please.
>> Thank you.

794
01:00:10,319 --> 01:00:13,839
» Councilwoman Bowman,
>> no.

795
01:00:12,559 --> 01:00:17,119
» Councilwoman Martin,
>> yes.

796
01:00:14,720 --> 01:00:19,599
» Councilwoman Rowski is absent, excused.
Councilman or excuse me, Councilwoman

797
01:00:19,040 --> 01:00:21,599
Sampy,
>> yes.

798
01:00:20,400 --> 01:00:23,599
» Councilman Sullivan,
>> yes.

799
01:00:22,480 --> 01:00:25,040
» Prom Maxwell,
>> yes.

800
01:00:24,000 --> 01:00:28,920
» President McDermott,
>> yes. Motion passes.

801
01:00:29,119 --> 01:00:37,920
Now we move on to new business 1B. This
is formally consent calendar item F,

802
01:00:36,240 --> 01:00:42,559
approval of professional services
agreement renewal with Hagera Health

803
01:00:40,079 --> 01:00:46,640
Service to perform social work services
for the Westland Police Department. Term

804
01:00:44,640 --> 01:00:52,559
of agreement commencing on October 1,
2026 and ending on September 30th, 2028

805
01:00:49,920 --> 01:00:55,359
in the amount of 10,000 per month year
1.

806
01:00:53,359 --> 01:00:58,079
» Is there a motion? So
>> motion by Councilwoman Martin. Is there

807
01:00:56,880 --> 01:01:02,400
support?
>> Supported by Councilwoman Sampi. Is

808
01:01:00,240 --> 01:01:07,599
there discussion from the mayor?
>> Um Higer has been around for a while in

809
01:01:05,599 --> 01:01:12,880
the city. Um they're asking for an
increase. The increase is pretty much in

810
01:01:10,160 --> 01:01:17,440
line with the rate of inflation and I
think I've been told they do a great job

811
01:01:15,040 --> 01:01:23,599
and the person at the police department,
Jess, is uh goes above and beyond. So

812
01:01:21,520 --> 01:01:25,839
I'm voting for this. Thank you. Thank
you, Councilwoman Martin. Counciloman

813
01:01:25,200 --> 01:01:30,400
Sampy,
>> thank you. Um, I think this is needed

814
01:01:28,319 --> 01:01:35,920
now more than ever. Uh, we just had a
domestic violence situation that had

815
01:01:32,799 --> 01:01:42,319
happened here in Westland that left uh a
young woman um killed, which is is

816
01:01:39,359 --> 01:01:47,520
pretty devastating. So, Hyera has has
given us on page 22 of that large packet

817
01:01:44,799 --> 01:01:51,839
their salaries and fringe benefits. It
says that we have one FTE mobile crisis

818
01:01:50,240 --> 01:01:57,040
co-respondent
uh clinician and then one program

819
01:01:53,760 --> 01:02:03,280
manager. Are we matching um does the
city and Higura match those salaries?

820
01:01:59,359 --> 01:02:06,319
Because $86,000 for two people seem to
be quite low.

821
01:02:04,480 --> 01:02:08,720
» Uh no, it's just for one person,
behavioral health clinician Jennifer

822
01:02:07,520 --> 01:02:13,040
Gersola.
>> Oh, so she's doing two jobs.

823
01:02:11,359 --> 01:02:16,400
» I'll have to get look into the manager
piece of it because she's okay. She's

824
01:02:14,720 --> 01:02:18,240
the contract person we have from
Heggera. I can follow up with you on

825
01:02:18,079 --> 01:02:22,880
that.
>> So, yeah, I was I was kind of confused

826
01:02:19,760 --> 01:02:27,440
because it says we have two FTEEs.
So, we have one that is a mobile crisis

827
01:02:25,119 --> 01:02:31,839
and one that's a program manager.
>> I'll have to look into the wording on

828
01:02:29,440 --> 01:02:34,000
that and meet with Hyera. But,
>> okay.

829
01:02:32,400 --> 01:02:38,240
» We've had Jennifer for a few years now.
She does great. It's one employee. Uh

830
01:02:36,240 --> 01:02:43,200
she there is a 3% raise for her in this
negotiated contract as well. which is

831
01:02:40,640 --> 01:02:48,160
which is obviously well needed, but I
was just confused because I thought

832
01:02:45,680 --> 01:02:52,960
we're getting an additional person. Just
the way that it's written, it's on page

833
01:02:49,680 --> 01:02:57,680
22, chief. It says we have one FTE
mobile crisis, one FTE program manager.

834
01:02:55,599 --> 01:03:00,480
» I could I'll follow up with the city
attorney as well. The contract stuff is

835
01:03:00,000 --> 01:03:01,839
more
>> sure

836
01:03:00,799 --> 01:03:04,240
» his speed. So, I'll go with that and
then we'll follow up with Hya and get

837
01:03:03,119 --> 01:03:07,839
you a solid answer.
>> Okay. Awesome. Yeah, it kind of threw me

838
01:03:06,079 --> 01:03:12,720
off when I saw that. I'm like, that
seems quite low for two people. Um, so I

839
01:03:10,799 --> 01:03:16,079
guess if we can have some followup.
>> Yeah, that's a good note on that.

840
01:03:14,000 --> 01:03:22,640
» Thank you. I appreciate that. Just so we
are I mean it it probably is meant to

841
01:03:18,799 --> 01:03:26,799
say one FTE, mobile crisis co-respondent
and program manager, but the way that

842
01:03:24,960 --> 01:03:31,520
it's written in the description says
there's two FTEEs.

843
01:03:29,200 --> 01:03:35,760
So, um, and Jennifer does Jennifer does
a great job. She's she's been there for

844
01:03:33,440 --> 01:03:40,480
a while. So, um, you know, I appreciate
the partnership with Hyera, and Carol is

845
01:03:38,400 --> 01:03:44,720
phenomenal. She supports the city, the
CEO. So, um, you know, I'm in support of

846
01:03:43,440 --> 01:03:48,480
this this evening. I just wanted
clarification. So, thank you.

847
01:03:47,039 --> 01:03:51,680
» Thank you, Councilwoman. Any other
discussion from the council? Councilman

848
01:03:50,559 --> 01:03:54,640
Sullivan.
>> Um, Chief, I don't I don't know if you

849
01:03:53,200 --> 01:03:59,599
can answer this or not, but I believe
this position has been grant funded in

850
01:03:57,200 --> 01:04:02,240
the past, but the current grant period
has not opened yet. Is that correct?

851
01:04:01,520 --> 01:04:06,799
» Correct.
>> All right. So is the if for some reason

852
01:04:04,880 --> 01:04:09,200
we were not able to get the grant this
year is the department able to cover the

853
01:04:08,799 --> 01:04:12,480
cost?
>> Yes. So in the budget presentation that

854
01:04:10,960 --> 01:04:16,559
was a concern I had. So it was built in
the professional standards. Um it was a

855
01:04:14,240 --> 01:04:20,160
reimbursement grant previously. Uh so
we're we have uh that grant hasn't

856
01:04:18,559 --> 01:04:24,400
opened up yet. We checked that daily and
I in contact with director towns also.

857
01:04:22,720 --> 01:04:27,920
Uh we have another application for a
separate grant for that'll cover this

858
01:04:25,839 --> 01:04:32,720
program and that's in the process.
>> Okay. Thank you.

859
01:04:31,280 --> 01:04:37,039
Thank you, Councilman Sullivan. Any
other discussion from the council? Um, I

860
01:04:35,359 --> 01:04:39,520
just want to say this is a program that,
you know, I've been an advocate for for

861
01:04:38,480 --> 01:04:43,039
a long time. I want to thank the
Westland Police Department and Chief

862
01:04:41,039 --> 01:04:46,240
Dolly for his leadership. Uh, when this
program first started, I think back in

863
01:04:44,720 --> 01:04:50,079
2021,
um, when he was a deputy chief at the

864
01:04:48,240 --> 01:04:54,000
time, he was someone who had championed
this program. And we were one of the

865
01:04:51,440 --> 01:04:58,640
first communities in Metro Detroit to
add a social worker and a substance

866
01:04:56,559 --> 01:05:02,480
abuse professional. Not only does um
Jennifer Grismala do you know social

867
01:05:00,559 --> 01:05:06,640
work with folks in the community who are
experiencing uh homelessness or

868
01:05:04,720 --> 01:05:09,680
transient population experiencing brain
health issues, mental health crisises.

869
01:05:08,319 --> 01:05:13,520
She also works with individuals who are
experiencing a substance use disorder so

870
01:05:11,680 --> 01:05:18,640
that we can keep those individuals out
of the prison pipeline and get them the

871
01:05:17,280 --> 01:05:23,039
help and the treatment they need because
just simply sending someone uh to jail

872
01:05:20,880 --> 01:05:26,240
does not uh work and does not make them
better. So I want to thank West Police

873
01:05:25,039 --> 01:05:31,359
Department. I want to thank Chief Dolly
for his leadership continuing u this

874
01:05:28,799 --> 01:05:37,280
program and I'll be in full support of
this and is there any other discussion?

875
01:05:34,480 --> 01:05:41,520
Any dissent? Any descent? Hearing and
seeing none motion passes.

876
01:05:39,839 --> 01:05:44,960
» New business item number two
confirmation of reappointment of Daryl

877
01:05:43,599 --> 01:05:48,319
Rounds to the Westland Planning
Commission for a three-year term

878
01:05:46,319 --> 01:05:52,160
effective upon council confirmation and
expired on August 20th, 2029.

