Welcome back. I’m still Malachi Barrett. The dog days of summer are over, and so is the City Council’s August recess.

Council members, city staff and even cranky observers like me warmly greeted each other after a few weeks of distance from the Erma Henderson auditorium.

Honestly, folks were a little emotional to return to the important work of the people’s business. But maybe I’m hyper-sensitive right now. I’m getting married this weekend here in Detroit and then taking a little vacation.

Tuesday’s session was remarkably short, wrapping up in roughly an hour. That’s partly because most contracts are automatically approved while the council is on recess and committees haven’t had a chance to put forward new proposals yet.

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The agenda did provide a preview of some things we should be looking forward to in the near future. Here’s a quick look at a few:

Safe routes to school: The Michigan Department of Transportation awarded Detroit with $2.3 million to improve the safety of sidewalks near public schools.

The program will pay for new sidewalks, curb ramps, pavement markings and signs that include flashing lights, reflective tape and display vehicle speeds. Detroit’s Safe Routes to Schools program has been active since 2013.

Deal with the Morouns: The City Council hasn’t yet approved a community benefits agreement between the Detroit International Bridge Company and the Hubbard Richard Resident Association. The agreement marks a victory for residents who hope for more productive partnerships with the bridge company but isn’t legally binding until council approves it.

The document prevents the Moroun-owned company from buying additional property in the neighborhood but allows it to expand the Ambassador Bridge Plaza and vacate nearby streets.

The deal also transfers properties to the neighborhood association for redevelopment, ensures construction of a new street to improve access to the neighborhood and demolition of a former Greyhound bus building.

No pets allowed: A proposed ordinance would prevent pet shops from selling dogs or cats. Pet shops would still be allowed to sell birds, fish, rabbits and other animals. It was requested by Council Member Angela Whitfield-Calloway.

Historic figures nominated for street signs: Nine Detroit figures have been nominated to be honored with a secondary street sign. Only five will be selected after a vote of the council.

Nominees include:

• Dick “Night Train Lane” at the intersection of Cochrane Street and Michigan Avenue 
• John Sinclair at the intersection of 22nd Street and Michigan Avenue
• Horace L. Sheffield Jr. at the intersection of Wyoming and Grand River avenues
• Earl Cureton at the intersection of Stearns and Livernois avenues
• Vincent Chin at the intersection of Peterboro Street and Cass Avenue
• Gabriel Fred Crutcher at the intersection of Bethune Street and Beaubien Boulevard
• Joseph Anthony Fiddler at the intersection of Revere Avenue and 7 Mile 
• “J Dilla” aka James Yancey at the intersection of Nevada Avenue and Charest Street
• Daniel J. Loepp at the intersection of Whittier Avenue and Chandler Park Drive

Click here to see who vouched for the nominees.

Applications were collected until July 1. The next application cycle opens on Jan. 1, 2025.

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What page are we on?

Today’s edition covers the Sept. 3 formal session.

Dig into the agenda, read Detroit Documenter notes or watch the recording for more details.

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Here’s a roundup of a few other things I found interesting: 

• Martin Lawrence was presented with a plaque by Council President Mary Sheffield outside the Garden Court Condominiums building featured in “Martin.” Lawrence said the city also declared Aug. 30 as “Martin Lawrence Day.” 
• Sheffield is also seeking to name Feb. 7 as Dilla Day in honor of the late Detroit artist.
• Detroit’s Industry Standards Board is surveying arena workers on working conditions at Ford Field, Comerica Park and Little Caesars Arena.  
• Mayor Mike Duggan is getting national recognition for his efforts to elect Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. She campaigned in Detroit during Labor Day. 
• Duggan is hosting a charter-mandated community meeting at 7 p.m. tonight at Chapel Hill Baptist Church. He’s expected to talk about efforts to clean up commercial corridors. 
• A Republican group is running social media ads in Michigan highlighting Harris’ pledges to support Israel, apparently attempting to drive a wedge between pro-Palestine Democrats.
• A Republican anti-Trump group is running its own ads in Detorit and Grand Rapids to support Harris. 
• The Detroit People Mover is closing for the next 11 weeks so workers can replace sections of the rail system’s track. 
• James Ribbron was appointed to a third term as director of the Board of Zoning Appeals.
• Detroit will provide sewer repairs for 1,500 homes impacted by 2021 flooding. Residents can apply for the $43 million program here. 
• Electric vehicle charging stations are coming to Detroit through $23.4 million in federal funding.

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Latinx history project

The city is seeking stories from Latinx residents in Southwest Detroit for a historic preservation project.

Detroit’s Historic Designation Advisory Board (HDAB) nominated the Vernor and Bagley commercial corridor to be a national historic site.

Residents are asked to provide impact on buildings within the study area and their importance to the Latino community. HDAB is specifically seeking memories and documents from before 1980, including photos and flyers from past events.

Responses are being accepted here until the end of October.

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Neighborhood opportunity funding available 

Applications open Sept. 9 for a program that helps nonprofits and neighborhood organizations fund social programs.

The Neighborhood Opportunity Fund provides funds for public services to improve the quality of life of low-income residents. Here’s a list of organizations that previously received $2.6 million in total funding last year.

Learn more about how to apply through this online form or sign up for a Sept. 19 workshop. Applications close Oct. 11.

Contact Tamra Fountaine Hardy at fountainet@detroitmi.gov if you have additional questions.

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Detroit ID program returns 

The Detroit Health Department is relaunching its municipal photo ID card program this weekend after a long hiatus.

Detroiters can apply for an ID card starting Sept. 7. Applicants must present documents affirming their identity and residency status, but cards are available to anyone regardless of citizenship status or gender identity.

The Detroit ID card helps residents access City services, open bank accounts, and set up utility accounts with DTE Energy and Detroit Water and Sewerage Department. It’s available for $10 and is free for children under 11. Fees may be waived for applicants experiencing homelessness.

No appointments are needed. Applications will be processed at two locations on a walk-in basis:

• Detroit Health Department, 100 Mack Ave. –  Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Patton Recreation Center, 2301 Woodmere St. – Mondays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The health department said the program was paused in 2022 amid concerns about security breaches, though no personal information was ever leaked. The city worked with the council’s Immigration Task Force to select Omicron Technology Solution, LLC for an $87,000 contract approved in April.

Council Member Gabriela Santiago-Romero, who chairs the Immigration Task Force, said she’s glad to see the important program return.

“Simply put, Detroit IDs remove barriers to access and create opportunities for participation; rather than exclude and deny, they include and accept,” she said. “Longtime Detroiters and new arrivals alike should be proud of this program, and I encourage everyone to get one.”

The Detroit Health Department is hosting a block party this Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. outside its main building at 100 Mack Ave.

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Pistons murals, park upgrades 

The Detroit Pistons Foundation donated $15,000 to help the city install two murals at basketball courts in Balduck Park and Lahser-Clarity Park.

Several contracts were approved during the recess for parks improvements including:

• A master plan for Farwell Park through a $125,000 contract with JIMA Studio.
• Park renovations at Stoudamire Park through a $900,000 contract with Michigan Recreational Construction Inc. 
• Park renovations to Three Mile Munich Park through a $94,000 contract with Michigan Recreational Construction, Inc. This includes new fitness equipment and landscaping. 

The Greening of Detroit is donating 224 trees valued at $179,200 to be installed at Messmer, Calcara, Milan, Brookins, Mahaffey and Stoudamire parks and Sasser Playground.