Detroit City Council Internal Operations Committee Meeting - February 4, 2026
Detroit City Council Internal Operations Committee Meeting - February 4, 2026
The Internal Operations Committee of the Detroit City Council met on February 4, 2026, to address public comments, interview candidates for reappointment to several city boards and commissions, discuss a contract amendment for H1B visa sponsorship legal services, and approve numerous lawsuit settlements and administrative items.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Janie Smith criticized Councilmember Angela Calloway for her interaction with a resident, praised Councilmember Renata Miller but called for follow-up action, opposed the reappointment of Conrad Mallard, citing unpaid $1.5 billion and damage to the city, and criticized low compliance (15%) for rental certificates of compliance.
- Betty A. Varner (President, DeSota Elsewhere Black Association) provided information on the Detroit Community Health Connection, including sliding fee services and a 24-hour doctor line.
- Cunningham criticized DDOT bus service, called for undercover ride-alongs, and promoted a District 7 meeting.
- A caller (ending 039) made personal threats and accusations against a district 2 council member, referencing case numbers and text messages.
- William M. Davis advocated for paying Varner and Cunningham as community advocates, criticized the Law Department under Conrad Mallard, and urged more community engagement and voting.
- Rene Warwick (District 6 resident, organizer of Detroit People's Platform) criticized the lack of systemic snow removal at bus stops, calling it a legal and access issue for ADA riders and seniors. She opposed reappointments of Mallard, Bush, and Snyder.
- Renard Monaski (District 6 resident, Detroit People's Platform) elaborated on snow removal problems, asking for a systemic solution rather than a phone number.
- Michael's mama (attempted, not heard)
- Owner Papa (not heard)
Discussion Items
Reappointment of Melvin Butch Hollowell to the Public Lighting Authority
- Melvin Butch Hollowell (managing partner, Miller Law Firm; former city corporation counsel) discussed his work on street lighting, including 65,000 new LED lights since 2014, bond refunding in 2025, and plans to add mid-block lights and rationalize alley lights. He emphasized safety protocols for arc wire removal and supporting Detroit-based businesses and youth skilled trades.
- Councilmember Calloway asked about youth engagement; Hollowell said interested parties can contact PLA via its website.
- Councilmember Miller raised historic district lighting costs and requested cooperation. Hollowell pledged to work on the issue and noted the Puritan Street lighting outage (from Greenfield to Southfield).
- Outcome: Motion to send the reappointment to formal session with a recommendation to approve passed without objection.
Reappointment of Charlotte Wright to the Human Rights Commission
- Charlotte Wright served four years, chaired the bylaws committee to improve quorum. She cited low attendance (only 5 of 11 members) as the biggest challenge and the need for community outreach. Commission meets third Thursday of each month, hybrid.
- Councilmember Miller asked about handling of discrimination complaints; Wright said they partner with CRED. Wright identified transportation and building accessibility as top disability complaints.
- Outcome: Motion to draft a resolution and send to formal session passed.
Reappointment of Osvaldo Rivera to the Historic Designation Advisory Commission
- Osvaldo (Ozzy) Rivera (retired social worker, teaches at Wayne State and U of M) focused on Southwest Detroit history and national designation of the Bagley-Warren district. He expressed interest in continuing work citywide.
- Councilmember Calloway asked about inventory of city artifacts (e.g., a bronze bus and a missing plaque); Rivera said that is not part of his role.
- Councilmember Miller praised his background and noted positive feedback from colleagues.
- Outcome: Motion to draft a resolution and send to formal passed.
Appointment of Alethea Carr to the Board of Zoning Appeals
- Alethea Carr (lifetime Detroiter, retired public health dietitian) expressed interest in learning about zoning appeals and ensuring equity.
- Councilmember Miller raised concerns about developers using "wraparound" applications to bypass BZA denials. Carr agreed to be vigilant and promote equity.
- Councilmember Calloway requested Carr speak at a District 2 community meeting about BZA’s work; Carr agreed.
- Outcome: Motion to draft a resolution and send to formal passed.
H1B Visa Contract Amendment with Clark Hill PLC
- Daryl Conrad (Chief Recruitment Officer) and Mike Nolan (Clark Hill attorney) presented a $50,000 contract amendment (100% city funded) for legal services for 10 H1B visa holders (9 from India, 1 from Nigeria; none live in Detroit). Conrad announced a hold on new H1Bs and renewals exceeding $100,000, and formation of a task force to transition to local hires over 12–24 months.
- Councilmember Calloway emphasized hiring Detroiters, cited partnerships with Lawrence Tech, Oakland University, Wayne State, Kettering, Western, and Michigan Tech. She also noted the city's home inspector program with Wayne County Community College.
