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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes - 2023.06.22 - 38327 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Bldg. 12 East, Pontiac, MI 48341 Democratic Caucus Minutes June 22, 2023 at 4:30 PM 1. Call Meeting to Order Chair Janet Jackson called the meeting of the Democratic Caucus to order at 04:45 PM in BOC Committee Room A, 1200 N. Telegraph, 12E, Pontiac, MI 48341. 2. Roll Call MEMBERS PRESENT: David Woodward, Penny Luebs, Kristen Nelson, Angela Powell, Marcia Gershenson, Janet Jackson, Charles Cavell, Brendan Johnson (Remote, Non- Voting, Yolanda Smith Charles (Remote, Non-Voting) (9) MEMBERS ABSENT WITH NOTICE: Gwen Markham, Gary McGillivray, William Miller III, Ajay Raman (4) 3. Public Comment Fred Miller, Deputy Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds addressed the Caucus during Public Comment #1. 4. Discussion Items a. Board of Commissioners - Proposed Final Oakland County ARPA Allocation Commissioner David Woodward addressed the Caucus. There are $80 million dollars of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that have not yet been allocated. A Proposed Final Oakland County ARPA Allocation information sheet was distributed. Discussion followed. Commissioner Penny Luebs addressed the Caucus to inquire about reallocating unused Youth Assistance Grants. The Youth Assistance sub-committee voted to repurpose unused grants to fund staffing youth assistance positions. Commissioner David Woodward addressed the Caucus to explain that using ARPA funds for staffing purposes is complicated and the Board has tried to avoid that. Commissioner Kristen Nelson addressed the Caucus to equate staffing with early intervention. Commissioner Charlie Cavell addressed the Caucus to inquire about hiring vendors who provide outside staff vs.hiring new County employees. Discussion followed. Commissioner Angela Powell addressed the Caucus regarding the huge response to the City of Pontiac's recently launched home improvement project. Commissioner Yolanda Smith Charles addressed the Caucus and stated she would like to see information about housing grants streamlined for the public. The phrase "affordable housing" should be changed to "obtainable housing". Commissioner David Woodward addressed the Caucus regarding the need for a comprehensive regional housing strategy. A Housing Trust Fund is being developed to assist with grant gaps. Discussion followed. Commissioner Kristen Nelson addressed the Caucus to request a status update report on the Oakland 80 Navigator Program. Commissioner Charlie Cavell addressed the Caucus regarding the Water Resources Commission (WRC). The WRC will use the ARPA funds to match grants Oakland County is qualified for. Discussion followed. Commissioner Angela Powell addressed the Caucus regarding the Royal Oak Township match for sewer projects. Discussion followed. Commissioner Yolanda Smith Charles addressed the Caucus regarding replacing lost revenue with ARPA funds. Walt Herzig, Deputy Oakland County Executive addressed the Caucus to explain that ARPA funds can be used to replace revenue that was spent for COVID-19. Discussion followed. Commissioner David Woodward addressed the Caucus to explain the difference between ARPA funding and Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) funding. Discussion followed. Commissioner David Woodward addressed the Caucus. He would like to see the subject of ARPA Allocation moved forward at the next Majority Caucus. Budget talks will begin in July, there may need to be a Special Board of Commissioners meeting scheduled for the Pontiac Project after due diligence. Chair Janet Jackson called for the July 20, 2023 majority Caucus to be scheduled for 4:30 p.m. 5. Public Comment Dierdre Waterman addressed the Caucus during Public Comment #2. 6. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 06:10 PM.