Board of Commissioners - Regular Meeting

Good evening everyone. Welcome to the March 18th uh board of commissioners meeting. We start the meeting and we'll rise for the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Ray, welcome to the board meeting with us tonight. Glad to have you. Um, could you call the role for us, please? Thank you. Commissioner Bean. Commissioner Hod here. Commissioner Labar

here. Commissioner Light. Commissioner Machi here. Commissioner Robbie here. Commissioner Sanders present. Commissioner Scott here and Commissioner Somerville here.

Great. Thank you very much. Um at this time we'll have public participation. So if you would like to address the board of commissioners, you can come forward to the podium. You'll have three minutes to address the board. Um a series of lights will indicate your time. Green means go. Yellow means start to wrap it up. Red means I will stop you. Um, when you come to the board, uh, table, if you could please just introduce yourself with your name and the city or township in which you live. And just as a matter of course, um, the commissioners do not respond to public comment until all the public comment is done in aggregate and then there'll be response. Welcomes to public comment. Thank you. Good evening. My name is Ellen Rubinowitz and I live in Ann Arbor. I am the founding executive director of the WHP, the former public health officer, and now a happy county retiree. I'm here tonight to speak in support of putting a millage on the November 2026 ballot that will provide health care access for the thousands of county residents who are being impacted by the draconian federal cuts and changes to Medicaid and subsidies for Obamacare. Access to health care has been an ongoing challenge in Washington County. It has consistently been named as a top priority in the health department community health needs assessments over the years. Since its inception almost 25 years ago, the WHP has been a beacon of support for uninsured and underinsured county residents. The WHP is an a model of a longstanding high functioning county and health system partnership that improves the health of our county residents. Over its history, the WHP has had to adapt numerous times to multiple changes in

the health care landscape and it has done so in spite of ongoing financial challenges. Today, we are facing a health care access catastrophe. a catastrophe quite frankly unlike anything else the WHP has faced. With federal cuts to Medicaid and the loss of subsidy enhancements for people purchasing insurance on the healthc care exchange, upwards of 15,000 to 18,000 county residents could lose healthc care coverage. What that means is there's going to be worse h health for residents, more economic instability as people have to make choices between food or housing or health care. And it's going to result in greater stress on the entire safety net system. It will also result in higher health care costs for everyone, even those of us that are lucky enough to have health insurance. That is unless we do something about it. you have a a a proposal in front of you that speaks to how we can address this these looming gaps. And as I have talked with people about a possible millage, I can tell you that I've heard strong support for it. You heard some of that this evening. What I've heard is support in concept and support from community leaders who stand ready to help get something like this passed.

[clears throat] that is uh if you choose to put it on the ballot and I'm here to urge you strongly to put a millillage on the ballot. Thank you. Thank you. Come on up for public comment.

All right. Ready? I'm Courtland Travis Persie. master chemist foremost authority on the atrogenic epidemic and the man who proved that Virginia's mental health reforms which were passed in 2007 after the Virginia Tech shooting are a cruel and vile sham and since 2022 I've been most quizzical as to why all have you been thumping to me? Why do you want me to see a social worker? Why do I need to go to your CH or community mental health association? And why are your police thumping that to me as well? I don't understand. If I wanted to see a social work and get mental health services, shouldn't I be able to get that myself? And if I wanted to go to the hospital, shouldn't I be able to go that do that myself? And why are you doing that in response to the things I'm saying? I don't get it because you indicted with the Washington County Community Mental Health Association for crimes I simply did not commit. And I have to ask in all seriousness, what exactly did I spray paint on any mailbox law on Liberty Street to warrant psychiatric medication including needles filled with Adaban and most especially in Vegas sustaina a drug which could have completely compromised my circulatory system causing me not only kidney failure but even heart attack and stroke too. What exactly are you trying to accomplish? I know a lot of nothing except more money for the pharmaceutical companies. While conspiracy theorist am I? That's funny coming from hardest hit Michigan because I'm from hardest hit Virginia. You know hard to hit the panel Renault County where I proved in no uncertain terms I am Pickle Rick because I'm more scientific than all of you because of a disease model I call keronitis caring encphilitis which is a pun of fingial encphilitis as in the fairings. See, medicine is a concept way too Greek for you. And I'll show you how. You all talk about money. Yeah, this is America. We love throwing money at problems. But

for all this talk of millage, well, what are you getting for your money? Because I don't understand why you insisted on putting me in a pill patient dumping scheme in my home county because why? I said this, that, and the other thing. That's nice. But guess what? You didn't cure me of anything. Cure is a very loaded word. So for all your talk of healthcare, I don't know why there's uh no talk about the need for expertise and deficiency and responsibility. You made me take responsibility. Okay, here's a solution I found at a dollar store better than anything you got to offer me for kidney disease. Oh, how's it work? You want to pay for that medical information cuz University of Mammon couldn't come up with anything better than I could except so much decompensation. Oh, there is a there's an interesting word. Isn't that a Black Lives Matter issue? Cuz I don't know why you keep using the excited to leave excuse with me.

Good evening. My name is David Dvardi. I'm uh born and raised in Ann Arbor. Longtime community activist. Many of you here on the board have met me and worked with me in the past. I'm currently a member of the Community College Board of Trustees and continually fighting to keep our tuition rates for inount residents as low as possible, only $99 a credit um as of the mo this moment. And I'll continue that fight to keep it at that rate or lower in the future. I'm speaking only for myself on this matter that I'm speaking tonight. I'm also a member of the Ann Arbor uh zoning board of appeals and serve the community in any way I'm able to and have for the 50 years of my life since I graduated from high school. Tonight, I come here to ask you, the elected representatives of community members from all different parts of the county to take an action to allow the voters of the county the choice to support the thousands of fellow members of our communities who with a a small millillage that will enable the county's health project to assist the many economically distressed members of our county who are being thrown off of Medicaid and are being uh faced with higher economic hurdles to obtain Obamacare health insurance. These strains on the ability to access good health care for the most economically distressed people in our county will have repercussions throughout the entire economic infrastructure of the county. By placing a small millillage proposal on the ballot, you will enable residents to take the courageous step of working together to make our entire entire community healthier and stronger. I'm a

taxpayer. I understand the burden of property taxes. It's essentially a flat tax on each dollar of the value of your home. However, uh and I've had a discussion with people um about these tax burdens, but unfortunately, we have a limited uh toolbox that we can use to address problems like we're confronted with when the federal government passes policies that take throws thousands of people in our communities out of healthcare. Unfortunately, this is a tool that we have that we can ask the voters, are you willing to make a small contribution here? I tell my fellow homeowners that there is some progressivity built into it because the more value you have in your home, the more expensive the home is, uh that the more you're going to be contributing to this. the lower uh value homes will contribute less because they won't be taxed as much with that millillage. So there is in a sense a little bit of progressive view uh and I'm happy and have uh people have seen me engage uh other taxpayers

in this discussion and I think uh that's something that take into consideration. I hope you

thank you uh put this on the ballot. Thank you. Good evening. I'm Bob King, resident of Ann Arbor. I appreciate the opportunity to come here tonight. Like I think all of you, I deeply believe in healthc care as a human right. I am a longtime supporter of universal health care and of Medicare for all. Like all of you, I hate what Donald Trump is doing to our country and our world. His only concern is for his ego and whatever he can do for the superw wealthy. I am proud of all of you that a number of years ago, Washington County stepped up locally when we were not able to achieve universal health care nationally and you created the health project which allowed anyone wanting health insurance in our county to get it. Now we have 15 to 18,000 residents at risk of losing the their basic human right to health care because of Trump successfully passing this terrible anti-humanity immoral one be beautiful big bill. I am critical of some Democrats in Washington DC and more specifically of House and Senate leadership for not being more aggressive in fighting Trump and his MAGA policies. I am personally determined to have the courage and I hope the wisdom to stand up in every way possible against Trump and MAGA policies and their attacks on the most vulnerable in our society and their attacks on our democracy. For me, one way to stand up to Trump is to fight his MAGA policies and to make sure wherever possible we counteract

them locally. I deeply appreciate the commissioners, the local organizations, and the activists who have come up with a plan to counteract the impact of Trump's actions and bills on the most vulnerable residents of our county. Trump believes in selfishness and appealing to the worst emotions and thoughts in people. I think the majority of us, if not all of us in this room, believe that we appeal to the goodness in people. We appeal to their moral and spiritual values. I deeply believe that county residents will come through again as they have time and time in the past when given the opportunity to help those that are most vulnerable. When given the opportunity to vote for a millillage to protect health care for the most vulnerable in our county, they will overwhelmingly approve it. When the vote is taken to put this millillage on the ballot, I encourage all of our county commissioners to vote yes. For me, it is one of the many ways that you can demonstrate your defiance to Trump and what he's trying to do to our country and our world. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else in the room for public comment?

