OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Detroit City Council Formal Session - April 14, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, April 14, 2026
BodyDetroit, Michigan
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, April 14, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:22:41

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Tuesday, April 14th, 2026.

0:03

Good morning, Madam Clerk.

0:05

Good morning, Mr.

0:06

President.

0:07

All right.

0:07

Will you please call the roll?

0:09

Councilmember Scott Benson.

0:12

Councilmember Letitia Johnson, present.

0:14

Councilmember Denzel and Tom McCampbell.

0:17

Present.

0:17

Council Member Renata Miller.

0:22

Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero, present.

0:26

Councilmember Mary Waters, present.

0:28

Councilmember Angela Whitfield Callaway.

0:31

Council President Pro Tem Commune Ayon a second.

0:34

Here.

0:34

Council President James Tate.

0:36

Here.

0:36

Mr.

0:37

President, you have a quorum.

0:38

Thank you, ma'am.

0:39

We have a quorum's meetings with now in session.

0:41

We will now begin the collection of public comment cards.

0:44

Those are the individuals who would like to speak before this body.

0:47

If you're in person, if you're in the committee of the whole and you would like to speak before this body, you have an opportunity to do so very shortly.

0:54

Just raise your hand, and someone from the team will provide you with one of these cards, and we will get you in the queue if you're at home.

1:01

Watch it on Zoom.

1:03

Hit that button and raise your hand that way, we'll collect your information and put you in the queue in that capacity as well.

1:11

We will now have this morning's invocation.

1:14

Providing this morning's invocation is none other than Pastor Kessler Humphreys.

1:20

Should we come forward, please?

1:22

Of the daughters of Anna Ministries.

1:27

Thank you for joining us this morning.

1:29

Yeah, you can give a round of applause.

1:34

Thank you for joining us this morning.

1:36

We appreciate you so much.

1:38

And uh the floor is yours.

1:41

Good morning.

1:43

Good morning and praise our God.

1:48

To our wonderful mayor, Mayor Mary Sheffield, in her absence.

1:54

Please, I want her to know that she has our prayers and have our support.

2:00

To the president leader of this great council, Councilman James Tate, to President Pro Tam at large, Coleman A.

2:08

Young the second.

2:10

And I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the leadership of District Four, of which I reside, Councilman Letitia Johnson, to the head of every department represented, to the police chief and fire chief of our great city, and if there's any clergy present, I acknowledge you and thank God for your love and obedience and serving the body of Christ to every family, man, woman, boy, and girl, and to my neighbors and fellow citizens, which comprise of the very fabric of this city.

2:48

A big thank you to Kalia for this honorable invitation to invoke the presence of God.

2:55

And last but never least, to my own husband, Andrew, whom without I could not do what I do.

3:07

Unless the Lord watch the city, the watchman watches in vain.

3:16

Let's go before the throne of grace, kind and gracious father.

3:20

Before I ask you for anything, I first want to thank you for everything.

3:25

I thank you that you were so gracious and kind to keep us through the night and to wake us this morning as once again we find ourselves sound in our minds and in our bodies.

3:37

I thank you that even as we speak, you are holding back the forces of evil that would seek to destroy us.

3:45

But your strong hand of love, mercy, and protection is upon us, and the blood of Jesus will prevail, and it will never lose its power.

3:56

So now I ask that your anointing be upon each one of these that you have selected from among the masses to serve the people of this great city called Detroit for such a time as this.

4:10

Lord, I pray that you give knowledge and wisdom in every decision that is made.

4:16

Give each one to open their vows of compassion and considering the poor and marginalized of our city, and give them strength and courage to perform the duties that they've been asked that they've been tasked with, and to perform them with humility, honesty, integrity, and without hesitation, and to make us that great metropolis that I believe you intend for us to be.

4:44

Lord, remember our medical community, those that watch over us when we're sick and in need of health care, guide our judicial system, and I pray that you bless our educational system and every legitimate business establishment, and if it be your will, Lord, add to us in number, in commerce, and in trade.

