like to call the meeting of the Wayne County Commission to order Madam Clerk Roll call, please.
The board is now open for roll call Commissioner Clemente has requested an excuse
have a quorum present.
Thank you Next item please
Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
Everyone please stand for the pledge. I pledge allegiance.
Thank you Next item please invocation. Today we will have our advocator introduced by Vice Chair polymer.
Thank you Madam Chair.
Today's indicator is a man of many titles past and present, including Lecter at Saint Colette Catholic Church. With today's invocation, he becomes the second most frequent indicator before this body in the last 25 years, second only to former mayor and commission Chaplain Darcelle Brown, who was also here today to witness today's proceedings. Please welcome Mr. Allen see helm camp Lecter. Anytime you can get mentioned in the same sentence with my man D that's an honor So good morning. From the Psalms excuse me from the Psalms 27 verse one. You are the strength of my life. You are my rock my fortress in my protector. Therefore Whom shall I be afraid? You are my shield, my strong tower and my stronghold. I will call to you because you are worthy to be praised. So Father, I thank you for being my strength and my god and whom I trust. And from the Gospel of St. John 14 Verse 27. Peace I leave with you My peace I give unto you that as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid. Let us pray. Lord, we ask You for wisdom, Grace, strength and humility in the discharge of our public duties. We ask that you help us lay aside our burdens and labor and the knowledge that you are with us. We ask that you protect all those whom we serve, and especially those who are vulnerable and in need. And finally, as always, we humbly ask that you also protect, bless and bestow peace upon our families, friends, and all our people in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Peace
Thank you lifter helm camp for that awesome prayer. Madam Clerk next item, please.
Reading correcting and approval of the journal.
Thanks chair Pro Tem Bayda
Move for approval.
It's been moved and supported any discussion or corrections to the journal? Hearing none please vote.
Motion carries.
Thank you Next item report from the chair. Nothing today. Next item, unfinished business.
There is none listed. We're moving to page two of the agenda offering of our petitions, ordinances, resolutions and presentations. There are none. We are moving to reports from committees. Report a is from the chair of the Committee on Economic Development and there are four items listed.
And again for our listening audience that may be on zoom on the telephone we operate in committees, where items are brought to the committee's and thoroughly vetted questions asked me come to the full board meeting for final disposition for the Committee on Economic Development Commissioner hetas. report please there you're on Commissioner Mr. Hayden.
mammal development I moved to save and file item one and two and approve the rest of the agenda. Or info.
Thank you as been moved and supported for the Economic Development Report. Receiving File Items wanted to and approval of items three and four. A discussion Commissioner clean
Thank you Madam Chair. Item three on and the disposal. Scrap tires. I see this comes to a little differently than it has in the past. The county used to have I don't know if it still exists. When people did neighborhood cleanups the county would bring out a dumpster and and the neighborhood cleanup would throw the scrap tires in there and the county would haul it away. This looks to be a little bit different. So I'd kind of like to know the status of scrap tires and what the county is doing to support neighborhood cleanups. Is that still happening?
Aligning
the morning commission Hassan Sheikh Director of Economic Development as a whole in regards to the county wide cleanup of tires. We don't we haven't done any research in terms of the county wide issue of tires. But that is an interesting point. Duly noted and heard. And we'll we'll see what we can do. Darcy Martin his here and she will give you a little bit of more information in regards to this specific item with Highland Park.
Well, my question is not on this specific item. I see how this is done. But what about the county program? Does that still exist?
We'll take a look. I'll take a look into it and see what's what's the status on that and how that works for
you. think at one point that was under DPS is that still there was Andy or someone from DPS environment.
Good morning Patrick Colin DPS Environmental Services Division Commissioner you're referring to the clean program? That's right. We still have a we have an active contract for trash hauling and community cleanups that provide dumpsters to community block clubs. Pre COVID. We also had a scrap tire cleanup element to the clean program. as well. Our goal is by next spring is to get a new contract for scrap tire hauling and recycling. We just have not had the resources available to put that together quite yet. But you're right we prior to COVID we would run anywhere from 10 to 12. Scrap tire cleanups partnering with local communities. We're going to get back to that next spring
because I knew contract for that got to be difficult at one point it did. So can I still direct people to the website to fill out a project clean absolute application? Okay, that's what I need. No, thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Commissioner. He leaves. Oh, Pat, stay up. I think we have some more questions for you. Mr. Clark Coleman.
Yes, I too. Have a question on that the dumpster program because I know that it was quite popular in my district. When you know, certainly in the neighborhood groups would would like to clean up an area and we would provide and then we could call somebody over at your place correct. And you would bring a dumpster out. And then once it was filled, you come back pick it up and then we have also had requests for that this year. So am I to understand that. Is that program still going on? Or it is yes.
The Commission authorized that contract couple of months ago so it is active right now.
Was it active? Did it just start or
it certain fairly recently we started later this spring than we had hoped. Okay, so
how do how do they how do we get in touch with that? I
will make sure we I will get that information out too. So all the commissioners have it available.
Okay. Yes. I know that my community a person used to call someone over there. Yes. And make arrangements for
it. I'll make sure that we get in touch with your staff. Please do think that I'll make sure all the commissioners have that same information.
Thank you, Commissioner Scott, the Commissioner Becky McCormick. The commissioner Kinloch.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Commissioner,
I made it soon. Got you.
Thinking McCormick.
Thank you, Madam Chair. This is a dif different matter. So thank you. I don't know if any one else and like okay. So my question is in reference to the Simca. Program Simka
is item number four Commissioner.
No, this isn't on here. But I asked about where when and we would have a report on the Simca workforce development program. Do you have any information on that yet? number of participants what you know, any information I'd like to?
Absolutely again, good morning, Hassan, Sheikh Director of Economic Development. I appreciate the question. So where we're at with in regards to the process of moving that Semcon workforce development program forward right now. The cemco is in process of negotiation process. With with bidders that have vendors that have bid to become potential vendors. So that is the next step of the process. We are now moving forward and I'll continue to update you once we get to the point where we can activate the program, but we are moving forward in terms of negotiations with vendors. Through some custom cars handling that and in regards to taking the actual numbers of folks that will be able to service one and as well as what the price per participant will be as well and a few other factors as well.
