[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6389746,"mediaKeyId","2113097-008a3cfbcf50575269c6135f552a77e6","parentId",2113097,"title","Committee advances multiple event permits, contracts and parks programs; raises procurement and vendor-location questions","audioSeconds",602,"startMs",2558000,"endMs",3160000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2113097-008a3cfbcf50575269c6135f552a77e6&start=2558&end=3160","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2113097-008a3cfbcf50575269c6135f552a77e6/thumbnail_2558000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6389746/Detroit/Wayne-County/Michigan/Committee-advances-multiple-event-permits-contracts-and-parks-programs-raises-procurement-and-vendor-location-questions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6389746-93b22b3e1c13c3ee9a6c793e27035336/orig.mp4?Expires=1770573608&Signature=KYVjSscQczEjqO2-E-tYFaYTfvzSkGcu4UTMemVDP9eB1i4UDZjfubaNDy-tdkg8ItDt62N8tOngfveWWUNd0V-apsm3dAbaZ-fk8kXG4Ok1RrcinWUtwGiGhZ9UQJIYaXI3vVeJE-4lvkSW6-DQWR7Ob-RN90eTQ~EvVkREhrfxs2P~CQI2v5AGSe8ggoEKuMSe754QTAhGiBc~euFKXDMG3l1xyu3~bs1epEIpbcyLS3ZapPRUJ41AaYCvopXoYfml2exXM~SzzaypDSMgvKnffIQrEJDWZmSlM03rWDu-nN4kHPDXhelOjjjIPB1esQVSdusq4LBWBGRWh8GXHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Detroit, MI ","date","2025-01-09T00:00:00Z","article","The Neighborhood and Community Services Committee moved a broad package of event permits, facility leases and procurement items to formal session with recommendations for approval, while deferring several items for more information and scheduling follow-ups.

Votes at a glance (procedural committee actions taken January 8, 2025):
- 5.1 Motor City Preservation LLC, blight remediation services, $2,500,000 — moved to formal session with recommendation for approval (release of prior hold by Council Member Romero).
- 5.2 Premier Staff Services, heavy-duty diesel mechanics, $1,580,560.32 — brought back in one week for further questions.
- 5.3 Jefferson Chalmers flooding prevention grant (MEDC), $1,000,000 — brought back in two weeks for finalization (see separate story).
- 5.4 Lease: Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation for Northwest Activity Center (181 Meyer Road) — moved to formal session with recommendation for approval.
- 5.5 Coleman A. Young Recreation Center status update — brought back in two weeks; administration offered a verbal update once moved out.
- 5.6 Rodent/tree/disease program memorandum request — brought back in two weeks.
- 5.7 Year-round trash bins at city-owned parks (request included recycling) — administration to update memo and item brought back in one week.
- 6.1 Trivium Racing (Run 313 at Palmer Park, Aug. 23, 2025) — moved to formal session with recommendation for approval.
- 6.2 Palmer Park Art Fair (May 31, 2025) — moved to formal session with recommendation for approval.
- 6.3 Cupid's Undie Run (Feb. 15, 2025) — moved to formal session with recommendation for approval; committee asked staff to re-send prior reports on organizer fundraising.
- 6.4 Waterland Festival (Sept. 6, 2025) — moved to formal session with recommendation for approval.
- 6.5 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix (May 30–June 1, 2025) — moved to formal session with recommendation for approval.
- 6.6 Old Western Market (Jan 2–July 21, 2025) — moved to formal session with recommendation for approval.
- 6.7 Detroit Techno Weekend 5K (May 25, 2025) — moved to formal session with recommendation for approval (amended route submitted).
- 6.8 March of Dimes Metro Detroit March for Babies (June 14, 2025) — moved to formal session with recommendation for approval.
- 6.9 Event at Hart Plaza (June 14, 2025) — moved to formal session with recommendation for approval.
- 6.10 Amendment to Contract 66411 (Herc Rentals Inc.) — amendment to add lawn and landscape equipment and increase funds ($926,882.86); moved to formal session with recommendation for approval after discussion on contract scope and vendor role.
- 6.11 Winegard Supply Co. (lawn & landscape equipment), $1,184,149.20 — moved to formal session with recommendation for approval.
- 6.12 Revels Turf and Tractor LLC (lawn & landscape equipment), $2,720,514.53 — moved to formal session with recommendation for approval.
- 6.13 Research Way LLC dba Curves Equipment (lawn & landscape equipment), $2,544,743.28 — moved to formal session with recommendation for approval.
- 6.14 Goats & Sons Towing Inc. (vehicle towing for city assets), $350,000 — item held for two weeks at council member request to obtain community feedback about vendor behavior; not advanced.
- 6.15 USDA wildlife management services for parks and public spaces, $425,000 through Dec. 31, 2029 — moved to formal session with recommendation for approval after discussion about scope and community engagement.
- 6.16 City fleet vehicle inventory and policy (Council Member Callaway request) — brought back in three weeks for further review.

