OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Detroit City Council Formal Session – June 23, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, June 23, 2026
BodyDetroit, Michigan
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, June 23, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:23:23

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Good morning.

0:00

Will you please call the role?

0:03

Yes, Mr.

0:04

President.

0:04

Good morning.

0:06

Councilmember Scott Benson.

0:08

Member Benson indicated that he would be uh charted.

0:12

Uncle So Nouncilmember Letitia Johnson present.

0:17

Councilmember Denzel and Tom McCampbell.

0:21

Councilmember Reneta Miller.

0:24

Madam Clerk Member McCamillo also sent a memo indicating that he would be tardy as well.

0:28

Uncle Soul Note, Mr.

0:29

President, thank you.

0:30

Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero.

0:33

Present.

0:34

Council Member Mary Waters.

0:36

Present.

0:37

Councilmember Angela Whitfield Callaway.

0:40

Pastor President Pro Tim Coleman A.

0:42

Yon II.

0:43

Here.

0:44

Council President James Tate.

0:46

Here.

0:47

Mr.

0:47

President, you have a form.

0:48

Thank you, man.

0:49

We have a form, which means we're now in session.

0:51

I'd like to now take the time to uh alert everyone that if you are looking to provide a comment to this body, please raise your hand now, and someone will come around and provide you with a public comment card.

1:02

Again, raise that hand high so someone from the team can see you.

1:05

Uh because we will be cutting off public comment collections very shortly.

1:09

For those who are online as well, virtually raise that hand and we'll place you in the queue.

1:15

Okay.

1:15

We will be cutting it off a collection of public comments very shortly.

1:19

Uh and providing this morning's invocation, we have none other than Reverend uh Anthony Estings.

1:26

If you can come forward, sir, please give him a round of applause, please.

1:32

Morning.

1:33

Good morning.

1:34

A proud Detroiter, Reverend Estee serves as the rector of All Saints Episcopal Church and St.

1:39

Matthew's and Saint Joseph Episcopal Church through the uh Detroit Church Partnership.

1:46

He also serves as the associate and partnership missioner at the Cathedral Church of St.

1:52

Paul.

1:53

In addition to his ministry, Reverend Estees volunteers with the Detroit Police Chaplain Corps, providing spiritual support and care throughout our community.

2:02

Reverend Estes, the floor is yours, sir.

2:04

Thank you for joining us.

2:05

Thank you.

2:06

I invite all who are able to assume a posture of prayer, reflection, or goodwill that is natural to you.

2:15

And those who wish may join me in prayer.

2:20

Oh God, the fountain of all wisdom, whose statutes are good and gracious, and whose law is truth.

2:29

We acknowledge you as the great power and ground of all being.

2:34

We acknowledge that we dare not presume to govern ourselves if we forget that we are made in your image and share in your likeness.

2:45

We acknowledge that beyond denomination and creed, religion, and philosophy, you created us to be in harmony with you, with all of creation, with ourselves and with each other.

2:56

We confess that we have not always acted upon this truth.

3:00

And we have been spectators rather than neighbors.

3:11

Forgive us, reorient us toward the path of mutual flourishing.

3:17

Bless us as we take counsel today.

3:20

Bless our elected leaders, including Mayor Mary, and especially Council President James and Council President Pro Tim Coleman and every council person, their aides, and all those who've gathered here today in formal session.

3:35

Grant us the grace to have clear minds, open ears, patient understanding, and courageous hearts.

3:44

As we deliberate concerning public safety, give us peace that neither ignores danger nor sacrifices dignity.

3:52

Grant us the compassion that will help us keep victims and families, first responders, public safety officers, and especially our youth safe.

4:03

Even as we celebrate the winds in housing, shelter, streets, transit, water, neighborhood renewal, keep us mindful of those who are housing insecure, who are being displaced from their homes by rising costs and changing neighborhoods, who are facing other hardships, and Lord, our elders and our children, our city workers who work tirelessly to keep it all going.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety███████████████████████████████31%
Procedural██████████████████18%
Community Engagement███████7%
Youth Programs███████7%
Contract Management███████7%
Public Engagement█████5%
Zoning and Land Use████4%
Water And Wastewater Management████4%
Transportation Safety███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Detroit City Council Formal Session – June 23, 2026

The Detroit City Council convened on June 23, 2026, for a formal session that included an invocation, two special presentations, a public safety update from Chief Bettison, extensive public comment, and consideration of numerous legislative items. The meeting ran from late morning into the afternoon.

