DETROIT – Detroit Mayor Dave Bing met with City Council for the first time in months on Monday.
Bing's first order of business was to reach out to the City Council and ask them to join him in an effort to approve the reform agenda in the city.
Recommended Videos
"Since I took office our city has been under financial stress," said Mayor Bing. "We must embrace reform."
Bing laid out six items he hopes Council members will work with him to approve. The items addressed issues of public safety, transportation, lighting and financial stability in the city.
"Today I ask you to join with me in a unified effort to make Detroit a great city," said Bing.
The creation of a public lighting authority was an issue council debated extensively during the meeting.
Representatives from the state were also in attendance.
Officials said the state is willing to cover some of the cost for reform in the city and expressed frustration over the lack of urgency in moving reform forward.
Both the Mayor and council members spoke of a wiliness to move past finger pointing and arguing for the greater good of the city.
"I love the new olive branch, I receive it," said City Council President Charles Pugh. "We are just as frustrated as you are."
Bing hasn't addressed council since the failed attempt to remove Krystal Crittendon in June.
"We need to be partners in this," said Bing. "I think they have come to the table to do this. I think all of us want the same thing. We need to affect change instead of talking about it," the mayor said.