OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Detroit Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting - March 16, 2026

City CouncilMonday, March 16, 2026
BodyDetroit, Michigan
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, March 16, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record

STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Everyone, I would like to call to order our public health and safety standing committee for today, Monday, March 16th, 2026.

0:09

Miller Clerk please call the roll.

0:11

Good morning, Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero.

0:14

Good morning, present.

0:15

Councilmember Denzel McCampbell.

0:18

Councilmember Mary Waters.

0:20

Present.

0:23

Thank you, Mr.

0:24

Clerk.

0:24

Given a quorum, we'll go right into the agenda for today.

0:29

Just want to remind everyone that we are in budget season, meaning that our meeting today will be constrained to one hour before we go into hearings for the rest of the day.

0:42

If you're interested in the hearing today, we will hear from the fire department's construction and demolition.

0:48

And then for the afternoon, we will hear from DDOP Transportation.

0:53

And if you're interested in any of those hearings, please join us.

0:58

But we'll go into the agenda for our session for today.

1:06

Motion.

1:07

Hearing no objections, our minutes will be approved from our last session.

1:12

Just shared brief chair remarks for uh this morning.

1:15

Again, reminding everyone of what's to come ahead for today and for the next few weeks.

1:27

Go into general public comment for this morning.

1:31

If the clerk can please note, we've been joined by our vice chair McCampbell.

1:35

Clerk will send out.

1:36

Thank you.

1:38

And with that, we'll go into general public comments.

1:41

I don't see anyone here in person.

1:43

If you are online, please raise your hands now.

1:45

If you would like to make general public comments, I will be cutting off public comment in two minutes.

1:50

So at 9 04, public comment will be cut off.

1:54

Please raise your hands now if you want to be added to the queue.

1:58

And we will begin with the folks online, noting that there's nobody here in person for public comments.

2:11

Morning, madam chair.

2:13

Um there are five hands raised online.

2:16

All right.

2:16

We will get everyone a minute and a half for this morning.

2:20

Again, we only have an hour for committee.

2:22

So we'll give everyone a minute and a half for general public comment this morning.

2:28

And I see the time is on the screen.

2:31

Thank you.

2:32

Whenever you're ready, we can begin with the first caller.

2:35

First caller is William M.

2:37

Davis.

2:42

Mr.

2:43

Davis, if you can hear us.

2:46

Good morning.

2:47

Can I be heard?

2:48

Yes, good morning.

2:49

Yes, I I like your um the questions you send into the water department.

2:54

I think more needs to be done with the water department.

2:58

As you may or may not know, I worked for the water department for 34 years.

3:02

And we used to actually do more preparative planning.

3:06

Um, you know, we had floods during the time that I was there, but very rarely we've had more floods in the last 13 years since the bankruptcy than I think than the whole 34 years I worked for the water department.

3:22

Uh also you might want to find out are they actually doing any uh emergent emergency preparedness planning?

3:29

Because we used to do mark exercises, you know, to deal with none of a different type of contingency.

3:34

Uh myself and a few others was you know, chant was uh trained with uh FEMA Instant Commander training, you know, to deal with a number of things because at the wastewater treatment plant where I worked at oh out in Southwest Detroit, you know, they have tank cars of chlorine, and you know, we had to deal with possibilities of leaks that could adversely affect the whole downriver community in Southwest Detroit.

3:59

So hopefully you can encourage them to do more than what they are doing and be a little bit more responsive and plan for more potential problems.

4:08

Thank you.

4:10

Thank you.

4:11

And there is a climate recovery task force that me and member Johnson, member waters as well, I believe are part of, and we are meeting with various departments, including emergency management.

4:24

Um we will talk with water because a lot of the reason why we are having this task force is because of flooding.

4:30

Um, so thank you.

4:31

And Mr.

4:32

Davis, I would actually like to hear from you your thoughts on prevention.

4:35

Um, because I am beginning to think that maybe we could um prevent a lot of the problems that we have if we just took care of our assets.

4:44

Uh, with that, public comments, general public comments is cut off.

4:48

Mr.

4:49

Foster, I saw you walk in before 904.

4:51

Would you like to make public comments?

4:53

All right.

4:54

You you are free to join us uh since you are here in person.

5:00

Uh, but for everyone else, public comments is now cut off.

5:02

Mr.

5:03

Foster did make it before the cutoff.

5:05

And whenever you're ready, sir, you can make sure your microphone is on and you can begin.

5:10

Oh, good morning through the chair.

5:12

I did want to bring to your attention uh for whatever reason.

5:16

Um, I don't have access to raise my hand on uh devices.

5:21

Um, none of my devices, so if that could be addressed, I would appreciate it.

5:28

Um I do believe in some ways that it's intentional.

5:33

But I did want to speak uh just very briefly about uh police union.

5:39

I spoke um over the weekend a few times, you know, in 1997, the city had prosecuted Star Scared Hush, the police department.

5:52

They got appealed at '97 based upon the showing of Malcolm X and the jurors.

5:59

Right.

6:01

The police union stood up and gave them the best representation that money could buy.

6:07

Not only that, they did it for a lot of the other officers to have egregious acts.

6:13

As well as our previously spoke, this police union do not see right or wrong.

6:18

They don't see good or evil, they only see blue.

