Detroit City Council Formal Session - March 31, 2026

The Detroit City Council convened on March 31, 2026, with a quorum present. The meeting included an invocation, presentations honoring Transgender Day of Visibility and outgoing Health Director Denise Fair Razo, a public comment period with 13 in-person speakers and 18 online callers, and action on numerous agenda items spanning committee referrals, resolutions, contracts, and ordinances.

Presentations

• Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero presented a Spirit of Detroit Award to Julissa (a Latina trans woman of color, LGBTQ community liaison for the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office) in recognition of Transgender Day of Visibility. Julissa's work includes over 800 no-cost name changes, training police on LGBTQ cultural competency, and helping other jurisdictions adopt trans-inclusive policies.
• Councilmember Scott Benson presented a testimonial resolution to Denise Fair Razo, outgoing director of the Detroit Health Department, for her leadership through the COVID-19 pandemic and contributions to the food rating ordinance. She served as the longest-serving public health officer in Detroit history (since September 2019).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Eileen Williams reported deed fraud on her home and squatters living there; Councilmember Johnson's office offered assistance.
• Alvin Horn (Deputy CFO and Assessor) spoke in support of pre-sale home inspections, noting that over 6100 properties have been interior-inspected in recent years, with fewer than 250 sold via warranty deed. He stated the average age of a single-family home in Detroit is over 100 years and that over 90% of housing stock is now rated fair or poor.
• Brother Cunningham commented on poverty, transportation challenges, and distributed bus passes.
• Betty Lyons voiced opposition to transgender rights, criticized council on immigration and housing issues, and alleged improper use of funds.
• Effie requested council collaboration with the African World Expo (32nd year).
• Cheryl Kubiak (dean, Wayne State School of Social Work) thanked council for its history with social work.
• John Lasslow alleged improper tax increases and called for property tax reform.
• Mia Anderson alleged the Detroit Land Bank Authority is not honoring a purchase agreement for 10 lots and raised concerns about contamination and safety.
• Barbara Logan criticized overassessment of property taxes and lack of council follow-through on constituent concerns.
• Kari Jordan (new president of Grigsdale Farms Neighborhood Association) requested support and collaboration.
• Josh Mann raised concerns about surveillance (Flock cameras, vehicle mandates, drones) and urged council to consider privacy implications.
• Liberty discussed a property tax moratorium, federal housing shortage report, and impacts of immigration on housing affordability.
• Online callers addressed deed fraud, the Detroit Land Bank, property tax justice, airport area development, the solar ticketing program, trash enforcement, and the need for a recreation center in District 7. Several callers thanked Mayor Sheffield for engaging with the Coalition for Property Tax Justice and reiterated demands for a qualified assessor and enforcement of the 2023 property tax reform ordinance.

Discussion Items

• Line Item 17.1 – Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (NEZ) Certificate (Corktown property): Discussion centered on NEZ policy. Councilmember McCampbell questioned whether zones in already-active areas fulfill their original purpose of spurring development in distressed neighborhoods. Councilmember Benson argued NEZs make Detroit competitive with suburbs like Birmingham (where tax on a $600K home is ~$1,700-$2,200 vs. $21,000 without NEZ in Detroit). The assessor confirmed Detroit's homestead millage is ~63 mils vs. Birmingham's ~19 mils. The item was approved.
• Line Item 21.1 – Six-Month Student Free Bus Pilot: Director Ralph Kramer (DDOT) explained the pilot (starting April 1) allows students up to 18 to ride free with ID. Councilmembers discussed safety, potential adult chaperones on high-ridership routes, and tracking impacts on truancy and on-time performance. The pilot will provide data to inform a permanent fare change requiring an ordinance amendment. Approved with a waiver.
• Line Item 17.1 (reconsidered): Additional discussion on NEZ policy; council acknowledged a need for a broader conversation on property tax reform and review of NEZ zones every five years.
• Line Item 19.9 – Resolution on state preemption bills: Postponed one week at administration's request.
• Line Item 19.10 – Resolution supporting Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) my home readiness program: Approved. This alternative bill package supports municipal land-use policies to increase housing supply, as opposed to preemptive bills (HB 5529).
• Line Item 20.1 – Contract extension for public works: Initially postponed, later approved after Councilmember Callaway withdrew concerns.
• Line Item 21.15 – Resolution recognizing Michigan Severe Weather Awareness Week: Approved.
• Walk-on Resolution – Canceling Internal Operations Standing Committee for April 1: Approved over discussion about open meetings act requirements; custom and practice dictate a formal resolution.
• Walk-on Resolution – Requesting mayor to modify the proposed executive organizational plan: Placed on new business and then approved; council agreed to rename the homeland security office to emphasize emergency management.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: NEZ certificate for Corktown property (17.1 - no objections).
• Approved: Student free bus pilot for six months (21.1) with waiver.
• Approved: Several consent items, including resolutions for March as Social Work Month (20.9), contracts, easements, and zoning changes.
• Postponed (one week): Line items 18.1, 19.9, 21.11, and several settlement items (18.4, 18.7-18.10, 18.12) returned to committee.
• Denied: Line item 18.17 (waive attorney-client privilege) failed due to multiple objections.
• Approved with amendments: Resolution requesting modification of the mayor's executive organizational plan (rename homeland security to emphasize emergency management).
• Waivers granted: For items 19.2, 19.4, 19.5, 19.6, 20.2, 21.1, 21.3, 21.5, 21.7, 21.13.
• Waiver denied: Line item 21.6 (Councilmember Callaway objected).
• Meeting adjourned without further business.