879
01:05:50,880 --> 01:05:55,920
» Is there a motion?
>> Motion by Councilwoman Bowman. Is there

880
01:05:53,760 --> 01:06:01,119
support? supported by Councilman
Sullivan. Any discussion from the maker?

881
01:05:58,400 --> 01:06:04,319
» No, I think we agree about Geraldine and
we're excited that he's also continuing

882
01:06:02,960 --> 01:06:06,720
on with us.
>> Anything from supporter?

883
01:06:06,079 --> 01:06:09,680
» Same thing.
>> Okay. Any other discussion from the

884
01:06:08,079 --> 01:06:13,440
council?
Any other discussion? I will just say I

885
01:06:11,839 --> 01:06:17,680
know he's not in the audience today, but
Mr. Rounds, thank you for continuing to

886
01:06:15,920 --> 01:06:22,240
serve here on the planning commission. I
know this is your first reappoint, so uh

887
01:06:20,559 --> 01:06:25,280
welcome back to the planning commission.
you I have the chance to watch the

888
01:06:23,680 --> 01:06:28,480
planning commission meetings as well. I
can't attend them in person because I am

889
01:06:26,960 --> 01:06:33,520
at work during the day when they're
going on, but do appreciate uh all the

890
01:06:31,599 --> 01:06:36,720
work that uh you do and your input and
insight on the planning commission. So,

891
01:06:35,280 --> 01:06:41,119
thank you for stepping back up to
continue to serve on the planning

892
01:06:38,319 --> 01:06:45,039
commission. And is there any descent?
Any descent? Hearing seeing none, motion

893
01:06:43,359 --> 01:06:48,760
passes. Mr. Rounds, if you're going to
watch us at home, congratulations.

894
01:06:49,301 --> 01:06:51,321
» [applause]

895
01:06:52,880 --> 01:06:58,480
» New bis new business item number three
nominations of delegate to the annual

896
01:06:56,720 --> 01:07:02,880
Michigan Municipal League convention to
be held October 7th through October 9th,

897
01:07:00,720 --> 01:07:06,400
2026 at the Grand Traverse Resort in
Traverse City.

898
01:07:04,799 --> 01:07:11,280
» We will now open the floor to
nominations.

899
01:07:07,760 --> 01:07:14,720
» Um I nominate Councilwoman Emily Bowman.
>> There is a nomination for Councilwoman

900
01:07:13,039 --> 01:07:19,359
Bowman by Councilwoman Martin. Are there
any other nominations?

901
01:07:17,359 --> 01:07:21,200
» Nomination. Motion to close nominations
by Councilman Sullivan. Is there

902
01:07:20,720 --> 01:07:26,160
support?
>> Support.

903
01:07:22,240 --> 01:07:28,640
» All right. Any dissent? Any descent?
Hearing and seeing none. Nominations are

904
01:07:27,760 --> 01:07:32,400
closed.
>> New business. Item number four,

905
01:07:30,240 --> 01:07:35,440
designation of Emily Bowman as a
delegate to the annual Michigan

906
01:07:33,760 --> 01:07:39,520
Municipal League Convention to be held
October 7th through October 9th, 2026.

907
01:07:38,240 --> 01:07:41,839
» Is there a motion?
>> So moved.

908
01:07:40,480 --> 01:07:43,119
» Motion by Councilwoman Martin. And is
there support?

909
01:07:42,559 --> 01:07:48,079
» Support.
>> Supported by Councilwoman Sampy. Any

910
01:07:46,000 --> 01:07:51,359
discussion?
Nope.

911
01:07:48,880 --> 01:07:53,440
» Any discussion? Counciloman, do you have
anything you wanted to add on your

912
01:07:52,799 --> 01:07:57,760
behalf?
>> Yeah, since you've been nominated.

913
01:07:55,359 --> 01:08:01,039
» Um, just um I I appreciate the support
of my uh council to go to do this as a

914
01:07:59,599 --> 01:08:05,200
delegate. It is a delegate to the annual
meeting that is held once a year at the

915
01:08:02,960 --> 01:08:08,400
convention and um and it's it is a
representation of the city. So, if

916
01:08:06,400 --> 01:08:11,359
there's any any votes there, I you know,
I would be the one to take them. So, um

917
01:08:10,079 --> 01:08:15,359
and I' I've actually really enjoyed
being part of um getting really active

918
01:08:13,359 --> 01:08:19,839
with Michigan Municipal League on behalf
of the city. um so I can be a better

919
01:08:17,520 --> 01:08:23,920
council woman. So that's good job.
>> Okay. Um I'll just add real quick before

920
01:08:22,239 --> 01:08:27,759
we see if there's any descent, which I
highly doubt there will be, but um

921
01:08:26,000 --> 01:08:31,520
Councilwoman Balman has gone to MML
since she's been on council. She's been

922
01:08:29,120 --> 01:08:35,040
to as many events as she can. So she's
really stepped up and taken a role, you

923
01:08:33,679 --> 01:08:39,600
know, leading on behalf of the city,
going to uh these events each and every

924
01:08:37,279 --> 01:08:43,600
year. So, um, you know, she's moving her
way up their MML leadership academy

925
01:08:41,600 --> 01:08:46,799
course and she's bringing a lot back to
the city, a lot of, uh, information and

926
01:08:45,440 --> 01:08:49,679
knowledge for our residents. So, I
appreciate her stepping up and her

927
01:08:48,159 --> 01:08:56,319
willingness to serve. Is there any
descent? Any descent? Hearing seeing

928
01:08:52,480 --> 01:09:00,080
none, motion passes. Congratulations.
New business item number five,

929
01:08:58,000 --> 01:09:03,920
nomination of alternate in case the of
the inability of the delegate to attend

930
01:09:02,159 --> 01:09:09,199
to the annual Michigan Municipal League
convention to be held October 7th

931
01:09:05,359 --> 01:09:12,759
through October 9th, 2026.
>> Is there a nomination?

932
01:09:13,120 --> 01:09:16,960
» Yes,
>> I would like to nominate Melissa Sampi.

933
01:09:15,839 --> 01:09:21,880
» Okay, there's a nomination for
Councilwoman Sampy. Are there any other

934
01:09:18,880 --> 01:09:21,880
nominations?

935
01:09:22,159 --> 01:09:25,920
» Close nominations. There motion to close
nominations by Councilman Svin. Is there

936
01:09:25,199 --> 01:09:28,319
support?
>> Support.

937
01:09:26,719 --> 01:09:32,960
» There is support from Councilman Martin.
Is there any dissent?

938
01:09:30,239 --> 01:09:36,880
Any dissent? Hearing and seeing none.
Nominations are closed.

939
01:09:34,640 --> 01:09:41,520
» New business item number six,
designation of Melissa Sampi of the

940
01:09:38,719 --> 01:09:45,199
alternate in the case of the inability
of the delegate to attend to the annual

941
01:09:43,520 --> 01:09:49,359
Michigan Municipal League Convention to
be held October 7th through October 9th,

942
01:09:47,600 --> 01:09:51,199
2026.
>> Is there a motion?

943
01:09:50,480 --> 01:09:54,000
» So moved.
>> Motion by Counciloman Martin. Is there

944
01:09:52,640 --> 01:09:57,679
support?
>> Supported by Councilwoman Bowman. Any

945
01:09:55,760 --> 01:09:59,920
discussion from the maker?
>> No.

946
01:09:58,000 --> 01:10:03,760
» Any discussion from the supporter?
>> Okay. Uh, Councilwoman, did anything?

947
01:10:02,159 --> 01:10:08,400
» Yeah. No. Thank you so much, colleagues,
for supporting. Um, this this is

948
01:10:06,320 --> 01:10:13,280
something I went to the past few years
and I told Councilwoman uh Bowman, she's

949
01:10:10,960 --> 01:10:20,560
been so active with MML. She's very
close to a a a very prestigious um

950
01:10:17,199 --> 01:10:24,640
certification. So, I am going to plan to
attend um as an alternate, but I really

951
01:10:23,120 --> 01:10:29,040
think that she deserves to be our
delegate this year because she's doing a

952
01:10:26,880 --> 01:10:34,159
great job with um rising up the ladders
and I'm excited to attend the conference

953
01:10:31,360 --> 01:10:38,480
uh as well, but I think it's it's welld
deserved to be the delegate and I I had

954
01:10:36,480 --> 01:10:42,239
a great opportunity going for the past
few years as a delegate. So, um so I'm

955
01:10:41,120 --> 01:10:46,400
really excited. So, thank you
colleagues.

956
01:10:43,840 --> 01:10:48,880
» Absolutely. Any other discussion? Um, I
will just add thank you Councilwoman

957
01:10:47,679 --> 01:10:52,080
Santley for stepping up to be the
alternate. I know you've gone uh to this

958
01:10:50,800 --> 01:10:55,920
before and thank you for passing the
baton on. Uh, you've gained a lot of

959
01:10:53,920 --> 01:11:00,000
good information and insight going to
these MML events and I know this isn't

960
01:10:58,000 --> 01:11:03,600
the only time you've participated. We've
gone to MML events together for some of

961
01:11:01,760 --> 01:11:07,679
the uh leadership training courses that
they do. So, thank you for uh continuing

962
01:11:05,679 --> 01:11:12,640
to serve with MML and stepping up for
this. Very much appreciated. Is there

963
01:11:09,679 --> 01:11:17,560
any descent? Any descent? Hearing and
seeing none. Motion passes.

