Detroit City Council Meeting - November 18, 2025

The Detroit City Council convened on November 18, 2025, beginning with a prayer and the presentation of the Spirit of Detroit Award to citizen Sierra Gotzi for her successful advocacy in securing new mattresses for firehouses. The meeting featured extensive public testimony on issues including immigration sanctuary policies, truck traffic ordinances, tenant rights, and the WNBA redevelopment project. The council acted on several zoning amendments, contract approvals, and Business Improvement Zone proposals, while noting objections from certain members regarding specific contracts and property acquisitions.

Consent Calendar

• Rules of Order Amendments: Approved amendments to the Council rules of order, including the addition of a definition for "legislative agenda," limiting appointments to the property assessment board (no more than two members from one district), and removing the requirement for whole-body approval for standing committee presentations.
• Departmental Reports: Referred eight reports to the Internal Operations Committee, four to the Neighborhood and Community Services Committee, three to the Public Health and Safety Committee, and two each to the Planning and Economic Development Committee.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Immigration: The Detroit Community Action Committee (DCAC) and the Detroit Anti-War Committee expressed strong support for a sanctuary city ordinance to end cooperation between city resources and federal immigration enforcement. Speakers argued that failure to pass the ordinance allows tax dollars to fund "genocide" and tears families apart, citing the need to protect civil rights.
• Tenant Rights & Safety: Adrian Tynis expressed fear and urgency, stating she faces illegal eviction and physical threats from an abusive landlord targeting tenants.
• Truck Traffic: Multiple speakers from the "Trucks Off Our Streets Coalition" and the Southwest Detroit Community Benefits Coalition expressed strong concern regarding heavy semi-truck traffic in residential areas (District 4, Southwest Detroit), linking it to health issues (asthma, lung scarring) and requesting a citywide ordinance to reduce impacts.
• WNBA Development: Former player Deanna Nolan, coach Rick Mahorn, resident Sylvia Crawford, and others expressed full support for the redevelopment of the former Uniroyal site into a WNBA practice facility and youth sports center. They argued the project would revitalize a blighted site, create jobs, and provide crucial safe spaces for youth.
• Retiree Wages: Callers representing city retirees expressed strong opposition to the proposed raises for municipal employees and the Mayor, arguing that retirees have not received cost-of-living adjustments despite the city's massive budget and that their wages are stagnant.
• Property Compensation: Charles Miles and others voiced opposition to gas stations not accepting bottles (allegedly due to corruption) and concern regarding the alleged illegal transfer of property deeds for paid taxes.
• Reparations: The Detroit Grassroots Coalition expressed demand for accountability, stating that the city must move forward with lineage-based reparations as mandated by the 2020 ballot initiative, rather than general city services.
• Security & Policing: Vanetta Hale expressed dissatisfaction with the 8th precinct's lack of response and officers' lack of knowledge regarding local ordinances (e.g., leaf blowing, pepper spray use).
• Contractors: Joe Medina and David Gillespie expressed frustration with the lack of payment to contractors by demolition subcontractors and asked for investigation into unpaid invoices.

Discussion Items

• Adaptive Reuse Ordinance: Council President Pro Tem Tate and the Planning Department discussed an ordinance to permit 50 additional conditional uses for historic institutional buildings (e.g., churches) to be repurposed. Councilmembers asked if the ordinance included protections for R1 zoning, stormwater, and parking; Department Director Todd confirmed these would be addressed through special land use hearings and existing stormwater statutes.
  • Outcome: Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero expressed willingness to sponsor the ordinance. It was passed on a roll call vote of 8-0 (with 8 members present, noting Councilmember Callaway was absent). The ordinance was ordered printed and placed on third reading.
• Rivertown Business Improvement Zone (BIZ): Josh Ellen and Gina Cavalier of the Downtown Detroit Partnership presented the extension of the Rivertown BIZ. They reported 57% property owner support and detailed that assessments are based on value and floor area, with a $1,000 cap for single-family homes and significant exemptions for owner-occupied residences. They assured no automatic rent hikes would occur and highlighted a "fail-safe" vote to rescind the BIZ after two years. Councilmember Mary Waters expressed concern about the burden on legacy residents and vacant land owners, asking for direct assistance in developing those properties.
  • Outcome: Councilmember Mary Waters expressed concern but acknowledged the safeguards; the resolution was approved with one objection noted.
• Contract Disputes: Councilmember Angela Calloway expressed objection to contract lines 18.3 (Motor City Mission) regarding a lack of services and board composition, and line 18.5 (XG Incorporated) regarding a lack of transparency on a homeless support website. She stated she would not support contracts where answers to previous inquiries were not received.

Key Outcomes

• Spiirit of Detroit Award: Presented to Sierra Gotzi for advocating firehouse mattress replacements; Councilmember Mary Waters and Councilmember Johnson expressed gratitude for the citizen's advocacy.
• Zoning Amendment: The Adaptive Reuse Ordinance was approved and sent to third reading with no objections to the motion to include. Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero officially added her name as a sponsor.
• Contract Approvals (Housing/Revitalization):
  • Contract 18.2 (Cas Community Social Services): Approved (clarified beds reduced from 220 to 185).
  • Contract 18.3 (Motor City Mission): Objected by Councilmember Callaway; approved with objection noted by the clerk.
  • Contract 18.4 (Detroit Building Authority): Approved as amended.
  • Contract 18.5 (XG Incorporated): Objected by Councilmember Callaway; approved with objection noted by the clerk.
• Rivertown BIZ (Resolution 18.6): Approved.
• Pistons/WNBA Site (Resolution 18.12): Approved; the Pistons organization committed to collaborating with riverfront organizations and youth sports groups.
• Brownfield Redevelopment: Resolution 18.7 (6,000 East Jefferson Ave) approved.
• Property Acquisition (Resolution 18.10): Approved despite objection from Councilmember Callaway regarding the purchase of DPSCD property at a cost; the City Clerk noted the objection.
• Deferrals:
  • Contract 19.1 (Commercial Property Alteration) postponed for one week for a correction letter.
  • Resolutions 20.7-20.9 (General Grants/Resolutions) referred to committee for review.
  • Resolution 24.1 (Administration item) removed from the agenda.
  • Walk-ons referred to Internal Operations and Planning/Economic Development committees.
• Meeting Adjournment: The formal session was adjourned with a scheduled hearing set for 2:00 PM.