Detroit callers use public comment to criticize mayoral policies and ask about $6.75-per-page fee for BZA transcripts

Four callers used the Committee of the Whole public-comment period to criticize Mayor Duggan’s administration, raise concerns about foreclosures and privatization of city services, and press the committee on a reported fee for Board of Zoning Appeals transcripts.

Tahira Ahmed, a Detroit resident, told the committee she and other residents “know what we want to do with our city” and criticized the mayor’s record, including alleged large-scale foreclosures, transfers of public assets and privatization of city jobs. Ahmed said the city has seen “illegal overtaxation” and “100,000 illegal homes illegally foreclosed” and listed several city assets and institutions she said were given away or privatized under the mayor’s tenure.

Malik Shelton, a caller who identified himself as a resident, complained that the mayor’s state-of-the-city address excluded ordinary residents and favored “handpicked cheerleaders,” and accused the administration of using public incentives to benefit large corporations while delivering pollution rather than jobs to nearby residents. Shelton referenced $36,000,000 in what he described as unlimited tax-bill obligation bond proceeds given to an automaker and said public oversight promised for that project had not materialized.

Damico Williams, a private resident and self-described “legacy Detroiter,” criticized long-serving local leadership and said policies have caused displacement. Williams said decisions such as districting have reduced accountability and that he wants incoming leadership to be more inclusive of long-time residents.

An attorney identified in the transcript as Miss Warwick pressed the committee on an administrative fee she said would charge $6.75 per page for Board of Zoning Appeals transcripts and cited Detroit City Code 50-2-66 as requiring the BZA to maintain transcripts. She asked whether the committee agreed it was appropriate to charge residents that fee for documents the BZA is already required to have. The committee chair, Dr. Osman, said the committee would follow up and that staff would respond offline; he also referenced a related FOIA matter that had been placed in executive session by a member of the body.

The committee closed public comment after the four virtual callers and moved on to unfinished business. The comments recorded were expressions of public complaint and requests for follow-up; no formal committee action on the specific allegations or the transcript fee was taken during the meeting.