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Board of Water Commissioners, Committee Meetings 4/2/2025 part 2
Speaker 1
00:00Frustration when we get into your report. Yep,
Speaker 2
00:04Madam Chair, if you'd like I can, I can certainly respond to, I think, the majority of the questions that were asked. If you I
Unknown Speaker
00:12would like to use the camera, yeah.
Speaker 2
00:16All right. If you, you said you would like me to Madam Chair, yes, please. All right, I'll kind of go down. I made some notes. So of the question, so I'll just kind of go down the list. So in this, this is my response back. So first of all, DWSD does not make the determination of eligibility for lifeline. The determination is made by Wayne Metro. Wayne Metro is empowered to make that decision, which is given by D, w, s, d, Wayne Metro uses the state of Michigan's determination process. It's a system called M, power E, M, P, O, W, E R. That system is what all applicants use to apply for lifeline. That system is managed by the state of Michigan. It determines eligibility of each individual person that applies based on their income, their household size, as well as all of the documents that they need. In order to determine that eligibility, is uploaded into the Empower system. If all of those documents are not made available to the Empower system. Wayne Metro cannot make determination, so the system that the state of Michigan offers actually makes the determination and states whether or not all documents have been supplied, whether or not the income is valid or eligible for the program, so that that's number one,
Unknown Speaker
01:42number two. Mister Phillips,
Speaker 1
01:44yes, let me stop you there, because that was one area that, evidently there is some confusion. Can you hear me? Okay, I can hear you. Okay, that there is some confusion about the process for keeping, either getting, well, keeping customers on the Lifeline program, and who has the responsibility? I know the people that were speaking today have been in contact with you, and you have been communicating, meeting with them, and communicating the process. So what is the what from your perspective, what is the confusion between what their what our friends advocates are saying, and what is actually happening? Matt
Speaker 3
02:25before you, Matt before you answer that. Can we I just want to get one other point in also on that, on that same line, Thank you, Director, is this a new system for customers that's different than it was in past years?
Speaker 2
02:41No, sir, it's been in place at least for the last 24 months. So if anybody's been on the program, and this is what this, this is what they're concerned about, and their concerns that they're raising is about the recertification process to be on the program before they had to use the system. It's also the same system that they use for for DTE when they're applying for their assistance program, which is through the LIHEAP program. All of this all uses the same system, which is the Empower system. It is, to my knowledge, nothing that's new. No,
Speaker 3
03:14yeah, I'm talking about Empower itself. It was my understanding that, let's say, in the last two years, that that application was changed and it's a new process, but you're saying it's not. It's been, it's been around for a decade or more.
Speaker 2
03:29No, no, no, no. The Empower has been around for just a couple of years, 24
Speaker 3
03:33months. Okay, all right, I just wanted to be clear about that part. Thank
Speaker 1
03:37you. Well, before you go any further, though, do our advocates understand how this works, how our program works, how customers are notified and recertified, and the process for doing that? Because what I'm hearing is some area of confusion about the process. Madam Chair, yes. Commissioner,
Speaker 4
04:00I think one of the biggest concerns, maybe, is that communication that's going on between the complaints that we're getting. I think, I think we do whatever we can do. I think it would be important if Matthew or the director would call Wayne Metro and get a little meeting together to find out, are they really out of money? And that's why they're denying people, have they used up all their money? You know, there's a lot of things that we don't know because we're not part of Wayne Metro. So I think that that would be really infection for us to go that one step further and meet with them and find out if the process has changed. We may have not been notified, had and the communication between us and the people that are applying and complaining that they haven't recertified. Did they miss something at their application? Can they appeal the process? All of that is something I think needs to be really dedicated to the information and getting out to the community. I think that that would be at least we're doing our part. I think
Speaker 2
05:07Commissioner Garcia, I can certainly respond to that, and that is, I have said it at least since mid December, every month the funding has been exhausted. Wayne Metro's message has been since December 5 on their phone system that at this time, we're no longer accepting applications due to the fact that funding is exhausted. If additional funding becomes available, we'll let you know. The letter that I sent, which was done on behalf of Wayne Metro, said the exact same thing, as funding becomes available, additional residents may become eligible for the program. So it's, it's in there. We even took the additional step of enrolling every customer that was not or every resident that was not eligible or could not make it into the Lifeline program. We, we, I'll use the air quotes of auto, enrolled them into the easy pay program to try to give them an additional benefit of keeping their water on and in a way, to manage their system. But again, funding is exhausted. I'll say it as loud as I can. Funding is exhausted at this time, I have our entire organization that works on Lifeline has weekly meetings, and it's not just once a week, it's numerous times a week with Wayne Metro. To keep updated on this, we continue to have it every single week, including this week, funding is exhausted. I asked the question on Monday at 330 when we had our last meeting with Wayne Metro, and at this time, there is no additional funds coming from the state of Michigan for the water assistance program. They know that Wayne Metro is out of funding if additional funds become available, they've told the state of Michigan, we would, you know, they would accept the funds if nobody else in the state is spending them and other areas. In fact, we even heard the the unfortunate news this week that the the federal at the federal level, the LIHEAP Program, which is the big brother to lie wop in the water funding program, the low income housing energy efficiency program, the entire Federal staff has been eliminated from LIHEAP, effective yesterday Morning, and that program has been available since August 13, 1981 1981 I'll just repeat that. And now it's been the staff has been eliminated. So yep, I just say that, that you know. And again, the other question that came up, sorry, I'm just going to keep going down the list. The difference between 12,008 1000 in the month of February, yes, 10,000 I'm sorry, 12,000 individuals were receiving the lifeline benefit that was done as a courtesy by DWSD until Wayne metro was able to process all of the applications and review everyone that applied through the Empower system. We do know now today that there is 8136 as my report today states, that is for the month of March. Those are individuals that received the lifeline benefit in the month of March. That's the difference between the two February going into March. So that's all that the funds were available for. As far as a list being provided by DWSD. DWSD does not, does not provide a list of who is eligible for lifeline. That list comes from the Empower system as well as Wayne Metro. We do not make that determination in the Empower system that is done by Wayne Metro. We do not provide a list. In fact, Wayne Metro provides us a list on a weekly basis to tell us who has become eligible for the Lifeline program. And then we put, we apply that to the billing our DW SD billing system of who receives the $18 or the lifeline benefits. So the list actually comes from Wayne Metro, not from DWSD. So this is, this is on record. So I just want to make that up. Make that clear.
Speaker 5
09:05Mr. Phillips, oh, I just got one question, just to clarify, because I also heard a use of a word that I want to make sure we're clear on, and that, if we can clarify that for everyone that there are recertifications, and the recertifications are also those who are attempting to recertify. The funds are exhausted, yes, and so if you think you've got a safe spot or a safety net just because you're going to be recertified that is not that is not happening. It's the funds are exhausted. Is that correct?
