OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Detroit City Council Formal Session – January 27, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, January 27, 2026
BodyDetroit, Michigan
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, January 27, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:31:08

Transcript — Verbatim
0:09

President.

0:10

Councilmember Denzel McCampbell.

0:13

Present.

0:14

Councilmember Renata Miller.

0:16

Nana Miller here.

0:18

Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero.

0:21

Present.

0:22

Councilmember Mary Waters.

0:24

President.

0:25

Councilmember Angela Whitfield Callaway.

0:29

Council President Pro Tim Colme Young the second.

0:33

Council President James State.

0:35

Here.

0:35

Mr.

0:36

President, you have a quorum president.

0:37

Thank you so much.

0:38

Media Service, we could please get a little bit more value on the clerk's mic.

0:43

Help them, please.

0:45

Will we please note that we've been joined by Member Kellewar?

0:47

So note, Mr.

0:48

President.

0:49

Thank you so much.

0:50

We will now begin the collection of public comments, commenters who would like to speak before the body this morning, both in person as well as online.

1:04

So note it, Mr.

1:05

President.

1:06

Thank you so much.

1:07

Today, providing this morning's invocation, we have none other than Dr.

1:11

Ben Clayton Jr.

1:13

of Pure in Heart Word, excuse me, Pure in Heart Missionary Baptist Church, located at 3411 Hopham Street in District 5.

1:22

Dr.

1:22

Clayton, if you please come forward.

1:25

And the floor is yours, sir.

1:35

Thank you so much for joining us this morning.

1:41

Good morning, sir.

1:53

Let us pray.

1:57

Gracious God, we pause at the beginning of this city council session on this day, January 27, 2026.

2:08

First, to acknowledge you and to welcome you and to lift up this city council, these leaders, and this city that we so dearly love, Detroit.

2:22

Dear God, grant clarity today, calmness of spirit, and the unitedness of purpose as they make decisions that will shape this city community, the neighborhoods, and its citizens' future.

2:41

Strengthen, dear God, the commitment to justice and fairness and the commitment to the common good.

2:50

Let the conversations in this place be respectful.

2:54

May they be intentional.

2:57

And may they be marked by integrity.

3:01

Even in disagreement, dear God, I pray purpose of bold and intention remain united for the advancement of this city.

3:11

God bless this meeting.

3:14

God bless these leaders and God bless the people they serve.

3:19

Amen.

3:20

Amen.

3:21

Thank you so much, uh, Dr.

3:22

Clayton Jr.

3:24

You are more than welcome to stick around and hang out with us, but we certainly understand if you have other appointments as well.

3:29

But thank you again for joining us, sir.

3:31

Really appreciate it.

3:33

The journal of the session of Tuesday, January 13th, 2026, will be approved.

3:39

Uh, before we go forward, I wanted to uh invite the uh members of the administration to come forward.

3:46

Uh, they wanted to provide just a brief uh report on what is being done to address those who are in need during this cold weather that we have this very cold, dangerously cold weather.

4:02

Do we have these individuals?

4:03

Are they here yet?

4:07

Uh Mr.

4:07

Washington.

4:09

Yes, good morning to the chair and the body.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety████████████████16%
Public Comment████████████████16%
Procedural█████████████13%
Water And Wastewater Management████████8%
Legal Affairs█████5%
Public Health█████5%
Public Engagement█████5%
Transportation Safety████4%
Homelessness███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Detroit City Council Formal Session – January 27, 2026

The Detroit City Council met in formal session on January 27, 2026, beginning with an invocation by Dr. Ben Clayton Jr. of Pure in Heart Missionary Baptist Church. The council addressed a range of issues including extreme cold weather emergency response, water main breaks, public safety, property taxes, and various appointments and contracts. Public comment was heard from 21 in-person speakers and 20 online callers.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Cold Weather & Homelessness: Several speakers expressed gratitude for shelter and outreach efforts, but called for expanded resources and better communication. One speaker urged the city to use hotels instead of temporary shelters.
  • Conrad Mallett Reappointment: Multiple speakers opposed the reappointment of Corporation Counsel Conrad Mallett, citing a high number of lawsuits and settlements, and mismanagement of legal resources.
  • Flock Cameras: Speakers demanded removal of Flock surveillance cameras, arguing they violate privacy and are used for immigration enforcement.
  • Property Taxes & Foreclosure: Residents criticized the city for mishandling property tax payments leading to wrongful foreclosures. Speakers called for full implementation of the 2023 Property Tax Reform Ordinance and removal of Chief Assessor Alvin Horn.
  • Animal Control: A district 3 resident reported ongoing failures by Detroit Animal Control to enforce laws against chaining dogs in extreme cold, leading to safety hazards.
  • Detroit Solar Project: A property owner whose lots were taken by eminent domain reported broken promises for home repairs and utility restrictions.
  • Gratiot Avenue Safety: A resident proposed roundabouts to reduce fatal accidents on Gratiot Avenue. Council members engaged, noting state jurisdiction and ongoing studies.
  • Civil Rights Petition: James Chandler submitted a legislative proposal titled the Civil Rights and Constitutional Reform Act, asking for referral to committees.
  • Tenant Rights & Duplication: Speakers urged coordination between the mayor’s new tenant rights initiative and the council’s existing compliance ordinance.

