today we'll have our invocation introduction by Commissioner Clark Coleman.
Good morning about pastor Blaine. The Reverend Dr. Steve bland Jr. is the senior pastor of liberty temple Baptist Church. A 2000 Plus member congregation in Detroit, Michigan. Liberty temple Baptist church has grown by well over 1700 members in the past 15 years under pastor blends dynamic leadership and offers vibrant worship, insightful teaching, inspiring preaching, and over 51 comprehensive ministries that meet the holistic needs of the church, family and surrounding the community. He served he is a former pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church and Rockford, Illinois, where he served faithfully for 14 years. In May of 2005, Pastor bland received his Doctor of Ministry degree in the Samuel D Practice School of Theology at Virginia, Union University in Richmond, Virginia. I still have the late Dr. Myles Jerome Jones, his doctoral thesis addressed, quote, how to transition traditional African American congregations that are stagnant or in decline into becoming vibrant, relevant ministries. Reverend bland received a Bachelor of Science and Accountancy degree in 1982 at Northern Illinois University with a minor in music and a Master's of divinity degree in pastoral theology, and 89 from the Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Kansas, with special studies at the Union, Virginia Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia and 89. Dr. Bland is a president of the Michigan progressive Baptist state convention moderator of the Michigan district Baptist Association, first vice president of the Council of Baptist pastors of Detroit and facility chairman, leadership development progressive National Baptist Convention and board member of the African American ministers Leadership Council based in Washington DC. He has served as the adjunct professor of homiletics and Urban Ministry at at ICA medical theology seminary, chairman of the Social Justice Commission, Chairman of Strategic Planning Committee Council of the Baptists becomes a Baptist pastors of Detroit infinity. He still serves on several boards and committees nationwide.
Dr. Bland is a native of Chicago, Illinois, and also lived four years in Galesburg, Illinois, where his father pastored, the festa Baptist Church, Reverend bland is married to the former fellows, Jeanette Brooks, an educator and he's the father of four and the grandfather of two. Pastor bland is the son of the late Reverend Steve and Marguerite bland. I would like for you all to greet the Reverend Dr. Bland.
Good morning. Good morning. It is indeed a pleasure for me to come to the Invoker of the presence of Almighty God and this august body and let me greet you on behalf of so many of both religious clergy and citizens of our community and let you know how much we continuously pray for your work and the outcome of the decisions that you make and all that you do on behalf of the citizens of Wayne County. It is my joy to again to come back to share with you in this session. And I pray that even in my absence, that God would grant you and your families, the blessings of the coming seasons that we have and also that we can work together for the cause. of peace. Once you join me and prior to let me doing that let me honor Madam Chair Leisha bailed as well and her leadership and I think it's appropriate for us to just clap our hands and give God praise for her leadership. Before I pray and also wish to my wife for 40 plus years had been here to hear that introduction. That was just given by Herb o'clock Coleman because I don't think she believes half of that stuff, but I'd like to hear it anyway. With me if you would for this time of prayer. As we pray
Almighty God we are grateful for you this morning to breathe upon us the breath of life again. We get privileged that we have the ability to wake up this morning was so many did not have that privilege. So we pause and say thank you. We come to you and tradition of you who said If My people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray seek my face and turn from their wicked ways I will hear from heaven. forgive sin and heal the land. come to you because you are yet the God of Abraham. Out of which Christianity Judaism and Islam all find their parentage. In that tradition, of love of God and love of neighbor and love of self we come asking you to allow us to turn to our faith and not our fears. To breathe upon us fresh the privilege that it is to occupy the space that we have. Not for ourselves but on behalf of those that least of these who cannot be in this space, whose outcomes that we decide may make the difference in their lives and future. Allow us and grant us the privilege of knowing that even as we stand together, that there are people cross waters who are faithful and frightened because of war that has broken out not just recently but has been the existence for some many days of their life. God about where he is gotta buy Silent Tears. We pray that our community even now will come to understand that even bombs that are dropped there explode here exploding that only unemployment and vitriol and hatred and division that polarize communities that you've given us the ability to govern. We pray oh god, that in a day in a way that we don't know how but we know that if you'd speak to us that we can turn our hearts back to that which you declare that we are be peacemakers, for you said blessed are the peacemakers not peace lovers, but peacemakers. So help us in this day in which racism and sexism and militarism and misogyny play with each other like June bugs on a summer day. But yet we are here believing that we can be the people that you want us to be. So it is my prayer God that just like they are innocent children and babies that are victims of long held divisions and fractions in the Middle East and people oh god who are gathered both Jewish and Palestinian who were the victims of war in West Gaza. We also pray for people who died on the west side of Detroit. We also pray for people who are in our county who may need to know that somebody cares. Red, yellow, black, brown, and white. We're all precious in your saying. So this pray I pray to God on behalf of our people, and those who govern and whatever the agenda that comes on today. I just pray that you continue to remind us that within us is the breath that you have given us. And we pray that the stewardship that we have to use it on behalf of the people that you love will be governed and you will say well done. We thank you the name of he who is our God Amen.
Up Thank you Pastor bland for those timely words. Awesome prayer. And of course we pray for peace and of clerk next item, please
reading correctly and that approval of the journal.
Thanks for your time they
don't move for approval support,
moved and supported any corrections. To the journal Hearing none please vote
Okay, there we go.
Motion carries.
Thank you Next item report from the chair. I'll wait to the end of the agenda. Next item unfinished business.
There is none listed. We are moving to offering of opposition's ordinances, resolutions and presentations. You want me to go through the one on the agenda? Yes, please. There is one listed on the agenda. Item number one is a resolution by Commissioner Bill fully supporting House Bill 4474 which will read the bad what constitutes a hate crime in the state of Michigan and expand the protected classes who will receive protection under the law.
