Detroit City Council Meeting – July 8, 2026
Detroit City Council Meeting – July 8, 2026
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.
Public Comments & Testimony
- 11 virtual callers addressed the council. Jay urged reading the Willie Lynch letter; Betty A. Varner (President, DeSoda Ellsworth Black Association) requested volunteers for a Rise Detroit event on August 1, 2025 (10 AM–3 PM, 6451 Ellsworth).
- Cunningham promoted bus ride‑along resource giveaways and a low‑income housing list (855‑646‑7432).
- Dr. Denise Darnell asked for support for her precinct delegate run and urged voters to support Proposal S for Detroit public schools.
- Owner Papa criticized the city over untested rape kits, dirty lots, millages, and questioned the location of the shooting (stated the boy was in front of his house, not the park).
- Tahira Ahmad thanked the council but expressed disappointment with ShotSpotter and called for more community engagement.
- Black Bag alleged absentee ballot fraud by the Detroit City Clerk and Department of Elections.
- William M. Davis called for better care of children, circulating dollars locally, and eliminating pension disparities between police/fire and general fund retirees.
- Caller 534 asked about unequal housing upgrades in solar areas and questioned City Planning Commission nominee Gary Ringer’s views on data centers and community engagement.
- Mr. Foster argued that military‑grade weapons (ARs, extended magazines) should be removed from the community and emphasized education and values.
- Joyce E. Jennings cited Proverbs 29:2, questioned the effectiveness of ShotSpotter, and recommended hiring Michael Cunningham at DDOT.
Discussion Items
- Appointment of Gary Ringer to City Planning Commission – Ringer, a retired firefighter and former home builder, described his 23‑year career and work with the Healthy Homes RX program. He stated his priorities: zoning (especially down‑zoning heavy industrial), development, and historic preservation. Council members raised school conversions (e.g., Cooley High School) and the need to preserve buildings while adding housing. The item was moved to formal with a recommendation for approval.
- Community Advisory Council (CAC) Rules – Council debated whether the city council or the CACs themselves have authority to draft operating rules. Member Benson noted the charter and ordinance do not specify who sets rules. Member Miller argued the charter already defines CAC roles. The item was moved to return in one week for further discussion with the three districts that have active CACs (4, 5, 7).
- CAC Grant Funding Authority – Member Miller’s memorandum asked for a legal analysis of whether CACs may pursue and administer grants. The item was also brought back in one week.
- Employee Pay Raises – HR Director Denise Starr reported that a livable wage of $21.45/hour (effective July 6, 2026) was extended to 1,100 employees via the Mayor’s executive order. Approximately 300 seasonal employees are in union negotiations. Member Benson asked about the cost to extend the wage to all part‑time and TAS employees; Starr agreed to provide an estimate. The report was received and filed.
- City Council Media Services – A report from LPD outlined three cost tiers ($720,000, $1.2 million, $2.3 million) for bringing media services in‑house. The item was received and filed, with plans to discuss a budget ask for FY28.
- Digital Evidence Management Contract (8.2 & 8.3) – A five‑year, $12,523,254.11 contract with Motorola Solutions for body‑worn cameras (2,891 cameras: DPD 2,800, GSD/Animal Control 24, DDOT security 67) and in‑car cameras (631). A correction letter increased the amount by about $300,000 to include DDOT and Animal Control. The council moved the item back one week for further review.
- Police/Fire Retirement System Changes (8.10) – A resolution to amend the deferred retirement option plan (DROP) provisions. The resolution was located after initial confusion; the item was moved to formal with approval.
Key Outcomes
- Appointment of Gary Ringer to the City Planning Commission moved to formal with approval.
- CAC Rules (7.1) and CAC Grant Funding (7.2) both brought back in one week for further discussion.
- Employee Pay Raises (7.3) – received and filed.
- City Council Media Services (7.4 & 8.11) – received and filed; planning for FY28 budget.
- Digital Evidence Management Contract (8.2 & 8.3) – brought back in one week.
- Lawsuit Settlements – all moved to formal with approval:
- Aaron Salter v. Donald Olson (wrongful conviction, 15 years) – $5,800,000
- Miller v. City of Detroit (DDOT) – $32,000
- Daoud v. Lorenzo Palmer (DPD) – $5,000
- McKenzie v. City of Detroit (DDOT) – $32,500
- Mac Lewis v. Brent Michael Sohoor (DPD) – $140,000
- Deputy Clerk Compensation Schedule (8.9) – moved to formal with approval.
- Police/Fire Retirement System (8.10) – moved to formal with approval.
- Legal Opinion Request (8.12) – referred to LPD and Law Department, to return in two weeks.
- Member Reports – negative reports; meeting adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
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.
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