City Bureau’s Documenters Network: People-powered news and information

We’re putting every public meeting on the record in

Who we are

A network of newsrooms and community organizations committed to participatory civic media.

What we do

We train and pay hundreds of people to attend under-reported public meetings and publish the results.

The Future is Informed

Your elected officials are making big decisions. Keep tabs with regular notes, real-time social media updates, and multimedia reports from Documenters in your area. Together, we’re building a new public record.

Detroit

Utilities
Dec. 3, 2025

The new Lifeline H20 program applications are live online and the program has had 811 applications — 397 of which were approved and 326 were denied. Two sewer projects (DWS 917 and 918) exceeded the budget by $1.4M and $446K respectively, due to legal settlements.

Detroit Water and Sewerage Department Board of Water Commissioners, Committee Meetings

Notetaking by

Erin Butler

Detroit

Criminal Justice
Dec. 8, 2025

The committee discussed and approved proposed updates to the Use of Force Policy, advancing the decision to adopt the revised policy to the full commission for a vote at the Dec. 11 meeting.

Detroit Board of Police Commissioners BOPC Policy Committee Meeting December 8, 2025

Notetaking by

Gina McPherson

Detroit

Transportation
Dec. 10, 2025

SMART staff provided updates on upcoming bus service changes to include improved frequency on some routes and reduction of the Park & Ride fare to $2, effective Jan. 5. Winter maintenance supplies are available for Adopt-A-Stop participants. There are currently 30 stops adopted.

Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) SMART, Sounding Board

Live reporting by

Ashley Williams

Detroit

Politics
Dec. 9, 2025

Committee members reviewed the costs for housing juveniles in the justice system, and the budget for service contracts for youth programming.

Wayne County Commission Health & Human Services Committee - December 9, 2025

Live reporting by

Amanda Absher

Detroit

Utilities
Dec. 10, 2025

In a short, 12-minute meeting, the committee approved a time extension for a project replacing the back end of pump station one, an amendment to increase Hayes and Sawyer's contract for specialized inspections, and a no-cost change order to the emergency incineration project.

Great Lakes Water Authority GLWA, Operations and Resources Committee

Live reporting by

Nadia Ziyad

Detroit

Development
Dec. 9, 2025

Developers provided updates on construction timeline and community benefits for District Detroit projects, including the Little Caesars Arena hotel and the University of Michigan Innovation Center, which is set to break ground in March 2026.

Detroit Planning and Development Department District Detroit — Community Benefits 2025 Annual Update Meeting

Live reporting by

Carole Hawke-Diop

Detroit

Labor
Dec. 3, 2025

The deficit at DESC is now $6 million — millions higher than previously stated. Major changes are coming to GDYT due to funder fatigue; they want employers to pay for it. And a heavily expanded collaboration with DPSCD comes with no additional funding for counselors or teachers.

Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation DESC, Mayor's Workforce Development Board — IN-PERSON ONLY

Live reporting by

Dana Stuckey

Detroit

Labor
Dec. 3, 2025

The deficit at DESC is now $6 million — millions higher than previously stated. Major changes are coming to GDYT due to funder fatigue; they want employers to pay for it. And a heavily expanded collaboration with DPSCD comes with no additional funding for counselors or teachers.

Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation DESC, Mayor's Workforce Development Board — IN-PERSON ONLY

Notetaking by

Jasmine K

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