Detroit City Council Meeting Summary: February 25, 2026
Detroit City Council Meeting Summary: February 25, 2026
The Detroit City Council convened on February 25, 2026. The meeting included an invocation, approval of minutes, public comments from in-person speakers and nine telephone callers, and a discussion on the proposed 2026 Executive Organization Plan (EOP). The EOP discussion was recessed after council members requested supporting documents (budget crosswalk and org charts) to follow along.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Mr. Foster (in-person, 2 min): Cited Psalms 121 and Mark 3:25, urging unity among elected officials. Criticized policies as "not equitable" and stated that the black community in Detroit lives as "second-class citizens" lacking a legislative voice since John Conyers left Congress.
- Carolyn Hughes (phone): Asserted that Detroiters are treated as second-class citizens. Cited the 2012 charter's provisions on decent housing, job opportunities, and a clean environment, and claimed the council is falling short. Called for hiring an outside attorney to replace Corporation Counsel Matt Mallet, citing ethical concerns.
- Mr. Cuttingham (phone): Offered a prayer for the council, the mayor, and the first gentleman.
- William M. Davis (phone): Described the current Citizen Advisory Councils as having "no power, no real influence, no budget," contrasting with his experience as co-chair of University City A citizen district council in 1980. Called for policies prohibiting the city from indemnifying officials who violate policies or commit illegal acts.
- Betty A. Varner (phone): President of the Soda Ellsworth Black Association. Requesting a fund in the budget to assist small black organizations with the $1,500 fee for land use hearing applications. Also requested help for the Finkel corridor.
- Phone caller ending in 124 (phone): Complained about disparate treatment in blight ticket enforcement, alleging favored developers are not cited while residents receive collection notices without proper service. Urged the council to introduce legislation automatically dismissing tickets if the city cannot prove proper service.
- Call in user one (phone): Asked the council to enact policies to protect elders and disabled residents in apartment complexes from retaliation. Requested vocational skills training beyond construction, medical, or truck driving (e.g., electrolysis, eyelash training). Urged the council to hold landlords accountable, referencing Tatiana Williams' case.
- Sahira Ahmad (phone): Commented on Black History Month. Criticized the council's Christian invocations and advocated for incorporating feminine spirituality, citing Dr. Yosef Ben Yochannan. Stated that "invaders" worship a masculine force which she linked to current problems.
- Phone caller ending in 199 (phone): Retiree (age 80, zip code 48248) requested assistance with home repairs, noting that pension checks have not recovered after bankruptcy and that retirees do not qualify for HOPE applications. Council Member Callaway offered to provide resources and her office's contact.
- iPhone (phone): Caller was not audible; requested to send comments via email.
Discussion Items
- Member Miller's Clarification on Public Lighting Authority (PLA) Interviews: In response to Carolyn Hughes' public comment, Member Miller stated that although the LPD indicated three PLA members should be brought forward together, two of the three applicants withdrew in writing. The council will address the three positions after the administration submits additional applicants. The chair confirmed the council is waiting for the administration to commit to full submissions.
- Presentation on the 2026 Executive Organization Plan (EOP):
- Tanya Staldermeyer (CFO) and David Bowser (Chief of Staff) began presenting the proposed EOP amendment.
- Proposal: Establish a new Department of Human, Homeless, and Family Services (DHHFS) and make changes to three existing departments: HRD, the Mayor's Office, and DPD.
- Budget (approximate): HRD's current $90.6 million budget would be split as follows:
- HRD: $45.9 million
- DHHFS: $41.4 million
- OCFO (for financial compliance monitoring): $3.1 million
- The plan is described as having "no net impact" on the budget, with vacant positions being reprioritized.
- Council members requested a budget crosswalk (tabular breakdown) and the most recent org chart for DHHFS to follow the presentation.
Key Outcomes
- Recess: The meeting recessed to the call of the chair to allow staff to provide the requested budget crosswalk and org chart documents. No vote or decision was taken on the EOP.
- Approval of Minutes: Minutes from a prior meeting were approved by motion with no objections.
- Directives: Council Member Callaway offered to connect the retiree (caller 199) with resources and her councilperson's contact information.
Meeting Transcript
Prayer booklet or devotional. And it says in Psalms 121 to 3. I lift up my eyes to the hills from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved. He who keeps you will not slumber. Thank you so much, Peter. Is there a motion for the approval of the minutes? Motion. Any objections. Hearing none, that action shall be taken. Thank you so much. There are um no chair remarks. Um public comment is now closed. Public comment is now closed. Is there anyone here in the room who would like to make public comment in person? If so, please um take the microphone. When you get there, you can um press the button at the base of the microphone, and when it turns green, you can start. And good morning, Mr. Foster. You have um two minutes. Um good morning through the chair. Just wanted to come down first, very nice invocation. Psalms 121 in this entirety is a good chapter. I encourage everyone to read the whole song. Um Mark 325, and if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. So that goes across the board, whether we are the state of union, uh state of the nation address, legislative body have to be together on one accord with a common denominator, uplifting humanity. I think that would be the common grounds for all of our legislators, and so um to have so much discord across this nation in this state and in the city, it's not a testament to the government, governor or the president, it's a testament to our elected officials who represent us. Just hold on, Mr. Foster. I don't see the clock um on the screen. Good morning, madam chair. Give me one moment Mr. Foster, we're gonna um you can pick up where you left off, but we're still gonna give you two minutes. Yes, ma'am. So I appreciate it. Um I think it's important. Mr. Foster, we have to wait till we can see your time. Ms. Okay, Mr. Foster. Yeah, so um wanted to just once again say thank you for the time. But um our legislative bodies have to find ways to work together. I often say that religion divides people, but spirituality is the uniter. As a spiritual person, you'd be able to converse and get along with any and everybody from any denomination, any adverse views and things. And so I think that's a testament to our walks and lives. Now, as legislators, you all are elected to represent the people. The policies that's been coming down have not been equitable. They have been for for greed and for self-glory and for self-promotions and things of those sort.
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