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Detroit City Council Session Marked by Task Force Renewals and Passionate Calls for Sanctuary City Status

DETROIT — 1/17/2026

The Detroit City Council’s formal session on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, was defined by a heavy legislative agenda and an intense period of public testimony. While the Council moved forward with renewing several key task forces and infrastructure projects, the chambers were filled with over 50 residents, many of whom demanded stronger protections for immigrants and a shift in city investment priorities.

President Pro Tem James Tate presided over the meeting, which saw a quorum of members present to tackle the first major business session of the year.

Public Comment: ICE, Sanctuary Status, and Global Divestment

The most prominent portion of the meeting involved a massive turnout from community organizers. Over 40 individuals, many representing the Detroit Community Action Committee, spoke in favor of removing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presence from the city.

The advocacy was bolstered by a memo from Council Member Gabriela Santiago-Romero regarding strategies to keep ICE out of Detroit. Supporters urged the Council to formally embrace "Sanctuary City" status to protect undocumented residents. However, the testimony also highlighted internal community tensions; a few speakers argued that the city’s primary concern should remain its long-term Black residents, noting that Detroit should not be a "sanctuary" for new arrivals at the expense of those who have lived there the longest.

Additionally, members of the Detroit Anti-War Committee addressed the Council, calling for the city to divest from companies that support war, especially against Palestine and Venezuela, citing concerns over the ongoing conflict and genocide. These speakers often linked their demands for global divestment with the local push for sanctuary protections.

Task Forces and Infrastructure Advancements

Despite the high-pressure public comment, the Council maintained its legislative focus, unanimously approving the continuation of several major task forces. These groups are tasked with addressing economic and environmental equity:

  • Wealth Generation Task Force
  • Green Task Force
  • Literacy Taskforce
  • Minority Business Taskforce
  • Skilled Trades Taskforce
  • Climate Resilience Taskforce

Infrastructure also saw a boost, with the Council approving an encroachment for Monarch Holdings Group, LLC to install new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and protective bollards along West Grand Boulevard. Other approvals included ADA improvements on Harper Avenue and a private storm sewer installation on East Jefferson.

Administrative and Safety Referrals

A significant volume of business was referred to standing committees for deeper review, including the Mayor’s re-appointment of several key officials:

  • Todd Bettison (Chief of Police)
  • Tanya Stoudemire (Chief Financial Officer)
  • Conrad Mallett (Corporation Counsel)

The Council also moved a $9 million contract for traffic signal connectivity and backup power, along with over 15 emergency demolition contracts for blighted properties, to the Public Health and Safety Standing Committee.

Summary Table of Council Actions (January 13, 2026)
Category Items
Approved
  • Continuation of Wealth Generation, Green, Literacy, Minority Business, Skilled Trades, and Climate Resilience Task Forces.
  • Petitions for EV charging stations (Monarch Holdings) and ADA improvements.
  • Private storm sewer installation (CHN Housing Partners) and alley/easement vacations.
  • Resolution recognizing January as Human Trafficking Prevention Month
  • Request to vacate an alley bounded by Park Grove, Gratiot, Mapleridge, and Schoenherr
  • Station 626 petition for landscaping, entry steps, and a new ADA ramp on Harper Ave
  • Outsource Health Care, LLC petition for and underground vault
  • SBS Buildings, LLC petition to vacate an alley bounded by Pleasant, Bassett, Leonard, and Ethel
Referred to Committee
  • Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (NEZ) Certificates: The applications for 9301 Oakland Avenue and 1257 Bagley were referred to the Budget, Finance and Audit Standing Committee, not approved on this date.
  • Emergency Demolitions: All 14 demolition contracts (including 257 Fortune, 4837 23rd, and 14441 W McNichols) were referred to the Public Health and Safety Standing Committee.
  • Cyber Security/Daston Corporation: The contract for Google Threat Intelligence was referred to the Internal Operations Standing Committee.
  • Tree Trimming/Tree Man Services: This $3M contract was referred to committee.
Denied None.
Unfinished Business None.
New Business
  • Referral of Mayoral re-appointments (Police Chief, CFO, Corporation Counsel, Fire Commissioner).
  • Referral of $9M traffic signal connectivity and $3M tree trimming contracts.
  • Over 15 emergency blight demolition referrals.
  • CM Santiago-Romero’s memo regarding ICE and sanctuary protocols.

Significant Events & Notable Takeaways
  • Presiding Officer: President Pro Tem James Tate chaired the session.
  • Attendance Dynamics: The meeting opened with seven members; Council Members Denzel McCampbell and Gabriela Santiago-Romero joined the session in progress, ensuring a full voting body for the task force resolutions.
  • Civic Engagement: The "Sanctuary City" debate dominated the public forum, illustrating a complex dialogue between immigrant advocacy groups and long-term residents regarding city resources and protection.
  • Administrative Stability: The referral of the "Big Four" administrative posts (Police, Finance, Law, and Fire) indicates the Mayor’s intent to maintain leadership continuity into 2026.
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