Procurement and vendor-location concerns: Council Member Angela Whitfield Callaway pressed city staff and procurement officials on multiple lawn-and-landscape equipment contracts and on an amendment to an existing heavy-equipment contract. Callaway questioned why many awarded vendors are based in suburban communities (Romulus, Woodhaven, Brighton) rather than in Detroit. Valerie Massey of the Office of Contract and Procurement said no responsive bids were received from Detroit-based firms for one RFP. Staff said some contracts had gone to competitive procurements and that one amendment (Herc Rentals) would add scope to an existing heavy-equipment contract rather than create a separate contract for handheld lawn equipment.

Towing contractor review: Council members raised complaints about Goats & Sons Towing based on prior community complaints and media coverage. At Callaway's request the committee held the towing contract for two weeks to allow staff to gather additional community feedback.

USDA wildlife contract: Committee members pressed staff on how the USDA engagement will proceed. Deputy Director Jarrell Harris and staff said the work will start with an assessment of species and populations in city-managed parks and that implementation steps would be developed after the assessment; they also said culling was not off the table but would be determined by the assessment and community process. Staff committed to community engagement and to notifying council members before implementation of major actions.

Next steps: Items moved to formal session will appear on a future full Council agenda with committee recommendations; deferred items were scheduled for one to three week follow-ups. Several members asked staff to provide written memos or reports before final votes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Detroit City Council Neighborhoods _ 01-09-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Neighborhood and Community Services Committee sent a slate of event permits, leases and contracts to formal session with recommendations for approval, deferred several items for more information, and heard criticism about procurement practices and vendor locations for lawn and landscape equipment.","taxTitle","Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan","taxId",48464,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6389752,"Committee delays vote on $1M Jefferson Chalmers flood-prevention grant pending details from state and district",335,1015000,1350000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2113097-008a3cfbcf50575269c6135f552a77e6&start=1015&end=1350","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2113097-008a3cfbcf50575269c6135f552a77e6/thumbnail_1015000.jpg","/articles/6389752/Detroit/Wayne-County/Michigan/Committee-delays-vote-on-1M-Jefferson-Chalmers-flood-prevention-grant-pending-details-from-state-and-district","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6389752-c508fd1c11836c3921d63582f55ccf14/orig.mp4?Expires=1770573608&Signature=T5p3eQmUlEIIAOBroNFhbYXkO7Ika3x7Zq-j~WKvL8COhKpYGSLgqfM8F-tLtKKzkEq~Y7wCXjOK-WFhvy-YJOPblO1usp2SPhGWw0sUQB20wDROgsMztlGLIk8GwRoVnK8kCgZIUiF7L-t3lpHJWot1yyKTm-SlT-HMHxMTDtfdf54vjYld-eHBhFiS1K63WvxT2kACaxXPnZrn1QuhmjYMOfI4QziY1uwCZ9ChCai84XcBlRL8K-ErmBsIYTJ4WJco9PX1lJorl5BOqGXrQjFqn85RMkBQFEZ0BZuXFTDDLDFo66~cfY~eR1k5oVBuvP3gGUyP96RgeAPlNknlLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Neighborhood and Community Services Committee agreed to hold the Jefferson Chalmers flood-prevention grant for two weeks to allow further discussion between the district office and state and city staff.

Committee materials show the Michigan Economic Development Corporation awarded the City of Detroit a fiscal year 2024 Jefferson Chalmers flooding prevention grant for $1,000,000 with no local match requirement. Council members raised concerns about stipulations attached to the grant and whether the award might be rescinded by a new state administration if the city had not yet signed a grant agreement.

