OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

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

City CouncilThursday, April 9, 2026
BodyDetroit, Michigan
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, April 9, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record

STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Joining us for the Planning and Economic Development Standing Committee on today, Thursday, April 9th, 2026.

0:07

Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll?

0:09

Councilmember Letitia Johnson.

0:11

Present.

0:12

Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero.

0:14

Present.

0:15

Council President pro temporal common A.

0:17

The young the second.

0:19

Madam Chair, you have a quorum present.

0:21

Thank you.

0:21

Having a quorum present, we are now in session.

0:25

Good morning, Member Santiago Romero.

0:28

Is there a motion on the minutes?

0:30

Good morning.

0:31

Motion to approve.

0:32

Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

0:35

We are going to move into chair remarks.

0:39

I just want to share with everyone that April is autism awareness month.

0:45

Um we will be putting forth a resolution to recognize autism awareness.

0:50

Um of you may know last year.

0:53

One of my brothers transitioned, he was nonverbal.

0:57

Uh, and so it is something that's near and dear to me, and making sure that we provide all of the support for individuals who have autism is something that is extremely important.

1:08

And I'm looking forward to getting the disability task force up and running um this term.

1:14

So look forward to that, but certainly want to recognize autism awareness month.

1:20

Uh with that, we are going to move into public comment.

1:25

If there is anyone joining us in person or virtually who'd like to make a public comment, please raise your hand.

1:33

Please raise your hand.

1:36

I excuse me, sir.

1:40

Thank you.

1:40

Uh, if there's anyone joining us who'd like to make a public comment, whether joining us in person or virtually, please raise your hand.

1:48

Public comment will be cut off at 10.05.

1:52

It is currently 10.03.

1:53

So you have two minutes to raise your hand virtually if you'd like to make a public comment.

1:59

Yes.

2:00

If we can please set the clock for two minutes.

2:04

Uh currently we see a zoom screen.

2:08

Please set the clock for two minutes.

2:11

We have one hand in the committee of the whole.

2:14

Uh good morning, Miss Gray.

2:15

How many hands do we currently have raised virtually?

2:21

Good morning, madam chair.

2:23

There are currently five hands raised for virtual public comment.

2:26

Okay.

2:26

Thank you.

2:27

We are going to get started with in the committee of the whole.

2:30

And good morning, Mr.

2:31

Rue.

2:32

Mr.

2:32

Crowley, you have two minutes for general public comment.

2:42

Okay.

2:42

Letitia Darcy.

2:44

Letitia, I gotta take a different approach because y'all have been playing with me.

2:48

Y'all tried to uh that chief probate judge pretty burden tried to niggle me.

2:55

And then I got the cuffs put on me ten times over at the 11th precinct.

3:01

Nine times to the DC Detroit detention center, one time to the Samaritan Behavior Center at 5555, where I was in there for 13 old days before I got up out of that chicarney ice tea with some nut cases.

3:18

Now, you cheated in you can't say, and you won't say I'm a liar.

3:24

So if I'm not lying, what am I doing?

3:27

Telling the truth.

3:30

Call me.

3:30

You cheated in too.

3:32

You know it.

3:34

You can't say I'm lying.

3:36

So what am I doing?

3:37

Telling the truth.

3:38

You say all this stuff about you don't like or don't believe Aston T Ballet Fraud is real, it's real in Detroit.

3:45

And Gabriela Santiago Romero, you're a liar.

3:48

You did not read that finding.

3:51

Findings are allegations of voter fraud.

3:54

Final Miss City on no March the 9th.

4:01

May the 9th, 2024.

4:04

I called your office on the 20th.

4:06

They said they didn't have no report.

4:08

And you won't say nothing either.

4:10

You won't call me no liar.

4:12

So if I'm not a lie, what am I doing?

4:16

I'm telling the truth.

4:18

And Dana's been cheating in Alexis for a long, long, long, long, long time.

4:23

Y'all cheated in.

4:24

Oh, y'all cheated in.

4:25

Now it's time for y'all to go.

4:27

Nini won't what she won't.

4:28

Y'all didn't take the tag off.

4:30

I'm gonna do exactly what I said.

4:33

And I gave the information to number 47, Donald Trump.

4:37

Now I need him to come in here and get all y'all together.

4:40

And Comrade Mallett can smoke D.

4:46

The first virtual caller.

4:50

Her first virtual caller is William M.

4:52

Davis.

4:53

William M.

4:53

Davis, you have two minutes for general public comment.

5:00

And please note that public comment has been cut off.

5:04

Good morning, young people.

5:05

Can I be heard?

5:06

Good morning, yes.

5:07

Okay, I'd like to start off by saying a couple of things.

