Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States stand
for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you Next item please.
invocation Thank you.
We will have the introduction of our indicator by Commissioner Kara Clemente.
Morning everyone. Good morning, everyone. Much better. Thank you. Joining us today is Reverend Kevin B. Mac senior pastor at Missionary Baptist Church, located in ecourse. Pastor Mac leads his congregation to be gospel preaching, disciple making spirit led world changing body of believers that not just only attend church, but they are the church. Everyone is welcome at Mount Zion. And here is Pastor MC.
Good morning, everyone. Acknowledging the chair acknowledging Miss Clemente acknowledging the rest of the commission. We thank you for this opportunity to be with you. I'm Pastor Kevin Mack, pastor of the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in the wonderful city of ecourse, Michigan, a man a man. Well, I thought today as we went into this time, that we will find ourselves brothers and sisters, if you would, in the book of Proverbs. And in the book of Proverbs, it tells us in chapter number three, and verse number three, begins as follows. As we focus on on the reason why we're here, those of you who have been called to this particular office, let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you. Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God. And man, trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean to your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he shall direct your path. Let us bow and let us pray. Father in heaven, how we love you today, how we honor you, and we glorify you, how we pause at this time, oh God to say thank you, for life, health and for strength. We pause at this time to say thank you for those things that you've done for us, oh God, that we have not paused to say thank you, up until this point. We ask at this time that as your presence is invoked in this time of meeting, this time of gathering, this time of decision making, that you will Oh God show forth Your Mercy, Your grace and your power. Father we represent and we understand. As we represent the people, we understand that we must bow to you who are greater for you. I'm not present that means you are everywhere. You are omnipotent. That means you know all you are omniscient, that means you're all powerful. And at this time, we need your guidance. I pray that your spirit will rest upon this group that is gathered today. Oh God, that those who they represent will know that their work is not in vain. I pray that your presence will rapidly represent will be represented today. Oh God, by this group, because oh god, there are those who are hungry, that need food. There are those who are cold that need warmth. There are those who have no way and need a way made out of no way. So we pray that you will use this group Oh god, these commissioners, to touch your people, to help your people and to guide your people. In Jesus mighty name, which is most bows matched is majestic. We simply pray and we thank You. Amen
Thank you so much pastors for that wonderful prayer from Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in ecourse. Michigan. Thank you so much for joining us today. Madam Clerk, next item, please.
Reading, correcting and approval of the journal by chair Pro Tem They Don't Move
for approval or moved and supported any discussion or corrections to the journal. Hearing none please vote.
As dependent variables, Yes.
Motion carries.
Okay, thank you so much. Next item report from the chair. Okay. At this time, I would like to turn it over to Commissioner Glen Anderson for a special presentation.
Thank you, Madam Chair. With us today, I just wanted to recognize a 30 year employee of the county of Wayne County, Stacey Johnson and Stacy has worked in various departments, and always with great dedication. And I've just everything that we've learned about her has been extremely positive. And I wanted to recognize her as she retires from the county. And I appreciate your consideration. I won't read the entire resolution. But I wanted her to know how much we appreciate her and what she's done for the county of her all these years. And she lives in my district. And I appreciate that she made the time to come down and join us today. So if I could just would you like to say a couple of words?
Sure. I just want to say thank you all. It has been a pleasure working with Wayne County has been a pleasure working inside of the Sheriff's Department. That's where I'm currently housed. And all the other departments that I've worked throughout my entire career with Wayne County. Thank you very much. And I appreciate this.
Thank you congratulate us.
Thank you, Miss Johnson for your 30 years of service to Wayne County and enjoy the rest of your time, I noticed that retirement is going to be wonderful. So enjoy, enjoy, enjoy. Thank you. Thank you for coming down today and your families as well. Thank you, Commissioner Anderson for recognizing is a great one. We have long serving employees that really give their life to Wayne County for 30 years. So we appreciate again, all that you've done for us. Next item, Madam Clerk, unfinished
business. There is no there is no we're moving to page two. Offering our petitions, ordinances, resolutions and presentations. We have one listed a presentation by Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. Hey,
Miss Benson. We are so pleased to have with us our very own Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who is here to give us an update on what the Secretary of State's office is doing, particularly here in Wayne County. Thank you so much, Miss Benson, for being with us with us here today, as well as Mr. Hester Wheeler. Thank you. So good to see you as well. Like I'm turning my time, Tony. There you go. All right. So she has a presentation that is going to be up on the screen. And I think is up there now. So again, thank you, Miss Benson, the floor is yours. Thank
you, Chairwoman bell. And I really appreciate you offering me space today to give you an update on how our Department of State is working to serve the citizens of Wayne County, and also how we're preparing for an election this fall. And in August, that we feel all commissioners have a role to play in helping us inform the public on how to both participate in our elections and also have faith in their voice and in the process. I also want to give a shout out to my home commissioner and our district commissioner McCart Carmen Coleman, thank you so much for your leadership. And I really appreciate all the work that you do to serve our districts so well. First of all, for all that you've given in your lifetime of service, and all of you as well. It's great to see so many of you, who I've known for years, continuing to serve here in the county, and I'm here today really to ask for your service and help as well as we prepare for an election cycle that gives us all With an opportunity in a nonpartisan way to provide clarity and certainty to every citizen in this county that no matter who they vote for, or how they choose to vote, their vote will count. And they can have faith in the results of the election to be an accurate reflection of the will of the people. And also that we will be doing a lot more than ever before to protect the people who protect democracy, and