Detroit City Council Regular Session: January 7, 2026 - New Term Kickoff
Detroit City Council Regular Session: January 7, 2026
The Detroit City Council convened its regular session on January 7, 2026, to officially begin the new term for the incoming administration and the newly elected council members, James Tate and Coleman Young. The meeting featured the adoption of standing committees and individual board appointments, a significant public comment period focusing on homelessness, housing justice, and municipal accountability, and an informational discussion regarding a pilot AI customer service initiative known as "Emily."
Consent Calendar
- The Council unanimously approved the journal of the session (dated Tuesday, November 18, 2025, in the context of the transcript's narrative flow).
- Seven contracts and ten reports were received and placed on file for the Internal Operations, Neighborhood and Community Services, Planning and Economic Development, and Public Health and Safety standing committees via recess procedure.
- Five reports from various city departments and one report from the Detroit Economic Development Corporation were referred to their respective standing committees.
- No items were listed or processed under the formal Consent Calendar during the voting action segment, as all routine items were handled via recess procedure references.
Public Comments & Testimony
Speaker Positions and Concerns:
- Adam Barrett (Deterrers for Tax Justice Coalition): Expressed full support for the Leland tenants' right to return and called for an independent investigation into the power cut at the building; argued the action represented a "dystopian sort of cherry on top of the pro-landlord and anti-renter" approach by the previous administration.
- Betty Lyons (Caller): Expressed strong opposition to Councilmembers Santiago Romero (referring to her as "Romeo"), Mayor Mary Sheffield, Attorney Whitaker, and Council President James Tate; used hate speech against Black, Jewish, queer, and immigrant populations, alleging "satanic" theft of property taxes and corruption.
- James Tate (President): Expressed support for the community's resilience and opposition to any actions that ignore the needs of residents; noted that Betty Lyons's words hurt the community.
- Santiago Romero (Councilmember): Expressed concern that the eviction extension for Leland tenants might still cause displacement; stated an urgent position that the judge must intervene immediately to allow tenants to retrieve belongings, prioritizing the recovery of essential items and paperwork for long-term residents.
- Councilmember Young: Expressed willingness to collaborate with HRD and BC (Building Code Enforcement) to resolve the Leland Hotel access issues; stated a position of support for working with regulators to find creative solutions for elevator power failure.
- Dr. Sabrina McKenzie (Emerging Developer): Expressed concern regarding the lack of responsiveness from City Managers; requested assistance in securing a Community Development Corporation (CDC) for the 2900 Tyler Street project due to perceived administrative neglect.
- Member Calloway (Councilmember): Expressed full support for Dr. McKenzie's project; promised to assist personally and with Councilmember Renata Miller to ensure the project is completed.
- Dr. Christelle Slaughter (Baton Rouge Delegation): Expressed appreciation and pride in Detroit's turnaround strategies; stated support for continued dialogue and shared learning between cities regarding blight and affordable housing.
- William M. Davis (Retiree): Expressed support for the new council's productivity; advocated for actions to add a member to the Pension Board equal to Fire/Police representation, continue the Retiree Task Force, and establish a Mental Health Task Force to reduce police interaction with mental health crises.
- Ruby Bradley (Caller): Expressed hope that the Council will prioritize seniors; requested assistance regarding the senior accessibility program for bathroom modifications (walk-in showers) and housing repairs.
- Councilwoman Waters (Councilmember): Expressed concern regarding the status of the senior accessibility program's waiting list; stated a position of support for finding additional ARPA dollars to expand the program.
- Betty A. Barner (Soda Ellsworth Block Assoc.): Expressed advocacy for caregiver relief programs; supported the continuation of the thinker corridor and Dbus Community Park.
- Dante Smith (State Rep Candidate): Expressed opposition to the Bustler Family Center development project in his specific neighborhood due to parking concerns; stated a position of support for affordable housing only if it is "conducive to the neighborhood."
- Charles Miles (Caller): Expressed concern regarding improper shelter operations, expired food sales, and lax enforcement of sales laws at gas stations.