5:10

I think the Detroit land should be downsized.

5:16

I think the land bank should start having to reimburse the city of Detroit for Detroit expenses like cutting their grass and what have you.

5:25

I I think the land bank should be traditioning so that like over a four-year period that they reimburse the city for 25% first year, 50% the next year, 75% the third year, and well and 100% reimbursement for the fourth year.

5:45

I think that would motivate them to move that property a whole lot quicker.

5:50

Also, I think the city church should have at least two appointees on the land bank uh board.

5:57

And also I think it's horrible that the land bank do nuisance abatements when you drive around the city.

6:04

A lot of the properties that look like they need attention are land bank properties.

6:10

You know, so it's horrible that they could uh tell people that they have to get out the house or they have to move, they have to do this, they have to do that, and they don't do that for the properties that they control.

6:22

Also, I don't know if they do receive any money from when uh fines are generated, but if if there's any money generated for loosen abatement, that should be going to the general fund, not to the land bank.

6:35

Um, hopefully we could start working on more economic programs and projects in the city of Detroit that are started and controlled by people who live in the city of Detroit.

6:47

We need to cut down on so many of our dollars leaving the city.

6:51

So hopefully y'all will have a great day and encourage more people to vote.

6:55

Thank you.

6:56

Thank you.

6:58

The next caller.

7:04

Betty A.

7:05

Vernon, you have two minutes for general public comment.

7:09

Uh good morning to all within the sound of my voice.

7:12

I'm Betty A.

7:13

Verner, president of DeSoda Elsewhere Black Association.

7:17

Uh wanted to talk this morning about our health fair event, our free help fare event that's going to be April 18th from 10 a.m.

7:29

to 1 p.m.

7:30

for please save the date.

7:32

There will be free eye exams and screenings.

7:37

DMC will be providing health services.

7:42

Also the health uh Detroit Community Health Connections will be providing health services.

7:52

Uh it will be at 7151 Finco Avenue.

7:58

Again, 7151 Finco Avenue at the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, corner of Finco.

8:09

That's a couple of blocks west of Livinois.

8:15

Uh everything is free.

8:17

All services are free for children and adults.

8:22

Uh, it's for the Detroit Metro area.

8:26

So it does not matter.

8:28

You can live in the suburbs, Ankster, wherever.

8:31

If you need the services, please come to this event.

8:36

And if you don't, please share the information.

8:40

Again, that's April 18th from 10 a.m.

8:45

to 1 p.m.

8:48

Also, as I always say, we're still looking for help for our Finkel corridor, and we are working on projects for uh our park that we have purchased additional land, and hopefully we will be able to achieve our mission and goals to improve our community.

9:13

Thank you.

9:15

The next caller.

9:17

Our next caller is owner Papa.

9:19

Owner Papa, you have two minutes for general public comment.

9:32

Good morning, owner Papa.

9:43

Let's come back to owner Papa.

9:45

Who's the next caller?

9:48

Our next caller is caller ending in 124.

9:51

Caller ending in 124.

9:52

You have two minutes for general public comment.

10:04

Good morning, may I be heard?

10:06

Good morning, yes.

10:09

Yes.

10:10

Well, um, some of you, if you been paying attention, known as been uh very disappointed in the lack leictor master plan update process.

10:22

Uh due to say tragic event.

10:26

I was able to go to the meeting last night that was supposed to be district five specific.

10:33

Uh the room had bad acoustics.

10:36

Um there were people at several tables that were getting upset going, I don't want to plan other people's neighborhood.

10:43

I want to plan my neighborhood.

10:45

That happened at multiple tables.

10:48

And so uh then uh the district manager tried to say I've been at these meetings.

10:56

I said, really, who said that?

10:57

I said I've been to two meetings.

10:59

I said I went to one meeting where they were sitting on the side and said, right on a block of what a word you'd like to describe your trade.

11:06

I said, where's the education about what the current master plan is so that people can understand this better and then educate it?

11:16

So I I mean, I don't know how much money you're paying on can for we are paying for consultants.

11:22

This is being a lost opportunity to educate people better about the master plan and and it's they've got to find a better way to meet with residents in their neighborhoods, and I also see there seems to be like a major change to what happened for the north end after the north end planning study.

11:42

So why is this being changed?

11:44

And then when I talked with the district five manager about the uh master plan advisory group, so excuse me, it's either him or one of the planners, and I pointed out that I had reached out to just about all the people that were in District Five, and only one person contacted me back, but not and he's like, Oh, would you like help with something?

12:06

I said, No, what I'd like is some more inclusion in the master plan.

12:13

Thank you.

12:15

The next caller.