in particular, our election workers who work long hours to count every valid vote. We've got work and plans in place to protect them, and we hope you'll be a part of being a voice in support of them as we move forward. Next slide, please. First, I wanted to start by emphasizing the work that we're already doing that many of you know about to ensure government works for everyone. I'm proud to be overseeing the state agency that interacts with every one of our state's residents more almost as much as DHHS more than any other beyond that, and because of that, we've taken it as our responsibility to ensure if I'm asking people to participate in government through voting as the chief election officer, we've also got to make sure government works well for them. And a key to our philosophy is meeting people where they are, and bringing government to the people and ensuring that they know how to access the basic services that we require of our drivers, for example, licenses and license plates. And as you probably recall, the office branch offices several years ago, required hours of wait time and a lot of uncertainty, we have completely transformed our branches and our delivery of customer service. And we want you to know that we have 17 offices, 17 branches across the state one and across the county, one in every one of your districts. In some cases, more than one, I'm proud to be the first Secretary of State who's who's in the last few decades, who's opened a branch office in the city of Detroit, which is on Warren in Midtown, and has encouraged you all to visit it. It's it's state of the art and really reflects our vision for customer service. We also have self service stations that look like the one on your screen, at grocery stores all across Wayne County, Myers and Kroger, there's near nearly 40 self service stations, they carry information in seven different languages. And they're a great way to ensure someone can do their services with the state without interacting with our branches. And many of them also take cash. We know not all residents have access to credit cards or other things. And so we made sure that that cash would be an option as well. So we wanted you to know about that as you get questions from residents because part of our challenge is just making sure people know they don't have to go to a branch to renew their license. They can do it online, they can do it at a self service station. And they can also do it at one of our mobile branch offices, which I'll talk about in a second. Next slide, please. In addition to that, we also have a law in Michigan that enables the restoration of driver's licenses for folks who may have lost access. And in a state like ours where public transit is minimal. We know access to driver's licenses is key. And it's key for people to be able to work and take their kids to school and the like. So we host road to restoration clinics that invites any resident to come and free of charge meet with an attorney and folks from our office to see what needs to happen to restore their driver's license. We estimate close to 150,000 Michigan residents are driving with a suspended license but could have it restored with just a few eyes dotted and T's crossed and so reaching them and making sure they come to us so we can restore their license is a key part of our service. We have broad restoration clinics all across the state from the up to L Pina to down here in southeast Michigan. We have upcoming clinics in Muskegon in Flint and Marquette and two here in Wayne County one coming up on June 18. At last sad, I'll mention every one that we've done in the county we've seen over 1000 people show up. But oftentimes they're they're hosted by churches and faith leaders as well. And with volunteer attorneys and also foundations covering fees for drivers restoration. So we just encourage you to know about these and to help us serve more Michigan residents to help their licenses be restored. Next slide please. And in addition to that, we've also launched seven mobile branch offices. These are kind of like food trucks with a branch office instead of food. And the we My goal is to make sure every senior center in our state has a mobile branch office visit them at least once a month and we have seven deployed throughout the state to make that a reality. We also visit shelters and places helping individuals who are homeless or housing insecure. We visit and partner with access lists and other places to visit places where there are residents with limited English proficiency who need additional support. So if there are places in your districts where you would like us to show up with a mobile branch, it's literally a branch office coming to you in all the services that you would get by going to a branch you can get here. And it's been wonderful to see how that's transformed the opportunity to serve our citizens in this state. We have two branch office visits scheduled already in Wayne County, one at Kapitan soup kitchen on May 21. And one at the VA on May 13. We have a place at our website where you can request a mobile branch office or you can just contact me or Hester Wheeler who's here, anytime you would like. Especially this summer is there are summer festivals or if churches hold gatherings, we're happy to show up where people are. And and we're happy to enable you to bring those services to your residence in a convenient way possible. The other thing I wanted to talk about today Next slide, please, are the upcoming elections and the work that we're doing to prepare for November, there are two you can go the next slide there are two upcoming statewide elections as I know you all know, one in August and one in November. But importantly, these dates you see are the last day you can vote. Now we have nine days of early voting, and the ability for any resident to go online or to their clerk's office or mail in a form to request a ballot to be mailed to them. Next slide, please. We want you to know that michigan.gov/vote has everything your residents need to know about how to register how to request and track their ballot if they choose to vote from home, they can view a sample ballot, they can get the location of where to vote early, they can get clerk information, everything they need to know at michigan.gov/vote. So I hope you can amplify that resource for folks who need a one stop shop for more information. And a few other updates I wanted to go through as many of you know these last few years have seen several changes to our election laws, including the ability for citizens to be automatically registered through our office when they get a driver's license, or ID I should mention, we now ensure Also, thanks to Mr. wheelers, leadership and many others, that every returning citizen coming out of state prison back to a community gets an ID or driver's license upon return as well as registration to vote. And that's another thing that we've partnered with Wayne County thanks to county executive, Warren Evans and many other leaders in the county to provide to those returning citizens in from prisons here in the county. In addition to that, if people aren't registered, they can register any day, including on election day. And they can vote from home as well. And this year, we have among other new things at least nine days of early in person voting, we have found that over half of residents in Wayne County