964
01:11:19,120 --> 01:11:26,560
Okay. So, we are now going to move on to
public comment. Everyone speaking before

965
01:11:24,640 --> 01:11:30,800
the council should do so in a civil
manner. Speakers should refrain from

966
01:11:28,640 --> 01:11:34,719
abusive or profane remarks, vulgar
language, disruptive outbursts, threats,

967
01:11:33,040 --> 01:11:38,960
racial slurs, or other conduct that
interferes with the orderly conduct of

968
01:11:36,640 --> 01:11:43,520
the business meeting. Personal attacks
on council members, the administration,

969
01:11:41,120 --> 01:11:48,719
city staff, other speakers, or members
of the public. Do not promote civil

970
01:11:45,920 --> 01:11:53,280
discourse. Excuse me. Comments shall be
directed to the chair and not to people

971
01:11:51,120 --> 01:11:57,120
in the audience. The chair shall call to
order any person who is being disorderly

972
01:11:55,440 --> 01:12:01,840
by speaking when not having been
recognized by the chair or is being

973
01:11:59,199 --> 01:12:05,920
disrupted to the proceedings. If any
person after being called to order

974
01:12:03,920 --> 01:12:10,640
continues to be disorderly, creating a
public 13 disturbance, the chair may

975
01:12:08,719 --> 01:12:13,920
order that person be removed
immediately. And I know we had someone

976
01:12:12,719 --> 01:12:17,400
up front here, sir. I'm going to get
right to you first.

977
01:12:17,920 --> 01:12:25,199
» All right. I'm here to talk about uh
trash just like Paul. Only my dump is

978
01:12:23,600 --> 01:12:32,000
next door.
I work 10 to 12 hours a day, six days a

979
01:12:28,159 --> 01:12:36,320
week, and I come home to a mess.
I've lived there seven years. Every

980
01:12:34,159 --> 01:12:41,760
year, I've called the ordinance officer
at least two to three times a year. I

981
01:12:39,360 --> 01:12:47,040
cannot get a sat down meeting with the
with the mayor. I cannot get a sat down

982
01:12:44,640 --> 01:12:50,960
meeting with the ordinance officer. When
I went to the office to speak to the

983
01:12:49,040 --> 01:12:56,320
ordinance officer prior to the one
that's there now, he said it's a me

984
01:12:53,920 --> 01:13:01,520
problem because I'm the only one in
blocks that is making this this uh

985
01:12:59,679 --> 01:13:05,280
making an effort because everybody
nobody wants to get involved. Nobody

986
01:13:03,199 --> 01:13:09,280
wants to make a phone call. Nobody wants
to do anything other than dial the

987
01:13:06,800 --> 01:13:14,400
number and leave a message anonymously.
Anonymous.

988
01:13:11,120 --> 01:13:21,040
I last Thanksgiving on Monday before
Thanksgiving

989
01:13:16,000 --> 01:13:26,880
uh come home to uh there was a trailer
full of trash piled up in front of the

990
01:13:24,239 --> 01:13:32,159
road. There was a trailer full of trash
and there was a pickup full of trash all

991
01:13:29,199 --> 01:13:38,320
for the bulk pickup that was hauled in
there by these people. The fence around

992
01:13:35,199 --> 01:13:43,679
the place was just falling down. They've
had numerous complaints to get it fixed.

993
01:13:41,520 --> 01:13:48,800
Ordinance officer out there. They have a
camping trailer beside the house plugged

994
01:13:46,080 --> 01:13:55,199
in. People living in it currently. The
ordinance officer told them we're 9 to5.

995
01:13:52,400 --> 01:14:01,760
Don't be in there till after 5.
That's what I'm dealing with. The dogs

996
01:13:57,600 --> 01:14:05,199
run loose. We're allowed what? Two pets.
But you can have two pets. And your

997
01:14:03,600 --> 01:14:09,360
friend that's visiting can have two
pets. and their friend that's visiting

998
01:14:06,960 --> 01:14:15,440
can have two pets and I've got six to
eight dogs running unleashed

999
01:14:12,320 --> 01:14:21,600
crapping in my yard chasing other dogs
down the street. Six to eight cars. It's

1000
01:14:18,800 --> 01:14:28,880
a three bedroomedroom house.
Three bedroomedroom house 1365 square

1001
01:14:25,440 --> 01:14:34,800
ft. When I left to come to this meeting,
there's seven vehicles parked over there

1002
01:14:31,920 --> 01:14:38,640
plus the camper beside the house.
There's a truck that's in the backyard

1003
01:14:36,480 --> 01:14:42,800
that's been there for six months. I
don't know if it has license plates or

1004
01:14:40,239 --> 01:14:47,920
insurance or not. There's people living
in the garage. There's people living in

1005
01:14:45,120 --> 01:14:52,880
the crawl space in the attic. And I
can't get nobody to do anything about

1006
01:14:49,760 --> 01:14:58,080
it. I cannot get a meeting. This is my
third time in four years coming before

1007
01:14:55,920 --> 01:15:02,880
your council.
When I call the ordinance officer, when

1008
01:15:00,400 --> 01:15:08,080
I call the mayor's office, they'll send
somebody out. the [clears throat] grass

1009
01:15:05,040 --> 01:15:14,560
that is over the five foot high privacy
fence. Just this week when I called on

1010
01:15:11,520 --> 01:15:19,520
Tuesday last week, the ordinance officer
showed up I think Friday and within

1011
01:15:17,280 --> 01:15:22,400
three hours there was five people
running lawnmowers.

1012
01:15:20,800 --> 01:15:25,040
» Sir, your time is up, but hang tight.
I'm going to come and talk to you

1013
01:15:23,360 --> 01:15:28,159
afterwards because I want to get more
information on this. I'm very sorry it's

1014
01:15:26,960 --> 01:15:30,560
happening.
>> Yep. And what's your name, sir?

1015
01:15:29,760 --> 01:15:33,120
» Wayne Lewis.
>> Mr. Lewis. All right. Thank you, Mr.

1016
01:15:31,840 --> 01:15:38,600
» I'll give you my address and the other
one if you No, hang tight. I'll come

1017
01:15:34,560 --> 01:15:38,600
talk to you afterwards. Thank you.

1018
01:15:41,440 --> 01:15:47,800
And is there anyone on my left? Yes,
Miss Warren. That

1019
01:15:48,880 --> 01:15:52,679
» don't want to sit by your husband.

1020
01:16:00,000 --> 01:16:08,239
» Good evening.
So, as many of you know, I've been

1021
01:16:05,520 --> 01:16:12,800
requesting information about veterans
that have passed that stayed in

1022
01:16:10,880 --> 01:16:19,520
Westland.
At this time, after speaking with Mr.

1023
01:16:16,239 --> 01:16:24,239
Adams, we decided we want to make sure
we're getting the information right and

1024
01:16:21,840 --> 01:16:31,840
we want to do justice to all the
veterans. So, we are moving the date

1025
01:16:27,199 --> 01:16:37,280
back to Memorial Day of 2027,
but I am still asking the public or

1026
01:16:34,960 --> 01:16:44,320
anybody that has information about a
veteran that passed during wartime that

1027
01:16:40,560 --> 01:16:48,560
stayed in Westland to please let me know
and they can contact me through Mr.

1028
01:16:46,400 --> 01:16:51,840
Allen's office or the mayor's office.
Thank you.

1029
01:16:50,000 --> 01:16:55,880
» Thank you, Miss Warren. Is there anyone
on my right? Yes, sir.

1030
01:16:57,120 --> 01:17:02,880
Oh yeah, Andrew Rassic, Ridgewood
Department's Westland. I know Mayor

1031
01:17:01,520 --> 01:17:07,679
Coleman's not here tonight, but I just
wanted to thank him for um that state of

1032
01:17:05,280 --> 01:17:10,800
the city address last Wednesday.
Couldn't be at the first part of it

1033
01:17:09,199 --> 01:17:16,320
because I had to work, but I did come
for the last 90 minutes. Had to watch it

1034
01:17:13,920 --> 01:17:20,640
from out in the hall because um ballroom
was full. But he did mention something

1035
01:17:18,800 --> 01:17:24,960
about Wayne and Hunter. And I just
wanted to ask him, does anybody know

1036
01:17:22,880 --> 01:17:31,760
what is when work's going to continue
there? Cuz before I came to Westland,

1037
01:17:29,760 --> 01:17:38,159
there had been work going on and now
nothing. So have to find out when work's

1038
01:17:36,000 --> 01:17:44,719
going to continue there.
And then dangerous intersections. As I

1039
01:17:41,840 --> 01:17:48,560
stated a couple meetings back,
I'm glad we're getting all the PE

1040
01:17:46,239 --> 01:17:54,080
signals replaced, the outdated ones with
the countdown timers. However, um

1041
01:17:52,400 --> 01:17:59,360
there's a few intersections that need
left turn signals. I already know Wayne

1042
01:17:56,560 --> 01:18:04,719
and Hunter's getting one, but Middle
Belt and Joy Road and Joy Road and

1043
01:18:01,760 --> 01:18:09,280
Ingster Road, they both need left turn
signals.

1044
01:18:07,280 --> 01:18:14,400
Right now, they're without a left turn
signal.

1045
01:18:11,040 --> 01:18:18,480
Also, Cherry Hill and Vanoi
needs one especially.

1046
01:18:16,719 --> 01:18:22,239
There's been too many accidents. There
was one accident that involved a

1047
01:18:20,480 --> 01:18:27,600
pedestrian. That pedestrian's still
recovering after a year. So, hopefully

1048
01:18:24,960 --> 01:18:33,840
we can get a left turn signal at some of
those dangerous intersections.

1049
01:18:30,719 --> 01:18:36,000
And um that's all I have. Thank you guys
for your time.

