Detroit City Council Honors Detective Earl Easy Monroe and Conducts Business - February 26, 2026
Detroit City Council Meeting - February 26, 2026
The Detroit City Council, presided over by President Pro Tempore Coleman A. Young II, convened on February 26, 2026. The meeting featured a special presentation honoring Detective Earl "Easy" Monroe upon his retirement after 40 years of service, followed by public comments and discussion of several agenda items including parade permits, contracts, and grant approvals.
Special Presentation: Spirit of Detroit Award
- The Council presented the Spirit of Detroit Award to Detective Earl "Easy" Monroe, recognizing his 40 years of service with the Detroit Police Department (from January 6, 1986, through February 26, 2020, as stated in the award, though the meeting took place in 2026). Multiple speakers, including President Pro Tempore Young, Corporation Counsel, and councilmembers, praised Monroe's dedication, sacrifice, and leadership.
- Detective Monroe thanked his family, partner, bosses, and teammates for supporting his career. Other officers in attendance with eight hash marks (indicating 40+ years) were also acknowledged.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Jadante Smith (in-person): Alleged corruption and bribery by city officials including Councilmember Scott Benson and others, claimed a job offer was a bribe to stop his activism, and called for the removal of Conrad Mallet from the Board of Police Commissioners and for Corporation Counsel to recuse himself due to conflict of interest. He stated he is pursuing legal action.
- Cunningham (virtual): Promoted his mutual aid efforts (distributing hand warmers, gloves, bus tickets) and urged love and grace. Mentioned a SMART board meeting.
- Betty A. Varner (virtual): President of DeSoda Ellsworth Block Association, requested that the city budget include funds for Black clubs and 501(c)(3)s, and asked for the $1,500 land use hearing fee to be waived for such groups. Also requested support for a Think Accorder project.
- William M. Davis (virtual): Praised the officer recognition but called for more recognition of current workers and older retirees. Urged the city to work to eliminate the emergency management law, citing harms from the bankruptcy.
- Owner Papa (virtual): Agreed with Davis, criticized the neighborhoods committee for not doing enough, questioned the distribution of Neighborhood Enterprise Zones (NEZs) in District 7, and argued that community benefits should extend beyond development areas. Opposed large tax abatements.
- Cicely McClellan (virtual): Raised concerns about water rate increases by GLWA, noting that only $4 million is contributed to water affordability while 60,000 households are eligible. Urged support for state water affordability bills (HB 4555 and 5170-5173). Also criticized the bankruptcy's impact on retiree annuities.
- Maggie Ward (virtual): Discussed police response issues in District 5 and alleged disparate treatment by the Land Bank, citing a developer-owned open-to-trespass structure. Questioned how a similar property she reported got boarded up after showing photos to councilmembers. Opposed Conrad Mallet's reappointment and urged scrutiny of the Detroit Solar Scheme.
- Celeste Turner (virtual): Representing the Malvern Hill Neighborhood Association in District 1, requested a formal update on the Rogel Park plan. Opposed proposed low-income housing on the park site, stating the community wants the entire site to remain green space. Reported a zoning change meeting occurred without proper notification and that a petition with 129 signatures has been initiated.
- Caller 039 (virtual): Threatened to sue after being removed from a previous committee meeting by Angela Whitfield Callaway, alleging violations of his rights. Made general allegations of election cheating.
- Caller 169 (virtual): Praised Cunningham's community work and urged love over hate.
- Caller 558 / Jeremy (virtual): Complained about poor bus service, dirty and outdated buses, lack of enough buses, and no accommodation when scheduled buses don't run. Asked what can be done for better buses.
Discussion Items
- Line 6.1 (Rocket Giving Fund - Rocket Classic golf tournament): Motion to move to formal session for approval passed without objection.
- Line 6.2 (United Irish Societies - St. Patrick's Day Parade): Motion to move to formal session for approval passed.
- Line 6.3 (Apex Events - Detroit Shamrock Festival): Motion to move to formal session for approval passed.
