GLWA Public Hearing on the Budget and Rate Increases 2.26.2025

2:52PM Feb 27, 2025

Speakers:

Keywords:

Budget

rate increase

public comments

water system

sewer system

affordability

infrastructure

pension contribution

water main breaks

federal funding

community impact

water affordability

public health

capital improvement plan

apprenticeship program.

Public hearing

Clean Water State Revolving Fund

project plans

low interest financing

Great Lakes Water Authority

water resource recovery facility

combined sewer overflow

public comments

interest rates

capital improvement plan

water main break

inspection

surgery

CEO report

adjournment.

I Bateson to present on both items. Afterwards, we will continue public hearing and public comments. Nikki, the floor is yours.

They the matter before everybody's consideration is proposed budget and charges. I'm going to make my comments brief. We've had a lot of public engagement today, and that's why we're here. And I'm going to make my comments brief so that we can focus on getting the public comments on the record today. First and foremost, nobody likes receiving a charge increase. Nobody likes asking for a charge increase. There have been some developments since we've last publicly met that we do want the public to be aware of, as we've continued this matter. This is a very difficult year. It's a transition from many years of low inflation adjustments, and there's some economic realities that we face. And with all the passion in the room and surrounding this topic, I look forward to how people can work together going forward, having been an active member, member of Senator Chang's affordability work group last fall, we were hopeful that we would get a much needed affordability program. There's nobody who in the room was more of an expert on that than director Brown. As we all work together with people with different perspectives to come up with a plan, as you heard, it's sorely needed as it relates to developing the annual budget charges. It is a process that spans six months, starting with review of our capital improvement plan with our member partner communities in September, continues through various public meetings, briefings to the board, leading up to today's public hearing, the average system charge adjustments through 2025 were subject to the 4% promise that was established where the authority was formed with the intent that the budget would increase by no more than 4% and we accomplished that, and even with the proposed charge increase, which has is now at 6.5% for the water system and 4.5% for the sewer system, still gives us a nine year average of 2.8% and 1.6 the challenges in operations is that many of our costs have increased nearly 56% no one could have seen foreseen the worldwide pandemic that happened that caused categories like chlorine expenses to Increase 40% many of our cost categories have increased, and we face those increases, and we've done what we can to absorb them, to rework the budget, but it continues to be a challenge. We initially provided this board and the public with a proposal on January 6, we tweaked that budget and proposed charges to scale it back. As we were doing that, we received a notice from the city retirement system that our pension contribution was going to increase because of some investment losses. So that between DWC and glwa, that's about $4 million again, that's a number one priority. Is to fund that pension agreement, and we've included that in the newest budget. And with, with including that payment for the pension system, we've also still been able to reduce the proposed charge increase.

So what's why? When we look at our budget and charges, we don't look at this as one year. We look at it as the long term. We're now getting into a point where every year we say we have an anomaly, an unprecedented event, but every year, when you have it every year. It's no longer anomaly, and it's no longer an unprecedented event. In November, 21 significant water main break on 14 Mile Road. August 2022 120 inch water main transmission break, August, 2396 inch water main relocation program, and of course, the devastating event that occurred a few weeks ago with the water main break in southwest Detroit. Structure. Water is not funded by tax dollars. There's no revenue sharing program, and people who are allocating budget dollars can see the potholes. They can't see the seams and our pipes that are becoming that have the challenges that we've experienced and seen. The region's infrastructure is aging. The pipe in question, most recently was nearly 100 years old, and unfortunately, the water system is solely dependent on the end consumer to cover the cost, not our choice, not our wish. We spend a lot of time talking to policy makers, explaining to them that the critical assets that are vital to life that they can't see need grants, low cost loans to be able to allow us to do proactive measures to try to prevent these catastrophes when a water main breakup occurs. So again, glwa is a municipal entity, but it did not receive any of those federal dollars, probably over the last couple years, maybe $50 million is what G, l, W, A has received in total, which pales in comparison to over a billion dollars that's needed to improve our system. This is kind of a comparison to CPI. I'm speaking to a very educated audience that's on Zoom and in the room who knows these facts and figures and is well attuned with the cost increases that we've all experienced. So with that, again, that I hope helps to provide some insight, I think mostly we want to convey, you know, it's a balance between being responsible and making sure that we have the funds to maintain the system, to try to prevent failures, but also with understanding the affordability challenges that occur. We have our water residential systems program. The City of Detroit has a Lifeline program. The problem is, there's just not a month enough money in those dollars, and we encourage people to make policy to talk to policy makers who can maybe make that happen, so that we can maintain the system and not have those who have the hardest ability to pay feel so much pain. So with that, I will conclude my comments, unless there's any questions from the board

chairman, if it's acceptable to you, then we will take the comment cards we have in the room. We do have some comment cards from some that do not want to speak. So we'll take the comment cards for those that are in the room. We'll read into the record a letter from the city of Highland Park and indicate a comment card that does not want to speak, and then we'll take those that are remaining on the phone so that everyone has an opportunity to

speak. Thank you, Mr. Wilson, as promised and outlined in the process, we are to the point of continuing public comment, offering the opportunity for anyone that wants to speak on the two issues that are at hand. Thank you for those that have commented thus far on the line. Thank you for your thoroughness and your professionalism. Thank you for those in the gallery that have enabled us to be courteous to each other, as would be the case if you're speaking. Please give that same courtesy to the person that is speaking ahead of you. We do have comment cards, as Mr. Wilson has noted, I've gone through some of them. Some of them, the issues are stated quite clearly. Some of those are not. So if we can't hear the can't read, the issue it clear we'll call your name, so I yield the floor to Mr. Wilson to facilitate the continuance of public comment.

Up As Mr. James A Javis Jr in opposition, just let us know if you want to approach the Mic.

Next up is

Monica Lewis, Patrick in opposition.

I All right, your microphone, you

Hello. Can you hear me? All right? Thank you so much for my time. I'm Monica Lewis Patrick. I serve as the president and CEO of we, the people of Detroit. I also serve on the Water Quality Board for the ijc. I also have served many of you as your national. Advocate making sure that water utilities across the country receive the necessary funds that they need to be able to operate, but I am here today in strong opposition to any rate create rate increase on the people of this particular region. And the reason I say that is for multiple reasons. One is that we know that since 1967 up until that time, the federal government provided about 67 to 69% of the dollars that were allocated for water infrastructure across the nation. We know, since that time, we're only seeing about seven to 9% of the federal budget allocated for water. The thing that we know that is harming the people is that now that deep budgetary shortfall. Transition from the federal government to the states. The states didn't transition it to the municipalities, and the municipalities transition it to the individual ratepayers, wages have not kept pace with the ever increasing cost of water. We also know that here, not only in the city of Detroit, but all across the state of Michigan, water rates have gone up over 188% as you've heard from my comrades all across this particular water district, in places like Flint, water rates have gone up 320% over the last four decades. It's gone up over 400% since 1986 I'm an educator. I'm a counselor by trade. These are stats that I know because I have delivered water. We the people of Detroit, on any given year have delivered over 200 tons of water to our neighbors and our friends, not only in Detroit, but in Flint Highland Park and Hamtramck, because we know the devastation of water shut off. We the people of Detroit have done community research to be able to demonstrate the public health impacts when people just don't have the basic water to wash their hands, wash their prepare a bottle for their baby, or give their elder the water they need to digest a peel. I am pleading not only with this body, but I'm speaking to the people of Detroit, Wayne County, Oakland County and Macomb County. You must rise up in this moment. This cannot be left at the laps of these people that are sitting around this table, because we the people have power. Anyone that has put anyone in a seat that will vote against your interest in terms of water, you must vote them out. Organize yourselves. Mobilize now. You cannot wait on people here to decide that you deserve water, but I'm telling you that it's got to be a cold day in hell before I will lay down and allow anyone to stand between the people of this great state of Michigan and their right to have water that they deserve water is a human right. It is a fight that I've dedicated most of my life too, and I will die on that hill. I will not let my children or grandchildren believe that we are just this inhumane to decide that people don't deserve that water. And you heard people give you stats, $1.5 billion the lady said that y'all didn't get it. Well, where did it go? And then the other thing that's missing on your website, where is the information about the bonds? Because the bond data is critical for us to be able to analyze what is happening with the budget. So that is a question. Thank you so much for my time.

