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Council allows extra public speakers after agenda-time typo; residents press council on water, policing and elections
Summary
After a printed-agenda typo listed a 5:00 p.m. start, council voted unanimously to let residents who arrived early speak. Public comments covered expired food in stores, water-settlement outreach, police conduct and requests for accountability; council pledged follow-up.
The Flint City Council addressed a procedural mix-up on Jan. 12 after members of the public arrived early because an agenda posted outside chambers printed the wrong start time. Council moved to allow anyone who arrived before 5:00 p.m. — the time shown on the agenda — to take a full three minutes for public comment despite the posted public notice saying 4:30 p.m. The motion carried by roll call: eight yes, zero no.
Residents used the extra opportunity to press the council on a range of issues. John Baker (seventh ward) said he had video evidence that grocery stores and a nearby gas-station outlet had sold spoiled food. Audrey Muhammad (second ward) asked the council to form a task force to identify foster children who were wards of the state and had not been accounted for in water-settlement disbursements. Multiple speakers raised concerns about police conduct, including an officer allegedly without a visible badge or body camera. Young speaker Keani Copeny urged civility from elected officials.
Council members responded and promised follow-up: officials said they would connect Baker with county health staff about expired food, request police leadership to follow up on body-cam concerns and asked staff to verify public-notice procedures and correct the agenda typo. The council also postponed the organization/election of leadership to the next council meeting by a 7–1 vote and left resolution 2550414 (an amendment regarding personnel paid holidays) in Special Affairs for further consideration.
Votes at a glance: motion to allow pre-5:00 speakers — approved 8–0; motion to postpone council organization — approved 7–1; consent agenda — approved 8–0; resolution 2550414 left in Special Affairs — 8–0.
Quote: “If somebody didn’t see the notice and looked at the agenda…there is ambiguity,” a council member said during debate about allowing additional public speakers.
