Detroit Public Health and Safety Standing Committee Meeting – October 6, 2025

On Monday, October 6, 2025, the Detroit Public Health and Safety Standing Committee convened at 10:00 AM under Chairperson Gabriela Santiago Romero. The meeting addressed a combined agenda covering public comments, unfinished business, and new business items including ordinances, contracts, and resolutions. Public testimony touched on air quality, property tax policy, retiree benefits, and neighborhood blight. The committee approved multiple emergency demolition contracts, sent several ordinances to public hearing, and discussed police video release and citizen patrol proposals.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from the previous session were approved without objection.
• Numerous routine contracts and memos were approved or received and filed without discussion, including health department contracts (5.5, 5.6), demolition contracts (6.3–6.26, 6.28–6.29, 6.30–6.31, 6.33–6.34), grants (6.40–6.41), resolutions (6.43, 6.44), banner permits (6.45–6.46), and easement/vacation requests (6.47–6.55).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Eden Bloom (resident): Expressed concern about air quality near the AVITUS facility, stating that 59 EGLE complaints and three violations were recorded before a June 30 fire. She called for stronger regulation before AVITUS resumes operations.
• Carolyn Hughes: Opposed agenda item 6.2 (property tax surplus to plug corporate tax shortfall), calling it "economic lynching" and arguing the city has overtaxed residents by nearly $1 billion.
• Not That Karen: Agreed with Carolyn Hughes, criticized the $42 million corporate tax fix, and demanded restoration of retiree pensions and cost-of-living adjustments, noting a 6.7% interest clawback.
• William M. Davis: Supported retiree restoration, criticized the city's treatment of retirees, and noted a 51% increase in child property tax levels.
• Jadante Smith: Praised Councilmember Mary Waters, criticized Councilmember Scott Benson for missing an East Side summit, and highlighted open abandoned homes as a crime root, specifically on Gilbo Avenue.
• Cecily McClellan: Urged codification of a water affordability program and support for House Bill 455, and demanded full restoration of retiree benefits.
• Other callers: Raised issues about election integrity, zoning changes facilitating gentrification, prayer for Brother Cunningham, and the need for stronger emergency alerts.

Discussion Items

• 5.8 – Police Incident Footage Release Ordinance: Proposed by Councilmember Calloway's office, this ordinance requires the city to publicly post incident footage within 30 days for incidents involving police firearm discharge or use of force resulting in death or great bodily harm. Exceptions exist for ongoing investigations. The committee sent it to public hearing.
• 6.36 – Citizen Neighborhood Blight Patrol Ordinance: Introduced to establish a volunteer blight patrol program with $50,000 allocated. The committee requested a fiscal impact study before advancing to public hearing.
• 6.35 – Electric Bus Contract: A $9.07 million grant-funded contract for four battery-electric buses from New Flyer, including charging infrastructure and training. Director Robert Kramer stated the buses will be deployed at the Shoemaker terminal with eight-hour slow chargers initially. Councilmembers raised questions about charging speed, cold-weather performance, and future infrastructure. The contract was approved.
• 5.14 – AVITUS Concerns Memo: Referenced in public comment; the committee deferred discussion for two weeks pending further review.
• Funding Source Discussion: During demolition contract approvals, Vice Chair Benson asked about the transition from bond (Prop N) to general fund (blight) funding. LaJuan Counts explained that bond funds are nearly exhausted (<$2M) and that commercial demos have already shifted to blight dollars. Residential emergency demos will follow, though the need has declined.

Key Outcomes

• 5.8 – Police Footage Ordinance: Approved to move to formal session for introduction and public hearing (unanimous).
• 5.7 – Smokeless Tobacco Ban at Stadiums: Approved to move to formal session for introduction and public hearing.
• 6.36 – Citizen Blight Patrol Ordinance: Approved to move to formal session for introduction and public hearing, with a fiscal impact study requested.
• 6.35 – Electric Bus Contract: Approved and sent to formal session with recommendation to approve.
• 6.43 – Resolution Supporting Protecting Overburdened Communities Act: Approved and sent to formal session.
• 6.57 – Resolution Repealing Preemption on Single-Use Plastics: Approved as revised and sent to formal session.
• 5.14 (AVITUS) and several other memos: Deferred for two weeks.
• Meeting Adjourned: The next regular meeting was cancelled; a special Indigenous Peoples Day celebration will be held on October 13 at Hart Plaza.