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Billy Cole. I'm the president of Supreme Felons Incorporated. And I must say this opportunity is long coming, but I want to say to each and every one of you, thank you for the opportunity in which you allowed us to do this work the Supreme Felons has been honored to do and get the support from those that believe in the work that we do. Our umbrella of work consists of community violence intervention. Yet, we had four pillars of programming that consisted of re-entry, senior support, our youth mentorship, and our also we had a neighborhood watch team that was targeted to communities that was more likely to have crime. And uh the status in which we fit this particular grant on, I think it was actually God sent because we were uh first time appliers for grant funding. We also were those that were doing the work, boots on the ground. Most of my employees, including myself, was born and raised in this particular community. We were citizens of this county and proud of it. Today, I would like to get begin by thanking the entire board of commissioners. I mean, it's unbelievable that you guys took a chance on a group of guys like us and found out that we were not playing. We're serious about saving lives in our community and also bringing improvement and betterment to this county. I'd like to also thank the administrative staff that's connected to the board of commissioners. I'd like to thank the equity board um

Mr. Derek Jackson officer. I'd like to thank um Sheriff Alisa Dyer and the Washington County Sheriff's Office staff. But I I wouldn't be myself if I wouldn't pinpoint some particulars individuals that's on your board that actually uh supported us. Um Miss Hannie Somerville, Crystal Caroline. Um I said Crystal Carol, I mean Chris and Caroline, excuse me. But of course there's there's many more of you that actually support us. But I want to point it out that uh there's no way that I could have this time, Justin, and really really express my pure my sincere and pure appreciation um for entrusting Supreme Felons to bring resolution to many violent issues, not only within the 48197 48198 area code, but also throughout the entire uh Founder. Um, I also want to show our appreciation for the

community priority fund. Is it open? It's so I want to let you keep going. Express all the appreciation, but yeah. Thank you. Thank you.

And you know, I don't talk fast at all. I got long time. Good evening. Uh, Washington County Board of Commissioners, administrative staff, um, the racial equity office, as well as the sheriff's department who we work hand in hand with. And as Billy just said, uh, um, we can't express our gratitude enough for the support that you, um, gave us in lending to do what we said we were going to do, and we done it. Um according to the community um priority funds impact evaluation that was done by the school of social work uh center for equitable family and community well-being from the University of Michigan which was presented to you about a week ago. So there's no need for me to repeat anything what was said because it said exactly what we did and we did as what we promised. Nevertheless, our funding has ran out and so that's what we're here for. We're seeking some funding to bridge this over until we can get some potential more funding to continue to to do the work that's going on. Right. Um we were very effective and successful in what we were doing. Unfortunately, when through however you want to look at it, the moment that the funding ran out, we had a homicide occurred and unfortunately it was outside of 48197 48198, but we know who the individual was in Ann Arbor. And from that there is stemming a lot of uptick in violence in our communities right now. Um and we can see what's going on because we as Billy said we are boots on the ground. But if we're going to be able to prevent and continue to do the mission that um you board of commissioners entrusting in us then of course there has to be funding for us to ken do this. the community priority fund that was through the opera funding cannot be a oneanddone situation because as we're experiencing right now with this uptick and uses analogy when you recall when um um the United States

troops withdraw from Afghanistan all of a sudden everything you had to be in vacuum field by that's what's going that took place in Afghanistan and we all seen what happened with that the same type of effect that we're having right now in the streets of Washington County that vacuum fund is being filled uh being filled by the same people who were there who we were able to back off. But nevertheless, we're asking for money. And I'm going to say this real quick. We were able to we were able to save our taxpayers $259,000. $259,000 we were able to serve because we bought 50 phones at $110 a piece. And what that did was that allowed um persons who were housed at the Washington County jail to get on Tether and to come home. So we bought 50 phones at $110 a piece. My understanding that it cost $173 a day to house a prison at Washington County for those 30 days. That would been a total of 800, excuse me, 86 $8,650. When you multiply that by 50, that's how we come up with the fund. The average state, excuse me, is three is $3,571. If you multiply that by 50, you come up with that $259,000 that we able to save taxpayers. Sorry about that.

That's okay. Can you state your name and city or township? I'm sorry about that. My name is Brian Foley, vice president of Supreme Fellows Incorporated, City of Bibs Lenny, Southside. Born and raised, been there all my life.

Thank you. Hi, my name is Emmy Dustell. I live in Ipsy City. I would like to express my support for the county health project millledge. Um, while I do understand that like we do have a lot of millages, healthc care can be a matter of life and death. You can't own a house if you're dead. Um, I that that's kind of my argument. I think this is a a thing of priorities. I would also like to express my support for spring balance. Um I live at Chester Place, a high-rise that serves um seniors and people on disability. And for over a year now, they have offered um dinner and bingo in partnership with Kayla's Kitchen every single Monday. And I have had residents message me personally all the time telling me it's their favorite day of the week. They look forward to it. They're making a real impact here. Um so fun them. That's all I have to say. Thank you.

Thank you.

Good evening. Alex Thomas, Lanny Township, and I'm here uh speaking as Alex Thomas, a West Willow resident. Uh but I I have to say I'm just in extreme support for the some of the people that spoke this evening. I'm connected. Uh my mother's not going to be happy I said this. I was incarcerated when I was 18 and I was a homes youthful trainee. I was able to escape that felon record, but uh my brothers and that have experience in this that whole community I'm connected to and also earlier on the day uh part of my experience uh was being unhoused and that led to being with Allan Housing and serving on that board and and part of that experience as Alex West will resident was growing up next to the Willer Run Bomber site. uh also that uh led to the board of of Avalon Housing being unhoused. But I want to talk tonight about the Willow Run Bomber site. And I know you all have a difficult decision. I want to contextualize that a bit in a minute and 57 seconds. Uh Willow, what is Willow Run? Willow Run is a tributary off the Hiron River. That's why it's called Willow Run. The the only the defined borders, there was a Willow Run village in the past. It was a Willow Run school district that the border split west willow on Belville 87. Willowr run school district was the other side. But that Willow Run site is a sacred area and it honors the working tradition and the reason that our community is the way that it is. That tributary Willow Run that went off into a willow patch. Uh there was a man from outside that wanted to use that water and land for profit. Henry Ford. Uh what he did is damned the Hon River and created a lake, named it long before Trump named it after himself, had condos built out of it. Uh that uh a local historian, many of you know, Matt Ziggfrieded always described it as he created a natural disaster,

named it after himself and had the taxpayers pay for it. But out of as a result of that we had uh the largest factory in the world and that was the Willeron bomber site of Rosie the River fame. Uh Henry Ford did not like black people. He did not like Jewish people. He was a fer ferocious anti-semite. He was a huge and successful capitalist. He wanted the cheapest labor. He specifically targeted Kentucky and whites only. And that is how we we get the the moniker which I'm proud of. It's Kentucky. I'm from Isty Township. But those were the first residents that that came up there. And when the township surpassed Ipsy city population, first it was just those whites. But because of that strong black community in the city of Slanty and an activist union population in the city, they joined and integrated the Willow Run bomber site. And we're here in our present reality because of that what followed. Two automobile factories my parents retired from. You know the social determinance of health and the numbers around West Willow. The data center is not going to respond to that. I know it's not meant to respond to that. We need data centers. It has to be a democratic process. Please let the community organize. Our township has already capitulated. Give us a chance to organize and thanks for the extra time.

Thank you. Jeremy Haley, Ipsy Township. First, I'm going to say sorry, Kevin. Uh, I just heard that U of M just closed on the textile site. So, and at one time when I was in the throws of youth and the studies, I've actually been studying computational theoretical chemistry. I actually wanted to work for Los Alamos National Laboratory. Not so much anymore and probably not for some time after, you know, my education got knocked off with a broken neck, but we won't go there. um after some time and looking back at things uh how the um Los Alamos was developed. We dropped two atomic bombs on Japan in 1945. One was made of uranium, one was made of plutonium. Los Alamos was heavily involved. It wasn't after some you know after going through this scientific studies I looked back on this incident and realized it was an experiment that the US government conducted on the Japanese people because the devices were made of two different metals exposed atomic devices. Immediately after, within a couple weeks, they sent teams within to study the vaporization, the black soot on the walls of the people that were vaporized and how far they were away. It was an experiment to the end. Los Alamos was

involved with that. It took me after studying sciences to realize that was a science experiment we conducted on the Japanese people. With that said, I can't see that data center going here anywhere in Ipsy Township. It brings a lot of risk to it. uh with the new war in Iran, uh what defenses are the federal government going to bring in to lock down that facility near neighborhoods and access surveillance. What's going to happen to us? I'm just within a mile range of that data center on textile and a lot of people are a lot closer than I am. At this point, I don't don't know what the resolution you're going to do is going to do, but I say at this point in the last 15 seconds, file fraud case against the University of Michigan on with the MD MADC on the $und00 million they stole from the taxpayers and give it back to the people and use that for health care and what we need. Thank you. Anyone else in the room for public comment? Ashley, is there anyone online for public comment?

