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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2021.05.18 - 34422 MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSIONERS CALL TO ORDER: The Board of County Election Commissioners meeting was called to order by Judge Ryan on May 18, 2021 at 11:48 a.m. via video conference. ROLL CALL: MEMBERS PRESENT: Ryan (Wixom, MI), Brown (Pontiac, MI). (2) ABSENT: Meisner. (1) OTHERS PRESENT: Joseph J. Rozell, Director of Elections; Heather Kadulski, Election Specialist; Karen McDonald, Prosecutor; Pete Menna, Corporation Counsel and Robert Wittenberg, Treasurer Elect. Moved by BROWN seconded by RYAN to appoint Karen McDonald as a Member of the Commission. Motion carried. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Moved by BROWN seconded by RYAN to approve the agenda. Motion carried. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Moved by BROWN seconded by RYAN to approve the minutes of the April 9, 2021 Board of County Election Commissioners Meeting. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS: Judge Ryan advised that proper notice had been given for today’s meeting for the recall of Barbara Anness, Board Member, Rochester Community School District, Kevin Beers, Board Member, Rochester Community School District, Michelle Bueltel, Board Member, Rochester Community School District and Andrea Walker- Leidy, Board Member, Rochester Community School District. She also advised that the purpose of today’s meeting according to MCL 168.952 of Michigan Election Law, is that the Commission shall meet and determine whether each reason for the recall stated in the petitions are factual and of sufficient clarity to enable the officer(s) whose recall is being sought and the electors to identify the course of conduct which is the basis of the recall. A. RECALL OF BARBARA ANNESS “On October 26, 2020, BOE Trustee Barbar Anness Voted Yes to approve the Recertification of Extended COVID - 19 Learning Plan presented by the district that provided no specifics and allowed the superintendent to determine and implement the policy which removed the BOE function of oversight. As noted in bylaw #7 which states: The Board will concern itself with determining policy and rely on the Administration to implement policy, including through the development of Regulation. By relinquishing decision-making to the administration the board failed to fulfill the duties they were elected to carry out.” Page Two May 18, 2021 Oakland County Election Commission Meeting Judge Ryan asked if there was anyone present who wished to come forward to speak as a proponent of the petition. No one spoke as a proponent of the petition. Judge Ryan asked if there was anyone present who wished to come forward to speak in opposition to the petition. Michelle Bueltel spoke in opposition of the petition for all individuals subject to the recall. Barb Anness and Andrea Walker-Leidy agreed with the statement read by Michelle Bueltel. Discussion followed. Moved by RYAN seconded by BROWN that the petition submitted by Andrew Weaver for Barbara Anness, Board Member, Rochester Community School District be disapproved. VOTE ON BARBARA ANNESS PETITION: AYES: RYAN, BROWN, MCDONALD. (3) NAYS: NONE. (0) The petition was DISAPPROVED. Prosecutor McDonald left the meeting at 12:00 p.m. B. RECALL OF KEVIN BEERS “On October 26, 2020, BOE Trustee Kevin Beers Voted Yes to approve the Recertification of Extended COVID - 19 Learning Plan presented by the district that provided no specifics and allowed the superintendent to determine and implement the policy which removed the BOE function of oversight. As noted in bylaw #7 which states: The Board will concern itself with determining policy and rely on the Administration to implement policy, including through the development of Regulation. By relinquishing decision-making to the administration the board failed to fulfill the duties they were elected to carry out.” Judge Ryan asked if there was anyone present who wished to come forward to speak as a proponent of the petition. No one spoke as a proponent of the petition. Judge Ryan asked if there was anyone present who wished to come forward to speak in opposition to the petition. Michelle Bueltel spoke in opposition to the petition. Discussion followed. Moved by BROWN seconded by RYAN that the petition submitted by Andrew Weaver for Kevin Beers, Board Member, Rochester Community School District be disapproved. VOTE ON KEVIN BEERS PETITION: AYES: BROWN, RYAN. (2) NAYS: NONE. (0) The petition was DISAPPROVED. C. RECALL OF MICHELLE BUELTEL Page Three May 18, 2021 Oakland County Election Commission Meeting “On October 26, 2020, BOE Trustee Michelle Bueltel Voted Yes to approve the Recertification of Extended COVID - 19 Learning Plan presented by the district that provided no specifics and allowed the superintendent to determine and implement the policy which removed the BOE function of oversight. As noted in bylaw #7 which states: The Board will concern itself with determining policy and rely on the Administration to implement policy, including through the development of Regulation. By relinquishing decision-making to the administration the board failed to fulfill the duties they were elected to carry out.” Judge Ryan asked if there was anyone present who wished to come forward to speak as a proponent of the petition. Stephanie Vandale spoke as a proponent of the petition. Judge Ryan asked if there was anyone present who wished to come forward to speak in opposition to the petition. Michelle Bueltel spoke in opposition to the petition. Discussion followed. Moved by RYAN seconded by BROWN that the petition submitted by Andrew Weaver for Michelle Bueltel, Board Member, Rochester Community School District be disapproved. VOTE ON MICHELLE BUELTEL PETITION: AYES: RYAN, BROWN. (2) NAYS: NONE. (0) The petition was DISAPPROVED. D. RECALL OF ANDREA WALKER-LEIDY “On October 26, 2020, BOE Trustee Andrew Walker-Leidy Voted Yes to approve the Recertification of Extended COVID - 19 Learning Plan presented by the district that provided no specifics and allowed the superintendent to determine and implement the policy which removed the BOE function of oversight. As noted in bylaw #7 which states: The Board will concern itself with determining policy and rely on the Administration to implement policy, including through the development of Regulation. By relinquishing decision-making to the administration the board failed to fulfill the duties they were elected to carry out.” Judge Ryan asked if there was anyone present who wished to come forward to speak as a proponent of the petition. No one spoke as a proponent of the petition. Judge Ryan asked if there was anyone present who wished to come forward to speak in opposition to the petition. Michelle Bueltel spoke in opposition to the petition. Discussion followed. Moved by RYAN seconded by BROWN that the petition submitted by Andrew Weaver for Andrea Walker- Leidy, Board Member, Rochester Community School District be disapproved. VOTE ON ANDREA WALKER-LEIDY PETITION: AYES: RYAN, BROWN. (2) NAYS: NONE. (0) The petition was DISAPPROVED. Page Four May 18, 2021 Oakland County Election Commission Meeting PUBLIC COMMENT: None. Moved by RYAN seconded by BROWN that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried. Judge Ryan adjourned the meeting at 12:13 p.m. Lisa Brown Clerk/Register of Deeds and Secretary to the Board of County Election Commissioners