Detroit City Council Neighborhood Community Services Committee Meeting

The Neighborhood Community Services Committee of the Detroit City Council met on February 5, 2026, in a formal session to discuss routine approvals, hear public comments, and review a contract for the Joe Louis Greenway project. The meeting included a call to order, roll call, approval of minutes, chair remarks, and public comment.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Betty A. Varner (President, DeSoda Ellsworth Black Association) : Encouraged seniors and disabled residents not eligible for Medicaid to contact the Detroit Area Agency for the Aging (DAA) at 313-446-4444 for the MI Choice Waiver program, which allows individuals to earn up to $2,900 per month and qualify for Medicaid. She described the program as providing in-home assessments and support, including home repairs, at no cost.
• Caller ending in 169: Urged support for "Cunningham," described as an underdog, asking for help even behind the scenes, and quoted Arnold Palmer: "Always make a total effort, even when the odds are used."
• Caller Cunningham: Did not speak when called; the chair stated they could send a message to the office.
• Dante Smith: Criticized the council's "fake grilling" of appointees Tammy Daniels and Langbank; reported that a woman named Ariel with six children was evicted that morning, with a scramble to rehouse her; accused Mary Waters' office of being "graciously racistly existing"; criticized Councilmember Coleman Young II for having the "worst staff in city council" and failing to respond to messages about "Colonels Concrete" since December 14; praised a staff member named "Casely" as the only worker in Young's office who seemed productive; requested Councilmember Scott Benson to show up more for work, claiming Benson missed many days; and urged the council to stand up against Conrad Mallet, who he said usurps the power of the Board of Police Commissioners and the Board of Ethics. Councilmember Young responded, stating that the allegation of non-response was "simply not true," noting that they provided over 100 pages of documentation on Chrono's Concrete; he listed his accomplishments: appropriating $800 million to create 10,000 jobs before joining council, passing the Green Grocer program (building more grocery stores with $850,000), and appropriating $23 million into the general retirement fund. He invited further calls to his office at 313-224-4248.
• William M. Davis (District 7 resident) : Called for more community resource centers, such as converting old schools or restoring neighborhood city halls and police precincts; noted that District 7 lacks a functioning recreation center despite having the most school-age children; expressed opposition to Conrad Mallet as corporation counsel, stating Mallet should not sit on the Board of Police Commissioners; encouraged council members to attend Board of Police Commissioner meetings and to direct residents to document complaints about police.
• Caller (stop illegal DLBA nuisance abatement): Stated that if the land bank took property through nuisance abatement, residents may be eligible for compensation via a class-action lawsuit by the firm Margolis and Cross; argued that the practice violates the Takings Clause of the U.S. Constitution and Article 10, Section 2 of the Michigan Constitution, as well as the Michigan Fast Track Land Bank Authority Act (which prohibits the authority from using eminent domain or condemnation); noted that Councilmember Mary Waters, who was in the state legislature when the act passed, has been raising this issue; thanked Councilmember Young for calling out Wayne County for dumping demolitions on Detroit; and requested a legal opinion from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel that was asked for in 2024.
• Caller (Papa): Accused the council of knowing that houses were being pushed onto the land bank for demolition; referenced a previous investigation into a realtor or person named "Munes" that yielded no results; stated that the Plant Moran audit found non-compliance regarding this issue; criticized the Neighborhood and Community Services Committee for failing; and expressed that seniors are living in squalor while the council considers nominating those who created the environment, noting ARPA money was provided due to COVID but no health report was done.
• Caller ending in 039: Alleged that all elected officials of Detroit are "cheated in" by someone named Janice Want Street; claimed that Charmaine McLeod is responsible for the death of Kenisha Coleman, citing a gunshot with no gun or siblings on entry and a suicide weapon not at the scene; stated he would provide details to someone named Nini on February 18, 2026; and said all council members must go, specifically addressing Councilmembers Coleman Young II, James E. Tate Jr., and Carl Kenneth.
• Cecily McClellan (Director of Waterworks, We the People of Detroit) : Reported that in December 2025, the water department shut off 900 residents, with about half restored; advocated for a water affordability program at the local level, referencing state legislation (House Bill 455 and 5170–5173); urged Councilmembers Coleman Young II, Vincent, and Renata Miller to champion an ordinance for water affordability that would be codified into law; supported the RIA and the city's efforts regarding retirees; and supported Mr. Davis's call for community resource centers and recreation centers.

Discussion Items

• 6.1: Petition of Fraternal Order of United Irishmen to host the Corktown Races on March 15, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Roosevelt Park, with setup beginning March 4, 2026, and tear-down from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on March 15. Moved to formal session with recommendation for approval.
• 6.2: Petition of Detroit 300 Conservancy/Downtown Detroit Partnership to host the Grand Circus Park Opening Day 2026 on April 3, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Grand Circus Park East, with setup April 1–April 3 and tear-down from 6 p.m. to 5 p.m. on April 4. Moved to formal session with recommendation for approval.
• 6.3: Petition of SHAR Incorporated to host the 5th Annual SHAR/Echo Juneteenth Community Celebration on June 13, 2026, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 1851 West Grand Boulevard, with setup from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and tear-down from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Moved to formal session with recommendation for approval.
• 6.4: Petition of the March Dunan Rush to host an event on March 22, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Canfield between Cass and Sacket, Second between Canfield and Temple, and Temple/Cass Park, with setup from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and tear-down from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Moved to formal session with recommendation for approval.
• 6.5: Contract 67645 ($1,165,149.89 from 100% grant funding) with Major Contractor Group Inc. for site renovation of the Joe Louis Greenway in the area of Junction and Clark. Councilmember Scott Benson requested an update. Alex Weatherup, Assistant Director of General Services, provided details: the project includes a shared-use path along the I-75 service drive (north side, westbound from Clark Park to Junction Avenue), new lighting, new trees, and a trailhead at Clark Park with seating and signage. The path will connect to the Gordie Howe International Bridge via a pedestrian bridge at Junction, approximately a quarter-mile away, with signage highlighting the connection. Councilmember Benson asked about amenities; Weatherup did not have a rendering or full specifics but promised to provide them. Construction is expected to start in April 2026 and take 18 months, finishing around spring 2027, with a contract end date of February 2028. The Gordie Howe Bridge is expected to open in late 2026. Moved to formal session with recommendation for approval.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes from the previous meeting were approved.
• The chair reported no remarks.

Key Outcomes

• The committee voted unanimously to move agenda items 6.1 through 6.5 to the formal session with recommendations for approval. No objections were heard on any items.
• The meeting adjourned without objection after member reports (no reports were given).

Note: The transcript did not include an agenda or minutes; the summary is based solely on the raw transcription.