Detroit Internal Operations Standing Committee Meeting - March 18, 2026
Detroit Internal Operations Standing Committee Meeting - March 18, 2026
The Detroit City Council's Internal Operations Standing Committee met on March 18, 2026, to consider a range of items including public comments, an interview for the Detroit Land Bank Authority, several contract amendments, lawsuit settlements, and representation/indemnification requests. The meeting began without a quorum but later achieved quorum after Councilmember Miller joined.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Mr. Cunningham (in-person): Advocated for improved D-Dot bus services, particularly after 6 p.m. and on weekends. Described a community initiative he organized (pizza and raffles for bus tickets) that D-Dot is now continuing. Also raised an issue with the United Way 211 service, noting that individuals using the Text Now app cannot call 211 from their cell phones, and suggested a workaround.
- Benny A. Varner (President of the Soda Ellsworth Black Association, virtual): Provided alternative ways to contact 211 (toll-free number 1-844-875-9211 or texting zip code to 898211). Announced a free health fair on April 18, 2026, at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, offering eye screenings, health services, and more for adults and children in the Metro Detroit area.
- Caller ending in 039 (Ruben Crowley Jr., virtual): Accused District 3 Representative Scott Benson of cheating in elections and called for federal investigation. Made allegations against Daniel Baxter and others.
- William M. Davis (virtual): Expressed support for Mr. Cunningham and Ms. Varner, calling for more proactive community engagement. Criticized the city's payment of indemnifications and lawsuits, and urged increased voter turnout in Detroit.
- Final caller ending in 169 (virtual): Agreed with previous speakers, praised Mr. Cunningham's gumption, and thanked the committee.
Discussion Items
- Line Item 7.5 – 1300 Lafayette Litigation: Melvin Butch Hollowell (Managing Partner, Miller Law Firm) appeared to discuss the litigation involving the Historic District Commission. The committee voted to send the formal objection to the full council with a recommendation to approve.
- Housekeeping (Bringbacks): Line item 7.1 (fire prevention ordinance) was brought back to April 8, 2026. Line item 8.7 (request for information on tenants' rights commission appointments) was brought back to April 1, 2026. Two receiving files (7.3 and 8.6) were received and filed.
- Interview for Detroit Land Bank Authority Appointment: Raymond Lozano (Executive Director, Mexican Town Community Development Corporation) was interviewed. He emphasized his long Detroit residency, experience in community development, and commitment to fair representation. Councilmember Miller asked about his priorities for residents; Mr. Lozano stressed ensuring that properties are sold to Detroiters and continuing blight removal. Councilmember Benson asked about communication with the council; Mr. Lozano pledged to be transparent and proactive. The committee voted to recommend approval and send to formal session.
- Line Item 7.2 – Board of Ethics Request: The committee discussed a request to lift privilege on a legislative policy division memo and to allow separate legal counsel for the Board of Ethics. After discussion, a motion to deny the request passed, sending it to the full council with a recommendation to deny.
- Line Item 7.4 – LAZ Parking Contract Amendment: An amendment to increase funds and extend time for city employee parking spaces (contract runs through January 30, 2029, increase of $791,000 for a total of $1.127 million). Approved without objection.
- Line Item 7.6 – Proofpoint Subscription Renewal: Cybersecurity contract with Security Solutions Services, LLC for $481,000. Initially described as a three-month contract, but a correction letter extended it to 2027. Approved without objection.
- Line Items 7.7, 7.8, 7.9 – Lawsuit Settlements: Settlements of $50,000 (Kimberly Roblouski v. City) and $10,000 (Manuel Gibson v. DDOT) were approved. Also 7.8 and 7.9 were bundled.
- Line Items 7.10–7.15 – Representation and Indemnification: Bundled motion initially approved, but after objections from Councilmember Benson (7.14) and clarification from the Law Department (7.13 was inapplicable), the committee reconsidered. Final action: items 7.10, 7.11, 7.12, and 7.15 were approved and sent to formal; 7.13 was brought back in one week; 7.14 was brought back for a date to be determined after a closed session.
