OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Detroit City Council Internal Operations Committee Meeting – February 11, 2026

City Council — Wednesday, February 11, 2026
BodyDetroit, Michigan
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, February 11, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:36:26

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Councilmember Renata Miller.

0:02

Councilmember Angela Whitfield Callaway.

0:06

Mr.

0:06

Chair, we have quorum.

0:08

Fantastic.

0:08

I'm sure the chair will be here shortly.

0:10

Let's go into public comments.

0:12

Who do we have today for public comment?

0:18

We have anybody for public comment today.

0:21

No.

0:22

Good morning, Member Vincent.

0:23

There are five hands raised.

0:25

Okay.

0:25

Let's uh do two minutes and we'll shut off public comment in two minutes.

0:31

Who's first our first caller is Owner Papa.

0:39

Papa, you have two minutes.

0:51

All right, Papa, can you hear us?

0:54

Let's go to our next person.

0:56

Our next caller is Betty A.

0:58

Varner.

0:59

All right, Miss Varner, you have two minutes.

1:05

Good morning to all within the sound of my voice.

1:07

I'm Betty A.

1:08

Varner, president of the Soda Ellsworth Block Association.

1:12

I'm here today.

1:13

Um I done started my routine talking about the budget.

1:17

So I'm humbly asking that the uh council will consider uh allocating monies to help uh associations and black clubs with the projects that's in there um that they're working on in their community.

1:33

Uh we are needing help for the land use hearing.

1:38

Um personally, our uh black club and I know there's other black clubs that could use the help.

1:45

We are in the process of uh, well, when the weather breaks, cleaning up additional land that we have purchased to uh expand the park, the diva community park that we have created, and we would like to uh have playground equipment on this new land, and we have to have a land use hearing to get the approval of the city of Detroit.

2:13

My understanding is uh it would be BC, the BC department, and the cost is fifteen hundred dollars.

2:21

Now we have been asked to uh buy up this these vacant lots that's in our community clean them up.

2:30

Miss Varner, can you hear my voice?

2:32

Yes, I can.

2:33

Good morning.

2:33

This is Councilmember Callaway.

2:34

I'm gonna pause you right there.

2:35

I'm gonna ask Miss Ellis.

2:38

Um, where's the time on the screen?

2:40

We just see the um we just see the audience here, but where's the time on the screen?

2:56

We just see the audience.

2:58

I don't see the I don't see the time okay, thank you.

3:09

Ms.

3:09

Member, can you see the timer?

3:10

We can see the timer now.

3:11

You can proceed, Ms.

3:12

Varner, and thank you.

3:13

And forgive us for the um interruption.

3:16

Okay, Miss Varner, you still have a minute and nine seconds.

3:20

I don't want to shut off all the time.

3:21

All right, thank you.

3:23

So I would I'm just asking for consideration to allocate monies to help us pay for the land use hearing.

3:32

That is a requirement.

3:34

And that uh cost, my understanding is uh $1,500.

3:40

That wreaks havoc on uh small black clubs and associations.

3:46

Uh we have been asked to uh clean up these uh vacant lots and make them useful, and that is what a lot of black clubs are trying to do.

3:59

So please consider allocating monies to help us pay for this land use hearing.

4:06

And also if you are a uh small business or church, DTE has a program for zero percent loan.

4:16

You can get up to two hundred thousand dollars.

4:19

The number is eight five five seven four eight two five two five eight five five seven four eight two five two five.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Historic Preservation███████████████████19%
Public Comment████████████████16%
Procedural████████████████16%
Public Engagement██████████10%
Contract Management█████████9%
Pending Litigation████████8%
Public Transit█████5%
Zoning and Land Use███3%
Public Health██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Detroit City Council Internal Operations Committee Meeting – February 11, 2026

The Detroit City Council Internal Operations Standing Committee met on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, to consider appointments, settlements, contracts, and other business. The meeting was chaired by Councilmember Angela Whitfield Callaway, with Councilmembers Renata Miller and Scott Benson present. Public comments were heard, followed by interviews for reappointments and appointments to city boards, discussions on legal contracts and settlements, and several items moved to formal session for full council action.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting were approved without objection.
  • Settlements Approved and Moved to Formal Session:
    • Auto Rehab LP, Charmaine Steen v. City of Detroit – $5,325.12 (Line 11.1)
    • Northland Radiology Inc., Kevin Penn v. City of Detroit – amount not specified (Line 11.3)
    • Eaton Rivers, J. Schwan v. City of Detroit, Officer Lamont Gibson – $20,000 (Line 12.5)
    • Laquitia Newman v. City of Detroit – undisclosed amount (Line 12.6)
    • M1 Transportation LLC, Michelle Barnett v. City of Detroit – $10,000 (Line 12.7)
    • Michigan First Rehab, Ayesha Jones v. City of Detroit – $29,000 (Line 12.8)
    • Michigan First Rehab, Natury Jones v. City of Detroit – $2,895 (Line 12.9)
    • Legal representation and indemnification for Attorney Letitia Jones in Dawn Wartham v. City of Detroit – approved (Line 12.11)