Speaker 2
09:48There? There is there. At this point in time, there will be no further individuals added to the Lifeline program due to the fact that the the funds available to allow that benefit to happen. The lifeline benefit have been exhausted. Does that? Does that answer the question
Speaker 5
10:05that answers my clarifies for me, recertifications. There is no there are no funds. And if
Speaker 2
10:13we want to be very specific about recertifications, we can also be specific about somebody that's net new never been on lifeline. There is no funds available for that either. So, yeah, that's what I heard. I'll just add that extra I'll add that extra piece in there, in case somebody thinks that's a loophole. I
Speaker 5
10:29just wanted every to be clear for myself, because I don't know if I Yeah. Thank you. Maybe,
Speaker 4
10:35Madam Chair, I think that that information needs to be given out to the community that that it does. You know, my understanding is that it doesn't matter if you've had been on lifeline, if there's no monies. I mean, it doesn't matter whether you apply or not there is any funds available. And that happened to the repercussion of what happened in Lansing last year. And I think that we can, we can ask metro to go to the governor and see if there's anything in their budgets that they could look at. But I think the information needs to be out there to the community so they're not taking the blame on you all, because I think that that's what's happening. I think they don't see a separation between Detroit, you know, water department, and Wayne Metro, because they're the ones that are the fiduciary taking care of this issue, you know? So I that's my biggest concern that I see
Speaker 1
11:27to Garcia, as as I understand, the communication has gone back and forth with our advocates and our communities and the department, that information has been given over and over. It's just that it's not being accepted.
Speaker 4
11:42I think that's it. I think we just gotta, you know,
Speaker 1
11:49I'm have great sympathy for those who are trying to help others as we are as well, but I don't know what else we can do but state the facts as they exist over and over. Which is, which is what I understand we are doing with all of our advocates and with our with our customers,
Speaker 4
12:09well, and the other and the other thing, I think, Madam Chair, that's real important, maybe Mr. Phillips can clarify it is, is we need, I think that's why we need to push that other program that says, you know, you apply for a, b and c, and I think that that really important, that they pay their bill, and then every month, that program I need, I think may be the only solution. Am I correct?
Unknown Speaker
12:34You don't let easy pay? Easy pay,
Speaker 2
12:38yeah, if you're talking about Commissioner Garcia, if you're talking about the easy pay program, yes, that, I mean, that is a that is,
Unknown Speaker
12:46it's one solution. That's all I'm saying.
Speaker 2
12:48Maybe we need a solution, right? It may not be the solution. No, it can't be the only solution, but it right? It is another solution. And again, I'll just repeat it one more time. Anybody that all the residents that applied for lifeline, that received the letter to say, you didn't get into lifeline, because the funds have been or, I'm sorry, because they they they were missing documentation, so they didn't get onto the program. And because of that, even if they did turn in their documents today, there's just no more funding left. We took all I'm going off of memory, but let's just use the let's use 4000 of those letters went out, all those individuals that received that letter. The director, director Brown, authorized all those individuals to be placed onto the easy pay program, and we, we enrolled all those individuals and took their arrearages and spread it out over 36 months to make it easier for them. So so we did, we did that, and so that, and that's already been done, that's already been applied to the next billing cycle. So the only thing that a customer has to do is, if they don't want that and they just want their normal bill, they can call us and we'll pull them off of it, but as a courtesy, we put everybody on that program. Easy pay. Okay,
Speaker 5
14:05thank you, sir, madam chair. May I ask one additional question, and it talks about it speaks to just exactly the point that Matt was raising, and that's the transition. So if I were on the Lifeline program, I got the letter, let me just say, on the Lifeline program, theoretically, would anybody have any arrearages? I mean, if you've been paying all along, and you pay, let's say, and you pay the $18 you know, you don't
Speaker 2
14:33forte, yes, if you, if you were, you would assume that if you were on the Lifeline program, paying $18 a month that you wouldn't have any arrearages because it was erased when you originally the first time in the world. The unfortunate part is that is not always everyone, yeah, and I'll report even those that. And I'm looking over at my screen because that's that's actually one of the slides that I'll cover. Is that for all for the 8136 that are currently enrolled, which the majority of those were all recertifications. They still had over a million dollars in arrearages when they came onto the program. So that answered two questions for for maybe not what we wanted to hear, yeah.
Speaker 5
15:19So those, some of those who were recertified or in the program now do have arrearages, that's correct,
Speaker 2
15:25and those that are in it are that that was erased when they came back in a second time.
Speaker 5
15:31Yeah. Okay, so they continue to have arrearages, which in the easy pay program, it may be more costly to them on the transition, because they do have to make arrangements to pay over the 36 months their arrearages. In addition, you know, then they will, you know, have a, you know, a monthly payment. And so I think that's also the source of what's coming up. That's the information the advocates are receiving from some of our customers. Because those customers are indeed, they have arrearages. Even though they were in lifeline, they still have arrearages. And those arrearages will require cash to pay once they enter easy pay. So just so that, that's what my understanding is, and I think that is part of the source. You know, there is no Lifeline program to go back to. There is no third time arrearages are going to be taking away. It's now easy pay. I just want to make sure we understand the sources, their discomfort. I'm sorry
Speaker 6
16:38to interrupt, but and we have to recess this meeting and open up the HR
Unknown Speaker
16:45recess into the call the chair.
Unknown Speaker
16:55Did you hear me?
Unknown Speaker
16:57Yes? Commissioner Davis,
Speaker 7
16:59yes. Thank you. Madam Secretary, will now call to order the Human Resources subcommittee. Madam Secretary, could we have a roll call please? Chairperson Davis present, Detroit, Michigan. Commissioner Garcia present,
Unknown Speaker
17:16Commissioner black president Detroit, Mr. Chair, we have a call. Thank
Speaker 7
17:21you. We will now recess to the call of the chair.
Speaker 1
17:24Thank you. We will resume the Customer Service Committee. I wanted to make sure that had questions answered and or director Brown, if you wanted to comment,
Speaker 3
17:35yeah. I Commissioner forte made, made a very, a very good point when you got into lifeline, your arrears were paid off. And if you had have made the $18 payment for every month, then you would be going forward without a balance or with a very, very, very small balance. But the reason that there's an accumulation of a million dollars is because people did not make the $18 payment over more than 18 months, and therefore they have these balances. But the point I didn't want to, I didn't want that point to be lost, that if you had got into the program and you were able to fulfill your end of the deal by making the $18 payment, then you would be going forward with no payment, little or no balance. That's all. I just wanted to highlight that that point. Thank you. Director
Speaker 4
18:40Brown, Madam Chair, I guess the question would be, do we have enough? Do we have an estimate, or at least a percentage of the people that still fell behind?
Speaker 3
18:50We can get those numbers. It's quite significant. We can get you the numbers of the people that never made an $18 payment. They got into the program, they never made one paper, and so we can get, we can get you those numbers. Thank you.