6:22

And they have to make some stand at some point and acknowledge their wrongs and a desire to do different in this community.

6:33

They cannot just move forward as things stand as if this is a fresh start.

6:39

They have to acknowledge their wrongs and make a new start.

6:43

Thank you.

6:44

Thank you.

6:45

Thank you, Mr.

6:45

Foster.

6:46

Before you hand out, if if you're okay with this, I would like us to look at your phone so that when you raise your hand so that we can make sure that it that it's being done correctly, because we are not going to lower your hands, sir.

6:59

So I want to make sure that we that we got it on the back end so that it works.

7:03

Okay, thank you.

7:04

Thank you, Mr.

7:04

Foster.

7:05

Uh, we will now turn it over to the folks that we have online.

7:08

Um, who do we have next?

7:12

Our next caller is caller ending in one six nine.

7:16

Caller ending in one six nine.

7:23

Hello, can you guys hear me?

7:25

Yes, we can.

7:27

Great.

7:28

Um, I just want to say thank you, thank you, thank you.

7:31

Um, yes, I'm talking to you, all of you.

7:34

I appreciate all of you for praying and helping help people.

7:39

When I think of Cunningham, I think of the word gumption.

7:42

Um, gumption is defined as bold initiative, courage, resourcefulness, and common sense combined.

7:49

It refers to the drive and mental acuity to take action, especially in difficult situations, often described as having guts or smunk.

7:58

It implies being a self-starter who possesses both practical understanding and the audacity to succeed.

8:07

Thank you and fix D dot.

8:11

Thank you.

8:15

Our next caller is Betty A.

8:17

Varner.

8:22

Uh good morning to all within the sound of my voice.

8:25

I'm Betty A.

8:26

Barner, the president of the Soda Else for Black Association.

8:30

Uh, giving information this morning.

8:32

If you are a caregiver for your loved one, and you need some assistance, you need to take a break.

8:42

But you uh daily or whenever you are helping your loved one, you're doing it from your heart, but you need help.

8:51

There's a program, community solutions, and Mrs.

8:54

Deborah A.

8:56

Roy is the executive director.

8:58

She has multiple programs under her umbrella.

9:02

Some you need Medicaid, some you don't.

9:05

But she had what's unique about her program.

9:07

She has one program that's focuses on caregivers.

9:12

And you, if you become a part of that program, you get support, and also the person that you are providing the care for gets support.

9:23

They come into the home.

9:24

She had people coming to the home to assist your uh loved one with what it is they need.

9:31

You also receive services.

9:33

You can get there's group activities.

9:36

Uh they go on luncheons.

9:38

Uh you can get a massage, uh, you can get your nails done, and they have uh activities and things for the men if they're caregivers, and it's all free, and you can call 31348-438-08.

9:54

You don't need to be on Medicaid.

9:56

313.

9:58

Thank you, Ms.

9:58

Varner.

10:00

We really appreciate your information.

10:01

Thank you.

10:04

The next caller is Owner Papa.

10:13

Miss Carolyn Hughes, you're up next.

10:24

Ms.

10:24

Hughes, if you're speaking, we cannot hear you.

10:27

You have been made a panelist.

10:29

You just have to unmute yourself.

10:37

Ms.

10:38

Hughes, I think we have about a few more callers, so we'll add you to the bottom of the queue.

10:44

Um, but we will be calling on you shortly.

10:46

Who do we have next?

10:48

Next we have Mr.

10:49

Cunningham.

10:52

Brother Cunningham.

10:57

Greetings, everyone.

10:59

Um, I had some flowers made.

11:00

Uh, Megan Owens of TRU donated some money towards flowers for Stephen Halloween.

11:07

Uh, he had to be corrected a few times, uh, public comment.

11:11

He was not always the kindness, but he was a transit advocate, and when you told him there was a problem, he tried to fix it.

11:21

He died in Florida in a car accident.

11:24

Oh, so I got flowers on behalf of Transit Riders United and Brother Cunningham.

11:29

So pray for that family.

11:32

Also, in regards to all the things going on with D dot.

11:36

Uh Mr.

11:38

Corey Holmes needs to be rehired.

11:41

Mr.

11:41

Corey Holmes needs to be rehired.

11:46

And I'm praying for the director.

11:49

Um, Mr.

11:50

Kramer.

11:51

We have a great rapport and the windows uh or the um just a phone call away if there's any issues or problems, and that's why I keep Cramer in my prayers daily.

12:03

But again, Mr.

12:04

Holmes needs to be made whole, and some issues with D dot, or I think that it should be borderless pair of transit.

12:15

All people should have free um fare, it should be free fare just like they do on the people mover and the queue line.

12:21

They have sponsorship, and I believe it every single person should not pay fair on D dot.

12:28

Thank you so much, everybody.

12:31

Thank you.

12:33

The next caller is caller ending in 482.

12:41

Caller ending in 482.

12:43

You're up next.

12:50

Yeah, hey Gabriella, I'm here now.

12:54

You uh lie.

13:00

That's just I'm gonna just flat out say what it is.

13:03

You lie.

13:11

On May the night.

13:13

You're liar.

13:15

And uh Rockel Lopez that she's you in the office.

13:27

I'm a resident over in District 6.

