Detroit City Council Formal Session - April 21, 2026
Detroit City Council Formal Session – April 21, 2026
The Detroit City Council met in formal session on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, with a quorum present. The meeting opened with an invocation by Rev. Jerome L. Warfield Sr., followed by recognition of students from Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School by Councilmember Mary Waters. The council approved a consent calendar, heard public testimony on multiple issues, debated several contract and policy matters, and adjourned after acting on resolutions and reports.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of the journal from the April 7, 2026 session.
- Routine referral of 10 reports to the Budget, Finance and Audit Standing Committee; 2 reports to Internal Operations; 2 reports to Neighborhood and Community Services; 7 reports to Planning and Economic Development; and 7 reports to Public Health and Safety.
- Unanimous approval of resolutions 18.1–18.6 (Councilmember Whitfield Callaway), 18.7 (Pro Tem Young), 19.1–19.3 (Councilmember Johnson), 19.4 (postponed from previous week), 19.5 (resolution urging recovery of costs regarding Leland House), 20.1–20.11 (emergency demolitions, Councilmember McCampbell), and 22.1–22.4 (Pro Tem Young).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Drag Racing and Public Safety – Nicole Small and Stevetta Johnson (District 2) described repeated drag racing and drifting on West Outer Drive and Kentucky/Chippewa, involving teenagers and adults, with gunshots and firecrackers. They urged the city to take stronger action beyond dispersal. Frank Swabay (Checker Cab), Jonathan Estes, and James (Checker Cab) testified about illegal, unlicensed taxi operators posing safety risks and harming legitimate businesses. Mark Hudson (Checker Cab driver) noted the lack of city regulation for taxis. Billy Cunningham asked for community support for the unhoused. Brother Cunningham alleged ex-offenders on the police force and threats. Ann Boulet (architect/developer) criticized city land-use practices and charter violations. Betty Lyons claimed over $600 million in property tax overcharges. Lometio Lee (senior) complained about high ambulance bills. Josh Mann advocated for a legal drag racing/drifting space, citing past success with 73%–93% crime reduction. Rev. Dr. Frazier (homeless after illegal eviction) criticized shelter conditions. Online callers addressed street naming for Rev. Dr. Joanne Watson, parking prices, soil testing at state fairgrounds, bike lanes, and the need for a District 7 recreation center. Frank Hammer urged support for a May Day rally.
Discussion Items
- Drag Racing Enforcement – Assistant Chief Franklin Hayes (DPD) outlined a multi-pronged strategy: dedicated details on weekends, air support, real-time crime center monitoring, partnerships with Wayne County Sheriff and Michigan State Police, and traffic calming. Councilmembers debated the need for a legal racing venue; Pro Tem Young and McCampbell expressed interest in a track or motor park. Hayes said DPD previously explored a sanctioned space but did not see desired results, but is open to further discussion. Councilmember Callaway pushed for proactive county cooperation. Miller asked about vehicle auctions from seized cars.
- Ambulance Contracts (22.6–22.8) – Councilmember Callaway raised concerns about ambulance companies billing patients after receiving city payment. Second Deputy Commissioner Hillman (Fire Department) stated billing practices are standard industry-wide and that the city pays for standby services. Councilmembers Callaway and Miller called it “triple dipping” and argued it harms seniors. After debate, a motion to postpone the vote for one week passed unanimously. The contracts expire May 1, 2026, but OCP indicated an extension was possible if needed.
- Emergency Demolitions (20.1–20.11) – Councilmember Johnson asked whether fire escrow funds are used for demolitions of fire-damaged properties. Construction and Demolition Department’s Raquel Harrington said these are bond-funded emergency demolitions and promised written follow-up. The items were approved.
- May Day Resolution – Councilmember McCampbell introduced a resolution declaring May 1, 2026, as May Day in Detroit, celebrating worker solidarity. It passed unanimously after several members signed on.
- Composting Awareness Week – Councilmember Callaway’s resolution recognizing May 3–9, 2026, as International Compost Awareness Week was approved.