Speaker 4
19:04I think, I think we missed Madam, Madam Chair. I think that reasoning, why I think we need to have that information, is that I think that, you know, an effort has been put out there to assist. And if that didn't help, it isn't Detroit metro problem, or even ours. It has to go back to the residents. And I think that that, I think we've done everything we possibly can to assist and and I think it isn't just Wayne Metro that's out of funds. So is thaw, you know, I mean, all of these people are out of funds to assist, and we haven't had any information since then, why they haven't paid their bills. So I, you know, I just think we need to have that information.
Speaker 1
19:50We Well, the director had, you
Speaker 4
19:53know, like, did 10% not meet their goal? Did 20% you know? I, I just need to understand, because we're doing everything we can as commissioners, and it's as department. And I just think that when people come back and say, you know, you're not doing enough, I'm not sure that they understand that all the efforts have been done quite well
Speaker 1
20:13taken Commissioner. And I think that the director is hearing you, and we will make every bit of information available to all parties who are wanting to be assisting us in helping our customers, as well as to the general community. So thank you very much. Thank you. Yeah,
Speaker 2
20:27Madam Chair, if I could just make one last comment, and that was there was one more question that was the the advocates and those that made comments today were asking for some type of response from DWSD, and I know the director at the last formal session of the board meeting, when that question came up three weeks ago, the director specifically asked for those requests, for those individuals that had stated that they had applied for the Lifeline program they had received the letter that said that they were denied due to missing documentation. But that was not true. Director Brown asked that that those, those individuals come directly to me, or the names be sent directly to me, so that I could check with Wayne Metro, and I have not received one. So I will make the offer one more time that if, if any of the individuals that spoke today feel that someone did what they were supposed to do, but were some reason denied, certainly, would, you know, welcome that individual's name and address, and I will certainly look into it. And there is to the last part of that question. There is an appeal process that is something that is offered through the state of Michigan, through the Empower system, they can make a formal appeal that something was, you know, wrong. There is that process, and every person that applies knows that that's there, and Wayne Metro knows that as well, and can offer that that assistance.
Speaker 1
21:57Thank you, Mr. Phillips, thank you, commissioners. Okay, I think we have responded as low as we can to the concerns that were raised on that. And would you please continue? Sir,
Unknown Speaker
22:09sorry to send us off track. We didn't.
Speaker 1
22:18Okay, that was public participation. So public participation is closed. We're now moving on because we had communications. We have none unfinished business. We have none under new business. We will now have our customer service presentation.
Speaker 2
22:31Madam Chair and thank you, I will share my screen and Miss Crowell will kick us off. Thank you, afternoon
Unknown Speaker
22:36commissioners. How are you this
Unknown Speaker
22:41afternoon? Go Well, are you there?
Unknown Speaker
22:46Him? We can barely hear you. Volume is very,
Unknown Speaker
22:57very low. Can you hear us? You're showing a thing on mute. Miss Crowell, you're on
Speaker 8
23:02mute. 
Thank you. Sorry about that. Can you guys hear me clearly now? Now, there you go. Right. Thank you. Thank you. Good afternoon, commissioners. How are you today? Kimberly Crowell, customer service manager, so during the month of March of 2025 we received over 59,700 calls, and we responded to over 6600 email inquiries. Our total customer touch points was at 66,350 we also had over 3000 159 contacts per day, versus our average 1400 budgeted calls per day in total, with our customer service calls, our emails and our customer service portal, which are self service interactions, we had over 158,527 contacts for the month of March, our customer contact volume was at 126% over forecast. Per day, 13% of our calls were answered within a two minute time frame, and also, we received over 2900 calls that were all related to the southwest, 54 inch water main break. Our average speed of answer for the month of March for our emergency line, our average wait time was at 13 minutes and 34 seconds with the 20% service level. Our non emergency line was at 30 minutes and 56 seconds at a 2% service level. Our customer satisfaction satisfaction score, which is our CSS score, was at 81% and our first call resolution was at 68% I do would like to also it's worth noting that our customer satisfaction goal, we have exceeded this goal for 19 straight months, so even in spite of our 30 minute wait time on our non emergency lines, the customers who filled out the survey was still satisfied with the services being provided. And I would just like to really give a shout out to the customer service team for doing an excellent job by keeping our customer satisfaction goal straight for the 19th month.
+1
Thank you. Sorry about that. Can you guys hear me clearly now? Now, there you go. Right. Thank you. Thank you. Good afternoon, commissioners. How are you today? Kimberly Crowell, customer service manager, so during the month of March of 2025 we received over 59,700 calls, and we responded to over 6600 email inquiries. Our total customer touch points was at 66,350 we also had over 3000 159 contacts per day, versus our average 1400 budgeted calls per day in total, with our customer service calls, our emails and our customer service portal, which are self service interactions, we had over 158,527 contacts for the month of March, our customer contact volume was at 126% over forecast. Per day, 13% of our calls were answered within a two minute time frame, and also, we received over 2900 calls that were all related to the southwest, 54 inch water main break. Our average speed of answer for the month of March for our emergency line, our average wait time was at 13 minutes and 34 seconds with the 20% service level. Our non emergency line was at 30 minutes and 56 seconds at a 2% service level. Our customer satisfaction satisfaction score, which is our CSS score, was at 81% and our first call resolution was at 68% I do would like to also it's worth noting that our customer satisfaction goal, we have exceeded this goal for 19 straight months, so even in spite of our 30 minute wait time on our non emergency lines, the customers who filled out the survey was still satisfied with the services being provided. And I would just like to really give a shout out to the customer service team for doing an excellent job by keeping our customer satisfaction goal straight for the 19th month. Speaker 1
25:11Where you slide. Are there any questions or comments? I think, certainly to note that the customer the customer satisfaction was as high as it is, is commendable, because it would be difficult for me to give a positive comment if I had not had some sort of resolution at that time or had to wait longer than I thought I should. So evidently, our customers are responding in a positive way that helps us. I think it helps our customer service representatives as well understand they are doing the best they can, and that customers are not holding us responsible for not dealing with their issues in a manner that really helps them understand what's going on for their on your particular account. So I think even though we may not be satisfied, accommodations are in order.
Speaker 8
26:08Thank you very much. And question mark, Madam
Speaker 1
26:12Chair, yes. Commissioner Garcia, yes,
Speaker 4
26:15I would like to know the easy pay. And you're talking about 6000 over 6500 e pay was related to the cause is that an increase from the month before
Speaker 8
26:29I'm not I have to go and look and see what the call volume was for the easy pay cost for the month of February. I can definitely bring that information back to the board
Speaker 4
26:37now and then 6000 people that the calls were related to the easy pay we have no way to track whether they followed it through or not. They were just calling about the information. Am I correct? That's correct? Yes. Thank you. I just interested in that. Obviously people are interested in they have gotten the information that's good to know. Thank you so much.
Unknown Speaker
26:58Thank you,
Speaker 1
26:59because he raised that comment. Commissioner, so we received 60 519 easy paid call. How do we determine how many of those got feedback?
Speaker 8
27:14Well, basically, these are the calls that we received out of the the amount of calls that we receive, we will have to run a report to actually see how many of those actually enrolled into easy pay. Some may just call just to express interest as to how easy pay works. So I can definitely bring that information back to the board.