Thank you oftentimes we get information from our constituents on issues and items that are important that we can move on here at the full board. I don't know if Miss Degas is on the line, or how our technical support is doing. Jill Wayne Are we able to? If not, she's a resident of the girls points and Donna think is and had ethnic intimidation against her. At her home has been working for the last year and a half with the Attorney General. My Wayne County prosecutor's office and our state legislatures to redefine and amend House Bill 4474. So this was passed the house is in the Senate now and it just further to redefine the hate crime. She is African American woman and her neighbor displayed a K K flag towards her house and in the efforts to intimidate her and that sparked her activism at the state level and at the county level. So it's passed the house in the Senate and we're just this resolution supports that bill in the House. And hopefully it wasn't addressed senators for that they can act as well. I don't know she's on the line. Does that make it again? Polly Holly. Holly. No, no. Did that. No, that's fine. Thank you. Any discussion on this item? Commissioner Bashar
is thanks Madam Chair. I'm gonna support this resolution but but any kind of, of hate whether that's ethnic, whether that's race whether that's young, the older the is wrong, flat out wrong. But the other side of the look at this is why would you give somebody a platform that even acknowledged them? Some people liked the fact that you might not like what I did, but now you know, I'm there. You know, I'm standing up for this or that. And so the look at the other side of these, these conversations is why give somebody that's like a killer. Any kind of name recognition, why give people that has a symbol that's shouldn't be disliked by everybody. Give them a platform to pull them into this corner. And that's I just wanted to mention that I'm gonna support this. But the thing was, we shouldn't even give those folks a platform that that do that to their neighbors. And that's what this is doing. Now. You're giving them a platform. Not a good platform. But the platform. Thank you.
Thank you, Commissioner. And the language in this mental habit in front of me, unfortunately, stands up against all hate, gender, sexual orientation, race religion. It just redefines that into the Constitution. One to the laws, they law. Madam Clerk, can I move this for approval? Yes. Okay. Well, I'll move it. Is there a support or a mood and supportive by Vice Chair Bella Mara, any further discussion on the resolution? And what I'll also do is send this to our colleagues in Macomb and Oakland County as well, so that they can make sure that they let their respective state reps and state senators know that they support this and hopefully they will support it at that commission level. as well. hearing no further discussion, please vote.
Motion carries.
Thank you. Thank you all so much, and this will be going to the State House for hopeful movement. Before they adjourn. Next item.
We are returning to the agenda reports from committees we're on report a from the Committee on Economic Development there are two items listed.
And if those persons on Zoom or on telephone to hear my voice, we fully vet the items that come before us at the full board. During our committee process. And they come to us for final disposition to measure items.
Thank you Madam Chair I move to receive and file item one in approve Item two
has been moved by commissioners is their support. Supported by Vice Chair Bo Tim a dune any discussion on the two items on the Economic Development Report. Mr. Beatty in the audience by any chance to be here in a moment. Always on Zoom if if if that's working and he was in committee, thank you. Okay. All right. If we can get him on Zoom he was he did come to the committee meeting. This will be his second appointment to have his reappointment to the Airport Authority Board. Any discussion on these two items? Right.
Microphone please, sir.
Great member of the board and he contributed a lot to many of the successes.
Okay, yeah, I want to mention, Mr. Beatty, was very active and excellent board member at the airport authority contribute to many success and present lack of good ID and to make the airport when the GT power award, one of the best in the nation and the customer services. So with his re appointment, I'd like to thank him for his contribution.
Thank you so much. And Mr.
area none please vote.
Motion carries.
Thank you. Next item please.
We're on report B from the Committee on Public Services. There are eight items listed on pages two through four the agenda Commissioner Reki Thank you
Madam Chair. I'd like to move for approval items one through eight with Commissioner Clemente being the maker of the motion number seven.
Commissioner Basha.
Thank you Madam Chair. Item number two. That's already done as I understand it, so the project so why are we voting for this? Why is this in front of us?
So one can speak to item number two please?
Thank you Madam Chair. My name is Alan Cole. I'm the Assistant Division Director of Engineering. Good morning. So my understanding of the questions Why do we have to extend the contract where in fact the retest being done?
Yes. Okay.
There are still few items that this company went through needs to be done. We still have all the bridges already open. They still have to do with the palm trees and also the ask Bill to be submitted. That's the reason why we're asking for one year extension from Bemberg 23 to November of 24. So there are still some tasks that they need to be completed their contract will be expired in November in few months,
extends the term but not the dollar amount. Yes, correct. It for the punch list items. Okay. Commissioner Basha.
It's just I noticed that the work has already done, you know, the road is open. And I was wondering if this was a for a past contract or a future contract and now I've found all this for past contracts. So it helps me to understand what's
normally even though the project has been open to for, for public use, they still a lot of work to be done. After the construction. They have to do the Poncelet they have to do the Asbill drawing they have to do in all the requirements to close the projects. So that's why we're asking our designer. Those are the tattoo designer needs to be completed. That's part of the contract.
Well if it was part of the original contract, well, wouldn't it be in one contract versus doing a contract, vote on it and then come back in front of the commission again to vote on future work is done by the same folks from the previous contract and what not complete contract that's my thing, and it was open. So I was just wondering Thank you.
Thank you, Commissioner. Any additional questions on the public services? agenda items? Commissioner brekkie.
Thank you, Madam Clerk. I'd also like to make Commissioner hat as the maker of the motion on number five.
Thank you Thank you. Any additional questions on the public services? All right, Hearing none, please vote.
Motion carries. We have a commissioner Hatice as the maker of the motion on item number five, and Commissioner Clemente as the maker of the motion on item number seven.
Thank you Next item.
We're moving to page five and the port seat from the Committee on ways and means there are 12 items listed on just five through seven of the agenda.
Commissioner Kintla. Thank you Madam Chair. prior to making a motion to approve the items under report, a madam chair just would like to ask if you would like Scott our assessor to calm because item number 89. Item nine is the living of the winter tax and age is the report on which sets forth the explanations of the various tax rates is Scott president.
How about we move it in there we'll have him come under discussion. Yes, ma'am.
Ma'am,
I move approval of the Ways and Means report items one through 12
moved as supported by Commissioner murky Scott if you can make your way to the podium question Commissioner Anderson. Alright,
it's not on this one item. I'm sorry. I'm looking on item one.
Define revenue and the County Health Fund. Yes. Better Scott, hold on one sec. Commission director.
Question, Commissioner Anderson.
Thank you Madam Chair. To our director of that department we there's my understanding this is the lead hazard control program and I just wondered if we have a report yet about that. Information that was requested at our meeting are still being worked on.
Yeah, thank you doctor. Probably will say Director of Health Human veteran services. The report was requested by Commissioner Scott I believe, just in terms of investments that had been made. And that information was actually sent to her office or sent to sent to her office I think yesterday. So if there's further information that's needed, or Commissioner Anderson if you'd personally like to see it, we can certainly send it through
if you could, I thought we was gonna get it but just like to get a copy of it also. Absolutely. Thank you.
