Wayne County Commission, Full Commission (and full transcript)
3:59PM Oct 6, 2023
Speakers:
13133307918
Keywords:
commissioner
madam chair
item
wayne county
services
county
item number
commissioners
supported
commission
discussion
employees
father
madam clerk
motion
grant
chair
mccormick
number
tony
I pledge allegiance to the Republic for which it stands.
Thank you Next item please
invocation today we
will have the introduction of our invocation by Commissioner Kara Clemente.
Thank you Madam Chair.
Good morning everyone. Today I bring with me Father Tony blunt. He is an associate pastor at most Holy Redeemer parish in southwest Detroit. He is originally from Tampa, Florida, and was ordained in 1996. Father Tony is a member of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity. Salt has been serving Most Holy Redeemer since 2011. The Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity is a missionary community of priests, sisters, brothers, lay families and lay volunteers who work in areas of deep need and reach out to those of the peripheries of society. Father, Tony began his service in Central America. He was in Belize and the mountains of Guatemala. He served in small villages and helped many underserved people. He was there for seven years. He has also served in Colorado for six years. He has been to Rome, and he has served and an Indian Reservation in Wyoming before he came to Detroit in 2017.
Welcome, Father Tony.
Thank you, Alicia. Thank you, Kara. I'm gonna read a few verses from St. Paul. And then a prayer that was used at George Washington inauguration adapted a little bit and then a few words of Spanish. Rather than says, listen to the words of the Apostle Paul to the Philippians. Rejoice in the Lord always I shall say it again. Rejoice. Your kindness should be known to all the Lord is Nair. Have no anxiety at all. but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God, than the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Almighty and eternal God, you have revealed Your glory to all nations. God a power in my wisdom and justice through you authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment is decreed. We pray for Gretchen Whitmer, the governor of the state, for the members of this leg of the legislature for judges elected civil officials, but especially for the 15 commissioners, and all others who are entrusted to guard our political welfare. May they be enabled by your powerful protection to discharge their duties with honesty and ability. We likewise come in to your own bounded mercy all citizens of United States that we may be blessed and then knowledge and sanctified in the observance of your holy law. May we be preserved in union and that peace with the world cannot give and after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal. We pray to you who are Lord and God forever and ever. Do yours father a son don't they the most stupendous yawn so when also throws a toda la comunidad hispana K the round instead of ASEAN del Mesilla aren Xia is panna using us, by the que todos for the most will be in armonia una con otro en Prosperi that a mundo de Sabata talked about last class as Amanda tambien I know Sarah Manos Dan was on Dante's I lose even this year on and I'm equipo de Monte Cristo knew where to send your Amen
Thank you, Father blunt for that inspirational prayer. Thank you for that. Are for introducing father blind to the Wayne County Commission this morning.
Madam Clerk next silent reading correcting and approval of the journal.
I chair Pro Tem They Don't Move for approval support been moved and supported. Are there any corrections to the journal? Hearing none please vote.
Motion carries.
Thank you so much. Next item please report from the chair. Nothing today.
Next item unfinished business there is none listed. We are moving to page two of the agenda offering about petitions, ordinances, resolutions and presentations. We have one resolution listed a resolution by Commissioner Bill proclaiming October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Thank you, Madam Clerk. As you all know, October is breast cancer awareness month. So I would just encourage all of our ladies and men to make sure that you get your mammograms. Unfortunately, breast cancer is still one of the leading causes of death for women across this country. But a simple mammogram can detect early will help save a life. So please encourage all of the women in your life to please get their mammogram. I snuck in. I have my appointment right on the end of the month at October 30. So please make that a note to yourself that October is a wonderful time to get your mammogram as we recognize and make sure that we make people aware of the importance of mammograms for breast cancer. So I like to ask for someone to move this and as the It's been moved by Commissioner Clark Coleman supported by Commissioner Anderson any discussion? Commissioner Anderson,
thank you Madam Chair, I just wanted to indicate to this is a great opportunity for folks to take a look at purchasing the pink ribbon license plate that I sponsored the legislation in Lansing, and it was passed the money goes to breast and cervical cancer and it's something that was wholly supported by the Komen Foundation and and it's available services would be paid for for someone that has doesn't have enough coverage or doesn't have coverage at all across the state of Michigan. So just encourage them to take a look at that and and consider purchasing one of those plates to for so those funds can be replenished. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your leadership on that issue. Because unfortunately, for those ladies who may not have insurance coverage, or can have the additional tests that are needed, they may not be able to cover those costs. So thank you for your leadership for that. Additional discussion. Hearing none please vote.
