Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Flood Prevention Grant topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee delays vote on $1 million Jefferson Chalmers flood prevention grant to seek clarifications
Summary
The committee agreed to bring back a $1 million Michigan Economic Development Corporation grant for Jefferson Chalmers flood prevention in two weeks for further details on allowable uses and whether funds can be applied to private property.
Council members moved to postpone action on a $1,000,000 Jefferson Chalmers Flooding Prevention Grant awarded to the City of Detroit General Services Department so staff can clarify allowable uses.
The grant, awarded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and listed on the agenda as fiscal year 2024 Jefferson Chalmers Flooding Prevention Grant, totals $1,000,000 and has no local match requirement. Deputy Director Jarrell Harris (GSD) told the committee the administration requested more time to answer outstanding questions, including questions raised by Council member Johnson about “the actual, the full use of these funds.” Harris said the administration was “requesting to bring this back. We need to work through a few more details on this.”
Why it matters: council members said they want clear guidance before accepting and appropriating the funds. Members discussed whether the grant could be used for physical infrastructure such as seawalls or for studies, and whether the city could use funds for private property mitigation. One council member referenced information from state Senator Chang suggesting the funds might be usable on private property; the administration said it was waiting for formal clarification before the committee acts.
The committee voted to bring the item back in two weeks with the requested clarifications and with state and city representatives present so council members can make an informed decision. No appropriation was approved at the meeting.
Ending: The committee set a two‑week return timeline and asked the administration to deliver written clarification of permissible uses, including whether the funds can be deployed for private property flood mitigation.