- Reynard Montsuski (Detroit People's Platform): Expressed support for a solid footing for D-Not but advocated for prioritizing reliable, frequent bus service over "superfluous mobility projects"; called for an equitable fare program for veterans and the homeless.
- Caller (169) (Anonymous): Expressed opposition to the current housing situation for foundational Black Americans compared to migrants; demanded action against slum landlords and a law to stop retaliatory evictions.
- Caller (482) (Anonymous): Expressed allegations of fraud against Detroit officials; claimed opposition to current leadership; threatened lawsuits.
- Tara Brown (Caller): Expressed support for Councilmember Calloway's legal scrutiny; expressed strong concern and criticism regarding the lack of accountability in homeless shelter funding and conditions;
- Caller (1169) (Anonymous): Expressed support for Councilmember Cunningham's recovery from homelessness.
- Caller (Shelter Critic): Expressed strong opposition to the lack of police accountability regarding a specific shooting incident; demanded rescission of illegal contracts passed by the previous administration.
Discussion Items
Leland Hotel / Housing Crisis:
- Status: Councilmembers, including Santiago Romero and Councilmember Young, discussed the ongoing eviction situation of long-term tenants at the Leland Hotel.
- Positions: Councilmember Santiago Romero stated a priority for tenants to retrieve belongings despite the lack of power; Councilmember Young expressed willingness to engage regulators (HRD, BC) to solve the power issue; Council Attorney Graham Anderson noted that matters are being referred to the Law Department with a hearing scheduled for the week of January 12, 2026.
- Project Description: Tenants have been living in the building for decades and require access to personal items; the building currently lacks power for the elevator.
"Emily" AI Pilot Program:
- Status: Mario Kelly and Gabe Wilson presented data on a 12-week pilot program in Districts 3 and 4 using an AI voice agent named "Emily" to handle neighborhood service calls.
- Speaker Positions:
- Mario Kelly & Gabe Wilson: Expressed support for the technology, stating it resolved 65-75% of calls without human intervention and improved data capture; claimed the program is not about replacing jobs but increasing efficiency.
- Councilmember Linda Johnson: Expressed solicitude and a position of caution regarding the use of the city logo on documents; requested detailed information to assure residents that calls are being handled properly.
- Councilmember Kelleway: Expressed concern regarding the unauthorized use of the city logo on private documents, likening it to a previous illegal water company case.
- Councilmember Coleman Young: Expressed support for the initiative as a technological solution to overwhelming call volumes; noted the program should have been brought to the Council by the administration.
- Project Description: The pilot routed 100% of inbound calls in Districts 3 and 4 to the AI, which captured data and resolved issues without hold time or abandoned calls.
New Board Appointments:
- Action: The Council voted to approve resolutions appointing new council members to various boards and commissions, including the General Retirement System, Police and Fire Retirement System, Continuum of Care, Eastern Market Corporation, Historical Museum Board, and Zoo Board.
- Positions: No specific opposition was recorded; the process was executed via a collective motion and a request for waivers on waivers of reading each resolution individually.
Member Reports & Initiatives:
- Member Calloway: Expressed support for the human trafficking placard ordinance requiring a 313 number; announced a press conference for January 12, 2026; expressed strong support for the "RX Kids" program, praising the Mayor for implementing it.
- Member Waters: Expressed support for housing initiatives, specifically home ownership and the Detroit Land Bank; stated a position of intent to renegotiate the intergovernmental agreement with the Land Bank; expressed support for renaming a building after Kamaya Davis.
- Member McCampbell: Moved for the Department of Public Safety (LDP) to draft a report on ARPA-funded programs and their potential transition to general funding; the motion passed.
- Member Benson: Expressed support for truck route expansion and industry protections; stated a position of support for working with residents in Districts 3 and 4 on these issues.
- Member Johnson: Expressed willingness to support new colleagues and support for a reliable, safe bus system.
Key Outcomes
- Board Appointments: The Council unanimously approved appointments for:
- Mary Waters to the General Retirement System Board.
- Coleman Young to the Police and Fire Retirement System Board.
- Letitia Johnson to the Continuum of Care.
- Angela Whitfield Callaway to the Detroit Wayne County Health Authority.
