OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Detroit City Council Regular Session - July 28, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, July 28, 2026
BodyDetroit, Michigan
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, July 28, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 5:07:01

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

And welcome to our last session before City Council recess.

0:06

And just want to remind everyone, recess does not mean vacation for everybody.

0:11

But some of us will be taking vacation.

0:14

Call it out right now.

0:15

But what it does mean is it gives us an opportunity to uh just kind of regroup, clean the office up and uh go out to a lot of those community events that you all are having, and we want to make sure that we're there and be able to share that time with you.

0:28

Uh with a regular session of Tuesday, July 28th.

0:32

I will now come to order.

0:34

Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll?

0:36

Sure, Mr.

0:37

President.

0:38

Councilmember Scott Benson.

0:39

Scott Benson, I council member Letitia Johnson present.

0:43

Council Member Denzel and Tom McCampbell.

0:46

Present.

0:49

Council Member Gabriela Santiago Romero present.

0:53

Council Member Mary Waters, present, Councilmember Angela Whitfield Callaway.

0:58

House President Pro Tim Coleman the second.

1:00

Here.

1:01

Houncil President James Tate.

1:02

Here.

1:03

Mr.

1:03

President, you have a form.

1:04

Thank you, man.

1:05

We have a corners meetings, but now in session.

1:07

For those of you who would like to speak before this body, we're going to give you an opportunity.

1:11

There is a portion called public comment where you can speak to this body on whatever issue that you like.

1:17

But you got to fill out a comment card, and we can put you in the queue.

1:20

If you're at home, same thing.

1:22

Raise your hand and we'll make sure we put you in the queue for that public comment.

1:28

We're going to be closing or cutting off the collection of public comments very, very shortly.

1:34

I would like to uh providing this morning's invitation.

1:38

We will have none other than Pastor Stephanie Jones.

1:41

She's a senior pastor of Park of Deliverance Church, located at 5440 Avenue in City Council District 6.

1:49

Pastor Jones is a lifelong Detroit resident and is faithfully served at the Ark of Deliverance for uh nearly since it's uh since its establishment, excuse me.

2:00

Uh, after years of ministry and leadership, she was appointed senior pastor in 2014.

2:06

Good morning, uh, as the senior by the church's founder, Pastor Robert T.

2:11

Jones.

2:12

We know him very well.

2:13

Uh her ministry is rooted in serving both the congregation and the surrounding community, uh, a commitment that was recognized in 2024 with the power of one dedicated woman award from Michigan Community Resources.

2:27

Pastor Jones, thank you for being here.

2:29

The floor is yours, man.

2:30

Thank you.

2:31

With bowed heads and lifted hearts, dear Lord, we thank you for the gift of life and the opportunity to serve the people of the city of Detroit.

2:40

A proverbial wisdom book instructs us in all your ways, acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy path.

2:49

So, Lord, we acknowledge you today and pray that you guide us so that this meeting will be productive and effective.

2:56

Strengthen us as we make tough decisions, help us to listen with understanding and goodwill to speak with clarity and charity and restraint and conviction.

3:07

Most importantly, give us a spirit of service.

3:12

Remind us that we are stewards of your authority, guide us to be the leaders that the people of the city of Detroit need and most importantly, trust.

3:22

Help us to see the humanity and dignity of those who disagree with us and to treat all persons with the reverence of your creation that we deserve.

3:34

And finally, Father, renew us with the strength and the presence and the joy of helping to build a thriving community.

3:43

Community, we ask this as your sons and daughters, confident that you hear us in Jesus' name.

3:52

Amen.

3:53

Thank you so much, Pastor Jones.

3:56

Uh, understand if you have a schedule, but you are always welcome to stick and stay with us uh during our session.

4:02

Uh the journal of the last session shall stand approved.

4:07

Before we go forward with the agenda, we do have a few presentations that we would like to deliver, and we will start off with uh member Johnson.