1050
01:18:34,800 --> 01:18:38,800
» Thank you. And we're also going to
answer your question from earlier during

1051
01:18:37,600 --> 01:18:45,719
our council comments.
>> Okay. Thanks. You're very welcome.

1052
01:18:41,600 --> 01:18:45,719
Anyone on mouth? Yes, sir.

1053
01:18:46,080 --> 01:18:51,679
» Hi, everybody. My name is Kandaras
Coward. Uh I am a licensed roofer. Uh

1054
01:18:50,480 --> 01:18:57,040
I've been doing it for about four and a
half years. Um I just came up here

1055
01:18:54,560 --> 01:19:02,159
because I'm interested in taking on
projects in Wayne County. Uh I'm

1056
01:18:59,600 --> 01:19:06,640
normally all over Michigan, but uh I
have my own business. It's called KC

1057
01:19:03,760 --> 01:19:10,640
Roofing. I'm a asshalt shingler. Uh, I
have some business cards, so I can leave

1058
01:19:08,719 --> 01:19:13,920
some business cards out on the table.
>> Okay. We don't normally like business

1059
01:19:12,320 --> 01:19:15,679
promotion like this up here, so just
just to let you know.

1060
01:19:14,719 --> 01:19:23,239
» Gotcha. Thank you.
>> Not a problem. Thank you for coming out.

1061
01:19:18,560 --> 01:19:23,239
» Uh, anyone on my right? Yes, M.

1062
01:19:23,600 --> 01:19:30,880
» I wasn't going to do this tonight, but I
was going to call out the mayor. He

1063
01:19:28,719 --> 01:19:37,280
didn't show up to this meeting, and I
let him know three weeks ago. I found

1064
01:19:33,679 --> 01:19:41,600
out some information going doortodoor.
I found out information from other

1065
01:19:39,280 --> 01:19:49,440
people in different cities that know Mr.
Coleman, God bout Martin, Emily Balman,

1066
01:19:47,840 --> 01:19:54,239
Lisa,
and Mike.

1067
01:19:51,360 --> 01:20:02,880
And some of you were highly recognized
and valued as the council meeting panel,

1068
01:20:00,080 --> 01:20:11,679
but some of the other ones I was told
and was shown that uh four council

1069
01:20:07,920 --> 01:20:21,120
people on the panel had their campaigns
paid for by Mayor Coleman

1070
01:20:16,320 --> 01:20:24,800
and in return for votes. And I also
>> ma'am that's getting towards a personal

1071
01:20:23,040 --> 01:20:27,520
attack on individual.
>> It's not personal. It's why I'm going

1072
01:20:26,320 --> 01:20:31,600
public.
>> Well, you're calling out accusing them

1073
01:20:30,239 --> 01:20:36,560
of
>> the mayor that went to a school to read

1074
01:20:34,080 --> 01:20:39,560
a book and ended up talking politics to
kindergartens.

1075
01:20:40,000 --> 01:20:43,679
» Do you want to see it?
>> Well, he's the mayor. I'm not here to

1076
01:20:42,560 --> 01:20:48,159
get in back and forth, but he is the
mayor and he's allowed to talk about his

1077
01:20:45,600 --> 01:20:55,840
position. Somebody had bashed Melissa
Sampy for buying food and taking food to

1078
01:20:51,679 --> 01:21:01,280
a school to feed kids snacks, lunches,
and the mayor's bashing on her for that,

1079
01:20:58,719 --> 01:21:07,360
but he's not telling people what he's
done using kids to get votes, and that's

1080
01:21:04,719 --> 01:21:13,040
not right. So, I'm calling the mayor
out. He's not responding. And I seen him

1081
01:21:10,480 --> 01:21:18,800
in the parking lot today, and he put God
bowed in his place. I've even talked to

1082
01:21:15,199 --> 01:21:23,440
God belt which has also ignored me. So
something needs to be done. I want it

1083
01:21:20,800 --> 01:21:28,560
face to face with the mayor. I don't
care who else is present. I want it

1084
01:21:25,760 --> 01:21:35,520
public and I would like to see a public
apology to Miss Sampy for the behavior

1085
01:21:32,640 --> 01:21:43,159
of the mayor. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Miss Thomas.

1086
01:21:38,560 --> 01:21:43,159
Anyone on my left? Yes, Miss Thomas.

1087
01:21:46,880 --> 01:21:53,840
Good evening everyone.
I thank you guys for allowing me to come

1088
01:21:52,159 --> 01:22:01,679
up here and talk. And I since we were
talking about garbage, it is a situation

1089
01:21:57,440 --> 01:22:06,560
with I'm being told that some of the
uh landlords are not doing their jobs

1090
01:22:04,000 --> 01:22:12,080
and we already know that. But now
because of the rodent rodent problem

1091
01:22:09,920 --> 01:22:18,320
that we're having,
uh it it's it's making it a lot worse.

1092
01:22:14,960 --> 01:22:23,440
I'm finding out that uh in people's
backyards because you can't see from the

1093
01:22:20,800 --> 01:22:30,400
front, but mostly in the backyards. Now,
how do we go about making sure that

1094
01:22:26,719 --> 01:22:38,400
someone or the landlord is is getting
rid of uh all of the debris, trash, uh

1095
01:22:35,920 --> 01:22:45,280
dogs, animal poop. You'd be surprised
the the stuff uh that goes on inside of

1096
01:22:41,760 --> 01:22:49,840
those uh duplexes or town houses. And
it's a and it makes it difficult for the

1097
01:22:47,520 --> 01:22:54,560
rest of the neighborhood to try to keep
up. I mean, like this gentleman was

1098
01:22:51,679 --> 01:23:00,800
saying, it's like one situation after
the other, and it's like everybody is is

1099
01:22:58,320 --> 01:23:06,960
getting the brunt of what a few people
are doing or not doing. And in this

1100
01:23:04,080 --> 01:23:12,560
situation, uh like I said, I'm being
told that there's uh some some the

1101
01:23:09,920 --> 01:23:20,080
landlords at some of these places are
just not doing their jobs. I've taken

1102
01:23:15,120 --> 01:23:23,600
pictures of some p some of the places
How do you I I'm not going to go in

1103
01:23:21,760 --> 01:23:28,080
their backyard, but I just have to take
the words of the people that are coming

1104
01:23:26,080 --> 01:23:32,960
to me because I respect them and I
believe them because I'm right there in

1105
01:23:30,159 --> 01:23:38,080
the middle of it as well. So I I don't I
I don't want to be when the moment I see

1106
01:23:35,440 --> 01:23:43,760
a a rodent in my house, that's when I'm
picking up and I'm moving because who

1107
01:23:40,719 --> 01:23:50,239
wants to live in an area where there's
constant debris and constant, you know,

1108
01:23:47,360 --> 01:23:55,280
people it it seems like the the the
people that are being rented to,

1109
01:23:53,679 --> 01:24:01,040
they don't care because it's not their
property. So when people don't own

1110
01:23:58,239 --> 01:24:03,920
property, then that's they don't care
because they don't have to pay for it.

1111
01:24:02,480 --> 01:24:09,520
They don't have to keep it up if they
don't want to. So for the most of the

1112
01:24:07,199 --> 01:24:15,040
people that are doing what we're what we
need to do in order to keep our homes

1113
01:24:11,520 --> 01:24:20,560
good and our duplexes, our living areas
clean, I mean, it's becoming a problem.

1114
01:24:19,120 --> 01:24:26,000
And you guys know that. I'm sure you've
heard about the rodents in in Westland

1115
01:24:23,440 --> 01:24:31,360
period. Not only in Norway, but in
Westland period. So, this is what's

1116
01:24:28,480 --> 01:24:37,120
where it's coming from. Trash, debris,
dogs, their poop not being picked up,

1117
01:24:34,400 --> 01:24:43,440
and all this kind of stuff that makes it
bad. Uh, this one lady, okay, I don't

1118
01:24:40,000 --> 01:24:45,120
have time to do this, but trash is a
major problem.

1119
01:24:44,800 --> 01:24:46,800
» Yep.
>> Thank you.

1120
01:24:45,600 --> 01:24:50,639
» Thank you, Miss Thomas. If you have a
specific address, we'll come get it from

1121
01:24:48,239 --> 01:24:53,040
you, too. I do not, but I can get it for
you.

1122
01:24:51,120 --> 01:24:55,440
» Okay, I'll talk to you offline. Okay.
>> Because I know we have each other's

1123
01:24:54,239 --> 01:25:00,840
phone number.
>> Anyone on my right? Yes, Ray.