Speaker 1
27:34Thank you. I think it would be helpful for us to know, informative for us to know how many of them enrolled in easy pay.
Speaker 5
27:42Thank 
you, Madam Chair. Have a question on that, on that page, on the customer satisfaction, 81% does everyone? Is everyone required to take a survey after their call? I'm just wondering, is that representative, for example, of those that had to wait, you know, that had their calls answered on the non emergency line?
+1
you, Madam Chair. Have a question on that, on that page, on the customer satisfaction, 81% does everyone? Is everyone required to take a survey after their call? I'm just wondering, is that representative, for example, of those that had to wait, you know, that had their calls answered on the non emergency line? Speaker 2
28:10Commissioner, oh, sorry, Commissioner forte, it's not a requirement that they do it. In other words, there's no penalty if they don't do it, but it is offered to 100% of every single person that calls is offered to take a survey. Then there's three questions that are asked. So every single person has an opportunity to do it, if that but requirement is not
Speaker 5
28:34okay, so I guess then my next question would be, so what percent of the those that what percent of the surveys? What does that represent in terms of numbers of calls, that 10% of the calls, or 100% or 50%
Speaker 2
28:52of the calls, we can provide that I don't have that off the top of my head,
Speaker 1
28:56I think that would be helpful information to know how many of them actually filled it out, rather than just what percentage they gave us a customer satisfaction rating. So I think Commissioner Forte's question is one that would be helpful for us to see we can
Unknown Speaker
29:15definitely bring that information back to the board. Thank you.
Speaker 1
29:19Okay. Any other questions on this before we go, please proceed.
Speaker 8
29:24Okay, next slide please. This slide here, this shows our trend over the last six months. So as you can see, it goes from October all the way up to March, and this is like the calls received, our key performance indicator, where staff to again, 1400 calls per day, which averages out to be like 29,400 calls per month. We have definitely exceeded that for the month of March again, the average speed of answer, which is what I've already indicated on the previous slides, it was at 21 minutes and 36 seconds, our service level again was at 13% so you're able to see on this particular slide how our call volume fluctuates from month to month
Speaker 1
30:12before you leave this Do we have customers making comment about how long they had to wait when they finally are connected to one of our representatives?
Speaker 8
30:21Customers do express concerns as far as the length of time that they do have to wait. Um, for the most part, um, we handled it the best way that we can. We explained to them that, you know, we have enormous, you know, we have a very large call volume, and we're trying to answer the calls as quickly as possible. We thank them for their patience. You know, we express empathy and we you know, for the most part, the customer is satisfied, but we do address their concerns the best that we can. Thank you. Are there any more questions pertaining to this slide.
Speaker 8
31:06Okay, then I will turn it over to Chief Customer Service Officer Matthew Phillips as he go over the planning calendar, which includes easy pay Lifeline and the Southwest water main.
Speaker 1
31:18Thank you. Welcome. Thank you well. Thank
Speaker 2
31:21you, Madam, madam, thank you, Kim, Madam, Chair. Can we move on to the next item, which is the planning calendar? That's okay with you? Yes, please. Alright, and I'll answer Commissioner forte question. There was 2338 individuals that took a survey after call survey during the month of March, out of the 59,701 calls is equal to if I'm good at I'm not good at percentages, but I believe that's 4% 3.9% of individuals that called us took a survey and provided a response. Thank you. Alright, let's
Speaker 5
32:01So Madam Chair, just make one comment. So those 2000 people were at the level of 81% very satisfied with their, you know, with their interaction. But we do have a large amount we don't know.
Speaker 2
32:16Yeah, that is absolutely correct. Yeah, yep. And
Speaker 1
32:21sometimes it's just a matter that they don't want to take the time to do it. Is that, is that the case? Mr. Phillip,
Speaker 2
32:27I would just, I would just say, How many of you all at the end of the phone calls, you make, stay on the call afterwards, when the when the rep says, All right, thank you. Have a nice day. Miss forte, and you, do you take the survey afterwards, or do you hang up? So it's, I'll just leave it at that. Thank you. Alright, so we'll move on to the planning calendar, lifeline, receiving the lifeline benefit for the March. Billing cycle was 8136 the benefits that that have been provided since the in the new fiscal year for lifeline, which began on October 1, 2024, $2.6 million in gap payments and $1 million in arrears forgiveness have been provided to those receiving the lifeline benefit since October 1. There are 25,734 individuals on easy pay. And to date, $5.1 million in installments have been made through easy pay. That's not the normal monthly payment. That is just the installment amount, the whatever that dollar amount is divided by 36 so I think that's a pretty large number, when we look at it divided by 36 and director Brown, I can see him clapping in the background, so I know he's very pleased. And again, I just obviously it was part of the presentation, because I there was no way I could have typed it in while we were here. But I've indicated in writing, Wayne Metro indicated on the 31st which was Monday. Funds have been exhausted and have been committed what they have through September 2025, because remember, they still, when I say the word committed, they still have to pay the gap payment every month through september 30. So I just want to make sure that it's it's both exhausted and committed. Any questions about that,
Unknown Speaker
34:20any questions, commissioners,
Speaker 2
34:23thank you. All right. All right. And I just wanted to wrap up just and I know director brown might have a few comments after this, but I just wanted to call out that the DW SD team in general has done an absolute fan chat. Fantastic job on the we call it project 54 but that is the Southwest Detroit water main break that happened six weeks ago is six weeks on Monday. I am very proud to work with Director Brown and be part of his his leadership that he committed to six weeks to get a lot of work done in southwest Detroit. And I just want to say that being part of the team and being part of director Brown's team has just been an absolute wonderful experience. And I think that the men and women of DWSD that jumped out at four o'clock in the morning when this happened on day one, to get out there and rescue individuals and be part of the first responders to cleaning up the mess, to replacing people's homes and the mechanicals in it to get ready. And I just wanted just to point out I think this is kind of the the big remarkable stuff is 161 out of the 408 homes that were in the impact zone. Is what we call it. 161 basements have been cleaned and sanitized in the last six weeks. 132 new furnaces have been installed. 135 hot water heaters or tanks were installed. 60 electrical panels were replaced. 22 major plumbing repairs were completed. Since furnaces were out, pipes did freeze and burst in the home. We created a call center and a hotline for residents to call outside of our typical 267, 8000 number within just a matter of days. Up and running, I believe Kim correct me if I'm wrong, we hired what 1618, people. Our HR department came right up to speed and found individuals at a rather rapid play pace. And so I'll just kind of leave it at that, but that's just the accomplishments that have been made in the last six weeks. Director Brown, anything you'd like to Yeah, well,
Speaker 3