Adam Bennett in opposition.

Next up

is Mr. D'Amico, William i

Yes, hello. Good afternoon. Board members, Damico Williams, executive Chief Director of hydrate Detroit, we provide emergency water consultation, advocacy and payment of water bill, assistance to citizens in Detroit that are suffering without water, that is disconnected to water, and also that are having struggles with paying their water bills. I'm sorry I am in opposition of this water rate increase. This is not a sufficient location. This meeting is not a sufficient location. This is not open to the public. We were almost locked out downstairs, where I couldn't get in. But this needs to be rescheduled, and hopefully, given that a bigger location, you could put Wayne County Community College with an adequate parking and also accommodation. You don't even provide water in the water department that's accessible to the citizens. And also, I'm going to say that water rate increases over the past two to three years have not served us in the city of Detroit, 11 communities in Oakland County said no. 27 communities in Macomb said no. The water affordability legislation. Is not passed. You all were not in Lansing campaigning for that bill. And also, while you're doing extortion tactics, racial rhetoric around other communities, Candace Miller and a few other people that you all know good and well, that we don't have the money, I'm sorry about these broken water mains that are older than when God created the earth. But we've all had the same opportunity that you all had, and the $347 million we just got in Detroit, that money is earmarked. So where is the money that you all can't ask the federal administration for that, you already know that we're not going to get that money. So if I fight Gary Brown in the water and sewage department meetings in regards to the rate increases you all passed that he had to pass up on us, that's going to be a chain effect of anger all across this city and also around this region. So we say we can't pay. We won't pay hail, no we cannot pay. And I'm going to continue to say that all across the region. Thank you.

Next up is Jamil in opposition. Jamil, all right, we got you.

Right. Good afternoon board commissioners, I am opposed to the water rate increase once again, as I piggyback off of Damico Williams, I fight Gary Brown and other board commissioners every month in the board meetings about different things, with dealing with the infrastructure of the city. We have a failing infrastructure in this city, and I've seen a lot of money coming to the city with ARPA dollars and everything. Where's that money going? Where did it go? I'm still looking for it, because we have plenty of it came in here within the last three years, and it has not been seen implemented in the price purpose for what it has been used for. I also am opposed to the water rate increase because my fellow constituents, they can't afford to pay for water. We barely getting by right now with the inflation and this administration who came in and is trying to take away every social network that we have regarding our social nets and taking care of our bills and our kids and our families, it's just not affordable anymore. So yes, I think we should look and reconsider that. And I think we should look pay attention to more than what we are doing with the money, because I'm a taxpayer, just like as well as all the comments that came before me and my constituents, my brothers and sisters who are online speaking about this. This is just crazy. I can't believe it. And the people who are in southwest Detroit, I feel bad for them. They have lost everything. Some of those people work years to get what they have, and they have now nothing, and now we have now. It sounds like we're going to be flipping the bill on us for that. That is totally unacceptable. Glee LA, you are responsible for that transmission line break. Don't try to put it back on. Gary Brown and our Board of Commissioners and DWSD, you take responsibility like you should.

Thank you. Next up is Norell Hemphill, and speaking in opposition,

struggle every time I come to this podium, because we are every time we come, I come to this podium because we are fighting for the human right to water. We're fighting for our very existence. And it is both disgusting and despicable. Most people in this room go home to water, and you're denying that to other people who are not in this room, people who look like you, some people who don't. And we should be better human beings. And I pray today for all of your humanity that you your humanity is restored, because what you're doing with this proposed rate is shutting off people's water. You might as well be doing it yourself. As it's been stated, There was $1.5 billion that came to the state. What was that money used for? There's ARPA dollars that came in, bi o dollars that came in, and also the lead line replacement dollars. What is that being used for. Why are we having to shoulder the rate increases on a system, especially in Detroit, on a system that Glee was responsible for maintaining and improving under an illegal 40 year lease agreement that automatically renews and under that. Lease agreement. If an asset that previously belonged to DWSD is sold, Glee will get the proceeds for that asset. If Glee will uses the proceeds of that asset to buy another asset, that asset then belongs to Glee will What are you doing with those dollars that you are stealing from Detroiters who paid for this system. Who own this system? And this system is effectively being liquidated, going to your pockets. What are you doing with those dollars? And instead you can, you continue to increase rates for those the least of the who cannot afford to pay the raise. You just sit there. Time

is Maria, Maria Mara Mata, and they're speaking in opposition. You music,

good afternoon, members of the Great Lakes Water Authority, and hello to the esteemed attendees via zoom and in person. My name is Maria Mata. I go by Mara, and I am a public health professional with a deep concern for the health and well beings of all Metro Detroit residents, I'm here today to express my concerns and voice my opposition to the proposed increase to rate the water rates access to clean, affordable water is a fundamental public health issue for many families, especially those living paycheck to paycheck, a rate increase can and will be a barrier to basic needs, including hydration, sanitation and hygiene. This is not just a financial burden. It can and will have far reaching consequences on health outcomes and disparities already present in Metro Detroit. Research consistently shows that inadequate access to clean water disproportionately affects vulnerable communities, including low income, working class families, the elderly and individuals with chronic conditions. Inadequate water access can lead to preventable health problems and deaths from hydration, poor sanitation and the spread of infectious diseases. Furthermore, when families are forced to choose between paying for water and eating other essential needs like food or medicine, it puts their overall health and well being at risk. As a public health professional, a healthy I have to say that a healthy population is dependable to equitable access to essential services. Rising water rates will place an undue strain on vulnerable communities. And I was born and raised in Dearborn, Dearborn heights. I've canvassed a great section of it for a state representative campaign and for prop two and three. Back in 2022 I've talked to my neighbors about issues and their lives and they can't afford this. They're living paycheck to paycheck, which you've heard from many attendees today in their public comments, I voice my opposition, and I have to say, if you pass this rate increase, I will bring every rate of water borne illness and preventable death and destruction. I will bring their stories to this table, to every meeting, and I will hold you accountable for it. I will keep being here at meetings, and you, I will keep being here. Thank you.

DEBRA TAYLOR, speaking in opposition

that Deborah Taylor, co founder of we the people of Detroit, and I'm in opposition to the increase. Want to point out. And everybody that's watching mapping the water crisis, get this book electronically through. We the people of detroit.com. At the top of the website, there's take the pledge red button, and it'll tell you the elements of a true water affordability plan. And I would think that our our commissioners, or the great Glee will commissioners, would want to at least have that in their arsenal. I'm talking about the structure of Glee one, and I'm questioning the legitimacy of it, as it was done in the night of the bankruptcy of the city of Detroit, and the statement against the increases is definitely what I'm here for. But the way this was formed. This body was formed, is questionable, and it needs to be revisited. The inequitable payment to the city of Detroit of $50 million when we should be getting 215 million is another issue that Detroiters. Are absorbing the weight and the burden, the financial burden, the least of these are paying the most for combined sewage overflow. We pay 100% of our own processing and 83% for the suburbs and and they pay 13% that's not equitable, and those numbers don't add up to any kind of equitable process. Okay, the transaction reached in the middle of the midst of the municipal bankruptcy under emergency management, Detroit has already gone through. What are the folks who are sitting in seats at the federal level are doing to the entire country now we've had it done to us.

