OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Detroit City Council Committee Meeting on Budget, Finance, and Audit – June 17, 2026

City Council — Wednesday, June 17, 2026
BodyDetroit, Michigan
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, June 17, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:09:31

Transcript — Verbatim
0:14

Present.

0:14

Councilmember Letitia Johnson.

0:16

Present.

0:16

Councilmember Mary Waters.

0:19

Mr.

0:19

Trey, you have a quarter present.

0:21

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

0:22

That'll move us on to approval of the minutes.

0:24

Um, members of the committee should have received a copy of the minutes.

0:28

And with that, is there a motion to approve the June 10th, 2026 minutes?

0:33

Motion.

0:34

It's been a motion to approve the minutes of June 10th.

0:37

See no objections to action shall be taken.

0:39

Um just I do not have any chair remarks today.

0:43

Um, and that'll move us on to public comment.

0:46

And we'll open up public comment request for public comment will close at 115.

0:53

Please limit remarks to two minutes.

0:55

We'll start with those in the room, and then for those participating remotely, please use the raise hand feature, and you'll be called in order.

1:04

Seeing no folks in the room, we'll move over to Zoom.

1:08

How many folks do we have so far?

1:11

Good afternoon, Mr.

1:12

Chair.

1:12

As of now, we have eight hands raised.

1:14

And the first caller being William M.

1:16

Davis.

1:17

Commissioner Davis, good afternoon.

1:19

You have two minutes.

1:23

Uh, good afternoon.

1:24

Can I be heard?

1:24

Yes, you can.

1:26

Okay.

1:27

You know, I think it would be appropriate, you know, for a future rule as relates, especially the budget and audit, that whenever an administration changes, there should be actually a thorough audit of what was spent.

1:43

Because I could very well imagine if y'all did a thorough audit, y'all find out there was millions of dollars that the previous administration spent that they weren't supposed to, and the way that they spend it.

1:55

That's all I'm gonna say right now.

1:57

Uh I'll also I think that uh we as the city of Detroit could have more control over what's going on, like say it in our restaurants, gas stations, um these food trucks and a whole bunch of other things if we actually have a strong licensing um effort here, and also we can save some money, but also uh I think that we can make sure that these different entities are living up to doing the stuff that they should be doing for the people of the city of Detroit.

2:35

You know, because I know a few years back, a number of years back now, I was doing protests at some of these gas stations who were selling um age meat and trying to pass it off as being fresh.

2:48

You know, we need to have more inspections because I'm older than both of you.

2:52

I remember when we used to do more inspections, you know.

2:56

We used to you know know a little bit better what gas stations are doing, what party stores are doing, what restaurants are doing.

3:04

You know, we we need to have uh greater control over there, and don't get me wrong, I'm not uh one of those super control freaks, but I think we need to make sure that the public is safe and the public the city has options on closing down bad actors.

3:19

Thank y'all, and y'all have a great day.

3:22

Thank you, Mr.

3:23

Davis.

3:23

What I'll also say um hearing you on the audit of previous administration, but um the auditor general does do um all this throughout the year, so if there are any particular places you like attention to, you can definitely let our office know.

3:39

And the same for inspections.

3:41

If there are certain businesses that are of mine, um please let us know as well, and we will work to get some inspections done there.

3:50

All right, next speaker.

3:51

Our next speaker has their hands raised twice.

3:54

Uh, with the first one being black bag.

3:56

Mr.

3:56

Crawley, good afternoon.

3:57

You have two minutes.

4:04

Uh yeah.

4:06

Um uh let me take a break here.

4:10

Yeah, uh Denzel McCampbell.

4:13

Uh I got put off the meeting this morning by Angela Whitfield.

4:18

It's Andrew Whitfield Callaway, District 2 representative, because I said something about her being cheated in.

4:26

Cheated in, a cheating public official, and then I didn't get a chance to talk about Sandra Smith fully.

4:33

She's a uh 105-year-old resident voting in district two.