5:00

And if it be your will, Lord, add to us in number, in commerce, and in trade.

5:06

Lastly, we will agree with the writer of Psalm 91 and 2.

5:13

We will say of you, Lord, that you are our refuge and our fortress.

5:19

You're our God, and in you will we trust.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████████26%
Public Comment███████████████████19%
Pending Litigation███████████11%
Housing██████████10%
Community Engagement█████████9%
Contract Management████4%
Technology and Innovation████4%
Fire Prevention████4%
Racial Equity████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Detroit City Council Formal Session - April 14, 2026

The Detroit City Council met in formal session on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, with all nine members present. The meeting included a testimonial resolution for NFL referee Sean Smith, extensive public comment on housing conditions and city contracts, an update on the Leland House displacement, and approval of multiple resolutions and contracts.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved line items 17.1 (budget and finance), 18.1 (fire code amendment), 18.2-18.5 (contracts for legal services, ASL interpretation, case management software, and community outreach), 18.6-18.12 (law department resolutions, with 18.8 postponed one week), 19.1-19.3 (construction partition equipment contracts totaling over $22 million), 20.1-20.2 (software maintenance and health care contracts), 20.3 (sign alteration at 500 Woodward), 23.1-23.6 (mayor's office resolutions), 23.8-23.9 (asphalt and filter contracts), 23.10 (tree planting contract up to 400 trees in three parks), 23.11 (grant resolution), 23.12-23.13 (grant resolutions), and 21.1-21.3 (emergency demolition contracts).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Leland House Residents and Tenants Union: Multiple speakers (Betty Lyons, Catherine Guyton, Karen Lippowitz, Joshua Mann, Wendy Gill, Melody Richards, Marcellus Bill) described the devastating impact of displacement from the Leland House, including loss of belongings, emotional distress, health decline, and the death of a resident, Mr. Howard. They urged the council to ensure the relocation plan proceeds regardless of the bankruptcy case outcome.
  • Fidel L and Others: Criticized council for awarding contracts to out-of-state companies and neglecting neighborhood conditions, citing lack of construction in neighborhoods and calling for greater accountability.
  • Claude Norwood: Representing the Community Advisory Council, he noted the city charter requires subordination to the people and criticized council members for not being present in the districts.
  • Ruben James Crowley Jr.: Accused city officials of misconduct and disorderly conduct, referencing specific complaints about the city clerk and others.
  • Darren McCleskey: Raised concerns about solar takings and the condition of the State Fairgrounds site, questioning remediation costs.
  • Tahira Ahmad: On behalf of the Coalition for Property Tax Justice, reported that the first 100-day report card for Mayor Sheffield's administration shows failing grades on two out of five criteria regarding property tax justice.
  • Online Callers: Included additional comments on illegal immigrants, housing, police surveillance (flock cameras), and property tax misapplication.

Discussion Items

  • Recognition of Sean Smith: Council presented a testimonial resolution to NFL referee Sean Smith, a Detroit native and Cody High School alumnus, who served as head referee for Super Bowl 60. Smith spoke about his journey from Detroit to the NFL and his pride in representing the city.
  • Leland House Update: Law Department attorneys Jason Harris and Graham Anderson provided an update. On April 3, 2026, a federal bankruptcy judge approved tenant property removal procedures. Tenants will be allowed into the building between May 4 and May 24, 2026, after vendors restore power and elevators. A hearing on the building's sale is set for April 16, 2026. Council members questioned the timeline and contingency plans if the case is dismissed; the city has a parallel state court action for a public nuisance declaration.
  • Fire Code Amendment (Line 18.1): Council approved an ordinance to update Detroit's fire code to align with the 2021 NFPA standards, as recommended by the fire chief.
  • DAH Case Management System (Line 18.5): Approved a $2 million contract for case management software. Officials stated it will improve public access and tracking of blight tickets and dangerous building dockets, with one Detroit vendor losing due to product quality.
  • Black Maternal Health Week (Line 11.2): Council approved a resolution recognizing April 11-17 as Black Maternal Health Week, in support of Black Mamas Matter Alliance. The resolution was adopted in the name of the council.
  • UN Reparations Resolution (Line 11.1): Council approved a resolution affirming support for the United Nations General Assembly’s recognition of the trafficking and enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity, and supporting reparative measures. The resolution will be transmitted to the mayor, UN, and Michigan congressional delegation.
  • Request for LPD Assignment: Council directed the Legislative Policy Division (LPD) to draft a resolution in support of Mayor Sheffield's state budget funding requests.

