Hey, everyone, please vote if you can what's up with this?
Have a quorum present next item, please, Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States. Stand for the pledge.
I pledge allegiance.
Thank you. Next item, please. Invocation. Today we will have our introduction of our indicator by Commissioner Clemente.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Good morning. Everyone. Lovely March day I have today. Reverend Dr Kimberly Whitsett, she is the assistant pastor of Mount Pleasant missionary, Baptist, Baptist Church. Excuse me. Reverend Dr Whitsett is a graduate of Detroit Public Schools. She holds an Associate Degree in clerical processing, a bachelor's degree in business administration and a master's degree in Strategic Management. She also holds a doctor, Doctorate of ministry at medical Theological Seminary, Reverend Doctor whit said, is a clerk in the city of E course, she was re elected to the position in 2024 prior to becoming clerk, she worked as an administrative assistant at Bethel Baptist Church East during that time, she was also cultivating her business and creative skills as an entrepreneur and proprietor of her own desktop publishing, home based company. Reverend Kimberly is also an accomplished musician with countless musical and theatrical compliment to her credit, she has recorded her demo EP entitled His love, and she later recorded a compilation CD entitled The magnitude of the moment. She has been a featured solace on albums of Carl B Philip and friends Michael Fletcher and the Michael Fletcher, coracle, the MD choir and the late pastor Oscar Hayes and the tri church fellowship choir. While all of these accolades and accomplishments are good, she remembers that only what she does for Christ will last being licensed and ordained. Her ministry matters, including a strict servitude for the people of God. She has a heart for ministry of Sunday school, mission, outreach, seniors, sick and shut ins, she holds fast to the principles of seeking, first, the kingdom of God and His righteousness, knowing that all other things shall be added unto her. Matthew 633, and in this month of International Women's Day, I'm very proud to have Dr whit set with me today. I first met her when I was in E course, and then got the opportunity to hear her sing, and she has a remarkable voice and a beautiful way about her so
dr Woods said, Thank you.
Thank you. Commissioner Clemente, shall we pray Gracious God, we are conscious today of our world, our nation and the communities that we serve. We come before you with grateful hearts, acknowledging your sovereignty over all things as we gather in this chamber to conduct the business of the people, we seek your wisdom, guidance and justice in all that we do this month, while we honor the contributions of women throughout history, we thank the trailblazers, leaders, nurturers and advocates who have shaped our society. For the better, we celebrate the courage of those who have broken barriers, the compassion of those who have served selfishly, and the resilience of those who have carried the weight of progress on their shoulders. May their legacy inspire us to lead with integrity, fairness and vision. Lord as our nation is in a state of unrest, we lift our leaders, local, state and national, asking that you grant them hearts, grant their hearts that seek justice, to have minds to pursue peace, and hands that labor for the common good. Let us not be divided by rhetoric, but united in our commitment to truth, dignity and well being for all people, may the policies and decisions made in this room reflect the spirit of equity, inclusion and service. We ask your blessings upon the commissioners public service and citizens present today for grant us clarity in our deliberations, wisdom in our governing and strength in our conviction. Let our words be seasoned with grace and our actions be motivated by love and our service. Be reflection of your goodness as we move forward, may we never grow weary in doing good. May our work today leave a lasting impact for generations to come. We offer this prayer in the name of the one who calls us to serve one another in humility and love. We offer this prayer in the name of Yeshua hamashia, amen.
Thank you so much. Dr Whitson, for that inspirational prayer. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Next item,
reading, correcting and approval of the journal. Vice
Chair, they do move for approval support. Moved and supported any discussion on the journal hearing, none. Please vote
now. Motion carries.
Thank you. Next item report from the chair. Nothing today. Next item
we're on unfinished business. There isn't a listed we are moving to offering of all petitions, ordinances, resolutions and presentations. There are three items listed. Item number one is a presentation by Commissioner moreck honoring the Northville high school boys cross country team upon defending the M, H, s, a division one state title for the third year in a row. Hey,
Commissioner mereki,
he's going to bring the coach. You want to bring the young men up to the young men. They can come on up. We want to see them. We can bring our division one state title champions on the cross country team. You gentlemen can come up front and your coach can come back here. Yes. Thank you. You
Good morning, everyone. It is my pleasure to have this wonderful team back here again for the third year in a row. This is quite, quite a group, and to win the state champ three years in a row is is unbelievable. So I have a resolution here today. This is their head coach, Tim Dalton, who brings these kids down. We have a couple parents in the in the benches as as well. And I think you might remember a couple weeks ago, we were supposed to do this resolution for this group, and it was an ice day and school was closed, so we couldn't do it. So they're back down here today, and they're going to go to lunch after this, and we're honored to have them. So this is our resolution, whereas it is with pleasure and privilege that we, the members of the Wayne County Commission, along with many citizens, join in honoring the North Phil high school boys cross country team in celebration, in celebration of defending their division one state champions title during the 2024 cross country season. And whereas the reigning back to back championships in 2022 and 2023 the incredible Northville high school boys cross country team prove themselves Victors by again bringing home the state's championship title with their race times. The Mustangs not only placed