Motion carries and like to open it up for co sponsors. If there are any co sponsors at David let us know when the board is open for co sponsors.
Or does not open for co sponsors.
No cover can't vote.
leave that blank for me.
Help sponsors Duly noted.
Thank you
throughout technical issues, okay, thank you. And just a reminder to those people who are in our audience and on Zoom and on the telephone. The Wayne County Convention operates in committee structure. So during the committee's the items that you see on our agenda today, they have been discussed thoroughly and vetted at the committee level and they're brought here to the Wayne County full board meeting for final disposition. Madam Clerk next item.
We're moving to reports from committees report as from the Committee on ways and means there are six items listed on pages two and three of the agenda
but she can unlock
your move approval the entire report one through six support
has been moved by Commissioner Kim lack supported by Commissioner by survey Doom, in discussion on the report.
Discussion on the Ways and Means report.
Let me know when you're ready. Ready? Okay. Please vote. Motion carries.
Thank you. Next item, please.
We're on report B from the Committee on Public Services. There are 11 items listed on pages three through five of the agenda. Mr. miracIe.
Thank you Madam Chair. I'd like to move to Receiving file number one and move approval for items two through 11.
Moved by Commissioner miracIe, supported by Commissioner Vice Chair pro tem, they don't commission him Baker McCormick. Like to
be the maker of item 10. Please. Thank you.
Commissioner Bastion.
Yeah, Madam Chair, I'd like to just make a comment, if I will, I'm gonna support some of these even ones that corporate daxi twos cooperative agreement, but one on the My deal about the salt mines. And this requires a further bigger deeper discussion than what we're going to do today. But the, if you own property, and you have the mineral rights, that property you own to the core of the earth to the sun, and the Detroit salt mines is going under all sorts of people's property, businesses, private homeowners, all sorts of stuff. And it's not just right there at that one location, it's going for who knows how far. So unless you're willing to pursue this, you'd have to have some money to do a boring. They're probably under your property if you live in anywhere from Allen Park to Detroit, and maybe even part of Windsor. But the thing of it is, somebody, it's some level of government should take a look at Detroit salt man, and see if in fact, they have a lease, that people have signed over their mineral rights or if they rented their mineral rights or those sorts of things. But the other thing too, salt just keeps going more and more and more expensive all the time. And salt is one of the reasons Michigan puts more salt on its roads and any other county in the state of Michigan. And we have the worst roads because of the potholes because of the salt because it goes on and on and on. So we need to take a serious look at Detroit salt mines and also putting salt on our roads. Or there's other chemicals you could put on. There's Brian, if you can, there's liquid Brian, you go down 1500 feet, and you can pump into a tanker truck, Brian, and you don't have to pay the big price for the salt that we're paying for. So I can go on about this. But I just think that some of the commissioners should take a deeper dive into this. Thank you.
Thank you, Commissioner, perhaps Commissioner murky that can be discussion in DPS about just the different chemicals that we are using on our roads during the winter season. This will begin to have a better understanding how much sand versus the other chemicals versus saw. Thank you, Commissioner Anderson.
Madam Chair, I just asked the Chair of the Committee of could be the maker of the motion for item five is parks money from my city. Thank you.
Mr. COVID.
Thank you Madam Chair. I would like to be the maker of the motion of number two.
There's someone here to speak to item number 10.
of DPS.
Good morning. Good. Thank you.
Thank you Madam Chair. Alan Cohen, the Assistant Division Director of Engineering. Good morning to everyone.
Good morning. The exact location of this project is five mile between what in what?
Right now, what we have here is a retriever. And let me can I give you the exact, exact information? We'll be sending it to their cell and send it to have everyone.
Okay, that's fine. If I'm not mistaken. Sometimes you ask a question you know the answer to so that's between telegraph and Bert, which is borders. My district and Commissioner Baker McCormick's district similar to I'm sorry, over the area, my Eliza Howe Park and they're doing new renovations. I like to how Park and this bridge has been down for quite a while I've had constituent concerns and complaints for a few years. So I say that to say I'm glad that we're finally had to be going out to fix that road because it is a well traveled road and especially as they do the improvements to Eliza how Park getting into that park through that street is going to be very important. So thank you for this getting done. It's going to be a benefit to the citizens over in that area. Commissioner makeup McCormick
I just want to add the information. I just want to let everyone know that we can anticipate the date for construction of this project will be like December of 2023 or early The early part of January 2024, we're going to be starting the demolition and then the project will be end in fall of 2024
for 2024. And then when you get the detour, Route, please let us know as well, because it's a little difficult to detour from where that is going towards telegraph or towards the Bert road. So let us know when you get that detour route Commissioner making McCormick. Thank you, Madam
Chair. I too, as Commissioner bail just mentioned, that's part of my district. And I have been concerned about that location for I don't know, since I've been a commissioner for five years. And so it's good to know that this is finally being taken care of. So thank you.
