Remarks by Kerry Ebersole Singh
106 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 1 of 5
“Here I thought I went first last week, last time. I think just coming off public comment, outside of, as many know, some of the progress made on use of force de-escalation policy that was brought before council recently. I think there's been additional conversations I've had with the city attorney and city manager on guidelines for the release around body cam as well as standardizing timeline for release of data to LAPOC and also the public getting to a more routine place so just wanting to mention those additional issues that I've brought forth to the core team that we work with on policy…”
“Well I'm hopeful that we can shortlist a set of firms tonight to move forward with scheduling interviews because that depending on councils comfort level the number could be I would say maybe four to six is kind of what I've been thinking after reviewing the set of firms so that is my hope for our discussion is to set forth the next short list to that the city can move forward with an interview process further comments questions”
“As part of my review, I did an analysis based on a set of things that I am prioritizing for the search firm selection and did an additional analysis outside. Obviously, many of these firms have worked with a number of very well-known cities, and normally references are checked at a different point, but recognizing that they're pretty well-established firms, at least many of the ones that I've prioritized. So that would be my two cents, but I think that that's why the director mentioned, you know, if there's additional information you want to seek, I am of the posture that I want to keep the…”
“For the public record, I unfortunately will not be present at the November 17th meeting. You know, that happens sometimes, so...”
“But I make my voice heard one way or the other. So, you know, I'm not afraid. That's what I was going to ask.”
“Mayor, where are you? Where's the mayor at? Or, you know, Council Member Whalen? Instead of us negotiating amongst a minority, potentially.”
“Thank you. I'm struggling a bit. I mean I was ready to just put forth verbally kind of where I am tonight Recognizing you know putting on how y'all wanted to handle November 17th. I am I I am one, any team I've worked with knows that I want them to keep moving regardless of where I am. So that's what I'm struggling with. In this situation, but you know for me, you know in all the hiring I've done from executives to staff level through state agencies to nonprofit leadership and beyond That you know, I've created a matrix based on the priorities that I see for the need of of a leader in this…”
“Because I don't... Well, I... Listen when people talk so I can't say my ultimate recommendation when it be swayed by information or points of view like through that discussion, so With that said I was just gonna make the point councilmember Meadows talked about needing additional information and you need to probably back out your date and meaning add a date for responses for the firms to get additional information in, and then shortlist to you by the December date you mentioned.”
“Let's look for a special meeting date between. Why don't we do a special meeting?”
“Don't look so surprised by the idea. It's a great idea. There is a December 16th discussion only meeting as well.”
“Again, all I'm going to flag is timeline. Okay. This is short list to interview. That means you're not interviewing until January. We are not hiring. until at the earliest, beginning of January, if not February, and the process does not start, that will be a four-month process.”
“I'm not going to object. I just want to know I'm supporting. knowing there is no support to move forward tonight. That's where we are. Meaning there's not three of us willing to move forward tonight from discussion.”
“But everyone's, I mean, said where they stood.”
“Yes, I just wanted to mention that we had an East Lansing architect and artist, Kristen Pinnock, who won $100,000 at ArtPrize in Grand Rapids. So very exciting. She offered a sketch diet, a year of drawing everywhere I ate. So just highlighting how many talented community members we have and a source of pride of winning that award. that big show out in Grand Rapids.”
“I assume the prioritized projects are either prioritized They're prioritized due to either legal reasons or just state of wear and tear, safety, health concerns.”
“I have one other thought, but if someone else has anything or if you're ready to move on.”
“did your question come to mind yeah okay go ahead for the what's it called the debt payment on the borrowing the seven hundred thousand dollars a year how in the impacts to our budget that roughly breaks down To what, 15% general fund, 23% parks and rec, and 62% water sewer? Does that make sense?”
“I reviewed it and I approved it and I... And then so my question is for budgeting moving forward, recognizing that there's already been cuts to some of those areas in the current fiscal year, sustaining that type of cut, recognizing we're borrowing for these critical projects.”
“The DDA funds that have been committed, that's year to year, right? It's not a long-term agreement.”
“It seems like if they're funding something, it should be a long-term commitment, I would think.”
“I just want to highlight a tail end of his comment that no two years are the same in terms of what the city may be facing legally. So I think how we present the information, because I'm pro-transparency, it is a part of our expenditures. But I think just having that right context, but that also means, because people will compare”
“I would just add, I think there's one step back in the planning before we formalize what the final proposal is and what we end up putting on the ballot, that we need additional community engagement to inform what the final proposal is. And I think launching off the work the financial health team did is, you know, there's a reason why you made a recommendation that that needs to continue. But we need to build off of that information before it gets finalized. So if I were building a public engagement plan and to get us off into a best foundation for success when it does go to the ballot, that's…”
“And then looking at our city manager, as well as you, our CFO, but I mean, I would also look at the financial health team to say who's willing to volunteer with us as we do community engagement to, again, carry kind of the work the financial health team did as well. Yes, the website, yes, the transparency pieces that a number of us have mentioned, but I think that you need to build the bench, if you will. for that community engagement.”
“Sorry, because I read it in the material somewhere, but the history of adding a surcharge to events at MSU, the state legislation removed collegiate sports. What's the history? I mean, I assume all the universities were against it. But is there another go that we can go put that on our list? as an opportunity to generate funds? And is there a mix of income tax and this to be thought of?”
“I have the mayor's, mayor, you often talk about people come into our community, they travel on our roads, et cetera. So I had that on my mind as we were kind of talking about revenue generation.”