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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Detroit City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting - February 5, 2026

City Council — Thursday, February 5, 2026

BodyDetroit, Michigan

SessionCity Council

DateThursday, February 5, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:34:54

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:00

Present Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero.

0:02

Present.

0:03

Council President Pro Tim.

0:05

Come A.

0:05

Young the second.

0:06

Here.

0:07

Madam Chair, you have a quorum present.

0:08

Thank you.

0:09

Having a quorum present, we are now in session.

0:13

Good morning, colleagues.

0:16

There was, um, just so you all know, there was an amendment that was made to the minutes.

0:22

I believe that the clerk has received it and updated the minutes.

0:26

Um, is there a motion?

0:29

On the minutes, there's a motion to approve the amended minutes.

0:34

Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

0:38

And we will move into general public comment.

0:42

If there is anyone joining us who'd like to make a public comment, please raise your hand.

0:48

Please raise your hand, whether you're joining us in person or virtually, public comment will be cut off at 10 05.

0:56

So you have one minute.

0:57

If you'd like to raise your hand for general public comment, please do so between now and 10 05.

1:04

We do have one hand raised in the committee of the whole.

1:08

Good morning, Miss Great.

1:10

Will you please set the clock for two minutes?

1:17

And how many callers do we currently have with their hand raised virtually?

1:25

Good morning, madam chair.

1:27

We have nine hands raised for virtual public comment.

1:29

Okay.

1:30

All right, we will get started with Mr.

1:32

Rue, who's here in the committee of the whole you can begin with your public comment.

1:53

Letitia.

1:54

Yes.

1:56

Uh you cheated in, you're TNN public official along with the President Pro Tem of the City Council over there, Coleman Young.

2:04

He cheated in, and you sitting to your left is a liar.

2:10

She's on the record line about reading the findings on the allegations of voter for by another Miss Citizen Report, which you didn't get on the night.

2:21

So I'm gonna say this people out of the case publicly.

2:24

I'm putting it out here publicly.

2:26

You didn't have it on the ninth.

2:28

How does she get it on the ninth?

2:30

She's a liar.

2:31

And that's what I'm saying.

2:33

Is it's I just asked you to stop calling people out of their name, please.

2:37

I'm telling the truth.

2:39

You can speak the truth without calling people out of their name.

2:43

Okay, so you're gonna stop my time, and then we're gonna talk about this because I what I said is the truth.

2:50

Now, what what's going on here in the city is the city is corrupt.

2:54

Janice Winfrey been cheating in elections for decades.

2:59

Decades, more years when she left from over with Jackie uh Cooper Curry over in the um city clerk's office.

3:13

She took the helm and been running with it.

3:16

Now I got all the evidence in the proof.

3:18

I got something on every last one of y'all council members.

3:21

Now I'm gonna bring it out.

3:22

I'm a resident over in District 6 now.

3:25

You know, in your district, and uh you know about District 4, one four four three three spring garden.

3:32

You ain't never went and looked at the house, but they stripped my house on some BS, and now I'm getting ready to turn it up to 2026.

3:42

And you're on deck, all y'all on deck, all y'all gotta go.

3:48

Y'all gotta get out of Nene's way, get some new people in, and then the little lady can get what she wants, asked for requested and deserved.

3:58

And my name is Mr.

3:59

Rue, and that's the truth.

4:02

All right, who's our first virtual caller?

4:06

Our first virtual caller is William M.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Land Bank██████████████████████████████30%

Public Comment████████████████16%

Procedural████████████12%

Water And Wastewater Management█████████9%

Zoning and Land Use███████7%

Blight█████5%

Housing████4%

Affordable Housing███3%

Code Enforcement███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Detroit City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting - February 5, 2026

The Detroit City Council Committee of the Whole met on February 5, 2026, to receive a quarterly report from the Detroit Land Bank Authority, discuss property sales and development projects, and address public comments on a range of city issues. Key topics included the Land Bank's inventory and finances, a proposed fifth-year extension of a Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (NEZ) certificate for unsold condominiums, and updates on the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF) and private sewer repair programs.

Public Comments & Testimony

Mr. Rue (in-person): Alleged corruption in the City Clerk's office and threatened to bring evidence against council members. He stated, "The city is corrupt. Janice Winfrey been cheating in elections for decades."
William M. Davis (virtual): Called for a detailed audit of drainage fee funds, renegotiation of the Great Lakes Water Authority lease, and more equitable use of tax dollars benefiting Detroit workers and retirees.
Cunningham (virtual): Requested more bus tickets and hand warmers for homeless individuals, citing unreliable DDOT service. He stated, "DDOT... is not on time, not convenient, and sometimes the bus doesn't even show up."
Jadante Smith (virtual): Accused Councilmember Johnson of failing to research a church with $89,000 in back taxes that received a Spirit of Detroit Award. He demanded accountability from the Council, particularly regarding the reappointment of Conrad Mallett, and called for affordable housing and jobs.
Lamont's iPhone (virtual): Questioned how county commissioners and legislators afford luxury items on public salaries and urged council to address social issues and suppress inequalities.
Betty A. Varner (virtual): Requested information about an upcoming DWSD meeting on water line replacement and a grant, urging its dissemination beyond the internet. She also promoted the MI Choice Waiver program for seniors.
Caller ending in 169: Pleaded for help for Cunningham, saying, "Cunningham is the underdog. The others are rich and powerful. Help the underdog, even if you have to help him behind the scenes."
DLBA Nuisance Abatement Program Caller: Stated that the DLBA's nuisance abatement program violates the U.S. Constitution, Michigan Constitution, and state law. He said there is a class action lawsuit regarding the land bank taking property without compensation.
Ruby Riley (virtual): Denied being prejudiced, criticizing the city's response to flooding in Southwest Detroit versus other areas. She said, "They rushed over to Southwest Detroit... I froze in my house for two years. I had no heat, no hot water tank, pipes busted."
Call-in user one: Complained about unshoveled sidewalks on Linwood and West Grand Boulevard, endangering children walking to school. They urged Councilmember Johnson to ensure code enforcement.

