Detroit City Council Public Health and Safety Committee Meeting – July 27, 2026

This was the last public health and safety committee session before the August recess. The committee approved several contracts and resolutions, brought back numerous memos for further information, and heard public comments on traffic safety, debris cleanup, voting access, and concerns about the city's solar initiative.

Consent Calendar

• 5.1 – Emergency demolition at 118 West Dakota (DMC Consultants, $28,350, bond-funded). Approved.
• 5.2 – Grant application to U.S. Department of Justice for DPD drones. Approved.
• 6.1 – Contract for I/O4 gas monitors and maintenance (MES Service Company, $400,000, two-year). Approved.
• 6.7 – Resolution supporting Michigan Senate Bill 1035 (expanding post-conviction DNA testing). Approved.
• 6.8 – Resolution supporting National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15–October 15). Approved.
• 6.9 – Resolution supporting Welcoming Week (September 10–19, 2026). Approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dr. Denise Darnell (District 2 resident) reported a successful community meeting on traffic and pedestrian safety at Greater Emmanuel Church, organized by Council Member Angela Whitfield Callaway. She noted commitments from DPD and firsthand observation of speeding cars. She also reminded that she is a candidate for delegate in the August 4 election.
• William M. Davis (District 7) raised a health and safety concern about large tree debris on Apple Street (between Joy and Oakman) that has been down since July 3, obstructing a fire hydrant and endangering an elderly neighbor. He said debris cleanup citywide needs improvement.
• Renard Monchenski urged early voting and explained two ballot proposals: Proposal S (18-mil tax for Detroit Public Schools, not levied on residents or renters) and the Wayne County Transit Millage (funding public transit across all 43 cities). He warned that if the transit millage fails, SMART service would end.
• A caller (Alicia) expressed strong opposition to the city's solar initiative, stating she was pressured into signing papers without full disclosure. She claimed neighbors were “bullied into signing” and that the city is using “dirty tactics.” Council Member Waters offered to investigate and provided her office phone number (313-2363).
• Other callers echoed similar concerns about the solar project and complained about lack of transparency.

Discussion Items

• 5.5 – Memo requesting a resolution to prioritize demolition of city properties. Council members moved to attach the resolution (which had been sent to eScribe but not yet posted) and approved the item.
• 5.6 – Memo requesting a resolution for the Michigan Public Service Commission to hold a public hearing in Detroit on DTE rate hikes. Resolution was attached and approved.
• 6.2 – Contract for third-party medical billing and coding services (EA Insurance LLC, Chattanooga, TN, $62,400, one-year grant-funded). Deputy Director Christina Floyd explained the billing supports revenue-generating programs (immunizations, reproductive health). Council Member Waters asked about bringing the service in‑house; Floyd said the city needs to first establish the proper systems. Approved.
• 6.3 – Resolution to officially establish the “Ride to Rise” program providing free K‑12 student transit. Executive Director Robert Kramer reported that since the pilot began in April, student ridership has doubled. A state budget allocation of $1 million for 2027 will help sustain the program. The resolution supports continuing free rides for students. Approved.
• 6.4 – Grant application to Michigan EGLE for brownfield redevelopment. Environmental staff described contaminants (semi-volatiles and metals) requiring soil excavation and a dermal contact barrier. The project involves 71 affordable housing units in Corktown, with most units at 80% AMI. Council Member Waters questioned whether 80% AMI is truly affordable. Approved.
• 6.5 – Public Safety Foundation request to accept a donation from Amazon for “Occupy the Summer” programming. Executive Director Patty Kakula said the donation will purchase approximately 300 pairs of tennis shoes for recreational activities. Approved.
• Walk‑on: Contract 600800 – $6 million streetscape project on Michigan Avenue from Campus Martius to Cass Avenue, funded by major street funds. Director Ron Brundage explained the project includes new landscaping, bus platforms, protected bike lanes, signal upgrades, and improved pedestrian crossings. Two community meetings were held (Dec 2024 and Apr 2025) plus four additional meetings. Work must be completed before the 2027 Final Four. Approved.
• Walk‑on: Paradise Valley encroachment – A resolution to allow Paradise Valley Conservancy to install placemaking enhancements (decorative pavement, benches, string lights) in a public alley bounded by Gratiot, Broadway, Grand River, and Randolph. Grant funding requires completion by end of August. All city departments approved. Approved.
• I‑375 freeway discussion – During the walk‑on items, Council Members Waters and Santiago Romero raised concerns about the I‑375 redesign. Member Waters criticized MDOT for insufficient community engagement and expressed skepticism about the project. Director Brundage noted that the first phase (Gratiot to the river) is underway, and the second phase (north to I‑75) still needs finalization. The council requested an MDOT update after recess.

Key Outcomes

• Approved items sent to new business (with recommendation to approve): 5.1, 5.2, 5.5, 5.6, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, Contract 600800, Paradise Valley encroachment.
• Items brought back to September 14, 2026 (pending responses): 5.3, 5.4, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.10, 5.11, 5.12, 5.13, 5.14, 5.15, 6.10, 6.11, 6.12.
• Item removed: 6.6 (resolution opposing water use for data centers).
• Directives: DPW to follow up on tree debris on Apple Street and debris pickup in District 7. City Clerk to confirm whether paratransit will be free on Election Day (August 4) and report back. MDOT to be invited to provide an update on I‑375 after recess.
• Recess: The committee will reconvene on September 14, 2026. Council offices will be offline the last two weeks of August.