1124
01:25:02,239 --> 01:25:10,960
» Wow. Wow. Wow. Anyway, try to save the
best, you know, try to [snorts] save the

1125
01:25:08,560 --> 01:25:15,199
um I want to say to council, thank you
for with this support with the social

1126
01:25:13,199 --> 01:25:22,080
worker and I think the police department
is a great leadership and I support

1127
01:25:18,239 --> 01:25:27,280
mental health all the way. So, u matter
of fact, let's talk about mental health

1128
01:25:23,760 --> 01:25:32,000
for a second. 988 day is called making
an awareness of it. Suicide prevention

1129
01:25:29,760 --> 01:25:37,120
month. You might have a friend. You
might have a loved one. Some people

1130
01:25:33,520 --> 01:25:42,560
sometimes don't, you know, make they
don't they deny it that they might need

1131
01:25:39,440 --> 01:25:47,920
help. But there is help out there
supports. So that's why I am big big

1132
01:25:45,199 --> 01:25:54,800
about 988. We have a brand new sign out
in that new park over here. I'm proud of

1133
01:25:50,719 --> 01:26:00,719
it. 988. And I'm going to spread it to
Dearborn Heights and to some other

1134
01:25:57,760 --> 01:26:05,440
places yet. Bray is always making want
to make changes and make the moves. And

1135
01:26:03,199 --> 01:26:10,320
anyway, let's talk about the DQ for a
second. I want to thank my friends for

1136
01:26:07,120 --> 01:26:15,199
going and thanks Melissa and the group
of the VIP friends and the police

1137
01:26:12,320 --> 01:26:20,480
department and the fire. Um, it was
great. It's good to be rec, you know,

1138
01:26:18,080 --> 01:26:25,120
recognized in your own you into the
community and all the great things I'm

1139
01:26:22,560 --> 01:26:30,159
doing and stuff like that. So, I felt
really good because it wasn't like that

1140
01:26:27,120 --> 01:26:33,199
in my time in the 70s like it is now.
Pray is making a difference out there

1141
01:26:31,679 --> 01:26:37,360
and we're all making a difference out
there and we need to be kind to one

1142
01:26:34,880 --> 01:26:42,960
another too. So, and to the all the
times and so I do have new goals. 14

1143
01:26:40,639 --> 01:26:48,080
years for CLS.
This my anniversary going to another

1144
01:26:44,880 --> 01:26:53,280
year making it 15. I am ready for it.
Training the new officers to the police

1145
01:26:50,320 --> 01:26:58,320
department. the fire department already
did this year. So, I'm gonna continue

1146
01:26:55,920 --> 01:27:03,360
doing what I am doing and that's my
calling. I want to say thank you.

1147
01:27:01,360 --> 01:27:05,360
» Thank you, Ray. And happy birthday to
you.

1148
01:27:04,639 --> 01:27:11,480
» Thank you.
>> Yes, sir.

1149
01:27:08,480 --> 01:27:11,480
» Right.

1150
01:27:15,520 --> 01:27:23,840
» Good evening, council.
>> Good evening, council president. Um I

1151
01:27:19,600 --> 01:27:33,440
have three items. Um the first one is uh
in regards to the opening time of the

1152
01:27:27,600 --> 01:27:39,520
dispensaries. Um I heard the um the uh
uh director talk about elderly people

1153
01:27:37,520 --> 01:27:45,760
needing to be there early, people
getting home from work at late hours in

1154
01:27:41,920 --> 01:27:51,520
the morning. Um and this is rush hour
time. This is 8:00 in the morning. This

1155
01:27:48,000 --> 01:27:56,960
is when traffic on Ford Road is quite
busy. And to get people, especially

1156
01:27:54,800 --> 01:28:02,239
elderly people or people that are groggy
from working all night out on the road

1157
01:27:59,360 --> 01:28:08,719
at 8:00 in the morning during rush hour
traffic could be a bit of a safety

1158
01:28:04,719 --> 01:28:15,440
issue. Just that was my opinion on that.
Um, second thing is I did see two brand

1159
01:28:12,000 --> 01:28:23,440
new garbage trucks in my culdeac today.
So I am very grateful for that. Um and

1160
01:28:18,800 --> 01:28:30,239
the third one is um at the uh Westland
historical village on the 17th of

1161
01:28:26,480 --> 01:28:37,199
September at 6:30 I will be doing a um
lecture on the history of Westland

1162
01:28:32,560 --> 01:28:41,920
churches where uh where it started where
it came from the influence and the

1163
01:28:38,880 --> 01:28:48,719
impact on the city of Westland. So if
you are available that night, please

1164
01:28:44,000 --> 01:28:52,280
come out and join us. Thank you.
Thank you very much.

1165
01:28:53,520 --> 01:29:02,159
» And is there anyone on my right?
Anyone on my left?

1166
01:29:00,239 --> 01:29:05,480
Mr. Warren
already know.

1167
01:29:09,199 --> 01:29:13,440
» Good evening again.
[clears throat and cough]

1168
01:29:11,679 --> 01:29:18,800
In regards to the state of the city
address, the uh police chief and um

1169
01:29:17,360 --> 01:29:25,679
through the chair to the police chief,
you had mentioned um community

1170
01:29:21,440 --> 01:29:30,480
engagement on some level. Um, so I'm
particular particularly interested in

1171
01:29:28,480 --> 01:29:38,159
that and see how that will form out
because over the past 10 or 15 years um

1172
01:29:36,956 --> 01:29:43,360
[clears throat] was recommendations that
came from the citizens advisory

1173
01:29:40,159 --> 01:29:48,000
committee to forward $110,000
over for community engagements and

1174
01:29:45,440 --> 01:29:52,480
community police officers. So you had
mentioned about a lieutenant and maybe a

1175
01:29:50,639 --> 01:29:58,719
sergeant kind of taking that over. So
what happens to the other officers who I

1176
01:29:56,000 --> 01:30:04,239
have been dealing with uh in regards to
some community issues. So I'd like to u

1177
01:30:01,840 --> 01:30:07,760
see what that structure is and how
you're going to lay that out and what

1178
01:30:05,760 --> 01:30:13,120
the relationship with those officers be
with uh particularly the Norway and the

1179
01:30:10,239 --> 01:30:17,679
Carver subdivision communities. So, I'd
like to see the plan

1180
01:30:15,760 --> 01:30:21,520
and uh how these folks are going to be
compensated because I'm pretty sure

1181
01:30:19,520 --> 01:30:27,920
they're being compensated now in their
current positions. And so, that's

1182
01:30:24,117 --> 01:30:32,880
[clears throat] one thing I would uh uh
really like to look at and it's

1183
01:30:30,480 --> 01:30:37,679
hopefully that it will work for our two
communities. Thank you.

1184
01:30:36,080 --> 01:30:42,639
» Thank you, Mr. Warren. Is there anyone
else in the audience?

1185
01:30:40,400 --> 01:30:46,639
Okay, seeing hearing none, we will close
public comment and move on to comments

1186
01:30:44,800 --> 01:30:51,280
from the administration and Deputy Mayor
God.

1187
01:30:48,719 --> 01:30:55,280
» Thanks. And uh thank you council
president for uh taking a moment of

1188
01:30:53,440 --> 01:31:02,080
silence for Beth at the start of the
meeting. Um, you know, even though Beth

1189
01:30:59,360 --> 01:31:08,000
was only here with the city officially
for uh a few years, uh, she's been very

1190
01:31:05,920 --> 01:31:15,120
active throughout the community for
decades and, uh, her loss is is missed

1191
01:31:12,880 --> 01:31:20,880
by the people at the Friendship Center
and throughout all of Westland. So,

1192
01:31:17,840 --> 01:31:26,480
please keep her family and friends uh,
in your thoughts and prayers during this

1193
01:31:23,199 --> 01:31:30,800
uh, difficult time.
Uh, I want to thank everyone who

1194
01:31:28,719 --> 01:31:37,040
attended the annual Women of Westland
event on August 27th. Uh, unfortunately

1195
01:31:34,320 --> 01:31:41,719
I was unable to attend, but I've heard
nothing but great feedback from the

1196
01:31:38,719 --> 01:31:41,719
attendees.

1197
01:31:41,760 --> 01:31:50,800
Um, and also I I'd like to thank all the
residents that came out and the people

1198
01:31:47,840 --> 01:31:56,560
that were involved with the Nankin
Square and Amphitheater. Uh we wrapped

1199
01:31:53,520 --> 01:32:04,159
up our live uh Friday night concert
series uh this last week and uh this was

1200
01:32:00,719 --> 01:32:08,800
a great inaugural year for the park. Uh
and you know we're looking forward we're

1201
01:32:06,320 --> 01:32:13,840
already starting plans for next year's
concert series as well as other events

1202
01:32:11,840 --> 01:32:20,639
that are going to take place at Nankin
Square. I know they're working on a uh

1203
01:32:16,560 --> 01:32:27,679
scarecrow walk uh going to happen in the
in the fall here as well as the uh

1204
01:32:24,239 --> 01:32:34,000
Christmas tree decoration event again at
Nankin Square. So, we plan to utilize

1205
01:32:30,400 --> 01:32:41,280
that facility year round. So uh but the
this first season is was uh uh we were

1206
01:32:39,040 --> 01:32:46,400
pleasantly surprised at the overwhelming
success that it had and it's spread

1207
01:32:43,920 --> 01:32:53,040
throughout the region. I go to events
from uh Conference of Western Wayne and

1208
01:32:49,440 --> 01:32:57,360
other uh SAMCOG and other groups and
there's a lot of buzz about what

1209
01:32:55,120 --> 01:33:02,400
Westland is doing and what we've done
with Nan Square and Amphitheater. So,

1210
01:33:00,320 --> 01:33:08,560
uh, just thanks for everyone that's been
involved in that process.

1211
01:33:05,600 --> 01:33:13,199
Uh, as well as, uh, you know, everyone
that came to the, uh, annual state of

1212
01:33:10,480 --> 01:33:16,719
the city address, uh, you know, the
mayor was able to highlight some of the

1213
01:33:15,040 --> 01:33:21,199
great things we've been working on this
past year. And I'd like to also thank

1214
01:33:19,360 --> 01:33:27,760
the Leavonia Westland Chamber of
Commerce and, uh, Dan West for helping

1215
01:33:25,120 --> 01:33:30,639
organize the event and host the business
awards.