So we have not started the program yet.
The one portion of the programs that's starting to move forward is the expungement portion of the of the program. The remainder of the program is in is is attached to that portion of portion of the process in regards to the negotiations and once we get all those vendors in. So we're looking at over the next expediting and getting that started as soon as possible and we're looking at very soon.
Okay, is there a way we can get information on? Absolutely. That has started which is the absolute punishment because that didn't know anything about that.
Absolutely. Absolutely. I'll make sure we we send that out to the commission. Right. Thank you. Absolutely.
Thank you. Commissioners got
that fine commission. Okay. Thank you, Commissioner Anderson.
Thank you Madam Chair and just ask that I be recorded as a no vote on a number for long standing opposition to delegating authority that the Commission had previously.
Thank you. Thank you. It's been moved and supported. Any further discussion? Hearing none, please vote.
Motion carries and I have Commissioner Scott as the maker of the motion on item number three, Commissioner Anderson as a no on four.
Thank you. And let me remind commissioners to please keep your questions to the items on the agenda. If there's items that you'd like to discuss. We can do that. Under remarks by members. Please keep your question to the item the agenda. Next item, please.
We're on report B from the Committee on Public Services. There are 13 items listed on pages three through seven of the agenda. Mr. Markey?
Thank you Madam Chair. I'd like to move to receive and file items one through three and move approval for items four through 13 and have Commissioner beydoun as the maker of the motion and number nine, Commissioner dobb the motion maker a number 12. And I have a little problem here because two commissioners want to be the on the same items. So Madam Clerk, can I have one motion one be the support? I can put them all on? You can put them out. Okay, so for number six Commissioner Hatice and Commissioner dobb.
If I Commissioner that, okay. All right. Any questions on the public services report? Any questions on the 13 items on public services? Which can easic I'd also
like to make the motion on item six. problem so let's figure that out. Thank you.
popular item. All right. Any further discussion on public services?
Okay,
hearing that please vote.
Motion carries. Commissioner Bay Dune is the maker of the motion on nine Commissioner dog item number 12. And commissioners had his dog and cat music item number six.
Mix we are on page seven of the Agenda Report. See from the Committee on audit. There are two items listed. I should have asked them
I'm sure like to move items one two to receive and file
is moved by Commissioner Basham supported by Commissioner clean and discussion on the two items on the audit report. Discussion on the two items on the audit report. Hearing none, please vote.
Motion carries.
Thank you. Next item please. We're
on report D from the Committee on Public Safety, judiciary and homeland security. There are two items listed.
Mr. Clark Holman.
Thank you Madam Chair. I would like to receive an MOU that we receive in file item number one and move approval of Item number two
by committee comments supported by Commissioner halos.
Oh, okay, well, well supported
by Commissioner Scott. That's okay with Commissioner haters. Okay. Any discussion on the Public Safety Committee report? A discussion on public safety All right. Please vote.
Motion carries.
Thank you. Let's go to the agenda please.
We are moving to the agenda under new business. There are eight items listed. Item number one is requesting Commissioner approval of the recommended comprehensive executive budget.
So every year per the charter, we receive the budget once we receive it, we vote on this on its receipt so this is an item receiving the budget of the first budget hearings will be on August 8, where the CFO will give its budget and the Marcy from our general area will give this as if items report. So this is receiving the budget. Is there a motion for item number one based on me refer to Ways and Means Committee Kinloch moves. Vice Chair Pro Tem Baden supports any discussion on this item Hearing none please vote.
Motion carries
thank you. Okay, next items and Miss Allen if you could come the next 234567 and eight that 872 through seven our contracts union contracts and I'll ask Miss Allen to kind of go over the overarching theme of these and then we'll discuss and bring them up separately, but go ahead Miss Allen. Thank
you. Good morning, Janelle Allen, chief operating officer with the county executives office. As we all know back in 2015. When county executive Warren Evans first took office, the county was on the brink of bankruptcy. And at that time, drastic, drastic measures were required to avoid us from going into bankruptcy. Part of those drastic measures included renegotiating our collective bargaining agreements or CBAS. With all of our unions, and those renegotiate a contracts included significant economic sacrifices made by our most of our employees. But also at that time in 2015. County executive Evans made a promise to our staff that when the county is doing better, the county will do better for our staff. And as we also know that those dramatic measures, they have proven successful, and while the county's resources still are nice, I should say are still outweigh our resources, the county is doing better. And so in furtherance of that commitment to do better for our employees. Over the last two years, County Executive Evans has implemented significant wage increases for most of the vast majority of our staff. And while those increases have been more significant for our staff that have that ever been done the last decade, we recognize still more needs to be done. So back in March of this year, I'm sorry May of this year, County Executive Evans hosted a meeting with all of our union leaders and at that meeting, he wants thanked all of our staff for all of the sacrifices that have been made and for continuing to stick with the county through our recovery and he recognize that a lot of our recovery has been on the backs of our staff, and that now it's time for the county to do better. For our staff. So he asked our union leaders that if they will be willing to open negotiations on our contracts. I will say that because most of our contracts, except right now, the poem agreement does not expire for another year. And so we do need union agreements to negotiate and we asked him though, to come to the table. This time, we're gonna take a very different approach. We know traditional collective bargaining means that you usually have union leaders coming in representing representative members, and then you have management. We say we're going to take a different approach this time and we want to collaborate because we want to recognize that there's one team team Wayne County. So through this collaborative bargaining process, which we all collaborate developing, we're in the room as one team. There are no labels. There are no sides. There's just one team here to do the best we can for our residents, and to do the best we can for our employees. So instead of sitting across the table exchange of proposals, what we're doing is first identify what are the issues that are preventing us from actually providing the best services we can. What are the issues that are preventing us in our day to day operations, and a lot of that we do know pertains to compensation, but the other also pertains to operations, how we operate. We want our employees to feel valued and valued not just in paying competitive wages, but also in how we treat each other. And so a lot of our issues or whatever. I'm very pleased to say that we have had a number of meetings, these collaborative writing meetings with our various unions, and it's been very productive. I will say though, I know that a number of our staff, though, are still there, kind