Please use the reactions button on Zoom to raise your hand and we'll go in the order in which those appear.
Okay, let's go ahead and ask if any public comment at this time. Raise your hand and we'll take the time to hear you.
Is there any public comment?
Mr. Turner, no. Hands raised on Zoom and there's no one present in person for public health.
If that's the case, we don't move on to the next time. Our agenda will be on site number five, which is Review Approval of the meeting minutes item A approval of the meeting minutes from March 13 2024, which is open session. This time to all members had the opportunity to at least look at minutes.
We have some new members here. And I do want to welcome in my presence to Teater Mr. Gentle support.
If you haven't doing member, semi new member from the law department, which is sitting in today, Mr. Cook, I believe, Devin cook Welcome, sir. All right. At this time, is there a motion to approve the meeting minutes from the March 13 2024 Open Session is there a second? All in favor. Aye, seven. So what's the next item which is Item D which is approval of the meeting minutes from March 13 2020 for closed session. We have some new members here. But again, the members who are here and the opportunity to review the minutes all this time surely accept any motions to to adopt those meeting minutes.
All in favor, aye.
The eyes have it for some time, or agenda, which is item number six. Now for this item is to the end of our agenda, we have some other matters to get to and at this time to close session. So I will take a motion roll call to go into closed session. So at this time,
you would have had the approval of the agenda moved out and reopened. And then you'll also need a motion to go into closed session.
So we'll go back to item number three, which is approval of the agenda. And their motion to go into closed session about the motion or closed session.
You need to reopen the
motion to reopen a motion to reopen the approval of agenda lesson.
Support. All right, all in favor. All guys, so I'm gonna welcome Miss. Miss Roy, to me, going Mr. McElroy. She's just joined us. Good morning, everyone. Now at this time I set the motion to go into mid session. Oh, like
to move items, not Minnie Mouse six. Later in the agenda before the executive directors report is that we want to
so we're gonna move that okay. So then now we go into this split all the favor. The eyes have it. Right. So at this point, since we are looking at item number seven is the promotion in order to close session.
I'll make a motion to close session. Thank you.
Thank you, Mrs. Jones. It has to be a motion to enter flows to discuss.
So I'm just gonna go back and apologize. Okay, so at this point, we wanted to entertain a motion to go into closed session to discuss matters under item seven, eight through K at this time, except any motions to go into closed session to discuss those matters in closed session.
I'll make a motion to do so. And I believe we get a roll call.
Mr. Chairman, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Joseph in favor, aye. Aye. All opposed. The eyes have it. Really go to roll call. More member lesson? Yes. Board Member Yvette McElroy? Yes. Board Member teeter. Yes. Yes. Yes as well. So we will. Yes, this habit will go into closed session recordings.
All right
now entertain a motion to go into open session. So move. Thank you, Mr. Jones. All in favor. Say I guess I'll take a roll call now. Because, okay, Mr. Kerr, Kron Pinkins had to leave for another matter. So, I am taking over his chair and call Dr. Michael Anderson. Thank you. Member Johnson support. Thank you remember to your support. Alright, thank you. We are now back into open session. We will now vote on the matters that we discussed during closed session A through K Under Roman numeral seven, regarding a request for advisory, type 406. I would entertain a motion to accept counsels recommendations to dash five dash 124, subsection B for me there any objections? All right, and the motion carries. Okay, thank you very much. Next we have be request for advisory for the 2024 Dash seven, I would entertain a motion to accept counsels recommendations pursuant to dash five F one, two or Subsection B. So, thinking numbers here, are there any objections? All right, motion carries. Next we have the request for advisory opinion 2024 Dash 08. I would accept. I would entertain a motion to accept counsels recommendations to decline to issue an opinion based upon two dashpot a dash 124 Subsection B two. Thank you. Are there any objections? All right, hearing none motion carries. And actually we have the request for advisory committee in 2024 dashes April 9, I would entertain a motion to accept our counsels recommendations to decline to issue an opinion based upon two dash five dash 124 Subsection B three. Thank you members here. Are there any objections? All right, hearing none motion carries. Next we have an E request for advisory opinion 2024 Dash 10. I would entertain a motion to accept counsels recommendations pursuant to two dash five dash 124 subsection D four. So moved. Thank you Dr. McElroy. Anderson, are there any objections? Hearing none motion carries. Next we have F h 24 Dash 03 in a motion to accept our counsels recommendations to dispose of this matter pursuant to two dash five dash 145 Subsection B one day. Thank you, member Jones. Are there any objections? All right, hearing none motion carries. Next we have G complaints 2024 Dash 04. I would entertain two motions the First Order entertain a motion to accept counsels recommendations, dispose of this complaint by dismissal pursuant to two dash five dash 145 Subsection B to any member cheater. Are there any objections? Okay, hearing none motion carries and on the same matter complaint 2024 Dash 04 entertain a motion to waive attorney client privilege to provide the complainant with additional context regarding the respondents job duties. So moved. Thank you, Dr. Margaret Anderson. Are there any objections? All right, motion carries. Next we have i complaint 2024 Dash 06. I would entertain a motion to accept our counsel's recommendations to dismiss this matter pursuant to two dash 5145 Subsection B one a. So, thank you remember Jones?