12:18

Our next caller is Cranstana Gina Brown Anderson.

12:22

Fran Stana Gina Brown Anderson, you have two minutes for general public comment.

12:28

Good morning, may I be heard?

12:29

Good morning, yes.

12:31

Yes, my name is Cranston Anderson.

12:34

I'm uh um member um in D3 resident, and I am a block club association president, and for over 20 years, I have been participating in cleanups in my neighborhood and around D3.

12:47

The issues that we have now is some of the homeowners who've been taking care of the lots next to their property, um, trying to prevent illegal dumping, are now receiving um cease and assist letters to remove anything that they put there to protect the property or the lot from um illegal dumping and we're in the process of trying to help those owners apply and make sure that they go through the process with Detroit Land Bank, but it seems to be a very slow process, but um with the adverse uh possession when these people have taken care of these lots for over 15, 20 years, and then Detroit Land Bank is coming through trying to take these properties.

13:32

How are you gonna assist those residents who have actively been engaged in keeping their community clean in Detroit?

13:40

And also I have issues where we have called out police about cars being parked in alleys.

13:45

We clean these alleys in our neighborhood over in the Gardigia community.

13:50

We keep them clean, we um utilize some of the people in our own neighborhood and try to give them some type of stifing to help us, but now we're having problem where the city of Detroit police department is just allowing cars to be stabilized inside the alley saying that they're homeless or the hot cars look like they're full of food and clothes, and that doesn't matter to us.

14:12

We we understand we have a homeless issue in Detroit, but we need some type of enforcement as far as people being in our alleys camping out for um shelter.

14:22

That's that's not an appropriate um place for us to have to be dealing with people in the back of our homes.

14:28

So I'm really hoping that you guys can come up with something to really help us out and not thank you.

14:37

The next caller.

14:39

Our next caller is resident.

14:42

Resident, you have two minutes for general public comments.

14:56

You have two minutes for general public comment.

15:00

Are you there?

15:07

Let's come back to this caller.

15:12

Our next caller is Cunningham.

15:14

Cunningham, you have two minutes for general public comment.

15:23

31344914 through a three four four four nine one one four.

15:31

313414.

15:34

That number was made so you could remember it.

15:38

I'd like to remind you that I get do not get composition or pay for doing what I do with the community.

15:45

So your help is paramount.

15:58

Time is valuable.

16:00

Can never get it back.

16:02

Give it out bus tickets, hair warmers, has those bus stops, all those cool warnings and code dice.

16:10

The uh coming to the meetings advocating that takes time.

16:17

If you are blessed with the vehicle, and you are blessed to get paid for doing your passion, that's great.

16:29

And you can type in Google Patreon, brother Coy, or Facebook.

16:36

Um three four four four.

16:43

If you hear my voice, and you get in the thought of donating, or get the thought of continuing your donation, and you have it.

16:53

Please do so again.

16:56

Keep the ball rolling, give me out here in the streets doing God's work.

17:03

Unfortunately, a life things cost money.

17:06

Detroit Department of Transportation bus ride along.

17:11

Anyone running for a candidate or a block club president or whatever you do?

17:17

I would like to do a bus ride along with you again or a new ride along.

17:23

3134.

17:28

Thank you.

17:30

The next caller.

17:32

We are going back to owner Papa.

17:36

Owner Papa, you have two minutes for general public comment.

17:41

Uh good morning, and through the chair, may I be heard?

17:43

Good morning, yes.

17:44

Um, I'm I'm looking at 6.2, and it says supportive services for households experiencing homelessness.

17:52

That sounds a little ridiculous.

17:53

And it's five million dollars, five and a half, actually.

17:56

I see all these, and then then a hundred percent opioid settlement funding.

18:05

Why would it be going over to Chass?

18:07

Why would three million dollars be going over to Chaz for uh low barrier access health care and medication for for individuals experiencing homelessness?

18:17

You guys are getting a little ridiculous with the homelessness.

18:19

You don't solve the homeless problem, but you have a lot of money, you're throwing at it, but we don't see any resolution to the problem.

18:26

The lady just called you and told you they're camping out behind her house.

18:30

And I I really believe that when the cameras first were introduced to the city, it was to avoid dumping.

18:36

But we seem to have the same dumping problem that we had when we started.

18:40

That we we never resolve any of our issues.

18:43

We just move on and then create other issues like the dirty dirt.

18:47

We just move on and create all of these piles of the spare that that this council is sitting over.

18:53

6.6 is like several properties being sold to one individual called Voss Fond Key 3.

19:02

They just came into existence registered in 2025, but they have all of these properties consistent uh, you know, properties.

19:10

How did how did that happen?

