Full Commission
Wayne County Commission
Politics
Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023
10:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m. EDT
Remote
Join meeting on Zoom:
https://waynecounty.zoom.us/my/waynecountycommission
Check the source website for additional information
Reporting
Edited and summarized by the Detroit - MI Documenters Team
Note-taking by
Damien Benson
Prosector’s Office has hired clerical specialist to address untested rape kits; Commission expresses support for new hate crime bill.
Live reporting by
Amelia Benavides-Colón
Prosector’s Office has hired clerical specialist to address untested rape kits; Commission expresses support for new hate crime bill.
Amelia Benavides-Colón
@benavides_colon
Twice in one week?! You know it 👩🏽💻
I’m back today to cover this morning’s Wayne County Commission meeting at 10 am for @DetDocumenters
media partners: @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @freep @PlanetDetroit @wdet @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @MichiganRadio @wxyzdetroit
I’m back today to cover this morning’s Wayne County Commission meeting at 10 am for @DetDocumenters
media partners: @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @freep @PlanetDetroit @wdet @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @MichiganRadio @wxyzdetroit
08:04 AM Oct 19, 2023 CDT
the last meeting (10/5) was covered by@kayleighrenel - you can see her coverage here, one major highlight included the approval of $25 million in grants to support victims’ rights
Here’s the link to join today’s meeting and where you can find the agenda:
(I’ll provide photos of each line item as we go along)
waynecounty.com/elected/commis…
(I’ll provide photos of each line item as we go along)
This body is responsible for approving the County budget, enacting ordinances, and approving contracts and appointments to boards, commissions, and regional agencies.
15 people are elected by their respective districts to serve on the commission for a two-year term.
Each commissioner represents an average population of around 116,500 people.
Each commissioner represents an average population of around 116,500 people.
An addenda has been added since last night -
Here is the link to the main agenda:
And the newly added addenda:
waynecounty.com/documents/comm…
waynecounty.com/documents/comm…
Here is the link to the main agenda:
And the newly added addenda:
The meeting has not started yet but I see the room is starting to fill
⏰ The time is now 10:11 am and the Wayne County Commission meeting is being called to order by Chair Alisha Bell
☑️ Pledge of Allegiance
➡️ Commissioner Clark-Coleman is introducing today's invocation by Reverend Dr. Steve Bland Jr.
➡️ Commissioner Clark-Coleman is introducing today's invocation by Reverend Dr. Steve Bland Jr.
I spy out the corner of my eye a commissioner wearing a keffiyeh - which is being worn around the country in honor of Palestinians killed in the Israel-Hamas war
theguardian.com/us-news/2023/o…
➡️ Chair Report: moved until end of agenda
There is no unfinished business.
➡️➡️House Bill 4474: which will redefine what constitutes a hate crime in the State of Michigan and expand the protected classes who will receive protection under the law.
There is no unfinished business.
➡️➡️House Bill 4474: which will redefine what constitutes a hate crime in the State of Michigan and expand the protected classes who will receive protection under the law.
Bell said this shows the Commission's full support of this resolution which has been making its way through State Legislature this summer:
detroitnews.com/story/news/pol…
The resolution passes and will now move to the State House to hopefully be addressed before it adjourns in mid-Nov.
➡️ The Committee on Economic Development
Receive and files the 2022 FYS activities
moves to reappoint Marvin W. Beatty (of Detroit) to the Wayne County Airport Authority Board of Directors
This motion passed.
Receive and files the 2022 FYS activities
moves to reappoint Marvin W. Beatty (of Detroit) to the Wayne County Airport Authority Board of Directors
This motion passed.
➡️ The Committee on Public Services
A 3-year contract with the Charter County of Wayne and Wade Trim Associates, Inc. for professional engineering design services for the replacement of the Gibraltar Rd Bridge east of Telegraph Rd crossing Silver Creek in Flat Rock
A 3-year contract with the Charter County of Wayne and Wade Trim Associates, Inc. for professional engineering design services for the replacement of the Gibraltar Rd Bridge east of Telegraph Rd crossing Silver Creek in Flat Rock
Approval of Amendment No. 1 to a 3-year contract with a one-year option to renew between the Charter County of Wayne and Wade Trim Associates, Inc. with no change in the dollar amount
Basham is questioning why this is on the agenda if the project is done
Basham is questioning why this is on the agenda if the project is done
Approval of a 4-year, sole-source, professional services contract between the Charter County of Wayne and Alta Equipment Company to provide original equipment manufacturer Champion grader parts and repairs on an as needed basis
Approval of Amendment No. 1 to a 3-year contract with a one-year option to renew between the Charter County of Wayne and Ellsworth Industries, Inc. for the purchase and delivery of additional aggregates for the New Boston Yard
There's a question about #1 from Anderson Recommending approval of a proposed amendment to increased grant funding for the Michigan Medicaid Children’s Health Insurance Program Lead Hazard Control Program.