4:39

Now, you are on this committee uh with another cheating individual.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Renewable Energy████████████████████20%
Fiscal Sustainability████████████████████20%
Federal Funding█████████████████17%
Procedural█████████████13%
Contract Management████████8%
Personnel Matters█████5%
Economic Development████4%
Community Engagement███3%
Elections██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Detroit City Council Committee Meeting on Budget, Finance, and Audit – June 17, 2026

The committee of the Detroit City Council met on June 17, 2026, to discuss a range of items including contracts, financial reports, the solar neighborhoods project, ARPA funding, and public comments. Several motions were made to bring items back for further review, and reports were received and filed.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of the June 10, 2026, meeting minutes: Motion made and approved without objection.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • William M. Davis: Urged a thorough audit when administrations change, and called for stronger licensing and inspections of gas stations, restaurants, and food trucks to ensure public safety.
  • Denzel McCampbell: Alleged election cheating by officials, including Councilmember Letitia Johnson and others, and called for investigation into misused funds.
  • Betty A. Varner (President of Soda Elsewhere Black Association): Requested support and volunteers for the annual "Arise Detroit" event on August 1, 2026, at Deba Community Park, featuring free food, school supplies, and activities.
  • Unnamed speaker: Criticized the lack of public disclosure on solar farm financial incentives, claimed the law department committed fraud on residents, and opposed use of eminent domain for solar farms.
  • Ms. Hughes (Owner of Papa?): Questioned the fiscal impact of the solar project, noted parentheses around numbers, opposed changing contract terms without public hearing, and criticized contracts going to outside firms.
  • Brother Cunningham (Unpaid D Dot Mobility Access Ambassador): Asked for community support for a vehicle and repairs, stating he helps residents with gloves, ice water, and bus tickets.

Discussion Items

  • Unfinished Business (5.1–5.3) – MRO Contracts: Discussion on contracts with Granger, MSC, and Fastenal for fasteners, anchors, and bolts. Questions raised about Detroit resident employment, Granger's size, and contract scope. DeAndre Berry and Arnita Clark provided details: Granger has 8 Detroit employees, MSC 18, ACE Restoration (partner) 11, Fastenal 3. Contracts are as-needed with no guaranteed amounts. A motion was made to bring back in one week for further review.
  • Item 5.4 – Budget Memo (Mayor's Office): Brought back in two weeks.
  • Item 5.5 – Detroit Institute of Art Budget: Received and filed; concern raised about public access to responses, but Deputy Budget Director confirmed they would be posted.
  • Items 5.6–5.9: Various items brought back or received and filed as noted.
  • New Business 6.1 – Solar Neighborhoods Project Fiscal Impact: Sarah Patton and Matt Spath presented the fiscal impact statement. The project shifts from LightStar to DTE. No net fiscal impact in FY2027, but future costs need annual budgeting. LightStar could not proceed due to acquisition and price demands; DTE is the only vendor able to meet federal tax credit deadline (July 4, 2026). Councilmembers Johnson and Waters expressed frustration about LightStar's actions and resident commitments. Questions on tax credit capture, resident upgrades, and no-bid nature. Motion to receive and file was approved.
  • New Business 6.2 – Financial Report for 10 Months Ending April 30, 2026: Presentation by Matt Spath and Valerie Agoy. Highlights: credit rating upgrades (Moody's to A3, S&P to Triple B+), positive revenue variance of $30 million, and projections. Discussion on income tax, wagering tax, and hiring increases. Member Waters requested reports on Detroiters working outside the city and on residency of new hires. Motion to receive and file approved.
  • New Business 6.3 – ARPA Report: LPD report by Mr. Crowley. Of 139 ARPA-funded programs, 81 completed; 58% done. Remaining funds expected to be spent by December 31, 2026. Discussion on general fund eligibility, administrative costs, and transition plans for ARPA staff. Council Vice Chair Johnson requested detailed status on housing projects. Motion to receive and file approved.
  • New Business 6.4 – Property Tax Reduction Resolution (Member Whitfield Callaway): Brought back in two weeks for embellishment.
  • Miscellaneous (6.5, 6.6): Memos on NEZ fiscal impact and marijuana tax projections brought back in two weeks.