Your time is up. That was three minutes. We've been timing. Thank you. Thank you for your comments. Next up is Mr. Joshua Lamar i

are i would like to reclaim my time. They would say I can be able to tune in. Otherwise.

Been sitting here for two hours. I was the first person here, waiting patiently and respectfully,

and then and we

gave you three minutes. So

next up,

please. It's pronounced Lemire. That's L, A, capital, M, E, R, E, Rabbi in training. Joshua Lemieux, President and CEO of city of trees, 501, c3, doesn't that sound like fun? Does that ring any bells to anybody's city of trees? One might say that Ann Arbor Michigan ran off with all of our trees, the University of Michigan comes into this town like the predator that it is. And how you say, let's see, we have a water pump station in Highland Park, Michigan, but all of that money went to Ann Arbor is perfectly adequate pump station in 2013 and so weird, we have a pump station, and let's look at $120 million to get it up and running again, because every time a Highland Park, Michigan resident turns on their tap, two gallons get spilled because we are illegally tapping into the city of Detroit system. And so this, this little argument, this little tiff that you so called men and women are having with the people of Highland Park is because the water is hemorrhaging out of our homes, our businesses, and it's flooding into the Detroit River. And did I mention that the Model T site is an undeclared Superfund site. Do I have any Highland Park High School graduates in the room between 1977 and let's see 2013 the water was poisoned, and that's the real reason you tore down the high school poisoned. P, O, I, S O, N, E, D, and why you guys are allowed to operate in the great state of Michigan is, it's a question and a mystery to me, because Detroit should have its own water department. Highland Park should have its own water department. Hamtramck should have its own water department. And people say, Oh, it's too big. Wyandotte, they got their own water department. They got their own electricity department. They even provide cable. I mean, go down to Wyandotte see how it's done. It ain't that hard. I'll be ashamed of yourselves. I don't know how any you sleep at night. It's, it's, my mother got a $1,000 water bill in the mail the other day, and somebody had the call to say that she had a leaking toilet. My Councilman is her plumber. My Councilman is her plumber, and I can assure you, there is not a drop of water unaccounted for in her home because my Councilman is her plumber. So you should all be ashamed of yourselves. I don't know how you sleep at night. I am I have not slept in a month since she got that $1,000 water bill. I have known that woman since. April of 2018, and I have never seen her cry until she got that bill in the mail.

Thank you. Next up is Chantel walking Watkins speaking in opposition. You.

My name is Chantelle Watkins, and I am a Detroit resident, a single mom, and I am tired, very tired, of rate hikes from services that are supposed to provide quality, and instead of spent years letting things get bad and not spending the money they are already getting. It's negligent to make rate hikes on the city and state level. As the federal government makes cuts to services that help those under the poverty line to pay their bills, it is even more negligent to ask for rate hikes after lead notices have gone out. Wood pipes have been found, and one of the largest water main breaks this city has ever seen has just occurred. Why should we give you more money when you haven't even done the job with the money you have already been given a 10% rate hike is a soulless ask in our current climate audit internally and earn public trust, because water is a human right, and you all should never forget it.

Johnson Johnson, Cynthia, a Johnson.

Afternoon, everybody. Thank you first of all for having this, this meeting, and really it needs to be in a bigger room. For the record, I would vote no on this legislation or your proposal to raise taxes to what I'm looking at, what I was reading when I Googled to see how much money Great Lakes Water Authority has received, one of the things that it says is that GL W A has not publicly disclosed a specific Total amount of funding received for infrastructure solely since 2017 I want to know what have you been doing with the money? Every two years, you guys asked for funding for infrastructure, of dollars, and you receive it. You I'm just confused. And for the people who have spoken, I feel bad for them, because it seems like you have allowed us to get up, to speak only to appease us. We need human beings not to misuse us, and it's a slap in the face for this, for you all to bring this before us when we're going through so much hell with Donald Trump, we don't know what's happening, and then for you to slap this on top of us, unconscionable. This

next up is Valerie Blakey, speaking in opposition. You

next up and we will we will have our comment card. Next up is Hanson. Shall we? Speaking in opposition.

Representative Angelica Benson, speaking in opposition. I

up next up is Ross bellant to address the board.

I came to see what the presentation would say about how these funds are to be used. The presentation did not convey, I should say, by way of background, I'm a former water plant operator working at the distribution system. Prior to that, very proud of the history of the DWSD, and I was looking for an explanation for the cost, amount. Is, how, what the what the investment is actually going to pay for, which is what I assume all of you would want when you decide to vote that didn't, didn't come through. Everybody knows about, you know, historic problems that have occurred in the system. But we need more than that. We can't be asked to support and endorse a blank check. And so I think, I think you should really detail that out to the same level you do for your internal discussions. Secondly, I have studied the cost. I did a 1987 to 2013 2023 cost on the water cost in Detroit. And you know, since 1987 the cost of the levels of staffing have been dramatically reduced in wastewater treatment plant, and I think in other elements of the support system for the collection and distribution and collection systems, so those savings never got reflected on our water bills. I'm concerned that this is going to put a further strain on the good programs that DWSD has put forward on water affordability, and it's not justified. I'm going to suggest a couple quick things that might help. One Detroiters, according, you know, based on the mandate from Judge Ficus, Detroiters pay 83% of the storm water costs for the region. I assume those are still in place, and if it is with a much greater growth of impervious surfaces in other counties that needs to be recalculated and reformatted so that you're not shifting in excessive costs on Detroiters, which you've heard the tragic stories of and concerns of. Secondly, I that's for equity purposes. I encourage dumping the location.

Up. Thank you.

Next up is Lucinda J Perrin, you

all right, next. Next up is Phyllis Hughes, Phyllis high high tower

from chariot i

Next up is Kelsey

Kenny.

Kelsey Cook, Kenny, No,

all right, thank you. Next up is Randy Brower,

good afternoon. I speak in Randy Brower, I speak in opposition, I have a number of questions. One concerns Highland Park in previous years, Glee will has cited Highland Park's unpaid water bills as a major factor in rate increases. Now that that issue has been resolved. Why are rate increases higher than ever? Were the anticipated financial benefits of resolving that issue factored into the current rate setting process regarding corrosion control costs? The estimated cost for corrosion control improvements is reported to be $6 million is this an annual cost or a one time investment? What specific upgrades or changes are included in this estimate regarding affordability? What percentage of customers are expected to experience affordability challenges due to this increase, on top of the large number of customers already experiencing challenges. How does this rate increase compared to inflation and income trends in the region? And does the wrap program have enough money to help low income households manage these rising costs? And since we know, since we know it doesn't, did you have a plan for that? What steps is Glee with taking to ensure that future rate increases are predictable and manageable? Has glee? What conducted an asset management study to prioritize necessary investments and avoid large spikes in rates such as this one. What cost saving message met? Has leeway implemented to reduce the magnitude of rate increases. Are there opportunities to improve operational efficiency or reduce costs elsewhere?

Thank you. Thank you. Next up is for Kenny the county.

Thank you. Next up is Ricky Holt. You

Mr. Holt, you have three minutes to address the board.

