Detroit committee delays renewal of federal lobbying contract, approves several settlements and a pay-schedule amendment for review

Detroit City Council Committee of the Whole members delayed action on a proposed one-year renewal of a federal lobbying contract and moved several other agenda items to formal consideration during a meeting where public comments preceded business.

The committee voted to hold the contract amendment for contract number 6006291-A1 — described in meeting materials as an amendment to exercise a one-year renewal for federal lobbyist services with Boundary Sound Partners and a contract increase of $210,000, extending the contract period through 06/30/2026 — and return the item in one week after council members requested a comprehensive written report on work performed since 2024.

The request came after Jennifer Garson and Pete Gould, both introduced as senior vice presidents at Boundary Sound Partners, described the firm’s recent work for the city, including monitoring federal activity, coordinating with the city’s federal affairs director, and assisting with grant and funding matters. Garson said the firm had “helped to secure several million dollars in federal grants, including helping the city renegotiate critical Department of Transportation funds, for Michigan Central.” Gould and Garson said they were coordinating closely with the city to protect awards amid an administration change in Washington.

Council member Angela Whitfield Callaway pressed for more written detail before renewing the contract. “They’re here for more money, but I don’t see a report,” Callaway said, and moved to bring the item back in one week with a comprehensive report showing what the firm has done on behalf of city taxpayers since 2024. Member Callaway also asked whether the firm has African American lobbyists on staff; Garson replied, “At this time we do not.”

Council member Mary Waters asked how the firm plans to raise Detroit’s profile and to protect housing and HUD funding amid federal uncertainty; the presenters said they are working with the city’s federal affairs staff and congressional allies to identify priorities and to “protect the really, you know, significantly sized grants.” The committee chair directed city staff to work with Boundary Sound Partners and the city’s federal affairs office to produce the requested documentation. The motion to return the contract item in one week passed with no objection.

On the same agenda, line item 6.1, a settlement request involving Yolanda Bryant, Northland Radiology Inc., and Gilead Traumatic Brain and Back Rehab LLC (case no. 23-015347-NF) for $42,500, was removed from the agenda so it could be resubmitted correctly. The committee took no action on that item.

Two settlement items were sent to formal consideration with recommendations to approve after brief motions and no objection. Line item 6.2 (Baker, Aaron, Ashanta, Reven et al v. City of Detroit, case no. 23-003850-NI) for $62,500 was moved to formal with a recommendation to approve. Line item 6.3 (Donald Lyle v. Citizens Insurance Company of Midwest, City of Detroit, DDOT and Chantelle Buckner) for $40,000 was likewise moved to formal with a recommendation to approve.

The committee also sent a resolution (line item 6.4) authorizing amendments to the February 2025 official compensation schedule for Environmental Specialist 1, 2 and 3 classifications to formal consideration with a recommendation to approve. Council member Mary Waters asked to be connected with the watershed management contact in human resources to discuss vacancies and implementation.

The meeting opened and spent an extended period on general public comment before moving into business. Speakers in public comment raised a range of concerns including police deployment, city services, and housing; none of those comments directly altered the committee’s votes on the listed agenda items.

The committee adjourned after the actions listed above.