Detroit City Council Committee Debates Solar Projects, ShotSpotter – June 8, 2026
Detroit City Council Committee Considers Solar Project Amendments, ShotSpotter Contract, and Other Items – June 8, 2026
This meeting of the Detroit City Council Committee of the Whole, chaired by Councilmember Denzel Anton McCampbell and attended by Councilmember Mary Waters (Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero absent), focused on several key agenda items including contract amendments for two solar projects in five neighborhoods, a proposed renewal of the ShotSpotter gunshot detection technology contract, and a new BrassTracks equipment contract. Public comment was extensive, with strong opinions both supporting and opposing the solar projects and ShotSpotter.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Solar Projects Supporters: Multiple residents and representatives spoke in favor of continuing the solar projects. Travis Peters (Green Boots Gardens) expressed disappointment that an agrovoltaics farming component was disrupted, but supported the overall project. Donna Anthony (Kerry Neighborhood Block Club) asked the council to let the community grow with the solar project, noting blight removal. Misha Parker (Kerry Neighborhood Block Club president) reported her home was finished and she loves it, urging completion for neighbors. Derek Meakin (Walker Miller Energy Services) highlighted 230 jobs (nearly 100 Detroit residents), 200+ homes receiving energy efficiency upgrades, and bill reductions of $35–$45 per month. Dwane Ver Jesse (Walker Miller) noted positive participant feedback, including a carbon monoxide detector that saved a family. Scott Allen Davis (SEAL LLC) reported 230 jobs, 97 Detroit residents, and $35–$45 monthly savings. Sandra Turner Handy (Denby Neighborhood Alliance) supported the project, citing blight removal and renewable energy goals.
- Solar Project Opponents: Several callers opposed the solar projects. Caller ending in 124 alleged fraud, eminent domain violations, and that the program is a violation of the city charter. Caroline Hughes asked for a public hearing, questioned city funding, and accused the city of taking properties for downtown energy. Cindy Darr raised concerns about decommissioning costs and contract cancelation.
- ShotSpotter Opponents: Multiple speakers urged the council not to fund ShotSpotter. Stephen Hashu argued it doesn't work and that human policing is needed. Maurice Weeks questioned the city's claim of using the technology differently than other cities, citing data storage issues and inaccurate decibel levels. The ACLU of Michigan representative stated ShotSpotter disproportionately impacts communities of color, citing a Chicago study showing 86% of reports led to no crime. Richard Clay urged a 'no' vote, calling the technology inefficient and wasteful.
- Other Comments: Caller argued for access to 36th District Court discovery and crime victims compensation. Caller mentioned the need for better bus service, higher pay for mechanics, and free transit. Caller opposed pre-sale inspection requirements for 2-3 family dwellings. Sandra Turner Handy also spoke on Proposal S (school millage).
Discussion Items
- Solar Projects (Items 6.6 and 6.7): The administration presented an overview of the solar projects, which were approved two years ago in five neighborhoods (Van Dyke Lynch, Greenfield Park, Houston-Whittier, State Fair, Grass-Finley). The $130 million capital investment includes 165 acres of solar arrays, energy efficiency upgrades to 209 homes (average $35,000 per home), and job creation. Over 230 jobs total, 104 Detroit residents. Energy efficiency upgrades have resulted in a 25% reduction in electricity use and 22% reduction in gas use, with homeowners reporting $35–$45 monthly savings. The contract amendments are needed because LightStar Renewables, the original developer, is no longer in the project implementation business after being acquired by Apollo. The city is now seeking to assign the projects to DTE Electric Company. The amended cost of energy is $285 per megawatt (Phase 2) and $260/$240 per megawatt (Phase 1). Corporation Counsel Mallet explained the legal rationale, including the risk of lawsuits if the city terminated the contract. The fiscal impact shows no net impact in FY27, but $477,000 in FY28 and $3 million in FY29–30, offset by future electricity cost savings. The deadline for federal tax credits is July 4, 2026. Councilmember McCampbell raised concerns about the low Detroit resident job percentage (about 45% of 230 jobs) and the city's ownership of the arrays. Deputy Chief Regina Greer clarified that the city owns the projects and the renewable energy credits. DTE's Daniel Mahoney explained that the projects help DTE meet state renewable portfolio standards and that the city will get credit for the RECs.
