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Record of Proceedings

Detroit City Council Regular Session - July 29, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, July 29, 2025
BodyDetroit, Michigan
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, July 29, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:33:16

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:00

Well good morning, everyone.

0:02

We will now call to order the regular session of Tuesday, July the 29th.

0:06

And Madam Clerk, please call the role.

0:08

Councilmember Scott Benson.

0:11

Councilman Fair Duha the third.

0:15

Councilman Letitia Johnson present.

0:21

Councilman Gabriela, Sanji Alcalmiro.

0:24

Present.

0:31

Councilman Answer with Phil Colloway.

0:36

Councilman McCole Million the second.

0:40

Council Benson for Tim James Tate.

0:44

And Councilperson maybe Sheffield.

0:46

Present.

0:47

Do you have a call on Fessel Madame President?

0:49

All right.

0:49

Thank you.

0:50

Member Young did indicate he will be running a little bit behind this morning.

0:54

And we will start off with our invitation.

0:57

We have Chaplain Aron who is with us.

1:00

He has been with the Detroit Fire Department for 22 years and 90 years young.

1:05

Amen.

1:13

It's over one more.

1:14

If we can help him turn his microphone on, Madam Clerk.

1:17

Oh, there we go.

1:18

There we go.

1:20

Good morning.

1:21

Good morning.

1:22

It's been my privilege to serve the Detroit Fire Department actually for 37 years.

1:29

I used to run the salvage army canteens back when we had many, many fires.

1:34

And it's my privilege now to serve the Detroit Fire Department, invest in the country.

1:48

Pray that you will be with us.

1:56

Keep everyone in safe.

1:59

Keep our all of our first responders safe while they're protecting us.

2:04

And be with the great city of Detroit and let us keep growing and better all the time.

2:10

In Jesus' name, amen.

2:12

Amen.

2:13

Thank you so much, Chaplain, for being here with us today.

2:16

And uh feel free to hang out as long as you can if you have to go.

2:19

We do understand, but thank you again for uh the invitation.

2:23

God bless you.

2:27

The journal of the session of Tuesday, July the 15th, will be approved.

2:31

There being no reconsiderations or unfinished business.

2:34

We will proceed to the internal operations standing committee.

2:38

For the internal operations standing committee.

2:45

Six reports will be referred to the internal operations standing committee or the planning and economic development standing committee.

3:01

Or the public health and safety standing committee.

3:06

The three reports will be referred to the public health and safety standing committee.

3:11

We will now move to the voting action matters under other matters.

3:15

There are no items, Madam President.

3:17

Under communications from the mayor and other governmental officials and agencies.

3:44

Starting with Mr.

3:45

Cunningham.

3:52

Okay.

3:57

Good morning, everyone on the sound of my good morning.

4:03

313, 444, 9114, 313, 444, 9114.

4:09

313.

4:12

That number was made so you can remember it.

4:14

And on Facebook, two words not enemy.

4:17

Again, on Facebook, not enemy.

4:19

Click people and put a not enemy.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety██████████████████████22%
Youth Programs███████████████████19%
Public Comment██████████10%
Procedural██████6%
Contract Management██████6%
Community Engagement████4%
Housing███3%
Human Trafficking███3%
Foreclosure███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Detroit City Council Regular Session - July 29, 2025

The Detroit City Council convened on July 29, 2025, for a regular session that included public comment on a range of community issues, a lengthy discussion and vote on an amended curfew and parental responsibility ordinance, and approval of numerous resolutions and appointments. The meeting began at approximately 9:00 AM and concluded in the early afternoon.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved journal of July 15, 2025.
  • Approved multiple contracts, grants, and resolutions under internal operations, procurement, law, housing, and other departments without objection, including:
    • Appointments to the Board of Police Commissioners (Robert Jones) and Board of Ethics (Raymond Carr after a tie-breaking vote).
    • Supplemental checks for city retirees ($467 for general, $654 for police/fire).
    • Several contract amendments and new awards, including legal services, fiber cable installation, and roof replacements.
    • Water system improvement contracts totaling $33 million (LGC Global) for DWSD, approved after discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

Numerous residents spoke during the public comment period, both in person and virtually. Key positions included:

  • Bus service concerns: Jacob Smith (Detroit Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression) urged support for police body cam release ordinance. Multiple speakers criticized DDOT bus reliability and driver professionalism.
  • Police body cameras: Connor Roth and others demanded immediate release of body cam footage after incidents, opposing any watered-down ordinance.
  • Traveler's Inn (11560 Harper): Residents from Ravendale expressed urgency to shut down the motel due to rampant prostitution, drug activity, and violence. Several speakers described deteriorating neighborhood conditions, including Crystal Hinkle (former resident) who reported lack of help.
  • Curfew ordinance: Public speakers were divided. Supporters (Lieutenant Mark Young, Chief Davenport) argued the curfew with increased fines and decriminalization would save lives and provide services. Opponents (Miko Williams, Malik Shelton, Cece) warned fines would harm poor families and that the ordinance does not address root causes like poverty and lack of youth programs.
  • Other issues: Concerns about homelessness, police accountability, property tax foreclosures, and election integrity were raised.

