Flint City Council: August Roundup

Editor’s Note: The Flint City Council Monthly Wrap Up! is a new series spearheaded by Jalen Garrison. This series serves as a guide to make council meetings journalistically sound, accessible, and engaging.

FLINT, Michigan – Welcome to the Flint City Council Monthly Wrap-Up! This is a summary of the most important debates, resolutions, and decisions from city council meetings in August, along with a look at what’s coming up in September.

There were only two sessions held during the month, and one was relocated due to elections taking place in the city council auditorium in City Hall.

Over $5.7 million in grant funding approved

• On Aug. 24, Flint City Council voted unanimously to approve a package of grants funding federal housing initiatives and a variety of public service organizations. Each organization will receive its funds with specific stipulations, including requirements for blight reduction, improving accessibility citywide, and developing easier pathways to residency. The council initially considered the funding at an Aug. 10 Finance Committee meeting, but not enough members were present to reach a quorum.

Berston Field House expansion project receives $7.89 million in funding

• On Aug. 19, Flint City Council voted unanimously to approve a $6.3 million grant, along with a separate agenda item allocating $1.5 million from the City of Flint’s general budget, for Berston Field House. The community center anticipates tripling in size, using the added space and resources to offer a wider range of athletic and recreational programs. Flintside has previously written about the storied history of the Field House in this article.

Flint City Council unanimously denies funding for youth programming

• City council denied a proposal to direct $20,000 from the City of Flint general fund toward a program creating safe spaces for youth, 6-0. During the Aug. 19 committee meeting, members of the body said they’d like to see the funds spread across the autumn and winter months instead. There’s no word yet on when the proposal will be readdressed.

City Council sends $25,000 to sober living non-profit

• At the Aug. 24 meeting, city council voted 8-1 to send $25,000 to Soberhood, an emerging Flint-based nonprofit, to expand its opioid treatment programming. According to the Soberhood Facebook page, it is a faith-based organization. More information on Soberhood’s services is available on its website.

Coming Up in September

Ongoing developments in Leon El-Alamin criminal trials.

• 1st Ward Councilman Leon El-Alamin has been charged by Genesee County prosecutors with assault and election fraud. In the election fraud case, prosecutors allege El-Alamin falsely claimed he lived in Flint when he ran for city council, despite being a resident of Mount Morris Township. In the assault case, prosecutors allege he physically assaulted someone he had previously lived with.
• Flintside recently had the opportunity to interview the councilman; for more on the status of his trials and his first public comments on the situation.

Election coverage brought to you by Flintside

• Over the next three months, Flintside will expand its coverage of the city council and mayoral races, thanks largely to a grant from Election SOS. September will be especially active for election coverage, as we focus almost entirely on the candidates ahead of the Nov. 3 election. For more on the initiative, read here.