Planning and Economic Development Standing Committee Meeting - April 9, 2026

The Planning and Economic Development Standing Committee met on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 10:03 AM. Chair Johnson called the meeting to order after a quorum was confirmed. The meeting included general public comment, unfinished business, new business, and member reports.

Chair Remarks

Chair Johnson recognized April as Autism Awareness Month and noted a resolution would be introduced. She also shared a personal connection and expressed support for the upcoming Disability Task Force.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Letitia Darcy (Crowley): Accused city officials of voter fraud, asserting that allegations of fraud in Detroit are real. Called Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero a liar for not reading a finding. Demanded intervention from President Trump.
• William M. Davis: Proposed downsizing the Detroit Land Bank Authority (DLBA) and requiring it to reimburse the city for expenses like grass cutting over a four-year period (25% first year, 50% second, etc.). Suggested the city church have two appointees on the DLBA board. Criticized DLBA nuisance abatement on properties it controls and argued any fine revenue should go to the general fund. Called for more economic programs controlled by Detroit residents.
• Betty A. Vernon (President, DeSoda Elsewhere Black Association): Promoted a free health fair on April 18, 2026, from 10 AM to 1 PM at 7151 Finco Avenue (Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church), offering eye exams, health screenings, and services for children and adults. Also requested help for the Finkel corridor and park projects.
• Caller ending in 124: Expressed disappointment in the master plan update process, citing a poorly attended district-specific meeting where residents complained about being asked to plan other neighborhoods rather than their own. Called for better education about the current master plan and more inclusive resident engagement. Questioned changes to the North End planning study.
• Cranston Anderson (D3 resident, block club president): Raised issues about residents maintaining vacant lots to prevent dumping receiving cease-and-desist letters from the DLBA. Questioned adverse possession claims after 15-20 years of care. Also complained about police allowing cars and homeless camping in alleys in the Gardigia community, calling for enforcement.
• Cunningham (Brother Coy): Asked for donations via Patreon and Facebook, and proposed bus ride-alongs with candidates or block club presidents. Provided a phone number (313-449-1914).
• Owner Papa: Criticized $5.5 million in supportive services for homelessness (item 6.2) and $3 million in opioid settlement funding to CHASS for low-barrier healthcare for homeless individuals, arguing homelessness is not being resolved despite spending. Questioned the sale of multiple properties to Voss Fond Key 3 (formed in 2025) and spending on trees. Accused the city of treating general fund dollars as pocket change.
• iPhone (caller): Announced write-in candidacy for governor. Complained about poor record-keeping by the Detroit Water Department regarding a water line replacement, causing damage to his building. Suggested using AI to locate infrastructure.

Unfinished Business

All items (5.1 to 5.6) were motions to bring back for future meetings:

• 5.1 (DLBA/Wayne County Treasurer info): Brought back in two weeks.
• 5.2 (Nuisance abatement overview): Brought back in two weeks.
• 5.3 (Codifying council appointment to DLBA board): Received and filed; response under 6.5.
• 5.4 (Resolution seeking recovery of costs): Brought back in one week.
• 5.5 (Nuisance abatement suit for Leland House apartments): Law Department reported progress; brought back in one week.
• 5.6 (Community outreach ordinance report): Brought back in two weeks.

New Business

• 6.1 – Detroit Home Connect contract (CityWise Software): Zero-cost agreement for three years. CityWise offsets costs by charging a small fee for listing market-rate units in buildings with over 20 units. Approved and sent to formal session.
• 6.2 – Tenant-based rental assistance and supportive services: Removed from the agenda at the administration’s request; will be resubmitted later.
• 6.3 – Opioid settlement funding to CHASS: $3,027,581.08 for low-barrier healthcare and medications for homeless individuals with opioid use disorder. Approved unanimously.
• 6.4 – Zoning alteration at 500 Woodward Avenue: Approved and sent to formal session.
• 6.5 – Report on codifying council appointment to DLBA board: Received and filed.
• 6.6 – Property sale of vacant lots on Whitman Place (District 3): 24 vacant lots (approx. 80,000 sq. ft., 1.9 acres) sold to Key Three LLC (Michigan Box Company) for $146,000 (full broker’s opinion value). The company, a corrugated packaging manufacturer, will use the land for truck staging and future expansion. Approved and sent to formal session.
• 6.7 – Policy framework for nuisance abatement, property seizure, and condemnation: Referred to the Legislative Policy Division (LPD) and to return in two weeks.
• 6.8 – Information on tax-foreclosed property transfers with DLBA (Councilmember Waters): LPD advised sending a letter to the Wayne County Treasurer rather than a council directive; brought back in one week for discussion with Councilmember Waters.
• 6.9 – Status of Health Community Land Trust funding: Referred to the Office of the Chief Financial Officer and to return in two weeks.

Key Outcomes

• All consent calendar items were approved without objection.
• Motions to remove, refer, or bring back items were adopted unanimously.
• Contracts and property sales (6.1, 6.3, 6.4, 6.6) were approved and sent to formal session.
• The committee directed staff to prepare responses and reports for future meetings.

Member Reports

• Councilmember Santiago Romero: Announced a community event at Patton Park on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from noon to 2 PM with dancing and food.
• Council President Pro Tempore Young: Promoted “Coffee with Coleman” on Friday, April 10, 2026, from 1-3 PM at Craig Cafe (6340 East Jefferson Avenue) on small business opportunities and city contracts with Chief Procurement Officer Sandra Ustall.
• Chair Johnson: Reminded residents of District 4 evening community meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 7 PM at Fountain of Truth Church (9801 Chalmers). Followed by Councilmember Sheffield’s charter-mandated meeting on April 15. Also announced District 4 planning session on April 20 at A.B. Ford Park (5:30 PM) with hazardous waste/e-waste drop-off starting at 3 PM, and a Public Lighting Authority discussion on April 22.

Meeting adjourned without further business.