Detroit City Council Meeting Summary 2025-11-20
Detroit City Council Meeting Summary 2025-11-20
The Detroit City Council convened to honor community leaders with the Spirit of Detroit Awards, engage in public commentary regarding neighborhood funding and charter adherence, and deliberate on a series of municipal contracts and park improvement grants. The meeting was characterized by celebratory recognition of local block clubs and food security initiatives, followed by robust public testimony concerning equity in resource allocation and specific infrastructure concerns.
Consent Calendar
- No Consent Calendar items were recorded in the transcript; the meeting proceeded directly from the presentation segment to public comments and New Business.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Betty A. Verner (President, Soda Elsewhere Block Association) expressed support for her community's recent work but voiced strong concern and opposition regarding the Finkel Corridor due to a lack of funding; she stated the area needs financial treatment equal to neighboring districts.
- William M. Davis (Former Citizen Co-Chair) expressed regret and criticism regarding the current administration's failure to support citizen district councils and stated a need for the city to ensure all residents feel invited and supported.
- Cunningham urged all council members and staff to attend the upcoming D.O.T. meeting and extended support to Betty Verner and William Davis.
- Cindy Darr expressed opposition and shock regarding the proposed "freeway mowing" contract (Line 6.6/6.7), characterizing it as illegal and unconstitutional, and voiced concern over the allocation of ARPA and capital funds to EV charging stations while other neighborhood needs remain unaddressed.
- An anonymous caller expressed profound appall at the Council's lack of respect for the city charter, stated that the Council is callous and disrespectful to residents, highlighted repeated disparate treatment, and warned of voting "with their feet" due to the body's handling of zoning issues and the potential election of the Governor.
Discussion Items
- Spirit of Detroit Awards Presentation: Councilmember Scott Benton presented awards to Gwen Knowles (President, Princeton Street Block Club) and Chelsea Manning (Manager, 10), praising their tireless efforts in food security, community building, and youth mentorship. Councilmembers Callaway, Vincent, and Young expressed pride and admiration for the recipients, noting their exceptional leadership and community impact.
- Contract 6.8 (Goodby Geese, LLC): Councilmember Callaway expressed opposition to extending the contract for geese management, stating that the current strategy is not working and citing an increasing geese population at Palmer Park and Lake Francis. She called for a review of alternative options and requested more information on the deployment of border collies. Assistant Director Alex Weatherup offered to discuss solutions before the contract expires, while Councilmember Young expressed concern about political fallout if the contract were denied. Consequently, the Council agreed to defer the item.
- Contract 6.13 (Bell Isle Boat House): A proposal to co-sign a lease agreement with the State of Michigan for the Bell Isle Boat House was discussed. Councilmember Callaway expressed concern regarding historical lack of public access to the property and demanded assurances that the new use would not operate as a private club. Councilmember Benson expressed strong support for the project's potential to activate the Detroit River for youth sports. Representatives Bruce Goldman and Harry Jones confirmed that the new lease guarantees public access, public restrooms, a grab-and-go restaurant, and secures space for the Detroit Community Sailing Center. Councilmember Benson highlighted the opportunity for youth to gain scholarships through rowing and sailing.
Key Outcomes
- Approval of Awards: The Council formally recognized Gwen Knowles and Chelsea Manning with the Spirit of Detroit Awards for their 10-year contributions and community impact.
- Line 5.1 (Parks & Rec Transfer): The motion to transfer jurisdiction of a surplus property (8415 Dubai) to the Detroit Airport Department was moved to formal session for approval.
- Line 6.1 (Clark Park Winter Carnival): Approval was moved to formal session for the 2026 Winter Carnival event at Clark Park.
- Line 6.2 (Animal Supplies): Amendment 2 to contract 60550 for animal food and veterinary supplies was moved to formal session for approval ($550,000 increase).
- Line 6.3 (EV Charging): Amendment 3 to contract for EVDCFC stations was moved to formal session for approval ($700,000 increase).
- Line 6.4 (Heilman Park): The project for park improvements at Hellman Park was moved to formal session for approval ($1.8M contract).
- Line 6.5 (Shop Equipment): Amendment 1 for shop equipment trailers was moved to formal session for approval (time extension only).
- Line 6.6 & 6.7 (Freeway Mowing): Amendments for freeway mowing services were moved to formal session for approval ($1.1M and $1.4M increases, respectively).
- Line 6.8 (Geese Management): The contract with Goodby Geese, LLC was deferred to be brought back at a time to be determined (TBD) pending further review.
