Detroit City Council Meeting - November 25, 2025

The Detroit City Council convened on November 25, 2025, with a quorum present to address budget referrals, housing initiatives, and major development approvals. The meeting featured presentations from the Industry Standards Board for Sports Arenas regarding worker conditions, and the Housing and Revitalization Department regarding homelessness solutions, followed by extensive public testimony, primarily concerning the Detroit City FC (DCFC) stadium and the proposed Women's Basketball (WNBA) facility. Council members voted to approve several resolution items related to the riverfront and the DCFC development, while expressing significant concern over the adequacy of Community Benefits Agreements and the removal of state preemption laws.

Consent Calendar

• The journal of the session of Friday, November 14, 2025, was approved.
• The agenda items 17.17, 17.22, 17.39, 17.40, 17.41, and 17.44 were approved via motion and waiver request by a unanimous vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Industry Support: Multiple speakers, including SCIU Local One, Prosperous Detroit, and representatives from DCFC youth programs, expressed full support for the DCFC stadium and Community Benefits Agreement (CBA), praising the $17 wage floor and union neutrality provisions.
• Community Opposition: Councilmember Callaway expressed skepticism regarding the delivery of homeless services, stating the system is "shattered" and citing a failure to answer phone calls despite funding contracts with Motor City Mission. Speaker Fidel expressed strong opposition to the Council, accusing members of being "public enemy number one" for prioritizing billionaires ($800M incentives) over homeless residents and criticizing the tax allocation.
• Worker Safety Concerns: Speakers Catherine Barnett (elevator operator) and others expressed support for the Industry Standards Board recommendations but emphasized the urgency of addressing safety at bus stops and transit areas, noting workers feel unsafe leaving late-night shifts.
• Housing & Eviction Issues: Speaker Yvonne Purafort requested assistance in finalizing down payment assistance and receiving deeds for properties that have been held by United Housing Coalition for years. Speaker Melissa Love demanded her removal from voter rolls and criticized the city's handling of voter fraud allegations and poverty rates.
• Parking & NIMBY Concerns: Speaker Tamara Cook expressed opposition to the DCFC parking plan in District 3, citing concerns for child safety and residential privacy. Speaker Bill Peek opposed the DCFC CBA, arguing it failed to provide equitable benefits to the impact zone and lacked specific mitigation plans for noise and parking.
• Environmental & Development: Speakers supported the WNBA project as a catalyst for economic activity, while Speaker Bernarda opposed the proposed sale of two St. Jean Street properties, alleging the petitioner failed to contact all residents and that the plan violates the city master plan.

Discussion Items

Industry Standards Board for Sports Arenas

• Presentation: Chair Joe Miller and Secretary Jeremy Boudry presented findings from a Wayne State University report indicating that while arenas are a financial boon, many workers face financial insecurity, with 83% citing wages as a top concern, one-third living in poverty, and 72% having no employer-provided health insurance.
• Recommendations: The board recommended improved access to affordable child care, reliable public transit, job training/hiring halls, and heightened security protocols. Member Catherine Barnett added personal testimony regarding unsafe conditions at bus stops and the need for lighting upgrades.
• Council Response: Councilmember Santiago Romero stated that the biggest priority is to remove state preemption laws to allow Detroit to set a minimum wage and impose entertainment fees. Councilmember Johnson expressed support for working on public transit, affordable child care, and job training, emphasizing the need for career growth opportunities.
• Discrepancy Note: Councilmember Young requested data on the wage disparity between unionized and non-unionized workers; the board acknowledged this research would be merited but did not have immediate answers.

Homelessness Solutions Presentation

• Presentation: Manager Candice Morgan and HAND Executive Director Tasha Gray presented data showing a stable population of roughly 5,865 homeless individuals in 2024, but a concerning increase in the percentage of families experiencing homelessness.
• Funding Crisis: The presentation highlighted an imminent threat of losing $23 million in HUD funding, which would significantly reduce permanent supportive housing options.
• Operational Issues: Councilmember Callaway voiced strong opposition to the Motor City Mission contract, citing reports of unanswered phones and broken systems, referencing the tragic death of children in a van due to lack of shelter options.
• Systemic Concerns: Councilmember Benson argued for a living wage for the professionals working in the homelessness sector, stating that "passion doesn't pay your mortgage" and the ecosystem is unsustainable without fair compensation. Councilmember Santiago expressed concern about the cycle of people leaving shelter and returning to homelessness, emphasizing the need for permanent housing solutions.
• Data & Technology: Councilmember Young requested information on using AI or data analysis to predict homelessness risk; HRD stated they are working with Harvard Kennedy School to launch such an analysis by early 2026.

DCFC and WNBA Developments

• DCFC CBA: Councilmember Santiago Romero voiced support for the project but criticized the Community Benefits Agreement for not being sufficient given the level of public investment. She expressed a position that the city must tax stadiums to reinvest in public safety, child care, and housing rather than relying solely on the CBA.
• WNBA/Univore Project: Councilmember Durhal expressed full support for the WNBA project, citing its potential to revitalize the riverfront and provide youth opportunities. Multiple speakers expressed support for the project as a vital investment in Detroit's future.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Resolution 17.17 (Site Plan Review for Riverfront) and 17.39 (Commercial Rehabilitation Certificate) were approved.
• Approved: Resolution 17.22 (Brownfield Plan for DCFC) and related items 17.40, 17.41, and 17.44 were approved.
• Directives: Councilmembers directed staff to address the removal of state preemption laws regarding wages and to continue advocating for affordable child care and transit improvements.
• Action Items: HRD is tasked with connecting with Councilmember Johnson to implement a new "ring group" technology solution to improve call answering for the homeless helpline, addressing complaints about unanswered voicemails.
• Future Steps: The Industry Standards Board will remain active for 12 months to oversee further action on their recommendations. The Council will defer detailed zoning discussions on proposed uses until the new administration is seated.
• Note on Discrepancy: The transcript notes a discrepancy between the public comment timer (1 minute 45 seconds) and the actual duration of some comments due to technical issues with the clock, which was reset by the presiding officer.