36:33certainly there. There are a lot of thank yous to go around, and I think we're going to have to do something special for all the people that were involved in this project, as I said in an interview on Channel Four last night, you know, there's not a project that I'm prouder of than project 54 and all the men and women at DWC that jumped in, you know, especially Dominique, our project manager, she kept us all in mind, she's been working seven days a week, 12 hours a day. You know, I was getting emails as late as nine o'clock almost every night from Dominique. She's really stepped up. BARRY BROWN came over from from our permits department. He works on green infrastructure. He was on site every single day, seven days a week, camera from from the customer service jumped in and and so many others, I can't name them all. We also gave customers a credit, you know, 418 customers within the footprint a credit for two months, so that they didn't have to pay a water bill, and we're making provisions for everybody to get at least a one year warranty on all of the appliances and the work that was done. So there's a lot more to go on. I wanted to thank everybody. At a later date, we're going to have a more formal presentation on all that was done in that area. Secondly, I just wanted to, I just want to, I just want to level, set the expectations for lifeline, just just to put it, you know, a period on it for today. Anyway, you know, if we and Matt knows the exact numbers, but in order to service everyone that we had in lifeline a year ago, it would take $25 million and as you heard from istaker in the budget presentation a couple of weeks ago, The Great Lakes authority will give us approximately $2.3 million of the wrap dollars that we use in lifeline the state of Michigan's new budget starts in October of this year. And if we don't get any money from the state of Michigan, if we don't get any grant funding, we're certainly going to be pressing them for funding, but if we don't get any, all we have is the 2.3 that we get from Glee one that are wrapped dollars for this program. Now, next week, 1000s of water utility workers, executive staffers, will be in Washington for Water Week. I'm going to be there. I'm presenting every day there trying to find federal dollars for lifeline, and that posh piece has gotten me well prepared for the meeting with Congress, folks from the folks in the Senate and from EPA and and the staff in Washington to try to find long term dollars for lifeline. And I know that the water advocates will also be there. And so, you know, we thank them in advance for standing with us to try to find additional dollars. We all want the same thing. We know that lifeline is a national model. It's a great program. The only thing it's missing is long term funding, and we're going to spend all next week, it's water week in the industry, trying to find these dollars in order to get more people on lifeline. But right now, we have to live within our budget, and we're going to have $2.3 million approximately, coming from Glee, what July 1. And so if, if no further dollars come, that's all we're going to have to work with. But we won't stop fighting in Lansing and in Washington and with foundations trying to find additional additional money. So I just, I just want to level set the expectations going forward as to what we're going to be able to do with Lifeline. Thank you Madam Chair. Thank you, sir. Thank
Speaker 4
41:01you, Madam Chair, yes. Ma'am, yes. I want to express my gratitude. You know, our agencies in southwest Detroit really had, really put themselves together and try to help out these community I mean, the community residents that really were devastated. I'm I'm very grateful for what, what we, what you all have done. Gary, I know that we called Mr. Phillips because we didn't think the deadline was sufficient. We got some understanding about it. But I know that the deadline was something that they brought up to us at at La said, and dhtc, and I just wanted you to look at that. I know that Mr. Phillips did explain about that, as long as they put in a claim, you know that they will be looked at. There was some people that lost a lot. They were renters, so there weren't owners. So those were the ones that we were trying to help financially. We got some grants to give them down payments to move somewhere else, because some of the owners you know, refused to give them any you know, just like always, when there's a crisis, you always have some issues. But I wanted to make sure I went on record as someone that lives in southwest Detroit, who is on the board of directors and the chair of the oldest Hispanic organizations that really have put our staff on on call. They were there Saturdays, they were there Sundays, they were there, you know, late at night, so along with the people from the water department. So I just wanted to make sure you all know that it really was an issue. When you think about Detroiters, how they come together in a crisis, so much. Gracias. On behalf of a lot of the people in our community that don't have a voice. Gracias.
Speaker 1
42:42Thank you, Commissioner, glad to hear those good reports. Any other comments? All right? Are there any other matters to come before? Where are we now? Our next Yeah, any other matters to come before? This, this committee, our next meeting is May 7, and chair will entertain a motion for adjournment.
Unknown Speaker
43:07So moved support. In support
Speaker 1
43:09of this meeting stands adjourned. Thank you. Thank you, everyone.
Speaker 7
43:18All right. Thank you, Madam Chair, we will now resume the human resources and Organizational Development Committee. Is there a motion to approve today's agenda? So moved here, that motion has been made. And is there a second you
Unknown Speaker
43:38I will second it all in favor of the motion signified by the sign of Aye.
Speaker 7
43:45All opposed, and that motion is carried. Is there a motion for approval of the minutes of March? 5
Unknown Speaker
43:51approval, Mr. Chair,
Speaker 7
43:54and I will second that motion as well. All in favor, signify by the sign of aye. All right. All opposed, and that motion is carried, We'll now open up public participation. Mr. Peckinpah, are you there, and do we have any hands up? Mr.
Unknown Speaker
44:12Chair, we do have D'Amico Williams, hand up.
Unknown Speaker
44:16Okay. Mr. Williams, welcome.
Speaker 9
44:21Hi. Good afternoon, Commissioner Davis, and good afternoon to this board. Damico Williams, Chief Executive Director hydrate Detroit, we service the people in addressing their water shut off issues. And I just want to respond to the conversation that have been had. You know, in regards to moving forward, I would look forward to hearing when the dates and times and if there will even be invitations for general community members to join the meeting, to find more resources and to find monies. But I don't know why we're doing that when we're all we're being told is it has to come from federal and state rates. And, you know, there's no opportunity or no date of when we're going to meet with Mr. Trump and the Congress about this. You know, I just don't see any hope or any Fourth Coming, for bareness, as we had a water affordability legislation that has been denied but was fumbled by some entity within the state. You know, I really want to remain hopeful and I want to remain positive, but it's hard when I'm being told, as well as the rest of the community, oh, well, there's people paying $18 but they haven't paid since they've been on the program. And we don't have no numbers. Or how do we even track those residents? You know? Because I'm pretty sure they have, there's a valid explanation for everything. And if the water department is not responsible, there should be representatives from rain Metro that should be coming to these meetings or should be providing a report on this really want to give faith to this board and this body that they're going to overcome the hurdles and just do the work that's needed. You wouldn't have water advocates like myself keep continuing to pander about your responsibility and how your effectiveness could be to the customers in order to solve these issues so nobody has their water shut off. If you're making a commitment not to shut off water, okay, then you would make a commitment to make sure that people wouldn't be in a situation to where they'd be placed back in shut off status or or having the hounds at their door. And you know, I really want to work forward on this, but the promises and the the the assurances is not giving a surety and a commitment to make sure. I mean, out of all of us, we're all responsible, including water advocates, we're all responsible. We have to do a better job. And instead of dividing us from that wall, you should be inviting us in the door. Mister Brown, you should invite us in with you, so that we could campaign with you. Stop being against us, and start being with us. We all can work on this together. We got to work on this together. Thank you for taking my comments.
Speaker 7
47:24All right, Mr. Williams, Mr. Peckinpah, do you see any other hands?
Speaker 10
47:31No. Mr. Chair, there are no other hands raised.
Speaker 5
47:37Yes. We need to pause and recess for the opening of the legal committee.