first among the 27 Division One finalist teams, but they were clearly the best team in all four of the Michigan High School Athletic Association divisions, defeating 600 Total teams and over 12,000 boy cross country runners throughout Michigan. The Mustangs bested their nearest competitors by a monstrous 70 points. And whereas the North Phil high school boys country team state finals team was comprised of, when I say your names, boys, you can raise your hand seniors. Ethan Powell, Nick Barreto, Eshan, coon de Burke, Junior, Zen Hagen wins, dojo, Ethan, Ethan hertza and software, Brandon cloud, along with the State team, alternates, rittvik, Ellen, Dula, Reese, crisis, Logan, Mullen, Jack Lew and Jack Lewis. The strength of this team is not an individual runners, but on the depths and grit and spirit of the entire roster, including a total of 81 young men who started the season nearly five months prior to its existing finale at the Michigan International Speedway on November 2, 2024 whereas Coach Tim Dalton, along with assistant coaches Tom Brown, Jack Dalton and Lauren Peck, have cultivated a culture of excellence, and they work to instill in the team the importance of preparation, hard work, brotherhood and a commitment to success. Thereby be it resolved that the three peat division one stamp state champions, the North Phil high school boys cross country steam team, has brought great pride to our community, and Wayne County is honored to join in celebrating their many accomplishment. Accomplishments. We wish all the members of this remarkable team continues success, and be it resolved that on this day, this resolution be spread at length upon the Journal of this day's proceedings to endure a lasting record of respect and appreciation, and that a suitable copy be presented to Northville high school as an acknowledgement of their accomplishments During the 2024 season. So congratulations, everybody. Applause.
Oh yeah, yeah, I'm sorry.
All right, thank you, everyone. Yeah, go ahead. You
I will real quick first. Thank you to Commissioner mereki for wanting to honor our kids, as she said, we had the ice day, and before that, we actually had a snow day. So today is the third attempt. I asked our kids, did you guys want to come down? And they said, Absolutely, so they wanted the experience and truly means a lot to them, for you guys to take the time to recognize them. So as was mentioned three years in a row, they had, we had four kids that were all state, and three of them finished top 10, top 10 in the state of Michigan. So all the credit to them. Thank you again. So much. Applause.
We have so many exceptionally bright and athletic young people in Wayne County. So again, congratulations to the cross country team. May you be successful in your endeavors after college. Thank you for coming down, and hopefully you'll be able to enjoy downtown Detroit while you're here. So again, congratulations to each of you. Thank you, Commissioner Ricky, for bringing this to the Wayne County Commission, these young people to down here today, Madam Clerk, next item we're
on. Item number two is a resolution by Commissioner Bell declaring March as endometriosis Awareness Month to raise awareness about receiving an early diagnosis and treatment.
Thank you so much. Endometriosis is a is when tissue forms around other organs in your body. It affects women, and unfortunately, it is something that goes undiagnosed for many years. Women don't know that they have this condition to extensive tests are run, and then they find out it affects their ability to have children, some of them, it unfortunately results in pain many times during the year. So this was brought to us because my staff person, Michelle, her daughter, was diagnosed with this a couple of years ago, after many, many years of trying to figure out what was wrong. So I want everyone to be aware of this condition and make sure that you encourage people to get early diagnosis and just keep pushing doctors, because it is something that. Doctors don't test for it until the last resort. So I would like to move this resolution, or I guess I should have asked for someone they could move the resolution. Okay, moved by Commissioner Scott, supported by Commissioner McLaurin Coleman. Any discussion on the resolution?
Hearing? None please vote.
Motion carries. Thank you so much. Next item,
item number three is a resolution by Commissioner bell in support of women history Women's History Month, supporting women throughout society as their combined successes strengthen our families, our economy and the nation as a whole. Thank
you so much as you know, marches again Women's History Month. I know many of you go out through your districts during this month and honor those unsung heroines within your districts. I add that you continue to do that, but this resolution recognizes Women's History Month as a national recognition of the contributions of women to our society, I will entertain a motion to move this resolution. It moved by Commissioner Scott, supported by Commissioner dobb. Any discussion on the resolution?
as we're getting the board together, we are always so proud that in women, we have a trifecta of women in our government, from our governor, Attorney General and Secretary of State, three women representing as statewide electors leading our state. So we always want to make sure that we recognize them. If we can get a voice vote, please, all in favor, say, Aye. Any opposed? Anyone wish to abstain? That was all of us. Motion carries. Thank you so much. Appreciate you all. And please, if you have a chance, read the resolution because it does speak to Sojourner Truth and so many of our great women throughout history. So please make sure you read the resolution and hopefully share it in your newsletter, via electronically or your printed newsletter that you send out to your constituents. Next item,
we're all reports from committees. Report a is from the Committee on Economic Development. There are five items listed on pages two and three of the agenda,
and I'll remind everyone in the audience and those on zoom that we operated committee, and all the items that are before us today have been vetted, thoroughly discussed, and they're here at our full board mission for final disposition. Commissioner Anderson,
thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. The Committee on Economic Development had five items on the agenda. One, the number one was receive and file. The other three, the other four items just to ask for the approval of the full commission.