- Line 6.9 (Resilience Fund): Authorization to submit a grant application for the Southeast Michigan Resilience Fund was moved to formal session for approval.
- Line 6.10 (Rose Lawn Park): Acceptance of the FY 2024 Trust Fund grant for Rose Lawn Park was moved to formal session for approval.
- Line 6.11 (Clark Park Grant): Acceptance of the FY 2024 Trust Fund grant for Clark Park was moved to formal session for approval.
- Line 6.12 (Jane Field): Acceptance of the FY 2026 Jane Field Improvements Grant was moved to formal session for approval.
- Line 6.13 (Bell Isle Boat House): Authorization to enter into the lease agreement for the Bell Isle Boat House was moved to formal session for approval.
- Public Comment Closure: The public comment period was closed after six callers.
- Adjournment: The Neighborhood and Community Services Standing Committee was adjourned with closing remarks of gratitude from Councilmembers Callaway and Benson. All items listed were moved to formal session for final approval/vote in a subsequent step not fully detailed in the transcript text (except the deferral of 6.8).
Meeting Transcript
Councilmember Scott Benton. I've been snar. Mr. Chair DeCorm. Excellent. Now we will move on into a very special presentation that we have here. We are going to present Spirit of Detroit Awards to the Titan Equity Nourished Network, celebrating their 10-year anniversary. Let's get a round of applause. Yeah. Before I begin, I just wanted to say there's a great quote that says that you make a living by what you get. You make a life by what we give. All of our lives have been made tremendously better based on what you have given to us, whether it's for Princeton Street Block Club or whether it is 10. I just want to say thank you for giving us one, the gift that no one can take away the gift of knowledge and education and enlightenment. Secondly, I want to say that the services that you have provided, the people who you have fed, the people who were naked that you clothed, the people who are homeless that you built houses for, the people that didn't have health care or were infirm that you provided the health care for, the doors that you not. I'm looking at um, I'm looking at a man of God right here. I can only imagine the mouths that you have wiped clean that were dirty. And so I just wanted to say thank you so much, one, because as someone that's in city government, you have made my job a whole lot more easier because we constantly have people who come up here who are asking for things, and usually it's we want to help them, but we don't have the resources to be able to do it. It's because of programs like yours that those people can still get the resources that they need. And secondly, and finally, I just want to say thank you for always letting us know that the most important race is the human race, and that no matter who you are or where you are, you deserve humanity and to be treated as such. And so I just want to say it is my honor and privilege to be able to give out these spirit of Detroit Awards, starting as a presentation as an expression of gratitude and esteem of the people of Detroit to the significantly important and tremendously viable Gwyn Knowles, Princeton Street Block Club president. Yes. Making Detroit neighborhoods a better place to live. Thank you. The mission of the Princeton Street Block Club is to foster friendship, cooperation, and helpfulness that encourages active participation to improve and grow our area into a model of urban living that enables us to live in an inviting, safe, and healthy environment. The vision of the Princeton Street Block Club is to create a lovely and vibrant community where those who live on Princeton Street are happy about their neighborhood and others want to become residents. Thank you. You are indeed a champion for the people of Detroit. You are an asset to our great city of Detroit. We thank you and are eternally grateful for your tireless efforts, exceptional achievement, outstanding leadership, and dedicated devotion that lifts the spirits and hearts of the people of Detroit, Michigan, and America. The honorable Coleman A. Young II, Detroit City Council at large, with the entire Detroit City Council of Detroit, Michigan, is proud to present this Spirit of Detroit Award to Gwen Knowles. And let me just, yeah. And let me just say this too before I continue before I read all these things and finish. Obviously, because we're talking about Black Girl Magic and Black Excess here. This is then Member Callaway's district. So I just wanted to emphasize that and say thank you to Member Callaway for partnering with me and allowing me to be able to provide honor where honor is due. All right. What? Well now. That's Mary Black Manson Nextur. Yeah. Well no, you need to mention that. Okay, I was gonna go through the whole thing and then if they want to have them say something. I was sorry. Had a little uh technical difficulties in terms of a little disagreement in terms of how to present this. I was gonna read all the names, and then I was gonna present Ms. Blackman, who is here and saying thank you so much for all the work. I was trying to build up and then reveal you, but Miss Calvert said that my theatrics and histrionics will not be tolerated. So instead, I will just say it is my honor and privilege to be here and to be joined by Mary Blackman and thank you so much for all the wonderful things that you've done. The reason why I am here and I have the position that I have today is because of your sacrifice.
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