1216
01:33:30,880 --> 01:33:39,440
This weekend, Friday, September 11th
through Sunday, September 13th, is our

1217
01:33:36,320 --> 01:33:45,679
communitywide garage sale. You can
register your sale on the city website

1218
01:33:42,880 --> 01:33:50,000
to drive shoppers to your location. If
you're shopping, you can visit our

1219
01:33:47,199 --> 01:33:55,920
website for an interactive sale locator
of registered sites. Uh there will also

1220
01:33:53,199 --> 01:34:00,960
be a helpful guide of items being sold
so you can plan your shopping

1221
01:33:57,920 --> 01:34:05,120
efficiently as possible and you can just
contact city hall here if you still need

1222
01:34:03,440 --> 01:34:10,840
to register I believe through the
clerk's office is handling those uh

1223
01:34:07,840 --> 01:34:10,840
registrations.

1224
01:34:11,040 --> 01:34:18,880
Our uh parks and recck department is
hosting a grandparents and me day this

1225
01:34:15,760 --> 01:34:24,639
Saturday, September 12th from 11:00 a.m.
to 1:00 p.m. here at city hall in the

1226
01:34:21,280 --> 01:34:30,639
ballroom. Uh join us for lunch, crafts,
games, and more. To register, please

1227
01:34:27,440 --> 01:34:33,639
contact our parks parks department at
7347227620.

1228
01:34:36,400 --> 01:34:44,800
That same day, uh, we're hosting the
annual craft beer and wine festival at

1229
01:34:41,360 --> 01:34:50,320
Central City Park. Uh, that's Saturday,
September 12th, starting at 5:00 p.m.

1230
01:34:47,840 --> 01:34:56,960
There'll be drinks, food, games, and
live music. To purchase tickets, visit

1231
01:34:53,520 --> 01:35:01,280
uh westlandbeer.com.
And then our uh Westland Farmers and

1232
01:34:59,440 --> 01:35:08,320
Artisans Market will be having their
annual fall fest on Thursday, September

1233
01:35:04,320 --> 01:35:14,400
18th from 3 to 7 p.m. So stop by and
check out all the fall themed items from

1234
01:35:11,120 --> 01:35:21,520
the vendors with crafts and much more.
And then I I did want to address the uh

1235
01:35:18,000 --> 01:35:27,600
issue on uh Wayne and Hunter that you
brought up. Um, so that's a

1236
01:35:24,560 --> 01:35:34,400
modernization of all the the uh traffic
lights there. What happened was they

1237
01:35:30,400 --> 01:35:43,520
they got three of the four pylons or
base structures in place and on the

1238
01:35:38,639 --> 01:35:50,719
fourth one there was a utility uh uh
problems where they couldn't put the a

1239
01:35:46,719 --> 01:35:58,719
pylon in order to support the mast arm.
So, we've been working with uh DTE and

1240
01:35:55,360 --> 01:36:03,679
uh the company to come up with a an
alternate to that which has taken some

1241
01:36:01,360 --> 01:36:07,760
re-engineering which is why that
intersection is still under

1242
01:36:05,280 --> 01:36:13,120
construction. Uh they've they've come up
with a solution now and are scheduled to

1243
01:36:10,800 --> 01:36:17,920
be moving that forward here this in the
next several weeks. So, just an update

1244
01:36:15,760 --> 01:36:22,080
on that one for you. And that's all I
have this evening. Thank you. Thank you,

1245
01:36:19,840 --> 01:36:25,040
Deputy Mayor Godbbout. Anything from the
city attorney's office?

1246
01:36:23,199 --> 01:36:28,159
» Always good to be with you, council. Uh,
nothing from me tonight. Thank you.

1247
01:36:26,560 --> 01:36:32,480
» Thank you, Attorney Grisco. We will now
begin council comments this evening and

1248
01:36:29,840 --> 01:36:35,440
hear from Councilman John Sullivan.
>> Well, as you know, Council President,

1249
01:36:33,760 --> 01:36:40,800
I'm a fan of brevity. Nothing from me
today.

1250
01:36:38,000 --> 01:36:46,639
» That's nice and easy. All right, we will
now hear from Councilwoman Emily Bman.

1251
01:36:45,199 --> 01:36:51,199
» Thank you. Um, thank you again for
everyone coming tonight. Um it's always

1252
01:36:48,480 --> 01:36:56,000
good to have lots of um lots of our
residents here are paying attention not

1253
01:36:52,560 --> 01:37:00,239
just um obviously on the video but also
in in person. So if you can come it's

1254
01:36:57,679 --> 01:37:03,840
great. Um I do want to again thank my
council for electing me as delegate to

1255
01:37:02,080 --> 01:37:08,800
the um Mission Municipal League
convention and annual meeting this year.

1256
01:37:06,159 --> 01:37:13,440
Um I will hope I again I will represent
well. Um and again another

1257
01:37:11,119 --> 01:37:16,880
congratulations to St. John's Church. I
know Mr. Rick I think he's still here.

1258
01:37:15,440 --> 01:37:20,159
I'm hoping that I'm guessing that that
will be one of the churches we have to

1259
01:37:18,400 --> 01:37:23,280
look at when we talk about the churches
in Westland and history and things like

1260
01:37:21,840 --> 01:37:27,199
that. And they they actually just pulled
out a bunch of history so we can um for

1261
01:37:25,679 --> 01:37:32,159
their celebration. So, we'll we can
definitely get you some of that. Um

1262
01:37:29,280 --> 01:37:36,560
also, um I actually think the only other
thing I want to say is um I hope

1263
01:37:34,400 --> 01:37:41,440
everyone had a great Labor Day. Um I do.
It's for me it's actually always a fun

1264
01:37:38,320 --> 01:37:47,199
little um memory down uh walk down
memory lane because um I've had two um

1265
01:37:45,040 --> 01:37:52,880
real Labor Days. Um so I'm going to say
happy birthday to my 18-year-old son uh

1266
01:37:50,719 --> 01:37:58,320
Augustus and my daughter who um
yesterday was my son's. Today is my

1267
01:37:54,639 --> 01:38:02,560
daughter's birthday. And so um Blaine is
uh you know she's also so I I now have

1268
01:38:00,639 --> 01:38:06,800
two adult children and it's kind of
tough to think about that. [laughter]

1269
01:38:05,040 --> 01:38:10,960
Um but yes, happy birthday to both of
them. And I also um just want to remind

1270
01:38:09,600 --> 01:38:18,400
everybody to, you know, hopefully people
have um some quiet time set aside for

1271
01:38:14,480 --> 01:38:24,400
Friday since that is the um 25th
anniversary of 911

1272
01:38:21,840 --> 01:38:28,960
um this Friday. And I know I usually try
to grab some time I and you know kind of

1273
01:38:26,719 --> 01:38:33,520
even take a listen to the the names
being called off from um ground zero in

1274
01:38:32,320 --> 01:38:36,719
New York City. I know they always do
that. they called them off one by one.

1275
01:38:35,040 --> 01:38:40,960
So, um I just hope everyone takes a
pause to remember that 25 years ago, um

1276
01:38:38,960 --> 01:38:44,560
my daughter was celebrating her first
birthday when that happened and so it

1277
01:38:42,639 --> 01:38:47,920
kind of changed everything. So, anyway,
that is all for me tonight. Thank you.

1278
01:38:46,639 --> 01:38:54,960
» Thank you, Councilwoman. And happy
birthday to both of your kids. We will

1279
01:38:51,600 --> 01:39:00,320
now hear from Councilwoman Martin.
>> Thank you. Um I also would like to um

1280
01:38:58,239 --> 01:39:05,760
put out my condolences to the Wilinbach
family. They've had a lot of sadness in

1281
01:39:03,119 --> 01:39:09,600
the last couple years and both be Beth
and Craig are wonderful people. I'd like

1282
01:39:08,000 --> 01:39:13,840
to thank Casey, the roofer, who showed
up and spoke under his First Amendment

1283
01:39:11,520 --> 01:39:19,840
rights. We always welcome new businesses
into Westland, even if they don't have a

1284
01:39:16,080 --> 01:39:24,560
storefront yet. Um, Mr. Lewis, thanks
for coming. You know, we're new to uh

1285
01:39:22,719 --> 01:39:28,719
I'm new to council. That's the first
I've heard of it, but I'm hoping the

1286
01:39:26,800 --> 01:39:33,920
ordinance officer can do better by you
than it what's been done in the past.

1287
01:39:31,199 --> 01:39:38,159
Um, I'd like to thank Emily Bowman and
all the women that participated in uh

1288
01:39:36,239 --> 01:39:42,800
the sheer rocks dinner. I had an
emergency last at the last minute and

1289
01:39:40,639 --> 01:39:47,520
Emily filled in for my my spot. Thank
you, my friend. Um, schoolboard election

1290
01:39:45,360 --> 01:39:52,719
is this year for those people who aren't
aware. So, you might want to do your due

1291
01:39:49,440 --> 01:39:59,119
diligence um and make sure you vote um
with some good information. And then

1292
01:39:55,040 --> 01:40:05,280
lastly, um oh, congratulations to all
the people who won awards um during the

1293
01:40:02,800 --> 01:40:10,320
uh state of the city. And I want to um
hold out Miriam Katy who won citizen of

1294
01:40:07,760 --> 01:40:13,280
the year and it was welld deserved. And
that's all for me. Thank you.

1295
01:40:11,840 --> 01:40:17,280
» Thank you, Councilwoman Martin. We will
now hear from Councilwoman Sampi.

1296
01:40:15,199 --> 01:40:22,480
» Thank you so much. We're talking about
birthdays and thanks and celebrations.

