Detroit City Council Meeting - November 12, 2025

The Detroit City Council convened on November 12, 2025, for a Committee of the Whole session and a formal 10:15 AM interview. The meeting commenced with the approval of the previous minutes and proceeded to a robust public comment period featuring grievances regarding building safety, resource equity, zoning transparency, and administrative delays. The council conducted an interview for a Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) appointment, reviewed administrative contract reports, approved several legal settlements and indemnification requests, and concluded with district-specific community event announcements.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The council unanimously moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Adrian Tines (Resident, 375 West Grand Boulevard): Expressed extreme concern regarding health hazards, criminal activity, and potential retaliation from a landlord/owner (identified as Keatus McGuinness). He stated his life is in jeopardy, claiming the police and commander dismiss his reports of rats, drug activity, and threats. He expressed frustration that no action has been taken despite repeated reporting.
• Ronald Foster (Resident): Expressed frustration regarding perceived lack of equity in resource allocation between District 2 neighborhoods (e.g., U of D-Mile, Six Mile) and others (e.g., Seven Mile Myers). He stated he feels retaliated against for requesting block clubs despite state representatives acknowledging their existence, asserting that resources are selectively given to specific developers and neighborhoods while others face high crime and low resources.
• Member Callaway (Councilmember): Responded to Foster's comments by stating she has garnered 15,000 votes and that the community in question has chosen to tax themselves for additional security, implying a different level of responsibility for their own safety.
• Honor Papa (Resident): Expressed strong opposition to the current council's handling of transparency (specifically confidential memos) and financial decisions involving surplus taxes. He stated that councils must rotate every two years per the charter and that the current composition lacks a mandate. He also criticized the police for lying to the public regarding an ordinance. He expressed full support for a new mayor (Don Julio) but questioned the council's adherence to the charter.
• Karen (Resident, 31-year homeowner): Supported Foster and Papa, expressing that district lines do not serve everyone. She stated she was lied to regarding a NEZ tax break and has paid over $150,000 in taxes without receiving equitable treatment compared to neighbors with lower taxes. She urged for fairer decisions.
• Motorola Moto G 2025 (Caller): Could not be heard; request to submit comments via clerk's office.
• Betty A. Verner (Resident): Expressed frustration that a sidewalk hazard caused by a tree root, reported years ago and acknowledged by the mayor and district manager (Miss Davis), remains unaddressed. She stated she fears being sued and requested administrative help.
• Slow Down Zoning (Caller): Expressed opposition to the rushed zoning ordinances, arguing they violate the charter (Section 4-109 and 6-205) by limiting public comment and lacking comprehension for residents without legal counsel. They stated that BZA hearings should allow full opportunity for testimony and criticized the restriction of public comment during hearings.
• Cindy Dara (Resident): Expressed concern over transparency regarding political funding and alleged dishonesty in petition verification processes. She supported the need for full public hearings on zoning.
• William M. Davis (Resident): Expressed concern over city vehicles being used outside city limits, a lack of retirement benefits for retirees, and the logistics of voting distances (over three miles) for precinct delegates. They suggested major investigations are needed regarding voter registration discrepancies.
• Darren McCleskey: Expressed opposition to the Zalzer contract (increased to $7.7 million), stating it is a waste of money. He questioned the validity of an LLC list requested previously, alleged abuse of the Ortiz family, and criticized the fairness of hearings where employees were sent to breakout rooms with opposing counsel.
• Caller ending in 669: Requested copies and materials from the city; offered personal contact information for future coordination. Expressed support for the contract for drivers but noted the need for assistance with transit materials (gloves, hats, bus tickets).
• Miko A. Williams (Activist): Expressed dissatisfaction with the current leadership's handling of public input, stating they are being ignored similarly to past treatment of Ronald Foster. He expressed support for the outgoing council members but criticized self-serving interests and tax abatement practices that benefit corporate entities over residents.
• Tyson Gersh: Expressed concern regarding BZA rules not being codified in the city code and questioned the necessity of retaining outside counsel for court reporters. He urged for a separation of powers between the law department and the mayor's office.
• Caller ending in 039: Made unverified allegations regarding voter fraud and past election interference involving specific individuals (Janice Werfley, Daniel Baxter, Peter Avery Walker), demanding public explanation.
• To Hear I'm in It (Supporter): Expressed full support and encouragement for Councilmembers Callaway, Waters, and Johnson, acknowledging Callaway's 15,000 votes as a mandate and urging the council to continue their work in cleaning up District 2.
• Eden Bloom (Resident, District 4): Expressed conditional support for the R2 upzoning proposal but requested a pause. She stated that the lack of environmental and health impact reviews poses a risk to residents in districts 4, 5, and 6 due to proximity to factories and pollution. She urged for a health and environmental review before proceeding.

Discussion Items

• Appointment of Sharice Butler (BZA, District 3): Member Johnson facilitated an interview for Sharice Butler, a nonprofit executive and lifelong Detroiter. Butler expressed willingness to flex her schedule for weekly Monday meetings, pledged to engage the community through email and public documents, and noted her lack of formal city planning experience but deep community work. The council agreed to move her appointment to the formal session.
• Line Item 6.1 (Confidential Memos): Council decided to bring the status of Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero's request to release confidential memos back for a date to be determined.
• Line Items 6.2 & 6.3 (Contract Authority & Reports): A discussion ensued regarding the City Council's ability to revoke delegated contract authority. Councilwoman Waters expressed concern that contracts were being administratively approved to avoid council review after being previously denied. Chief Procurement Officer Sandra Thaul explained a uniform bid was restructured as a smaller, one-year contract to ensure local vendor outreach. The council elected to receive and file the reports with a recommendation for integrity and transparency.
• Line Item 7.1 (Settlement - Letha Lisa Mathis): Council approved a settlement request for $15,000 for the Department of Transportation case 24-0545-NI.
• Line Item 7.2 (Indemnification - Jeremy Johnson): Council approved legal representation for Master Sergeant Jeremy Johnson in the lawsuit Tanya L. Ferguson vs. City of Detroit.
• Line Item 7.3 (Indemnification - Chris Masolski): Council approved legal representation for Officer Chris Masolski in Ashley Looper vs. City of Detroit. Councilwoman Waters questioned prior settlements involving this specific officer; Attorney Anderson noted he was unaware of previous offers but could research. The item was sent to formal with further discussion noted.
• Line Item 7.4 (Indemnification - Felicia Manning Peoples): Council voted to remove this item from the agenda as it was already sent to formal on October 29th and is scheduled for the Friday session.
• Member Reports: Councilmember Callaway announced events including the Murrell Fountain restoration tour (Nov 13), a turkey giveaway (Nov 22), and holiday light-ups. Councilmember Johnson announced a district budget conversation (Nov 15), a turkey giveaway (Nov 16), and a zoning discussion meeting (Nov 17).

Key Outcomes

• BZA Appointment Referral: A motion was approved to send the appointment of Sharice Butler to the formal session with a recommendation to approve.
• Contract Reports Filed: Line items 6.2 and 6.3 received a motion to "receive and file" without passing a formal resolution.
• Legal Settlements Approved: Line items 7.1 and 7.2 were moved to the formal agenda with a recommendation to approve.
• Confidential Memo Delayed: Line item 6.1 was moved to be rescheduled for a date to be determined.
• Item Removal: Line item 7.4 was removed from the meeting agenda.
• Adjournment: The meeting concluded with district announcements and the call for adjournment.