Detroit City Council Meeting - October 29, 2025

The Detroit City Council convened for its October 29, 2025 meeting, focusing on legal contracts, solar farm land acquisition, and public safety settlements. The session featured extensive public commentary regarding voter rolls, the perceived inequity of a 30-second public comment limit, and strong opposition to the solar farm initiative, particularly concerning eminent domain and attorney costs. Council members, led in opposition by Councilmember Callaway regarding the solar project, approved several legal amendments and settlement requests while directing staff to provide further details on property lists and the efficacy of police driver responsibility programs.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Melissa Love: Expressed full demand for her name to be removed from voter rolls due to non-voting status in November 2020 and August 2024, accusing the city of "stealing" and demanding justice. She highlighted issues of sexual harassment in her family, poverty, and gentrification in Black communities.
• Zach Dobinmeyer (Wayne State Student): Voiced 100% opposition to the solar farm project and the associated increase in funds for Zalzmer PC, characterizing the use of eminent domain as burning $50,000 per property. He argued the contract amounts are excessive relative to the city's actual needs.
• Carlton Callaway (Councilmember): Stated she was the only council member to vote 100% against the solar farm initiative, all related contracts, and the use of eminent domain.
• Carolyn Hughes: Expressed strong agreement with critics of the 30-second comment rule, stating it is "unconscionable" to restrict citizen speech. She agreed with the opposition to the solar farm (Item 6.6) and the Joe Lewis Greenway project (Item 6.4), labeling them "gentrification on steroids." She also complained that 30 seconds is insufficient time for complex agenda items.
• Betty A. Barner: Expressed agreement with Carolyn Hughes regarding the inadequate time for public comment. She used her platform to provide contact information for University Home Care services for Medicare recipients.
• Russ Valant: Expressed disagreement with the characterization of the council as unlistening. He voiced concern and opposition to the $50,000 per eviction fee for the law firm handling solar farm evictions, calling it "corrupt" and noting the contradiction between the city pushing for housing while tearing down existing stock.
• Cunningham ("Not Enemy"): Shared a personal anecdote about a "holy handshake" donation and organized a fundraiser for bus tickets. He expressed opposition to the mandatory chat-only public comment format at the Mayor's meeting.
• "Not that Karen": Expressed full agreement that the 30-second limit is "ridiculous" and a national embarrassment. She advocated for increased funding for homeless households and retirees rather than developers, citing pension equity issues (the 13th check) between Police/Fire and General Service retirees.
• Miko A. Williams: Criticized the council for ending public comment collection early (at 10:03 instead of 10:05) and for the 30-second limit, citing Council President James Tate Jr. as the responsible party for delays. He called for unity and compassion across political divides.
• Jadante (Chedante) Smith: Stated he is taking a stand to vote no on the $2.5 million increase for the Greenfield Park Solar Array. He argued the project is "evil," tearing down salvageable housing in freezing weather to benefit the city and DTE, while homeless families remain on the streets.
• Unnamed Caller (Zoning): Expressed agreement that the 30-second limit serves with no integrity. She criticized the Duggan administration's history of demolition (referencing "dirty dirt Northland Mall") and voted as a "black bottom" for the lawyers handling the solar project. She expressed confusion regarding Zoning Ordinance Item 6.5.
• Unnamed Caller (Voter Integrity): Identified the "virus" of "cheated in" elected officials as the root cause of city problems. He opposed using Detroit addresses for non-residents (e.g., county jail voters) and urged residents to wake up to the corruption.
• Russ Valant (Reiteration): Reiterated his anger at the 30-second limit.

Discussion Items

• Legal Services & Bankruptcy Settlements (Items 5.1, 6.1, 6.3):

  • Item 5.1: Amendment for Hodgson Russ LLP to extend time on MGM Grand Casino tax assessment disputes ($100,000 increase). Councilmember Waters noted residents over-assessed by $600 million are "ignored" and lack similar legal resources.
  • Item 6.1: Amendment for Miller Canfield to extend bankruptcy restructuring services ($0 increase). Councilmember Callaway expressed strong opposition to the extension without more transparency, questioning why a $13 million contract is still active nine years post-bankruptcy. She demanded the law firm appear before the council to report on progress and closing timelines.
  • Item 6.3: Amendment for Nathan N. Kamianski LLP for reverse conviction lawsuits ($2.8 million increase). Callaway questioned the number of pending cases, the adversarial nature of the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, and total payouts. She requested a report on payouts and a two-week bring-back for more details on pending cases.