Yes, chair. First, we have KJ. KJ, go ahead.

Hi. Can you hear me? We can hear you.

Hi. A few things this evening. Um, first I would like to oppose the data center. The resolution to counter where it's being built is not appropriate. It's not enough. I am asking you to create a resolution opposing building the data center in Washington County. Um, that is the only appropriate recourse to someone bringing the militarized war machine deeper into our county. Um, I would like to support the exploration of the healthcare mill. Um, if this is not the way that we need to bridge the funding for local health care, please provide us with viable alternatives. It seems like a lot of work has gone into developing this plan. Um, and barring a suitable counter proposal, I I support that moving forward. I would like to voice support for Travis who spoke earlier this evening. Um, as a person who has also experienced police and medical violence related to mental health, I really value his voice in the room. I want him to be included. I want him to be supported and I want him to be valued. Please reach out. Please connect with him. Um, he has meaningful things to say. Um, that leads me into my last point. I would really appreciate um you honoring the legacy of Melvin Parson who you are recognizing tonight by recognizing that he was a voice of lived experience working to make change in the domain where he had been impacted and that I have been showing up to ask you to value the voices of lived experience. We have multiple voices of lived experience here in the room this evening. Supreme Felons is here speaking from lived experience saying this is

what our community needs. Um so when you look at how you are creating these programs and structuring your funding moving forward, uh we have experts available and we are ready to let you know what's going on in our communities. Please honor Melvin by continuing to honor voices of lived experience in homelessness, in incarceration, in mental health. Um, because your support is essential to us being able to make the change that we need to make in these domains. Um, thank you so much. Have a great evening. Thank you, Ashley. Anyone else online? There's no one else online, chair.

Fantastic. At this time, we'll move to commissioner followup to public participation. Commissioner Hajj has indicated he would like to have followup.

Thank you, chair. I did indicate that. Thanks for noticing. Uh thank you to everybody that's come to give public comment and who are waiting here and those that are watching online. It's always interesting to hear what people have to say. Uh I took some notes here. So WHP, well, thank you for the advocates for that. It is very clear that we have a crisis on our hands of being able to provide people healthcare. So whether it's whether it's that solution or something else, I'm glad people are talking about it and wanting us to explore it. Uh where are my friends from Supreme Felony? Did they leave? They just left. They didn't wait for the followup. Well, thank you for coming. Um for people everyone else that's still here and that is interested. We're exploring ways to continue investing in community violence and eruption work. Specifically, the work of Supreme Felons has been really critical um for me in my neighborhood. I have seen them work uh with families near me and in the surrounding neighborhoods. Um it's I'm I'm sad that the funding has run out, but I'm hoping we can find ways to continue to to sustain them so they can continue doing the great work. And data center comments. Yes, there's a lot of conversation about data center. I was at a community town hall about data center uh data center the specific U of M data center a couple of nights ago. Unfortunately, I left my water bottle there. I've got this one instead today. Hopefully I can get it back at some point in the near future. I might say stay tuned because we do have um a change to the resolution, especially given that the university has purchased the textile site. I know they have said that that doesn't necessarily mean it's going to go there, but that's a significant step. So, it's towards the end of the meeting. Stay tuned. I think people will like what we have. Um I will reserve my comments about Melbourne until we get to that point on the agenda. And that's it. Uh, nice to see you again, Jeremy.

Yep. Thank you. All right, that's it for now. Thanks. Thank you, Commissioner Haj. Any other followup to public participation? Okay. Um, we're going to move on to liaison reports. Oh, actually, I'm sorry. I'm going to move to Commissioner Hajj once again. He has a resolution to present at this time. we'll be voting on later in the meeting.

All right.

Hey. All right. Well, March is social work month and you know, I always have a resolution for social work month. Uh I know some of you like to play bingo for the things that uh commissioners say and I guess I get the social work bingo. The gentleman that was here earlier talked about social workers not in a flattering way, but also mentioned that so that's a point. And he also mentioned kidney stuff, which I have a kidney related resolution later today, too. So, if you're looking for the Justin Hodgej bingo board, you might win today. But I'm going to go ahead and read through this resolution that we have to proclaim March uh social work month in Washington County. We have some friends from the National Association of Social Workers. I would welcome to join me at the podium and any other social workers in the room like Tabitha uh and the hundreds of social workers in Washington County that that are here. Be an appropriate time to join me at the podium so I can read it. Yeah. You should come up too, Tabitha. Who else we got? Yeah. All right. This is a resolution to proclaim March 2026 as social work month in county. Whereas social workers positively impact the lives of millions of Americans daily in hospitals, schools, child welfare agencies, community centers, and within federal, state, and local governments nationwide. Whereas for more than a century, social workers have worked to improve human well-being, advocate for justice, and support everyone's basic needs. where social workers select this profession out of a deep commitment to help uplift, defend, and transform the lives of people, their families, and communities. Whereas the 2026 theme, social workers uplift, defend, transform, shines a light on the resolute spirit of social workers who transform lives while bringing hope, healing, and justice to the communities they serve, especially in times of profound challenge, and change like right now. And where social workers follow a code of ethics that calls on them to stand for equity in every community, uphold human dignity and fight injustice. Where social workers are on the for the front lines defending vulnerable populations including immigrants, LGBTQIA2s plus individuals and those facing discrimination and poverty while uplifting vital social safety net

programs and ensuring the rights of everyone. where social workers assist those navigating trauma, grief, and systemic biases, and help people recover from natural disasters, public health crisises, and other issues while transforming their lives in encouraging ways. Where social workers confront oppression and racism, advocates for human rights, and advancing fair policies for all persons by obliterating barriers. That's a good word, that prevent individuals and families from thriving. Where social workers care for those who have mental health issues, are recovering from substance use disorders, and support well-being of children. Whereas the profession continues to grow with more than 810,000 social workers in the United States who transform lives by shaping a more just and compassionate society through leadership, education, advocacy, and direct practice. Now, therefore, it be resolved in recognition of the critical contributions of social workers across our nation. The Washington County Board of Commissioners proclaims the month of March 2026 as National Social Work Month and calls upon everyone to join the National Association of Social Workers and all Washington County employees and residents in celebrating and supporting the vital work of social workers who uplift, defend, and positively transform our communities each and every day. A special thank you to the hundreds of social workers that work for Wernern County Community Mental Health, OCED, uh the health department, the racial equity office, and sheriff, including the sheriff's office and everywhere else. Um, thank you. You want to say anything from NASW?

Sure. Yes. Uh, thank you so much for commissioners for honoring social work month. Um, I think the resolution says it well, but I just want to, uh, you know, extend my thanks for formally recognizing it. We try to get as many proclamations and resolutions at the local level, county levels, city levels as we can across Michigan. And as a resident of county, it is very near and dear to my heart and important to me that we recognize it here in county. So, thank you, Commissioner Hodge, for bringing this forward.

Yeah. He wasn't even hi board. So I think uh my family to this day still thinks that I work for child protective services as a social worker. So I like to hold myself up as an example of what you can do as a social worker that maybe isn't what you would expect. And I'm very privileged and that I get to live in my purpose making people as healthy and happy as in county as possible. And I get to do that as a social worker with you all. So, thank you and thank you for acknowledging social workers. All right. Thank you. Applause would be appropriate. Thank you.

All right. Oh, we're gonna get in there. All right.

I will send it to him and Sounds good. Thank you so much. Thank you. We usually have more social workers here, but you know, they're watching.

