Detroit City Council Formal Session - April 14, 2026

The Detroit City Council held its formal session on April 14, 2026, addressing a full agenda including an invocation, a ceremonial recognition, extensive public comment on the Leland House displacement, a law department update on the related bankruptcy case, and approval of multiple contracts and resolutions. The meeting also featured a moment of privilege for Director Todd and reports from councilmembers.

Consent Calendar

• Routine approvals and unanimous actions on contracts and resolutions were approved en bloc unless otherwise noted.
• Line items 18.2–18.5, 18.6–18.12 (minus 18.8 postponed), 19.1–19.3, 20.1–20.3, 21.1‑21.3, 22.1 (postponed), 23.1–23.6, 23.8–23.9, 23.10, 23.11, 23.12–23.13 were all approved without objection or by recorded vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Irvin Morrow expressed concerns that city contracts are awarded to outsiders and questioned whether the “mob is squeezing city council.” He alleged corruption and demanded that contracts benefit Detroit citizens.
• Rohelio Landin urged the council to reconsider its moratorium on data centers, noting the governor’s recent actions and the mayor’s hiring of Hillary Doe. He left copies of an article titled El Central for councilmembers.
• Betty Lyons denounced council members for supporting abortion rights and “evil,” and accused them of backing the “stealing of 600 million dollars in stolen property tax” and failing to address liquor stores near schools.
• Fidel L addressed the youth, accusing council of giving millions to companies outside Detroit and failing neighborhood infrastructure, calling elected officials “low life, no good.”
• Faith Smith (a student from Noble Elementary) asked the council what Mayor Mary Sheffield said is best for Detroit’s kids. Councilmembers assured her they support young people.
• Brother Cummings promoted an upcoming DDOT input meeting (April 16, 5 p.m. via Zoom) and offered transportation and prizes.
• Ruben James Crowley Jr. claimed he received a disorderly conduct warning from Corporation Counsel Mallie Jr. and accused several officials of cheating in elections. He listed specific cases and mentioned providing information to Donald Trump.
• The real steward (Daryl Stewart) , a Leland tenant and Detroit Tenant Union member, stated that conditions in the building “didn’t happen overnight” and that city agencies failed to stop the decline. He urged council to “make sure the game is played right.”
• Claude Norwood (Community Advisory Council, District 7) said he never sees councilmembers in the city except for Councilmember McCampbell, and stated the city charter needs to be followed.
• Catherine Guiden (Leland resident, Detroit Tenant Union) described the emotional and physical toll of displacement, reported the death of Mr. Howard (a displaced Leland resident battling cancer), and said the situation is “inhumane.”
• Karen Lipowitz read a prepared statement from tenant Faye Falconer who could not attend, detailing the loss of belongings, emotional distress, and lack of progress over four months.
• Stephen Rimmer (Leland tenant) noted that the relocation plan is tied to the bankruptcy case and expressed fear that if the case is dismissed, the plan disappears. He asked for a clear commitment from the council to move forward regardless of bankruptcy court outcomes. He also noted that only 14% of Detroit properties are compliant with housing codes.
• Joshua Mann urged council to remove Flock surveillance systems, stating they violate privacy, and warned about AI-enabled drone surveillance.
• Wendy Gill (Leland tenant) asked for stability and money for her family, saying she lived at the Leland for 10 years and needs help to move on.
• Online callers: Several callers raised issues including slum landlords, illegal immigrants receiving housing, the state fairground mess, illegal property tax collections, the Leland situation, and the need for youth recreation. Caller Marcella Bell (Leland tenant) said residents were promised a future but received displacement. Melody Richards (Leland tenant) asked the council to move the plan forward regardless of the bankruptcy case. Others criticized council inaction and called for removal of councilmembers.

