Detroit Public Health and Safety Standing Committee - September 8, 2025

The Public Health and Safety Standing Committee of the Detroit City Council convened on Monday, September 8, 2025, at 10:00 AM, with Chair Gabrielle Santiago Romero presiding. This was the first meeting back after the summer recess. The committee approved the minutes from the previous session, heard public comments from nine callers, and processed a series of contracts, memos, and resolutions. Most items were approved unanimously, with several held for further information.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from previous session.
• Contract 6007252 (Tetra Tech, environmental consulting, $400,000) – approved.
• Contract 6007286 (DPD specialty uniforms) – removed from agenda per administration.
• Demolition contracts 5.2 and 5.3 – brought back in one week.
• Contract 308474 (emergency demo at 14320 Wilshire, $20,590) – approved (demolished August 18, 2025).
• Various demolition contracts under bond funding (6.4-6.13) – approved.
• Corrected contracts 6.1 and 6.2 – approved.
• Contract 6007402 (electrical maintenance, $3.5M over 3 years) – approved (noted tax balance expired).
• Contract 6007056 (crisis intervention program, $360,000) – approved.
• Dangerous buildings findings and orders (6.16-6.20) – received and filed.
• Building safety recommendations for 10242 West Grand River and 319 Ed Sol Ford (6.21, 6.22) – concurred with department.
• Cash donation from Valerie R. Williamson for police academy (6.24) – approved.
• Memo on speed humps and particulate matter (6.25) – received and filed.
• Resolutions 6.26-6.33 (supporting Senate Bill 492, Focus Hope, Amber Alert bills, banner installations, Welcoming Week, Hispanic Heritage Month, accessibility funding) – all approved.
• Memos 6.34-6.36 – brought back in one week.

Public Comments & Testimony

Nine callers provided public comment. Key themes:

• Election finance concerns: Caller Miko A. Williams warned about outside money and developer influence, criticizing Councilmember Scott Benson and developer Dan Gilbert.
• Senior services: A caller promoted Franklin Wright Settlement Senior Chore Services (free services for seniors 60+).
• Prayer and community: Caller Cunningham shared personal testimony and encouraged prayer.
• Property assessment: Tahir Ahmed cited a University of Chicago study finding Detroit illegally inflates assessments on low-value homes, urging a foreclosure moratorium for 2025.
• Retiree issues: Multiple callers (not that Karen, William M. Davis, Cecily McClellan) demanded restitution for city retirees, including stopping the clawback and providing affordable insurance.
• Water affordability: Cecily McClellan urged codification of a water affordability program, noting the Detroit Lifeline Program lost funding and only 8,000 of 60,000 eligible residents are served.
• Speed humps: A caller (owner Papa) argued speed humps increase particulate matter and harm health, calling for their removal. The Vice Chair noted that a report on the issue was commissioned due to her concerns.
• Health department access: William M. Davis criticized lack of parking at the health department.
• Lighting and safety: Marguerite Maddox requested attention to street lights at First and Rocks.
• Poverty: Ronald Foster called for generational approaches to poverty.

Discussion Items

• Contract 5.5 (Linden Street facility renovations, $500,000): Held for one week to allow Pro Tem Tate to review responses to questions.
• Contract 5.6 (emergency demo): Discussion on blight vs. bond funding. Group Executive Lewan Counts explained that bond funds are exhausted, so blight/general funds are now used for emergency demos. Vice Chair noted $27.7M in bond funds shown as available, but Counts indicated those are encumbered for identified properties.
• Contract 5.12 (emergency demo at 19436 Westbrook): Tax clearance not yet received; brought back TBD.
• Contract 5.14 (emergency demo at 5198 South Clearden): DTE still not disconnected; anticipated NTP later today; approved to move to formal.
• Contract 6.14 (electrical maintenance): Discussion on lack of city electricians for 3-5 years. Group Executive noted challenges in hiring trades due to pay and union negotiations. Motion to approve passed.
• Building safety item 6.23 (7285 Prairie): Member Waters wanted to see a photo; brought back in one week for more information.

Key Outcomes

• All items that were approved passed unanimously with no objections.
• Items held for later: 5.2, 5.3, 5.5, 5.8, 5.11, 5.12, 6.3, 6.23, 6.34-6.36.
• The committee received and filed several memos and reports.
• The chair directed LPD to resend information on water affordability ordinances.
• Committee directed follow-up on street lighting concerns with Ms. Maddox.