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Record of Proceedings

Detroit City Council Committee Meeting - June 10, 2026: Appointments, Federal Lobbying, and Eviction Defense

City Council — Wednesday, June 10, 2026
BodyDetroit, Michigan
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, June 10, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:25:07

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:06

Councilmember Scott Benson.

0:09

Councilmember Renata Miller.

0:11

Madam Chair, you have a quorum present.

0:13

Thank you so much.

0:14

Um Madam Clerk, we are going to have our indication.

0:17

I'm simply going to read a scripture that I read.

0:19

I think last week.

0:20

If you all will um indulge me for a minute.

0:24

God, your ways are not the same as ours.

0:26

We think we understand your plans.

0:29

We think we already know the map of our faith journey.

0:33

When it feels like we are on a detour, we can overreact at times.

0:38

We can feel like the whole trip has been ruined.

0:41

We could put too much effort into getting back to the original path, but you know things we don't know.

0:48

You see the journey differently.

0:50

You'll make sure we ultimately get where we need to be.

0:53

Help us to always trust that you know.

0:56

Help us to calmly keep moving forward with you in Jesus' name.

1:01

Amen.

1:02

All righty.

1:04

Is there a motion for the approval of the minutes?

1:06

Motion.

1:07

Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

1:11

There are zero cheer remarks.

1:14

Public comment will um be cut off at 10.04.

1:18

It is 1001.

1:19

Cut public comment will be cut off at 1004.

1:23

Is there anyone in the audience who'd like to make public comment?

1:27

Sir, you want to take the um middle seat?

1:30

When you get to the seat, sir, you'll have two minutes.

1:34

If you could um press the button at the base of the microphone, it's going to turn green.

1:39

When it turns green, the microphone in front of you, sir.

1:44

Just press the press the button.

1:47

Yes, sir.

1:48

It did it turn green.

1:49

You have two minutes.

1:50

If you can please introduce yourself, and if the um clerk could note, we've been joined by council member Renata Miller.

1:56

Good morning, member Miller.

1:58

Okay, thank you.

1:58

Sir, you have two minutes for public comment.

2:01

Introduce yourself.

2:02

I'm John Wait.

2:04

Um Ms.

2:05

JC, can you please fix the clock for two minutes?

2:10

Good morning, ma'am.

2:15

Councilmember, there's a notification on the screen.

2:18

The computer's next to the clerk.

2:20

It's blocking timer.

2:30

Is are we having technical difficulties?

2:36

Just give us a minute, sir.

2:38

You can just push okay, I believe.

2:46

Okay.

3:01

What are your instructions for the two minutes?

3:05

I have my screen shared with the timer.

3:08

I'm not sure.

3:10

Uh please click on the zoom.

3:12

It should say join from the browser.

3:32

Please bear with us in a minute.

3:34

I'm gonna use my cell phone for two minutes.

3:45

Thank you, Cyril.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Housing██████████████████████22%
Procedural██████████████14%
Community Engagement█████████████13%
Zoning and Land Use████████████12%
Federal Funding██████6%
Contract Management█████5%
Economic Development████4%
Historic Preservation████4%
Personnel Matters███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Detroit City Council Committee Meeting - June 10, 2026

At a regularly scheduled committee meeting of the Detroit City Council, members interviewed candidates for key boards, debated zoning and housing policy, accepted a federal lobbying contract renewal, and advanced eviction defense funding. The meeting opened with a prayer and public comments, followed by interviews and votes on appointments, contracts, and reports.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Josh Medina, Urban Neighborhood Initiatives – Expressed full support for Jai Singletary's appointment to the City Planning Commission, citing his expertise, community engagement in Springwells Village, and alignment with Detroit's master plan vision, especially on incompatible zoning.
  • Betty A. Varner, President of Soda Elsewhere Black Association – Urged council to approve a mini market and gas station at Thinco and Wyoming to address food desert conditions, requesting healthier food options, a deli, and support for the corridor's revitalization.
  • William M. Davis – Announced a hybrid retiree task force meeting and called for restoration of retiree benefits, emphasizing that the city's recovery was built on retirees' backs and urging voter turnout.
  • Multiple callers (Sam Butler, Renard Michelinski, Joanne Warwick) – Supported Jai Singletary; criticized city website missing cabinet information, the planning process's lack of community inclusion, and opposed Donald Rencher's appointment to the Land Bank Authority, alleging secretive planning and illegal nuisance abatement takings.
  • Angela Whitfield Callaway – Accused council members of election fraud and misconduct during a previous meeting, demanding legal action.
  • Joshua Medina (online) – Called for transparency in solar projects, criticized property maintenance enforcement, and raised concerns about land aggregation by the Maroon family and shell corporations.

