OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Detroit Health and Safety Standing Committee Meeting - February 2, 2026

City Council — Monday, February 2, 2026
BodyDetroit, Michigan
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, February 2, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:14:01

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Health and safety standing committee for today, Monday, February 2nd, 2026.

0:06

May the clerk please call the roll.

0:08

Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero.

0:10

Present.

0:11

Councilmember Denzel McCampbell.

0:13

Present.

0:13

Councilmember Mary Waters.

0:16

Madam Share, you have a quorum present.

0:18

Wonderful.

0:18

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

0:20

Given a quorum, we'll go right into the agenda for today.

0:24

We have received our minutes from our last session.

0:27

If there's a motion to approve.

0:29

Motion to approve.

0:30

Hearing no objections, our minutes from our last session will be approved.

0:36

We will go right into public comments for today.

0:40

We do have discussion on the agenda for this morning.

0:48

So I will be giving everyone a minute and a half this morning and cutting off public comments at 10.05.

0:57

So if you are here in person or if you are online, please raise your hands now for general public comments.

1:05

Seeing no one here in person for general public comment, we can start with the folks that we have online.

1:13

And again, if you are online and you'd like to make public comment, please raise your hands now.

1:18

I'll be cutting off public comment in two minutes.

1:21

But with that, we can get started for this morning.

1:29

Good morning, madam chair and council members.

1:32

We have 10 hands raised online.

1:35

The first is William M.

1:36

Davis.

1:45

Yes, good morning.

1:47

Okay, I I think as y'all may know, I'm a former elected Detroit Board of Police Commissioner for District 7.

1:54

You know, I I think that y'all should look a little bit more closely what's going on at the Board of Police Commissioners.

1:59

I I think that is the community a disservice to have the corporation council or any city attorney that works for the city there, the Board of Police Commissioners need their own separate attorney as they had when I was on the board.

2:15

You know, I I think it's a very disservice to the community.

2:19

Uh also I think y'all should be looking at the fact that some of the surveillance techniques that the city of Detroit used and the availability of the federal government to tap into that.

2:30

I think that Detroit is not as forthright with you know what they do do and how they is accessible to others.

2:39

Uh also I think that more needs to be done to make this city a healthier city.

2:45

Um of course I'm older than at least two of the three of y'all.

2:49

And uh we used to have recreation centers, we used to have a whole bunch of stuff that we used to be able to do to make the city and the residents more healthier.

2:58

I think that since the time that uh Duggan's been in office, uh health care has dropped dramatically, along with child property and a number of bad things.

3:09

Thank you.

3:10

Thank you.

3:12

Public comments, general public comments is now cut off.

3:16

Who do we have next?

3:19

Next, we have Dr.

3:20

Denise Dornell.

3:25

Good morning.

3:26

Can you hear me?

3:27

Yes, good morning.

3:28

Good morning.

3:29

Yes, I'm Dr.

3:30

Denise Darnell.

3:31

I'm here from District 2.

3:32

First of all, I'd like to congratulate one of the chairpersons there, Councilmember Denzel McCampbell.

3:38

I was there for the swearing in ceremony, and I think that was an awesome event.

3:43

Also, I want to give a shout out to Councilmember Angela Whitville Callaway, who is my council member here in District 2, and member at large, Mary Waters for the well-attended town hall on deed fraud.

3:56

There was very knowledgeable speakers there, and a lot of helpful information came out.

4:02

Uh back in 2008, around the time of the crash, my family had an eight-year court battle getting my mom's house back in the family name.

4:12

And I think the information that came out during that town hall will help a lot of people be able to do the same thing.

4:19

Also, in terms of safety, I don't know if there's somebody there who represents uh forestry, but I did submit a request to cut down a tree that I perceive to be dangerous as the ground will begin to thaw.

4:32

It looks like it's gonna fall over onto the street, and that's at Mount Elliott and Charles.