13:30

I don't think you really knew or understood.

13:34

And uh um Latino community, Mexican community over in uh district six.

13:44

I got friends who got friends who got friends, and I know a lot about you now.

13:50

Um I'm a resident in every single district in the city of Detroit.

13:55

Y'all didn't know that.

13:57

And I'm also young blood from the Brewster Project of 1980.

14:02

Told y'all that also told y'all I was real.

14:06

Uh Nini won't what she won't.

14:09

You uh stood in the way, maybe live.

14:13

Y'all been busted.

14:14

Dennis been cheating in the election for 15 years.

14:19

But I can only prove since 2020, and Donald Trump got their story.

14:25

Thank you.

14:28

The last caller is returning to owner papa.

14:32

We'll check and correct Miss Hughes.

14:37

If you can hear us, you're up, you're up next.

14:46

Hughes, I'm sorry, but we cannot hear you if you're speaking.

14:50

And I do have to move us along now to the rest of the agenda given the short time.

14:55

But Miss Hughes, I welcome you to a call in for public comments today.

15:00

We will have a morning session for budget and an afternoon session, but I will have to move us along.

15:06

We'll hear from you soon.

15:07

Hope you have a good morning.

15:09

Given that being our last caller, I will move us along to the rest of the agenda.

15:15

Thank you.

15:16

Under unfinished business, 5.1.

15:23

This is the memo that Mr.

15:26

Davis mentioned regarding water, uh, the water departments and how we plan for citywide flooding.

15:33

Is there a motion to discuss?

15:38

Discussion.

15:39

Thank you, Vice Chair.

15:40

I just want to share briefly, um, and I've shared this before.

15:44

I I it does seem like the city knows what needs to be done.

15:48

We need to replace our old infrastructure.

15:51

Um, and until we have the money from the state, federal government or the city, um, it's just gonna be done in phases.

15:59

Um this uh memo also mentioned the water department's uh focus on maintaining our our catch basins, the infrastructure.

16:11

Um but as I'm riding around the city and I'm seeing a lot of flooding happening in our neighborhoods, I'm seeing a lot of trash, a lot of debris, a lot of leaves that are being picked up by the water departments.

16:21

And I think just like with everything else in your home, if you maintain it, if you prevent something from happening, it prevents something from breaking.

16:28

Um, which is why I'm asking around vacuums or preventative measures to keep debris from our cash basins and and and pipes as well.

16:38

Um just wanted to share what was shared with us, what their plans are, um, and just as we're thinking about our work, as we're thinking about our neighborhoods and our homes, that we do our part two and clean our leaves, put those away, put them in compost do something.

16:54

Um, but this is really gonna take all of us, not just the city maintaining our our our infrastructure.

17:01

Um that's just a side note that I wanted to share there.

17:05

Um, but we did receive the responses to this.

17:08

And if there's nothing else to be shared, Vice Chair.

17:11

Well, Chair, uh thank you.

17:13

I also want to echo the preventative side.

17:16

You know, there's um it was a resident that called our office back in well when I was campaigning, had issues with the catch basement being cleaned.

17:28

Uh and then just last weekend called our office again because it was about flooding um in our area.

17:34

So definitely uh want to echo the need of that preventative side because I believe it would prevent a lot of the flood and that we are seeing, as you mentioned.

17:42

Um and I also residents asked about the vacuum um truck as well, as they see other communities of just having the leaves out and then the truck comes and cleans them up.

17:54

So appreciate you asking about that to the water department.

17:57

I think we can also ask that to DPW as well when they are before.

18:01

So thank you.

18:02

Thank you, Vice Chair.

18:03

Yes, that is the plan to see if we can do that.

18:07

Um, but I I deeply understand the responsibility on the city to do our job.

18:12

And as I sit here realizing how much we have to do, it's a collective effort, I believe.

18:17

Um so I think it's also a change of culture and responsibility.

18:20

Um, but I'm here for it.

18:21

Uh with that, if there's nothing else, uh we will continue this conversation, but we can receive and file without objection.

18:28

5.1 can be received and filed.

18:32

5.2.

18:33

This is a memo relative to request for information on commercial buildings with liens and fines on a demolition list.

18:39

We've been asked to bring this back in one week.

18:42

Motion.

18:42

Hearing no objections, 5.2 will be brought back in one week.

18:47

Under new business, uh, the chief, excuse me, under new business under the Office of Contracting and Procurements.

18:54

6.1.

18:55

This is contract number 6007651, utilizing 100% uh opioid settlements funding.

19:03

This is to provide administration of the RX Kids program.

19:07

The contractor is Michigan State University.

19:10

They are located in Lansing.

19:12

This will be for one million five hundred thousand, and this will go to the health departments.

19:17

I if there's a motion to discuss, motion.

19:20

Thank you.

19:20

We are joined here by Luke Schaefer.

19:23

Thank you so much, Doc, for joining us.

19:25

We um I'm curious to uh just hear how we decided to use the opioid funding for this.

19:31

Um what this will do.

19:34

I know that's the RX funding will come a little bit from the city grants.

19:39

Just wondering what's gonna fund RX kids.

19:42

And if you wouldn't mind if the microphone is on, I can't tell.

19:46

If it's green, it's on whenever you're ready.

