Detroit City Council District 6 Evening Community Meeting (Nov 18, 2025)

This District 6 evening community meeting opened with a quorum established before the 2025 Council transition, featuring a prayer by Reverend Dr. Alex Hill and a welcome from the Patton Recreational Center. Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero presented a video summary of her legislative and community achievements over the past year, highlighted two "Spirit of Detroit" award recipients, and addressed ongoing community concerns before stepping out to monitor virtual calls. The session was marked by extensive public testimony regarding election integrity, property rights, industrial impacts, infrastructure needs, and support for local businesses.

Consent Calendar

• No formal consent calendar items with specific roll calls were listed in the transcript.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Joanne Warwick (Online caller): Expressed stated opposition to the city council's unanimous vote to approve a $7.7 million contract with the law firm Dalter & Smer to acquire private property for DTE solar farms, labeling the action as "insidious" and "evil" and comparing it to the historic Black Bottom clearance; she also positioned herself against the Land Bank's actions and cited specific council members (Waters, Sheffield, Santiago Romero, Callaway) for their differing stances.
• Cindy Dara: Positioned herself as a victim of election fraud, stating her position that the City Clerk's office and a specific notary public were illegally preventing her write-in votes from being counted for the City Clerk and Mayor races, citing a discrepancy between a verbal confirmation of votes and the lack of official ballot inclusion.
• Joanne Warwick (Reiteration): Repeated her opposition to the DTE solar farm land takings, specifically highlighting that District 5 Councilmember Mary Sheffield was absent and noting that a member of Sheffield's transition team works for the implicated law firm.
• Joann Warwick (Reiteration): Positioned herself against the current administration's approach to property rights, stating opposition to attorneys acting as municipal leaders who are "creating conditions of predatory behavior" to steal property, particularly highlighting the removal of heirs to Willie May Gassley's property via police action.
• Michael Cunningham: Positioned himself as a community organizer seeking support for his work distributing bus tickets, hand warmers, and coats; he expressed support for the recent bus driver contract increase but stated a need for continued funding and donations to assist riders and those waiting in the cold.
• Tanya Wells: Positioned herself as an activist refusing to accept what she perceives as illegal eviction actions and BSEED control over rental applications; she stated her position that she is labeled an "eviction convict" and demanded resolution regarding her situation, noting she is a 30+ year education professional.
• Michael Christopher: Raised a community concern regarding heavy dumping, manhole scraping, and vandalism in Delray, stating positional concerns about safety; he also expressed a specific need for the city to repair a damaged drain line, fence, and sidewalk caused by accidental demolition work near his home at 501.
• Adam Barrett: Expressed strong opposition to subsidizing billionaire Tom Gores' WNBA project, stating position that the city is "smashing and grabbing" capital by providing 91.6% of the funds without rent or taxes, and argued that this undermines essential institutions like the Bowen Branch Library due to tax capture.
• Alonzo Chandler: Stated a position of concern on behalf of residents at the Ralph J. Bunch Co-op, expressing fears that the current board is attempting a "takeover" and driving residents out; requested a meeting to clarify tenant laws and understand why taxes have "gone up threefold," stating concern that the board is "inept or dishonest."
• Anthony Benavides: Expressed gratitude for park improvements across the city; stated full support for the DCFC stadium project, arguing it will bring jobs and entertainment, while stating that the hospital site demolition is necessary.
• Josh Medina: Expressed strong opposition to the placement of truck lots (1411 and 1500 Central) in a residential neighborhood, stating position that it creates noise, pollution, and safety risks near a new school and Joe Lewis Greenway; proposed the lots be converted to green spaces.
• Chef Omar Mitchell: Stated a critical position regarding the economic impact of the Monroe Streetscape closure, reporting a 90% loss in business revenue; demanded emergency support packages, direct grants, or forgivable loans tied to revenue loss for Greek Town businesses.
• Paul Shinvault: Expressed a desire for equitable commercial investment in the District 6 "legacy neighborhood" (Midwest Tireman area), stating concern that development focus has been on other areas like Corktown and Mexicantown; requested budget support for residents to stay in homes.
• Larry Darnell Smith Jr.: Stated a position that city recreation staff are underpaid and expressed concern that the offered 2% raise is insufficient given inflation and the length of service of long-time employees; urged the council to provide a living wage so staff can own homes and cars.
• Bill Cheek: Expressed strong opposition to the proposed land transfer at Preserve on Ash, stating position that it gives away community assets for a low cost; raised concerns regarding lack of transparency about contamination at the site and safety hazards from dry sweeping; criticized the lack of ADA accessibility and infrastructure support for the growing elderly population in North Corktown.
• Simone Sagovac: Urged the council to use local zoning powers to address trucking industry conflicts in Southwest Detroit and stated support for downzoning; stated a need for the dust ordinance health fund to be operational for home repairs.
• Thomasina Weston (via Simone Sagovac and Online): Demanded a formal assessment of property damage and health impacts caused by illegal truck traffic on Livernois/Clark; stated a position that the city has ignored these issues for years and now requested establishment of a compensation fund or repair program for residents.
• Betty A. Varner: Expressed gratitude for tree and sidewalk repairs; stated a need for funding to redevelop the "FINK" accorder corridor.
• Teresa Landrum: Stated a need for clarification regarding the contract renewal of Mr. Brian McKinney regarding the Southfield backfill removal; expressed concern that the city is not working to make the community whole regarding the destruction of streets from heavy truck traffic.
• Various Online Callers: Multiple callers had connection issues or were silent; one caller expressed disbelief that bus operators are not reimbursed for taking passengers; another caller made accusations of cheating regarding political careers and family matters.

Discussion Items

• Mayor Elect Mary Sheffield: The Mayor Elect indicated she would not be present for the meeting but was acknowledged by the Council President.
• Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero: Presented a video highlight reel of District 6 activities, including know-your-rights trainings, mutual aid following a water main break, budget wins ($2M for bus shelters, $2M for home repairs, $500k for a picnic shelter), and the installation of a Vincent Chin street sign. She also introduced and presented Spirit of Detroit Awards to Hot Sam's and the dance troupe "Balefro Corrico, Moyoko Yani." She stated her intention to listen to virtual comments from a distance after the in-person portion.
• Councilmember Michael Christopher's Issues: Councilmember Santiago Romero interjected to offer assistance to Michael Christopher regarding his property damage, directing him to staff member Giselle for follow-up.
• Councilmember Santiago Romero's Departure: The Councilmember stated she had to step out to monitor the virtual comments for the remainder of the session.
• Meeting Logistics: The Council President noted the presence of pizza and shirts for attendees, stating attendees could take one to eat and one to wear.
• Adjournment: The Council President called for a motion to adjourn which was passed without objection.

Key Outcomes

• Spirit of Detroit Awards: Presented to Hot Sam's (for 104 years of service and community impact) and Balefro Corrico, Moyoko Yani (for dance and cultural contributions). No voting tallies recorded for awards as these were presentations.
• Public Comment Cutoff: Public comment collection was officially closed after the initial round of speakers, with further comments taken from the online queue.
• Staff Referrals: Councilmember Santiago Romero directed Michael Christopher to her office for follow-up on demolition damage.
• Meeting Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned without specific legislative votes recorded in the transcript text.
• Discrepancy Note: The transcript mentions Councilmember Fred Durhal (third) was absent, and Council President Mary Sheffield was absent, while Councilmember Young's staff was noted as present but the member themselves was not explicitly confirmed as present until a note was made at the end of a speaker segment.