Detroit City Council Neighborhood Community Service Standard Committee Meeting - October 9, 2025
Detroit City Council Neighborhood Community Service Standard Committee Meeting - October 9, 2025
The Neighborhood Community Service Standard Committee of the Detroit City Council met on October 9, 2025, at 7:47 PM ET, chaired by Councilmember Coleman Young II. The meeting included public comments, approval of minutes, routine approvals, discussion of one contract amendment, and member reports. Key events included a moment of silence for former Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick and several callers expressing opposition to a proposed zoning change and a corporate income tax subsidy.
Public Comments & Testimony
- William M. Davis: Urged the city to increase voter turnout and encourage spending in Detroit. He noted that turnout numbers are "horrible" and called for more effort to get Detroit workers to vote.
- Cunningham: Shouted out Councilmember Kramer, Janice Winfrey, and Mayor Mike Duggan for free D-Dot bus rides on election day. Also prayed and provided his phone number (313-444-9114) and requested prayers for Cheryl Marie Lyons.
- Betty A. Varner (President of DeSoda Elswood Black Association): Promoted the MyChoice Waiver program through DAA for seniors and disabled residents to receive in-home care. She provided contact details and encouraged donations via Zelle. Also wished Councilmember Young a happy birthday.
- Caller ending in 169: Quoted "Apocalypse" (likely Hippocrates) — "to make a habit of two things: to help or at least to do no harm" — and urged the council to ensure harm is not done. Thanked Winfrey and Kramer.
- Caller ending in 124: Opposed the "rush job" on a massive zoning change proposal, stating it was misrepresented at the City Planning Commission. Accused the council of working for developers, not residents. Criticized Councilmember Joshua Robertson for not reading the 75-page document. Referenced Charter Section 4-112 and argued the MOU gives control to the mayor. Alleged gentrification tools are being set up for mayoral candidate Mary Sheffield. Also criticized Jocelyn Benson over voter lists.
- Last caller: Agreed with the previous caller, noting a "rush job" on residents' well-being except for the solar project. Questioned the funding source for agenda item 6.2 (amendment one, $500,000). Expressed disappointment in Councilwoman Waters for codifying illegal activity of the Land Bank's nuisance abatement program. Criticized the council for using surplus money for corporate tax giveaways instead of making retirees whole.
Discussion Items
- Line Item 6.6 – Contract 6006684 Amendment 1 (Rogell Park Restoration): An ARPA-funded project for the restoration of the back half of Rogell Park (away from Seven Mile). General Services Assistant Director Alex Weatherup described plans for boardwalks through marshy areas, asphalt paths, benches, trees, and park amenities. Councilmember Benson requested details, and Weatherup provided them. The item was moved to formal session for approval with no objections.
Member Reports
- Vice Chairwoman McGalloway: Thanked participants in the short-term rental ordinance discussion. Announced a Historic Designation Advisory Board public meeting on October 9 at 4 PM for the proposed Oak Grove AME Church Historic District (designed by Nathan Johnson). Scheduled a district two community webinar on October 20 at 5:30 PM featuring the Clerk's Office and Property Assessment Board of Review regarding the Homeowner's Property Exemption application. Also noted a trunk-or-treat event on October 29 at Signite Grace.
- Councilmember Benson: Thanked community members, GSD, the Joe Louis Greenway staff, Planning and Development Department, and the City Planning Commission for a downzoning meeting at Second Ebenezer Church. Approximately 30 attendees expressed concerns and support. The downzoning process, started three years ago, is moving forward. A public hearing may occur in late November or early December. Noted this is one of 58 half-mile segments around the Joe Louis Greenway.
- Councilmember Young II: Invited everyone to his birthday celebration at Butzel Family Center on October 9 from 4-7 PM. Announced a Hope Owners Property Exemption Program (HOPE) virtual meeting on October 22 from 5-6 PM with Wayne County Treasurer Eric Sabree and Board of Tax Review Director Willie Donwell. Deadline for HOPE is November 7. Also shared a moment of silence for his cousin, Patty Clark Bell, a former DPW and housing department employee.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes Approved: Motion to approve the minutes passed without objection.
- Line Items Moved to Formal Session: All routine items (5.1, 6.1–6.5, 6.7) were moved to formal session with recognition for approval and placed on new business without objection.
- Line Item 6.6 (Rogell Park Amendment): After discussion, moved to formal session with recognition for approval and placed on new business without objection.
- Public Comment Closed: Public comment was closed after seven callers.
- Moments of Silence: Observed for Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick and Patty Clark Bell.
- Adjournment: The committee adjourned without objection.
Meeting Transcript
Madam Clerk. We are going to ask for public comment to be closed in two minutes, and that will be um eight minutes to two. So we'll be closing public comment in two minutes. Is there anyone here in the auditorium or in the room for public comment in person? See no one present. Do we have any callers? And here is our chair. Do we have any callers for public comment? I'm sure our first caller is William M. Davis. Mr. Davis, you have two minutes. And if the excuse me, if the clerk could um note that member um Colmine Young is here. Clerk was on note. Okay. Thank you, ma'am. Chair. Welcome, sir. Ms. Davis, floor is yours. Two minutes. Okay, can I be heard? Yes, sir. Okay, I'd like to encourage everyone in the city of Detroit. We need to make sure our voted turnout numbers go up. I our numbers look horrible. When I was a young voter, when Colin Young Senior was the mayor, you know, there was a greater effort to get more people to vote. There was even a greater effort to make sure more city Detroit workers voted. You know, we have done horrible things the last 12 years. We need to be doing more to make encouraging more people to vote, encouraging more people to spend money in the city of Detroit. We need to be doing more building up the city. We need to make sure our dollars are turning over. And we need to do a whole lot more than what we're doing. Have a good day. Thank you, sir. Who we have next to the queue, Mr. Bo. Mr. Chair, the next one. Cunningham. Floor is yours. Two minutes, sir. Please excuse the background noise. I have people uh employing a couple young people to assist me to clean out my vehicle at the uh car walk. 313 444911449114 313 444 9114. That number was made so you can remember it. And on Facebook, not me. I'd like to shout out Mr. Kramer, Janice Winfrey, and Mirror Mike Duggan for free rides on D Dot bus, free rides on D. Bus on election day.
openpublica.com