I appreciate that I'm not here as a combatant. I'm here as a beneficiary of the trust, the public trust. And this board needs to understand the public trust that they have deliver is a for profit company. Detroit employees, and I'm an ex, well, I'm a retired city. Detroit employees, dw, S and wastewater treatment plant. Oh, exactly what goes on, and there's nobody working at the plant. So where's the money going? Nobody's working there, and why these increases are coming. When we was forced into bankruptcy. We were forced there. We didn't represent that, but I'm here as a beneficiary of the trust, and I need y'all to rule on that basis. Thank you. Thank you,

Mr. Chairman. At this point we have taken our comment cards. Is there anyone else in the room who wishes to address the podium? Or So would you line up at the podium? Okay, if you come up to the podium, please.

Hello. My name is Joanna Underwood, and I want to speak on behalf of the citizens of Detroit who are suffering every single day. Really need to take responsibility. This burden, this height increase, should not fall on the citizens of Detroit. We are just now getting some kind of relief with the Lifeline program, I know I have assist so many people that have water shut offs and been shut off for years now have water because of that plan. You have to think logically. Here we have inflation going on. The cost of rent has increased in the city of Detroit by 300% we got babies dying in the city of Detroit. So many people are lacking the basic needs to sustain human life. And this is what we're talking about here. We're talking about a basic human right. We cannot go without water. You should have to take responsibility, and all your public records need to be shown to the public. We want to know how much you are making. We want to make sure that you be held accountable at a for profit. Be a good neighbor, be a good steward of the dollars that you've been blessed to have from the citizens of Detroit. Run this department the way it should be run, and stop taking care of your shareholders and start taking responsibility and accountability with the money that you have, and definitely not increase these rates on the citizens of Detroit or any else city, because we are suffering, and we do not want this height increase. Thank you very much.

Phones, is there anyone else in the room that wishes to speak?

All right, we are going to return to the phones. Mr. Davis, you've waited patiently. You indicated that you wanted to speak as a part of this public hearing. This is your opportunity to speak.

Hello. Can I be heard? You

have three minutes to address the board. Okay?

William M Davis, president of Detroit active retirement employee Association. I'm a city Detroit retired. I work for the city at the wastewater treatment plant for 34 years. All during that time that I worked there, water rates was going up, and part of my water bill, because I lived in the city of Detroit too, said part of that was the cover of labor and retirement for City of Detroit workers. Also, since that time, since I retired after my 34 years, I. So DWSD and Greer. Greer has been saying that part of that is for pensions, but yet my pension was cut. You know, 1000. You know, over 1000 city Detroit retirees work for the wild department. Pension cut since that time, also 3000 city Detroit retirees have died in the last 10 years. You know if part of this money is supposed to go into our pension, and if it was not received, is that illegal? Is that proactive, perpetrated on the rate payers also separately, y'all should also give an account, because previously, when we should get reports on rates going up. We used to know how many employees there was, how many management was. What's the ratio of workers and supervisors? What's the ratio of, you know, what's the average salary for the workers with average salary for the supervision, average salary for management? You know, y'all need to be breaking down this information more. I would think I would break it down more if this was like a true company, given a breakdown of cost and anticipated future costs. Thank you.

And next up, we have roomy.

Hi. My name is Rumi Weaver. I'm just I'm going to keep this very brief, I'm strongly opposed to these proposed rate hikes. You've heard from all these people. You've heard from the way people are suffering. You've heard from the way that these systems are failing people day to day, and you're proposing to make them pay more for basic water. It's ridiculous. I am just really upset, and it's hard to put into the words, but I want to make put myself on the record as saying I'm strongly opposed to is this will not help anybody. It will not help your I don't even care if it helps your bottom line, because, frankly, your bottom line is not worth the suffering of so many people in this city and surrounding cities. So yeah, I'm going to keep it, keep it brief. I'm strongly opposed to this. It's blatantly unfair, is blatantly wrong, is blatantly cruel, and you're gonna, I feel like you're gonna just experience a lot of people's anger. If this is approved anyway, I just that's, that's all there is to me, right here.

Thank you. Next up is Georgia Crawford Campbell. Miss Crawford Campbell,

good afternoon. I'll be very brief, and I will speak in opposition of the increase. I am a city of Detroit resident and a community advocate, and I will speak specifically toward for core city neighborhoods who operate affordable nonprofit housing, and they are being drained to death with the water drainage fees. They've done everything they can to improve the area, and they still end up having to borrow $100,000 a year to pay those water and drainage fees to keep it from going to taxes. So I invite Mr. Brown, who represents on this board for the city of Detroit, to go and visit court city neighborhoods to see the housing that they have provided clean, affordable housing to the residents while they can trying to maintain low affordable homes. But yet that drainage fee is killing them. And I don't think mega churches are having that problem like they are. It's terrible. What's going on with Alberta King village houses? Because they, like I said, they have to. This nonprofit has to borrow money just to pay for the drainage fees so that it don't become a tax on the property. Thank you. Thank you.

Next up is Laura Sullivan. Ms, Sullivan,

hello. Thank you for giving me this time. I am a resident of Flint, Michigan, and I was very much involved with the Grand Bargain, or I guess I was just aware of the grand bargain that resulted in Great Lakes Water Authority being in charge of Flint's water when you raise water rates while failing to create any kind of a water affordability plan, or using your leverage and your power to press the legislature, the state legislature, to create an affordability plan. Then, then we know, everybody knows that the rate increase disproportionately affects people in poverty. Others have stated that we also know that this results in catastrophic losses in public sanitation and health. What we also know here in Flint is that when water isn't being used because people can't afford to pay for it. When water isn't used at a high enough rate, then the infrastructure also suffers catastrophic degradation. So I challenge this board to show that the benefit of the resources that you raise from rate hikes is bigger than the losses that you. Will cause by increased public health costs and increased costs of preserving the infrastructure due to the low water flow in the future. Thank you.

Thank you. Next up is Mr. Jaron sage. Sage, Mr. Sage,

yes, thank you for this time. My name is Karen sage. I'm a resident of Flint, Michigan in Genesee County. I just wanted to use this time in opposition of this ranked hike. I'm a single father of three children, and voting yes for these increases is a direct vote for increasing hardships in my life, in many other people that are in similar situations, and just overall, decreasing the quality of life that I have available for me over something simple, like Water. I currently owe $4,463 on a water bill for poisoned water. This bill has been chasing me since, I mean, since the beginning of the water crisis, and there is no methods or remedies in place to be able to help somebody who is behind already. It disqualifies you from programs to be able to try to get ahead. There are tough demands on, shut off notices, lack of payment plans. There's just no remedies for once you get stuck in a trap with the water, and increasing these rates is only going to further these people who are already stuck in traps, like myself, and you're going to be trapping very many more people in these situations. So I just hope that everyone's considering the long term effects of the ongoing problems that will be happening, not just financially. You know, your water shut off, your sanitation is down. Your quality of life is down. Your home can be taken. Your children can be taken. So just understand the volume of extremity that this decision holds. Thank

you. Thank your time. Next is up as Mr. Dos kendrino,

good afternoon and thank you for the opportunity to speak today. I'm Gus calendarrino. I'm the mayor of the city of Utica, as the chief elected official in my city, I'm compelled to control my city spending by the state of Michigan. I'm accountable to my residents to ensure they get the greatest value at the lowest cost for the money they entrust with their local government being a quasi governmental agency, cliwa has no such constraints. You also have no accountability to the residents. If my residents are unhappy with the way I'm spending their money, they can show their displeasure at the voting booth. What accountability does Glee will have to those that they serve. We understand we must all pay for water. We understand we must maintain and upgrade our infrastructure. We understand rates will and even must increase over time, however, small cities like mine cannot shoulder these large increases with no end in sight. The single greatest concern for Utica residents is the high cost of water. The increases to my residents were 9.4% last year and now 7.38% this year. Senior citizens and others on fixed incomes comprise a large percentage of the population my city. They cannot continue to pay these large increases year after year, rate increases of this magnitude are a burden to my residents and are simply not sustainable. To ensure the future viability of our water system, there must be structural changes to the way you are doing business. Thank you. Thank

you. Next up is Gloria Kidd, Miss Kidd,

Gloria. Kidd, Gloria,

we're going to move on to the next we'll come back and give one final call. Carlos ao, two.

