Detroit City Council Internal Operations Committee Meeting - October 1, 2025
Detroit City Council Internal Operations Committee Meeting - October 1, 2025
This meeting of the Detroit City Council's Internal Operations Committee covered a wide range of business, including public comments, appointments to the Entertainment Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals, and numerous contract approvals, settlement requests, and legal representation and indemnification items. The committee approved several contracts and settlements, delayed others for further review, and discussed procedural issues such as records management and fleet safety.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Melissa Love alleged election fraud, stating she was evidence of "cheated votes" and called for action against "mental people" on the streets.
- William M. Davis (former water department employee) criticized retroactive approvals and indemnification of former employees, urged rules on how far back such actions go, and called for more support for city retirees.
- Not that Karen (caller) echoed retiree concerns, urging that surplus budgets be used to make retirees whole, and called for rehabbing homes instead of tearing them down.
- Betty A. Barner (caller 'iPhone') asked about the expiration of lifeline water benefits (September 30th) and requested information on programs to help residents keep water bills current. The chair directed administration to connect her with DWSD.
- Cunningham (caller) spoke on behalf of a homeless man with two children and criticized Councilmember Callaway for not helping.
- Owner Papa called the council "Marie Antoinette," alleged active genocide, and demanded that the Internal Operations Committee subpoena the elections commission and Janice Winfrey.
- Demiko Williams (taxpayer, resident) criticized the rushed ombudsman selection process, calling it favoritism, and raised concerns about ethics investigations being shut down.
- Tyson Gersh criticized the city's archaic records management system, particularly for BZA records, and urged online posting of transcripts. Councilmember Callaway moved to line-item the discussion for a future meeting.
- Caller ending 039 alleged ballot fraud involving a 97-year-old deceased voter, implicating Councilmember Callaway and Janice Winfrey. Councilmember Callaway responded that she came in fourth in the 2021 election with over 10,000 votes.
- You matter (caller) asked about a $265,512 contract for election staffing, raised concerns about hiring practices, and criticized BZA due process violations and legal defense for solar taking victims.
Appointments
- Jerry Flynn Dale (interview 1015) was recommended for appointment to the Entertainment Commission representing District 2. He shared his background as a recording engineer and historic music producer. Councilmembers praised his work and community involvement. Approved unanimously.
- Robert Roberts (interview 1025) was recommended for reappointment to the Board of Zoning Appeals representing District 6. He discussed his experience, community engagement, and a goal to address parking deficiencies in District 6, particularly regarding the DCFC stadium. Approved unanimously.
Discussion Items
- Line Item 7.1 & 8.39: Status of Office of Contracting and Procurement monthly report and memo on administrative approval process. Held for two weeks pending response.
- Line Item 7.2: Memo requesting a domestic violence task force. Held for one week per LPD request.
- Line Item 8.1: $265,512 contract for temporary staffing for the Department of Elections. Approved.
- Line Item 8.2: $51,000 contract for HR talent analytics software. Marcus Holmes from HR explained the software would help predict employee flight risk and reduce turnover costs. Councilmember Callaway raised retention concerns. Approved.
- Line Items 8.3 & 8.4: Combined amendments for pre- and post-arraignment legal defense services for indigent people, totaling $975,000 increase. Approved.
- Line Items 8.5 & 8.10: Combined R&I for transit supervisor Melissa Samms and Superintendent Howard Bragg III in the same case. Approved.
- Line Item 8.6: R&I for former police chief James White in a lawsuit. Approved.
- Line Items 8.7, 8.8, 8.9: R&I for firefighter, fire engine operator, and police officer. Approved.
- Line Item 8.11: R&I for housing inspector Mohammed Salah. Held for one week due to questions.
- Line Item 8.12: R&I for retired fire investigator. Held for a date to be determined (closed session needed).
- Line Item 8.13: R&I for TEO Victor Young. Approved.
- Line Items 8.14, 8.15, 8.17, 8.21: Combined R&I for four officers in the same case. Approved.
- Line Item 8.16: R&I for former police officer. Held for a date to be determined.
- Line Item 8.18: R&I for John Grover (data analyst). Held for one week.
- Line Item 8.19: R&I for retired sergeant. Held for a date to be determined.
- Line Item 8.20: R&I for former police officer. Held for a date to be determined.
- Line Item 8.22: R&I for firefighter EMT. Approved.
- Line Item 8.23: $23,500 settlement for DOT lawsuit. Approved.
- Line Item 8.24: $12,500 settlement for DOT. Approved.
- Line Item 8.25: $18,000 settlement for DOT. Approved.