Just send that to our commissioners, please. That's what
I will do. So the request
was specific to investments made in Highland Park. So I just want to set that understanding.
That's their commission.
If I could, I was hoping we would get information on all of the lead based paint that's going all over the county. I believe specifically, there were questions about that Highland Park may not have received funding, but I do remember that we have approved that in the past. If I just asked if this was a continuation of that, or since you brought it up. Have there been other communities that have been receiving the funding?
We could expand that. Expand that request and and certainly do an audit of where that funding has gone
to you bring that information to the committee? Sure provide that too. So this is this would be ways in many ways it means yep, that's where this conversation originated. Shared to the chair and then to all commission.
Yeah, so just for context, the question that arose was about funding around lead. And I want folks to understand that when it comes to lead exposure, that usually happens in one of three ways. The first is lead in the atmosphere and that issue has largely been addressed because where that came from, was the burning of lead paste gasoline, right lead leaded gasoline we talked about unleaded gasoline because gasoline used to be leaded. And when we burn leaded gasoline, you can imagine where that lead went. That is largely taken care of the second though is something that was made understood by Flint, which was led in piping and therefore lead in water. That is not the predominant way that folks are supposed to lead these days. The predominant way, particularly our community in our communities, is lead in paint 93% of the housing stock and communities like Highland Park in Detroit, was built before 1978. And if that was the case, then there is definitively lead based paint somewhere in the walls unless those walls have been fully torn down. Usually when we talk about mitigation, that means you're putting some sort of barrier in front of that wall but if that's not kept up, the lead based paint will chip and unfortunately, lead is sweet to the taste and small children will eat it and that's how they get exposed to lead. So what we're talking about today is a program focused specifically on housing mitigation. So I just want to focus to understand the scope. around which we are discussing in about a particular state funded program to help with those alleviation. So as I understand the request, and I just want to make sure that I'll be delivering on the request that's asked is where funding how much funding we've gotten through that program and where that funding has been deployed. So I'm going to focus on that.
That's okay. Yes. And just you don't have to bring it to the committee. Just share with commissioners, just email will do.
Thank you. Thank you. You asked it
if I could. There's no doubt in my mind, as I explained in committee that it's a it's a great program to try to address the problem that the children that are exposed to lead based paint, but it exists in other communities too. And that's what I was trying to point I was trying to make, that it's important that we if we have to, let's find a way to expand the program to help other community. I know it's prevalent in a lot lot of communities Dearborn, I believe, city of Wayne, others that are have issues with the lead based paint as well as lead in the water too. But, and I know you explained that that's really not in your bailiwick about the lead bait lead based or lead paint, not lead paint, but lead in the lines, water lines, that that is another program, but But I appreciate that and if you could provide that, that's great.
Yeah, I really appreciate that. And I would say that, you know, we're anytime any child is exposed to lead, that is certainly in our bailiwick. The degree to which we can address the sources of lead is largely a function of where we can get funding. The program that we're talking about today that's focused on mitigation in homes, is funded by the state. And unfortunately, even considering the our size and the number of children unfortunately, affected by lead. It is a limited program. And so I would say that the funding that we get is less a representation of the degree to which we would like to solve this problem and more representation of the degree to which there's funding to solve the problem. And I would look forward to offering that that data to you and also ask for collective support around driving for more funding, so that we really can deploy these funds in the limited spaces. We will be on the limited spaces where we can today. So look forward to working with you on that.
Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Basham.
Thank you Madam Chair, item number 10. Could somebody explain that
is 150,000. The sheriff's office for supplies for recruitment okay someone shares office.
Good morning Bonita Terry. Director administration sheriff's office. You had a question on number 10. Yes. So this budget adjustment here is just a reallocation to place 160,000 for funding for supplies needed for recruitment and community outreach. And those supplies can be for pamphlets. And also, the giveaways that are at the table for when we're recruiting, having recruitment fairs.
Does it for wages,
not for wages, not for wages. It is also just our advertising for the sheriff's office for recruiting efforts.
Oh, it's just we get these amendments to budgets and it's like it was not clear what the 160,671 that you know, that's a couple of employees that actually you could be paying. But so when I hear that about advertisement, I just wondered what it's a lot. That's a lot of pamphlets. So I just wondered.
So as I said, you have advertising in there you also have giveaway items at the recruitment fairs. So it's a couple of different items that this is budget adjustment will cover.
I would like to see a little bit more detail on those items. As all I'm saying I can
send an email with all the detail. Thank you. Thank you.
Additional questions before we go to Scott to speak about the portion and report.
Assessment equalization Well, first of all, I'm Scott Vandenberg, Director of assessment and equalization Good morning. That taking things a little bit out of order, but for the actual purpose of the meeting overall, it's the annual apportionment report. apportionment session of the county commission. Assessment equalization division works is the instrument of the county commission to fulfill the county Commission's statutory responsibilities for for two things before a equalization of assessments in April and a portion or the spread of tax rates in October, which is the meeting that we're at today. And those two things are performed at the local level of government at the executive branch. And the legislative branch at this superior level government has oversight responsibility to review those things and make sure that they're in conformance with the Constitution of the statutes of the state. And so submitting the apportionment report. It's a compilation aggregation and analysis of all the tax rates in the 105 text taxing jurisdictions within the county. So that's all types this the county itself, school districts college Zoo, and so on and so forth, to make sure that the tax rates are properly computed and properly that means that there's there's fairness and equity in the process. And also to review whether they're in conformance with the heavy provisions for the amendments of the constitution for rolling back and limiting the tax base growth in the local units of government. So the apportionment report has a summary of those tax rates and a review of the dollars to be raised within those taxing jurisdictions. A couple of highlights for that is the millage reduction fraction was one in most cases. In other words, the millage just did not in most cases need to be rolled back. So because of the high inflationary times, the tax base was allowed to grow under the formulas by the full, permissible amount in almost every case, with a couple of exceptions. And then it's another highlight and the it's been on the Commission's mind in analysis before was for Schoolcraft College. That millage just for information continues to be unreduced. It's it's unreduced. Because of the numerically doing this on reduced because of the provisions that were or were born out a couple of years ago by the voters for approving a an override of that process. So there's a couple of highlights. The there's a millage rate request report for the county itself, so which is kind of a compliment to the report. It's not directly tied to it but it's indirectly included in the report amongst all the other taxing entities.