It's been moved by Commissioner Anderson. Is there support? Supported by Vice Chair BeiDou, any discussion on the economic development items? Commissioner kinesic, the Commissioner Killeen, thank you, Madam
Chair. With the permission of the Chair, I'd like to be the maker of the motion of item one.
Make of the motion. Item number one, okay, all right. Thank you Commissioner Killeen,
thank you, Madam Chair. I have a some discussion for item two here the transit oriented development, a few questions for the department on this Okay?
Director shake,
good morning, husband, shake. Director of Economic
Development morning director who is going to do this work? I we're getting a reimbursable grant,
yep, so we're getting the grant directly from the Department of Transportation, and then it's authorized by the bipartisan infrastructure law, and we're going to go out, and the purpose of the scope of the agreement is to facilitate and evaluate private public partnerships. Will, you know, we'll go out and make sure that
we're doing the I'm asking, who's we there's going to go out and do this, but we're going
to go through the proper processes and channels to make sure that we're bringing entities and follow procurement and all that. So we're going to hire a firm. So with the with the dollars that we're getting, yes, that'll be part of the, part of the breakdown of the 905
and what is the scope of this you know, we're going to take, we're going to go out and look for
innovative financing, deliver opportunities, that kind of stuff. What is the scope of this work? Where are you going? Mean, where are people going around the county to look for where these opportunities are. Where are they going to go? They're going
to go county wide. And that's part of what this the scope of this work is they're going to go county wide and evaluate where. And for example, bus stops, where? Where do we need more bus stops? Where do we need more improvement in certain areas based on data, based on where folks are actually traveling to and what makes the most amount of sense? That's part of the work that will come in. So when we're making investments in these areas, we're doing it data driven.
I've been around this issue quite a bit in my life, right? And transit oriented development is something that comes up with when communities are doing mass transit projects. Transit oriented development is kind of a buzz phrase where they say, you know, because we don't have mass transit here in southeast Michigan, but when they did transit in Salt Lake City, when they did it in Denver and number other, one of the selling points is, well, for every dollar that you put into public transit, you get $6 in transit oriented development coming back, you get all this economic development because people want to build apartment buildings along these routes. You know, they want to have stores. I heard you say, bus stop. So what are we looking for here? Because we don't have mass transit that's going to spur transit oriented development.
So the purpose of this, that this would provide the data that they can then guide us in our our ability to move forth and see what the county needs, right? So the initial grant that this is providing us is more of an asset scan. What is across the county, what assets do we have, what assets do we need? And then from there, we can take that and then put together that plan. But this, these dollars are specifically for an asset scan, so
we're going to hire a firm and they're going to give us some sort of a report analysis, whatever is the plan to come before one of our committees with that analysis and maybe public services or something, and say, This is what the report says. This is what we're looking at.
So we'll be reporting to directly to the chair of the Economic Development Committee. I'm sorry, Commissioner Anderson, the chair of the Economic Development Committee. That's where we'll be providing reports to
so before proposals for projects go forward, the commission is going to be able to look at that report and see what it says. I mean,
yes, because at the end of the day, when we're doing the full asset scan and we get the results, we're happy to share what those those results are, well,
I'm just sharing my skepticism here, because we don't have mass transit, and that's what transit oriented development is about. That's where the bus, the buzz word comes from.
So I mean traditionally, sure, but not always. For us, we're looking at a county wide what transit do we have, but then also what assets do we have? And right now we want to make sure that we're tracking that correctly, and we're taking a look at where and if we need to make investment and how that looks. So again, this grant is specifically for an asset scan. That's
not what I saw the asset scan. Yeah. What falls into the category of asset
anything that can, you know, I'll, I can provide you the definition that the department transportation utilizes for asset, and I'll be able to send that over to the commission. Oh, there's a formal Absolutely, what do they, what do they consider an asset? And we'll send that over to you
under the federal definition for this program.
Because, again, this, this grant is from the Department of Transportation, yeah, so it'll be a federal grant. So what? What do the grantors define as assets? And then we'll, we'll make sure to send that over to you,
and you're going to share that absolutely, see what that definition is happy to do. So because
when we get these grants, we want to make sure that one we can fulfill the needs if we can. But this great to have money coming from the federal government so that we can analysis, analyze what grant, what assets we have to see. And we don't have mass transportation in the sense that you would normally think of, but we have busses. So what does bus routes look like what to the stands look like. We need, shelters, all of that asset scandal. But do we have? What do we need? That's what this grant will provide. And hopefully, once we get utilize that grant, then we can see what the next step is for getting some type of massive, mass transit through our bus system. Because we're not going to ever get real, let's be real. Madam
Chair, that would. What I was asking about, because I saw this grant and I thought, are they going to go out for Street on the west side? Are they going to follow Gratiot right all the way out the east side? Where are they going with this? What are they looking at for development projects, because transit and mass transit is so important, it's been something that has been hurting Southeast Michigan as far as economic development goes, we haven't been able to do anything through the Regional Transit Authority. And so if we're talking about development along here or looking for assets, I'm going to want to make sure that that's just not in certain areas that what are we looking at? Because this would be the spur for going out and letting contracts to say, okay, as a result of the study, we're going to contract with somebody to do this as a result of the study. So there's going to be choices there to where that takes place. And I want to make sure that we're really for what we have for transit is not much, but that the benefits of any kind of development along that is throughout the county, not in a concentrated location. So thank you for the answers. I look forward to getting the Department of Transportation. We still have one, don't we?
