Detroit City Council Regular Meeting - September 2, 2025
Detroit City Council Regular Meeting - September 2, 2025
The Detroit City Council convened in regular session on September 2, 2025, following a summer recess. The meeting included approval of routine contracts, extensive public comment on a range of issues, debate and approval of a major ordinance transferring misdemeanor prosecution from Wayne County to the city, and a resolution setting the ombudsman interview process.
Consent Calendar
- Journal Approval: The journal of the July 22, 2025 session was approved.
- Committee Reports: Contracts approved during the recess procedure were accepted and placed on file: Budget Finance & Audit (2), Internal Operations (3), Neighborhood & Community Services (12), Planning & Economic Development (8), Public Health & Safety (51). Reports from city departments were referred to the appropriate standing committees.
- Item Referral: Line item 14.15 (Ombudsman application process) was moved to new business by a motion approved without objection.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Housing and Landlord Issues: Multiple speakers voiced concerns about high rents, illegal evictions, and landlord misconduct. Tanya Wells reported being illegally evicted and homeless, facing $1,800+ rents for three-bedroom homes. Melissa Love and Ruby Riley echoed complaints about price gouging, application fees, and lack of city response to housing repair funds. Ronald Foster called for a formal grievance process and redefined wealth as knowledge and skills, not just money.
- Medical Student Advocacy: Three Wayne State University School of Medicine students (Destiny Ogoma, Better Adim Mohammed, Sophia) highlighted a $7,000 tuition increase and reduced federal loan access. They urged the council to engage in tuition advocacy and provide incentives for primary care physicians to remain in Detroit.
- Public Safety and Police Accountability: Connor Roth and Jacob Smith demanded passage of an unaltered body-cam release ordinance. Miss Williams alleged that ex-offenders are working within the Detroit Police Department, while Tara Brown reported a registered sex offender serving on a board meeting at a recreation center, urging an ordinance to keep sex offenders out of rec centers.
- Opposition to Federal Troop Deployment: Russ Ballant, Abaomi Azikaway, Frank Hammer, Chris Gilmer Hill, and others spoke against the potential deployment of federalized National Guard troops to cities, referencing actions in Chicago and Washington, D.C. They called on the council to pass a resolution opposing military occupation and protecting Detroit as a sanctuary city.
- Complete Streets Ordinance: Alain Bowles Dukes (American Heart Association) and Todd Scott (Detroit Greenways Coalition) urged council support for a complete streets ordinance currently stalled at the Department of Public Works. Scott reported that 2024 data showed a 20% reduction in road fatalities (104 deaths) and an 11% drop in serious injuries, but argued codifying complete streets is necessary for sustainability.
- Land Bank Criticism: Michelle George criticized the Detroit Land Bank Authority for harming citizens, citing a case where $30,000 was taken from a homeowner. She thanked council for pausing land bank funding.
- Other Topics: Speakers also addressed bus driver contracts, election concerns, water department issues, retiree advocacy, and the need for homeless shelters.
Discussion Items
- Ordinance 23.1 – Misdemeanor Prosecution Transfer: Councilmember Benson sponsored an ordinance to transfer prosecution of certain misdemeanors (e.g., retail fraud, assault, theft) from the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office to the City of Detroit Law Department. The ordinance includes a restorative justice component and a backstop for domestic violence cases (though Wayne County will continue to lead on those). Key discussion points:
- Cost and Staffing: The ordinance adds roughly $700,000–$800,000 to the law department budget for four attorneys, two paralegals, and case tracking software. Corporation Counsel Conrad Mallet confirmed the funds were included in the fiscal year 2026 budget, with no other programs cut. Budget Director Donnie Johnson cited the budget book (page B32-6) as showing the addition.
- Revenue: Mallet stated the program is not designed to generate revenue from fines; fines collected will go to the 36th District Court.
- Timing: The ordinance takes effect July 1, 2026, to allow for transition.
