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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Detroit City Council Meeting Summary, November 25, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, November 25, 2025

BodyDetroit, Michigan

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, November 25, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 3:05:47

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:00

Councilmember Scott Benson.

0:04

Councilmember Freddie.

0:06

Present.

0:09

Councilmember Letitia Johnson present.

0:14

Council Member Gabriella said well.

0:17

Present.

0:19

Councilmember Mary Walters.

0:22

Councilman Angela.

0:23

Member Waters did mention she wouldn't be here.

0:25

Absences of Cook was so no.

0:27

Councilmember Angela Whitfield Colloway.

0:31

Councilmember Coleman II.

0:35

Councilburn Support Tim James Tate.

0:38

Yep.

0:39

And Council President Mary Sheffield.

0:42

Council President indicated that she would not be here.

0:44

Her absence is excused.

0:46

Cook was so no, you have a quorum, Mr.

0:48

President.

0:48

Thank you.

0:49

We have a quorum, which means we're back in session.

0:50

Just want to say thank you very much to Member Durrha for that fantastic lunch.

0:57

And there was a whole lot left.

0:59

So we appreciate you.

1:01

Thank you so much.

1:02

All right, we're now back in session.

1:04

Colleagues, there's been a request from one of our CVI organizations who've been waiting here all day.

1:12

If we could take up their um their items, if there's no objection, uh Madam Clerk, if we can go to line items 19.9, 19.11, 19.12, and 19.13, please.

1:31

Yes, Mr.

1:32

President.

1:33

Councilmember Satiago Romero for resolutions.

1:38

Member Santiago Romero.

1:40

Thank you, Mr.

1:41

President.

1:41

Motion to approve these are R C BI contracts.

1:45

Thank you so much.

1:45

With discussion.

1:48

Thank you so much.

1:49

So I am extremely uh thankful for the organizations who have put together the teams that they have to address this issue of uh violent crime in our city, uh, especially when we start talking about um gun violence, they've done a tremendous job.

2:06

When you just look at the numbers in the CVI areas, uh, you see a decrease above and beyond where you see other locations in the city of Detroit.

2:16

I will, however, say that as we move forward into the new year, I am going to be looking for additional metrics because what I see uh just does not to me it needs to be more uniform.

2:29

Uh when we looked at the document that was provided to us, uh, when they talked about uh the information that was provided to us, the information reflected that the number two um uh essential thing that or service that the organizations provided, it said other.

2:46

I don't know what other is and so um there's got to be more information provided to this body um beyond just a reduction in gun violence because that could happen because of a whole host of reasons, including the work that the CBI groups do.

3:05

So uh again, very thankful and by no means look to hold this myself personally, but as we move forward into the new year, uh I am personally going to be requesting additional information uh from the police department uh as we start to really look at these numbers.

3:24

Um and more contracts are gonna be coming our way.

3:29

Member Durho thank you, Mr.

3:33

President.

3:34

Um happy to support uh these contracts today.

3:37

CVI has been instrumental.

3:39

Um, and we approve that it is worked here uh in the city of Detroit.

3:44

Um I am agree in agreement with you, uh Mr.

3:47

President, we can always get better um uh at what we do and what they do.

3:52

Um I'd be remiss if I didn't say in this round of contracts, we don't see a usual uh contractor with us, uh, which is Force Detroit, uh, who has done tremendous work throughout the city of Detroit, uh, and ensuring, particularly in my districts, and I know a part of your district as well, Mr.

4:12

President, uh, that gun violence has been curved.

4:15

Uh they have you know really set the bar, I think, high for a lot of CBI groups uh with their metrics, uh, with what they've been doing for a very long time.

4:26

So it is my hope that in the next administration, although they did not make this round, that there is an opportunity for them to make the very next round, and and that will be opened back up for them.

4:38

Uh, and hopefully upon uh council approval at that time, uh, because it again uh has served uh my district in that area very well and provided great models, I think, uh of success uh for CVI.

4:55

Uh and so did want to put that on the record.

4:57

Thank you, Mr.