Special Presentations

  • Spirit of Detroit Award: Councilmember Santiago Romero presented the award to Harmony Simone Harris, a Black trans woman and health equity manager at the Ruth Ellis Center, recognizing her advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and HIV services.
  • Public Safety Update: Chief of Police Bettison reported on crime statistics, community violence intervention, and summer safety plans. Homicides were down 17% compared to the previous year (52 preliminary vs. 63), property crimes down 9%, and response times improved to 10 minutes 52 seconds for priority one calls. The department also discussed teen takeovers, curfew enforcement, and federal partnerships.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • In-Person Speakers:
    • Dana Lund complained about police abuse and lack of accountability.
    • Megan Owens (Transportation Riders United) supported countywide transit millage.
    • Betty Lyons criticized property tax overpayment and transgender rights.
    • Sanita Lewis presented a platform for in-home healthcare for seniors.
    • Josh Mann advocated for legal spaces for drag racing and drifting, criticizing the city's approach.
    • Ronald Foster raised concerns about surveillance technology and park cameras.
  • Online Callers (24 total):
    • William M. Davis urged more civilian oversight of police and mental health services.
    • Multiple callers spoke on the solar project: Sandra Turner Handy supported it, while others opposed, citing toxic risks and rushed approvals.
    • Several speakers criticized the youth curfew and called for more resources and opportunities for teens.
    • Joanna from District 7 requested a grocery store instead of a mini-mart.
    • Others addressed property tax justice (coalition), DTE contracts, and the Wayne County transit millage.
  • Public Comment Themes: Strong opposition to teen curfew, support for transit millage, and divided opinions on solar farms.

Discussion Items

  • Public Safety Q&A: Councilmembers questioned Chief Bettison on:
    • Drag racing enforcement, technology, and possible legal venues (Pro Tem Young).
    • Federal ICE pursuits causing property damage in neighborhoods (McCampbell).
    • Curfew wraparound services (Santiago Romero) and education efforts (Waters).
    • Airbnb incidents (Miller) and autonomous vehicles (Callaway).
    • De-escalation training after a Brightmoor incident (Benson).
    • ShotSpotter and community violence intervention integration (Johnson).
  • Legislative Items:
    • 16.1 and 16.2: Appointments, including Catherine Richardson to Tenants' Rights Commission (approved with discussion on conflict of interest).
    • 16.3: Revenue contract for IT asset recycling (approved after questions about minority participation).
    • 17.8 (workforce program) postponed one week.
    • 17.10 (Motor City Midmission outreach) and 17.14 (NSO rapid rehousing) had objections and reconsiderations; both eventually approved.
    • 17.27 (Port Authority item) referred to administration for proper vetting.
    • 20.5 and 20.6 (DWSD sewer contracts) approved after councilmembers raised resident concerns; waiver on 20.5 denied, 20.6 granted.
    • 20.11 (Detroit Public Safety Foundation youth program) discussed and approved.

Key Outcomes

  • Votes and Approvals:
    • Line items 16.1-16.7, 17.2-17.19 (minus postponed 17.8), 18.1-18.3, 20.1-20.15 approved with listed objections and waivers.
    • Ordinance for zoning changes (17.1) passed 9-0.
    • Motion to remove line item 19.1 (fence removal) passed.
  • Referrals:
    • Port Authority resolution (17.27) sent to administration.
    • Walk-on budget resolution referred to Budget, Finance, and Audit Committee.
  • Upcoming: Special session at 3:00 p.m. on same day (Committee of the Whole).
  • Directives: Councilmember Callaway assigned law department to draft an ordinance regulating autonomous vehicles.

Meeting Transcript

Good morning. Will you please call the role? Yes, Mr. President. Good morning. Councilmember Scott Benson. Member Benson indicated that he would be uh charted. Uncle So Nouncilmember Letitia Johnson present. Councilmember Denzel and Tom McCampbell. Councilmember Reneta Miller. Madam Clerk Member McCamillo also sent a memo indicating that he would be tardy as well. Uncle Soul Note, Mr. President, thank you. Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero. Present. Council Member Mary Waters. Present. Councilmember Angela Whitfield Callaway. Pastor President Pro Tim Coleman A. Yon II. Here. Council President James Tate. Here. Mr. President, you have a form. Thank you, man. We have a form, which means we're now in session. I'd like to now take the time to uh alert everyone that if you are looking to provide a comment to this body, please raise your hand now, and someone will come around and provide you with a public comment card. Again, raise that hand high so someone from the team can see you. Uh because we will be cutting off public comment collections very shortly. For those who are online as well, virtually raise that hand and we'll place you in the queue. Okay. We will be cutting it off a collection of public comments very shortly. Uh and providing this morning's invocation, we have none other than Reverend uh Anthony Estings. If you can come forward, sir, please give him a round of applause, please. Morning. Good morning. A proud Detroiter, Reverend Estee serves as the rector of All Saints Episcopal Church and St. Matthew's and Saint Joseph Episcopal Church through the uh Detroit Church Partnership. He also serves as the associate and partnership missioner at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul. In addition to his ministry, Reverend Estees volunteers with the Detroit Police Chaplain Corps, providing spiritual support and care throughout our community. Reverend Estes, the floor is yours, sir. Thank you for joining us. Thank you. I invite all who are able to assume a posture of prayer, reflection, or goodwill that is natural to you. And those who wish may join me in prayer. Oh God, the fountain of all wisdom, whose statutes are good and gracious, and whose law is truth. We acknowledge you as the great power and ground of all being. We acknowledge that we dare not presume to govern ourselves if we forget that we are made in your image and share in your likeness.

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