As of today, we do yes, as of
today, I'll be looking forward to their definition and what they're saying to you, or what they're saying about these grants. So thank you very much. Thank you, Madam Chair. Commissioner Ricky,
thank you, Madam Chair. So basically, you're getting this information. So if and when the transit authority puts a millage on in 2026 on the ballot, you'll have some information to base some of the requests for that. Yes,
potentially, as well as just overarching as we're looking as transit as a whole. We want to make sure that when we're looking at where, and if we're going to invest money in what and what we're doing, we're doing it data driven. We're doing it smart. We're not just, you know, there's justification for how we're how we're going forward,
and I appreciate that, since all of my communities are opt out and now they have to opt in. So I I really appreciate that. I think you've heard from my my township supervisors and mayors, they're concerned. The last question I have is this grant from the Biden administration or the Trump administration? This
grant was filed through the Biden administration and but now carrying forward, we have a new administration so
but we have this now. We're just approving the grant. Okay? Thank you Vice
Chair palomare.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Request to be maker of the motion of item number five, please.
That was what I had my light on for too. Just make sure that Commissioner palomare is a sponsor of number five.
Any Commissioner, Ken luck,
Yes, Madam Chair, have a like to know who's here to like like to ask Mr. Shake to come back as relates to item number four, or Okay, yes.
Yes. Yes, Mr. Shake, we had a brief discussion as relates to item number four, specifically around the subcontractors at committee, we asked that there be some language in the contract through the resolution and action we're taking today that would direct subcontractors, the list of those contractors to be provided to us.
Thank you, Commissioner, go ahead, Director
of Economic Development, and I think that we had agreed that it would be done through the resolution, right? So
I'm just saying, was that added? Because with some some lack of clarity at the committee meeting, council through
the chair to this honorable body, yes, it was added to the resolution.
Thank you. I wouldn't that see following up on that? Yeah. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner.
Any additional discussion on the Economic Development Report, right Hearing none please vote you.
The motion carries, and have Commissioner kinetic as the maker of the motion on item number one, and Commissioner Paloma maker of the motion item number five. Next item, please. We're on report B from the Committee on Public Services. There are six items listed on pages three through five of the agenda. Commissioner mereki, thank you,
Madam Chair. I'd like to move items one through six for approval,
because if we don't have the board, you have to holler out, is there support? Commissioner Clemente working. They're just working on dealing with this. Okay, I won't see it here, moves by Commissioner Ricky, supported by Commissioner Clemente, where Ricky Clemente any discussion on the Public Service Report.
Mission of the chair load
to be the maker of the motion. Item five,
Julie noted any additional discussion on the public services report,
right Hearing none try to vote. I
Commissioner Clark COVID
Motion carries and have Commissioner kinesic as the maker of the motion on item number five, thank
you. Next item,
we are on, report C from the Committee on Ways and Means, there are nine items listed on pages six and seven of the agenda.
Commissioner kenlock,
Yes, Madam Chair, move approval of the entire committee on Ways and Means, a committee report
moved by Commissioner Ken lock, supported by Commissioner mirecki. This is the Ways and Means report. Any discussion on the items in the ways and means report.
All right, seeing none. Please vote
motion carries. Thank you. Next item we are on report D from the Committee on healthy human services. There are two items listed on pages seven and eight of the agenda.
Commissioner Scott, Madam Chair, move approval of items one and two,
a move by Commissioner Scott supported by commission, Anderson had a hand up first discussion. Commissioner Killeen, okay, all your stuff? Yeah, half hands. I know a lot going on.
Discussion. Commissioner Ken lock,
Madam Chair, I'd like to be to make a motion on item number two to the chair of the committee.
Duly noted, we know. Thank you.
Any additional discussion on Health and Human Services report?
Okay? Hearing none. Please vote.
Motion carries now Commissioner Ken lack as the maker of the motion on item number two. Next item, we are on page nine of the Agenda Report even the Committee on audit, there is one item listed, Commissioner dobb. Thank
you, Madam Chair, I'd like to move the report to receive and file,
moved by Commissioner Dobbs, supported by Commissioner Garza. Any discussion on the item under the audit report,
please vote. I
Commissioner Wilson,
motion carries, thank you. Next item, please. We are on report
F from the Committee on Public Safety, judiciary and homeland security. There are two items listed. Commissioner Clark Coleman,
thank you, Madam Chair, I move approval of Item number one and two,
moved by Commissioner Clark Coleman, supported by Commissioner Dopp and discussion on the two items on public safety. I
any discussion, okay, please vote.
Commissioner Anderson. I.
The motion carries next item, please. We're on report G from the Committee on Government Operations. There are six items listed on pages 10 through 12 with the agenda.
Commissioner Clemente,
thank you, Madam Chair. I would like to move all items on the government ops report.