4:58

President.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Procedural████████████████████████████████████36%

Contract Management█████████████13%

Public Safety███████████11%

Public Works████████8%

Public Health████4%

Construction and Demolition████4%

Pending Litigation███3%

Zoning and Land Use███3%

Housing██2%

Summary of Proceedings

Detroit City Council Meeting Summary, November 25, 2025

The Detroit City Council convened for its final meeting of the 2025 session with a quorum present, featuring extensive discussions on crime intervention contracts, zoning amendments, contract approvals, and the future of city operations. The meeting concluded with outgoing Councilmember Durhall delivering farewell remarks and receiving tributes from colleagues regarding his service, professionalism, and legislative evolution.

Consent Calendar

CVI Contracts: Line items 19.9, 19.11, 19.12, and 19.13 were moved for approval. Councilmember Romero and Councilmember Durhall expressed full support for the CVI contracts, with Councilmember Durhall noting high standards for metrics. Councilmember Johnson and Councilmember Romero expressed support but emphasized the need for more uniform metrics beyond simple crime reduction, advocating for wraparound services and guidance for residents to change trajectories. Councilmember Callaway questioned the absence of "Force Detroit" in the current round and called for their return in the next administration.
General Contracts & Ordinances: A significant number of contract line items (15.2–15.4, 16.1–16.18, 17.3–17.46, 18.1–18.19, 19.3–19.40) were moved for approval, with waivers requested and granted by the body. Councilmember Callaway expressed concerns regarding the source of funds for freeway mowing contracts and the potential unfunded mandate issues with state devolution, requesting clarification on funding formulas.

Public Comments & Testimony

Arthur Edge: As the new president of Detroit 300, expressed the need for increased work and structural support. He detailed specific cases of youth involvement in crime due to unstable housing and lack of resources, emphasizing the city's need to provide families with better home environments to prevent criminal behavior.
Councilmember Callaway (Public/Comment): Raised concerns regarding the potential adverse effects of closing recreational centers, citing an analysis that for every plant closed, opioid use went up by 80%. She called for expanded hours and a holistic approach involving mental health services and neighborhood policing.

Discussion Items

CVI Metrics and Strategy: Councilmembers discussed the need for clearer metrics that track life changes (employment, training, education) rather than just crime reduction statistics. Councilmember Johnson noted that crime reductions could sometimes be attributed to the incarceration or death of offenders rather than program success.
Recreational Centers and Mental Health: Councilmember Young proposed a holistic crime reduction strategy that includes keeping recreational centers open longer, expanding server protection/micro-policing, and addressing the mental health crisis, noting that 83% of the Wayne County jail population has mental health issues.
Sidewalk Demolition and Guyanga Investigation: Councilmembers discussed open holes and unfinished sidewalk repairs resulting from emergency demolitions and the ongoing Guyanga investigation. Councilmember Johnson and Councilmember Callaway highlighted specific instances (48 sidewalks in Southwest Detroit) where work halted due to unpaid invoices, while Councilmember Counts explained that backfilling is part of the certification process and has not been paused, though specific unpaid contract issues were raised.
Funding for Freeway Mowing: Councilmember Johnson questioned the source of funds for freeway mowing contracts (19.26, 19.27), learning that the city is supplementing a state-allocated grant with city dollars (roughly 75% city/25% state). Councilmember Young emphasized the state's obligation to fund these services under constitutional mandates and questioned the lack of a formal funding formula.
Vehicle Administration Rules: Councilmember Callaway proposed the need for administrative rules regarding the use of city vehicles to prevent unauthorized personal use and ensure vehicles stay within the city limits, suggesting this be discussed in the new year.