Through the Chair.
I miss something. Ah, oh, I'm sorry. Okay. Moving back, I'll just strike that motion. Ah, complaints 2024 Dash 05.
I didn't remember if your reportable motion is still on.
Oh, okay. So I can do a roll down there. Okay. Okay, thank you. Okay, so MEMBER JONES made the motion on i 2024 Dash 06 Are there any objections? Hearing none motion carries moving backwards and I misread my notes here. Ah complaint 2024 Dash 05 and entertain a motion to set up counsels recommendation is to dismiss this matter pursuant to two dash 51451 B. So moved. Thank you, Doctor member Anderson. Are there any objections? Hearing none motion carries. Next we have J 2024. Complaint 2024 Dash 07 recommendation dismisses manner pursuant to two dash dash 145 b one b. So, move. Thank you members here. Are there any objections? All right, motion carries K complaints 2024 Dash 08 I would entertain a motion to accept counsels recommendations to dismiss this matter pursuant to two dash five dash 1451. So, move thank you Dr. McElroy. Anderson. Are there any objections? All right, thank you. Motion carries. That is the entirety of our closed session. Next we have a numeral eight executive directors
report through the chair we need Need to go back to reports complaints requesting investigating? That's what I did a memo. That's right. To open investigation. Thank
you for that. Yes. At the beginning of the hearing, we know Roman Numeral six damages under closed session. So next we have reports complaints, requests and investigations a memo to request to an open an investigation. Yes,
through the chair. This is a request to open an investigation into Antoine Bryant, the Director of Planning and Development for possible violations of the ethics ordinance due to his execution of a $215,000 contract with street art for mankind Corporation without proper approval from Detroit City Council. I'm sure many of you have already read about this in the news. This has been covered extensively already by the media RT investigator Don Whitman. Whitman has also done an excellent job with researching this issue. So if you have additional questions, you can ask me and Miss Whitman on that. But to summarize, at the January 11th 2024, Planning and Economic Development standing committee meeting, contract number 373070786. To provide $215,000 for mural services was discussed at that meeting. The committee members had concerns about paying for a contract that had not gone through the required procurement process. This includes coming before the Council for approval before the start of a project or minimally as soon as the murals were started. So Mr. Brian accepted responsibility for this now occurring. And I want to I want to note that Pro Tem Tate added this was the second similar action made regarding the sale and extension of the broadhead armory to the Detroit parade company. By Mr. Bryant work contracts were signed and extended without the involvement of city council. I know we don't have a whole lot of time left but there are potential violations of the ethics ordinance involved in this which includes section two dash five dash six one willful neglect of duty prohibited and I believe that additional information needs to be investigated by our office as to whether Mr. Ryan's actions in improving the art mural contract and sign the approval of payment without city council approval, rights to willful neglect of duty. Additionally, section two dash five dash six six improper use of official position prohibited whether Mr. Bryant's participation in actions on the art mural contract where he reported his actions after the action had been taken to the mayor and city council hinder their ability to make an uninfluenced decision section two dash five dash six three disclosure of confidential information prohibited whether Mr. Brian use city property including email and phone while approving contracts and extensions, or was this work completed during working hours, section two dash five dash six for incompatible employment of rendering of services and section two dash five dash six five representation of private person, business or organization prohibited exceptions. So did Mr. Bryant represent another street art for mankind as part of their official duties and on their behalf as they may receive payment? So I think there's still many questions that need to be answered. So I'm requesting that the board initiate an investigation pursuant to section two dash five dash 161 b
Okay open it up for discussion
investigation is warranted Chair Okay anything else to share
there was even an article today emails between Mr. Bryant where she was requested to respond to those emails
Yes, it was just released today. I'll email it to everyone. Okay.