- Youth Homelessness Matters Day – A resolution recognizing April 15, 2026, as Youth Homelessness Matters Day, introduced by Councilmember McCampbell on behalf of Santiago Romero, was approved.
Key Outcomes
- Approved unanimously: Consent calendar items, resolutions 18.1–18.7, 19.1–19.5, 20.1–20.11, 22.1–22.4, 22.5, 22.9–22.10, 22.12–22.13, plus May Day, Composting Awareness, and Youth Homelessness resolutions.
- Postponed: Vote on ambulance contracts (22.6–22.8) for one week, to April 28, 2026, pending further information on billing practices.
- Referred: Line item 21.1 (request to speak before council) back to committee.
- Removed: Line item 22.11 from the agenda after a motion to return to committee.
- Waivers granted: For 18.7, 19.1–19.3, 22.1, 22.5, 22.9, 22.10.
- Councilmember reports: Upcoming community meetings, speed hump program opt-out deadline (April 25), prescription drug take-back event (April 25), motor city makeover (May 2), evening council meeting (May 12 at Northwestern Activity Center with dinner honoring mothers), and food box deliveries (June 3).
- Moment of silence: For former fire captain Gina Steele Hughes, who passed away recently.
Meeting Transcript
Councilmember Scott Benson. Councilmember Letitia Johnson, present. Councilmember Denzel Anton McCampbell. Present. Council Member Renata Miller. Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero. Councilmember Mary Waters. Present. Councilmember Angela Whitfield Callaway. Member Calibird didn't send a memo indicating that she would be tardy. And Mr. President, the clerk office has received notice that Member Gabrielle Satiago Romero will not be present today. Thank you. Council President Pro Tem culminated on the second. Council President James Tate. Mr. President, you have a quorum. Thank you, man. We have a quorum, which means we're now in session. Uh, we'd like to note Madam Clerk that we have been joined by Member Miller. She's on the screen. Clerk was so note, Mr. President. Thank you so much. All right. There being a quorum present. We will now we are now in session. We will now begin the collection of public comments. Um for those who would like to speak. Please raise your hand if you have not received one of these cards. If you're in the com in the auditorium, please raise your hand again if you have not received one of these cards and you would like to speak before this body. If you're at home, just raise your hand on Zoom, and we will make sure we collect you and put you in the queue to speak before this body. Providing this morning's invocation, uh Pastor, if you can come on forward, please. Uh, we have none other than Reverend Jerome L. Warfield Senior, who serves as a senior pastor of Unity Baptist Church located at 7500 Higherman, also known along that stretch as Reverend Velman D. Stotts Avenue following its secondary street renaming. Uh, Pastor Warfield has been a consistent presence in both the faith community as well as in service to the people of Detroit for decades. In addition to his pastoral leadership, he has served in senior executive roles within our city's criminal justice system. He is a former two-term, two-term uh chair of the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners and currently leads the board's uh office of chief investigator, where he continues to work to strengthen accountability and improve case review. We thank you for being here with us this morning, providing this morning's invocation, Pastor Boardfield. Thank you, buddy. God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, thou who has brought us safe thus far on our way, thou who is by thy might led us into the light, keep us forever in the path, we pray. Divine Holy Spirit, we invoke your presence within this chamber, occupy the hearts of those seated in these positions of power. The Apostle Paul declared, now the Lord is that spirit, and where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Father, we seek that liberty today. Grant them the freedom to serve without ego and to lead without fear. Grant these leaders the king discernment of a Joanne Watson to see truth. Grant them the relentless advocacy of a Irma Henderson to speak for the silenced, grant them the expansive love of a Marion Mahathy to embrace the vulnerable, grant them the iron strength of a Clyde Cleveland to withstand the pressure, grant them the profound compassion of a Nick Hood Senior to heal our divisions. The Prophet Malachi asked, What doeth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God? Let justice be the foundation of every ordinance, let mercy be the filter of every budget, let human humility be the garment of every council member.
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