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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2024.09.19 - 41926 AGENDA ITEM: Sponsorship of Additional Trinity Gun Disposal Safe Surrender and Buyback Events DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners MEETING: Board of Commissioners DATE: Thursday, September 19, 2024 9:30 AM - Click to View Agenda ITEM SUMMARY SHEET COMMITTEE REPORT TO BOARD Resolution #2024-4504 Motion to approve the one-time allotment of $15,000 from the Fiscal Year 2024 Board of Commissioners General Fund Sponsorship line-item budget for the purpose of sponsoring additional Trinity Gun Disposal's 2024 Safe Surrender and Buyback Events; further, approve and authorize the Board Chair to execute any required agreements on behalf of Oakland County. ITEM CATEGORY SPONSORED BY Special Project Marcia Gershenson INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND First and Last Name (Person Submitting the Form): Chris Yaw Organization (Person Submitting the Form): Trinity Gun Disposal Email Address (Person Submitting the Form): chris.yaw@stdavidschurch.com Phone Number (Person Submitting the Form): (555) 123-4567 Last Name of Sponsoring Commissioner: Gershenson Project Overview: Trinity Gun Disposal, a ministry of St. David’s Episcopal Church, has previously conducted a successful series of Safe Surrender/Buyback Events, funded in part by the BOC. These events have effectively facilitated the safe disposal of unwanted firearms in Oakland County and have fostered community engagement and safety. Building on the success of those previous efforts, Trinity Gun Disposal is proposing two additional Safe Surrender/Buyback Events. Two more are scheduled to take place at St. David’s, 16200 W. 12 Mile Rd., Southfield, MI. These events aim to mobilize communities, providing a safe space for firearm disposal, fostering connections, and promoting peace. Project Type: Sponsorship of two additional Events Proposed Budget Breakdown: Estimated Cost of Overall Project: $15,000; $7,500 each. Detailed Timeline for Implementation: Initial events were contracted for July - October 2024 as follows: —July 13 at St. David's Episcopal Church, 16200 W. 12 Mile Road in Southfield; —Aug. 3 at Nativity Church, 21220 W. 14 Mile Road in Bloomfield Hills; —Sept. 28 at All Saints Church, 71 W. Pike St. in Pontiac; —Oct. 5 at St. Andrew's Church, 5301 Hatchery Road in Waterford Township;. Two additional events will be scheduled in Oakland County to take place at St. David’s, 16200 W. 12 Mile Rd., Southfield, MI. Detail on Funding Partners or Matching Funds: Trinity Gun Disposal is seeking additional funding partners to support the success of the events. However, the requested contribution from the BOC is crucial to ensuring the events' viability and impact. Anticipated Impact and Evaluation: The project aims to facilitate the safe disposal of firearms, contributing to community safety and well-being. Success will be evaluated based on the number of firearms collected, community engagement, and feedback from participants. Additional Information or Supporting Documents: Attached is the event proposal detailing the logistics, safety measures, and leadership team involved in organizing the events. POLICY ANALYSIS Summary of Proposed Project: The proposed project involves hosting two additional Safe Surrender/Buyback Events aimed at facilitating the safe disposal of unwanted firearms within Oakland County. These events, organized by Trinity Gun Disposal, a ministry of St. David’s Episcopal Church, seek to mobilize communities, provide a safe space for firearm disposal, foster connections, and promote peace. The previously contracted events are scheduled as follows: —July 13 at St. David's Episcopal Church, 16200 W. 12 Mile Road in Southfield; —Aug. 3 at Nativity Church, 21220 W. 14 Mile Road in Bloomfield Hills; —Sept. 28 at All Saints Church, 71 W. Pike St. in Pontiac; —Oct. 5 at St. Andrew's Church, 5301 Hatchery Road in Waterford Township;. Estimated Cost: The estimated cost of the overall project is $10,000. Trinity Gun Disposal is requesting a contribution of $5,000 from the Oakland County Board of Commissioners (BOC) to support the implementation of additional events. Funding Partners: Trinity Gun Disposal is seeking additional funding partners to enhance the success and impact of the events. However, the requested contribution from the BOC is crucial to ensuring the events' viability. Purpose of the Project: The primary purpose of the project is to provide a mechanism for the safe disposal of firearms, thereby contributing to community safety and well-being. Additionally, the project aims to mobilize communities, foster connections, and promote peace through collaborative efforts. Beneficiaries: The beneficiaries of this project are the residents of Oakland County, particularly those seeking a safe means to dispose of unwanted firearms. Additionally, the wider community stands to benefit from increased safety and peace resulting from the removal of these firearms from circulation. Expected Duration: The project is currently contracted to take place as follows: —July 13 at St. David's Episcopal Church, 16200 W. 12 Mile Road in Southfield; —Aug. 3 at Nativity Church, 21220 W. 14 Mile Road in Bloomfield Hills; —Sept. 28 at All Saints Church, 71 W. Pike St. in Pontiac; —Oct. 5 at St. Andrew's Church, 5301 Hatchery Road in Waterford Township;. Two