19:48

Thank you.

19:48

Uh to the chair, uh, wonderful to be with you.

19:52

Uh, as you said, our skids is funded uh through a combination of state funding, uh, about um 30 some million uh philanthropy uh and from the city.

20:02

Uh the money goes both to um administration of the program, uh, and but uh the large majority of the funds goes to the cash transfers to uh pregnant families and um families with infants, pregnant women and families with infants.

20:18

Um the uh opioid dollars uh were chosen uh to use to enable the city to contribute both to uh the cash transfers that go directly to families uh and administration because of the limits on uh general fund.

20:33

Uh and there's a great deal of evidence that uh cash transfers, especially during um uh periods with uh um major health challenges, including pregnancy and childbirth, uh can have positive uh impacts in improving outcomes in terms of um things like postpartum depression, as we've seen in our kids, um, and reduce the risk of uh of drug use.

20:56

And so that is why uh those are the reasons why the opioid dollars were chosen.

21:01

Okay, thank you.

21:03

Are there any other questions, Vice Chair?

21:06

Thank you, Madam Chair, and good morning.

21:08

Um I just wanted to, if you could just share for folks that are listening some of the uh results that you all have seen from our excuse.

21:18

Because I just want folks to um know about the immediate impact and the long-term impact that you may have seen so far.

21:25

Uh through the chair, thank you, uh, council member McCampbell.

21:28

Uh I'm very happy to always talk about uh the findings.

21:31

So Arx Kids is a program uh for every pregnant Detroiter in the city uh in mid-pregnancy, $1,500 and then $500 a month for the first uh six months after birth.

21:43

Um it is there's no income limits.

21:46

It's for everyone who lives in the city who fit those criteria.

21:49

It's now a program that uh is in is uh operating in over 35 communities and started in Flint, Michigan, uh, but in Pontiac, Kalamazoo, the entire Upper Peninsula, um, a number of rural communities uh also in the upper mitten and now Detroit.

22:09

Uh we have published research now that shows uh that these uh unconditional cash prescriptions uh in Flint have increased uh prenatal care quite sizably.

22:19

Um pregnant uh women are entering into prenatal care earlier.

22:26

Um they're less likely to not go at all, they're more likely to go to at least one, and they're going to more appointments.

22:32

Uh we have uh new research uh showing an improvement in uh birth weight as well as a reduction in preterm birth and a reduction in NICU admissions.

22:42

Um all of this is both flowing through increased prenatal care uh as well as reduced stress uh related to having more money during pregnancy.

22:53

Um and then uh after birth, we're seeing uh increases, I'm sorry, reductions in eviction, so increases in housing stability and reductions in postpartum depression.

23:04

Another uh secondary effect of RX Kids uh an independent group of uh labor economists uh have produced a report um finding that uh for every dollar in RX Kids that has gone into Flint uh is generated um one to three more dollars throughout the uh Flint community um in a hundred to two hundred jobs uh as uh as moms tend to spend the money uh directly uh in the communities where they live, buying diapers, paying the rent, uh, and that generates increased economic activity.

23:41

Thank you.

23:41

I and I know um I want to make clear, as you said, the published research and independent um economists that that is uh tried and true information that uh goes under a lot of stringent standards.

23:56

So I just want folks to know that um these uh these are folks that are looking into this program, and as we get, I'm sure as we get more folks and more time in Detroit, we'll have Detroit funders as well.

24:06

So just wanted I just want to thank you so much uh for um letting us know about that and uh again, you know, programs like RS Kids is um I believe essential for our folks here in Detroit and and across the state of Michigan, as you mentioned, and really helps improve the conditions of folks, both health and um economics.

24:28

So thank you so much.

24:29

Thank you.

24:29

Thank you, madam chair.

24:31

Thank you.

24:32

I too am really excited about this program.

24:36

My only question is sustainability of the program.

24:40

Do you have any sense how long the administration plans to do this?

24:45

Um my hope would be that as long as possible, but is there an end date to the program?

24:51

Do you think, or are we hoping to administer this moving forward?

24:55

Uh to the chair.

25:00

Uh the current funding at the state level, which is the biggest part of the funding uh will pay for the program for uh three full years.

25:08

So we're just starting that, so we're looking at three years uh right now.

25:13

Um the philanthropy is uh almost the the part philanthropy has to pay is almost to the three-year mark as well.

25:20

Uh so it is uh I'm quite certain will be sustained for that period.

25:24

Uh but one of the very exciting things about the program is uh the uh incredible uh wide base support uh that it's received with uh being something that's very popular among both families as well as uh legislators in rural parts of Michigan as well as cities, um Governor Whitmer as voice support um and uh many many uh uh state lawmakers uh across the aisle.

25:50

Uh and so while there's three years of funding uh committed right now, uh I I feel that the um my analysis is that the uh program is in a good position to continue uh well after that.

26:02

Okay, awesome.

26:03

Thank you.

26:04

I appreciate that.

26:06

Seeing no other questions, um is there a motion to approve 6.1 motion to approve.

26:14

There's been a motion to approve.

26:15

There's been a request for new business if there's a motion, motion to send to new business hearing no objections, six point one will be approved, sent to new business with the recommendation to approve.

26:25

Thank you.

