HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2021.08.24 - 35280654
OAKLAND COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS MINUTES
August 24, 2021
Meeting called to order by Caucus Chairperson Kristen Nelson at 9:37 a.m. in the
Courthouse Committee Room A, 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Pontiac, Michigan.
Roll called.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Cavell, Charles, Gershenson, Luebs, Markham,
McGillivray, Nelson, Powell, Woodward from Hocking Hills County, Ohio. (9)
EXCUSED ABSENCE WITH NOTICE: Jackson, Miller. (2)
Quorum present.
No one addressed the Caucus during Public Comment.
Moved by Luebs seconded by Gershenson the minutes of the August 5, 2021 Caucus
be approved.
A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the minutes were approved.
Commissioner Markham addressed the Caucus to describe the Board of
Commissioners special projects budgeting process. She suggested using a
$1,000,000.00 baseline amount for the Commissioners special projects budget. She
also discussed the division of duties between Commissioners and staff for these
projects. She stated that she and Patti Dib, Board of Commissioners Chief of Staff are
working to streamline the process for special projects.
Discussion followed.
Commissioner Gershenson addressed the Caucus to propose adding more Caucus
meetings to the calendar specifically to address special projects.
Discussion followed.
Commissioner Woodward addressed the Caucus to suggest that special projects be
planned on an annual fiscal year basis for tracking purposes.
Democratic Caucus Minutes Continued. August 24, 2021
655
Discussion followed.
Chairperson Kristen Nelson addressed the Caucus to inquire about the best way for the
Board to prioritize special projects.
Discussion followed.
Commissioner Cavell addressed the Caucus to request a larger special projects budget.
Discussion followed.
Moved by Powell seconded by Gershenson the special projects budget be established
at $1,300,000.00.
Discussion followed.
Moved by Cavell the special projects budget be established at $1,500,000.00.
Discussion followed.
Commissioner Cavell withdrew his motion to establish the special projects budget at
$1,500,000.00.
Moved by McGillivray seconded by Charles the special projects budget be established
at $500,000.00.
Discussion followed.
Chris Ward, Deputy County Executive addressed the Caucus to define projects vs.
programs and what each involves.
Vote on $1,300,000.00 special projects budget:
AYES: Charles, Gershenson, Luebs, Markham, Nelson, Powell, Woodward,
Cavell. (8)
NAYS: McGillivray. (1)
A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the motion to establish the Board of
Commissioners special projects budget at $1,300,000.00 carried.
Commissioner McGillivray addressed the Caucus to withdraw his motion to set the
special projects budget at $500,000.00.
Commissioner Markham addressed the Caucus to open general discussion on where
current special projects are in the process and which projects should or should not carry
forward.
Democratic Caucus Minutes Continued. August 24, 2021
656
Chairperson Kristen Nelson addressed the Caucus to inform the Commissioners that
there will be a complete list of current and proposed special projects available to the
Commissioners no later than Friday, August 27th. She also suggested an extra Majority
Caucus date and time be scheduled to focus on this subject.
Commissioner Gershenson proposed that the September 2, 2021 Caucus be scheduled
for 3:30 p.m. to give the Commissioners extra time to discuss special projects budget
items.
Discussion followed.
Chairperson Kristen Nelson scheduled the Majority Caucus to meet at 3:30 p.m. on
September 2, 2021. There were no objections.
Discussion followed.
The Caucus recessed at 10:59 a.m. until September 2, 2021, at 3:30 p.m.
LISA BROWN KRISTEN NELSON
Clerk Caucus Chairperson