Speaker 7
47:43Okay, we will now recess to the call of the chair.
Speaker 11
47:53Yes, the Detroit Board of Water commissioners, legal and Government Affairs Committee meeting will now come to order. Would you please call the roll? Chairperson Kinloch present,
Speaker 5
48:05Commissioner Blackman present. Detroit. Commissioner einen, present, Mr. Chair. We have a quorum.
Speaker 11
48:12Thank you. We'll now recess to the call of the chair.
Speaker 7
48:18All right. Thank you. We will now resume the Human Resources Committee, and we will move to communications. We have none, nor do we have any unfinished business. Our new business will be HR metrics, and that will be presented by director Thornhill of human resources.
Speaker 6
48:42Good afternoon commissioners, good afternoon I will share my screen you.
Speaker 6
49:03Okay, 
and we will go through our human resources metrics. Since last month, we have acquired 11 additional employees, and that brings us to a total headcount number of 682 employees. You and you will see our breakdown here of residents and non residents. And again, our head count is climbing in comparison to the previous years. Are there any questions?
+1
and we will go through our human resources metrics. Since last month, we have acquired 11 additional employees, and that brings us to a total headcount number of 682 employees. You and you will see our breakdown here of residents and non residents. And again, our head count is climbing in comparison to the previous years. Are there any questions? Unknown Speaker
49:37Yes. Mr. Chair,
Unknown Speaker
49:39yes. Commissioner Garcia, yeah. I
Speaker 4
49:42can remember going back several years. I think when I started, there was the total was like 500 and something. So over the years, mister, we have actually increased quite a bit, haven't we?
Speaker 6
49:55Yes, we have. Commissioner Garcia, was there a goal
Speaker 4
49:59that we were supposed to Well, I can see the numbers from 2020, you know, 555, 50, all the way down to, is there a, I guess, is. The question is, there was a goal that you saw wanted to meet before we didn't need the the H, you know, before we didn't need to hire new employees. Was there a goal you were going to reach?
Speaker 6
50:20No, we didn't have any goals. Our head count needs are determined by the business needs, okay? And that's how we drive the numbers based on the business needs,
Speaker 4
50:28okay, so the 600 well done. So am I saying the customer this is not just customer service. That's the whole entire department. Am I correct? Yes,
Speaker 6
50:39entire Detroit water and sewage division, yes. Okay, and out of that 682
Speaker 4
50:45what are the what is the number for customer service? You know, for the customer service representatives? Do you have an idea? I
Speaker 6
50:53have the exact number. I can give it to you. I can send it to you, or Matt can send it to you. Okay, we have it. I
Speaker 4
50:59appreciate it. Just wanted to know how much is customer service, especially because people still call in and want they want help. Thank you. I appreciate it.
Speaker 6
51:07Sure thing next you'll see our retirement breakdown again. As our head count increases with new employees, the amount of retirement eligible employees decreases, obviously. So this is the lowest I've seen it in six years. We're at 17% of retirement eligible. And speaking of retirements, we've had one retirement since last month. Mr. James Singleton. He had 21 years and eight months of service, and he worked in our maintenance and repair division. We like to wish him a very, very happy retirement.
Speaker 4
51:44Yeah, Mr. Chair, may I ask another question? Of course, Commissioner Garcia, yeah, Miss thunder, is there still in the people that have 40 years, 20 years, 25 years, whatever they are, I don't know where to stop that. They still have a pension when they retire, yes.
Speaker 6
52:02And if you could take a look at the screen Commissioner Garcia, you will see we have the breakdown as it relates in years and age. So this is retirement eligible and retirement criteria, which does consist of a pension, but you have to meet one of those five criteria in order to obtain a pension.
Speaker 4
52:23So the pensions are still so the pensions are still in place. Then, yes, okay, I thought that it had gone to 401, K or something instead of a pension. So anything after 10 years you have a pension. Am I correct?
Speaker 6
52:38Well, it could be eight years, if you're age 65 or older.
Unknown Speaker
52:42Okay, so it's age and years. Thank you. Appreciate
Unknown Speaker
52:45it. You're welcome any others. Okay,
Unknown Speaker
52:53next you'll see I'm sorry, sorry, Mr.
Speaker 1
52:55Chair, I have seen this is not a question, but a comment. I've seen advertising that that shows that, I don't know if it's specifically DWSD, but that there are careers in the water industry. Are we a part of those ads that are going on, or is that just something dlw is doing?
Speaker 6
53:17We have our recruiting, talent and acquisition team, led by manager Carla Calhoun, has participated in outreach programs, and in fact, I'm going to touch on that shortly, where we've spoken to children and in high school children about careers within water. In fact, we did have an event I'm going to report on very shortly. So we do participate Commissioner Blackman in outreach programs, and we talk about careers, and I believe we did partner with glwa as well. Okay,
Speaker 1
53:47one further question, are we working at all with any of the community colleges, and have we been able to establish an a program or a class that lets them become eligible for employment with us? Well,
Speaker 6
54:03it depends on the division right, and I know that as far as customer service, there has been some outreach with with, I believe Henry Ford Community College, and I know we were looking at school craft for some potential paralegal services. But we do partner with various schools, whether if it's for training or for future employment. As you know, we have a lot of employment partners that we work with to fill our positions. That's how we're able to fill them so quickly.
Speaker 1
54:31Thank you. Yes, I know we do have other partners. I was just wondering how specifically we were what community colleges we might be working with, but thank you for the answer.
Speaker 6
54:41I can follow up though Commissioner black black men and tell you exactly what colleges and what programs, and I'll do that for you. Okay?
Speaker 2
54:48Director Thornhill, yes, it's Matt Phillips, yes, we, we are DWSD does participate with Henry Ford College, and they do have a customer service certificate program. It consists of five courses. Once they complete those five courses, they get a customer service certificate. And I, I am actually on the advisory board for that, so I'm very familiar with it, and they, those students do get to send their resumes, and I keep them up to date on when positions become available. So we are a partner, and we do work with them. Thank you. Thanks, Matt.
Speaker 6
55:26So here you'll see our current open positions, and we have 12 open positions, and this is one additional position from last month. Actually, it's 12 requisitions, and it equates to 21 open positions. However, in light of the 54 inch water main break that occurred last month in southwest Detroit, DWSD initiated a hiring freeze as part of a cost cutting measure. So in essence, we really have, in addition to these, 21 open positions, about 4041 or 42 other positions that we've put on hold. As we assess our budgeting needs, we are filling back fills for people who either retire or resign or are terminated. We are back filling those positions, but other open positions are on hold, any questions,
Speaker 6
56:31so we had a career event, and we worked with the National Association of Black women in construction, where we were able to speak to students and introduce them to the water industry and discuss possible careers our recruiting team, you know, they spoke with some of those future leaders, and they talked about the various career opportunities here at DWSD, and the participants were very well please and very interested in our business. There was also a round table discussion with students, where they the students had the opportunity to interact with invited guests and talk about career paths. You
Speaker 6
57:23some of the recruiting team and notable guests included representative Rashida Talib and Adrian Bennett, the first black female master plumber in North America. We also participated with our procurement manager, marquatia Welch and Tiffany Jones, our business opportunity director, Kendrick Jackson, who's also an HR and safety training and the remaining of the Safety and Training Team. Are there any questions here?
