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Residents push scholarships, youth programs and ask about backyard chickens at Inkster meeting
Summary
During public participation at the Feb. 17 meeting residents thanked the city for community events, promoted free entrepreneur workshops and scholarships, proposed a twice-monthly teen program 'Teen Kino,' and asked whether local rules allow backyard chickens — the mayor clarified the ordinance allows hens but not roosters.
Several residents used the public comment portion of the Feb. 17 Inkster City Council meeting to promote community programs and ask about local rules on backyard chickens.
Octavia Smith (Easter Task Force) thanked the council for community events and promoted upcoming entrepreneur workshops run by ProsperUs and the Inkster Chamber. Smith said graduates of the 12-week workshop may apply for a $2,500 scholarship and access low-interest small-business loans. "Once you complete these classes, you are able to apply for a $2,500 scholarship," she said.
Rosela Townsend, representing the Nu Zeta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta, announced a virtual scholarship workshop and noted the chapter’s scholarship deadline of March 15 for high-school seniors, including a scholarship specifically for City of Inkster residents. She also described a tutoring program (T Squared Tutoring) that meets the first Saturday of the month at Leanna Hicks Library and is run by volunteers.
Darnitha Davis described a proposed youth program, Teen Kino, a twice-monthly event at the Inkster Recreation Center that she said would "empower" teenagers through structured games and provide mental-health and educational resources; she asked the council for a city partnership and said she would provide a full proposal and contact information.
Gabe Henderson asked whether the city could amend its charter to allow backyard chicken coops similar to nearby Detroit. Mayor Nolan responded during public comment that "the ordinance allows you to have chickens" but clarified "it doesn't allow you to have roosters," specifying the current local rule.
Other public comments included thanks for a recent demolition of a derelict building on Carlisle, reminders about the Feb. 28 property-tax payment deadline, and announcements from the Commission on Aging about upcoming community events including a 'trap bingo' on Feb. 21 and a 'chat with the chief' event on Feb. 26 with Chief Jenkins.
What’s next: Organizers who requested partnership or wanted to disseminate materials were asked to provide flyers or proposals to the city; the record shows staff and council members offering follow-up assistance (for example, asking for electronic flyers and offering contact points).