- ShotSpotter (Item 5.14): A motion was made to bring back the ShotSpotter item in two weeks. No discussion on the merits during this meeting.
- BrassTracks Equipment (Item 6.5): This contract ($700,000) for high-resolution cartridge image stations and related services was presented by DPD Captain Heather Cameron and Sergeant. The technology helps match bullet casings to firearms and connects to the ATF national database. The department has recovered over 2,700 firearms this year. The contract was sent to formal without recommendation.
- Other Items: Several unfinished business items were discussed, including memos on after-hours establishments (5.2, 5.3 – received and filed), blight fines ordinance (5.4 – bring back in three weeks), federal overreach ordinance (5.5 – referred to law), demolition costs report (5.6 – bring back in two weeks), EMS service charges ordinance (5.7 – bring back in one week), and several other items. Pre-sale inspection item (5.11) brought back in three weeks. DPD storage requirements (5.12) received and filed.
Key Outcomes
- Solar Projects (6.6, 6.7): Motion to bring back in one week (June 15, 2026) with a commitment from the chair to send to formal for approval the following Tuesday (June 16, 2026) to meet the July 4 tax credit deadline. Motion carried without objection.
- ShotSpotter (5.14): Motion to bring back in two weeks. Carried without objection.
- BrassTracks (6.5): Motion to send to formal without recommendation. Carried without objection.
- Basement Backup Protection Program (6.1): Motion to send to new business with recommendation to approve. Carried without objection.
- Other Items: Several items were brought back at future dates or received and filed as noted in discussion. No votes on substantive policy changes were taken.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning. Good morning. Councilmember Denzel Anton McCampbell. Present. Councilmember Mary Waters. Present. Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero. Councilmember Santiago Romero has indicated she will not be here today. The clerk will note. Mr. Chair, you have quorum. Thank you so much, ma'am. Clerk. That will move us on to the approval of the minutes. Members of the committee should have uh received the minutes from the June 1st meeting. With that, is there a motion to approve? Motion. It's been a motion to approve the minutes and no objections, the action shall be taken. Now to move us on to chair remarks. Um no remarks from me. I know we have a full room and a full agenda here. So thank you all for joining us in person and virtually as well. And with that, we'll move on to public comments. Um request for public comment will close at 1020. Uh please limit remarks to two minutes, and we'll start with those in the room. And for those participating remotely via Zoom, please use the read the raise hand feature, and you will be called in order. And with that, I believe we have our first speakers here in person. Um Travis Peters. Yes. All right, you may come forward, and then followed by uh Travis, we'll have Donna Anthony and then Misha Parker. Good morning. Good morning. Councilman, uh thank you for allowing me to speak publicly. Um I want to thank the uh office, City of Detroit's Office of Sustainability for the invitation to speak. Um speaking on a manner uh regarding a um recent discussion over uh agro voltaics project. Uh that's the combining of uh farming with the uh proposed uh solar fields that uh DTE will be building in our neighborhoods, particularly in the state fair area and uh grassy friendly. Uh I just wanted to speak to the importance of uh uh combating food scarcity. Um I was one of the farmers that was selected to farm and on two acres of space uh east of the state fairgrounds and um the planning and logistics that took place into that, promising uh veterans. I'm a veteran, so uh my organization is veteran-led. Umising veterans, workforce development, paying um in dollar amounts well above the minimum wage, promising them credits and food for their assistance in developing this space. Um is totally um it's disappointing to go back to them and say that this is not gonna take place. Like I said, it was two acres of space. I had to plan uh for farm machinery. I reached out to several organizations, one of which promised in kind uh donations that I have to match their portions. So I found myself in a financial somewhat I don't want to call it a rut, but a financial space of accountability uh because of this proposition. Um this pretty much disrupted our interstate uh free food distribution. Last year, my organization uh Green Boots Gardens. We donated over 10,000 um pounds of food. Thank you. Thank you.
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