Detroit meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Detroit City Council roundup: $5.8M Salter settlement approved, major tech contracts advance

Detroit City Council approved a $5.8 million settlement in the Aaron Salter v. Donald Olsen lawsuit during its July 14 formal session, voting 9-0.

Settlements and Appointments

On July 14, the City Council also approved the Munoz, Gaston settlement with a 6-3 vote. Additional settlements approved 9-0 included $32,000 for Tajuanduval Miller, $5,000 for Dedeyi Daoud, and $32,500 for Robert McKinnie. The council appointed JaVon Glenn to the Detroit Land Bank Authority, passing 9-0 with a waiver.

Technology and Data Contracts

The Internal Operations Standing Committee moved several major technology contracts to the formal session on July 15. These included a $12,523,254.11 digital evidence solution (Contract 6007968), a $4,000,000 hardware package (Contract 6007969), a $600,000 network equipment increase (Contract 6006718 amendment), and a $17,000,000 citywide cellular/data contract (Contract 6007885). Each motion passed 3-0. The committee also approved its July 8 minutes 2-0 and moved an interview on Ms. Dubose's reappointment to the formal session 2-0.

Budget and Finance

The Budget, Finance and Audit Standing Committee approved an amendment to Contract 6001723 on July 15, extending its term to September 28, 2027, and increasing funding by $2,200,000 (3-0). The committee also approved a $225,000 contract for printing, mailing, and data processing (Contract 6007745) and an $80,030 contract for internal auditing services (Contract 6007928), both 3-0. A Neighborhood Enterprise Zone certificate for 4128 Fourth Street was approved 3-0.

Community Services and Planning

The Neighborhood and Community Services Standing Committee recommended a $700,000 contract increase for the Joe Louis Greenway project on July 16 (3-0). The committee also authorized a $500,000 grant application to the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan for the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Trails Maintenance Fund (3-0). Earlier, on July 9, the committee recommended a $550,000 increase for the Expanded Senior Food Access Program, a $150,000 waste oil removal contract, a $54,294.67 increase for warming center capacity, a $35,294.94 increase for rotating shelter bed capacity, and a $529,403 nighttime family outreach services contract, all 3-0.

The Planning and Economic Development Standing Committee moved several redevelopment items to formal session on July 16, including the Busy Bee Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Certificate, a Brownfield Plan for Busy Bee, a Commercial Rehabilitation District for Coe Van Dyke 2, a Neighborhood Enterprise Zone for Stockbridge Renaissance, Contract No. 6007918 for Alley Sewer Repair, and a Contract No. 6005549 amendment for a Master Plan update. All items passed 3-0.

Coming up

The Public Health and Safety Standing Committee meets July 20 to hear a proposed ordinance amending Chapter 28 of the 2019 Detroit City Code by removing adult-business definitions. The committee will also review emergency demolition contracts, including a $30,300.00 contract for 20515 Mound and a $32,319.00 contract for 3035 Hurlbut.

On July 21, the City Council Formal Session will consider an $8,200,000 amendment to the GOAL Line Program contract (Contract 6001723-A5) and a $490,000 independent evaluation of assessment valuation compliance (Contract 6007829). The council will also review a $3,500,000 settlement to Quick Trans, LLC, and a $24,900 settlement to Chester Adams.

Detroit council postpones $14.75M in supply contracts; committees advance water repairs, settlements, and park projects

Detroit City Council postponed three maintenance, repair, and operations supply contracts totaling $14.75 million during its June 30 formal session, while several standing committees moved millions in infrastructure, technology, and settlement items toward final votes over the past two weeks.

Council postpones $14.75M in MRO contracts

On June 30, council voted 8-0 to postpone for one week three MRO supply contracts: $6.75M with Grainger, $6M with MSC Industrial Supply, and $2M with Fastenal. The items had been reported out of committee without recommendation. Council also approved the journal of the June 16 session (8-0) and referred items including a neighborhood enterprise zone certificate for 105 Delaware Ave, a property tax rate reduction resolution, a budget modification for the Dining With Confidence program, and the Munoz v. City of Detroit lawsuit settlement to standing committees.

