Detroit City Council Formal Session Summary - October 7, 2025
Detroit City Council Formal Session - October 7, 2025
The Detroit City Council held a formal session on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, beginning with an invocation and presentations honoring outgoing Ombudsman Bruce Simpson (10 years of service), Amy Good (Retiring CEO of Alternatives for Girls, 40 years of service), and Tyra Moore (Founder of Girl Like Me). The council then heard public comments, considered numerous resolutions, contracts, ordinances, and referrals, and concluded with member reports. A quorum was present.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of the journal from the session of Tuesday, September 23, 2025.
- Eight reports from various city departments were referred to the Budget, Finance, and Audit Standing Committee.
- Numerous resolutions for contracts, grants, property sales, easements, and appointments were approved, many with waivers, including:
- Contract No. 6007188 (Vigilant Technologies LLC) for Oracle PPM Module implementation ($449,396).
- Resolution establishing the FY 2025-2026 Corporate Income Tax Reserve Fund.
- Neighborhood Enterprise Zone certificate application for 11 new single-family houses in East Village.
- Detroit Health Department fee schedule increase (10%) and disinterment permit fees.
- Detroit Parks and Recreation Fee Schedule update.
- Multiple contracts for temporary staffing, HR analytics software, legal defense services, and indigent defense.
- 21 resolutions for lawsuit settlements and legal representation/indemnification.
- Two resolutions for charitable gaming licenses.
- Labor agreement with Teamsters Local 214 (2024-2027).
- Reappointment of Robert Roberts to the Board of Zoning Appeals (District 6).
- Appointment of Jerry Flindell to the Entertainment Commission (District 2).
- Contracts for housing revitalization (data management, public housing units, workforce development) – 18.2 postponed one week per a colleague's request.
- Lead hazard control program grant authorization.
- Two resolutions for property sales from Planning and Development Department.
- Seven resolutions from the Mayor's Office (line items 20.1-20.7) approved.
- Five contracts for HIV/AIDS services, electric buses, and EV infrastructure approved.
- Seven contracts for GSD (log loader, ambulance bodies, park improvements, snow removal equipment) approved.
- Nine resolutions for vacations/easements from the Department of Public Works approved.
- Resolution supporting Senate Bill 479 and House Bill 4742 (Protecting Overburdened Communities Act) approved.
- Appointment of Sherry Gay-Dagnogo as Ombudsman (term: October 6, 2025 – October 5, 2035) approved via walk-on.
- Resolution proclaiming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month (sponsored by Member Callaway) approved via walk-on.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Mike Shesterkin (Co-chair, Detroit Green Task Force Subcommittee on State and Local Policy) spoke in support of repealing Michigan Public Act 389, calling it a "grotesque misapplication of preemption law."
- Sharon Elizabeth Sexton (Historic Designation Board, Black Historic Sites Committee) requested a 10-minute presentation to the council regarding the reimagining of the Gateway to Freedom Monument on the riverfront at Hart Plaza (petition on file).
- Multiple speakers opposed the solid waste tax increase, stating it is too high and that weekly pickup is unnecessary, especially in slower months.
- Natalie Jacob (Executive Director, Green Living Science; Co-chair, Recycling and Waste Reduction Committee) expressed gratitude for the council's support for repealing the ban on plastic bags and auxiliary containers, seeking to restore local control.
- Multiple speakers alleged voter fraud, claiming they never voted absentee but were recorded as doing so, and demanded investigation. They were directed to the Secretary of State as the appropriate jurisdiction.
- Tyson Gersh (speaking as himself and as Secretary of the Lower North End Neighborhood Association) commented on the proposed zoning text amendment (Item 24.2), noting it is the largest change to the zoning ordinance in modern history and would allow multifamily by-right on standard lots in the North End.
- Jadante Smith invited Councilmember Benson to a meeting regarding fugitive dust from the Kronos Occupation (October 10, 10 a.m. at Paris Bar) and raised concerns about abandoned homes left open during demolition.
- Multiple callers thanked outgoing Ombudsman Bruce Simpson for his service and responsiveness.
- Several callers urged the council to reject the proposed rezoning ordinance (Item 24.2) and to postpone it to allow for more public input.
- Several callers raised concerns about crime data accuracy, property tax over-assessments, homelessness, and the need for transparency.
- Ronald Foster, Melissa Love, and others accused the council and mayor of corruption and called for change.
- Tahira Ahmed thanked the council for passing the property tax reform ordinance and urged full implementation.
- William M. Davis criticized the mayor's effectiveness, citing population decline and retiree issues.
- Kevin Westbrook praised Council President Sheffield's work with veterans.
- Ruby Riley (caller) requested that public restrooms at the city council building remain accessible during meetings.
- Evan Rosen (Wayne County Conservation District board member) spoke in favor of repealing the plastic bag ban, citing microplastic pollution in the Great Lakes and human health.
- Shoshana Shakur (Coalition for Property Tax Justice) compared Detroit's property tax foreclosures to Hurricane Katrina, noting one in three homes faced foreclosure.
- User One asked for regulations requiring visible ID badges for utility workers and state-certified exterminators in apartment buildings.
- Galaxy S22 Ultra criticized council members for leaving the room during certain public comments and called for more time for public remarks.
- Renard Monchowski (Detroit People's Platform) announced a press conference at Rosa Parks Transit Center (October 8, 10:15 a.m.) urging fair pay for DDOT drivers.
