City Council District 6 Weekly Update | July 19 2019

Presenting a Testimonial Resolution to John Treanor at his retirement party after 33 years of working as an inspector in BSEED. He worked mostly in District 6. Thank you for your hard work!

Council Approvals

• Study to determine whether the Blue Bird Inn (5021 Tireman Ave) meets the criteria for historic designation in accordance with the Michigan Local Historic Districts Act and Chapter 25, Article II of the 1984 Detroit City Code.
  
  
• Contract with the Detroit Building Authority to coordinate and fund the City's demolition program until 2022. This contract expresses a special effort to create opportunities for residents of the city, businesses located in the city, and small/minority/women-owned businesses.
  
  
• 100% City funding to provide residential demolitions at the following District 6 properties. Click here to view the list of properties.  
  
  
• 100% City funding for an imminent danger commercial demolition at 5812 Tireman 
  
  
• Romanowski Park in District 6 is getting $500,000 in total improvements! City Council accepted a grant that will fund 60% ($300,000) of these improvements  from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources through the FY 2018 Trust Fund Grant. The City of Detroit's General Services Department and the Pistons Foundation will provide the remaining 40% ($200,000) of funds. 

Upcoming Votes in Council 

• At the Tuesday July 23 Formal Session, Council will vote on a contract to use $4 million in bond funding to build out the Green Light program by expanding the current Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) and adding two new Mini-RTCC's in precincts 8 & 9. Click here to read on the contract info, answers to our questions to the Police Department around the Green Light program and facial recognition, and the latest memo we have submitted to DPD. 
• The Council Member opposes the contracts for many reasons, including:
  • No strong data has been presented to show that the Green Light Program is successful in significantly reducing crime, especially violent crime
  • There are many unanswered questions about how the police department is using facial recognition software as part of the Green Light Program
  • Given the lack of data and concerns around facial recognition, the voter approved bond money would be better spent on other priorities, such as recreation or transportation

Proposed Ordinance

• A public hearing will be held on July 22 at 10am in the Public Health and Safety committee regarding a proposed ordinance to create a Greenhouse Gas Inventory, which will aid the City in upholding its pledge under the Paris Climate Agreement to lower greenhouse gas emissions. View ordinance here! 

• [July 20] Help Patterson Dog and Cat Hospital celebrate 175 years with a community birthday party! Includes hospital tours, farm animal petting zoo, raffle prizes and a historical marker ceremony! 12-4PM, 3800 Grand River Ave.

This Saturday - join the 3rd Annual Core City Community Picnic! There will be free food, music, vendors, bounce houses and fun! We will also be there  - come say hi! Date: July 20  Time: 10AM-5PM Location: Sharon Missionary Baptist Church (3532 Rosa Parks)    For more info, call Linda at 313-896-9247.

• [July 21] Joy Rd Family & Friends Annual Weekend Celebration. Free food & fun activities for kids - basketball,  horseshoes, face painting, bounce houses and more! 12-8PM, Joy Rd & Whitfield. 
  
  
• [July 23] Zone Detroit Workshop for Youth will be a free interactive and educational youth-focused workshop led by the City Planning Commission for the Zone Detroit Ordinance initiative. 5:30-7PM, DHDC (1211 Trumbull) 
  
  
• [July 24] The Third Precinct presents Workshop Wednesdays! This month you can learn about dispelling myths of dementia. 6:00-7:45PM, Third Precinct (2875 W. Grand Blvd.)
  
  
• [July 24] Attend this FREE event hosted by the Great Lakes Environmental Law Center to learn about your rights from environmental attorneys and experts regarding: unaffordable water bills, water shutoffs, contaminated drinking water and lead poisoning!
  
  
• [July 25] Join Council President Brenda Jones at her 10th Annual Senior Citizen's Summit and enjoy free food, raffles, information, and live music! 11AM-3PM, Erma  Henderson Park (8800 E Jefferson Ave)
  
  
• [July 25] Attend a customer assistance resource fair - Organizations & MDHHS specialists can connect you to resources on: child care, legal aid, employment, education & more! 12-5PM, FREC (2826 Bagley). 
  
  
• [July 26] Nuestro Futuro Volunteer Day - Join Congress of Communities and Urban Neighborhood Initiatives for a neighborhood beautification day in SW Detroit! Water and lunch  provided. Event open to all, but will be focused on youth and young adults. Register here. 9:45AM-2PM, 8300 Longworth (UNI). 
  
  
• [July 26] Join Bridging Communities for a free screening of the "Incredibles 2". Food and fun at 7PM, movie starts at dusk. Bring your own blanket or chair! 6900 McGraw. 

Join Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision at its 6th Annual Garden Party! This fundraiser will support the work SDEV is doing in the community to make Detroit a healthier and cleaner place to live, work, and play! Get your tickets here - there will be food, drinks and a raffle!   Date: August 1 Time: 4PM Location: 4601 Merritt St

• Human Resources Advisor at the Southwest Detroit Business Association
  
  
• Urban Neighborhood Initiatives is hiring for four positions, including a Youth Workforce Development Coordinator and 3 Navigator positions! 

• Wayne County Community College District is currently accepting applications for a free (free to Detroiters who qualify) 16-week diesel mechanic and general automotive training program.  For more information stop by a Detroit at Work Career Center today!

  • Northwest Activities Center, 18100 Meyers Rd. | Detroit, MI 48235
  • SER Metro Detroit | Southwest, 9301 Michigan Ave. | Detroit, MI 48210
  • Samaritan Center  East, 5555 Conner St. | Detroit, MI 48213

Calling all "Lotería" lovers- There are Lotería games on the last Friday of the month at the Plaza del Sol! The next game is on Friday, July 26th at 3041 W. Vernor. Game starts at 6PM. There are snacks and drinks available for purchase.

• Hot weather is upon us - Visit this website to learn about tips for staying cool during extreme summer heat temperatures and for a list of cooling centers around the city. Please share widely! For more information about the cooling centers, contact the Detroit Health Department at (313) 876-4000.
  • Cooling centers in District 6: Clemente Recreation Center, Kemeny Recreation Center, Patton Recreation Center, Campbell Branch Library, Conely Branch Library, Douglas Branch for Specialized Services 
    
    

• Keep Growing Detroit is offering the "Urban Roots Community Garden Training Program" this upcoming fall! The hands-on course provides residents with technical skills and knowledge to grow productive vegetable gardens, tools for community engagement and resource mobilization and connects them to the existing network of over 1,600 gardens and farms across the city. For more information, visit our website or contact Lindsay at 313-656-4769 or lindsay@keepgrowingdetroit.org

Questions? Email sanchezl@detroitmi.gov or call 313-224-1204.