Two residents came before the Troy Council Tuesday to bring forward complaints about the Troy Housing Authority and other issues they had with the City.

“We want the housing authority offices to be opened up to us,” said resident Margie Florence Barrow. “My mother was kicked out of her home in 1997 and people are still picking on her in this city … I have been personally attacked by the president of the Troy Housing Authority. I asked the director to make my mother’s house handicap-accessible and she said she didn’t care how I get my mother in the house.”

Cheryl Shipman said she has had an issue getting an incorrect bill cleared up with the Housing Authority, stating her combined rent and utility bill was incorrect, costing her mother $100 and that the director was unhelpful in the matter.

Barrow also brought concerns about the ongoing investigation into the Troy Police Department and the treatment of black citizens at large in the city.

“We need professional black leaders to address black issues,” Barrow said. “YOU cannot address a black issue if you’re not a black person and haven’t lived through the black experience.”

The council did not address the residents’ concerns during the council meeting, but Council President Marcus Paramore said after the meeting that the Troy Housing Authority is a federal entity not under City control. However, the concerns would be brought forward, he said.

In other business, the council:

Approved for the Environmental Services Department to seek a $200,000 grant for the purchase of trucks, a new baler or the refurbishment of the current baler, and other miscellaneous materials the department needs. There is no match required by the City.

The next meeting of the Troy City Council will be Tuesday, March 13 at City Hall.

The executive comittee meeting will begin at 4 p.m. upstairs and the council will convene at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.