OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Internal Operations Standing Committee Meeting - October 15, 2025

City Council — Wednesday, October 15, 2025
BodyDetroit, Michigan
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, October 15, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:01:53

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

And thank you for joining us for the Internal Operations Standing Committee meeting on today, Wednesday, October 15th, 2025.

0:08

Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll?

0:10

Good morning.

0:11

Councilmember Letitia Johnson.

0:13

Present.

0:14

Councilmember Mary Waters.

0:15

Present.

0:16

Councilmember Angela Whitfield Callaway.

0:19

Madam Chair, we have quorum.

0:20

Thank you.

0:21

Having a quorum present, we are now in session.

0:24

Good morning, colleagues.

0:26

Is there a motion on the minutes?

0:30

Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

0:34

And we are going to move into public comment.

0:37

If you'd like to make a public comment, please raise your hand, whether in person or virtually, please raise your hand.

0:45

Public comment will be cut off at 10.07.

0:49

So you have one minute to raise your hand virtually if you'd like to make a public comment.

0:54

I do see three hands here in the committee of the whole.

0:58

Good morning, Miss Jackson.

1:00

How many hands do we have raised virtually?

1:03

Good morning, Madam Chair.

1:04

We have 10 hands raised for virtual public comments.

1:06

All right, and my clock says 1007, so we are going to cut off general public comment.

1:13

If we can please set the clock for two minutes, we'll get started with the gentleman in the committee of the whole.

1:24

313 444.

1:25

Oh, one moment, Mr.

1:26

Cunningham.

1:27

Okay, there you go.

1:28

313-444-9114.

1:31

313-444-9114.

1:35

313-444-9114.

1:38

That number was made so you can remember it.

1:40

As I was passing out bus tickets this morning, uh around Myers grocery store, an old friend.

1:46

Um he was a bus driver for 10 years.

1:50

Um so um I told him y'all don't bite.

1:54

Uh what what insight could he give on bus service and how can it improve since he works for D dot as a driver for 10 years.

2:04

His name's Mr.

2:05

Redman.

2:06

Um so um I appreciate all those that helped me get bus tickets and uh do the right-alons, et cetera.

2:15

Um so I just want to remind people that there's a DDOT meeting this Thursday.

2:21

You can put in Detroit Department of Transportation and all social medias and go on that page and please share it with your constituents or your family or your friends or your timeline.

2:33

So you need new voices to voice their opinion about the service.

2:38

It must improve.

2:40

Um I think um a shout out to Suntial Jenkins who sent me $50 yesterday.

2:47

Um, and uh used it to purchase bus tickets.

2:50

Um, I'm appreciative to all the help that I receive and I prayed over the donor and the donation, and I do appreciate it.

2:58

The cash app is 313-444-9114.

3:02

And I asked Mr.

3:03

Ritman just to talk about what he felt.

3:06

Um about the service and how can it improve?

3:11

Um I'm glad I seen him this morning passing out bus tickets.

3:16

Um that's it.

3:17

Appreciate oh, on the 22nd.

3:20

It'll be district six, a mayor's meeting.

3:22

They don't put the flyer comes out so late.

3:24

We only have like a two two two-day two-day period or three-day period before the meeting is there.

3:31

So it's the 22nd district six.

3:33

Thank you, Mr.

3:34

Cunningham.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Comment██████████████████████████████████████████42%
Pending Litigation███████████████15%
Contracts and Procurement████████8%
Human Trafficking███████7%
Community Engagement█████5%
Pension Matters███3%
Homelessness███3%
Public Safety███3%
Public Transit██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Internal Operations Standing Committee Meeting - October 15, 2025

The Internal Operations Standing Committee convened on October 15, 2025, with a quorum of Councilmembers Johnson, Waters, and Callaway Callaway present. The meeting featured extensive public testimony regarding city services, financial stewardship, retiree benefits, and housing conditions, followed by formal deliberations on settlement requests, procurement authority, and the establishment of a domestic violence task force.

