OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Detroit Public Health and Safety Committee Dangerous Buildings Hearing - September 15, 2025

City Council — Monday, September 15, 2025
BodyDetroit, Michigan
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, September 15, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:29:04

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Like to call to order our public health and safety standing committee for the purposes of our dangerous buildings hearings.

0:06

May the clerk please call the roll.

0:09

Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero.

0:11

Present.

0:12

Councilmember Scott Benson.

0:14

Councilmember Mary Waters.

0:16

Madam Chair, you have a quorum present.

0:18

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

0:19

Given a quorum, we'll go right into our hearings for today.

0:22

For folks that are now joining us, we're gonna first hear from the administration before turning over to LPD before we get started on our hearings for today.

0:32

With that, I'll turn it over to the administration to share a little bit about what these hearings are.

0:56

This means that you must do the following.

0:58

One, provide proof of ownership or interest in the property.

1:02

Two, pay all required inspection fees.

1:05

Three, secure all openings on your building from trespass and the elements and remove all exterior debris, abandoned vehicles, overgrowth, et cetera.

1:15

Four pay or make arrangements regarding any delinquent city taxes.

1:20

Five, obtain the necessary permits to bring your building into compliance with all applicable codes.

1:27

Six, and submit completed deferral application.

1:32

Thank you.

1:33

I'll turn it over now to LPD.

1:36

Good afternoon, madam chair.

1:38

Uh the public should be aware that these are legally required administrative appeals hearings from previous informal hearings with the Department of Building Safety Engineering and Environment.

1:50

These are the legally required hearings for all the buildings on today's dangerous buildings list.

1:57

In order to demolish them or for owners to oppose the demolition, this is the committee's opportunity as required by law to either approve the demolition or reject it.

2:09

To assist the committee in making this determination and to provide due process, representatives of BC are here with files, inspection reports, photos, and other data to assist in conducting these hearings.

2:32

Thank you, madam chair.

2:33

My name is Dili Portel.

2:35

I'm assistant chief at the property maintenance uh building and safety department.

2:50

All good.

2:51

You can share, you can just press it once.

2:54

You should be good now.

2:57

Thank you.

2:58

All right, everyone.

2:59

Thank you for the introduction and um really setting the scene for what we're gonna be doing here today.

3:06

We have over 50 properties on our list.

3:09

Usually we have anywhere from 20 to 40 people in person or online who are here to uh conduct a hearing.

3:17

If you are here um in person or online, I'm gonna ask everyone, given the amount of people that we have, that we try to keep this uh conversation as succinct as possible.

3:26

The questions will be the same.

3:27

Are you looking to save your property?

3:29

Are you looking to demo what are the plans to do so?

3:31

Um, if you have been here more than once, if we if you are here a second or a third time and I have not seen um a lot of change or investments in the property, I am most likely not going to be able to support an extension.

3:46

Um, we really really want to make sure that we are addressing the dangerous buildings in our city.

3:52

Um, and if your property still is um open to the elements uh falling apart and has not deen we have not seen any kind of improvements, I most likely not will not be able to give you an extension.

4:05

Um, I share that because for the most part we do.

4:08

We want to work with you.

4:09

If you want to save your property, if you have a plan, um, you can definitely um assume that we'll be able to help you as well.

4:16

But with that, we're going to begin our hearings with the folks that we have here in person before we turn it over to the folks that we have online.

4:22

Are you both together for the hearing?

4:25

All right, I'm gonna invite uh both of you to take a seat up here, make sure that the microphone is turned on.

4:31

There's a button at the bottom of the mic.

4:33

Once it turns green, it is on.

4:35

And then once it's on, you can just leave it as so.

4:39

And once you are settled, I'm going to ask that you please share your names and which properties you're here to discuss.

4:49

Okay, I think I lost a little bit of that end part, but uh your name and which property you you're here to discuss.

5:00

Okay, um, my name is George Mujanis, and the uh property is uh 2952 CAS.

5:04

2952 Cast.

5:06

This is the sixth property under the ninth block.

5:08

This property is being ordered demolished.