- Domestic Violence: Councilmember Vincent clarified that Wayne County will continue to handle domestic violence cases, but the ordinance retains language to allow the city to act as a backstop and to maintain its weapon restriction for domestic violence convictions.
- Restorative Justice: Section 31-1-2 encourages delayed sentencing, specialty court referrals, and restorative justice for eligible defendants.
- Ombudsman Interview Process Resolution: Attorney Barcliff presented a resolution setting the interview date for the ombudsman position for September 18, 2025, at 2:00 PM. Interviews will be in-person only, and public comment that day will also be in-person only. The resolution was approved under the consent agenda.
- Domestic Violence Task Force: Councilmember Callaway requested the legislative policy division prepare a resolution to establish a domestic violence task force, noting the high number of cases (10,000 per year in Wayne County). The request was approved without objection.
Key Outcomes
- Ordinance Approved: Ordinance 23.1 (Misdemeanor Prosecution Transfer) passed on third reading by a roll call vote of 8-1, with Council President Sheffield voting no. The title was confirmed.
- Ombudsman Interview Resolution: The resolution setting September 18, 2025, as the interview date for the ombudsman was approved.
- Domestic Violence Task Force: Council directed the legislative policy division to draft a resolution establishing a domestic violence task force.
- Meeting Adjourned: The meeting adjourned following member reports and approval of testimonial resolutions.
Meeting Transcript
Letitia Johnson present Councilmember Gabriela Satyako Romero present Member Mary Walters present Councilmember Angela Whitfield Collarway Councilmember the second Council President Pro Tim James Tate and Council President Mary Sheffield present. We have a quantum present, Madam President. All right, thank you. There being a quorum present, we are in session. Welcome back, everyone. Um hope everyone had a great uh summer recess and we are back in action. Uh and we will start off as always with our invocation. We have joining us Deputy Chief Chaplain Deshante Irvin, who is on virtually. Good morning. Good morning, ma'am. Everyone will bow their heads. Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day, and we thank you for this time that you have allowed us to gather in these chambers. Father, we ask that you will touch the minds and the hearts of all the council members on today, led by our council president, that you would allow them to uh handle business according to your will and according to the best interest of our city. Father, we speak a best special blessing upon our city and ask that you cover it with peace on today and that you allow this meeting to go forth according to your will and your plan in Jesus' name we do pray. Amen. Amen. All right, thank you so much, uh chaplain, and please feel free to stay on as long as you can. Yes, sir. If not, we'd understand. Thank you for being here. The clerk with no member Callaway has joined us as well. The clerk was so no. All right, the journal of the session of Tuesday, July the 22nd will be approved. There being no reconsiderations or unfinished business. We will proceed to the budget finance and audit standing committee for the budget finance and audit standing committee. Two contracts approved on the recess procedure. The two reports will be placed on file for the internal operations standing committee. Three contracts approved on the recess procedure. The three reports will be received and placed on file for the neighborhood and community services standing committee. 12 contracts approved on the recess procedures. The 12 reports will be received and placed on file for the planning and economic development standing committee. Eight contracts approved on the recess procedure. The eight reports will be received and placed on file for the public health and safety standing committee. Excuse me, the 51 reports will be received and placed on file for the president's report on standing committee referrals and other matters for the budget finance and audit standing committee. 12 reports from various city departments. The 12 reports will be referred to the budget finance and audit standing committee for the internal operations standing committee. 15 reports from various C departments. Okay, and if we can refer line item 14.15 to new business so that we can take this item up today. This is the embudsman application process. There's a motion. All right, hearing no objections, 14.15 will be moved to new business, and the 14 reports will be referred to the internal operations standing committee for the neighborhood and community services standing committee. 13 reports from various city departments. The 13 reports will be referred to the neighborhood and community services standing committee for the planning and economic development standing committee. 10 reports from various city departments. The 31 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. And we will start with Ms. Lyons.
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