Alright, are there any questions about the apportionment report? I should mention.
I keep thinking about these old seniors that I represent downriver and we have folks that are doing well we have folks that in quite frankly, I remember this that don't flush the toilet unless they do number two, because their water bill is tied to their sewer bill, which is tied to you know, they can't afford it. And so when you look at our overall assessments in Wayne County, we're probably the highest tax accounting in the state of Michigan where the largest county with proportionately probably highest tax. So I would hope that in the future when we go through this, I'm going to support this reluctantly, but in the future that we look at those sorts of things. Look at the overall taxes on seniors. That matter whether you're in Detroit senior year downriver senior loan your senior. We have people that can't afford to pay their bills. So we've got the DEA, we got the zoo, we got smart we got and it goes on and on and on. Each one of them is important, but the thing of it is I just think we have a responsibility as a body legislative body to look at all of it and look at who we actually work for. We don't work for ourselves who work for them. And so I think we shouldn't be a little bit more reluctant when we're just voting for tough vote on this assessment so I just thought I'd spare that and be the skunk at the picnic. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you. And I'm not sure I'm sure everyone knows the palette he has is another city Detroit has if a senior is over 80 years old, their property taxes can be eliminated. I want to say is at 80 years old.
There are a number of programs out there for for persons of limited income. There are programs for some are tax deferment for payment. There's a disabled veterans exemption. There's there are a number of different things that are out there for from some tax relief from the tax burden. That and that's a state statute that's administered locally. So that would be something that would be applicable to every community including Detroit.
That's very important. Because as seniors unfortunately get older, income decreases and that becomes a barrier paying the property taxes by sheer potent
just to that point, Madam Chair, for example, to Scott's point in the city of Dearborn, under the poverty guidelines. Homeowners qualify for 50% reduction of their property taxes. Also, if you are a disabled veteran, you don't pay no taxes.
Yeah, so there's some very helpful programs for for persons in need. So definitely that's something that the public should be aware of, and take advantage of.
is no questions for Scott. Okay. Thank you, sir. It's been moved by Commissioner Kinloch, supported by Commissioner Reki the Ways and Means report hearing no additional discussion please vote.
was not working. Okay.
Motion carries.
Thank you. Next item, please.
We're moving to report D from the Committee on Health and Human Services. There are five items listed on pages seven and eight of the agenda. I should make a McCormick
Thank you Madam Chair. I would like to move to receive a foul item number one and move to approve three, four and five
and save and file I was number one and two will for approval items three, four and five has been moved by Commissioner Megan McCormick supported by Commissioner Hey does. Commissioner clean.
Thank you Madam Chair. I just want to comment and item one I know this has been a concern with a lot of commissioners and people are reserved receive phone calls. The report had to do with getting out the certificates for cremations. And I think we all receive phone calls three, four or five years ago with regards to this but the report is now showing that it's almost instantaneous now in over there, and people aren't getting back to almost within a day, almost every single one. So I just wanted to read to let my colleagues know that what that report showed. Thank you Madam Chair.
Thank you. And I know she's not here but it's one to recognize Janelle Allen, who really worked diligently and hard to turn around the medical examiner's office. She spent many days and nights for many months making sure that it was to the expectation that our residents expect it to be so if she's listening to that one thing to know Alan for her efforts and moving the medical examiner's office and that's a good report that that's her efforts have been working well because of the cremation reports are now down to where they should be. A there's no discussion on Health Human Services. Hearing none please vote.
Motion carries.
Next item please.
We're on report E from the Committee on audit. There's one item listed
Mr. Basham like to move one I have one item to receive.
In MOBA commission bashing, supported by Commissioner halos. Is there discussion on the audit report? Hearing none, please vote.
Motion carries
Thank you Next item please.
Report F from the Committee on Public Safety, judiciary and homeland security. There are eight items listed on pages eight through 10 of the agenda
by Shukla Coleman.
Thank you Madam Chair. I'd like to move items one through eight. I'd like to move approval of items one through eight
and moved by Commissioner Clark commerce supported by Commissioner Scott. Any discussion on the items in Public Safety Commissioner Anderson.
Thank you Madam Chair. I just wondered, Is there someone here can speak to this item
which one which item? I'm sorry
for three
item number three Okay
good morning through the chair ebony McCann Department of Health Human veteran services. The department is requesting approval to enter into a three year contract with one two year option to renew with ETRs education, training and research services. This vendor provides drunk driver job reduction services to individuals who've been sentenced to a term of probation with an offense of operating while under the influence.
Thank you for that. I just wondered Is this does this result in a reduction of the penalties that if they go through this program that they are able to get their license sooner? Are any does it have any effect on their driver's license?
So the individuals who are who successfully complete this program do have the option or the opportunity to have their court cost and fees reduced? Any options or any privileges as it pertains to their driver's license is under the jurisdiction of the supervising judge that is over their term of probation.
Do we have any plans to have recidivism reports on this?
So as it pertains to this program, Commissioner, I can proudly share that for fiscal year 2023. We provided programming to a total of 232 participants 110 carried over from the previous fiscal year of the 122 new enrolls we have 28 that are currently enrolled in programming 199 successfully completed the program. There was one transfer and four unsuccessful completions as it pertains to the overall recidivism rate for Wayne County. Again, I can proudly say share that the Office of Community Corrections or the Department of Community Corrections under the leadership of our community corrections Advisory Board Chair Commissioner Clark Coleman. We have successfully assisted with the decrease of recidivism rate for Wayne County so the recidivism rate for Wayne County for fiscal year 2023 was 12.8%, which for the sixth consecutive year is less than the state's overall prison commitment rate. So Wayne County is sending fewer individuals to prison by providing adequate programming in the community and sometimes in the jail. And so that's something I think we all can be proud of.
Very good very good. I just was curious about that. Whether or not programs such as this are actually working. We're all concerned about drunk drivers being on the roads and sometimes you have we have recidivism and so I appreciate that report. You're doing a great job. Thank you.
Very good job. Thank you. Evany. Very good. commissioner, Commissioner Basham.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Does this apply to circuit courts and district courts or just Circuit Court only programming that
we provide funding for it's for Circuit Court only. So individuals have been sentenced to a term of probation by a third circuit court judge?