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Betty A. Varner (President, Soda Ellsworth Block Association) requested the council allocate funds to help block clubs and black clubs pay for land use hearings, specifically citing a $1,500 fee for a permit to expand the Diva Community Park. She also promoted a DTE zero-percent loan program for small businesses and churches (up to $200,000, phone 855-748-2525).
  • Sharon Elizabeth Sexton asked about the status of her petition regarding the Gateway to Freedom Monument and invited the council to a black history event at Camp Ward on June 6, 2026, which will include Elmwood Cemetery and Bunch Elementary School.
  • William M. Davis urged the city to reduce lawsuits and indemnifications, advocated for incentives to get police officers to live in Detroit (citing 75% of rank-and-file and 85% of command staff live outside the city), criticized the retention of attorney Conrad Mallett, and called for better treatment of city retirees.
  • Owner Papa (caller) proposed an ordinance requiring police officers who do not live in the city to not receive training funded by city residents. He also requested parking validation for residents attending council meetings, and questioned why the city continues to indemnify attorneys like Conrad Mallett and why the CPA requirement for a position is being circumvented.
  • Sahira Amad thanked the council for the Children RX program, advocated for compensation for over-taxed homeowners (citing a 2022 ACLU report of $600 million illegal over-taxation), and criticized Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel for failing to act.
  • Resident Guest (caller) thanked Councilmember Renata Miller for calling out demolition fraud, criticized the BZA for changing rules and violating due process, and requested that the Land Bank record its meetings for transparency.
  • Jim Brunell (North Corktown resident) expressed frustration that squatters have more opportunities than property owners, stating he has fought an eviction for two years with little support from the city.
  • Cunningham (caller) thanked DDP CEO Miss Dessa for donating hand warmers and bus tickets, requested parking validation and free bus fares, and provided his contact information (313-444-9114) for donations.
  • Ruben Crowley (phone ending 039) alleged election cheating in District 2, claimed a cover-up of a murder at the Holly Side Unit, and accused Councilmember Callaway of stopping communication when he spoke up.
  • Cindy Dara complained about a parking ticket at the main post office, stating 30-minute signs were put up without notice, and had difficulty obtaining information from the city.

Discussion Items

  • Reappointment of Sharon Sexton to Historic Designation Advisory Board (HDAB) – Sexton, a long-time Detroit history advocate, was interviewed and warmly supported by Councilmembers Miller and Benson. She suggested increasing the number of honorary street signs for ancestors. The appointment and corresponding resolution were moved to formal session with a recommendation to approve.
  • Reappointment of William Warden to HDAB – Warden, a former council staffer with 30 years of experience, was interviewed. Councilmember Miller expressed concerns about the Historic District Commission (HDC) and requested a meeting with Warden, Director Alexa Bush, and Dr. Janice Chapman. The resolution was moved to formal session with a recommendation to approve, with the understanding that Miller would meet with the parties before the next formal session.
  • Appointment of Maya Campbell to Board of Zoning Appeals (District 3) – Campbell was interviewed and supported by Councilmember Benson. She described a variance as an exception to the ordinance and emphasized the importance of following rules. The appointment was moved to formal session with a recommendation to approve.
  • Appointment of Sherry Jackson to Human Rights Commission – Jackson, a retired registered nurse and former FDA investigator, expressed interest in advocacy. The appointment was moved to formal session with a recommendation to approve.
  • Reappointment of Dr. Eric Carter to Human Rights Commission – Carter, who has served five years, discussed the commission’s work on bylaws and oversight. He agreed to provide written suggestions regarding health equity. The reappointment was moved to formal session with a recommendation to approve.
  • Direct TV Franchise Telecommunications Agreement – An ordinance to amend Chapter 45 of the city code was moved to formal session for introduction and setting of a public hearing.
  • Legal Opinion on Bond Issuance – A memorandum requesting a legal opinion from the law department was postponed for one week per Corporation Counsel’s request.
  • Public Lighting Authority Board – Two of three candidates (Robert Brown and Keith Williams) withdrew. Council voted to postpone the item to allow the administration to provide two additional names for interviews.
  • Contract for Miller Law Firm (Line 12.3) – A $500,000 contract (amendment one) for legal services in the case Nicolette Townhouses Cooperative Association et al. v. City of Detroit Historic District Commission was discussed. The law department explained that the assigned attorney had a conflict of interest, and the firm was retained on an emergency basis. Councilmembers questioned the cost and the lack of in-house attorneys handling the case. The item was brought back in one week for further discussion.
  • Parking Contract with LAZ Midwest (Line 12.4) – An amendment to increase the contract by $791,000 for 75 additional parking spots (from 100 to 175) for city employees, extending through 2029. The monthly rate is $140 per spot, with an overage charge of $31. Councilmembers questioned the expense and suggested using city-owned vacant lots. The item was brought back in one week.
  • Resolution in Support of Local Democracy – Sponsored by Councilmember Gabriela Santiago-Romero, the resolution was moved to formal session with a recommendation to approve.
  • Nomination of Rick Proust to Public Lighting Authority – An interview was set for February 18, 2026.
  • Property Assessment Board of Review Appointment – The item was removed as action had already been taken.