Carlos AOT, two we're going up to the.

Alright, we're gonna, we're gonna keep moving on. We'll come back. Cheryl. Cheryl, p, k, can you hear me? Yes, we can. Thank you.

I'm a resident Flint, Michigan, and what when I saw that you guys wanted to raise rates again, it just put me all the way back to the water crisis, which, in my mind, was provoked by the desire to give us a better quality service, cheaper with glee law and all it's done is ruined Flint's residents, those that have died from cancer and those that are dying from cancer. I lost my husband to the water crisis, pneumonia from bacteria in the Flint water in 2014 before they would even acknowledge what was going on. So I've got some resentment. However, when we when we look at the rates, it's all dollars and cents to you guys, you need to look at the investments you're making, and you need to look at those investments being dispersed favorably toward your consumer, all these people that have been best fed and they want their money back, I can appreciate that, but they need to bite the bullet like the rest of us have. I'm trying to survive on $1,200 a month. When I moved here, I was paying $30 a month for an eighth consumption in Flint, a consumption. One consumption is 750 gallons of water. Who does that? And I have a one consumption, no, because I cannot. I cannot, I can't use the water. I look at it, I see my dead partner. I cannot use the water because I cannot afford it. My bill is just under $70 a month. If I have a one consumption on a $1,200 a month and comp, I'm done.

Hello. Oh, I'm sorry, thank you. Next up is Yvonne Jones. I out.

Hello. This is Yvonne Jones. I just want to make sure that my public comment got moved over to the public hearing, and also, if it's possible, I'd like to yield the rest of my time to the Vice President of the Water Board. I mean, the people's water board, who was trying to finish her comment, she has some very good information that I think should go on the record.

And thank you. We don't, we don't yield time every every citizen has the same opportunity to address the board. But thank you. Next up is Michelle Stewart. You

uh, then good uh, good evening. You might as well say now I'm setting through this whole process. Like I said before, I'm 67 years old. I lived in this city through the good times and bad times in here, but this water board here, this Great Lakes Water Authority, stop increasing the water I mean, it's essential for people to live. You gotta drink water in order to survive. That's not even bathing or doing other things that you need to do with water. It's so many people here that's in crisis, just like this water board is people do not have this money to spend on water, gas utilities, everything is high. It's so many people that's in the city. As I've said before, 30 at least 35% is at the 200% property level. We're not even including 45% of the children. You know, transportation is horrible in the city. Housing is horrible. You know, prices is so high, please do not increase the water. It's essential for everyone that lives. I'm looking at every last one of you on this Great Lakes Water Authority, and you're just sitting there with your stuff nose, and you're gonna vote this thing in, and I already know you're gonna vote in, because everything that we come down in numbers and ask each entity not to do they wind up doing this is, this is so disrespectful to every last one of these residents that fail water bill, regardless of where they live, at in suburbs, the city, it doesn't make sense. You can do better. You should have a conscience. You should think about these people. I'm quite sure it's people in your family that can't afford these high water prices. You can you're getting great salaries. We have people out here that have took care of their parents and they didn't, wasn't able to work to make sure they had enough money to survive once they got a retirement age. You know people out here. Just struggling. Single mothers, families with children that's barely making it, even if they're making $20 off that's not even substantial. To pay. They rent to pay their water bill, to pay their gas bills and stuff, and they have groceries. Please have mercy on these residents. Please time.

Next up is Ruby.

Can I be heard? Yes, ma'am, you can you have three minutes to address the board?

I had a flood in my house in 2016 and I was without high water for two years, two years, and I'm a senior y'all redid my water in front of my house. The pipes was definitely corroded, rusted and everything. I do not drink my water because it has rust in it. It's been I'm not even supposed to take a bath in my water. I've talked to my nurses came out here because I'm a senior, and they was telling me to report a lot of stuff to other entities. They're upset the way I'm living. I have to buy my water by my water, since I had the flood in my basement and you all put new pipes that my toilet rusted, the brand new toilet that was put into my house was cracked while it was putting it in, but still as rust in my toilet, people probably thinking that I don't clean my toilet. I do. It's rust, and my toilet rust from my bathtub. You are and I don't use that much water because, like the other guy, say, I conserve water since I'm by myself right now, but I take my bath water and flushes my toilet sometime. You know, to conserve on the water. I don't use any gallons, really, but you are still charging me a lot of money, and you're charging the money from the, what you call it, that you are charging us, other than a water bill, you're charging us that. So I mean, you all, I need you all to reimburse me for my water that I had to buy. I don't have a washer and dryer because my basement flooded due to the water sewer on the next street from Maine that basement time, right?

Thank you. Next up is

Eden bloom. May I be heard? Yes, you are. You have three minutes to address the board.

Thank you. I'm Eden bloom with Detroit people's platform answering call of we, the people of Detroit, in opposition to the rate hikes. I have five points this will have a disproportionate impact on low income households and many GWI la customers, especially in Detroit and surrounding areas, already struggle with high utility costs. A 10% increase good and will exasperate water affordability issues, leading to more shut offs, more financial distress. Two, the lack of transparency and the justification you guys have not provided a clear breakdown of why such a significant increase is necessary, whether all cost saving measures have been explored and other funding options are available, operational insufficiencies and management, some may question whether you have taken sufficient steps to reduce costs internally before passing the cost on to us okay for economic timing and inflation, given the broader economic challenges, including inflation, the rising cost, the things that people have mentioned, this is not the time for this. An alternative revenue stream should be considered instead of relying primarily on rate increases. You could explore alternative funding mechanisms, such as federal infrastructure funds, haha, efficiency improvements or partnerships to offset costs without directly impacting customers with the rest of my time. I would like to say that water is a human right. Water is a human right. Access to water is the human right, if you do not set up people access

next up is this? Tiana Starks. Tiana Starks,

Hello, can I be heard?

Yes, yeah, you have three minutes to address the board.

Thank you. I'm Tiana Starks. I serve as the Director of Communications at with people of Detroit today, you heard from residents throughout this region, our neighbors who are passionate enough and committed to our communities to take the time out of their day to be here have shown up in droves. You heard from community organizers, public health experts, community experts, local government officials of. Officials, professionals and activists, none of whom are in favor of these rate increases, all of whom represent at least 1000 of our neighbors who are not able to be here. I know in the city of Detroit, there are currently at least 60,000 residents who cannot afford their water bills right now today due to ever increasing rates, you are our public servants. You heard from your constituents. I implore you to not subvert subvert the democratic process and demonstrate your public service in action by showing that you heard your constituents and neighbors by voting against this rate hike. Water is a human right. We all need it to live, and I believe that by tapping into the expertise that is right here, online and in the room right now, a more creative solution that meets the needs of the communities you serve can be developed and implemented without denying people this critical human rights people are relying on you. Thank you. Thank you.

Next up is Valerie Jean,

can you hear me? Yes, ma'am. You have three minutes to address the board.

