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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2011.02.09 - 10518MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION # 11031 BY: Commissioner Helaine ick,,pistrict #22, Craig Covey, District #25, Marcia Gershenson, District #17 Ntek.--;L- ,-P ns f IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS'- REGIuNAL WATER COLLABORATION To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen: WHEREAS Oakland County Water Resource Commissioner has filed a motion in federal court requesting that control of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) be transferred to an interim regional management committee; and WHEREAS the membership of this proposed regional management committee would include the Mayor of the City of Detroit, the Macomb County Public Works Commissioner, the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner, the Director of Wayne County's Department of Environment, and a representative chosen by the court; and WHEREAS the Detroit water system has been under judicial oversight since the 1970s; unfortunately this oversight has not been successful in erasing systemic deficiencies, multi- million dollar contracts for consultants and allegations of impropriety; and WHEREAS regional collaboration would be a far more productive and cost effective approach to addressing DWSD operations, by providing for the open and transparent exchange of information, without the expensive and time consuming intervention through the courts in an adversarial environment; and WHEREAS Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and Detroit Councilman Gary Brown, have requested an opportunity to work together with regional leaders to address the issues within the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department; and WHEREAS reinventing the Detroit metropolitan region requires each of us to refocus our energies and work in collaboration to seek successful solutions and sustainable positive results for the betterment of Oakland County, the City of Detroit and the entire southeast Michigan region; and WHEREAS with the elected officials from the City of Detroit and the Counties of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb working in partnership, all of our constituents will benefit from our combined skill, knowledge, and innovation. This enhanced productivity and efficiency can transform the operations, quality and performance of a vital regional resource - the water system; and WHEREAS if regional leaders earnestly engage in respectful dialogues and cooperate to seek strategic solutions, the governance and operations of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department has a realistic opportunity to achieve the highest standard of excellence, innovation and quality. An opportunity that is lost in an adversarial contest that is entangled in endless and costly litigation. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, hereby urge the elected leaders of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb County and the State of Michigan to work with the elected leaders of the City of Detroit to seek common solutions relative to issues facing the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners urges the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner to withdraw the Federal Court motion and instead, seek resolution to critical regional issues through regional collaboration, as opposed to divisive measures such as litigation. , '- Commissioner Hela4 Zack District #22 In C missioner Mafei-a-,-GeFelie-RseR- D rict #40qc Commissioner District # Cbmmlg;ioner ,District./# Commissioner District # Commissioner Craig Covey District #25 tedniMis'sioner„, District • , Commissioner District At- Commissio District Commissioner District Commissioner District # Commissioner District BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Clerk is requested to forward copies of this adopted resolution to Governor Rick Snyder, Mayor Dave Bing, the members of the Detroit City Council, Judge Sean Cox, Macomb County Public Works Commission, the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner, the Director of Wayne County's Department of Environment, County Commissioners of Wayne County, County Commissioners of Macomb County, the County Executives for Wayne, Oakland and Macomb County, the legislative delegation from Wayne, Oakland and Macomb County, SEMCOG, and Oakland County's legislative lobbyists. Chairperson, we move the adoption of the foregoing resolution. Commissioner Commissioner District # District Commissioner Commissioner District # District Commissioner Commissioner District # District Resolution #11031 February 9, 2011 The Chairperson referred the resolution to the Planning and Building Committee. There were no objections.