Thank you. There's seconds supported by Commissioner Garza. Any discussion on government operations? Commission adopt
Thank you, Madam Chair. I have a question on item number five regarding the five year contract with Alliant Insurance Services. Do so this insurance policy, the term is supposed to start January 1, 2025 but we're just voting to approve it today, March 6, and I'm assuming we haven't paid for the policy yet. How is that working with coverage.
Good morning through the chair. Michael Cato, Director of Risk Management Commissioner, adopt to answer your question, the county never has a lapse in coverage. It's just a matter of timing until we get here for approval of payment. So you're correct, we have not paid, but the insurance is bound and we're covered.
Okay? So because this is an amendment and not a new policy, is how it's
a new policy. Every year we go out to bid for these the underlying contract with the line is five years. But every year, as our broker, we do a insurance renewal. So in this particular case, for the movable bridges insurance was secured December 31 which is always the case with policies. We secure them as close to expiration and the carrier doesn't issue the policy, usually around, perhaps in this case, one one or the week of so once that came through, we found coverage. Got the approvals, the contract amended, and that's why, there's why we're here today, but no lapse in coverage.
Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair,
thank you. Any additional discussion on the report?
Hearing none. Please vote all. Motion
carries.
Next item, upcoming meetings. Please note the upcoming meetings for next week. If there are any changes, please alert the clerk.
Next item, we are moving to new business immediate consideration. There is one item listed on the agenda. Item number one is requesting commission approval of a 10 year revenue generating agreement with a 10 year option to renew between the charter county of Wayne and boardwalk property in the amount of $5,000 to maintain an encroachment consisting of an endorsed patio deck on property owned by the county at 21400,
Michigan Avenue. Thank you from the department line this item, please. Good morning.
Jim Jernigan, Assistant Corporation Counsel. With me is David Cartwright from parks division. This is a, as was stated, a 10 year encroachment agreement for the property, formerly known as on the AMO that allows this particular owner to construct an enclosure onto the deck that adjoins the side of the property that encroaches in part on parts property
is an enclosure to the existing deck, right? Okay, any question. Questions on this item?
Is there a motion? Thank you. Thank you.
Commissioner kenlock, I understand moved it. You can speak up. It's okay. Commissioner Wilson, you supported it. Commissioner Wilson, Commissioner Wilson, I don't have any, okay, no, I don't have the that's all. That's what I'm asking. Okay, moved by Ken lock, supported by Wilson, any discussion?
Mr. PAL America, no. I can't
any good discussion. Let's pretend like we're an old building. You got to raise your hand. Okay, all right, hearing none. Please vote
motion carries. Thank you so much. Next item,
we are on testimonial resolutions and certificates of appreciation. There are 22 items listed on pages 13 through 15 of the agenda. Hey,
someone like to move the testimony resolution? You so
moved. Madam Chair,
okay, on here, it says Joseph Paula mera and Commissioner Baker McCormick are the maker and second, is any discussion on those? Please, Commissioner Clemente,
thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to highlight two amazing women in my communities, Claudia celebrated her 100 and 10th birthday from River Rouge, wow. And my Aunt Rose Clementi Jackson celebrated her 100th birthday. So we have a lot of amazing women in my district celebrating big birthday, just birthdays, so thank you.
That's amazing. Happy birthday to both of them. Absolutely amazing. Any additional discussion on the certificates of appreciation? Commissioner Becker McCormick,
thank you. I wanted to acknowledge Sherry Shepherd. She's a Emmy a winning, winning talk show host. She also supports women and special needs. She was here in town, and so I wanted to make sure that we acknowledged all the work that she does, and so we presented a resolution to her on behalf of the commission. And she's not only a talk show how host, but she's a great overall person. She really is, so just wanted to make sure I acknowledged her.
Thank you. And let me add one thing on the agenda as well, number five, Gladys Lee. Gladys Lee is a golfer here in Wayne County, but she did relocate to Texas, and she's inducted into the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame this past weekend for golf. She's taught a lot of young people, especially inner city children, to play golf at a young age. She taught my little people, when they were little people, to play golf. And she had a great program here before she relocated to Texas, and they acknowledged her by admitting her into the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame this past weekend. And I did take a resolution down there, signed by all commission. Well, I didn't take it, but I have a little resolution down there to acknowledge her for that accomplishment. Any other discussion on testimony resolutions, okay, hearing none. All in favor, please vote.
Motion carries. Thank you so much. Next item, memoriams,
there are three names listed, okay, let me
share some sad news this morning, when I woke up, I saw this is not on the agenda, because it was just this morning, mister Luther Keith, from arise, Detroit passed away last night. Luther Keith was an amazing humanitarian community servant. He started arise, arise. Detroit several years ago, just to make sure that we emphasize community throughout the city of Detroit, he was also an amazing musician, and had his own blues band that played all across the state. So untimely, unfortunate, we want to pray for his family during this difficult time. But I did awake to that news this morning, so I'll have a actual resolution for him and have it on our official agenda next meeting. Commissioner, thank
you, Madam Chair. I was going to speak to Luther Keith, who was an amazing man. He loved Detroit. But beyond that, you're interacting with him was one that you were left with in a lot of knowledge and wisdom, you know, just his understanding of the various communities and the historical connection to African Americans, history in this in this city, I had the wonderful opportunity of serving with Luther on the Library Commission for seven years, and he was always a convoy on some tough discussions when we're talking about closing libraries. He always want to find a way to keep libraries open, keep resources open for the citizen across the city. So he just was an amazing person, and hearing that news really was very sad.