Okay, I had to leave the meeting because you because this, this wasn't this process wasn't clear. So now I hear I'm here on Zoom, and I feel like that needs to be addressed. Rate increases for the city of Detroit have since the early 2000s went up 400% literally 400% resulting in mass water shut offs in 2014 that harm people and they actually die. Sorry, I'm pulling over because I was driving. It's absolutely unconscionable right now to consider a rate increase when nobody can sign up for the Lifeline program and there's not an up and running rap program in Detroit. Now, everybody can tell the lies they want to about that, but anybody can call away Metro and find out they're not signing people up for the lifeline plan, and there's no rap program. So everybody can tell lies about it. But it's not true. I watched my whole neighborhood in 2014 get its water shut off at one time. That is what is going to happen to neighbors and neighborhoods and people in Detroit, if you decide to raise a rate increase at 10% 10% not even just a little bit 10% people are going to die because of results of this, people have died because they can't afford their water. An increase like this with no affordability plan in place is absolutely unconscionable. I don't know how you're going to fix this, but if you do this, I promise you right now, we're not going to be in the room thanking you. We're going to be protesting where you're at, at your home, at your businesses, get in front of that water department. We're going to be shutting down streets everywhere you go, letting people know that you denied people water, that you didn't make sure that people could afford their water. I want you to know that the public will not stand for this. We absolutely will not do it. That's all I have to say. Thank

you for your comments. Next up is John. John T Ferret,

hello, thank you. I just wanted to say really quickly, water is life an ideal water system would provide an amount that would sustain life, that then charges for increasing usage, and this significant increase that you're proposing would harm personal sanitation, cost lives, and would cost People jobs as they're not able to properly be sanitary in order to go and get a job, which is kind of crucial. So I would hope we consider placing the burden on those who waste water or those who just basically can afford to water their lawns every day and fill their pools. People should not have to choose between when to flush a toilet and filling a pitcher of water to drink. The opposition that we've heard today, it should say something to all of us. We haven't heard one single person come out and say that they are for this increase. Increases are necessary, but they should not be just a blanket increase on everybody. Put the burden on those who can afford it. Thank you.

Thank you. Next up is Miss Cindy. DERA, Miss Dara, you have three minutes to address the board.

Yeah, I for. Research if we're going to be the highest rate in the nation and the highest in the state, as far as for your authority, I don't know how far you reach. And then the same thing with ete. I read on the internet that we pay the highest rate in the country? Detroit does. Detroit pays the highest in the state, and the state is damn high for the nation. So it seems like we're running this like for a for profit. And I'd like to know how many people you're contracting out, because I think that that's the new way of government, so you don't have to pay your pensions. You're just contracting out. Well, it costs a lot more. I worked on Scott fountain for $25 an hour, and we've fixed a lot of it. We got all the lights working in 2002 and then Penske supposedly spent a million dollars, and it still doesn't work. So this whole thing of contracting, that's a bad thing, and I know that I read on the internet that 84% of your money goes to pay the debt, and it used to be when Simona started complaining, it was 35% then it was over 50. Now is it 84% of your income goes to pay the bill. That's ridiculous. How did you get into that? You know? So I just think you need to go back to public service and get rid of all these contractors as much as you can, and do your own work and tunnel, buy some tunneling equipment that you can actually build a whole infrastructure. That's all you need to do, build everything, dig the hole and put new electric water, drain it, separate drinking wine, so we don't have to worry about being poisoned by chemicals. And by the way, have you done any of the medical research on those corrosion chemicals you want to put in? Besides, things is that affecting people's health. Has anybody tested that? That's what I wonder. We need ozonation. We need. What is it a thing to take the well, I can't even think of it, but anyway, it takes, it takes the moisture out of the sludge. We also we could have either ozonation or infrared. We wouldn't have to keep buying chemicals like chlorine, which causes bladder cancer, and so we don't have the healthiest treatment. So I'd like to see us do better, and I think that you've got to be more democratic. I only heard about this because people's platform.

Next up is Kimberly Barrett. Miss Barrett. May I be heard? Yes, and you have three minutes to address the board.

Thank you. My name is Kimberly Barrett. I'm a resident and a taxpayer in Wayne County, I'm here today also answering the call of we the people of Detroit to strongly oppose the proposed water hike, water rate hike. I'm also an educator, and the water shut offs in Detroit adversely impact my students and their families. I'm deeply concerned that this rate hike will worsen an already existing water crisis and all and it worsen an already serious public health crisis. Please do not increase the cost of water. Thank you.

Thank you. Next up is

we'll give Carlos a oh two, one more shot. Carlos IO to

All right, we're gonna move move on from there. GLORIA chid.

Gloria chid, right,

we'll go on then to iPhone. Claudia Perkins,

can you hear me? Yes,

ma'am, you have three minutes to address the board. Okay.

My name is Claudia Perkins. I'm with the democracy Defense League, where your original water warriors from Flint, Michigan. I am totally against any raises on the water. We need a water affordability. Plan, we have the highest water rates in the nation. Our rates were illegally raised during the water crisis, and the water has done so much to our community. We have had people dying from legionnaires. People are afraid to drink water, period. So most of us go to Home Depot in order to buy water, and I buy at least six cases, almost per week. It's ridiculous. There are tthms in the water which are cancer causing agents. My entire face broke out. I had lead. I took a lead test from the water. It was high. There's just so many things wrong that we have had to endure. All the criminals were freed. I ran the Delphi plants. Engines were being corroded. I ended up with full of E Coli from the water. It's just a mess and no retribution. Yet, something is wrong with that picture. When does humanity step in? That's what I want to know from everybody. When are you going to act humane and realize we are human beings like yourselves? The rich keep getting away with everything. The poor keep getting shafted. I'm tired of it, and I'm not alone. There's a army of us that are going to speak up, one way or the other. Thank you.

Thank you. Next up is

yes. Yes, me,

Hello, yes, yeah, that's the board. Thank you, sir. Everyone is opposing this rate hike, and I'm going to be joining them in doing that. I don't understand how Glee what can not be held accountable for anything, how all costs are passed down to the people of Detroit and the surrounding counties, but all the profits stay in their pocket. I mean, it's just absolute robbery, and I cannot believe that. I mean, but for having to conduct a public meeting that you're going to actually listen to people, this is a farce, isn't it, letting us get our anger out or whatever, all while you intend fully to go through with this anyway. I mean, what recourse do we have? Isn't there another way for you to recoup your costs than to pass it down to people who absolutely cannot afford any more?

That's it. Thank you. Thank you.

Next up is Lucy fry.

Miss fry, you have three minutes to address the board.

Lucy fry.

All right, next up is Michelle Shelby.

Prize on I'm sorry, please go ahead. You have three minutes to trust the floor. Yes,

I'm a resident of Highland Park. I'm wondering, we just had a very high rate of the water bill a year ago, which was promised for six months, and as well, passed that. And I'm trying to understand why we get another bill, and I oppose this radius. It's ridiculous. And how do we plan to even use the money? The pipes are horrible. I even had pipes put in, and since then, a basement leaks. It was never leaking before the pipes was put in. Why is it even enforced that we have our master meters put in, which supposedly measure the amount of water and sewage? It's been a year they haven't been put in. Why isn't that even enforce whatever is necessary to keep our our bill lower. Y'all, y'all are old sitting there, you're over the edge, and why not give the youth chance to gain some power with new home ownerships? You know, all these bills are just going way too high. People are getting laid off from their jobs. Businesses are closing down. I think it's ridiculous that this is even mentioned to go up on any water when even you're charging water for land that the rain just come on. That's ridiculous. So you. This has to be done another way. As a previous caller said, it's not gonna it was gonna be protests everywhere, and it's not fair. It's just not fair. Thank you. Thank you, Miss fry.

