OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Detroit City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting - April 8, 2026

City Council — Wednesday, April 8, 2026
BodyDetroit, Michigan
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, April 8, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:18:18

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Committee will be called to order with a clerk please call the roll.

0:04

Councilmember Angela Whitfield Callaway.

0:07

Councilmember Scott Benson.

0:09

Councilmember Renata Miller.

0:11

Is it chair?

0:12

You do not have a quorum present.

0:14

Okay.

0:14

Both the chair, member Whitfield Callaway and Member Miller both have excused absences.

0:23

And Member Whitfield Callaway, the chair will be coming in in about 10 minutes.

0:28

So not having a quorum, we cannot take up any business, but we can take up our public comment.

0:34

And so what we'll do is have public comment and just a bit of housekeeping.

0:37

When we don't have a quorum, we can do public comment, but there can be no response.

0:42

And so we can just listen, FYI to our public commenters.

0:47

Do we have anybody in the audience in the gallery who would like to participate in public comment?

0:52

Anyone in the gallery going once, going twice, or there's no one in the gallery.

0:57

How many people do we have online for public comment?

1:00

Good morning, Vice Chair Benson.

1:02

We currently have nine hands raised for public comment.

1:05

Oh, fantastic.

1:06

Okay, and we're going to shut down public comment at 10.05.

1:10

And we are going to go with two minute public comments.

1:16

Two-minute public comments.

1:18

And shut down public comment at 1005.

1:20

And Ms.

1:20

Varner is our first person.

1:22

Yes.

1:23

Good morning, Ms.

1:23

Varner.

1:24

You have two minutes.

1:26

Good morning to all within the sound of my voice.

1:29

I'm Betty A.

1:30

Barner, president of DeSoda Ellsworth Black Association.

1:35

Asking everyone to save the date of April 18th, 2026.

1:46

That's on a Saturday.

1:48

It would be from 10 a.m.

1:50

to 1 p.m.

1:52

We will be offering eye exams and eye screenings.

2:07

Also, the Detroit Community Health Connections and Corporation will be offering health services.

2:15

All the services are free for the Detroit Metro Area Residents.

2:25

You don't need an insurance card.

2:28

If you need the services, just show up and you will be service.

2:34

And these services are free for children and adults.

2:40

And the services will be provided at the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church.

2:48

7-151co Avenue, corner of Monica.

2:54

Again, 7-1-5-1 Finco Avenue, corner of Monica.

3:02

That's a couple of blocks west of Livinois.

3:08

If you need these services, please come out.

3:12

We know that there are people who are struggling with their health insurance.

3:16

Even people who have insurance, say they deductibles have been raised.

3:30

Thank you, Ms.

3:30

Varner.

3:31

We're gonna go with we have one person in house, uh, Mr.

3:34

Smith, and we're gonna go with Mr.

3:35

Smith.

3:36

He has two minutes, and we're gonna shut down public comment at 10 05.

3:38

Mr.

3:39

Smith, you have two minutes.

3:40

Good morning, thank you.

3:41

I want to say uh that was a nice charter mandated meeting I went to last night.

3:45

I forgot to ask uh Madam Mayor for a meeting with the Detroit Ham Champion Coalition, so I'll be asking her for that tonight.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Comment███████████████████████████27%
Fire Prevention███████████████████19%
Procedural█████████████13%
Contract Management██████████10%
Pending Litigation████████8%
Technology and Innovation████████8%
Blight████4%
Housing███3%
Transportation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Detroit City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting - April 8, 2026