- Charles Miles requested that city council meetings be uploaded to YouTube for public access.
- C. Gina Brown Anderson (District 3 City Council candidate) called for extending public comment time and criticized the response to election concerns.
- Miko A. Williams (last caller) disputed the claim that crime is down and criticized nonprofits for not adequately helping the community.
Discussion Items
- Resolution to Repeal PA 389 (Item 20.41): Councilmember Benson introduced a resolution to repeal Michigan Public Act 389, which preempts local control over single-use plastics. He cited environmental and health harms (nanoplastics, toxic chemicals). The resolution was approved. Callaway joined as a co-sponsor. A waiver was attached.
- Proposed Ordinance to Ban Vaping in Stadiums (Item 20.20): Councilmember Durhal introduced an ordinance making it a misdemeanor to use vapes or tobacco products in stadiums and sports arenas. A public hearing was scheduled (date to be determined). Benson and Callaway joined as co-sponsors.
- Proposed Ordinance on Release of Incident Footage (Item 20.22): Councilmember Callaway introduced an ordinance to add Article 5 to Chapter 26 (Law Enforcement) requiring release of incident footage. The version was supported by DPD and the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office and approved as to form. A public hearing was scheduled.
- Proposed Ordinance on Citizens Patrols (Item 20.24): Councilmember Callaway introduced an ordinance to amend Chapter 26 to add a "Citizen Neighborhood Blight Patrol" division under the existing Citizens Radio Patrol Assistance Program. A public hearing was scheduled.
- Public Hearing for Rules Committee (Item 22.8): The council debated scheduling a public hearing for proposed rules amendments following work by the Rules Committee. Attorney Whitaker advised that to meet the charter's four-week publication requirement before the next formal session (November 14), the resolution had to be voted on today. Member Waters objected, citing lack of time for review, but the motion to set the hearing for November 14 passed (Member Waters noted as objecting). Member Young expressed concern about provisions on testimonial resolutions and the Spirit of Detroit award.
- Ombudsman Appointment Walk-On: Member Johnson introduced a resolution to correct the appointment date for the new Ombudsman (Sherry Gay-Dagnogo) from October 5 to October 6. The item was walked on, approved, and a waiver attached.
- Domestic Violence Awareness Month Walk-On: Member Callaway introduced a resolution proclaiming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The resolution listed several partner agencies and was approved with a waiver.
Key Outcomes
- The council approved the repeal of Michigan PA 389 (local control over single-use plastics).
- Introduced an ordinance banning vaping in sports venues; public hearing to be scheduled.
- Introduced ordinances for police incident footage release and citizen blight patrols; public hearings to be scheduled.
- Appointed Sherry Gay-Dagnogo as Ombudsman (term October 6, 2025 – October 5, 2035).
- Approved a contract (18.1) for data management and incentive resolution portal ($2.18 million), postponed 18.2 (Detroit Housing Commission, $31 million) for one week, and approved 18.3 (workforce development, $1.3 million) with a waiver.
- Approved numerous city contracts, grants, settlements, and land sales.
- Set a public hearing for proposed council rules amendments for November 14, 2025.
- Proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
- The council will hold an evening meeting in District 5 on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church at 7 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
Councilmember Scott Benson. Councilmember Fred Duhard III. Present. Councilmember Letitia Johnson present. Council Member Gabriela Sancha Remember. Present Councilmember Mary Walters present. I'm fine, sir. House member is the Witfield Callaway. Council Member Coleman II. Here Council President Pro Chim James Tate. And Council President Mary Sheffield. Present. We have a core present, Madam President. All right. There being a quorum present, we are in session. We will start off with our invitation. We have joining us Commander Chaplain Little John, who is joining us virtually to lead us in invocation. To any community members who are there, and those who are perhaps joining us virtually. Thank you for their hearts, their minds, their passion, the privilege they undertake to serve and to be servants of you and of our community. We recognize that without you, we embark on impossibilities. And yet we know through you and with you, all things are possible. And so we thank you. And we're believing you today for our council president. We're believing you today for each council member and even the districts that they represent. We're believing you for blessings abundantly upon them as they lead, as they lead with transparency, as they lead with integrity, as they lead with vision. That allows us to align ourselves with you so that through our lives, through our efforts, through our leadership, your will is done. Your will is being done. How we thank you for this Detroit community and your favor upon us. God, let your favor continue to rest upon the city of Detroit. And one by one, and name by name, each household, each person, each citizen. God, we pray your touch. Pray your touch on those who are hurting, those who are struggling. We pray your touch on those who stand in need of your healing and your endurance strength that is far beyond us, but accessible to us. God, we're believing you for that right now. God, we pray your hand on this meeting that it might be a productive one, that it might be one that represents the kind of peace that only you give, that it represents what our city continues to need to not only survive but to thrive according to your holy will, your holy word. And so bless God, have your way. We invoke your divine presence, the manifestation thereof to guide us in those things that are pleasing unto you, beneficial for the kingdom, and certainly beneficial for the city of Detroit and beyond. Amen. Amen. Thank you so much, Pastor Chaplain Little John, for that invitation. It's an honor to see you. Uh, and we wish you the best. God bless you, sir. Uh, thank you for all you do. Bless you, thank you, madam president. Have a great day. Thank you. Do the same. All right, the clerk would know, member Callaway has joined us, President Pro Tim has joined us as well. Uh, we have several presentations uh this morning.
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