The City Council convened a Committee of the Whole on January 23, 2026, to hold confirmation hearings for seven mayoral appointees. However, due to multiple excused absences (Councilmembers Waters, Santiago‑Romero, McCampbell, and Benson) and the late absence of Councilmember Callaway, the body did not achieve a quorum. The meeting proceeded with public comment only; no hearings or votes were conducted.
Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the uh committee of the whole that we have in place today for the confirmation hearings of seven appointees for uh various departments within the city of Detroit. Uh Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll? Sure, good morning. Council President Council President James Tate. Here council Pro Tem Colman Young. Here Councilmember Angela Whitfield Callaway. Callaway indicated she's on her way. Councilmember Mary Waters. Member Waters did submit a memo indicating her absence, so it is excused. Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero. Member Santiago Romero sent a memo indicating that she would be absent, so her absence is excused. Councilmember Renata Miller. Councilwoman Renata Miller present. Councilmember Denzel McCampbell. Member McCampbell sent a memo indicating that he would not be present, so his absence is excused. Councilmember Letitia Johnson present. Councilmember Scott Benson. Councilmember Scott Benson sent a memo indicating that he would not be present, so his absence is excused. Thank you so much. Since we do not have a quorum, we're gonna jump right into public comment uh first, and we are going to allow that time uh for uh additional council members to arrive who uh indicate that they're that they're on their way. Um so if you are someone who would like to provide public comment, please raise your hand now online or in person. I have three cards in front of me right now in person. If you are online or in person, you would like to provide public comment, please raise your hand now, going once, going twice, going three times. The collection public comments have now concluded. All right, team, how many do we have online? Nine online still? Okay, all right. So we have nine online, three in person. We'll give everyone uh give everyone a minute and a half today. Minute and a half. All right, so we will start with uh Ruben James Crowley Jr. The floor is yours, sir. Well, we'll first get the we'll first get the clock up. Let's get that clock up, Tim. We want to give the gentleman his proper time. Get the microphone. Not yet. Oh, I'm sorry. The name is Mr. Rue. You know you called it. Excuse me, sir. Sir, you will be removed. We have a sense of decorum. I did not give you the opportunity to speak yet. I said pause until we get the clock up. That is what I said. Oh, they tell me turn around. I just said it. I'm telling you, pause.