4:38

And thank you very much for allowing me to make my comments.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Contract Management████████████████████20%
Public Safety█████████████████17%
Water And Wastewater Management███████████████15%
Public Health███████████████15%
Procedural███████████11%
Public Engagement█████████9%
Public Comment█████5%
Deed Fraud Education███3%
Zoning and Land Use██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Detroit Health and Safety Standing Committee Meeting - February 2, 2026

On Monday, February 2, 2026, the Health and Safety Standing Committee met with Councilmembers Gabriela Santiago Romero (Chair), Denzel McCampbell (Vice Chair), and Mary Waters present. The meeting covered emergency demolition contracts, water infrastructure improvements, a vehicle repair contract, fire department uniforms, lactation pods, and a report on utility shutoffs. Public comments addressed police oversight, water shutoffs, affordable housing, and deed fraud. The committee approved several items and deferred others.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes from the previous session were approved without objection.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • William M. Davis (former Detroit Board of Police Commissioner, District 7) argued that the Board of Police Commissioners needs its own attorney and raised concerns about surveillance techniques and the city's health offerings under the Duggan administration.
  • Dr. Denise Dornell (District 2) praised the deed fraud town hall and requested a dangerous tree removal at Mount Elliott and Charles.
  • Owner Papa recited a Langston Hughes poem, criticized the agenda for lacking health-related items, and demanded a health report mandated by the city charter.
  • Cecily McLellan (We the People of Detroit) reported that DWSD shut off over 900 residents in December 2025, with over 400 restored. She urged support for state water affordability legislation (HB 4555, HB 5170-5173) and noted the Detroit Lifeline H2O program no longer covers arrearages.
  • Betty A. Verner (President, Soda Elsewhere Black Association) promoted the MI Choice Waiver program for seniors, noting income eligibility up to $2,900/month.
  • Jadante Smith (District 3) advocated for downzoning near the Coronel's Conquer facility, requested a reduction in downzoning fees, and questioned the cost of demolitions, specifically the $2 million renovation at 5811-5817 Concord (Packard Plant).
  • Caller ending in 169 thanked the council for supporting Brother Cunningham and highlighted his volunteer work at transit centers.
  • Caller citing Detroit City Code 50-2-6 demanded that the Board of Zoning Appeals produce transcripts of public proceedings, alleging the city is now charging for them and that the law department is involved. Also raised concerns about eminent domain for solar farms, calling it a repeat of 1951 slum clearance.
  • Caller ending in 039 complained about deed fraud and election integrity, referencing a previous town hall.
  • Mr. Cunningham was the last caller before public comment was cut off at 10:05 AM.