Um, thank you, Commissioner Hajj. Um, okay. And thank you, social workers. Uh, I just met with some nursing students this past week at Ipsy Meals on Wheels and told them it was time we tried to start getting out there the way social workers were because God bless them for being involved, but we needed more nurses and politics and policy too. Um, but there you go. You're giving us a bar to reach social workers. Thank you. Um, liaison reports for sure. I look I'm sorry I'm getting so much screen time today. Um but the fans at home might appreciate it. Uh so I give one specific use of his uh rolling his eyes there. Uh one specifically is a report I want to give is from the advisory council on reparations. So we've had a series of very informative uh presentations from a local historian and the most recent one Alex has left. uh Alex would appreciate this part in particular, but it talked about the history of Willow Run um and how we got to a place where we have many of the challenges that we continue to attempt to respond to in the eastern part of the county um such as how things look very different when you get to that side based on redlinining and a wide variety of other challenges that I will um email the board more information about. Um but what was really interesting is to me was the purposeful way in which uh the residents in Superior Township and Italy Township uh housing was developed to dilute their political power in what could have been a willowrun municipality. Uh, one of the things that came from this, and this is might be spicy, so hold on with me here, but one of the recommendations that came from it, I asked, "What would you what would you think if we were or hypothetically if there was a city of Willow Run? Would that help fix many of the problems that we've seen?" The answer was yes. So maybe something to think about. Maybe something to think about.

Stay tuned for an email with more information, but Crystal likes this one. Thank you. Thank you. Any other leazison reports? Um uh this week I met Oh, Commissioner Sanders. Go ahead and finish yours.

Uh this week I met with um people at Eagle and with Christ Kristen Schwag offer um our uh at our health department just to talk about next steps with the decision of the EPA to take on the um Galman Plume onto their NPL. Um, as soon as we understand what actual next steps are, I think we'll have more of an update from both Eagle and from our public health department on this, but this is the first important step um on what will still be a many years process from here before actually any shovels get in the ground. but thrilled that it's coming together and um as we know more I will let you know I'm also planning on doing a communication for you um commissioners around the table about what I heard on that but just wanted to let you know those conversations have started about where we go from here um Commissioner Sanders um I attended the county road commission meeting yesterday I'll have to bring it back or perhaps I'll ask uh Matt if he would be willing to share. But what I thought I would start doing is when we have uh employees that retire that are acknowledged, you know, in their individual department, the least that we I could do is share that information. So the gentleman, the young man will have to forgive me, but we had a young man retire with 32 years of service uh that worked for the road commission. And so I will bring his name forward in the future. Um but just want to say thank you for your service. They did acknowledge him at the meeting, but we don't always give resolutions to everybody. So this is just another way to sort of acknowledge um our staff and their dedication uh um to the residents. I also um attended the uh Michigan Works

Southeast um joint meeting with the workforce committee and then the consortium. Um I'm certain that Shamar is going to mention this so I won't steal his thunder, but I think we had we had two major um celebrations in terms of the success of our Michigan Works staff. Um um Jackson County's office received an award uh for their service and um our Ann Arbor um location also was successful in having one of their um returning citizens actually complete all three phases of the training program that he was in. and that put them in a position where they um were the only office to be able to accomplish that. So that was a pretty big deal. But I'm sure uh uh Mr. Herren is going to talk to us more about that. Um that's I think that's it. Okay. Thank you. Any other liaison reports? Okay. Um, we will move to I would tell you more about the Eastern Washington Community Rec Center, but I would be stealing the report from the county administrator.

Well, well, thank you, chair, for that. And you indic you mentioned shovels in the ground, and I wanted to end with that narrative. Uh, but we are moving rapidly moving through the design development phase of the project. We continue to do that work with an eye on having a a groundbreaking and shuttles in the ground this summer. So that is the goal. We'll continue to do that. The schematic design phase has I would say is is substantially complete. We've moved through value engineering. The site planning is ongoing and I would expect that we will be requesting a working session opportunity from working session chair Lebar sometime in the very near future. To the financials related to the project, uh we are honing in on the project cost being somewhere in the neighborhood of $50 million. Uh we are developing a funding framework that will likely include some level of bonding to uh to make that goal a reality. Uh we are continuing discussions with the team at parks and wreck and the team in administration to bring you back something that's fully baked and we we expect to do that sometime uh you know in the very near future. Uh so that is my short update. I I would like to say to the board of commissioners, it has been a heavy lift to get us to this point. We believe we have a design of a of a building that will meet the needs of all of the residents in that community and I don't know that we get here without the work of the the folks around this deis. So, I wanted to say thank you for what you're doing and we will continue to try to work to make certain that we have shovels in the ground this summer. That is the goal. So, with that, unless there are any specific questions, that will conclude my report.

I don't see any. Thank you. Thank you. I'm very excited about that and excited about the possibility, as we talked into, to support the ability to bond because, as I've said other places, maybe even at this table, if we could bond for a jail, we sure as hell can bond for the rec center, which is many years overdue. Um, thank Say it again. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. I will. You'll hear me say it again and again. [laughter] Thank you. Um, report from the chair of the board of commissioners will be really brief. I'm going to hand it over to Ashley Hall, our uh, board liaison. She's going to talk to us a little bit about the bicesentennial updates. Don't forget we're in the bicesentennial year.

Thank you so much, chair, and I appreciate the the time. This will be a quick report. I just wanted to, you know, announce at a meeting because now that the April 1st meeting has been cancelled, uh there won't be a meeting before our state of the county event. Our state of the county event is on Monday, April 13th. It is the kickoff um for all of our bicesentennial events. It is a free open accessible available um to everyone. It's at Morris Lawrence, which is at the community college. Um it will start at 5:30. Uh I'm really really looking forward to it. We have a lot of community partners that are going to be joining us for the evening and it's really the the chance to tell the story of Washna County through the theme of past, present, and possible. I also want to say thank you to the chair um and commissioner Sanders who went today to record um a little video for us, the sheriff um uh Chief Judge Freshhower and Clerk Husbomb all also went today and they all had really great experiences. So, thank you for making the time. I know you're all very busy and I'm really looking forward to the output. And if anyone has any questions, happy to answer.

Any questions for Ashley? Ashley, what are we supposed to wear? What's the dress code for the state of the county event? Yes, I would say business casual. Okay, great. Um, Greg is uh administrator Dill is wearing a tuxedo, so [laughter] um we will have a gala later this year where we will get to get dressed up. That's very true.

Yes. and we'll have a rodeo where we get to put our boots on the ground. Uh I'm gonna bring my fan and I hope we're gonna dance. Um okay, next item is a special order of business. This is a resolution uh to set a public hearing on the Arbor South redevelopment brownfield plan for April 15th. Thank you. Is there a second? Okay. Any discussion on setting the public hearing? Okay, I hear none. Uh, do I have to my voice that roll call? Roll call that please. Ray, thank you. Yes.

Stop. Commissioner Hajj. Yes. Commissioner Labar. Yes. Commissioner Light. Yes. Commissioner Machi. Yes. Commissioner Robbie. Yes. Commissioner Sanders. Yes. Commissioner Scott. Yep. And Commissioner Somerville and Commissioner Beman is not here. So, great. That item passes. Uh, next is appointments. Uh, we have two uh, appointments we're moving this evening. Do I have I'll move the appointment. Support or No, you can have it. All right. You give it to him. All right. Any discussion on the appointments?

All right. Uh, that's a voice vote. Uh, no, it's another roll call. I just want to make everything a voice and get through this meeting very fast. Roll call, please. Ray

Commission. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Commissioner Scott. Yes. Someville. Yes. You didn't call me. Yes. Okay. The uh appointments passed. Next item is the consent agenda. Would somebody like to move the consent agenda? Support. Moved by Labar. Supported by Hajj. Uh any discussion on the consent agenda? I see none. All those in favor. This is a voice vote. All those in favor, please say I. I.

Any opposed? Okay. Fantastic. Before we move into the first reading of the resolutions, I think that we should go into close session. And guess what? Commissioner Hajj has something to say about that. Wow, it's a very Commissioner Haj kind of day. I don't know what's happening here. Well, I want to move that we go into close session to discuss pending litigation, Dyer versus the Board of Commissioners, and to receive an opinion from council. Do I have a support? Okay. Moved. moved by Hajj, supported by Lavar. Um, this is a roll call vote. Uh, yes. Commissioner Light,

can we repeat that one more time? It it is to discuss Dyer versus the board of commissioners and to receive an opinion from council. Yes. Um, Commissioner Macheski, yes. Commissioner Robbie, Commissioner Sanders, absolutely. Commissioner Scott, yes. Commissioner Somerville, yes. Uh, Commissioner Hajj, yes. Commissioner Lear, yes. All right, we're going to go to close session and we'll be back when we'll be back. Thank you. I think I missed this. Second. What is this little minute?