Key Outcomes

Approved Ordinances (Third Reading):
- Line item 17.1: Zoning changes for properties at 2 and 21 St. Jean Street and 95 St. Jean and 140 Terminal Street from M4/Industrial to B4 General Business.
- Line item 17.2: Amendment to chapter 50 of the City Code regarding landscaping, screening, and fence/wall standards for non-residential uses.
- Line item 19.1: Amendment to the Second Hand Goods One ordinance to establish electronic reporting requirements for junk dealers, pawn brokers, and other related businesses.
Appointments: Line items 16.1 and 16.2 approved, appointing Crystal Perkins and Alexa Bush to the Economic Development Corporation.
Reparations: Line item 16.25 approved, authorizing an expenditure request for the Detroit Reparations Task Force.
Contract Approvals:
- Health Department contracts for HIV/AIDS services (18.11, 18.12, 19.14) approved, with Councilmember Callaway objecting to 19.14 regarding the outsourcing of services to Arizona, though administration stated outside trainers were required by the Southeastern Michigan AIDS Council.
- Multiple construction, demolition, and maintenance contracts approved (e.g., fire station annex, street paving, fleet maintenance).
Resolutions:
- Line item 19.36: Supported Senate Bill 611 and 612 to prohibit petitioner fees for PPOs in domestic violence cases.
- Line item 19.37: Supported Senate Bill 329 banning rate increases for auto insurance due to lapse.
- Line item 19.38: Supported the Medical Debt Protection Act.
- Line item 19.39: Supported a living wage for musicians.
- Line item 19.40: Adopted in the name of the Council, supporting sustainable water access for urban farmers.
Refrained/Deferred: Line item 19.41 (Flood mitigation) received and filed; Line item 19.42 (Stormwater management) removed from the agenda. Line items referred to committees were allowed to fall to the floor, with members advising the administration to resubmit them in the new year.
Farewell Tributes: The council honored outgoing Councilmember Durhall, with colleagues praising his professionalism, legislative acumen, and ability to bridge differences. Councilmember Young cited Durhall as a teacher of patience and restraint. Councilmember Johnson and others noted his evolution from state to local governance and his dedication to family.

Note: There were discrepancies reported regarding the funding source (Bond vs. Blight) for Line Item 18.1 (and 9.1), which was corrected via amendment/clarification during the meeting. Line Item 15.5 was brought back from the end of the agenda for approval.

Meeting Transcript

Councilmember Scott Benson. Councilmember Freddie. Present. Councilmember Letitia Johnson present. Council Member Gabriella said well. Present. Councilmember Mary Walters. Councilman Angela. Member Waters did mention she wouldn't be here. Absences of Cook was so no. Councilmember Angela Whitfield Colloway. Councilmember Coleman II. Councilburn Support Tim James Tate. Yep. And Council President Mary Sheffield. Council President indicated that she would not be here. Her absence is excused. Cook was so no, you have a quorum, Mr. President. Thank you. We have a quorum, which means we're back in session. Just want to say thank you very much to Member Durrha for that fantastic lunch. And there was a whole lot left. So we appreciate you. Thank you so much. All right, we're now back in session. Colleagues, there's been a request from one of our CVI organizations who've been waiting here all day. If we could take up their um their items, if there's no objection, uh Madam Clerk, if we can go to line items 19.9, 19.11, 19.12, and 19.13, please. Yes, Mr. President. Councilmember Satiago Romero for resolutions. Member Santiago Romero. Thank you, Mr. President. Motion to approve these are R C BI contracts. Thank you so much. With discussion. Thank you so much. So I am extremely uh thankful for the organizations who have put together the teams that they have to address this issue of uh violent crime in our city, uh, especially when we start talking about um gun violence, they've done a tremendous job. When you just look at the numbers in the CVI areas, uh, you see a decrease above and beyond where you see other locations in the city of Detroit. I will, however, say that as we move forward into the new year, I am going to be looking for additional metrics because what I see uh just does not to me it needs to be more uniform. Uh when we looked at the document that was provided to us, uh, when they talked about uh the information that was provided to us, the information reflected that the number two um uh essential thing that or service that the organizations provided, it said other. I don't know what other is and so um there's got to be more information provided to this body um beyond just a reduction in gun violence because that could happen because of a whole host of reasons, including the work that the CBI groups do. So uh again, very thankful and by no means look to hold this myself personally, but as we move forward into the new year, uh I am personally going to be requesting additional information uh from the police department uh as we start to really look at these numbers. Um and more contracts are gonna be coming our way. Member Durho thank you, Mr. President. Um happy to support uh these contracts today. CVI has been instrumental. Um, and we approve that it is worked here uh in the city of Detroit.

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