Detroit Safety Standing Committee Meeting - February 9, 2026

The Safety Standing Committee met on Monday, February 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero chaired the meeting. Councilmembers present: Santiago Romero, Mary Waters. Councilmember Denzel McCampbell arrived later. The meeting covered unfinished business, new contracts, resolutions, and public comments. A dangerous buildings hearing was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. with approximately 50 homes listed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• General public comments ran for three minutes (cut off at 10:07 a.m.). There were 13 online callers. Topics included:
  • A call for accountability and unity in city hiring (Mr. Foster, in person).
  • Report of a 2-3 foot ice pile blocking a driving lane near 5100 East Nevada, likely from a water main break (Dr. Denise Darnell).
  • Information on DTE's zero percent loan program up to $200,000 for small businesses and churches (Betty A. Varner, President of DeSoda Elsewhere Black Association). Also urged budget allocation for block club projects.
  • Complaints about bus stop snow clearance and bus reliability after 6 p.m. and weekends (Mr. Cunningham).
  • Concerns about systemic bus shelter ice issues, citing federal disability access laws, and requesting a coordinated plan between DPW, General Services, and DDOT (Renard Monchunski, transit justice organizer).
  • Quality-of-life issues regarding contaminated dirt, bond enforcement, and demands for a long-term debt report from CFO (O Papa).
  • Criticism of City Council's vote on Conrad Mallet reappointments and lack of action on property tax reform (Jadonte Smith).
  • Call to enforce the 2022 property tax reform ordinance and replace the chief assessor (Tahira Ahmad, Coalition for Property Tax Justice).
  • Concerns about DPW yard operations at John R. State Fair causing overnight noise and future flooding from melting snow (Keep It Clean Block Club).
  • Disappointment in Council for not upholding the charter regarding Conrad Mallet (caller ending in 124).
  • Complaint about a parking ticket at the main post office (Cindy Dara).
  • Follow-up on building safety, zoning, and squatting issues (James Brunell).

Discussion Items

• Unfinished Business (5.1–5.6): Several memos were held for additional information:
  • 5.1 (Shelter inspection reports) – held one week.
  • 5.2 (Detroit police interactions with ICE) – held one week.
  • 5.3 (Shelter information request) – held two weeks.
  • 5.4 (Quick claim deeds for residential properties) – held two weeks.
  • 5.5 (Notary public services for low-income residents) – held one week.
  • 5.6 (Resolution supporting Michigan Senate bills 508-510) – received and filed.
• New Business – Contracts & Resolutions:
  • 6.1 – Contract with Cole Lasante Construction Services ($750,000) for general contracting at city facilities. Held one week after questions about in-house capacity.
  • 6.2 – Contract amendment for medical billing – removed from agenda per request.
  • 6.3 – Rosa Parks Streetscape project time extension (no cost increase) – approved.
  • 6.4 – Parts cleaning machine lease ($55,000/year) – approved.
  • 6.5 – Amendment to payment terms for Detroit Transportation Corp. (DTC) to align with operating subsidy model – approved and sent to formal session. Discussion included past audit material weakness; DTC Director Kramer offered to present a correction plan.
  • 6.6 – Contract for paint booth installation ($1.7 million, grant-funded) for DDOT vehicles – approved.
  • 6.7 – Resolution authorizing emergency standby shelter beds – approved.
  • 6.8 – Ordinance amendment to remove definitions of adult-oriented businesses from city code (introduction and public hearing) – sent to formal.
  • 6.9 – Grant increase for Michigan Hubs program (community health workers) – approved after brief discussion; health workers will address social needs such as housing, food, and health insurance.
  • 6.10 – Grant application to Road to Zero Coalition for community traffic safety – approved. Chair noted upcoming committee discussion on street safety ordinances.
  • 6.11 – Encroachment petition for existing awnings/signs on West Werner – approved; City Engineer confirmed structures are properly documented.
  • 6.12 – Memo on financial expert requirements for Public Lighting Authority – received and filed.
  • 6.13 – Memo on ICE and local policy – received and filed.
  • 6.14 – Memo on contaminated dirt from Iron Horse – held two weeks (Councilmember Waters noted Auditor General report available).
  • 6.15 – Memo on commercial buildings with liens/fines on demo list – held two weeks.
  • 6.16 – Memo on ordinance to regulate rental application fees – held three weeks.

Key Outcomes

• All votes were unanimous with no objections noted.
• Several items held for future review:
  • 6.1 back in one week; 6.14 and 6.15 back in two weeks; 6.16 back in three weeks.
• Approved and sent to formal session: 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.9, 6.10, 6.11.
• Public Works concerns (ice at 5100 East Nevada, state fairground flooding) were referred to the Water Department and DPW for investigation; Deputy Director Smalley confirmed teams dispatched.
• Member reports highlighted the Rx Kids cash support program for families and an upcoming deed fraud town hall (Thursday, February 13, 4-6 p.m. at Farwell Recreation Center).
• Meeting recessed at the conclusion of member reports until 1:30 p.m. for the Dangerous Buildings hearing.