and statewide don't know that they can vote early, and they don't know even that they can vote from home. And so one of the things we need help with is making sure citizens know of this new right that they have. And one of the ways we can operationalize that next slide, please is the fact that now you can also drive people to the polls, and to early voting sites. And remember, during early voting, people will be voting on Sundays, two Sundays before an election or early voting Sundays and Saturdays as well. So you can imagine if there's a gathering, or perhaps a folks are going to church on Sundays, you can now actually give people rides to the polls after church or other places. And that can significantly help us educate folks about their opportunities to vote early or from home. The last new thing I'll mention is pre registration. For those of you who worked with our youth, which I think all of you do in different capacities. As of this summer, young 16 and 17 year olds can now pre register to vote. And so we've been doing mock elections all across the state, including at high schools here in Wayne County, to make sure our young students and our new generation of voters know that they can register now when they get their driver's license or any other time and be ready to go when they turn 18. Happy to go into more detail about the mock elections we're holding all across the state. It's been a great way for people to exercise their power and vote on things within their community that help them see the the power of the vote they all possess. And finally, we recognize that misinformation is going to be a weapon and a tactic that bad actors use to target Wayne County residents this fall. And we have established voter confidence councils, with business leaders, sports leaders, education leaders, and I hope many of you can be a part of this work as well to equip trusted messengers, as you all are your trusted leaders in your communities with the information some of which we've gone through today about our life. shown so that when misinformation hits residents, they know they can turn to you for the truth. So, finally, we know. Next slide please, that misinformation in 2024 will be a tactic that will just as it did in 20, particularly target residents of the city and of this county. And the most significant reason I'm here today is to ask all of you to help us protect your residents protect Wayne County residents from the nefarious impact of misinformation. We know it seeks to divide and deceive and deter people from voting. Next slide. And we know with artificial intelligence, the potential for misinformation, false photos, false statements from candidates, false information about the safety of voting is already in the pipeline and going to target residents in this county. So with that, there is a lot of work you can do. If you hear something, please share it with our office so that we can respond and equip you to respond to misinformation. And I always encourage people who come to me with questions or concerns about the process to serve as an election worker. So they can see firsthand just how secure our elections are. And we actually have a website michigan.gov/democracy NVP, where people can sign up to be an election worker anyplace in this state, a number of other things we're doing to engage young people in knowing their voice and their power in this election cycle. And we'd love your partnership in any of that. So I hope to have follow up conversations with many of you about what we can do together to ensure democracy prevails in 2024 and beyond. But it all comes down to simply just knowing the rules of elections and helping us call out the lies about our elections, so that we can rise above the noise and act in confidence that our votes will count as they will and that our voices will be heard. So thank you again, Chair bell for having me here today. And I appreciate all of the work that you do in Wayne County. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Madam Secretary of State, wonderful presentation, thank you so much for all the innovative things that we're doing in your offices to really assist voters and assist the residents. I didn't remember one time I spent three hours with a good book at the Secretary of State just to get my driver's licenses. But now I go in I go to the kiosks. And you know, it's very simple, easy, quick. So I think in this day and age, we're using technology like that is an amazing tool in your toolkit. And then of course, the mobile offices I think are amazing as well. You spoke to the mock elections with the young people with the mobile have a question with the mobile offices, do those go out to the schools? Or have you had those blocks in schools as well? Yes,
because students can get their licenses and IDs are registered to vote. And so we also hope to get them to every college campus and community college campus this year. But if there are any particular schools or gatherings of students visited, for example, the Durfee Innovation Center Expo earlier this week, we'd love to have our branch office show up there too, because we'll go anywhere, there are people who need our services.
Thank you. Thank you so much. And again, this is the first time that we've had a secretary of state come to address the Wayne County Commission. And this is so important with all the changes in the election laws that you've brought to us. And just the education that you're giving us that for us to then go out and let our constituents know is very, very important. Education is key. This is a civics event, voting is the right and duty of every American to but they have to get informed and be educated. So I thank you for bringing this education piece to us. As we talk about the upcoming elections, the changes to that, and just the Secretary of State's office in general. Are there any questions? I see one from Vice Chair Pro Tem they don't. Thank
you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Madam secretary for bringing the state of the art technology to the offices of the Secretary of State makes it a lot easier than before. A quick question, what is your prediction for this year's primary election and the general election in terms of a turnout? Oh,
we in 2020 saw the highest turnout primary and general elections in our state's history. So we're putting the tools in place, we need to equip voters to participate again, in those high numbers. I'm hopeful and optimistic they will regardless of how they choose to use their vote, we want everyone to have their voice heard. So we'll continue to partner with local officials so that people can feel that they're part of the process and know how important it is to use their power. And hopefully, we'll continue to smash those turnout records. They're really directly linked to the ease of voting policies that we've got in place now. So I'm optimistic we'll see high turnout and both of our elections this year, and we're putting all the places things in place we need now to get into that goal. Thank you.
Thank you, Commissioner halos.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you for a wealth of information really good and make voting more simple to the public. You mentioned is you could register to vote on the day. Oh, when you register in the same day,
yes, you have to go to your clerk's office, you can register and then vote right there.