of eager and anxious. But when we start talking about money, and we are now but again, instead of coming in with proposals, saying that, here's 5% 3%. What we're saying is let's go look at who are our real competitors, and it's not one size fits all. We do know that we compete with some of our other counties, but some of our industries we compete with the private sector expressing battling this great resignation arrow. So what we're doing the other thing is we're not just having leaders at the table. We're inviting staff from all levels of our organization, those who actually know what needs to be done at the table to help develop what are our jobs, what should they be like today, we have realized that a lot of our job descriptions are very outdated, and they don't reflect the current needs of the county. So we are starting with some areas making sure that jobs are updated. So then when we go look at our competitors, were comparing apples to apples. Once we identified that, and we're looking at what are the wages? What are competitive wages. The other thing that I have announced in these meetings, I think no one will disagree. That given that Wayne County is the largest county in the state the most diverse the most complex, our staff should be paid the highest. If you compare us to our competitors. The problem is that our needs far exceed our resources. We're competing with one of the most fluent at the most of Floyd County. That means the county can always afford to do that. What we're doing through this process is simple. What's the best we can do? It is not about one psi, trying to get as much as possible and another trying to give as little to get in agreement. It's about what is the best we can do for our employees and we're doing this collaboratively and I do know that I'm in agreement with the government Bar Association has must have it to the commission to show that these things are moving, but we are at that altitude this process I believe has we gotten very positive feedback and give people are now waiting though. What is the bottom line? And while economics is a lot of the conversation others are about operations as well. And we've been able to address right in these meetings, sometimes issues that are going on like that day because with the right people in the room. The other thing is beginning in place were feeling that their voices are being heard. Another different approach here. So while I clearly don't want to oversell what we're doing, I do think though this has developed this process is helping us change our culture or but our employees feeling very valued and being engaged and being heard. So we'll actually be providing updates, especially as we expect to start having additional agreements coming to you with other changes. But some of the things we're discussing do not impact collective bargaining agreements, so they do not require changes. One thing that has come up consistently is about our hiring process. It takes too long, so we're collaborating on that. We're talking about benefits. Because benefits is one area that one size must fit all we're going to have a Costco sit across a union group that's looking at now what are the issues and what are the options? So can we talk about let's say wages and benefits, we're saying can we consider this we're going to our finance team to get things costed out. So at least we can look at is this affordable because everyone does agree and has bought into whatever we do. We cannot jeopardize the county's financial career stability. And that doesn't just mean for today it means for the future as we do with that. The county executive did announce at this meeting back in May, that there were some immediate benefit improvements that he would like to implement. And then we needed this genius to greet them. These are offered to they're being offered to all of our unions, the contracts before you this morning are with the ASMI supervisors GA general fund GA professional nurses unit one and GA professional nurses Unit Two dietitian and nutritionist and the ask me local 3317. The other ones that we do expect to be coming forward with either in an overall collective bargaining agreement or a separate MOU will be with the ASMI non supervisors. I understand that they are presenting it for ratification next week. The Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council, we've spoken with them. They had a couple of questions about the language. They said they do intend on assigning the government Bar Association it is in the agreement that's will be coming before you and with poem this will be presented to them as well. The other is the operating engineers they have different benefit packages, so it really didn't pertain to them. So the agreements before you today include three changes, and we'll say improvement, one is reducing the employee premiums for healthcare from 25% to 20%. The other is increasing the annual wage bonus which is designed to help offset the costs of deductibles, it is increasing for a single plan $100 So instead of $650 that will go to $750. For a two person plan, it is increasing by $150 with going from 1000 to 1150 and for a family plan increasing by $200 going from either 12 or 1300 to 14 or 1500. So with that we do ask for your support for these and again, we will definitely be keeping you updated and expect to be bringing more changes that are for the better good for our staff. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Miss Allen, and also mentioned about the parking situation.
Yes, or I'm sorry, that is the third one to about employer pay parking. As we know some of our employees do not pay for parking. But a lot of our employees especially those who work in the downtown area do pay so the other the agreement also includes employer pay parking. Now that's one area where one size does not fit all for employees who work in the garden building is going to be an easy fix. They pay I believe $60 A month that's going to stop being deducted from their paychecks. But for those who work in buildings like 400 Murrow Frank Murphy Hall of Justice before they move to the CJC, they park in different areas. So we are doing it on a case by case basis, and some of them may end up getting a monthly stipend, based upon what is the average costs in that area. And I do believe for the GBA for the attorneys who worked with the prosecutor's office. It would also apply to the corporation cost attorneys. They may be getting a monthly stipend, but we are agreeing with each group will be determining what is best for their employees.
Thank you for bringing that to me. Thank you. And thank you for the innovative approach. To the collaborative bargaining. I think that's something different something new obviously. And looks like it's working well having everyone at the table understanding this one Wayne County, not just this unit, that unit and the other unit. So thank you for that. I have a couple of questions versus Commissioner Clark Coleman.
Yeah, thank you, Madam Chair. And thank you, Janelle, for your report. Just well first of all on the parking what's the what's going to be the practice for parking at this the new CJC like community criminal justice
complex yet? Much of it will there will be employer pay parking. I don't know if there's change era can address them with the specifics. Okay.
Through the Chair Aaron Wagner and Chief Administrative Officer. So CJC we are in the process of constructing lots, surface lots around the facility. It will be free parking for employees. That's it.
Thank you Thank you, Commissioner.
Okay, so Janelle, I just want you to go over that benefit. Agreement again. The healthcare kind of break that down a little bit better. I mean, you I'm sure you did. You did a great job, but but maybe I missed something. So I something go from 25 to 20. Yes. And that's paying
for that. Consider that as each employees premium. They will pay their pay 25% of the costs. Now that will be reduced to pay 20% of costs and the county will pay 80% instead of 2575.
