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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Planning and Economic Development Standing Committee Meeting - September 17, 2026

City Council — Thursday, September 17, 2026

BodyDetroit, Michigan

SessionCity Council

DateThursday, September 17, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 59:34

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:00

For the Planning and Economic Development Standing Committee on today, Thursday, September 17th, 2026.

0:08

Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll?

0:11

Yes, good morning.

0:12

Councilmember Letitia Johnson present.

0:14

Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero.

0:17

Present.

0:17

Council President Pro Tim Kuhlman Young.

0:20

Pro Tim Young did indicate he would not be present today.

0:24

The clerk will know.

0:25

Madam Chair, we have quorum.

0:26

Thank you.

0:27

Having a quorum present, we are now in session.

0:30

And good morning, Member Santiago Romero.

0:34

Is there a motion on the minutes?

0:36

Motion to approve.

0:37

There's motion to approve the minutes.

0:39

Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

0:43

And we are going to move into public comment.

0:46

If there's anyone joining us for public comment, whether in person or virtually, please raise your hand.

0:53

Public comment will be cut off at 10 05.

0:56

It is currently 10.04.

0:59

Good morning, Ms.

1:00

Great.

1:01

How many hands do we have raised virtually?

1:04

Good morning, madam chair.

1:06

We currently have four hands raised for virtual public comment.

1:08

Okay, if we can please set the clock for two minutes, we'll get started with the young lady in the room.

1:15

First.

1:27

Contacted from uh 375 West Grand Boulevard, still dealing with major issues with the owner harassing me with people all night, all day, using military grade technology to affect people's health.

1:41

Um last week, Thursday, uh city inspector was supposed to come out.

1:45

I was in all day, no one showed up.

1:47

Finally, when I came here, I think it was Monday to let you guys know no one showed up.

1:52

Hours later, the inspector supervisor, Miss Jackson contacted me, stated that he came out 9 50 Thursday.

1:59

I said, I was there all day.

2:00

Normally he would leave a notice, a city notice to let you know, or email me.

2:05

None of that took place.

2:07

So when I contacted her back, she gave me a different number.

2:11

No one has still shown up as of today.

2:14

Um so far, no one has contacted me about anyone coming out.

2:18

Um as I have stated that there are several tenants still complaining about bed bug issues and major issues in this building.

2:26

Mr.

2:27

White on the fourth floor, he's a senior elderly man.

2:30

He told me I have bed bugs.

2:31

I says Software Solution addressing it.

2:34

He said no, he's been there for years, neglecting the senior citizen.

2:38

A guy who lives next door from me, um, the owner also owns that property, his family also.

2:44

He told me two days ago, he said, I'm scared to report that I have leaks going on at the bottom of my tub and there's a wire near it, and I'm scared.

2:53

He said, I've been taking my money to fix my unit up.

2:56

He doesn't do anything.

2:57

The building manager over there told him if you report him, he will evict you.

3:01

And like I say, that I got eviction notice Friday after the city contacted him about coming out.

3:08

And he does this.

3:09

This is my third notice.

3:11

He did it in 2023 when another person complained.

3:14

She's dead now.

3:15

She had a stalking PPO against the building manager.

3:17

They are using ill illegal surveillance on people, and particularly women in the building.

3:23

The building manager, along with other male tenants, are very sexually inappropriate.

3:28

Thank you.

3:29

And we'll get um a response for you shortly.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Public Comment█████████████████████████████29%

Community Engagement███████████████15%

Economic Development██████████10%

Affordable Housing█████████9%

Procedural████████8%

Housing██████6%

Food Access██████6%

Contract Management████4%

Blight████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Planning and Economic Development Standing Committee Meeting - September 17, 2026

The Planning and Economic Development Standing Committee met on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 10:04 AM. A quorum was present, and the minutes from the previous meeting were approved. The meeting included general public comment, discussion of unfinished and new business items, and a public hearing regarding an obsolete property rehabilitation district for a proposed commissary kitchen and cafe in North Corktown.

Consent Calendar

Minutes Approval: The committee approved the minutes of the previous meeting.
Line Item 6.1 (Unfinished Business): A request for a neighborhood enterprise zone for Cork Town Development LLC at 1350 Michigan Avenue was sent to formal session with a recommendation to approve.
Line Item 6.3: A report relative to questions regarding Detroit at Work was received and filed.
Line Item 7.1 (New Business): Contract number 6004371-A2, Amendment No. 1 with National Consulting Services LLC for income verification services (scope amendments, no funds added) was sent to formal session with a recommendation to approve.
Line Item 7.2 (New Business): Property sale of parcels on Joy Road was brought back for one week.
Public Hearing (Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District): The committee voted to send the establishment of the district for North Corktown HQ LLC at 3388 14th Street to formal session with a recommendation to approve.