Yes, thank you. I should never Iraqi.
Thank you, Madam Chair. And thank you for being here is a former city clerk. There's a lot of changes that have happened in last few years. But I have a question about the voter transportation. Can any group then any group can do whatever they want to gather voters to bring to the polls? Okay. Yes,
yeah, you can bring people to the clerk's office to register and vote, you CAN bus people to early voting centers, you can take people to vote, all of that is now legal in Michigan. Okay. And we're just gonna do it your I mean, you don't have to file anything or no, no. And we're also talking with Uber and Lyft to provide a code for people to use those rights services or rideshare services to free of charge to be able to vote to okay, that way. All right. Thank you.
Clemente.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you for being here today. My question is about getting the word out. I know we're trusted. Do you have liaisons that could go into communities or speak at groups? I serve your community, they could really use that and different languages
to? Yes, we do. And we're building out our team, but certainly myself, Hester, our Deputy Secretary of State at gogo, and Debbie, they do that on a regular basis. And we have a community engagement team, led by Neva Sevilla, who's a Detroiter, and has worked all across the state. And she also can, with her team go into places and oftentimes bring them Oval Office to to provide services. But yes, we have a whole collection of folks as well with our voter confidence councils who were equipping to do that work and to speak about the rules of voting. So just let us know where you'd like us and we can get there.
Okay. I'm just wondering if I could reach out to you. Thank you. Yeah.
Thank you so much. This was very informative. We have the information, we have your numbers. So I'm sure many of us will be reached out to you as we draw closer to August and November. And again, is about educating people to vote and when does does not talk about voting for the Secretary of State's office where I was talking about IDs, we're talking about organ donation that you can put on your driver's license, all of the services that your office provides. So thank you so much again, for for coming here today. You're welcome to stay as long as you'd like if you can stay to watch our very enjoyable meeting or, or if you have other things to do, we certainly understand that as well. But thank you so much for taking the time to come see us today and to give us this great information.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair, for your leadership and for all of you for your leadership in the county. It makes me proud to be a resident of the county does he all be working hard to to represent us well. So thank you. Thank
you so much, ma'am. Secretary. Alright, thank you, Mr. Wheeler, as well for a company. All right. All right. Before we go on to our committee reports, let me just remind our guests in the audience and online that I full board meetings. We come here after we have several conversations in the committees and vet each item during the committee process. And then these items are then brought here to the full board meeting for final disposition, but each item has been heavily vetted and discussed at the committee level before it comes here to the full board meeting. With that, Madam Clerk next item, please.
Oh, thank you. Well, reports from committees report a the Committee on Public Services is listed on pages two through six. There are 15 items.
Mr. miracIe Thank
you Madam Chair. I'd like to move approval for the items one through 15 with Commissioner Clemente being the maker of the motion and number seven and Commissioner Panamera. Being the maker of the motion on number nine the $20 million dollars for the girl zeal bridge that he's been waiting for. We've all been waiting for. Yes. Thank you.
Thank you. It's been moved by Commissioner murky supported by Commissioner dobb. Any discussion on the items on the public services report? Any discussion? Hearing none please vote.
Motion carries and I have Commissioner Clemente as the maker of number seven. And Vice Chair Pella Mara as the maker of the motion of number nine. Item please. We move to page six. The Committee on Ways and Means that is listed on pages six and seven there are 10 items. The missioner can
lock chair I move approval of the entire report items one through 10 For
well that commission can lack support of a vice chair Pro Tem they don't a discussion on the Ways and Means report. Any discussion on the items on the Ways and Means report? Hearing none Please vote
as Commissioner cannot that you've done once and after we vote. Okay.
Motion carries.
Madam Chair. Yes. Just also like to remind Commissioner, remind commissioners that I'll be sending out communication to this will be due back next week on budget priorities because we're about to begin the budget process.
Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner. Our next item. More
on report see Committee on Health and Human Services is listed on pages seven through 10. There are eight items, especially
Scott.
Thank you, Madam Chair. On item number one, receiving file, two through eight, Move for approval
been moved by Commissioner Scott supported by Commissioner Killeen convention can easic
Thank you, Madam Chair, I'd like to abstain on items two, four, and seven.
Duly noted. Any questions or discussion on the Health and Human Services report. I'm just going to make a comment on number eight, the just air solutions, the air monitoring devices 100 of those have been placed throughout the county. So we are ecstatic to be able to provide or to receive data on air quality. And once we get that data, it'll help us indicate to the bad actors that they need to clean up their act. And let the residents know with the inhalers that we're good children if they're in need of devices based on the air quality. So I think that's a wonderful health and human service activity that we voted on a few months ago. The inventor is a young man, and I'm just so proud of him. In our technology hub, we have a lot of young people in Wayne County, we are doing remarkable things in the field of technology. And we're so proud of Mr. Dan Riley, who came up with this particular solution for air quality, so doesn't want to make mention of that. Commissioner that.
Thank you, Madam Chair, I did see that there was some event yesterday, I believe on the job stare. implements, will there be information coming to the commissioners about how to get the data or how to have the platform out to our district.