26:26

Thank you.

26:28

Moving us along to six point two.

26:32

You want to add a marking is a lot of the numbers, six point two parking or trucks in their neighborhood, six point three six point four and six point five are all health department contracts.

26:51

6.2 is contract number 6007663, utilizing 100% grant funding.

26:58

This is for a program administrator for coordinating and managing medical and supportive services for persons living with HIV in the Metro Detroit area.

27:07

This is for Henry Ford located in Detroit.

27:10

This will go through February 28th of 2029.

27:15

This total grant funded contract is 4,326,180 with 53 cents.

27:23

Again, this is for health.

27:25

6.3 is contract number 600700, 100% grant funding to provide service for ending the HIV epidemic.

27:34

This is for the HIV AIDS program at the Wayne State University Horizons group.

27:43

The contractors Wayne State University, they're located in Detroit.

27:46

This will go through February 28th, 2029, and this total contract is for 428,306 with one cent.

27:57

6.4 is contract number 6007668.

28:02

100% grants funding for a program administrator for coordinating and managing medical and supportive services for persons living with HIV in the Metro Detroit area.

28:14

This contractor is the health emergency lifeline programs.

28:20

They are located in Detroit.

28:22

This goes till February 28th, 2029, and this contract is for 5 million 976,690 with 32 cents.

28:36

And 6.5 is contract number 600 7718, 100% grant funding to provide women, infants, and children, also known as WIC services.

28:50

Contractors, Arab American Chaldean Council.

28:54

They are located in Detroit.

28:56

This will go through September 30th of 2029, and this will be for 3 million 21,000 with 41 dollars, and again for the health department.

29:09

Is there a motion to approve or discuss 6.2 through 6.5?

29:16

Motion motion to approve.

29:21

There's been a motion to approve.

29:22

Are there any objections or discussion?

29:25

Hearing none.

29:26

There was a motion.

29:27

There was a request for new business for all items.

29:30

Motion to send to new business.

29:33

Hearing no objections.

29:36

Motion is approved for 6.1 through 6.5.

29:40

This will be sent to new business with the recommendation to approve.

29:49

6.6 is contract number 600726 utilizing 100% city funding.

29:57

This is to provide light duty vehicle truck repair and maintenance services.

30:02

The contractors Curry Bros.

30:06

Truck Repair.

30:07

They're located in Detroit.

30:10

This will be a two-year contract at 60,000, and this will be for transportation.

30:16

Is there a motion to approve or discuss 6.6 from the image before?

30:23

Motion to approve.

30:24

Motion to approve.

30:26

Are there any objections?

30:29

Hearing none, 6.6 will be approved.

30:32

There's been a request for new business.

30:34

Motion to send the new business.

30:36

There's a motion to send to new business.

30:38

6.6 hearing no objections.

30:41

6.6 will be sent to new business with the recommendation to approve.

30:49

Under the departments of appeals and hearings, 6.7 and 6.8.

30:57

Are both dangerous buildings findings and orders.

31:02

Is the dangerous buildings findings and orders for February 27th, 2026?

31:08

That is part.

31:10

And 6.8 says the dangerous buildings findings and orders for February 20th, 2026.

31:17

Is there a motion to receive and file or discuss 6.6 and 6.8?

31:23

Motion to receive and file.

31:26

Hearing no objections.

31:37

6.7 and 6.8.

31:39

Yeah.

31:40

6.7 and 6.8 will be received and filed.

31:47

Under the legislative policy division.

31:51

6.9.

31:53

6.9 is to amend chapter 22 of the 2019 Detroit City Code Housing.

32:04

Article 8, fair chance access to rental housing by adding division one, returning citizens, and divisions 2, rental application fees, and pre tenancy, tenancy fees, pretendency fees to Article 8, fair chance access to rental housing and adding sections 22-8-31.

32:26

Purpose, sections 30, excuse me, sections 22-8-32.

32:31

Definitions.

32:43

Sections 22-8-35.

32:46

Pre-tenancy fees prohibited.

32:49

In sections 22-8-36 non-waiver.

33:11

Motion with discussion.

33:14

Thank you.

33:15

Um, this uh ordinance is sponsored by me, uh, Madam Chair, and the purpose evidence of that renters are treated more fairly by landlords.

33:26

Um there are tons of horror stories when it comes to constituents complete spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars in fees just to be rejected.

33:40

We're trying this ordinance, the purpose of this ordinance is to help reduce um uh some of those uh those fees.

33:48

Understood.

33:49

Thank you, member waters for doing this work.

33:51

I saw a hand from LP Dean.

33:53

Thank you, madam chair.

33:54

It's our request or our understanding of that this time rather than setting the public hearing at this point.

33:59

We'd like to request that it be referred to law for approval as to form.

34:04

Okay.

34:05

Well usual, it's a usual step in the way these things go when LPD does the drafting.

34:10

Okay.

34:10

So member waters, I think.

34:12

Then is there a motion to refer this to law for review?

34:16

Yes, I assume they reviewed it, but okay.

34:21

Motion.

34:22

All right, so there's a motion to refer 6.9 to the law departments for review, and this will be to approve to form hearing no objections, 6.9 will be referred to the law departments, and then we will once it's been approved and reviewed.

