HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2021.11.19 - 35287
OAKLAND COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS MINUTES
November 19, 2021
Meeting called to order by Caucus Chairperson Kristen Nelson at 11:10 a.m. in the
Courthouse Committee Room A, 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Pontiac, Michigan.
Roll called.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Charlie Cavell from Ferndale in Oakland County,
Yolanda Charles from Southfield in Oakland County, Marcia Gershenson from
Santa Monica, California, Janet Jackson, Gwen Markham, Gary McGillivray from
Madison Heights in Oakland County, William Miller, Kristen Nelson, Angela Powell
from Pontiac in Oakland County, David Woodward. (10)
EXCUSED ABSENCE WITH NOTICE: Penny Luebs. (1)
Quorum present.
No one addressed the Caucus during Public Comment #1.
The members of the Caucus discussed the Board Agenda regarding Unfinished Business
item a. entitled: Expenditure Priorities of American Rescue Plan Act Local Fiscal
Recovery Funds.
Chairwoman Kristen Nelson updated the Caucus on the American Rescue Plan Act
(ARPA) discussions from the November 10, 2021, Caucus meeting.
Discussion followed.
Commissioner David Woodward addressed the Caucus regarding appropriate
assignments of American Rescue Plan Act funds for Oakland County.
Discussion followed.
Commissioner Gwen Markham addressed the Caucus and stated that the Board of
Commissioners should coordinate with the Executive Office regarding spending the
American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Discussion followed.
Commissioner Charlie Cavell addressed the Caucus and stated that the Executive Office
wants to see fifteen percent of the American Rescue Plan Act funds placed into Fiscal
Health.
Discussion followed.
Commissioner Woodward addressed the Caucus that the Oakland County General Funds
can be used now and in the future be repaid with American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Discussion followed.
Commissioner Marcia Gershenson addressed the Caucus regarding FY 2022 funding for
childcare issues.
Commissioner Charlie Cavell addressed the Caucus regarding FY 2022 funding for
Affordable Housing and Foreclosure Assistance.
Chairperson Kristen Nelson addressed the Caucus regarding FY 2022 funding for Basic
Needs.
Commissioner Janet Jackson addressed the Caucus regarding FY 2022 funding for
Foreclosure Tax Assistance.
Discussion followed.
Commissioners Gwen Markham and Commissioner William Miller addressed the Caucus
regarding FY 2022 funding for Infrastructure projects.
Discussion followed.
Commissioner David Woodward addressed the Caucus and suggested that
$50,000,000.00, should go into improving the environment under the Infrastructure
Workgroup.
Discussion followed.
Chairperson Kristen Nelson addressed the Caucus and stated that the American Rescue
Plan Act funds should be used for projects that are sustainable.
Commissioner Janet Jackson addressed the Caucus regarding FY 2022 funding for
Workforce Development.
Discussion followed.
Commissioner William Miller addressed the Caucus and suggested that part of the
American Rescue Plan Act funds should go towards transportation assistance.
Discussion followed.
Commissioner David Woodward addressed the Caucus regarding FY 2022 funding for
Economic Development.
Discussion followed.
Commissioner Yolanda Charles, Commissioner Marcia Gershenson and Chairperson
Kristen Nelson addressed the Caucus regarding FY 2022 funding for Strengthening
Healthcare.
Discussion followed.
Commissioner Yolanda Charles and Commissioner Charlie Cavell addressed the Caucus
regarding FY 2022 funding for Fiscal Health.
Discussion followed.
Commissioner Janet Jackson addressed the Caucus regarding health initiatives needed
to reduce healthcare disparity.
Discussion followed.
Chairperson Kristen Nelson and Commissioner Marcia Gershenson addressed the
Caucus regarding the need to include Youth Services into Healthcare funding.
Discussion followed.
Chairperson Kristen Nelson addressed the Caucus and stated that the approximate
funding requests for workgroup buckets are: Prosperous Communities $91,000,000.00,
Sustainable Environment and Infrastructure $50,000,000.00, Robust Economy
$35,000,000.00, Fiscal Health $30,000,000.00, and Strengthening Healthcare
$48,000,000.00.
Chairperson Kristen Nelson addressed the Caucus regarding resolutions for American
Rescue Plan Act funds that will be prepared for the FY 2022, FQ.
Discussion followed.
Commissioner Gwen Markham informed the Caucus that the National Association of
Counties (NACo), will be holding a virtual meeting November 19, 2021.
Discussion followed.
Commissioner Marcia Gershenson updated the Caucus regarding the Oakland County
Historical Commission presentation scheduled for the Board of Commissioners meeting,
December 9, 2021.
Chairperson Kristen Nelson informed the Caucus that registration is open for the 2022
National Association of Counties Legislative Conference held in Washington D.C.
No one addressed the Caucus during Public Comment #2.
The Caucus adjourned at 12:43 p.m. until December 9, 2021, at 5:00 p.m.
Fred Miller KRISTEN NELSON
Deputy Clerk Caucus Chairperson