Okay, so it so it changes from from 2575 to a 2080 perfect okay, that's easy. For me not understand between the ad. Okay. And what was the other thing that you mentioned the
other is what is called an annual wage bonus that employees represent employees receive and that wage bonus is really designed to help offset the up front deductibles that employees have to pay who have a high deductible plan. So at the beginning of each calendar year, employees who have a single plan for one person they were receiving that $650 wage bonus that is going to $750 So right now, they've already received the 650 they're going to receive that extra $100 But in January, then they'll get a for $750.
And that's that's to be used to offset depose.
Exactly. Okay. And then a two person someone who has a two person plan. They currently get a $1,000 wage bonus, they're going to go up to 1150. And someone with a family plan with more than two people. They're going to go either from 1200 to 14 or 1300 to 1500. They're going to get a $200 increase. And again, right now in this year, this calendar year, they're just going to get the differential because they've already received the 650 or 1000 or 12 or 1300. And then in January, they'll get the full bonus and they get this at the beginning of the year. Again, because that's when deductibles reset.
Does that come in with their salary?
Or? Yeah, it's listed as a separate item on our paychecks. Yes.
That you had to take deductibles out or that or that is that text. So
the thing is, if with Heidi, if you have a high deductible plan, you can have a health savings account. And what we really do encourage our staff is to have that money deposited in the Health Savings Account. Because tax free you'll get the entire amount but if you choose to take it in cash in your paycheck, that's when your tax so that's something we've realized too, that we really want to do a far better job at educating our staff about the benefits of using the health savings account, because that's tax free and when it's paid is still tax free
or tax free. If you use the health savings, and you can always pull from that set health savings for anything that you want to have done. That's a predestined approved medical expense. Yes
it
was to catch you. I'm sorry and you get your poor from that for your for deductible. Absolutely.
That's exactly where an effect anything we're saying they even have a way where there's an app that you can have even on your phone and you can immediately start paying bills directly from your HSA. They will say the game you have a way where the HSA the invoice can go directly to who's administering the HSA and have that cheque sent directly to your health care provider.
That's a good thing. Because the tax to have that tax free. You get at least probably a couple $100 More by having it go into the the B the HSA plan. Exactly. Yeah, you can pull from it. Yeah, you can just pay your bills from it.
That's exactly right. We have learned to that. Just about 40% of our staff actually use the HSA. We think that is because of lack of understanding. And in through these meetings where have we been had a presentation yesterday with our GA general fund group with our benefits group, it really showing the difference of if you do take it in cash versus putting in your HSA it there's a huge difference. And we again, we said we need to do a better job of educating but also putting it in easy to understand terms and not buried in a lot of information. So that's something coming out of our collective bargaining meetings.
So if so, and I totally agree with that. It they've got to be educated, because I think that once they know how it works, I'm sure that you'll get a lot more people that will up for that because until until you came back this time until I asked the question, it completely went over my head. So, so that's a good thing. Yes. Thank you.
Thank you, Commissioner. Next Commissioner clean. Sure.
Morning, Michelle. This is a different way to go about things with so we have a memorandum of agreement before us. And the verbiage says it will be a part of a collective bargaining agreement at some date in the future, as you suggested. So, first of all, who voted on the memorandum of agreement was that the membership of each one of these locals
Yes. Okay. Do you have to be ratified? Sorry? Yes, each one had to be ratified by the membership.
Okay. So this is going to be a separate agreement from the collective bargaining agreements for a year or two until bargaining starts up is that correct?
Not exactly. We're actually bargaining now. So let's just take GA general fund, for example. We have an MOU with them. We are dealing with a lot of other issues which we plan ultimately if we have to change the CBA we plan on coming back before next year. We're hoping actually in the next couple
of months. Well, I mean, yeah, the agreements either and a year or so from now or maybe two years in some cases.
Yes, but we're probably going to come back what we're looking at with the changes we will be implemented in addition to these benefit changes. It probably will likely also come with a contract extension but
for now until there is a new labor agreement. This will kind of be a standalone because it's not part of the it's not part of the collective bargaining agreement. Is that correct? Yes. Yeah. And all of the locals have voted on this
at least the ones before you now. Yes. Yeah.
There's a couple others. Yes. So this is unusual. Usually these things come to us as a completed contract. Without a if I can say it this way in intervening memorandum of understanding.
My understanding, though, is that there have been times when certain things haven't changed. They come through by way of an MO A, or MOU.
Well, I just want to make sure that it's going to be in force. And then what it will essentially be then in bargaining is the Memorandum of Agreement. will be one of the things on the table that they'll have to say. Yeah, let's add this to the collective bargaining agreement now. Yeah. Matthew Carmona from labor relations. So this first year right, this is very unique in the way we're doing it. It doesn't normally come in the fashion you just described. But the importance of the administration was to make these changes as quickly as possible. So they have a positive impact on the employees, which is why we took what is maybe somewhat of an unconventional approach. But yes, and that's why I here if you notice a couple of things to your questions, there is a paragraph in the MOU that states that by signing the local presidents who have signed the MOU on behalf of the unions are stating that it has been ratified by their membership. So there is that line in there to cover the ratification. Yeah, so in many ways, it would be a standalone agreement, but we also have the exhibits that show how that this agreement is going to affect the CVA language. So after this when we get into negotiations about the broader CBA these are no longer at issue. These will be we'll just insert these and we'll run with them. There's no need to renegotiate these. Well I just want to get ahead of myself here. Because my job is to vote on contracts. The way I look at my job is to approve labor contracts after the unions have signed off on everything. So I wanted to make sure here that first of all, there was sign off. And there was some sort of a vote taken and all the union presidents said yeah, the membership has voted and we're good with this memorandum of agreement. And then also to make sure Well, okay, that that that answers my basic questions. So thank you yeah, and just paragraph five, I believe it's paragraph five on all of them. I can just read it. Like this agreement requires ratification by the membership of the union. The union representative signature, and the stock signature on this document confirms that the incident agreement was ratified by the union membership prior to signing. So I agree with you 100%. And think that is obviously very important, which is why we made sure that that was well when when things happen that are out of the usual, I've got questions. Thank you. Absolutely, of course.
