Committee advances funding for Serve Detroit snow‑removal and citywide tool‑bank expansion

The Detroit City Council Committee of the Whole on Feb. 13 moved two contracting items forward that fund and expand Serve Detroit, the city’s volunteer initiative that operates snow‑removal assistance for seniors and disabled residents and will establish a network of tool‑bank partners for community projects.

Ray Solomon, director of the Department of Neighborhoods, and volunteer coordinator Tony Stovall briefed the committee on the program’s expansion. Serve Detroit began as a volunteer snow‑removal effort and has grown to include corporate volunteers and civic partners; Solomon said the city is scaling the program using council‑allocated funds. Solomon said council support earmarked roughly $1.2 million to expand the program, and staff said the two contracts before the committee would supply tool inventories, mobile delivery and workshops to train residents.

Program details presented to the committee include: a priority snow‑removal hotline for seniors and residents with disabilities, a mobile tool‑bank service that will deliver and pick up equipment for registered block clubs and neighborhood associations, and workshops to teach safe use and maintenance of tools. Typical tools listed by staff include shovels, rakes, trimmers, lawnmowers, wheelbarrows and related equipment. The resource is free to neighborhood associations and block clubs registered with the Department of Neighborhoods; staff asked community groups to register to qualify.

Solomon and the Serve Detroit team said the snow program previously served roughly 100–200 residents per winter and had more than 175 volunteers registered; the expanded tool‑bank model aims to support recurring cleanups, beautification projects and emergency responses citywide. Staff reported they issued a citywide RFP for tool‑bank partners, reviewed proposals and presented two vendors for committee approval; they also plan a follow‑on RFP to add more partners.

The committee voted to send the two contracting items (line items 9.1 and 9.2) to formal session with recommendations to approve. Committee members discussed outreach to residents who lack formal block clubs and were told district managers can assist with registration. Department staff provided a hotline for signups and information: (313) 224‑4415. Members also requested clearer identification for volunteers performing home visits; staff said volunteers wear Serve Detroit shirts and the department will consider additional lanyards or ID for clarity and resident confidence.