Live reporting by
Caitlin Santer
With one member absent, councilmembers deadlocked in a 2-2 vote, failing to approve the final reading of the proposed Solar Energy Systems Ordinance. The ordinance is intended to encourage and protect the right of residents to install solar panels anywhere, regardless of zoning.
Caitlin
@Caitlinrosesan
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05:40 PM Oct 7, 2024 CDT
Workshop meeting is running over time. Council meeting may not start for another 15-20 minutes. Stay tuned!!
Workshop meeting adjourned at 7:17pm. Council meeting to start after five minute break.
Meeting began at 7:22 pm. No roll call, but from what I can see on Zoom these members are present at start of meeting:
Mayor McDonald is saying a few words about retired Highland Park Police Capt. Clayton, who recently passed away.
Mayor McDonald says that new people need to come in to Highland Park or the city will “die”. She adds that the city has lost five developers over the past year. She says they need to stop telling developers they are not good enough.
After some confusion and debate, minutes from last meeting are approved with amendment to include appointment of grant officer that Councilman Ash-Shafii pointed out was missing.
Public commenter raises concerns that Solar Energy Systems Ordinance does not consider citizens who already have solar energy systems. Will they be “grandfathered” in so they do not have to make expensive changes to their preexisting systems?
Council President Thomas says that the ordinance is very thorough. There is a stalemate to approve the final reading of the Solar Energy Systems Ordinance.
Agenda item VI: Bid Opening- Ives Field Recreation Enhancements No bids were received.
🗣️Public Comment: In-person commenter- woman needs help with her house. She says her basement is flooded and no one is doing anything about it.
🗣️ In-person commenter: property owner expressed concerns about illegal trash dumping on property near his. He also said he needs a water line approved for a property development so he can bring in new tenants.
🗣️ In-person commenter: made announcements about a couple events in the city- mural to celebrate documentary and candy hand out event.
🗣️In-person commenter: talked about upcoming holiday festival on dec. 7 in the city. Looking for a family in need to give gifts this holiday season.
🗣️In-person commenter: man said he is from Highland Park school board. He congratulated newly sworn in police officers.
🗣️ In-person commenter: she expressed concerns about potholes and road needing to be re-paved.
🗣️In-person commenter: man said he is from Alexander Holding Group and passed Council a paper copy of proposal to make improvements in the city.
🗣️In-person commenter: man said he is a developer and says he’s willing to make improvements for free because he loves the city.
🗣️In-person commenter: asked what specific enhancements needed to be made to Ives Field because the public doesn’t know very much about it.
Councilman Ash-Shafii expressed concerns that new developments and improvements to the city may push out current residents. He wanted to know what could be done to protect residents from potentially rising property taxes.
Motion: Councilwoman Manica asks that Solar Energy System Ordinance is brought back on agenda. There is a stalemate.
Manica: Argued that the ordinance seems to be helpful. She said that Council should not be turning down money and funding that is being offered.
Manica: Said Highland Park residents need to vote in upcoming election. She urged them to consider voting, especially in the non-partisan section. She pointed them to additional information about how to vote.
Council President Thomas: brought up solar energy systems ordinance, said it allows the community to decided what happens with solar energy. He expressed disappointment and said Council is two meetings away from losing their charter.
Thomas added that there are people in House and Senate currently who are trying to provide funding to struggling cities like Highland Park. Also said that if makeup of House and Senate changes, the city will lose these opportunities for funding.
Thomas argued that it makes no sense to turn down a grant. He expressed explicit support for the Solar Energy System Ordinance.
Thomas discussed vetting process for developers. He said he is reluctant to give up land to unqualified developers just because the city is so desperate for change. This may be in response to Mayor McDonald’s earlier comment about Council turning down developers.
This concludes my coverage of the Highland Park City Council Meeting. For more information check out: detroit.documenters.org
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