Discussion Items

  • Unfinished Business – Emergency Demolition Contracts (5.1-5.9): These contracts were brought back after the committee previously flagged the funding source. The administration clarified that $12 million is available from neighborhood improvement bonds. The committee approved all nine without recommendation.
  • Vehicle Repair Service (5.10): Contract with Jefferson Chevrolet for police vehicle repairs, with a $90,000 increase. Captain Jason Adams (DPD) confirmed unused funds return to the city and that projections are based on historical data. Approved.
  • Resolution Supporting Michigan Bills (5.11): Memo supporting SB 508, 509, and 510 (limiting ICE activity, privacy protections, and officer mask transparency). Brought back in one week for drafting.
  • Russell Ferry Truck Wash Project (6.1): Extension of time (no cost increase) due to a 28-32 week lead time for a pump replacement. The facility will wash heavy-duty vehicles. Approved.
  • Packard Plant Commercial Alteration (6.2): $2.43 million contract for debris removal and subgrade structure work at 5811-5817 Concord, funded by a state land bank grant. The work will make the site safe for future development. Approved.
  • Water System Improvements (6.3): $12.9 million contract with Major Contracting for replacing 22,000 linear feet of water main in Districts 1 and 5, funded by state revolving funds. Deputy Director Sam Smiley noted 51% Detroiters will be assigned. The committee inquired about the comprehensive plan for flooding and water infrastructure. Vice Chair McCampbell requested a report on water shutoffs and the lifeline program. Approved and sent to new business.
  • Fire Department Uniforms (6.4): $700,765.52 three-year contract with Phoenix Safety Outfitters (Southfield, MI) for station wear, dress uniforms, and PPE. No Detroit-based vendors submitted bids despite outreach to over 100. Approved.
  • Lactation Pods (6.5): $149,000 grant-funded contract with Space Works (Maryland) for six lactation pods. Director Leah Smith (Health Department) explained the pods will be placed at recreation centers and partner hospitals (Henry Ford, potentially DMC). They will use QR code smart locks for access. The committee discussed accessibility for those without smartphones and plans for usage tracking. Approved.
  • Dangerous Buildings Findings (6.6): Received and filed.
  • Deferral of Property at 11945 Lane (6.7): Approved.
  • Report on Natural Gas and Electricity Shut-offs (6.8): Legislative Policy Division confirmed that the city council cannot impose a moratorium on DTE shut-offs; that power rests with the Michigan Public Service Commission. Regarding water, the analysis differs due to the Great Lakes Water Authority and bankruptcy bond obligations. Received and filed.
  • Memo on Public Restrooms (6.9): Requested information on accessibility. Brought back in three weeks.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved without recommendation: Emergency demolition contracts (5.1-5.9).
  • Approved: Vehicle repair contract (5.10), Russell Ferry truck wash extension (6.1), Packard Plant alteration (6.2), water system improvements (6.3), fire department uniforms (6.4), lactation pods (6.5), property deferral (6.7).
  • Brought back in one week: Resolution supporting Michigan bills (5.11).
  • Received and filed: Dangerous buildings findings (6.6), report on utility shut-offs (6.8).
  • Brought back in three weeks: Memo on public restrooms (6.9).
  • Member Reports: Councilmember Waters announced a deed fraud town hall on February 4 at Crowwell Recreation Center. Vice Chair McCampbell and Chair Santiago Romero celebrated Black History Month and encouraged community engagement.

Meeting Transcript

Health and safety standing committee for today, Monday, February 2nd, 2026. May the clerk please call the roll. Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero. Present. Councilmember Denzel McCampbell. Present. Councilmember Mary Waters. Madam Share, you have a quorum present. Wonderful. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Given a quorum, we'll go right into the agenda for today. We have received our minutes from our last session. If there's a motion to approve. Motion to approve. Hearing no objections, our minutes from our last session will be approved. We will go right into public comments for today. We do have discussion on the agenda for this morning. So I will be giving everyone a minute and a half this morning and cutting off public comments at 10.05. So if you are here in person or if you are online, please raise your hands now for general public comments. Seeing no one here in person for general public comment, we can start with the folks that we have online. And again, if you are online and you'd like to make public comment, please raise your hands now. I'll be cutting off public comment in two minutes. But with that, we can get started for this morning. Good morning, madam chair and council members. We have 10 hands raised online. The first is William M. Davis. Yes, good morning. Okay, I I think as y'all may know, I'm a former elected Detroit Board of Police Commissioner for District 7. You know, I I think that y'all should look a little bit more closely what's going on at the Board of Police Commissioners. I I think that is the community a disservice to have the corporation council or any city attorney that works for the city there, the Board of Police Commissioners need their own separate attorney as they had when I was on the board. You know, I I think it's a very disservice to the community. Uh also I think y'all should be looking at the fact that some of the surveillance techniques that the city of Detroit used and the availability of the federal government to tap into that. I think that Detroit is not as forthright with you know what they do do and how they is accessible to others. Uh also I think that more needs to be done to make this city a healthier city. Um of course I'm older than at least two of the three of y'all. And uh we used to have recreation centers, we used to have a whole bunch of stuff that we used to be able to do to make the city and the residents more healthier. I think that since the time that uh Duggan's been in office, uh health care has dropped dramatically, along with child property and a number of bad things. Thank you. Thank you. Public comments, general public comments is now cut off. Who do we have next? Next, we have Dr. Denise Dornell. Good morning. Can you hear me? Yes, good morning. Good morning. Yes, I'm Dr. Denise Darnell.

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