34:38

We can move it to the process member.

34:41

So that has been referred again.

34:44

Thank you for the work, and we will review moving us along to 6.10.

34:52

This is a reports regarding ordinance updates and enforcements on the health care facilities, the fugitive dust, and the citywide language access policy.

35:06

Uh is there's a motion to discuss.

35:09

Motion to discuss.

35:10

Thank you.

35:11

I just I did want to share this report came from our office.

35:15

We wanted to hear how enforcement was going with our ordinances.

35:20

Um received the responses.

35:23

Thank you.

35:23

Uh, the only concerns I have is is the responses we received.

35:28

Um, so we had a number of calls and emails regarding the health care facilities ordinance not being enforced properly by DPD.

35:37

And in DPD's report, they mentioned no issues uh with the ordinance at all.

35:42

So there is obviously a disconnect, which is just a little concerning when we're asking for data and information to tell us accurate information, and if it's wrong, that is a problem.

35:53

So I know that departments listen in.

35:55

It's gonna be really important.

35:57

Um, if we can make sure that if if issues come up with our ordinances that we know about it, so we can discuss.

36:03

Um, but that was one concern because we do know we've had issues there.

36:09

Uh, regarding the fugitive dust ordinance that is being enforced, some tickets were given out.

36:14

I know that we have a lot of uh concerns from residents making sure that we are enforcing that.

36:19

It does seem that that is being enforced.

36:21

If you have any concerns there, do reach out.

36:23

Um, and I know the language access ordinance, we are working through that together.

36:28

Very grateful for CREO um, making sure that uh we do a better job in enforcing that.

36:34

Um, but I do know that we are working towards um uh enhancing those processes for us as well.

36:42

Uh so grateful for the feedback.

36:45

We should do some more work on how they collect our information, um, but we'll keep working on this.

36:49

Since we received the information without objection, we can receive and file six points ten.

36:56

Six point ten can be received and filed.

36:59

Motion thank you.

37:00

Hearing no objections, six point ten can be received and filed.

37:03

Any discussion on that looking like none?

37:06

Um the residential budget again a border record of oh, good points.

37:14

Um, for 6.9.

37:16

I know that we referred it.

37:18

Um, we still need to bring this back TBD if there's a motion to do so.

37:23

Motion to bring back thank you.

37:25

6.9 will be brought back.

37:27

TBD.

37:28

Thank you, Dr.

37:29

Powers.

37:34

Moving us along under the departments of public works, city engineering.

37:38

Wait a minute, 6.9 or 6.1.

37:40

6.9.

37:41

We we left it out without any other action.

37:45

We just referred it to the law departments, and we have to bring it back until it's been reviewed.

37:51

Okay, then I'm gonna have to get on law.

37:53

Okay, all right.

37:56

Moving us along.

37:58

As I mentioned, we are now under the department of public works, city engineering division.

38:03

6.11.

38:05

This is a petition of the Detroit International uh bridge company requesting for a vacation on certain city streets and alleys along the with the cancellation of uh vehicular easements and partial cleanup of street and alley vacations located in the area of Ford Streets, Savoy, and West Lafayette.

38:24

Is there a motion to discuss six points eleven?

38:29

Motion.

38:30

Thank you.

38:31

Do we have Mr.

38:32

Doherty with us?

38:37

I don't chair, he's been promoted to panelists.

38:40

Thank you.

38:42

Again, we are we would have any type of conditions relative to that space on the itself.

38:50

Good morning.

38:52

Good morning.

38:54

How are you?

38:55

I'm doing pretty good.

38:57

Um sorry, uh, this is some pretty old uh business that we're picking up, but I'm not quite sure what happened before uh we had forwarded it for some reason through CPC and it never made it to the committee.

39:13

Uh this is all right away within the footprint of the plaza.

39:18

This should have been addressed 15 years ago.

39:21

So uh hopefully you can help us clean up that mess if you don't mind.

39:26

Okay, I just wanted to confirm that it was within the footprints of the plaza, and if that's the case, if we're not expanding, yes, I we can move this along.

39:35

So thank you.

39:38

Are there any other questions for 611?

39:40

Seeing none.

39:40

Is there a motion to approve to send to I'm just gonna keep it at regular?

39:45

Is there a motion to approve?

39:47

Motion hearing no objections, 6.11 will be approved, sent to formal with the recommendation to approve.

39:54

Thank you.

39:55

Thank you.

39:56

Thanks.

40:01

6.12.

40:07

6.12.

40:08

This is a memo regarding the resolution in support of House Bill 5594 and 5596 regarding data center regulation.

40:18

We have received a response to this, so this can be received and filed.

40:22

Hearing no objection, if there are no objections, six points twelve can be received and filed.

40:28

Six points 13.

40:30

This is a memo from member Johnson's office regarding a request to draft a resolution recognizing Michigan Severe Weather Awareness Week.

40:40

We've been asked to bring this back in two weeks.

40:45

Motion to bring back in two weeks.

40:47

Hearing no objections, 613 will be brought back in two weeks.

40:53

Just noting, I believe this resolution was for March 15th to LPD.

41:01

Um I'm assuming Member Johnson knows this, and we're okay with bringing this back.

41:10

I'm assuming that's the case too.

