Detroit City Council Meeting - June 17, 2026

The Detroit City Council met on June 17, 2026, beginning at approximately 10:03 AM. The meeting included public comment on DDOT bus cleanliness, staffing, and resident engagement; interviews and reappointments to the Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) and the West Vernor/Springwells Business Improvement District; discussion of labor agreements; and referrals of several items for future action.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mr. Cunningham spoke about his "Free Fare Fridays" initiative, providing bus tickets and frozen water to residents. He requested donations of a van or vehicle to continue his work.
• Robert King reported that DDOT bus service has worsened, with buses not being cleaned and drivers passing stops. He expressed frustration with the system.
• William M. Davis criticized the current Community Advisory Councils (CACs), stating they have no budget or city assistance, unlike past district councils.
• Betty A. Varner (President, Soda Elsewhere Black Association) expressed support for a proposed mini market at Fenkell and Wyoming, noting the area is a food desert. She also urged continued funding for the Fenkell corridor.
• Joanne Warwick called for meaningful resident inclusion in the master plan update process, questioning the selection of an unelected advisory group and lack of discussion of the current plan.
• Owner Papa stated residents have "no confidence" that council will resolve issues, citing lack of ARPA-funded bus cleaning and absence of a council member.
• Jadante Smith called for stricter regulation of Republic Services' industrial waste facility and accountability for land speculators who hold large numbers of properties and avoid blight fines.
• Ms. Shay demanded DDOT explain why the Rosa Parks Transit Center is not cleaned with soap and bleach, and raised concerns about drug activity and broken windows in buildings.

Discussion Items

• DDOT Bus Concerns: Council called on Stephanie Davis (DDOT Government Affairs Liaison) to respond to public comments. She stated riders can report issues via the Improve Detroit app or customer service (313-933-1300). She noted midline cleaning was done during the pandemic and the administration is working to restore it. Councilwoman Callaway requested a posted cleaning schedule with initials and dates at transit centers, similar to restroom logs.
• Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) Appointments: Candidates David Bonner and George Etherich described the CAC's role as an advisory body that vets brownfield proposals, including recommending public hearings. They discussed the need to revise the three voting options (move to board, public hearing, or public hearing with council members) to ensure broader community input. Council members noted the CAC is the only one in Michigan and urged the candidates to develop a list of criteria for option selection.
• West Vernor/Springwells Business Improvement District Appointment: Rico Razo (Chief of Home Repair and Neighborhood Services) was reappointed. He explained the BID pools resources from businesses for landscaping, graffiti removal, facade improvements, and public safety. Council members praised his work and asked him to assist the Livernois corridor in forming a BID.
• Labor Agreement – Crossing Guards (Line Item 10.7): Labor Relations Administrator Shine Joseph presented a contract for crossing guards, changing pay from $7.35 to $8.00 per crossing (averaging two crossings per hour, or $16/hour). Councilmember Benson questioned the definition of a crossing and how the rate aligns with the city's $21.45 minimum wage. Joseph noted the city has a shortage of about 20 crossing guards, filled by police officers costing over $100,000 annually. The item was brought back for one week.
• Cryptocurrency ATM Regulation (Line Item 10.10): Councilmember Benson introduced a memorandum to develop an ordinance regulating cryptocurrency ATMs, citing abuse of seniors and a pattern where regulated ATMs from Grosse Pointe moved into Detroit. The law department will return with an ordinance draft in one week.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved minutes and several routine items without objection.
• Board of Review Hope Exemption Guidelines (Line Item 10.5): Approved amendment to accept alternative IDs (e.g., consulate ID) after the Secretary of State stopped providing address-change stickers on enhanced IDs.
• Brownfield CAC Interviews (Line Items for Bonner and Etherich): Returned for further interviews with two additional candidates; motion passed to schedule a July 1 interview for Jared Fleischer (Downtown Detroit Development Authority). Motion to move all four appointments together on a June 30 formal session; later reconsidered to bring back June 24 for vote on June 30.
• Detroit Land Bank Appointments (Line Items 9.1-9.3): Initially moved to formal, then brought back for reconsideration. Motion passed to bring back June 24 for vote on June 30, allowing current appointee to finish term.
• Labor Agreements: Line Item 10.6 (Teamsters Supervisory Unit) moved to formal. Line Item 10.7 (Crossing Guards) brought back one week.
• Referrals: Line Item 9.7 (CAC rules) brought back one week; Line Item 9.8 (mayoral appointments to Tenants' Rights Commission) brought back TBD; Line Item 10.8 (employee pay increases) brought back two weeks; Line Item 10.9 (CAC questions) brought back one week; Line Item 10.10 (crypto ATMs) brought back one week.
• Members Reports: Councilmember Benson announced a Juneteenth bike ride (June 18, Charles H. Wright Museum) and SimCog opposition to state preemption on housing. Councilmember Callaway announced a blight patrol orientation (June 29, Adams Butzel Rec Center).