Thank you, Commissioner. And just as a reminder to everyone the union contracts, whether they're Memorandum of Agreement or the actual agreements do not come before this body unless they've been ratified by their members. If they're not ratified by their members, they do not appear on our agenda. Commissioner Baker McCormick
Thank you, Madam Chair. I had a question or clarifying question. You talked about wages and how we are behind our competitors. When you're looking at that, and I know there's a workgroup that the Commission form to look at. Right task force that was organized to look at wages. What I'm interested in is what that looks like. The bottom line for the budget and how far can we go in increasing wages, we want to increase as much as we can, but what is the impact that these wages will have on the budget?
Well, let me start with saying that we cannot agree to anything if they are not affordable with our budget. So any compensation I do want to clarify when I talked about the wages, because while we are and we're not with our competitors are some believe your net in one area, we're actually 105% of market believer, we have been making some significant gains in some areas with some of our classifications for that we have not but there are some we actually have, we're doing a lot better. But we've also we've announced in these meetings is that any we'll come up with what should we be paying? And that's like what is the best we can what's the best we should be paying for the market, but then that's going to get costed out if we don't have the budget to pay that we can agree to pay that. So we're going to say what's the most affordable how good can we get to that ideal number. And with that said that nothing we do can negatively impact the budget, meaning it must be within the budget.
Thank you. Yes, sir.
Thank you Madam Chair. Thank you, Janelle. And excellent report. Like always you very eloquent and to the point. I have. The question is you mentioned and I was happy to hear that we not look and give you pay increase we look at what you worth, what's the other offering in the market because it's a competitive market to be able to get qualified people to the position we need. And it looked like the CEO did excellent job and bringing the Union together in negotiation. My question is all what we offer into the Union and the bargaining unit. Is that gonna be given to the non union and the county in that and figure out in the budget to as Commissioner Baker as could afford Dale's, if you could just explain something
with regard to benefit? Absolutely. Because benefits in must be the same across the board so that will impact everyone. We are looking though at even wages with regard to appoint a staff or non represented staff, especially when you start looking at adjustments are being made to the staff they're managing there are going to need to be some corresponding adjustments. So yes, we are looking at that as we
have the units that are before us today. Roughly how many employees does this represent?
570 I should have added that up. 570 570 in our workforce is roughly 20 503,000.
Well, meaning the number of positions we have right now we're about 2000 But our position wise, I believe is about 2700.
Was a good start and it was after keep on with it and we look forward to the other units coming before us in the upcoming weeks. Hopefully we can get the Bar Association and poem and the other ones to us as quickly as possible, working together and collaboratively to come up to some agreements. So are there any questions? Any additional questions?
Well, that's coming up like to make is another thing that's really happening during this process is the sharing of information, like our employees are asking how is the illustrative rate set and that information is being shared? And again, if your concepts are being recommended, if we have the resource, we're going to cost things out and say can we do this or not? But people will see though as opposed to saying no, that's not affordable. People will see the data about is that sustainable over time. So that's one thing too, we've gotten positive feedback just about the sharing of information.
I'm looking forward to those continued talks. Hopefully this won't be the end of the collaborative bargaining. This will be a practice that will continue on. If it's going well and I'm sure it'll continue to go well, but thank you, Janelle, for leading this effort. I know you're the lead for this. So we appreciate what you're doing and of course met with labor relations. And Donna, our HR director. We look forward to more of these kind of before us. Thank you. Hearing no other questions.
Please vote.
And this is voting on 2345 and six and seven.
Motion carries.
Thank you Thank you next time another player.
We're moving to item number eight requesting commission approval of amendment number two to a 180 day professional services contract with new image protective services not to exceed $4,369,000 extending the term of the contract by one year modifying the scope of services and adding firms.
Okay.
Erin or Michelle? Melissa? Melissa? I'm sorry.
Good morning, ma'am. She's director of juvenile and Youth Services. This is a request for a second amendment with new image Protective Services. They are providing staff augmentation for a juvenile detention facility. And this amendment will extend the contract for another year and add additional funds. I would like to say that over the past three years, our juvenile detention facility was operating under a variance by the state of Michigan because we were not able to maintain staffing ratios and what that meant was our young people were locked in their rooms most of the day because we could not staff that I'm pleased to say that in May we were able to dissolve that variance with the state of Michigan and we are operating under our normal approved variance, variance staffing ratios, which means that the young people are in regular programming and the regular milieu all day with the exception of of sleeping hours. So that certainly has helped us. I'd also like to add that there's no renewal available for this contract and we will be issuing an RFP by January.
How many staffers Does this include?
So this includes the direct care staff only and today there are 71 new image direct care staff and 63 Wayne County direct care staff.
You said that they're now able to have programming. What does that programming look like?
Correct. So the youth have their school. Capstone Academy is the charter school that was present a couple of months ago. They also have their groups they have their activities. We also have partnership with our mentorship program and some therapeutic intervention and meditation and mindfulness. That you'll hear about in the upcoming months.
As this include them also go into T wellness is that part of their programming,
so we are working on that that contract will come before the committee I believe in the next couple of weeks so that we can provide the intensive therapeutic programming on site for kids who are waiting for long term residential treatment.
Questions. Commissioner Baker McCormick Thank you Madam
Chair. For the raise the age we didn't talk about this in the committee, but I wanted to clarify. Are there any residents that are over 18
We do have a couple of residents who are over 18
Okay and at what point do they are they moved or transferred?
So they're either waiting for adjudication and juvenile or the adult court or waiting for placement at at the age of 21 is when they can no longer remain with us as Raizy ages for youth who have committed a first offense between the ages of 17 and 18. Some of the young people that we have that are 20 were blended sentences. So that means that they were adjudicated in juvenile court with with a blended sentence and so they can stay in the system so 21
so it is it's 21. And are they separated from the
Yes. So, a couple of months ago, we were able to increase the footprint of our temporary site and because of that we are able to classify them by age and so they are classified by age.
So they're segregated and different pods.
Yes, they are in different pods.
