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Record of Proceedings

Detroit City Council Meeting – June 29, 2026

City Council — Monday, June 29, 2026
BodyDetroit, Michigan
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, June 29, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:49:36

Original source
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0:00

Monday, June 29th, 2026.

0:04

May the work when the clerk please call the roll.

0:07

Good morning.

0:08

Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero.

0:10

Good morning.

0:11

Present.

0:11

Councilmember Denzel Anton McCampbell.

0:16

Councilmember Mary Waters.

0:18

President.

0:20

Madam Chair, we have quorum.

0:22

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

0:23

Good morning, Member Waters.

0:25

We do have quorum, so we'll go right into the agenda for the rest of our time today.

0:32

We did receive our minutes from our last session.

0:34

If there's a motion to approve.

0:37

Motion.

0:38

Thank you.

0:38

Hearing no objections, we will approve our minutes from our last session.

0:44

Uh for chair remarks.

0:45

Just want to remind everyone.

0:47

Tomorrow we will have an evening community meeting for District 6.

0:53

We are going to be at the IBW at 7 p.m.

0:56

Again, that's tomorrow, Tuesday, June 30th at 7 p.m.

1:02

This is really an opportunity for the public to give public comments to the full council.

1:06

So if you would like to come before the full council, we will be at the IBW tomorrow at 7 p.m.

1:14

Other than that, we can get into the rest of the agenda for today.

1:17

We can go into public comments.

1:20

Public comment will stay open until 10.10 a.m.

1:24

So if you are online, please raise your hands now for public comments.

1:27

And if you're here in person, please raise your hands.

1:30

I see one, two people, three, three people here for public comments.

1:35

And then again, if you are online, please raise your hands now.

1:42

We will begin with the folks that we have here in person first.

1:51

Before we turn it over to the folks online.

1:56

And if the clerk if the clerk can please note, we've been joined by our vice chair McCampbell.

2:01

Clerk will know.

2:02

Thank you.

2:03

Good morning.

2:06

Everyone will have two minutes for public comment this morning.

2:09

We'll begin with the folks that we have here online.

2:12

We'll begin first with Eden Bloom, followed by Maurice Weeks.

2:17

We will put the two-minute clock on the screen.

2:25

And then once we have that up, you can begin.

2:32

Whenever you're ready.

2:35

Okay, thank you.

2:35

Good morning.

2:36

My name is Eden Bloom.

2:38

I live on Cadillac Boulevard, less than a mile from 663 Lycass Street.

2:42

On October 28th, 2025, this body will the full committee full council voted 8 to 0 on a resolution introduced by Councilmember Letitia Johnson.

2:52

That resolution found that a Vetus had accumulated 18 citations and seven active violations from Eagle, that 64 air complaint investigations documented persistent odor, creating unreasonable interference with the comfortable enjoyment of life and property.

3:08

That fumes particulate matter from this for facility contribute to upper respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, and cancer in our majority black low-income neighborhoods, and that the fire uh that they had continued and continued violations raised serious public safety concerns.

3:27

The resolution directed B seed the law department and the health department to pursue all available enforcement mechanisms before operations resume.

3:36

Mayor Mary Sheffield, then serving as council president, also as part of that unanimous vote.

3:42

I'm here today because that directive has not been fulfilled.

3:46

Damax Holding, the successor to a Vidas appeared before B seed on June 17th, seeking special land use approval to demolish a portion of the existing structure and expand.

3:58

The facility that was operating illegally that did not have a valid city permit that burned under undetermined circumstances and released a thousand gallons of oily water into the public street, and they want to come back 50 cent 50% larger.

4:13

While Eagle will hold a public hearing, I've consistently had Eagle staff confirm that they only have power over air emissions and that the real power lies with the city.

4:23

We're asking council to reaffirm its October 2025 resolution and direct that BC deny or table any approvals until the fire cause is officially determined and publicly disclosed that the law department provide the written opinion.

4:38

Thank you very much.