Member Benson and other council members urged caution: Benson said she was \"concerned about losing grant dollars\" and asked whether the funds had a sunset date. Director Perkins (General Services) told the committee there was no set expiration date on the grant award but acknowledged that without a signed grant agreement the new state administration could potentially revoke the money. Perkins and staff said Council Member Johnson was working with state Senator Chang to resolve remaining issues.

After discussion the committee voted to bring the item back in two weeks so the district and administration could finish negotiations and confirm the availability and conditions of the funds. Committee members noted they wanted a clear timeline to avoid an indefinite delay.

The vote was procedural; the committee did not accept or reject the grant at this meeting. Staff said they expected to have more information in two weeks and that the district office remained interested in moving forward.

The action preserves the grant while city staff and the district seek final agreement language and assurances from state partners.","Committee members agreed to bring the Michigan Economic Development Corporation\u0000funded $1 million Jefferson Chalmers flood-prevention grant back in two weeks while staff and the district seek clarifications about program restrictions and the state's commitment.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6389757,"Committee asks law, police to assess whether Renaissance Center can get historic designation after public plea",150,130000,280000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2113097-008a3cfbcf50575269c6135f552a77e6&start=130&end=280","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2113097-008a3cfbcf50575269c6135f552a77e6/thumbnail_130000.jpg","/articles/6389757/Detroit/Wayne-County/Michigan/Committee-asks-law-police-to-assess-whether-Renaissance-Center-can-get-historic-designation-after-public-plea","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6389757-e1eb26861436f523bae1a8e2505e9376/orig.mp4?Expires=1770573608&Signature=iSP5WD-3azaMtqDrb-72a7g810Ur5VJUeD3b0THC8gc1wPZSQD4UgwlLgDEqGjs05irVwOXrxuZJZs-gJoI59twLMbfxKy41AB0Ccx1RDRqEI-KMA5evMPqfJPpkEVxIw3oGE4o0t3IOxlGSlsY3WIewdI~CVMUDAXjT95ZSYkHWj-35~Fgf3q8ZI4hYMODuPiiT4uLiKGz4mmOy6TT3gMRKfBKg4VuXDidq4whVjIp2Y2tBwmsj6jHGiP-VETmGtgpmKCDZXW~W6HEfuMUCI2FaODcHaltU~MsQRLM1-XL6V8-bAylqfFdToD4FXMLnUJ0MvOJtpXQu7hKCZGZV6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A public commenter urged the committee to block a full demolition of the Renaissance Center and the committee responded by asking the Law Department and Detroit Police Department to prepare a written memorandum on whether the complex could receive historic designation.

During public comment, Steven Harwin said the city must not allow General Motors to \"tear down all 4 towers and obliterate it from our skyline,\" calling the loss “absolutely appalling and disgraceful.” Harwin said he would accept partial demolition (\"2 towers torn down, that's 1 thing\"), but urged the committee to act to preserve the complex's landmark status.

Vice Chair Wilma Galloway raised the public speaker's question to the committee and made a motion asking the Law Department and LPD to examine whether the Renaissance Center could qualify for historic designation and whether such a designation would limit demolition. Phil Keller of LPD confirmed the department would provide a memo in writing.

The motion was made, heard and—after no objections—assigned to the Law Department and to LPD. Committee members asked for the response in writing for the official record.

The committee did not take a final legal position at the hearing. The motion directed staff to report back; any legal limits on demolition or next steps will depend on the Law Department's and LPD's written analysis.

The request came during the meeting's public comment period and was initiated by a resident, not by city staff or the building owner. No development plans or funding requests were introduced for consideration during the committee session.

The committee's direction does not itself halt any work on the property; it only requests a legal review. If the Law Department or LPD identifies statutory or ordinance mechanisms that would bar demolition, the committee or council could consider further formal actions in later meetings.","After a public commenter urged the council to prevent full demolition of the Renaissance Center, the Neighborhood and Community Services Committee directed the Law Department and Detroit Police Department to prepare a written memorandum on whether a historic designation could prevent demolition or otherwise affect development plans.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances multiple event permits, contracts and parks programs; raises procurement and vendor-location questions

Committee delays vote on $1M Jefferson Chalmers flood-prevention grant pending details from state and district

Committee asks law, police to assess whether Renaissance Center can get historic designation after public plea