HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2022.01.20 - 35289
OAKLAND COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS MINUTES
January 20, 2022
Meeting called to order by Caucus Chairperson Kristen Nelson at 5:08 p.m. in the
Courthouse Committee Room A, 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Pontiac, Michigan.
Roll called.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Cavell, Charles, Gershenson, Jackson, Luebs,
Markham, McGillivray, Miller, Nelson, Powell, Woodward. (11)
EXCUSED ABSENCE WITH NOTICE: None. (0)
Quorum present.
The following people addressed the Caucus during Public Comment #1: Sandra
Carolan and Commissioner Marcia Gershenson.
Moved by Luebs seconded by Gershenson the minutes of the December 30, 2021
Caucus be approved.
A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the minutes were approved.
The members of the Caucus discussed the Board Agenda.
Chairperson Kristen Nelson addressed the Caucus regarding Unfinished Business item
a. entitled: Expenditure Priorities of American Rescue Plan Act Local Fiscal Recovery
Funds. She asked the Commissioners where they thought Parks and Recreation fit into
the plan parameters.
Discussion followed.
Chris Ward, Director of Parks and Recreation addressed the Caucus to inform the
Commissioners that the Oakland County Parks System has been heavily utilized during
the pandemic. Mr. Ward presented a draft proposal to utilize $15 million in ARPA funds
for Parks and Recreation.
Discussion followed.
Democratic Caucus Minutes Continued. January 20, 2022
Commissioner Markham addressed the Caucus to state that she would like to see the
Minority Caucus more involved in the plans for American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Discussion followed.
There was a short round robin update from the ARPA committees.
Discussion followed.
Chairperson Kristen Nelson addressed the Caucus regarding New and Miscellaneous
Business item a. entitled: Blueprint for Successful Aging. She provided booklets
outlining a ten point plan to assist seniors to remain in their homes. She informed the
Commissioners that an electronic version of the plan is available online.
Discussion followed.
Commissioner Powell addressed the Caucus and stated that the Treasurer’s office is
trying to contact everyone on the foreclosure list in order to offer counseling and
assistance to homeowners at risk of foreclosure.
Commissioner Woodward addressed the Caucus and stated that Commissioner
Hoffman will be proposing a new miscellaneous resolution entitled: Board of
Commissioners – Resolution Urging Oakland County to Pay All Surplus Proceeds, with
Interest, to any Affected Taxpayer that the County has Previously Retained from Tax -
Foreclosed Properties. He informed the Commissioners that Corporation Counsel does
not support this resolution.
Commissioner Woodward addressed the Caucus and stated that there will be a
committee formed to oversee the Oxford Community Response fund.
David Williams, Oakland County Chief Deputy Prosecutor, addressed the Caucus to
provide an overview of the Oxford school shooting response. He outlined extra victim
services that have been provided and what the Prosecutor’s Office will need to
successfully move forward.
Discussion followed.
Chairperson Kristen Nelson addressed the Caucus regarding the timing and
completeness of resolutions being introduced at Board of Commissioners meetings.
Discussion followed.
Chairperson Kristen Nelson addressed the Caucus to remind the commissioners that
the Nomination and Election of the Board of Commissioners Vice Chairperson is on
tonight’s agenda.
Democratic Caucus Minutes Continued. January 20, 2022
Commissioner Gershenson addressed the Caucus to confirm that she would be happy
to accept the nomination and would like to serve as Vice Chairperson again.
Discussion followed.
The following people addressed the Caucus during Public Comment #2: Sandra
Carolan, Ross Barranco and Kathleen Cross.
The Caucus adjourned at 8:35 p.m. until February 3, 2022, at 6:00 p.m.
FRED MILLER KRISTEN NELSON
Deputy Clerk Caucus Chairperson