Thank you absolutely. Thank you Commissioner Clark home and the Commissioner Baker McCormick.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I. Who have had a relationship with Luther Keith. He's he lives in my district, so he's my constituent. I just am amazed at all of the work that he did out in the community, cleaning up Detroit, and that would certainly account for a rise Detroit. And every year they would have a big event out there somewhere in Detroit, and well attended people really came out to help clean up the city and and Luther was well respected in that area and in all other areas. So he was a magnificent, magnificent gentleman. I had no idea that he was at this, this point of making this transition, certainly sorry to hear it. And I hope that someone else will step up and and and take the gavel and continue his great work. Thank you absolutely,
Commissioner bacon McCormick and Commissioner Scott.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Luther Keith was a very good friend of mine and supporter. Anything that I would ask of him, he would he would be there. So this hits me very hard to the family, to his daughter, Aaron, who was a dynamic young lady. I'm just sending my prayers to the family.
Thank you Commissioner. Commissioner Scott,
thank you Madam Chair. I guess I just have to echo the everything that has been said. When I think of him, I think of Shirley Burch, because the two of them, we work together out there in my district, just doing so many wonderful things. And he was just such a kind man, you know, and just wanted so much for the city of Detroit. So I just want to thank God for his life and all that he did for this whole city of Detroit, all over because, after he retired and and he started the arise, you know, it was just unbelievable all the work that that he put into it, you know, so, and I know my staff just talked to him last week, you know. So, yeah, yeah. But here, today, gone, today, you know, so again, thank God for all that he did.
So, can we have a resolution from all commissioners? Absolutely,
Yep, absolutely Keith. He he had just played the night before. He had just his band had just played the night before. And I would call him Mr. Keith, because that's how I'm raised. He'll say no, call me. Luther Mike, no, call you Mr. Keith.
Commissioner Clemente,
thank you, Madam Chair. I just wanted to just speak on Allen parks, Mayor, or former mayor, actually Tony Lally, it's great loss for our community and a great loss for our church community. Tony was the man with the apron in the kitchen making the Italian sausage and peppers, and he will be sadly missed at our festival and within our communities, because he was a great supporter of many people, and he was small in stature, but big in voice and when he loved you, he loved you. So we will miss him very much. So thank you.
Thank you. Commissioner, Vice Chair, pro tem bedou. Thank
you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Commissioner Clemente for speaking about Mayor Tony Lali. He was a great man. He will definitely be missed. I also would like to make some remarks about my cousin Haji Ibrahim, commonly known as juice be doing, he dedicated himself to mentoring students in the Dearborn public schools for nearly 35 years as a high school counselor at Edsel Ford High School and the boys varsity basketball coach. He inspired countless young minds and led his team to numerous victories. His passion for athletics and mentorship was unmatched, stemming from his own impressive career as an athlete, he was an outstanding basketball player. If he had a little bit more of height, he could have made it to the NBA.
Thank you, Commissioner, so sorry for your family's loss. Any additional. Remarks by members on memorials, hearing none Could everyone please stand for a moment of silence?
Right? Thank you so much. And of course, we will continue to keep all families in our prayers during this most difficult time. Next item, please, public comments. Is there anyone on Zoom? Do we have them today? Anyone on Zoom? What you need to give a public comment? Any hands on Zoom?
Telephone, email, yeah, go ahead.
I received one email. This is from Scott wirkowski. As a local 1862 Union officer, I am asking when Oracle is going to work properly as our members paychecks are wrong frequently. Beneficiaries have been wrong. We have members who insurance has been canceled multiple months in a row, and the latest with the w2 being wrong and no timetable to fix them, Wayne County has spent millions and millions of dollars on something that does not work correctly. Local 1862 Vice President.
Thank you, Madam Clerk, for zoom. Go ahead.
