Neighborhood Community Service Standing Committee Meeting - March 5, 2026

The Neighborhood Community Service Standing Committee met on March 5, 2026, with Council President Pro Tem Coleman Young II presiding, along with Council Members Scott Benson, Renata Miller, and later joined by Council Member Johnson. The meeting featured extensive public testimony on water department issues, tree removal concerns, and a proposed development at Butzel Center, followed by a detailed presentation on the city's tree canopy inventory and a discussion on tree trimming contracts and forestry funding.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Betty Varner (President, DeSota Ellsworth Block Association): Urged council to waive the $1,500 fee for land use hearings for black clubs, requested funding for Finkel corridor improvements, and noted residents leaving the Lifetime H2O program remain responsible for overdue balances. Councilman Young responded that the water department issue is being investigated.
• Dante Smith: Questioned how the water department assesses leak credits, especially when water should not be on in a property. He urged council to create ordinances to better govern the water department, criticized Councilman Young's office for not helping residents, opposed a 54-unit development on the east side, and called for downzoning an M4-zoned residential area near the Kronos concrete mixing facility.
• William M. Davis: Supported Ms. Varner, called for a recreation center in District 7, and noted declining city services compared to the past.
• Aaron Smith (Owner, Detroit Grounds Crew): Raised concerns about the tree trimming contract bidding process. His company was the second-highest bidder among 11 bidders due to pricing for trees 90–150 inches in diameter—sizes that rarely exist. He suggested lower bidders may have submitted unrealistic pricing for those categories. Councilman Young noted a formal challenge process.
• Cunningham: Offered prayers for city officials and described distributing bus tickets and supplies at bus stops.
• Candy (caller from iPhone): Accused the city of cutting down four healthy trees on Peterborough that were part of historic Chinatown planters. She claimed trees were girdled and removed despite being viable, and that the city lied about future replacement.
• Caller 124: Supported Candy, criticized tree removal contracts potentially linked to DTE solar farms, alleged campaign contributions from DTE, and noted tree damage to a neighbor's house from negligent city work.
• Caller 039: Threatened to work to remove all elected officials if council did not help a person named Mimi, and alleged election fraud by the city clerk and others.
• Carolyn Hughes: Asked about the source of major street funding, supported waiving fees for Ms. Varner, criticized water department tree cutting, and questioned lead pipe replacement.
• Daisy Jackson (Island View resident for 55 years): Opposed a developer's plans to build an apartment building on the Butzel Center parking lot. She noted a petition against it, high rents on existing apartments, and asked for a community meeting with council members. Seniors lack online access to project information.
• Germany Coleman Young 2020: Opposed the Butzel parking lot development, noting $3–5 million recently invested in the playground and parking lot. He questioned why the city would demolish that investment when vacant city property exists across the street.
• Ms. Plowden: Complained about waiting over two years for tree removal of a dangerous tree. Her position on the list went from #6,000 to #3,000, and she asked when the removal list would be reactivated.
• Ms. Davis (Island View resident since 1958): Opposed the apartment building at Butzel, wanting to preserve the parking lot and playground that took years to realize.
• Terrell I. Hopkins (Owner, UCome First Housing): Had trouble uploading documents for a startup business grant and asked for assistance. She also questioned why the Land Bank repeatedly auctioned a property without awarding it, favoring investors over neighborhood residents.
• Ms. Mingo (Brush Park): Requested a public hearing before council regarding her property at 275 Watson. She complained about parking meters installed in a historic district without notice, and about a neighbor who destroyed her fence and trees and left debris. She requested the city clean up burnt debris.
• Jumbernell Gold Star Families Properties (virtual): Submitted written comments.
• Toya (virtual): Opposed the Butzel parking lot development, called the center a community hub since 1975, and asked Councilman Young (a fellow Island View resident) for a response.

Discussion Items

• Tree Canopy Inventory and Forestry Funding Presentation: Crystal Perkins, Director of General Services, presented the city's tree canopy status and forestry operations. Key points:
  • The forestry division manages 350,000 trees on public property with 33 budgeted positions (13 vacant). In-house crews average 45 tree jobs per week, focusing on emergencies.
  • Current budget is $5.8 million (100% street fund), covering $1.2 million for tree planting and $2.5 million for removal contracts.
  • Backlog of about 2,900 service requests from the Improve Detroit app and 200 from the ombudsman.
  • A citywide tree inventory completed in Districts 1–3 in 2025 identified 84,000 trees, 86% of which are healthy. The goal is to increase canopy from 22% to 40%.
  • Since 2022, 52,000 trees have been planted, with a target of 75,000 by 2027.
  • Ten tree trimming/removal contracts were awarded for up to three years with a total authority of approximately $24 million, but actual annual spending is limited to about $2.5 million. Sandra Ustall (Chief Procurement Officer) confirmed five of the ten vendors are Detroit-based, and eight currently employ Detroit residents.
  • A tree viewer app is being developed to allow residents and staff to access individual tree data in real time.
• Council Discussion:
  • Councilman Benson proposed a $4 million recurring increase from the general fund to the forestry division to expand in-house capacity, create a training pipeline, and make wages more competitive (current starting wage is $15.38/hour). He argued that hiring Detroiters would have a stronger local multiplier effect. The motion passed after a reconsideration.
  • Councilwoman Miller criticized the reliance on non-Detroit vendors, noting that dollars spent with out-of-city contractors leave Detroit. She emphasized the need to invest in city jobs and workforce development, pointing to low wages as a barrier to recruitment.
  • Councilwoman Johnson questioned prioritization of tree work (emergencies first, then backlog based on inspector assessments), the inspection and stump removal process, and how bids are evaluated when vendors price different tree sizes differently. She expressed concern about the high contract authority relative to actual spending.
  • Councilman Young asked about the long-term cost and timeline to service all 350,000 trees (5–10% annually), the potential impact on road funding if street funds are diverted, and whether autonomous tree trimming technology has been considered.

Key Outcomes

• Motion passed: Request to the administration and budget department for a $4 million recurring increase to the forestry division from the general fund, to support hiring Detroiters, increasing wages, and enhancing tree maintenance (passed on a voice vote).
• Line item 6.1 (tree trimming/removal contract with Green Street Tree Care, Dexter, MI) was corrected from a two-year to a three-year contract period and moved to formal session for approval.
• Line items 7.1–7.4 (petitions for events and a small engine repair contract) were moved to formal session.
• Line items 7.5 and 7.6 (memoranda from Council President Tate regarding tree program backlog and operational review) were received and filed.
• Meeting adjourned.