And as far as staffing now we're moving forward with the new contract that we have and we have the proper staffing. So the state, right currently correct. The
state approved ratio for childcare institutions is one to 10 It's our hope that we increase that and and beat that significantly, you know when I'm coming budget and have a staffing ratio of three to 16, which is also in line with the federal PREA regulations.
In the past it was the ratio was higher. Correct? Right. And we're trying to build up to get there. Yes. And do you see us getting there with the current contract?
I do. I also would like to add that we have offers and staff rolling over to become county staff as well. So after a certain period, they're offered jobs with the county and they roll over to become county staff. We currently have 12 in the pipeline rolling over to become county staff. Thank you.
Thank you, Commissioner. About that. I'm just gonna ask about the rolling over for county staff. So that is the ultimate goal is that these people working for this company will grow over and actually beast staff of Wayne County Correct? That is correct. Okay, and this contract goes until next year, September. So we're hopeful by that time, those persons will roll over and be able to be over the CJC by then, and I'm not sure if you know what the staffing requirements are going to be for that facility, but those persons from this company by that time and we will have a need for the company Correct.
That is correct. That is our hope. Okay.
Do you know the daily census right now?
Our census today's 161 went up.
And what's the capacity at the new facility
160 were licensed for the new facility at 160 currently at the temporary facility. We are licensed for 180.
The additional Commissioner murky Thank you,
Madam Chair. So I noticed that we're getting 50% We're getting a 50% grant from the state when, like Commissioner Bell said if the if the goal is to get all of our all the workers over to county workers, we still get those kinds of grants from the state.
So that's childcare funding and childcare funding is still the 50% Okay,
so this is actually a receiving file because this has been done is that correct? No, it's an emergency procurement.
For the chair, the initial contract was an emergency procurement The amendment is brought before you is for you. Okay,
sounds good. Thank you.
Any additional questions? Hearing none, please vote. Motion carries.
Thank you. Okay, back to page eight, I believe.
Yes. Page eight of the agenda upcoming meetings.
Please note the upcoming meetings for next week. If there are any changes please let the clerk know. Next item.
Next item is testimonial resolutions and certificates of appreciation. There are four items listed I'm sorry, eight items listed. There are four items listed on your agenda and three items on your agenda. Okay,
and let me just say that the first item on a test of my resolutions is for Miss Victoria in is that we know has completed her service with Wayne County and moved over to the airport. We're working on a date of where she can come in and receive the resolution that we have signed by all commissioners. So that will be at an upcoming meeting. A discussion on the resolutions difference appreciation. There are again four on the agenda and three on the agenda Okay, hearing none please vote. Motion
carries
excitement.
We are on memoriam. So there are three names listed on your agenda and one on the agenda.
There Any discussion on the memorials? Mr. Kinloch,
am I'm sure I'll just like to recognize a resolution that was a will be presented this Saturday to the family of Brenda Hill. Brenda Hill was a strong community activist who spoke and fought against gun violence. Having lost her on son through gun violence. Some years ago. She passed a couple of weeks ago, I believe, yeah, July 10. I believe she passed and just wanted to state for the record that our thoughts and prayers are with her family. Thank you.
Thank you, Commissioner. Especially bigger before me.
I too want to say my prayers to the family of Brenda hills. She lived in my district. I know at some point I don't know currently where she's inserted okay. But at some point she lived in my district and she was a strong advocate for gun reform and radio host and very, very outspoken. And she'll be missed. Thank you.
Thank you, Commissioner. Yes, Brenda Hill was absolutely an activist in our community. And I think her death was sudden and we want to keep her family in our prayers during this difficult time. And thank you for doing the memoriam I think it's time by all commissioners. And again, we want to continue to keep omega and Janelle in our prayers and the loss of their fathers. We did memorials on our last meeting. So Miss Allen and your family is still in our prayers during this difficult time. If you need anything from us, please let us know everyone please stand for a moment of silence.
Thank you so much. Next item please. Public comments. Okay, two minutes. Is there anyone on Zoom would like to give public comments at this time anyone on Zoom? We can unmute the people on Zoom any hands for zoom? Anyone on the telephone? Anyone in chambers any emails? Okay.
This is from Anthony plus. Yeah, dear commissioners, the World Health Organization is still negotiating amendments to the international health regulations that are intended to cede control of national state and local pandemic measures to itself. For example, it changes the AI EHR regulations from non binding to mandatory instructions that member states undertake to follow and implement. It also sets up surveillance processes in all states and enables the W H O to share country data without consent. When you refuse to enforce this illegal power grab. The Biden administration wants to proclaim that they will supersede local and state laws. But the reality is these amendments violate our Constitution. For example, the aforementioned sir Bailey's processes violate the Fourth Amendment. Alexander Hamilton, who was an advocate for strong federal government wrote in Federalist number 33, and lower level governments have a right to treat acts by the federal government that are not pursuant to the Constitution as acts of usurpation.
Thank you, next item, please
reconsiderations.
are none remarks by
members.
remarks by members, I'll
start.
Let me just say that about 10 days ago, four of us attended the National Association of Counties conference in Texas. It was a great, very informative, conferences always great things came from that we elected our new president, and many of us were appointed to different positions. So I like to congratulate Terry murky for being appointed to the Transportation Committee. Commissioner Baker McCormick was voted vice president of the women of Neko, so we're excited about her leadership there. Commissioner Bob is a member of the Committee on Environment, Energy and land use. Commissioner Kinloch was appointed Vice Chair of the Finance pension and Government Affairs steering committee and we are all appointed to the large urban cop large urban county caucus were all appointed members of that, with Commissioner Kinloch being appointed as one of the vice chairs and I was appointed Vice Chair of the Public Safety Committee. So Wayne County continues to lead at the national level. It was a great conference, and the next conference will be the legislative conference in DC and that is February 10, through the 13th. And I also want to say we had a surprise conference attendee and I think it was so very important that he was there for the first time ever a wayne county executives, Mr. Warren Evans attended the National Conference, none of our prior executives had ever attended. So I think that speaks volume about the importance of Wayne County's role and the National Conference and what we're doing at the national level. So I want to thank him and his team who attended that conference. It was great to see him and I know they got a lot out of it, because there's so many things that we learn that we bring back to this county. So without recreating the wheel with a lot of things, that the information is stolen from the information is dire need that we bring back such as the stepping up initiative, and there's so many other things that we're working on, that we'll be able to implement based on our attendance at that conference. So I want to give those shout outs to the leadership here and of course, invite all commissioners to participate if you're not already doing so. Any remarks by members or list of them? I'll start at the top Vice Chair Pro Tem they do?