Good morning. Yolanda Shepherd, I have the same sentiments that Scott just mentioned about the W twos. Now it's my understanding that the county has issued a statement that they would pay for any amendments within reason. What happens if we don't get the W twos corrected with before the April 15 deadline, and people owe, is the county going to assume the penalties assessed? I'm not saying the taxes that will be owed, but the penalties that the employees will be assessed. That's one comment with the Oracle. There's a lot of training going on. I've been in a number of Oracle training classes, I've asked for training manuals, they won't even provide you with the training manual and Oracle telling us that we'll get it after Oracle is implemented, it doesn't make sense to get a training manual after something's implemented, because You can't fully vet the issues that may be occurring and and that's not fair to the employees having to utilize a new system that you can't even get proper training on. I've been in classes and they tell me, click here, click here, click here. Okay, it works. Approve it. I'm not approving something like that. I'd like to see them forced to provide a training manual, across the table, across the board, for this oracle nonsense. It's a disaster waiting to happen. They can't even reconcile payroll. Payroll hasn't been reconciled since oracle was implemented. These are just my comments, and I hope to work with the county and Oracle to get things resolved. Thank you for listening. Thank
you so much for your comment. We are listening, and know that we are actively working with the administration to fix those issues related to Oracle, thank you for your comment. Both of you. Any additional public comments? Anyone in the chambers for public comment? Good
morning. Morning. My name
is Byron Osborne, resident of district two. I wanted to first of all approach this honorable body saying thank you not only to my county commissioner, Commissioner Ken lock but also Chair Bill thank you for opening the doors today, and thank you to this body today. I've been appointed to the Wayne County Art Institute authority, and it means a lot to me, father of four, Detroit resident, of course, Wayne County resident. My entire life, I've taken my children to the Art Institute multiple times in the summertime for chess, chess tournaments, chess instructions. Most recently, we've gone a couple of times see a tiff Massey installation, we've seen multiple floors of the of the of the venue, and of course, I wear my heart on my sleeve. I'm a union representative. The Diego Rivera Detroit industry mural is always dear and close to my heart. Um. Um, just want to say thank you again. Stand before you a young young man. As a child, I glued elbow macaroni and spaghetti on pieces of paper and won first place in my kindergarten art art class. So now to go from there, seeing this span of time and being appointed to this board is truly an honor. I plan on serving and thank you for this opportunity. So thank you very much.
Thank you. And congratulations on your appointment. We look forward to all the great insights you have from, of course, being a master artist in the kindergarten age. So thank you so much. We look forward to your appointment to the board. Thank you. Any additional remarks by members? I'm sorry, public comments. Additional public comments before we go to remarks by members. Okay, next item, please. Reconsiderations. There are none remarks by members. Let me just first recognize Commissioner, former commissioner, Phil Cavanaugh in the audience. That you feel no, I can't see far away. Stand up. Feel to be recognized. Thank you for visiting us. Good to see you, sir. Are there any remarks by members Commissioner clean,
thank you, Madam Chair. I want to take a few minutes this morning to discuss the health of our 1.9 million residents here in Wayne County, 1.8 that. And I always forget the name of the foundation, but there's an annual survey of all of the counties in Michigan and lays out what the health situation is for residents of that county, year after year after year, Wayne County is at the bottom of the list for having the worst health issues with its residents, and of course, within the county, The poorer the communities, the even worse, that that is and so to that end, I want to say it was oh three or oh four. The state of Michigan, the city of Detroit and Wayne County signed down to an intergovernmental agreement that created the Detroit Wayne Health Authority, not the mental health authority. And I've been the commission representative on that board, I believe, since all eight, something like that. And the charge that was given in that IGA is for the Health Authority. We go by authority health now so we don't get confused with the mental health authority. So the charge given to authority health is to preserve and expand the safety net. We are very underserved for primary care physicians, for our residents to have somebody relatively close by that they can regularly go to. And of course, cost is an issue. One of the things that the federal government did to help with this situation is to create a funding source for what's called FQHCs, federally qualified health centers to help communities expand the number of primary care physicians. Detroit has for a lot of reasons, but Detroit, based on population, is one of the most underserved cities in the country for FQHCs. Smaller cities than us have three or four times the number of of these FQHCs. Anyway, what I'm leading up to is authority health now has submitted our paperwork. It's been an arduous process for a year and a half, and so we've submitted the paperwork to have two more FQHCs in Wayne County. Now we've submitted the paperwork, but in this process, if you get to the point where the paperwork is submitted, you've worked with the feds long enough that we are going to have these in the near future, and I'll be letting people know when it's absolutely formal authority. Health is a, unfortunately, a well kept secret night. Encourage my colleagues to look into that, since we're one of the people that are on the intergovernmental agreement to see that the work that we're doing out there, this is so vital to our citizens. It's just the health is just unbelievably bad in our county. So hopefully we're going to make not hopefully this will. Up, make more progress out there, expand the safety net, get more citizens. And of course, we could use about 20 more of these. But just want to make my colleagues aware of that. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Commissioner. I'll throw some names at you. President, Miriam happy, appointed council person, Joanne Watson, and Chairwoman jewel where appointed me to that council many years ago, 20 some years ago. So I'm happy that is still moving, and those FQHCs are so vitally important. There's a quick sidebar while we were in DC, FQHCs came up in one of our sessions as across the country, in some counties, they're using FQHCs for the medical care for some of the jails, which is an interesting provision that the public qualified healthcare centers are being allowed to do for our jails across the country. So thank you for bringing that up, because if we desperately need more in the city. We have two here in the county, but we need more in the city. So thank you for bringing that up and let us know when those are opened up in Detroit. Thank you. Commissioner Vice Chair BeiDou. Thank you,
Madam Chair. The holy month of Ramadan started on March 1 this past Saturday, I would like to take this opportunity to wish the Muslim communities in Wayne County and throughout the state of Michigan a blessed Ramadan. Thank you, Madam Chair,
thank you. Thank you, Commissioner.
