Detroit City Council Internal Operations Committee Meeting - February 18, 2026
Detroit City Council Internal Operations Committee Meeting - February 18, 2026
The Internal Operations Standing Committee met on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, to discuss reappointments to the Public Lighting Authority board, receive the Inspector General's fourth quarter and year-end report, and act on several contracts, settlements, and other agenda items. The meeting included public comment, an invocation, and member reports.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Mr. Cunningham requested bus tickets for the community, urged a sense of urgency with DDOT, and offered a prayer hotline (313-444-9114).
- Mr. Foster expressed appreciation for the invocation, stated he comes to combat policies and unjust laws, and asked council members to remove stigmas and perceptions regarding his advocacy.
- Miss Woolwick (virtual) opposed the "Detroit solar scam," criticized the city's law contracts as lacking transparency, alleged the master plan update process was non-inclusive and secretive, and expressed relief that former Mayor Duggan is gone.
- Betty A. Varner (virtual), president of the Soda Ellsworth Black Association, requested funding for the Finkel corridor and for black clubs/501c3s to cover land use hearing costs for beautification projects. She also shared a DTE zero-percent loan program (855-748-2525).
- Caller 039 (virtual) alleged 54 affidavits in federal court regarding voter fraud in District 2, claiming a non-voter appeared on the rolls voting for Councilmember Callaway.
- Miss Hughes (virtual) criticized the body for disregarding the law in the Butch Hollowell appointment, stated the Public Lighting Authority took $21 million from utility tax refunds to pay down bonds, and noted District 7 lacks a rec center.
- William M. Davis (virtual), a 34-year city water department veteran, called for accountability for police officers who falsify reports, citing potential savings of $50 million annually, and argued the city's recovery has been on the backs of retirees, with over 4,000 retirees having died.
- Mr. Smith (virtual) thanked Councilmember Miller for her vote against Conrad Mallett and warned of an upcoming federal investigation regarding robbery.
- Cindy Dara (virtual) opposed proposed water rate increases by Great Lakes, criticized General Services for running recreation centers poorly (citing a slip hazard floor at Patton), and urged the city to purchase better recreation equipment.
- Caller user two (virtual) addressed Councilmember Miller, accusing her of lying about the caller using two identities, and stated she will only address President Pro Tempore Young and Kate going forward.
Discussion Items
- Reappointment of Rick Prius to Public Lighting Authority Board – Mr. Prius, an electrician with seven years on the board, discussed progress on city lighting, plans for alley lights and streetscape lights, and coordination with community groups. He acknowledged ongoing issues with lights on Puritan from Greenfield to Southfield Freeway. Councilmember Miller expressed support. The committee voted to move the reappointment to formal session.
- Appointment of David Bonner to Public Lighting Authority Board – Mr. Bonner, an associate professor of finance at Madonna University (MBA, BS in Accounting), stated he is not a CPA but qualifies as a practicing expert. He described his role focusing on financing projects. Councilmember Miller questioned him about neighborhood equity in lighting and safety. The committee voted to move the appointment to formal session.
- Inspector General Fourth Quarter and Year-End Report (2025) – Inspector General Kamal Mirable and Manager Beverly Murray presented the report. Key stats: 453 active complaints in 2025, 319 closed with referral, 92 with no action, 26 resulting in new investigations; 65 active investigations, 27 closed. Three investigation summaries were highlighted: (1) an OCFO employee used city time and employees for Wayne County contractor work – OIG recommended discipline, but OCFO has not responded as of Dec. 15, 2025; (2) a DDOT employee and supervisor engaged in an undisclosed romantic relationship causing service disruptions – DDOT imposed minor suspension despite handbook calling for 30-day suspension pending discharge; OIG recommended discipline and systematic changes; (3) another alleged intimate relationship was unsubstantiated, but OIG found HR lacked a disclosure form required by executive order. The report also noted several open recommendations not responded to by departments. Councilmember Callaway expressed frustration at non-responses. The committee received and filed the report.
- Contract No. 6007646 – Miller Law Firm ($500,000) – Unfinished business regarding legal services for Lafayette Towers. Law Department requested a one-week bring back. Approved.
- Contract No. 6007184-A1 – Parking spaces for city employees – Administration requested a two-week bring back. Approved.
- Line Item 9.3 – Report on Rule 15.5.8 – Report submitted Jan. 29, 2026. Received and filed.
- Line Item 9.4 – Legal/procedural opinion on bond issuance – Law Department requested a one-week bring back. Approved.
