[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6259814,"mediaKeyId","3137181-c9d3aa8322c298bd03352406a7a86efe","parentId",3137181,"title","Council approves option for affected retirees to pay off ASF clawback without interest","audioSeconds",455,"startMs",4849000,"endMs",5304000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3137181-c9d3aa8322c298bd03352406a7a86efe&start=4849&end=5304","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3137181-c9d3aa8322c298bd03352406a7a86efe/thumbnail_4849000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6259814/Detroit/Wayne-County/Michigan/Council-approves-option-for-affected-retirees-to-pay-off-ASF-clawback-without-interest","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259814-299d60ad82f683735077e6713ef86d6d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771113825&Signature=g6cyrl0psHBjiYHiyNnjb~QGTLhjs1a6ykuapB-WxuTcSXNmL9JjFn37idp84vZy63zys41pgu4iYFCZ-TYfzrxWAoltQF3nC~ONeEM5oNwvCvCS66dgvj8IPuebp~gECV5JvrGQfc5j2~WumPes4t-On4~6ShBLcAhOhxuTkeAh6WNKn3joJ0rrF9qGhrIzAiIoDs7YCuFNb1UiLT2I6N4KCodXAmzL9yxXbXd-YSlMhH6AlY~qcItfWc~kh8u59rgH6hkUZAxG--DK-gpB-d2LDc4-aW8QI9nQZls9Ivz9UMH93DrwJeAnBHnPtyJH609-WnWWNlF2Fn3o1TB72w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Detroit, MI ","date","2025-04-22T00:00:00Z","article","The Detroit City Council approved a resolution to permit retirees and vested employees affected by the Annuitant Savings Fund (ASF) clawback to repay remaining principal in a lump sum without interest.

John Nagelitt, speaking for the administration and retirement-system advisers, told the council that during Detroit’s bankruptcy the plan required recovery of what the court deemed “excess payments” totaling about $190 million. He said a portion of that amount remains scheduled for recovery through lifetime deductions from retirees’ pension checks and that approximately $75 million remains to be recouped. Nagelitt described the effect for some retirees as “a mortgage over a person's lifetime.”

Under the resolution the retirement systems will send personalized letters to eligible retirees and beneficiaries with the actuarially determined payoff amount (principal only). If a retiree elects the lump-sum payoff, the retirement system will accept the payment and stop ongoing deductions. If the retiree declines, the existing deduction schedule continues.

Nagelitt said roughly 3,400 retirees and active employees are subject to the clawback arrangement; the retirement systems expect to send letters in advance of Oct. 1 and to give recipients a roughly three-month decision window, during which they may consult a financial advisor. The retirement systems and the council said the lump-sum option does not change the total recovery target for the systems; it gives some individuals a way to eliminate the recurring deduction by paying the principal now.

Council members framed the measure as relief short of full forgiveness; members noted that full forgiveness would require the city to contribute an estimated $75 million in a single appropriation, which the administration said would be difficult to fund. The resolution passed with no objections. Council member Benson said the change offered “a level of relief” but reiterated concerns that retirees bore disproportionate burdens during the bankruptcy.

The resolution also stated the retirement systems would calculate each payoff amount through its actuary and that implementation steps will be coordinated by retirement system staff and the city. The administration said the retirement systems will attempt to invest lump-sum receipts at rates that support actuarial expectations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Detroit City Council Formal Session 04-22-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Detroit City Council approved reopening a window allowing retirees and beneficiaries subject to the Annuitant Savings Fund clawback to pay off remaining principal without interest in a lump sum.","taxTitle","Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan","taxId",48464,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6259824,"Residents say Detroit solar project led to property takings and trauma; council asks counsel for written response",7086,891000,7977000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3137181-c9d3aa8322c298bd03352406a7a86efe&start=891&end=7977","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3137181-c9d3aa8322c298bd03352406a7a86efe/thumbnail_891000.jpg","/articles/6259824/Detroit/Wayne-County/Michigan/Residents-say-Detroit-solar-project-led-to-property-takings-and-trauma-council-asks-counsel-for-written-response","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259824-9d68ba4c6da5db86000a8db87735a5e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771113825&Signature=hWSwxsMhiPkm0CChpR0b4jAb1fX6eudqmzITfb7QZQrKW3b3gStu5JFBQPtu6KstxoZKNh7fpYVmE9ug4Niy7-h~O2cUqDjYQ5Zwfa0XffK1NcLWqWl9nRbms9DUOdB-jwJdq4lhN4-gUNhVH09HvZYnfMeoRvDJgFRdFWLiNvOklcNiVms3h7PND0znlCajXU5paRDXE~CPw9VnM-HmoXf0~65UZN76KQ9dN05K-TOpucbFzlNuHc0Z2jERFGlaIlIbU66oArn7rf1s6A4eYXCzxoKDvEBeU5DAEPJpNQvAD-FLS0FrqT8vgd9KCWyz9YDRTc1aXsKhmi-o~fvppA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple Detroit residents used the council’s public-comment period to describe personal losses and community harm they said followed the city’s solar land acquisitions and enforcement actions.

