Detroit Public Health & Safety Standing Committee Meeting – May 4, 2026

The Detroit City Council’s Public Health and Safety Standing Committee met on Monday, May 4, 2026, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The committee, chaired by Councilmember Gabriela Santiago‑Romero, considered a wide range of public safety, environmental, and infrastructure items, including emergency ambulance contracts, demolition oversight, sidewalk repairs, and air quality resolutions. The meeting included extended public comment and discussion of several contracts and memos, with a number of items held for further review.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from the previous session was approved without objection.
• Several routine items were approved without debate: 6.1 (Green Door Initiative air quality contract), 6.3 (sodium hypochlorite for city pools), 6.4 (metal containers for trash/recycling), 6.5 (elevator maintenance at rec centers), 6.7 (crack fill contract extension), 6.8 (sidewalk repairs – $8 million), 6.9–6.11 (grants for recycling and health community zones), and 6.16 (resolution recognizing Air Quality Awareness Week, as amended).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Brother Cunningham promoted a Peer Transit breakdown sheet for disabled residents and announced a Warriors on Wheels meeting (Fellowship Chapel, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m., May 4). Provided contact 313‑444‑9114.
• Denise Darnell announced the launch of a nonprofit, “J Pauly,” to assist seniors, disabled residents, and youth with home repairs, job training, and basic needs. She noted that Councilmember Angela Whitfield‑Callaway has the information.
• Cecily McLeland (We the People of Detroit) criticized the H2O water assistance program as insufficient (serving ~4,000 of 60,000+ eligible), urged support for state bills HB 4555 and HB 5170‑5173, and called for a city ordinance on water affordability. Also spoke on retiree restoration and voting rights.
• Samsung (caller) urged free bus rides for seniors (citing Mayor Sheffield’s promise) and asked for revival of a home‑repair fund that had been shut down two years ago.
• Property owners need clarity (caller) questioned why the land bank prohibits boards on windows for some but allows them for favored developers, and alleged that the nuisance abatement program is illegal. Councilmember Santiago‑Romero promised follow‑up.
• Betty A. Varner (president of DeSoda Association) provided information on free vision and dental care at MELDA Medical and Dental Clinic (10301 Woodward Ave, Detroit).
• Emily Embick (Senior Director, Urban Neighborhood Initiatives) expressed strong support for the Air Quality Awareness Week resolution, noting Detroit received an “F” in the American Lung Association’s latest report on particle pollution.
• William M. Davis (city retiree) supported earlier callers and highlighted inequities between city pension funds, urging stronger code enforcement and landlord accountability.
• Black Bag (caller) accused Councilmember Santiago‑Romero of lying about voter fraud findings and questioned the integrity of absentee ballots.
• Jedante Smith (in person) complained about a voter‑roll purge after 25 years for a relative, criticized a photo‑op at a house needing repair in District 4, and alleged misconduct by a police officer (Officer Lovingston). Requested a meeting on Kronos.
• Gwendolyn Howard echoed support for water affordability legislation and retiree concerns.
• Carolyn Hughes questioned a $4.5 million due‑diligence contract for environmental problems, noting an earlier estimate of $8 million for cleanup, and objected to traffic‑calming humps that increase particulate matter.

Discussion Items

1. Ambulance Contracts (Items 5.1 – 5.3)

• Presenters: Deputy Commissioner Derek Hillman and Chief of Staff Alice Mill (Detroit Fire Department).
• Current private contracts cover 25% of call volume; response time for code‑one calls dropped from >8 minutes to ~7:20 (national average ~9 minutes).
• 26 DFD ambulances plus 16‑18 private units (4 on 24‑hour, 14 peak). 450 medical calls/day, 300+ transports.
• Costs: Private contracts $1.5 M/year vs. $8‑11 M/year to hire and train in‑house (plus $5‑6 M for 20 additional ambulances, $20 M total annual increase).
• Committee discussed off‑ramp plan, union negotiations, quarterly updates on utilization and complaints, and need for new facilities. Councilmember McCampbell supported eventual in‑house expansion but acknowledged fiscal constraints.
• Outcome: Items 5.1‑5.3 sent to new business with recommendation to approve.

2. Environmental Due Diligence – Contract 5.4

• Contract: Amendment to increase funds by $3.5 M (total $4.5 M) for Monique & Smith Group (Detroit) – 100% blight funding. Purpose: environmental testing for demolition sites.
• Concerns: Councilmembers McCampbell and Santiago‑Romero expressed frustration that due diligence should have been done upfront; cost recovery is uncertain given Gianga’s many creditors.
• Law Department (Graham Anderson): Noted that the cost is part of larger damage claims; acknowledged challenges in recouping funds. FBI investigation is ongoing.
• LPD (John Heard): Advised separating public policy from litigation – patience needed.
• Outcome: Sent to formal session without recommendation (5.4).