Thank you. And this is one of the items that are particularly put into the budget to make sure that it was addressed in this upcoming fiscal year. Sammy is on the line from Parks. Sammy, if you can unmute your phone if they if he can be unmuted. He had a comment he wanted to make.
You know, good morning. Good morning, everybody. Yeah, I would just was going to make a comment about this bridge. This is a five mile east of telegraph. This is going to our goal is to start this project this year. And definitely there will be a press release before any construction starts on this project and we will
keep you posted on that. Thank you, sir. Mr. Anderson.
It's on a different item. Madam Chair, I wanted to ask if there's someone here that could address the nine number nine.
Number nine. Is there someone to address item number nine?
Have a nature preserve?
An explanation if you would on just what we're looking at doing with holiday nature preserve? Because I know there's certain that a large number of people that prefer not see it, too overdeveloped. Could you explain madam?
Thank you. Good morning Alicia brand for DPS parks division director through the chair. Commissioner Anderson. This is a contract with the project manager who was working with our parks team to develop the scope of the construction of the holiday Nature Preserve in which we're completing in two phases of the cow and copper Nick and the Ellsworth connections there. This has not been finalized in any final documents in order to have for bid. This team is pulling together those thoughts as well as from the holiday nature preserve. And just for information purposes, there will be a future meeting coordinated with yourself Commissioner dive Commissioner murky and as well as Mr. Craig, from how they need to preserve and at Wayne County Parks team to review the concept of the construction documents before they go out to bid.
So I'm clear, this could be for additional development of the western portion of holiday Hanmi nation preserve
through the Chair, I wouldn't use the term development what I would use this provide accessibility for parties still some portion may be some formal trail systems, some may still be gravel or dirt in which they are currently existing. And they will deal with some structure some bridge structures that are dangerous and unsafe at this point in time.
Okay, so we will be seeing that before anything's actually done. This is just a study
through the chair. This is the development of the concept of the scope of work and to develop the construction documents for being correct. Alright, thank you. Thank you.
Thank you. Any further discussion on the public services report?
Hearing none, please vote.
Motion carries
I have Commissioner Clemente as the maker of the motion on item two. Commissioner Anderson item five Commissioner Baker McCormick items in
Thank you next time.
We are on report C from the Committee on Public Safety, judiciary and homeland security. There are nine items listed on pages five and six of the agenda. Mr. Coleman
Thank you Madam Chair. I would like to move approval of items while I'm sorry. I'd like to move that we received in file items one through six and move approval of items seven eight and nine
moved by Commissioner Claire Coleman supported by Commissioner Scott Commissioner can easy
to abstain on a please abstain on eight. Yes, ma'am. Okay.
Duly noted.
Any discussion on any of the aisle On the public safety report glad to see the funds for the Innocence Project on item number seven. So very important for those persons who have been serving for crime they didn't commit.
Any additional discussion hearing none please vote.
Motion carries have Commissioner comedic as an abstention on item number eight.
Thank you. Next item please.
We are on report deep from the Committee on Government Operations. There are six items listed on pages six through eight of the agenda.
Misha doll.
Thank you Madam Chair. I'd like to move the entire report on to six for approval.
Moved by Commissioner daven support
the boy by Commissioner Ken Locke and discussion on the government operations report.
Discussion on government operations measure bash.
There is so many cooperative services cooperative agreements that we have here. And even when retroactive, I just wished that we as a commission would take a deeper dive into cooperative agreements and retroactive contracts are starting to pop up higher again. So nothing in specifics but one after another after another and I just will continue to be the skunk at the picnic when it comes to cooperative agreements or sole source. Thank you.
Thank you, Commissioner. Any additional discussion on the report?
Hearing none please vote. Mr. Clean I'd like to be recorded as a no one item one. Thank you. Duly noted. Thank you.
Motion carries. I have Commissioner Killeen as a note on item one.
Thank you. Next item please.
We are on page eight of the agenda upcoming meetings.
And please note the upcoming meetings if there are any changes please let the clerk know. Next item.