“My home, 19212 Danbury, was my address for 15 years until the city of Detroit stole it from me,” Danielle Mertes told the council. Mertes said she and two roommates were forced from the house Jan. 10, that they received “no funding or housing” from the city after an inspector recorded information, and that she had spent about $1,500 correcting blight violations before being told to vacate. She said her house had since been vandalized and set on fire.

The concerns echoed other public commenters who said longstanding Detroit homeowners and seniors have been displaced by the solar program, which some speakers described as relying on tax or blight findings to acquire land. Darren McCleskey said the program risked “taking someone’s property by force” and urged councilmembers to consider how takings affect people living “beyond the margins.” David Roland described longtime ties to a neighborhood and said losing a house had cost him contact with his child.

Several commenters framed the issue as part of a broader pattern. A caller identified as “You Matter” criticized use of eminent domain and said the city might have pursued rooftop or distributed solar options instead of land acquisitions. Another participant called on the council to “do your due diligence” and to consider the human harm the current approach causes.

Council members and staff said the matter is under active review. Graham Anderson of the law department told the council he was awaiting a written response from the solar team; administration staff confirmed city staff were working with corporation counsel to prepare a written update. After public comment, President Pro Tem James Tate and others asked the law department and administration to provide an on-record briefing in a future formal session; the council agreed to schedule a solar project update at a later meeting and to coordinate with the affected councilmember.

The public remarks placed repeated emphasis on individuals who said they were evicted, lost property, or received no post-eviction housing assistance. Council staff and the law department offered to follow up with residents who supplied contact information; corporation counsel also told the body it was drafting a written response addressing the issues raised.

Community advocates and some callers asked the council to halt any further land takings until the city reviews procedures and assistance for affected households. The council did not take final action on policy or funding at the meeting; instead, members directed staff and counsel to produce written materials and to return to the council with an update. The city has not, in the meeting record, provided a timetable for that response or specified policy changes.","Multiple Detroit residents used the council’s public-comment period to describe personal losses and community harm they said followed the city’s solar land acquisitions and enforcement actions.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6259810,"Votes at a glance: Detroit City Council approves multiple contracts, grants and resolutions; no roll-call objections recorded",725,3790000,4515000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3137181-c9d3aa8322c298bd03352406a7a86efe&start=3790&end=4515","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3137181-c9d3aa8322c298bd03352406a7a86efe/thumbnail_3790000.jpg","/articles/6259810/Detroit/Wayne-County/Michigan/Votes-at-a-glance-Detroit-City-Council-approves-multiple-contracts-grants-and-resolutions-no-roll-call-objections-recorded","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259810-69839e79d9f07fba9d19cff4091f64a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771113825&Signature=c4sQuQUvNzAr4yBvnGZ2yG~DSD9Xm6dlr4hTHxwrt~bem-M03Z9kUtPMvGgSxAG98p3nd8qUwiRB9o6rW0NIsSSE~0JWN2Kw68dMABkjgCi3avHWFvjkqh~rUYeePdr-Co6gRjkRTZVKQVUfONMs3yM3Pu2usd77JDwnJNZe5SpwFPmxxK2XMFC~qQta4m3IVPLKcWOh6Ximbeth0GEiqPAnuM-us7UK4fQh6U303NIEArNQdGN-z~eudkGCkPpDZxHMX3BrtSr6upcTrgAROSEyTXRp0svmrwJhuDnX1st-5Pb9XNnavGt7iAb2nOaLrlgij8YngbGDc6ke-CAf9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Detroit City Council approved a series of resolutions and contract actions during the meeting. Most items were approved by voice vote after motions and were recorded in the transcript as passing with no objections. Below is a concise listing of key approved items, with the agenda identifier shown where available. (The transcript records many routine approvals; this summary highlights those called out in the meeting record.)

Votes and notable approvals

- Line item 17.2 (city planning commission report): Approved (motion: Council member Young).
- Line item 17.3: Approved — study to evaluate a local-option sales tax; Citizen Research Council to be retained (mover: Council member Johnson).
- Line item 18.1 (contract 6003045-81): Approved — contract amendment to assign and increase publication/codification services (City Clerk; CivicPlus LLC).
- Line items 18.2–18.8: Approved — seven settlement/resolution requests (Law Department; lawsuits; no roll-call recorded).
- Line item 18.9: Approved — ASF recoupment lump-sum cash option for retirees (see separate article above for details).
- Line items 19.1–19.15: Approved — assorted planning, historic designation and housing items; one amended resolution noted for 19.1.
- Line items 20.1–20.11: Approved — demolition contracts, public works easements and other public-safety/service procurements (contracts and emergency demolition work listed by address in the record).
- Line items 21.1–21.14 (mayor’s office/new business): Approved — a range of contracts, grants and events; several procurement waivers were recorded.