- Denzel McCampbell and Renata Miller to the Eastern Market Corporation Board.
- Renata Miller to the Historical Museum Board.
- Scott Benson to the Retiree Protection Investment Advisory Committee.
- James Tate to the Renard Conservancy Board.
- Scott Benson and Gabriela Santiago Romero to the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments.
- James Tate and Scott Benson to the Zoo Board.
- Letitia Johnson as liaison to the Detroit Public Schools Community District.
- Motion to Report: A motion was adopted requiring the Department of Public Safety (LDP) to draft a report on ARPA-funded programs and their sustainability via general funds.
- Leland Hotel Update: Council Attorney Anderson confirmed a hearing is scheduled for the week of January 12, 2026, to address the tenant access and power issues.
- Human Trafficking Initiative: Member Calloway confirmed a press conference will be held on January 12, 2026, to unveil the new anti-trafficking placard featuring a local 313 hotline number.
- Program Launch: The Council acknowledged the rollout of the "RX Kids" program by the new Mayor, with a first-time $1,500 cash payment structure.
- Adjournment: The meeting concluded with no further business, and the Council voted to adjourn.
Meeting Transcript
The Detroit City Council of the regular session of Tuesday, January 6th, 2000 City, 2026 will come to order. Madam Clerk, will you please call the role? Councilman Ms. Gott Benson. Councilman Genzel McCampbell. Present. Councilman Letitia Johnson present. Councilman Renata Miller. Here. Councilman Angela Wilfield Colloway. Council President Poetim Coleman A. Second. Here. And Council President James Tate. Here. You have a core president, Mr. President. Thank you, ma'am. We have a quorum, which means we're now in session. I would like to bring forward none other than Bishop William Murphy Jr. to provide this morning's invocation. He is of those of who I'm a small percentage of folks who didn't know. He is of Greater Ebenezer Church here in Detroit in District 1, 1875 Avenue. How are you doing? God bless you. Murphy, thank you again for being here. All right, blessings uh to all. Uh I first want to uh thank the council for this uh opportunity, and I want to say how proud I am to be connected uh to the great legacy of this city that we call Detroit. Uh my father, the Bishop William Murphy Senior started Greater Ebenezer Ministries over 50 years ago, and until this day, it is still a viable part of our Detroit community. So I see this moment and this season as an opportunity for a council to continue the legacy that has been passed down by the many pioneers, like my father, who was a servant to all of the people. The legacy will continue as you continue the same spirit, seeing yourselves as servants of all the people. The legacy will continue as we ensure that the voices of the community are heard and considered in the decision making processes. This will help to create a safer, more vibrant community. So I pray today, Father, that as we move deeper into this last half of this decade, as we gather today with hearts full of hope and responsibility for our beloved city. You have already shown yourself strong and mighty, and you have shown yourself to have great love and compassion for the city of Detroit, even though many thought that it would not rebound nor come back, you caused a supernatural reset over our city. So, Father, as I pray today, I pray for the release of strategic strategies that will serve the people of our city in such a way that every one of our citizens, no matter what race, creed, or color, may be partakers of the blessings that you would release through the hands of this council. Father, I pray that what is done by this council over the next few years will be impactful, that it will be beneficial, but even the more that what is done by this council will be historical spiritually. This decade is the decade to see, to hear, and to say. Help them, Father, to listen deeply to your voice, to see what you're doing, help them to hear and listen deeply to the voices of the community so that they may act with integrity and compassion. Father, I pray that their discussions will be fruitful and that their actions reflect the hopes and needs of every citizen. I pray that you would allow them to work together to build a brighter, more inclusive future for Detroit. So I pray, Father, in closing, that you would allow your spirit to settle in this room. That you would allow your presence to overtake and to overcome every person that would enter these gates. And this is my prayer. Amen. Thank you so much, Bishop Murphy. If you would like to stay with us, you are more than welcome, but if you have to leave, totally understand that as well. Thank you again for that powerful prayer. The journal of the session of Tuesday, November 18th, 2025, shall be approved. There being no reconsiderations or unfinished business.
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