Labar under first readings. A, a resolution adopting the work from home policy from HR. B, a resolution approving the creation of the Michigan the municipal civil infraction ordinance for the construction code. C a resolution to approve all formula grants for OCED. And that is it for first reading. Chair.

Okay. I have the first readings moved by Commissioner Labar and supported by Commissioner Hajj. Uh would anybody like to pull anything for separate consideration? Okay. Uh questions, comments, or concerns on what we have here, Commissioner Robbie? Yeah, just really quickly on item A, this is just a question. You you know can answer it uh in between meetings, but um the I tried finding this in the in the policy, but um the one concern I have around department heads and elected officials determining eligibility for work from home is uh the possibility of favoritism, like certain um employees being granted that over others. Um, I know that there's some standardization that has been built into the policy, but I don't know Michelle or or GMO or somebody if you can address that piece here or between this and our final reading.

Yes, Commissioner. So, they have the authority to approve or deny this. However, the uh county administrator, he has the ultimate say whenever we have uh concerns from employees or from unions that the policy is not being applied consistently, the administrator will have the final say on that. And is there what's the process for which an employee can say, "Hey, I'm not being treated fairly. I want to appeal to the administrator."

Great question. So whenever an employee asks for this flexibility, the department head has 10 days, 10 working days to reply to the employee. And if the employee does not agree with the outcome, they have an appeal process where HR administrator will commit. Well, first HR and if we need a final decision, I will involve the administrator. So there is an appeal process if if the employee or the union believe that it is not applied consistently or fairly. Thank you. Thank you. Commissioner Sanders,

I'm just wondering out loud. So, how do we make sure that we don't h So, it's kind of on the lines of what uh Commissioner Robbie was asking, but what is the recourse for employees if they feel as though their department head or their supervisor is showing favoritism towards themselves and not giving the same sort of benefit of the doubt to the staff person. Do you know what I'm saying? So, if if I'm a department head and I and I just never want to come I never come into the office, but I'm trying to hold other people to what what's what recourse do they have? Who do they go to? How do you how do you complain to the same person as

Right. Great question, Commissioner. So, this policy applies um the same to all employees, including department heads. Okay. So they are subject to to these same um articles and and processes. Okay. Sorry if I may add um there won't be any um deviations from policy without the administrator's approval. So there shouldn't be any any deviations from the

commissioner Machi. Thanks Sher. uh in the policy under work hours performance and conduct there's a reference to core hours but it's not defined um so is there somewhere else that core hours are defined what are they got to get an explanation for that it's basically the sentence says employees must work their regular schedule or an approved alternative schedule while working from home and remain fully fully reachable during four hours

right that that is their normal schedule which is 8 8:3025 they should be available. So what we want to make sure is that employees they are not but we wanted to be sure that that they don't uh get confused and they believe that this is like a day off. They are subject to the duties and they have to be reachable during working hours. Uh so it is not um taken as a as a day off or a vacation. So core hours basically means your regularly scheduled hours. Correct.

Okay. And so I'll just use unfortunately use myself as an example. In my place, core hours relates to um flex time. So our core hours are 9:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. And you can work you can work 7 to 3 or 9 to 5 or 8 to 4 hours. Everybody's working 9 to2. So when I see core hours, that's what I think of. I don't think of regular work schedule. So that's why I asked clarification. Thank you, Commissioner. Maybe we could change that language to regularly scheduled hours. So, it's just kind of uniformly people understand you got to answer the phone during your regularly scheduled hours. If you work 8:30 to 5, it doesn't mean when you work at home, you start at 9.

Yeah, I think that's what you're trying to get to. Maybe there's just a way to tighten that language up so people understand it. Yeah. Yeah, I can do that. Okay. I'm getting some I like it from the administrator. So nice catch, Commissioner Matias. Any other questions, comments, or concerns on any of these first reading items? Commissioner Robbie, just to clarify on that piece then, does that are are we saying that we're going to vote yes tonight and then there's going to be changes made for the next meeting? Yeah, I think that's what I heard. Yeah. Any other questions on first reading items? Okay, we will do a voice vote on the first reading. All those in favor?

I. Any oppose? Fantastic. Let's move on to the second and final reading. Uh, Commissioner Hodgej.

Thank you, Chair. Sorry, Commissioner Bar. I'm going to do it this time. Uh, final reading item, a resolution to approve compensation adjustments for non-UN employees from county administration. Single reading item A, a resolution honoring the life, work, and soil changing legacy of Melbourne Parson. B, a resolution recognizing March as National Women's History Month. C. A resolution celebrating March 31st, 2026 as transgender day of visibility in county and supporting the display of the transgender pride flag. D. A resolution honoring March 2026 a social work month in county. E. A resolution recognizing March 2026 is National Kidney Month and March 12th, 2026 is World Kidney Day. F a supplemental. a resolution to exempt county taxes from capture within the proposed expansion area of the Ann Artber Downtown Development Authority Tax Increment Financing District and four approval of claims.

Thank you. So I have those uh final and single readings moved by Commissioner Hajj, supported by Commissioner Robbie. What would you like to pull for separate consideration? Okay. Any discussion? Oh, sorry. Didn't see you. I looked twice. I didn't see your finger. [laughter] It has not been moved yet. Okay. Any discussion on the these items? Commissioner Hajj is your name. Hodge.

Hodgej is my name indeed. Thank you very much, Chair. All right. I want to go through a few of these uh just to give comments. I made comments about the social work month resolution already. Grateful for the National Association of Social Workers coming to receive that. Uh and again, I want to express my gratitude to the many social workers and uh that work in or work for County's government and also the many social workers that we have in county more broadly. Uh I would also add that social workers nationwide are the number one provider of mental health care services. Uh and there's still a shortage of mental health care providers. So, something to consider. Even though there are 810,000 in Michigan, uh that's still not enough for the state and it's not enough nationwide. Um also wanted to make a comment about I brought this up the last couple of years too. Uh just a comment about the the kidney month one. Um I've talked about this here too, but I'm one of the the many people listed in this uh long resolution that has kidney disease and just want to always put out a plug for people to make sure that you get tested. Uh there are a wide variety of different kinds of kidney disease. Some are more treatable than others. So if you know you have a family history of it or not, it's still worthwhile to get tested uh and do what you can. There's a lot of I think valuable information in the resolution. So you can always learn more there. Uh and then I do want to make a few comments about the resolution to honor Melvin who all of us knew very well and I know that everyone had a different relationship with Melvin and Melvin also provided uh and worked very closely with county government. Uh I and others have shared thoughts and feelings about Melvin's passing online. Um the resolution we have here I think really tried to stick close to the work that he did in our community, the work that he did in partnership with county. And I'd say it's a tremendous loss for all of us. Uh it's a tremendous loss for county and beyond. It's a tremendous loss for the people that he inspired uh with his work to try to help the formerly

incarcerated uh reintegrate into society and to develop job skills. Uh and it's a loss for everyone that benefited from his work. Um, as I also made comment of before and we have resources over there, I think it also would behoove us to have a serious conversation within our community about the factors that contribute to people dying by suicide. And I would want people to know that there are resources available in county, including through our own community mental health that's available 247, as well as other resources. uh a loss like this can be very hard for anyone in the community and I would want people to make avail themselves of the resources available uh so no one feels that they are alone and there if there are people in the room that could look at that um and we also have the information online that's all I wanted to say about it for now

thank you other comments questions or concerns commissioner Machi thank you am I correct is 3F is part of the motion right F is part of the motions that were moved Yeah. Can we p Can I still ask that that be pulled for? Absolutely. Thank you. I'd like to. All right. So, we'll have F pulled separately. Questions on anything then other than F? Okay. Oh, Commissioner Sanders, you just in by the wire.

How how do we deliver these resolutions to We're not asking them to come and receive them, are we? We're not asking for like a representative to come and receive the resolutions once we've passed them. Okay. Yeah. I just wanted to be sensitive to make sure that it wasn't a situation where we were um expecting his um his surviving family to come just for privacy sake. Provided later desire. Okay. Yeah. I think if if somebody wants a copy of a resolution that's meaningful to them and they're not here, we're always willing to get that resolution to them in some way.

It's meant to be an honor and not a burden. But I think that's a thoughtful question. Thank you. Okay, let's do a roll call vote on these items. This is everything but F. Ray. Commissioner Machi. Yes. Commissioner Robbie. Commissioner Sanders, yes. Commissioner Scott, yes. Commissioner Somerville, yes. Commissioner Bean, yes. Commissioner Hodgej, yes. Commissioner Lavar, yes. Um, and Commissioner Light, yes.

