Highland Park City Council

@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganRadio @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit Public Comment will begin at 7pm. I will be covering until the meeting’s end. The budget is typically a contested issue so stay tuned for live reaction to tonight’s meeting. Follow the agenda here: https://highlandparkmi.gov/getattachment/48d2c099-c393-41b4-8c05-b78fbff007f2/230515.aspx

@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganRadio @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit Check out this article that describes some of the many issues facing the city of Highland Park: https://www.michiganradio.org/politics-government/2023-05-05/allocation-in-proposed-state-budget-would-help-highland-park-clear-water-debt

@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganRadio @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit Remember to follow http://Detroitdocumenters.org for more coverage of this meeting which is underway. I will begin my coverage at 7pm. If there are any corrections to the upcoming tweets please contact us at @DetDocumentors https://t.co/EKdZxFqgrZ

@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganRadio @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit Meeting Called to Order at 7 pm

@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganRadio @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit Council Member Martin says she will vote no on all agenda items until a public apology is issued. She has just walked out of the meeting.

@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganRadio @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit The council has just voted down the agenda for tonight’s meeting, meaning no votes can take place.

@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganRadio @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit Community members are appalled by the proceedings. Many are openly displaying their disgust verbally towards the proceedings.

@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganRadio @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit The Mayor is about to address the city Live!

@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganRadio @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit The Mayor is currently addressing the walkout of the sitting council member this meeting. She says personal agendas are not a part of the Charter. Says council members are betraying their constitutional duties.

@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganRadio @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit Community members are calling for Council Member Martin to be removed.

@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganRadio @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit Council says public comment will proceed. Community members are addressing the council on Robert’s Rules of Order and why they feel the council’s behavior is unacceptable.

@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganRadio @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit Council President Jamal K. Thomas says lobbying is the reason why Council member Kallela Martin walked out of the meeting.

@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganRadio @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit Community members are presenting alternative ideas to economic solutions for the people of Highland Park. Council President suggests that people submit advanced budget proposals on paper to the chief financial officer due to the extraordinary circumstances of tonight’s meeting.

@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganRadio @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit Council President Thomas is allowing community members to speak reminding people in attendance that his mother instructed him to give her neighbors permission to address the council in light of the heaviness of tonight’s proceedings. The crowd was endeared by his candor.

@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganRadio @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit The meeting was officially adjourned after Council Members Kallela Martin, Sharmaine Robinson, and Khursheed Ash-Shafii walked out of the meeting. This happened shortly after the meeting was called to order.

@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganRadio @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit Council President compels the citizens to write the Governor of Michigan in regards to the behavior of the city council. Highland Park was recently under the direct ruler-ship of an “Emergency Manager” appointed by previous Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder.

@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganRadio @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit Highland Park City Council Budget Hearing is now Closed! Please follow http://detroitdocumenters.org for more on this meeting and a multitude of public meetings in and around the City.

Highland Park City Council President Jamal K. Thomas on tonight’s meeting https://t.co/JzKrqf9UTd