Detroit Public Health and Safety Committee Meeting - November 24, 2025

The Public Health and Safety Committee convened for its final session of the term to review health department operations, approve a modernized secondhand goods ordinance, and consider various contractual appropriations. The meeting featured public testimony regarding legal aid, environmental health hazards, and political concerns, followed by detailed discussions on secondhand goods reporting and budget approvals.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from the previous session.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Teresa Davis: Expressed an urgent need for legal representation for an illegal eviction appeal, noting that she was unable to find an attorney in the state to represent her at the appellate level despite her low-income status and medical challenges. She sought a referral to an attorney or legal assistance organization.
• Mr. Foster: Expressed concern regarding the perspective of ground forces in the military and paramilitary regarding conscientious objection and lawful orders under the UCMJ. He requested clarification on a "successor agreement" related to the Detroit 300 grant.
• Joyce Jennings: Expressed full support for calling a city-wide public health emergency to address environmentally hazardous businesses. She argued that the concentration of sick and dying residents in her district (specifically near Kronos/U.S. Ecology) necessitated immediate council action.
• Stephen Horing: Expressed strong opposition and concern regarding the presence of "socialists" on the Detroit City Council, stating he is glad to be in Miami where socialism is not tolerated.
• Caller "Owner Papa": Expressed strong opposition to the council's recent vote on property tax dollars going to corporate America, characterizing it as socialism and illegal. The caller threatened to file lawsuits against council members and stop paying property taxes.
• William M. Davis: Expressed disappointment in the Health Department's location regarding parking, questioned the authorization of $1.8 million in emergency food purchases, and expressed concern over the lack of assistance for Detroit retirees compared to the Mayor's "fat projects."
• Rernard Munjanski: Expressed support for tighter safety regulations and designated parking for e-scooters to reduce injury rates, noting the current lack of regulatory structure in Detroit compared to other cities.
• Caller (Anonymous): Accused Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero and the council of election fraud and corruption, labeling the administration as "defunct and dysfunctional."
• Cindy Dara: Expressed support for suing the city regarding property tax excess dollars and criticized the use of TIF funds. She also noted the reduction in property taxes and insurance for her new property.
• Caller (534): Expressed full support for the Health Department to use American Rescue Plan funds to repair the former Herman Kiefer building for better compliance. The caller also expressed support for the position that blight tickets without proper proof of service should not be prosecuted.
• Melissa Love: Expressed strong opposition to the corruption in the city, stating that lack of representation leads to higher insurance rates and more liquor stores. The caller demanded justice and representation, asserting that justice would be served.
• Sonia Brown: Expressed frustration regarding water department retaliation for reporting basement water/sewage issues, stating she felt mistreated despite community work.
• Jadante Smith: Expressed full support for the work of CVI funding despite personal disagreements, and apologized for a previous public comment directed at Tyler Cersei. The caller also called for independent verification of the ShotSpotter contract and criticized the residential parking system near Little Caesars Arena.

Discussion Items

• Health Department Overview: Chief Public Health Officer Denise Ferrazzo, Deputy Director Christina Floyd, and HIV/STI Director Angel Tomsik presented an overview of department services including reproductive health, lead testing, emergency preparedness, and the "Rides to Care" program which provides free rides for prenatal appointments.
• Seniors & STI Education: Councilmember Benson noted the "Seniors Get It On" outreach program and the effectiveness of the "Dining with Confidence" ordinance. Councilmember Waters requested more Narcan placements in senior buildings and expressed full support for applying for the state "RX for Kids" program, though Director Ferrazzo noted matching funds would be required.
• Secondhand Goods Ordinance: The committee discussed an amendment to Chapter 41 to modernize record-keeping for junk dealers, pawn brokers, scrap metal dealers, and others into an electronic reporting system managed by the DPD. Administration officials explained the goal is to track stolen goods using existing platforms like LEADS Online, ensuring compliance without new fiscal burdens on businesses during a transition period.
• Public Comment on Ordinance: Callers expressed concern that the ordinance was too broad and punitive, suggesting it should focus specifically on auto theft. Some callers requested clarification on whether identification scanning would be required and noted the lack of a statewide network for stolen goods.
• Contracts & Appropriations: The committee reviewed and discussed various contracts including:
  • FY26 Airports Improvement Program Block Grants (Item 7.1).
  • DPW contracts for video camera systems on DDT bus fleets (Item 7.6).
  • Ground maintenance schedule (Item 8.6).
  • Architectural and engineering supply schedule amendment (Item 8.7).
  • Community Violence Intervention (CVI) contracts for Detroit's 300 successor and expanded areas (Items 8.9, 8.11-8.13), noting corrections to total contract values including performance grants.

Key Outcomes

• Health Department Minutes: Minutes from the previous session were approved.
• Secondhand Goods Ordinance: Moved to New Business with a recommendation to approve, pending clarification that it modernizes existing state/local requirements to an electronic format.
• Item 7.1 (Airports Grant): Approved and sent to New Business with a recommendation to approve.
• Items 7.2-7.4 (Resolutions): Received and filed with a motion to walk on the attached resolutions (SB 601, SB 602, SB 701, SB 702, SB 329, SB 611, SB 612) for a vote in the formal session tomorrow.
• Item 7.5 (SB 611/612): Received and filed (Resolution on agenda separately).
• Item 7.6 (Bus Camera Systems): Approved and sent to New Business with a recommendation to approve.
• Item 7.8 (Storm Water Management): Sent to Formal New Business for discussion regarding Member Johnson's request.
• Item 7.9 (Flood Mitigation): Sent to Formal New Business for discussion regarding Member Johnson's request.
• Items 8.1 (Web Workflow), 8.2-8.5 (Construction/Demolition), 8.14-8.17 (Transportation/Grants): Approved and sent to New Business with a recommendation to approve.
• Item 8.6 (Ground Maintenance): Approved and sent to New Business with a recommendation to approve.
• Item 8.7 (Engineering Schedule): Approved and sent to New Business with a recommendation to approve.
• Items 8.8, 8.9, 8.11-8.13 (CVI & HIV Contracts): Approved and sent to New Business as corrected (reflecting base funding plus performance grants).
• Item 8.18 (Emergency Food Purchases): Approved and sent to New Business with a recommendation to approve.
• Items 8.19-8.21 (Grants & Resolutions): Approved and sent to New Business with a recommendation to approve.
• Adjournment: The committee adjourned, with final remarks acknowledging the committee's impact over the term and expressing support for outgoing Chair Gabriela Santiago Romero and Councilmember Mary Waters.