The Southfield City Council held a regular meeting on May 19, 2026, at City Hall. The meeting began with a moment of silence for former Councilman Myron Fraser, who passed away. The council approved two joint resolutions, conducted public hearings on three rezoning requests, and handled routine business. The most contentious item was a proposed rezoning for a transitional housing facility for pregnant women, which failed after substantial public opposition and council debate.
The council and staff remembered former Councilman Myron Fraser, who served for over 20 years. Council members shared personal stories of his mentorship, wit, and dedication. The city administrator noted that staff had driven Fraser to meetings after his health declined. The council observed a moment of silence.
Good evening. The City of Southfield regular meeting for the City Council for May 18th has now come to order. Mr. Clerk, if you can please do a roll call. Good evening. Councilwoman Banks is absent with notice. Councilwoman Bland. Here. Councilman Brightwell. Here. Councilwoman Haynes. Present. Councilwoman Pro Tem Hogue. Councilman Mandelbaum. Present. Council President Hicks. Here. Sir, you'll have a quorum. Thank you, sir. If we can please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. One nation under our individual liberty and justice for all. The City of Southfield is saddened to announce the passing of former Councilman Myron Fraser. A respected public servant whose decades of leadership and dedication left a lasting impact on this community. Councilman Fraser served the residents of Southfield for more than two decades through multiple appointments and elected terms on the Southfield City Council. During his tenure, he served in numerous leadership roles, including Council President, President Pro Tem, and Chair of several community, I'm sorry, several council committees. He also contributed his time and expertise to the Southfield Wildlife Commission, Charter Review Committee, Green Dolphin Homeowners Association, and many civic and community organizations throughout the region. A Southfield resident since 1980, Councilman Fraser dedicated his life to service, advocacy, strengthening the community he loved. Beyond his work in government, he supported organizations including the Carmanos Cancer Institute, Common Ground, Southfield Goodfellows, Dominion Family Services, the Southfield MLK Task Force, and the Southfield Police, I'm sorry, the Southfield Public School Partnership Council. Councilman Frazier will be remembered for his compassion, integrity, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to public service. He was also a devoted husband to his beloved wife Ann, who preceded him in death, and dedicated father whose legacy will continue to inspire future generations. If we can have a moment of silence to honor Councilman Fraser. Thank you. PZR 0DD 25-00. The request as Council President, I'm removing this item, the request to amend the existing agreement for the Northland Sub-area Redevelopment Plan overlay, development district to update the project phasing timeline. We're postponing it to June 8th to allow City Council an opportunity to further review and discuss what's being considered. We will now have two presentations being presented by our mayor. Mr. Mayor. Please come up. Good evening, Council. Good evening. This evening we have a resolution that we've supported numerous times in the in the past. This is a joint resolution of declaring the first Friday in June, which is June 5th, to be national gun violence awareness day. This proclamation declares the first Friday in June as National Gun Violence Awareness Day in the City of Southfield to honor and remember all victims and survivors of gun violence and declare that we are a country, we as a country must do more to end this public health crisis. Whereas every day nearly 130 people in the United States are killed by gun violence, and more than 200 are shot and wounded, with an average of more than 19,000 gun homicides every year. And whereas people in the United States are 26 times more likely to die of gun violence than people in any other high-income country. And whereas Michigan has 1,423 gun deaths every year, with a rate of 14.2 deaths per 100,000 people, a crisis that costs the state 16.8 billion a year, of which 380.5 million is paid by taxpayers. Michigan has the 28th highest rate of gun deaths in the United States. And whereas cities across the nation, including Sealth, are working to end the senseless violence with evidence-based solutions. And whereas support for the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens goes hand in hand with keeping guns away from those who are in danger to themselves or others.