4:19

Thank you, um, Mr.

4:21

Chair.

4:22

Um good morning, everyone.

4:26

Uh this morning, I have the honor and privilege to recognize the outstanding team behind the city of Detroit's Renewed Detroit Essential Home Repair Program.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Comment████████████████████████████28%
Procedural█████████████13%
Public Safety███████████11%
Procurement████████8%
Contract Management██████6%
Public Transit█████5%
Voter Rights████4%
Public Health████4%
Home Repair Services███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Detroit City Council Regular Session - July 28, 2026

The Detroit City Council held its regular session on July 28, 2026, the last before a scheduled recess. The meeting featured presentations honoring the Renew Detroit home repair team, transit union president Shetron Collier, and attorney Eric Gobbo. Public comment included extensive testimony on voting rights, sanctuary city policies, the Leland tenant dispute, Riverside Marina management, and opposition to data centers. The Council debated and voted on numerous contracts, appointments, and resolutions, with notable controversies over a media contract, a drone grant application, and a DDA board appointment.

Presentations

  • Renew Detroit Home Repair Program Recognition: Councilmember Johnson honored the team for completing over 2,000 major home repairs, nearly 2,500 property assessments, and maintaining a 96.2% resident satisfaction rating. The program was funded by ARPA and achieved 1,111 roof replacements in 2024.
  • Spirit of Detroit Award to Shetron Collier: President of ATU Local 26, recognized for 33 years of service and negotiating a wage increase to $25/hour for DDOT drivers. Multiple council members praised his leadership.
  • Recognition of Attorney Eric Gobbo: Honored for 28 years of legal service, including winning a class-action lawsuit against the city. Council members noted his dedication and integrity.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Voting and Elections: Several speakers urged the Council to sign the "Freedom to Vote Protection Pledge" and to protect polling places from ICE interference. Faith leaders from Faith in Us coalition spoke in support.
  • Sanctuary City: Multiple speakers called for Detroit to declare itself a sanctuary city, citing ICE raids and DPD collaboration. Councilmember Santiago Romero noted existing policies but acknowledged enforcement gaps.
  • Leland Tenant Issues: Residents described property loss, emotional distress, and missing belongings from the Leland building. They alleged coercion and lack of oversight.
  • Riverside Marina Support: Over a dozen boaters and community members spoke in favor of ABC Professional Management and its operator Jason McGuire, praising the family atmosphere, safety, and community programs. One caller criticized conditions and safety.
  • Data Centers: Speakers opposed data center development, citing water and energy use, and called for a moratorium. One speaker noted 51 Michigan towns have passed moratoriums.
  • Other Topics: Concerns about bulk pickup, potholes, contaminated soil, expired food sales, and a call for a public hearing on DTE rate increases. The Neighborhood Defender Service strike was also mentioned.