19:11

How did he how did all how does all of this stuff happen?

19:14

Now we're spending millions of dollars on was it trees?

19:18

Is this the one with the with the trees in it?

19:21

Oh, APO, millions, millions, millions of dollars, and I don't see where we're resolving any of our issues.

19:28

It's getting to the point where it's ridiculous, and if you heard the account of how the the city is being run, you guys are using our our our general fund dollars as if they are um your pocket change, you know, a million here, a million there.

19:43

I'm a little sick and tired of what I heard yesterday.

19:48

Thank you.

19:49

The next caller.

19:53

Our next caller is iPhone.

19:56

IPhone.

19:58

You have two minutes for general.

20:00

Yeah, thank you.

20:01

Um I I went to the meeting last night and uh actually announced that I'm running as a write-in for uh governor.

20:11

So we I can run against uh so it doesn't I don't want to split the vote off, or we wind up with a Republican.

20:20

However, there isn't a whole lot of difference sometimes between the two and uh mostly but uh I I'm having trouble with the city uh as far as the water department they don't keep their records uh of what uh like we we changed uh my water line years ago to two inch copper because we thought it was we didn't want lead coming in.

20:49

That was about 2010 or something when somebody broke the line coming in.

20:53

I said, let's just change it.

20:56

Well, uh, they don't have records because that was too long ago that that we went into their water main or where we went into it or nothing.

21:05

And uh that's really four.

21:09

Then they couldn't find any records of where they went back in because it was leaking.

21:16

And we never got to disconnect.

21:18

Disconnected, but also I think that the original connection wasn't made right with the two inch to the water service, so that they don't seem to have a record of what they did.

21:31

But the city actually went back in and did.

21:34

And uh so I I think that the record keeping that is one place.

21:39

Maybe you need some AI if you can't do it with people uh to figure out how to locate your infrastructure so that you can be more efficient and also not have water underground destroying things like my building.

21:54

It looks like it's really hurting from the water.

21:57

I'm trying to solve the problems, but I need the city's help, not their uh thank you, and I believe that now concludes general public comment.

22:10

Madam Chair, we have one additional caller.

22:12

Our last caller is resident.

22:14

Resident.

22:15

You have two minutes for general public comment.

22:26

I already spoke, thank you.

22:28

Thank you.

22:29

All right, that now concludes our general public comment.

22:34

And I do just want to share with Ms.

22:37

Cranston Gina Anderson.

22:39

Um, I'd like to encourage you to reach out to the Department of Neighborhoods to um share with the respective department the concerns that you have in regards to um the alley and uh any other concerns that you have.

22:55

Please feel free to reach out to the Department of Neighborhoods.

22:59

Colleagues, any additional responses?

23:03

Council President Pro Tempere Young.

23:06

First of all, let me say thank you so much for that, donut.

23:09

That was absolutely amazing.

23:10

I appreciate that.

23:10

I ate that very quickly, so thank you.

23:12

Uh secondly, I just want to say I would also encourage you to be able to call uh housing services as well, so that the so that the people who are homeless that are in the alley could potentially be able to find some housing.

23:24

I think they've been very good and very quick in terms of services that they provide when I'll call Jazz Z Neblet and uh Julie Schneider and all those folks, so I think that also might be helpful as well.

23:34

Thank you, Madam Chair.

23:37

Thank you.

23:37

And I'd like to provide the phone number for the district manager, the district three manager, Kayana Sesams.

23:45

The phone number is 313 8464.

23:52

Again, 31348464.

23:57

All right, thank you all for calling in.

24:00

We appreciate it.

24:01

That now moves us to unfinished business beginning with line item 5.1.

24:10

Line item 5.1 is the status of council member Mary Waters, submitting memorandum relative to a request for information on relationship between the Detroit Land Bank Authority and the Wayne County Treasurer's Office.

24:23

There's a request for a two-week bring back.

24:26

Is there a motion?

24:29

There's a motion to bring line item 5.1 back in two weeks.

24:33

Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

24:37

Line item 5.2 is the status of council member Mary Waters.

24:42

Submit a memorandum relative to a request for an overview of the nuisance abatement program authority and the Detroit Land Bank Authority.

25:01

Motion.

25:02

Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

25:07

Line item 5.3 is the status of council member Scott Benson submitting memorandum relative to codifying city council's appointment to the land bank board.

25:18

Is there a motion to receive and file line item 5.3?

25:22

Noting that the response is under line item 6.5.

25:27

Motion.

25:28

There's a motion to receive and file.

25:29

Line item 5.3.

25:31

Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

25:36

Line item 5.4 is the status of council member Angela Whitfield Callaway.

25:42

Submitting memorandum requesting a resolution seeking recovery of costs.

