HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2014.07.31 - 21423erson, I move t1)6{0doption of tjae)foregoing Resolution. "Th air Miscellaneous Resolution # 14184 BY: Commissioner Dave Woodward, District #19 RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — REVIEW OF ARAMARK CONTRACT TO PROTECT TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND ENSURE CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY TO: Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen: WHEREAS when taxpayer money is given to corporations to provide public services great transparency, responsibility, and oversight is required; and WHEREAS for-profit companies should not be allowed to indiscriminately profit off taxpayer dollars with limited accountability; and WHEREAS in January 2014, Governor Rick Snyder began a $145 million contract with Aramark for food services within Michigan prisons; and WHEREAS Oakland County also has a food service contract with Aramark for the Oakland County Jail; and WHEREAS just in the last seven months in Michigan, it's been revealed Aramark has been a very poor operator plagued with dozens of problems — including food shortages, kitchen maggots, drug smuggling, and employees having inappropriate sexual contact with inmates, and has resulted in more than 80 Aramark employees banned from prison properties; and WHEREAS Aramark has a pattern of being a poor operator not only in Michigan, but similar documented problems have emerged in Ohio and other states and communities around the country; and WHEREAS when you give control of public services over to for-profit corporations, problems like this can occur because there is so little oversight and control from the public. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners requests that Aramark appear before the Public Services Committee to answer questions and give assurances that the operations of local Aramark contractors are different than actions of their Michigan counterparts, and demonstrate that continuation of their contract does not pose an inherent risk to public health and safety in Oakland County. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that should Aramark not appear before the committee within 30 days, that Oakland County shall give immediate written notice to cancel the Oakland County contract #003713 with Aramark as authorized in the terms of the agreement. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners requests that the Environment Health Food Safety Division closely monitor the performance of Aramark at county facilities to ensure public health and protect the county from liability risks. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Oakland County Board of Commissioners urges Governor Snyder to cancel the Aramark contract with the state immediately. YA-4A/LA_4_ Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Resolution *14184 July 31, 2014 The Chairperson referred the resolution to the Public Services Committee. There were no objections.