Key Outcomes

  • Appointments Approved (moved to formal session with recommendation to approve):
    • Sharon Sexton to HDAB
    • William Warden to HDAB (resolution approved, meeting to occur)
    • Maya Campbell to BZA (District 3)
    • Sherry Jackson to Human Rights Commission
    • Dr. Eric Carter to Human Rights Commission
  • Settlements Approved (moved to formal): Auto Rehab LP, Northland Radiology, Eaton Rivers, Laquitia Newman, M1 Transportation, Michigan First Rehab (two cases), and legal representation for Letitia Jones.
  • Items Postponed:
    • Miller Law Firm contract (one week)
    • LAZ Midwest parking contract (one week)
    • Pay Singh Keung settlement (two weeks)
    • Legal opinion on bond issuance (one week)
    • Public Lighting Authority Board (one week, pending new candidates)
  • Direct TV Franchise and Bond Opinion Public Hearing – Moved to formal session for introduction and setting of public hearing.
  • Resolution in Support of Local Democracy – Moved to formal.
  • Rick Proust Interview – Scheduled for February 18, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

Councilmember Renata Miller. Councilmember Angela Whitfield Callaway. Mr. Chair, we have quorum. Fantastic. I'm sure the chair will be here shortly. Let's go into public comments. Who do we have today for public comment? We have anybody for public comment today. No. Good morning, Member Vincent. There are five hands raised. Okay. Let's uh do two minutes and we'll shut off public comment in two minutes. Who's first our first caller is Owner Papa. Papa, you have two minutes. All right, Papa, can you hear us? Let's go to our next person. Our next caller is Betty A. Varner. All right, Miss Varner, you have two minutes. Good morning to all within the sound of my voice. I'm Betty A. Varner, president of the Soda Ellsworth Block Association. I'm here today. Um I done started my routine talking about the budget. So I'm humbly asking that the uh council will consider uh allocating monies to help uh associations and black clubs with the projects that's in there um that they're working on in their community. Uh we are needing help for the land use hearing. Um personally, our uh black club and I know there's other black clubs that could use the help. We are in the process of uh, well, when the weather breaks, cleaning up additional land that we have purchased to uh expand the park, the diva community park that we have created, and we would like to uh have playground equipment on this new land, and we have to have a land use hearing to get the approval of the city of Detroit. My understanding is uh it would be BC, the BC department, and the cost is fifteen hundred dollars. Now we have been asked to uh buy up this these vacant lots that's in our community clean them up. Miss Varner, can you hear my voice? Yes, I can. Good morning. This is Councilmember Callaway. I'm gonna pause you right there. I'm gonna ask Miss Ellis. Um, where's the time on the screen? We just see the um we just see the audience here, but where's the time on the screen? We just see the audience. I don't see the I don't see the time okay, thank you. Ms. Member, can you see the timer? We can see the timer now. You can proceed, Ms. Varner, and thank you. And forgive us for the um interruption. Okay, Miss Varner, you still have a minute and nine seconds. I don't want to shut off all the time.

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