We are moving to new business. There are three items listed on the agenda and five on the agenda. Item number one is requesting permission approval of the reappointment of Commissioner Ricard Coleman to the Wayne County Land Bank.
Okay, so I think we all know Commissioner Clark Coleman and her stellar performance on the land bank of abstract glass bank dance force. So is there a motion to approve item number one moved by Commissioner Kinloch, supported by Vice Chair pro tem beydoun. Any discussion item number one
Erina. Please vote. Motion carries.
Thank you next time.
Item number two is requesting commission approval of the reappointment of Commissioner Melissa dobb. To the joint airport zoning board for Wayne and Washtenaw County's
in we're very familiar with Commissioner Dodd. What do you want I can make a motion for that when I see we have Commissioner Kinloch supported by bicycle to may do a discussion Verena please let's vote on item number two. The appointment of Commissioner to the joint airport zoning board for Washingon Wang counties
are Anderson motion carries.
Next item please.
Item number three is requesting commission approval of amendment number one to a comparable source professional services contract with a to be determined number of three month options to renew between the charter county of Wayne and the Michigan Association of Counties Services Corporation.
Okay, who was here to speak on this item?
Morning,
Arthur Walker, Human Division Director Management and Budget department
Karen Wagner
chief administrative officer stated we're requesting the three month renewal for the contract with the Michigan Association of Counties Service Corporation. This renewal does not require any additional funding and the Mac Service Corporation does Strategic Procurement Services specifically for the nuclear My Justice complex and we need to renew are primarily because of the extended date of turnover of the complex.
This term extends to December 31 of this year. That's correct. Any discussion on this item moved by Commissioner Kinloch, supported by Commissioner Anderson. Again, any discussion on this item?
Thank you, please vote.
Motion carries
up to the agenda items.
We're moving to the Agenda Item number four, is requesting commission approval of the fiscal year 2022. state criminal alien application program grant award between the charter county of Wayne and the US Department of Justice
and who's is here to speak on this one please.
Good morning commissioners. Bonita Terry, Director administration Sheriff's Office. This is a grant from the Department of Justice that we have been receiving since 2005. It is the state criminal alien Assistance Program. And this grant will fund salaries for officers where we've had lockup non sovereign citizens with at least one filming and two misdemeanor convictions. There is no match for this grant and the amount is $184,035.
discussion on this item
moved by Commissioner Killeen. Is there support supported by Commissioner Baker McCormick. Any discussion on this item receiving the other grant for $184,000?
Please vote. Thank you, man. Thank you.
Motion carries. Item number five is requesting commission approval of a grant agreement between the charter county of Wayne and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in the amount of $387,481. With no county match for the fiscal year 2024 Crime Victim Rights navigator pilot project program.
Hello, sir. Good morning through the chair for the record.
Tony Guerrero, Chief of legislation grants and Community Relations for the Wayne County prosecutor's office. To all commissioners, what we have here in five, six and seven are the prosecutor again, obtaining grants. These total over two and a half million dollars with no county match whatsoever. Item number five is an agreement between us and the Department of Human Services in Michigan human services with no county match, it is the Crime Victims Rights navigator positions. This grant will fund six navigators who will assist victims of violent crime and making application for crime victims compensation.
I'm happy to answer any questions. This would extend the term of the agreement from October the first of this year to September the 30th of next year.
Any questions on this particular one? And then we'll go to the next ones would take a motion for all five, six and seven. Any questions on this one? Number five. Commissioner Ah
Thank you, Madam Chair. So um, I don't have a question on these items. But I wanted to ask Tony in case he needs to leave. So we saw the news article about the dog jelly being for the prosecutor's office. And I don't recall that coming to us, but maybe I'm wrong. Can you tell us where the funding came from?
True? Certainly. The the concern, obviously is our staff was and still is grossly overworked. Very, very distraught. There's a whole wellness program that the prosecutor has put in place, which includes the therapy animal Jelly Bean. Throughout the the office, there are a number of items that allow the prosecutors to relax. More or less bureaucratic. chiropractic services that come in Jelly Bean is housed with our director, I'm sorry, our chief of information technology. And he's quite popular throughout the office, he travels the 10th 11th and 12th floors of Frank Murphy. And I can't stress enough, the fact that he really, really does get people's blood pressure down, gives them a little bit of relief from the cases that that they're handling, for instance, I hate to report on homicides. But last week, we had five successful homicide prosecutions four of which were first degree, which means life imprisonment without parole. And that took five murderers off of our streets and keeps them in jail. You can imagine that the rigors of a trial with this much at stake. So that's where Jelly Bean fits in. He, he truly is remarkable in in calming people down.