• Solar Farm & Real Estate Services (Items 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7):

  • Item 6.6 (Zalzmer PC): Major discussion on the $2.5 million increase for real estate services and relocation assistance for the solar arrays. Councilwoman Waters and Callaway challenged the city on the use of eminent domain, LLC ownership of properties, and notification processes.
    • Response (Trisha Stein & Corporation Council): Trisha Stein clarified that all owner-occupied properties (36 total) were acquired voluntarily; no eminent domain was used on residents. She stated 22 private occupied properties were acquired, with rent paid to tenants. The team confirmed they are within budget using the Utility Conversion Fund.
    • Corporation Counsel: Explained the legal complexity, citing 104 condemnation cases filed for vacant lots and 5 trials. They noted the "voluntary" nature of owner-occupied deals and the necessity of litigation for business-owned (LLC) properties resisting sale.
    • Councilmember Waters: Expressed enthusiastic full support for the project's goal but requested a detailed list of property ownership (including LLCs) and boundaries. She also proposed a letter to the Michigan legislature to limit LLC ownership after a certain number of properties.
    • Councilmember Callaway: Reaffirmed her 100% opposition to the project and contracts but acknowledged the city's legal defense of the process.

• Public Safety & IT (Items 6.9, 6.10, 6.11):

  • Item 6.9 (Fiber Cable): Completion expected by January 2026. Robert Millender (Public Safety IT) confirmed the scope is specific to the data center connection, with broader city-wide fiber planning still in early stages.
  • Items 6.10 & 6.11 (Generators): Approvals for radio tower and data center generators to ensure public safety communication infrastructure remains operational during power outages.

• Mailroom Contract (Item 6.12): Approval for Wolverine Solutions Group to handle off-site mailroom services. Councilmember Waters welcomed the switch from a Troy-based vendor to a Detroit-based business to support the local economy.

• Police Settlements (Item 6.14): Settlement request of $65,000 for a police officer rear-ending a vehicle. Callaway moved to bring the item back in one week pending a report from the Detroit Police Department on the efficacy of the "Driver's Responsibility Program" implemented in 2023.

• Budget & Labor (Items 6.35, 6.36):

  • Item 6.35: Approved salary increase for detention facility officers to remain competitive with MDOC rates, though top-end pay remains slightly lower.
  • Item 6.36: Approved the 2024-2028 labor agreement for DOT Foremen.

Key Outcomes

• Item 5.1 (MGM Legal): Approved to formal with recommendation.
• Item 5.2 (Taylor Lawsuit): Approved to bring back in one week pending a report on sidewalk repairs.
• Item 5.3 - 5.6 (Various Memoranda): Received and Filed or Brought Back as requested.
• Item 6.1 (Miller Canfield): Approved to formal with recommendation. Action Taken: A motion was made and approved to line-item the conversation for Miller Canfield to present a full report to the council in mid-January 2026 (public session, not closed session) regarding bankruptcy closure progress.
• Item 6.2, 6.4, 6.5, 6.9, 6.10, 6.11, 6.12: Approved to formal with recommendation.
• Item 6.3 (Kamianski): Approved to formal with recommendation. Action Taken: Attorney Anderson agreed to obtain the requested data on payouts and pending cases for a future report.
• Item 6.6 - 6.7 (Solar Farm/Real Estate): Approved to formal with recommendation. Action Taken: Trisha Stein committed to delivering a detailed list of property ownership, occupancy, and approved boundary maps to all council members by the end of the day.
• Item 6.8 (Recess): Approved to formal with recommendation (Nov 4, Nov 11, Nov 26-Jan 5).
• Item 6.13, 6.15 - 6.20, 6.21 - 6.24, 6.25 - 6.30, 6.33: Approved to formal with recommendation.
• Item 6.14 (Driver Responsibility): Approved to bring back in one week pending the DPD report on the Driver's Responsibility Program.
• Item 6.31 (Officer Indemnification): Approved to bring back for a date to determine scheduling for a closed session.
• Item 6.34 (Grant Application): Approved to formal with recommendation (Community Foundation grant).
• Item 6.37 (Suspension Memo): Received and Filed.
• Item 6.38 (DV Task Force): Approved to formal with recommendation.
• Item 6.39 (Confidential Memo): Approved to bring back in two weeks.
• Councilmember Waters' Request: Approved to request the Law Department to draft a resolution in support of suspending the officer who shot the woman without pay.
• Adjournment: Meeting adjourned without further business.