Southfield City Council Regular Meeting - October 19, 2026

The City of Southfield, Michigan City Council held its regular meeting at 6 p.m. on October 19, 2026. Roll call confirmed a quorum, and Council President Hicks presided. The meeting included a youth baseball championship recognition, a public comment period, consent agenda approvals, public hearings on two tax-incentive requests, ordinance actions, and departmental reports. The meeting adjourned at 8:52 p.m. No separate agenda or minutes were included with the supplied transcript.

Presentation: Southfield A's 12U Championship

• Council and the mayor jointly congratulated the Southfield A's 12U travel baseball team on winning the 2026 Detroit PAL Championship. The organization was noted as serving Southfield youth since 2004.
• Coaches and parents spoke, thanking the council for field improvements that helped the team practice; organization leader Coach Gill was honored in absentia because he was attending his father's viewing.

Consent Calendar

• Approved all items on the consent calendar in one motion with all ayes and no opposition. Items included: (A) police department investigation division/patrol administration renovation; (B) police department National Transportation Safety Organizational grant; (C) application for a 2027 Michigan Arts and Culture Council grant; (D) Nine Mile Road pathway agreement, Northwestern Highway to Greenfield Road; (E) DTE billing agreement for equipment removal/relocation for the Nine Mile pathway; (F) Road Commission for Oakland County winter maintenance agreement for 2026-27; (G) amendment of Resolution 2025-366, pump station renovation program, to include a change order; (H) audio and lighting services contract for concerts/events; (I) SMART municipal community credit service agreement for July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027; (J) Southfield Public Library construction manager contract for phase one of the library improvement project; and (K) receipt of bids for printing the 26th annual report and 2027 calendar.
• During discussion of item E, council questioned the 'unforeseen conditions' cost language. Staff replied that DTE has not previously sought extra funds, contingency is typically about 10%, city administration can authorize up to 20% above council authorization, and larger changes would return to council.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Robin Boyer (Mount Vernon subdivision) asked what 'multi-generational community hubs' means in the Leonard Elementary redevelopment, whether plans had been submitted, and why nearby subdivisions were not notified. Council President responded by referring to a redevelopment website.
• Sydney Thompson, Cameron Fink, Laura Fink, and Mary spoke about ICE. They demanded release of unredacted bodycam footage from the June 29, 2026 high-speed ICE chase at Tel-12, said a FOIA appeal had passed its deadline, and called for charges against ICE agents and a ban on ICE chases in Southfield. Laura Fink, citing ICE data compiled by the Deportation Data Project, said 78 Southfield neighbors were taken between January 2025 and July 2026, none had been convicted of a violent crime, and 90% had not been charged with a crime. Laura Fink also said more than 50 people have died in ICE custody since President Trump took office. The city attorney said FOIA appeals are reviewed by her office, an appeal was sent September 14, and Michigan FOIA exemptions apply.
• Jill Spadora said the council had shown disrespect to residents, citing an earlier instance when a teenage speaker was escorted out, and urged council to model respect.
• Cheryl Oliverio, Sean McDonnell, and another speaker objected to the data center approved near Inkster/I-696/Eleven Mile. They cited electricity demand of about 100 megawatts, only about 35 jobs, noise, water use, diesel generators, property values, and lack of public input; they asked for a moratorium or reconsideration and stronger oversight. Council President responded that the project has multiple uncompleted phases before groundbreaking, and environmental/health questions remain to be determined.
• Garland McWilliams said Kroger has not delivered promised upgrades at the Southfield store while spending $70 million on projects in Dearborn and Commerce Township; he called for accountability. Council President said he had weekly contact with Kroger and had pressed for cleanliness, food options, amenities, and a remodel.
• Fred Pinkston opposed an ordinance he said would require a city inspection and fees before a homeowner could transfer property to children, and he opposed Flock cameras. He said residents had not voted on these measures and needed respect from council.
• Vince Gallant said public information about the aquatic center and data center had been insufficient. Councilmembers responded that the aquatic center had been studied for several years with council committees, visits to six communities, an RFP, and community input.
• Pam Gerald criticized the Southfield Chamber of Commerce for missing ribbon cuttings and pushing city staff out of photos, and asked council to address the city's chamber membership.