25:47

There is a request for a one-week bring back.

25:50

Is there a motion?

25:52

Motion.

25:53

There's a motion to bring line item 5.4 back in one week.

25:57

Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

26:02

Line item 5.5 is the status of council member Mary Waters.

26:06

Submittee memorandum relative to nuisance abatement suit request for the Leland House apartments.

26:12

Is there a motion to discuss?

26:15

Discussion.

26:16

Discussion.

26:17

Thank you to Attorney Anderson.

26:20

I understand there's a request for a bring back.

26:23

Can you give us an update?

26:25

Are we moving towards resolving this so that we can address it and get it off of our agenda?

26:32

Yes, through the Chair Graham Anderson Law Department.

26:35

I know there was a significant talks and facilitation this week.

26:39

I'm uh hoping I don't I don't have all the details to provide to this body at this time, but I'm hoping next week we're able to have this all tied up.

26:47

Okay.

26:47

Um, and I know we received an email indicating progress and what's happening with the uh facility.

26:55

Okay, all right, thank you.

26:57

Thank you.

26:57

There's a request for a one-week bring back for line item 5.5.

27:02

Is there a motion?

27:03

There's a motion to bring line item 5.5 back in one week.

27:07

Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

27:11

And line item 5.6, status of council member Letitia Johnson submitted memorandum requesting report on the community outreach ordinance.

27:20

There is a request for a two-week bring back.

27:23

Is there a motion?

27:24

Motion.

27:25

There's a motion to bring line item 5.6 back in two weeks.

27:30

That now bring uh hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

27:36

That now brings us to new business.

27:39

Beginning with line item 6.1.

27:43

Line item 6.1 is contract number 600 760.

27:50

This is a no-cost agreement to provide continued hosting and maintenance for Detroit Home Connect.

27:56

Affordable housing portal.

27:58

Contractor is citywise software.

28:01

Contra period upon city council approval for three years.

28:06

Total contract.

28:08

There, this is a zero dollar.

28:11

No cost agreement.

28:13

Is there a motion to approve or discuss?

28:18

Discussion.

28:20

Pro temper young.

28:23

Thank you, madam chair.

28:25

Thanks for putting that pro temper on there.

28:28

So who this may concern in the administration?

28:32

How can we provide this very necessary service and there's no cost agreement to it?

28:42

We have several folks that were slated to join us for line item 6.1.

28:49

Um, and I'm not sure which of them is the best person to respond to that.

28:56

I see Miss Robinson on the screen.

28:58

Please introduce yourself for the record.

29:02

Um, good morning.

29:03

My name is Michelle Robinson.

29:05

I'm the director of Detroit Housing Services.

29:08

I'm here at the City of Detroit.

29:14

And please introduce yourself for the record.

29:19

Good morning.

29:20

My name is Steve Knutson.

29:22

I'm a systems integration advisor with the housing revitalization department.

29:27

Morning.

29:28

Can either of you answer pro tempere's question?

29:35

Yeah, the chair to pretend um citywise has had over jurisdictions that have been no cost.

29:47

They're able to achieve this by having a separate market rate portal that's optional for property managers to use for a small fee.

30:00

It only applies to property managers that are running uh buildings that have over 20 units.

30:09

First part, did you say it again?

30:10

He kind of broke up.

30:14

Yeah, so the no cost portion is that all regulated affordable units are listed on Detroit Home Connect for no fee.

30:22

They're able to provide it for no cost by providing an optional listing for market rate units for buildings that have over 20 units in the property for a small fee.

30:34

Oh, okay.

30:34

So it's got over 20 years, they charge a small fee.

30:37

Otherwise, all the stuff that's affordable housing is provided for free.

30:41

Correct.

30:42

And that's something that they're just offering.

30:46

Out of the goodness of their heart, is there other business that they're doing with the city that allows them to be able to offer that for free?

30:55

It's uh just the optional rate for those market rate units.

31:01

Okay.

31:02

All right.

31:03

Thank you.

31:04

I appreciate it.

31:04

Thank you, sir.

31:05

Thank you, Ms.

31:05

Robinson.

31:06

Uh, thank you, mail chair.

31:07

I'm done.

31:08

Thank you.

31:08

And and just to clarify, so there is no cost to the city to provide Detroit Home Connect for this particular contract.

31:19

Um, I know sitting in PED last term, there was a cost for this particular contract.

31:27

So can you just help to hash that out?

31:32

The difference between the previous contract and this zero dollar contract.

31:41

Yeah, through the chair.

31:42

Correct.

31:43

There is no cost for this contract.

31:46

Um the prior contract, we were charging the the we were paying the previous contractor for full hosting maintenance and everything of the portal.