additional events will be scheduled in Oakland County to take place in 2024 at St. David’s, 16200 W. 12 Mile Rd., Southfield, MI. Budget Cycles: The budget for this project aligns with the fiscal year cycle of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners. Funding will be allocated based on the availability of resources within the designated budget cycle. Support from County Departments or Outside Agencies: Trinity Gun Disposal has indicated collaboration with local law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety and legality of the events. Specific support from county departments or outside agencies beyond financial contribution has not been explicitly outlined in the proposal. Scope of Authority: The scope of authority for this project lies primarily with Trinity Gun Disposal and its organizing committee. While seeking financial support from the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, Trinity Gun Disposal retains authority over the planning, execution, and evaluation of the events. Proposed Timeline: CON010936 —July 13 at St. David's Episcopal Church, 16200 W. 12 Mile Road in Southfield; —Aug. 3 at Nativity Church, 21220 W. 14 Mile Road in Bloomfield Hills; —Sept. 28 at All Saints Church, 71 W. Pike St. in Pontiac; —Oct. 5 at St. Andrew's Church, 5301 Hatchery Road in Waterford Township; Two additional events will be scheduled in Oakland County to take place in 2024 at St. David’s, 16200 W. 12 Mile Rd., Southfield, MI. BUDGET AMENDMENT REQUIRED: No Committee members can contact Barbara Winter, Policy and Fiscal Analysis Supervisor at 248.821.3065 or winterb@oakgov.com or the department contact persons listed for additional information. CONTACT Marcia Gershenson, Commissioner ITEM REVIEW TRACKING Aaron Snover, Board of Commissioners Created/Initiated - 9/19/2024 AGENDA DEADLINE: 09/19/2024 9:30 AM ATTACHMENTS 1. 2024 TGD Gun Buy Back Event Proposal 2. TGD Leadership Description COMMITTEE TRACKING 2024-09-11 Finance - Recommend to Board 2024-09-19 Full Board - Adopt Motioned by: Commissioner Penny Luebs Seconded by: Commissioner Robert Hoffman Yes: David Woodward, Michael Spisz, Michael Gingell, Penny Luebs, Karen Joliat, Christine Long, Robert Hoffman, Philip Weipert, Gwen Markham, Angela Powell, Marcia Gershenson, William Miller III, Yolanda Smith Charles, Charles Cavell, Brendan Johnson, Ann Erickson Gault, Linnie Taylor (17) No: None (0) Abstain: None (0) Absent: Kristen Nelson (1) Passed Trinity Gun Disposal Safe Surrender/Buyback Events Trinity Gun Disposal, a ministry of St. David’s Episcopal Church, is asking for $10,000 to help underwrite our Saturday, June 15, 2024 buyback at St. David’s, 16200 W. 12 Mile Rd., Southfield, MI Trinity has larger plans this summer, to mobilize communities around the issue of gun disposal by providing a mobile gun disposal service, turning parking lots and grounds at houses of worship into places of peace, connection, and joy. We partner with local faith communities under consultation with local law enforcement to hold these events to dispose of unwanted firearms from the local community. We have 5 other events planned for the summer pending the success of the June 15 event. These include:, June 15 - St. David's, Southfield, July 6 - Pontiac, Location TBA, August 3 - Nativity, Bloomfield, Aug 24 – Detroit, Sept 14- Grace, Mt. Clemens, Oct - Lansing or Waterford Event Description Set up and Site Preparation – Trinity works with each congregation to custom-design an event site plan that includes traffic flow and management, disabling sites, food, hospitality, craft, and other displays. Guest Arrival and Check In – Firearm donors are greeted by volunteers who direct vehicles and collect detailed donor contact information, firearm serial number(s) and type of gun. Donors sign a permission waiver to destroy the firearm(s), and request a ‘thank you’ gift card or piece of gun part artwork. Disabling Stations – Donors are led to the Disabling Stations where trained, gun savvy volunteers remove firearm(s) from vehicle. Firearms are carried to 3-10 power saws at individual stations to be disabled according to Federal Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms (ATF) guidelines. Each disabling station is staffed with 1-2 trained volunteers wearing proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Community Building – Events feature an Artist’s Table for people to create art out of scrap gun parts. There’s also food and entertainment, a Medical area and Spiritual Care area. Legal and Liability Federal Licensing (FFL) - Trinity is in the process of obtaining a Federal Firearm License (FFL application date 2/24). Nonetheless, transfer of firearms does to not occur at our events as the donor is in constant possession of the firearm throughout the process. Law Enforcement Presence – Trinity works to inform and invite local, state, and federal law enforcement to observe, monitor, and participate in its events. Liability Insurance – Trinity provides $1mil/$2mil liability insurance and medical insurance for the duration of the event, covering volunteers, participants, and donors while they are on the property. Trinity Gun Disposal Leadership Team Trinity Gun Disposal is a non-profit ministry of St. David’s Episcopal Church in Southfield, Michigan and stands for Transformation (T), Generous Community (G), and Dynamic Safety (D). According to the University of