Public Hearing: DDK Acquisition Tax Abatement Extension

• The city held a public hearing on a request by DDK Acquisitions for an extension of Commercial Rehabilitation Exemption Certificate C2021-001 for 23800 Northwestern Highway, originally approved January 21, 2021.
• The petitioner said he had exceeded the original $2 million improvement commitment, has over 20 businesses in the building, 14 new to Southfield, about 200 employees, and pays over $65,000 in property taxes; the building is about 65% occupied. He requested the full additional period available under PA 210, while staff recommended five years.
• Public comment included praise for the investment and questions about the tax freeze length, milestones, and accessibility of application materials. City staff said an additional $500,000 investment is planned and the building would be reassessed/uncapped after the exemption.
• Council approved a five-year extension and added language permitting the owner to return after five years for the remaining two-year extension. Motion carried.

Public Hearing: Specs Howard/Condo Detroit LLC OpRA and Exemption Certificate

• The council held public hearings on establishing an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act (PA 146) district and approving an exemption certificate for 1990 West Nine Mile, the former Specs Howard building.
• Brian Giles of Condo Detroit LLC said the 60,000-square-foot building, built in 1971 and vacant since about 2020-21, would be converted into 56 rental apartments (28 per floor) on 3.3 acres with two parking spaces per unit, gated parking, and a possible retail corner. He cited a current assessed value of $800,000, a $15 million post-renovation investment, $30,000 annual taxes if unabated, an estimated $54,000 annual incremental tax gain, at least 35 construction jobs, and 2 property management jobs.
• Public comment included concerns about density, unit sizes, HOA disclosures, the number of apartments already in Southfield, tax abatement burden, and uncertainty about design; one resident supported the redevelopment. Council questions covered short-term rentals, parking gates, retail parking, and neighborhood contacts; the developer said he had talked to the neighborhood association president and would address details in upcoming site plan review.
• The council approved both the establishment of the OpRA district and the exemption certificate for Condo Detroit LLC. Motions carried.

Ordinances, Resolutions, and Reports

• Ordinance 1846 was enacted. The transcript did not specify its subject.
• Travel expense reports related to the MML convention in Traverse City were approved.
• Council approved an amendment to Chapter 17 (Garbage and Rubbish), allowing containers from 10 to 96 gallons and requiring them to be kept out of the front yard; Ordinance 1847 was then introduced.
• Council approved an ordinance prohibiting the sale of Kratom to persons under 21 and introduced it as Ordinance 1848. A coalition representative said the DEA had recently proposed temporary scheduling of enhanced Kratom and noted about 304 Kratom products contain opiates.
• Treasurer's report: the council approved the annual depository resolution update, adding Dort Financial Credit Union, Financial Plus Credit Union, First State Bank, and Oxford Bank, and approved the annual investment policy update with no changes.

Key Outcomes

• Recognized the Southfield A's 12U baseball team.
• Approved the entire consent calendar.
• Approved the five-year DDK Acquisitions commercial rehabilitation exemption extension, with a future two-year option.
• Established an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District and approved an exemption certificate for Condo Detroit LLC's Specs Howard redevelopment.
• Enacted Ordinance 1846; approved and introduced Ordinance 1847 (garbage/rubbish) and Ordinance 1848 (Kratom age restriction).
• Approved travel expense reports, the depository resolution update, and the investment policy update.
• Announced upcoming events: aquatic center groundbreaking on Thursday at 4 p.m., library jazz event on Wednesday, Catalpa Park soft launch, VA community-based outpatient center opening, and an active election season with official ballot drop boxes.