Okay, I will get started entertaining volunteer To open an investigation pursuant to executive directors recommendation. So move. Is there any objections? All right, motion carries. investigation will begin. Next we have Roman numeral eight executive directors report a board member appointments.
Yes, I'd like to welcome Mr. David teeter and Mr. Robert Jones, we're so happy to be here. And we finally have a full board for the first time in a very long time. So we're all happy about that to have quorum and hopefully not have issues with quorum moving forward. The administrative assistant they can see, we had an administrative assistant hired earlier this year, unfortunately, that did not work out. So the job has been is or is in the process of being reposted. newly revised complaint in REO forms. So we have our revised forms that were approved by the law department, and they are now posted on our website and available in front of our office for the public revision of administrative rules. We're still working on that. And we hope to have something to turn into the law department soon, but we've made a lot of progress. And our staff, Miss Whitman, and Mr. O'Connell has have done a lot in in making that possible. So I'm really proud of what we've accomplished so far. And hopefully we will have that approved and ready this year. Host charter amendment. So as you may remember, last month, Mr. Or councilmember Benson was to be to present to our board. Unfortunately, that meeting had to be canceled due to lack of quorum. So I am working with councilmember Benson's office on having him come to our next meeting. Unfortunately, because City Council is now holding their meeting right now. He was unable to attend today and follow up to new city of Detroit disclosure requirements. We've discussed this in previous meetings. My I think our next step should be a letter from the board to the mayor requesting most of the most recent disclosures, and I can draft the letter and have the board approve that. Or if you have any suggestions for edits or revisions, we can work on that and have that sent to the mayor's office.
If you'd like to send a letter, you do have to approve
a motion. Motion based upon recommendations to some water. Swimming thinking meditator Are there any objections? Alright, thank you. Motion carries. Next with everything. Next, unfinished business. Mr. O'Connell, learning trading website and marketing.
Yes, through the chair, it is an exciting time in an extremely
exciting time trading city council in our budget hearing and through the approval of the next fiscal year's budget didn't give us money for our learning management system. So we're working on getting the contracting process started for them, and getting into the request for proposals so that we can allow for enough time for Detroit and Michigan based businesses to apply. We do have a framework set up scope of work that we're, we're happy with. And it's the outline of a system that we were very excited about, there'll be invited to apply as well. So we're really looking forward to the learning management system. It's redefined ethics training for the city and allow us to hopefully meet that requirement for all nearly 10,000 public servants and expand into our underserved populations of contractors and vendors. So looking forward to that a lot. And I just love technology and training. So we're excited to make that happen. With DVD we did the work direction meet with Chief White and his administration. They were very receptive to our concerns and questions. And for that meeting we have now agreed I'll be attending one of the All command meetings to do training for all the commanders in the city of Detroit GPD and then also, periodically will be present adding extra training and their continual training academy for the police department that is required to be attended by officers and civilian staff. So that partnership is, is rolling forward. Really excited for all the good things to come through that partnership, and then all of our partnerships with different city departments. Oh, great job. Thank you so much. Thank you, Manager.
And me questions on that. New business, we have a na GC?
Yes, so our staff attended for the first time the naa GC conference, we passed the National Association of government communicators. And that was that was very informative and fun for all of us to attend. Some of the sessions included working with FOIA requesters, something that's relevant that we just discussed and AI technology, and working with the media and the press. And so I think that we came away with some useful information from that conference. And the 2024 regional ethics conference, so I included in the folder, just a page from our annual report from 2023, that we had a regional ethics conference for the first time last year. And that was extremely successful. And we hope to replicate that and improve on it this year. And so we're starting a working group. We have several ethics boards from around Metro Detroit, who are part of our working group to plan this year's conference. Birmingham Eastpointe. Macomb are some of them. So I'm really excited. Of course, all of you are invited, it will be this fall.
discussed any board members have anything to share? I just found that again, I go toe to toe so welcoming our new board members, Mr. Johnson. Mr. Teeter, we very much appreciate it. All right. It's nothing more anyone's staff. Anything else? Okay. Thank you to our attorneys very much. Attorney Muller and attorney cook. We appreciate you being here. For the announcements. The next general meeting of the Board of ethics is Tuesday, June 18 2024. At 2pm. The location is where we are currently in the butzel family center. 7737, virtual Detroit, Michigan, four eight to one four, I would entertain a motion to adjourn the meeting. Thank you, Mr. Jones. This is a second on here. Okay. Okay. Any objections to it during the meeting? All right, hearing none, we will officially adjourn the meeting at 11:52am Thank you very much for attending special needs.