- Line Item 8.26: $140,000 settlement for fire department due to a vehicle backing accident. Councilmember Callaway questioned driver discipline and fleet safety. Fire Deputy Commissioner Jenkins noted new training. Approved.
- Line Item 8.27: $15,000 settlement for fire department. Approved.
- Line Item 8.28: $150,000 settlement for police department for illegal search and seizure. Councilmember Callaway expressed concern about officer conduct. Approved.
- Line Item 8.29: $10,000 settlement for DOT. Approved.
- Line Item 8.30: $4,500 settlement for police. Held for one week.
- Line Item 8.31: $175,000 settlement for fire department. Approved.
- Line Item 8.32: $15,000 settlement for elections department. Approved.
- Line Items 8.33 & 8.34: Charitable gaming licenses for East Side Youth Sports Foundation and Detroit Phoenix Center. Approved.
- Line Item 8.35: Labor agreement with Teamsters Local 214. Approved.
- Line Item 8.36: Inspector General's interim suspension of Gayanga Company and Brian McKinney. Received and filed.
- Line Items 8.37 & 8.40: Reports on ombudsperson candidate conflicts. Received and filed.
- Line Item 8.38: Reappointment of Elois Moore to BZA. Received and filed; interview to be scheduled.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar: Numerous items were approved in bulk without objection, including contracts, settlements, and R&I requests where noted.
- Appointments approved: Jerry Flynn Dale to Entertainment Commission (unanimous) and Robert Roberts to BZA (unanimous).
- Items held for further review: Line items 7.1, 8.39 (two weeks), 7.2 (one week), 8.11 (one week), 8.12 (TBD), 8.16 (TBD), 8.18 (one week), 8.19 (TBD), 8.20 (TBD), 8.30 (one week).
- Closed session required: For line items 8.12, 8.16, 8.19, 8.20, a closed session is pending.
- Future actions: Councilmember Callaway will send a memo to DPD regarding vehicle accident tickets and fleet policy; a line-item discussion on BZA records management was scheduled for a future meeting; a memo on officer uniform policy was requested from DPD.
- Member reports: Councilmember Waters announced a breast cancer awareness luncheon (Oct 17) and a skills trade event (Oct 15); Councilmember Callaway announced a "Walk a Mile with the Chief" event (Oct 1) and a virtual town hall on Airbnbs (Oct 8).
Meeting Transcript
Morning, Miss Jackson. How many hands do we have raised via Zoom? Good morning, Madam Chair. We currently have 10 hands raised for virtual public comment. All right, thank you. We are going to cut off our general public comment in three seconds. If you'd like to make a public comment, please raise your hand. Going once, going twice, going three times. The collection of public comment has concluded. And we are going to set the clock for two minutes and get started with the young lady who's here in the committee of the whole. As I sit here loudly and boldly, I'm Melissa Love never voted. November 2020 or August 2024. And I come here to tell and show people that cheated votes is real. And I am the evidence. Until then, I will apply heavy pressure. I will continue to call or come in person to expose this evil plot. I stand here today, the man in the city officials to get a hold of these mental people off the streets before somebody get hurt. Those mental people should not be wrong in these streets. If we had true representation, this wouldn't be happening. Yesterday, a circus was outside with mental people everywhere. One naked and the police force just rolled past with no care in the world. Detroit has become a circus. Thank you. And Madam Clerk, if you would please note that Member Callaway has joined us. Thank you. You're welcome. We are now going to our virtual callers. Who's our first caller? The first caller is William M. Davis. William M. Davis, you have two minutes for general public comment. Good morning, young ladies. Can I be heard? Good morning, yes. Okay, I like to start off by saying that I think it's pretty bad that y'all continue to have these uh unfinished business where y'all have where y'all paying for stuff retroactively, where y'all are approving stuff retroactively. I think that's not sound proper business practice. I know I I worked for the water department, the wastewater treatment plant for 34 years. The only time we would approve something like that if it was a true emergency, you know. I think frequently the administration like sort of overlooked y'all and just sort of let y'all dot the eyes and cross the T's. Much labor, which is not a good business practice. Uh also I'm looking at the agenda, and I say that y'all identifying you know, gymplifications for two former employees. How far back do you do y'all do that for? And how much is this continuously costing us? I know one was the former chief of police, which I think is a nice guy and did uh a really good job in general, and then I know some somebody else just retired. I think it should be some rules and regulations on how far back we're gonna go and make sure that whenever y'all are indemnifying somebody or potentially having lawsuits that make sure that they did everything that they supposed to do. And of course, always I think the city of Detroit needs and should be doing more for the city of Trump retirees because we continue to suffer. And y'all continue to give all this money to a lot of people who don't even live in the city, which is very troubling to me. Y'all have a nice day. Thank you.
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