Thank you. So it was part of that wellness contract. Thank you. Thank you. My apologies for asking. So that's fine. Thank you for
the report on Jelly Bean and the other measures to business system prosecutors, because I've done that's a very stressful position and steal, maybe more staff, so I can imagine that they're on your
madam chair and all the commissioners. We thank the CEO Warren Evans, and the Commission for their role in bringing the base pay of brand new assistant prosecuting attorneys to really the most attractive PE in the Tri County area so that we are now able to attract new candidates to come in. And we're excited about that. Because that will do a heck of a lot more than Jelly Bean.
Absolutely, we are so glad that those contracts were negotiated. And again, we hope to bring in more FTAs because of that. Let's go on to item number six and Tony you can stay there we're gonna take five, six and seven together. read just the first couple lines. Item number six Madam Clerk.
Sure. Item number six request and commission approval of a grant agreement between the charter county of Wayne and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in the amount of $929,000 with no county match required.
Hey, Tony, this is a culturally specific response service for underserved victims of crime.
That is correct. This will cover this grant is just under a million dollars. And it will cover the cost of 10 social service specialists, one social worker, one clerical specialist, and it will expand and enhance our crime victim services. Again, the term of this agreement would go from October one of this year to September 30. of next year. No county match involved and again, this was all prosecutor were they not me.
Thank you, Tony. And number seven.
Item number seven is requesting commission approval of a grant agreement between the charter county of Wayne and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in the amount of $1,327,274. No county match required for the fiscal year 2024 Crime Victim Rights grant.
This grant in the amount of $1,327,274 requires no county match. Again, this is all free money. That doesn't have to put a burden on the general fund. It will cover the personnel costs 13 new victim advocates, one social worker, one project manager and two departments supervisors term would go from October the first of this year to September 30 of next year. And one last comment on all of these. We're very grateful, Madam Chair, and your fiscal staff for allowing these matters to be put on today. The concern that we had, and it shouldn't be a concern all the way across the county is the fact that these grants are effective only upon the approval by this commission. And any expenditures prior to the the grants actually being approved would have to come from the general fund. So Having them before you today is a great savings to the county.
Thank you, Tony. And that's why I agreed to have these come on today because they are grants. So we're receiving dollars with no match. And it didn't make it in time for the committee. It was important.
Was it something I said?
Something I'd say I don't know, what was important to act on these to date so that we can begin the process of receiving these values. Commissioner traction.
Thank you, Madam Chair, what they were probably talking about on the voice there was you use the term free money and as I understand that, there is no free money. I don't look
for weeks, well said Commissioner.
Free to us. Commissioner recommend Congress you have your hand on. I'm just okay. Okay, on items, five, six and seven grants for the prosecutor's office to do the great work that we're getting from the state of Michigan. Any discussion on any of these three items? Any discussion on these items? Hearing none, please vote. Thank you, Tony.
Thank you very much.
Motion carries and have Commissioner can these look as an abstention
thank you so much. And the last item
item number eight is requesting Commissioner approval of amendment number one for one year legal services agreement
there a motion for item number eight moved by Commissioner Kinloch have their support supported by Commissioner Clark Coleman. Any discussion? Hearing none, please vote.
Motion carries.
Thank you so much. All right. Going back to the agenda.
We are going back to page nine of the agenda testimonial resolutions and certificates of appreciation. There are six items listed.
Okay. Is there a motion for the test my resolutions moved by last year but they don't supported by commission correctly. Commissioner murky
Thank you Madam Chair. I have a couple of changes and my certificates of appreciation which I will give to the clerk Okay.
All right. Thank you. Any further discussion on certificates of appreciation?
Hearing none, please vote
motion carries all right, thank you. Next item please.
We're all memorials there's one name listed.
Are there any names additional names to be added Commissioner can lack the permission to buy tickets and they don't
just like the record reflect that. The memorial for Calvin Hamlin Jr. was from all commissioners. He is one of the owners of strictly sportswear, a long standing business in the city of Detroit on seven mile and in Southfield area, and they have been a staple since the 80s. And the Urban Fashion were in you know, and in a very, very strong support business here in our county. Thank you.
Thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner Baden,
good staff had sent over the wrong information that the clerk's with an error from the clerk Oh, no problem.
Thank you, sir. For the clarification. Commissioner Baden.
