Public Health and Safety Standing Committee Meeting - March 9, 2026

The Public Health and Safety Standing Committee met on Monday, March 9, 2026, at a different time than usual (not 10 a.m.) to consider several agenda items, including a presentation from the Department of Public Works (DPW) on Complete Streets, public comments on environmental contamination and flooding, and multiple contracts and memos. The session began with roll call, approval of prior minutes, and general public comments, followed by discussion on unfinished business, new business contracts, and member reports.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Charlie Leduff spoke in person about contract 3091332 for fill removal and replacement at 5558 Ivanhoe, noting the cost increased from $18,000 to $37,000 and questioning the emergency designation. He also raised concerns about an open hole at 1443 Tacoma, stating children's toys were nearby, and alleged that documentation for work done by Gayanga (Gyenga) company was forged, calling for a holistic investigation into city-wide soil contamination.
• William M. Davis (online) expressed concern about DWSD's response plan for citywide flooding (item 6.2), stating flooding and problems have increased since the bankruptcy. He also criticized enforcement of blight violations (item 6.3), noting too many private violations and urging that buildings with tax debts not receive economic incentives.
• Owner Papa (online) emphasized the need to address "dirty dirt" contamination across the city, questioned the lack of a recreation center in District 7, and called for an investigation into why seniors are living in poor conditions and why residents displaced from buildings have not been allowed to return.

Discussion Items

• Complete Streets Presentation (DPW) – Deputy Director Christina Peltier presented the department's Complete Streets program, covering policy development, safety programs, streetscape projects, and safe routes to school. Key points included: 25-30% of Detroit residents lack vehicle access; the team has 6 staff; a federal Safe Streets for All grant of $31 million (2022) addresses the 17 most dangerous local corridors, and another $31 million (2023) targets 56 bus stops; a $12.5 million grant for safer Gratiot Avenue is pending federal agreement. Future plans include updating the non-motorized plan (first written in 2006) and the Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, with community engagement expected in the next six months. Streetscape projects (17 across the city) use bond, ARPA, and TAP funds. Safe Routes to School provides $2.2–2.5 million annually for sidewalk and crosswalk improvements, though lighting is not included; partnerships with Public Lighting Authority are being developed. Councilmembers asked about including "third places" (plazas, alley activations) in the non-motorized plan, bike connections from Rouge Park to the Joe Louis Greenway, and specific safety concerns on Livernois, Gratiot, and Jefferson. The Deputy noted the federal government has prohibited road diets (lane removal) in the grant agreement, which Councilmember McCampbell called "absolutely ridiculous."
• Unfinished Business Memos (Items 6.1-6.10) – Several memos were discussed and either brought back for further review or received and filed: 6.1 (city cameras/Flock) brought back in 2 weeks; 6.2 (DWSD flood plan) brought back in 1 week; 6.3 (blight violations) brought back in 2 weeks; 6.4 (ordinance updates on fugitive dust, language access, healthcare facilities) received and filed; 6.5 (pre-sale inspections) received and filed; 6.6 (eviction moratorium) brought back in 2 weeks; 6.7 (rental application fees) received and filed; 6.8 (commercial buildings with liens on demo list) brought back in 1 week; 6.9 (public restrooms) brought back in 2 weeks; 6.10 (quick claim deeds) brought back in 2 weeks.
• Demolition Contracts (Items 7.1-7.13) – The committee approved emergency demolition contracts for multiple properties (total approx. $509,000) after discussion about the emergency demo process. City staff explained that BSEED sends signed emergency letters, photos, and parcel maps, and properties must come down within three days after utility clearance. Councilmembers raised concerns about the cost of emergency demos and asked that the city work with owners to salvage properties where possible.
• Contract 7.14 (Fill Removal at 5558 Ivanhoe) – Removed from the agenda because it fell under the $50,000 threshold and was not a notice of emergency. Staff stated the site currently has an open hole awaiting environmental testing, and that it should be fenced. Councilmembers expressed concern about taxpayer liability for a previous contractor's work and asked for a broader update on contaminated soil sites.
• Fire Department PPE Contract (Item 7.15) – Approved for $4.3 million over three years to replace turnout gear. The contractor is Fire Acquisition Company (Ohio) because local vendors cannot handle the volume. The gear is required every 10 years per NFPA standards.
• HIV Services Contracts (Items 7.16-7.25) – Approved approximately $10.6 million in total for Ryan White Part A and Ending the HIV Epidemic programs, covering multiple subrecipients across the region. The Health Department explained that a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) process is used, and subrecipients provide a wide range of services. In FY24, 3,676 clients received services, with 1,145 achieving viral suppression (86.2%), 549 of whom were Detroit residents.
• Bus Shelters and Benches Contract (Item 7.28) – Approved $557,000 for installation of bus shelters and benches. DDOT Director Kramer said a list of 110 shelter locations is pending state/federal approval (Title VI/SHIP), and 200 bench locations are already being installed, with priority given to high-ridership stops and low-frequency routes.
• Supply Schedule Amendment (Item 7.29) – Approved to add four vendors (DLZ, OHM Advisors, PEA Group, HDR Michigan) to the $81.3 million engineering/architectural services supply schedule.
• Grant Application for Vernor Commercial Corridor (Item 7.30) – Approved to apply for a $16 million BUILD grant from USDOT to construct a streetscape on West Vernor from Woodmere to Central. The project includes removing existing unprotected bike lanes and moving them to alleys, widening sidewalks, and increasing on-street parking, based on community engagement from 2024.
• Street Vacation petition (Item 7.33) – Approved for 24th Street (vacation with utility easements).
• Encroachment petition (Item 7.35) – Approved for decorative pavers and tree grates.
• Memos (Items 7.31, 7.32, 7.36, 7.37) – Resolution recognizing Black History Month (7.31) sent to new business; report on pre-sale inspections (7.32) received and filed; memo on DPS debts (7.36) received and filed; item 7.37 brought back in 2 weeks.

Key Outcomes

• Approved and sent to formal session with recommendation to approve: Contracts 7.1–7.13 (demolitions), 7.15 (fire PPE), 7.16–7.25 (HIV services), 7.26 (DPW hardware), 7.27 (parts cleaning lease), 7.29 (supply schedule amendment), 7.33–7.35 (street vacation and encroachments).
• Approved and sent to new business: Items 7.15 (fire PPE), 7.28 (bus shelters/benches), 7.30 (Vernor grant application), 7.31 (Black History Month resolution).
• Removed from agenda: Contract 7.14 (fill removal at 5558 Ivanhoe) because it falls under $50k threshold and is not an emergency.
• Brought back in future meetings: Items 6.1 (2 weeks), 6.2 (1 week), 6.3 (2 weeks), 6.6 (2 weeks), 6.8 (1 week), 6.9 (2 weeks), 6.10 (2 weeks), 7.37 (2 weeks).
• Received and filed: Items 6.4, 6.5, 6.7, 7.32, 7.36.
• Next steps: The committee will hold budget hearings following the mayor's budget proposal. DPW will begin community engagement on the non-motorized plan and Comprehensive Safety Action Plan within approximately six months. DDOT will return for council approval of specific shelter locations.