5:11

We're gonna let B seed pull uh the pictures and the reports to see where we are in the process.

5:19

Uh George, while they pull up an information, are you looking to keep or demolish your property?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Dangerous Buildings█████████████████████████████████████████████50%
Blight█████████████14%
Drainage Fee███████8%
Historic Preservation█████6%
Public Engagement█████5%
Public Safety████4%
Public Comment████4%
Procedural████4%
Vacant Properties███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Detroit Public Health and Safety Committee Dangerous Buildings Hearing - September 15, 2025

The committee convened on September 15, 2025, to conduct administrative appeals hearings for properties on the dangerous buildings list. Chair Councilmember Gabriela Santiago-Romero presided, with Councilmembers Scott Benson and Mary Waters present. Over 50 properties were considered. The hearing included testimony from property owners, inspection reports from the Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED), and votes on demolitions, withdrawals, and deferrals.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • George Mujanis (2952 Cast): Expressed desire to keep the property, stating he had a plan to repair the roof but faced a bank loan freeze due to a city notice. The committee returned the property to BSEED for continued conversation.
  • Ms. Patterson (4713 Crane): Sought to keep the property; reported a tarp on the roof and raised concern that the fire department used the home for training, causing additional damage. The property was withdrawn from the demolition list.
  • Shafon (3836 Fisher): Stated the property went into foreclosure but she remained owner. She wanted demolition. The committee ordered demolition and recommended legal counsel.
  • Camilla El Shabazz (4900 South Martindale): Wanted to keep the property, had a dismissal letter from a prior hearing. BSEED noted openings; she addressed them and was selling. Returned to BSEED until October 20.
  • Hill Harper (3975 Cass): Expressed strong support for preserving the historic building, describing a major redevelopment plan with a renowned architect. BSEED reported openings and debris. Returned to BSEED.
  • Tiffany (6043 Beagle): Working to keep her late mother’s home; had torn down a porch, was tarping the roof, and sought help with a tree from a neighboring school. Returned to BSEED.
  • Danielle Winesley (5937 Cooper): Wanted to keep her grandmother’s home; had overgrowth and debris issues. Received advice on bulk pickup. Returned to BSEED.
  • Cedric Felix (8913 North Clarendon): First hearing, wanted to demolish. Advised to obtain contractor permits. Ordered demolished.
  • John (15795 Cloverlawn): Registered vacant property, sent pictures, demolished garage. BSEED noted openings. Returned to BSEED.
  • Cassandra Webster (14247 Marlowe): Planning to keep and renovate; overgrowth cut, boarding in progress. Returned to BSEED.
  • Eddie Mora (3707 Grisel): Property withdrawn; recommended to register as vacant.

Numerous other property owners participated with properties that were withdrawn or ordered demolished; many had addressed BSEED requirements.

Discussion Items

  • The administration and BSEED (Dili Portel) explained the hearing process: these are legally required administrative appeals from prior informal hearings.
  • Committee members discussed the importance of securing property openings, removing debris, and registering vacant properties.
  • Several callers experienced technical difficulties; Councilmember Waters provided her office contact for follow-up.
  • The committee advised owners to self-demolish to avoid city liens and directed property owners to send updated photos to BSEED.

