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

Budget
March 20, 2025

Ongoing capital projects include the new Coolidge bus terminal facility for the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT), parking lot renovations for the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD), and renovations at AB Ford Park and the Library’s Skillman Branch.

Detroit City Council FY 2025-2026 Budget Hearings — Detroit Building Authority

Notetaking by

Noah Levinson

Detroit

Criminal Justice
March 20, 2025

Residents expressed discontent with the reinstatement of suspended DPD Lt. Brandon Cole. Virtual meeting accessibility was limited by audio/visual issues.

Detroit Board of Police Commissioners Board of Police Commissioners

Notetaking by

Kiki Verdun

Detroit

Criminal Justice
March 20, 2025

Residents expressed discontent with the reinstatement of suspended DPD Lt. Brandon Cole. Virtual meeting accessibility was limited by audio/visual issues.

Detroit Board of Police Commissioners Board of Police Commissioners

Live reporting by

Hannah Mathers

Detroit

Budget
March 21, 2025

The airport is creating several programs to promote aviation and aerotechnical careers to Detroit residents, including students. Councilmembers are generally excited to see potential pathways into these careers, and support the programs.

Detroit City Council FY 2025-2026 Budget Hearings — Airport

Notetaking by

Alex Klaus

Detroit

Budget
March 21, 2025

Program sustainability concerns: There's significant concern about the end of ARPA-funded programs like Jump Start, which has helped over 1,100 people secure employment. Councilmembers are looking for ways to sustain successful programs despite funding limitations.

Detroit

Budget
March 21, 2025

The Human Resources Department (HR) onboarded 3,000 new employees in the past year, including more than 400 bus drivers, 400 seasonal workers, and 200 firefighters.

Detroit

Budget
March 19, 2025

Councilmember Calloway criticized CRIO for not conducting a study on disparity in the awarding of city contracts, saying $350,000 was given to them by Council for that purpose. She also questioned why human trafficking placards at motels had not been implemented.

Detroit City Council FY 2025-2026 Budget Hearings — Civil Rights, Inclusion and Opportunity

Notetaking by

Sneha Dhandapani

Detroit

Budget
March 19, 2025

Blight ticket numbers are up year over year. The department (again) said it wants to start doing blight court in council districts. The director also said it plans to start initiating garnishment proceedings in 3rd Circuit Court for unpaid blight tickets, but didn't say when.

Detroit

Budget
March 19, 2025

The department is closing in on its 8,000 buildings demolition goal. Renovations to Coleman A. Young Community Center should be completed by the end of March. Parks and Rec will determine its re-opening date.

Detroit City Council FY 2025-2026 Budget Hearings — Construction and Demolition Department

Notetaking by

Gina McPherson

See all of our public meeting reports →

Democracy is What You Do

Get involved in our community of practice.

A unique civic education

“How are your tax dollars spent? What are your elected officials doing? Are they listening to you? What is the process? That, as a Documenter, is what you have to show people.”

Picture of Susan Carlotta Ellis Susan Carlotta Ellis

Find upcoming workshops

Community reporting

“In almost every case for a meeting that I’ve covered, I’ve been the only person connected to the media that has been in the room.”

Picture of David Palmer David Palmer

View public meeting schedules

Local connections

“I've learned from other Documenters… I’ve learned skills that helped me to not just be a better citizen but also inform the type of work that I want to do.”

Picture of Isabel Sophia Dieppa Isabel Sophia Dieppa

Become a Documenter

About City Bureau’s Documenters Network 

Journalists

How our public meeting coverage supports local reporting.

Organizers

How our public meeting coverage tracks policy trends and public input.

Educators

How our training modules build civic knowledge and action.

Curious Citizens

How anyone can become a Documenter in one of our local programs.