Shouldn't we apply the same thing to our district courts because they handle the the gun folks also?
That is something that we would have to take it with the state of Michigan.
We will do that. Thank you.
Thank you, Commissioner. Baker McCormick.
Thank you, Madam Chair. How would a citizen end up in this program? Is it only through the judge or is there another method of entering the program?
So the primary recommendation or referrals come from a Third Circuit Court Judge However, other community partners can refer individuals to programming through recommendations we received referrals from our Wayne County Sheriff's Office, the Michigan Department of Corrections probation officers and other vendors that identify potential defendants that may be eligible for the program, but as a result you have to be sentenced to a term of probation. So you have to be under the supervision of the Michigan Department of Corrections.
Any additional questions on the public safety report? Okay, Hearing none, please vote.
Motion carries.
Thank you. Next item, please.
We are on page 12 of the agenda.
11 Oh, I'm sorry.
We're on page 11 of the agenda. Report G from the Committee on Government Operations. There are four items listed.
Thank you, Commissioner DAAP.
Thank you Madam Chair. I would like to move item one for receiving file and or approval items number two are
moved by Commissioner DAF supported by Commissioner clean. Any discussion on the four items under government operations Mr. murky
Hi, I would just like to find out more about number for
someone to speak to number four.
Hello, Hector Roman Director of Information Technology number four is we're trying to do something different for the county instead of each department and having a separate contract for a Canon copier. We're doing one contract that's going to be covered the entire county every department, one to leverage efficiencies so departments don't have to process contracts and POS for each device will just have one contract one PIO, and also two for cost savings. We know what the buying power we can leverage the amount of devices that we have in the copiers, the copies that we print we can we've leveraged the lower costs for that
this will be a five year plan of replacing,
yes, replacing and also looking at our print fleet overall and reducing devices when we can to best optimize our print fleet and also for best practices. Thank you Madam Chair.
Thank you let me ask Tim Jackson to speak to what we're going to do commission side.
Oh, yeah. Well, I'm happy to report that we're going to be the first department to take advantage of this new copy program we're going to be leasing to high capacity color printers. And one high capacity black and white printer. We met with the folks from Canon this week and we hope to have them at the devices probably in eight weeks. Eight to 10 weeks.
We've had several breakdowns with our copiers and on the last on the seventh and eighth floor. Well thank you for that. Thank you for your time. Thank you Commissioner Begum McCormick.
Thank you Madam Chair. This is item number three or the clerk's office just wanted to know a little bit more about this.
Anyone here from the clerk's office
out the election night reporting services
Hills is here but I don't see them today. A commission may be reached out to the clerk directly no one is here apparently from the from the clerk's. Office. Any additional questions on the governor operations report? Yes. Commissioner clean.
On what Commissioner Baker McCormack was asking. We first approve this contract a couple of years ago right the clerk just compiles and totals vote totals for the county. All the local communities report to the clerk and the clerk posts. county wide totals and was it about three years ago? Four years ago. Incorrect totals were being posted. And people would look and they'd see 76% reported and then you'd look an hour later and it was 54% and that's when the clerk went to this company. And so we've had two or three years now this is the this was the renewal of that contract. And guess what? It's been accurate. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Commissioner. Thank you, any additional questions? On government operations? Hearing none please vote.
Motion carries new business. We are moving to page 12 new business there is one item listed on the agenda and three on the agenda. Item number one is requested commission approval of a five year grant agreement between the charter county of Wayne and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Office of Child Support not to exceed 203,000 I'm sorry 203,000,474 $899. With the county match included to provide federal title four D funding for the third Judicial Circuit Court.
Okay and who was here to speak on this item?
morning Madam Chair Lynne Roberge, Chief Financial Officer for the Third Circuit Court. I'm also here with Aaron Lincoln, who is the front of the court for the Third Circuit Court. What we're presenting today is a five year contract for services for or Title D title for D services for the front of the court. This is where the primary operations for the front of the court is funded. It is a federal grant where federal funds of 66% are provided and the county contributes a local match of 34% for this grant, so this is where all of our activities for the front of the court are funded.
Because there was some time constraints, which is why this is on for new business. It didn't go through committee, but it is a grant although we do have a match the majority of the funds are coming from the grant from the state of Michigan. Are there any questions on this item? And we'll take all the new business items together any questions on this item? Okay, hearing none, thank you so much. Thank you. Next item on new business.
Item number two is requesting commission approval of a grant agreement between the charter County Human Services in the amount of $168,491 with no county match required for the fiscal year 2020 for sexual assault victims rights
grant. Hey, Tony, are you here to speak to this?
Through the Chair, good morning, Tony Guerrero, Chief of legislation, grants and Community Relations for the prosecutor's office. This is another example of Prosecutor Kim worthy seeking a grant that is $168,491. No county match involved. This is for the fiscal year 2020 for sexual assault. Victims Rights grant. This grant will fund the cost of one sexual assault victim advocate and one clerical specialist. The term of the agreement is from October the first of this year through September the 30th of next year. This is part and parcel of the Sexual Assault Kit team working diligently to try and locate and prosecute the offenders that have been found as a result of testing the 11,314 rape kits. I'm happy to answer any questions.
Thank you so much. We do appreciate grants to fund this much needed program. So thank you for that and hopefully we'll get grants after the one year to continue to fund this.
I will convey the thanks to Madam Prosecutor. Thank you very much.
Thank you any discussion on this item before we go to the third item? Thank you, Tony. Thank you. Item number three.
Item number three is requesting commission approval of a two year construction contract between the charter county of Wayne and Keo and Associates not to exceed $3,839,134.63 to construct the youth home Remote Parking Lot at 1333. East Hancock south of the CJC
right and who's speaking to this item
Good morning Nellie Lee assistant Corporation Council. This contract is a two year contract with Keo and Associates. Keo is to construct and commission a remote parking lot at the former site of the Lincoln Hall of Justice youth home. This parking lot will serve four employees at the CJC
so remember, we tore down the building? Correct. So this is the page that make a parking lot for where the buildings stood. Will there be shuttles to transport employees from there to the CJC at this time,
there's no plan in place for a shuttle however, that is an item that the CJC Transition Team contains continually caught contemplates
and if there's no Shinohara people to get over there.
