Detroit City Council Meeting - October 21, 2025

The Detroit City Council convened on October 21, 2025, led by Council President Mary Sheffield, to address a comprehensive agenda including the awarding of the Spirit of Detroit Award to First Lady Monica Anthony, a detailed update on the City's 20-Year Master Plan, and several zoning and policy amendments. The session was marked by extensive public testimony regarding neighborhood development, concerns over displacement, and calls for accountability. Key legislative actions included the approval of a stadium tobacco ban, the continuation of community violence intervention contracts, and referrals of various reports to standing committees.

Consent Calendar

• Journal Approval: The journal of the previous session (October 7th) was approved without reconsideration or unfinished business.
• Committee Referrals: Multiple reports were referred to the Budget Finance and Audit, Internal Operations, Neighborhood and Community Services, Planning and Economic Development, and Public Health and Safety standing committees as routine administrative actions.
• Resolutions: The following line items were approved via motion and vote without objection: 17.1 (Auditor General services), 18.1–18.8 (Lawsuit settlements), 19.1 (Zoning map revision for Rosa Parks Blvd area), 19.5–19.13 (Brownfield plan terminations), 19.14–19.15 (Rehabilitation certificates), 19.21 (Tobacco ban at stadiums), and various contracting resolutions (21.2–21.4, 21.5–21.7, 21.8–21.10 [partial], 21.11–21.13, 21.14–21.19, 21.20).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Monica Anthony: Received the Spirit of Detroit Award for over 30 years of service and community activism. Councilmember Young expressed full gratitude for her support of her husband and the community.
• Betty Lyons: Expressed strong opposition to Councilmember Santiago Romero's presentation of the award to the First Lady, labeling him a "liar" and "thief" and accusing him of supporting "perversion," while demanding justice regarding an alleged $600 million overpayment by residents.
• Dale Young: Expressed frustration regarding the proposed billing/development on Van Dyke and Ketchua, citing severe congestion, lack of parking, and a history of property damage. The speaker advocated for resident rights over development interests.
• Annette L. Simpson: Expressed intent to sue Council President Sheffield regarding election discrepancies and requested an official audit of the August 25, 2025 election.
• Joyce Jennings Phil's: Spoke in honor of her husband, Cleveland Fells Jr., expressing strong opposition to the displacement and development of the Mount Elliott area to build apartments, citing the area's historical significance.
• Teresa Davis: Expressed strong opposition to the planning and development for Chapter 50 Section 19 and zoning amendments, advocating for an anti-displacement clause to protect long-term residents from tax-driven displacement. Also expressed opposition to a proposed apartment building on the Butzel Family Center parking lot.
• Letitia McCall: Expressed opposition to Chapter 50 Section 19 zoning amendments in R1 and R2 districts, arguing that allowing four unrelated roommates threatens the stability of single-family residential cores.
• Denise Copeland: Opposed the proposed development and zoning changes, proposing a "clean clause" to guarantee increased city-funded lawn mowing and sidewalk repairs in residential blocks.
• Kenneth Halloway: Expressed opposition to the extension of both bus platforms, arguing they slow down traffic and create congestion without providing adequate seating for waiting residents.
• Marcia Kimball: Expressed strong opposition to the proposed development on Van Dyke and Kirchhoff, citing safety concerns due to lack of street lights and the congested nature of the area. Expressed skepticism that the affordable housing is truly affordable for residents.
• Toya Watts: Expressed strong opposition to the Request for Proposal (RFP) to build an apartment building on the Fred M. Butzel Family Center parking lot, viewing it as an attack on a community hub used for generations.
• Vincent DePaul: Expressed a desire to partner with the city to deliver services through Community Sherry Temple 7 to address unemployment.
• Joshua Lemire: Expressed a desire for access to United Sound Studios for young musicians and opposition to the development on Van Dyke and Kirchhoff due to congestion.
• Tanya Wells: Expressed concern that the proposed apartment development on the Butzel parking lot is being pushed without proper council initiation and demanded the city address the displacement of a community hub.
• Martin White: Expressed strong and vigorous opposition to the planning and economic development standing committee amendments (19.2, 19.1), specifically the revision of the definition of family to include unrelated persons, arguing it does not mean quality and threatens neighborhood character.
• Renard Manchunski: Expressed concern that the Detroit Football Club soccer stadium project lacks sufficient transit considerations, specifically calling for increased bus frequency and bus lanes on Michigan Avenue rather than specialized private transit.
• Cristana Anderson: Expressed strong opposition to the public comment process, questioning the use of Community Violence Intervention (CVI) funds and requesting an explanation regarding election ballot practices.
• Riley: Expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of District 3 leadership and called for a new face on the Council.
• Miko A. Williams: Expressed concern for the health of Malik Shabbaz and warned council members against voting for candidate Renata Miller based on campaign conduct and tax issues.
• Cindy Dara: Expressed strong opposition to the current property tax strategy, predicting widespread gentrification and displacement if tax laws are not changed to protect current residents.
• Ryan: Expressed strong opposition to the current leadership and the University of Michigan alumni network, urging support for Ken Locke over Mary Sheffield.