He's asking if he can have a copy of whatever reports have been done
He's asking if he can have a copy of whatever reports have been done
Anderson said he's asking for a report on all city lead programs because he knows of discrepancies between Highland Park.
An audit will be done and brought before the committee, said (?) speaker.
An audit will be done and brought before the committee, said (?) speaker.
He said the conversation here is about mitigating lead consumption.
He said the burning of lead gasoline has stopped, and Flint faces and issue with lead in plumbing while Detroit's lead issue resolves around lead-based paint
He said the burning of lead gasoline has stopped, and Flint faces and issue with lead in plumbing while Detroit's lead issue resolves around lead-based paint
To confirm the request, is the Commission asking for a report of what money the program has used and how.
Yes.
Anderson said his point is that there needs to be equitable service for all communities facing lead
Yes.
Anderson said his point is that there needs to be equitable service for all communities facing lead
The current programs do not meet the need and Commission will be asked to approve more funding in the future.
Basham is asking for an explanation of #10: Approval of a proposed amendment to the County Executive advises that the budget adjustment submitted on behalf of the Sheriff’s Office serves to provide sufficient funding for supplies needed for recruitment and community outreach.
Beatty said this is a reallocation of funds to be used solely for advertising and recruiting efforts
Basham said it's not clear what exactly the $100,000+ will be used for. "That's a lot of pamphlets."
He asked for a detailed list of what will be purchased
He asked for a detailed list of what will be purchased
Basham said he will support this but wants more attention to be paid to seniors with unaffordable water bills in the future
Kileen said #1 focuses on the cremation services, which now show much faster turn around compared to past years
➡️ Audit Committee
One item to receive and file of the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) and Auditor General’s Assessment for the Wayne County Department of Information Technology (DoIT)
One item to receive and file of the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) and Auditor General’s Assessment for the Wayne County Department of Information Technology (DoIT)
Basham wants clarification on #3: approval of a 3-year contract to provide a community-based drunk driver jail reduction relapse prevention program for adult offenders.
Those who complete this program can have court fees reduced but does not determine license reinstatement
Those who complete this program can have court fees reduced but does not determine license reinstatement
For FYS2023 the programming went to 232 participants, 110 carried over from last year
Of the 122 new enrollees: 28 are currently enrolled, 199 completed and 1 transfered, and 4 were unsuccessful
Overall in the County, the recidivism rate is 12.6% which is less than the state
Of the 122 new enrollees: 28 are currently enrolled, 199 completed and 1 transfered, and 4 were unsuccessful
Overall in the County, the recidivism rate is 12.6% which is less than the state
This programming only applies to Circut Courts. Basham is asking if the program can be expanded to District Courts, but that's a conversation for the state.
Marecki would like clarification on 4: A five-year master sales and services agreement addendum between the Charter County of Wayne and Canon Solutions America, Inc. to provide a countywide print-managed service, including multi-function printers/devices and maintenance
McCormick would like clarification on 3: Approval of a 4-year, comparable-source contract to provide election night reporting services for the Clerk’s Office
Nobody is present to answer questions
Nobody is present to answer questions
Kileen said the Clerk is responsible for tallying County votes and reporting out the total.
He said 3-4 years ago incorrect totals were being posted prompting the Clerk to switch over to its current company, this line item is renewing that contract
He said 3-4 years ago incorrect totals were being posted prompting the Clerk to switch over to its current company, this line item is renewing that contract
➡️New Business:
Approval of a 5-year grant between the Charter County of Wayne and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child Support to provide federal funding to the 3rd Judicial Circuit of Michigan, for child support enforcement and services
Approval of a 5-year grant between the Charter County of Wayne and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child Support to provide federal funding to the 3rd Judicial Circuit of Michigan, for child support enforcement and services
A grant agreement for FYS 2024 Sexual Assault Victims Rights Grant, which will fund one sexual assault victim advocate and one clerical specialist for the Wayne County Sexual Assault Kit Task Force
This will go towards testing the County's untested rape kits.
Approval of a 2-year construction contract between the Charter County of Wayne and KEO & Associates, Inc. to construct the Youth Home remote parking lot at 1333 East Hancock Street in Detroit
This will serve as an employee parking lot where a building once stood.
There are no current plans in place for a shuttle to transport employees, so Bell is confused on how employees are getting to and from the parking lot to the building.
There are no current plans in place for a shuttle to transport employees, so Bell is confused on how employees are getting to and from the parking lot to the building.
Clark-Coleman is also confused.
The answer is that the lot is adjacent to the building and there are two other lots in addition to the one on today's agenda.
The answer is that the lot is adjacent to the building and there are two other lots in addition to the one on today's agenda.
Approval of retroactive Amendment No. 1 to a legal services agreement to continue in the Collective Bargaining Negotiations matter
The upcoming meetings include each of the Committees which will be held over the next two weeks
➡️Upcoming meetings
*Oct. 25 Audit meeting is postponed
*Oct. 25 Audit meeting is postponed
➡️Memoriams, we have 3
And Commission is standing for a moment of silence
And Commission is standing for a moment of silence
There are no commentors.
