April was a busy month for Flint’s City Council. Major accomplishments passed by the general body are highlighted below.
The first order of business was to fill appointments. Council finalized the appointments of Robert Jewel (6th Ward) to the Planning Commission, Mathew Telliga (8th Ward) to the Zoning Board of Appeals, and Micah Hutchinson (Ward 7) to the Ethics and Accountability Board. The Council, during session on Monday, April 10th, presented a resolution to approve $350,000 for the city’s new Cold Case Unit. This new ARPA funded department will assist the city’s only cold case detective for a two-year period. This resolution will decrease departmental backlog and bring closure to the victim’s family.
The City of Flint accepted a $1,000,000 grant from the MICHIGAN Department of Natural Resources. The administration, Keep Genesee County Beautiful, Councilperson Murphy the St. John Street Neighborhood Planning Committee, and other stakeholders worked diligently to secure funds for the new St. John Street Neighborhood Memorial Park/Flint River Trail (formerly known as West Boulevard Drive Park). This new and improved park will serve as a historic monument that provides visitors engaging spaces to enjoy outdoor activities.
According to another resolution, the city is able to purchase special service vehicles from LaFontaine Automotive Group for our heroes at the Flint Fire Department. Interim Fire Chief Theron Wiggins informed Council that some of the department’s vehicles are over 20 years old.
Council is excited to enter a contract with the Genesee County Landbank Authority for $1.5 million. This agreement is for the demolition of publicly owned properties in the Choice Neighborhood area. More information regarding this specific project can be found in the Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant Critical Community Improvement Plan. According to the U.S. Housing & Urban Development (HUD), “The Choice Neighborhoods program leverages significant public and private dollars to support locally driven strategies that address struggling neighborhoods with severely distressed public housing and/or HUD-assisted housing through a comprehensive approach to neighborhood transformation.” These dollars are critical for the creation of exemplary communities.
Lastly, April was recognized as Second Chance Month. According to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), “This observance helps individuals, communities, and agencies across the country recognize the importance of reentry and their role in supporting the safe and successful reentry of adults and youth.” Working in tandem with Nation Outside (a statewide grassroots and advocacy organization entirely led by the justice impacted and formerly incarcerated), the Council is forming an ad-hoc committee to look into implementing the “Fair Chance Housing Ordinance” to help our residents secure adequate housing.
Council meetings are held in the Dome behind City Hall until further notice. Please contact the City Council Secretary at (810) 766-7418 for more information.
Yours In Service,
Councilperson Ladel Lewis