I think that is that is that is something that we are just dusting. There's just not a plan in place for that shuttle right now. But that is an item that is continually discussed.
Good morning sumo deputy Corporation Council. Madam Chair, that is an item that actually came up in discussions yesterday that the CJC transition team is beginning to discuss and I trusted James can answer that a little bit better at the CJC meeting later this afternoon.
And, and the questions that I'm sure will come from the meeting today will be will that be mandatory parking for those individuals. So if you work at x department, you your parking space will be there or that overflow parking?
I do not know the answer to that. Do you know No. I do not. Okay.
Good morning, Darryl Jones from facility management. Planning and Development and director has your seat. So to answer that question is that the additional parking is actually one of the lots is right across adjacent I think you visited before from the CJC parking from Netflix.
Not at the Lincoln Hall
is not actually to look at all these three different developments is happening with this Lincoln Hawk structure which has been under Kayo development. They're also helping the CATO development construction. Across from the DPS lab. They support us form from that
and have a great conversation for the conversation today at the CJC meeting. Any Commissioner Clark calm
understand, so are you saying that the parking lot is right across the street from
this three different parking lots commissioner in the construction of Keio equipped that they're supposed to pave and we do three different parking lots and Lincoln Hall is one of them. That's what we told our other two buildings. That's the major part. And then it's one directly across from the CJC which was formerly called the DPS lot and it was attached to buildings that we actually purchased and then tore down to make more room for parking.
Okay, so that particular parking lot is right across the street from CJ
that is correct directly right. That is correct. And then basically the other two are further down which is at Lincoln. Hall, which is a little distance but at the same time as Sue indicated that they will be working on that.
There is so there is one further down at Lincoln Hall of Justice. And that's a little bit of a hybrid
property the same distance is for street is from here to the Guardian building.
We have shuttles
through the process that we have been working on I just said I can't commit to anything from there because as past my paygrade
Thank you any additional questions on this idol? Is that the company who's going to pay the parking lots. Okay, thank you. Next
item. Item number four is requesting commission approval of retroactive amendment number one to a legal services agreement between the charter county of Wayne and Perkins Law Group. not to exceed $75,000 in the collective bargaining negotiations matter.
Good morning through the chair suhu deputy Corporation Council. This is a legal services contract modification for the Perkins Law Group to continue to assist the administration in the negotiation and finalizing of collective bargaining agreements that we have ongoing with the representative staff of the county. My apologies for this contract being retroactive. We actually we actually, I actually started and signed the transmittal letter for the modification on August 9. But two things happen simultaneously, obviously be one thing that happened was that the collective bargaining frequency and the intensity of the collective bargaining negotiations intensified during the time and then I sort of lost track of the contract, which is why you have a retroactive modification before.
Questions on item number four. Thank you, Sue. For admitting that it was a human error. It happens. Questions on four. All right, items 123 and four on a new business. I see there's a motion by Commissioner Kinloch, supported by Commissioner da one last time for questions on new business items. Hearing none please vote Oh Commissioner can easy. You snuck in there after I see a please vote.
I'm sorry madam chair. I just wanted to ask to abstain on one and two please
abstain on new business one and two. Yes, ma'am. Okay, duly noted. Thank you. All right. And let us know when it's time to vote, or it's open please vote.
Motion carries and I'm Commissioner can these against an abstention on items one and two. Very good. All right. We are returning to page 12 with the agenda upcoming meetings.
Please note the upcoming meetings special notes away the means which will be held on Wednesday, November 1 at 930. And then after that meeting, we will have a committee of the whole at 1030 on Wednesday, November 1. Please note that if there are any changes to any of the other meetings, please let the clerk know I'm sorry. Wait The means that 930 On the first and Committee of the Whole is at 1030 on the first commissioner Basha. Sure.
We will cancel October 25 and audit because there's additional work that needs to be done before committee me Thank you.
audit for the 25th is postponed.
Next time. We are on page 13 of the agenda testimonial resolutions and certificates of appreciation. There are eight items listed on the agenda and one on the agenda.
Right there motion to approve the test my resolutions and certificates of appreciation moved by Commissioner Kinloch, supported by Commissioner halos any discussion on these certificates and resolutions? Hearing none Please vote
yes
motion carries.
All right. Thank you. Next item.
We are on memorials. There are three names listed.
Okay. Any discussion on the names Miss listed for memorials and discussion on those names remains to be added
um please stand for a moment of silence.
Thank you so much. Next item please.
Public comments.
Is there anyone on Zoom? How are we able to hear people on Zoom? Anyone on Zoom? who wish to give public comments you have two minutes anyone on Zoom?
anyone in the chambers? Anyone? Chambers zoom or telephone? Do we have any emails? Madam Clerk we have
one email is from Anthony plezier. Dear commissioners, please stand up against the Biden administration's efforts to see us sovereignty to the World Health Organization via amendments to the International Health Regulations and the pandemic preparedness treaty. Please the fund or restrict funding to any county departments that enforce World Health Organization edits. Please also stand against hr 3557 and HR 4141. And Congress would seek to strip away state and local control and permitting cell tower placements and deepen or restrict Benito County departments then enforce these bills should they become law. Remember in Federalist 33, Alexander Hamilton wrote that lower level governments have the right to treat acts by the federal government that are not pursuant to the Constitution as acts of usurpations.
Any additional comments,
no additional emails.
Thank you so much. Next item.
reconsiderations are none remarks by members.
Let me go first with remarks by members let me let everyone knows that is a very special day is our very own Pamela Lane's birthday. So let us say happy birthday to Pam. There she whipped into shape so Thank you Pam and have a very very good birthday today. We have some commissioners remarks by members of the lands Commissioner Killeen.
