Detroit City Council Health and Safety Standing Committee Meeting

The Health and Safety Standing Committee met on March 30, 2026, chaired by Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero, with Vice Chair Councilmember Denzel Anto McCampbell. Due to budget season, the meeting was limited to one hour. The committee approved prior minutes, heard public comments, and addressed several contracts and memos.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mr. Foster: Spoke about community engagement and opportunities. No specific agenda item mentioned.
• Brother Cunningham: Expressed strong support for a one-month free bus fare pilot, doubling DDOT (the city's bus system), borderless peer transit, and system-wide free fares. He called for on-time buses and benches and shelters at at least 15% of stops, noting that currently only 5% are covered.
• Jacqueline Miller (east side Detroit resident): Reported unfilled demolition holes on Tacoma and Woodhall streets that contain water, posing a safety hazard to children. She warned the city could not claim ignorance if a child is harmed. The chair agreed to have staff collect addresses for action.
• William M. Davis: Commended the No Kings Day protests. Regarding emergency demolitions (items 6.3 and 6.4), he argued the city should pursue reimbursement from property owners' other assets or acquire neglected commercial properties when demolishing them.
• Caller ending in 169: Voiced support for doubling DDOT, the free bus fare pilot proposed by Councilmember GSR, expansion of unarmed transit ambassadors, borderless fare transit, benches and shelters at 15% of stops, and free fares for all students ages 1-120.
• Betty A. Varner (President, DeSoda Elsewhere Black Association): Announced a health fair on April 18, 2026, at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church offering eye exams and screenings.
• Caller “Owner Papa” (Ms. Hughes): Strongly criticized the city's handling of contaminated soil sites, asserting that residents should not have to report locations to the city. She accused Councilmember Romero and the administration of stalling and negligence, and called the chair unproductive.
• Anonymous caller: Alleged election fraud and made references to an archived video; not directly tied to committee business.
• One caller (ending in 482) was cut off due to time constraints.

Discussion Items

Memos and Resolutions

• 5.1 (Severe Weather Awareness Month): Received and filed.
• 5.2 (Rental Certificate of Compliance): Brought back in one week for ordinance drafting.
• 5.3 (Eviction Moratorium): Brought back in one week.
• 5.4 (Commercial Buildings on Demolition List): Information request pending; brought back in two weeks.

Contract 6.1 - Appeals and Hearings Department

A contract typically handled by the IOS committee was initially flagged. After discussion, the committee voted to refer it to the president's office for assignment to IOS.

Emergency Demolition Contracts (6.2, 6.3, 6.4)

Vice Chair McCampbell raised concerns about missing contract end dates and the timing of structural collapses/fires. He questioned the transparency and use of emergency demolition contracts. Staff from the Construction and Demolition Department and Office of Contracting and Procurement provided partial answers. Contracts 6.2 and 6.3 were brought back for one week to obtain missing information. Contract 6.4 (commercial demolition at 3916 Joy Road) was approved.

EMS Software Amendment (6.5)

Approved to add $14,685.72 for an EMS software platform for the fire department.

Health Impact Assessments Amendment (6.6)

Approved with no increase for the Gordy Howe International Bridge health impact assessments.

WIC Program Contract (6.7)

Leah Smith (Detroit Health Department) detailed the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) supplemental nutrition program offered through CHASS (Community Health and Social Services Center). Services include nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support, and breast pumps. Both the chair and vice chair expressed strong support, noting the program's impact on low-income families. The contract for $1,143,600 was approved and sent to formal.

Other Approvals

• 6.8: Extension for road improvement agreements with the Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority.
• 6.9: Acceptance of Safe Streets for All grant.
• 6.10: Acceptance of Aviation Education and Workforce Development grant.
• 6.11: Dangerous Buildings findings received and filed.
• 6.12: Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction grant approved.
• 6.13: Resolution recognizing Michigan Severe Weather Awareness Week approved.

Miscellaneous Memos (6.15-6.17)

Three memos requiring additional responses were brought back in one week.

Contaminated Soil (Dirty Dirt) Update

Raquel Harrington (Construction and Demolition Department) provided an update on ongoing testing and remediation. The city has posted an interactive map at Detroit.gov/CDDsoiltesting showing sites' testing status and remediation progress. She stated that holes remain open intentionally until soil testing confirms safety, and contractors are required to install orange plastic fencing. The next community downcast meeting is April 6, 2026. Vice Chair McCampbell expressed concern about holes remaining open for months (some since November/December) and questioned the effectiveness of the plastic fencing in preventing access. The vice chair planned to submit a memo for further discussion. The chair suggested using communications channels to promote the website and the upcoming community meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Approved minutes from the previous session.
• Approved contracts: 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 6.10, 6.12.
• Referred contract 6.1 to the president's office for assignment to the IOS committee.
• Brought back for additional information or responses: 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 6.2, 6.3, 6.15, 6.16, 6.17, with typical return times of one week (some two weeks).
• Received and filed: 5.1, 6.11.
• Approved to new business: 6.7, 6.12, 6.13.
• Follow-up: Chair's office to collect addresses from Jacqueline Miller for demolition hole safety. Vice Chair to submit a memo on contaminated soil fencing and timeline concerns.