Good morning, Dr. Abdullah said, director and health officer Department of Health Human Veterans Services we can send we will send out a formal communication for now. Anybody, anybody in the county can go frankly, anybody can go to Wayne county.com/air quality, or just air dot app. Both of them will have real time information as well as a heat map on air quality. That's also where folks can go to sign up for text messages based on the the location that they live in, in the county. And we will send a bit more on that. And we look forward to being able to update the Commission on the metadata that we create and what we learned coming out of this particular air quality season and moving forward. So we're really excited to have this up. And again, just want to thank commission for your support of the project really excited about what this will do for our residents.
They're an app that goes along with this as well. Yep, folks
in download that again, either at Wayne county.com/air quality or just air.up. Okay,
thank you. Yep. And not to get too much in the weeds. But how often? How long does it take to make the determination as to this as the bad air quality area versus this area? Three months, six months a year. So
air quality tends to be seasonal, it tends to be worse coming out of this season. In fact, two days ago, was National Air Quality Awareness Day. And, and so May, June, July, and August tend to be the worst air quality months. And so we should have a pretty good swath of data coming out of the summer, which should be really helpful for us. What's the thing about data those is it's never a situation where less data is better. So the more we collect and we'll be collecting in real time, the better the quality of our data And the better the quality of our inference. So our hope is that coming out of the summer, we should have some pretty good data.
Right. Thank you, Commissioner Scott.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I just wanted to say on the news this morning, they highlighted that quite extensively.
At channel two, I
think it was seven that I saw this morning. Wonderful. Very
good. Thank you so much. We appreciate you. If there's any questions anyone has to get a little bit deeper dive into the just air and the air quality piece, please. Contact Dr. Ted. Thank you, sir. Thank you. All right. That we have motion as support any additional discussion on Health and Human Services? Hearing none, please vote.
Yes, here we go.
Motion carries. And I have Commissioner connaissez abstaining on items to four instead. Excited I'm pleased. Next item is report from the chair of the Committee on Public Safety, judiciary and Homeland Security is listed on pages 10 and 11. With three items
kkOma. Thank you, Madam
Chair. I'd like to move item number one for receiving file and two and three for approval
of by Commissioner glaucoma supported by Commissioner Hayden's, any discussion on the items on the public safety report. Any discussion? Is Mr. John cert up here by any chance? If you could, and I don't know if he's going to be with the Homeland Security. Sir, if you want to make most make a comments about this appointment. Turn on the microphone.
There you go. Thank you, John, sorta thank you for this opportunity to speak in person through the chair. Again, my name is John sorta, and I am born and raised in the city of Detroit, currently living in Dearborn served 30 years the Detroit Police Department, five years, City of Detroit law department, six and a half years military. And so I, I hope that I bring something to the table, but I appreciate the opportunity. And I know you have a lot on your agenda. So I'll certainly be glad to answer any questions. I have two degrees from Wayne State University, married with two adult children. So that's pretty much my story.
Thank you, Director. Do you want to add anything?
Yes. Thank you, Jeff. Thank you, commissioners. John really stood out. We
went out and recruited.
Talk to least seven people and John's credentials, graduated at the FBI Academy, being recently in the last year, the commanding officer of the Southwest District, and having a big role in Detroit. During the COVID pandemic. We worked with him hand in hand on many things to make sure our public safety was prepared. I think John would be a great asset to the county knows the city well and the surrounding suburbs. He's worked many crucial positions over the years. I've had the pleasure of working I'm working with him in the Detroit Police Department. Just very brilliant. And I think he'd been a great addition to the county and your blessings would be much appreciated.
Thank you, commissioners,
so much, Director. Any additional discussion and comments on the public safety report? To Commissioner killock,
just wanted to congratulate him and welcome him on board. His reputation precedes him. He's worked very closely in the southwest Detroit community. That's an area in which I once represented on the school board but also have strong ties and grew up in southwest. So I'm welcome on board. Thank you, sir.
Appreciate that.
Commissioner Clemente.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Commander surdo was one of the first people that I met when I started going to the Fourth Precinct to community meetings. He's always been very open. And I think he'll be a great asset to Wayne County. So welcome aboard. Thank you.
Thank you, man.
So much. Any additional discussion on the public safety report? Erina please vote. Motion carries bad relations.
Thank you, sir. Thank you, Commission.
Thank you.
Thank you. Thanks, Adam, please.
Okay, do you live and report from the Committee on Government Operations? There are nine items listed on pages 11 through 13.
I maintain.
Thank you, Madam Chair, I would move approval of items one through nine and the government apps report by
Commissioner Clemente supported by Commissioner halos. Any discussion on the government operations report? Any discussion on the items undercover operations? Commissioner DAAP.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I had a question on item number eight, sole source contract? Did we received the due diligence letter for that contract?
So that you know we received the due diligence for I have number eight on the government operations.
The chair to this honorable body? I'm not exactly sure what letter you're referring to.
Morris again, my calling it the wrong thing. The letter that we talked about in our audit on sole source contracts.
A letter from the securement division acknowledging that they do their due diligence to confirm it was a sole source contract.
It received approval from the procurement director. I'm not sure if we received an actual written letter.
Aaron, can you answer that question for Commissioner?