Michigan Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention, gun ownership in the last generation has increased precipitously, from 200 million guns in the 1990s to upwards of 450 million just 30 years later. Police departments and municipalities are short staffed, stretched for storage space, and lack the ability to take in many of the millions of unwanted guns that are lying around in attics, garages, and dresser drawers. We seek to provide a solution to individuals and entities in disposing of unwanted weapons. Chris Yaw – Chief Volunteer Chris is the rector of St. David’s Episcopal Church in Southfield, Michigan. He has been working on gun safety initiatives since 2021, leading the congregation in 2 successful gun buybacks and a peace march for gun safety. He holds two Masters degrees in theology and a Federal Firearms License (pending). Ben Epstein - Disabling Operations Ben is a carpenter and painter by trade, having worked for several respected companies and in operation of his own construction company. He is responsible for purchase, upkeep, and the safe use of all equipment, including power tools, tables, vices, etc. Ben sees that events are well-equipped with everything needed to physically disable firearms and that the disabling areas of our events are correctly set up and adequately supplied. Mary Bensmiller –Event Hospitality This volunteer is responsible for food, music, and the overall festival nature of the event. This includes working with food providers to set up tables and food service equipment. It includes coordination with other community groups represented at the events. It includes the staffing and facilitation of a Medical Volunteer tent; a volunteer EMT is on hand to help in case of emergency as well as hydration and care for volunteers. This also includes interface with music and/or musicians, making sure they have all they need to create the desired atmosphere. It also includes decoration and arrangement of the music and food areas. Carl Berry – Safety, Security, and Traffic Administration Carl is the retired chief of both the Plymouth and Plymouth Township Police Departments. An Air Force Veteran and life-long gun owner, Carl sees that security personnel, both private security and municipal law enforcement, are in place for each event; that gun clearing barrels are in place; that adequately trained professionals are in place to handle all firearms; that traffic movement is coordinated in a safe and timely manner. Carol Detrisac – Health and Safety Carol is a retired veterinarian pathologist who has spent much of her career in a laboratory where she authored and enforced workplace health and safety codes. She is the author and chief enforcer of our Standard Operating Procedures book Felicity Thompson – Chief Volunteer Spiritual Care Felicity is a seminary student seeking ordination as a priest and oversees the spiritual and perhaps mental care of those who may be adversely affected by guns or gun violence, overseeing an area within the event space dedicated to this care. This includes recruitment and training of volunteer chaplains and mental health workers. Amy Prather and Joann Sackett - Public Relations and Communications Amy is a seasoned media professional, with experience in design, public relations, and communications. Joann is a long-time photographer who has captured images of her church at work, worship, and play for decades. She will be in charge of recording the event with audio, photo, and video and reflecting this in our social media presence. This team is responsible for media liaison, sending out news releases and attracting media to the event as well as overseeing our web presence and web retail presence, creating and regularly updating the website. Carol Detrisac - Treasurer / Gift Cards Carol is a gun safety advocate and dedicated member of St. David’s who will undertake this administrative role that includes the oversight of all the finances of the organization. This includes tracking donations, providing appropriate receipts, generating financial reports, managing disbursements, and generating documents needed to comply with local, state, and federal law. It also includes obtaining and distributing gift cards, and other gifts to firearm donors, during the event. Development - This volunteer helps identify and make contact with potential donors. This includes locating prospects and developing a strategy to interest them in our work. This volunteer works with partner congregations to identify and solicit from local partners at each venue. This volunteer also makes sure donors are adequately thanked. This includes the sending of written or digital “thank-yous” or other means of expressing gratitude. Merchandise and Artist’s Table - This individual oversees the on-site areas of the event: the ‘Merch Market’ Merchandise area where a variety of items are for sale, and the Transformation Tent, where gun remnants are made into artwork by novice or professional artisan, for example, using glue guns, gun parts, and wood planks to spell out words like ‘peace.’ This includes supplying and overseeing areas at the event and keeping inventory of artwork made for sale to others. Advance Team – This volunteer works with congregations well ahead of the event to recruit and train volunteers, raise money, plan publicity, and create momentum for the event. Volunteers are required to take an online training class to prepare for the event.