- Councilmember Miller asked about fees; Nolan stated legal fees are about $3,950 per person plus filing fees ($780, $600, $1,500, $500). Two employees are close to obtaining green cards. Miller expressed concern that no H1B holders live in Detroit.
- Outcome: Motion to approve the contract extension passed.
Other Discussion Items
- Status of Office of Contract and Procurement (Direct TV franchise) – brought back one week at request of Councilmember Benson.
- Settlements approved: seven DDOT-related settlements (totaling $32,500, $52,500, $12,000, $450,000, $11,375, $30,000, $9,163) and one DPW settlement ($9,163). One settlement (Auto Rehab/Steen) brought back due to amount discrepancy.
- Legal representation/indemnification: items for police officers (Corey Pierce, Malika Bennett, Yesinia Vellanueva, Taisha Scott, Daryl King/Keith East) and one for a firefighter (Michael Russell) – Russell item brought back for closed session; others approved.
- Human Resources: Compensation schedule amendments approved.
- Inspector General’s 2025 fourth quarter report received and filed.
- Mary Waters memorandum on law enforcement identification deferred four weeks.
- Calloway memorandum on Rule 15.5.8 deferred two weeks.
- Walk-on appointment of Maria Mohammed to Board of Tax Review approved without interview.
Key Outcomes
- Reappointments sent to formal session: Melvin Butch Hollowell (PLA), Charlotte Wright (Human Rights Commission), Osvaldo Rivera (Historic Designation Advisory Commission).
- Appointment sent to formal session: Alethea Carr (Board of Zoning Appeals).
- Contract approved: Amendment to Clark Hill PLC for H1B legal services ($50,000).
- Settlements approved: $32,500 (Robbins), $52,500 (Dahomey/Abner), $12,000 (Finish Line), $450,000 (Walker estate), $11,375 (Morey), $30,000 (Richardson), $9,163 (Murphy).
- Brought back: Auto Rehab/Steen settlement (amount discrepancy), Direct TV franchise, Law Department ordinance (11.4), PLA additional interviews, legal opinion on renters commission stipend, executive organization plan, and law enforcement identification memo.
- Walk-on appointment: Maria Mohammed to Board of Tax Review approved.
- Rental compliance: BC confirmed 15% compliance of estimated 82,000 rental properties; council will follow up on revenue and enforcement.
Meeting Transcript
Yes, you did. We did receive it. Thank you. Councilmember Renata Miller. Madam Chair, there is no quorum. Okay, seeing that we don't have a core, Mr. Clerk. Um I'm gonna go ahead and do the invocation, but we can proceed to public comment. All right. So do we have anyone in the audience for public comment? And you'll have two minutes. Anyone in the audience for public comment? See no one in the audience for public comment, Miss Um Ellis. Do we have anyone on the line for public comment? Good morning, madam chair. There are nine hands raised for public comment. Okay, we'll go to public comment right after we do the invocation. And I wanna thank um attorney Peter Rhodes for providing this word for the day. And that's how we start every Wednesday with just a word of motivation. It could come from the audience, it could come from someone from someone's staff, just a way to um keep us encouraged because sometimes um these jobs can be very, very difficult and all the responsibilities attached to them, and we know certainly the things that are going on across the country. Um we certainly need the Lord to intervene. So that being said, you absolutely do not have to bow your head. But dear God, help us to remember to always put you first in our financial decisions. Help us to be good stewards of the financial resources that you have placed in our hands to manage for your glory. Amen. And not the our own personal finances, but the city's finances as well. So that being said, if the clerk can note that uh member miller has joined us at the table. Clerk's own. Okay, is there a uh motion for the approval of the minutes? Okay. Hearing no objections, the minutes shall be approved. There are no chair remarks, and I don't see anyone in the audience for public comments. So, Miss Ellison, Miss Ellis, who is first for public comment, and we have nine folks on the call for public comment. The first speaker this morning will be Jante Smith. Mr. Smith, good morning, and you have two minutes. Good morning, maybe heard. Yes, sir, you can be good morning. I just wanna I gotta ding you, Angela Wilfill Calloway, for the way you talked to Crennessana Anderson other day, talking about uh you gave her Scott Benson's phone number. I did not like that. That was very D class A. I forgot to get you yesterday. That's not nice, not okay. Scott Benson doesn't do anything for district three. I do more work than Scott Benson does. I deserve a salary. I'll say that, I'll come out and say it out of my mouth. I deserve a salary. I've done way more in the last six months than he's done in the last 12 years. I wanna say to Renata Miller, Councilwoman Miller, I really appreciate your advocacy for district five yesterday.
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