- Line Item 8.1 – Appointment Resolution: The resolution related to the Land Bank interview was moved to formal with a recommendation to approve.
- Line Item 8.2 – Contract with Cummings for Conviction Cases: Amendment 9 to add $500,000 for legal services related to reverse conviction cases. Graham Anderson (Law Department) explained the high stakes and need for outside counsel. Approved without objection.
- Line Item 8.3 – Settlement in Clark v. City: Approved $95,000 settlement for claims against the Department of Transportation.
- Line Item 8.4 – Rescission of Settlement: Removed due to a typo in the resolution; to be resubmitted.
- Line Item 8.5 – Election Security Grant: Accepted a $257,000 federal grant from the Michigan Bureau of Elections for the Department of Elections. No match required. Approved.
Key Outcomes
- Appointments: Raymond Lozano recommended for appointment to the Detroit Land Bank Authority (sent to formal session).
- Denials: Board of Ethics request to lift privilege and obtain separate counsel was denied (recommendation to full council).
- Contracts Approved: LAZ parking amendment ($1.127M), Proofpoint subscription ($481,000), Cummings legal services ($500,000 amendment).
- Settlements Approved: $50,000, $10,000, $95,000 (three separate lawsuits).
- Representation/Indemnification: Five items approved (7.10, 7.11, 7.12, 7.15); two items held for further review (7.13 and 7.14).
- Grant Acceptance: $257,000 election security grant accepted.
- Bringbacks: Items 7.1 (April 8) and 8.7 (April 1) scheduled for future meetings.
- Item Removed: 8.4 removed due to clerical error.
- Public Comment: Three virtual speakers and one in-person speaker were heard; comments included concerns about transit, 211 access, election integrity, and city indemnification practices.
Meeting Transcript
The Public Health and Safety Standing Committee will be called to order the clerk, please call the roll. Mr. Chair, the internal operations and the committee. Oh, internal operations standing committee. Okay, Angela Whitfield Callaway. Councilmember Scott Benson. Scott Vincent I. Councilmember Renata Miller. Mr. Chair, you do not have a quorum present. All right, not having a quorum, we will go into public comments. Who do we have in person for public comments today? We have one in person. If you will please come to the microphone, and since we do not have a quorum, we can take public comments, just cannot respond. How many do we have online for public comment? Good morning. We have three people with their hands raised for virtual public comment. Fantastic. And we'll cut off public comment at 9 05. Mr. Cunningham, you have two minutes. You can Google that and get articles written. You can get my Facebook, the Patreon, Cash App. I go to bus stops and give off hand warmers, gloves, bus tickets, ice water in the summer. The D dot services, which is the bus system, is still lackluster. Words during the weekdays after 6 p.m. and on the weekends. Now, an example of powers that bees listening to peons, right? So I I will in my prayer time after that prayer time. I came up with we should have pizza and raffles for bus tickets. So we have 31 day pass, and it worked out three months ago. So now DR is continuing it, and that's this Thursday at 5 p.m. at the Rosa Parks Trans Center. There'll be two uh Raffledol 31 Day Regional Passes. Works on Smart and D dot and Pizza. Um, you feed them, they will come. We wanted new faces and we wanted new voices. People get tired of hearing the same person over and over again. And I just the Holy Spirit is came up with that, you know, that that thought and the powers to be listened. And so for regular PM folks like myself and you listening at home, you can make a difference. Keep fighting and keep working. Um the United Way 211. Um, I helped the young man um uh who has two children, they're living in a motel or whatever, and he tried to call 211 from his cell phone, but he doesn't have his phone on. He has the app, the app called Text Now. So they're unable to call two on one from their cell phone if they have the and those people are the most in need with their phones off. I don't know what we can do about that, but I called two on one from my cell phone and gave him the information and took him to get some food. Thank you so much, everybody. Thank you. We have been joined by member Miller. We now have a quorum.
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