Key Outcomes

  • Motions to Bring Back: Items 5.1–5.3 (one week), 5.4 (two weeks), 5.6 (one week), 5.7 (two weeks), 5.9 (two weeks), 6.4 (two weeks), 6.5 and 6.6 (two weeks) – all approved without objection.
  • Items Received and Filed: 5.5 (DIA budget), 5.8 (Museum of African American History), 6.1 (Solar fiscal impact), 6.2 (Financial report), 6.3 (ARPA report).
  • Motions for Reports: Member Waters' motion to obtain a report on the number of Detroiters working outside the city and the economic impact – approved. Also, motion to have HR provide residency status of employees hired in April 2026, with ongoing reporting – approved.
  • Member Reports: Announcements of upcoming events: Skill Trades today at Adams Butzel Center (4-6 p.m.), Job Fair on June 27 at Detroit at Work Payne Pullium School (10 a.m.-1 p.m.), and Juneteenth Freedom Festival on June 20 at Rooch Park (12-4 p.m.).

Meeting Transcript

Present. Councilmember Letitia Johnson. Present. Councilmember Mary Waters. Mr. Trey, you have a quarter present. Thank you, Madam Clerk. That'll move us on to approval of the minutes. Um, members of the committee should have received a copy of the minutes. And with that, is there a motion to approve the June 10th, 2026 minutes? Motion. It's been a motion to approve the minutes of June 10th. See no objections to action shall be taken. Um just I do not have any chair remarks today. Um, and that'll move us on to public comment. And we'll open up public comment request for public comment will close at 115. Please limit remarks to two minutes. We'll start with those in the room, and then for those participating remotely, please use the raise hand feature, and you'll be called in order. Seeing no folks in the room, we'll move over to Zoom. How many folks do we have so far? Good afternoon, Mr. Chair. As of now, we have eight hands raised. And the first caller being William M. Davis. Commissioner Davis, good afternoon. You have two minutes. Uh, good afternoon. Can I be heard? Yes, you can. Okay. You know, I think it would be appropriate, you know, for a future rule as relates, especially the budget and audit, that whenever an administration changes, there should be actually a thorough audit of what was spent. Because I could very well imagine if y'all did a thorough audit, y'all find out there was millions of dollars that the previous administration spent that they weren't supposed to, and the way that they spend it. That's all I'm gonna say right now. Uh I'll also I think that uh we as the city of Detroit could have more control over what's going on, like say it in our restaurants, gas stations, um these food trucks and a whole bunch of other things if we actually have a strong licensing um effort here, and also we can save some money, but also uh I think that we can make sure that these different entities are living up to doing the stuff that they should be doing for the people of the city of Detroit. You know, because I know a few years back, a number of years back now, I was doing protests at some of these gas stations who were selling um age meat and trying to pass it off as being fresh. You know, we need to have more inspections because I'm older than both of you. I remember when we used to do more inspections, you know. We used to you know know a little bit better what gas stations are doing, what party stores are doing, what restaurants are doing. You know, we we need to have uh greater control over there, and don't get me wrong, I'm not uh one of those super control freaks, but I think we need to make sure that the public is safe and the public the city has options on closing down bad actors. Thank y'all, and y'all have a great day. Thank you, Mr. Davis. What I'll also say um hearing you on the audit of previous administration, but um the auditor general does do um all this throughout the year, so if there are any particular places you like attention to, you can definitely let our office know. And the same for inspections. If there are certain businesses that are of mine, um please let us know as well, and we will work to get some inspections done there. All right, next speaker. Our next speaker has their hands raised twice. Uh, with the first one being black bag. Mr.

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