Detroit City Council Greenlights Major Tree Services and Neighborhood Upgrades
DETROIT — 2/28/2026
DETROIT, MI – The Detroit City Council moved forward with several high-priority initiatives during its formal session on February 24, 2026, focusing heavily on neighborhood revitalization and infrastructure maintenance. Key outcomes included the approval of multi-million dollar contracts for city-wide tree services and the expansion of residential development through specialized tax abatements.
A central highlight of the session was the approval of a $3 million contract with Tree Man Services, LLC. This major street funding initiative is slated to provide comprehensive tree trimming and removal services over the next three years, addressing long-standing maintenance needs across Detroit’s major corridors.
In addition to infrastructure, the Council signaled its ongoing support for housing rehabilitation by referring several Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (NEZ) certificate applications to the Budget, Finance, and Audit Standing Committee. Notably, these include projects intended to create new rental units on Oakland Avenue and a historic duplex rehabilitation in the Corktown area.
The session also saw the reestablishment and continuation of key advocacy groups. Council Member Scott Benson was appointed to lead both the Wealth Generation Task Force, which focuses on policies to move families out of poverty, and the Green Task Force, which advises on sustainable city practices.
Detroit City Council Meeting Summary: 2/24/2026
| Category | Item Description | Status / Action Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Approved | Infrastructure: Contract No. 6007613 with Tree Man Services, LLC. Provision of city-wide tree trimming and removal services. Funded by Major Street funds. Total: $3,000,000.00. | Approved. Term: 2/24/2026 – 2/23/2029. |
| Approved | Public Safety: Contract No. 6007381 with Dinges Partners Group. Purchase of tethered drones, support equipment, and maintenance for the Detroit Fire Department. Total: $327,558.90. | Approved. Term: 2/24/2026 – 2/23/2027. |
| Approved | Task Forces: Formal reestablishment and continuation of the Wealth Generation Task Force and the Green Task Force. | Approved. Extended through 12/31/2026. Scott Benson named Chair. |
| Approved | Land Use: Petition of Karen Wiggins (x2025-277) to vacate the public alley bounded by Park Grove and Gratiot Avenue to facilitate private development. | Approved with conditions from DPW. |
| Approved | Public Petitions: Petition of Station 626, LLC (x2025-280) for various encroachments (ADA ramp, signage, lighting) at 626 Harper Avenue. | Approved. |
| Referred | Housing: NEZ Certificate for 9301 Oakland Avenue. Rehabilitation project for 10 new rental units. | Referred to Budget, Finance & Audit Committee. |
| Referred | Housing: NEZ Certificate for 1257 Bagley. Historic duplex rehabilitation in Corktown. | Referred to Budget, Finance & Audit Committee. |
| Referred | Information Technology: Contract No. 6007597 with The Daston Corporation for Google Threat Intelligence licensing and cyber security support. Total: $160,294.74. | Referred to Internal Operations Committee. |
| New Business | Governance: Proposed amendment to the Executive Organization Plan (EOP) to create a Department of Human, Homeless, and Family Services. | Referred to Internal Operations Committee. |
| New Business | Grants: Request to apply for the FY 2026 Summer Discovery Grant ($1,040,000.00) from United Way for Southeastern Michigan. | Referred to Neighborhood & Community Services Committee. |
| New Business | Elections: Acceptance of State of Michigan grant ($99,388.80) for early voting costs related to the August 2025 Primary. | Referred to Internal Operations Committee. |
| Denied | No items were formally denied during this session. | N/A |
Significant Events & Highlights
- Departmental Restructuring: A major administrative shift was proposed to consolidate poverty and housing services into a single Department of Human, Homeless, and Family Services, aiming to streamline the city's response to the housing crisis.
- Fiscal Health: CFO Tanya Stoudemire presented the FY 2025 Retirement System report, confirming that the city’s pension systems are currently stable and not in "underfunded status" according to state standards.
- Wealth Generation Strategy: The reauthorized Wealth Generation Task Force, led by Council Member Scott Benson, confirmed its 2026 mission to focus on homeownership initiatives and closing the racial wealth gap in the city.
- Immigration Task Force: Council Member Gabriela Santiago-Romero secured a resolution to extend the Immigration Task Force, which will continue to focus on making Detroit a "Global City" and supporting new arrivals through late 2026.