31:57

The difference with this one is that the contractor city wise is able to offset those costs by collecting revenue through those market rate properties.

32:09

Okay, so the units are smaller, there is no no cost to the property management company or what have you, but that means there's no cost to the city as well.

32:28

Correct, no cost to the city.

32:30

Okay.

32:31

All right, thank you for clearing that up.

32:34

Colleagues, any additional questions?

32:36

If not, is there a motion?

32:39

Motion.

32:40

There's a motion to send line item 6.1 to formal with a recommendation to approve.

32:46

Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

32:51

Thank you both for joining us.

32:55

Line item 6.2 is contract number 600 7787.

33:03

100% grant funding to provide tenant-based rental assistance and supportive services for households experiencing homelessness at scattered site market rate units.

33:14

Colleagues, there is a request from the administration to remove this item, noting that it will be resubmitted at a later date.

33:24

Is there a motion?

33:27

Motion.

33:28

There is a motion to remove line item 6.2 from the agenda.

33:33

Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

33:39

Moving on to line item 6.3, contract number 600 7789, 100% opioid settlement funding to provide low barrier access to health care and medications for opioid use disorder for individuals experiencing homelessness.

33:58

Contractor, community health and social services center.

34:07

Total contract amount 3 million 27,581 dollars and eight cents.

34:20

Motion to approve.

34:28

Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

34:37

Submitting resolution authorization authorizing alterations in a PCA zoning district at 500 Woodward Avenue.

34:48

Is there a motion to motion to approve motion to approve?

35:00

There's a motion to send line item 6.4 to formal with the recommendation to approve.

35:04

Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

35:10

Line item 6.5.

35:16

Line item 6.5 is submitting report relative to codifying city council's appointment to the Detroit Land Bank Authority.

35:29

Is there a motion to receive and file or discuss line item 6.5?

35:39

Motion to receive and file.

35:46

Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

35:53

Line item 6.6 is the property sale of a number of vacant lots on Whitman Place in District 3.

36:07

Is there a motion to discuss line item 6.6?

36:10

Motion.

36:13

Discussion.

36:18

And Bill Vasilowski Vasilowski.

36:24

If we can please promote them as panelists.

36:38

Mr.

36:38

Troughton has been promoted to panelists, and I don't see the other person.

36:42

So if they could please raise their hand.

37:04

The volume has been uh really low for a Zoom participants.

37:08

I know my colleagues are dealing with the same issue, so I apologize if I'm moving back and forth.

37:12

I'm trying to listen off of my speaker here.

37:15

Are you saying our volume is low?

37:18

Yeah, this the all the council wants, yes, madam chair.

37:21

Okay, okay media services.

37:24

If you can please adjust the volume, that would be appreciated.

37:29

And I do see a team of folks.

37:32

If uh you'd like to introduce yourselves for the record.

37:40

The folks in the conference room.

37:47

Yeah, yeah.

37:48

Our mic is on.

37:52

So you all know.

37:53

Yep, if the Michigan box company team wants to make an introduction.

37:57

Scott Keach uh representing Michigan box with my associate Bill Vaslowski, Bill Lus, Steve Hudson.

38:05

Thank you.

38:11

All right, so we're trying.

38:13

Is that better?

38:14

It is better.

38:15

Yep.

38:16

Okay, thank you.

38:17

All right, Mr.

38:18

Trung, if you can get us started, if you can please um share how we determine the cost of the lots and and confirm that they are all vacant lots.

38:31

That's correct.

38:32

The 24 vacant lots on Woodman Place equate to just over 80,000 square feet, about 1.9 acres.

38:39

I know in speaking with even uh council members' office or council member Benson's office directly, and I'll obviously when you see the amount of uh the parcels, uh you know, kind of there it raises a bit of a flag uh in terms of the pricing.

38:52

Um the pricing at 146,000 dollars was based on the full broker's opinion value with our uh city uh brokers with summit commercial uh on key three LLC, also known as Michigan Box Company, uh did accept that offer, so we are getting full uh pricing.

39:10

Um they are the adjacent business owner that have been operating there for decades.

39:14

This would be utilized to expand uh their operations.

39:17

Okay, thank you.

39:18

And if the uh individuals representing the company, if you can tell us what you currently do and how you are planning to utilize the vacant land.

39:28

Uh we're currently a sheet plant that makes uh coordinated packaging.

39:33

We use that lot for temporary truck uh exposure and short-term parking.

39:42

So you're expecting to use it for parking for parking, temporary parking, future expansion possibilities.

39:54

Okay, and and can you repeat again what the company does?

40:00

Michigan box manufactures corrugated packaging.

