Detroit City Council Internal Operations Committee Meeting - May 13, 2026
Detroit City Council Internal Operations Committee Meeting - May 13, 2026
The Detroit City Council Internal Operations Committee convened on May 13, 2026, to address a range of items including public comments, public hearings on two ordinance amendments (Chapter 17 Finance and Chapter 45 Telecommunications), interviews for appointments to the Downtown Detroit Development Authority and the Board of Ethics, multiple settlement approvals, and various line items on legal representation and indemnification. The meeting featured extensive public testimony and discussion.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Owner Popper: Criticized the use of Section 1311 of the municipal code for indemnifications, calling it unfair to citizens, and requested clarification on the code section. Also called for an internal investigation into the "dirty dirt" issue.
- Legendary Detroiter: Alleged voter fraud involving a 105-year-old voter, Sharon Smith, and accused city officials of cheating in elections.
- Betty A. Varner (President, Soda Elsewhere Black Association): Promoted free eye exams and dental care services at 10301 Woodward Avenue and requested waiver of a $1,500 land use hearing fee.
- You Matter: Raised concerns about the lack of response from the city, questioned legal services for the multifamily plan, and asked about a lawsuit involving Rico Razo. Also sought clarity on plywood regulations.
- Tahira Amad: Questioned soil testing notices from the Construction and Demolition Department and criticized Mayor Mike Duggan for alleged financial harm to Black residents.
- William M. Davis: Suggested using AI to review police body cameras to reduce lawsuits, opposed Mayor Duggan, and called for more city resources to remain in Detroit.
- Mr. Foster: Supported the invocation and praised council members for their work, urging transparency in interviews.
- Sam Sung: Requested compensation for home repairs and appliances lost in a flood, citing an approved community corps passport program.
- Call in user one (Ms. Shea): Complained about DDOT buses allowing stolen wheelchairs, drug activity downtown, and Building and Safety retaliation against complainants.
Discussion Items
- Public Hearing – Ordinance Amendment to Chapter 17 (Finance Article 5, Purchases and Supplies) : Inspector General Ty Green and Deputy Inspector General Jennifer Bentley presented amendments to clarify debarment procedures, including explicit prohibitions on debarred persons working through non-debarred companies or as hidden members of LLCs. The amendments also codify rules for administrative hearings and allow longer debarment for egregious civil offenses (up to 20 years). Council members discussed the maximum debarment period and the ability to stack additional debarments.
- Public Hearing – Ordinance Amendment to Chapter 45 (Telecommunications, Direct TV Franchise) : Scott Alexander (Senior Director, External Affairs, DirecTV) presented a ten-year franchise renewal governed by state statute. The agreement provides a 5% franchise fee and 2% PEG fee on gross revenues. Residents questioned whether fees could increase and whether the city could negotiate better terms, but Mr. Alexander stated the percentages are statutory maximums. He also explained PEG channel availability.
- Interview – Fred Durhall III (Appointment to Downtown Detroit Development Authority) : Mr. Durhall, Director of State Governmental Affairs for the Mayor's Office, discussed plans to bridge downtown and neighborhood development, focus on small businesses, affordable and market-rate housing, and use of unrestricted DDA funds for neighborhood projects. Council members pressed for more family-friendly amenities, retail (Target, Walmart, bowling alleys), and ferry service. No objections were raised.
- Interview – Stacey Clayton (Appointment to Board of Ethics) : Ms. Clayton, a former city staffer with over 30 years of experience, emphasized building community trust and transparency. No questions or objections.
- Settlement and Lawsuit – Motor City Law, PLLC vs. City of Detroit: Law Department attorneys Eric Gobel and Graham Anderson explained a complex settlement involving programs to recover unpaid property taxes from non-owner-occupied properties (investors/landlords). The city could receive $5 million initially. Council members questioned the lack of prior council approval and requested that recovered funds be earmarked for retirees and impacted residents. Corporation Counsel Conrad Mallett suggested a council resolution could encourage the administration to set aside funds.
- Settlements/Legal Representations: Multiple line items for legal representation and indemnification of city employees were approved, with law department clarifying that representation is offered when employees acted in good faith. Line item 11.10 was held back for further review.
- HR Compensation Schedule (24-hour shifts for Fire Department) : Jessica Frame (Compensation Manager) explained the new classifications for 24-hour shifts, affecting firefighters who may elect to move from 12-hour shifts. Approved.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes Approval: Approved without objection.
- Ordinance Amendment (Chapter 17) : Moved to formal session with a recommendation to approve.
