Residents tell council trash hasn't been picked up since Thanksgiving, report deer damage and ask for billing help

Residents used the public-comment period at the Dec. 15 Inkster City Council meeting to raise ongoing service and quality-of-life concerns and to share community volunteer and outreach plans.

James Richardson told the council his street, Major Isabelle, had "not been picked up since Thanksgiving Day," reporting overflow and construction-related collection problems and saying he had spoken with a person named Bivin who indicated contractors would handle pickup. Richardson asked the council for help locating a solution.

Nathan Newsome complained about deer in neighborhoods, saying animals "used in the bathroom, they ate all my hedges" and that neighbors and children had been affected; in the record a speaker said the Department of Natural Resources "will not let us do anything" in response to the deer concern. The transcript shows residents seeking official help but does not record a definitive remedy.

Gabe Henderson and others described Goodfellows fundraising and distribution plans, saying they expect to give gift certificates to roughly 400 children at an estimated value "around $20.25 dollars a piece" and solicited additional donations and volunteer help.

City staff (Speaker 14) provided administrative updates: tax-bill payments are due Feb. 15 and the cashier's office at city hall will close for the holidays (last in-person payment day this Friday); the city is behind on water billing (September payments mailed; October and November pending) and staff plan a combined bill for the delayed months, to be mailed before the end of the year. Staff said late fees are being held off during the transition to new meters and the new billing system and agreed to schedule a demonstration at a future council meeting to help residents learn to read the new meters.

The council did not take any formal policy votes in response to the public comments during the meeting; staff acknowledged the complaints and committed to follow-up steps (meter education and continued coordination on sanitation and billing).