Great. That item passed. All of those items passed, not that item. All right. Uh, Commissioner or sorry, item F, that's our supplemental. Um, looking for discussion, questions or comments on F. Commissioner Machi.

Thank you, Chair. Uh, just very quickly, just wanted to note that um, I'm going to oppose this particular item. Uh, I have two downtown development authorities in my district in Chelsea and Dexter. Um, which I I think are a key component to, um, the vibrant nature of downtown Chelsea and downtown Dexter. Um, and for me, um, I think downtown development authorities are, um, very beneficial in terms of what they can do and what they can achieve, um, particularly in my area. Uh, so I will be opposing this measure, but I appreciate the work um that's been put into this uh to bring this forward tonight and uh I appreciate especially the chair's willingness to bring this forward.

Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner. Any other questions, comments, concerns? Commissioner Ravi.

Uh thank you, Chair. Um I I just want to briefly say uh this expansion is in my district and I very much support this uh resolution to remove county from the DDA expansion and I want to just briefly explain why. Um and I had this conversation actually with the director of the Ann Arbor DDA and I said all of these things. Um I very much believe that while DDAs can be a tool to accomplish um great goals, um they are also not an elected unit of government and they are capturing tax dollars that the voters have voted on or that the voters have entrusted elected officials with and they are going to a body that is not elected by the taxpayers to allocate their dollar. Um, and at the end of the day, uh, there's a lot of great work that the DDA is doing to invest in infrastructure, to invest in services, all that great stuff. But to me, all of those investments should be made by a public body at the end of the day, a body that is accountable to the people um, directly through a democratic process so that folks around a table like this can make decisions about how those dollars can be spent. Furthermore, I am concerned at the rate at which the Ann Arbor DEA is proposing um services that should be municipal services but are in fact privatized services. They are not done by public workers. They are not done by workers that are in a union. They are done by private sector for-profit companies in large part that are contracted to provide public services. And I don't believe that that's an appropriate thing to happen. It's essentially a shadow privatization entity that funnels public dollars to an unelected entity to then privatize what should be public services. Those are all public dollars that are still being levied against the taxable value of our downtown that should be going to the elected officials to allocate those dollars um towards public goods and public workers to deliver those services and goods and services and

infrastructure improvements to the community. So for all those reasons, I really hope that this passes. Um, and even though it's sort of counterintuitive to think, okay, this is your district. Wouldn't you want this? But at the end of the day, we have a lot going on as a county. As we heard today, we have people that don't have health insurance. Uh, thanks to what the federal government has done with the big bill. Um, and we have priorities around housing. We have priorities around food. We have priorities around all these different things to keep our community safe, to keep our community housed, to keep our community fed, um, and to keep our community well. And I believe that at the end of the day, it's incumbent upon this board and the folks that are elected by our constituents to allocate those dollars to be spent in all parts of our county um including, you know, each one of the nine districts that's represented around this table. So, I'm proud to vote yes on this resolution and I'm thankful that it is before us today. Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner Light. Um, I wanted to say that just because I do not, as Commissioner Robbie just said, a lot of the things it is not my district. However, um, if other DDAs come um, per se, as Chelsea or downtown Dexter, because I do share some of Dexter, um, it it would not necessarily just be a no. I am not against all of any um, DDA's expansion uh, expanding. However, um at this moment for Ann Arbor, it's just not a right now. Um I don't think that that's um a a good move for us to to help the to to help expand. Um only because as Commissioner Robbie said, we have all of these other um issues going on in the county. And so I just cannot support an expansion at this time. And that is not for all BDAS. So, I just don't want it to seem like I'm No, it's a no on um on others, but for this I I'm not able to support the effort to expand.

Thank you, Commissioner Hatch. Thank you, Chair. This is a question for Michelle. I think it should be a relatively easy one. If I understand correctly, if the resolution passes, if at a later date the board decided they wanted to opt into the expansion, the board could vote to do that. You are correct, Commissioner. I am correct. Thank you. It's always nice to hear time to time here. Any other questions, comments, or concerns here? Commissioner Labar.

Thanks, Chair. Um, I'm genuinely grappling with this one. And the reason I say that is because, um, I think DDAs are a tool that can be put to good use. They are public bodies. They are not elected bodies. That's not a insignificant distinction, but it is an important one to highlight. uh that they are appointed. Um we're going to hear the word tiff a lot and the truth is you don't have to like a tiff to understand its value unless and until Michigan changes state law such that we're not deriving revenue that we use here at the county in large part to pay for social services from property taxes. I would argue that's not a great system generally and that Michigan should redo that, but that that's not at this table. On the Ann Arbor DDA, I support the Ann Arbor DDA and I think it does very good work and has for a long time and is a valuable tool. I I would say, however, um this is going to be sound counterintuitive. Um I'm going to vote I'm going to vote to opt out. And here's why. Um, we need partners and friends and we need organizations that we are going to uh work with in the future and I think the DDA in Ann Arbor right now has enough resources in hand to continue doing its work. I think with the expansion they'll be able to expand their physical jurisdiction. And I think the midpoint here, the compromise point is we can opt out of the expanded capture on that jurisdiction. Um, but what I would like is just recognition that again, um, the DDA is a good partner. They've come to us. They

haven't tried to, um, to to to run this by us or anything like that. And we can opt in in the future. We may want to do that. um colleagues around the table, none of you have a DDA the size of Ann Arbor and I respect that. And I also know this is incredibly uh high value tax in terms of physical land and I respect that. So I'm going to vote for the opt out uh tonight as an accommodation to some of the other folks around this table. Um and you know hope I'm making the right choice on that. Thanks chair. Thank you, Commissioner Rowdy.

Uh, thank you, Commissioner Lebar inspired me to say something further, which is, uh, that I also really appreciate the, um, uh, forwardness with which, uh, DDA director Mora Mora Thompson has come forward and attempted to have conversations. She's not hiding anything. She was very proactive with me about wanting to have the conversations. And so, uh, I do just want to, uh, make that clear and thank her for being, um, you know, as communicative as she was, um, with me and it sounds like with other people as well. So, I I I wanted to make sure to say that, especially in response to what Commissioner Large said. Commissioner Sanders,

I'm just layering on. I um just wanted to say that I don't think all DDAs are created equally and um I'm just going to echo what Commissioner Light said that if there were um perhaps smaller DDAs that came before us and were or asking for a similar type of answer um what I will vote tonight may not necessarily ring true for those additional opportunities. Any other comments, questions, or concerns? We have one moment to wait here. I think that corporation council has something for us. See how I'm talking really slow, like when somebody doesn't know what they're ordering at a restaurant. I have two very minor uh edits to suggest just to make sure everything's crystal clear.

Okay. In the first now, therefore be it resolved clause where it says hereby exercises its statutory option, I'd like for the board to to consider inserting the language pursuant to MCL 125.42. 420 at sequential. Do somebody I move the recommendation. Okay. Any That's one. That's one. Okay. Any discussion on that? Okay. I probably have to voice that. Roll call that.

Okay. That's what I meant. I say voice when I mean roll call [laughter] because I think I'm hearing everybody's voice. All right. Ray, can you call the role on that particular motion? Yes. Um, Commissioner Sanders, I'm sorry. Oh, I can It rolls alphabetically. I know I'm rotating. Yes. Commissioner Scott, yes. Commissioner Somerville, yes. Commissioner Bean, yes. Commissioner Hajj, yes. Commissioner Labar, yes. Commissioner Light, yes. Commissioner Commissioner Machi,

yes. And Commissioner Robbie, yes. Okay. The second thing that you would like us to consider in the second be it further resolved clause where it says this action applies only to the proposed expansion area. would like for the board to consider adding the following language. That was the subject of the Ann Arbor City Council's February 2nd, 2026 hearing the recommendation. Support. So moved by Robbie, supported by Haj. Any discussion on that item? Okay. Oh, Commissioner Robbie.

Just uh to further understand corp council's recommendation, uh what is the distinction that you're trying to make between those two? Is it to just reference the specific action versus a an undefined expansion? Correct. Okay. Correct. Okay. We'll do a roll on that uh motion. Commissioner Scott, yes. Commissioner Somerville, yes. Commissioner Bean, yes. Commissioner Hodgej, yes. Commissioner [snorts] Lear, yes. Commissioner Light. Yes. Commissioner Machi, yes. Commissioner Robbie, yes.

Commissioner Sanders, yes.