Discussion Items

• Spirit of Detroit Award: Councilmember Young presented the award to First Lady Monica Anthony, citing her extensive service as a faith-based activist, founder of the Gladys M. Rice Health Center, and NAACP member.
• City Master Plan Update: Planning Director Alexa Bush and Deputy Director Darrow Byrne presented the 20-year Master Plan update. They outlined the vision "Detroit will be a city of choice and opportunity" and established four primary goals: improve quality of life, grow the economy, focus density to support services, and make it safer and easier to get around. The team emphasized the next phase involves community engagement on land use and place types.
  • Councilmember Santiago Ramiro requested the planning team visit District 6 to address local needs and plan investments.
  • Councilmember Johnson emphasized the need to integrate Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) into plans for neighborhood commercial corridors and expressed hope that "Complete Streets" would be part of the agenda.
• Chapter 50 Zoning Amendments (Line Item 19.2): Council President Pro Tem Tim Tate James moved to postpone this item for one week to address public confusion and misinformation. Director Ty Todd clarified that the amendments include provisions for utilizing municipal parking for commercial corridors and allowing conditional lofts in non-residential structures in R1/R2 districts, explicitly stating these were not intended to allow short-term rentals in private residential garages. Councilmember Benson requested further education on why a motion to remove a specific parking credit provision was not enacted, while Councilmember Young questioned the high cost of parking construction.
• Stadium Tobacco Ban (Line Item 22/21.1): Councilmember Durhaw introduced an ordinance prohibiting smokeless tobacco, alternative nicotine products, and other tobacco products at stadiums or sports arenas. Councilmember Young expressed opposition, arguing that adults should have the right to chew tobacco in private or public spaces, while Councilmember Callaway and Councilmember Durhaw countered that the behavior directly impacts youth who mimic what they see, citing the link between chewing tobacco and mouth cancer.
• Community Violence Intervention (CVI) Contracts (Line Items 21.8–21.10): Councilmember Santiago Romero moved to approve contracts for Detroit People's Community (21.9) and Force Detroit Incorporated (21.10) and requested a one-week postponement for the contract with Detroit Friends and Family (21.8) due to outstanding questions.
• Estate Planning: Councilmember Benson introduced a resolution recognizing National Estate Planning Awareness Month. Darcia Darkell Love from the Housing and Revitalization Department explained the program's goal to build generational wealth and rectify historical injustices by providing free estate planning services, noting that 76% of African Americans lack wills.

Key Outcomes

• Line Item 19.1 (Zoning Map Revision): Reconsidered and approved by a roll call vote of 9 yes, 0 no, revising zoning classifications in the Rosa Parks Blvd area.
• Line Item 19.2 (General Zoning Text Amendment): Postponed by one week to allow for further public education and clarification regarding parking credits and loft definitions.
• Line Item 19.1 (Reconsideration): Reconsidered and approved by a roll call vote of 9 yes, 0 no.
• Line Item 19.21 (Stadium Tobacco Ban): Approved by a roll call vote of 7 yes, 2 no (Councilmember Young and Santiago Romero voted no).
• Line Item 21.8 (CVI Contract Extension): Postponed by one week for further discussion; Lines 21.9 and 21.10 approved.
• Line Item 21.20 (Estate Planning Resolution): Approved with a request for a waiver.
• Line 21.14 (Freeway Trash Pickup): Approved with a request for a waiver.
• Line 21.18–21.19 (Sign Permits): Approved with requests for waivers.
• Line 21.21 (Resolutions 32.1–32.6): All approved.
• Directives/Next Steps:
  • The Law Department and Lincoln Place Development (LPD) were directed to provide a report on whether ordinances exist to prohibit vaping and marijuana use on city property (specifically precincts and fire departments).
  • The Planning Department was instructed to appear at the postponed hearing next week with staff to clarify the Chapter 50 text amendments.
  • The CVI contract with Detroit Friends and Family (21.8) was delayed for one week.
  • The 13th check controversy regarding general retirees was raised by public commenters during the session, with Councilmember Waters clarifying that only Police and Fire received the 13th check, not general retirees.
  • Public records were requested regarding the relationship between Council President Sheffield and Mark Sever, and the influence of the University of Michigan alumni network.
  • Council President Sheffield announced a virtual meeting for the HOPE Program for November 7th deadline preparation scheduled for October 22nd.