Thank you Madam Chair. Actually, Madam Chair, I have several names of community members who passed away recently since our last meeting in the city of Dearborn and some of them live in my colleagues district in Dearborn heights also. So I'm gonna just list these names in chat and Mankey crime diversion. Khalifa Mossad, Ali Majid Hasami. Eman may noon. She's my wife's cousin she passed away last night. Al Assad has more to the Richard Bandler, father of Hajin, father of harsh Hasani and while Hashem Cockrum and Namur Dr. Chris Clifford, the dentist who was killed in a tragic accident on Telegraph Jubran Are you busy? I extend my sincere condolences to all of their families. May God bless their souls. Thank you Madam Chair.
Thank you, Commissioner so sorry for all of the laws and you our sympathies especially for your wife's cousin. Any additional names
war memorials
Hearing none Could everyone please stand for a moment of silence?
Thank you all and we'll continue to keep prayers for those who have fallen victim to gun violence. Unfortunately, there was no deaths but there was a shooting at Morgan State which is a HBCU in Maryland last weekend. So gun violence as we know is is out of control. We want to continue to keep those in prayers were affected by it. Next slide, please. Okay, we have two minutes. Is there anyone on Zoom?
You want on Zoom for public comment? Anyone on the telephone? Anyone in chambers for public comments? And the chamber?
Anyone submitting a email?
I have three,
three. All right. Okay, Madam Clerk. The first.
The first is from Mark Turner. I go back to year 2000. When I was a seasonal trying to figure out life. What attracted me to this job was I could make a decent living but also I wanted to start a family and have kids of my own. Being healthy was very important to me. And at the time, I was a seasonal so I didn't have the health insurance. I began to see how important it was. The cost was low and had many perks. I wanted that and I really focused on doing everything I can to get this job. I was laid off in 2005 and I bounced around a few jobs. I began to compare the health insurance with Wayne County, it wasn't even close. So when I got my chance to go back in 2013, I jumped without hesitation. To my horror, this version of my benefits package was the same. I didn't realize that was the beginning of a terrible downward spiral. As the years have gone by it has become worse. Not only is the PE lacking but the health care costs has skyrocketed. It's crazy to me to give your employees a raise and have it all taken away by the Health Care increase. Morale is at a low you can't attract new employees because of the pay efficiency. Now you're on the verge of losing the loyal employees you have left because they can't afford to make a living and actually live healthy lives. Sign a loyal employee you are draining us. You must do better you are killing your workforce. The second is from Marlene Mitchell. Good morning. My name is Marlene Mitchell on September 19 2023. Wayne County Commissioners state they're supporting for striking UAW workers, saying that hard working people who are trying to get a decent living wage, well first off the employees of Wayne County are hardworking people as well. We don't have the support of our own commissioners. We have been through a 20% pay cut, where some employees lost their homes and was homeless living out their car. Some employees have to decide to pay for medicine or buy food and still try to make a couple of dollars for gas to get back and forth. To work. Every time we get a raise to health insurance goes up then we are being punished. If we take off sick to care for yourself or your kids. Our overtime hours are being paid straight time. I just it's just not fair. We have employees that make $15 An hour and then we have seasonal workers that make $15 as well. The sheriff just got 23.5% and retention bonus prosecutor got a 15%. As for all other locals within Wayne County only getting a 2% or 2.5%. The focus here is fair wages for all employees and health care. We should not be living in poverty and that means paycheck to paycheck. The cost of living has gone up as well. We pay more for electric services gas to heat our homes and to buy food. If you make $15 An hour after taxes. How much do you bring home? Isn't that enough to cover the basic rent lights and gas. We need a decent race. Thank you Marlene Michelle. The last is from Anthony plezier. Dear commissioners, please stand up because the Biden administration's efforts to see us sovereignty to the world help organize sation via amendments to the International Health Regulations and the pandemic preparedness treaty. Please define or restrict funding to any departments that enforce World Health Organization edits. Please also stand against hr 3557 and HR 4141 And Congress, which seeks to strip away state and local control and permitting cell tower placements and deeper and more restricted funding to county departments then enforce these bills should they become law. Remember in federal was 33 Alexander Hamilton wrote that lower government lower government have the right to treat acts by the federal government that are now pursuing to the Constitution as acts of usurpation.
Last one, thank you so much.
Yolanda Shepard, on the phone line. I like we have one. Okay. Schaeffer on the phone line would like to speak.
Go ahead. You have two minutes.