Discussion Items

  • Emerald Media Contract (Line 19.1): A $50,000 contract for health department advertising. Councilmember Callaway objected, arguing the vendor is not a true Detroit-based business (shared desk for $170/month). Motion to postpone failed (5-4). The contract was approved with objections from Callaway and Johnson. Council directed the Law Department to explore tightening the definition of Detroit-based business.
  • Drones Grant Application (Line 20.16): The administration applied for a $500,000 grant without prior Council approval. Councilmembers expressed outrage, citing violation of city code. The motion to approve failed 6-0.
  • DDA Board Appointment (Steve Ogden): Appointed to the Detroit Downtown Development Authority. Councilmember McCampbell questioned potential conflicts of interest, but the Law Department noted recusal procedures. Approved over objections from McCampbell and Santiago Romero.
  • Post-Conviction DNA Testing Resolution (17.11): Urged the Michigan Legislature to pass Senate Bill 1035, updating DNA testing standards. Approved unanimously.
  • Property Tax Foreclosure Acquisition (18.11): Authorized acquisition of Wayne County tax-foreclosed properties. Approved despite concerns about timing.
  • Public Defender Strike: Mentioned but no action taken.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved: Line items 16.1, 16.2 (with one objection), 17.1 (DDA appointment, two objections), 17.5 (reconsidered, approved 6-5), 17.6-17.9, 17.11, 17.13, 17.14, 18.3-18.6, 18.8, 18.9, 18.11-18.12 (with two objections on 18.12), 19.1 (Emerald Media, two objections), 20.1-20.8, 20.9-20.10, 20.11-20.14 (with two objections on 20.11), 20.15, 20.17-20.18, 20.19, 20.20, 20.22, 30.1, 30.3, and two walk-on resolutions (MPSC and pays program).
  • Failed: Line item 20.16 (drones grant, 6 no votes), and line item 21.1 (request to speak on groundhogs, 5 objections).
  • Postponed: Line items 18.7, 18.10, 20.21, 20.23, and 9.1/24.1 (zoning ordinances) to after recess.
  • Removed: Line items 17.12, 20.24, and 23.1.
  • Directives: Law Department to draft opinion on board conflicts of interest and to review Detroit-based business definition. Council will work on mandatory ICE training for city staff.

Meeting Transcript

And welcome to our last session before City Council recess. And just want to remind everyone, recess does not mean vacation for everybody. But some of us will be taking vacation. Call it out right now. But what it does mean is it gives us an opportunity to uh just kind of regroup, clean the office up and uh go out to a lot of those community events that you all are having, and we want to make sure that we're there and be able to share that time with you. Uh with a regular session of Tuesday, July 28th. I will now come to order. Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll? Sure, Mr. President. Councilmember Scott Benson. Scott Benson, I council member Letitia Johnson present. Council Member Denzel and Tom McCampbell. Present. Council Member Gabriela Santiago Romero present. Council Member Mary Waters, present, Councilmember Angela Whitfield Callaway. House President Pro Tim Coleman the second. Here. Houncil President James Tate. Here. Mr. President, you have a form. Thank you, man. We have a corners meetings, but now in session. For those of you who would like to speak before this body, we're going to give you an opportunity. There is a portion called public comment where you can speak to this body on whatever issue that you like. But you got to fill out a comment card, and we can put you in the queue. If you're at home, same thing. Raise your hand and we'll make sure we put you in the queue for that public comment. We're going to be closing or cutting off the collection of public comments very, very shortly. I would like to uh providing this morning's invitation. We will have none other than Pastor Stephanie Jones. She's a senior pastor of Park of Deliverance Church, located at 5440 Avenue in City Council District 6. Pastor Jones is a lifelong Detroit resident and is faithfully served at the Ark of Deliverance for uh nearly since it's uh since its establishment, excuse me. Uh, after years of ministry and leadership, she was appointed senior pastor in 2014. Good morning, uh, as the senior by the church's founder, Pastor Robert T. Jones. We know him very well. Uh her ministry is rooted in serving both the congregation and the surrounding community, uh, a commitment that was recognized in 2024 with the power of one dedicated woman award from Michigan Community Resources. Pastor Jones, thank you for being here. The floor is yours, man. Thank you. With bowed heads and lifted hearts, dear Lord, we thank you for the gift of life and the opportunity to serve the people of the city of Detroit. A proverbial wisdom book instructs us in all your ways, acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy path. So, Lord, we acknowledge you today and pray that you guide us so that this meeting will be productive and effective. Strengthen us as we make tough decisions, help us to listen with understanding and goodwill to speak with clarity and charity and restraint and conviction. Most importantly, give us a spirit of service. Remind us that we are stewards of your authority, guide us to be the leaders that the people of the city of Detroit need and most importantly, trust. Help us to see the humanity and dignity of those who disagree with us and to treat all persons with the reverence of your creation that we deserve. And finally, Father, renew us with the strength and the presence and the joy of helping to build a thriving community.

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