Discussion Items

  • Nomination of Jai Singletary to City Planning Commission (District 6) – Singletary, a resident of Springwells Village, holds a master's in public policy and has experience as a policy analyst for Council President Tate and as executive director of Woodbridge Neighborhood Development. He emphasized zoning reform for affordable housing (e.g., duplexes, ADUs), addressing outdated industrial zoning, and ensuring historic districts maintain character. Councilmembers praised his qualifications and community ties. Marcel Todd (CPC director) confirmed no conflicts of interest.
  • Appointment of Donald Rencher to Detroit Land Bank Authority – Rencher, former group executive for housing and planning, highlighted the need for land bank sustainability, improved communication, and helping purchasers complete projects. He supports mixed-income housing and community land trusts. Councilmembers acknowledged his historic work on affordable housing and questioned him on infill development and the Land Bank's role in the mayor's 1,000-home goal.
  • Federal Lobbying Contract – Boundary Stone Partners (Line Item 8.9) – Representatives Pete Gould and Michael Klotz presented a $210,000 contract increase (total $600,000) to advocate for federal funding. They reported securing $50.8 million for DDOT hybrid-electric buses and protecting prior awards (e.g., Joe Lewis Greenway). Councilmember Callaway requested diversity improvements and advocated for historic Fort Wayne funding. Councilmember Benson noted a 4,000% ROI. The contract was approved.
  • Eviction Defense Contract Amendment (Line Item 8.10) – Diamond Conley, executive director of Right to Counsel, requested a $350,000 increase (total $16.9 million) for legal representation for low-income tenants through September 2026, serving 16,000 residents. Councilmember Miller asked about state funding transition and collaborative efforts to reduce eviction cases. The amendment was approved.
  • Feasibility of Council Media Services (Line Item 8.1) – LPD requested two additional weeks to complete a report on cost estimates for a council-operated media division. Motion to bring back in two weeks passed.
  • Judge Gilmore List Report (Line Item 8.2) – LPD requested one week to confer with member Callaway's office. Motion to bring back in one week passed.
  • Appointments to Land Bank Authority (Line Items 8.3, 8.4, 8.5) – Council deferred decisions on Erica Hill, Krista Pate, and Javon Glenn to allow Mr. Glenn to serve remaining weeks; all three were brought back for one week.
  • Tenants Rights Commission Appointment (Line Item 8.6) – Requested one week delay due to ongoing colleague conversation. Approved.
  • Follow-up on Data-Sharing Contracts (Line Item 8.7) – A report was submitted and received and filed.
  • Law Department Settlements – Approved settlements: $200,000 for Anderson Quinnetta (police department) and $5 million for Brian Diaz judgment; approved resolution for Andre Jones settlement ($500,000).
  • 2026 City Council Calendar Revision (Line Item 9.5) – Moved the June evening community meeting to June 30. Initially approved, then reconsidered and received and filed.

Key Outcomes

  • Jai Singletary – Motion to move nomination to formal session with recommendation for approval passed without objection. He will join the City Planning Commission.
  • Donald Rencher – Motion to move appointment to Detroit Land Bank Authority to formal session (with corresponding resolution 9.1) passed without objection.
  • Boundary Stone Partners (Line Item 8.9) – Approved and moved to formal session (contract increase $210,000, total $600,000, through June 2027).
  • Eviction Defense Contract (Line Item 8.10) – Approved and moved to formal (amendment adding $350,000, total $16.9 million, through September 2026).
  • Law Department Settlements – Approved and moved to formal: Quinnetta ($200,000), Diaz ($5 million), Jones ($500,000).
  • Charitable Gaming Raffle Resolution (Line Item 9.4) – Approved and moved to formal.
  • Calendar Revision – Received and filed after reconsideration.
  • Deferred Items – Lines 8.1 (two weeks), 8.2 (one week), 8.3-8.5 (one week), 8.6 (one week), 9.2 (brought back to July 1).

Meeting Transcript

Councilmember Scott Benson. Councilmember Renata Miller. Madam Chair, you have a quorum present. Thank you so much. Um Madam Clerk, we are going to have our indication. I'm simply going to read a scripture that I read. I think last week. If you all will um indulge me for a minute. God, your ways are not the same as ours. We think we understand your plans. We think we already know the map of our faith journey. When it feels like we are on a detour, we can overreact at times. We can feel like the whole trip has been ruined. We could put too much effort into getting back to the original path, but you know things we don't know. You see the journey differently. You'll make sure we ultimately get where we need to be. Help us to always trust that you know. Help us to calmly keep moving forward with you in Jesus' name. Amen. All righty. Is there a motion for the approval of the minutes? Motion. Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken. There are zero cheer remarks. Public comment will um be cut off at 10.04. It is 1001. Cut public comment will be cut off at 1004. Is there anyone in the audience who'd like to make public comment? Sir, you want to take the um middle seat? When you get to the seat, sir, you'll have two minutes. If you could um press the button at the base of the microphone, it's going to turn green. When it turns green, the microphone in front of you, sir. Just press the press the button. Yes, sir. It did it turn green. You have two minutes. If you can please introduce yourself, and if the um clerk could note, we've been joined by council member Renata Miller. Good morning, member Miller. Okay, thank you. Sir, you have two minutes for public comment. Introduce yourself. I'm John Wait. Um Ms. JC, can you please fix the clock for two minutes? Good morning, ma'am. Councilmember, there's a notification on the screen. The computer's next to the clerk. It's blocking timer. Is are we having technical difficulties? Just give us a minute, sir.

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