- Contract No. 600704 – PCI compliance services ($65,000) – Plant Moran will help develop processes for credit card payment compliance due to changed PCI rules. Approved and moved to formal.
- Eight DDOT lawsuit settlements (Line Items 10.2-10.8) – Total settlements: $18,250 (M1 Transportation), $2,900 (Acupuncture Health PLLC), $62,500 (Anthony White), $9,000 (Biddle Pharmacy), $50,000 (George Thomas Kraft), $19,000 (Eisman Clinic), $4,200 (Minimally Invasive Pain Specialists). Attorney Anderson explained that multiple settlements from one accident are common due to Michigan's no-fault system, where each medical provider sues separately. Councilmember Callaway noted DDOT receives the most complaints of any department and urged installation of working cameras on buses. All settlements were approved.
- Line Items 10.9 and 10.10 – DPW lawsuit settlements ($135,883 and $35,000) – Brought back for one week due to absence of DPW Director.
- Line Item 10.14 – Report on data-sharing contracts – Received and filed.
- Line Item 10.15 – Reestablishing disability task force – Law Department requested one-week bring back. Approved.
- Line Item 10.16 – Questions on 2026 Executive Organization Plan – Originally approved, then reconsidered and brought back one week pending responses from the mayor's office.
- Walk-on: City of Detroit vs. Latano Pop Properties – Related to French Road mini take project. Moved to formal session.
Key Outcomes
- The reappointment of Rick Prius and the appointment of David Bonner to the Public Lighting Authority board were moved to formal city council session.
- The Inspector General's fourth quarter/year-end report was received and filed.
- Contract No. 600704 (PCI compliance) for $65,000 was approved and moved to formal.
- Eight DDOT lawsuit settlements totaling $165,850 were approved.
- Two DPW lawsuit settlements were delayed one week.
- The walk-on for the airport property settlement was added and moved to formal.
- Several items were held for one to two weeks pending additional information or responses from departments.
Meeting Transcript
Internal Operations Standing Committee meeting. It is Wednesday, February 18th. And if the clerk could call the roll. Councilmember Angela Whitfield Calloway. Present. Councilmember Scott Benson. We do have a notification that he will be absent today, so his absence is excused. Clerk was so note. Councilmember Renata Miller. Madam Chair, you have a corn present. Thank you so much. Okay. We have invocation, and I do believe Pastor Cindy Rudolph from Oak Grove, AME in District 2 on Cherry Line at Pembroke. And before we uh turn it over to you, um, Reverend Rudolph, how many years have you all been having that Friday fish fry? Because I think I've been coming for the last maybe 16 years myself. We had our 38th fish fry in September of last year. So this year will be 39. Wow. And when is it going to be what date? Or do is it gonna be a good one? It's always the third Saturday, third weekend in September. Um, so it'll be that third Saturday. I don't have the calendar in front of me, but it's that third Saturday in September. Okay, third Saturday of September, and I'm inviting everyone to go to um the fish fry at Oak Grove, and it'll be worth your drive, and it'll be worth your time. So we are going to let you know exactly when that's going to be. It is going to be the weekend of separate September the 18th. That's the Friday, and then September the 19th is that Saturday. So I am asking you to meet me over there that weekend at Oak Grove for the fish fry. And it's how many years again? This will be our 39th year. And I don't think we have a glorious time every year. And it's run by the men's ministry. And it's run by the men's ministry. Usually we see women preparing, but it's the men a hundred percent. And I just want to thank you because um then this year will be my 17th year coming. Absolutely. So um, thank you so much and welcome, and we will turn it over to you, um, Reverend Rudolph. Thank you so very much, Councilmember Callaway, and thank you for the wonderful work that you are doing for District 2 and beyond. We're so grateful for your service, and certainly I greet um all of the members who are present. We thank God for council president James Tate. Uh, we thank God for you, Madam Chair, uh, my district two council member, and certainly for member Scott Benson, member Renata Miller, and all who are present. Let us look to the Lord. God, we thank you, we praise you, we honor you, we give you glory for who you are and for all that you do. God, we want to thank you for the city of Detroit and for all who have stepped up to serve. God, we thank you for our city council. We thank you for our brand new mayor who is already hitting the ground running. We thank you, God, for the ways in which Detroit is on the move because we have such good leadership. Now, God, we just pray that you would be in the midst of this meeting, that you would govern all conversations, that you would get the glory, and that you would have your way. Give strength and wisdom and courage to always do the right thing. And God, for whatever you do and however you bless, we won't take any credit for ourselves, but we'll give you glory, and it's in Jesus' name that we pray.
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