Okay. And that's it, Michelle, of sort of cleaner upper things. Any other discussion on this item? Um, I will say, uh, I'm going to join Commissioner Machias in a no vote here. Um, and I'll tell you that I'm opposed to opting out um because I believe in our partnerships that we have with different cities in our and municipalities in our county. And I think um that these offer good long-term investments. I think the DDA is one of the few tools that we have to support economic vitality in our um cities and in the county. And I think that that that also is the economic vitality that the strength that benefits the entire county. And so I think walking away from that partnership or those expanded partnerships risks short-term gain at the expense of long-term shared prosperity. Um and so I see this as a question of what kind of partner we want to be with our cities and townships in the county. And I think the DDA represents a collaborative approach to building a stronger, more vibrant community. And I'm concerned that opting out signals a retreat from that shared responsibility. So that's why I will vote no on this this evening. Um Ray, could you call the role?

Commissioner Somerville, yes. Commissioner Bean, yes. Commissioner Hodgej, yes. Commissioner Labar, yes. Commissioner Light, yes. Commissioner Machi, no. Commissioner Robbie, yes. Commissioner Sanders, yes. And Commissioner Scott, no.

Okay, the item passes. Fantastic. Um, we are moving along to uh pending or we did close for future discussion. So, now we'll do pending items. The first pending item that we will pick up here is the resolution authorizing the secondary road patrol and traffic accident program grant from the sheriff's office. Discussion, questions, and comments on this item. Looks like we have somebody here that help us do questions. Commissioners, any questions on this item?

Do we have the answers to the questions we asked? Commissioner Light, can you reiterate those questions?

Sorry, I Commissioner Sanders, I think some of the questions that I asked were related to how you identified where um the targeted additional staffing would be. Um, I've had concerns about whether or not you were targeting, you know, what data were you using to say we should have additional patrols here and why. I'll just cut to the chase. I wanted to make sure that 48197 and 481 198 were not unduly targeted to say they need extra patrol, right? would be the difference between them and Chelsea or

so I I I think there might be just a little bit of confusion between the two grants and I think they're kind of blurred together. Okay.

The strategic enforcement is the grant that we do the additional traffic enforcement from speed measurement which is radar and LAR drunk driving, seat belt enforcement and distracted driving. So the way that grant works is the county is the lead on that. We have all the other police departments in the county participate except for Michigan PD and EMU PD. But moving forward next year, Michigan is joining us again. They participated in the past, so did EMU. Staffing issues, they stopped. But the way the county distributes our resources is it's a bonus for our contract partners. So Ipsy Township, Superior Ann Arbor Township, Dexter, Webster Township, all the people that contract police services with us, that's where we deploy our resources within those areas to do the additional enforcement. And that data, the enforcement is by data. Um, we use a system that's now called Urban SDK. It's a system that gathers information from people's vehicles and it tells us Oh, you'd be surprised what we can get from your

um how do you get that information? It's a company that buys information from who's got Sirius XM radio. I don't. Who uses their cell phone with Google Maps? Who has OnStar? Who has who has who has all that data is sold by these companies and this company buys that data and roughly 80% of vehicles that travel the roadway which is a very low conservative number release some type of data with your location and your speed.

So that data we don't know who it is we just know somebody drove down this road and they were traveling at this speed. So the data is about a week behind, but it compiles all the data from all these different sources and then it does its little computer stuff and it tells us textile road and Ipsy Township between Munger and we'll say Whitaker. Um we have a speeding problem where there's an average of 12 over. So then then we would deploy our resources for speed measurement down in that area of the township or Ford Road up in Superior Township. It's a 55, right? But we know everybody drives 70 75 plus down there at some point, especially when it's not rush hour. So we would deploy our resources up there. That's the strategic enforcement grant. This grant,

go ahead. Go ahead.

This grant, secondary road patrol, is for two deputies where their primary functions are to hit the parts of the county that don't see patrol. So, a lot of your non-contracted areas, Freedom Township, Silvin Township, areas that you don't have, they don't have police services where they rely on the state police for their services. That's where our secondary road patrol patrols. But to be honest, the biggest part of their function is accident investigation. So they are the ones, all of our deputies can do a simple traffic crash. They're the ones that we call out that there's a crash right anytime there's a fatality or somebody has a serious lifealtering injury. Um, for example, motorcycle accidents. A lot of time people perish during a motorcycle accident, but you see a lot of limbs are lost during motorcycle accidents. So, they're the ones that go out, reconstruct, reconstruct the accident, put all the pieces together. That way, it's documented accordingly. And if there's, you know, somebody that prosecution that needs to be sought, whatnot. Um but then it's a complete and full investigation where the the um victims or the people that were driving have all that information if they decide to file their insurance claims and whatever else to get benefits to help with their long-term injuries. So that is very important. However, I can see that this might be misleading to I'll kind of defer to some of my colleagues that are that cover the more rural areas that don't have police coverage. I can see that being misleading to those residents in that if they were listening to this, what they

first hear is that those two officers would provide, I'm going to say, gap coverage. Yeah. But they can't really rest on their laurels with that because if there's a serious accident anywhere in Washington County, those two deputies are the ones that would get pulled away. Correct. To go and do the investigation.

Correct. to get a deputy to that level um to a a fairly high level is three on a quick side but closer to five years of continuous training to get them at a an extreme high expert level you're talking sending that one deputy to almost seven years of classes. So, okay. So, this is another question. Is it safe to say that there are only two qualified trained deputies within the entire sheriff's department that have the expertise to handle these type of um serious accidents?

So, we have three assigned to SRP. Um, two of them are covered by the um, grant and then offset through park services contract for the shortage if there's a shortage. And then the third one is assigned to Ipsellani Township as their traffic car. And he would be the one that is handling the bulk of the serious injury accidents or fatalss in Ipsy Township. The other two handle the rest of the county. Now, if he's on vacation, they'll cover vice versa. Um, but if the township pays for one and then we pay for the other two through

That's interesting. Okay. So the only other thing I guess I would ask I would like to see what the data was for the previous grant cycle related to where were they doing the majority of their patrol or their work for the pre not for this but for this is a renewal. It's a renewal. Yeah. This grant's been around longer than I've been around. It's so I'm just nosy. I'd like to see 20 plus years of

the grant period prior to October 1st, 2025. You can't give it to us right now, but I'm I'm putting the ask out there. I think I'm done. Thank you. Any other questions, comments, or concerns? Um, I'm looking before we Did you have a question about this? No. Yes. Okay. Ask him to do it. Okay. All right. Commissioner Robbie, I I guess it sounds like most mostly this grant is funding the two deputies, correct?

The stuff you were saying before though about like the tracking uh of people's like Google Maps and stuff that is terrifying. I figured that that was happening, but like that's very scary and feels like an intrusion on people's I mean I get you're trying to like you know track if people are speeding and stuff like that. You can't see who it is and you can you're just looking at traffic patterns but um I I you don't even need to answer this. It just is terrifying to me that that is the type of data that not even just like the government has but that like corporate America has control over. Correct.

And so it really makes you think about like the apps that you use and how you use your phone and technology and the types of things that are being um tracked and could be used against people in uh scenarios that we uh dare imagine and yet seem more frequent by the day in our country unfortunately. So cell phones are a great invention, but it's one of the biggest downfalls of our society, too. Yeah. So I'm just remarking on it. No, no further comments. Thank you, Chair. Yeah. Commissioner Robbie and I both looked at each other like about the data and

we don't know anything. Yeah. All we know is you get the aggregate. Yeah, we get there was roughly 800 cars that traveled between noon and 4 and there was a speeding problem of 12 over. That's that's what we get. Can that I have so many other questions. Never mind. Never mind. I'm not our conspiracy theorist minds are spiraling. It's spiraling big [laughter] time. But also everyone I keep a atlas in my like a US atlas. So I got to throw my phone out the window. I'm still not getting lost. Sorry.

Listen, it replaced the map I had of Michigan with Governor Blanchard's face on it. So, there you go. Commissioner Light. [laughter] Um why? So, it says any shortfall that is not covered by the grant will be funded by the general fund um budget of the sheriff's office. But if IPS Township pays a portion for one of those four pays for one, why would there be a shortfall if this covers two? Because we have three total, right? But pays for one, right? Ipsy Township. Ipsy Township pays for one, right? This grant pays for like 1.8,

but it says two. It says the total cost of two deputies. The cost of the total for two is 378 and some change. The grade is 326 and some change. Right. Yeah, I saw that. But I'm still So what what does Ipsy Township pay for that third person? Pretend the third person doesn't even exist because that's that's coverage for that's we're not even that's not even in our purview. It's not even in our Well, they should probably pay for more. They owe us for a lot more stuff anyway. I'm just saying. Okay. I was just wondering.

