Detroit committee forwards multiple settlements and contract amendments to council, delays federal lobbyist renewal

The Detroit City Council Internal Operations Standing Committee on March 19 voted to forward multiple settlements and contract amendments to the full council and delayed action on a proposed one-year renewal for federal lobbying services.

The committee sent settlement requests and contract amendments involving the police department, the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) and other city contracts to the full council with recommendations to approve. Committee members also agreed to bring the proposed renewal for federal lobbying services by Boundary Stone Partners LLC back for the contractor to appear and for additional review.

Committee chair (referred to in the meeting as "Madam Chair") opened discussion on unfinished business after general public comment and introduced line item 5.1, an amendment to contract 6005283-A1 to extend monitoring of Good Neighbor Plan commitments by adult-use marijuana licensees. The amendment would extend the contract through June 14, 2026, and add $75,000, raising the contract total to $180,000. The committee heard that staff had submitted follow-up questions and received a response from CREO and that additional district-specific questions remained; Member Waters said, "I do have some additional questions relative to District 4, and how the Good Neighbor program has provided support to non profit organizations in District 4." Seeing no objection, the committee moved the item to formal session with a recommendation to approve.

The committee then moved…