- Ordinance Amendment (Chapter 45 – Direct TV) : Moved to formal session with a recommendation to approve.
- Appointment of Fred Durhall III to DDA: Combined with resolution (line items 8 and 11.1) and moved to formal with recommendation to approve.
- Appointment of Stacey Clayton to Board of Ethics: Combined with resolution (line items 9 and 11.2) and moved to formal with recommendation to approve.
- Settlement – Motor City Law: Moved to formal with recommendation to approve.
- Settlement – Trust Street Advisors: Moved to formal with recommendation to approve.
- Line items 10.3, 10.4, 10.5, 11.10: Brought back in two weeks (or one week for 11.10) for further information.
- Line items 11.5 and 11.13: Combined and moved to formal with recommendation to approve.
- Line items 11.6-11.12 (excluding 11.10) : Combined and moved to formal with recommendation to approve.
- Line item 11.14 (Settlement – Parthhenia Gore): Moved to formal with recommendation to approve.
- Line item 11.15 (Settlement – Wesley Bush): Brought back in one week with request for attached settlement information.
- Line item 11.16 (HR Compensation Schedule): Moved to formal with recommendation to approve.
- Line item 11.17 (Interview scheduling for Land Bank Authority): Received and filed; interview set for June 3, 2026.
- Adjournment: Motion passed.
Note: The meeting took place on May 13, 2026, as indicated by the transcription timestamp. All dates and times above reflect that date.
Meeting Transcript
Mr. Brocks is the pastor on for invocation this morning. Yes, I am here. Good morning. You want to introduce yourself and welcome. Thank you for having me on this morning. I am Reverend Dr. Robin Moore from First Baptist Institutional Church in Detroit in District 2. I am located at 17101, West Seven Mile Road, Detroit, Northwest Side of the City. Thank you. You may proceed. Thank you. Let us pray. Spirit of the living God fall fresh on us. Spirit of Mr. Brocks. Did the call drop? Madam Chair, uh, we have Robin Morsi uh still on. Uh I am there. Okay. We we couldn't hear you, ma'am. Okay, I'm sorry. Um, spirit of the living God fall fresh on us. We pause on this Wednesday morning, a day that has not been seen before, a day that will not be repeated, to stop and surrender and praise you and honor you just for who you are, giving us another opportunity to thank you for being Alpha and Omega in our lives. It is at you that we understand our being. We lift up the city of Detroit's leadership for its great work that it is currently doing. We thank you, oh God, and we pray not only for the Detroit City Council, but we also pray for the mayor who continues to lead Detroit and rise higher for every resident, for every business, for every one that is small or big, continue to bring forth programs and resources and finances to this great city. We pray for its vibrant energy and diverse communities, and we thank you for being there for us, and we thank you that this leadership chooses to put its city first, put its residence first. We pray for continued peace to reign over this city for unity to bridge our differences and prosperity to flourish among us. God grant wisdom to our leaders, compassion to our servants, and healing to those who are hurting. Peace of mind to us, our souls will be rendered back to you. We ask your God in this moment that we pray for the safety of our neighborhoods and that the spirit of hope and resilience guide us as we face challenges and celebrate successes. We ask for your protection over homes and churches and cities that come throughout this space. We ask for your blessings and abundant flow that will all come upon us who call Detroit our home. In the name of Jesus Jesus, we rebuke and cast out anything, any spirit that is against your will and flee from this place, this home which we call Detroit, that the righteous are proclaiming this place, and that no weapon found against us shall prosper. I declare that it is a godly and righteous place. I declare that the spirits of poverty, violence, anger, and hate are no longer a part of our spirits and will leave in this space in the name of Christ. I plead the love of joy and grace and peace to this city and declare angels are encamped all around us and all around this city. I pray for every leader, every worker, every person that is called to be a part of the city of Detroit. I ask you the Lord, Lord, to provide us with a harvest that's overflowing beyond our understanding and let our lights shine that through every neighborhood, through every school, through every storefront, through every church that the gospel permeate by our spirit and our walk with you throughout the city that we will see light in any dark place. I ask this in the powerful name of the one who is above all names, the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior, that we receive it, we expect it, and we thank God for it in Jesus' name, amen. Amen. Thank you so much. Um, Dr. Robin Moore for that prayer. You're welcome to stay on with us. Um, but we know you too have a very busy schedule. So thank you so much for that wonderful prayer over the city of Detroit. Is there a motion for the approval of the minutes? There's a motion for the approval of the minutes.
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