Okay, thank you. Once again, I am before you on behalf of local 1862 membership. Just a few short weeks ago, the county of Wayne exploited their employees. How you say the employees were gifted as a peace offering a reduction in health care costs expenses by 5%. However, the new rates are increasing in January, anywhere from 6.4% to 12.9%, depending on which plan you choose. Tell me where's the justice in this? healthcare is a right it's not a privilege. As inflation continues to put a strain on consumer budgets, we are demoralized with high health care premium and little to nothing and raises. There's a trend starting to take place in this country. The fight for parity. Look at the Blue Cross Blue Shield workers on strike just the half a mile from where you work. The UAW workers on strike, cars at permeant healthcare workers on strike, sag and after workers on strike. The Writers Guild settle in a strike recently winning improve wages and job protections. There were 396 strikes over the course of the last 12 months in this country. Yet the employees of Wayne County continue to do their jobs in spite of low or lack of respect and pay from their employer. Wayne County during the 1987 to 2002 administration used to take care of their employees. Under the leadership the likes of Edward McNamara, North sharply hearing services, Bobby Palmer and Aetna Beto. Now the reality of seeking the American dream, affordable housing decent wages, decent health care, job security is being overshadowed by governmental greed and unwillingness to treat its workers as if they mattered. Outsourcing has skyrocketed. Wang Ghani. Why the pay has been stagnant. If not just wage and benefit improvements that are needed. We are asking quality of life improvement with better staffing and protections against outsourcing in order to avoid salary increases. Y'all have a good day, and thank you for allowing me to speak.
Thank you. Thank you, ma'am. We have one more email as well. Go ahead, ma'am.
Greetings. Greetings, Wayne County. I am Mark Ashley price, the Treasurer of the Highland Park School Board. I just wanted to thank you for everything that Commission is doing forever bless our beloved Wayne County.
Thank you, Pam.
No, I got it.
All right. And you have another I'm sorry, one more.
This is from David Miller. When are the people who got wrapped up almost 20 years of healthcare in 2017 getting some of that money returned to the MERS program or did someone else just decide that those employees voluntarily worked for nothing? It person who started in 1997 has the same amount as a person who started in 2017. So the person who started in 1997 has to work until 2047 to have 30 years in the MERS which is needed to have a snowball's chance in an oven to have enough in the account to return to retire. Something don't seem fair. That was from David
Miller. Okay, thank you so much. Thank you, Madam Clerk. That concludes public comments. Next item, please. reconsiderations we do have one reconsideration. Vice Chair Powell. Mara.
Thank you Madam Chair, I moved to reconsider the vote on new business. There were three items. I wish to vote yes on items one and two and abstain on items. Whoa, I'm sorry. Let's do one at a time. Let's move to reconsider the new business that had three items
and there's a motion to reconsider is in support supported by Commissioner Kim Locke. All in favor of reconsidering the item please vote
Commissioner Anderson motion carries.
Okay, so we are reconsidering item number three on the agenda, new business. All right. And Commissioner Paulo Mara
Thank you Madam Chair. I'll
item item number three is requesting commission approval of amendment number one to a comparable source. Professional Services contract with a to be determined number of three months options to renew between the charter county of Wayne and the Michigan Association of Counties.
Okay, we're going to vote again on that item. Any discussion on that item? Hearing none, please vote on this item again. Thank you
she can look.
Motion carries. And I have Commissioner pal Amira as an abstention.
Okay, and just to explain what happened on the reconsiderations, if there's a commissioner needs to change their vote, the Commission votes, whether or not to entertain that reconsideration. And then we vote again on that particular item. And the commissioners will vote how they need to vote on that item. Thank you. Next item, Madam Clerk,
remarks by members.
All right. Commissioner Anderson.
Yes. Thank you. I have my hand up to to since we are reconsidering, I want to ask for reconsideration of one item. Let me find it really quick.
And let the record reflect that we're still on reconsideration as if that's okay, now. We're taking the vote that we just took to reconsider a reconsideration still on the floor. Okay. Commissioner Anderson.
Thank you. It's item number one under Committee on Government Operations.
Okay.
I too, would like to be recorded as an abstention.
abstention. Okay. What and as our lawyers come in to help us through this process
we have to move again for reconsideration because it was already closed. So let's do this. We're gonna do really, really quick. Their motion to reconsider. Move by Commissioner Baden supported by Commissioner Anderson All in favor say aye. Aye. The board is now open. We are reconsidering item number eight on the Public Safety Committee. No. I'm sorry. What are
we doing some chair it was number number one on Committee on Government Operations.