How votes were recorded

The meeting transcript typically records motions, followed by the clerk asking for objections; many items passed with the clerk noting “hearing no objections, the resolution will be approved.” Where a roll-call vote was requested or required the record notes it; on one scheduled closed-session item (21.14 as presented) the roll-call failed and the chair removed related items from the agenda.

What the approvals mean

Most approvals were routine committee referrals, contract extensions, grants, procurement approvals or administrative actions. The most consequential policy votes were the authorization of the LOST/smart-tax study (17.3) and the ASF lump-sum payoff option for affected retirees (18.9), both covered in separate pieces above.

If readers seek the full list of agenda numbers and procurement contract identifiers, the meeting clerk’s published agenda and the Office of Contracting & Procurement’s award summaries provide the detailed contract numbers and vendor names referenced during the session.","During the session the council approved numerous line-item resolutions and procurement contracts, including routine contracting actions, historic designations, grant applications, and program resolutions. Several items were approved by voice vote with 'no objections' recorded in the transcript.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6259819,"Detroit council approves study of a local-option “smart tax” to assess revenue options",1896,2120000,4016000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3137181-c9d3aa8322c298bd03352406a7a86efe&start=2120&end=4016","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3137181-c9d3aa8322c298bd03352406a7a86efe/thumbnail_2120000.jpg","/articles/6259819/Detroit/Wayne-County/Michigan/Detroit-council-approves-study-of-a-local-option-smart-tax-to-assess-revenue-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259819-74f5d895be5c8c9c1e0124b1dc7f887e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771113825&Signature=VuLwaDB5j0lKgY5MkNBxTA1-Ag46SrM873Os3~enGBmM8PmdR2~rl-VgUkvgVWCTJAeFdBQAN5qLDyT43JOGALmxRoJAGd-iBv9ePBsGJ27ffnjIxykuC-rEEZTD6g6o-nhhRsaa07ab7Fx7wBCY8ZIg4S8J3qyhCSrgYuVdONgPILhuOf6VN84hZS9g8sVlX3eHrl9VX1OfxGrRVPkkD-UGIo2lLfyfjp1mkd0vXBjgz4wsqaOe61O5fm7rCLGBzCeDjmrU4W97hhLUzVu32tmydIXhcAn1THIOdtbda~PuuHIsLPs7UrCq15K~V7MH2939UnAi3SzOQcrte8vCjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Detroit City Council voted to approve a study to evaluate a local-option sales tax, often described in the meeting as a “smart tax” or local-option sales tax (LOST).

Council member Johnson moved the measure and described it as “merely a study” to evaluate implementation pathways, legal constraints and potential revenue. Director Whitaker told the council the Citizen Research Council (CRC) will be retained to carry out the work and that the contract has been routed through purchasing. Whitaker and colleagues said the study will examine legal barriers, likely revenue scenarios and how other localities structure similar measures.

During discussion, council members pressed staff to ensure the study covers constitutional and statutory constraints, tax exemptions (for example, food and prescription drugs) and comparisons to other cities that have adopted local-option taxes. Council member Young asked staff to include a legal primer explaining why a local-option sales tax may require statewide or constitutional steps that differ from other revenue options such as a land-value tax.

Public commenters also weighed in. Tuanu Reeves, a PhD candidate at the University of Michigan and member of the Economic Development Task Force, urged the council to support the research and said the study should include legal pathways and examples from other jurisdictions. Reeves told the council: “A local option, Smart tax, is an opportunity to moderate the federal cuts coming to the city and to build a more equitable, sustainable, and economically sound future for Detroit.”

Council members approved the resolution without objection. In discussion the administration said it would seek to complete the report quickly using funds allocated in the current fiscal year, with an internal target of delivering the study by June if possible. Council members asked that the study include legal analysis of constitutional issues, comparisons with other cities, and revenue estimates that test graduated levy levels so the council can judge whether the revenue would justify the effort required to enact the tax.

The approved resolution authorizes contracting with the Citizen Research Council to carry out the research and directs staff to return results to council for further action; the council attached a waiver to the item to permit the contract procurement to proceed.","Council approved a resolution to fund a study into a local-option sales tax (referred to in the meeting as a 'smart tax' or LOST study). The study will be done by the Citizen Research Council and is expected to cover legal, economic and implementation issues, with a goal to complete work quickly using this fiscal year's funds.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves option for affected retirees to pay off ASF clawback without interest

Residents say Detroit solar project led to property takings and trauma; council asks counsel for written response

Votes at a glance: Detroit City Council approves multiple contracts, grants and resolutions; no roll-call objections recorded

Detroit council approves study of a local-option “smart tax” to assess revenue options