Discussion Items

  • Extreme Cold Weather Response: Tara Linsner (Housing & Revitalization) reported activation of emergency shelter standby locations, 24/7 outreach via 866-313-2520, and coordination with DPD and cab services. Discussion included capacity, faith-based partnerships, and training for volunteers.
  • Water Main Breaks & Frozen Hydrants: Deputy Director Sam Smalley (DWSD) provided an update on hundreds of breaks due to frigid temperatures, repair prioritization, and frozen hydrants (77 out of 30,000). Council members requested direct notification for significant breaks and asked about fire hydrant covers.
  • Municipal ID Program: CIO Art Thompson confirmed data privacy improvements, expanded locations, and potential mobile ID issuance. Councilmember Pro Tem Young questioned the ID's use for voting or police stops; officials clarified it is not a replacement for state/federal ID.
  • Motorcycle Repair Contract (21.4): Approved after discussion on fleet management jurisdiction between GSD and Construction & Demolition.
  • Geese Management Contract (21.5): Postponed one week for further inquiry about Palmer Park goose population control methods.
  • Community Development Block Grant Funds: Discussion on using federal funds for emergency home repairs (furnaces, boilers) led to a referral to LPD for legal analysis of lending-of-credit restrictions.
  • CRC Reports: A motion to discuss the Citizens Research Council study on local option sales tax and other reports in a future committee was noted.

Key Outcomes

  • Votes Approved:
    • Line 17.1: Resolution (motion to approve)
    • Line 18.1: Contract amendment for structured network cabling ($150,000 increase)
    • Lines 18.2-18.4: Youth & Civic Engagement Task Force continuation; Human Rights Commission reappointments
    • Line 18.5: Resolution (waiver attached)
    • Lines 21.1-21.3: Three contracts for HIV/AIDS services and municipal ID software (approved after discussion)
    • Line 21.4: Motorcycle repair contract (arsenal power sports, $150,000)
    • Line 21.6: Resolution
    • Line 21.7: Resolution (waiver attached)
    • Lines 23.1-23.2: Referrals corrected to PED committee
    • Line 32.1: Testimonial resolution for Helen Gentry
    • Line 32.2: Testimonial resolution
  • Postponed:
    • Line 20.1 (petition request) postponed one week and referred to LPD for analysis.
    • Line 20.2 (Wayne County Treasurer request) postponed one week and referred to LPD and law.
    • Line 21.5 (geese management) postponed one week.
  • Referrals:
    • Petition related to electoral college and other matters referred to Law Department and LPD for analysis.
    • Request regarding Rule 15.5.8 interpretation referred via memo to Director Whitaker.
    • Councilmember Pro Tem Young's motion on FEMA/CDBG funds for emergency home repairs and use of east-side recreation centers as shelters referred to LPD.
  • Directives:
    • DWSD to notify council members of significant water main breaks and provide bottled water to affected residents.
    • Housing department to explore mobile ID issuance at detention centers for returning citizens.
    • Corporation Counsel to provide legal opinion on using general fund money for emergency home repairs by end of business.

Member Reports & Upcoming Events

  • Councilmember McCampbell: District 7 community swearing-in and vision session Jan 28, 5:30 PM at St. Suzanne’s.
  • Councilmember Callaway: First coffee conversation of the year Feb 9, 8-9 AM at Northwest Activity Center.
  • Councilmember Johnson: District 4 virtual budget priority session Jan 27 at 5 PM.
  • Councilmember Waters: Deed fraud town hall Jan 31, 10 AM-12 PM at Northwest Activity Center (hybrid).
  • Councilmember Santiago Romero: District 6 office hours Feb 2 (Equity Alliance) and Feb 16 (Kemeny Rec); budget forum Jan 29 at 5 PM online.
  • Councilmember Miller: District 5 community kickoff Jan 28, 6-8 PM at Considine Center (8904 Woodward).

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned with no further business.

Meeting Transcript

President. Councilmember Denzel McCampbell. Present. Councilmember Renata Miller. Nana Miller here. Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero. Present. Councilmember Mary Waters. President. Councilmember Angela Whitfield Callaway. Council President Pro Tim Colme Young the second. Council President James State. Here. Mr. President, you have a quorum president. Thank you so much. Media Service, we could please get a little bit more value on the clerk's mic. Help them, please. Will we please note that we've been joined by Member Kellewar? So note, Mr. President. Thank you so much. We will now begin the collection of public comments, commenters who would like to speak before the body this morning, both in person as well as online. So note it, Mr. President. Thank you so much. Today, providing this morning's invocation, we have none other than Dr. Ben Clayton Jr. of Pure in Heart Word, excuse me, Pure in Heart Missionary Baptist Church, located at 3411 Hopham Street in District 5. Dr. Clayton, if you please come forward. And the floor is yours, sir. Thank you so much for joining us this morning. Good morning, sir. Let us pray. Gracious God, we pause at the beginning of this city council session on this day, January 27, 2026. First, to acknowledge you and to welcome you and to lift up this city council, these leaders, and this city that we so dearly love, Detroit. Dear God, grant clarity today, calmness of spirit, and the unitedness of purpose as they make decisions that will shape this city community, the neighborhoods, and its citizens' future. Strengthen, dear God, the commitment to justice and fairness and the commitment to the common good. Let the conversations in this place be respectful. May they be intentional. And may they be marked by integrity. Even in disagreement, dear God, I pray purpose of bold and intention remain united for the advancement of this city. God bless this meeting. God bless these leaders and God bless the people they serve. Amen. Amen. Thank you so much, uh, Dr. Clayton Jr. You are more than welcome to stick around and hang out with us, but we certainly understand if you have other appointments as well.

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