3. Contaminated Dirt & Resident Safety (Item 5.5)

• Memo held for one week for more information.

4. Residential Emergency Demolition (Item 5.6)

• 1456 Trinity – $16,457 – SC Environmental Services (Detroit). Held for two weeks to ensure full remediation.

5. Pre‑Sale Inspection Ordinance (Items 5.7, 6.14)

• Council received draft ordinance (5.7). For 6.14, LPD requested two weeks for review. Concerns raised about cost burden on sellers and need for code‑enforcement education. Held for two weeks.

6. Memos and Reports (Items 5.8‑5.19, 6.12, 6.18‑6.20)

• Several memos held for two weeks or one week, including waivers for blight fines (5.8), hydrogen buses (5.9), curfew data (5.10 – received and filed), accessibility at 36th District Court (5.11), Office of Neighborhood and Community Safety (5.12), HOPE program clarification (5.14 – one week), after‑hours establishments (5.15 – two weeks), quick claim deeds (5.16 – one week), deed fraud (5.17 – received and filed), animal enforcement (5.18 – one week), federal overreach (5.19 – two weeks).
• 6.12 (advertising signs/cannabis) held for two weeks.
• 6.18 (DPD storage) and 6.19 (Stevens Thompson property) held for two weeks.
• 6.20 duplicate of 5.15 – removed.

7. Deferred Compensation Contract (Item 6.6)

• Presenter: Janice Starr (HR Director).
• Proposed consolidation from four providers to one (Empower) to reduce fees for employee/retiree 457(b) plans. No cost to city.
• Outcome: Referred to Budget, Finance, and Audit (BFA) committee for further discussion.

8. Sidewalk and Crack Fill Contracts (Items 6.7, 6.8)

• Crack fill (6.7): Extension and $97,445 increase to $2.7 M total – preventive maintenance to extend pavement life.
• Sidewalk repairs (6.8): $8 M, targeted replacement of 5,480 of 6,300 backlog locations. Two‑step multilingual notification planned. Quality oversight by city engineering.
• Both approved and sent to new business.

9. Air Quality Programs and Resolutions (Items 6.1, 6.16)

• 6.1: Green Door Initiative contract (EPA funded) for community air quality education and monitoring – approved.
• 6.16: Resolution recognizing Air Quality Awareness Week – approved as amended (added additional supporting organizations).

10. DDOT Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (Item 6.17)

• Presenter: Michael Enriquez (Interim Chief Safety Officer, DDOT).
• Plan required for federal funding (FTA). Noted 10‑15% reduction in preventable collisions. Councilmembers McCampbell and Santiago‑Romero stressed safety of vulnerable populations and plan to hire social workers on buses.
• Outcome: Received and filed; DDOT to resubmit as a resolution for formal approval.

11. Member Reports

• Councilmember Waters announced a Skill Trades Task Force meeting (May 20, 4‑6 p.m., Farwell Recreation Center) and highlighted community events.
• Councilmember McCampbell reminded of May Day resolution and upcoming virtual monthly meeting.
• Chair Santiago‑Romero noted dangerous buildings hearings at 1:30 p.m. and office hours from 3‑5 p.m. (Equity Alliance).

Key Outcomes

• Approved and sent to formal/new business: Items 5.1‑5.3 (ambulance contracts, with recommendation to approve), 6.1, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9‑6.11, 6.16.
• Sent without recommendation: 5.4 (environmental due diligence) – will be discussed further at formal session.
• Referred to other committees: 6.6 (deferred compensation) to BFA.
• Received and filed: 5.10, 5.17, 6.13 (dangerous buildings findings), 6.17 (DDOT safety plan – to be resubmitted as resolution).
• Held for additional weeks: 5.5 (one week), 5.6 (two weeks), 5.8‑5.9 (two weeks), 5.11‑5.12 (two weeks), 5.14 (one week), 5.15 (two weeks), 5.16 (one week), 5.18 (one week), 5.19 (two weeks), 6.12 (two weeks), 6.14 (two weeks – pre‑sale inspection), 6.18 (two weeks), 6.19 (two weeks), 6.20 (two weeks).
• Removed from agenda: 6.15 (duplicative resolution) and 6.20 (duplicate of 5.15).
• Follow‑up directives: Quarterly updates on ambulance contract utilization and complaints; two‑step multilingual notifications for sidewalk repairs; continued discussions on in‑house EMS expansion and facilities; cost‑recovery efforts for contaminated‑site testing.