Thank you, Madam Chair. I don't know if Patrick Collins is still here.
I don't see him. I had a question. Maybe somebody from the parks division. I just wanted a quick update on the fishway project in Dearborn.
Anybody hear from
okay Felicia Bradford?
Good morning Alicia Bradford parks division director through the Chair. I'm currently Mr. Bale, they do the fishway project. It's coming to a close we are looking at the growth of the vegetation that should be finalized and we will be transitioning over to open that up probably by mid
September. Thank you.
Thank you for the update. You're welcome. Thank you.
Stay there. Miss Bradford says you are there? Why don't you announce the very important exciting event going on this weekend?
Thank you. So much. Commissioner bale this weekend is our 26th annual Wayne County Parks jazz on the river at Elizabeth Park in the beautiful city of Trenton. That will be on August 5 and sixth Saturday and Sunday. Our headliner on the fifth is Stanley Clarke at 7pm and on Sunday is Peter White at 7pm as well so we have a mix of local and international artists that will be there we expecting over 10,000 people over the two days $5 Cash fee admission for special event parking, but of course the event is free. We'll have many food vendors and also clothing vendors. They're supporting the entrepreneurs around Wayne County. So please come out and enjoy yourselves. Look forward to seeing you.
Thank you so much.
Thank you and again 26 years is a wonderful event. To be free to have jazz on the water is absolutely beautiful. So thank you, Director Bradford for all that you do to put that on. Mr. Anderson,
thank you. Thank you Madam Chair. Miss Bradford. I just wanted to ask Are your Stoner, if you could address a concern it was brought to me about the would be Newburgh Lake and and also the NAM can Mills lake the growth of the vegetation on top of the water and other issues. Is there. Is there something that is there a treatment that is done by the county to get that under control.
The chair again Alicia Bradford parks division director DPS Commissioner Anderson Yes,
Menken lake was treated in our Great Lakes
Restoration Initiative Project so that was recently treated. moonbird is on our list to have it treated. We're waiting on the approved Pio but we do have that treated at least once a year for that vegetation and algae growth.
Okay. All right. Thank you. Thank you very much. You're welcome. Madam Chair. I have a couple of other things. One thing, the CJC on the meetings, I missed it when we were going through with upcoming meetings but the CJC meeting for today it has been postponed if there was anyone that did not get the notification already. Also in our last full commission meeting, our representative handling the EDC he if you would come to the mic and I appreciate if you would give us an update. You had promised at the last meeting, you'd be ready to give us an update today on the ARPA projects which are have been submitted that are under consideration for this last phase of the projects from the ARPA dollars. If you could give us that in one of the things I'm really concerned about is that we have a lot of communities that have other sources of dollars that are coming or being combined with what they hope to get from the county and the ARPA dollars that we now have in general fund that they may lose those other funds. And because this is going extremely long to see the other list of projects, I'm really concerned we're going to have communities that have lost that other source of funding or on the verge of it. Could you give us an update
as a sheikh Director of Economic Development? Again, I appreciate the question and the concern. We are in the process of moving in the future of our PA right and last time I told you guys I will give you an update in terms of where we're at in three weeks. Over the last three weeks we have steadily made progress in our process. We're looking at it from a three pronged approach. One is historically with, as you know, myself coming in we've inherited batch one as well as a majority of batch to making sure things are in order and appropriately put together. Cleaning up process, as well as what as we move forward in the future in terms of the way that the funding has been has been allocated, making sure that we are dotting our eyes and crossing our T's were being very efficient and being very responsible in the way that we're moving towards our next round of dollars and making sure we're pragmatic when it comes to the next round of projects. We're consistently and steadily receiving projects that are asking for dollars. Your point on communities that are that have other pools of dollars included as well is not lost on us and we are continuously and steadily and making sure that we are in constant communication with those communities as well. We are absolutely dedicated to moving moving as quickly as possible. We're not slowing down. What we are doing is being more being responsible in the sense of making sure that the process is as pure as possible. You know, so we're going to continuously make make sure that we're updating all the commission and all of you all I know that you all have communities that are you know part of those lists, which is why I appreciate your concern. Please feel free to reach out to me, and I'm more than happy to discuss this with you at any given time. And, you know, continuously work through the process and continuously update you all in terms of where we're at as we're moving forward.
So can you assure us that there are communities that have other pots of money that they have committing to these projects they've submitted for the Arper dollars that they can you assure us that you're monitoring those that are non Nonna that are in danger of expiring.
I can assure you that we are monitoring the situation especially with communities that have other dollars and in place. PART of our PART OF OUR our desire and our vision is within moving towards the future and making sure that we're looking at all each project individually thus we have everything tracked in regards to which project has what dollars coming in and when it's expiring so we are keeping a close steady eye on that as we're moving through the process. Again, we're doing this as responsibly as possible. We want to make sure that we're doing this in the best way. Again, we're going to continuously update the commission in regards to everything that's that's happening. And when we are at a point where we can come bring something to you in front of you. That's concrete of hey, this is a this is b this is C we're gonna make sure that we're going to be doing that. You guys know my approach as I've built relationships with most each and every one of you if not all of you. What I like to do I'm very transparent. I like to communicate. You guys all have my number feel free to pick up the phone call me.
Thank you. Thank you Commissioner do that at that point at that point.
You indicated that there are still projects coming in I guess at what point are we cutting projects off or limiting the number that because I know at early on we had like 230 projects. is there a method to that or
was there is a plan at 1.2 to halt that hopefully we don't want to we don't you know plan on accepting projects forever. Once we get to the point where we can give you guys a definitive answer on when that closes we will let you all know so that way you guys can share that with your communities.