The Committee of the Whole of the Detroit City Council met on April 8, 2026. The meeting initially lacked a quorum, so public comment was conducted first. After a quorum was achieved, the committee held a public hearing on an ordinance to update the city's fire code and then proceeded to discuss and vote on numerous agenda items, including settlements, contracts, and reports. Many items were moved to the formal session with a recommendation to approve.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Betty A. Barner, president of DeSoda Ellsworth Black Association, announced a free health and eye screening event on April 18, 2026, at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church.
  • Mr. Smith discussed charter-mandated meetings, alleged slumlords in District 1 (John O'Brien, Elizabeth Simon), and issues in District 2 including police commissioner Lobus Williams and Kronos Concrete. He also claimed any council member can initiate downzoning.
  • Mr. Cunningham urged continued financial support for his work as an ambassador, criticized bus service, and suggested reduced bus fares for those with low income.
  • William M. Davis argued that community advisory councils are a poor substitute for citizen district councils, citing his experience in the 1980s.
  • Jacqueline (caller) reported eight unsecured vacant lots on Tacoma Street in District 3, with dirt spilling into the street.
  • Resident (caller) suggested a "No Mow May" program for pollinators, criticized garbage being mowed over by city contractors, and questioned the fairness of the side lot policy.
  • Dr. Denise Darnell reported a shattered bus shelter on Woodward Avenue near Eight Mile and Wellesley. Councilmember Whitfield Callaway noted the location and promised action.
  • Darren McCleskey compared Detroit's government responsiveness unfavorably to suburban communities, citing tax appeal and blight fine issues.
  • Tyson Gersh urged transparency in the BZA budget and suggested the city clerk's office needs more resources.
  • Owner Papa criticized Councilmember Benson's proposal on tracking incidents during public comment and opposed incorporating AI in city government.
  • Black bag moving crowley made allegations about several individuals, including Bishop David Ellis and Councilmember Whitfield Callaway, and claimed a woman named Kinesha Coleman did not shoot herself.
  • Public comment on the fire code ordinance: Three callers spoke. One caller (Ms. Warwick) asked about electric vehicle fires and solar farm fires. Chief Robinson answered that the code update references national standards for those. William M. Davis asked why the fire department does not automatically update codes; Chief Robinson explained the department reviews codes every two years to ensure they benefit the city. Ms. Warwick also asked about handling EV fires and solar farm safety; the chief responded that the code includes relevant standards.

Public Hearing

  • Public Hearing on Ordinance to Amend Chapter 18 (Fire Prevention and Protection Code): The proposed ordinance updates the city's fire code from the 2015 NFPA to the 2021 NFPA. The reading was completed by the chair. Representatives from the law department, fire department, and Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department (BSEED) explained the changes are technical and housekeeping updates. The ordinance also includes updates to sections on bowling lanes, fireworks, and ethylene oxide. No opposition was expressed. The public hearing was closed after public comment.

Discussion Items

  • Fire Code Update (Chapter 18): The ordinance was sponsored by Councilmember Benson. The update aligns Detroit's fire code with the 2021 state fire code and building code. Chief Robinson noted major changes include updating the code year and pulling out language for clarity. Councilmember Whitfield Callaway asked about the inclusion of bowling lanes; the chief explained that products used in bowling alleys are highly flammable. The ordinance was moved to formal session with a recommendation to approve.
  • Contract with Clark Hill (Legal Services): Amendment to increase funds by $150,000 and extend time for visa processing services (H1B, TN visas, green cards) through June 2027. The law department explained the increase covers a longer contract term. Moved to formal session.
  • ASL Interpretation Services Contract: Amendment to extend services from Deaf Community Advocacy Network (located in Sylvan, Michigan) through May 2027. Jackie Thompson from the Office of Disability Affairs explained that the previous contractor (PHIS) pulled out, leaving Deaf Community Advocacy Network to fulfill the contract. Councilmember Whitfield Callaway questioned why the contractor is not based in Detroit. The item was moved to formal session.
  • Case Management Software for Department of Appeals and Hearings (DAH): Contract with Noble Child Inc. (Novi, Michigan) for $2.3 million over five years. Director Julian Pastrel described the system as a comprehensive platform for blight adjudications and administrative appeals, with a public portal, improved transparency, and integration with city systems. The current system (BETS) is 20 years old. Councilmember Whitfield Callaway asked about the number of licenses (65) and the vendor's experience with other municipalities. The vendor has experience with Philadelphia, North Carolina, and Elizabeth, New Jersey. Moved to formal session.
  • Lawsuit Settlements: Several settlements were discussed and moved to formal session:
    • Lavon Hill: $4,000,000 (from March 25, 2026, carried over).
    • Oral Rehab Services, LLC: $4,500.
    • Sean Del Nore Dillon (fire department): $40,000.
    • Marcus Alston, Antoine Hardy, Antonio Hardy, Lester Jones (police department): $350,000. Law department noted the case could have been ten times higher at trial.
    • Level One Physical Therapy: $7,700.
    • Jerome Anderson (transportation department): $87,500.
    • Tammy Wheeler (fire department): $30,000.
  • Reports and Memoranda:
    • Report on boards and commissions vacancies deferred for one week.
    • Rules for community advisory council deferred for two weeks.
    • Follow-up on data sharing contracts deferred for three weeks.
    • Board of Ethics 2025 Annual Report received and filed.
    • Proposed Executive Organization Plan received and filed.
    • Remote participation of council member with medical condition report received and filed.
    • Language access plans memorandum referred to clerk's office and CREO, return date to be determined.
    • Policy on artificial intelligence in city government memorandum referred to DOIT, return date to be determined.
    • Tracking incidents during city council public comment (Councilmember Benson) deferred for two weeks, with EPU included in discussion.
    • Executive Organization Plan modification (Council President Tate) received and filed (resolution already approved).
    • Legislative agenda work group (Council President Tate) deferred for two weeks.

