Detroit City Council Public Health and Safety Standing Committee Meeting – September 22, 2025

The Public Health and Safety Standing Committee met on September 22, 2025, at 9:30 AM (estimated from agenda flow) to consider a range of items including emergency demolition contracts, HIV grant amendments, bus repair emergency procurement, ordinances on smoking in sports arenas and police footage, and numerous public comments. Chair Gabriela Santiago-Romero presided with Councilmember Scott Benson absent excused. The meeting lasted approximately 2 hours and included votes on over 20 agenda items.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Melissa Love – Alleged election fraud, stated she never voted in 2020 or 2024, demanded removal from voter rolls and restitution.
• John Golick – Appealed a dangerous building demolition order for 13803 Pinewood; explained he obtained a building permit but faced technical barriers. Chair suggested his team would assist.
• Mr. Foster – Spoke on free society and rule of law, criticizing that laws are not applied equally to those in power.
• Stephen Horing (online) – Defended his reputation against previous comments by Miko Williams; expressed strong support for Israel and criticized a recent Palestine conference.
• Not That Karen (online) – Urged making city retirees whole, emphasized need for homeless housing before winter, criticized $600M overtaxation and pension clawbacks.
• Cecily McClellan (online, We the People of Detroit) – Called for water affordability through House Bill 4555, noted Detroit Lifeline Program exhaustion, supported retiree pension restoration using city surpluses.
• Miko A. Williams (online) – Accused the chair of xenophobia for referring to “black immigrants”; denounced Stephen Horing as a “white supremacist” and criticized right-wing rhetoric. Chair clarified she was referring to black immigrants from various countries.
• Cunningham (online) – Complained about bus system reliability, sharing community frustrations.
• owner Papa (online) – Questioned HIV grant 6.6's metropolitan area focus, argued funds should stay in Detroit; also raised concerns about speed humps increasing particulate matter.
• William M. Davis (online) – Criticized city for retiree health care cuts after bankruptcy, alleged mayor Mike Duggan underfunds city services, predicted Duggan would not be elected governor.
• Tahira Ahmed (online) – Thanked Councilmember Waters for addressing land bank issues; alleged $700M in demo dollars given to Gaiaga, concerns over asbestos contamination from demolition debris.
• Ruben Crowley (online) – Claimed City Council President Mary Sheffield disrespected veterans; alleged election fraud by various council members; announced plans to open veterans housing.

Discussion Items

• Unfinished Business (5.1–5.2): Deferrals for properties at 5301 and 5311 East Outer Drive – brought back one week, approved.
• 5.3: Helmholtz encroachment for advertising sign – Councilmember Waters requested meeting with residents; brought back TBD.
• 5.4: Emergency demo contract for 4815 Tireman ($39,282) – initially deferred for group exec; later confirmed demolition completed September 16; approved.
• 5.5–5.6: Emergency demo contracts for 23241 Finkel and 1974 Ste. Helene – brought back one week.
• 5.7–5.10: Memos – 5.7 (flooded basement act) received & filed; 5.8 (child abduction broadcast) brought back one week; 5.9 (support Senate Bill 492) moved to formal with approval; 5.10 (Vita Specialty Services) brought back two weeks.
• 6.1–6.2: Contract extensions for Ice Arena improvements and environmental due diligence – both approved.
• 6.3–6.4: Emergency demo contracts (14136 Myers, 13580 Orleans) – approved.
• 6.5–6.6: HIV grant amendments for program administrators – Councilmember Waters questioned service area and contractor location (Sylvan Lake). Deputy Director Floyd replied grants serve Detroit and metro area but prioritize Detroit. Brought back one week for further information.
• 6.7–6.9: Emergency bus repair contracts (Cummins, Williams, coach body) – 30 buses down due to varied issues; procurement explanation given; approved.
• 6.10: List of delegated approvals (animal carcass removal) – approved after brief discussion.
• 6.11–6.12: Ordinances on smoking in sports arenas and police footage – introduced and brought back one week.
• 6.13: Dangerous building findings and orders (July 2025) – received and filed.
• 6.14–6.15: Property recommendations (3760 W. Chicago recession, 1004 E. 7 Mile deferral) – concurred.
• 6.16: Grant application for Michigan Solar for All Pilots – approved.
• 6.17–6.18: Parade banners for Turkey Trot and Thanksgiving parade – approved.
• 6.19: Memo to board up abandoned St. Riga Catholic School – received and filed.
• 6.20–6.21: Memos on DPD training practices and liquor store at 1440 Kurchival – brought back two weeks.
• 6.22: Resolution calling for investigation of abuse at Huron Valley Correctional Facility – approved.
• 6.23–6.24: Memos on Domestic Violence Awareness Month proclamation and support for House Bill 4362 – brought back two weeks.

Key Outcomes

• Approved contracts: 6.1 (Ice Arena extension), 6.2 (environmental due diligence), 6.3–6.4 (emergency demos), 6.7–6.9 (bus repairs), 6.10 (delegated approvals), 6.16 (solar grant), 6.17–6.18 (parade banners), 6.22 (Huron Valley resolution). All sent to formal session with recommendation to approve, except 6.16 and 6.22 sent to new business.
• Brought back: 5.1–5.2 (one week), 5.3 (TBD), 5.4 (approved after clarification), 5.5–5.6 (one week), 5.8 (one week), 5.10 (two weeks), 6.5–6.6 (one week), 6.11–6.12 (one week), 6.15 (concurred), 6.20–6.21 (two weeks), 6.23–6.24 (two weeks).
• Received and filed: 5.7, 6.13, 6.19.
• Concurred with recommendations: 6.14–6.15.
• Minutes approved from prior session.
• Public comment period closed after 10:05 AM; all speakers heard.
• Councilmember Benson absent excused.