Consent Calendar

  • Line Item 5.1: Motion to approve the settlement for Deanna Smith vs. City of Detroit (Case #23-011615-CZ) in the amount of $22,500 for the Department of Transportation; referred to formality with recommendation to approve.
  • Line Item 6.1: Motion to approve the settlement for Transcare Detroit vs. City of Detroit (Case #24-15595-GC) in the amount of $4,700; combined with 6.6 and referred to formality with recommendation to approve.
  • Line Item 6.2: Motion to approve the settlement for Van Dyke Spinal Rehabilitation Center vs. City of Detroit (Case #21-001655-NF) in the amount of $17,000 for the Department of Transportation; referred to formality with recommendation to approve.
  • Line Item 6.3: Motion to approve the settlement for Robin Johnson vs. Ronald Remitz and City of Detroit (Case #24-000575-NI) in the amount of $40,000; referred to formality with recommendation to approve.
  • Line Item 6.4: Motion to approve the settlement for First Care Transportation Inc. vs. City of Detroit (Case #22187914-GC) in the amount of $8,000 for the Department of Transportation; approved.
  • Line Item 6.5: Motion to approve the settlement for Stephen Coleman vs. City of Detroit (Case #24-015174-NF) in the amount of $24,900 for the General Services Department; referred to formality with recommendation to approve.
  • Line Item 6.6: Combined with 6.1 to approve the settlement for Eastside Chiropractic Clinic, PLLC vs. City of Detroit (Case #24-015837-NF) in the amount of $20,000.
  • Line Item 6.7: Motion to approve the settlement for Level One Physical Therapy vs. City of Detroit (Case #24-015174-NF) in the amount of $10,000 for the Department of Transportation; referred to formality with recommendation to approve.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Mr. Cunningham: Requested insight on improving bus service from a former 10-year DDOT driver, Mr. Redman. Announced an upcoming DDOT meeting and thanked donors for funding bus tickets.
  • Mr. Redman: Expressed dissatisfaction with current DOT performance, stating the agency needs to "get their stuff together" on many fronts.
  • Mr. Foster: Expressed strong opposition to the concentration of power within the same individuals holding multiple board seats (CEC, BOPC, D Win, DDA), characterizing it as a path toward authoritarianism. Proposed ordinances to protect citizens from cyber-home invasion by individuals with FCC access and called for accountability regarding theft.
  • Karen Winston: Expressed support for concrete actions over fast-track resolutions for Detroit retirees, demanding assurance that pension cuts cease and that retirees receive what they have earned. Advocate for prioritizing tax abatements for young, first-time homebuyers over "filthy old rich" millionaires.
  • William M. Davis: Stated that the city has been a "poor steward" of resources under former Mayor Duggan. Expressed opposition to current lease terms with the Great Lakes Water Authority, noting the city receives only "a penny on a dollar." Called for renegotiation and criticism of tax incentives for billionaires.
  • Melissa Love: Stated a position to expose "corruption" by Democrats regarding voter roles and homeless services. Described shelter conditions for mothers and children as "deplorable," reporting a room with flies and recliners intended for sleeping. Demanded representation and removal from voter roles to claim funds.
  • Owner Papa: Expressed opposition to the Council's handling of surplus funds and taxes, labeling the governance as "fascist" where the majority is ruled by a minority. Criticized the failure to give surplus funds to residents while corporations receive property tax dollars.
  • Galaxy S22 Ultra: Expressed frustration with the lack of tangible results from the Council regarding chronic issues with the Chrysler area, including the need for alley cleaning and grant access. Noted that city assistance is inconsistent compared to other jurisdictions.
  • Caller ending in 482 (Kenita Coleman): Demanded an immediate emergency meeting of the City Council to address excessive damage at a veteran's housing facility and the removal of Halloween decorations. Threatened to escalate federal involvement.
  • Riley: Expressed support for Councilmember Cranston Anderson for District 3, criticizing the current state of District 3 as "terrible" and urging Council members to inspect the area directly.
  • Tyson Gersh: Expressed support for transparency but criticized Council for maintaining problems rather than solving them, specifically citing the "ridiculous" strategy regarding BZA transcripts.
  • Caller ending in 124: Expressed disgust with the administration, questioning the legality of charging for transcripts under the Charter and demanding written justification for corporate tax breaks over retiree payments. Accused former Mayor Duggan of a "handshake deal" on North End Landing.
  • Miko A. Williams: Stated that Detroit residents will not vote Republican, arguing that candidates like Mike Rogers, Martell Bivings, or Wayne Bradley would lose in the city's majority-Black electorate.

