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Council debates timing of Brownfield Authority appointment amid statutory removal constraints
Summary
Councilmembers split over whether to approve a Brownfield Redevelopment Authority appointee now or leave the seat for the incoming mayor; staff told the committee that Brownfield board members are removable only for cause under state statute, limiting council or mayoral ability to unappoint.
The council committee debated whether to act on a mayoral appointment to the Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority on May 7, with some members urging delay until the new mayor takes office and others citing an immediate need to fill vacancies.
Councilmember Angela Whitfield Callaway said she opposed confirming the appointment at this time because the Brownfield board is statutorily governed and members are removable "for cause" only under state law, which would mean an appointee could serve through a full three-year term even after a new mayor takes office. "This is a very important board for the future of our city," she said, and argued the incoming administration should have the appointment opportunity.
City board administration staff told the committee the DBA/Brownfield panel has nine seats, with one current vacancy and an additional seat expected to open if the replacement is not confirmed; staff said maintaining a full slate helps secure quorums and avoid scheduling difficulty. The committee requested attendance records for the Brownfield board over the past two years to show which members consistently attend and serve.
Attorney Phil Keller of the law department said state statute governs Brownfield board removal and that members can be removed only for cause by a majority of board members, which limits unilateral removal by the mayor or council. The committee then voted to receive and file the administrative memo on residency and conflict-of-interest questions and to bring the appointment back for a date to be determined.
The committee also directed the legislative policy division (LPD) to prepare a list of boards and commissions that are governed by state statute and subject to "for cause" removal rules. The Brownfield appointment was not confirmed at the May 7 meeting; staff said they will return with requested materials and a resolution schedule.