There is one email asking the Commission to defund any departments that enforce editing the World Health Organization bill
There is one email asking the Commission to defund any departments that enforce editing the World Health Organization bill
➡️Remarks by Members
Bell wants to wish a happy birthday to Secretary Pamala Lane 🥳
Bell wants to wish a happy birthday to Secretary Pamala Lane 🥳
Kileen said the situation in Gaza is really touching him. He said his ancestors survived a genocide in Ireland that is comparable to what is going on today.
He said in Ireland violence begets more violence, and peace is the only answer.
He said in Ireland violence begets more violence, and peace is the only answer.
Kileen said it's important to recognize each other's humanity - that's the only way forward.
He said Gazans, Palestinians and Israelis are a brave people that need to unite and bring forward voices of peace
He said Gazans, Palestinians and Israelis are a brave people that need to unite and bring forward voices of peace
Bell said she agrees with Kileen and knows a peaceful resolution is the solution
Anderson said he was at an NAACP event on Sunday when he learned about the 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy murdered in Illinois. He said he wants to extend prayers to that family.
Anderson wishes his condolences to David Schreiber, husband of the late Susan who is honored in today's Memoriam
Anderson also supplied all members with a copy of the Commission's travel policy
Baydoun said he wants to start by thanking Anderson for recognizing the brutal murder of Wadea Al-Fayoume, who was stabbed 26 times
nbcnews.com/news/us-news/6…
Baydoun said he's wearing his keffiyeh in light of the bombing at hospitals in Gaza this week.
He said he urges Congress and Biden to take a new humanitarian approach
He said he urges Congress and Biden to take a new humanitarian approach
"Hamas blames an Israeli airstrike for the blast, a charge the Israeli Defense Forces have vigorously denied. Israel says that (it was) a Palestinian rocket, launched by a Palestinian militant group... The U.S. believes Israel is not to blame," (NPR)
npr.org/2023/10/18/120…
Bell said genocides are happening all across the world and brought up those happening in Africa
economist.com/middle-east-an…
Haidous said we are an empathetic people who feel the pain of nations like Palestine and Ukraine
He said despite this he continues to see weapons flood into the Middle East which goes against the peace we say we stand for
He said he saw no sincere work by the U.S. to stop this
He said despite this he continues to see weapons flood into the Middle East which goes against the peace we say we stand for
He said he saw no sincere work by the U.S. to stop this
Daub said she agrees with everything Baydoun said.
She said no matter how sick we all are feeling, we cannot turn our backs on the obvious tragedy going on.
Daub said bearing witness to this genocide and atrocity is so important, "We have to remember the truth..."
She said no matter how sick we all are feeling, we cannot turn our backs on the obvious tragedy going on.
Daub said bearing witness to this genocide and atrocity is so important, "We have to remember the truth..."
Bell said she's had conversations with her 15- and 16-year-olds about their strong opinions on this matter.
She said they've discussed the history of the conflict and she's proud of their stance for peace
She said they've discussed the history of the conflict and she's proud of their stance for peace
Knezek said he wants to echo the sentiments of Baydoun and Haidous.
He said he feels blessed to represent such a diverse district and feel the love and support of Arab and Muslim communities.
Knezek serves D-8, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and Inkster
He said he feels blessed to represent such a diverse district and feel the love and support of Arab and Muslim communities.
Knezek serves D-8, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and Inkster
Knezek said he supports the Palestinians' right to self-determination and freedom, and at the same time supports the Israeli citizens who were massacred by Hamas on Oct. 7.
He said killing innocent people is a war crime. And one cannot respond to a war crime with more war crimes
He said killing innocent people is a war crime. And one cannot respond to a war crime with more war crimes
He said none of us would stand for living under the conditions that Gazans and Palestinians have been forced to live under for the last 100 or so years. He said he wants peace for all
"What we are witnessing today is a direct result of actions taken in the early 1900s," he said.
"What we are witnessing today is a direct result of actions taken in the early 1900s," he said.
Knezek said we have an obligation to stand up and speak up for what is right. He said he doesn't want to look back and have any regrets for being silent.
➡️ Adjournment
Bell has moved to adjourn today's meeting at 11:43 am
The next Wayne County Full Commission meeting will be held on Thursday, November 2, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.
Bell has moved to adjourn today's meeting at 11:43 am
The next Wayne County Full Commission meeting will be held on Thursday, November 2, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.
This concludes my coverage of the Oct. 19, 2023 Wayne County Commission’s Full Session for @DetDocumenters
@DetDocumenters If you believe anything in the coverage today is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@outliermedia.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.
Attachments
Agency Information
Wayne County Commission
The Wayne County Commission and its employees are the legislative branch of county government. The chief role of the commission is to adopt a budget and enact ordinances. The commission also approves contracts, appointments and rules. The money is spent and ordinances are enforced through the administrative branch. The $1.5 billion budget runs the county operations that serve the more than 1.8 million people living in Wayne County.