Next up is your shell? Shelby,

yes, hi, it's Joshua Shelby. That's fine. I am a resident of Oakland County. I work with a lot of clients in Wayne County. I've been working in child welfare for over 26 years, and we get a lot of cases to where, I mean, we deal with a lot of clients that are at poverty or below, and we get a lot of cases to where we go in and the families do not have the basic necessities. Water, being one of them, they can't afford it. They're looking at the state asking if we can come in and help pay their bills, or help pay a percentage of their bills, because, you know, the bill was too high and it had to be cut off. I feel that. I mean, you know, a rate increase this high is just extremely unnecessary, you know, I feel like with the problems that happen in southwest Detroit, you know, now, someone somewhere in higher authority has thought, okay, maybe this is the right time to ask for a rate increase because of what happened in southwest Detroit, to show them that our infrastructure needs more money. But you all have been getting money year after year after year, and I just really feel as though you would really be doing a disservice to the clients and people that I work with on a daily in Wayne County, as well as outside of Wayne County. I mean having to put that strain on families to where they are either trying to figure out if they are going to buy a full week's worth of groceries or pay or a month worth of groceries and pay their water bill this month is ridiculous. And I don't know, you know, I know you all are going to go behind closed doors and make your vote. And I really feel, and I really hope that this is just not a formality to make the people feel as though they have a voice. And we are going to, you know, bring this to the attention of you all, but you all still having your mind before the meeting which way you were going to vote. I just really hope it's not. Thank you. Thank you.

Next up is Justin Mann,

yes, I would just like to

No, you're good sir. No need. No apologies needed. I'm a resident of Macomb County. I've been in Macomb County in the state for 31 years, so I've been able to see the needs of the Tri County area go from where they were during different administrations, going back to Kilpatrick all the way up to where we are now, and the improvements that we've had. But the one thing that I've always noticed, especially with the DT consumers and especially water bill, is that we've never really seen any decreases. Even though times have changed and expenses have gone up, you guys have never really reinvested back into those that support not only your salaries, your water bills, themselves, you guys essentially sit there and make these decisions based off of how you personally feel and not necessarily off the best interests of public, let alone the community. I think that this situation alone, given the catastrophic event that took place in southwest Detroit, you guys are going to have to make some big decisions going forward. This isn't going to be a simple solution. That's just going to be done today. I wouldn't be surprised if you guys decided to raise the rates today and then come back less than a couple years from now and try to do the same thing again, because it's going to need to be done to pay for it, but at the same time, that's coming at the same expense of those they can't even afford it, so your shut off rates going to skyrocket at that point, they're going to have foundations that rely on donations to be able to cover people's bills that can't afford them. As it is, they're going to end up having a hard time helping people that they normally help. The chain reaction of events isn't just going to be momentarily. This is going to be long term. It's the same thing with every other bill that everyone gets. Everything goes up, somehow we have to try to conform to it or make things better. I mean, at this point, I thank you guys for your service to the community, but I think right here, right now, today, this is, this is the one of those moments that's really going to either help or hurt the community, and that's really what this is all based off. So I thank you for your time and letting me speak. I'm going to go ahead and sit back and listen back.

Thank you. Next up is Carla Oliver, Miss Oliver.

Karla Oliver. Yeah, Mr. Chairman, what I'll

call this? Hello, hello. How are you? Yes. Quick question is this, are these rates going to affect? Because I know that Highland Park has a, you know, an agreement with glee. What that's under contract under the term sheet, does that increase? Does this increase also affect the city of Highland Park? You?

Is there any other comment?

Thank you. Next up, Ruby.

I know, come back to her, go back. Oh, okay.

Oh, okay, I'm sorry. All right, we have three, three that we've we've called at this point Mr. Chairman, I'm going to read the Highland Park letter and well, first, let me indicate that we also had a comment card from Mr. Denzel McCampbell, who wrote in opposition but did not want to speak. And we will get that around to the board members and then Mr. Chairman, we got a letter from the city of Highland Park to read into the record. It is dated February 25 2025 and it says, Dear Miss Coffey, Highland Park has been current on payment since the execution of the new water and service contracts between the two parties the city is opposed to, does not approve of, nor support the new proposed water and sewer charges. These charges continue to place a significant financial burden on a community that is 50% vacant and unmetered over 70% of Highland Park's water and sewer rates are comprised of the expense associated with the Great Lakes Water Authority water and sewer charges. The charges are not proportionate or representative of the consumption. And how could they be? The system is unmetered. The installation of the water master meters, currently under construction, will reduce the water consumption ambiguity and collection of sewer volumes from installed sewer meters will reduce ambiguity associated with sewer volumes as a result of

on our break, and the next item on our finishing up, our discussion around rate increases in budgets, I'm going to call Miss Nicolette Bates to the podium for the podium for the latest Update, and we'll take it from there. I

Yes, good afternoon. Nicolette Bateson, Chief Financial Officer and treasurer for the Great Lakes Water Authority. The specific agenda items before you today are numbered, item 2025019, related to adopting the biennial budget and the companion resolution related to the charges, approval is 2025020 they begin on page 133 of your packet and 146 respectively, as this meeting has proceeded, I know some of us were seen working on computers and really taking to heart what we have heard today, with that we would like to propose to the board. A revised recommendation as it relates to the water system, which would ultimately save the community's approximately $2.2 million and that recommendation would be to reduce the average system charge adjustment from the water system from 6.5% to 5.9% we have drafted resolutions with updated numbers that have been distributed to you for your consideration related to both item 19 and 20 on the agenda, recognizing we did these quickly and might want to reserve the right if we made a typo in anything. But it's clear that our intent and objective, an objective was to reduce the proposed charge increase space.

Have in front of them, as stated by Ms Bates in the modified new proposal and numbers, I'm going to open the floor up for any general discussion or concern from the directors on what's been distributed in front of

us. So just to be clear, Nikki you originally it was the water average water charges for most member partners was 7.4%

right? The water system was 7.733 and down to 5.9 which is a fairly significant decrease.

Okay, thank you.

Dr Baker, anyone else?

I just have a comment I want to thank Sue and Bill and Nikki and the whole financial team for working with my CFO in order to get these numbers to a point that we could recognize in our in our rates in Detroit, something that well, not well, is not as low as most people will Want. Certainly we feel will fit the needs of affordability in the city of Detroit. So again, thank you for working closely with us to get these numbers down so that we can pass on a rate that for most but not for all. Thank you.

One Else Mr. Wilson,

excuse me, Mr. Chairman, just a reminder that this vote will will take five five members, and five members are currently present, so we'll take a unanimous vote of the directors to take this action.

Thank you, sir. Bates has put before us, the resolution, the floor is now open for a motion and support to adopt the resolutions as presented, solutions as presented. Is there a motion? Is there support presentation? The board. I'll take director Brown for support, hearing no further discussions or concerns. I'll call for the vote. All those in favor will vote by the sign of Aye. Aye Opposed. The proposals are adopted and passed as presented, I too concur with Director Brown's comments, thank you sue and your team for the long hours the sweat and tears you never get any. No one ever gets everything you want, but you try to find the common ground that's palatable for most. So I think we're good here. I think we've done good work, and we'll enter this into record, and we'll move forward. Thank you again. Appreciate the public comments, and we have concluded the work needed to be done on this space

was only resolution. 2025, 19, on the budget. Now you're on Item F, 2025, 20 on the on the charges. Yes, sir,

the floor still open for a second motion and support for the second resolution that's in front of us.

This is for church

substitute resolution on charges, to recognize the decrease in charges commensurate with the budget you just adopted.

Make that motion removed and supported. Any other questions, concerns or discussion, hearing, none. All those in favor will vote by the sign of Aye. Opposed. Is carried and approved. Thank you. Mr. Wilson, for work well done. Mr.