4:40

Thank you.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety████████████████████20%
Procedural██████████████████18%
Contract Management████████████████16%
Water And Wastewater Management████████████12%
Public Health███████7%
Public Transit█████5%
Community Engagement████4%
Environmental Protection███3%
Elections███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Detroit City Council Meeting – June 29, 2026

The Detroit City Council held a regular meeting on June 29, 2026, addressing a range of legislative items, public comments, and administrative matters. Key discussions included ShotSpotter contract renewal, water main break restoration, cooling center plans, and multiple contract approvals. The meeting lasted from morning until adjournment.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of minutes from previous session (unanimous).
  • Several routine items were approved without objection: Minutes (approved), 5.1 (dangerous buildings findings, received and filed), 6.6 and 6.7 (transportation contracts, approved), 6.11 (public health emergency preparedness grant, approved to new business), 6.13 (Occupy the Summer donation, approved to new business), 6.14 (transportation alternative program grant for Virginia Park, approved to new business), 6.15 (youth gang prevention grant, approved to new business), 6.16 (federal earmark for Joe Louis Greenway, approved to new business), 6.18 (crime victim sustainability fund, approved to new business), 6.20 (charging infrastructure grant, approved to new business), 6.22 and 6.23 (easements for public lighting authority, approved).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Eden Bloom (Cadillac Boulevard resident) urged Council to reaffirm an October 2025 resolution directing denial of special land use approval for Damax Holding (successor to A Vidas) to expand a facility that had 18 citations, 7 active violations, and a fire releasing 1,000 gallons of oily water. She argued BSE only handles air emissions and real power lies with the city.
  • Maurice Weeks opposed ShotSpotter, citing the 2021 Chicago killing of 13-year-old Adam Toledo after a ShotSpotter alert. He urged a vote against the contract extension.
  • Ruben Crowley alleged election fraud in Detroit, claiming absentee ballot irregularities, and threatened to sue Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero for calling his statements misinformation.
  • Alexandria Trombley (trauma researcher) opposed ShotSpotter, citing lack of evidence supporting the technology and recommending reinvestment in CVI groups.
  • Betty A. Brown (Soda Els World Black Association) promoted the MI Choice Waiver program for seniors and disabled to remain in homes.
  • William M. Davis (retired city employee) opposed ShotSpotter, arguing money should go toward hiring more Detroiters as police officers.
  • Brother Cunningham advocated for transportation transit millage and mentioned t-shirts for council members.
  • Ounia Papa opposed ShotSpotter, called it a waste of money, and raised concerns about the new detention center's cost.
  • J. Dante Smith opposed ShotSpotter, citing only 11 of 31 alerts being actionable, and raised issues with Chronos Concrete, Maroons port deal, and contaminated soil remediation.
  • Miss Warwick criticized the non-inclusive master plan update, solar area housing upgrade disparities, and constituent service failures.
  • Renard Monchunski (Transit Justice Team) asked who to call for overheated individuals without calling police and suggested free bus fares during heatwave.
  • Rosella Stewart raised concerns about contaminated soil at demolition sites and asked for timeline for proper lot remediation.
  • Mr. Foster questioned youth gang prevention grants without acknowledging the problem or requiring gang renunciation.
  • Cecily McClellan (We the People of Detroit) expressed concern over water shutoffs, noting nearly 30,000 on Detroit Lifeline program reduced to under 5,000, and called for an affordable water ordinance limiting cost to 2-3% of annual income.

