Detroit City Council Formal Session – July 14, 2026

The Detroit City Council held a formal session on July 14, 2026, with all members present. The meeting began with an invocation by Bishop Jeffrey L. Knight Sr., followed by the approval of the journal from June 30, 2026. The council heard special presentations, extensive public comment, and acted on a range of agenda items including a settlement with a major landlord, a development project in Corktown, and an ordinance on marijuana advertising.

Consent Calendar

• Routine approvals and referrals were made without objection, including approvals of minutes and several non-controversial resolutions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Data Centers: Multiple speakers expressed opposition to data center development in Detroit, citing concerns about water use, air pollution, utility cost increases, and lack of transparency. Speakers from Detroit People's Platform presented survey results showing opposition across income levels and districts. One speaker referenced a community in Saline, Michigan that overturned a data center despite community opposition.
• 1728 Michigan Avenue Project: Several speakers (Jerome Morgan, Zelda Hill, Michael Forwaz, and others) expressed support for the project, noting it would create jobs and involve Detroit-based minority-owned and Section 3 businesses. A representative from Air King Heating and Cooling stated the company could staff the job with 45-55% Detroit-based workers.
• Surveillance Technology: Residents criticized the use of ShotSpotter, Flock cameras, and ALPRs, calling them ineffective and unwanted. One speaker claimed a 73% and 91% crime reduction in drifting problems without such technology.
• Housing and Tenant Rights: Julie Genser spoke in support of a right to renew ordinance and described her own experience with uninhabitable conditions and alleged landlord retaliation. Others raised concerns about lease-to-own properties being sold to outside companies, tenants losing homes due to tax foreclosures, and poor conditions at an apartment building on East Seven Mile.
• Other: A caller apologized for previously disrupting meetings and acknowledged being backed by outside groups. Another speaker urged the city to investigate a homeless shelter on West Chicago for alleged abuses. Complaints about DTE rates, illegal demolitions, land bank practices, and lack of community engagement were also voiced.
• Online Callers: 29 callers participated, including support for the 1728 Michigan Avenue project, opposition to data centers, concerns about solar farm development and eminent domain, and calls for reparation task force recommendations to be implemented.

Discussion Items

• Special Presentations: Deputy Mayor Brian White introduced consuls from Italy, Japan, Mexico, and Canada, who highlighted trade relationships and cultural events. Councilmember Santiago Romero presented a Spirit of Detroit Award to Karen C. Walker for decades of community service. Pro Tem Young presented resolutions honoring the Carter Harris family reunion (over 120 years in Detroit) and Willie E. Brake, founder of All About Technology, for 25 years of digital inclusion work.
• Landlord Munoz Settlement (Item 17.2): The council debated a consent agreement requiring landlord Munoz to abate 299 properties (192 occupied) at a rate of 10 per month, pay outstanding taxes, blight fees (50% discount), DWSD balances, and BSE fees. Corporation counsel emphasized the properties are now under court jurisdiction. Several council members criticized the deal as too lenient, noting the blight ticket discount and lack of prioritization of occupied properties. Concerns about Munoz owning additional LLCs were raised. The item was approved with three objections (Miller, Waters, McCampbell). Council also passed motions to require BSE to inspect all Munoz properties and to investigate how the 299 properties were acquired.
• 1728 Michigan Avenue Project (Items 18.7 & 18.9): The development team agreed to payroll certification and to include a union carpentry subcontractor, leading the Carpenters Union to become neutral. Councilmember Santiago Romero stated supporting the project was a test for future compliance. The items were approved over one objection (Miller).
• Obsolete Property Rehabilitation – Landy Land LLC (Item 18.10): Councilmember Callaway raised concerns about the registered agent, Adam Kessler, citing a recent court finding of fraud and a $20 million judgment. The item was postponed for one week for further review.
• Marijuana Advertising Ordinance (Item 20.1): An ordinance to prohibit marijuana advertising on signs within 1,000 feet of religious institutions (adding marijuana to existing prohibitions on alcohol, tobacco, and nicotine) was approved 8-0 after debate about whether educational advertising would be affected; legal staff clarified it applies only to commercial messages.
• Other Items: Multiple resolutions were approved, including appointments to the Detroit Land Bank Authority (Jay Von Glenn) and the City Planning Commission (Gary Ringer), and a summer recess calendar adjustment.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Settlement agreement with landlord Munoz (17.2) – 3 objections; 1728 Michigan Avenue project incentives (18.7, 18.9) – 1 objection; marijuana advertising ordinance (20.1) – 8-0; various appointments and resolutions.
• Postponed: Landy Land LLC obsolete property request (18.10) – held for one week.
• Directives: Law department to provide letters prioritizing occupied properties in the Munoz agreement; BSE to inspect all properties owned by Munoz; investigation into how Munoz acquired 299 properties.
• Referred: Multiple reports to standing committees, including a 211-page text amendment (25.5) referred to Planning and Economic Development.
• Meeting Adjourned: No further business.