HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2023.11.16 - 40895
1200 N. Telegraph Road, Bldg. 12 East, Pontiac, MI 48341
Democratic Caucus Minutes
November 16, 2023 at 8:30 AM
1. Call Meeting to Order
Chair Janet Jackson called the meeting of the Democratic Caucus to order at 08:42 AM in
BOC Committee Room A, 1200 N. Telegraph Road, 12E, Pontiac, Michigan 48341.
2. Roll Call
MEMBERS PRESENT: David Woodward, Penny Luebs, Kristen Nelson, Gwen Markham,
Angela Powell, Marcia Gershenson, Janet Jackson, William Miller III, Yolanda Smith
Charles, Ajay Raman, Brendan Johnson (11)
MEMBERS ABSENT WITH NOTICE: Charles Cavell (1)
3. Public Comment
No one addressed the Caucus during Public Comment #1.
4. New Business
Commissioner David Woodward addressed the Caucus to request a moment of silence in
honor of Commissioner Gary McGillivray.
The following appointee candidates addressed the Caucus: John Freeman, Ann Erickson
Gault, Emily Rohrbach, Roslyn Grafstein and Quinn Wright.
Chair Janet Jackson addressed the Caucus regarding the method to be used to determine
the Caucus position on filling the District #3 vacancy.
Discussion followed.
Commissioners agreed to conduct multiple rounds of voting by paper ballot, with the top
two candidates with the most votes advancing to the next round.
A vote by paper ballot was conducted.
ANN ERICKSON GAULT (6)
JOHN FREEMAN (3)
AMY ROHRBACH (2)
A second vote by paper ballot was conducted.
ANN ERICKSON GAULT (8)
JOHN FREEMAN (3)
David Woodward moved to adopt a Caucus position in support of Ann Erickson Gault to
fill the District #3 vacancy. Seconded by Angela Powell.
Roll Call Vote
YES: David Woodward, Penny Luebs, Kristen Nelson, Gwen Markham, Angela Powell,
Marcia Gershenson, Janet Jackson, William Miller III, Yolanda Smith Charles, Ajay
Raman, Brendan Johnson (11)
NO: None (0)
a. Board of Commissioners - dated October 17, 2023
Gwen Markham moved approval of the Minutes dated October 17, 2023, as
presented. Seconded by Penny Luebs.
A voice vote was conducted, and a sufficient majority having voted in favor, the
minutes were approved as presented.
5. Discussion Items
a. Board of Commissioners - Teresa Mask - County Executive Appointee -
Director, Department of Public Communications
Walt Herzig, Deputy County Executive, addressed the Caucus to introduce
Teresa Mask, newly appointed Director of Public Communications.
Teresa Mask, Director of Public Communications, addressed the Caucus to
introduce herself and talk about her background.
Discussion followed.
Brendan Johnson addressed the Caucus regarding Legislative Affairs and
Government Operations Committee item entitled: Board of Commissioners -
Opposing Michigan House Bills 5120, 5121, 5122, and 5123, and Senate Bills
585, 586, 587, and 588 that Preempt Local Control for Solar and Wind
Developments. He stated that these bills have already been passed in the State
Legislature and suggested this item be removed from the agenda. With no
objection, the item was removed from the agenda.
Discussion followed.
David Woodward addressed the Caucus and stated that there will be a motion on
the floor to designate the current Vice Chair of the Legislative Affairs and
Government Operations Committee, Brendan Johnson, the Committee Chair.
David Woodward addressed the Caucus to announce that $2 million for shelter
gap funding is currently in the committee process.
Marcia Gershenson addressed the Caucus to congratulate Janet Jackson on her
landslide victory for Southfield City Clerk.
Chair Janet Jackson addressed the Caucus to say goodbye and thank the
Commissioners for all of their support.
6. Public Comment
The following people addressed the Caucus during Public Comment #2: Linnie Taylor,
Amani Johnson and Courtney Newberry.
7. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 11:15 AM.