40:04

Primarily for the state of Michigan, 250 radius.

40:09

So we convert sheets, corrugated sheets into finished finished boxes.

40:15

Okay.

40:15

All right.

40:16

If I can chime in, Madam Chair for layman, you know, some of the products for me as a user.

40:20

You probably see pizza boxes.

40:22

Um, you know, other retail packaging materials, well, there's better made chips, and then I think you guys also do industrial packaging, uh, you know, cardboard boxes for industrial use scrap correct.

40:34

Primarily the food industry, wolverine, meat packing, garden crush, a lot of Michigan industries.

40:42

All right, thank you.

40:43

Colleagues, any additional questions?

40:47

Seeing none, is there a motion on line item 6.6?

40:51

Motion.

40:54

Motion to approve.

40:56

There's a motion to send line item 6.6 to formal with a recommendation to approve.

41:01

Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

41:05

And colleagues, if you will please have your microphone on if you'd like to make a motion.

41:10

Motion to approve.

41:12

Thank you.

41:13

All right, thank you all for joining us.

41:16

Thank you.

41:17

Yep, thank you.

41:20

Moving on to line item 6.7, council member Letitia Johnson submitting memorandum relative to a request for a policy framework to refine the city's nuisance.

41:33

Uh Ms.

41:34

Great.

41:35

Will you please remove the conference room?

41:43

Thank you.

41:45

Line item 6.7, submitting memorandum relative to a request for policy framework to refine the city's nuisance abatement, property seizure and condemnation processes.

41:57

Colleagues, is there a motion to refer line item 6.7 to LPD and bring back in two weeks?

42:04

Motion.

42:05

There's a motion to refer line item 6.7 to the legislative policy division and bring back in two weeks.

42:12

Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

42:19

Line item 6.8.

42:21

Councilmember Mary Waters submitting memorandum relative to a request for information on tax foreclosed property transfers with the Detroit Land Bank Authority.

42:35

Is there a motion to discuss?

42:39

Motion to discuss.

42:40

Discussion.

42:47

Is there anyone from LPD?

42:53

Chair Marcel Hurt.

42:55

Let's say policy division.

42:57

Thank you, Attorney Hurt.

42:59

Can you um share how this item should be addressed?

43:11

Um it appears that she wants information from the Wayne County Treasurer.

43:17

Um not sure of the manner in which it's it's uh addressed to go through to the council presidents to the treasurer.

43:28

It may be better just to have a letter from council member waters to the treasurer asking the treasurer if they can uh provide information as opposed to kind of an assignment giving from the council uh to the Wayne County Treasurer.

43:49

Okay, thank you for that.

43:51

And I'm not sure if anyone has had any conversation with council member Waters' office to let her know that.

43:59

So, colleagues, is there a motion to bring line item 6.8 back in one week, and we can have that conversation with member waters?

44:07

Motion there's a motion to bring line item 6.8 back in one week.

44:13

Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

44:17

Thank you, Attorney Hurt.

44:25

Moving on to line item 6.9.

44:29

Line item 6.9 is Councilmember Letitia Johnson submitted memorandum relative to the status of future of health community land trust funding.

44:40

Is there a motion to refer line item 6.9 to the office of the chief financial officer and bring back in two weeks?

44:49

Motion hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

44:56

That now brings us to member reports.

45:03

Is there are there uh any member reports?

45:06

Member Vice Chair Santiago Romero.

45:11

Thank you, madam chair.

45:12

Just want to remind everyone that this Saturday we are going to be at Patton Park from noon to two o'clock to dance to eat together to have some fun.

45:21

So come show off your JIT moves or come learn how to dance some Latin dancing.

45:26

Thank you.

45:27

Thank you.

45:29

Pro Tim Young.

45:31

That sounded like fun.

45:33

Umbrush off my jet moves a little bit.

45:36

My salsa dancing.

45:39

Um tomorrow, uh coffee with Coleman will take place at Craig Cafe Friday, April 10th, tomorrow.

45:49

Friday, April 10th, tomorrow at 1 p.m.

45:52

to 3 p.m.

45:53

So coffee with Coleman as Coleman Counseling President Pro Tempray at large.

45:59

The topic will be small business opportunities, how to get a city contract with Sandra Ustall, Chief Procurement Officer and Deputy CFO.

46:09

That'll be Friday, April 10th at Craig Cafe, 6340 East Jefferson Avenue, 1 p.m.

46:17

to 3 p.m.

46:18

So that's Friday, April 10th at Crad Cafe, 6340 East Jefferson Avenue, 1 p.m.

46:26

to 3 p.m.

46:27

with Sandra Ustall, Chief Procurement Officer at Deputy CFO.