- Line 6.4 (Office of Contract and Procurement - attenuator trailers): After questions about life expectancy and fleet size (three existing, aiming for five total), motion to move to formal session for approval passed.
- Line 6.5 (Tree trimming and removal contract - corrected amount): The contract amount was corrected to $3 million. Councilmember Benson moved to bring the item back in one week (March 5, 2026) after a presentation on expanding the forestry department and hiring Detroit residents. Motion passed without objection.
- Line 6.6 (Grant application to Michigan DNR for Hope Park - $800,000 total): Motion to approve and move to formal session passed.
- Line 6.7 (NRPA healthy aging grant - $2,500): Motion to approve passed.
- Line 6.9 (Trust Fund Grant for Walker Williams Rec Center - location clarified): Initially deferred, then moved to formal session for approval after location was provided.
- Line 6.10 (Cash donation from McAlvey Merchants and Associates - $500 to Ombudsman office): Councilmembers questioned why such a small donation requires council approval. Corporation Counsel confirmed it is required by code. Motion to move to formal session passed.
Key Outcomes
- Approved for formal session: Lines 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.6, 6.7, 6.9, 6.10.
- Delayed: Line 6.5 was held for one week (to March 5, 2026) pending a presentation on forestry expansion and hiring Detroit residents.
- Public comment closed: Both in-person and virtual public comments were heard.
- Councilmember Miller announced a morning mingle on February 27 and a deed fraud protection town hall on February 28.
Meeting Transcript
You have a corn present. Excellent. Thank you for putting that pro tempere on there. I appreciate that. All right. We now have a very special presentation that we are going to get into right now. Today we honor a police officer who chose a life of service. Being a police officer is not just a job. It's a commitment made every single day. A commitment to show up when others are running away. A commitment to stand in the gap between danger and safety. A commitment to serve the people from every walk of life with fairness and courage. A commitment to be willing to give the ultimate sacrifice of your life every day for those you don't even know. This officer has done that with strength and integrity. Behind the badge is a person who has missed family dinners, worked long nights, and carried the weight of difficult decisions. The uniform represents authority, but it also represents responsibility. And that responsibility has been carried with honor. Policing is not easy. Requires patience, intense moments, compassion, and painful ones, and courage in the face of uncertainty. Demands calm judgment when seconds matter and requires heart, even when the job tests it. Today we recognize not just the role, but the character of the person who is worn it. We thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and your steady presence in our community. Your work has made a difference. So with that, it is my honor, along with my colleagues, to present this Spirit of Detroit Award, presented as an expression of the gratitude and esteem of the people of Detroit to the significantly important and tremendously viable Earl Easy Moreau, everybody. Let's give a round of applause. Monday, January 6, 1986, through Thursday, February 26, 2020. I mean the date you man. I had to read that. All right. You are indeed a champion for the people of Detroit. You are an asset to our great city of Detroit. We thank you and are eternally grateful for your tireless efforts, exceptional achievement, outstanding leadership, and dedicated devotion that lifts the spirits and hearts of the people of Detroit, Michigan, and America. The Honorable Coleman A. Young II, Detroit City Council President Pro Tempore at Large, with the entire Detroit City Council of Detroit, Michigan, wants to say thank you for the four years of dedicated service to Detective Earl Easy Monroe, everybody. Okay. Mr. Detective Monroe, is there anything you want to say, sir? Make sure you push that button right there until it turns green on the bottom. I just wanted to thank everybody that had an intricate part in my journey in this 40 years for my family dealing with me, not being at certain functions. So my partner putting up with me for the 30 plus years. My partner slash sister. That's my sister now. You know, my I have good bosses that made this transition very easy for me. If it wasn't for the bosses and my teammates that I work with, it wouldn't have been I'd probably have been gone at 30. But I was able to drag it on because I had good people I was working with. So I appreciate everything everybody's done for me. Well, that's excellent. Does anybody else hear anything they want to say? Go ahead. Yeah.
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