Key Outcomes

  • Fire code ordinance: Moved to formal session with recommendation to approve.
  • All contracts and settlements listed above were moved to formal session with recommendation to approve.
  • Deferred items:
    • Boards and commissions report: return in one week (April 15, 2026).
    • Community advisory council rules: return in two weeks.
    • Data sharing contracts follow-up: return in three weeks.
    • Language access plans: return date to be determined.
    • AI policy: return date to be determined.
    • Tracking incidents during public comment: return in two weeks.
    • Legislative agenda work group: return in two weeks.
  • Public hearing closed.
  • Meeting adjourned after member reports. Councilmember Whitfield Callaway announced a street naming ceremony for Viola Liuzzo on April 11, 2026, and a coffee and conversation event on April 13, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

Committee will be called to order with a clerk please call the roll. Councilmember Angela Whitfield Callaway. Councilmember Scott Benson. Councilmember Renata Miller. Is it chair? You do not have a quorum present. Okay. Both the chair, member Whitfield Callaway and Member Miller both have excused absences. And Member Whitfield Callaway, the chair will be coming in in about 10 minutes. So not having a quorum, we cannot take up any business, but we can take up our public comment. And so what we'll do is have public comment and just a bit of housekeeping. When we don't have a quorum, we can do public comment, but there can be no response. And so we can just listen, FYI to our public commenters. Do we have anybody in the audience in the gallery who would like to participate in public comment? Anyone in the gallery going once, going twice, or there's no one in the gallery. How many people do we have online for public comment? Good morning, Vice Chair Benson. We currently have nine hands raised for public comment. Oh, fantastic. Okay, and we're going to shut down public comment at 10.05. And we are going to go with two minute public comments. Two-minute public comments. And shut down public comment at 1005. And Ms. Varner is our first person. Yes. Good morning, Ms. Varner. You have two minutes. Good morning to all within the sound of my voice. I'm Betty A. Barner, president of DeSoda Ellsworth Black Association. Asking everyone to save the date of April 18th, 2026. That's on a Saturday. It would be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. We will be offering eye exams and eye screenings. Also, the Detroit Community Health Connections and Corporation will be offering health services. All the services are free for the Detroit Metro Area Residents. You don't need an insurance card. If you need the services, just show up and you will be service. And these services are free for children and adults. And the services will be provided at the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church. 7-151co Avenue, corner of Monica. Again, 7-1-5-1 Finco Avenue, corner of Monica. That's a couple of blocks west of Livinois. If you need these services, please come out. We know that there are people who are struggling with their health insurance. Even people who have insurance, say they deductibles have been raised. Thank you, Ms.

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