Through the Chair, Aaron Wagner Chief Administrative Officer. Commissioner, I'll have to confer with Arthur Walker, the procurement director to find out, I do know that when a sole source solicitation is admitted, we do require documentation from the from the supplier indicating that they are the only source for this and the procurement staff, in addition to the director, do that through to make sure as far as a particular letter, certainly we can work with with Marcy and her group to make sure that that's included in the approval from the procurement director indicating that yes, they have vetted through.
Alright, great, that would be wonderful. We just had a whole audit on this process. And including that letter is very important.
Let's make sure that the procurement director works with our auditor to make sure that those documents are included counsel,
the chair because there were several contracts that were already being processed at the time, there will be a lag where we will get items that will not have that letter. And I guess we can work with procurement to determine what does that cut off. So we'll know a staff when to actually look for it, because this contract we received over a month ago, but it was put in their system prior to that. So it's possible that this was already in process. So we'll we'll follow up with procurement and make sure that we have a deadline and know when to actually start looking for those letters that
test at least on the CEOs office, transmittal side, we'll make sure that that language is included. And we'll make sure not to move anything past our cue moving forward. Thank you.
Thank you. Any additional discussion on the report? On overhead operations, any additional discussion? Hearing none, please vote.
Okay, motion carries.
Thank you Next item,
or upcoming meetings. They're listed on pages 13 and 14.
And please look at the upcoming meetings where there is a woman's commission meeting today at 12 o'clock. But please look at the meetings and if there are any changes, please let the clerk no commission job.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to let everyone know that we're going to have the external auditors in at our next audit meeting on May 15. If anyone would like to join, right,
thank you. Excited.
We're on page 14 Under new business there are two items listed. The first item is requesting commission approval of amendment number one to a one year inter governmental agreement between the charter county of Wayne and the state of Michigan.
Work been moved by Commissioner Ken black supported by Commissioner hetas. This is a $500,000. Agreement. Graphic science says to perform digital digital conversion, and the prosecutor's office. Tony, I don't know if he wants to speak to this at all. This is your item? No, that's right. Maybe right.
Thank you, Tony Guerrero, Chief of legislation, grants and Community Relations for the prosecutor's office. Madam Chair and members of the committee, the commission, we're very grateful for this particular item to come before you. This is essentially the scanning contract, we have been involved in scanning our files, because our office has to be completely digital, in order for us to make the move to the new criminal justice complex. This extra $500,000 extends the term of the agreement by a year and seven and a half months. It will go from pardon me from February 16 of 2023, through September 30 of 2025. And it will cover an additional 1500 case files. We have been at a standstill, unable to do any scanning whatsoever, until this contract came before you. I'm happy to answer any questions. But I want also to acknowledge and thank commission staff commission counsel for moving this item forward. So you could vote on it today.
Thank you so much, Tony. Any discussion on this particular item? sits with you all in your move over to the CJC. Mr. Anderson?
Thank you, Madam Chair, I no spaces, a greater premium at the new facility? Certainly. And I applaud the prosecutor's office for all they're doing to try to digitize records. I know there's some though, isn't there some that have to be maintained in the paper format.
Store, there are a number of them when we're talking about homicide files, things of that nature, that will be housed at the bibliography building. Because we have to keep the hard copies of those.
This will relieve us of a lot of storage cost, right. This will relieve us
much of the storage costs that the prosecutor's office is paying for the Viglione building.
And he estimated how much we will save in the storage cost right away. I
can't answer that Commissioner, but I will be able to find out and get that to you. Yeah, interesting, I
think for everyone. Thank you. Thank you for what you're doing. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you. Any additional questions on this item? And if you don't mind, we'll take one and two together. Number two, please. Thank you, Tony.
Thank you. May I be excused? Yes, please. Thank you.
Item number two is requesting commission approval of a purchase order to a cooperative agreement between the charter county of Wayne and WW Granger.
And who's here to speak on this item
through the chair Aaron Wagner Chief Administrative Officer the item for you this cooperative purchase is for tools to for the fmnp team to maintain the new CJC you know as the FM building is being finalized and built out and the various trades are working there, they have workstations that will be within the CJC to address various plumbing electrical construction issues.
Any questions on number two on this item, any discussion? Okay, Commissioner halos moves to approve items one and two supported by Commissioner Kinloch. We'll just do that.
That's okay. Can we stick in like absolutely okay. All right. But one more time for any discussion items number one and number two. Hearing none, please vote.
Motion carries.
Thank you so much. Next item, please.
We're on testimonial resolutions and certificates of appreciation. They're listed on pages 14 and 15.
Their motion? Moved and supported Commissioner Scott discussion?
Yes. I just wanted to say something about a few of them. Okay. Thank you. I'd like to be added to Dr. Carol Dixon, longtime friend of mine, to her resolution. One of her honorary chairs and also Dr. Steve bland, of Pastor of Liberty Baptist Church, long term. And I just wanted to speak on Miss Carolyn Williamson green. She was very active with Mrs. Rosa Parks, so she was just awesome activists, still very active in the community. And, and Miss Laura Dickerson. As most of you probably know, her is the UAW region, a one a local 600. I have known her family and her before she was even born. So I just wanted to honor I'm so proud of her all that she has done. She came up through the ranks and has just been an exemplary person. So thank you so much. Thank
you, Commissioner. Yes. We're also proud of Lord Dickerson, first woman, first African American woman to have that deposition with region 180. So very proud of her. Thank you. Commissioner Anderson.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I would just ask if I could be included in the number seven and number 16. Both those individuals I would have knowing them. I'd like to be included. Thank you.