Remarks by members. Commissioner mereky,
yes, okay, thank you. As the Chair mentioned, several of us were in Washington this week for the legislative conference. It was a great conference. In the last day, we got to meet with Senator Peters and spent some time with him. I'm on several of the committees, but one of them is the Arts Committee, and I just wanted to, because this was new to me. I just wanted to highlight one thing that they talked about. We had the chair of America 250 come in and speak with us. This is the celebration on July 4 this year for America's 250th birthday. This is like a huge deal. It's bipartisan leaders and many, many sponsors with this, and they're going to be doing celebrations throughout the United States. If you go on their website, they're also doing celebrations up to that point where you could have some of your kids in your district enter some contests. Each state also, they've gotten in contact with all the state governors. Each state also has a committee that will be setting up celebrations throughout July 4 in the state of Michigan. So I just wanted you to be aware of that in case you want to go on their website and look at some things, because this was brand new to me. So it sounds like it's, it's, it's going to be pretty cool all the things are planning. So I just wanted to tell the commissioners that Thank you.
Thank you Commissioner. Commissioner kinetic.
Thank you Madam Chair. I wanted to revisit this at our last full board meeting, but we were all saying goodbye to Tim, and so I didn't want to take away from that. About a month ago, I had offered some remarks here in front of this body that I thought were just as important and relevant then as they are today, unfortunately, we had a couple of members of this body who were not present at the time, so I just want to take the opportunity today to revisit those remarks. I'll be brief. I'll just stick to reading verbatim what I had shared back in February, I had started by thanking the members of the rules committee for the hard work that they did as they were bringing for the rules for our new legislative session. I think it's a great thing that when we as a body here in Wayne County, can raise the bar when it comes to transparency, ethics and how we do business. I'd be remiss, though if I didn't say something that I felt so disheartened by throughout that process, and that's how some individuals chose to carry themselves, particularly as it relates to dealing with our staff. I think that we as commissioners, if we want to have what I like to call intense fellowship with one another, that's a great thing. We were elected to these roles. We were put in these positions to do that, but to have that bleed into how we interact with, talk about or impugn the character, integrity, intention and intelligence of our staff members is really and I thought carefully about the word that I wanted to use here. It is reprehensible to me that anyone would talk about our staff this way. I don't intend to call out anybody in particular. I do want to say on the record how deeply disappointed I was that a member of this body would choose to carry themselves in that way. And I want to say again, unequivocally, to our staff, both our personal staff that we interact with in the hallways and the staff on the floors above us. Central staff a deep, deep thank you to all of them for the work that they do on behalf of this commission, our individual offices, and the work that they do on behalf of our constituents that we are trying to serve. It is a thankless job in many ways, but I know that the overwhelming majority of us commissioners express our deep gratitude and thanks for all the work that our staff does. Thank you, Madam Chair,
thank you, Commissioner, as was stated earlier, I'm sorry, Commissioner McCormick,
thank you, Madam Chair. I was not here for the rules vote on the current, I guess, the current rules that was voted on, and I from what I know, was approved. So I think Commissioner kinesic may be alluding to some of the actions that I took in acknowledging my beliefs about the rule, rule 11 D, and so I want to put it on the record, as I stated in the comments that I shared with other commissioners that there, I believe was some bias there. And so any time that I feel that there's some some some issues that I want to voice. I voice it. It has nothing to do with personalities or that I'm trying to talk down to anyone. But I when I see things, I call them out. And it's just just that simple, I appreciate the work of our commission staff as well, but when it's wrong, and I believe it's wrong, especially just looking at the facts, and maybe the other Commissioners aren't aware of all The facts, so they would know, and so I just want to put that on the record that I was opposed to rule D and 11 D, which it was overreaching. I believe in the power that it gives any one person. I believe that we as a body should decide if we're going to take away 50% of someone's budget is not on any one person. And again, I would like this put on the record so that you know you you know that this is why I was so opposed to this. And anytime we have a staff attorney that is supposed to be working for all of the commissioners, and all you hear is one side of an issue that that's that's not fairness. And so I asked for outside attorney to chair, move at Madam Chair at at the issue. Well, I'm making comments. This is not this. This is insulting. It's not insulting. I'm a German. You what happened. You hold on
one second. Just hold on one second. Everyone. Okay,
I'm just about done. I just wanted to say that I respect everybody's opinion. I respect the staff here. I appreciate the work that you do, but when I believe in something strongly, I make sure that it's put on the record. Thank you, Madam Chair,
thank you, Commissioner. Many of us were in DC last week, and we had an opportunity, as was stated, to see Senator Peters. We had an opportunity to hear from our federal partners. Lot of great dialog about how we as counties operate across the country, a lot of great information that we can continue to implement. So I want to thank all the commissioners were able to go to DC for the NACO legislative conference, gather all that information, and we'll see how we can implement some of the dialog and discussion and resources that were discussed there at that conference. So there'll be another conference, Lansing Mac Conference, which Commissioner dobb is the president of, will be meeting in April, as we have continued dialog and education for us in our roles. And then our annual conference will be in Philadelphia in July, which will have even more information on county government and how we can. Benefit here in Wayne County for the dialog from other communities across the country. So we look forward to that information as well. Any additional remarks by members? Is there a motion to adjourn? All Right, thank you. Mean adjourned. Thank you. Applause.
If the women of
Wayne County could take a Picture, please,
don't know very quickly, I'm not sure. Okay,
why is that on the record? I wasn't trying to sorry, you know. But When something is wrong.