Thank you Madam Chair. Which is putting together a couple of notes here. You know the whole situation guys are really asked me very upset and I can't help but draw the parallels of what's happening over there. To the nation of my McLean heritage, where we were lucky enough to be right next door to a world power right across the Irish Sea that kept its boot on the neck of the Irish for 500 years. With talk of the Irish being an inferior race, was the language at the time. It can probably be considered England's first colony and there was regular rebellions through those 500 years and then when the when the Irish famine hit in the mid 1800s. There was no help from England for the Irish people because we were an inferior race and there was comments in Parliament at the time to just let them start because we'd open up more land for British peerage to have there, but that was only settled through a peace process and that's what I want to emphasize here today. What we saw in Ireland was that violence beget more violence. The Irish Free State 1920 or soul that was created by an act of the parliament. And then a little later on when we had what the Irish referred to as the Troubles in Northern Ireland for 40 years, which is just a pretty brutal civil war. There was a gentleman by the name of John Hume. And for 3035 years he was a voice in the wilderness to say we have to have peace that we're going nowhere with this. I was not a fan of the IRA in what they were up to. With the violence it was clear that a majority of Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland wanted a peaceful rest. solution I did not choose for both the Protestants and the Catholics trying to settle this thing. And it was only through a peace process and recognizing everyone's humanity. That that was be able to be settled. And I think that's the situation here. This has gone on forever. And retaliation, and then retaliation for retaliation and retaliation. That is getting us nowhere people have courage, both in Palestine and in Israel. Have to stand up and say we need to find a peaceful settlement to this. There's no doubt that being a poor nation right next door to a large one Ireland took it in the neck, just because of that big power that sat across and this is what the Palestinians are facing today. So I just want to we have to have the voices of peace come forward. And the only the only way to break this. The Palestinian people deserve self determination and they deserve a much better deal than they've been getting. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Commissioner. I think we all agree with that, that there has to be a peaceful settlement in order for this to move forward in for less bloodshed that's crippling the whole region. Thank you, Commissioner Canadian.
I'd like to wait until after Commissioner meeting.
Commissioner Anderson.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Just two quick things. I just make it three. First thing that comes to mind after what Commissioner Killeen said made me think about on Sunday evening I was at an event, NAACP Western weighing annual dinner and someone came up next to me as I was at a counter after the event was over, mentioned what had happened to the young man over in Chicago being horribly killed. And his mother injured by some deranged man. And it just it's heartbreaking. I mean, I he was six years old. As I recall from the story. I have a six year old granddaughter and just the horrific incident. Just I've not gotten over that. Just to think about that. I just wanted to send prayers out to that little boy's family but on the other two things that I have we had memoriam for Susan Schreiber. While I didn't know Susan, we all know her husband David that works for the county. And I had seen I had seen an obituary, and I didn't I wasn't sure it was our David. But it was his wife and I just wanted to extend on behalf of everyone here on the commission, and we've done it by the memoriam but I just want to let everyone know that as David that we've seen before us many times, speaking on the ARPA allocation allocations and the amount of monumental work that he's done for the county. My sympathy personally goes out to Dave and his family. Last thing I have is that prior to the meeting started, I had put a handout on everyone's desk and it was picked up as as a precaution I think for what it was and just wanted to make you aware of it and I think it's gonna be distributed to you. By Pam it's a policy a travel policy guide ask for and I wanted to thank Eddie for Corey, for providing that on a timely basis. It just gives us an idea of there is a policy in place, how it's handle, what it has to be for, and the administration does have a policy in place, which I assume they did, but we'd never seen it. And so that is something that you can have this morning to review yourself. I've looked at it. It's a little dated, but I think it was updated and you know it it's probably needs another look at it. And I think they agreed with that. But, but it is something that we can all look at it I think and be reassured that the travel, we see some travel expenditures just continually come through. And I realized where the county is largest this one is in the number of people that are in the administration as well as other positions in the county. You would expect to see a great deal of them but just wanted us to be keeping an eye on that. But anyway, you'll get that hopefully before the meeting is over or shortly afterwards. Thank you
thank you and Pam will pass that on to everyone. So you can look at theirs and this against the administration's travel policy. The commission has one as well which I have actually in the process of revamping so thank you Commissioner Vice Chair Pro Tem Baden.
Thank you Madam Chair. First, let me just say thank you, Commissioner Anderson, for speaking about the heinous crime that took place in Chicago, where a six year old Palestinian American was stabbed 26 times and his mother is fighting for her life for simply being a Palestinian. This kid escaped the war from the West Bank 10 years ago, and he became the first Palestinian casualty on American soil. And all of this is contributed to the hateful rhetoric being spewed by many of our top elected officials about the Palestinians and Muslims in general. You have these Islamophobic that are feeding into this hateful rhetorics when I'm cheering today, my heart is heavy as I make these remarks. About the genocide of war being waged against the Palestinians in Gaza. Today, I'm wearing this graffia to express solidarity with the Palestinian people under occupation, and to honor the memory of the over 500 innocent civilians were massacred when the Israeli Air Force bombed the Baptist Hospital in Gaza. Despite what the media is telling you that this was done by the other team, it is not. They are notorious for twisting realities and facts. And this bombing was used was done by the use of one of our US supplied smart bombs. Most of the victims were women and children. This is not self defense. This is genocide. Let me say this. I condemn the killing of all innocent civilians, regardless of their religion, ethnicity and background. If anyone thought otherwise of me, that would say much more about them than he would about me. We're all united in our calls for peace in the Middle East. But peace only works through justice that has been true throughout history. And it is true now. If we want to break the cycle of violence that costs so many innocent lives, we must create the conditions for peace to prevail. We must truly believe that no child is more valuable than another and that all of God's children deserve to live with dignity. So we must we must ask how can peace prevail when Palestinians are routinely stripped of basic human rights and lack access to health care, clean water, electricity and security? How can peace prevail one over 2 million Palestinians, over half of them children are trapped in an open air prison called Gaza. When their apartments schools and hospitals are bombed by Israel every few years, fueling more trauma and desperation. How can peace prevail on Palestinians are subjected to daily humiliation that Israeli checkpoints when Palestinian children are routinely detained by Israel without explanation when mosques in churches are vandalized? These are the daily realities of life under occupation that are rarely making headlines. permanent military occupation is not a formula for peace. Israel's system of apartheid has been recognized by human rights organizations around the world, including in Israel. Permanent apartheid will not make anyone's children safer and will fail to break the cycle of violence we are witnessing. Sending more weapons and bombs to Israel is the opposite of promoting peace. It is encouraging more war, more violence and more tragedy, funding more violence with our US tax dollars is not the answer. We urge the Biden administration and Congress to adopt an even handed approach founded on international human rights, including conditioning foreign aid to all parties on their adherence to international law. This is an opportunity for the international community with the United States at the forefront, to end the suffering of the Palestinian people and to bring an end to the cycle of violence. We plead to the Biden administration to work on ending this war and to enforce and demand an immediate ceasefire and open the border with Egypt to provide more humanitarian aid to the Palestinians. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you so much. Vice Chair Pro Tem bacon, thank you for those emotional, passionate remarks. It's amazing that from the beginning of time actually we've had these conflicts from Ireland and Europe, as Commissioner Killeen spoke about from Jim Crow laws in the south in this country, Ukraine and Russia. So we want to continue to pray for peace in the Middle East continue to pray for the countries in Africa who are fighting each other genocide and starvation is happening there as well. So I think does our collective prayer will hopefully work but of course, prayer without faith and without works is dead. So there needs to be some works as well from our country to help those persons in the Middle East right now as they face this tragedy every day. So thank you for those passionate remarks and we'll continue to pray for everyone in the Middle East and for the suffering to stop Commissioner halos.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I listen to the news. Listen to my colleague. We have lots of common sense common we feel the pain the Middle East in Europe, Ukraine. In I see our great nation. Sending more arm in weapons. I see that we fueling the more we add into it instead of putting our effort and resources towards peace. I didn't see that happened at all. When we send the biggest ship we have in the world, the Middle East to fight on one side, not the other. We're not promoting peace that the question is the situation been since the beginning of the time. And I didn't see any sincere work from the leadership and our great nation who have the ability to put a peace plan on the table and move forward with it. The only sincere president in our history. Work toward peace was Jimmy Carter and approve of that he have Jordan, Egypt, Israel recognize each other exists. And he was trying to continue that effort to reach permanent peace agreement but he did not get re elected. In sense I didn't see any effort toward peace. There are many other involvement from the world to play in the situation in the Middle East. Whatever they support on one side or the other. I hope everybody started praying for peace and get the attention of the leadership in Washington. Work toward peace not fuel the war. Thank you
to Mr. Dom.