1297
01:40:20,560 --> 01:40:25,760
So that's that sounds like what we're
doing today. Um yeah, so my mom

1298
01:40:24,400 --> 01:40:30,239
celebrated her birthday. I told her I
would give her a shout out on the 31st

1299
01:40:27,840 --> 01:40:34,960
of August. Uh wanted to wish her happy
belated birthday because we cannot

1300
01:40:32,000 --> 01:40:40,719
forget our parents. Um so happy birthday
to your kids too. Um I also wanted to

1301
01:40:38,400 --> 01:40:44,880
share my condolences to Beth. Welcome
back. I know that uh ladies and and

1302
01:40:43,440 --> 01:40:49,600
gentlemen of the senior center are going
to be meeting I think at 1:00. Her

1303
01:40:47,440 --> 01:40:52,719
funeral is actually on Thursday. So
they're going to be meeting at the

1304
01:40:50,560 --> 01:40:57,760
senior center at 1 to go over to the
funeral home. So as stated, she's had

1305
01:40:55,360 --> 01:41:02,480
that family has had a lot of loss. Um so
I'm sending them condolences and and

1306
01:40:59,679 --> 01:41:05,840
prayers and I know she'll be deeply
missed. She's done a lot of good things

1307
01:41:04,080 --> 01:41:10,800
over there in such a very short period
of time and she's adapted to try new

1308
01:41:08,480 --> 01:41:15,360
things over there um new activities. So,
it's it's definitely going to be rough

1309
01:41:12,880 --> 01:41:21,040
and, you know, sending everyone uh big
hugs. Um, thanks Ray for bringing up

1310
01:41:17,840 --> 01:41:27,520
about the 988 signs. Uh, as Ray
mentioned, he he wears his his uh

1311
01:41:23,280 --> 01:41:31,679
button, which is the 988 crisis line.
So, the lifeline. So, that's really

1312
01:41:29,360 --> 01:41:36,800
important for those that are suffering.
Um, you know, I always say operate that

1313
01:41:34,080 --> 01:41:40,560
everyone is suffering in silence. You
just don't know what they're dealing

1314
01:41:37,840 --> 01:41:46,000
with. Um, you know, a few years back I
had a friend who was my age, very young,

1315
01:41:43,199 --> 01:41:50,560
committed suicide and we shared videos,
positive videos all the time and it's

1316
01:41:47,679 --> 01:41:53,760
just devastating. Um, you know, people
present with a happy face and you just

1317
01:41:52,560 --> 01:41:59,119
don't know what they're dealing with.
So, you know, I always say just operate

1318
01:41:55,679 --> 01:42:03,040
with kindness and operate with uh just
trying to be kind and trying to smile.

1319
01:42:01,119 --> 01:42:07,679
And again, I mean, life is hard as it
is. We don't need to be grumpy all the

1320
01:42:04,719 --> 01:42:13,199
time, right? Just smile. Um, I I wanted
to also mention really quickly I stepped

1321
01:42:10,080 --> 01:42:18,080
into the um the role of GoodFellows um
as a co-president a few years back and

1322
01:42:15,920 --> 01:42:21,520
we're starting to ramp up our season for
the Westland Goodfellows, the No

1323
01:42:19,760 --> 01:42:26,239
Children Without a Christmas.
Applications this year will be actually

1324
01:42:23,760 --> 01:42:31,840
digitized. Um, we're working to have
those available online the first week of

1325
01:42:28,239 --> 01:42:37,040
October. And we will have a very limited
supply of them at Jefferson Barnes, but

1326
01:42:34,400 --> 01:42:41,679
my gosh, Jefferson Barnes and and their
team are absolutely amazing. They were

1327
01:42:38,880 --> 01:42:45,440
getting last minute drop drop offs and
people running in and trying to get

1328
01:42:43,440 --> 01:42:49,600
paperwork and it just it got to be very
overwhelming. So, our goal is to have

1329
01:42:47,199 --> 01:42:55,440
this a little bit more easier for those
that have access to online um

1330
01:42:52,960 --> 01:42:59,040
applications and you can just, you know,
basically put your documents there and

1331
01:42:57,040 --> 01:43:02,000
submit it and we'll have it. So, I'm
going to have more information at the

1332
01:43:00,159 --> 01:43:04,719
next meeting, but just keep in mind if
you have a business or you want to get

1333
01:43:03,360 --> 01:43:09,600
involved with Goodfellows, whether you
want to be a volunteer, we have hundreds

1334
01:43:06,960 --> 01:43:14,560
of applications that we go through. Um
we have a packing program that we do. Uh

1335
01:43:12,000 --> 01:43:18,560
we're always open to new volunteers. I'm
over there doing inventory to figure out

1336
01:43:16,239 --> 01:43:22,880
what we got to buy. Um the season cost
us about $65,000.

1337
01:43:21,040 --> 01:43:28,480
So that's a lot of money, but we help
out a lot of children. Um we provide

1338
01:43:26,080 --> 01:43:33,920
every family with a food voucher in
addition to um children being adopted

1339
01:43:31,199 --> 01:43:38,239
out or we give them a gift card and then
we give them a small bag of toys. So we

1340
01:43:36,320 --> 01:43:42,239
really want to continue this. I have a
feeling this year is going to be the

1341
01:43:40,080 --> 01:43:46,880
need's going to be there. So, if you're
interested, feel free to reach out to

1342
01:43:43,760 --> 01:43:50,239
me. Um, I wanted to give a big shout out
to the Westland Police officers. I know

1343
01:43:48,800 --> 01:43:56,800
it's been really hard on you guys
lately, um, following the news and these

1344
01:43:53,920 --> 01:44:01,760
these domestic violence and suicides and
shootings and so, um, I'm going to be

1345
01:43:59,360 --> 01:44:04,560
doing a ride along actually on Sunday,
uh, 12-hour shift. I'm really, really,

1346
01:44:03,280 --> 01:44:08,880
really looking forward to kind of
understand what you guys go through. Um,

1347
01:44:06,960 --> 01:44:13,440
our community officers are kind of
everywhere, but um, you know, our

1348
01:44:10,800 --> 01:44:18,080
officers in general just work so hard
and I think about you guys often about

1349
01:44:15,760 --> 01:44:21,679
mentally too because I don't I don't
know how you do it. I mean, every time I

1350
01:44:20,080 --> 01:44:28,400
see something, I kind of break down and
and tear up and I think about the

1351
01:44:23,360 --> 01:44:32,800
families. So, um, you know, I I think in
this month just try to be kind. You

1352
01:44:30,560 --> 01:44:37,760
know, September's a hard month and back
to school. So, we'll have our next

1353
01:44:34,719 --> 01:44:41,520
meeting on Monday, September 21st at 7.
Um, I want to thank everyone that came

1354
01:44:39,520 --> 01:44:46,639
out today and spoke. I took a bunch of
notes. Um, I've had a long, long day,

1355
01:44:44,239 --> 01:44:50,960
but um,
uh, I'll stay after. And one more thing,

1356
01:44:49,199 --> 01:44:55,199
too, is if you could keep our colleague,
Councilwoman Rowski, in your prayers.

1357
01:44:52,719 --> 01:45:00,080
She's she's dealing with a very hard
situation with her family right now. Um,

1358
01:44:57,440 --> 01:45:03,679
emergency situation. So, please pray for
her. Um, and if you see her, just you

1359
01:45:02,639 --> 01:45:07,440
don't have to tell her anything, but
just let her know that you're thinking

1360
01:45:04,719 --> 01:45:10,960
of her. So, um, wanted to mention that
as well. But until then, be safe and

1361
01:45:09,280 --> 01:45:13,760
kind with one another, and we'll see you
soon.

1362
01:45:12,080 --> 01:45:17,520
» Thank you, Councilwoman Sampy. We'll now
hear from Prom Maxwell.

1363
01:45:15,440 --> 01:45:21,600
» Okay. Uh, thank you, residents, for
coming out. We always appreciate your

1364
01:45:19,119 --> 01:45:25,760
feedback. I will be staying with my
colleague, uh, President McDermick, to

1365
01:45:24,000 --> 01:45:30,400
talk to you, Mr. Lewis, about the
situation. And um I want to say

1366
01:45:28,639 --> 01:45:35,119
congratulations again to both Darl and
David on your reappoint being

1367
01:45:31,840 --> 01:45:38,639
reappointed on the commission and uh we
will see you on September 21st. That's

1368
01:45:37,520 --> 01:45:44,000
it.
>> Okay. Thank you Prom.

1369
01:45:41,679 --> 01:45:46,639
Um few things from me tonight. Uh number
one, speaking of birthdays and

1370
01:45:45,119 --> 01:45:50,560
celebrations, we just had a gentleman
right down there on the end celebrate a

1371
01:45:48,320 --> 01:45:55,280
birthday. Uh that would be you,
Councilman Sullivan. So happy belated

1372
01:45:52,239 --> 01:46:01,840
birthday to Councilman John Sullivan.
Um, happy birthday to you. Um,

1373
01:46:00,000 --> 01:46:05,679
it was brought up regarding the
sidewalks that are getting done. So, the

1374
01:46:03,679 --> 01:46:09,679
one that's going to be on Cherry Hill is
between Wayne Road up to Wildwood Road.

1375
01:46:08,400 --> 01:46:13,679
It's going to be on the opposite side of
the street of the old Kmart. Um, so it's

1376
01:46:12,239 --> 01:46:17,040
going to be done there as kids like walk
to school to Wildwood Elementary to

1377
01:46:15,119 --> 01:46:20,560
close the sidewalk gaps there. And the
other one on Marman Road is going to be

1378
01:46:18,560 --> 01:46:23,760
in front of the Mac Mayfield Municipal
Golf Course. So, if you know where the

1379
01:46:22,159 --> 01:46:29,440
golf course is at on Marman Road,
there's a sidewalk gap there up to the

1380
01:46:26,320 --> 01:46:32,639
old TCF Bank, which is um now the
healthc care center. We're going to be

1381
01:46:30,880 --> 01:46:35,760
filling in that sidewalk gap there as
well. So, the one on Cherry Hills

1382
01:46:33,920 --> 01:46:40,000
between Wayne and Wildwood and the other
ones right in front of the golf course

1383
01:46:37,280 --> 01:46:44,960
on Marman. I know Hugh uh asked that
question.

