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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2023.12.07 - 40893 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Bldg. 12 East, Pontiac, MI 48341 Democratic Caucus Minutes December 7, 2023 at 5:00 PM 1. Call Meeting to Order Chair Charlie Cavell called the meeting of the Democratic Caucus to order at 05:12 PM in BOC Committee Room A 1200 N. Telegraph Road, 12E, Pontiac, Michigan 48341. 2. Roll Call MEMBERS PRESENT: Charlie Cavell, Ann Erickson Gault, Marcia Gershenson, Brendan Johnson, Penny Luebs, Gwen Markham, William Miller III, Kristen Nelson, Angela Powell, Ajay Raman, Yolanda Smith Charles, David Woodward (12) MEMBERS ABSENT WITH NOTICE: (0) 3. Public Comment The following people addressed the Caucus during Public Comment #1: Amani Johnson and Linnie Taylor. 4. Approval of Minutes a. Board of Commissioners - dated November 16, 2023 Commissioner Marcia Gershenson addressed the Caucus to request the approval of the minutes dated November 16, 2023. Seconded by Gwen Markham Commissioner Kristin Nelson asked that the motion be amended to postpone approval of the minutes from November 16, 2023, meeting and ask the Clerk to amend to include all rounds of voting on the District 3 vacancy discussion. Commissioner Marcia Gershenson and Commissioner Gwen Markham agreed to the proposed amendment. A voice vote was conducted, and a sufficient majority having voted in favor, the minutes will be amended, as requested. 5. Discussion Items a. Board of Commissioners - District #18 Commissioner possible candidates: Amani Johnson, Linnie Taylor, Alexandria Hughes Chair Charlie Cavell addressed the Caucus regarding the method to be used to determine the Caucus position on filling the District #18 vacancy. On the question of the method to be used to determine the Caucus position on filling the District #18 vacancy, a roll call vote was conducted. Discussion followed. IN FAVOR OF PAPER BALLOT: Charlie Cavell, Marcia Gershenson, Penny Luebs, Gwen Markham, William Miller III, Angela Powell, Yolanda Smith Charles (7) IN FAVOR OF VOICE VOTE: Anne Erickson Gault, Brendan Johnson, Kristen Nelson, Ajay Raman, David Woodward (5) A sufficient majority having voted in favor, a paper ballot vote will be conducted. Commissioner Marcia Gershenson addressed the Caucus to recommend Linnie Taylor, stating that Ms. Taylor has the support of City of Southfield Clerk and former Commissioner Janet Jackson. Commissioner David Woodward addressed the Caucus to recommend Linnie Taylor. A paper ballot vote was conducted. Linnie Taylor (8) Amani Johnson (4) Linnie Taylor received the majority of votes for the appointment to Commissioner District #18, term ending December 31, 2024. Commissioner David Woodward moved to adopt a Caucus position in support of Linnie Taylor to fill the District #18 vacancy. Seconded by Angela Powell. A voice vote was conducted and passed unanimously. Discussion followed. Chair Charlie Cavell addressed the Caucus to announce a vote for the Caucus Vice Chair will be held on January 18, 2024. He also stated the National Association of Counties (NACo) meetings will be held in Washington D.C., February 2024. Discussion followed. b.Board of Commissioners - 2024 New Year Outlook presented by Brendan Johnson, LAGO Chair Commissioner Brendan Johnson addressed the Caucus regarding Legislative Affairs and Government Operations Committee item entitled: 2024 New Year Outlook. Discussion followed. Commissioner David Woodward addressed the Caucus regarding Legislative Affairs and Government Operations Committee item entitled: Appropriating of Funding for the New Agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. to Implement the Taser 10-year Certification Plan. Discussion followed. Commissioner Brendan Johnson addressed the Caucus regarding Legislative Affairs and Government Operations Committee item entitled: Parks & Recreation Commission Appointments - Andrea LaFontaine and Parks & Recreation Commission Appointments - Shanell Weatherspoon. He also stated there are four vacant seats on the Parks & Recreation Commission. Chair Charlie Cavell addressed the Caucus to announce a resolution will be introduced at tonight's Board meeting entitled: Program Sponsorship with City of Huntington Woods for Antiracist Parenting Educational Workshop. Commissioner Kristin Nelson addressed the Caucus to announce that a resolution will be introduced at tonight's Board meeting entitled: Supporting the National Association of Counties Bipartisan Initiatives to Urge National Policy Reform that Aims to Prevent Disruptions in Primary and Behavioral Health Care Services for Justice-Involved Populations. Commissioner Yolanda Smith Charles addressed the Caucus to request bi- partisan support for resolution item entitled: Sponsorship of Southfield A&T Warriors Championship Celebration. Commissioner Marcia Gershenson addressed the Caucus to announce she will be requesting support for the Board of Commissioners Vice Chair seat during the January 2024, vote. Commissioner Angela Powell addressed the Caucus to announce she will be requesting support for the Majority Caucus Chair during the January 18, 2024, meeting. Commissioner David Woodward addressed the Caucus to announce consent agenda items entitled: Economic Development - Amendment of Oakland County Economic Development and Growth Alliance (Oakland Thrive) Agreement, Water Resources Commissioner - Appropriating American Rescue Plan Act - Local Fiscal Recovery Funds for WRC Hardship Assistance Program, Water Resources Commissioner - Appropriating American Rescue Plan Act - Local Fiscal Recovery Funds for Royal Oak Township Drinking Water & Sewer System Improvement Projects and Human Resources - Healthy Workplace Policy will be moved to the regular agenda during tonight's Board meeting. Susan Holiday, Executive Director, Leadership Oakland, addressed the Caucus to introduce members of the Leadership Oakland program. 6.Public Comment The following people addressed the Caucus during Public Comment #2: Lance Stokes, Richard Lynch and Kristen Nelson. Commissioner David Woodward addressed the Caucus to announce a grant is available for the marijuana lockbox program. He stated the grant application will be due January 1, 2024. The Caucus recessed at 06:11 PM. The Caucus Reconvened at 07:42 PM. Roll Call MEMBERS PRESENT: Charlie Cavell, Ann Erickson Gault, Marcia Gershenson, Brendan Johnson, Penny Luebs, Gwen Markham, William Miller III, Kristen Nelson, Angela Powell, Ajay Raman, Yolanda Smith Charles, David Woodward (12) MEMBERS ABSENT WITH NOTICE: (0) Commissioner David Woodward addressed the Caucus regarding Legislative Affairs and Government Operations Committee item entitled: Human Resources - Healthy Workplace Policy. Discussion followed. April Lynch, Deputy Executive, Oakland County, addressed the Caucus regarding Legislative Affairs and Government Operations Committee item entitled: Human Resources - Healthy Workplace Policy. Discussion followed. The Caucus recessed at 08:10 PM. 7.Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 08:38 PM.