Key Outcomes

  • Leland House Tenant Property Removal: Approved procedures to enter building from May 4-24, 2026. The city will continue to press for bankruptcy court approval of the building sale, with a back-up state court action if needed.
  • Contracts Approved: Multiple contracts totaling over $22 million for equipment, uniforms, asphalt, tree planting, and emergency demolitions were approved.
  • Resolutions Adopted: Black Maternal Health Week (11.2) and UN Reparations (11.1) resolutions adopted, both placed in the name of the council.
  • Postponements and Referrals: Line items 18.8 (settlement), 20.4 (property sale), 22.1 (procurement analysis), and 23.7 (uniform contract) were postponed or sent back to committee for further review.
  • Fire Code Updated: Ordinance updating Detroit fire code to 2021 NFPA standards passed unanimously.
  • Member Reports: Council members announced upcoming community meetings, including evening council meeting in District 4, Earth Day Awards (April 18), and district charter mandated meetings.

Meeting Transcript

Tuesday, April 14th, 2026. Good morning, Madam Clerk. Good morning, Mr. President. All right. Will you please call the roll? Councilmember Scott Benson. Councilmember Letitia Johnson, present. Councilmember Denzel and Tom McCampbell. Present. Council Member Renata Miller. Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero, present. Councilmember Mary Waters, present. Councilmember Angela Whitfield Callaway. Council President Pro Tem Commune Ayon a second. Here. Council President James Tate. Here. Mr. President, you have a quorum. Thank you, ma'am. We have a quorum's meetings with now in session. We will now begin the collection of public comment cards. Those are the individuals who would like to speak before this body. If you're in person, if you're in the committee of the whole and you would like to speak before this body, you have an opportunity to do so very shortly. Just raise your hand, and someone from the team will provide you with one of these cards, and we will get you in the queue if you're at home. Watch it on Zoom. Hit that button and raise your hand that way, we'll collect your information and put you in the queue in that capacity as well. We will now have this morning's invocation. Providing this morning's invocation is none other than Pastor Kessler Humphreys. Should we come forward, please? Of the daughters of Anna Ministries. Thank you for joining us this morning. Yeah, you can give a round of applause. Thank you for joining us this morning. We appreciate you so much. And uh the floor is yours. Good morning. Good morning and praise our God. To our wonderful mayor, Mayor Mary Sheffield, in her absence. Please, I want her to know that she has our prayers and have our support. To the president leader of this great council, Councilman James Tate, to President Pro Tam at large, Coleman A. Young the second. And I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the leadership of District Four, of which I reside, Councilman Letitia Johnson, to the head of every department represented, to the police chief and fire chief of our great city, and if there's any clergy present, I acknowledge you and thank God for your love and obedience and serving the body of Christ to every family, man, woman, boy, and girl, and to my neighbors and fellow citizens, which comprise of the very fabric of this city. A big thank you to Kalia for this honorable invitation to invoke the presence of God. And last but never least, to my own husband, Andrew, whom without I could not do what I do. Unless the Lord watch the city, the watchman watches in vain. Let's go before the throne of grace, kind and gracious father. Before I ask you for anything, I first want to thank you for everything. I thank you that you were so gracious and kind to keep us through the night and to wake us this morning as once again we find ourselves sound in our minds and in our bodies.

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