Discussion Items

  • Traveler's Inn Update: Chief Bettison and BC provided an update. Since June 2024, Vice Enforcement conducted 11 operations; 488 calls for service, 21 violent crimes, 13 death investigations, 4 overdoses. Efforts to shut down the motel legally continue, with $500 in tickets issued for violations. Councilmember Johnson will follow up with health department.
  • Curfew/Parental Responsibility Ordinance (Line Item 18.1): Councilmember Young moved to pass an amended ordinance decriminalizing violations (removing jail time) and increasing fines (from $250 to $500 for first offense, higher for repeat) while offering court-ordered wrap-around services instead of payment. Lengthy discussion involved Chief Bettison, Commissioner Woods, law department, and council members. Supporters emphasized decriminalization, services (parenting classes, counseling, anger management), and the need for accountability. Opponents (Councilmember Waters) expressed concern that fines hurt low-income families and do not address underlying issues. The ordinance was finally approved 7-1 (Councilmember Santiago Romero voted no).
  • Board of Ethics Appointment: After multiple votes, Raymond Carr was appointed with 5-3 over Josh Mack.
  • Other Agenda Items: Approved zoning changes, brownfield redevelopment agreements, housing repair contracts, and various grants.

Key Outcomes

  • Curfew Ordinance Passed: The amended ordinance (decriminalizing parental responsibility violations and increasing fines) passed with a 7-1 roll call vote. Councilmember Santiago Romero opposed. The ordinance includes a provision allowing parents to opt for court-ordered services instead of paying fines.
  • Traveler's Inn: Referred to Public Health and Safety committee for a written response. DPD and BC continue legal steps to close the motel.
  • Board of Ethics: Raymond Carr appointed to a term ending June 30, 2030.
  • Retiree Supplemental Checks: Approved $467 for general retirees and $654 for police/fire retirees.
  • DWSD Contracts: Approved $33 million in water system improvement contracts, despite complaints about short notice.
  • Other Approvals: Numerous consent agenda items, appointments, and contracts approved without objection.

Meeting Transcript

Well good morning, everyone. We will now call to order the regular session of Tuesday, July the 29th. And Madam Clerk, please call the role. Councilmember Scott Benson. Councilman Fair Duha the third. Councilman Letitia Johnson present. Councilman Gabriela, Sanji Alcalmiro. Present. Councilman Answer with Phil Colloway. Councilman McCole Million the second. Council Benson for Tim James Tate. And Councilperson maybe Sheffield. Present. Do you have a call on Fessel Madame President? All right. Thank you. Member Young did indicate he will be running a little bit behind this morning. And we will start off with our invitation. We have Chaplain Aron who is with us. He has been with the Detroit Fire Department for 22 years and 90 years young. Amen. It's over one more. If we can help him turn his microphone on, Madam Clerk. Oh, there we go. There we go. Good morning. Good morning. It's been my privilege to serve the Detroit Fire Department actually for 37 years. I used to run the salvage army canteens back when we had many, many fires. And it's my privilege now to serve the Detroit Fire Department, invest in the country. Pray that you will be with us. Keep everyone in safe. Keep our all of our first responders safe while they're protecting us. And be with the great city of Detroit and let us keep growing and better all the time. In Jesus' name, amen. Amen. Thank you so much, Chaplain, for being here with us today. And uh feel free to hang out as long as you can if you have to go. We do understand, but thank you again for uh the invitation. God bless you. The journal of the session of Tuesday, July the 15th, will be approved. There being no reconsiderations or unfinished business. We will proceed to the internal operations standing committee. For the internal operations standing committee. Six reports will be referred to the internal operations standing committee or the planning and economic development standing committee. Or the public health and safety standing committee. The three reports will be referred to the public health and safety standing committee. We will now move to the voting action matters under other matters. There are no items, Madam President. Under communications from the mayor and other governmental officials and agencies.

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