46:32

Small business opportunities and how to get a city contract with coffee with Coleman.

46:39

Friday, April 10th, Craig Cafe, 6340 East Jefferson Avenue, 1 p.m.

46:45

to 3 p.m.

46:46

Please email office of Coleman Young at Detroit Mi.gov.

46:52

Office of Coleman Young at Detroit MI.gov.

46:55

Office of Coleman Young at Detroit Mi.gov.

46:58

Or you could call 224248, 224 4248, 2244248.

47:11

Be there.

47:12

Thank you, madam chair.

47:14

Thank you.

47:15

And I'd just like to remind residents that the District 4 City Council evening community meeting will take place next Tuesday, April 14th at 7 p.m.

47:26

at the Fountain of Truth Church, located at 9801 Chalmers.

47:32

Again, that is next Tuesday at 7 p.m.

47:36

Uh and that kind of kicks off a lot of activities happening in District 4 the following day, Wednesday, April 15th.

47:44

Madam Mary Sheffield will host her district for charter mandated meeting at the same location at Fountain of Truth the following day.

47:56

And I'm not sure of the time, but we'll certainly share with everyone what time it'll be.

48:02

Um I am planning to join her there as well.

48:05

Uh and then on April 20th, we are hosting our monthly community meeting in collaboration with the planning and development department.

48:15

That will be our district four uh planning session.

48:18

Uh, and so we are looking forward to having a robust audience, a robust um robust participation from residents throughout the district.

48:28

Uh so we will be broadcasting that and making sure residents are aware of it coming up again on Monday, April 20th.

48:36

It will take place at the community center at A.B.

48:40

Ford Park at 5 30 p.m.

48:43

We will also have our uh Earth Day activities happening at the location.

48:50

As we do every year, we collect uh hazardous waste and e-waste for um Earth Day, and so we are going to observe it on that day so that folks can come drop off their e-ways, hazardous waste, and then join us in the meeting.

49:06

Um again, that is April 20th.

49:10

Hazardous waste and e-ways drop off begins at 3 p.m.

49:14

And then our meeting starts at 5 o'clock, and then we will have at beginning at 5 30 the uh planning department to join us.

49:22

So it we have an action-packed day.

49:25

Um we then have on April 22nd uh a discussion about the uh with the public lighting authority that will also take place at the community center at AB4 Park.

49:36

So if you do not receive our e-blast, I would encourage you to uh sign up for them or you can always call the office for information about upcoming activities.

49:46

The office number is area code 313-224841.

49:52

All right, that now concludes my memory ports, and if there is nothing further to come before us without objection, we shall stand adjourned.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Comment█████████████████████████████████33%
Procedural███████████████████████████████31%
Affordable Housing█████████9%
Land Bank███████7%
Community Engagement███████7%
Homelessness██████6%
Water And Wastewater Management██2%
Technology and Innovation██2%
Economic Development██2%
Summary of Proceedings

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.

Meeting Transcript

Joining us for the Planning and Economic Development Standing Committee on today, Thursday, April 9th, 2026. Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll? Councilmember Letitia Johnson. Present. Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero. Present. Council President pro temporal common A. The young the second. Madam Chair, you have a quorum present. Thank you. Having a quorum present, we are now in session. Good morning, Member Santiago Romero. Is there a motion on the minutes? Good morning. Motion to approve. Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken. We are going to move into chair remarks. I just want to share with everyone that April is autism awareness month. Um we will be putting forth a resolution to recognize autism awareness. Um of you may know last year. One of my brothers transitioned, he was nonverbal. Uh, and so it is something that's near and dear to me, and making sure that we provide all of the support for individuals who have autism is something that is extremely important. And I'm looking forward to getting the disability task force up and running um this term. So look forward to that, but certainly want to recognize autism awareness month. Uh with that, we are going to move into public comment. If there is anyone joining us in person or virtually who'd like to make a public comment, please raise your hand. Please raise your hand. I excuse me, sir. Thank you. Uh, if there's anyone joining us who'd like to make a public comment, whether joining us in person or virtually, please raise your hand. Public comment will be cut off at 10.05. It is currently 10.03. So you have two minutes to raise your hand virtually if you'd like to make a public comment. Yes. If we can please set the clock for two minutes. Uh currently we see a zoom screen. Please set the clock for two minutes. We have one hand in the committee of the whole. Uh good morning, Miss Gray. How many hands do we currently have raised virtually? Good morning, madam chair. There are currently five hands raised for virtual public comment. Okay. Thank you. We are going to get started with in the committee of the whole. And good morning, Mr. Rue. Mr. Crowley, you have two minutes for general public comment. Okay.

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