Public Comments & Testimony

Speaker (virtual, name not provided): Complained about harassment, health issues, and lack of city inspection follow-up at 375 West Grand Boulevard. Mentioned bed bugs and neglect of a senior resident. Also alleged surveillance and inappropriate behavior by the building manager.
Black Bag (virtual): Accused Councilmember Letitia Johnson of winning due to absentee ballot fraud. Referenced Spring Garden property and invited councilmember to visit.
Betty A. Varner (virtual): Announced a new home care agency at 7309 Finco owned by Jada and her husband. Expressed need for funding to waive $1,500 land use hearing fee. Mentioned a jazz in the park event.
William M. Davis (virtual): Reported that seniors faced difficulties applying for the solid waste fee discount via a smart sheet, and requested assistance.
Jadante Smith (virtual): Criticized the restated MOU for the Detroit Land Bank, calling for its dissolution. Urged council to consider zoning changes at 3405 Gail and praised downzoning from M4 to M2, but said it should go to SD2. Also criticized leadership selection in Detroit.

Discussion Items

Line Item 7.1 - Contract Amendment: Kyle O'Fori, Director of Preservation and Asset Management, explained that the amendment updates the scope for National Consulting Services to align with HUD requirements for income verification under federal housing programs. No additional time or funds were added. The item was approved.
Public Hearing - Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District for North Corktown HQ LLC: The hearing opened at 10:20 AM. KC Jackson of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation presented the proposal for a 12-year tax incentive (Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District) to rehabilitate a 4,000 sq. ft. commercial building at 3388 14th Street. The incentive exempts 100% of the increased property tax from local mills (excluding DPS and state education tax). The project involves a $1.2 million investment to create a commissary kitchen, cafe, and bar. The budget is $1.5 million total, with $200,000 personal investment and $800,000 loan. The developer, Will McDowell, a 15-year Detroit resident and North Corktown property owner, described the project's goals: opening the first full-time food space in North Corktown, providing affordable kitchen space for local food businesses, and serving as a community meeting/event space. He highlighted support from two neighborhood associations, five letters of intent from food businesses (three black-owned, two women-owned), and commitments to sustainability and community engagement. The committee discussed ADA compliance, hiring Detroiters, and partnerships with urban farms. Councilmember Santiago Romero noted McDowell's volunteer history and property preservation. Public comment included questions about African American involvement, preference for Detroit residents in hiring, healthy food sourcing, and funding sources. The developer responded to all questions.

Key Outcomes

Line Item 6.1: Approved for formal session.
Line Item 6.2: Brought back in one week.
Line Item 7.1: Approved for formal session.
Line Item 7.2: Brought back in one week.
Public Hearing: The committee voted to send the establishment of the obsolete property rehabilitation district to formal session with a recommendation to approve (motion by Councilmember Santiago Romero, seconded by Councilmember Johnson; no objections).
General Public Comment: Councilmember Johnson committed to looking into the senior solid waste fee discount application issues.

Meeting Transcript

For the Planning and Economic Development Standing Committee on today, Thursday, September 17th, 2026. Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll? Yes, good morning. Councilmember Letitia Johnson present. Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero. Present. Council President Pro Tim Kuhlman Young. Pro Tim Young did indicate he would not be present today. The clerk will know. Madam Chair, we have quorum. Thank you. Having a quorum present, we are now in session. And good morning, Member Santiago Romero. Is there a motion on the minutes? Motion to approve. There's motion to approve the minutes. Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken. And we are going to move into public comment. If there's anyone joining us for public comment, whether in person or virtually, please raise your hand. Public comment will be cut off at 10 05. It is currently 10.04. Good morning, Ms. Great. How many hands do we have raised virtually? Good morning, madam chair. We currently have four hands raised for virtual public comment. Okay, if we can please set the clock for two minutes, we'll get started with the young lady in the room. First. Contacted from uh 375 West Grand Boulevard, still dealing with major issues with the owner harassing me with people all night, all day, using military grade technology to affect people's health. Um last week, Thursday, uh city inspector was supposed to come out. I was in all day, no one showed up. Finally, when I came here, I think it was Monday to let you guys know no one showed up. Hours later, the inspector supervisor, Miss Jackson contacted me, stated that he came out 9 50 Thursday. I said, I was there all day. Normally he would leave a notice, a city notice to let you know, or email me. None of that took place. So when I contacted her back, she gave me a different number. No one has still shown up as of today. Um so far, no one has contacted me about anyone coming out. Um as I have stated that there are several tenants still complaining about bed bug issues and major issues in this building. Mr. White on the fourth floor, he's a senior elderly man. He told me I have bed bugs. I says Software Solution addressing it. He said no, he's been there for years, neglecting the senior citizen. A guy who lives next door from me, um, the owner also owns that property, his family also. He told me two days ago, he said, I'm scared to report that I have leaks going on at the bottom of my tub and there's a wire near it, and I'm scared. He said, I've been taking my money to fix my unit up. He doesn't do anything. The building manager over there told him if you report him, he will evict you.

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