1384
01:46:42,239 --> 01:46:50,080
Um Ray, thank you for bringing up
suicide awareness month in 988. Um,

1385
01:46:48,560 --> 01:46:54,000
suicide prevention is something that's
very personal to me. Um, I actually

1386
01:46:52,080 --> 01:46:57,600
dealt with a a matter about a year and a
half ago here with a close friend and

1387
01:46:56,159 --> 01:47:01,440
the Westland Police Department was a
huge help in that matter uh when I had

1388
01:46:59,920 --> 01:47:04,880
to to go through that when more
importantly my friend had to go through

1389
01:47:03,360 --> 01:47:10,239
with that. So, I want to thank Westland
PD for uh helping out in that situation.

1390
01:47:08,000 --> 01:47:14,400
And uh you know, I'm glad things turned
out the way they ultimately did. And

1391
01:47:12,320 --> 01:47:18,560
that 988 number that Ray talks about and
he's brought it up a number of times. We

1392
01:47:16,320 --> 01:47:22,000
have it posted at parks here in Westland
and it's something that you can save in

1393
01:47:20,239 --> 01:47:27,040
your phone and it's something that you
can share with a family member, a friend

1394
01:47:25,360 --> 01:47:30,800
who's going through a tough situation or
something that you can use if you too

1395
01:47:28,719 --> 01:47:36,480
are going through a tough situation and
if you have suicidal ideiations on your

1396
01:47:33,679 --> 01:47:40,400
mind. So 988 uh it's different than a
regular emergency number. It goes

1397
01:47:38,000 --> 01:47:44,480
directly to the suiciderevention hotline
and you can get help or you can call

1398
01:47:42,480 --> 01:47:49,119
that number to get help for someone who
you know, who you love, who you care

1399
01:47:46,960 --> 01:47:54,560
about so that we can prevent and end
suicide in our society. There is so much

1400
01:47:51,760 --> 01:47:58,639
more that we need to do as a society, as
a government to take action on mental

1401
01:47:56,719 --> 01:48:03,440
health, especially here in the state of
Michigan where for a number of years

1402
01:48:01,040 --> 01:48:06,560
under multiple administrations under,
you know, Governor England in the 90s in

1403
01:48:04,960 --> 01:48:10,159
particular and but under multiple
administrations, we really gutted and

1404
01:48:08,159 --> 01:48:13,520
cut mental health here in the state of
Michigan. We closed a lot of our state

1405
01:48:11,760 --> 01:48:18,080
facilities and a lot of those facilities
weren't that good uh to begin with. They

1406
01:48:16,080 --> 01:48:21,920
institutionalized and warehoused people
and they stripped a lot of people of

1407
01:48:19,679 --> 01:48:25,119
their dignity and their integrity. And
so we need to reform mental health. We

1408
01:48:23,840 --> 01:48:29,679
need to put more funding into mental
health. But in the meantime, until we

1409
01:48:26,880 --> 01:48:33,920
really do more on that debate, 988 is a
number that is available. Please spread

1410
01:48:32,320 --> 01:48:39,040
it and share it with people that you
know or if you're experiencing suicidal

1411
01:48:36,080 --> 01:48:43,600
ideations, please call it yourself.
As many of you are aware, we went

1412
01:48:41,040 --> 01:48:47,520
through a round of severe storms and
there was a lot of damage throughout

1413
01:48:45,360 --> 01:48:50,960
Westland. So, I hope that most of you
escaped with minimal to no damage. I

1414
01:48:49,360 --> 01:48:54,880
know that some of you unfortunately did
not with down trees and limbs. And we

1415
01:48:53,520 --> 01:49:00,800
know, of course, that some of you didn't
escape without losing your power. Now,

1416
01:48:57,840 --> 01:49:06,239
you know, DTE has nothing to do with the
storm itself. We can't blame them for

1417
01:49:03,920 --> 01:49:10,320
that, but we can blame them for the
response times and for people being out

1418
01:49:08,000 --> 01:49:14,080
of power for four, five, six, seven days
at a time. And I'll give credit where

1419
01:49:12,239 --> 01:49:17,440
credit is due. DT has gone through the
last two years here in West End and made

1420
01:49:15,840 --> 01:49:21,600
a number of infrastructure improvements
in our community, trimming more trees,

1421
01:49:20,239 --> 01:49:26,000
um trying to upgrade some of the
transformer boxes, but the turnaround

1422
01:49:24,159 --> 01:49:29,840
time here in Westland and across Metro
Detroit when people are out of power,

1423
01:49:28,000 --> 01:49:36,239
when businesses are out of power is
still woefully inadequate. and you know

1424
01:49:32,480 --> 01:49:40,080
very unacceptable and that's why I've
been a continued advocate for a public

1425
01:49:38,159 --> 01:49:44,135
power initiative similar to what they're
doing and looking into in Ann Arbor with

1426
01:49:42,239 --> 01:49:47,600
Ann Arbor for public power and similar
[snorts] to what other communities like

1427
01:49:45,360 --> 01:49:51,600
we do down river lancing with the
Lancing board of light and power in

1428
01:49:49,199 --> 01:49:56,480
Traverse City already have a public
power initiative where we the people

1429
01:49:53,840 --> 01:50:01,040
collectively own our power and take it
out of the hands of for-profit uh

1430
01:49:58,719 --> 01:50:05,840
shareholder driven companies like DTE
who are just as accountable to Wall

1431
01:50:02,719 --> 01:50:10,719
Street shareholders and uh turning a
profit and paying out uh dividends as

1432
01:50:08,320 --> 01:50:16,560
they are to us as their paying [snorts]
customers. So, um it's very unfortunate

1433
01:50:14,400 --> 01:50:19,600
that people sit for days on end uh
without power and have to throw out

1434
01:50:18,239 --> 01:50:23,920
hundreds of dollars worth of groceries
or medication in their refrigerator or

1435
01:50:21,679 --> 01:50:29,440
have to go to a relative's house or pay
money to stay at a hotel.

1436
01:50:26,960 --> 01:50:33,440
Um, sounds like it was a great event as
Deputy Mayor Godbaugh mentioned for the

1437
01:50:30,960 --> 01:50:38,880
She Rocks uh women of Westland event. I
too was unable to um be there because I

1438
01:50:36,239 --> 01:50:42,960
was uh on a vacation at that time, but
I'm glad to see that uh many of my

1439
01:50:40,880 --> 01:50:48,960
colleagues uh on the city council were
able to uh participate in the event and

1440
01:50:46,000 --> 01:50:52,239
I hope to be able to go here in future
years.

1441
01:50:50,560 --> 01:50:55,280
Um, as I already mentioned earlier,
thank you to the Westland Police

1442
01:50:53,600 --> 01:50:59,440
Department and Chief Dolly for bringing
forward the extension on the Hyera

1443
01:50:57,280 --> 01:51:02,960
contract with uh Jennifer Guzala. She
does a outstanding job as a social

1444
01:51:01,440 --> 01:51:06,400
worker here in Westland and we're
certainly very appreciative of

1445
01:51:04,239 --> 01:51:10,800
Jennifer's work and to the PD for
bringing that forward and to Chief

1446
01:51:08,480 --> 01:51:15,600
Dolly's leadership. So, thank you very
much uh for that and for our Westland

1447
01:51:13,440 --> 01:51:21,440
Police Department and our unions for,
you know, working with us on that very

1448
01:51:19,040 --> 01:51:26,080
important issue.
And then, uh, one thing I wanted to

1449
01:51:23,199 --> 01:51:31,920
mention too, coming up on Saturday,
September 19th from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00

1450
01:51:29,280 --> 01:51:36,960
p.m. is the Norway Community Citizens
Council Rosie the Riveter Tea

1451
01:51:34,000 --> 01:51:41,679
Fundraiser. If you are interested in
supporting the Norway Community Citizens

1452
01:51:38,960 --> 01:51:45,760
Council and supporting them financially,
you can come to the Rosie T fundraiser.

1453
01:51:44,400 --> 01:51:50,000
It's going to be over at the Jefferson
Barnes Community Vitality Center. You

1454
01:51:48,000 --> 01:51:54,320
can go to the Norway Community Citizens
Council Facebook page, find the flyer,

1455
01:51:52,480 --> 01:51:58,800
and find out how you can purchase a
ticket to join us at the Rosie the

1456
01:51:56,560 --> 01:52:04,000
Riveter T fundraiser on Saturday,
September 19th from 11:30 a.m. to 2 pm.

1457
01:52:01,840 --> 01:52:09,840
And all the proceeds do go back to the
Norway Community Citizens Council and

1458
01:52:06,880 --> 01:52:14,639
the work that we do not only in Norway
community but in supporting people,

1459
01:52:11,920 --> 01:52:19,599
kids, families
all over the city of Westland and

1460
01:52:17,360 --> 01:52:25,239
beyond. And with that, if you need
anything from me, feel free to reach out

1461
01:52:21,679 --> 01:52:25,239
to me at 73489-2146

1462
01:52:25,520 --> 01:52:32,080
on my cell phone right here. Find me on
Facebook at Councilman Mike McDermott or

1463
01:52:30,400 --> 01:52:35,400
shoot me an email. And with that is our
motion to adjourn.

1464
01:52:44,918 --> 01:52:46,938
» [music]