Unknown Speaker
57:59Where is the job? CORE Center located, could you hear me?
Speaker 7
58:07Yes, I heard your, Miss Thornhill, did you hear Commissioner Blackman, okay,
Speaker 6
58:13I know it's in Detroit, but exactly where? I'm not sure. Commissioner Blackman, I'm sorry. I was trying to google it very quickly for you.
Speaker 1
58:20That's fine. Thank you. I just wanted specifically where it was, but that's okay,
Speaker 6
58:29right? Any other questions? Okay? In training and development, performance management is currently what DWSD is focusing on. And we talk about this every year, and we come to you and we kind of explain our process. What has changed this year in our process is that ot Pro, our HR information system that we're now using, is now going to house our performance evaluations. So before, we used Adobe Acrobat to fill out the form, and we had to print it out and keep a hard copy. Now, the copy can be stored electronically in altip Pro with an employee's record. Also an employee can perform their own self assessment as well as the final management assessment. So here's a timeline, and again, we share it with you commissioners every year, as you know, at the beginning of the fiscal year, every year, we conduct our goal setting and throughout the year, management and the employees discuss where the employees are performing as it relates to their goals. Sometimes goals are adjusted and they're changed mid year. If there are any employees that have performance issues, we conduct an additional review, but that's only mid year, around December, if they're performance concerns. However, right about now, we're starting to train all of our managers and employees on our new system with an ulti Pro, and also management will start to complete those performance evaluations in a week or so. Those performance evaluations must be completed before merit planning begins, and we target that right towards the end of the fiscal year. So again, same process as before, but a different system, where you know now improving our technology and taking advantage of ulti Pro, are there any questions
Speaker 6
01:00:30next we have on our planning calendar, we have environmental health and safety and as I mentioned last month, we've hired a new environmental health and safety manager. She was supposed to be here with us today, but she's under the weather, so I'm going to speak for her, and I'll bring her on next month. But her name is Natasha Hooten. She previously worked at Great Lakes and came highly recommended. But here on the screen, you will see some of her Great Lakes Water Authority, excuse me, you will see her background, professional, background and experience and some of her certifications. Are there any questions? We're very happy and pleased to have Natasha on our team and next commissioners. Last month, I'm sorry.
Unknown Speaker
01:01:23Commissioner Blackman, I was
Speaker 1
01:01:25just going to ask her, How do we what did we do to woo her over to our side?
Speaker 6
01:01:30It was all left up to me. Commissioner Blackman, I'll make it happen.
Unknown Speaker
01:01:36Thank you. Just one question.
Unknown Speaker
01:01:41Uh. Commissioner kidlock,
Speaker 11
01:01:43so this position, glad to hear that she was able to join us. Was it posted internally, externally? Did we have any internal candidates who are interested in this position?
Speaker 6
01:01:54Great question. Commissioner Kinloch, yes, we did post the position. When we post the position, we also send an email out to all of our employees, letting them know it's posted. So both internally and externally, anyone could have applied, and we did have, I believe, one or two internal candidates. Miss Hooten with her experience, you know, by far, you know, was a leader as it related, in terms of experience and education and certifications as well.
Speaker 11
01:02:28Okay, okay, thank you. That's something I absolutely zero in on, and making sure that you know, that we look internally as well, you know, I'm saying and creating opportunities for folks to grow and expand. You know, who's been working with us and been loyal with us? Yep, absolutely.
Unknown Speaker
01:02:50Hey, last month,
Speaker 6
01:02:54Commissioner 
Davis, you asked us about injuries, work related injuries, and I wanted to share that information with you, please do so this year, we've had a total of 16 injuries, okay, or body part injuries. We actually only had 12 injuries, 12 people, but some people had multiple injuries. So that's why there was a total of 16 injuries, 12 people. And you'll see here on this chart, here's a breakdown of where those injuries occurred. So part of the safeties team responsibility is to make sure they investigate those injuries to see if there are any ergonomic causes or any issues that we can mitigate so that those injuries do not occur again here at DWSD,
+1
Davis, you asked us about injuries, work related injuries, and I wanted to share that information with you, please do so this year, we've had a total of 16 injuries, okay, or body part injuries. We actually only had 12 injuries, 12 people, but some people had multiple injuries. So that's why there was a total of 16 injuries, 12 people. And you'll see here on this chart, here's a breakdown of where those injuries occurred. So part of the safeties team responsibility is to make sure they investigate those injuries to see if there are any ergonomic causes or any issues that we can mitigate so that those injuries do not occur again here at DWSD, Speaker 6
01:03:50here's another breakdown by body part. And since February 17, we have not had any recordable injuries, and that means injuries that require anything other than first aid. So we're on a good trend, and we want to stay on that trend here.
Unknown Speaker
01:04:14Commissioner Blackman, does
Speaker 1
01:04:15that mean that? Well, I'm just looking at the at the wrist injury. Now, does that look that mean that we took some precautionary measures of training to ensure that that would that total? Would that number would come down, or those numbers would come down period?
Speaker 6
01:04:31Yes, you You Never Want an injury, right? Commissioner Blackman, we know that, but our goal is to make sure we prevent any injuries from happen happening, or when they do at the very least, we investigate to make sure we do all that we can to make sure they don't happen again. So that's our goal. Zero injuries, zero lost time, zero recordables. We want people at work, and we want people healthy at work,
Speaker 1
01:04:57there would be retraining, or at least reorientation is what have a job to be done properly.
Speaker 6
01:05:04We also conduct stand downs and retraining. Yes, absolutely, absolutely, yes. Any other questions?
Speaker 7
01:05:14Yes. Miss Thornhill, if my memory serves me correctly, I remember mentioning
Unknown Speaker
01:05:23the
Speaker 7
01:05:24possibility of a cave in when workers are working in a pit down in beneath the surface. I remember inquiring about what we do, how do we train to prevent that from happening? Because that's the worst thing that can happen that can very easily lead to death.
Speaker 6
01:05:45Absolutely. Commissioner Davis, and what we have is called trenching and shoring training. So to shore up the different materials, the wood, we also have a box that shores up the dirt so that it does not cave in. So we do conduct the training. The safety team also conducts a regular site inspections. In addition, we will periodically work with operations and conduct load checks. So what that means is, before the crews actually go out in the morning, safety will work with operations and check those trucks to make sure they have the proper trenching and shoring materials. Okay.
Speaker 6
01:06:33Then lastly, our slide here are the injuries by month. And of course, we're going to go back and take a look at January to see if any of those injuries were related to a slip and fall, or if there's anything that we can prevent. So currently, the safety team is looking at that data, and that concludes my report. Are there any questions?
