DETROIT— The Detroit City Council has approved $34.5 million in public funding bonds toward modification of the Little Caesars Arena that would permit the Detroit Pistons to play there in the fall, despite pleas from residents to abandon the deal or reconsider. The 7-2 measure passed after six months of negotiations between the city and the Pistons. Council President Brenda Jones and Councilwoman Raquel Castañeda-López voted against it. Jones said that although she supports the Pistons coming to Detroit, she still questions why the number of construction jobs has still not been officially stated. The Council also voted to approve key agreements, including an approximate $20 million brownfield tax exemption, and exemptions connected to the Pistons’ practice facility. Council President Pro Tem George Cushingberry Jr. said that he wants to clear up any misconceptions about the public funding involved in the approval. “I think we need to debunk certain myths,” Cushingberry said. “There are some people from out of the city who don’t live here, who are just stirring up a whole lot of stuff that just ain’t true.” The Downtown Development Authority (DDA), which owns the arena, has redefined its district boundaries multiple times, most recently in 2013. This was to accommodate the construction of new arena, which will also be home to the Detroit Red Wings. School property tax revenue will go towards the DDA at a total of $726 million through 2051. The money will then be implemented in paying off $363 million in bonds for public investments in the arena and the surrounding area. Cushingberry has pushed back against people who’ve said that money is being taken away from the school district, saying the council “has nothing to do with taking” money away from schools. Councilwoman Mary Sheffield has also questioned the viability of a lawsuit, which was filed on June 1 by activist Robert Davis and city clerk candidate D. Etta Wilcoxon, arguing that the project should not be funded with public money witho