The Detroit City Council may soon consider a slate of legislation that would create a water affordability plan, regulate the use of surveillance technology and require more Detroiters to be hired on construction projects.

The rollout of the legislation comes a year after Council President Pro Tem Mary Sheffield first unveiled several ordinances and resolutions dubbed the “People’s Bills.” She said they were created to tackle pressing issues facing Detroit.

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While a handful are new and have yet to be formally introduced, many of the bills that Sheffield initially introduced last year have since been approved, including an ordinance that aimed to make it easier for Detroiters to qualify for the city’s homeowners property tax assistance program and poverty tax exemption; an ordinance cosponsored with Council President Brenda Jones that reduced parking fines for Detroiters; an affordable housing trust fund task force and a $2 million appropriation for the trust fund; and more.

“I believe if we give the people a voice, a change is possible,” Sheffield said in an interview ahead of a Monday news conference. “And in the midst of what’s happening in Detroit, I’m committed to being laser-focused on the systemic issues that must be addressed in Detroit. The socioeconomic issues, poverty, water affordability, all of the issues that the people have clearly spoken and stated are important to their quality of life.”

Surveillance technology

Detroit’s use of facial recognition software has drawn the ire of many civil rights groups and residents who have shared concerns about the city’s growing surveillance network and the potential for the technology to infringe on citizen’s privacy.

The city paid $1 million for its facial recognition software in 2017 and used the technology for about a year and a half before drawing up a policy to govern its use. Detroit's police oversight board approved a new policy earlier this month that will govern the city’s use of controversial facial recognition software.

That policy narrows the allowable use of the technology, preventing the police department from using facial recognition software on live or recorded video or to assess a person's immigration status.

Sheffield has worked with the American Civil Liberties Union and the city’s law department to craft an ordinance, Community Input Over Government Surveillance, that would put in a number of measures before the approval or use of any new surveillance technology.

The ordinance would require a surveillance technology report to be made available to the public at least 30 days prior to a public hearing considering the new software. The report would be required to lay out policies, standards, and procedures for use and in the case of Detroit Police Department, an approved policy from the Board of Police Commissioners, Sheffield said.

City Council would also, unless waived by a two-thirds vote, be required to conduct a public hearing on any new proposed technology.

Water affordability plan

Water shutoffs and affordability have long been an issue in Detroit. The ongoing shutoffs have angered local activists who argue the city should instead create a comprehensive affordability plan to help prevent service interruptions altogether.

The shutoffs made international headlines in 2014 when tens of thousands were put into effect, catching the attention of United Nations officials.

Detroit Water and Sewerage Director Gary Brown previously told the Free Press that he understands the concerns that have been raised by activists, specifically around water affordability.

Brown, citing Michigan's Headlee Amendment, said he's not legally allowed to use water rate dollars for "anything other than to pay for the services I provide."

But Sheffield said her office has been working on a draft ordinance, a Water For All Discount program, that will "withstand any legal challenges."

"The proposed ordinance is based on research that says that an affordability plan should have no more than 3% of a qualifying households income going toward their water and sewerage bill," Sheffield said, adding that the discount would be treated as "bad debt expenses."

More Detroiters on big projects

Last September, Sheffield announced a plan to push for an ordinance that would bring “stiff penalties” to companies that failed to have a workforce of at least 51% Detroiters on demolition and construction development projects.

Sheffield said at the time that the workforce ordinance was created partially in response to a Free Press investigation last June that revealed a lack of diversity within the Detroit Land Bank’s demolition program.

Mayor Mike Duggan has an executive order on the books outlining workforce requirements, but Sheffield's proposal would significantly lower the $3-million threshold for those requirements to city-funded projects over $500,000 and would explicitly include demolition work and more oversight.

Sheffield said the draft is being finalized and will be introduced before the body within the next month.

Other ordinances

Right to counsel ordinance: This ordinance would give tenants who are sued for eviction in housing court and who are income eligible, the right to have an attorney defend their case. If a tenant is over the income limits, under the ordinance they would be given the right to free legal consultation.

Sheffield has been working with the United Community Housing Coalition, Michigan Legal Services and other organizations to craft a plan that would service 20% of individuals facing evictions each year for the next five years at a cost of $4 million dollars.

Community Benefits Ordinance: First approved by voters in 2016, Sheffield wants to lower the investment threshold from $75 million to $50 million, to require developers who receive certain abatements or assistance to negotiate community benefits with residents.

Sheffield also wants to increase the number of mandatory meetings a developer must hold with the host community and require a developer to provide all essential documents to the Neighborhood Advisory Committee within 48 hours of the selection of the NAC and mandating at least one meeting with unions affected by the development prior to approval of the development agreement.

Kat Stafford is the Detroit government watchdog reporter for the Free Press, covering city issues and the community, and an Ida B. Wells investigative fellow with Type Investigations. Contact her at kstafford@freepress.com or 313-223-4759.