41:12

I wasn't, I didn't I haven't been directly in touch with them, but this has been, of course, with all the budget going on, there's a number of people have been consulted, and that's what they asked for.

41:19

That's true.

41:20

Okay, understood.

41:21

Okay, so um that's what we see for our notes.

41:24

So 6.13 will be brought back in two weeks.

41:26

6.14.

41:28

This is a memo relative to rentals uh certificate of compliance.

41:33

Request for draft review and preparation.

41:39

And we've been asked to bring this back in two weeks as well.

41:44

If there's a motion to do so.

41:46

Motion to bring back in two weeks.

41:48

Hearing no objections, 6.14 will be brought back in two weeks.

41:56

This is a memo recognizing March as developmental disabilities awareness month.

42:05

And 616 is a resolution recognizing March as national social work month, both through our office.

42:12

If there is a motion to approve six points 15 and 6.16, motion and the send a new business.

42:21

Hearing no objections, six points 15 and 6.16 will be approved, sent to new business with the recommendation to approve.

42:30

Thank you.

42:32

Right.

42:34

6.17.

42:36

This is a memo regarding security, uh securing city property against federal overreach.

42:45

We have been asked to bring this back in one month.

42:49

Again, noting budget season and everyone's capacity.

42:57

And just briefly to share with folks.

43:00

This is regarding the city's ability to bar certain ICE activities from city owned property.

43:07

Uh so we were told that we could codify this and we're moving forward to do so.

43:11

Um, and we will continue this discussion when we get back from budgets.

43:16

But that is what 6.17 is about.

43:19

If uh there's a motion to bring back 6.17 in one month.

43:23

Motion hearing no objections, 6.17 will be brought back in one month.

43:30

6.18 is a memo requesting a resolution concerning women's history month.

43:38

And 6.19 is a memo requesting a proclamation of March 18th as Don Ison's day.

43:48

Uh both can be received and filed without objection.

43:53

Hearing no objections, there's been a motion to receive and file six point eighteen and six point nineteen.

44:01

Hearing no objections, both will be received and filed.

44:07

Six points twenty.

44:08

This is a memo requesting a report in a draft ordinance concerning the safe storage of cannabis.

44:14

We have also been asked to bring this back in one month.

44:17

Motion to bring back in one month.

44:19

Hearing no objections, 6.20.

44:24

We'll break up back in one month.

44:28

All right, folks, this brings us down to member reports.

44:32

I'll turn it over to my vice chair.

44:35

No report, madam chair.

44:37

Um, great.

44:38

You ran a great official meeting.

44:40

Thank you, Vice Chair.

44:42

I try my best.

44:43

Uh, member waters.

44:44

Thank you.

44:45

Uh thank you, madam chair.

44:46

Just want to remind people that the skill trade task force will meet um this Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m.

45:00

at the uh IBEW LOCA 58, which is located on um Porter on Abbott, um, right off Trumbull.

45:08

That's this Wednesday, 4 to 6 p.m.

45:10

Skill Trade Task Force.

45:14

IBEW LOCA 58.

45:16

Thank you.

45:17

Thank you.

45:18

And again, just a reminder, we'll see folks here in about 15 minutes for our first budget hearing of the day, which will be the fire departments.

45:26

With that, since there's nothing else before us, we are now adjourned.

45:31

All right.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Comment██████████████████18%
Public Health███████████████15%
Water And Wastewater Management███████████11%
Procedural█████████9%
Contract Management███████7%
Elections██████6%
Youth Programs█████5%
Housing█████5%
Public Works█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Detroit Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting - March 16, 2026

The Detroit Public Health and Safety Standing Committee met on Monday, March 16, 2026, from approximately 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. The meeting was chaired by Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero and included Vice Chair Denzel McCampbell and Councilmember Mary Waters. Due to budget hearings later in the day, the meeting was constrained to one hour. The committee approved several contracts, discussed flood prevention, rental fee reforms, and referred multiple items for further review.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes from the previous session were approved without objection.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • William M. Davis (former 34-year water department employee) urged the city to improve emergency preparedness planning, citing increased flooding since the bankruptcy and past FEMA Incident Command training. He called for more preventive maintenance of infrastructure.
  • Mr. Foster (in-person) raised concerns about the police union's history of defending officers without acknowledging wrongdoing, referencing a 1997 case. He requested the union acknowledge past wrongs.
  • Caller ending in 169 expressed gratitude to council members, using the word "gumption," and urged fixing DDOT (Detroit Department of Transportation).
  • Betty A. Varner (President, Soda Else for Black Association) promoted caregiver support resources through Community Solutions (Executive Director Deborah A. Roy), including in-home assistance and free activities, regardless of Medicaid status (phone: 313-438-0808).
  • Mr. Cunningham (Transit Riders United) reported that flowers were sent for Stephen Halloween (a transit advocate who died in a Florida car accident) and advocated for rehiring Corey Holmes at DDOT and making DDOT fare-free.
  • Caller ending in 482 (District 6 resident, self-identified as "young blood from the Brewster Project of 1980") accused Chair Santiago Romero of lying and alleged election fraud since 2020.
  • Carolyn Hughes was unable to speak due to technical difficulties.