Discussion Items

Detroit Land Bank Authority Quarterly Report (Q2 FY2026): CEO Tammy Daniels and staff presented the report. Key metrics included: 101 homes sold through auction, 90 through "Own It Now," 163 side lots, 272 neighborhood lots, and nearly 60,000 properties in inventory (mostly vacant land). The Land Bank reported success in increasing home values by $2 billion over 12 years. Councilmembers questions focused on:
- Financial burden of accepting properties from Wayne County that require demolition. President Pro Tem Young expressed frustration: "We are basically receiving properties from the county, and they're not providing us with any sort of financial benefit... That's insane." The Land Bank acknowledged the need to reassess this strategy.
- A single pending lawsuit against the nuisance abatement program (out of 300 active lawsuits against derelict property owners).
- Expansion of the Finish Line grant program to assist homeowners with compliance.
- A new affordable housing development in the Longview neighborhood (District 4), targeting 30 units for permanent supportive housing, with an RFP for partners.
NEZ Certificate Extension for Exchange Detroit LLC: Richard Barr (attorney for applicant) and Katie Long (corporate counsel) requested a fifth-year extension of NEZ certificates for two unsold condominiums (of 12) in the Greektown Exchange building. The three-year, state-extendable fourth year expired November 16, 2025. They stated the condominium market has been challenging, and the $625/month tax benefit is crucial for buyers. Justice Cook (Housing and Revitalization Department) noted no affordability agreement exists for marketing support. The council approved the extension.

Key Outcomes

Consent Calendar: The following items were approved without objection:
- Approval of minutes as amended.
Land Bank Quarterly Report (Item 6.1): Motion to receive and file passed. Council requested a breakdown of the 743 unsold salvage structures by district.
Revenue & Finance Items:
- Item 6.2: Memorandum on property management agreements brought back in two weeks.
- Item 6.3: Grand River Corridor business activity update brought back in one week.
- Item 7.1: Contract for Gordie Howe International Bridge property rehab ($148,390) approved.
- Item 7.2: Zoning map correction approved.
- Item 7.3: Fifth-year NEZ certificate extension for Exchange Detroit LLC approved.
- Item 7.4: Property sale at 1170 Whittier ($2,000) approved.
- Item 7.5: Property sale at 7001 Finkel Avenue ($31,005) approved.
- Item 7.6: Hance Farms LLC purchase agreement referred to the Detroit Land Bank Authority with a two-week bring back.
Neighborhood Opportunity Fund Update: Director Todd announced the NOF awards are ready for council action. The item was set to be pulled from committee for a vote at the February 11 formal session, with hearings and deliberations scheduled for February 23-26, 2026.
Member Reports: Councilmember Johnson reminded the public that the Private Sewer Repair Program (for 2021 basement backups) still has funding available in 97 neighborhoods. Chief Razo confirmed the 2021 program will serve over 1,500 households, a $356M CDBG-DR program will address larger infrastructure, and a $1M seawall repair program in Jefferson Chalmers is being developed. Council Pro Tem Young sought coordination across these efforts.
Upcoming Meeting: A special session for mayoral confirmation hearings was announced for 2:30 PM following the Neighborhood and Community Services Committee meeting.

Meeting Transcript

Present Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero. Present. Council President Pro Tim. Come A. Young the second. Here. Madam Chair, you have a quorum present. Thank you. Having a quorum present, we are now in session. Good morning, colleagues. There was, um, just so you all know, there was an amendment that was made to the minutes. I believe that the clerk has received it and updated the minutes. Um, is there a motion? On the minutes, there's a motion to approve the amended minutes. Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken. And we will move into general public comment. If there is anyone joining us who'd like to make a public comment, please raise your hand. Please raise your hand, whether you're joining us in person or virtually, public comment will be cut off at 10 05. So you have one minute. If you'd like to raise your hand for general public comment, please do so between now and 10 05. We do have one hand raised in the committee of the whole. Good morning, Miss Great. Will you please set the clock for two minutes? And how many callers do we currently have with their hand raised virtually? Good morning, madam chair. We have nine hands raised for virtual public comment. Okay. All right, we will get started with Mr. Rue, who's here in the committee of the whole you can begin with your public comment. Letitia. Yes. Uh you cheated in, you're TNN public official along with the President Pro Tem of the City Council over there, Coleman Young. He cheated in, and you sitting to your left is a liar. She's on the record line about reading the findings on the allegations of voter for by another Miss Citizen Report, which you didn't get on the night. So I'm gonna say this people out of the case publicly. I'm putting it out here publicly. You didn't have it on the ninth. How does she get it on the ninth? She's a liar. And that's what I'm saying. Is it's I just asked you to stop calling people out of their name, please. I'm telling the truth. You can speak the truth without calling people out of their name. Okay, so you're gonna stop my time, and then we're gonna talk about this because I what I said is the truth. Now, what what's going on here in the city is the city is corrupt. Janice Winfrey been cheating in elections for decades. Decades, more years when she left from over with Jackie uh Cooper Curry over in the um city clerk's office. She took the helm and been running with it. Now I got all the evidence in the proof. I got something on every last one of y'all council members.

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