Chairman, which is resolution 2025, 008, the adoption of the capital improvement plan and that was recommended by the Capital Planning Committee who

and so, Mr. Chairman, a motion, a motion to adopt would be, would be, in order

of the capital improvement plan as promoted by the capital

it has been properly moved and supported that we adopt a capital improvement plan as presented, any questions, concerns or unreadiness, all those in favor will vote by the side of Aye Opposed, same sign. Motion is approved and carried. Plans are approved as submitted. Chairman.

That brings us back to item B on page five. We are going to bring that to you at another date, given the late hour. And so that would then take us to Item C, which is resolution 2025. 031, of a resolution recognizing National Apprenticeship day, and Patricia Butler, from our organizational development team, is here to speak to that resolution.

Patricia Butler, George afternoon.

Patricia Butler, with organizational development, Great Lakes, squatter authority. It is with great pleasure that I bring before you the resolution 2025, 31 recognizing National Apprenticeship day. This year, it'll be a day instead of a week, because the United States Department of Labor changed it and is moving it to the spring. Normally it is in the fall. And we have a great program at glwa. We are nationally recognized award winning apprenticeship program, and we are focused on building the future pipeline through our apprenticeships and our internship programs. So we're asking the support of the board for this resolution.

Any questions or concerns be in order

support properly moved

and supported that we approve the resolution recognizing national apprentice day 2025, oh 31 any other questions or concerns? Hearing none. All those in favor will vote by the sign of Aye. Opposed. Same sign please. Hearing none. Motion is approved. Thank you. Miss Bucha.

Chairman before you now it's item D, resolution 2020, 5047, scheduling a public hearing for the Great Lakes Clean Water State Revolving Fund program plan submittals and a motion to approve would be in order.

Good evening. My name is Jacqueline Morgan, the State Revolving Fund Program Manager at Great Lakes Water Authority, beginning on page 125, of your board packet. The matter before you today is the request to approve the scheduling of a public hearing for the geowa fy 2026, Clean Water State Revolving Fund project plan submission on april 23 2025 January, as identified as three projects in the FY 25 to 29 capital improvement plan to be considered for low interest financing through the state of Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes and energy clean water SRF program. The projects are the water resource recovery facility improvement, sludge feed system for solid processing, Hubble, Southfield combined sewer overflow facility improvements, CSO facility improvements to projects. The deadline to submit the project plans and related warrants to Egle is May 1 2025 but prior to doing so, Gowa must hold a public hearing to present a summary of the project plans and allow for public comments. If approved for funding, glwa can benefit significant savings in comparison to a similar open market revenue bond issue, and although the interest rates won't be published on ego website till around October of this year, the current year's interest rate of 2.5% for a 20 year loan and 2.75% for a 30 year loan is lower than Present conventional revenue bond interest rates. This item was presented and amendments be recommended for the board's approval at the January 17, 2025, Audit Committee. We are asking that the board schedule a public hearing for the Gowa 2026, plain water SRF project plan submissions for. April 23 2025 at two o'clock. And this concludes my item. Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am. Having heard the report, the ask is for a motion and support to approve Item D scheduling of the public hearing label while Clean Water State. Is there a motion in support here and support it this ask be approved. Any other concerns, questions or under readiness hearing? None. All those in favor will vote by the sign of Aye. Opposed, same sign is carried and approved. Thank you, Ben,

that now takes us back to item 10 on page six, which is reports. There are no reports. And that would move us to Item 11. Remarks, Mr. Chairman,

I have no more remarks. I appreciate the option any more remarks from the board members in this section directors realize

we've been here a while, but I have two things I'd like to like to say, I congratulate and because I know how difficult it is. We all I'd like to congratulate those that jumped in, as they did a week or two ago to deal with that 54 inch water main break the staff work together with Detroit water and sewer, the way in which Suzanne and staff, Gary and his staff work together is the kind of working together that we all want to do, and we're better as a team than going in opposite directions. I'm curious about something so the pipe four inches, turn two valves, at least two valves off, open that up so that you could get in there. Were you able to look fairly far into the pipe to see whether there was any other issues that perhaps we might need to be looking into so we don't have that happen again.

I was just going to say that those are all good questions, and we thought we would take take we'll have a little more information. You've received a writing obviously about that. As more information is available, we'll continue to update you at your next meeting. We'll probably have a closed session with you that will talk about alternatives there and all other other alternatives. But it was a very unusual event or pipe of this vintage and style

from my past practice and public service. You know, whenever we had a pipe go like that. Nothing that big ever happened, but we try to get a camera in there and do what we could to see,

well, inspect, physically, inspect a portion of the pipe, and we'll give you more details. Number

two, I respectfully would like to ask the staff and the committee, depot Projects Committee, not capital projects. I'm sorry, operations or resources committee that I serve on April 9 is a ways off, but that's meeting we're going to be having in April, and I'm going to have some have my knee, some surgery and later part of April on that particular day, April 9, it's a Wednesday. I have three three surgical meetings I have to go to that day to make sure that everything is right before the surgery that will take place on April 24 and so I'd like very much if the committee that's on operations and resources and they could either move the meeting up a day to the eighth or maybe back a day to the 10th. If that would work, I didn't get a chance to discuss it with Mr. Hendrix, who's the chair of that committee, but, but if it's possible move that either up a day or back a day, that would be really helpful to me. I could be able to participate in that meeting and then go see the doctor.

Those are, those are advisory committees and their sub quorum committees. But what we can do is Miss Willis, will ask the members, and we'll see if we can find a date that's acceptable to everyone, and hopefully we'll be able to do it in a way that will allow for your participation. So thank you for raising the

issue. We can set up teams in the surgery room. How does a mouth? I. Our best to you, my friend. Thank you, sir. We'll accommodate as best we can. All right, so moving. I'm sorry, Director Baker

Nikki and her staff, Nikki, I hope you can get some sleep now and you think we can cancel Friday's bottom meeting now you Yeah, it is postponed or whatever. All right, thank you. Cancel

the audit meeting for Friday. For the record,

we will post accordingly. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Any other directors comments? Hearing none that takes us into the CEO report, Sue. How do you want to handle that

tonight? The CEO report, I am requesting that, if you would just receive and file it today, I'm certainly available any questions you may have. Page 163, your packet. So happy to answer questions at a later date. If you want to give me a

call, I move we receive and file

for the option. In the interest of time and accomplishments today, it has been properly moved and supported that we receive and file the CEO report as presented any questions or concerns. Hearing, none. All those in favor will vote by the sign of aye. Please. Opposed same sign. Report is received and filed. I read it, by the way, a very good report. So thank you so very much. We're moving into other matters. Mr. Wilson

motion, Deputy CEO, is that we would, if the board is willing withdraw the closed session from today's meeting, Mr. Jones or myself are available for individual questions, and we certainly expect that this issue will have some updates at your next meeting on that attorney client privilege. Thank

you, sir. I will just foreclosure put it to a vote on the floor. The motion is to move the closed session to next meeting and or in the interim, contact the individuals directly if you have any questions or concerns. Is there a motion in support to do that?

I will make the motion. I would like to talk about the issues, so if somebody could give me a call, not urgent, but no in the next few days. Thank

you. Yeah, we knew there is a support, there is a motion and support we will that we will move closed session to our next meeting. Any questions, concerns or unreadiness, hearing, none. All those in favor will vote by the sign of Aye. Opposed, same sign, hereby moved to the next meeting. That brings us to adjournment. I will open the floor for a motion in support for adjournment if there are no other issues to be discussed before the board. Move. Moved and supported that we now adjourn our meeting any questions or concerns or under readiness hearing, none all those in favor will vote by the sign of Aye. Opposed same sign. Thank you all so very much. For a long meeting, a long day, we got a lot done. However, this meeting is adjourned. You.