Detroit City Council discusses wide variety of issues at late night meeting

DETROIT (WXYZ) - The Detroit City Council discussed a wide variety of issues at a late night meeting on Tuesday.

The Belle Isle proposal and the Detroit bus system were the hot topics at the meeting as residents voiced their thoughts.

Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh says he was disappointed in Mayor Bing for holding a celebratory press conference for the Belle Isle plan without even getting the approval of council.

Earlier on Tuesday, Detroit City Councilman James Tate told 7 Action News that the Belle Isle proposal is dead for now, because he says the city has not provided all of the details needed for council to thoroughly review the plan.

Tate says the documentation makes reference to several exhibits that were not included in the original paperwork sent to council.

Currently, there is no timeline as to when the discussion on the Belle Isle proposal will ramp up again, according to Tate. He says they haven’t heard back from Mayor Bing’s office on when the exhibits will be given to council.

Geralyn Lasher, Gov. Snyder’s director of communications, says this deal will help improve the safety, security and services available to help the citizens of Detroit. He says the agreement  addresses those issues.

“If the city council chooses not to focus on those issues that would likely be a disappointment to the people of Detroit,” said Lasher.

Mayor Dave Bing issued the following statement earlier:

"We’ve presented a proposed lease agreement to improve Belle Isle. It’s unfortunate the Council is reluctant to move forward, but my administration remains open to discussing the lease agreement and to hearing their, hopefully, constructive input and recommendations."

Proposals for a Michigan takeover of the under-maintained 985-acre park have met fierce opposition from some local officials who call it a state power grab.

At the meeting, residents also expressed their concerns with the bus system. A group presented council with a signed petition asking for restored routes and less turn-around time for service.