Speaker 7
01:07:02Thank 
you and thank you. Ms Thornhill colleagues, I think that covers it very well. Let's see what our agenda looks like. Got that. If there are no other matters, our next meeting is May 7, 2025, and chair will entertain a motion to adjourn.
+1
you and thank you. Ms Thornhill colleagues, I think that covers it very well. Let's see what our agenda looks like. Got that. If there are no other matters, our next meeting is May 7, 2025, and chair will entertain a motion to adjourn. Speaker 1
01:07:26German, Mr. Chair support that motion has
Speaker 7
01:07:29been made and properly supported. We are now adjourned. Thank you all. Thank you.
Unknown Speaker
01:07:38Okay, let me pull the agenda. For
Unknown Speaker
01:07:46the agenda.
Speaker 11
01:07:48I'm trying to pull the agenda up one
Unknown Speaker
01:07:57second.
Speaker 11
01:08:00Okay, the next item on the agenda is approval of the agenda. Motion is in order. I
Speaker 12
01:08:08move, go ahead. Okay, I move, I move. We approve the agenda as presented. Is
Speaker 11
01:08:15there 
support or been moved and supported to approve the meeting agenda? All those in favor, signify by saying aye, aye. Those opposed. This item stands approved. Next item on the agenda is approval of the March 5, 2025. Meeting Minutes. Motion is in order. Approval. Mr. Chair has been moved. This is their support. Support been moved and supported all those in favor, signify by saying, aye, aye. Those opposed this item stands approved. Next item on the agenda is public participation. Who will read the public participation instructions? But before I ask for instructions to be read, Mr. Peck and Paul, if it is you or whoever's reading, has anyone raised their hand to be recognized?
+1
support or been moved and supported to approve the meeting agenda? All those in favor, signify by saying aye, aye. Those opposed. This item stands approved. Next item on the agenda is approval of the March 5, 2025. Meeting Minutes. Motion is in order. Approval. Mr. Chair has been moved. This is their support. Support been moved and supported all those in favor, signify by saying, aye, aye. Those opposed this item stands approved. Next item on the agenda is public participation. Who will read the public participation instructions? But before I ask for instructions to be read, Mr. Peck and Paul, if it is you or whoever's reading, has anyone raised their hand to be recognized? Speaker 10
01:09:07Yes, Mister Chair, it is me. Brian Peckinpah, Public Affairs Director for DWSD, we do have one hand raised, and this gentleman has and the others in the list have been in the other committee meetings. So do you want to go right to Mr. D'Amico Williams, sir? Yes.
Speaker 11
01:09:26Let the record reflect that the that the instructions are consistent through all of the meetings. And like you said, there's no new no one new joining the meeting. So they heard those instructions. Thank you. You're welcome.
Unknown Speaker
01:09:42Who's next? Mr. Domico Williams,
Speaker 9
01:09:47yes. Hi. Good afternoon, Commissioner Kinloch and Commissioner Eisenhower, how are you guys today? Doing
Unknown Speaker
01:09:54well? Thank you.
Speaker 9
01:09:57Good, good. I just wanted to bring light to concerns in this committee meeting in regards to the flood that happened in southwest Detroit. You know, a lot of residents are really upset about this city council public comments have been lately, have been very concerning as to residents wondering, Where is their help on making them whole? You know, Miss Ruby Riley came to this board, and she had a grievance with her flood in 2016 now the Detroit water department offered her $3,600 but it did not cover enough to where Miss Ruby Riley needed to have her belongings, her basement, her furnace and everything restored. Sonia Brown, over Auntie nays community, is has dealt with the same thing for years, and they have not been redressed. There have been excuses. There have been told nos by Mister Brown and southwest Detroit happens. How did those people end up with their being made whole? What would the what were the qualifications? What were the criteria to determine if their homes were eligible? I'm pretty sure that there has to be some explanation made of this, because some community meetings, people are wondering, I have a list here of people that were denied from the Go w a responsibility of forms and claims. I also have the copies of people that have went through those floods and have been denied. What are we going to do for those persons to be made whole as well? I think that's very unfair. Now congratulate the Detroit water sewage department and the workers and the administration for handling southwest Detroit, but is setting a precedent of unfairness, that you jumped for a community and not for any other community, that that's becoming a problem. And then also, I want to regards to mister Daniel Ha, please leave him alone and stop harassing him, sending him threatening messages and people to his door to deliver a cease and desist. I think Mr. Hanor As a deaf individual, and that's harassment of persons with disabilities. That's an ADA violation as well, you know, to harass someone. And let's just be keep the record clear that Mr. Hanor, he has he should. He's doing what he's supposed to do, and to keeping you all honest and accountable, and you all can't get mad at that. Thank you so much for taking my comments. Have a great day.
Speaker 11
01:12:50Thank you. Mister Williams, Mister Peckham power, there? Is there anyone else to be recognized?
Unknown Speaker
01:12:57Mister Chair, he was the only public commenter.
Speaker 11
01:13:01Thank you. Then let the record reflect public participation is closed. The next item on the agenda. Agenda is Item six. And under six, we have six a item 202584, receipt of correspondence. DWC, four.
Unknown Speaker
01:13:21Here exhaustion here. Hello, anyone there?
Unknown Speaker
01:13:33Well, I'll move we receive and file. No.
Speaker 11
01:13:36One second. One second. Okay, so let's do this here. Audio. See the audio? There you go. Okay, thank you. And so it's been moved by Commissioner Eisenhower and supported by Commissioner Blackman. Is that correct?
Speaker 1
01:13:55That's correct. But I was going to move a and b, but that's correct. Okay, that
Speaker 11
01:13:59is in order. I'll accept that. I accept it as a friendly amendment, okay, okay. It's been accepted by the motion maker and supported by the with the second okay, so all those in favor and receiving, receiving and filing the the did FOIA report for March 2025, and the litigation report for March 2025, all those in favor signify saying, aye, aye. Those opposed. Both these actions stand approved, and the next item on the agenda is yes. Can you hear me? Yes?
Speaker 13
01:14:36This is Scott McGriff, DWSD, General Counsel. I want to point out that with respect to item 6b the litigation report, you had requested that for entities that we had brought suit for non payment, that we include the service address in that litigation report. And I just want to point out that pursuant to your request that's included in the litigation report. I
Speaker 11
01:15:02appreciate that, that highlight, and also the additional information. And so thank you for that. And we will now move on to item seven, unfinished business, there is none. New Business, there is none. And then, under the planning calendar, our council, our council, court Council, and I will meet General Counsel, and I will meet to establish a planning, planning calendar for the remainder of the year. I'll be reaching out to him within the next week, and the next item on the agenda is the other item, other matters I know of none. The next meeting of this committee will be May 7, 2025, and now a motion is in order to adjourn. It's been moved by Commissioner Blackman support, supported by chair eyes, Howard all those in favor. Signify by saying Aye, Aye. Aye, those opposed, the meeting stands adjourned. Thank you all. Thank you. Thank
Unknown Speaker
01:16:05you everybody.