And are you communicating with the communities that have already submitted and they're just kind of waiting for a response? Are we How often are you
we are communicating with our communities most of the time. As you see the communities will reach out to us and we are absolutely making sure that we're responsive and that we are approachable and that we are we are readily available to answer any questions that are coming in from any of these communities.
Thank you. Absolutely.
Thank you and the director and I had a meeting yesterday on this very topic. And once they are clear on the vision moving forward, we'll have a count so that they can deliver that message to us. But things right now are still pretty fluid that we're just saying it that is correct. Once they get it less fluid. Now we'll have a meeting to discuss where we're going in the future with these
with ARPA dollars. Thank you Chairwoman. Okay, thank you, Mr.
mckormick. Yes, just wanted to continue, I think is still okay. I have a question for Director Kantary this about the Retford log jam is.
shelling out the Wayne County DPS. I can take your question and
excuse me get a response to you as soon as possible. Looks like you've been on vacation. I have um, the Retford logjam. We've been going back and forth and we were supposed to meet at some point to figure out what we're going to do if we're going to do anything. Do you know the status of that I know like I said we've been this has been about six months we've been going back and forth.
Sorry to hear that. But no, I don't have any information on that. I can take your concern and question back to Mr. CADRE this and get a response to
you. Great or miss Allen Would you have any input? Do you know anything more? Okay. All right. Thank you. Welcome. And then I did have a question in reference to the incident. At the county jail. Not Yeah. The unfortunate incident is there anyone to talk to the issue of a young man that passed away? I haven't heard an update or any additional information on there.
Through the Chair adding for Corey, assistant county exec. The best way to address that if you could direct your question to myself, I'll make sure that there's no one from the administration here today that would be able to answer that question, but I'll make sure to get it to you. Okay. I'll make sure I get that answer back to
get some background. I've gotten a couple of calls about
we'll try to coordinate a call or conversation with you as appropriate.
I'm sorry, Sue, former deputy Corporation Counsel. Actually those questions should be directed to the sheriff's office and through their general counsel, David mountain. David Melton. Thank you.
And the last thing, I just want to let everyone know that the applications for the Wayne County Commission Youth Council is now open the process until September 15. So anyone that has a young person that's interested in government and understanding the processes and the Commission and having a voice in their community, please reach out to myself or any of the commissioners. The application process is now open for 10th through 12th graders that live or go to school in Wayne County.
Thank you Madam Chair. My good friend, former commission chair in Waikiki passed away about 10 years ago. I went to his funeral is from my district. Anyway, I got a piece of mail today from the American Chaldean council to add Mikey, I don't know how to get him his mail. It's been 10 years and I was wondering if anybody had an address? Or do you need postage to get this letter to heaven or not? And what should I do with it? I hate to throw away somebody else's mail, especially if they're in heaven, but I don't have their address. So Madam Chair, if somebody could give me the address to Commissioner void key specific, I would appreciate it if not, thank you, God.
Thank you. Mary was Mary. She's coming around to answer you. She was She came up Oh, okay. It's too late.
Mr. Coleman. Thank you. I really wanted to say this before Alicia, left. You know, many of us well, some of us I shouldn't say many of us. Some of us do use the parks for events. Our Wayne County Parks and I know that Commissioner Khare. Alicia uses it, and I too, my church uses it every year. And I just want to say that that park is all always immaculate. And Alicia needs to instead about you know, just we should appreciate the fact that we've got someone who sees to it that those that the grass is cut, and that the papers is it's always picked up. Whenever we go out to that park, especially for our picnic. I'm always so proud. Because it is the Wayne County Park. And it is so well kept so many times we might have criticisms of other things many times but we certainly should. At many times, we should also compliment those of our staff who work very hard to do a great job of keeping up our Wayne County Parks. I am so so proud of it. It is in excellent condition. One thing and then I just want to inject a bit of humor. Um, when, you know, when we were getting the report about the employees benefit and all that sort of thing, you know, I'm meetings sometimes a very dull, be really dumb. But I paid particular attention to our security. Our when our deputies at Wayne County deputies they will homed in on that conversation. This is not boring. It certainly isn't boring to them they were they will hone in on every word that would be a good time today.
And again, this banker sheriff deputies for being with us today. We appreciate you. They're back there where they're supposed to be making sure that everything is going on. So thank you for being here. Thank you Commissioner Clark Coleman. And to your point about the parks. I have my picnic at warrendale Park every year and it's always awesome and even more than the director that do an awesome job. While we were there right at the end, we have the maintenance crew coming in. I want to give a shout out to the maintenance crew where they're getting up cleaning up and making sure that everything was spotless. So thanks to our DPS workers and all of our county employees that we really appreciate what you do to make sure that Wayne County operates efficiently effectively and serves our citizens to the best. So thank you for bringing that up, Commissioner. We do have one card I'm going out of order came on the public comments but I really would like the card that we received from President Buffington if you could come quickly to the microphone, ma'am. Thank you so much. Good afternoon. Good morning. I think we're
still morning. I apologize for coming at late moment I'm in negotiations on three other contracts. I just wanted to thank first of all Janelle Allen for her efforts to listen to the union, again in regards to issues. But I still want to comment that it's not what you're offering the people to come in. It's the overhaul that needs to occur within the Wayne County management and other entities and antiquated language of contracts and et cetera, that is affecting you all from thriving and continuing to get other people into this entity. That's all I need to make clear to this board in this body. Thank you for your time.
Thank you for joining us and thank you for participating in the bargaining that's going on. We appreciate your insights and I know we'll continue to work together to move Wayne County forward. Thank you, Madam Buffington. Okay at this point, I believe we get exhausted all other remarks by members. Is there a Oh no. Sorry. One more thing. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Then we can go. We have a birthday coming up. On August 13. And who would it be? Our youngest member of the Wayne County Commissioner, they reckon easic So happy 25th birthday again to commission. Enjoy your day on the 30th we will meet before them but enjoy your day. Happy birthday to you, sir. All right. And now I will entertain a motion to adjourn. All right. Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman.
I'm going to your office. I got two quick ones for you so much. might take me a few minutes to get there but don't leave. quickies you'll be interested in both
