Flint City Council: September Roundup

Editor’s Note: The Flint City Council Monthly Wrap Up! is a new series spearheaded by Jalen Garrison. This series serves as a guide to make council meetings journalistically sound, accessible, and engaging.

FLINT, Michigan – Welcome to the Flint City Council Monthly Wrap-Up! This is a summary of the most important debates, resolutions, and decisions from September city council meetings, along with a look at what’s coming up in October.

The city held only two sessions that month, and one was relocated because elections were taking place in the City Council Auditorium at City Hall.

City of Flint Police Chief makes stance on Flock cameras clear

• License plate readers made by the company Flock Safety (colloquially known as Flock Cameras) have been a controversial issue that has only grown more contentious during 2026. At a Sept. 23, 2026, committee meeting, police chief Terance Green was called to provide more information on the use of Flock cameras across the city of Flint. At the time of writing, there are 93.
• During his conversation with city council, Green stated, “My goal is to blanket the entire city, and that decision is based on my funding for it.” This comes after much pushback and discomfort from residents over the lack of clarity on how Flock cameras work, as well as concerns about unnecessary surveillance. 

Tenant testifies against 1^st Ward Councilman Leon El-Alamin

• On Sept. 9, 2026, the 1^st Ward councilman had a preliminary hearing in his election fraud trial. During the hearing, a tenant of the residence the prosecution alleges was listed on El-Alamin’s election filings claimed that the councilman never lived at the address. She went on to testify that she pays him rent as a tenant of his property and that he keeps only appliances, such as a lawnmower, at the address.
• Flintside has interviewed El-Alamin; you can check it out here.

Flint Fire Department joins organization to support communities across Michigan

• Flint City Council unanimously approved the Fire Department to enter into an agreement with Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABS). The organization aims to establish a network of emergency services departments across Michigan to share resources, assist in emergencies, and coordinate standards and practices for crisis situations.
• Once the agreement is officially signed, the fire department will gain access to all resources available through MABS.
• Flintside has also recently covered the expansion of firefighting training by Genesse Career Institute here.

City Council appoints new President of Mass Transportation Authority (MTA)

• Glenn Wilson was reappointed to the position of president of Mass Transportation Authority for a three-year term. His term is set to expire Sept. 30, 2029.

Coming Up in October

Ongoing developments in Leon El-Alamin criminal trials.

• 1st Ward Councilman Leon El-Alamin has been charged by Genesee County prosecutors with assault and election fraud. In the election fraud case, prosecutors allege El-Alamin falsely claimed he lived in Flint when he ran for city council, despite being a resident of Mount Morris Township.
• In the assault case, prosecutors allege he physically assaulted someone he had previously lived with. His trial is still ongoing and is in the preliminary stages.

Flock camera controversies.

• Tensions between residents and city officials over the use of Flock cameras have only continued to grow. During the committee meeting on Sept. 23, Councilwoman Candice Mushatt proposed a future community discussion on Flock cameras, with no set date at the time of writing.

Election coverage brought to you by Flintside

• Throughout October and through the November election, Flintside will continue covering the city council and mayoral races, thanks largely to a grant from Election SOS.