Okay.

And and that 52,000 shortfall now is never really that shortfall because we have like you built in over overtime. $10,000 if we spend the full $10,000. Yeah. But does it happen? Um vehicle maintenance. They're both driving newer cars. it doesn't require a lot of maintenance versus driving, you know, a a four-year-old vehicle. Um, so and then several years in the past when the state does have a surplus, they award additional money and we've received numerous additional awards over the years. I don't know. Yeah, you're probably right, but we can always hope.

You're welcome. Any other questions for Lieuten Lieutenant? Yes, ma'am. Katzenberg. Okay. All right. Any other questions? All right. Let's move forward. Thank you. Yep. Thanks for being here to talk to us. We appreciate it. Um, this was a final reading. Yep. So, we'll do a roll call vote on this. Great. Commissioner Bean, yes. Commissioner Hajj. Yeah. Commissioner Labar. Yes. Commissioner Light. Yes. Only because Lieutenant Kenberg came.

Commissioner Machi. Yes. Commissioner Robbie. Yes. Commissioner Sanders. Under duress. Yes. Commissioner Scott. Yes. Commissioner Somerville. Yes. That item passes. Thank you. Okay. Uh, next we have a resolution recommending the University of Michigan located its proposed high performance computing center to Willow Run. Commissioner Hodgej.

Thank you, Madam Chair. All right, Tabitha, now would be the appropriate time to pass out that other resolution. So, uh, friends, I want to withdraw this resolution from last week because I have a much better related data center uh, resolution. So, as Tabitha's passing that out, I'll keep talking. Uh I attended a conversation at West Willow about the data center. Um that was of great interest to a number of residents and there were a number of elected officials there to discuss it. Uh and then as of this morning we've learned that the university has closed on purchasing the textile property. Although they say that that doesn't necessarily mean that they're going to put it there. Uh I think the resolution that we have here is more appropriate and captures uh the spirit of what the county is trying to do related to data centers. uh and hopefully addresses many of the the concerns of residents uh to withdraw the motion. Since Commissioner Labar did uh the bulk of them last time, I would need him to agree with me to withdraw the motion.

Uh provide that agreement. No problem. Thank you. Okay. Well, then I want to move this uh resolution, which is a resolution formally supporting local municipalities for enacting data center moratoriums and commending the county resiliency office for leading collaboration with local units of government. take a look at it. Do I have a support? So that's moved by Hajj supported. Labar. Uh we can take a look here.

Discussion. Uh, Commissioner Machi, just a a quick note. Um, Dexter Township has approved a moratorum as well. Would you be willing to add that to the list under the fourth whereas? Yes. That's very friendly. Yes. As well as Pittsfield Township. Pitfield Township has enacted that as well. Six month I think more. Okay. So Pittsfield will add Pittsfield, Dexter Township, and I think Commissioner Beimma might have more, City of Selena. City of Selena. Oh, I only have Township in there. All right. I'm friendly to all those, Michelle. Is that good? Yeah, she says it's good. Okay. She nodded in the affirmative. Okay.

Okay, it's fine. My my watch is going to tell us it's time to go to bed in 10 minutes, so I'm fine. Let's just keep moving forward. Okay. Any other discussion here? More. Okay, let's do a roll call vote on this. Right. Commissioner Hajj, yes. Commissioner Lear, yes. Commissioner Light, yes. Commissioner Matias, yes. Commissioner Robbie, Commissioner Sanders, yes. Commissioner Scott, yes. Commissioner Somerville. Yes.

And Commissioner Bean. Yes. Great. Commissioner Ravi.

Uh, thank you, Madam Chair. I also have a resolution that Tabitha is distributing that I would like to put forward. It basically all it does is it supports Representative Wilson's bill to claw back the hund00 million state grant that was allocated for U of M and uh Los Alamos National Laboratory. Um so I would like to move this resolution. I have moved by Robbie supported by light. Commissioner Hodge question for Michelle on this one and thank you Commissioner Robbie for uh joining the data center resolution party here. U Michelle can you I believe this is pretty similar to the conversation we had last meeting in that there are a number of us that are employed by the university. I I think your guidance is that it's appropriate for some those people to abstain from voting on it. It is advisable for those members to abstain.

I've been on fire with being correct on things today. Thank you, Michelle. Okay. I mean, thank you very much. That will for noting that. I will note that I will be abstaining as I am an employee of the University of Michigan. Commissioner Bean, I will also be I guess we're not there's no abstaining in our board rules. We're that we will just not be voting on it. though. What? Pardon me? Yeah.

You're just recusing yourself from the vote. So, you're not abstaining. There's no abstaining in our board rules. Commissioner Labar. So, good lord, those mics are good. Um, I think I'll probably vote for this. I just saw it. Um, I don't like data centers. I suspect they're not going anywhere. Um, and I don't think ultimately this uh clawback will work. But, uh, I I I think I want to support the cause here. Um I hope though that we will be realistic too in terms of some of the challenges we're facing around data centers because um the state of Michigan for generations has loved local control until industry tells it not to and unless and until we get the state to change that paradigm um I worry we will be sort of relegated to statements of uh intent but I will support this tonight. Thanks.

Thank you. Any other questions, comments, or concerns on this item? Uh, I'm going to assume these are Okay, Commissioner Light. Well, we already voted on the other one. So, just for this one, the We are on the We voted on the previous resolution. So, now we are on the resolution that Commissioner Robbie has given us. Okay. All right, seeing no other comments, questions, or concerns, uh, we can go ahead with a roll call vote on this one as well. Commissioner Labar, yes.

Commissioner Light. Commissioner Machi, yes. Commissioner Robbie, yes. Commissioner Sanders,

Commissioner Scott, I'm recusing myself from the vote. Commissioner Somerdale. Yes. Commissioner Bean, I am recusing myself from the vote. Commissioner Haj, I got to recuse, too. Commissioner Labar, I I have previously voted yes and we'll restate the Okay, good. Just going to make sure we're all okay with it. We're going to vote twice. All right, Ray, it's late. It's late.

Let's do it one more time. [laughter] Um, all I could think when I said I recuse that item passes. Thank you very much. All I could say when I said I recuse is I want it to be like recuse instead of jacuzz. All right. Thank you. Thanks for understanding me, Commissioner Robbie. Um, that is it for pending items. Uh, and and what we don't have on here was items for current and future discussion. It was above. Oh, I did I did skip it, but I sort of didn't mean to skip it. So, okay. Commissioner Robbie and then light then Commissioner Light. Okay. Items for current and future discussion. Anybody have any? Okay. Go ahead. Um I just wanted to discuss that um we have had um suicide to occur in our county. Um, and there have been several uh individuals who have contacted me via email, phone call, and in person um to let individuals know that suicide is not the only and last option and that our county does provide services. I know that um Commissioner Haj brought mentioned to this, but I just wanted to make sure that I brought this up again. Um, and that I want to hold each and every one of us elected officials responsible to report as we are mandated reporters to report any thoughts um or any notices or mention um that someone feels they want to harm theirel or others. It is our responsibility

It is our due diligence to make sure that the people in this county are safe, not only from others but theirelves sometimes and that we cannot assist anyone in an act that will depart them from us. And I know that's selfish on my part, but it's also our responsibility to make sure that every individual has the right to continue their lives. It was not okay for our chief prosecuting attorney to support suicide. It was not okay for another community activist to support a suicide of a great person. It is never okay. And [snorts] I want our county to know that our services are not just for one kind of person. The services in this county are for everyone. And I want you to know that we have people here to help. We are all available. to provide and make sure you get the services that you need. But there is no reason that we ever support someone to adventure into ending their life. It's not okay. And I [snorts] just want you all to know that I have had many individuals with concern and that it was not okay and that they questioned those that we have elected to lead us and make decisions and that they are not stable to make decisions on behalf of the residents in this county because of the actions that they have assisted with assisting someone who is reaching out. So, I just ask that we all be aware and that we make sure

that we provide the help and that we report. And I don't care if a person hates you, it's okay because you're going to save them. But check up on your people and make sure you're there for them whether they want you to be or not. Thank you, Crystal. Thank you, Commissioner I think it's a natural moment of pause for for Melvin and for everybody who is struggling. Thank you. It almost seems wrong to ask if anybody has anything else. Commissioner Hodgej Robbie, I guess I guess I'll just say thank you for uh to Commissioner Light for bringing that forward and to Chair Scott for giving some space to reflect. Um I think it's probably a good time to make a motion to adjurnn.

I think so, too. All those in favor.