Number one on the run operations, we are going to reconsider the vote for that item. Any discussion on that item? I see. Commissioner batch encourage committee okay. Any discussion on item one government operations as we reconsider the vote for that item? Does that item
okay please vote
motion carries. Okay, so before we continue Are they
okay, we were just I thought it was the motion to reconsider sorry.
This is the motion on the item this the vote on the item
okay. Are you are you alone?
Pardon me? Are you gonna record me as the No abstention.
You won't know where the stitches
abstention? There we go.
Okay, that's on number one Committee on Government Operations. Any other items were to be considered reconsidered while we have the board open for reconsideration of items? Any other items? Any other items? Okay, now we're moving on. Next item. Madam
Clerk, remarks by members.
All right remarks by members. We have a special program that will begin at only so early, but the program begins at 1145. It's just a little after 11 now so there'll be some time to go to your offices if you'd like, but then we'll do this at the program. But if there are I just want to recognize former commissioners who are here right now and again, they'll be recognized at the program if you could please stand. I know we have Laura Cox, we have Keith Williams, Joan Gephardt, I saw Phil Kavanaugh, you I know I can't see far away, Shannon Price. And there'll be others joining us. But welcome, commissioners. Let's give him a round of applause for coming today. They're going to be with us for our special program that will begin at 1145. And so we do the portrait unveilings of our last two Wayne County Commission chairs. The right now we'll go through my remarks by members, Commissioner Basham.
Thank you, Madam Chair. He's not Elton John, but he is a celebrity in my in my book, John Pfeiffer seems to be at the back of the fight, sir.
John, thank you. We will certainly make sure that we fellowship with our former acting clerk Mr. John Pfeiffer, who now lives in Illinois. So good to see you, sir. Glad You Came up for this special day that we're having this afternoon. Commissioner Clemente.
Thank you, Madam Chair, I just wanted to mention something historic happened in my district. For the weekend, the very first Michigan historic marker for tanto music was placed at 21st and Begley with quite the celebration. And if you ever get a chance to should go by and look at it, there are two markers. One is the Michigan Historic State marker. And then there is a monument honoring all the Tohono music influence for the area. And the second thing that I want to say is I appreciate being able to go to conferences and learn about different things that are happening throughout the states. And this past weekend, some of us were able to attend the 2023 annual Mac conference in Kalamazoo, and one of our very own is taking on another leadership role. So I wanted to acknowledge Commissioner dub and she is going to be the board vice president of man
s. You stole my thunder Commissioner, but we are so very proud of commission job and as she moves up the Mac leadership after vice president, she'll be poised to be the president of the Michigan Association of Counties. So next year when that happens, we're all gonna go up to celebrate. So congratulations on your new position. We can't wait to see your leadership style and what you do for the Michigan Association of Counties. They're lucky to have so many Wayne County representations are all very enjoy Pella. Mayer has been a staple for med for ever. And we just have so many people who are really getting involved with Mac and Neko. And that's just awesome. So congratulations, Commissioner. Additional commissioners, for remarks by members, any additional remarks by members?
Can easic
Thank you, Madam Chair. Commissioner be doing talks about my district so much. I'm gonna repay the favor here for a second, just because he's my friend. But as folks know, Hussein, who works for Commissioner May June. We know him as a lot of different things. But as of Thursday, September 21, we can now refer to him as Bliley, because he had a new son join his family. And so I hope that folks could just join me really quick to congratulate Hussein on becoming a father. He's He's right over here.
Congratulations. Did you say boy or girl? It's a boy. All right. Congratulations. Vice Chair may do
Thank you, Commissioner conducing. There were so many that's in our community. I forgot about the beautiful. Also got blessed me with another grandchild about three weeks ago. His name is Adam. So my son Mo has a new baby called Adam. And then congratulations to Hussein the merger also in his new addition.
Thank you. Congratulations, grandpa. And as I always say, each member of the Wayne County Commission is so dynamic in their own right. I want to certainly recognize Commissioner Baker McCormick, who received the veterans Leadership Award at the African American wars ceremony this weekend. So congratulations, Commissioner moneymaker McCormick for being recognized for all the wonderful work that you do with veterans. And as a veteran, that was a marvelous ceremony and does thank you for your service here at the county and with veterans, so a lot of dynamic commissioners on this board. Any additional remarks by members? So right promptly at 1111 45 We will come back in this room to begin our ceremony. So because stretch for a minute I was there a motion to adjourn this meeting? Okay means a jack. We'll see you back at 1145. All right. Thanks. Okey dokey smokey.