District 6 Newsletter - January 2019

Dear District 6,   Happy New Year! Team Rocky and I have hit the ground running this year. We hope to see you at the next Evening Council Meeting:   Tuesday, February 19th 7:00-8:30 pm Voyageur Academy 4321 Military Ave   Be sure to stay safe over the next week as Detroit hits below zero temperatures. Check out this link for Winter information from the City, including warming centers and what to do if you lose heat.    Stay warm, Raquel Castañeda López Detroit City Council Member, District 6 #WeRDistrict6 #TeamRockyD6

Council Member provided an Award of Recognition last year to Ms. Mary Lee Ellis-Hayes in celebration of her 100th birthday. Happy belated from Team Rocky!

Community Events

Do you need a glucose check, a blood pressure check, or a job? Attend a Free Health Screening and Job Fair at First Spanish Baptist Church. You can register on-site! More details at this link.    When: Saturday January 26 Time: 9AM-3PM Location: First Spanish Baptist Church (3495 Livernois Ave)

Information session to learn more about ensuring neighborhood affordable housing through Community Land Trusts.   Seating is limited, so please RSVP: join@detroitpeoplesplatform.org or call 313-338-9396.   Date: Saturday January 26 Time: 10AM-1:30PM Location: 7700 2nd Ave  More information can be found here.

Are you an entrepreneur? TechTown’s Retail Boot Camp is a 10-week program that prepares entrepreneurs to open brick-and-mortar establishments in Detroit.

Attend an information session on Tuesday, Jan. 29 from 6-8PM at Grand River Workplace
(19120 Grand River Ave) 

Here is the 2019 schedule for all city of Detroit Immigration Task Force meetings! Meetings are open to the public, but participation is limited to task force members only.   First meeting date:  Wednesday, February 6th  Time: 4-6PM Where: Islamic Center of Detroit (14350 Tireman Ave, Detroit MI 48228).

The Campbell Branch Library invites families to enjoy this series of Mexican movies in Spanish on Saturdays from January-April. Free popcorn and pop will be served!    Where: Campbell Branch Library (8733 W. Vernor Hwy) Times Vary (see flyer for more details) When: Saturdays from January-April

Attend a session about Mental Health in the African American Church: Recovery from Depression and Grief presented by CNS Healthcare.    Date: February 16, 2019 Time: 10AM-12:30PM Location: St. Stephen AME

Are you a part of a neighborhood association or a block club? Do you want to host your meeting at the Detroit Historical Museum?   You can do so on March 9 between 10AM-5PM! You will have the opportunity to attend a film screening and obtain free parking and admission to the museum!   Space is limited, so please RSVP and reserve your meeting with Katherine Brown at katherineb@detroithistorical.org.  Click this link for more information.

News & Policy

Marathon BSEED Hearing Update

• This week, BSEED held a hearing on Marathon Petroleum's request to seek a waiver from certain parts of the bulk solid material ordinance that we sponsored. Click here to read Marathon's waiver request. Great Lakes Environmental Law Center also submitted detailed comment in opposition to key elements of the waiver request. 

• Marathon wishes to maintain current dust mitigation efforts; this waiver is not about increasing production or processing of petroleum coke or other bulk solid materials. 

• Council Member Castañeda-López spoke at the hearing to oppose several parts of Marathon's request. 

• BSEED will make the decision on this matter within 30 days. If you want to comment, email zoning@detroitmi.gov. 

Other Info

• For info on snow removal, please refer to this website. Reminder: for all snow events, business owners and residents are required to clear snow from their sidewalks.

• The City of Detroit announced that property values in over 90% of neighborhoods increased in 2018. Click here for more info.

Key Council Approvals:

• City Thrift, a thrift shop in 48217, is purchasing land to expand their business. Check them out!

• Emergency demolitions in D6: 4509 Cicotte, 6626 Sanger, 5373 and 5365 Oregon.  

Attend the Detroit Board of Water Commissioners meeting to add input on the Detroit Water and Sewage Department 2019-2020 Budget!    Date: February 20, 2019 Time: 6PM  Location: Greater Grace Temple (23500 West Seven Mile Rd)

Job Opportunities 

• The US Census Bureau is hiring census takers for the City of Detroit. 

• Alternatives for Girls is hiring a Youth Services Coordinator. 

• MoGo is looking for a Marketing and Community Outreach Intern. 

Resources

Do you or someone you know want to take evening ESL classes? Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation (DHDC) is offering classes starting February 4th, Monday-Thursday from 5:30-8:00PM.  Register starting January 28-31. Call Yarianna Santos at 313-967-4880 for more information.  ------ Quieres tomar clases de inglés? Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation va a ofrecer clases por la tarde empezando el 4 de febrero de lunes-jueves de 5:30-8:00PM.  Registro de clases empieza el 28-31 de enero.  Llama a Yarianna Santos al 313-967-4880 para más información.

Join the District 6 Clean-Up team to become more involved with your community!   Clean-Ups happen on Saturday. To create more secure and safe neighborhoods, sign up here!.

Do you have an idea of how to transform a vacant lot into a community space? Submit a grant proposal to the Working with Lots Program through Detroit Future City! Organizations can submit a proposal to install one of eight specific lot designs from Jan. 26-Feb. 18.   You can receive feedback and obtain technical assistance at office hours held on Jan. 29 from 4-7 at Ford Resource and Engagement Center (2826 Bagley St. Detroit, MI 48216).

Do you want to participate in a youth leadership and immersion program? You can reflect on local history, build valuable skills, and envision the future!    Applications due on February 1st at 5:00PM and the program runs from April 1-April 6 at the Detroit Historical Museum.  To apply, please click here.

Are you ready to become an entrepreneur? ProsperUS Detroit is hosting a 12-week entrepreneurship training! Applications are due on Feb. 1st. Applicants must live in the city of Detroit.  Training locations vary. For more information, please visit this link.

If the equipment you use to run your business is valued at LESS THAN $80,000 then you may be exempt from Personal Property Tax fees, but you must file before the February 20th deadline. 90% of Business Owners in Detroit qualify as Exempt. View form here!

Get help filing your exemption form on: Mon, January 28, 2019 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM 
Location: Osborn Business Association – Matrix Center (13560 E McNichols Rd Detroit, MI 48205)

The Kresge Foundation invites community-based nonprofits across Detroit to apply for a share of $1.5 million for projects that engage residents improving the quality of life across Detroit. Applications accepted through February 5. Click this link for more information.

The Detroit ID is for ALL Detroiters, including returning citizens, homeless individuals, and immigrants regardless of immigration status. Use it to:

• Access city services: interact with the Detroit Police Department and Detroit Public Schools

• Open utility accounts with DTE and Detroit Water and Sewerage Dept.

• Open a checking or savings account with One Detroit Credit Union

• Receive discounts at dozens of local businesses and cultural activities across Detroit

Where to Find Team Rocky

Come see us at the Mary Turner Center for Advocacy Tuesday through Friday from 9 to 5 (We're downtown on Mondays). We can help you with navigating city services, reporting complaints or finding other social services. Free street parking!

The Mobile Office will resume service in March with some new locations. Stay tuned!

Want more updates? Follow Team Rocky on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

© 2016 Council Member Raquel Castañeda-López, Detroit City Council Member, All rights reserved.