Discussion Items

• Recognition of Sean Smith: Council President Tate introduced Sean Smith, an NFL referee and Cody High School graduate who served as head referee of Super Bowl 60 (only the fourth Black lead official in NFL history). Smith spoke about his journey from the Herman Gardens housing project to the NFL, emphasizing that his goal was to “be involved in the game.” Councilmembers thanked him for representing Detroit.
• Welcome of Noble Elementary students: Councilmember McCampbell welcomed students from Noble Elementary Middle School (District 7), noting they were there to see their city government at work.
• Law Department Update on Leland House: Jason Harris from the Law Department provided a detailed update. On April 3, 2026, U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Maria Oxholm approved tenant property removal procedures after mediation. Tenants will be allowed into the building May 4–24 (21 days) to pack small belongings under supervision of HRD and DPD. Larger belongings will be packed by a moving company and stored or shipped. Vendors began electrical and elevator repairs on April 13. A court hearing on the building’s sale is set for April 16. If the bankruptcy case is dismissed, the city will proceed with a pending state court public nuisance action. The law department stated the tenants’ access order is not affected by the upcoming hearing. Councilmember Callaway recommended posting a notice (with QR code) on the building door for tenants without internet. Councilmembers Young, Santiago Romero, and others pressed on potential criminal charges, ability to ban the owner from other city business, and backup plans. The law department said the owner (Higgins Family Trust) is not being pursued criminally because the case is civil, but they will respond in writing. Councilmember Miller asked if tenants could sue if the case is dismissed; the law department deferred to corporation counsel.
• Contract 18.5 – DAH case management system: Director Pastula of the Department of Administrative Hearings explained that the new case management software (vendor eNoble, $2,354,200) will modernize the blight ticket and administrative appeal process, provide a public portal, and preserve all legacy data from 2005. It is competitively bid; one Detroit vendor submitted a proposal but was not selected due to lower product quality. The system does not currently include AI, but the city is developing an AI policy.
• Resolution postponements and walk-ons: Line item 18.8 (settlement) was postponed one week at Councilmember Johnson’s request after discussion of closed session implications. Line item 20.4 (property sale to Michigan Box Company) was postponed one week by Councilmember Johnson after Councilmember Waters requested more information. Line item 22.1 was postponed one week and referred to LPD for analysis. Line items 11.2 and 11.1 were walked onto new business and approved.
• Resolution on Black Maternal Health Week: Councilmember Callaway walked on line item 11.2 recognizing April 11–17 as Black Maternal Health Week in Detroit. After discussion with Councilmember Santiago Romero, both agreed to place the resolution in the name of the council. It passed unanimously.
• Resolution on UN recognition of slave trade as crime against humanity: Councilmember Callaway walked on line item 11.1 supporting the United Nations General Assembly’s March 25, 2026 resolution that the transatlantic slave trade constitutes the gravest crime against humanity. It also supports reparative justice. Councilmember McCampbell suggested sending copies to U.S. congressional representatives, which was added. The resolution passed unanimously and was placed in the name of the council.
• Councilmember Reports: Councilmembers highlighted upcoming events: District 4 evening council meeting (April 14), Mayor’s district meeting (April 15), District 7 Master Plan meeting (April 18), Skilled Trades Task Force meeting (April 15), District 5 Charter Mandated Meeting (April 16), Coffee with Coleman, Senior Zoo Day, and Earth Day Awards (April 18).
• Moment of Privilege for Director Todd: Director Todd thanked the council for their support following his mother’s passing. Councilmembers expressed condolences and praised his mother’s 24 years of service with the Detroit Health Department.

Key Outcomes

• Leland House Update Acknowledged: Council received the law department’s update. Tenants will have access to the building May 4–24, 2026, for property removal. The city continues to pursue the bankruptcy case and a backup state court action. Council will be updated after the April 16 hearing.
• Contracts Approved: All contract amendments and new awards on the consent agenda were approved, including:
  • Amendment for legal services (Clark Hill PLC) – $405,000.
  • ASL interpretation services (DCAN) – $315,000.
  • United Community Housing Coalition outreach – $332,000.
  • DAH case management software (eNoble) – $2,354,200.
  • Street maintenance partition equipment (three vendors total ~$22 million over five years).
  • Emergency demolitions (three contracts total ~$118,000).
  • Specialty uniforms for police – $275,324.
  • Emulsified asphalt – $750,000.
  • Diesel filter services – $140,000.
  • Tree planting in three parks – $250,000.
  • Several grant-funded contracts.
• Resolutions Passed: Black Maternal Health Week (April 11–17, 2026) recognized; UN resolution on the slave trade as a crime against humanity supported; both were placed in the name of the council and transmitted to relevant parties.
• Postponements: Line item 18.8 (settlement) postponed one week; line item 20.4 (property sale) postponed one week; line item 22.1 postponed one week with LPD analysis requested.
• New referrals: The city’s state budget request (mayor’s ask) referred to LPD for a supporting council resolution.
• Removal from agenda: Line item 28.12 was removed.
• Meeting adjourned after all business.