Discussion Items

  • Water Department Flood Prevention (5.1): Chair Santiago Romero discussed a memo on water department planning for citywide flooding. She emphasized the need to replace old infrastructure and highlighted preventive maintenance of catch basins. She noted that street flooding often involves debris and leaves, and encouraged residents to clean up leaves. Vice Chair McCampbell echoed the need for preventive vacuum trucks and mentioned constituent flooding reports. The item was received and filed.
  • Commercial Buildings with Liens (5.2): Requested to be brought back in one week; motion passed.
  • RX Kids Program Contract (6.1): Contract #6007651 with Michigan State University for $1.5 million, funded 100% by opioid settlement funds, to administer the RX Kids program providing cash transfers to pregnant Detroiters and families with infants ($1,500 mid-pregnancy, $500/month for 6 months after birth). Luke Schaefer presented: independent research showed improved prenatal care, reduced preterm birth, fewer NICU admissions, reduced evictions, and decreased postpartum depression. He noted state funding covers three years, with broad bipartisan support. The contract was approved for new business.
  • HIV/AIDS Contracts (6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5): Multiple health department contracts totaling over $10.7 million for HIV services and WIC programs were approved.
  • Vehicle Repair Contract (6.6): Contract #600726 with Curry Bros. Truck Repair for $60,000 (city-funded) for light duty vehicle/truck repair; approved for new business.
  • Dangerous Buildings Orders (6.7, 6.8): Findings and orders for February 20 and February 27, 2026, were received and filed.
  • Rental Fee Ordinance (6.9): Councilmember Waters sponsored an ordinance to amend Chapter 22 of the 2019 Detroit City Code to limit pre-tenancy fees and application fees for renters. Referred to the Law Department for approval as to form.
  • Ordinance Enforcement Report (6.10): Chair Santiago Romero noted a disconnect between resident complaints about enforcement of the healthcare facilities ordinance and DPD's report stating no issues. She committed to following up. Received and filed.
  • Street Vacation Petition (6.11): Detroit International Bridge Company petition to vacate streets/alleys in the Ford Street, Savoy, and West Lafayette area (within the plaza footprint). Mr. Doherty confirmed the vacation is within the existing footprint. Approved for formal session.
  • Memo on Data Center Regulation (6.12): Resolution in support of House Bills 5594 and 5596; response received, filed.
  • Severe Weather Awareness Week (6.13): Memo from Member Johnson's office; brought back in two weeks.
  • Rental Certificate of Compliance (6.14): Memo requesting draft review; brought back in two weeks.
  • Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (6.15) and National Social Work Month (6.16): Proclamations approved for new business.
  • Securing City Property Against Federal Overreach (6.17): Memo to codify barring certain ICE activities on city property; brought back in one month.
  • Women's History Month (6.18) and Don Ison's Day (6.19): Proclamations received and filed.
  • Safe Storage of Cannabis Ordinance (6.20): Request for report and draft ordinance; brought back in one month.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved contracts (6.1–6.6) sent to new business with recommendation to approve.
  • Referred ordinance (6.9) to Law Department for review.
  • Set return dates for various memos: 5.2 (one week), 6.13 (two weeks), 6.14 (two weeks), 6.17 (one month), 6.20 (one month).
  • Chair announced next budget hearing at approximately 10:15 AM (Fire Department), followed by DDOT Transportation in the afternoon.
  • Member Waters reminded about the Skill Trade Task Force meeting on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, from 4-6 PM at IBEW Local 58.

Meeting Transcript

Everyone, I would like to call to order our public health and safety standing committee for today, Monday, March 16th, 2026. Miller Clerk please call the roll. Good morning, Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero. Good morning, present. Councilmember Denzel McCampbell. Councilmember Mary Waters. Present. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Given a quorum, we'll go right into the agenda for today. Just want to remind everyone that we are in budget season, meaning that our meeting today will be constrained to one hour before we go into hearings for the rest of the day. If you're interested in the hearing today, we will hear from the fire department's construction and demolition. And then for the afternoon, we will hear from DDOP Transportation. And if you're interested in any of those hearings, please join us. But we'll go into the agenda for our session for today. Motion. Hearing no objections, our minutes will be approved from our last session. Just shared brief chair remarks for uh this morning. Again, reminding everyone of what's to come ahead for today and for the next few weeks. Go into general public comment for this morning. If the clerk can please note, we've been joined by our vice chair McCampbell. Clerk will send out. Thank you. And with that, we'll go into general public comments. I don't see anyone here in person. If you are online, please raise your hands now. If you would like to make general public comments, I will be cutting off public comment in two minutes. So at 9 04, public comment will be cut off. Please raise your hands now if you want to be added to the queue. And we will begin with the folks online, noting that there's nobody here in person for public comments. Morning, madam chair. Um there are five hands raised online. All right. We will get everyone a minute and a half for this morning. Again, we only have an hour for committee. So we'll give everyone a minute and a half for general public comment this morning. And I see the time is on the screen. Thank you. Whenever you're ready, we can begin with the first caller. First caller is William M. Davis. Mr. Davis, if you can hear us. Good morning. Can I be heard? Yes, good morning. Yes, I I like your um the questions you send into the water department. I think more needs to be done with the water department. As you may or may not know, I worked for the water department for 34 years. And we used to actually do more preparative planning.

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