Public Health and Safety advances $7M road repair and $3.97M utility marking contracts

The Public Health and Safety Standing Committee voted 3-0 on June 29 to send Contract No. 6004444-A4, a $7M increase for hard surface restoration repairs, to formal session with a recommendation to approve. The committee also advanced a $1.8M HVAC contract for DDOT facilities (Contract No. 6007830), a $360K bus wrap repair contract, a $421K concrete work contract for bus shelters, $128,870 in PHEP/CRI grant increases, and a $50,000 Occupy Summer donation from Ally Charitable Foundation — all by 3-0 votes.

On July 6, the same committee moved a $3,968,000 USIC Locating Services LLC utility marking contract to formal session (3-0), along with two $135,800 vactor services contracts for PowerVac of Michigan and Benkari Mechanical LLC. A $275,324.40 Allie Brothers Uniforms police contract moved forward on a 2-1 vote. Emergency demolition contracts for 3035 Hurlbut and 14566 Trinity were tabled one week.

Internal Operations recommends $5.8M settlement and board appointments

On July 8, the Internal Operations Standing Committee recommended council approve a $5,800,000 settlement in Salter v. Olsen (2-0) and four additional settlements totaling $209,500 (2-0). The committee also recommended approval of Gary Ringer to the City Planning Commission and JaVon Glenn to the Detroit Land Bank Authority (3-0 each). A $12,523,254.11 digital evidence management contract and a $4,000,000 camera hardware and software contract were both tabled one week (3-0). The committee recommended a Deputy City Clerk pay range of $89,700–$134,600 (2-0) and changes to Police and Fire Retirement System rules (2-0).

Earlier, on July 1, the committee approved a $1M contract with Wingswept LLC for investigative case management software (3-0), approved $437,444 in indigent defense grant funding (3-0), and approved five lawsuit settlements totaling $277,500 (3-0 each). The council recess from July 29 to August 31, 2026 was approved 3-0.

Budget, Finance and Audit recommends $3.3M bill payment system increase

The Budget, Finance and Audit Standing Committee voted 3-0 on July 1 to recommend a $3,307,450 contract increase for Diversified Data Processing and Consulting, Inc. for online, IVR, and kiosk bill payments. The committee also recommended the FY26-27 budget amendment for CDBG/NOF, ESG, HOME, and HOPWA allocations and the NEZ certificate for 105 Delaware Avenue (3-0 each). On July 8, the committee tabled FY27 mayor's office budget questions, a health department budget follow-up, a Board of Police Commissioners audit report, and property tax reduction fiscal analysis for one to three weeks.

Planning and Economic Development forwards property sales and housing contracts

The Planning and Economic Development Standing Committee recommended property sales at 10800 W. Chicago to 3M Real Estate for $15,000 and at 13100 and 13116 Kercheval to C.C.D Construction for $13,550 (3-0 each). On July 9, the committee recommended two obsolete property rehabilitation districts, a drug use intervention counseling contract renewal, a Detroit Housing Commission rehabilitation funding increase, and three community land trust planning contracts (2-0 each). Zoning hearings for Conner Street and Temple Street/Trumbull Avenue parcels were continued to July 23.

Neighborhood and Community Services moves park projects and event petitions

On July 2, the committee moved a $2,500,000 Cass Park improvement contract and a $100,000 Farwell Park improvement contract to new business (3-0 each), along with six event permit petitions. On July 9, the committee recommended approval of a $550,000 increase for the Expanded Senior Food Access Program, a $529,403 nighttime family outreach services contract, a $150,000 waste oil removal contract, and increases of $54,294.67 for warming center capacity and $35,294.94 for rotating shelter bed capacity (3-0 each).

Coming up

• **July 13 — Committee of the Whole:** Public hearing on amendments to the Bridging Neighborhoods Resolution, originally adopted July 25, 2017.
• **July 13 — Public Health and Safety Standing Committee:** Public hearing on the Advertising and Signs Ordinance, plus emergency demolition contracts including 11700 Livernois ($107,032.00), 3035 Hurlbut ($32,319.00), and 5978 Pennsylvania ($32,400.00), and a proposed Fire-EMS Cost Recovery Ordinance amendment.
• **July 14 — City Council Formal Session:** Consideration of the $5,800,000 Salter v. Olsen settlement, a $6,064,315.89 CLEAR Detroit project contract with HDR Michigan Inc., a $1,465,489.56 engagement center contract with SHAR Inc, a $600,000 contract increase for Groundwork 0, and an NEZ certificate application for a new single-family house at 4128 Fourth Street.