The Detroit City Council met on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, beginning at 10:00 AM. Chair Angela Whitfield-Callaway opened with a devotional and a moment of silence for a five-year-old boy shot in the arm at Fargo Park in District 2. The council heard public comments, interviewed a nominee for the City Planning Commission, debated rules for Community Advisory Councils (CACs), discussed employee livable wage increases, reviewed a proposed digital evidence management contract, and approved several lawsuit settlements.
It is Wednesday, July the 8th. If the clerk could please call the roll. Councilmember Angela Whitfield Callaway. I am present. Councilmember Scott Benson. Scott Benson, I. Councilmember Renata Miller. Madam Chair, you have a corn present. Thank you so much, Madam Clerk. I do have a scripture that I'd like to. I'm sorry, a word of motivation that we have been provided. It's called Every Member Commitment Devotional. Thank you, Peter. Again. It is our cup runneth over, O God, because of your tender mercies. We thank you for your everlasting love that enfolds us and for the peace of Christ that surrounds us. Amen. Thank you so much. Is there a motion for the approval of the minutes? Motion. Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken. I'm going to take this opportunity to um, I usually don't. I think this is my first time having some remarks. Um I do want to ask that we take a moment of um silence for the young man. He's five years old who was shot in the upper arm yesterday, um, right around Fargo and Oakfield at the Fargo Park. I was with the family this morning. It is in District 2, um, and I was able to see that he's he survived. Um, and um we're going to um keep the HARP H A R P family in our prayers. So if you could please bow your heads and just um keep that young man in your prayers. Thank you. Thank you. And I do have um a statement that I like to read um under the section of um our agenda, which is called Chair Remarks. I want to thank the community members who contacted my office regarding horrific incident that occurred last night at Fargo Oakfield Park in District 2. I have been communicating with law enforcement and with the family of the five-year-old, five-year-old boy. I share our mayor's sentiments and thank God that this young child is expected to recover from his injuries. My thoughts are with this family as this child heals from his unnecessary traumatic experience. I am deeply disturbed by what happened and remain committed to advocating for responsible gun ownership, and I'll further say responsible gun use, including the safe and secure storage of firearms. I have been clear and consistent in my stance on gun violence. Careless and reckless handling of a firearm puts lives at risk, and an innocent child was placed directly in harm's way. Bullets do not have a name on them, and guns have consequences. What we teach our children and the environments in which they are raised is important. As parents, educators, mentors, caregivers, and community leaders, we must instill respect for human life and make it clear that firearms are not toys, and violence is never the answer. I will continue working with our community partners and the administration to prevent these senseless acts of gun violence. Our neighborhood parks are places for children and families to enjoy themselves. They are not shooting ranges. Every child deserves to feel safe in their own community. And that is my chair remarks for this morning. Thank you. Yes, Member Benson. Thank you for that.