Key Outcomes

  • Properties Ordered Demolished: 3836 Fisher, 8913 North Clarendon, 15795 Cloverlawn, 1709 Kendall, 8617 Harper, 6022 Hazlitt, 3784 Hogarth, 9915 Kirchaville, 12293 Kilborn, 9353 Laura, 1709 Kendall, and others as per block votes.
  • Properties Withdrawn from List: 4713 Crane, 3027 Cadillac, 3753 Web, 14959 Karam, 15032 Evanston, 17836 Gable, 2655 Atwater, 18921 John R, 6672 Clifton, 4947 Maplewood, 13556 Metatal, 3707 Grisel, 10410 CadYou, 8261 Colfax, 17350 Cooley, 744 Cotrel, 14198 Evergreen, 15210 Foyer (withdrawn during hearing), 6684 Pellose, 14928 Sorrento, 3095 St. Clair, 18050 St. Louis, 9978 Stahalin, 8812 Stopel, 13445 Tacoma, 1546 Trinity, and others.
  • Properties Returned to BSEED: 2952 Cast, 4900 South Martindale, 3975 Cass, 6043 Beagle, 5937 Cooper, 15795 Cloverlawn, 14247 Marlowe, 7230 Rosemont, 2739 Pasadena, 3704 West Warren (reconsidered and returned), and several others with deadlines for further progress.
  • Final Block Votes: The committee voted to concur with department findings for Block 8 (modified: 6043 Beagle returned), Block 9 (modified: 3975 Cass returned), Block 10 (modified: 5937 Cooper and 15795 Cloverlawn returned), Block 11 (concurred), Block 12 (modified: 14247 Marlowe returned), Block 13 (modified: 4900 South Martindale and 2739 Pasadena returned), Block 14 (modified: 7230 Rosemont returned), Block 15 (modified: 3704 West Warren returned after reconsideration), Block 16 (concurred).
  • Next Steps: Property owners were instructed to secure openings, maintain yards, register vacant properties, and send updated photos to BSEED at bseedemo@detroitmi.gov. The next hearing is scheduled for October 20, 2025.

Meeting Transcript

Like to call to order our public health and safety standing committee for the purposes of our dangerous buildings hearings. May the clerk please call the roll. Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero. Present. Councilmember Scott Benson. Councilmember Mary Waters. Madam Chair, you have a quorum present. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Given a quorum, we'll go right into our hearings for today. For folks that are now joining us, we're gonna first hear from the administration before turning over to LPD before we get started on our hearings for today. With that, I'll turn it over to the administration to share a little bit about what these hearings are. This means that you must do the following. One, provide proof of ownership or interest in the property. Two, pay all required inspection fees. Three, secure all openings on your building from trespass and the elements and remove all exterior debris, abandoned vehicles, overgrowth, et cetera. Four pay or make arrangements regarding any delinquent city taxes. Five, obtain the necessary permits to bring your building into compliance with all applicable codes. Six, and submit completed deferral application. Thank you. I'll turn it over now to LPD. Good afternoon, madam chair. Uh the public should be aware that these are legally required administrative appeals hearings from previous informal hearings with the Department of Building Safety Engineering and Environment. These are the legally required hearings for all the buildings on today's dangerous buildings list. In order to demolish them or for owners to oppose the demolition, this is the committee's opportunity as required by law to either approve the demolition or reject it. To assist the committee in making this determination and to provide due process, representatives of BC are here with files, inspection reports, photos, and other data to assist in conducting these hearings. Thank you, madam chair. My name is Dili Portel. I'm assistant chief at the property maintenance uh building and safety department. All good. You can share, you can just press it once. You should be good now. Thank you. All right, everyone. Thank you for the introduction and um really setting the scene for what we're gonna be doing here today. We have over 50 properties on our list. Usually we have anywhere from 20 to 40 people in person or online who are here to uh conduct a hearing. If you are here um in person or online, I'm gonna ask everyone, given the amount of people that we have, that we try to keep this uh conversation as succinct as possible. The questions will be the same. Are you looking to save your property? Are you looking to demo what are the plans to do so? Um, if you have been here more than once, if we if you are here a second or a third time and I have not seen um a lot of change or investments in the property, I am most likely not going to be able to support an extension. Um, we really really want to make sure that we are addressing the dangerous buildings in our city. Um, and if your property still is um open to the elements uh falling apart and has not deen we have not seen any kind of improvements, I most likely not will not be able to give you an extension. Um, I share that because for the most part we do. We want to work with you. If you want to save your property, if you have a plan, um, you can definitely um assume that we'll be able to help you as well. But with that, we're going to begin our hearings with the folks that we have here in person before we turn it over to the folks that we have online. Are you both together for the hearing? All right, I'm gonna invite uh both of you to take a seat up here, make sure that the microphone is turned on. There's a button at the bottom of the mic.

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