Internal Operations Standing Committee Meeting – April 15, 2026

The Internal Operations Standing Committee of the Detroit City Council met on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at approximately 10:00 AM. Chairperson Angela Whitfield Callaway presided. Councilmembers Scott Benson and Renata Miller (participating remotely) were present. The committee conducted an interview for a Board of Zoning Appeals appointment, reviewed several lawsuit settlements, heard extensive public comment, and deferred action on a major property-tax judgment settlement after robust discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Legendary Detroiter (caller 669): Expressed support for Detroit Department of Transportation drivers and passengers, prayed for improvement, and asked the council to stop bullying.
• Caller (unidentified): Accused Councilmember Callaway of unscrupulous behavior regarding a hoodie and referenced a past police case. The tone was confrontational.
• Betty Avarn, President of Soda Elsewhere Black Association: Announced a free health fair on April 18 at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church offering free eye exams/screenings, glasses, and DMC health services. Encouraged positive community work.
• William M. Davis, Vice President of Barton Fire Neighborhood Association: Advocated for requiring city employees who use city vehicles to live in Detroit; called for keeping more economic activity within Detroit; urged reduction in number of liquor stores; raised concern about children consuming edibles before school.
• Unnamed caller (referencing Leland House): Expressed grief over a death at the Leland House displacement and argued that moving high-risk residents without supports creates foreseeable risk of death. Also discussed Second Amendment rights in context of standing against oppression.
• Jadante Smith: Alleged that Demetrios Pappas is funding some council members via a project; called for enforcement of blight at 451 East Grand Boulevard (Nicole Curtis property) and downzoning of Kronos Concrete at 3405 Gaylord from M4 to SD2; requested meetings with councilmembers about the Kronos issue; noted a charter-mandated meeting that evening.
• Tina Mahone (District 3): Asked for demolition or repair of vacant properties at 5744 Arrow Memorial Highway, 5564 Townsend, and 5730 Baldwin in District 3. Councilmember Benson offered his office's assistance.
• Caller (unidentified): Raised concern about drug sales at Rosa Parks Transit Center and Michigan/Washington Boulevard, and called for effective council action against slum landlords. Missed former District 5 councilmember.
• Other callers: Brief remarks about general public transportation and community unity.

Discussion Items

Interview with Sharon Y. Parker – Board of Zoning Appeals Appointment

Ms. Parker, nominated by Pro Tem Councilman Coleman Young II, introduced herself as a lifelong Detroit resident, widow, mother, and grandmother with experience in city government, the Detroit News strike, and UAW. She has served as a precinct delegate, treasurer for congressional districts, and on community boards. Councilmember Benson asked about her understanding of the BZA's role—granting variances from zoning ordinances—and emphasized that variances should be for hardship, not convenience. Ms. Parker agreed and stated she would be able to say no when necessary. Councilmember Miller questioned her independence, community focus, and respect for legacy residents. Ms. Parker affirmed she is her own person, passionate about seniors and the community, and will examine circumstances before deciding. Miller expressed support for her appointment.

Status of Councilmember Waters’ Memorandum – Tenants’ Rights Commission (Item 8.1)

Law Department requested an additional two weeks for conversations with the Mayor’s office. Motion approved without objection.

Motor City Law Settlement (Item 9.3) – Major Discussion

Corporation Counsel Conrad Mallet provided background: Motor City Law (MCL) obtained judgments totaling about $110 million for unpaid property taxes, but the contract was never approved by City Council (only emergency approval, never ratified). MCL later argued the city failed to bring the contract back for approval. To resolve litigation, the city, MCL, and Floyd Allen Law Group agreed to sell the portfolio to DAC Management LLC. Terms: DAC pays $10 million upfront, split 50% city, 35% MCL, 15% Floyd Allen; then up to an additional $20 million based on collections (split same percentages); anything beyond $30 million goes entirely to DAC. Councilmember Callaway expressed deep concern that the judgments originated from the city's $600 million overassessment of over 100,000 properties from 2010–2016, resulting in homeowners losing homes. She argued the settlement exploits those homeowners and called for any city proceeds to be placed in a trust fund for impacted residents and retirees. Councilmember Benson requested a three-week delay to obtain data from the Assessor’s Office (Alvin Horn) to determine how many defendants were single-family homeowners versus investors. Councilmember Miller supported the delay and echoed Callaway’s call for a dedicated fund. After further discussion, the committee voted to bring the item back in three weeks, with directives to Law Department and LPD to provide full portfolio data and draft a memorandum creating a fund for overassessment victims. The item was not approved; it will return in three weeks.

Other Settlements (Items 9.1, 9.2, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6)

All approved and sent to formal session without objection: Tara Sherrell (undisclosed amount), Chafrean Bishop ($180,000), Alan Schwartz Medical Center ($5,500), Coordinated Care One ($35,000), Gross Beck RX ($6,500).

Removal of Item 9.7 – Charitable Gaming License

A motion to remove the item from the agenda was approved without objection. Councilmember Benson questioned how it appeared on the agenda.

Memorandum on City Council Media Services Division (Item 9.8)

Law Department requested three additional weeks. Motion approved.

Key Outcomes

• Sharon Y. Parker recommended for Board of Zoning Appeals: Motion to send her name to formal session for approval passed without objection.
• Tenants’ Rights Commission item deferred two weeks.
• Motor City Law settlement deferred three weeks: Committee directed the Law Department, LPD, and Corporation Counsel to provide full portfolio data (13,773 properties, approximately 2,900 defendants) and to draft a memorandum creating a trust fund for homeowners impacted by the 2010–2016 overassessment and retirees. A specific motion to that effect was approved without objection.
• Councilmember reports: Upcoming events included the District 5 Charter Mandated Meeting (April 16), Skilled Trades Task Force meeting, Earth Day Awards (April 19), and public lighting/master plan meetings that evening.