Discussion Items

  • Line Item 5.2 & 5.3 (Procurement Authority): Councilmember Johnson and Attorney Graham Anderson discussed City Council's ability to revoke delegated authority for contracts between $25,000 and $50,000.
    • Position: It was clarified that these "micro purchases" under the February 2025 Procurement Ordinance cannot have their delegation of authority revoked by Council.
    • Clarification: Minor purchases are defined as $50,000 to $150,000 (where revocation is possible). Micro purchases are under $50,000.
    • Concerns: Councilmember Callaway noted the Council retains the power to amend the ordinance if it proves ineffective.
    • Outcome: A two-week "bring back" was requested to discuss specific concerns regarding contract splitting and potential amendments to the ordinance.
  • Line Item 5.4 (Domestic Violence Task Force): Councilmember Callaway reviewed a report from the Law Department regarding a domestic violence task force.
    • Position: The report was commended for its clarity and for suggesting the consolidation of the domestic violence task force with the existing human trafficking task force.
    • Discussion: Councilmember Waters and Callaway expressed support for this consolidation, noting the intersection of the two issues and the success of the current trafficking task force.
    • Action: Councilmembers encouraged the inclusion of a report from the Detroit Police Department (DPD) on domestic violence call percentages in future budget discussions.
  • Line Item 6.8 (Language Access Ordinance): Councilmember Santiago Romero submitted a memorandum regarding the implementation update of the language access ordinance.
    • Action: A request was made to bring this item back in two weeks.

Key Outcomes

  • Procurement Review: Line items 5.2 and 5.3 were moved to a two-week bring back to further discuss the revocation of delegated authority and potential ordinance amendments.
  • Task Force Proposal: The report for the domestic violence task force was received and filed. The proposal to consolidate it with the human trafficking task force received expressed support from Councilmembers Callaway and Waters.
  • Legislation Review: Line item 6.8 regarding the Language Access Ordinance was scheduled for a two-week bring back.
  • Settlements: Multiple settlement requests (Line items 5.1, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.7) were approved with a recommendation to formalize them.
  • Public Engagement: Councilmembers Waters and Callaway announced upcoming community events, including the Skill Trade Task Force, sheltered by faith luncheon, District 2 office hours, and a breakfast event at Decent Detroit.

Meeting Transcript

And thank you for joining us for the Internal Operations Standing Committee meeting on today, Wednesday, October 15th, 2025. Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll? Good morning. Councilmember Letitia Johnson. Present. Councilmember Mary Waters. Present. Councilmember Angela Whitfield Callaway. Madam Chair, we have quorum. Thank you. Having a quorum present, we are now in session. Good morning, colleagues. Is there a motion on the minutes? Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken. And we are going to move into public comment. If you'd like to make a public comment, please raise your hand, whether in person or virtually, please raise your hand. Public comment will be cut off at 10.07. So you have one minute to raise your hand virtually if you'd like to make a public comment. I do see three hands here in the committee of the whole. Good morning, Miss Jackson. How many hands do we have raised virtually? Good morning, Madam Chair. We have 10 hands raised for virtual public comments. All right, and my clock says 1007, so we are going to cut off general public comment. If we can please set the clock for two minutes, we'll get started with the gentleman in the committee of the whole. 313 444. Oh, one moment, Mr. Cunningham. Okay, there you go. 313-444-9114. 313-444-9114. 313-444-9114. That number was made so you can remember it. As I was passing out bus tickets this morning, uh around Myers grocery store, an old friend. Um he was a bus driver for 10 years. Um so um I told him y'all don't bite. Uh what what insight could he give on bus service and how can it improve since he works for D dot as a driver for 10 years. His name's Mr. Redman. Um so um I appreciate all those that helped me get bus tickets and uh do the right-alons, et cetera. Um so I just want to remind people that there's a DDOT meeting this Thursday. You can put in Detroit Department of Transportation and all social medias and go on that page and please share it with your constituents or your family or your friends or your timeline. So you need new voices to voice their opinion about the service. It must improve. Um I think um a shout out to Suntial Jenkins who sent me $50 yesterday. Um, and uh used it to purchase bus tickets. Um, I'm appreciative to all the help that I receive and I prayed over the donor and the donation, and I do appreciate it. The cash app is 313-444-9114. And I asked Mr. Ritman just to talk about what he felt.

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