It Duly noted. Commissioner killock, like
to be added included. If on item number 16. or would like to also be added?
Eric, that Duly noted. Alright. Any discussion further on these items? Hearing none, please vote.
Motion carries.
It excited, please.
We're on Memorial
Day. We have three names listed for Memorial rooms. Are there any additional names to be added at this time? Vice Chair Paul till they do.
Thank you Madam Chair. I would like to add the two names. The first one is has Samia sharara. He is the brother in law of our dear colleague Commissioner ACOs. He passed away earlier this week, survived by many family members and extended family again, I extend my sincere condolences to his entire family and our dear friend and colleague Commissioner a dose and the second one is Mohammed Sian. He's a former teacher in the Dearborn Public Schools he passed away yesterday. He also has had an impact on many students throughout his 40 year career in the Dearborn public schools and I do extend my condolences to his family as well. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Your Commissioner. Keeping those families in our prayers especially Commissioner halos are your family. Any additional names and everyone, please stand for a moment of silence.
Thank you so much. And again, we want to keep the families of those listed in our prayers during this difficult time.
Next item, we're on page 16 public comments and I do have an email.
You have an email Okay, let me see if there's anyone on Zoom for There's anyone on Zoom for public comments. You have two minutes if you're on Zoom. Any one on Zoom? Anyone on the telephone? My name is Tara Brown. Okay, very good. Miss Brown. We hear you. You have two minutes, please.
Thank you. I guess I picked the perfect day to come today because everybody that I needed to hear me is here today. I was coming because I wanted to speak to the fact that I have been reporting a business, Great Lakes property and investment service to Wayne County for over a year for deed fraud. They are submitting deeds that are signed by the owner Jasmine McMorris, they are not paying their fair share of taxes. These quitclaim deeds are fraudulent. She is the one that constructed them, she is the one that is signing them. And in Michigan, a notary is not allowed to notarize their own signature. In addition to reporting this information to Wayne County. I've also been reporting it to Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson's office for notary fraud. This woman has been notarizing documents since I made my initial complaint in February of 2023. And she is still making them as recently as February of March of 2024. I reached out to every single Commissioner by email to address this issue after spring Smith told me that basically I can't make the complaint because I'm not on the deed. So you're expecting the person who in some cases is the grantor, the grantee, and the notary to make the complaint about the fraud. When I made the complaint, Jonathan Kinloch was the only one that got back to me and he got back to me immediately followed up on it only to be given the same information that I was given, which is essentially because I'm not on the deed, I can't make the complaint. People in Wayne County specifically in Detroit are still getting their houses stolen, because people are committing deed fraud there the gentleman this where she stole his house this way. We are reporting this. Why are the people in the note or I'm sorry, in the deed registration office not being trained on notary laws? And more importantly, why is it when the public is pointing this information out? Nobody is doing anything about it. I get it. You all like to be involved in the bread and circuses given away dresses, turkeys, bikes, and all this other nonsense. We need you to act on behalf of the citizens of Detroit and especially when we are coming to Bodnar Youngblood and his staff and telling them and nothing is still being done. Thank you for your time.
Thank you. Do we have any other public comments on Zoom? No hands raised one more time any public comments on Zoom? As well go ahead Miss Buffington.
Go ahead Ms. Buff Madam Chair.
Are you able to hear me?
Yes.
If I could answer to the young lady that just spoke up because I am the union representation for Mr. Youngbloodz. Office. There was a public announcement done by Mr. Youngblood about the deed theft that is going on across the country. And they have enlisted a deed protection plan that people can enroll in to because of how the law is set on your deeds with your property. This deed that is ongoing, not due to the Mr. Youngblood or his office. It's in place of how the legislation is set on your deeds for your property. And the employees there have to follow the guidelines that were set in place under Mr. youngbloods. Office and under the legislation. So people in Detroit need to be made aware to enroll in D protection if you have any issues or are afraid of any issues that are occurring for your deeds on your property. Thank you for your time.
Thank you, Miss Buffington. And as you know under public comments, we are not to engage in dialogue back and forth. But I appreciate you clarifying that Miss Buffington and I'm sure Miss McMorris will be in touch with commissioners in the Register of Deeds office for further conversation on this issue. Anyone else on line or on the telephone? Hey, we have an email before we go to chambers.
This 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 tree Eating. Please restrict funding to any county departments then enforce World Health Organization ethics. Remember in Federalist 33, Alexander Hamilton wrote the lower level governments have the right to treat acts by the federal government that are not pursuant to the Constitution as acts of usurped usurpation.
Acid. Thank you so much. Anyone in chambers for public comments? You have two minutes. Anyone in chambers for public comments? You have two minutes. One, one more time. Public comments. Okay. Thank you so much. Next item,
reconsideration.
There are none.
remarks by members, thank
you any remarks by members today? Before I go, any remarks by members? remarks by members, Commissioner Baker, Macomb.
