Southfield City Council Regular Meeting - June 30, 2026
Southfield City Council Regular Meeting - June 30, 2026
The Southfield City Council met on June 30, 2026, beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call. Six members were present; Council President Hicks was absent. The meeting included presentations, public comments, approval of minutes and consent agenda, public hearings on community development, brownfield redevelopment, conditional rezoning, and a site plan, followed by council comments and adjournment.
Presentations
- Employee of the Month: D'Angelo Gavin was recognized for his leadership and positive attitude in his supervisory role.
- Appointments: The council approved the mayor's appointments to the Downtown Development Authority (Chris, Alvin Zaituna) and Planning Commission (Ghana Goodwin Dye, Andrea Storch Gruber). Also approved appointments to the Administrative Civil Service Commission (Evan Cunningham, Donna Sanders). All votes were unanimous.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Dr. Zolanda Allen, President of National Entrepreneurs Association, requested closer collaboration with the city to support small business training and entrepreneurship.
- Devin Hampton petitioned for traffic calming measures in Southampton/Cottage Park subdivision due to cut-through traffic, requesting a study and installation of a traffic control device at Lathrop and 10 Mile.
- Betty Robinson reported issues at Inganok Park: broken water fountain, overgrown straps, insufficient gravel on walking track, and dogs off-leash.
- Stacey Jackson raised concerns about equitable distribution of $3.1 million in critical home repair funds for non-tech residents and asked for updates on alleged contaminated dirt at Northland.
- Keith Harris complained about dumpsters placed in residential neighborhoods, praising code enforcement progress.
- Carol Williams questioned the notification process for the conditional rezoning at 2000 W 12 Mile, noting she was not notified.
- Sharon Gibson objected to the extended fireworks days allowed under state law.
- Garland McWilliams expressed appreciation for road work on Mount Vernon and requested similar attention to side streets.
- Greg Keeler criticized the communication rules, asked about adding a second floor to the new natatorium for senior services, and questioned the allocation of the $3.2 million grant.
- Madeline Lose spoke against ICE practices, referencing a detention facility and urging community action.
- Pamela Jurell urged voters to reject the Oakland Schools enrichment millage on the primary ballot, arguing it would increase taxes.
Council responded to several comments, noting that a traffic calming petition can be submitted online, that soil testing at Northland showed no contamination, that the dumpster ordinance has been updated, and that fireworks hours are governed by state law with penalties for violations.
Discussion Items
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plan and Five-Year Consolidated Plan
- Staff presented the 2026-2027 plan proposing six activities: home improvement loans, senior chore program, public services (emergency relief), and administrative costs. Public comment: Pamela Jurell asked about a $34,000 balance for Southfield Youth Assistance. Staff clarified that funds are reimbursed only after approved expenditures. The council approved the plan unanimously.
Brownfield Redevelopment Plan – West 11 Mile (27200 & 27300)
- Brady Sullivan Properties presented a $65 million project to convert two vacant office towers into 305 market-rate apartments (10% affordable units) with amenities. A $27 million tax increment financing (TIFF) was requested. Public comments raised concerns about landscaping visibility, affordability for seniors and young families, and the project's focus on rentals versus homeownership. Council questioned occupancy rates (95% portfolio average) and traffic. The council approved the brownfield plan with a reimbursement agreement, noting the city will receive $781,000 in administrative fees.
Conditional Rezoning – 2000 West 12 Mile Road (Vehicular Parking to B3 General Business)
- The applicant plans to renovate a former bank into a full-service meat market (8,000 sq ft). The conditional rezoning excludes objectionable uses. Public comments: Pamela Jurell requested specificity on permitted uses and suggested senior transport partnerships. Council discussed traffic impacts (ITE data showed trips equal to or less than the former bank). The council approved the conditional rezoning.
Site Plan – 28100 Franklin Road (Supportive Housing for Foster Care Aging Out)
- A permitted use in RC zoning for 175 dwelling units with support services. No public comment. The council approved the site plan.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes from multiple June meetings were approved.
- Consent agenda items A-G (purchases, audits, franchise renewal, brownfield consulting, road bids) were approved.
- Ordinance 1842 (not specified) was enacted.
- A motion to approve a six-month termination notice instead of one year in the Lathrup Village library contract was passed unanimously.
- The council noted upcoming cooling centers, road repairs (Northwestern service drive, Southfield service drive, Latherup, Rutland), and the expansion of the eruv wire.
All votes were unanimous unless otherwise noted. The meeting adjourned after council comments.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. I'd like to call tonight's meeting to order for June 29th, 2026. Mr. Clerk, can you please call the roll? Yes, ma'am. Councilwoman Binks. Present. Councilwoman Bland. Here. Councilwoman. Councilman Brightwell. Councilwoman Haynes. Absent. Councilwoman Pro Tem in the chair, Hog. Here. Councilman Mandelbaum. Present. Council President Hicks is absent with notice. Ma'am, you have a quorum. Thank you, sir. And if we can all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you. Next on our agenda, we will have presentations. First, with the recognition of the employee of the month. Honorable Mayor and Council. It is my pleasure to present D'Angelo Gavin to the mayor in this council administration in recognition of being selected as the City of Southfield's June employee of the month. D'Angelo was nominated in recognition of his outstanding leadership, positive attitude, and dedication to creating a positive and productive work environment within his department. Since assuming a supervisory role, he has fostered greater collaboration among his team, improved workplace morale, and consistently leads by example. He is recognized for his initiative, commitment to excellence, and ability to complete assignments efficiently, often well ahead of schedule. D'Angelo has also demonstrated a genuine commitment to his own professional growth by actively seeking opportunities to strengthen his leadership skills and implement improvements that benefit both his team and this organization. In addition to his workplace accomplishments, D'Angelo was a proud participant in the 2025 Southfield Professional Development Academy, and he further demonstrates his commitment to continuous learning and professional excellence. On behalf of the Human Resources Department and the City of Southfield, please join me in congratulating D'Angelo Gabin on his well-deserved recognition. We thank him for that. Thank you. And up here, so you can probably know my people. You're you were the employee of the month. So they don't forget. So we'll have you go ahead. This evening I have three reappointments and an appointment. Thank you. I'm asking for your approval to appoint Chris to the DDA board. He is an attorney with KG Law, which is one of the larger firms in the DDA at 18,000 nine mile road. Same building as the DDA offices. And then also the reappointment to the DDA of Alvin Zaituna. Alvin is a partner with Universal Wholesale on Eight Mile and Northland Drive, which is one of the larger businesses in the DDA. And then to the Planning Commission, the reappointment of Ghana Goodwin Dye and Andrea Storch Gruber. Both of these women have served the Planning Commission and done an excellent job, and planner Crowd would like to have them returned to the Planning Commission. So I'm asking for a motion. Those are my four of the appointments. So I'm asking for a motion to agree with the appointment.
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