Discussion Items

  • 5.4 ICE ordinance: Councilmember Santiago Romero updated that her office is developing two versions to limit ICE activities on city property, with next step to review with immigrant rights groups. Brought back TBD.
  • 6.1 Emergency demolition contract (3035 Holberts): Councilmember Santiago Romero noted a conversation with the director on prioritizing dangerous buildings near collapse; brought back one week.
  • 6.2 HVAC services for DDOT facilities (Systen Corp, Auburn Hills, $1.8M/3 years): Discussed procurement process, only one Detroit resident employed on project. Approved to formal with request for additional information on Detroit-based vendors.
  • 6.3 Tethered drones for fire department ($327,558, Dings Partners Group, Illinois): Brought back one week to review and coordinate with DPD's drone plans.
  • 6.5 Medical services at Detroit Detention Center (Park Pharmacy, renewal to July 2027, increase of $3.67M): Brought back one week to investigate complaints and explore in-house options.
  • 6.8 Hard surface restoration for water and sewage (Major Contracting Group, Detroit, amendment adding $7M, total $46M): Discussed winter water main breaks (481 between Feb 1 and Mar 31), temporary vs permanent restoration, and upcoming replacement contracts. Approved to new business.
  • 6.9 Ordinance for protections from EMS service charges: Initially received and filed, but member Waters requested reconsideration; brought back one week.
  • 6.12 Justice Reinvestment Initiative grant: Brought back one week pending DPD drone information.
  • 6.17 Donation of $57,000 from Detroit Athletic Club for Polaris ATV for DPD at Centennial Park: Councilmember Santiago Romero expressed concerns about need and timing; brought back one week for further discussion with DPD.
  • 6.19 Safe Streets for All grant ($25M, East Jefferson Corridor, with $6.25M city match for an emergency management demonstration project): Approved to new business; director will provide details on match portion.
  • 6.21 Report on wrongful arrests from ShotSpotter: Received and filed.

Key Outcomes

  • ShotSpotter contract extension (not on agenda but discussed): Multiple callers urged a 'no' vote at the upcoming formal meeting on June 30. Councilmember Santiago Romero stated she voted against the curfew but did not indicate her position on ShotSpotter.
  • Water ordinance: Councilmember Santiago Romero invited Cecily McClellan to share the water affordability ordinance with her office for review.
  • Cooling centers: Deputy Director Christina Floyd announced 12 recreation centers and all Detroit Public Libraries will serve as cooling centers June 30 – July 2. No free bus fares were offered; council members requested exploration.
  • Contaminated soil remediation: Councilmember Santiago Romero confirmed a contract was approved to begin remediating known contaminated sites.
  • 6.2 HVAC contract was approved with request for detailed bid information.
  • Several items were brought back for further review: 6.1, 6.3, 6.5, 6.9, 6.12, 6.17, 6.24 (dangerous buildings process, 2 weeks), 6.25 (DDOT risk management, 1 week).
  • The meeting adjourned after member reports, with a reminder of the District 6 evening community meeting on June 30 at 7 p.m. at IBEW.

Meeting Transcript

Monday, June 29th, 2026. May the work when the clerk please call the roll. Good morning. Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero. Good morning. Present. Councilmember Denzel Anton McCampbell. Councilmember Mary Waters. President. Madam Chair, we have quorum. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Good morning, Member Waters. We do have quorum, so we'll go right into the agenda for the rest of our time today. We did receive our minutes from our last session. If there's a motion to approve. Motion. Thank you. Hearing no objections, we will approve our minutes from our last session. Uh for chair remarks. Just want to remind everyone. Tomorrow we will have an evening community meeting for District 6. We are going to be at the IBW at 7 p.m. Again, that's tomorrow, Tuesday, June 30th at 7 p.m. This is really an opportunity for the public to give public comments to the full council. So if you would like to come before the full council, we will be at the IBW tomorrow at 7 p.m. Other than that, we can get into the rest of the agenda for today. We can go into public comments. Public comment will stay open until 10.10 a.m. So if you are online, please raise your hands now for public comments. And if you're here in person, please raise your hands. I see one, two people, three, three people here for public comments. And then again, if you are online, please raise your hands now. We will begin with the folks that we have here in person first. Before we turn it over to the folks online. And if the clerk if the clerk can please note, we've been joined by our vice chair McCampbell. Clerk will know. Thank you. Good morning. Everyone will have two minutes for public comment this morning. We'll begin with the folks that we have here online. We'll begin first with Eden Bloom, followed by Maurice Weeks. We will put the two-minute clock on the screen. And then once we have that up, you can begin. Whenever you're ready. Okay, thank you. Good morning. My name is Eden Bloom. I live on Cadillac Boulevard, less than a mile from 663 Lycass Street. On October 28th, 2025, this body will the full committee full council voted 8 to 0 on a resolution introduced by Councilmember Letitia Johnson. That resolution found that a Vetus had accumulated 18 citations and seven active violations from Eagle, that 64 air complaint investigations documented persistent odor, creating unreasonable interference with the comfortable enjoyment of life and property.

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