Full Commission

You can find the agenda and links to join the meeting here: https://www.waynecounty.com/documents/commission/june3.pdf

The Full Commission is comprised of 15 commissioners, one from each of the 15 districts in Wayne County. https://t.co/hiq7Dt9EYA

The meeting was called to order at 10:02. Roll call was given and all commissioners are present with the exception of Comm’r Marecki, who was excused. With a quorum, we’re moving on to the report from the Chair.

Interesting development early in this meeting: As the Chair was beginning her report, she was interrupted and told that she needed to read a text on her phone before continuing. She did, and immediately recessed the meeting for 5 minutes while they “figure something out”.

Apparently it was a minor technical issue. We’re back from recess.

Chair Bell is discussing the anniversary of the massacre in Tulsa, and how later in the 40’s they built a freeway through the Greenwood neighborhood, just as they did to Black Bottom in Detroit with I-375. https://t.co/tAlTR10eoa

Unfinished Business: the Commission has voted to open a public hearing on items 1 and 2. Comm’rs Basham and Anderson both expressed support but concern that item 1 amends the Procurement Ordinance in a way that cedes the Commission’s oversight of procurements.

Comm’r Killeen believes item 2 will increase support for indigent defense, and supports it. The motion to approve both items of unfinished business was unanimously supported by the Commission.

Moving on to Reports from Committees, there is discussion about items 7 and 9 from the Public Services Committee. Both are sole-source contracts, and Comm’r Basham doesn’t feel that serves the community, as opposed to taking bids from local businesses.

Comm’r Anderson opposes item 1 regarding an equestrian center on Hines Park property, to be built by Newburg Mill, LLC. He will always oppose the giving over of public green space to private interests.

All items in section VI: Reports from Committees, A through G have been moved and approved.

There were no public comments today, and none were emailed to the Commission.

Comm’r Baker McCormick congratulated the graduating class of the inaugural 2021 Wayne County Commission Youth Council. Applications will soon be accepted for the next class, and she looks forward to reviewing them. https://www.waynecounty.com/boards/wccya/home.aspx

Commissioners gave remarks on members of the community who have passed, and there was a moment of silence for all who have lost their life. https://t.co/Pzb5xSju2g

Remarks by members: Comm’r Baydoun said he was shocked to only recently learn of the Tulsa massacre. Comm’r Clark-Coleman replied that even worse is the fact most black people only learned of it several years ago. It’s been hidden and the history obscured.

Chair Bell just returned from Tulsa after attending the 100 year memorial of the massacre. It’s driving a bit of conversation with the Commission. https://www.tulsahistory.org/exhibit/1921-tulsa-race-massacre/

With no other business before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 11:15pm. The next meeting of the Full Commission will be Thursday, June 17 at 10am. https://www.waynecounty.com/elected/commission/full-commission.aspx

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