And I'm sure I'll keep my remarks brief. Excuse me. I just want to say I agree with everything that Commissioner beydoun said and I just want to say talk a little bit about the importance of not turning away from this as much as it might make us feel terrible. It's it's a terrible thing to witness, you know might make make us feel sad and might make us feel depressed. But bearing witness to these, this atrocity. And this this genocide and ethnic cleansing that is going on, is so important. We have to watch and and bear witness and remember the the truth and so that history will be recorded the way that it is actually happening. And you know as as much as it might hurt and feel horrible. It's it's the least that we can do for these people that are experiencing the worst things imaginable. That's that's all I have to say. Thank you.
Thank you, Commissioner, you are absolutely correct. And again, we have to also talk to our children about this my 15 and 16 year old have very strong opinions on this. And I'm glad they're paying attention to what's happening in the world. And they're forming their own minds and I had a healthy debate with them. And I'm proud of the stance that they're taking on making sure that peace is throughout that region of the world. But understanding the history as well and how it got to this point. Commissioner Ken easic
Thanks, ma'am Chair. I wanted to also raise my voice in support of Commissioner Bay dune and Commissioner had us and the remarks that they share in it. I know I don't have to tell anyone of us the incredible honor and privilege that we have of representing 115 120,000 people across the county I feel so very blessed to represent an incredibly diverse district. It has been one of the greatest blessings of my life, to know and to experience the love and support of the Arab community and the love and support of the Muslim community. My life is better because of it. And so as I look out across what is happening in the world today, and how it is impacting the community that I represent, it's hard not to, in some way feel that pain and I'm not trying to compare my experiences to anybody. But when your community is hurting, you know, and you feel it in our community is certainly hurting today. I think one of the challenges that I've seen across this debate is that everything seems to be zero sum that you can't support a group or an individual without automatically being assumed to be hateful or wishing ill upon another. That's certainly not the case. I believe in the rights of the Palestinian people to self determination. I also don't want any harm to befall the Jewish community. We know that there's a rise in anti semitism in this country. We should stand against that. We should support our Jewish brothers and sisters in that way. We know that what happened on October 7, was wrong. Killing innocent people is wrong. We should have no problem saying that. We should have no problem condemning that. We also should not be responding to those wrongs with even more wrongs. Killing innocent people is a war crime. And I refuse to be given the option of responding to one war crime with even more war crimes. What is being done to the Palestinian people is wrong? What has been done to the Palestinian people for decades is wrong. No one in this country would accept the conditions that the Palestinian people live under, on a daily basis. An inability to vote. An inability to access health care, an inability to have clean and running water, an inability to leave your home. An inability to visit your family. And if you're given those opportunities, it is made so onerous, and so difficult, and so painful as to discourage you from attempting it ever again. I know that we want to say and that we want to feel like there's nothing we can do. I've heard folks say this has been going on for 1000s of years. What are we going to do about it? It has not been going on for 1000s of years. What we are witnessing today is the direct result of actions that were taken in the early 1900s. This is not 1000 year old situation this is a decade's old situation. And if we want to bring about peace in the region, and I want to be clear I want peace for all people. All people, of all nations, of all faiths. of all races. At the mosque earlier this week, their call was very clear. peace and justice for all people, for all faiths, and in all places. I want the safety and the security of the Jewish people. I want the safety and the security of the Christian people. I want the safety and security of the Muslim people that are living in this region. We will not achieve that safety and we will not achieve that peace. If we continue down the path that we are on failing to allow humanitarian aid into the region, forcibly, again removing people from their homes and forcing them into the southern part of the country. Leveling the country so that folks have no place to return to. This is not a solution to the problem. And so I know folks would ask we'll say that. Well, why are you speaking out? You guys are just a couple of County Commissioners right? I believe so very strongly that in this situation. You're right. It doesn't affect me personally. But we also shouldn't look to Arabs and Muslims around the world and ask them to be the perfect victims. Before we extend our hearts. We shouldn't ask them to fight these battles on their own. We have an obligation I believe to raise our voices for what's right. I don't want to be looking back on my life decades from now and saying I wish I would have stood on the right side of humanity. I don't want to be looking back on my life and saying that when my voice was needed, I stood silent. That silence is a problem in and of itself. And so I'm so grateful that we live in this country to be able to sit here to raise our voices to stand behind what we believe is right. And I pray for peace. And I pray for the Palestinians. And I hope that the United States with its incredible power, uses that power for good and uses that power to bring about resolution. Thank you Madam Chair.
Thank you, Commissioner. And on that note, we will have our meeting adjourned. Thank you