Thank you, Madam Chair, I just wanted to let all of the commissioners know, in our meeting with the youth council, that last week, two weeks we decided to send out or talked about just getting to you the applications in advance. So you can start looking for students or members to appoint you to appoint early while the school year is in so today, this morning, we sent over to you the applications. So you will have them in hand. Also, Jim worked on a flyer for each of the commissioners personally personalized, tailored for you to submit to schools or in your district to help with with the recruitment. So if you have any other questions, please reach out to me. Thank you.
Thank you. This is may school gets out May June. So maybe we can get those in the hands to counselors before the end of the school year. We can have good candidates for you to choose from before we start the new school year in September. Thank you so much, Commissioner. I'm hearing no other. No other remarks by members. And if occurring, could you please come to the stand please?
Edie sir row is Eddie's last day. And we want to publicly thank you for your service to Wayne County for these years. Let's get ready a round of applause.
Wow. Thanks. Thank you so much. You
have served the Wayne County residents under the leadership of CEO Evans, you've been in all of our offices several times, making sure that we were abreast of the issues that were important to the administration. We want to thank you for your tenacity for your honesty, for just being there working diligently for the administration and being that superstar liaison that you've been so congratulations on what's next for you. I'm sure it's going to be super fabulous. But we will miss you. And we thank you so much for your service to Wayne County, to the commission and to the administration. I
really through the chair and to all the commissioners, I am overwhelmed. Thanks for this surprise and the gratitude. I'm grateful. And I will definitely miss everyone here that I refer to as my Wayne County Family. It's been an honor to serve under Mr. Evans leadership. Equally, it was wonderful to serve each and every one of you. And yeah, as I say, I'll give it to God and see where he takes me next. So thank you so much. Thank
you so much.
I really appreciate that
nice chair powered mirror.
Thank you, Madam Chair. At a congratulations to you. I look forward to staying in touch with you and your future endeavors. But you were here at the last meeting as well, where we honored another great American. And while you're up there representing the administration, I want to take the time now even though it probably was more appropriate for me to thank these people who did the work behind the scenes then. But our last meeting ended in a flurry of pictures and Congratulations to Mr. Eaton. I wasn't able to thank the people who did a lot of doggone hard work to make that goal off without a hitch and or glitch. I'll start with chair bell that gave us the latitude to put together a meeting. Quite frankly didn't know how it was going to go. But we got a lot of good feedback after it. I want to thank Chief of Staff Tim Johnson, and my staff, Martha Toth and and Alan helm camp for greeting. The guest speakers who showed I want to thank Angelo pariah and Karen and Kim at the front desk, who made sure our VIPs including the governor and coaches Oh had parking right in front of the building. The communication staff Jim Toth, who made sure that we got all of our signatures and developed it into a beautiful plaque for Mr. Eaton, as well as Wayne Peele in Orlando Gloucester in that office. But last but not least, the thing that I was most nervous about came off the best. And that was the technical video tributes that I just hope that our machines work. Not only did they work beautifully, but the ladies added music and graphics. And I can't be any more grateful to Octavia hunter from Central staff Sharon Guyton from Irma Clarke Coleman's office, and Abdullah Al McDowell in it, who made sure that everything just went smooth. It was a good day for Wayne County. I've heard nothing but great feedback. So congratulations to all of you for a wonderful meeting at our last meeting. So thanks again, Edie for being here. And thank you, everybody else. Thank you. Thank you.
And thank you, Vice Chair, Paula Mayer for an awesome, awesome event to have a governor here. Tom Izzo, it was just an amazing, amazing day as we celebrated Greg Eaton for his years of accomplishments, and it was an honor to be here. So thank you for your leadership and foresight to even bring this to us. So we appreciate that as well. Vice Chair Pro Tem Begum.
Thank you, Madam Chair I want to take this opportunity is Eddie's Wayne County Commissioner is a Dearborn resident. I want to thank you for everything for your public service for Wayne County residents for everything you have done. I really have enjoyed working with you. And I'm looking forward to staying in touch in the near future. Thank you again. And to commission a pal Amira, you know what I'm becoming a Michigan State fan. For one year. Thank you for putting on such a beautiful program and all the staff that you have mentioned for making sure it was a great success. Thank you.
Thank you, Commissioner. Any additional remarks by members? Any additional remarks by members? impersonators.
Thank you, Madam Chair, I can't miss this opportunity to tell Edie I really enjoy working with him by making our company communication simple and clear. And we always accomplish what we aim to do with him. Personal like Eddie, I don't think he have a problem to get a huge success wherever he goes. I wish him well. And I always like to keep my friendship going with him even after the county their life. So thank you, Eddie. And God bless you. And we wish you the best.
Thank you Commissioner Commissioner Kinloch.
I also would like to thank Eddie, for his staying on top of stuff, I can just tell you, as I've sent out emails, without Eddie and it would take a couple of days longer to get responsible when I add Eddie, Eddie response, and then he gets on top of it and was on top of it. And I appreciate that. He will call you on weekends and evenings to make sure that you had things that your answers were responded to. He was always accessible. And I appreciate that. And, you know, and wish him well in all of his endeavors and look forward to staying in touch with him as well. Thank you.
Additionally, remarks by members. Eddie again, Godspeed. Good luck. I know that you have 15 people here who will assist you and lucky to be your friends and we look forward to the next chapter of your life. Thank you. All right. If that concludes, motion to adjourn. All right, Madam Chair. And thank you all so much.
